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Nollywood actress celebrates birthday in slum

It?s usual is to have family, friends and well wishers over to wine and dine with you on your birthday. But one of the most popular faces of the Nigerian movie industry, known as Nollywood, deviated from the norm on her last birthday. Thirty-year-old Nollywood actress, Iniobong Edo chose to celebrate her birthday in Lagos? Dustbin Estate slum, bringing media attention to children who are forced to live in a garbage dumping site.

Ini, as she?s popularly called, is one of four Youth Ambassadors chosen by the UN habitat to propagate urban development projects. As part of her duties she visited the LOTS Foundation at the Dustbin Estate for her birthday.

Dustbin Estate

The name, Dustbin estate probably says it all. Located in Ajegunle, a shanty town, the estate is notorious for its dense population, overcrowded houses and ramshackle buildings. Its streets are full of filth and dirt. During her visit Ini talked with youth and children. She encouraged the kids and gave out gifts packs of food, t-shirts and toys. Gifts were also handed out to community and opinion leaders of the Dustbin Estate.

Dr. Adeyinka Oyeyinka of UN Habitat says the enormity of the urbanisation issues in Nigeria determined the choice of the Nollywood actress. “The youth envoys were specifically chosen to use their time, goodwill and connections to spread the word about urban issues among the youth. About 34 per cent of Nigeria?s population is between the ages of 10 and 24. And it is one of the fastest urbanising countries in the world. By 2015, Lagos state is predicted to be the third largest mega-city in the world with a population of 25 million people. This shows how important the urban youth will be in social and economic development in Nigeria.”

Hopes for the future

Ini explains how she hopes her efforts will contribute to improving socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities providing adequate shelter for all Nigerians. “Youth envoys are people who have a face and a voice,” she says.”The UN believes we can use our goodwill and status to draw attention to the children living in slums. It is easier to spread the word to those who already know you. In the long run, we will attract the world?s attention to these issues.”

According to Ini, she already has a programme mapped. “The programme involves organising a lot of charitable events, but it will not be limited to that. There will also be empowerment and counselling programs for youths, specifically in slum areas, those who probably do not have a place to live and sleep under bridges.?? With these plans, Dr Oyeyinka says the UN Habitat objectives are close to being realised. “Ms Edo has tremendous appeal because she is a star but she is also a very sympathetic person. It is clear that she recognises the scale of the challenges people face living in slums in Africa, and has a real passion for helping them.”?

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s) and not do necessarily reflect the views of the AfricaFiles’ editors and network members. They are included in our material as a reflection of a diversity of views and a variety of issues. Material written specifically for AfricaFiles may be edited for length, clarity or inaccuracies.

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40 Heads of States for Jonathan?s swearing-in ?

Federal government is to spend about N1.3 billion for the May 29 presidential inauguration even as it confirmed yesterday that over 40 Heads of States will be in attendance. Government however said it will not welcome any controversial head state for the event.

Chairman, 2011 Presidential Inauguration ceremonies committee and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Yayale Ahmed who disclosed this in Abuja yesterday however said though his committee made a budget of N 1.3 billion for the event, but government approved N830million. He however said that for other unforeseen expenses, his committee is hoping to spend not less than N1 billion for the event.

The SGF who spoke on the activities lined-up for the inauguration said out of the 40 head of states invited for ceremony, about 20 has confirmed their coming. He said the committee will invite the leadership of all the 60 political parties as well as all he presidential candidates at the just concluded polls.

Speaking on the security, the committee chairman said there is a sub-committee on security which is chaired by the National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President. He said: “We are not ignorant of security for an event of this magnitude, there is a comprehensive and satisfied security in place and we are not only mindful of Abuja but all the 26 states where inaugurations will take place. The purpose of this press briefing is to enlist the media support to publicize and enlighten Nigerians who should be mobilized to identify with 2011 presidential inauguration ceremonies and to encourage them to participate in the activities as stakeholders who are expected to take the centre-stage in celebrating our democratic accomplishment”.

He said it is important for the media and the general public to bear in mind that the programme of activities for the inauguration of the new president represents a symbolic celebration of the deepening of democracy as exemplified by the recently concluded elections. He said: “As democracy is consolidated and becomes better internalized, it will generate the enabling environment for talents not only to blossom but to be put into positive and productive uses thereby growing the economy and releasing the nation from the stranglehold of poverty”, Ahmed.

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s) and not do necessarily reflect the views of the AfricaFiles’ editors and network members. They are included in our material as a reflection of a diversity of views and a variety of issues. Material written specifically for AfricaFiles may be edited for length, clarity or inaccuracies.

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