The Nation Newspaper

Tag: competition

  • ForexTime launches new live trading competition with $100,000 prize

    International forex broker ForexTime (FXTM), has announced the launch of ‘Game of Pips’- a new live trading competition with a $100,000 prize pool for traders.

    ‘Game of Pips’ calls on traders to compete with the aim of earning the highest profit ratio, with the best performers winning cash prizes which they can withdraw or transfer to a real trading account. There are 10 top places to be won, with a first prize of $50,000, a second prize of $20,000 and a third prize of $10,000.

    Head of Dealing, ForexTime Ltd, Charis Mountis said the latest live trading contest enables clients to pit themselves against other traders around the world to prove their trading skills.

    “With some great prizes to be won, there is plenty to play for in ‘Game of Pips’. By balancing sound strategies and careful risk management there are many opportunities for the sharp traders to boost their profit percentage,” Mountis said.

    Mountis explained that to join the competition, competitor will have to register as an existing or new client, depositing $300 or more to a live account and starting trading forex, metals or CFDs. The contest closes on 15 July, 2015.

    The winners will also have the opportunity to become managers in the new investment programme which was recently launched by FXTM.

    “Through this new programme any skilful trader can become a manager and connect with other traders who are willing to invest in their trading strategies for a fee of their choosing,” Mountis said.

     

  • ‘Mock Nation’s Cup’ founder wants sponsors to revive competition

    ‘Mock Nation’s Cup’ founder wants sponsors to revive competition

    Lawrence  Alabrah, the founder of the “Mock Nations Cup’’ in Ajegunle, a suburb of Lagos, on Sunday, said that the lack of viable sponsors was responsible for the death of the football competition.

    Alabrah, who is in his early 60s, is also a retired Naval officer and a current member of the Bayelsa Football Association.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the emergence of the “Mock Nations Cup” competition was stirred by the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations that was hosted and won by Nigeria.

    The competition, which served as a breeding ground for soccer talents, produced many players for the national teams in the past.

    Some of the talents are Samson Siasia, Emmanuel Amunike, Henry Nwosu, Ebitimi Collins, Jonathan Akpoberie, Tarila Okoro-wanta, Ifeanyi Udeze, Gabriel Okolosi, Wahid Akanni and Yusuf Ayila.

    Alabrah said that the grassroots tournament, which enjoyed sponsorship from corporate organisations and well-meaning Nigerians in the past, now struggles to get sponsors.

    “The Mock Nations Cup was inspired by the 1980 Nations Cup which we hosted, I discussed the idea with two of my friends and that was how the whole thing started.

    “Initially when it started, we had no sponsor, but as the profile of the sport increased, it attracted sponsors from the corporate world and well-meaning Nigerians.

    “Companies like 7up, Nigeria Breweries, Cowbell and others sponsored the competition before the immediate past Lagos State governor, Raji Fashola, supported us massively in the 2011 edition.

    “Suddenly our sponsors started pulling out of the competition and we have been struggling to redeem the image of the event since then,’’ he said.

    He appealed to the government, Nigeria Football Federation and ex-footballers who got to limelight through the competition to help resuscitate the event.

    Some of the former players who partook in the tourney have described its current condition as worrisome.

    Ex-international Emmanuel Amuneke told NAN that the competition, which was one of the best grassroots football tournaments, afforded many players the opportunity to advance their careers.

    The former Super Eagles left-winger urged the organisers to do all within their power to rekindle the competition.

    “The competition was ranked among the best in the past, a lot of ex-international players and I were privileged to play in the competition and it brought many of us to limelight.

    “I will always commend Alabrah who spearheaded the tournament that provided a handful of players for the national team.

    “The organisers should endeavour to evaluate whatever was responsible for the competition to nose-dive and get it back on track. I’m always available to provide any support,’’ he said.

    Also, ex-international Tarila Okoronwanta, expressed sadness that the competition that produced some of the finest players in the past had been neglected.

    Okoronwanta urged corporate bodies and the NFF to help in giving the competition a new lease of life, adding that it would assist in recruiting quality players for the national team.

    “It’s a shame that the tournament is no longer what it used to be and the only way the competition can regain its tempo is through collective effort,’’ he said.

    A NAN correspondent, who visited the Naval Base football pitch at Marine Beach, the venue that hosted the tournament for over 30-year, reports that the sandy field was still in a good shape.

    Some individuals,who spoke to NAN about the competition, said that residents of Ajeromi-Ifelodun LGA of Lagos were no longer feeling the impact of the competition in the area.

    Kayode Fadipe, a pastor, said that the people in the area were always happy whenever the tournament approached, stressing that the situation was no longer the same.

    “I was very young when this competition started and I also represented my street in some of the editions.

    “Every December the competition would light up the mood in Ajegunle and that is when you see youths coming together, but it’s not the same anymore,” he said.

    Afeeze Suraju, a cobbler, said that he was no longer making brisk sales unlike what he used to enjoy years back, appealing to the organisers to re-ignite the event. “I could remember in the 90’s how I used to make money during Mock Cup and other business owners; we want to experience it again in this present time,” he said.

    Also, Gladys Ifeanyi, who operates a bar outside the Navy gate, said that ex-internationals who benefited from the competition should support the organisers regain its lost glory.

  • National art competition calls for entries

    National art competition calls for entries

    Nigerian Breweries Plc in collaboration with the African Artists’ Foundation has called for entries for this year’s national art competition initiated to promote the conceptual development of contemporary art in the country as well as raise awareness on relevant social issues through the use of creative expression.

    The competition, which has as theme Future Histories is open to aspiring Nigerian artists, and accepts entries in diverse mediums including painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, installation and video art.

    According to Corporate Affairs Adviser, NB Plc, Mr. Kufre Ekanem collection of entries will close on July 3 after, which a shortlist of 12 best entries will be announced for the final. This, he said, will be followed by artists retreat and workshop facilitated by leading artists and scholars. He said the competition has evolved into a leading platform for the development of the next generation of contemporary artists in Nigeria.

    “The grand finale and judging ceremony will hold in November to select winners. The winners will be decided by a panel of judges led by Prof El Anatsui. The prizes to be won include N2million and a solo exhibition for the first place winner. There will also be a N1million each for winner of outstanding concept and outstanding production,” he said.

    He stated that the objective of selecting this year’s theme is to encourage artists to think laterally about social, political and cultural climate of their local communities while exploring their creativity. He noted that the competition places emphasis on the processes of artistic creation rather than solely on the end product and that it is designed to support artists to develop ideas and the message of their work.

    Director African Artists’ Foundation, Mr Azu Nwagbogu disclosed that there will be a session on proposal writing for the artists this year in pursuance of their art practice.

    Past winner of the prize, Modupeola Fadugba described the competition as a perfect platform to launch her career as it allows her to plan creatively. “Also, the competition brought great visibility to my works. And lots of people now have access to my works including galleries form the US,” she said.

  • 23-year old wins Bi-Courtney’s online competition

    A 23-year old undergraduate, Miss Gbemi Shotade, has won an online competition, MMA2KIARACE, which  closed in Lagos at the weekend with an impressive ceremony at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Two (MMA2).

    The instagram-driven competition was sponsored by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, operator of MMA2 and co-sponsored by Kia Motors. Supporting brands include, Pepsi, Levi’s, Microsoft, T.M. Lewin, Swatch, DANA AIR, KFC and Le Meridien.

    Over 2,000 people from different parts of the country and overseas took part in the month-long competition, which kicked-off on May 7. The top 20 participants took part in the grand finale.

    Some of the other 300 participants, who won gifts at various stages of the competition, were present to redeem their gifts.

    The finalists competed in four tasks, including aptitude test and a lucky draw and Shotade, a 200 level student of Business Administration at the University of Lagos emerged winner of the Kia Rio grand prize.

    The first and second runners-up won a getaway weekend for two in an Executive Suite and an Executive Double Room respectively at the Le Meridien Ibom Hotel, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, with free return tickets courtesy DANA AIR.

    The third and fourth runners-up won Pepsi-branded fridges. The final 10 contestants also won a Nokia Lumia phone each, courtesy of Microsoft.

    The presentation of the grand prize was done by the Chief Executive Officer of BASL, Mr. Christophe Penninck, assisted by the Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Adebisi Awoniyi, Head of Marketing, Kia Motors, Mr. Olawale Jimoh and DANA’s brand ambassador, Mr. Bright Okpocha (aka Basket mouth).

  • NNPC quiz competition: Akwa Ibom dwarfs others

    NNPC quiz competition: Akwa Ibom dwarfs others

    •Organisers frown at poor performance in Physics

    Pupils of Top Faith Secondary School, Akwa Ibom State, have emerged winner in the finals of the Southsouth zonal 2015 annual quiz competition organised by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    However, the organisers were unimpressed by the performance of the participating schools in Physics, which was one of the core subjects in the sciences and mathematics contest.

    But the Akwa Ibom team dazzled, topping the competition held at the West African Peoples’ Institute, Calabar, with about 50 points ahead of other contestants from Rivers, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa and Cross River states.

    The competition featured science subjects including Chemistry, Biology, English language, Physics and Mathematics.

    Speaking at the event, NNPC General Manager, (Corporate Affairs) Mr Ohi Alegbe, charged participants to take their studies more seriously and develop interest in science-related subjects.

    He applauded the winners for their astute performance in the various rounds of the competition.

    “For you to emerge winner in this stage shows that you are actually a star in your school,” he said.

    Earlier, coordinator of the competition for the NNPC, Mr. Olatayo Sani, frowned at the poor performance, saying that most of the contestants answered the questions based on trial and error instead of with confidence on their choice answers.

    “I am not impressed with what is happening here. Without options your students cannot answer a question, which is very bad. That shows that they are all answering based on guess work and their poor performance in Physics is of concern too which needs to be addressed,” he said

    The Cross River State Commissioner for Education Prof. Offiong Offiong, expressed gratitude to organisers for grooming participants in the field of science as the basis for development of any nation.

    One of the winners from Top Faith Secondary School, Chidibem, attributed their success to hard work and efforts of the coordinating teachers whom he said, nurtured them to take part in the competition.

    He expressed optimism that the school would emerge victorious at the forthcoming national competition.

  • Obi Emelonye organises screen writing competition

    Obi Emelonye organises screen writing competition

    UK-based lawyer-turned filmmaker, Obi Emelonye, is out with a competition for people interested in pursuing a screen writing career in Nollywood.

    He made this announcement via his Twitter handle.

    ‘This is for real,’ Emelonye wrote. ‘Robesenites, old and new, this is your chance to cement a career in Nollywood screenwriting.’

    The writing competition, according to the filmmaker, is for a 26-episode campus-based TV series on any subject matter. Emelonye said there’s a N100, 000 prize to be won.

    In an instruction passed on to would-be participants, he noted that “entries should be made in no more than two-page synopsis of the entire proposed series, including breakdown of major characters. Closing date is May 15. By May 18, the best 10 will be shortlisted and their authors will be required to do half-page for each episode.”

    Just about three months after winning a laurel at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA), Emelonye’s new movie, Thy Will Be Done, which stars Mary Njoku, is set for premiere at the cinemas on May 15.

  • Lagos rewards PZ Cussons for Chemistry competition

    Lagos rewards PZ Cussons for Chemistry competition

    For the second year in a row, PZ Cussons Nigeria has been rewarded by the Lagos State Government for its immense support to the education sector through its PZ Cussons Chemistry Challenge (PZCCC).

    At a Breakfast Meeting recently hosted by Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), PZ Cussons Nigeria was among corporate bodies and individuals presented with the “Support Our Schools Initiative” awards for complementing the government’s effort in uplifting education standards in the state.

    Only three months ago, the second edition of PZCCC was concluded with 16-year-old Justin Ifeanyi Nwaoha of ISOLOG College, Ojodu, Lagos State crowned champion after an intellectually-engaging three-stage competition. The inaugural edition in 2013 had been won by another 16-year-old, Emmanuel Ejiogu Onyekachi, then a final year student of Miketoy College, Ikotun.

    The Breakfast Meeting, held at the jam-packed Lagos City Hall, had in attendance stakeholders in the education sector and top government functionaries.

    In his keynote address, Fashola commended the award recipients for their contribution to educational growth in the state and for making their impact greater every year. He said: “You gave your support to education in Lagos State because of the idea it represents. I particularly salute your courage. I salute your steadfastness to work with us.”

    The Corporate Affairs and Administrative Director of PZ Cussons Nigeria, Mrs Yomi Ifaturoti said that the company was excited to have been one of the recipients of the awards. She further said: “It shows that we are appreciated. It also shows that when you partner with government, there is recognition that comes with it. It also provided us the push to continue to make our contribution to the society.

    Mrs Ifaturoti stated that the award would no doubt motivate the PZCCC Board to deliver a more exciting competition in the years to come.

  • Bosso targets continental competition

    Bosso targets continental competition

    With the 2015   league  season scheduled to commence this weekend, coach of Abia Warriors, Ladan Bosso, has posited that the target is to qualify for a continental championship for next season at the very least.

    Abia played in the elite division for the first time last season and came very close to finishing in continental places on the league table, and Bosso says they will be hoping to go one step better this time.

    “We almost got a continental ticket last season. It was a good one seeing that it was our first season in the Premier League and we came as close as we did,” Bosso said.

    “We were also able to beat some of the most revered teams in the league last season and we are hoping to go further this time and that means us getting a continental ticket by the end of the season,” he said.

    Abia Warriors are in Jos this weekend for a date against Giwa FC in their league opener and Bosso reckons they must start picking up points as early as possible.

    “We want to start the season on a very good note and we know we have to do that by winning our games because the league gets tougher from the middle of the season down to the end.”

  • Teenager wins talent hunt competition

    Teenager wins talent hunt competition

    It was a night of glitz and glam. The venue was grand finale of the star rising competition which took place at the Civic Centre in Lagos. Here, ten finalists consisting of solo performers and groups of dancers and instrumentalists contested keenly for the star prize.

    After a very keen competition, Precious Udo, a solo performer, emerged as the new star winning the first position. Two other solo performers, Timothy Attah and Alex Louis, got the second and third prizes respectively. For Precious, it was the moment she had been waiting for after putting in a lot of effort before and after the auditions. She joined the school choir at the age of ten and that was where she discovered her talent in singing. At the moment, she is an evolving song writer, singer, guitarist and she recently launched her own album titled AMEN.

    Like Udo, Alex and Timothy also contested as solo performers. Other contestants included the Lillies Stars instrumentalists, Four and half men (Grace High School) instrumentalist, Baja girls cultural dance and Oyinkansola Ebony and Nonso Ifionu dance.

    In an excited mood, the initiator of the talent hunt, Kay Ovia, admonished the children to be hardworking, dedicated and strive for excellence in whatever they do. “It is a great privilege to seek and get this opportunity to mould their skills. At the end of the day, the children would be motivated and talented in their different areas.”

    She added that “At this time, we are motivated by the talents we have seen so far. We are motivated by children that have already on their own motivated themselves to the highest level of excellence. Apart from entertainment, these children are also active in other fields and subjects like English, the sciences and current affairs”.

    The amazon went on to talk about future plans for the children and the project. “Our intention is to establish the centre across Nigeria. This centre will act as a catalyst to protect our children into the open stage of the whole world. And by the time they are there, who knows, the sky may not even be their limit.”

    While wishing all the participants success and a brighter future ahead, Ovia stressed the need to be dedicated and have a focus. “The team would be there to guide, inspire and teach the young ones how to go about achieving their dreams as well as carving niche for themselves in life,” she disclosed.

  • LCCI: unfair competition killing businesses

    LCCI: unfair competition killing businesses

    THE Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has raised the alarm over the problems facing the manufacturing sector.

    Its President, Alhaji Remi Bello, said many sectors were faced with unfair competition caused by importation.

    He said the situation has continued to hurt the sector, especially in areas, such as smuggling, faking and counterfeiting, influx of substandard products and evasion of import duty payment.

    Others are under invoicing of imports and granting of underserved waivers.

    Advising the government on the need to improve non-oil revenue in the light of dwindling fortunes in the global oil market, he cautioned that the idea of giving targets to revenue-generating agencies could backfire.

    He said: “There is a risk that best practice principles would be compromised in the desperation to meet the set target. Already, this is beginning to manifest in the manner of import valuation by the Nigerian Customs Service. Reports reaching the Chamber indicate many instances of upward review of values of import in complete disregard to the values of invoices of such imports.”

    He also alleged that importers had been made to pay exhorbitant import duty and charges, a practice which has  affected investors, especially in the absence of an effective dispute resolution mechanism.

    He suggested non-oil areas, especially taxes, by improving the environment for businesses.

    Observing that the harsh environment would make it difficult for the government to realise the desired tax revenue, he noted that tax revenue could only be as good as the performance of businesses.

    He urged the government to nurture the private sector to get robust revenue in form of tax, insisting that emphasis on tax should be more on consumption than on production.

    He said: “There is too much emphasis on investors for purposes of taxation, especially in tax on their raw materials and other input; high tariffs on energy and business premises. We should focus more on taxing consumption.”

    On the insecurity, LCCI lamented that the problem was disturbing investments.

    He decried declining investors’ confidence in the economy. According to him, this is as a result of the negative impact of the country’s  image and perception. Others are risks of doing business in some parts of the country, relocation of businesses away from the troubled spots and setbacks for the tourism sector.

    According to him, there is the distraction of the government from other germane issues in the country, leading to the abandonement of many projects under construction in the north.

    Acknowledging the efforts of  the government in tackling the problem, he appealed that such efforts be further intensified. He said this is a time for all the citizens to rally round the administration to find an enduring solution to the challenge of insurgency.

    On the declining score on ‘Ease of Doing Business’, he drew the attention of the Federal Government to the World Bank report on the ease of doing business for this year where it indicated a drop of nine points to 147th position from 138th the country scored last year among 189 economies in the world.

    He explained that the areas scored are Starting a Business (-8), Dealing with Construction Permits (-5), Getting Electricity (-1), Registering Property (no change), Getting Credit (-2), Protecting Investors (-1), Paying Taxes (-3), Trading Across Borders (1), Enforcing Contracts (2) and Resolving Insolvency (no change).

    He said the report was disheartening, noting that the nation’s scores dropped on six out of the 10 metrics used in the ranking.

    He stressed that the declining ease of doing business as indicated in the report agreed with key findings of LCCI’s business environment survey and business confidence index over the last one year.