Amazing! Meet the Youngest PhD Holders in Nigeria

In Nigeria, one of the very difficult situations students find themselves in is securing admission into tertiary institutions of learning. Hence, the reason many resort to part time education as a means of catching up with their peers who were lucky enough to advance ahead of them.

But there are some people who have been exceptional in their endeavours and have managed to emerge as doctorate degree holders at the early stage of their lives.

A list of Nigeria’s youngest PhDs has been compiled and it is presented below:

5. Dr Olabisi Adeyemi – PhD obtained at Age 26

This young intellectual earned her PhD in Botany from the University of Lagos. Though
she had maintained a track record of academic success right from her secondary school, she acknowledged that having a PhD at her age, and the record of being the best graduating PhD student, did not come easy. Born in Lagos Island local government of Lagos state, Dr. Adeyemi attended Girls’ Academy, L/Island where she was the best student in WAEC, with seven distinctions. She proceeded to University of Lagos and graduated with a first class degree in botany in 2006. She completed her PhD in record time in 2012.

4. Dr Opeyemi Shodipe – PhD obtained at Age 25

This young Nigerian scholar received her bachelor’s degree at 19, from Babcock University. After the mandatory NYSC programme, she entered for a masters at University of Ibadan, graduating best in her department. She capped it with a well-deserved doctorate degree in information science from her alma mater, Babcock University when she was 25.

3. Dr Salihu Dasuki Nakande – PhD obtained at Age 25

Born in October 1987, he is one of Nigeria’s youngest PhD holders, and arguably the youngest in northern Nigeria. He graduated with a first class degree in information technology from Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU), North Cyprus at 21. Dr.
Salihu completed his Master’s degree at Brunel University, UK. He capped it with a
PhD from the same university in 2012.

2. Dr Olaoluwa Hallowed Oluwadara – PhD obtained at Age 24

Acclaimed as one of Africa’s youngest PhD holders, Olaoluwa is a spectacular Nigerian intellectual and scholar, because of his achievements. He entered university for a
bachelor’s degree at 15. He earned two B.Sc degrees in mathematics and physics, from
University of Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR), run simultaneously. He received his
master’s degree from the same university. He crowned it with a PhD in mathematics at
the University of Lagos, Akoka, where he was the best graduating PhD student. Dr.
Olaoluwa H. Oluwadara won University of Bangui’s all-time best student award from
the department of mathematics, best BSc student award in physics, 2007 and best MSc
awards in physics and mathematics respectively in 2008. He currently is a
research fellow of the Mathematical Analysis and Optimisation Research Group.

1. Dr Nkemehule Karl Omebere-Iyari – PhD obtained at Age 22

Here we have the leader of the pack. A colossus of intellectual ingenuity. Dr.
Omebere-Iyari, received his PhD in chemical engineering from University of Nottingham,
UK, in 2006, then aged 22. This amazing Nigerian, an old student of Kings College,
Lagos had 8 As in his WAEC result at age 16. He proceeded the same year to Oxbridge,
Ikeja, where he wrote and passed his A-levels, scoring ‘A’ in physics, chemistry and
mathematics. He entered the University of Nottingham immediately and graduated three
years later with a first class degree in Chemical Engineering at 19 in 2003.
He was also the best graduating student in chemical engineering that year. With a
university scholarship, Omebere-Iyari wasted no time, and pursued his PhD. He received a
EU grant of €17,000 every year, and finished his doctorate in the record time of three
years, specializing in multi-phase flow. Omebere-Iyari has distinguished himself as
an exceptionally gifted Nigerian. Since graduation, he has worked with many
multinational corporations such as Shell, Halliburton, etc. He earned an MBA with
distinction from INSEAD/Wharton, and is a member of many professional groups.

Source: Naij

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African Student Tops UK University

A Nigerian student, Oluwatobi Olasunkanmi has won the William Charnley Prize for the best First Class in Law at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.

The 24-year-old Oluwatobi who is the son of the former Minister of Youth Development, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi, happened to be the only student of black descent in the graduating set. In an official correspondence dated June 26, 2015, addressed to the best First Class Law student, the University’s Senior Tutor, Dr Philip Johnson, congratulated the Nigerian lad for the feat.

“Many congratulations on obtaining the best Hughes Hall First Class in your BA in Law. In recognition, the College has awarded you with the William Charnley Prize” said Johnson.

Meanwhile, the father of the award winner, Senator Olasunkanmi, has expressed his joy at the achievement attained by his son, noting that it has not only brought honour to his family but to Nigeria as a whole.
“Sincerely speaking, my joy is not only because he is my son but because he has represented Nigeria well by bringing a laurel which has manifested in the best First Class Prize in Law.”

Source: Daily Post

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Meet Gambia’s Youngest Magistrate

At only 23 years of age, Omar Jabang is Gambia’s youngest Magistrate. He was appointed First Class Magistrate in February 2014, shortly after bagging a law degree at the University of The Gambia (UTG) . During his time at the UTG, Omar was a top notch student, graduating with distinction. Also, he was once selected as Best Arts Student at Nusrat SSS in 2009. He is currently presiding over high profile cases at the Kanifing Magistrate Court. He is an exemplary young man.

He is just one of the many amazing Africans and we would be highlighting them here at the African Youth Corner.

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Know the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs)

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as Global Goals are an inter-governmentally agreed set of targets relating to international development. The 193 countries of the United Nations’ General Assembly adopted the 2030 Development agenda titled “Transforming our world” on the 25th of September, 2015.

Do you know the SDGs?
There are seventeen SDGs all together which the UN hope would be achieved by 2030. See them grided below:

For the goals to be reached, everyone needs to do their part: governments, the private sector, civil society and people like you.

Young Africans can get involved with the SDGs with projects aimed towards achieving any of the goal. You can start with telling people around you about these goals and find strategic ways to achieve them in your locality.

Celebrating the International Day of the Girl Child

The celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child is held on the 11th of October annually. The date was declared by the United Nations in 2011 and the mission is “to help galvanize worldwide enthusiasm for goals to better girls’ lives, providing an opportunity for them to show leadership and reach their full potential.”

All over the world, Girls face discrimination and violence every day. The International Day of the Girl Child focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights.

It is important to pay serious attention to the girl child because they are key factors in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. They hold the future of the world within them. When girls do better, we all do better.

The theme of this year’s celebration is “The Power of the Adolescent Girl: Vision 2030.” The potential of the adolescent girls is threatened by unwanted pregnancy, forced early marriage,
gender-based violence and limited access to
higher education and reproductive health services.

In his statement to mark this year’s international day, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon notes: “Our task now is to get to work on meeting the SDG targets and making good on our promises to give girls all the opportunities they deserve as they mature to adulthood by 2030.”

It is the responsibility of every one, as Global citizens to ensure that the girl child realize their potential. Stop the discrimination and violence against them, protect them and give them quality education.

Apply for Internship Programme in Germany

Deadline: November 15, 2015

The Internship Programme of German Business offers young graduates and students the possibility of a three to six-month long internship at leading German companies . The interns gain an insight into corporate culture in Germany and are acquainted with modern management and work organisation.

Following their stay in Germany, the interns return to their respective home country and are able to contribute the newly acquired knowledge and skills there. The experience and contacts established will strengthen the economic development of their home countries and promote bilateral relations with Germany as well as economic relations within the region. Thus, this programme and the associated alumni network make an important contribution towards regional reconciliation, intensified economic relations and create a cross-sectoral network of young, cosmopolitan professionals in the region.

Benefits

• The interns receive a scholarship that is financed from the funds of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The participating German companies make available both the required management capacities as well as the internship placements. Furthermore, the companies cover the cost of accommodation and health insurance for the interns or pay a monthly allowance;

• Prior to the internship, there is a common introductory programme held in Berlin with the aim of bringing together the interns with the relevant stakeholders in politics and industry, thus preparing them for their stay in Germany;

• During their stay in Germany, scholarship holders have a possibility to attend appropriate language course in order to improve their command of German language, whose costs are also covered by the Programme.

Eligibility

• Students of higher semesters and postgraduates
with first job experience can apply.

• Their field of studies should have a focus either on economic finance, engineering, journalism or agriculture.

• The applicants should generally not be older than 30 years.

• A very good command of German and/or English is required.

• Applicants from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia are called to apply.

Application Procedure

• Get information on how to apply here.
• Before you fill in the online application, you should prepare the following documents:
– Letter of motivation (1-2 max.pages in German or English);
– Curriculum vitae (in German or English);
– Portrait photo (in a common graphics format, e.g. JPG), a separate document;
– Scanned transcript of records (overview of the courses and marks, issued by your faculty);
– Translation of transcript of records (German or English translation, there is no official translation required for the online application stage);
– Other scanned documents available (e.g. language certificates for German or English, references, diplomas).
– You may upload the documents in Word, PDF or graphics formats.

Click here for more information.

Sights from Nigeria

Africa is a really beautiful place. There may not be many ancient architectural master pieces like in Rome, Paris and London but there are so many wonderful locations.

This week we shall see some places in Nigeria.

1. National Arts Theatre – Lagos

National Arts Theatre - Lagos

2. Zuma Rock – Abuja

3. Akwa Ibom Stadium – Uyo

4. The Ranch – Obudu

5. Uyo City at Night

6. Agbokim Waterfall – Cross River

7. Eko Courts – Victoria Island

8. Lagos Arts Festival

9. Aerial View

10. Aso Rock – Abuja

Nigeria Overcomes Polio

Before this time, there have been rising issues of polio in Nigeria but recently the country has reached a major polio “milestone” and has been removed from the list of polio-endemic countries after a year of not reporting a single case of wild polio.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said Nigeria has not reported a case of wild polio virus since July 24, 2014.
“All laboratory data confirm that 12 months have passed without any new case in the country.
“Nigeria has brought the world one major step closer to achieving this goal and it is critical that we seize this opportunity to end polio for good and ensure that future generations of children are free from this devastating disease.
“This leaves only Pakistan and Afghanistan as the only countries with endemic cases of the disease,’’ the organisation said in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday.
The statement quoted the Global Polio Eradication Initiative as describing the development as historic achievement in global healthcare.
WHO issued the statement after the recent Global Polio Eradication meeting in New York.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is spearheaded by national governments, WHO, Rotary International, the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The statement recalled that in 2012, Nigeria accounted for more than half of all polio cases worldwide. It said that the success was the result of concerted efforts by all levels of government, civil society groups and religious leaders in the country.
It observed further that more than 200,000 volunteers across the country had repeatedly immunised more than 45 million children under the age of five years. It
noted that increased community involvement and the establishment of emergency operations centres at the national and state levels, had also contributed to Nigeria’s success.

According to the statement, such support with continued domestic funding from Nigeria is essential to keep Nigeria and the entire region polio-free. The statement quoted WHO as warning that immunisation and surveillance activities must continue to rapidly detect any potential re-introduction or re-emergence of the virus.

“After three years have passed without a case of wild polio virus on the continent, official certification of polio eradication will be conducted at the regional level in Africa.
“Eradicating polio will be one of the greatest achievements in human history which and have a positive impact on global health for generations to come,’’ the statement said.

Source: Premium Times