The Nation Newspaper

Tag: award

  • Firm wins ICT award

    An indigenous IT firm, High Tech Data System (HDS), has won the ICT Implementation Company of the Year Award. The event held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.

    The company was honoured with the recognition at the Beacon of ICT Awards organised by the Nigeria Communications Week to honour deserving talents, who had, over the years, shown commitment towards the growth and development of ICT.

    While receiving the award, Managing Director, HDS, Mr Chinedu Okoli, said the award would enable the young firm to put in more effort in representing Nigeria well in the global ICT market.

    “This award is a reward for all the hard work the staff have put in over the past year, and we are privileged and humbled to receive it. It is only the beginning and an indication of what can be achieved with dedication.

    “We are thankful to God for His mercies and blessings, as we look forward to serving, adding value and providing satisfaction to our customers, while looking forward to adding our own quota to the growth of the ICT ecosystem in Nigeria.”

    Okoli reaffirmed the firm’s commitment to working with its clients to identify, formulate and implement solutions to achieve value for money, increased profitability and market growth as a reputable ICT company that is open in its dealings with its clients.

    The merit- centric award honours finest and brightest companies and individuals who have helped put Nigeria on the global ICT map. The annual Beacon of ICT Awards, which is now in its fourth year, are free awards designed to encourage organizations and individuals to continue to provide efficient and high-quality services to Nigerians.

  • Posthumous award for Justus Esiri

    Two weeks after the late consummate actor, Justus Esiri, was buried in his home town, Oria-Abraka, Delta State, he bagged Africa’s Best Actor award on Saturday. It was amid ovation at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) which held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.

    Film professionals, movie buffs, Bayelsa State Government officials, foreign observers and other stakeholders across the country gathered at the Glory Hall Cultural Center, venue of the event, which is often described as Africa’s version of the Oscars.

    Esiri won the award with his last work, Assassins Practice, beating Nigeria’s OC Ukeje, Bimbo Manuel, Femi Jacobs and Lindani Nkosi (South Africa), Hlomlab Dandala (Ghana) and Amurin Wumnembom (Cameroon) to it.

    His trophy was received on his behalf by the President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Miss Ibinabo Fiberesima.

    South African actress, Florence Masbe won the Best Actress award for her role in “Elelwani,” beating Nigeria’s Rita Dominic, Ghana’s Yvonne Okoro, Burkina Faso’s Mariam Ouedraogo, Cameroon’s Mbutung Seikeh and Malawi’s Flora Suya.

    It was an evening of glory for Nigerian movies, as the Best Director and Best Film categories were clinched by Niji Akanni, for the film, Heroes and Zeroes and Kenneth Gyang for Confusion Na Wah.

    Lifetime Achievement Awards were also bestowed on some Nollywood veterans, including Chief Eddie Ugboma, Sir Osita Okeke Oguno (Ossy Afason), Ayuko Babu, Pete Edochie and Tunde Kelani.

    Special Recognition laurels also went to ace producer, Emem Isong, veteran actors, Kanayo O Kanayo, Keneth Okonkwo, and the Film and Video Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (FVPMAN) for its invaluable roles in the industry.

    Minister for Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan at the event, said the government was committed to helping the movie industry grow in Nigeria, adding that the N3 billion grant promised by Jonathan was still valid. He added that the framework for the fund would soon be out.

    Also, Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson said his government is passionate about AMAA and its activities as he announced the establishment of Bayelsa Film Trust Fund, with an initial donation of N150 million.

  • New Frontiers Award’s shortlist announced

    Arabian Travel Market, the leading travel and tourism exhibition in the Middle East, has announced the names of the three global destinations nominated for this year’s New Frontiers Award, the results of which will be revealed at a special roundtable session featuring award recipients from the previous seven ceremonies.

    The three destinations shortlisted for 2013 are New York State, the Philippines and Pakistan, each of which suffered from the aftermath of the devastation wreaked by natural catastrophes in the last 12 months.

    “This year’s award coincides with our 20th anniversary celebrations and it is a poignant moment for the industry as a whole to reflect on the devastation that natural disasters can wreak on human life, habitat and infrastructure, irrespective of their international status,” said Mark Walsh, Portfolio Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions.

    Launched in 2005 by Arabian Travel Market, the New Frontiers Award was created to recognise outstanding contributions to tourism development in the face of overwhelming adversity, supporting the chosen destination by donating exhibition space at the event to the value of US$10,000.

    Now in its eighth year, the one-of-a-kind roundtable session will include previous award recipients, including Phuket, Thailand, which was devastated by the 2006 tsunami and last year’s recipient, Japan.

     

     

     

     

    “Participants will have a chance to share their experiences once again and report on how, in the intervening years, their respective tourism destinations have – quite literally – picked up the pieces and gone on to rebuild and recover,” remarked Walsh.

    “However it’s not just a question of physical recovery. Tourism strategies need to be re-evaluated and revised marketing plans put in place to reposition a destination and to create confidence amongst its target markets,” he added.

     

    The New Frontiers Award is a vital element of Arabian Travel Market’s commitment to support the global tourism industry, and provides a platform to drive awareness and assist destinations in the recovery process through participation at the show.

     

    The 2013 nominees have all had to repair, rebuild and recover, with efforts ongoing in some destinations.

     

    New York State, USA – Hurricane Sandy.

    In late October 2012, Hurricane Sandy spread a trail of destruction across the Eastern Seaboard of the US, leaving businesses and homes in New York State – and its tourism heart, Manhattan – without vital resources and inflicting billions of dollars of cumulative damage on the local economy.

     

    Philippines – typhoon.

    At the end of 2012, Typhoon Bopha caused substantial loss of life and hit the tourism economy hard when it ripped across the country, devastating large tracts of land and communities on the southern island of Mindanao, and sweeping across the popular tourist island of Palawan.

     

    Pakistan – floods.

    September floods, prompted by heavy monsoon rains, affected over five million people and the economy, with damage extending across the country from Southern Punjab and Northern Sindh to North-Eastern Balochistan. Over half a million acres of crops were lost as well as lifestock, critically affecting food supplies.

     

  • Bank wins Oil & Gas award

    Bank wins Oil & Gas award

    The Project Finance Magazine, a publication of the Euromoney Plc, UK has adjudged Fidelity Bank Plc the winner of The African Oil & Gas Deal of the Year 2012. The bank said in a statement that the award recognises achievement and excellence in getting projects built, bought or refinanced.

    Fidelity alongside GTBank, Diamond Bank, Zenith Bank, and other International lenders and legal firms won the award with the $1.5 billion Syndicated Financing for the 2012 Drilling Programme of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation/ExxonMobil Joint Venture via their Special Purpose Vehicle RDP Funding Limited.

    This, the organisers said was the most interesting financing to emerge not only from Nigeria but also from the African upstream sector. “The $1.5 billion deal builds on the JVs earlier receivables-based deals, including the $600 million satellite field financing, which closed in 2005 and backed the development of live specified fields, and the $1.42 NGLII refinancing which closed in January 2011”.

    Whereas the satellite and NGLII financings related to discrete assets and will be ringfenced from the latest deal, the 2012 drilling programme financing is designed to back a more general programme of drilling at all the four oil mining leases that it owns. “All of these deals demonstrated that there was healthy bank appetite for uncovered commitments to the joint venture given the operational history”, Project Finance said.

    Receiving the award, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Reginald Ihejiahi, said that the honour further demonstrated the bank’s commitment to the development of the Nigerian economy.

    Ihejiahi, who was represented by the General Manager, Operations, Sam Obijiaku, noted that Fidelity Bank has enhanced market competitiveness through improved infrastructure, quality service delivery system and increased nationwide spread.

     

    He explained that Fidelity Bank has garnered a great deal of experience from its past involvements in Oil and Gas contract finance and promised to deploy this wealth of experience in the development of the local economy

  • Shuga Band gets award!

    Shuga Band gets award!

    SHUGA Entertainment is in a state of euphoria at the moment. The owners of popular band, Shuga Band, was voted the band of the year in the competitive category that featured bands like Shuga Band, Top Band, Ebony Band, Sharp Band, Faith Band and Estimable Band at the just concluded WED Expo.

    Speaking on the award, Akinloye Tofowomo, Shuga Band CEO, who chose to share the feat with his fans and team, said “On behalf of Shuga Entertainment Nigeria limited, owners of Shuga Band, we want to say a big thank you to the organisers, our fans and clients for their patronage over the years. Also to all band members, technical crew and admin staff through their relentless and collaborative effort to ensure every event is delivered with its unique touch and professionalism. To my family, I say a big thank you for your support,” he concluded.

    Shuga Band has always been a front liner when it comes to providing music and entertainment with the touch of class that separates it from other bands, and this has made the band the first band of choice among corporate Nigeria for corporate gigs, weddings and other social events.

    Shuga Band has performed at several high-octane events from the wedding of Bella Adenuga, the daughter of billionaire, Mike Adenuga Jnr. to Afromedia 50th anniversary and other A-list ceremonies across the country. The band was a regular caller at Aso Rock in the days of President Olusegun Obasanjo and it also played at the fundraising for Jonathan. Its resume of governors’ client keeps increasing by the day.

  • Students get award

    Students get award

    Two students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), have distinguished themselves and received awards while concluding the mandatory industrial training exercise as they were among the top 50 students who underwent the exercise in APM Terminals, Apapa Limited.

    The beneficiaries are: Orji Ngozi Edith and Odemona Oluwatobi Miracle.

    Presenting the awards to the students, the Managing Director, Mr. Dallas Hampton, represented by the Head of Administration Mr Kingsley Akhigbe, praised the beneficiaries not only for their academic excellence, but also for conducting themselves properly throughout the exercise.

    He praised APM Terminals Limited for awarding scholarships to 50 Engineering and Technology undergraduates of universities and polytechnics and for providing industrial working experience to the top 10 of the group.

    In his response, the Vice-Chancellor, FUTA, Prof. Adebiyi Daramola who was represented by his Deputy (Academic), Prof. Adedayo Fasakin, promised that FUTA would find a way of partnering with APM Terminals to develop its students to enable them become self-reliant.

     

  • College gets NANS award

    College gets NANS award

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has presented its certificate of excellence to Oyeleke Memorial College, Offa in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State after selecting the institution as the “Best Productive College in Nigeria in 2012.”

    While presenting the award to the Proprietress of the college, NANS Senate President Kolade Olaoluwa said the award was given to the school because of its sound moral and academic record.

    Represented by the chairman of the association’s award committee Salaudeen A. Luqman, the NANS chief said: “It is NANS’ culture to encourage those who have passion for the development of education in this country. NANS is also determined to stem the tide of cultism and other anti-social behaviours in our primary and secondary schools. We have started investigating some primary and secondary schools in the country because these are where students’ characters are formed.

    “That informed this award. We commend primary and secondary schools that have good moral and academic upbringing for their wards. The choice of Oyeleke Memorial College resulted from the outstanding moral and academic performance of its products who are members of NANS.

    “The recent performance of the college in the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination made the college stand out. Therefore, NANS is honouring the school as the best productive in Nigeria.

    “The award used to given to colleges of education, polytechnics and universities. The honour is to spur the college for greater achievements. It should not rest on its oars for the betterment of Nigerian educational system.”

    Responding, the Proprietress of the school, Mrs. Ayodele Oyeleke thanked the NANS for recognising her school.

    She assured that the school would not rest on its oars, adding that the “honour is due to hard work which I have always been preaching.”

  • Award for NICO official

    Special Assistant to Executive Secretary of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) Mr Nelson Ebi Campbell has been given the Keme-ebidouowei of Izon Ebe award by the Empowered Youths of Bayelsa State. The presentation was made in Angalabiri Town, Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.

    The chairman of the event, the Special Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Legal Matters, Mr Stanley Damabide, described Campbell as a man of great wisdom”.

    Presenting the award, the former Director-General, Bayelsa State Bureau for Arts and Culture, Dr. Famous Eseduwo, described Campbell as a man of honour, integrity, compassion and an illustrious son of the Izon nation. He also described the Executive Secretary of NICO, Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma, as a man of vision and good heart, filled with love for progress and humanity.

    Responding, Campbell charged the youths to work hard to achieve success in life.

    The occasion attracted people drawn from the academia and the political class, including the Amananaowei of Toru-Angiama community, His Highness King Adueze, who was the father of the day; Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State (Administration), Mr. Austin Owoso; the Chairman, Angalabiri Community Development Union, Mr. Alegi Ebiotu; as well as staff of NICO Headquarters, Abuja, South-South and South-East zones.

    Guests at the the event were treated to colourful dance drama performances presented by Ofoni community women dance group and the popular Able Ladies Dance Group of Angalabiri community.

  • Crown scoop three NNL Award

    : Commissioner congratulates team

    Crown Football Club of Ogbomoso have won three awards in three of the four categories of the Nigeria National League (NNL) award for the month of January in both group A and B.

    The League Award Committee named the Oyo State representative as the Best Club for the Month of January, the club’s Technical Adviser Oladunni Oyekale received the Best Coach gong, while the club’s striker Lekan Agunloye, who has scored 4 goals so far this season, emerged the Best Player of the Month.

    The Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Adedapo Lam-Adesina has congratulated Crown FC of Ogbomosho on the award.

    The Commissioner, who praised the renewed spirit of the players, technical crew and the management of the club, said he is happy with the pace at which the team has recorded progress in recent weeks and challenged them to continue the winning streak.

    In his reaction, club chairman, Noah Bello expressed delight with the league board for its unbiased judgment.

    He promised that the honour will propel the team to do more, while he appreciated the Oyo Government for prompt funding of the club. Bello dedicated the award to the fans and supporters of the club across the nation.

  • UI wins award with Jonathan Gullible

    UI wins award with Jonathan Gullible

    The stars of the University of Ibadan (UI) shined in faraway United States last Friday. The university’s chapter of African Liberty Students’ Organisation (ALSO) won the 2012 Event of the Year prize with its drama titled A letter from Jonathan Gullible.

    The award ceremony was organised by Students For Liberty (SFL) in Grand Hyatt Hotel, Washington DC. Several students’ groups dedicated to promoting the ideas of liberty on campus converged for the yearly conference of the body last weekend.

    In a keenly contested challenge, UI students beat their colleagues from the Arizona State University and Slippery Rock University both in the US.

    The UI students put up a stage drama to propagate the ideas of free enterprise, liberalisation of the Nigeria’s economy, market-based solutions to Africa’s challenges, good governance and classical liberalism. These principles of a free society were the basis of a two-week road show project in universities in Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo, Kenya and Ghana using the drama written by Adedayo Thomas to promote liberty.

    The students used the theatre as a powerful communication tool to propagate the ideas in five Nigerian institutions including the UI and Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education.

    The expansive auditorium of the University of Cape Coast was filled to capacity when the drama was taken to Ghana. The play was staged to mark the convocation of the university. Over 1,000 people came to see the play. A student of Economic commended the UI students for the delivery of the drama, saying: “This play explained to me all I am here to learn for four years in one hour.”

    The drama tour was led by Thomas, a playwright, and Assistant Director of Outreach, AfricanLiberty.org, Olumayowa Okediran. Others in the tour included the ALSO president of UI chapter, Odunola Oladejo and Tosan Akinwole, a student-journalist. Some of the characters in the play included Akin , Sylvester Obieje, and Olabisi Ariyoh.

    Meanwhile, the First Lady of Adamawa State and the president of Women Education and Empowerment Initiative (WEEIN), Hajia Zainab Nyako, has congratulated the students for the feat. She encouraged students of tertiary institutions in the state to emulate their colleagues from the UI. She promised to continue to support education youth and girl-child, adding that she would not leave women out of her economic empowerment programmes.