The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Awards

  • Osun awards N14.5b road contract, N1.7b for hospitals

    The Osun State Government has awarded a N14,568,500,834.22 contract for the construction of the Osogbo East Byepass Dual Carriage Way to Messrs Slava-Yeditepe Projects Limited.

    It also awarded a N1,712,528,000 contract for the rehabilitation of state hospitals to 51 contractors.

    Commissioner for Information and Strategy Sunday Akere told reporters in Osogbo, the state capital, that the contracts were approved at the last State Executive Council meeting.

    Akere said the road contractor would be paid 45 per cent mobilisation fee which would be backed by an Advance Payment Guarantee (APG). He said the contractor would give the government a performance bond to cover 20 per cent of the mobilisation fee.

    He said five per cent retention fee would be paid to the contractor six months after the completion of the project.

    Akere said the project would be completed within 12 months, adding that under the contract terms, no price fluctuation would be entertained.

    He said the project would start from the roundabout on Iwo Road and pass through Ofatedo, Ataoja School of Science, Ilesa Road and Oke-Baale to Stadium Roundabout.

    The upgrading of hospitals is to be completed between six and nine months.

  • MTN bags CPC’s awards

    MTN Nigeria Communications Limited has been honoured by the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) for its consistent efforts at improving customer experience on its network and for its corporate social responsibility initiatives.

    In a statement the telco expalined that the award which was given at the maiden edition of the Nigeria Consumer Awards (NiCA) organised by the CPC, followed a very rigorous selection process which included electronic voting by members of the public, surveys and focus groups and painstaking collation and moderation of results by a panel of judges, which included representatives from the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), CPC, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and other industry regulators.

    MTN emerged winner in the categories of “NiCA Award for Service Excellence” in the Telecoms category and the “NiCA Award for Corporate Social Responsibility.”

    Speaking on the awards, MTN Corporate Services Executive, Mr. Wale Goodluck, said, “Short-listing and eventual selection of MTN as the winner of the Award for Service Excellence in the telecoms category at the NiCA Awards marks a significant recognition and endorsement of our ongoing efforts to continue to improve the entire scope of service delivery to our esteemed customers despite the constraints of our operating environment.”

    “The CSR Award, on the other hand, is another salient recognition of MTN’s efforts to selflessly give back to society in a sustainable manner through carefully designed projects with measurable long-term impact.”

    He said the awards are a validation of MTN’s efforts at enriching the lives of the Nigerian consumer, adding that the company would continue to engage with its stakeholders to have a consistent view of their expectations and continue to work on exceeding them.

    NiCA was instituted last year to recognise and honour worthy contributions by businesses, non-government organisations and individuals that play important roles in protecting consumers in Nigeria. The CPC also hopes that the NiCA will remain the highest award for service and product excellence in Nigeria.

  • Standard Alliance boss Emerhor gets awards

    Standard Alliance boss Emerhor gets awards

    The Group Chief Executive Officer of Standard Alliance Group, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, has been conferred with three awards in Lagos and Abuja for his contributions to the growth of the nation’s economy.

    He received The Entrepreneur of 2012 at the AES Excellence Cub’s Third Annual CEOs Dinner/Awards Nite in Lagos.

    Speaking at the presentation of the awards, a former Minister of Industries and Chairman of the Club, Dr. Nike Akande, noted Emerhor’s strides in business and his contributions to the growth of the nation’s economy.

    Others who also got awards at the event included Alhaji Yusuf Maitama-Sule; Mike Onolememen, the Minister of Works, Dr. Christopher Kolade; Rabiu Kwankwaso, Kano State Governor and Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State.

    Olorogun Emerhor has also been recognised by the University of Nigeria Alumni Association and the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping with a Lifetime Achievement award and an award as a major contributor to the growth of the Chamber at their separate events in Abuja and Lagos.

  • Fed Govt awards N28b contracts

    Fed Govt awards N28b contracts

    It was a bazaar of contracts at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday.

    Rail lines, including the Lagos-Kano track, which is to open for use before Christmas, are to be revived.

    Ministries of Health, Foreign Affairs and Communication Technology have billions of naira contracts.

    A new National Identity Card scheme is to take off with N6.3 billion.

    Ministers took turn to brief State House reporters on the particulars of contracts awarded in their ministry at the end of the meeting.

    Minister of Transport Idris Umar said the Federal Executive Council approved the contract for the purchase of two sets of five-car Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs), each with a capacity for 540 passengers and an additional six 60-seater passenger coaches to be used for intra city mass transit services.

    The contract is N4.3billion, with a completion period of 13 months.

    He added: “The rehabilitation of the ongoing narrow gauge track is in progress. The Lagos-Kano, which is the western axis, will be open for use before Christmas.

    “It is against this background that government decided to place the order for the purchase of the two-set Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs), which is a train that has two locomotives and three coaches – all linked together.”

    “They are fully Air conditioned and the same type you have in Europe, China, America and other parts of the world. They are going to be used on the existing narrow gauge track.”

    “By next year when the eastern corridor – Port Harcourt to Maiduguri – will be fully rehabilitated, we will get additional supply of these locomotives and coaches.”

    The contract for consultancy services for the residence of the supervisor of the construction of inland river port at Jamata- Lokoja was approved. The contract is N121,114,875, with a completion period of seven weeks.

    Besides, the FEC also approved N189.7million for the supply of radiation and explosive detection devices to be used by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

    The contract has a completion period of four months.

    Another contract passed yesterday was the supply of anti-Tuberculosis drugs worth N297.87m.

    The drugs, according to Minister of Health Onyebuchi Chukwu, are capable of treating 500 multi-drug resistant cases.

    No less than N400,000 is needed to treat one patient.

    The Federal Government intervened “for the sake of those who can’t afford that cost”.

    Chukwu said more of the drugs would be provided next year to meet high demand as 5,000 drug-resistant new cases emerge every year and these are different from the 800,000 normal tuberculosis cases treated yearly.

    Also approved for the health ministry is the purchase of vaccines worth $2.10m (N333m) for routine immunisation, which has since 2006 been supplied through UNICEF for safety reasons.

    Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Prof. Viola Onwuliri spoke of a landmark diplomatic agreement between Venezuela and Nigeria to allow transit and 90-day stay for holders of official and diplomatic passports of both countries.

    She said the President approved the release of N13 billion to clear debts owed by Nigeria’s foreign missions.

    The minister, who said the issue was not with the ministry as the missions get direct funds, noted that the CBN and Ministry of Finance promised to release the funds promptly.

    Also, the Council approved N4.9billion for the construction of new Presidential Banquet Hall in Abuja and rehabilitation of selected roads in Garki and Wuse 1 Districts.

    According to FCT Minister Bala Muhammed the banquet hall will be cost N2.2billion. Resurfacing of some roads and remedial work on bridges in Garki and Wuse 1 Districts will cost N2.78billion.

    The construction of the new 150-seater banquet hall is awarded to Julius Berger Nig. Plc “for security reasons”.

    “The second project approved by Council is building of a 150-seater Banquet Hall in the Presidential Villa. We notice that it is not in tandem with what is outside the country; even smaller countries have better banquet halls near the presidential residence and, of course, part of the things we are going to provide there is 150-seater with all the facilities that will cover the walk ways, security, Hall conveniences, technical room and press briefing room.

    The minister said the project would generate about 750 jobs during execution.

  • Samsung wins Best Innovations, Eco-Design awards

    Samsung wins Best Innovations, Eco-Design awards

    Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, semiconductors and telecommunications has won 27 prestigious International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2013 Innovations Awards.

     CES, the world’s largest consumer technology trade show held by the Consumer Electronics Association® (CEA) every year, has honored Samsung with 117 awards in the past four years.

     Among the 27 CES awards for 2013, Samsung was recognized with two Best of Innovations awards and four Eco-Design honors. Products entered in the CES Innovations program are judged by a preeminent panel of independent industrial designers, engineers, and members of the media to honor outstanding design and engineering in cutting-edge consumer electronics products across 29 categories.

     “Samsung continues to create superior industry-leading products, content and services,” said Y.K. Kim, president and CEO, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. “We are honored that CEA and the industry have recognized this commitment, and we look forward to demonstrating our latest product innovations at the 2013 International CES.”

     Samsung Electronics’ award-winners include products in the TV, home theater system, mobile phone, tablet, home appliance, server, software, and computer component categories. All of Samsung’s award-winning products will be on display during the 2013 International CES, which runs January 8-11, 2013, in Samsung booth #12004 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

     Honorees will also be displayed at CES Unveiled: The Official Press Event of the International CES from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, January 6 in the South Seas Ballroom C at Mandalay Bay.

     The prestigious Innovations Design and Engineering Awards (Sponsored by the CEA,) has been recognizing achievements in product design and engineering since 1976. The CES Innovation entries are judged based on criteria such as engineering qualities, based on technical specs and materials used, Aesthetic and design qualities, using photos provided, The product’s intended use/function and user value, Unique/novel features that consumers would find attractive and how the design and innovation of the product compares to other products in the marketplace. Products chosen as Innovations Honorees reflect innovative design and engineering of the entries. Examples may include the first time various technologies are combined in a single product or dramatic enhancements to previous product designs.

    Samsung received two Best of Innovation Awards for its 85-inch UHD TV and Samsung Smart TV Camera. The Samsung Green DDR3 64GB LRDIMM – a highly advanced memory module designed for server systems used to support the infrastructure of a wide variety of server applications won the Eco-Design awards

    While commenting on the awards in his office, the MD of Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Kim Brovo said the award was well deserved. “Samsung has always reiterated its commitment to innovation, smart technology and eco – friendly solutions. This is why we have been honored year in year out. This year is no different. The recognition helps to fuel our passion to continue with our good work” he added

  • Caleb College celebrates awards

    Caleb College, Magodo, Lagos State, is to roll out the drums to celebrate its achievement in the 2011 May/June West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

    One of its students, Adeola Oluwaseun Akeju,was the second highest achiever in the examination; the school was also named the second best private school in the state.

    Adeola Akeju scored A1 in English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Agricultural Science, Geography and Economics, while she had B2 in Physics and Yoruba Language.

    Speaking on Akeju’s feat, the Director, Dr Ola Adebogun, said the college competed favourably with notable schools in Lagos State to emerge the second best, adding that the college, like every other school, was assessed based on general performance by the students registered for the examination.

    Adebogun, however, expressed the management’s appreciation to parents for their support in driving the school’s vision ‘to raise Godly leaders who will achieve a consistent record of academic and moral excellence’. He promised that the college will sustain the standards attained by maintaining its facilities.

    Adebogun, who informed the parents and students that the college had also been nominated as one of the top six schools to be honoured by the Lagos State government and Ministry of Education, congratulated Akeju for making the Caleb family proud, and the staff and students for being outstanding ambassadors.

    In a related development, the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Lagos State chapter, has honoured Akeju and Caleb College for being the second best student and second best school in the 2011 May/June WASSCE. The awards were presented to Akeju and the school during the 2011 conference of the society, held at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, on October 10.

  • Awards for graduating students

    Awards for graduating students

    Students have been advised to remain steadfast and pray to overcome rough times instead of praying for an easy way out.

    Nbilamut Gamno, a member of the Plateau House of Assembly, gave the charge while delivering a keynote address during the dinner and award night of graduating students of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Television College (TV COLLEGE), Jos.

    The event was held at the college’s auditorium.

    Nbilamut urged the graduates not to shy away from the realities of life because the rough times were inevitable.

    He said: “I pray for the rough part for you because, in life, one cannot escape this rough part and what makes it interesting is that the rougher the struggle, the sweeter the victory.”

    He also advised the students to follow the tenets of journalism, saying it would lead to a positive change in Nigeria.

    The event featured musical and dance performances, keynote address and presentation of awards.

    The audience was thrilled by the performances of Veezluze, a Hip Hop artist, and the dance steps of the Fly High crew.

    The Best Graduating Students award went to the duo of Cecilia Okeke, Journalism Department, and Jemimah Jack, Production Department.

    Also, CAMPUSLIFE’s Johnpaul Nnamdi was awarded the Outstanding Reporter. The Best Lecturer in the Production Department went to Mr Olaniyi Oladokun while Best Lecturer in Journalism Department went to Mr Chris Kwaja.

    In his acceptance speech, Mr Kwaja thanked the students for the honour and urged them not to relent in their endeavours. On behalf of the government of Plateau State, Kwaja gave N100,000 each of the best graduating students.

    The Rector, Dr Ayo Fasan, wished the graduates luck as they step into the larger society.

  • Jonathan, Fashola, for awards

    President Goodluck Jonathan, Governors Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo) have been nominated for the annual Light-Up Awards.

    The National Co-ordinator of Project Light-Up Nigeria, Frank Aja Ukpabi, said the award is to encourage these leaders to strive to achieve more in electrifying their states and Nigeria .

    Ukpabi said steady electricity supply would reduce poverty, and that well-lit up streets at night contributed to deter criminals.

    He said the award was based on transparency because they visited the states and local governments requesting for evidence of full execution of electrification projects.

  • Pitch Awards good for Nigeria football — Keshi

    Pitch Awards good for Nigeria football — Keshi

    Head Coach of the Senior National Team, Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi has lent a strong backing to the institution of a Nigeria Football Awards superintended by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, Keshi, Nigeria Senior Team’s longest-serving captain, said awards serve motivational purposes and help to trigger better performances from the actors and actresses in any particular industry.

    His comments came against the backdrop of plans by the Nigeria Football Federation, through Matchmakers Consult International, to organize the inaugural Nigeria Pitch Awards in December 2012.

    “It is a very good initiative and we must commend the Nigeria Football Federation and Matchmakers Consult International. The institution of a Nigeria Football Awards, for every area of the football pitch, will bring out the very best in everyone, be they players, coaches, referees, sponsors, administrators or fans.

    “For decades, our football has craved such an Awards programme but even the few that reared their heads did not last. I believe this one has protection and high chances of survival because it is backed by the football-governing body in the country,” said Keshi.

    Coach Keshi leads out the Super Eagles in a must-win 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifying match against Liberia in Calabar on Sunday next week, and insisted that thoughts of possible rewards at an elaborate ceremony such as an Awards help to ginger players to put in their best.

    “Surely, when you know that there is a credible Awards out there at the end of the year, it helps your performance. I believe the organizers of the Nigeria Pitch Awards will do everything to make the process of selection transparent and credible.”

  • Tight security at national awards’ Abuja venue

    Tight security at national awards’ Abuja venue

    Security was tight in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), yesterday, ahead of the conferment of national honours on 149 eminent Nigerians.

    President Goodluck Jonathan will preside at the ceremony slated for the International Conference Centre (ICC), which was put under watertight security last night.

    Globacom Chairman Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr. will get the second highest national award – the Grand Commander of the Order of the Nigeria (GCON).

    There are 148 others on the awards list, including top government functionaries, businessmen, politicians, public servants and others.

    Major hotels in Abuja were fully booked yesterday, as some of the awardees arrived in the capital city.For better security management, each of the awardees has been restricted to two guests.

    The venue and its environs were combed yesterday. Vehicles were barred from the complex.As part of the security arrangement, accreditation of the awardees was done at the Agura Hotel, about one kilometre from the Conference Centre.

    Besides the deployment of policemen and gadgets at the centre, a 24-hour security surveillance was mounted last night with multi-purpose security vehicles.
    A security source said: “We have decided to strengthen security heavily within and around the ICC because of recent challenges facing the nation. We do not want the event hijacked in any manner.

    “We have also restricted all the awardees to two guests as part of crowd management. If you are not connected with the event, we won’t allow you into the centre.”
    Some of the awardees were complaining last night that accommodation had not been provided for them.

    One of the awardees said: “I have not got accommodation. Some of the officials said the government was trying to cut cost.“They have forgotten that some of us got these awards on merit. We are not moneybags who could afford the high cost of accommodation in Abuja.

    “Also, some of us are not used to Abuja.“Although there used to be a token of N100,000 per awardee for feeding during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, no one has made any money available to us.”

    Ebonyi State Governor Martin Elechi has directed public and private sector establishments in the state not to shut down their operation as a mark of honour to him over the national award of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) to be conferred on him today.

    Elechi gave the directive following reports that some market associations, business organisations and public servants planned to storm Abuja for the ceremony.

    In a statement, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Onyekachi Eni, said though Governor Elechi acknowledges the right of the people to celebrate the national award which he described as a honour to the state, he urged them to remain at home and do so in a responsible manner.

    “Those who had already arranged for mass transit buses to go to Abuja are hereby urged not to embark on the journey because of the cost and the risk associated with such mass movement. The governor appreciates the people of the State for their outpouring of love and support.

    “Though again the governor acknowledges the right of the people to celebrate the national award, he has, however, urged the people to remain in the State and do so in a responsible manner,” Eni said.

    Eni said three representatives of the forum of founding fathers, youth and women organisations and the Christian Association of Nigeria, had been invited by the government to witness the ceremony in Abuja.