The Nation Newspaper

Tag: excel

  • Nigeria should excel in Russia, says ANN

    The Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) has tipped the Super Eagles to excel at the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup.

    National Chairman Dr. Jay Osi Samuels, said though 23 players were selected to represent the country, more than 200 million Nigerians at home and abroad are behind them.

    He urged Nigerians to put away political, religious or ethnic affiliations and to align with one voice to cheer the Super Eagles to victory.

    He said as a party with the single focus of seeing a Nigeria where Nigerians are united and can bear each other’s differences while drawing on the beauty of the country’s diversity, the Super Eagles “are the metaphor for that position that the party holds.”

    Samuels added: “We see a team of players from across the Niger, the South-South, the Northern hemisphere and the West of Nigeria where no one has earned a shirt because of quota system. Every member of the Super Eagles has earned a shirt because they deserve it. That’s our concept of a New Nigeria and that’s what we have seen with the Super Eagles.

    “Within the period of the games, we know Nigeria’s unity comes through very strongly. No one cares who scores the goal, no one cares what part of Nigeria the goalkeeper is from. Everyone speaks one language; one language of hope and expectation and the handshakes, hugs, laughter, smiles, shouts, drums and dance that follow every win of the team will attest to the reality of the spirit that binds us together.

    “For us as a party, this is the spirit of Nigeria. The spirit of a people so indivisible and united. The spirit of great neighbourliness and warm friendship and love,” he said.

    Samuels added that in every win or loss, it would not be about a particular part of Nigeria, but the entire country.

    He said all Nigerians would focus their energies and prayers for the Super Eagles to win; Muslims pray and Christians, even in some instances gather to pray together.

    Samuels added: “This is therefore a call to every Nigerian across divides and age to rally round the Super Eagles over the next four weeks as we watch the FIFA World Cup and cheer the Super Eagles to victory.

    “Likewise, we in ANN also hold hands to work towards ensuring we deliver a New Nigeria where we all can be proud to be called Nigerians. To us, the lives of every Nigerian count. As the 2019 approaches, we appeal to every Nigerian to join forces with our party to vote for a New Nigeria.

    “We know that friendship and fair play rule the game of football. We are confident that as a team, our Super Eagles have what it takes to win the World Cup. However, win or lose, we shall celebrate victory because it’s all about fair play at the end.”

  • Tope Alabi, Nathaniel Bassey, Cobhams, others for Excel

    Tope Alabi, Nathaniel Bassey, Cobhams, others for Excel

    GOSPEL musicians Tope Alabi, Nathaniel Bassey, Cohbams Asuquo, Wale Adenuga and others have been line up for a musical ministration at this year’s Excel musical concert slated for Saturday, June 3, 2017 from 6pm to 11pm, at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos.

    The event is part of a week-long program which is hosted by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Apapa Family, since its inception in 2007. This year’s event with the ‘The Pains and Gains of Change’ will kick-off on Friday, May 26 with the Excel Leadership conference at City of David, Victoria Island, Lagos. On Sunday, May 28, 2017, the Excel Cup Finals will hold at Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos Island, while the Apapa Women Prayer conference will hold at TBS. And on Sunday, June 4, 2017, the programme ends with a thanksgiving program and celebration at the TBS.

    Pastor Femi Obawoya cleared the air that the change mantra isn’t about the present government as the church started with the change mantra in 2010 before the present government came into power.

    “One thing that has been running through a lot of our programs has been the change mantra, for instance, we had leading change in 2010, impact through service in 2011, change catalyst in 2012, be the change in 2013, signs of change 2014, riding on the wings of change in 2015, sustaining change in 2016 and now the pains and gains of change,” said pastor Obawoya who also disclosed that the Excel conference has impacted lives and communities via their social intervention program which include free feeding program for the poor every Sunday, street light at Navy town and Akala among others.

    “At the inaugural conference in 2008, themed Regrouping to Relaunch, we re-branded our social reformatory vehicles to be more relevant to society,” Obawoya further added.

    “In addition to projects across our parishes, we drilled 10 water bore holes for Nigeria Police Barracks at Alausa, Mopol 22 Barracks Ikeja and Mopol 20 Area F.”

    Dignitaries expected on the final day of Excel 2017 include Vice president Yemi Osinbajo, who happens to be a member of the RCCG Apapa Family, Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode and General Overseer Redeemed Christian Church Of God, Pastor E.A Adeboye among others.

    Pastor Femi Obawoya revealed that there would be free transportation to take people to different destinations within the Lagos metropolis.

  • ‘Nigerian youths can excel in Olympiads’

    ‘Nigerian youths can excel in Olympiads’

    Nigerian youths can easily be trained to excel academically on the world stage, says Mr. Sabri Unal, Deputy Managing Director (Academics) at Nigerian Turkish International Colleges (NTIC).

    In an interview, Unal said the evidence is in the large cache of awards that NTIC pupils have won in international competitions.

    Unal said the school has won 45 gold, 50 silver and 71 bronze medals from international competitions.

    The school also hosts the International Science Olympiad (ISO), which Unal said further confirms his assertion that with the right kind of training, students can indeed excel anywhere in the world.

    “NTIC is the pioneer organiser of the ISO, an international competition in science subjects of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Computer and Biology, with more than 20 participating countries around the world, including Nigeria, Romania, the Netherlands, Argentina, Colombia, Ivory Coast, Senegal, South Africa, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kenya, Bosnia & Herzegovina and the United States.

    “We have excelled at competitions such as the Informatrix International Computer Project Olympiad, International Art Competition, International Mathematical Olympiad, Pan African Mathematics Olympiad, International Science and Environmental Project Competitions and so on,” he said.

    Unal  explained that NTIC’s template for achieving such impressive results includes individual guidance for pupils, integrating technology into education delivery, small class sizes, and other techniques that help skills development, as well as extracurricular activities.

    The DMD also said the education at NTIC was not for the rich as 30,000 pupils get 100 per cent scholarships in the school’s 16 branches in Abuja, Kaduna, Yobe, Kano, Ogun and Lagos states yearly.

  • How pupils can excel, by Tutor-General

    How pupils can excel, by Tutor-General

    The Tutor-General, Lagos State Ministry of Education District I Dr. Olufolayinka Abiose Ayandele, has said the zeal and determination to succeed are key to reaching the top.

    Speaking at the maiden edition of the Academic Excellence Initiative (AEI) of Alimosho Unit’s Award/Scholars’ Day, Dr Ayandele, represented by the Director of Education, Education District 1, Mrs Juliana Agunbiade told the pupils that not all of them can win in every competition, adding: “participation itself is a winning spirit. If you have the zeal and challenge to excel, no matter how many challenges you face, you would come out on top. Hard work does not kill, it only makes you stronger and at the end of the day, you would be the best.”

    Speaking on Education: The pivot of change, a lecturer at the Lagos State University (LASU) Dr Idowu Kazeem, urged the pupils to be creative.

    He said: “As change agents, education is needed for the required change. You need to have a goal which would give you a sense of direction and focus on your goal. Change your attitude positively and to do that, you have to be dedicated, determined and disciplined. You also need to know your priorities and set them right. Nigeria looks up to you as the future of tomorrow. You are the actors, don’t become the spectators. You must have a mentor and your mentor should be someone who would change your lives positively. Education is a tool for positive change.”

    Kazeem urged the government to honour teachers by employing the best graduates, paying them attractive salaries and providing an enabling environment for them to teach.

    Speaking on Shun examination malpractice and achieve academic excellence, Mr Kunle Lawore told the pupils that it is better to fail by honour than to pass by disgrace, adding that they would all pass if they worked hard.

    He said there were always three alternatives in an examination. The first is to join the bandwagon by cheating; the second is to bite the bullet and fail and the third is to soar above the storm and achieve excellence.

    Fifteen schools participated in a quiz competition with Tommia Community Secondary School coming top with 25 marks. Baptist Model High School is the first runner-up; Elias International Secondary School, the second runner-up.

    The winning schools were presented with a laptop; the two pupils that represented each school were awarded a tablet each. Other schools received consolation prizes.

    The Tutor-General received an award for the Humanitarian Educator of the Year. The Chairman on the occasion, Olamigoke Philip also received an award.

  • ‘Peterside ’ll excel in Rivers’

    ‘Peterside ’ll excel in Rivers’

    The Director-General of the Dakuku Peterside Campaign Organisation, Chief Victor Giadom, in this interview with BISI OLANIYI, explains why the All Progressives Congress (APC) will win the governorship election in Rivers State. He also speaks about how the standard bearer, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, will build on the legacies of Governor Rotimi Amaechi and other issues.

    Can  the APC governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer,  Nyesom Wike, at the general elections in Rivers State?

    It is common knowledge that Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon.  Rotimi Amaechi, has done well in the last eight years. It is imperative that we have a successor, who is properly schooled in leadership. We know that the APC governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, is a former Commissioner for Works in Rivers State and he has what it takes to maintain the legacies of our performing and focused governor, the  Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the Director-General of Buhari Campaign Organisation.

    He has been in the House of Representatives. I know that he has no other option, but to perform much better than Amaechi. It is the dream of every father to have a son that will do better than him.

    We are confident that one of the things we will achieve from the candidature of Peterside is improved and quality governance in Rivers State. So, we feel very proud and extremely honoured that our candidate will do the very best. You should expect the best from the Rivers APC’s governorship candidate, when he eventually wins the election. God willing, he will be inaugurated as the governor of Rivers State on May 29 this year.

    Dr. Peterside and his campaign team are not bothered about the noise being made by Nyesom Wike, the immediate past Minister of State for Education and his few supporters. They may depend on guns, bombs, thugs, dynamites, federal might, President Jonathan and his wife. But, we will continue to put our trust only in God and rely on the support of Rivers people,  who are ready to massively vote for Dr. Peterside.

    What is your assessment of the campaign so far?

    We have campaigned in some of the 23 local government areas of Rivers State. I am assuring Rivers people that Dr. Peterside will campaign in all the 23 local governments. Our campaign have been successful and will continue to be successful. We are focusing on issues and not abusing people or attacking personalities, the way PDP leaders are doing. We are on course. We will continue to leverage on our performance. We know that we have done well; to drive home our message and it will not be difficult for the electorate to embrace our  our candidate.

    Wike has made some allegations against Governor Amaechi and Peterside. How will you disabuse the minds of the people before the elections?

    I know that members of the public, especially Rivers people, are aware of the truth. They know that the government of Amaechi has done well in the past eight years. As Commissioner for Works, Dr. Peterside performed impressively before moving to the House of Representatives, where he is currently representing Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency. He is also the Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) and he is doing well in that regard.

    Are you comfortable leading Peterside’s Campaign Organisation?

    This is not new to me. By the grace of God, I successfully led the Presidential campaign in Rivers State in 2011. This is not a new terrain to me. I know what to do to also deliver Dr. Peterside on election day. I have my strategies and a very strong team of eminent personalities, who are highly experienced in politics. I am focused and I know that God will give us victory.

    Don’t you think the reconciliation in the PDP will affect the chances of the APC at the poll?

    We are not looking for people who are aggrieved in the PDP, but if they feel that they can find their future in the APC, we will not stop them. We have a membership that can drive the success of our great party, the APC. We have the kind of membership that will give us victory.

  • Akpoborie: Eagles need luck to excel

    Akpoborie: Eagles need luck to excel

    Former Nigeria international, Jonathan Akpoborie has declared that the Super Eagles will only win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations if they have luck on their side.

    Akpoborie noted that the team is not ripe enough to win the trophy because the squad is just evolving. He told Goal.com that he is not a pessimist, but is merely stating the obvious so that Nigerians will not expect too much from the players.

    “Stephen Keshi has done well. The players have responded to training and have shown enough commitment,” said Akpoborie. “There is a new playing culture in the team where the players are not sure of their positions again. The atmosphere is good for the team, but re-building a team takes more than two years to begin to see the benefits.

    “We have good players that are ready to write their names in gold, but the Nations Cup might be coming too soon for them. For the Super Eagles to make it in South Africa, they will need a lot of luck. The atmosphere must be right for them at all times in every match.

    “Without luck I don’t see Nigeria laying their hands on the trophy. And for you to have the luck, you must train and prepare very well. You don’t just sit down and expect that luck will shine on you. You must do your part by preparing very well.

    “I think the team is preparing well and what they now need is for luck to come their way in the tournament,” Akpoborie said. Nigeria will play in Group C alongside Zambia, Burkina Faso and Ethiopia.