The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Aye

  • AYE founder visits old school

    The founder and President of Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs (AYE), who is based in South Africa, Mr. Summy Smart Francis, visited his old school, Victory Grammar School, Ikeja, Lagos, to express his gratitude to the management.

    Francis, who also formed the Aliens Rights Organization with the aim to advise and protect the rights of aliens in foreign countries, during the visit, paid off all the debts incurred by some indigent students of the school.

    He also institutionalized  annual scholarship awards for brilliant students in the school.

    Francis is the executive director of Africa’s biggest entrepreneurship reality TV show produced in Nigeria and being aired across Africa on MNET.

    His AYE has also empowered thousands of Africa with grants and equipment.

    In his welcome address, the managing proprietor of Victory Group of Schools, Chief Christian Francis Ipoola Olaniyan, showered praises on Summy Smart Francis for remembering the alma mater by making  an indelible mark  by starting scholarship awards in the school.

    He advised other old students who have excelled in their careers to emulate the good examples of Francis Summy and Yemi Alade, a musician of note , adding that Francis achieved the feat because of his foresight and perseverance to succeed in life.

  • Cultists on rampage in Benin, kill eight

    The ongoing cult war between the Aye and Eiye confraternities has led to the killing of eight persons in different parts of Bénin City and environs within the past three days.

    On Monday night, one undergraduate identified as John Terry was killed along Upper Uwa Street off M.M Way Bénin City.

    Sources said he was engaged as polling agent to one of the political parties in the February 16th botched general elections.

    Eyewitnesses said Terry was beaten to death with rods and sticks by his assailants.

    A father of four identified as Africa was on Tuesday morning hacked to death at Aifuwa Junction after shots fired at him did not penetrate his body.

    The corpse of Africa was dumped at the Central Hospital mortuary.

    At Three House area at Upper Sokponba in Ikpoba-Okha local government area, traders and shop owners scampered for safety as suspected cultists robbed passers-by and shot into the air.

    Two boys belonging to rival cult group were shot dead.

    A pharmaceutical shop owner who pleaded anonymity said over 20 persons ran into his shop when the shooting started and they laid on the floor to avoid being hit by stray bullets.

    He said traders around the area now close their shops from 7:30pm since on Sunday.

    According to him, “I was inside my shop when I received a call that I should lock my shop and go home because the area was about to scatter. As I stood up to tell my boys to lock up, I saw people running into my store to take refuge.

    “All of us were on the floor while shootings were on. We later heard many people were robbed while two boys were killed.”

    Another witness said policemen later stormed the area and started arresting innocent persons.

    On Sunday night, the Manager of the hotel owned by Osaze Odemwingie, Osato Okunkpolor, was killed by cultists who engaged in a shootout.

    Read Also: Benin residents hail Fed Govt, BEDC for improved power supply

    In December last year, Governor Godwin Obaseki has unveiled a new security architecture in the State, known as “Operation Wabaizigan” (Stop All Bad Things) with brand new 30 Hilux Vans, 50 Patrol Vehicles equipped with Communications gadgets, two APC vehicles and motorcycles.

    Edo Police spokesman, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, said the Police has set up security measures to make sure the city is safe and well protected.

    On critics of the “Operation Wabaizigan”, Nwabuzor said it was too early to condemn the security outfit.

    He urged residents in the state to be patient as the focus was on the general election.

    A security source said the renewed killings since last Saturday are linked to the money released by political parties for the now postponed general elections.

  • Nigeria needs ground-breaking youths – Alakija

    Nigeria needs ground-breaking youths – Alakija

    The solution to the current social economic situation in the country and the continent is the need for a generation of ground breaking, resilient and adaptable young people.

    Executive Director, FAMFA Oil, Folorunsho Alakija stated this at the weekend, during the Grand Finale of Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs Empowerment Nigeria (AYEEN) 2016, in Lagos.

    She said there is need for youths that can create a great future at the award and celebrate 500 AYEEN beneficiaries.

    AYEEN identifies and empowers the most innovative solutions and economically viable businesses that have the potential and passion in converting the present level of their business to becoming ‘the next big thing’ in Africa regardless of the sector.
    Alakija, who is AYE’s Chief Executive Matron, noted that the transition from education to employment has become a matter of luck and sometimes ‘who you know’. She said private entrepreneurship is the only solution that guarantees the progress of youths and the economy.
    “If we give youths the opportunity the future is going to be bright,” she said.
    She said AYEEN and its programs remains the foremost entrepreneurship programme in Africa, adding that thousands of business owned by its members has benefited from grants including financial literacy
    programs, specialised skills training, soft loans from financial partners and structural support.
    She said the 500 beneficiaries have showcased the characteristics of innovation, passion and research in their business fortunes.
    She encouraged the beneficiaries  to challenge themselves by being relevant and dynamic in the face of the current recession.
    “Use your God given favours to change the lives of others through job creation. We will continue to monitor your business progress and render the necessary support,” she said.
    She added that the beneficiaries should not take likely what they have being empowered with, but should use it judiciously, be focused, look and plan ahead, and not mess around.
    She urged them to touch the lives of others by setting up businesses that will enable them to give back to the society. “They must work hard, build on and enlarge the money, make the best and the most of
    it,” she said.
    Alakija noted that the scale of the African and Nigerian challenges is large, saying that effective collaboration is needed to ensure a sustainable entrepreneurship future.
    She said this year’s AYEEN programme has experienced a massive turn out of entrepreneurs from Borno state, noting that despite their challenges of terrorism and internal displacement, they had the
    courage to apply and request for support.
    According to her, AYEEN has extended its mandate from entrepreneurship to include humanitarian support by the launch of ’empower Borno project’ in partnership with the Borno state
    government.
    She said the initiative would drive entrepreneurship evolvement in the state and change the state of violence. She urged all to support the initiative.
    President/ Founder Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs (AYE), Smart Francis said the beneficiaries will turn around and transform the economy of the country to drive us out of the current economic recession.
    According to him, entrepreneurs are the strength of Nigeria. “We must use our strength to overcome our weakness; Nigeria has determined entrepreneurs and they must put in energy to develop the nation.”
    He urged government to make entrepreneurship activity its priority, saying it is something that can transform a nation.
    “Government needs to create a system that is friendly to entrepreneurs and one that will enable them strive.”
    He appealed to government and other organisations to partner with AYE to enable them do more.
    He urged entrepreneurs never to give up, adding that if they fail, they should move on because challenges will come and go.
    He said the beneficiaries are given the grants in different sessions, adding that there is no limit to what amount can be given as grant but it depends on what the business is about and how much is needed.
    He said the business must be innovative, have the ability to move Nigeria forward and create jobs.
    AYE Vice President, Ibada Ahmed said AYEEN identifies exceptional innovations in the African continent and source for innovative, dynamic and economically viable businesses. She said the 500
    beneficiaries would create more jobs in Nigeria.

  • Group inaugurates student association in Covenant varsity

    Group inaugurates student association in Covenant varsity

    A new chapter of the Africa’s Young Entrepreneur Students Association (AYESA) has been inaugurated at Covenant University in Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

    The inauguration is an evidence of Africa’s Young Entrepreneur (AYE)’s commitments to developing and empowering young entrepreneurs in Nigeria and across Africa.

    AYESA in Covenant is not only about having students who start their own businesses, it is also about students who set their own goals in life as AYESA assists them with means to achieve them.

    According to Summy Francis, AYE President, “It is about initiatives and proactive attitudes to solving problems that matter to people. It is about the university working closely with the surrounding society and private sector.

    “AYESA is about understanding what you need to know to achieve something, and how to learn it. And this last part is what universities have a hard time adjusting to.

    “For students to be creative, innovative and entrepreneurial, we cannot merely have them memorize what the curriculum requires, and cannot just keep them in the classroom.

    “Real innovation and creativity happens in interaction with real life. Hence our platform will help them interact more with independent entrepreneurs within the AYE network present in 19 African countries that have the best interest of the young ones at heart,” Francis said.

    Prof. Charles Ayo, Vice-Chancellor, Covenant University, while delivering his speech at the inauguration observed that the institution shared similar vision with AYE, noting that the institution is envisioned with raising a new generation of leaders in all fields of human endeavour.

    According to him, the lack of leadership capacity is evident in all businesses in the country.

    “If you ask me what we have as a continent, I would say the whole continent is in disarray, therefore making it practically impossible for anybody to maintain development and when you think of development, you will remember an environment that is beclouded with anarchy, no way to survive,” the VC noted.

    Prof Ayo however noted that the Chancellor of Covenant University, Dr. David Oyedepo was right about the introduction of a degree programme on entrepreneurship in the institution affirming that entrepreneurship is the future for Africa.

    Similarly, Prof. Iyoha Francis, Dean of College of Business and Social Sciences said that business trust is more than physical capital which keeps people on in a business hence the need for all tertiary institutions in Africa to embrace AYESA.

    The Dean stressed that people think being unethical could bring immediate results but the long run effects are very terrible, which are the values AYESA is dedicated to impacting on African Students

    “So as you go on in this your crusade, please ensure that you build this business trust into your people. Let them know that it is better to be ethical in business dealings because it has effects on every aspect of business transactions”, he advised.

    The management team of Covenant University, who gladly welcomed the initiative, expressed satisfaction at the inauguration of the AYE Students Association in the institution.

    Elated Igwedinma Anofienem, AYESA Students’ Managing Director (also Students’ Governor, Covenant University) emphasized the need for such initiative to be introduced on all campuses of higher learning in Nigeria and in Africa as this is a solid medium to eradicate unemployment.

     

  • Unemployed youths protest in Port Harcourt

    •Threaten to boycott election

    Hundreds of unemployed youths under the aegis of Abandoned Youths of Nigeria Initiative (AYE) marched on the streets of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday to protest alleged government’s insensitivity to their plight.

    The protesters from the 36 states and Abuja took off from the School of Basic Studies (SBS) at Rumuola in Obio/Akpor Local Government through the busy Port Harcourt/Aba Road and stopped at the Isaac Boro Park.

    They demanded to be included in the N65, 000 monthly allowances being given to ex-militants.

    A statement by the National President, Eferebo Opakariari, and the National Secretary, Edwin Essien, sought a declaration of state of emergency on unemployment, creation of a ministry of social security and welfare, stipulation of policies and programmes that would address the needs of youths.

    The youths threatened to boycott next year’s elections, if the Federal Government refuses to listen to their demands.

    Eferebo said: “The gap between the government and the youth is very wide, and we are saying that if Nigeria wants to have peace, the Federal Government should extend amnesty benefits to all unemployed youth.

    “This would reduce terrorism, militancy, and other crimes. What we are doing here has a lot of impact on next year’s general election. If President Goodluck Jonathan does not listen to the affairs of this group, we will boycott next year’s elections, we are tired.”

     

  • Fans seek inspiration behind Davido’s Aye

    Fans seek inspiration behind Davido’s Aye

    Since sensational singer, David Adeleke, otherwise called Davido, released his hit song, Aye, tongues have been wagging about what or who could have inspired the party song.

    Interestingly, fans, who have been trying to unravel the seeming conundrum, claimed the song might have been inspired by his recent romance with Adeola Bamisile, daughter of the ex-Ekiti State Chief Judge. Indeed, it is being rumoured that he wrote Aye, his love single released during last the Valentine Day celebration, for Bamisile.

    According to reports, the two are said to be fond of each other. The lovebirds, according to reports, have been spending quality time with each other.

    Even after the hectic Esther shows, Omo Baba Olowo, as he is fondly called, still reportedly made out time to chat and crack jokes with Adeola,

    Meanwhile, Adeola, who is said to be currently studying for her Masters’ degree in the United Kingdom, has been enjoying the company of the Skelewu crooner.

    A source, however, claimed that neither Davido nor Bamisile would want to comment on their love affair for now, for fear that it might be blown out of proportion by the press.

    However, Davido, it was further gathered, might be travelling to London to be with his ‘heartthrob’ now that the Easter holiday is over.