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  • NSE gives shares, cash, computers to essay competition winners

    The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) at the weekend rounded off its 2018 NSE Essay Competition with the presentation of shares, cash and computers to winners and their schools.

    Miss Deborah Lawrence of Good Shepherd School, Ajegunle Village, Atan-Ota, Ogun State, emerged the overall winner. Lawrence clinched the first position ahead of over 20,150 participants across the country, winning N500,000 scholarship for her university education, N250,000 equity investment and a laptop. Her school was also rewarded with a trophy, three desktop computers and a printer.

    Miss Ashiru Oluwalanaayo of Corona Secondary School, Agbara, Ogun State and Master Dominic Charles of GEC Comprehensive College, Ipaja, Lagos State, emerged first and second runners up respectively. Each of them also got a laptop, equity investment and scholarships for their university education. Their schools also got varying number of computers and trophies. Seven other laptops were given as consolation prizes to seven winners.

    Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr Oscar Onyema, said the main goal of the the NSE Essay Competition, which is now in its 18th year, is to build a financially savvy generation by imbuing a culture of wealth creation among the youths.

    According to him, the competition serves as a platform that gives the Exchange the ability to view the perspectives of future leaders on key challenges relating to financial literacy, while providing opportunity to feel the pulse of the spread of financial inclusion in Nigeria.

    Onyema, who was represented by Head of Shared Services at the NSE,  Bola Adeeko, said the youth segment is often recognised as a priority target for financial education because the philosophy of catching them young remains a wise one.

    He, however, pointed out that financial literacy holds great value for all segments of the population and should not be limited to a certain age group as the benefits of a financially literate society are universal and its positive impact can be felt in the promotion of better livelihoods, economic growth, financial systems, and poverty reduction.

    “There is the need to build a platform that will help awaken the interest of our youths and buoy up students to learn and appreciate economic concepts, particularly as it concerns financial literacy and the significance of the capital market to the economy,” Onyema said.

    He noted that this year’s competition topic asked students to discuss “how technology can promote financial literacy and encourage investment habit among youths” as a way of getting future leaders to think about how to adopt technology as a veritable tool for building a financially savvy generation.

    In her keynote address, wife of Ogun State governor, Mrs Olufunso Amosun, who was represented by Mrs. Yemisi Durojaiye, commended the NSE for the initiative, which sought to bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical knowledge required for long-term personal financial responsibility for societal development.

    “It is also heart-warming to note that over 40,000 young people in more than 8,000 secondary schools across Nigeria have benefited from this completion,” Amosun said.

     

  • Not what you get but what you give

    SHE spent a fortune to buy the jewellery and every morning, all she did was to take a good look at it, smile and put it back into the treasure chest. Great investment, and then one day she needed some cash and her mind riveted that way. Yes, she was going to use this investment to get what she wanted. But to her utmost surprise, the charming gold bracelet was fake. Fola felt really bad, she threw away the box and its content. How can she hold on to something that is so worthless?

    Interestingly, that is the way it is for a lot of relationships. You keep the person you treasure in the uppermost part of your heart. Like gold and diamonds, they have been treasured for so long and your dream is to keep them there forever. But then somehow something happens and your emotional treasure turns out to be a bundle of affectionate disappointments. It becomes useless and you just want to put ‘it’ behind you. Usually, when you end a relationship that felt like it had a lot of “promise” and connection, it’s hard to believe you’ll ever find love again, at least in quite the same way.

    You might even vow not to date again for a long time, because you just don’t want to get hurt again. It can feel pretty safe to live inside the little “bubble” you make for yourself, just working on your career, spending time with friends, doing things that make you happy. What do you need a man for anyway?

    You put yourself and your love life in a “holding pattern” because you don’t want to let another man in or get close.

    You don’t want to be vulnerable. What’s the point, if all that’s going to happen is that you’ll end up feeling more of the same? Well, the truth of the matter is that love does not always work this way. Sometimes you win and there are times when you lose.

    If you are really honest with yourself, you’ll realise that you don’t want to shut yourself off from what can be the opportunity for an amazing, life-long experience. As a matter of fact, one great guy you’re meant to be with could be out there somewhere. And unless you create the “space” for him in your life, you won’t be ready for love when he finally surfaces.

    If you’re not taking a risk, then you may just be risking never feeling the love and connection that could transform your life someday. Of course, if your experience with the opposite sex has been, well, less than great, then you would surely have some reservations. For those in this category, they would rather stick a twig in their eye than date again. But the simple truth is that you can experience the kind of love that you’ve always wanted in your life, regardless of what kind of bad experiences you’ve had before.

    When you wear an emotional love crown there are lots of expectations. And because so much has been given, you would also want to give back to your crown prince. Once you do not meet the person’s expectation, then things are likely to fall apart. Here you would be thinking of how to get back the love, passion, and enjoyment out of love and life. For a lot of women, it is important because they prefer to stop the vicious cycle of getting into a relationship, getting a man, and then losing themselves. The ultimate goal usually is to have a truly loving and “evolved” relationship.

    You can also achieve this if you learn to change the way you go about your relationship, you can make this change happen in the man you’re with – or in the kind of man you attract.

    Some, however, believe that you can only get to your love destination if you get the right partner. Sometimes , you don’t need to wait for the right relationship to “happen to you,” when you have the power to make it happen for yourself and feel 100% confident about where your love and relationship is headed.

    In a lot of relationships, the sparks reduce when there is breakdown in communication. Mistrust, arguments and feelings of hurt are likely to occur and recur in this kind of relationship. It further leads to a continual state of frustration, misunderstood feeling and being unappreciated. The truth of the matter is that unexpressed feelings usually pile up and poison the relationship. The emotional buttons that your partner pushes in you can make you happy or angry depending on how you guys connect. So, it is better to be committed by listening not only with your ears but also with your heart.

    Always remember that in any relationship it is not what you get but what you give that matters. Criticism, contempt, being defensive and stonewalling are signs that the sparks you once enjoyed in a relationship are going or gone. Even though teasing is an important tool for building healthy relationships, you need to understand your partner to know what jokes are appropriate and those that are not. Please don’t overstretch your limits when it comes to joking or teasing your partner.

    The truth about attraction is that it is not just about being a great beauty, or about seducing a man into having feelings for you. It is actually about something deeper and more long-lasting. And the best part is that once a man feels this level of attraction for you, almost nothing can keep him away from wanting to be with you.

  • Firm rewards KTQ winner with N5m cash

    Unilever will be rewarding Knorr Taste Quest (KTQ) winner with the grand prize of N5 million cash and a brand new Chevrolet car at the end of 13-week show.

    The KTQ kicked off the fifth Season of its Taste Quest TV Show, a reality cooking competition, which has become a household name in the country.

    The programme gives contestants an opportunity to display their creativity in cooking and compete to earn bragging rights as Nigeria’s top amateur Chef along with an amazing Grand Prize.

    Since inception in 2013, four winners have emerged from the Knorr Taste Quest Cooking Contest, some of whom have gone ahead to become masters in the culinary world.

    Auditions for this season took place in Abuja, Calabar and Lagos. After a rigorous process, 24 contestants made it to the first round where their cooking skills will be tested to select the final 12 for the next round.

    Speaking on the new season, Marketing Manager Savoury, Unilever Ghana and Nigeria, Nnenna Osi-Anugwa, said: “Through our brand operations we commit to improving health and well-being of our consumers and customers. The Knorr brand is fortified with iron and other ingredients that make our food nutritious and healthy.”

    “The KTQ Show is a platform that gives Nigeria’s amateur chefs opportunities to showcase their culinary skills while they learn from professionals how to make creative and nutritious meals with Knorr,” she added. The judges of the show remain celebrity chefs Robert and Chef Fregz, while it will be hosted by Arit Okpo.

  • Two arraigned for stealing phone, cash

    Two men, Oribamise Sunday, 26, and Kayode Abayomi, 26, have appeared before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court, for allegedly stealing and receiving cell phone.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Johnson Okunade, said that the accused, whose addresses were not disclosed in Court, committed the offence on Jan. 15 at about 1600hrs, at Oke Bola area, in Ado-Ekiti.

    Okunade said that the accused, Oribamise Sunday, stole one Infinix Hot 5 Lite valued at N46,000, MTN, Glo and Airtel recharge cards valued at N40,000 and cash of N86,000 total valued N172,000 properties of Mr Ojo Michael.

    He said the offence contravened Section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Cap.16 Vol.1 Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

    Read Also: Man gets life in jail for impregnating own daughter

    The prosecutor also alleged that the second defendant, Kayode Abayomi, unlawfully received the Infinix Hot 5 Lite from ‎Oribamise Sunday, knowing fully to be stolen.

    Okunade said the offence contravened Section 427 of the Criminal Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

    He asked the Court for an adjournment to enable him study the case file and assemble his witnesses.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty, and their counsel, Mr. Yemi Adebayo, urged the Court to grant the accused bail, promising it that
    they would not jump bail.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mr Adesoji Adegboye, in his ruling, granted each of the accused bail in the sum of ‎N100,000 with one responsible surety in like sum.

    He adjourned the case until June 13 for hearing.

  • Pro-Chancellor showers cash on best UNILAG graduates

    Intelligentuals are ‘endangered’ says Babalakin

    The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), has showered cash on 13 best graduating students of the University of Lagos.

    He also described the Nigerian Intelligentuals as “endangered species”.

    The lawyer-businessmam who spoke during the 49th Convocation Ceremony of UNILAG, gave out N150, 000 cash each to 11 best graduating students from the Faculty of Law and two of their counterparts from the Distant Learning Institute.

    Defining the intelligentuals as “The People in a society who are highly educated and often concern themselves with ideas and new development”, Babalakin said: “The Nigerian intelligentsia have largely lost out in the battle for Nigeria. Today I’m making a clarion call to you all that it is not sufficient to earn a living. It is not sufficient to be well paid. It is more important to participate in the development of your country. For having the courage to pursue a subsequent degree, you have already shown clearly that you intend to be part of the intelligentsia, but it shouldn’t end there. We hope we’ll see UNILAG graduates actively participating in all aspects of government and the civil society; and generally found in places where we are seeking to enhance our nation.

    “An endangered species is the type of animal that will soon disappear from the world. We have to stop this. Not by running away; not by saying that governance is for those who cannot do better. Governance is for us all. Let us participate. Let us contribute, so that at the end of the day, we will create a great nation. I have no doubt in my mind that UNILAG is at the fore front of making this happen. Be determined. Be ready to turn every stumbling block into a stepping stone for the attainment of a greater height. It is important for you to be change agents in the society. The society can only develop if we have a united elite determined to protect the gains of the society. If you look round at all the societies that have sustained their growth, it has happened because of the selfless interest of the elite. The dictionary describes the elite as a body of people who are interested in developing the society with the knowledge they have. That is who I want you to be because fortune will fade away rapidly, generations of good people have passed on anonymously, but those who live for long are the ones who live in the minds of people and those who commit their efforts to changing the society.

    “To lawyers, you have been endowed with a special training. A training that allows you, if well-absorbed, to participate in every part of the society with unusual distinction. Don’t allow anybody to categorise you. Don’t let them tell you that because you are a lawyer, you can’t be an administrator, an infrastructure developer or an outstanding engineer. You have been trained to have an open mind to be able to absorb information, distill it and use it properly.

    “It is good to have aptitude like you do but it is more important to have attitude, which will help us all to achieve this objective. Attitude is your determination to succeed. The preponderance of great people are those who have attitude, not necessarily aptitude. It becomes a double whammy, if you can combine both, but you should never feel handicapped because you don’t have aptitude if you have attitude. When Margaret Thatcher was in secondary school, her school report said she was ‘dull but determined’. When she went to the Bar, she was told to work under Lord Lawson, then Sir Lawson, who told her he wasn’t sure she was “coping”, and she said to him, “I will prove to you that I can cope”. Years later, she was prime minister and among those considering the elevation of Lord Lawson. She was so determined, resolute to make up for whatever deficiencies she had and she emerged as one of the greatest leaders. I want you to leave here today believing that you are destined to lead. The only place that is crowded is the lower walks of life. The higher you go, the easier it becomes, but you must be determined to get yourself out of the crowd. I look forward to hearing great things about you all.”

  • Photographer loses cash, items worth millions to robbers

    One of the photographers of the 2015 Akinwumi Ambode Campaign Organisation, Niyi Adeniran, has relived how he was robbed of N200,000 cash and items worth millions of Naira, at his 18, Adeleke Street, Magboro, last April 14.

    Adeniran, a Digital Photography Executive with Chain Reactions Nigeria, said the robbers went away with valuables including a Canon camera 1000D, 2 Canon 70D, Canon 5D Mark3, 70-300mm Canon lens, 25-300mm Canon lens, Canon lens 18-135mm, a hard drive containing all his archive storage of 2TB Seagate, 1TB of Seagate and 2TB of Transcend hard drives.

    He listed other items stolen to include an iPad, Windows phone, Infinix, one mini HP laptop, a normal size HP laptop and N200,000 meant for his children’s school fees.

    Adeniran’s wife, Funmilayo, said the family left home around 7am on April 14 but returned home to see the house scattered and all valuables gone.

    “We all left home around 7am that day; my husband and I left home for work, our children were dropped off in school. It was when I got back home later that day that I discovered the burglary; I saw that everywhere had been ransacked; I was scared, so I rushed out of the house with my children to inform neighbours of what I noticed. They followed me back to our house and I called my husband to inform him about the incident.

    “He was also shocked but told me to call the Estate Security which I did. They came to see what had happened and my husband later reported the case at Ibafo Police Station when he got back from work. I have never experienced something like this in my life; this incident has affected my husband; he is worried about how to care for his family now that all the tools of his trade have been stolen.”

    Adeniran, who is yet to get over the incident, said he is grateful to God that the robbers did not injure anybody.

    “I cannot imagine what would have happened if anyone was at home when the incident happened. I thank God that nobody was hurt, but it is still a bitter experience for some unknown persons to enter my house and steal all my valuables. It is painful and I pray God’s mercy and protection will always be over my family.”

     

  • Naval officers forfeit Lekki homes, cash to Fed Govt

    Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday ordered the permanent forfeiture of Lekki houses belonging to two naval officers to the Federal Government.

    The officers are Captains Olotu Morakinyo and Ebony Aneke.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged that the houses were acquired illegally.

    The officers were said to be attached to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) as Guard Commanders.

    They allegedly acquired a three-bedroom terrace duplex at Lekki Gardens Phase 4, Lekki-Ajah and a five-bedroom duplex in Lekki, with proceeds of fraud.

    The court also ordered the forfeiture of N11,040,000 found in the bank account of Lakewood Garden Ventures Limited, said to be linked to Aneke and his sister, Jimmie.

    Morakinyo served as NIMASA Maritime Guard Commander from January to September 2013. Aneke served in the same capacity from September 2013 to December 2014.

    Lakewood Garden Ventures is said to be jointly owned by Aneke and his sister.

    Justice Hassan, on March 28, ordered the interim forfeiture of the property and the money.

    He directed EFCC to publish the interim order in The Nation so that anyone interested in the property could appear to show cause within 14 days why it should not be permanently forfeited to the government.

    Yesterday, Justice Hassan held that EFCC’s claim that the properties were proceeds of crime was not controverted.

    He, therefore, ordered that they be “finally forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria, being proceeds of unlawful activities reasonably suspected by the applicant”.

    EFCC said it investigated the respondents after receiving intelligence report of a case of conspiracy, stealing and money laundering against them.

  • Senator Tinubu empowers constituents with 31 tricycles, cash

    SENATOR Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos CentralDistrict) has given 31 of her constituents tricycles under her Youth Empowerment and Skills Acquisition Scheme (YESAS) programme.

    The recipients also received N50, 000 each for registration and other formalities.

    YESAS is part of the Federal Government’s special intervention programme to assist senators in empowering their constituents to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    Senator Tinubu,  represented by the Lagos Central Senatorial Leader, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, said: “This gesture is in furtherance of the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government programme in the area of job creation and youth empowerment.

    She urged well-meaning people to contribute towards the uplift of others.

    The senator noted that among the flagship programmes of the government in the area of youth empowerment were ‘N Power’ and ‘Market Moni’.”

    She said she had been providing empowerment and skills acquisition programmes for youths in her constituency since she became a  senator in 2011.

    “Efforts like this are widely reported in the quarterly town hall meetings usually held at the various local governments within my senatorial district,” the lawmaker said.

    According to her, the gesture is also a way to transform the lives of the young people, noting that empowerment materials like sewing machines and generators will soon be distributed under the programme.

    Senator Tinubu said: “The programme is aimed at empowering the beneficiaries to start their entrepreneurial journey and enhance their independence. Empowering them will yield further benefits for society when they grow their businesses, employ others and take adequate care of their dependents.”

  • Fayose, Obanikoro, Omisore lose N2.273b assets

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered property and cash worth N2.273 billion from Governor Ayodele Fayose, ex-Deputy Governor Iyiola Omisore and a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, out of the N4.685 billion allocated to them by the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    The said cash, which was sourced from the $2.1 billion voted for arms procurement, was meant for the 2014 governorship campaign by Fayose and Omisore on the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The trial of Omisore by EFCC is expected to begin any moment from now because charges have been preferred and filed against him.

    The EFCC is awaiting a date from the court for the arraignment of Omisore, who might be re-arrested.

    But the prosecution of Fayose is withheld till after the completion of his tenure and immediately he hands over to the next governor of the state.

    But Obanikoro, who was allegedly the courier of the fund to Fayose and Omisore, was still being investigated by detectives following more cases he was allegedly linked with.

    A fact-sheet obtained from the EFCC revealed that out of the N4.685 billion, detectives traced N2.0030 billion to Omisore; N685 million to Obanikoro and N1.3 billion and $5.377 million (at the exchange rate of N168 to $1) to Fayose.

    The document said: “The N4.685 billion was disbursed by ONSA through a company, Sylvan McNamara Limited, which was submitted by Obanikoro for onward transfer to Fayose and Omisore for their gubernatorial election in 2014 on the platform of the PDP.

    “Out of the sum, Omisore got N1.7 billion and additional N330 million was given to him through his company, Fimex Guilt Limited, bringing his campaign slush cash to N2.0030 billion.

    “From his share, Omisore has paid back N350 million. Although he pleaded for more time, EFCC is expecting the balance from him.”

    The fact-sheet stated that charges have been preferred against Omisore.

    The document gave the details of how arms cash was allocated to Fayose and the retention of N685 million by Obanikoro.

    It said: On his part, Fayose was allocated N1.3 billion and $5.377 million (at the exchange rate of N168. The $5,377,000 was handed over in cash by Obanikoro to Fayose while the N1.3 billion was received by Fayose’s associate, Mr. Abiodun Agbele, in the presence of the ex-Minister’s Aide-de-Camp, who also accompanied them to the bank along with bank officials.

    “From the $5 million, Fayose gave his Personal Assistant, Agbele about $1million, which he exchanged to Naira and paid for properties on behalf of the governor. Detectives suspected that Fayose added more of the N1.3 billion cash to what he gave Agbele to buy the affected assets.

    “The properties worth N1.8 billion purchased with the said proceeds of crime have been recovered from Fayose and his sister, Moji Ladeji.

    “These assets include four in Lagos (N1.1 billion) and two in Abuja worth about N500 million to N700 million.

    “But Fayose has been claiming that he used his company, Spotless to obtain a loan of N120 million from Zenith Bank as part of what he used to buy one of the properties in Abuja. We are already tracking how he disbursed the N1.3 billion.

    “A prima facie case has been established against Fayose but he is enjoying immunity from prosecution as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution. He will, however, face trial as soon as he hands over power to his successor.

    “But the associate of the governor, Abiodun Agbele, has been charged to court accordingly.”

    Regarding the investigation of Obanikoro, the fact-sheet indicated that “the ex-minister retained N685 million out of the N4.685 billion given to him by ONSA.

    “A sum of N123 million has been recovered from Obanikoro, who claimed he was only asked to deliver the cash to both Fayose and Omisore for their gubernatorial campaign.

    “The ex-minister is still under investigation following some cases allegedly still linked with him.”

     

    •Judges nullify victory at high court

    THE Court of Appeal yesterday ordered two accounts of Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose domiciled with the Zenith Bank to be frozen.

    The court gave the order having been convinced by the argument of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that they were used to keep proceeds of crime.

    The three-man panel, led Justice Joseph Shagbaor Ikyegh, allowed the EFCC appeal and upturned the judgment of the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti, which was delivered about one year and four months ago.

    Other members of the panel are Justice Boloukurumo Moses Ugo and Justice Mohammed Mustapha.

    The judgment of the lower court, which unblocked the governor’s two accounts, was delivered by Justice Taiwo Taiwo on December 13, 2016.

    Fayose withdrew N5 million from one of the accounts immediately and transferred the sum of N75 to his lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN).

    Dissatisfied with the Ado-Ekiti Federal High Court’s verdict, the EFCC filed an appeal at the appellate court on three grounds.

    The anti-graft agency contended that the immunity enjoyed by the governor did not preclude his account from being frozen.

    The Appeal Court allowed the appeal and held that Fayose’s accounts, which were unblocked by the Federal High Court, be frozen.

    The court delivered the judgment upon reading the record of the appeal and after hearing EFCC’s counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, Fayose’s counsel, Mike Ozekhome and Zenith Bank’s counsel, Mr. Oluwasegun Ayinde.

    Justice Ikyegh ordered “that the appeal is meritorious and, having resolved all three issues agitated in the appeal in appellant’s (EFCC’s) favour.

    “That the appeal is hereby allowed; that the judgment delivered by Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court, Ekiti Judicial Division, on the 13th day of December, 2016, granting the claims of the 1st respondent in Suit No: FHC/AD/CS/27/2016 is hereby set aside.”

    The two accounts had earlier been frozen by Justice Mohammed Shuaibu of Federal High Court, Lagos in an ex-parte motion brought by the EFCC.

     

     

  • Fed Govt awards cash, scholarships to three pupils 

    Fed Govt awards cash, scholarships to three pupils 

    •Varsities to get technology hubs 

    President Muhammadu Buhari has awarded cash awards and scholarships up to doctorate levels to three pupils in secondary schools.

    They came first, second and third in the just concluded Young Nigerian Scientists  Presidential Competition among pupils in the 774 local government areas.

    Buhari broke the news yesterday in Abuja at the opening ceremony of the 2018 technology and innovation expo taking place at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

    The President, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, added that the government would set up technology hubs in universities in the six geopolitical zones.

    He said the president has approved a new science, technology and innovation roadmap  from 2017-2030.

    His words: “In September 2016, the State House hosted the first Aso Villa demo day to showcase the innovation of emerging startups from around the country, since the World Bank has supported a batch of those innovators with grants totalling about $3 million, the first batch of which has already been disbursed and the world bank is committing an additional $3 million in the funding for six technology hubs across Nigeria in our universities.

    “The Federal Government is collaborating with the Bank of Industry (BoI) and other private sector entities to run a presidential technology innovation challenge in all Nigerian universities, public and private and also some polytechnics in April of this year. Each university winner will be invited to an award event to be hosted by Mr. President at the Villa.

    “We will also establish centres of acquisition of technology in each of the six geopolitical zones. We will provide intervention funds that will strengthen research and development through training programmes and partnerships in Nigerian universities and polytechnics. Our goal is to develop self-confident nation that is quickly able to identify and take advantage of emerging opportunities in a rapidly changing world.

    “Congratulations to our best science students, who have emerged as the best in the 774 local government  areas of the country. I am pleased to announce that the candidates who emerged first, second and third respectively in the final examination of the recently concluded Young Nigerian Scientists  Presidential Competition have been granted full scholarships up to PhD levels in any science-related discipline of their choice in any of our universities. The future of Nigeria belongs to the young people and it is our duty as a government to create the enabling environment for them to grow to their full potential.”

    Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu stated that the ministry was refocusing the nation to embrace science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.

    This, he said, will enable manufacturers to do more research to improve their products to enable them meet local demand as well as have excess for export.