The Nation Newspaper

Tag: contest

  • UI wins Unilever Ideatrophy contest again

    The University of Ibadan has again clinched the Unilever Ideatrophy competition.

    The trio of Okunade Gbenga, Similoluwa Odetola and Omobola Akionla of Team Adobe humbled teams from five other universities – Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB, Team Innovatus); Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD, Team Golden); Federal University of Technology Owerri and University of Benin (FUTO/UNIBEN Team Mugambo); Caleb University Lagos (Team Coocliq) – and another UI team, Team Dynamic – at the grand finale held at 10 Degrees Event Centre in Oregun, Lagos last Friday.

    FUNAAB’s Team Innovatus and Caleb’s Team CooCliq emerged first and second runners-up.

    By winning, the Adobe Team returned honour to UI, which won the maiden edition of the contest five years ago.

    For their victory, the UI contingent will represent Nigeria at the Africa round in South Africa, and if successful, progress to the Unilever Global Future Leaders’ League competition next year in the United Kingdom.

    The six teams in the final were tasked to produce creative marketing ideas for Close-up Toothpaste, one of Unilever’s flagship brands. Team Adobe, for instance, was tasked to develop a marketing strategy with the tag: “Make the move”.

    The boot camp for the competition opened in Lagos on Tuesday, August 23, during which contestants were assigned mentors – seasoned business professionals – to guide them in the development and delivery of their presentations.  They also met and interacted with Unilever top executives, and enjoyed fun activities like talent shows, aerobics and games.

    Expressing their excitement, Okunade who led the UI team said: “The Ideatrophy competition has been a life changing experience. We have learnt so much about developing viable strategies for brand positioning and growth. Winning the competition is the crowning glory.”

    Unilever Managing Director Yaw Nsarkoh, and the Chairman on the occasion, Dr. Christopher Kolade, advised the youth to rise beyond their situations to meet global standards.

    Nsarkoh said Unilever was committed to creating a bright future for Nigerians, and touching lives each day through its brands and their social missions.

    Kolade, a former Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, admonished young Nigerians to take charge of their destinies via creative ideas. He also praised Unilever for grooming talents and providing opportunities for the youth to showcase their abilities.

    Unilever Nigeria’s Human Resources Director Eniola Onimole said the aim of the competition was to develop personal, leadership and entrepreneurial business competencies, among the competitors and showcase innovative and viable business ideas.

    “The Ideatrophy competition gives us the opportunity to develop young Nigerians right from the university. By connecting with undergraduates through this programme, we are able to attract and invest in young talents who could eventually become some of the world’s future leaders,” she said.

    She said the panel reviewed participants’ activities at group and individual levels – explaining why two groups emerged from UI, while another two institutions were lumped into a single group.

  • Corps member wins essay contest

    Corps member wins essay contest

    A YOUTH Corps member serving in Gombe State, Stephen Angulu,  has won this year’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) essay competition, organised by the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) penultimate Thursday in Lagos.

    He beat five others to pick the prize which included a laptop. The others were Joshua Tamunosiki, who came second; Ogagaoghene Eruteya, third; Jonathan Achile, fourth; andApeiker Iorsoo, fifth. Toyin Moyosore came sixth.

    Ironically, Angulu spoke first on the contest’s theme: Recycling leadership: an antithetical approach to your development and Nigeria’s future.

    He set the tone for the day, which other contestants either followed or harped on.

    He said youths, who constituted a greater percentage of the nation’s population, were vital to national development, claiming that the elders had failed.

    Angulu said what the nation had experienced was the recycling of leaders, saying that this was an abuse of a normal process that should have boosted growth. He listed the disadvantages of recycling as non-continuity, indispensability and inability to hand over to a successor.

    He said: “We recycle leaders and bring a gap between youths and leaders, adding that as a result, youths are not given a chance to contribute to nation building.”

    Angulu, who cited various Biblical verses to buttress his point, said youths who fear God, should be given a chance to participate in governance as they would do better than those who do not.

    Other contestants, who harped on the usefulness of youths to national growth, also did justice to the theme. But Angulu took the shine off them, especially as they kept referring to his submission. The panelists might have noted this.

    The Chairman, Pastor Charles Iko-Abasi, advised the youth to sharpen their skills and prepare themselves for leadership positions that they clamoured for.

  • Lafarge Africa tantalises professionals with $2m contest

    Lafarge Africa Plc, a subsidiary of LafargeHolcim, is mobilising professionals in Nigeria’s building and construction sector, as well as students to participate in the 5th International LafargeHolcim Awards. The programme is aimed at seeking smart solutions for cities and the built environment.

    The Group Managing Director/CEO, Lafarge Africa Plc, Michel Puchercos, said for the first time after the firm’s global merger, and as a demonstration of its belief in the country’s professionals’ competence and ability to compete with their counterparts across the globe, the company would be showcasing Nigeria’s professionals and students in the $2 million competition, adding that the competition is also in furtherance of the company’s vision to build a stronger Nigeria, safely, ethically and sustainably through innovative construction solutions.

    He enjoined all eligible engineers, architects, builders, planners, construction firms, project owners, students and non governmental organisations (NGOs) to avail themselves of the opportunity to make a mark in the global construction space, while assuring that there will be more engagements with the target audience in the next few weeks.

    The competition, organised by the LafargeHolcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction, identifies the ideas with the highest potential to tackle today’s challenges, to increasing urbanisation and improve quality of life. Projects and concepts from the fields of architecture, landscape, architecture, urban design, planning, technology, and civil and materials engineering are eligible to be featured.

    The main category is for professionals, construction firms and NGOs that showcase sustainable responses to technological, environmental, socio-economic and cultural issues within contemporary building and construction. Besides, participants up to the age of 30 can also submit visionary concepts and bold ideas in the competition, irrespective of the probability of actual implementation of the project: ‘the Next Generation category specifically seeks “blue-sky” solutions by students and young professionals’.

    The competition holds in the five geographic regions where LafargeHolcim operates – Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America, and Middle East Afica –The winners will be announced in the second half of 2017. Winners automatically qualify for the global Awards competition in 2018.

    Entry for the competition, which opened on Monday July 4 closes for submissions in March next year.

  • School wins art contest

    Mind Builders High School came tops in the 2016 Colour Me Right Art Exhibition Competition on “Substance Abuse  and its effect” organised by Paroche Reach-out Foundation, Ikeja, recently.

    The competition was organised to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

    Mrs Titilola Adebayo, Founder/CEO of the foundation, said the aim of the competition was to to enlighten young people in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions about the deleterious effects of substance abuse and addiction, and other social vices.

    Following Mind Builders High School, represented by Joel Ibizugbe in the second and third places were Doregos Private Academy and Light World Private School.

  • Computer Dept wins varsity’s soccer contest

    Computer Dept wins varsity’s soccer contest

    Department of Computer Science students have won the football tournament organised by the Football Association of Crawford University in Igbesa, Ogun State. The final was played last Friday between Computer Science and the Department of Geology and Mineral Sciences.

    The soccer contest started, with seven teams competing at the preliminary stages. Other departments that participated in the contest include Business Administration and Management, Accounting, Economics, Political Science, and Industrial Relations and Personnel.

    The final match started at 4:30pm at the school field. The match was witnessed by top management members, including the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Rotimi Ajayi, Acting Bursar, Mrs Kemi Ojo, Football Association chairman, Dr Ade Adeola, and the association’s coordinator, Mr Solomon Aransiola.

    Supporters of the opposing teams swarmed the field to cheer on their teams. At the end of the match, Computer Science beat Geology and Mineral Sciences by 2:1.

    The VC hailed the spirit of the winning team, saying the students showed doggedness and determination throughout the game. He also praised Geology and Mineral Sciences team for “putting up a good fight”, describing the match as entertaining.

    Prof Ajayi reiterated the students of the school support in future competitions, while promising to incorporate other games into the school’s sports scheme.

    Both teams were presented with certificates of excellence, but the winning team was presented with the trophy by the VC. Members of the team were also rewarded with an undisclosed amount of cash.

    The Player of the Tournament went to Ovoh Okpuhigbo, a 300-Level Computer Science student, while Ayomide Akinade, a 300-Level Geology and Mineral Sciences student, was announced as the Highest Goal Scorer. Also, the Fair Play prize went to Department of Geology and Mineral Sciences.

  • FUTA students for Bulgaria maths contest

    Four Students of the Mathematics Department of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, will fly Nigeria’s flag at the International Mathematics Competition (IMC) at the America University, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria holding July 25-29, 2016.

    This follows their wining the 8th National Mathematics Competition for University Students (2016 NAMCUS) in Abuja organised by the National Mathematical Centre.

    They beat 23 other universities with teams of four students to earn a spot in the international competition.

    The FUTA Team was made up of Michael Omolaja, a 500-Level student who got a gold medal and the title of Best Student Mathematician across Nigerian Universities; Mary Akinade and Segun Ofe, also 500-Level students who won silver medals; and Desmond Dike, a 300-Level student who picked a bronze medal.

    They were supervised by Dr Babatope Omolofe and Mr. Ayodeji Afolabi, lecturers in the Department.

    In Bulgaria, at the competition organised by the University College, London, the team would compete against students from about 80 countries.

    The competition would feature two sessions of five hours each with problems from Algebra, Real and Complex Analysis, Geometry and Combinatorics.

    Speaking on their success talisman, Omolaja, said the team depended on God and worked together. Omolaja, who has a record of tutoring students at Masters and PhD levels, is a Fluid Numerical and Complex Analysis major with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.69. Already, he has published several papers.

    Akinade, the only female on the team, has a CGPA of 4.68.

    Ofe, who is a second time participant has a CGPA is 4.59.  He said of the upcoming Bulgarian competition: “It is a privilege to represent Nigeria and we are going to put in our best to make the most of the privilege”.

    Dike, who has a CGPA of 4.68, said he learnt from team mates in order to give his best.

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof Adebiyi Daramola, praised the team and assured its members of total support. He described their feat as a big boost to the university’s image and a testimony of its excellence in academic matters.

  • Undergrad wins N1m in social media contest

    Undergrad wins N1m in social media contest

    A 400-Level Theatre Arts student of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Janet Lawal, has become a millionaire after winning the grand prize in Palmchat’s CrazySelfie contest organised by Afmobi Nigeria.

    The contest, which held between December and January, took place on the Palmchat, a mobile application, with many students participating. They were required to take selfies with funny gestures.

    A participant, who had the highest number of likes and shares, won the grand prize.

    The organisers named Janet the winner at a ceremony held at their office in Ikeja.

    Afmobi Nigeria’s Business Development Manager Yemisi Oluwaseun said: “Apart from creating awareness for Palmchat app, the competition was also a way of giving value to users, which is the idea behind the competition. It was to empower young Nigerians to create new social media experience through building fun and rewarding social networks.”

    The company’s Enterprise Generated Content Manager, Mr Ejodahmen Oseghele, said: “Palmchat app is fast becoming one of the favourite social media and Instant messaging apps used by young people because it is driven by rich local content and helps users connect with those around them easily.”

    After she got the cheque, Janet said: “This money will be invested in my education to help me achieve my dream.”

  • 10-year-old beats 347 others in Maths contest

    The Ultimate Mathematics Ambassador competition (TUMA) has produced another Mathematical guru, Daniel Emeka-Ilozor, a 10-year-old pupil of Grace Children School, Gbagada, Lagos State.

    Daniel, a grade five pupil, emerged winner after scoring 93.5 per cent. He contested with 347 pupils from different private primary schools in Ogun and Lagos states. He went home with N125,000 and a plaque, while his mathematics teacher got N50,000 and a plaque and his school was given a laptop, printer, textbooks and a plaque.

    The event was sponsored by The Ambassadors  Schools, Ota, Ogun State, which also hosted the event that produced 10 winners in all.

    Daniel expressed his gratitude to his school as well as his teachers who supported and helped prepare him for the competition. He, however advised aspiring competitors who would be coming for the next phase of TUMA to believe in their ability and also be confident.

    “Pupils should be determined. They should strive towards their goals and never be discouraged,” Daniel said.

    Mother of the winner, Mrs Mary-Jane Ilozor, expressed her appreciation to the school for their support toward her child.

    She said: “They have helped him aim and succeed at this competition. It was not an easy task but I thank God for his support. My boy is very confident and always ready to learn even at home. He said to me that he must win this competition even if it is the last thing he would do” she said.

    Adekunle David, a pupil of Lifecrown Private School, Abeokuta and his counterpart in St. Bernadette School, Ipaja Kabiawu  Kolawole, emerged second and third positions respectively.

    David won N100,000 and a plaque, his mathematics teacher got N30,000 and a plaque while his school was presented with a laptop, textbooks and plaque.  Kabiawu also went home with N75,000 and a plaque, his mathematics teacher got N20,000 and a plaque, while his school got a printer, textbooks and a plaque.

    Other winners were: Olopade Oluwafikunayomi, Duje Samuel, Matilukuro Theresa, Abioye Oluwaponle, Mabinuori Racheal and Aliyu Ideraoluwa.

    The guest speaker, Prof Oluwole Agbede told the audience the importance of Mathematics.

    He said:  “Mathematics is an everyday routine of the house.  Without realising it we are using mathematics every day whether we are literate or illiterate.

    “Mathematics is practical and theoretical. It is the process of thinking and the language we use or an art that we are involved in. We use mathematics while cooking, travelling, banking and at school.” Prof  Agbede said.

    The Zonal Educational Officer, Ado-Odo/Ota, Mrs O. M. Oloko, described mathematics as the key to economic prosperity, saying it   contributes to economic development as well as technical progress for the country.

    “It is a subject that sharpens the mind and increases our mental alertness,” she said.

  • Mass Comm. wins soccer contest

    Mass Comm. wins soccer contest

    It was all excitement at the sport centre of the Kogi State University (KSU) in Anyigba as Students’ Union Government (SUG) organised a soccer contest for all departments of the school. The contest started with preliminary stages, where the departments were divided into groups.

    The teams which qualified from the group stage were fixed against one another in the knock-out stage, leaving Mass Communication and Philosophy departments to qualify for the final round.

    At the final match, players of the Mass Communication Department were clad in yellow jersey and led to the field by the supporters, while their counterparts from Philosophy adorned green jersey.

    It was a hard challenge for the communication students playing against Philosophy team whose members are professional players in the university’s football team.

    The Philosophy students dominated the field as they seemed more experienced than their counterparts in Mass Communication.

    The Mass Communication players, knowing the capability of their midfielder, Peace Egwuda, decided to feed the player with some deft passes to destabilise their opponents’ defence.

    After 90 minutes, the match ended goalless. This made the referee to take decision and called for penalty shootout.

    Philosophy’s Joseph Enemali, who kicked the first penalty, missed the goal. But all Mass Communication players scored points with their kicks. The penalty ended 5-4 in favour of the Mass Communication.

    At the end of the match, Peace was declared the Man of the Match, due to his magical left foot that disorganised the opponents for the duration of the match.

  • Friends again after a bitter contest

    The University of Benin (UNIBEN) chapter of Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria Students (PANS) election was full of hate campaign and mudslinging. After the poll, the main contenders sued for peace, reports EZEKIEL EFEOBHOKHAN (500-Level Pharmacy).

    Hugging opponents after election is a virtue that is not common among politicians, especially when the campaign was full of mudslinging. But, for the president-elect of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) chapter of Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria Students (PANS), Benjamin Idiakhoa, extending an olive branch to challengers can be the beginning of peace.

    After a keenly contested election, Benjamin approached his main opponent and classmate, Alex Eze, for a hug to end weeks of hate campaign. After the hug, it is believed all their differences would be buried and both contestants would sue for peace.

    The election was marred by allegations and counter-allegations by candidates, who contested for the position of PANS president. They are Alex, Benjamin and Ikechuckwu Onwuakpa; all 400-Level students of the faculty.

    In the heat of their campaigns, Alex, who had the support of students in lower classes, was accused of playing ethnic politics. He was called several unprintable names for engaging in what students called “dirty politics”.

    But, Joshua Okpala, Alex’s supporter, said his candidate could not have played up ethnic sentiments to win election, noting that Alex was popular among students.

    He said: “How do you accuse Alex of being tribalistic when majority of his supporters are  not Igbo students? The people that spread injurious allegation against Alex played bad politics and they are mischief-makers.”

    While the controversy spread, some students in Alex’s camp also accused Benjamin of playing ethnic card. They wondered why Benjamin usually spoke his local dialect whenever he went on campaign.

    Refuting the claims, Ifeanyi Ajudeonu, Benjamin’s campaign manager, said his candidate was popular and could not have used ethnicity to win the heart of students.

    His words: “Benjamin has a lot ofIgbo students as friends and majority of them campaigned and voted for him. I am one of them. The other camps tried to influence our decision by reminding us of our tribe but we refused.”