Saturday 19 November 2016

HOB Hangout

House of Babiti, HANGOUT 

There is a time in the year, a very special one, when the need to reflect, review and revamp our work as a group and as a Green citizen is imperative. The name House of Babiti has been on the air whether as thin as matches flame or a forest fire according to your perception, for 11 month. But I want to tell you we are in motion. The question now is what have we done, what are we doing, where are we going, why are we going there and how are we getting there.  


 The hangout is a visual meeting which every member around the location, you are highly expected to be there. Sorry we need you to be there. It is slated in other to discuss the state and affairs of the initiative. Meet up, connect, learn and dine with each other.  

I have an exam. Yes, but it just going to take 2hours out of your time on Sunday evening, 20th November 2016. Time will be communicated to you later. Venue is Eden, New Buka, Obafemi Awolowo University. And if you’re not in Ife, don’t worry you won’t be left out.

I hope to see you there. Cheers

Tuesday 8 November 2016

What is happening?

It been a while since I last posted on this blog, you might be wondering what could have happened. Yes, some things have happened over this past weeks or let say months. Some development that were not posted and some limitation that has slowed us down, of course the team is very much active, a lot of physical and online engagement is going on with some members in the society.  


My last posted dated Monday, 29 August 2016, during this time myself and Olugbemi Kayode and of course Ekpa Stanley have been discussing extensively about getting our initiative registered under the Corporate Affairs Commission CAC, we went ahead to secure the name but couldn’t complete the process due to lack of funding, after our enormous effort to raise fund among ourselves failed. 

House of Babiti was selected to participate in the African Women Mentoring Network that took place in Lagos, I was granted a session to meet with the experts in the different category like legal adviser, fundraising expert, branding, recruitment and other much needing tool, to advance a civic career. It was such an experience. Like it is known, our initiative aim is to advocate, promote and support youth’s participation in environmental actions; we have started the race already by reaching out to young people and introducing eco-sustainability through well driven organization platform that could gear climate action among young people especially in universities and college.  

The question now is how we can explore greater height. Our activities have been resting on self support, volunteers and little donations from individuals. For us to go a step higher towards reaching a wider community with the legal certification, means we need to get registered under the Corporate Affairs Commission, this is the major thing that was emphasized at the last session we had in Lagos, this brought us back to our progressive struggle, a struggle to illuminate a vision and a dream to see our country’s youth become pro-active, when it comes to climate action and risk mitigation. The things learnt at the session were put into practice. We started another round of fundraising, this time not to student like ourselves but people who believe in the ability of young people to be agent of change.  

We sent personal notes to different people and got different responses. Some promised, some kept quiet and others spoke frankly. Our hopes are high enough as we waited patiently. This is something really difficult to achieve especially among our people. People would doubt your sincerity or ability to keep up with the goal, but one thing is sure the passion is an unquenchable fire on a tree that moves in all direction to touch other bigger trees. Self exploration has never allowed weary or disconcert.  

The Nigeria Alternative Exposition was an opportunity to meet with practitioners and see the different model use for alternative energy which is one way to reduce carbon consumption that would save our planet. Mediating the three days work was an awesome experience for me.

 I believe every successful organization started from somewhere with some people at some time, it was not a coincident that it happen, they are great people who have a positive outlook of what the world is to become and created the perfect model that would suit that vision.

Monday 29 August 2016

Do you know these 12 Environmentalists?


 I found this and thought I should share with my Nigerian youths, who are sceptical about the "ENVIRONMENTALISM" .

Environmentalists have had a big impact on our lives, but most people can’t name one famous environmentalist. Here’s a list of 12 influential scientists, conservationists, ecologists and other rabble-rousing leaders everyone should know.



 John Muir, Naturalist and Writer



 John Muir (1838-1914) was born in Scotland and emigrated to Wisconsin as a young boy. His lifelong passion for hiking began as a young man when he hiked to the Gulf of Mexico. Muir spent much of his adult life wandering in — and fighting to preserve — the wilderness of the western United States, especially California. His tireless efforts led to the creation of Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park and millions of other conservation areas. Muir was a profound influence on many leaders of his day, including Theodore Roosevelt. In 1892, Muir and others founded the Sierra Club “to make the mountains glad.” 



Rachel Carson, Scientist and Author



Rachel Carson(1907-1964) is regarded by many as the founder of the modern environmental movement. Born in rural Pennsylvania, she went on to study biology at Johns Hopkins University and Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory. After working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carson published The Sea Around Us and other books. Her most famous work, however, was 1962’s controversial Silent Spring, in which she described the devastating effect that pesticides were having on the environment. Though pilloried by chemical companies and others, Carson’s observations were proven correct and pesticides like DDT were eventually banned. 



Edward Abbey, Author and Monkey-Wrencher



 Edward Abbey (1927-1989) was one of America’s most dedicated — and most outrageous — environmentalists. Born in Pennsylvania, he is best known for his passionate defense of the deserts of America’s Southwest. After working for the National Park Service in what is now Arches National Park in Utah, Abbey wrote Desert Solitaire, one of the seminal works of the environmental movement. His later book, The Monkey Wrench Gang, gained notoriety as an inspiration for the radical environmental group Earth First!, which has been accused of eco-sabotage by some, including many mainstream environmentalists.




Aldo Leopold, Ecologist and Author



 Aldo Leopold (1887-1948) is considered by some to be the godfather of wilderness conservation and of modern ecologists. After studying forestry at Yale University, he worked for the U.S. Forest Service. Though he was originally asked to kill bears, cougars and other predators on federal land because of protests from local ranchers, he later adopted a more holistic approach to wilderness management. His best-known book, A Sand County Almanac, remains one of the most eloquent pleas for the preservation of wilderness ever composed.




Julia Hill, Environmental Activist



 Julia “Butterfly” Hill (1974-) is one of the most committed environmentalists alive today. After nearly dying in an auto accident in 1996, she dedicated her life to environmental causes. For almost two years, Hill lived in the branches of an ancient redwood tree (which she named Luna) in northern California to save it from being cut down. Her tree-sit became an international cause célèbre, and Hill remains involved in environmental and social causes.




Henry David Thoreau, Author and Activist



Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) was one of America’s first philosopher-writer-activists, and he is still one of the most influential. In 1845, Thoreau — disillusioned with much of contemporary life — set out to live alone in a small house he built near the shore of Walden Pond in Massachusetts. The two years he spent living a life of utter simplicity were the inspiration for Walden, or A Life in the Woods, a meditation on life and nature that is considered a must-read for all environmentalists. Thoreau also wrote an influential political piece called Resistance to Civil Government (Civil Disobedience) that outlined the moral bankruptcy of overbearing governments.



 Theodore Roosevelt, Politician and Conservationist



 It might surprise some that a famed big-game hunter would make it onto a list of environmentalists, but Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) was one of the most active champions of wilderness preservation in history. As governor of New York, he outlawed the use of feathers as clothing adornment in order to prevent the slaughter of some birds. While president of the United States (1901-1909), Roosevelt set aside hundreds of millions of wilderness acres, actively pursued soil and water conservation, and created over 200 national forests, national monuments, national parks and wildlife refuges. 



Chico Mendes, Conservationist and Activist

 

Chico Mendes (1944-1988) is best known for his efforts at saving the rainforests of Brazil from logging and ranching activities. Mendes came from a family of rubber harvesters who supplemented their income by sustainably gathering nuts and other rainforest products. Alarmed at the devastation of the Amazon rainforest, he helped to ignite international support for its preservation. His activities, however, drew the ire of powerful ranching and timber interests — Mendes was murdered by cattle ranchers at age 44. 



Wangari Maathai, Political Activist and Environmentalist



Wangari Maathai (1940-2011) was an environmental and political activist in Kenya. After studying biology in the United States, she returned to Kenya to begin a career that combined environmental and social concerns. Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement in Africa and helped to plant over 30 million trees, providing jobs to the unemployed while also preventing soil erosion and securing firewood. She was appointed Assistant Minister in the Ministry for Environment and Natural Resources, and in 2004 Maathai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, while continuing to fight for the rights of women, the politically oppressed and the natural environment. 



Gaylord Nelson, Politician and Environmentalist



No other name is more associated with Earth Day than that of Gaylord Nelson(1916-2005). After returning from World War II, Nelson began a career as a politician and environmental activist that was to last the rest of his life. As governor of Wisconsin, he created an Outdoor Recreation Acquisition Program that saved about one million acres of park land. He was instrumental in the development of a national trails system (including the Appalachian Trail), and help pass the Wilderness Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and other landmark environmental legislation. He is perhaps best known as the founder of Earth Day, which has become an international celebration of all things environmental.




David Brower, Environmental Activist



 David Brower (1912-2000) has been associated with wilderness preservation since he began mountain climbing as a young man. Brower was appointed the Sierra Club’s first executive director in 1952; over the next 17 years, membership grew from 2,000 to 77,000, and they won many environmental victories. His confrontational style, however, got Brower fired from the Sierra Club — he nonetheless went on to found the groups Friends of the Earth, the Earth Island Institute and the League of Conservation Voters.



Source - EarthCorps  http://www.earthcorpfoundation.org/2015/12/28/12-environmentalists-that-you-should-know/







Wednesday 13 July 2016

Watch this video, introducing House of Babiti



House of Babiti - an initiative dedicated to advocate, promote and support youths participation in environmental actions. Rejuvenating and ignite young passion for Eco-sustainability.

 This brief introduction is given by Barakat Tiamiyu (Team Lead,  House of Babiti)

Click on the link below to watch on YouTubes://youtu.be/VYEMMgol9P8



Monday 20 June 2016

Our Commitment towards the SDGs- Climate Action (Major)

"Do you about the SDGs or better said the Sustainable Development Goals" I asked a boy in my neighborhood. I was surprised as he said "I have never heard about it before". I repeated the same question to my little cousin, and seriously, he was blank. I took it as a challenge, to tell them about the SDGs in their schools. Al-Aleem College is a kick start.
I felt there's is something that has to be done concerning young people been involve in nation building but when they are not aware of what going on in the system as from now, and the only thing they hear about is how people get huge money from corruption, the bad things, the feeling of no hope.

Young student in primary and  secondary schools need to know about these things that affect our society, what needs to be or what is been done, and how they can be productive at an early age. It was nice talking to them. It was an encouragement to engage in activities beyond the classroom. The 17 sustainable development goals was well layout. I received great and positive talk about getting involve to promote peace, development, justice, environmental justice...... Thanks to these awesome students and staffs of Al-Aleem College.

#SDGs #Peace #ClimateAction #CleanEnergy #No2Poverty #NoHunger #Justice #Equalities #Innovative #DecentJobs #LifeOnLand #LifeInWater #GoodHealth #Education #Water #SustainableCities #ResponsibleComsumption #Partnership4TheGoals









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Friday 10 June 2016

Apply to attend the World Youth Summit for peace in Lahore, Pakistan





 SUMMIT PURPOSE:

The Youth delegates & Youth Ambassadors of IHRC will come together for Conference in an open forum which encourages dialogue on the Human Rights Protection, Efforts for Peace, Empowerment for Women, Welfare of Children, Youth Development, and Respect for Dignity, Education, Health Services, countering drug trafficking, crime prevention, Anti- corruption, human trafficking, prevention of substance abuse, Interfaith Harmony and Justice for all. During the Conference, the delegates will discuss all the issues and crisis going on around the world. They will come up with solid polices as to how all these issues can be solved and how all human rights violation across the globe can be stopped.

Application deadline: June 30th 2016
 Click link below to for more details and register http://www.ihrchq.org/wysp/


Tuesday 7 June 2016

Apply - Project GEO (Green Enterprenuership Opportunity)



The project is tagged “Project GEO” – GEO stands for ‘Green Entrepreneurship Opportunities’.

 APPLICATION OPENS:
 5th JUNE 2016 (WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL DAY) APPLICATION CLOSES:
18th JULY 2016 (NELSON MANDELA DAY)

 This online workshop is the first part of a two-part process. Part 2 of the workshop will be conducted through a 21-day boot camp in Cape Town, South Africa. Only successful participants in the online introductory workshop will be shortlisted to take part in the ‘fully-sponsored’ boot camp course, where candidates will be trained and mentored on how to design green enterprise projects, which will be fully funded by Green Shift Africa, relevant donor agencies and our partners. Project GEO is a scope-driven product initiated to solve an identified gap in Africa. The compelling thing about the value proposition Green Shift Africa Forum intends to promote with ‘Project GEO’ is the dearth of requisite skills to match the inevitable growth of the green market in Africa. Thus the need for skills enhancement brought about by well-targeted education and training. This becomes necessary so as to ensure that Africa’s growth strategy is well-blended with youth empowerment and skills acquisitions for career advancement and job opportunities in the green economy sector, and the opportunities it presents i.e. green technology, green business practices and environmental protection. 

The uniqueness of Green Shift Africa Forum value proposition lies in our approach to finding solutions to the green skills challenge. Through Education and Training ranging from a popular medium like the internet (online/virtual) to a camp based direct (face to face) medium, Green Shift Africa Forum intends to deliver the expertise needed by Africans to plug this skills gap. Our proposed method sets us apart from the few others who might have similar ideas mainly because of our ability to streamline the broad segments of green skills into this unique program, and our capability to deliver on this using the vast resources within and outside our organization. 

Click the link below to register.
 http://greenshiftafrica.org/projectgeo/language/

Friday 3 June 2016

Report - "Greening the Campus" Event at Kaduna State University

GREENING THE CAMPUS

 “Greening the Campus” is the first campus seminar of the Green Campus Initiative at Kaduna State University, which introduces eco-sustainability, instigate sustainable actions among students in Kaduna State University. Barakat Tiamiyu; a Green Campus Ambassador, convenes the events, involving the different stakeholders that graced the occasion.  

The event was held at the faculty of science lecture theatre, Kaduna State University on the 31st May, 2016. 250 interested students from different department in the university were in attendance. It witnesses the presence of different university staffs and students. It was anchored by Yusuf Sokfa Kanhu (a youth ambassador). The theme “GREENING THE CAMPUS” event is aimed to create awareness about the importance of 'Going Green', to form a green family of volunteers working together, to build a positive and sustainable future. 

 The event was opened after the distinguish were recognized; Prof. Bala Dogo - Dean of Postgraduate Studies, KASU, Madam Ketura Aku– Administrator of Hamdala Hostel, Dr. Yusuf Saleh (Lecturer, Geography Department)– Representing (Dean, Faculty of Science- Prof. J. G. Laah). Speakers: Arc Gbolade Ogundele -Representing the Green Team,  Alpha Natheniel Hayab – Young Farmer’s Initiative, and Dr. Salamatu Sukai Akor – Mandela Washington Alumni.  

GCI was introduced by Barakat Tiamiyu, who remarkably took the student round the journey on how she became a GCI ambassador, talking about thee  interesting part of working to promote students participation in environmental actions, is seeing different passions that will keep pushing you to move on. She spoke about what GCI is doing to tackle climate change and environmental sustainability and how students can get involve. More elaborate explanation was given by Arc Gbolade Ogundele, as he talks about what Going Green really entails sighting some visual example in Kaduna environs, explaining the steps of achieving environmental sustainability as students. Like getting a green book, telling others to imbibe into the same culture, and so on. Video presentation of the different GCI activities was projected. 

Alpha Nathaniel Hayab, spoke on “Farmer’s and Climate Change”. Using the YALI climate change video, to explain the component behind climate change and how it affects farmers, the people and the economy. He said, ”young people need to be enticed to venture into the business of agriculture for the purpose of profit making to reduce unemployment and poverty”. Dr. Salamatu Sukai Akor, also spoke on Human health and climate change- talking about its adverse effect on people, and how it our activities gradually affects us. She highlighted that bottled water are expensive in the US, which is to force people to carry their watering can which they could refill at different terminals and also high cost of parking vehicles, to encourage the use of public transport. 

Questions were raised concerning the aspect of Going Green and how students can actively be involved in the movement, the speakers gave clear answers to the questions asked. Those interested to join and be part of the Green Centre were asked to leave their details and subsequent meetings will be held to discussed more about the activities of Green Campus Initiative, they were told to register and become a green ambassador that will help elevate sustainable practices in Kaduna State University.

The event ended with a key remark from the representative of Prof. J. G. Laah (Dean, Faculty of Science).  The event was interesting and impactful, with the different enthusiasm demonstrated by the speakers and students, and now Kaduna state is officially green. 

There was a huge turnout of students who waited behind to enquire specifically how they can actively be involve in the movement in Kaduna State University.












Monday 23 May 2016

"GREENING THE CAMPUS" - Here we are again at Kaduna State University

HELLO KADUNA CITY (Kaduna State University)

Movement of students (youths) is one of the forces for transformation. That is why,  we at House of Babiti is ready to support organizations/individuals ready to induce youths to environmental sustainability.

"Greening The Campus" event is aimed to create awareness about the importance of 'Going Green', to form a green family of volunteers working together, to build a positive and sustainable future. The Green Campus Initiative, which is the first campus-based environmental advocacy organization in Nigeria, Is delivering a one day seminar in Kaduna State University, with the support of the different stakeholders. The Young Farmer's Initiative,  House of Babiti, Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni and Department of Geography.

Venue: Faculty of Science Lecture Theatre, Kaduna State University, Tafawa Balewa way,  Kaduna.

Time: 10:00am, Registration starts 9:00am.

Date: Tuesday 31, May 2016

Attendance is totally free.
+
Refreshment
+
Resources Material
from GCI.

Let's help GREEN THE CAMPUS.
Inform your friend, brother, sister in Kaduna State University.


Kindly contact Barakat for more info.
07050541172