Blood Drive Initiative

10th March, 2009

This is to invite you to the National Youth Health Fair 2009, a programme organized by Health Matters Inc. with support from development partners, private organizations in collaboration with many non governmental organizations.

The National Youth Health Fair is a biennial event being organized to conscientize Nigerian youth, government and non governmental organizations towards realizing the ideals of the millennium development goals as enunciated the United Nations.

The first edition of this programme is scheduled for April 14th-16th 2009, and is being hosted as a run up to 2015; a year set aside by 189 Heads of Government including Nigeria to end extreme poverty as well as combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases.

We appreciate your interest in the development and empowerment of the Nigerian youth and we invite you to participate in any or all of the following:

Exhibition and showcasing of your unique projects and services
Skills building for NGOs in the following areas:
-Public Private Partnership; Strategies for sustaining development initiatives in Nigeria (Dr. Adhiambo Odaga, Rep. Ford Foundation)
-Enterprise development; a key tool in youth empowerment in Nigeria

Venue: Multi Purpose Halls ABC University of Lagos, Akoka
Date: April 14th -16th 2009
Time 9am -4pm daily

Participation
Registration- Free
Exhibition Booth- N10,000 (please note that there are limited booths. Allocation will be done on first come, first serve basis)
Event T shirt-
-Round neck – N1,000
-Round neck (customized) - N1,500
-Polo neck – N2,000
Publications: (Directory of youths focused organizations in Nigeria) N2000

Deadline for registration is 7th April, 2009.


Please fill out and submit the attached registration form. See below for more information about the event the National Youth Health Fair 2009. You can also contact the following for more information: Bukky Ahonsi- 08023330998, 07026355369, Maryann Mokobia- 08055115852


The National Youth Health Fair 2009- 14th – 16th April, 2009

Background
· Nigeria has a youth population of 80 million, (60% of the 140 million population). The youth is the most valuable asset of a society but may become highly vulnerable when not adequately equipped with information and mentored to face the inevitable life challenges.

· There are many initiatives targeted at helping young people develop their potentials in Nigeria but there are yet gaps

· Out of the 80 million youth in Nigeria only 16 million are employed leaving the remaining 64 million either roaming the streets in search of a non existent employment or greener overseas pastures.

· In the desperate race to survive, many youths have become sex slaves, drug couriers, militias, or engage in other social vices.


The Event
The National youth health fair will be a forum for dialogue between young people; youth led organizations, development agencies, government representatives, policy makers, experts and social entrepreneurs in Nigeria; through round table discussions, keynotes, field reports, workshops and various skills building sessions.

Primary Target
· University Undergraduates
· Students in Senior secondary Schools
· Graduates
· Out of School Youths
· Unemployed Youths

Others
· Government officials and representatives
· Development Agencies
· Non governmental organizations
· Private organizations(Micro Finance Banks, IT organizations etc)


Key Objectives of the National Youth Health Fair 2009
· Create visibility for the best of Nigeria’s youth development initiatives and provide linkages to services and resources that enhance the wellbeing of the Nigerian Youth

· Create a platform for interaction among youths, youth serving organizations, corporate organizations and development stakeholders.

· Provide a variety of demonstrations and screening services (HIV/AIDS, Genotype, etc) for participants

· Facilitate agenda setting towards the achievement of the millennium development goals.

Event Venue
Multi purpose Hall (ABC), University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos

Date: April 14th – 16, 2009


Major Activities
Pre fair radio programme- “Naija youths speak out”
Pre event road show
Enterprise development skills building and Knowledge sessions
Product /service Exhibition
5. Round table discussion(Government, Private and non governmental organizations officials
Free Health screening (Malaria, HIV/AIDS, genotype, blood pressure etc)
Youth Jamz featuring one of Nigeria’s Top Artistes