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Tag: ambassadors

  • CAF Competitions: Dikko charges Nigerian clubs to be good ambassadors

    CAF Competitions: Dikko charges Nigerian clubs to be good ambassadors

    Chairman of the League Management Company, Shehu Dikko has charged the four teams representing Nigeria in continental club competitions to be good ambassadors of the league even as he expressed satisfaction with their preparations for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Club championships starting this weekend.

    Dikko spoke shortly after presenting the 2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Super 4 Pre-season tournament trophy to winners, Akwa United at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo and described the two rounds of the Super 4 tournament in Kaduna and Uyo as a competitive build-up to the continental race.

    “The Super 4 is part of an obligation of the League Management Company (LMC) in the contract with the then league sponsor but we went a step further in view of the kick-off date for the 2015/16 season to make it a tow round tournament which will provide the needed competitive match fitness for the clubs going into the continent.

    “The performance in Uyo showed a remarkable improvement to what was witnessed in Kaduna and while preparations cannot at any time be described as perfect, we are happy with the progress made so far and with the season starting in two weeks, the players will definitely be properly primed before their second leg matches”, Dikko remarked.

    Akwa United finished on 9 points to win their maiden Super 4 trophy at first try ahead of Enyimba International and Nasarawa United, both on 8 points while Warri Wolves finished on 7 points.

    “Nigerians are repossessing their league by coming out in numbers to watch our clubs play, following the league on media platforms and the clubs can only reciprocate by improving on our previous outings in continental club competitions. You all have to be good ambassadors of the league”, the LMC Chairman charged.

    Dikko also said the close finish by the four teams shows how competitive the tournament was, adding, “just like in our regular season, it has been a photo finish which goes to show the competitiveness of our league and the point that none of our teams is a push-over”.

    The LMC Chairman wished all the clubs a successful outing in their first leg matches urging them to win well and make the second leg a formality. “The LMC and of course the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will support all the clubs in whichever way necessary to ensure they improved on previous outings. We wish them success beginning this weekend”.

  • Institute recognises 12 management ambassadors

    The management of International Management Community, a body of intellectuals and technocrats in various fields of endeavours has bestowed its prestigious Ambassadors of International Management of the Africa Region on 12 deserving Nigerians.

    The awardees, including: Dr (Mrs) Janet Ofo, Prof. Issah Abass, Prof. Adetunji Haastrup, Mr David Friday Moses, Rev Dan Gbolagun, Mrs Onyenatruchi, Mrs Bola Adefajo, Dr Adebara and Mr. Femi Oyekan were recognised at a colourful ceremony in Lagos.

    Professor Adetunji Haastrup became the first African to be named Ambassador of International Management in Africa, is among the premier African Fellows of the International Academy of Management, London-UK.

    Also awarded was Ambassador Fanny Amun, a world cup winning coach and the former Secretary General of the Nigerian Football Association (NFA), who was recognised in the Sports Leadership category.

  • CAMPUSLIFE reporters are global ambassadors

    Two CAMPUSLIFE reporters have been chosen as ambassadors of Youth for Enlightenment and Welfare (YEW), a global youth movement.

    Eddy Uwoghiren, 300-Level Medicine and Surgery student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) in Edo State, and Tolulope Ajobiewe, a fresh graduate of Urban and Regional Planning of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT MINNA) in Niger State, were nominated for the positions along four other youths penultimate Monday.

    Eddy
    Eddy
    Tolulope
    Tolulope

    In his congratulatory email sent to the students, YEW President, Shahzor Memon, wrote: “I congratulate you on becoming our ambassadors. Your applications thrilled us. We marveled at how far you have contributed to the development of your immediate environment through launching campaigns on health matters, ranging from blood donation drive, health awareness campaign, volunteering for free medical outreaches for rural dwellers in Nigeria, freelance journalism and other platform. We strongly encourage you to keep the good work and help spread the message of YEW in your country. Accept the assurances of our warmest regards as we look forward to working with you.”

    Tolulope has been an advocate of environmental sustainability. He has held several campaigns on climate change and environmental degradation.

    Tolulope said: “I am happy to be selected as YEW ambassador. But, far from the being excited and ecstatic, I believe the role comes with responsibility, which is a call to service and represent Nigeria on the global platform.”

    He said he would mobilise volunteers and resources for actions that would make the nation develop interest in making the environment sustainable.

    Eddy also described the feat as a call to service, promising to engage in more community-based activities that would alleviate suffering of rural dwellers.

    Other Nigerian youths selected by the body include Boris Nwanchukwu, a 500-Level Medicine and Surgery of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Joseph Odewale, a student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile Ife, and Michael Oluwaloseyifunmi  of Lagos State University (LASU).

    YEW is an internationally-acclaimed youth-led movement engaging in advocacy and campaign on for sustainable social change.

     

     

  • Airtel unveils 2Face, Patoranking, Phyno, others as ambassadors

    Airtel unveils 2Face, Patoranking, Phyno, others as ambassadors

    Telecommunication giant, Airtel Nigeria, last Thursday unveiled Hip-hop icon, 2Face Idibia; Rap sensation, Phyno; Dancehall artiste, Patoranking; fast-rising comedian, Akpororo and renowned On-Air-Personality, IK Osakioduwa as brand ambassadors.

    The celebrities were presented to the public at a star-studded event tagged ‘The Icon”. The event held at the prestigious MUSON centre, Onikan, Lagos.

    While addressing the gathering, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, stated that the new Airtel brand ambassadors were selected due to their fine image, sound characters and achievements in their various fields.

    He said: “We have carefully selected ambassadors who embody the values, character and overall image inherent to the Airtel brand, therefore making them a perfect fit for further endearing Airtel to millions of Nigerians whilst strengthening the relationship we have with our customers.”

    Ogunsanya also noted that the appointment of enterprising and talented Nigerians as brand ambassadors is in line with Airtel’s commitment to delivering value and rewarding excellence.

    He noted that all the ambassadors have recorded monumental successes in their respective fields. 2Face Idibia is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most popular musicians and has received numerous awards, including the Headies, KORA, MOBO, Channel O Music Awards and MAMAs. He is also engaged in a number of CSR activities as an artiste.

    IK Osakioduwa, an accomplished Presenter is a six-time host of the celebrated reality TV show, Big Brother Africa and has been rated among the top three most influential young people in Nigeria. He was also recognised by the Future Awards as the ‘Best On-Air Personality.’

    Patoranking, the reggae dancehall singer won the coveted Next Rated Award at the 2014 Headies, while just recently, he was named the Best African Act at the 2015 Ghana Music Awards.

    Fast-rising comedian, Akpororo, is regarded as someone with very strong work ethic and his passion for comedy has earned him so many accolades. He also sponsors a football competition as a way of supporting talented youths in his community.

    Phyno, is known for rapping in Igbo language, and has also earned several awards including the Headies, for Best Collaboration in 2013 and Best Rap Single in 2014.

    Airtel Nigeria has been a prominent contributor to entertainment and Arts in Nigeria, having   sponsored some of the favorite TV series, including Tinsel, Before 30 and Desperate Housewife Africa.

  • Honour for real ambassadors of Lagos

    Honour for real ambassadors of Lagos

    Many jaws often drop in utter awe at the sight, especially during the monthly environmental sanitation being observed across Lagos State. Armed with broom and shovel, at his age, the first Executive Governor of the state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, would totter through the streets in his Ilupeju neighbourhood, in observance of the exercise.

    He is usually joined by other eminent landlords that constitute the Ilupeju Estate Residents Development Association, including a former Military governor in the state, Gen. Mobolaji Johnson (rtd).

    Observers could only appreciate their effort to sustain the glory of Lagos of old with one refrain – a prayer: “May God reward these good people in heaven!”

    Such men and women of exemplary patriotism are in every nook and cranny of the metropolis doing great things for the society through sheer sacrifice. In the same vein, quite many corporate organisations have done what First Bank Plc did to arrest the progressive decay of the popular Costain Roundabout, years ago. It has since remained a beauty to behold.

    Are you among or do you know the individuals, public service and corporate organisations that have been toiling exceptionally to restore, protect and share those sacred values that made Lagos great? Now is the time to reap the fruits of such efforts.

    The opportunity will come on May 27, when the Spirit of Lagos (SOL), a behavioural transformation initiative, holds a unique awards ceremony to celebrate individual and corporate citizens who have evinced rare selfless civic acts to effect positive change in Lagos.

    SOL’s Project Director, Mr Olaniyi Omotoso, blew the lid of the plans of the organisation at a media briefing in Ikeja, where he said the ceremony, tagged Citizens’ Day, “is part of ongoing activities of our group to encourage residents to restore, protect and share those values that made Lagos a great city.”

    Omotoso said the three-category ceremony – individual, public service and corporate organizations – would be chaired by the state governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola at the grand event commemorating the 48th year of the creation of the state.

    The individual category includes Lifetime Achievement Award – for an elderly citizen, living or dead, who has impacted positively on the state; Award for Community Development – for a citizen who has impacted positively on his/her community; Award for Exceptional Community – for a community that has done exceptional things through collaborative efforts; and Award for Exceptional Youth– for a young resident between the ages of 18 and 25, with a strong commitment to societal good, he explained.

    The Public Service categories according to Omotoso, cover Lifetime Achievement Award, Role Model Award and Rising Star Award, and will reward employees of the Lagos State civil service who have demonstrated dedicated and excellent performances in the discharge of their duties.

    The corporate organisations category, he said, would recognise and honour socially responsible corporate bodies – multinationals, emerging corporate bodies and small and medium scale enterprises – that have, in very tangible ways, given back to the society in which they operate.

    “The award is to inspire and acknowledge good behaviour as well as engender and sustain attitudinal change among Lagos residents. The search for these exceptional citizens and organisations will extend to all the 57 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state. It will give the grassroots residents the opportunity to identify and nominate those who they feel are worthy of the awards in their localities,” the SOL Project Director said.

    Omotoso disclosed that nomination forms had been deposited at all the secretariats of the LGs/LCDAs for easy collection by residents.

    A panel of judges comprising eminent men and women of impeccable character in the society, he added, would screen and shortlist the prospective nominees who will subsequently go through a voting process by the public to eventually determine the worthy awardees.

    Mrs Folasade Fasehun, Director, Development Partnership Department, Ministry of Economic Planning & Budget, lauded the initiative, noting that it will go a long way in complementing the efforts of the state government at ensuring the rebirth of a new Lagos of residents’ collective dream.

    Also, Mrs Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya, General Counsel to Fashola; Shola Shasore, Office of Public Private Partnership; Ronke Daniels, Spokesperson, Akoka Community Development Association (CDA), and Kelechi Nwosu, Managing Director, TBWA Concepts, were at the briefing.

    They observed that SOL activities are complementary to the state government’s environmental efforts and enjoined all stakeholders to play their respective part to ensure the success of the ceremony and to ultimately achieve its goals.

  • Be good ambassadors, Rector urges students

    The Rector, Abia State Polytechnic (Abia Poly), Elder Allwell Onukaogu, has urged freshers of the institution to take their studies seriously and be good ambassadors of their families and the college.

    He spoke at the institution’s matriculation.

    Over 5, 250 freshers have sworn to an oath, promising to be of good behaviour. The students promised to shun cultism and examination during their matriculation, assuring that their conduct would not dent the image of the institution.

    Of the over 10,000 applicants, who applied to study at the polytechnic, Onukaogu said only 5,250 met the admission requirement. They were admitted into programmes in regular and part- time courses for National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND).

    Onukaogu advised the freshers to use the opportunity of their admission to add values to their lives. He told them the destructive effect of cultism, drug abuse and prostitution, stressing that the vices could never help them in their academic pursuits.

    The occasion witnessed a large turnout of students, parents and guardians. Some of the freshers described the ceremony as a milestone in their lives.

    Mary Ikorwa, a 100-Level Accounting student, said: “It is a memorable day for me. I am glad to have my friends and family members celebrating this day with me today. I hope this matriculation would be the starting point of excellence in my life.”

    Wisdom Nwosu, Ikorwa’s classmate thanked God for keeping him alive to witness his “special day” with his relatives and friends. He promised to graduate on top of her class.

  • Dirty deal of Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria

    There is nothing more interesting to a Nigerian politician than establishing a legacy with their name on it. This is the hallmark of the country’s politics and it is worrisome.

    It is either Seven-point Agenda for Umaru Yar’dua or Transformation Agenda for Goodluck Jonathan. So, the term “transformation” is used to christen any pro-Jonathan agenda. Wherever we see or hear it, either in a newspaper or radio station, we believe it is Jonathan’s handiwork. In fact, any movement which wants to have the ears and eyes of the presidency either uses the president’s picture as a logo or uses his regime’s catch-phrase, ‘transformation agenda’ to complement whatever name they wish to have.

    It is not a new thing in Nigeria. We all know that any agenda code-named ‘transformation’ belongs to the president, his aides or one of his town criers. They venerate his name, not because of what he has achieved, but for his money.

    The Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) has become the lousiest cockerels ever. No doubt, it is a pro-Jonathan movement, christened after his image, his mind, motives and, of course, agenda.

    TAN disguises itself as a group which is mobilising Nigerian youths to champion the cause of peace and one-Nigeria agenda. The TAN group and or groups hiding under them, sucking from the same breast are heavily sponsored by the presidency. They have the right thumb of His Excellency and, of course, the ruling PDP.

    What TAN’s agents do is to hawk the name of President Jonathan around, his agenda and that of his party. TAN has little or nothing to do with the much-touted One Nigeria Agenda. The agents go around on social networks, establishing contacts with youths who they know are social media freaks, promising them scholarships, recharge cards, clothings, jobs, cars, connections, and frivolous trips to foreign countries. All that is needed of the beneficiary is to be a Nigerian citizen and a registered voter, possessing a valid voters’ card.

    To join TAN, one has to start by liking their Facebook page and later register as one-star ambassador, one of its many ranks. When you create an online account, you will be asked to invite others to like the page and also register. The more people you deceive into joining the trend, the higher your rank and the more dividends you get.

    The TAN coordinators and executives are a set of opportunists who nose around for support for Jonathan come 2015. They hire other youths who work under them, charged with the duty of mobilising votes for the president ahead of 2015. Every mobiliser or coordinator or whatever they are called has a mandate. When they come in contact with youths, they dangle some carrots at their face and cajole them to join the team for selfish benefits.

    Like the ancient serfs who serve their pot-bellied masters, TAN and their secret agents are sent into the Nigerian wilderness to scout for votes for the ruling PDP. From the web page to the bill boards, TAN has made its campaign appear like the handiwork of desperados. TAN displays strong support for President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term bid, hiding under the cloak of youth development, promotion of peace and all what not.

    If presidency wants to provide such privileges for Nigerian youths, it should do that through the federal ministries, parastatals and state institutions. What is the stake of TAN in Nigeria?

    Nigeria has outlived this stage of politics and political scams. A performing politician, president or governor does not have to go fishing for votes. A governor or president who is convinced of his achievements should not be hanging his hooks all round for votes. His works should speak for him. Nigeria has achieved some feats in the global community, thus we should possess a more-informed political culture than what TAN tries to preach.

    As far as Nigeria is concerned, TAN is winding back our collective experience, sense of nationhood and solidarity. TAN is resurging with a mushroom approach to politics this time and age. The idea of making the youths to register and lend support for President Jonathan in 2015 is clearly a defeatist approach to Nigerian development. Could that be an indication of the fact that the current administration has nothing else to show to pull political support?

    TAN is destroying the future of the youths of this generation. Instead of engaging them in competitive human development activities or equipping them with skills in preparation to face the challenges of the 21st century, TAN is not only busy singing praises of the Otuoke son, they are also doingfishing votes in the most shameful way.

    We are all observers and activists in this political phenomenon called Nigeria. We have a good knowledge of the fact that previous governments have tried this and it never worked for them, at least to their expectation. They set up support groups which went around deceiving youths with empty promises, to gather votes for their patriarchs and matriarchs. But they ended up not achieving anything after getting hold of power.

    If President Goodluck Jonathan wants to retain power, it is not bad. It is his constitutional right and nobody can deny him of that. He should lay claim to his achievements these four years or so that he has served as head of state. If Nigerians see his achievements and want him to come back, they will vote for him. He should avoid working with militants and street urchins and choose people who are driven by the genuine passion for a better Nigeria.

     

    Emmanuel just graduated from Political Science, UNICAL

  • Lagos chambers names goodwill ambassadors

    Lagos chambers names goodwill ambassadors

    The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has unveiled Evangeline Wiles, Managing Director, Kaymu.com.ng amongst others, as an LCCI Goodwill Ambassador ahead of the 2014 Lagos International Trade Fair.

    The event held at the LCCI’s head office in Lagos.

    The LCCI Goodwill Ambassadors are inspirational people who share a commitment with the chamber of commerce and industry to develop and promote the Nigerian economy. They possess widely recognized talent in the business, arts, sciences, literature, entertainment, sports or other fields of public life and will help generate public awareness and understanding of trade, commerce and development causes, as well as inspire broad, positive, committed action in support of LCCI and LITF’S mandate and priorities.

    In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Trade Promotion Board, Chief Dr Michael Olawale Cole said: “The Goodwill Ambassadors have put the country first in everything they have done, I will not be surprised seeing them on TV for national honours.”

    Wiles, in her acceptance speech thanked the Chambers for deeming her worthy of being selected. “The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry is known for promoting trade and entrepreneurship, which is at the core of Kaymu’s business model. I am committed to promoting SMEs in my service as an LCCI Goodwill Ambassador,” she stated.

    While giving a vote of thanks on behalf of other ambassadors, an upbeat Mr. Olisa Adibua, a media personality, said: “Today is a good day for me and my fellow Ambassadors, I am very happy and I look forward to working with the Chamber and promoting it.”

    Other ambassadors unveiled at the event include: Tuface Idibia, Toke Makinwa, Toolz, Kunle Afolayan, Vector, Brymo, Funke Okpeke , Managing Director, Mainone Cable, Martin Mabutho (GM, Marketing Mutichoice) and Lerin Davis.

  • Jonathan, can you say no?

    IT is interesting that President Goodluck Jonathan is proving to be a master choreographer and perhaps contradicting the view of his antagonists that he is a clueless leader. The amused public can look forward to the next episode in a long-running entertainment show; and it is likely to feature enthusiastic sycophants pleading with Jonathan to agree to be the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general elections. With his unprecedented endorsement by the party’s governors, Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee, the question of holding the conventional Presidential Primary to choose a candidate has been effectively overtaken by events.

    Add to this picture the reinforcing activities of the obsessive self-defined non-governmental organisation known as Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), which insists on an   incomprehensible objective: “the continuation of transformation by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ)”.  What the group makes of the concept of “transformational government” remains a puzzle because the Jonathan administration has been anything but that. However, TAN’s promotional train is on course and its region-by-region approach is expected to climax in the federal capital, Abuja, on September 30.

    But Jonathan would want observers to believe that this background, as persuasive as it is, may not be enough to make him interested in re-election. He seems determined not to be seen as desperate for a second term in office, which may be a reasonable projection; but it is impossible to hide his ambition. Indeed, in a telling irony, the harder he struggles to mask his aspiration, the more he gives himself away.

    It is noteworthy that when he appeared at his party’s September 20 “Southwest sensitisation rally,” he could not resist wearing that familiar mask of deception. In his speech on the occasion, he referred to the various endorsements and introduced a suspicious complication. He said: “I also have the right of refusal and I thank the party for giving me the opportunity.”

    The question is: Would he exercise this right and refuse? Jonathan, perhaps unwittingly, but more likely not innocently, supplied the answer, albeit in a coded communication. He boasted about the establishment of a Presidential Jobs Board which would “create three million jobs in the next one year.” He reasoned:  ”That means in a few years, we would solve the problem of unemployment.”  Then he added: “We continue to promise to transform Nigeria; make changes and never go back. We need all Nigerians to work with us. In the next few years, unemployment will continue to drop. We are totally committed to changing all sectors of the Nigerian economy.”

    Read between the lines. Does he sound like a man who would say “No”?  He must be self-deluded to imagine that his game of laboured suspense is beyond public comprehension. On the contrary, whatever game he is playing appears so cheap and degrading, not to say nauseating.

    From the look of things, Jonathan could be dreaming of a day when the entire country would rise as one and crown him without opposition.  That dream is a grandiose delusion

  • Federal Govt to sign Mambilla Dam contract

    President Goodluck Jonathan will sign the Mambilla Hydro Dam contract next month.

    The Minister of State for Power, Mr. Mohammed Wakil, who spoke at a rally of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) in Gombe, said: “President Goodluck Jonathan has broken the jinx of the Mambilla Hydro Dam, which is worth about seven billion dollars.”

    He added that the Kashambilla Hydro Dam has reached about 95 per cent completion. “This is in addition to the new transmission lines across the zone.”

    The minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Olawale Rasheed, who spoke yesterday in a statement, said the dam would generate over 3,000 mega watts and was about the biggest on the continent.

    “This project has been on the drawing board since 1970.”

    Wakil described President Jonathan’s record in the power sector as unrivalled in the history of the country, saying the Northeast was grateful for the power projects in the region.

    He said: “Jonathan has implemented the most ambitious and very successful power sector reform in Africa. Major international agencies have acknowledged this fact.” The minister toured the sites of the power projects in Borno State. Despite insecurity, he visited a sub-station on Baga Road in Maiduguri where a newly-approved transformer would be located.

    He also visited the site of the 330KV transmission sub-station on Damboa Road. Work was suspended at the site due to insecurity.  Wakil said work would resume after the tightening of security at power installations in the state.