The Youth Advocacy Award:
(This is for a not-for-profit organisation, run by a young person for young people, that has been most effective in achieving its goals – it could be an NGO, a club etc. We would prefer organisations that are national in their spread, even though the award is not limited to this i.e. it could be community based. But more preferably, this award is for the young individual very actively involved in advocacy i.e. HIV/AIDS, Employment, the Niger Delta etc. But that organisation/person must be able to show the things it has achieved. It must be able also to show how it funds itself.)

Full name: Oluwagbenga ('Gbenga) Sesan

Date of Birth: July 27, 1977
Details of work in past one year:
(i) Research on eAdvocacy and Technology Use by Civil Society in Nigeria. Selected, by Res Publica (New York), as Nigerian consultant to lead research and write case study on the research theme – in addition to primary source interviews with leading ICT figures, academics and activists/advocates;
(ii) Nation-wide advocacy on personal development and ICT4D application. These include the establishment of the Nigerian Youth ICT4D Network (www.nyinetwork.org) and 180 Degrees Seminar Series. The 180 Degrees Seminar series are a revolutionary gathering of young minds intended to inspire and educate them on the need to ensure a complete (180 degrees) turn-around from their present shortcomings, and aim for a complete control of their lives – without the usual excuse-giving and blame-shifting tendencies that are popular among today's students and young professionals. The seminar series hold in various locations across the country, and has held in Lagos, Osun and Ogun states (with many more to follow). Feedbacks from the impact of the various sessions have been extremely encouraging, and he is in the process of taking the 180 Degrees experience to the next level. In Quarter 1 2007, he will begin a 1-month intensive 180 Degrees (training) school which will focus on equipping fresh graduates and students with the appropriate tools they need to compete favourably in the New Economy. The 180 Degrees project deliberately focuses on youth, and looks at a 2025 timeline for the emergence of Nigeria as one of the most desirable nations on earth.
Focus: His area of focus is Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) and in this area, his work focuses on Research, Consulting, Policy Intervention and Project Implementation. He is involved with high-level research that seeks to understand the relationship between ICTs and Economic Development, and he’s been doing this for about 3 years now. He has in fact just been offered a place at the Manchester Business School to complete a 3-year PhD program, which will enable me complete research on the theme, "ICTs for Economic Transformation. However, his research work is not strictly academic as it focuses on practical application of research results in everyday consulting, policy intervention and project implementation. Project implementation, for instance, involves practical action that seeks to bring all the experiences in research outcomes, consulting and policy intervention to bear on the relevant community of concern. Such projects include numerous ICT projects, but a lot of emphasis was placed on telecenters (community access points that provide technology and socio-economic havens) for the year 2006.
Why are you doing this: “Growing up in a rural city in Nigeria, I saw computers for the first time at the age of thirteen – but was not able to touch them. Eight years after that encounter, I was an intern at an Information Technology (IT) firm; and by the year 2000, I completed my first task in helping people use IT for development by organizing a training session. Looking around me, and studying the nation’s youth, I believe that developing economies need to bridge the digital divide in order to benefit from the Information Society.”
Financing: Through travel grants and funding from organisations including Heinrich Boll Foundation (Nigeria office), Global Knowledge Partnership (Malaysia), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (Ethiopia), International Telecommunications Union (Geneva), TODA Institute (USA) and Telecentres.org (Canada)

Impact: “We have also been able to influence policy in the country as youth – coming from a nation where youth were almost banned from speaking about high-level issues to one where youth are appointed as advisers to the president on very high-level policy issues (not as a form of tokenism but respect for professional expertise). There is an obvious paradigm shift among youth themselves, expressed through the many young people who have gone beyond just being inspired to the level of taking appropriate action. The journey of a thousand miles begins in a day, but I have a very strong feeling that Nigeria is quite some distance into its necessary youth-led growth path.”

Structure: For the Lagos Digital Village project, the board includes representatives from Lagos State, Microsoft and Junior Achievement of Nigeria - Ms. Bola Banire (Director, ICT Education, Ministry of Science & Technology), Mrs. Wuraola (President, JA Nigeria), General Manager, Microsoft Nigeria. Other than the LDV project, the others who serve as patrons to his involvements (mostly advisory) include Dr. Philip Emeagwali, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Prof. Pat Utomi, Ms. Walda Roseman (USA), Dr. Axel Sievers (Kenya), Hon. Kojo Yanka (Ghana) and Ms. Aida Opoku-Mensah (Ethiopia).

International highlights:
(i) Involvement with the UN Economic Commission for Africa's "African Technical Advisory Committee"
(ii) United Nations mission for the International Telecommunications Union to the Internet Governance Forum
(iii) Membership of the Community of Expertise on "Youth Technopreneurship" for the Global Alliance for ICT and Development (GAID)
(iv) Participation in international events including the following:
(a) 7th Social Enterprise Alliance Gathering, USA. March 7-10, 2006: Facilitated a session on “Social Enterprise in Africa: An Emerging Concept in an Emerging Economy”;
(b) U.N. Economic Commission for Africa’s eTrade Forum, Ethiopia. March 14-16, 2006: Represented Africa’s youth and delivered speech titled, “eTrade and Youth Development”;
(c) InterAfrica Lome Citizens’ Youth Forum, Togo. April 22-26, 2006: Represented Nigerian youth and delivered speech during ICT workshop, titled “Africa’s Last Chance”;
(d) ICT Africa Investment Summit, Rwanda. May 4-6, 2006: Hosted by the Ministry of Infrastructure in partnership with Kemilinks International, I represented Nigerian youth and advised the Youth Caucus;
(e) Global Knowledge Partnership’s International Forum on Cross-Sector Partnerships, Sri Lanka. May 8-12, 2006: Invited as speaker at the forum’s Youth and Social Entrepreneurship panel;
(f) Toda Institute’s Researchers’ Conference on Global Peace and Policy Research, Canada. June 25 - 27, 2006: Invited as a researcher on the theme, “Building Bridges for Digital Opportunities: ICT and Youth Partnership for Human Development”;
(g) Junior Achievement Program Development Task Force Meeting, USA. September 27-30, 2006: Member of global Task Force for new program, “JA Careers With a Purpose”;
(h) Open Society Initiative for Western Africa Project Planning Meeting, Senegal. October 4-10, 2006: Invited as Nigerian ICT4D expert working around development issues and youth;
(i) Internet Governance Forum, Greece. October 27-November 3, 2006: Selected for the International Telecommunications Union Mission as Youth Expert on Internet Governance.
(j) Fifth African Development Forum, Ethiopia. November 14-18, 2006: Invited as Keynote Speaker and delivered paper on “Accelerating Freedom and Realistic ICT-led Change in Africa (AFRICA)”.
(k) African Telecenters Leaders’ Forum, Benin Republic. November 28-December 2, 2006: Selected as one of the leaders of the telecenter movement in Africa, focusing on extending ICT access to rural areas.

Awards:
Most Active and Innovative Youth-led NGO in the ICT Sector (National Association of Computer Science Students)
Best Use of Technology Award (The FUTURE… Awards 2006)
Youth Education Scheme Scholarship Award (International Telecommunications Union/NOKIA Foundation, towards his 2007 September PhD)
ICT Merit Award (Obafemi Awolowo University)
Award of Excellence (Olabisi Onabanjo University)
Sunshine ICT Award (Ondo State)
Other info: Following the presentation at the Addis Ababa "African Development Forum" and meetings held with young ICT experts (consultants, deputy ministers, etc), a network of young African experts known as "The A.F.R.I.C.A. Coalition" will take off in 2007. The coalition will consist on 1 promising youth ICT expert from each African country and their focus will be on advocacy, policy support, consulting and project advice for African coutries on the use of ICTs for socio-economic development. Gbenga is leading this coalition.
Why we chose him: The sheer volume of his engagements, especially internationally, is really, really impressive.

Full name: Moses Imayi

Date of Birth: 16th December 1978

Details of work in past year: Very active in the development and organisation of NYNETHA (National Youth Network on HIV/AIDS) a national coalition of youth led organisations working on HIV/AIDS intervention in Nigeria. He through the efforts of his colleagues engaged several stakeholders in the call to action on youth participation and youth friendly services provision in Lagos and other parts of the country. He was the project manager of the UNFPA supported HIV/AIDS project at the National Sport Festival “Ogun Games” 2006 where young people participated actively in promotion of HIV/AIDS awareness, VCT services and counselling to their peers and adults alike.

Focus: He is presently the Executive Director of Youth Action Rangers of Nigeria (YARN), a non-profit making, national youth-led, non-governmental organization with a mission to empower the youth with appropriate information on sexual/reproductive health and rights. It envisions a better future with the provision of information and services to the youth on responsible sexual, social behaviour and youth development.
Their focus primarily is to promote positive behaviour through support of young people, government, parents, stakeholders and community based initiatives on HIV/AIDS intervention, sexual & reproductive health and development.

Why are you doing this: “I am a youth advocate and I feel as a youth leader I must intensify efforts, strategies and medium in creating a positive youth friendly atmosphere for young people to be educated, participate and get involved in HIV/AIDS prevention and related activities.”

What vacuum does it fill: “The vacuum of youth not being in charge of their affairs and not being seen and heard on issues related to them“ Youth Visibility”.”

What differentiates your from others in advocacy:
I am a team player and believe in a consensus approach in doing things as regards youth development. My years of experiences place me ahead of others, who are likewise my colleagues and not competitors.

Financing: Most of his activities and ideas are part of my organisation program of actions, to which he has been able to access funds and resources from reputable donor organisations such as WorldBank HAF 1& 2 projects, CDC-AFY Youth LIFE project, UNFPA, UNICEF etc

Impact: He is mentoring some youth in becoming leaders, and have a youth leadership series in the making. Within the spheres of his organisation, he has been able to engaged over 200 stakeholders in HIV/AIDS prevention mainly in tertiary institutions and establishment and sustenance of eight (8) anti-AIDS club in secondary schools in Lagos.

Structure: Board of Trustees of YARN -
Mrs. Grace Ebun Delano - Chairperson (Vice President/Executive Director, Association for Reproductive and Family Health, Ibadan, Nigeria)

Mr. Moses Imayi - Secretary/ Executive Director (YARN)

Dr. Omotshola Kpiasi - Member (Medical Director, CHEVRON Clinic)

Ms. Onemtein Amadi - Member (Coordinator, Nigerian Youth AIDS Program, Lagos)

Ms. Rita Ehigie - Member (Staff, YARN)

Mr. Nosa Osasuwa - Member (National Information Officer, United Nations Information Centre)

International highlights:

Facilitator, Scaling up HIV Prevention Intervention, 2nd interfaith Forum on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria Organised by National Action Committee on AIDS 2005.
Member, international coordination team, youth forum of 14th ICASA Conference, Abuja 2005.
Stakeholders meeting to Review the 1st Draft of the New Strategic
Framework for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, hosted by NACA, Abuja 2005
United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS (UNGASS) Review Meeting, New York, USA. 2006

Awards:
Winner, Nigeria Youth Leadership Award 2005 (LEAP Africa)
Finalist, The Future… Awards 2006 for NGO of the Year

Other info: Member, Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria, Member Board of Trustees, Academy For Educational Development (AED Nigeria), Member Editorial Board Halla Celebrity Magazine, Past President Rotaract Club of Surulere South District 9110, National Financial Secretary, Nation Youth Network on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NYNETHA) and Member, Civil Society Network on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (CISNHAN)

Why we chose him: When it comes to AIDS advocacy, this young man is taking it as seriously as possible and getting results for it

Full name: Febeccly Cancer Care and Support Center,

Directors: Dr (Miss) Omolola Fred-Omojole, Dr. Babatunde Salako, and Dr. Tolue Isiekwenagbu (all below 25)

Description: Purple Cancer Care is a charitable non governmental organization and cancer help agency aimed at creating awareness on cancer and its burden, prevention and advocacy on issues related to cancer. It is a cancer friendly organization working towards the care and comfort of people living with cancer [PLWC],we relate with the far reaching impact cancer has on a persons life ,we go beyond the cancer and help the individual cope with the economic, social, psychological and spiritual aspects of life.

Focus:
- To create awareness on reducing the burden of cancers in all age groups with emphasis on young adults
- To relate with PLWC in a holistic manner.
- To encourage PLWC appreciate life.
- To help financially handicapped PLWC.
- To make ward based cancer patients cope with hospital admission.

Details of work: regular visits to several hospitals hosting cancer patients, offers advice and support, assists in part payment of medical bills,
- October 7th which was world hospice and palliative care day; we declared it “fruits day”, we distributed fresh, juicy fruits to 5 wards in Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-araba.
- In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the International school of Lagos, University of Lagos and the institution being the alma Mata of the presenters we delivered our presentationsm on the 6th of December which was excellent
- PCC will be reaching out to 30 schools(public and private) in the first quarter of 2007.
- They have a cordial relationship with the following hospitals/centers:
 Radiotherapy /Oncology Unit, Eko Hospital
 Radiotherapy /Oncology Unit, LUTH
 Hospice Nigeria
 Palliative care initiative Nigeria, Ibadan
 Blooms Cancer care and support center Lagos

Why are you doing this: “There are over 10 million new cases of cancers every year, cancer causes 6 million deaths every year, cancer is the 2nd leading cause of deaths in developing countries, cancer is seen in the younger age groups and its more aggressive compared to older age groups, and in Nigeria the 1st and 2nd leading cause of deaths in women is due to cancer. According to the World Health Organization 40% of cancers are preventable by adopting healthy habits and the burden of cancers can be greatly reduced if we simply educate the public on cancer prevention and early detection.

What distinguishes them: Purple Cancer Care intends to reduce the cancer burden by empowering the youths with skills and creating awareness amongst secondary school pupils, who are young adults and have the right to first class information as knowledge is power and prevention is better than cure.

They discuss extensively, in simple language on the 2 leading cause of deaths in Nigerian women, which are cancer of the breast and cervix respectively and how to reduce the cancer burden as regards prevention and early detection.

Presentations are colorful, teachings methods and aids include: multimedia, real live pictures, short video, diagrams, exchange stories, dummies, an interactive question and answer session, refreshments, hotline for further enquiries, teach female pupils how to do a standard breast self examination ,clinical breast examination sessions for willing females by female doctors and a pre/post test to measure the outcome of the presentation.

Other info: Very soon, they are to begin a medium quarterly publication.

Why we chose them: This is a first of its kind and not an area that people pay much attention to. These young people are brave to invest themselves so seriously

Full name: ANYAEGBU CHIDIEBERE FRANCIS
Date of Birth: 5TH JULY, 1985.
Details of work: Youth Leadership development, HIV/AIDS peer education, life skills acquisition and expanding young people access to ICT. This is achieved through organizing awareness and enlightenment programmes, training workshops and seminars using case studies, games, interactive exercises and multi media. This vision is actually championed by my non profit, non-governmental Youth led Initiative which I founded Youth in Transit Organisation Nigeria.
Why are you doing this: “I had my primary and Secondary School education in Mushin and while growing up, I have seen youths within my age bracket with tremendous potentials in Mushin waste away. Therefore, I saw the need to provide a platform to equip, inspire and empower them to help charter a better course for their lives with my wealth of experience and exposure. Most of them, now understand topical issues affecting them such as HIV/AIDS, some have also dropped drugs intake amongst other social vices. The Youth in Mushin faces several major challenges. Demographically, they constitute the majority of the population; however they are growing in a society riveted by armed conflict, high crime rate, emotional depression, and lack of quality education, HIV/Aids, and an alarming spread of drug abuse, amongst many other social vices.
What vaccum does it fill: Our mission is to instill into the fabrics of Youth, the spirit of volunteerism, selfless service and facilitating the conditions for visionary young people to feel confident and capable of making the transition into future community Leaders. Fortunately, Mushin Youth are dynamic, versatile, skilled and able to contribute their ideas, energy and skills for the development of their immediate community. What these Youths need is a conducive environment and platform that will marry potentials, purpose and predispose them to successfully contribute their quota in the development of their immediate community. It is within, this context that Youth In Transit Organisation is positioned at filling this vacuum.
Distinction: He uses a community-based approach which is adjudged as making a difference, innovative, collaborative, dynamic and creative.
Financing: Members subscription, corporate sponsorship and Individual Donations.
Impact: He has been interviewed on various radio and television programmes such as Kaakaki on AIT, Metro FM etc.
In December, some of the young people from his organisation participated at Hope Worldwide Nigeria Peer Health Educator training programme and have reached more 120 of the peers after the training.
He was also a part of the core planning crew that organised the 1st International Summer School for Young Africans which had International delegates from more than three continents at the Africa Leadership Forum Otta from July 23-28th 2006 with support from Africa Leadership forum, Virgin Nigeria, Silver bird Group etc.
He also gave leadership training to a Youth congregation at a A.G. Church Mushin and also taught life skills at Mushin Local government Youth Council Jamboree Camp in September at Baruwa Primary School Mushin.
More recently, he organised a day Youth Leadership Summit tagged “1st Budding Leaders Summit 2006” for young people from secondary schools across Mushin on the 8th of November, 2006 at Rafiu Ishola Solomon Hall Mushin with the theme ‘Be Involved And Do Something’: a lecture titled ‘Living as change agents in extraordinary circumstances’ was delivered by Amb. Gbenga Sesan (Programme Manager, Lagos Digital Village) and Mrs. Ngozi Obigwe (General Manager, LEAP Africa Ltd/Gte.)
He delivered a paper at the Chosen Generation Youth Forum at S.O.S Village, Isolo on 2nd December, 2006 and a talk at 1st Black Heritage Summit at Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island on 5th December, 2006.
He is currently working/anchoring a youth television programme on Dove Media International TV (a satellite/cable based television) which is aimed at celebrating today’s young people who have excelled in various areas of human endeavours.
Patrons: Mr Paul Lasisi, Hon. Kehinde Bablola Ajinni and others.
International highlights: In December 2006, he was selected to participate at the International Youth Volunteerism Summit from February 23 -26 2006 at the North western University, Chicago, Illinois USA as one of the only 10 International participants living outside United States from over 500 applications received from about 100 countries around the globe. (he didn’t attend due to visa issues, even though it was all expenses paid)
Awards: Nominated for the LEAP Africa Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards 2006. Alumunus of LEAP Africa Youth Leadership Programme 2006.
Other info: He was Nigeria’s Delegate to the Commonwealth Youth Forum CYF-4, 2003, he is the Immediate Past Minority Leader of the Senate of the Nigeria children Parliament Federal Republic Of Nigeria, a volunteer with the Nigerian Red Cross Society Lagos state Branch , a member of the Special Issues committee of the Young General Assembly, USA and also a member of the advisory board of the General action against the violation of human and children rights (GAAVOHCR) a non- profit NGO.
Why we chose him: Choosing the non-glamorous field of community-based advocacy, Francis has managed to make amazing impact nonetheless and to get recognition for it

Full name: Temidayo Israel-Abdulai

Date of birth: 29 January 1986

Focus: Advocacy especially directed at young people in the Diaspora and getting them to engage each other and ultimately project a positive image of Nigeria abroad as well as affect Nigeria positively

Impact:
 British Red Cross Youth Advocacy Initiative: As a British Red Cross Humanitarian Citizen Ambassador, he is responsible for Promoting the World of the British Red Cross amongst Young People in Schools, Institutions and Communities.
 British Council - Africa 2007 Project: As one of the Senior Young Africans involved in the British Council Projects and a Partner of the British Council, he is involved in the Africa 2007 Belonging Project from the UK Headquarters which involved an Exchange between the UK and 10 African Countries which would start in Mid 2007. He is also in charge of leading the Team, which is behind preparing selection criteria and terms of Selection of Young People to participate in the Project.
 Youth Engagement Advocacy: He is running series of Conference and Seminar in Europe to advocate for More Engagement of Young Africans in EU Initiatives for Africa. At one of such meeting, in March 2007, The British Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Tony Blair gave a Presentation. He have also through the Session started Projects on Mobilizing Young Africans in the Diaspora to start up Volunteering Initiatives in Africa. This included a Visit to Malawi, Kenya and Nigeria sponsored by Virgin Nigeria and the London Metropolitan University
 International Summer School for Young Activist: In July 2006, his organization hosted the 1st International Summer School for Young Africans in the Diaspora and in Africa. The Summer School brought together a large number of Young Africans to discuss about the Role of Engaging the Diaspora in Enhance Africa’s Development with Many Speakers from the UK and USA.
 International Young Christian Leaders Summit: In 2006, he started a Series of International Gathering of Young Christian Leaders in 2 Continents, which are Nigeria and the USA. The US Session is known as the International Young Christian Leaders Summit while the Nigeria Session is the Nigerian Young Christian Leaders Summit. The Summit brought together thousand of Young People in the 2 Nations.
 He has started a TV Show broadcasted all over Europe and Africa called “Maximum Impact with Dayo Israel” on Dove Vision Television.
 Maximum Impact Summit: During the summer of 2006, he started a series called the Maximum Impact Summit. The aim is to empower people to cause a Radical Change. The Summit Reaches out to Young People, Singles, Parents and Professional from different communities, cities, colleges and Ministries all over the USA, Europe and Africa. The Summit is divided into different series which includes:

A. Maximum Impact Summit for Schools
B. Maximum Impact Summit for Colleges
C. Maximum Impact Summit for Professionals
D. Maximum Impact Summit for Businesses
E. Maximum Impact Summit for Community Leaders
F. Maximum Impact Summit for Charitable Organisations
G. Maximum Impact Summit for Young Pastors
H. Maximum Impact Summit for Churches

Awards:
GAB Award of Excellence in Promoting the Positive Image of Africans in the UK; PEWA Award for Earnestly Working for Africa;

Other info: Presently, alongside his Law Degree at the London Metropolitan University, he also doubles as a Social Entrepreneur and a Public-Motivational Speaker. He has been working with the UK Government and a lot of Universities abroad in the areas of Mentoring Young People. He also Pastors a Ministry ‘Spirits of David Ministries”. He also got the AYL Award for Promoting Youth Development; Icon of Hope Award from the Presidency during the Launch of the I See Hope Project of President Obasanjo where He appointed Me as the Chair in 2002.

Why we chose him: Temidayo’s drive is very impressive, and his achievements speak for him!