Author: The Nation

• By Tosin Odunewu

A financial institution, Grooming Centre, has concluded plans to award N20 million research grant scheme to undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The scheme is managed by the Centre for Research in Enterprise and Action in Management (CREM).

 Speaking in Lagos to announce its 2023 university grant, the Chief Operating Officer, Centre for Research in Enterprise and Action in Management (CREM), Mr. Clifford Onyeike, said the scheme was the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of the centre.

He said the grant would be awarded to 100 undergraduate and 50 postgraduate students carrying out their final year research in  microfinance, rural development, inclusive finance, social enterprise, micro small and medium enterprises (MSME) and women in development.

 Onyeike said  the grant was aimed at catalysing research, knowledge and management “by providing monetary incentives through a grant system to 150 undergraduate and postgraduate students undertaking their research works in the aforementioned sectors each year.”

He noted that application  would open on June 26 and would  close on August 18. He said the  research must show a high level of originality, imaginative thought and data-inclusiveness.

“Applicants must be either a student at the postgraduate or undergraduate level in a Nigerian tertiary institution whose research study is in the area of microfinance, rural development, inclusive finance, social enterprise, MSME and women in development. The focus of the research study must be relevant to the Nigerian context, practical, innovative and should be capable of promoting any of the above areas of interest in Nigeria,” he said.

 Head of Special Projects, Grooming Centre, Chikezie Egbulefu, said each of the 50 postgraduate potential beneficiaries who could come from any part of the country and university or polytechnic would get a sum of N200, 000, while their undergraduate counterparts would get N100,000 each.

He said: “Applicants must submit a written recommendation from his/her project supervisor to benefit from the N20 million available.

“The applicant must submit a research concept of between 10 to 25 pages which will include an introduction, a literature review, and research methodology along with the candidate’s personal profile. Awardees will be required to submit final soft copies of the research project on completion of the study. There is no age, gender, religious or ethnic barrier to the application.”

Egbulefu said many students in the country would want to carry out  problem-solving research but are hampered  by lack of funds,hence the grants would  assist them.

• By Familusi Faith Olamide

A customer-focused organisation realises the importance of listening to customers and collecting their feedback on their products and services. Customer feedback is an essential part of product development and design. With  increasing competition in the market, it is essential to stay relevant and keep delivering products and services that meet and exceed customer expectations.

Customer feedback is used to develop new products or improve upon existing ones. Companies can utilise various methods to collect customer feedback, such as surveys, customer reviews, social media forums, and even direct feedback from customer service conversations. By collecting customer feedback, companies can address any product or service shortcomings and make the necessary adjustments to stay relevant and competitive in the market.

Some companies use customer feedback to create new products by evaluating the needs and wants of their existing customers. This approach helps organisations anticipate future customer requirements and helps create innovative solutions that are catered to their requirements.

When integrating customer feedback into product development, it is  essential to prioritise objectives and make necessary adjustments based on their impact. The most straightforward approach is to categorise feedback as either high or low priority, providing organisations with a clear view of the feedback and what needs to be addressed first.

• By Abike Sanusi,

Emeritus President LASSESA-LASU Adetimirin Yusuf Olamilekan has built a fountain for President Bola Tinubu at Lagos State University (LASU)  main  campus in Ojo.

On why he built the fountain, the ex-LASU student said it was aimed at honouring Tinubu for blazing the trail in paying West African Senior School Certificate Examination WASSCE and National Examination Council (NECO) exam fees for students and for introducing the One-Day Governor programme when he was Lagos State Governor.

Read Also: Five-point observations to President Tinubu

Adetimirin appealed to  the President to help with the inauguration of the project on  campus.

Describing the fountain,he said: “The Water Fountain has four lions which symbolise his courageous and harmonisation pedigree capacity in the North, South, West, and East.

The  two eagles  signify his tenacious eagle ability of the present and future events.His bust having a hand pointed to his head symbolises his visionary thinking capacity beyond imagination.

“All those on the  fountain symbolise his  struggle as the Father of Modern Democracy and a Greater Nigeria.”

• By OPEYEMI ADEBIYI

Failure, a word that often evokes fear and shame, holds within it the seeds of transformation and growth. In a world where success is idolised and failure is stigmatised, it is essential to redefine our relationship with failure and recognise its potential as a catalyst for personal and professional development.

Failure is not an endpoint but a stepping stone on the path to success. Society’s perception of failure has ingrained in us a fear of making mistakes and taking risks. However, by adopting a growth mindset, we can reframe failure as a valuable learning opportunity. Instead of dwelling on the negative emotions associated with failure, we can shift our focus to the lessons it offers. Failures provide us with insights into what didn’t work, allowing us to refine our strategies and approaches. They teach us resilience, adaptability, and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity.

Building resilience and character are some of the most significant gifts failure bestows upon us. When we encounter failures, we are forced to confront our limitations and find ways to overcome them. Failures challenge us to think creatively and outside the box, pushing us to innovate and develop new solutions. They teach us to navigate uncertainty and embrace change, ultimately shaping us into stronger individuals.

Read Also: JUST IN: Stop blaming us for your failure, INEC tells Obi, LP

A failure-friendly culture is essential for personal and professional growth. By encouraging risk-taking and experimentation, we foster an environment where failure is seen as a natural part of the learning process. Destigmatizing failure allows for open dialogue and sharing of experiences, providing a platform for individuals to learn from one another’s failures and successes. Mentorship and support systems play a crucial role in guiding individuals through failure, providing them with the encouragement and guidance needed to bounce back stronger than before.

Embracing failure as a catalyst for growth requires a mindset shift. It entails setting ambitious goals, persisting in the face of failures, and using setbacks as motivation to keep striving for success. Failure becomes an invaluable feedback mechanism, offering insights and lessons that shape our future endeavors. It also fosters adaptability, enabling us to pivot, reinvent ourselves, and seize new opportunities that may arise.

In conclusion, failure, when embraced and leveraged, becomes a powerful catalyst for growth. By viewing failure as a stepping stone to success, building resilience and character, drawing inspiration from success stories, cultivating a failure-friendly culture, and embracing failure in personal and professional growth, we can unlock our true potential and create a brighter future filled with innovation and success.