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Tag: ambassador

  • Book ambassador Koko gets national honour

    Book ambassador Koko gets national honour

    founder, Rainbow Foundation and Programme Director of the UNESCO Port Harcourt World Book Capital 2014 project, Mrs Odo Claire ‘Koko’ Kalango, has been awarded the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).

    As a young girl, Mrs Kalango won the MOBIL National Essay Competition. She wrote on “What can I do for my country?” and represented Nigeria at the Kirby Smith Youth Camp organised by the Lions Club in Arizona, United States for promising leaders. After writing a weekly lifestyle column in This Day for five years, she founded the Rainbow Book Club and started the “Get Nigeria Reading again!” campaign in 2005. In recognition of her work, she was invited to serve on the READ Campaign of the Federal Ministry of Education (in 2007) and sponsored by the British Council to represent Nigeria at the Edinburgh International Book Festival (2010). Koko has worked in Nigeria, the UK and the United States, with experience in education, communications and social Development. She is the Festival Director of the Garden City Literary Festival, now Port Harcourt Book Festival. A graduate of French from the University of Benin and International Relations from the University of Lancaster, she is a member of the Royal Institute of International Affairs as well as the Royal African Society.

  • BoI’s Olagunju gets Corporate Ambassador Award

    BoI’s Olagunju gets Corporate Ambassador Award

    Mr Waheed Olagunju, the Bank of Industry’s (BoI’s)Executive Director, Small and Medium Enterprises, has been conferred with the award of Corporate Ambassador at the Nigeria Arise Awards organised by BEN Television of London. Olagunju was honoured for his services to the corporate world, especially his selfless and dedicated service to the BoI ince its inception in 2001 that has enabled the bank make considerable impact on Nigeria’s industrial development.

    The organisers specifically noted the central role that Olagunju played in the successful New World Nigeria International Campaign that was one of the business and cultural side events of the 2012 London Olympics the high point of which was the High Level Business and Investment Summit on Nigeria that took place at the Dorchester.

    According to the award citation, Olagunju who joined BoI’s precursor institution the Nigerian Industrial Development Bank (NIDB) in 1990 as a Senior Manager rose to Executive Director  (Business Development) in 2012.

    He acted as Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the bank between April 11 and May 16, this year and was reassigned as the Executive Director (Small and Medium Enterprises) under the bank’s management team led by Mr Rasheed Olaoluwa, BoI’s new Managing Director and Chief Executive to whom the organisers sent their warmest congratulations.

    Prior to Olagunju’s appointment as the bank’s director, in 2012, he served as the Company Secretary of NIDB/BOI for 15 years (1997 – 2012) and as General Manager, Strategic Planning and Corporate Communications between 2007 and 2012. In those capacities, he was one of the architects and strong drivers of BoI’s outstanding turnaround and transformation into one of Africa’s best Development Finance Institutions (DFI).

    During his involvement with the reconstruction of NIDB into BOI (2000-2001) and the consolidation of the mandates of NIDB, the Nigerian Bank for Commerce and Industry (NBCI) and the National Economic Reconstruction Fund (NERFUND) into BoI, Olagunju worked closely with Messrs KPMG, the consultancy firm that was engaged to handle the exercise and the leadership of the then Federal Ministry of Industry.

    In the early years of BoI,  Olagunju coordinated the diagnostic study of the bank that was undertaken between 2004 and 2005 by the Swedish consultants (Messrs Swedish Development Advisers) who were appointed by the African Development Bank that managed the grant from the Swedish government for the exercise.

    Thanking the organisers of the Nigeria Arise Awards for the honour Olagunju dedicated the award to his colleagues at the bank.

    According to him, he was part of a formidable team that worked in concert to build one of Africa’s best development finance institutions despite daunting challenges. He expressed his gratitude to the bank’s successive Managements and Board over the past 24 years for giving him the opportunity to realise his potential.

    The Nigeria Arise Award was initiated by BEN Television of London to honour Nigerians at home and abroad who have excelled in their various fields of endeavours as well as friends of Nigeria and organisations that have made positive impact on Nigerians and also outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s development.

    Governors Godswill Akpabio, Ibikunle Amosun and Ramalan Yero of Akwa Ibom, Ogun and Kaduna  states were also honoured at this year’s centenary edition which is the fourth.

    Other recipients included Pastor Tunde Bakare and Dr Nazir Ahmed, an educationist, who has produced more than 100 high grade Nigerian students from his schools in the United Kingdom.

     

  • Ambassador Ehiobuche fetes Golden Eaglets

    Ambassador Ehiobuche fetes Golden Eaglets

    His Excellency, Dr. Grant Ehiobuche, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Congo Democratic Republic, hosted the Golden Eaglets to a dinner reception on Saturday after the national Under-17 team beat Les Leopards 1-0 in Kinshasa.

    The dinner had in attendance the Association of Nigerians in the Diaspora in Congo Democratic Republic as well as officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) including leader of delegation, Rafiu Yusuf, Emmanuel Adesanya and Kut Kut Fon.

    Ehiobuche, a career diplomat spanning over two decades, said he was happy that the Coach Emmanuel Amuneke-led side was able to wipe away the shame of Nigerians leaving in the central African country following the 3-1 thrashing of Kano Pillars and their subsequent elimination from the CAF Champions League in February.

    He praised the resilience of the team yet counselling the players to be prayerful in order to become the next generation of African superstars.

    “Personally, I’m happy for so many reasons apart from the fact that you beat Congo DR today,” stated the debonair diplomat who had previously served in Mexico, Japan, Sierra Leone amongst others.

    “I actually prayed and fasted that this match should not be played in Lubumbashi because it is a more difficult terrain and I wouldn’t be able to host you well.

    “My other prayer point was for you to come and beat Congo DR and God answered all my prayers regarding this match; and I’m so happy for the team and Nigerians as a whole.”

    He warned the players to refrain from anything that could impede them from becoming great players, adding that it is about time that a Nigerian is crowned the African Footballer of the Year to follow on the legend of the late Rashid Yekini (1993); Amuneke (1994); Nwankwo Kanu (1996 & 1999) and Victor Ikpeba (1997).

    “I want you to become truly great and I would be ready to even allow any one of you who becomes a real superstar to marry any of my daughters because I still have two that would in the future be within your marriage age,” he said amidst roaring laughter.

    “What I’m saying in effect is that with prayers and hard work, you can become somebody very great in the future.”

    Meanwhile, the victorious Golden Eaglets are due back in Nigeria today aboard Kenya Airways to continue their preparation for the second leg match against Congo Democratic Republic at most in a forthnight.

  • Argentine Ambassador seeks closer ties with NFF

    Argentine Ambassador seeks closer ties with NFF

    The newly-appointed Ambassador of Argentina to Nigeria, His Excellency Gustavo Dzugala on Thursday paid a courtesy visit to the President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, proposing that Nigeria and Argentina do much more together in the football sector.

    Dzugala, who is only a month old in Nigeria, after serving in the same capacity in Serbia, is seeking closer ties between Nigeria and Argentina National Teams as well as Clubs in both Nations.

    “Football is more than just a game; it is becoming a very potent political tool all over the world. Football makes the world go round beautifully, because it is the ‘beautiful game’.

    “Our two countries can definitely explore more ways of collaboration and friendship in football, because both are very strong, powerful nations in the game,” Dzugala observed.

    Responding, Maigari wished Dzugala well in his new role, saying the NFF and Nigeria football family as a whole are open to further collaboration between Nigeria and Argentina in the game.

    “A former Board Member of Nigeria Football Federation, Barrister Chive Kaave, is the Ambassador of Nigeria to Argentina, and we have also discussed several ways of further collaboration. With your coming, we will activate most of the possible areas and bring them to fruition,” Maigari said.

    Nigeria play Argentina in Group F of the 20th FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil this summer, with tickets for the June 25 match in Porto Alegre long sold out.

    In a two-match friendly in 2011, Nigeria’s Super Eagles beat Argentina 4-1 in Abuja, with the Argentines winning the second leg 3-1 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

  • Emenike now Glo Ambassador

    Emenike now Glo Ambassador

    • Not disappointed with CAF award exclusion

    Second national carrier, Globacom has signed Super Eagles forward Emmanuel Emenike as its latest brand ambassador.

    Speaking at the unveiling ceremony held at the Mike Adenuga Towers, Lagos on Friday, Globacom’s National Sales Coordinator, Segun Adeyemo described Emenike as an embodiment of the resilient Nigerian spirit which always triumphed against all odds, adding that Globacom as a super brand always identifies with super stars.

    “Globacom has always been in the forefront of sports development in Nigeria and Africa, committing over N9 billion to the holistic development of the sector. We have stood by the nation’s football because we believe that this is the most patriotic thing to do as a proudly Nigerian telecoms brand,” Adeyemo said.

    He added that Emenike’s trajectory was a vivid reminder to all youths across the continent that there was no short cut to success with his untiring efforts to score goals for Nigeria.

    Responding, Emenike expressed gratitude to Globacom for signing him as a brand ambassador and promised to continue to work hard with his team mates to make sure Nigeria excelled at the World Cup.

    “I thank Globacom for considering me as worthy ammbasador. I will continue to do my best for Nigeria and work hard in ensuring that we get good results in Brazil,” Emenike said.

    The Fenerbache of Turkey striker also said he is not disappointed for not making the final top three of the CAF Africa Player of the Year.

    “I am not worry about the award and I am not disappointed that I was not listed among the top three finalist. All the remaining three players are good for the award and I wish them best of luck.”

    Also commenting, the President-General, Nigeria Supporters’ Club Worldwide, Dr. Rafiu Oladipo described the signing of Emenike as a Glo brand ambassador as a dream come true and prayed that he would be in good health to bang in goals for the Super Eagles at the World Cup.

    “Emenike would score goals for Nigeria like Rashidi Yekini did. Super Eagles will play at least up to the semi finals,” Oladipo prophecies, adding “I thank Glo for supporting everything good. Emenike, watch it! By the grace of God, Glo will increase your value if you excel at the World Cup”, Dr. Ladipo enthused.

  • PHOTO: Ambassadors-designate induction course

    PHOTO: Ambassadors-designate induction course

  • Provost bags peace ambassador award

    The Provost of the Federal College of Education (FCE) Obudu, Dr Eugene Ibili, has bagged the prestigious Commonwealth Youth Federation Award for Peace.

    The organisers attributed his nomination to his immense contributions in fostering peace in the country.

    Presenting the award at the Paul Adah Lecture Theatre in the college, the organisation’s President, Oyewuga Bilikis Yetunde from the Federal University of Technology, (FUT Minna) in Niger State, said the recipient was highly experienced. He described Dr Ibili as a thorough breed and an outstanding public servant with impressive track records, adding that his policies, peaceful leadership and youth empowerment schemes had endeared him to the judges.

    Dr. Ibli said the college gave him the platform to promote the ideals of global peace. He noted that the award would spur him on to make impact in the world.

    Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, the Secretary of the body, Kamgiu Bertin from Kigali Institute of Science and Technology, Rwanda, said that he had opposed Dr Ibili’s nomination following reports in foreign media about the insecurity problem in Nigeria, adding that he later declined the reports on getting to Nigeria

    Other delegates who attended the ceremony included Adei Fringpong of the University of Lagon, Ghana and Nseh Udoh, University of Uyo (UNIUYO).

    Other awardees included Dr Brown Landon, Great Britain; Manooham Singh, India; Dr Willy Mutanga, Kenya and Registrar of the Governing Council of the college, Mrs Magdalene Adie.

    The Commonwealth Youth Federation for Peace was established in 1985 with the objective of sensitising its members on the importance of peace and corporation development and economic stability.

     

  • Ambassador seeks stronger ties with Russia

    Nigeria’s ambassador to Russia, Assam Ekanem Assam (SAN), has canvassed for better economic ties with Russia.

    He described the volume of trade between Nigeria and Russia standing at $350 million as paltry.

    The exchange, he pointed out, is mainly in the importation of fertilisers and finished consumer goods.

    According to him: “I want to see Russia trade in our Brent crude oil, which is one of the best in the world.

    “Basically I want Nigeria and Nigerians to explore relationship with Russia in the areas of power, transport and energy”.

    Assam spoke at the weekend during a news conference ahead of a business forum slated for November 6-7 in Moscow.

    The envoy pointed out that Russia has the largest gas reserve in the world as well as strong technology in energy development that Nigeria can take advantage of for greater economic ties.

    “Our aim is to have top Russia businessmen investing their money and technology in Nigeria,” he stated.

    Managing Director of Kitari Consult Ltd, which is facilitating the forum, Alhaji Ali Magashi, said though Russia and Nigeria are not trading partners and lacks political or cultural ties, there is the need to work together.

    He added that the forum will also present an opportunity for Nigerians to interact with other Russian businessmen and also seek collaboration in the area of private public partnership (PPP).

     

  • Glo signs Victor Moses as brand Ambassador

    Glo signs Victor Moses as brand Ambassador

    Nigerian International and Liverpool Football Club winger, Victor Moses was on Tuesday in Lagos unveiled as a brand ambassador of telecommunications company, Globacom.

    Speaking during the event held at the Mike Adenuga Headquarters of Globacom; the Chief Operating Officer of Globacom, Mohamed Jameel stated that the footballer had within his short playing career distinguished himself at both the club and national team levels.

    He added that the highly talented winger has also been a good inspiration not only to up-coming footballers but also to the younger generation of Nigerians.

    Jameel said one of the ways in which the company has been promoting indigenous sports as well as arts and culture is through the appointment of enterprising Nigerians in various sectors as brand ambassadors.

    “This is not only meant to promote the growth of the various industries but also to encourage our teeming youth population to aspire to realise their dreams by looking up to these crop of ambassadors as mentors.

    “It is in line with our commitment to delivering value and rewarding excellence that we have signed up one of our own, a Nigerian International, a dynamic winger and outstanding member of our victorious National Team, the Super Eagles, Victor Moses to project the Globacom brand across the world,” Jameel stated further.

    He described the unveiling ceremony of the footballer as a further demonstration of Globacom’s commitment to the development of Nigerian football in Nigeria.

    Responding, Moses thanked Globacom for considering him worthy of being the company’s ambassador, promising to make Globacom a bigger brand and “score more goals for the company.”

    Moses stated that the Globacom ambassadorship is his first endorsement contract in Africa, adding that he will make everybody proud by working very hard to ensure that the Super Eagles qualify for the World Cup.

    He also advised young footballers to work extra hard on their talent to become outstanding.

     

  • Monalisa Chinda named Centenary Ambassador

    Monalisa Chinda named Centenary Ambassador

    FAIR skinned actress, Monalisa Chinda who has just been dropped as one of the Globacom brand icons appears to have found a replacement in the federal government’s 100th year project of the existence of Nigeria. The thespian was officially unveiled last week as an ambassador for the Nigeria100 Centenary Project, a road show set to hold across the world.

    In addition to the unveiling of Monalisa Chinda, other celebrity ambassadors on the bill of government for the project were also announced during an exclusive event which took place at Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos recently.

    Speaking on the choice of Monalisa Chinda, Ikemefuna Mordi, project director of the Nigeria100 Centenary Project said the decision “is driven by the essence of this revolutionary project and its proposition to its target audience. As a multi-talented superstar who keeps contributing her quota to the emergence of a new Nigeria by supporting and spearheading diverse noteworthy and noble causes, Monalisa Chinda easily represents the true Nigerian picture we seek to project.”

    Joined by Made Men Music Group’s top dog, Iyanya who is also a road show ambassador for the project, Monalisa Chinda stated that there is a lot of synergy between the Centenary Project and her persona, while promising to be a good ambassador of the brand.

    According to Tope Esan, the Centenary media manager, “other confirmed ambassadors who would simultaneously appear as the project progresses include Stephanie Okereke, Segun Arinze, Desmond Elliot, Jay Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, RMD and Ali Nuhu.”