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Category: Online Special

  • New category for CNN Multichoice African Journalist Awards 2016

    New category for CNN Multichoice African Journalist Awards 2016

    CNN International and MultiChoice has officially announced a new category as part of the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards for 2016.

    This was made known by the organisers, CNN International and MultiChoice in a press release made available to Journalists.

    According to to the release, the new category, The Maggie Eales Young Journalist Award, is named in honour of the late Maggie Eales, the CNN executive and former journalist who during her 20 year career at CNN was the driving force behind the development and growth of the African Journalist Awards.

    “This award reflects Maggie’s enduring passion for nurturing young talent and will recognise the work of journalists starting out in their career, who demonstrate exceptional storytelling and the ability to identify a story and tell it with conviction.  There are no restrictions on subject matter for this category and entrants must be born after 1 Jan 1990,” it noted.

    Tony Maddox, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of CNN International, said: “Africa is an increasingly important part of the global story, and CNN reflects that.

    “We are committed to the African story, not just editorially, but also in terms of supporting its own journalistic enterprise through the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards. I am immensely proud of our long-term commitment to Africa and there is no better example of that than these Awards.

    “We’re particularly proud this year to honour the incredible contribution Maggie Eales made in shaping the Awards into the continent’s finest celebration of its journalism. It’s fitting that young journalists who symbolise the next generation for journalism in Africa now have an award to aspire to.”

    In his remarks, Tim Jacobs, CEO MultiChoice Africa said: “The longevity of these Awards is indicative of how these awards continue to play a meaningful role for the advancement of outstanding journalism across the continent.

    “I’m confident that the 2016 installment of the Awards will continue to unearth extraordinary African talent whose tireless work and search for the truth may otherwise not receive the recognition it deserves.”

    The CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards for African nationals based on the continent now welcomes entries from journalists creating content targeting an African audience.

    Open to journalists working in any medium, this year the competition will recognise excellence in the following categories:

    • Culture Award
    • Dow Technology & Innovation Reporting Award
    • Ecobank Economics & Business Award
    • Features Award
    • Francophone General News Award – Electronic Media
    • GE Energy & Infrastructure Award
    • Mohamed Amin Photographic Award
    • MSD Health & Medical Award
    • News Impact Award
    • Portuguese Language General News Awards
    • Press Freedom Award
    • Sport Reporting Award
    • The African Development Bank Environment Award
    • The Maggie Eales Young Journalist Award

    Once again this year, the competition has become even easier for journalists to enter, with submissions being made via the entry form website.

     

  • The beauty of fighting on

    The beauty of fighting on

    ….Inspiring stories of breast cancer survivors

    There was a beehive of activities marking this year’s world cancer day in Nigeria. However, one remarkable event which stood out for not only creating awareness, but also inspiring women suffering from the ailment to put up a good fight was the 2nd Omolara Jolaoso memorial lecturer, held on the 4th of February.

    Organized by the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) in collaboration with the 1988 old students of Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School (Landers 88); the event was chaired by Professor Adeyemi Y. Ajekigbe, a Consultant Radiation Oncologist & Head of Department, Radiotherapy & Oncology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos, Nigeria.

    Drawing about 500 participants, the gathering included local and international cancer experts, patients, survivors, advocates, healthcare professionals, government officials, policy makers, legislators, parents and students, who gathered in the tastefully decorated hall of Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School, Lagos.

    Even though the lecture held in Lagos, it had the trapping of an international event with a ‘big fish’ in the international cancer community, Dr Julie Gralow delivering the keynote address. Gralow, a professor of Medical Oncology, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Washington, USA; did justice to the theme of the lecture, ‘Survivorship’. The internationally recognized expert in breast cancer clinical trials in her presentation gave useful tips on improving the quality of life for breast cancer patients through education, diet and exercise.

    According to her; “exercise help women withstand the rigour of cancer treatment and improve their quality of life during and after treatment”.

    With an elucidating lecture from Gralow which set the stage for the remaining two speakers; it did not come as a surprise that Ms Phillipa Kibugu-Decur, a survivor who mounted the stage to speak eloquently on her battle with breast cancer and how she conquered, gripped the attention of the audience. Showing pictures detailing her journey to recovery and her advocacy works, Ms Decuir who is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Breast Cancer Initiative East Africa (BCIEA), harped on the need for women to be courageous and confident, should they be diagnosed of breast cancer.

    Decur, a Rwandan who lost a sister to metastatic-liver breast cancer was also diagnosed of the ailment in 1994. Although cancer cost her both breasts as she had to undergo a double mastectomy, she declared to the delight of all that she is still standing strong, 21 years after owing to the healthy activities she embraced after treatment.

    Although she was the last person to mount the stage to talk on survivorship; Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu’s story was no less inspiring. Passing her message across in a lilting voice which lifted the spirit of the audience, Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the founder/ president of BRECAN recalled how she went straight to the hospital upon discovering a lump in her breast.

    Now a survivor of 20 years and still counting, she told the audience that her experience galvanized into establishing BRECAN, an NGO which has been in the forefront of advocating positive and lasting change in the Nigerian society which sadly, is deeply entrenched in misconceptions about causes of breast cancer and how it can be treated.

    Expressing her delight at the turn out for the lecture, she said: “I can’t tell you how excited I am that the mustard seed we sowed last years has germinated.

    “I was diagnosed of breast cancer when I was 43 years old. I survived because I wanted to see my children who are all grown up and very successful in their chosen careers. Some have gotten married and given me grand children. I am a very happy grandmother. That is the beauty of fighting on,” she submitted.

    Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu who said she accepted mastectomy without hesitation because she needed to be alive for her children, advised women against presenting late in the hospitals, since little or not much can be done to redeem their lives at such delicate period. Rather than going to prayer mountains and deliverance session, she charged women to become breast aware and report any changes they notice to the hospital.

    The aim of the annual Omolara Jolaoso Memorial Lecture, it was learnt, is to stimulate the interest of next generation breast cancer researchers in Nigeria. A post-lecture workshop which focused on international collaboration on breast cancer research in Nigeria for health care professionals with research interest in breast cancer management was held a day after the lecture.

  • Stakeholders express worries over spate of death in Nollywood

    Stakeholders express worries over spate of death in Nollywood

    Stakeholders in the Nigerian movie industry, popularly known as Nollywood, have expressed concern over the spate of death that hit the sector in recent times.

    They spoke their minds in separate interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

    NAN reports that no fewer than six prominent actors in the nation’s film industry died in the past two months.

    The actors who passed on, mostly after brief illnesses included – comic actor, Dede One Day, 14-year-old actor Olamide Daramola and veteran thespian, Mike Odiachi.

    Others were- top Yoruba actor, Sikiru Adesina, popularly called “Arakangudu’’, veteran actor, Festus Aguebor and Kannywood actress, Aisha Dankano.

    Speaking with NAN, Mr Agility Onwura, President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Abuja chapter, described the trend as “very pathetic’’.

    He called on actors to always go for regular medical checks to prevent avoidable death.

    “I advise every actor not to take matters of their health lightly.

    “It is possible to amuse others and make them reduce blood pressure, while you are under pressure yourself as an artiste.

    “The life of an actor is such a busy one, moving from one location to another, to the extent that there is hardly enough time to rest.

    “If this trend continues for a long time, there may be possible breakdown of health, which may eventually result to death,’’ he said.

    Also speaking, Mr Nzeh Frankwhite, immediate past chairman of Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Abuja, chapter, said that death is inevitable.

    According to him, “death happens in every sector of the society and Nollywood is not exempted’’.

    “Just as the Bible says, there is time for everything; a time to live and a time to die.

    “Why it is pronounced with that of Nollywood is because they are celebrities.

    “So death is everywhere, not just in the industry’’.

    Frankwhite, however called for fervent prayers for the industry.

    “The industry needs prayers for God’s protection and guidance,’’ he said.

    He also advised artiste to play their parts by going for medical check-up and maintain healthy living.

    Mrs Imaobong Abia, President, Association of Movie Producers (AMP) in the FCT said “people died in every sector, however, the death of an artiste always make newspaper headlines.

    “As public figures, people are always interested in everything that happens around them.

    “However, acting is such a stressful job that sapped one’s energy.

    “That is why every actor should take enough time to rest after going on set,’’ she advised.

    Abia also cautioned actors on what they eat and drink that could constitute health hazards.

    “Too much of alcohol intake and smoking will affect ones health negatively.

    “However, this does not imply that every death comes from smoking and drinking,’’ she said.

    NAN reports that 45-year-old talented comic merchant, Dede One Day died of high blood pressure on Dec. 14, 2015 after performing at an event.

    Olamide, the 14-year-old kid actor and a popular face in the Yoruba sector of Nollywood, also passed on, Jan. 17 at the General Hospital Ikeja, where he was rushed to after complaining of stomach pains.

    The talented actor, who won the Best Kid Actor at 2015 Best of Nollywood Awards, was said to have been mistakenly kicked in the stomach while playing football with his friends.

    On February 9, Nollywood was also thrown into mourning with the news of the death of Arakangudu. The veteran Yoruba actor died in Kaduna of heart attack which he reportedly suffered as result of stress.

    NAN reports that barely a week after the death of Arakangudu, Nollywood was also grief with the news of untimely death another actor, Mike Odiachi.

    Odiachi, aged 51, died Feb. 15 at the General Hospital Ikorodu, Lagos, after a brief illness.

    On Feb. 23, the movie industry again suffered loss of two more prominent members- veteran Nollywood actor, Festus Aguebor and Kannywood actress, Aisha Dankano.

    Aguebor who was highly respected and known for his role in the movies “Rituals’’, “the king and I’’, died in his 70s.

    Dankano, aged 34, was confirmed to have also passed away at her home in Kano after battling with an illness which was not made public.

  • African scientists gather for Grand Challenges Africa meeting

    African scientists gather for Grand Challenges Africa meeting

    From Wednesday 24 to Friday 26 February, the Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa (AESA) will convene 300 of the most promising innovators in Africa, for the 2016 Grand Challenges Africa Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya.
    The innovators will include two Nigerians, Nnaemeka Ikegwuonu a farmer, innovator, social entrepreneur and founder/CEO of the Smallholders Foundation and J Coenie Louw who has more than 20 years’ experience in the medical field and has been active in various sectors.
    Louw is showcasing an oil-based delivery method for Amoxicillin while Ikegwuonu’s innovation is A solar powered cold room for preserving farmers
    The meeting, holding at the Intercontinental hotel in Nairobi and featuring 475 participants from 43 countries according to the organisers will help set a scientific and innovation agenda for Africa while laying the groundwork for a sustained, scientific advocacy effort to increase international and local African investment in R&D.
    Launched in September 2015 by the African Academy of Sciences, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development and international partners, Grand Challenges Africa will help address the issue of low investment in African R&D and drive the innovation necessary to achieve the continent’s long-term Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Currently, Africa accounts for 15% of the global population and 25% of the global disease burden, but only produces about 2% of the world’s research output.
    “We understand that innovation is generally a risky, long-term investment, and therefore require a long-term funding strategy to provide innovators with the resources they need to succeed, said Tom Kariuki, Director for AESA. “This is a crucial cornerstone we need to establish if we are to create knowledge-based economies. We are heartened by the overwhelming positive response that we’ve had ahead of this event and hope for very productive discussions.”
    Meeting participants include not only the innovators, all of whom are current or former Grand Challenges grantees, but also policymakers and innovation thought leaders from across Africa. Over 100 international grantees and partners, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Grand Challenges Canada and the US Agency for International Development, will also be in attendance.
    The meeting will provide a platform for African scientists to network, share their experiences and expertise on how Grand Challenges Africa can best support and engage local innovators. Sessions will draw on the experience of participants to help define the shape and focus of Grand Challenges Africa, including how it can help countries achieve the SDGs, and potential challenges. The meeting will feature plenary sessions, breakout sessions and Tedx-style talks by some of Africa’s leading innovators.
    “Sadly the gap in Africa between the knowledge being created and commercialisation is still too wide,” said Evelyn Gitau, Programme Manager, Grand Challenges Africa. “To help change this, Grand Challenges Africa seeks to bridge the gap between industry and innovators and to bring together innovators and potential funders including angel funders, brokers, private equity investors and governments departments.”

    Grand Challenges Africa is a flagship programme of AESA, created last September as part of AESA’s mission to build scientific capacity and to mobilise African innovators to contribute to solving the continent’s pressing health challenges. The Grand Challenges Africa Meeting is one of a series of innovation meetings AESA is hosting throughout the week, including meetings on healthy birth and development and prioritizing women and girls’ development.
    Grand Challenges is a family of grant programmes that fosters innovation to solve key global health and development problems. Grand Challenges partners have invested $120 million in 380 projects in 29 African countries since 2010. Nigeria receives around $8.6 million of this investment for 28 projects.
    “The Grand Challenges approach to innovation has the potential to transform the way we work: bringing together the world’s brightest minds to solve our biggest development challenges,” said Ayo Ajayi, Director, Africa Team, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “With the leadership of AESA, along with the African Academy of Sciences, NEPAD and other partners, Grand Challenges Africa GC Africa can play a key role in nurturing an innovation ecosystem in Africa.”

  • Union leaders should imbibe values of late Pa Imoudu – Comrade Gambo

    Union leaders should imbibe values of late Pa Imoudu – Comrade Gambo

    Comrade Seyi Gambo is the former National Publicity Secretary of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). In this interview with Justice Ilevbare, he spoke on a wide range of issues affecting Labour Unions,  leadership crisis and how to better the lives of members among others.

    Against the backdrop of  the directive by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, asking oil and gas companies not to sack their workers, the Director General of Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) Mr. Olusegun Oshinowo,  said the minister was not putting into perspective the poor economic environment that had eroded the profits of private sector employers.

    But Comrade Seyi Gambo, a former National Publicity Secretary of PENGASSAN in a chat with the Nation said the unions or members of these unions are victims of their respective weak and reactionary leadership.

    “The minister for one should know that you can force a horse to the river but you cannot force it to drink. Are all the firms in the oil and gas industry government owned? Coming from the background that the minister of Petroleum and Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) promised that there will be no job loss within the cadre of the in house unions.

    “What kind of labour industrial relations is the Labour minister pursuing? What will happen therefore is that the people that the companies can still allow on their payroll will all be sent packing,” he said.

    According to Gambo; “If the union leadership in the past had lived up to the billing, things won’t be this bad. But like vultures they eat the future of hardworking members. Billions of dollars if not zillions was made from this sector with nothing to show for it. The unions failed as gate keepers on all fronts. They failed to check mate irresponsible spending by government and fraudulent indiginisation of the sector. They failed to bring the IOC’s to account for how much they were really lifting.

    “Just as they failed to force government to secure the industry as is amplified in signing into law Petroleum Industry Bill – PIB in the National Assemble for years on end. It was under their watch that oil thief became a national menace affecting the bottom line globally of the IOC’s and government revenue. How can they even set agenda or have effective collaboration when most of their leaders are out of their depth?

    “Can you believe that one of the National president’s of a strategic union in the oil and gas sector in the 21st century is a WASC holder, WASC is the highest certificate he has! Can such a person appreciate the dynamics of governance and the sector?” he queried

    According to him people like these get into office through orchestrated election.

    “There are always interests in elections, interests for good or evil that want to control leadership of these unions because of the influence organised labour wields. So like in this case, there was a tripartite unholy alliance between the former government, an amorphous parastatal of government in the oil and gas sector and unfortunately most members are not discerning.

    “They are not sensitive to ask questions about the integrity of personalities vying for elective positions. They vote for individuals based on primordial sentiments. They take their eyes away from the prize, the big picture and who will serve the interest of the nation most. Often times we have opportunists in this business.”

    Comrade Gambo also spoke about the election of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) which generated a lot of crisis last year.  In his view; “That was a shame not a sham. A group emerged clear leaders and the other group just refused to accept. This is exactly what I am talking about, a shame because simple headcount became too difficult for some people. If sincerely they are in this business to serve, it should not be do or die. I lost an election, and immediately after the loss some comrades came to meet me that there is a window to scuttle the result because the election was held in spite of a subsisting court order restraining the union from going ahead with it.

    “So NLC flouted at a critical point in our history when everybody was looking to the union for leadership. Recall the national election was already postponed by INEC and usually organised Labour serve as a catalyst to the democratic processes. I am still hurt when I think of some of these things we have done to a noble movement like the unions in Nigeria. How do we then demand respect from others when we don’t respect ourselves? What kind of legacies are we leaving behind for our successor generation?”

    ‎Speaking further, Gambo believes that the unions are the architect of their misfortune as things stands presently.

    ”Exactly we are the architects of our misfortune. A leader that does not have a fertile mind will only be looking for their personal survival, using divide and rule to moderate the union. Unnecessary politicking instead of giving focused leadership. In my own union for example, the president is due for retirement mid this year, two years into his first tenure. The constitution made provision for a bye-election, but to the embarrassment of all he is not only pushing to finish his tenure, but already campaigning for a second tenure. So the union is now an organisation of anything goes.

    “Therefore if the foundation be destroyed, what can the righteous do? I have a case in court as I speak based on what I interpret to be constitutional breaches of my union’s constitution. So we are waiting for the ruling of the National Industrial Court on same. It has caused me deep sorrow that a union which I gave everything as former National PRO, fought the minister of petroleum that wanted to sell our refineries to a standstill, had close shave with death whilst on national assignment should be taken to court by me. However what can one do in the absence of inter democracy?  Can we say we have a union in the banking sector with the hazards bank staff in the marketing department is made to go through in the name of targets?  How did the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NITEL, Nigeria Airways and other hitherto profitable government ventures died? It’s because their respective union leadership got compromised.”

    On the last subsidy protest, he said, “First let us acknowledge that the protest did not start by unions in the sector that is PENGASSAN and NUPENG, neither by the trade centres, Trade Union Congress and Nigerian Labour congress. That agenda was set by the civil societies and we just joined in and took the wheels because we are the strategic partners of government in that industry. ‎The unions failed in that negotiation, but that will be story for yet another day. Nigerians also failed because when soldiers took over the streets, Nigerians could have insisted on staying at home, not going to work after the unions negations failed to achieve the total reversal.”

    On his proposed book; “You will have to wait for my book. A lot of things will be revealed in there. Basically my book’s thrust is on leadership in the union and the privilege God gave me to serve at the highest level.  I can say without any fear that I never betrayed my members; I have not collected a bribe.”

    But how can the union reinvent their leadership like in the days of Pa Imodu? Comrade Gambo said; “The Pa Imodu’s era is a perfect example. I read about it last year in Major Bashorun’s book‎. He told of how the colonial masters and wealthy Nigerians did not want to have issues with the unions because they were focused, enlightened.

    “We’re sincere and God fearing- these values are absent in most unions today. Nowadays union leaders even orchestrate the retrenchment of members they see are critical of their wrong doings, whereas the culture of a successful union is in how robust its debates are.

    “I started taking up the establishment while I was a student of Federal Government College

    Kaduna and member of the press club then. I had first hand training in UNILAG. I was with Red Drum, Sowore, Malcolm- X (who is a first class graduate of mechanical engineering). Then outside the campus I had mentors like Professor Abubakar Momoh, Ayo Aderinale former executive secretary of Africa leadership forum and many others.

    “So by the time I got into public service and union, I knew my onions. I appreciate the privilege to serve the masses. However most of the personalities in office nowadays are there to enrich themselves. We need to go back to the basics, we need to unite, we need to put our first -eleven forward. We need to stand together against injustices in the union; we cannot sow evil seeds and expect to reap good crops. Every Nigeria must start to champion a new Nigerian way of life wherever we are – Within our families, workplace schools,” Gambo counseled.

     

  • ‘The future of Africa is urban’

    ‘The future of Africa is urban’

    The city of Abuja, under the auspices of the Government of Nigeria, is about to host a strategic event vital to the future of Africa and its citizens.

    The Habitat III Africa Regional Meeting of 24-26 February is a crucial spur to the current global debate on urbanization as a source of prosperity and an engine of development.

    Above all, this meeting is a pragmatic contribution by the African continent to Habitat III: the UN International Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development scheduled this October in Quito.

    While we are entering the final straight towards Habitat III, it is important to assess what is at stake for Africa in this global debate.

    First is the fact that the future of Africa is inevitably urban. Although Africa is the least urbanized continent in the world, its urbanization rates are nowadays higher than anywhere else.

    The continent’s population growth is projected to double from 1 billion in 2010 to 2 billion in 2040, with an accelerated transition from rural to urban population.

    Second, and inseparable from urban population growth, is the evidence that cities will form the backdrop to unprecedented urbanization that, if well planned and designed, will constitute one of the most significant boosts to economic and social prosperity ever seen.

    The economic transition from the primary sector of the economy, traditionally agriculture and extractive industries, towards more productive sectors of the economy, mainly industrial manufacturing and services, will largely depend on African urbanization.

    And third is the commitment of the African leaders to promote an African Urban Agenda that will position the continent in the lead of these transformations, in line with Agenda 2063.

    Visionary leaders across the continent share our vision of sustainable urbanization, which goes to the core of the UN Agenda 2030, and more specifically Goal 11, which considers urbanization a source of economic growth, social prosperity, and environmental sustainability.

    What is at stake in Abuja and in Habitat III in Quito is the well-being of millions of Africans. I commend the Nigerian authorities for hosting us and for launching such an important debate at a crucial moment for urbanization. Nigeria has the good fortune of counting on the expertise of Minister Amina Mohamed, who has been key to the gestation of the new global agenda.

    Well-planned and designed urbanization in Africa can be an essential part of the solution to many of the challenges facing the continent today, such as inefficient transport, pollution, unemployment and social exclusion.

    I encourage African leaders to take an active part in Abuja and in Quito for Habitat III to transmit Africa’s experience on using urbanization as a force for positive economic and social development. Africa has a lot to offer to the world.

     

    Joan Clos is the Executive Director of UN-Habitat, headquartered in Nairobi (Kenya), and the Secretary-General of Habitat III.

  • Arsenal vs Barca: Can the Gunners stop the Spanish aristocrats?

    Arsenal vs Barca: Can the Gunners stop the Spanish aristocrats?

          

    Ahead of Tuesday night’s Champions League Round of 16 tie between Spanish giants Barcelona and English Premier League (EPL) side Arsenal, below are some highlights of previous encounters between the two sides.

    In 2006, Barcelona defeated Arsenal 2-1 in the final of UEFA Champions League played at the Stade de Saint Denis, Paris, France, courtesy of two late goals by Samuel Eto’o and Brazilian Belletti.

    It was Barcelona’s fifth appearance in the final, having won the competition once in 1992, and lost the other three finals.

    Meanwhile, Arsenal was appearing in the final for the first time and in doing so became the first club from London to feature in the final.

    That victory was Barcelona’s second victory in UEFA Champions League, 14 years after the Catalans first won the tournament in 1992.

    On March 31, 2010, Arsenal held Barcelona to a 2 – 2 draw in the round of 16 tie played at the Emirates Stadium in London.

    Cesc Fàbregas’s late penalty sealed an unlikely recovery as the English side recovered from two goals down play 2-2 with the defending champions.

    In the return leg played on April 6, 2010 at the Spanish side’s Nou Camp cauldron, Barcelona trashed Arsenal  4-1 to progress to the quarter final on 6 – 3 aggregate.

    Argentina’s super star, Lionel Messi, scored all Barcelona’s goal on that night.

    The two sides met again at the same stage 11 months later, precisely on February 16, 2011 and Arsenal defeated Barcelona 2 – 1 in the first leg played in London.

    Barcelona trashed Arsenal 3-1 in the second leg played two weeks later at Nou Camp and qualified for the quarter final on 4-3 aggregate.

    Going by records of previous meetings between both sides, the odds are firmly staked against the English side in Tuesday’s encounter.

    Will the Arsene Wenger managed Londoners shock soccer pundits by stopping the Spanish juggernauts in their stride?

    The match will kick off at 8.45pm on Tonight.

    Barca vs. Arsenal: Can the Gunners stop the Spanish aristocrats?
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  • Five reasons to support Made in Nigeria

    Five reasons to support Made in Nigeria

    The discussion for promoting the hashtag, #MadeInNigeria started on Thursday. As a follow up to the #BuyNaijaToGrowTheNaira, we decided to sample the opinion of our readers. As you read down, you are going to repeatedly come across the five reasons why every Nigerian should #BuyNaijaToGrowTheNaira.

    It started thus:

    Then the discussion went further as we do a curation of the discussion which saw Nigerians actively tweeting to support our locally made products.

  • Boko Hazards: Education Must Continue

    Boko Hazards: Education Must Continue

    Besides striving to propagate Islam in a questionable bloody manner, another thrust of the philosophy of Boko Haram is condemnation of Western education. However, in a bid to revive western education among people displaced by activities of Boko Haram, some NGOs introduced psycho-social activities to help heal, psychologically, displaced children, most of whom were witnesses to havocs of Boko Haram. Some local communities without access to government camps for displaced persons, locally organize schools, though sub-standard, for the continuation of the truncated education of their children.

     

    Some displaced children engage in a local game organized by IOM, an NGO, at the Deeper Life Camp Ground, a non-governmental camp for displaced persons at Kwana Waya, Yola South, Adamawa State.
    Some displaced children engage in a local game organized by IOM, an NGO, at the Deeper Life Camp Ground, a non-governmental camp for displaced persons at Kwana Waya, Yola South, Adamawa State.
    A few, out of the many displaced children who hardly attend school, usually run away from school to participate in the local games because IOM usually distributes biscuits to children after the games.
    A few, out of the many displaced children who hardly attend school, usually run away from school to participate in the local games because IOM usually distributes biscuits to children after the games.
    Boko Hazards, Education Must Continue (3)
    Some displaced children, at Sangere, Girei, Adamawa State, play at the Nursery school section of Education Must Continue, an NGO formed by members of affected communities. by insurgency. The school is run by volunteers who are also displaced, and attended by displaced persons living among host communities.
    Fatimoh Muhammed, 12 years old, uses one of the psycho-social facilities available for displaced children at Sangere, Girei, Adamawa State. After her father rescued her family from members of Boko Haram at Gwoza in Borno State, he went back home to take some of his valuable properties but was caught and slaughtered by members of Boko Haram.
    Fatimoh Muhammed, 12 years old, uses one of the psycho-social facilities available for displaced children at Sangere, Girei, Adamawa State. After her father rescued her family from members of Boko Haram at Gwoza in Borno State, he went back home to take some of his valuable properties but was caught and slaughtered by members of Boko Haram.
    Some displaced children, at Sangere, Girei, Adamawa State, play at the Nursery school section of Education Must Continue, an NGO formed by members of affected communities. by insurgency. The school is run by volunteers who are also displaced, and attended by displaced persons living among host communities.
    Some displaced children, at Sangere, Girei, Adamawa State, play at the Nursery school section of Education Must Continue, an NGO formed by members of affected communities. by insurgency. The school is run by volunteers who are also displaced, and attended by displaced persons living among host communities.
  • BrandPhase empowers students in Lagos

    BrandPhase empowers students in Lagos

    Mr. Emorinken Moses, a leadership/career development expert has charged the students of Okota Senior Grammar School, Okota, Lagos, on the fierce urgency of taking positive actions towards the fulfillment of their dreams, and also the need to build a healthy concept of self instead of being labeled and interpreted by their backgrounds or current socio-economic taxonomy.

    Emorinken, who spoke on the theme: “The future is now, dare to dream,” at a mentoring programme organised by BrandPhase Empowerment Initiative (a Non-Governmental Organisation) for the students from classes – SS1 to SS3; especially the SS3 students who are presently preparing for their Senior School Leaving Certificate examination which is to hold soon, emphasized that all men dream but not equally; some understand the need to wake up and take actions, thereby fulfilling their dreams while the rather indolent majority take their dreams and aspirations with flippancy.

    He identified three kinds of people in the world – the first set are those who make things happen, the second are those who watch things happening, while the third set are those who do not know what is happening.

    He added that even if we have to contend with our current background or were born into an impoverished inter-generational socio-economic class, we owe it to ourselves and to God to make the best of our lives by rising beyond our seemingly genuine excuses for failure. You need God and some intrinsic values like humility, persistence, and determination to be able to thrive in this time and peculiar clime.

    The Vice Principal (Academics), Mrs. Bolanle Gbemile said the students should do a SWOT analysis (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threat) of themselves and find creative ways to solve their problems. She said “there is a way you can meaningfully approach your problems so that they can be defeated”.

    One of the students at the programme, Daniel Moses said:” Even though I hate to read, I have been inspired to imbibe a reading culture. I now know that nobody can stop me on my way to greatness except myself”. Another student, AinaBunmi said:” henceforth, I will embrace humility towards learning. I am usually angry whenever I am being advised. But today, I drop that attitude and embrace positive change.”