The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Excitement

  • Glamour, excitement as drum festival begins in Ogun

    The 2018 edition of the annual African Drums Festival began yesterday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, with glamour and excitement.

    There were colourful dances by troupes, who danced to drums, which depicted the unique but diverse Africa’s rich cultural heritages.

    The festival, an initiative of the Governor Ibikunle Amosun administration, has as its theme: “Reviving our culture in drums.”

    About 25 of the 36 states, 60 private cultural troupes and many African countries attended the opening ceremony.

    Amosun said the festival, the third edition, has assumed an international dimension, fostering unity and boosting socio-cultural and economic development of Ogun State.

    Troupes from Ghana, South Africa, Benin Republic, Mali, Togo, Ivory Coast, among others, entertained and competed for prizes.

    Dignitaries including the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Muhammed, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III and Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, attended the event.

    Others are Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, Obong of Calabar, Etubom Ekpo and Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle.

  • LG’s CLOi Robot sparks interest and excitement among consumers

    LG’s CLOi Robot sparks interest and excitement among consumers

    Riding waves within the Artificial Intelligent [AI] technology recently is LG’s CLOi Robot which was launched at the international Consumer Electronic Show [CES] 2018. While keeping up the momentum within the AI-led technology and products, LG’s CLOi Robot which made its debut appearance at the recently concluded LG Middele East Africa[MEA] Innofest 2018 drew spurring interest from attendees with high excitement and anticipations.

    LG Electronics announced the creation of ThinQ brand to identify all of its 2018 home appliances, consumer electronics and services that utilise artificial intelligence, explained President, LG Electronics Middle East & Africa, Mr. Kevin Cha, at a media event at the LG brand shop in Ogba Lagos. “LG ThinQ products and services will all have the ability to employ deep learning and communicate with one another, utilising a variety of AI technologies from other partners as well as LG’s own AI technology, DeepThinQ.”

    According to acognitive AI systems, the MEA spending on cognitive and AI Systems is expected to pass USD 114 million by 2021. Gartner has also forecasted that 50 percent of all analytical interactions will be delivered via AI in the next three to five years.

    Furthermore, according to the 2017 World Economic Forum’s Global Shaper survey, young people in the Middle East and North Africa expect the Fourth Industrial Revolution to have a significant impact on their working and daily lives, while many are comfortable about living in a future where robots work and exist alongside humans.

    “The advancements in AI and robotics are expected to transform lifestyles and industries around the world, ultimately improving humankind’s experiences from reducing repetitive tasks at home or work to even eliminating age-old malignant practices which is why significant investments will be made in this area,” said Cha. “We are confident that as the years progress, consumers in the region will see significant value brought to their lives by our AI-enabled electronics and home appliances making it extremely fruitful for both them as well as our retail and distribution partners,” he added.

    “The purpose of the ThinQ brand is to highlight that LG intelligent products are always thinking of you in order to make your life better. With AI being at the next frontier in technology, LG is working towards making AI more approachable and less intimidating.”

    DeepThinQ 1.0 was developed last year with the establishment of LG’s Artificial Intelligence Lab in Korea to accelerate research into AI. The platform enables easy integration of AI into a wider range of products, allowing LG product developers to apply deep-learning technologies to future products. In line with the open strategy of its recently announced AI brand ThinQ, LG products developed with DeepThinQ – from mobile devices to home appliances – will deliver a comprehensive user experience by linking a host of technologies and solutions to its state-of-the-art AI platform.

    “LG is committed to enhancing its portfolio of products with AI,” added Marketing Director, LG Electronics, Middle East & Africa, Mr. Derek Sim. “Globally, our mission has always been to add value to people’s lives and we strongly believe that investing in emerging technologies will significantly contribute to this goal. We are excited about what the future will bring and we look forward to how we can assist our valued customers become even more productive and efficient in their daily lives.”

     

  • Christian youths need not seek excitement outside, says Olukoya

    Christian youths need not seek excitement outside, says Olukoya

    General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) Worldwide, Dr Daniel Olukoya, has declared that Christian youths do not need to go outside the church to find musical and entertainment excitement.

    He spoke at the maiden Mountain Top Mega Concert organised by MFM at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.

    Olukoya said music can be an indicator of how far or close one is to God, citing the three categories of the archangels Gabriel, Michael and Lucifer as heads of the messengers, warriors and worshippers respectively.

    However, because of the beauty of worship songs, he asserted Lucifer is so jealous when Christians worship God.

    According to him, the three-and-half hour performance by different praise bands, groups and soloists, all of MFM ministries, was just twenty per cent of what the church has to offer, musically.

    The popular preacher assured the musicians and singers that could not perform at the first edition because of time will perform at the next edition of the concert.

    Olukoya and his wife, Pastor Sade, both choristers in their youth, were the hosts of the event.

    They commended the excited audience, pointing out that the country is endowed with talented youths only waiting for the window of opportunity to display their talents.

    Notable groups and solo performers that featured included the Youth Choir, which did Praise Medley; Seyi Moses; Uche Okereke and Richard Peters, who did worship medleys.

    Heavenly Voices Acappella Singers did Omi Iye (Living Water); Divine Symphony Orchestra did Pomp and Circumstance by Edward Elgar while Osazee Adekola did He’s got the whole world (Negro Spiritual) and Why do the heathen rage (adapted from the Magic Flute by Wolfgang A. Mozart).

    Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Dr. Erastus Akingbola, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and a host of others attended the classical concert.

     

  • Excitement as Elumelu donates project to students

    Excitement as Elumelu donates project to students

    Students of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) living off-campus trooped out in excitement to witness the opening of a pedestrian bridge linking their hostels with the university. The bridge was constructed and donated by Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc Board of Directors, Mr Tony Elumelu.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that Elumelu, through UBA Foundation, acted on a distress letter sent to him by students, pleading for support in constructing a bridge on the swampy Kofar Mata area, one of the tributaries of Rima River. Before the bridge was constructed, the area was impassable, especially during rainy season, leaving students with no choice than to go through a long route to school.

    After attending National Dialogue Series organised by the Students’ Union Government (SUG) last August, Elumelu engaged students to know their challenges. The students, it was learnt, raised the issue and Elumelu promised to construct the bridge.

    The cost of construction of the 153-metre long concrete bridge was not disclosed to CAMPUSLIFE, but the project was said to have gulped multi-million naira.

    The SUG president, Idris Maibasira, led students to the opening of the bridge, praising Elumelu and the UBA Foundation for donating the project. With the completion of the bridge, Idris said he had fulfilled one of his campaign promises to students.

    On how he got Elumelu to construct the bridge, the union president said: “We wrote to the state governors and lawmakers in Sokoto State and other neighbouring states, but we didn’t get any positive response. It was by accident we organised a National Dialogue Series for students and Elumelu came through when he engaged students after the programme,”he said.

    On how much the project cost, Idris said UBA Foundation unilaterally funded the project, using its own contractors.

    “We initially estimated the cost of the project to be N12.7 million before the UBA Foundation came through. The length and width of the bridge were calculated to be 153-metre and 2.5 metre. But since UBA Foundation took up the project, we were not informed about how much was spent on the construction,” the union president said.

    Idris described Elumelu as a “global icon”, saying his impacts on the lives of the students would not be forgotten.

    Some of students, who spoke with CAMPUSLIFE, expressed appreciation to both the union leaders and the UBA Foundation for the project.

    Jabir Sanusi, a 200-Level Biological Science student, said: “We will continue to be grateful to the UBA Foundation for this kind gesture. I was personally surprised that the project was accomplished within the twinkle of an eye.”

    Another student, Zainab Abubakar, 500-Level Law, said: “The Kofar Mata route was an eyesore before the bridge was constructed. We used to experience a lot of inconvenience crossing the river. It is the closest route to my faculty and I didn’t have any option then. But, now it is a different issue and we are grateful to Mr Elumelu.”

    In appreciation, Nadia Alqazeem of Faculty of Arts and Islamic Studies expressed gratitude to the union president. She said: “We must appreciate the SUG president for this great achievement, even though he was not the one who constructed the bridge. His initiative led to the project. This is a good legacy.”

    Blessing Kamchia, a 400-Level Agriculture student, said: “The bridge has really eased our challenges in accessing the campus from Kofar Mata route. I used to go through the other route during rainy season. Now, the feeling is like stepping out of our rooms into the campus.”

    The Dean of Students’ Affair, Prof Adamu Aliyu Aliero, conveyed the school’s appreciation to the UBA Foundation on the project.

    He said: “The school management is happy with the development, which was made possible with the help of the UBA Foundation. We also commend the effort of the Students’ Union towards the realisation of this project.”

     

     

  • Excitement as Coscharis showcases BMW 5 Series

    Excitement as Coscharis showcases BMW 5 Series

    Auto lovers at BMW Club 2017 Bimmerfest were thrilled by the new BMW 5 Series.

    The car was brought to the event held at the Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island Lagos, by Coscharis Motors Plc in partnership with BMW Club Nigeria.

    It was aimed at celebrating BMW achievements and its enthusiasts across the country while highlighting BMW performance.

    Coscharis Group General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Abiona Babarinde, said the essence of the collaboration with the BMW Club Nigeria was to create an enabling environment for BMW owners and fans in Nigeria.

    “It is an avenue for the customers to be celebrated as proud owners of their favourite BMW automobile brand and share experiences amongst each other while Coscharis Motors, as the exclusive representative of BMW, gladly takes feedback towards effective resolution of any after sales setbacks overtime to further delight the customers for their continued loyalty,” Abiona said.

    One of the key highlights of the event was when Coscharis BMW National Sales Manager, Joseph Omokhapue, demonstrated some of the unique features in the new BMW 5 series.

    The car offers the driver unbeatable support – not only at critical moments but also in less demanding situations at the wheel, such as traffic jams, slow-moving traffic and monotonous stretches of motorway.

    The 5 Series is fitted as standard with a stereo camera, which teams up with optional radar and ultrasound sensors to monitor the area around the car.

    New features in the BMW 5 Series alongside the evasion aid and crossing traffic warning are the Lane Change Assistant and Lane Keeping Assistant with active side collision protection.

    “The latter keeps an eye on the lane markings and the area around the car, and actively helps the driver to avoid looming collisions by applying corrective steering inputs. Similarly, the Park Assist helps the car to identify available space and park itself with minimal or no assistance from the driver,” Omokhapue said.

     

  • Excitement as QMA registration heats up

    Excitement as QMA registration heats up

    With over 500 contestants expressing interest so far, the forthcoming second edition of Queen Móremí Àjàsorò (QMA) Beauty Pageant has continued to generate interest and excitement among Nigerian ladies even as organisers have fixed September 30 as closing date for entries.

    The organisers have expressed delight with the number of entries received for the competition given the diversity, statistics and stunning beauty of the ladies that have put in the pageant, declaring that this year’s event, with the grand finale holding in Lagos in November, will be keenly contested and that the judges would have a tough time deciding on the queen.

    Youth Ambassador for QMA project, Ms. Florence Bodunri Hungbo, states that registration for this year’s edition is free and will close by Saturday September 30. Participation, she said, is exclusive to young girls of Yoruba descent.

    The winner of this year’s edition will receive a cash prize of N5 million, which is meant for investment as part of the empowerment programme of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja 11), who is the patron of the beauty pageant. Other prizes include a brand new saloon car and a wardrobe of designers’ outfits from leading fashion brands.

    The winner will also automatically become a cultural ambassador to the Ooni of Ife as the pageant is expected to showcase ladies with beauty, strong presence and aura, intelligent, and cultural awareness, as well as exemplify the heroic attributes of Ife’s greatest queen.

    Also speaking on the virtues of Queen Móremí Àjàsorò, the Ooni of Ife, said, “Móremí Àjàsorò exhibited an unrivalled heroism of world’s liberty and dedicated her life to the liberation of mankind by sacrificing her only child to free the people of Oodua land from the invasion of some faceless terrorists thousands of years ago.”

  • Excitement as Fed Govt begins Lagos-Ibadan electric rail system

    Excitement as Fed Govt begins Lagos-Ibadan electric rail system

    The Federal Government has begun construction of the electric rail system from Ibadan to Lagos to modernise rail transportation across the country.

    The project, which is to be delivered within one year, is expected to ease transportation problems on the Ibadan-Lagos Expressway.

    Residents of Omi-Adio and environs in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, were excited as work started on the rail project.

    Director-General, Oyo State Bureau of Physical Planning and Development Alhaji Waheed Gbadamosi addressed reporters yesterday in Ibadan on the selection of sites for the project.

    He said two sites were selected by the state to facilitate the project, which he said would be beneficial to the people.

    Contractors have deployed heavy equipment for excavation in one of the sites at Omi-Adio.

    Gbadamosi said: “The current government is committed to the welfare of the people as well as to the socio-economic development of the country. The electric rail system, when completed, will drive development. You only need 10 to 15 minutes to travel from Ibadan to Lagos. And you know what that means for the people in terms of development and economic growth.”

    The director-general noted that the Federal Government, in partnership with the state, designed and vetted the project to aid the growth and develop the state’s economy.

    He said the state had started work on alignment of the proposed railway on Ogunpa River channel, to be built by the government.

  • Excitement over Buhari’s return

    Excitement over Buhari’s return

    There was excitement across the country for the second day running yesterday, following President Muhammadu Buhari’s return from 103-day medical vacation in London.

    Prayers were said for him in some churches and and at the Aso Villa Chapel during a service attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    Jubilant youths held rallies in Buhari’s home state Katsina and Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.

    The Kogi State Government declared today a public holiday to enable the people “pray for the president”.

    But the Nigeria Medical Assocaition (NMA) urged the Federal Government to  equip hospitals to enable doctors have the equipment to treat all ailments such that the president would not have to travel abroad for treatment. It, however, acknowledged that President Buhari, like any other person, “has a right to a second medical opinion”.

    Worshippers, during the Sunday Service at the Aso Villa Chapel expressed their joy in songs and dance.

    They sang in Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba to give glory to God for healing the President.

    The Chapel’s Administrator, Rev Isaac Ambi, who presided over the service, said the church was happy that the President had a safe return.

    He said: “We want to rejoice with our father, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, for the safe return of our President and our father, Muhammadu Buhari. And we also want to thank God on how He has used you in piloting the affairs of Nigeria while the president was away.”

    Prof. Durosinmi Etti urged the worshippers to celebrate the Lord for the President’s life.

    He then sang the popular song: “What shall we say unto the Lord, All we have to say is thank you Lord…” to rejoice with the President.

    Prayers of thanksgiving were said in the three major languages by the immediate-past Chairman of the Federal  Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Deaconess Juan Ayo; Reverend Ambi and Mr. King Opuru.

    A special ministration with the title: “All things are working for my good” was also rendered by the choir.

    In his sermon entitled: “What is new for a Christian”, Rev Ambi urged everyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour to continue to live according to the dictates of Christ.

    About 30 civil society groups in Katsina State staged a peaceful rally yesterday in support of President Buhari.

    The civil organisations drawn from the 34 local government areas of the state trooped to the Katsina metropolis to express their happiness.

    State chairman of the coalition of civil society organisations Bashir Ruwangodiya led the groups to the Government House in Katsina, where he presented a solidarity letter for delivery to the President.

    He called on Nigerians to support Buhari to discharge his constitutional role as President.

    Governor Aminu Masari praised Nigerians for their steadfastness in prayers and the support for the President while he was away.

    Masari said the President’s safe return was the handiwork of the Almighty God and an indication that He had answered the prayers of Nigerians and the country’s friends.

    In Gusau, where youths also marched in solidarity, Governor Abdul’aziz Yari who is also chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), praised Nigerians for their sustained prayers that led to the recovery and return of the President.

    To Yari, Buhari’s return represents “great hope” for the nation.

    Yari said the prayers of  Nigerians showed the high level of unity in the country in a statement issued by his  Special Adviser on Media, Public Enlightenment and Communication, Alhaji Ibrahim Dosara.

    The governor also described Buhari’s arrival as the best event of the year.

    Kinsley Fanwo, the Director -General, Media and Publicity to Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, said the Kogi holiday was to enable the people give thanks to God for Buhari’s return in sound health and sound mind.

    He said the decision was also in line with the support the people had been giving to Buhari in his efforts at correcting the ills of the past and putting the nation on a sound economic footing.

    “We urge Kogites to also use the occasion of the public holiday to pray for Mr. President as he resumes his responsibilities of repositioning Nigeria, “the statement said.

  • Excitement as The Nation clocks 11

    Excitement as The Nation clocks 11

    IT was an exciting time yesterday at The Nation.

    Members of the staff were in festive mood as they rolled out the drums to celebrate the newspaper’s 11th anniversary.

    The “Quadrangle” at the Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos home of the newspaper was filled up during a praise and worship session organised to mark the event.

    Assistant Pastor in charge of Administration of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lagos (Province 17) Seye Adeniyi, in his sermon, urged the management and the workers to aspire beyond their present achievements.

    Adeniyi was optimistic that The Nation will soar higher because it has always acknowledged God by organising the annual thanksgiving service.

    Speaking on the theme: “Moving forward”, the cleric attributed The Nation’s success to divine intervention, particularly at a period of economic recession, which, he said, saw many of its contemporaries either closing shop or laying off their workforce.

    Reading from the Book of Genesis Chapter 26 Verses 12-13, Adeniyi alluded to Isaac, son of Abraham, who contemplated leaving Gerar, which was the Philistines’ abode, to Egypt owing to the famine in the land, but had to rescind that decision having remembered the covenant God had with Abraham his father.

    “God blessed Isaac bountifully because he listened to God by staying back in a land, which was experiencing famine at the time.  This is the same testimony of The Nation that despite the economic recession in the country, it still survived and even grew stronger,” Adeniyi said

    According to the cleric, attaining greater heights required concerted efforts. He added that the management and the workers must set target, which must be evaluated by the next anniversary.

    To get to the zenith, Adeniyi identified three secrets of moving forward. These, he said, include: offering thanksgiving to God; making God one’s ally and having a motivation mindset.

    “All of you must team up and acknowledge that we are not where we supposed to be yet,” Adeniyi said.

    He continued: “As said earlier, our goal is to be number one newspaper. So, let’s look beyond where we are and explore opportunities, even in the face of the present socio-economic hardship. We have a standard, there are still opportunities for improvement.”

    The Nation’s Executive Director (Finance and Administration) Mr. Ade Odunewu, who led rapturous singing and dancing at the event, said every worker had reasons to celebrate because the newspaper’s success belonged to all.

    Odunewu described as ‘miraculous’ the company’s survival owing to the recession.

    “Our debtors owed us to the tune of over N2 billion. But, we were able to reverse this because we called on all workers to go out and retrieve our money, which we did to a large extent.

    “I’m happy to tell this gathering that as at today, the totality of our balance sheet shows we are not owing any bank. Instead of our liability exceeding our asset, the reverse is now the case.”

    Odunewu, who described the sermon as apt, noted that God has been kind because the company has not recorded a single death of any worker since June 1, 2016.

    He conveyed to members felicitations from the Managing Director/Chief Executive officer (CEO) Mr. Victor Ifijeh.

    General Manager (Training & Development) Pastor Soji Omotunde led a brief prayer session to kick-start the event.

    The event ended with the Editor, Sunday Mr. Festus Eriye delivering the closing prayers.

    Group Business Editor Mr. Simeon Ebulu; Manager, Administration Folake Adeoye; Deputy Editor, Saturday Mr. Vincent Akanmode and others attended the event.

  • Shuga Band closes Lagos @ 50 with excitement

    Shuga Band closes Lagos @ 50 with excitement

    After weeks of celebration, Lagos @ 50 ended on Saturday, May 27, 2017 with a gala night at Lagos House, Ikeja, featuring music, cuisine, photo exhibition and the unveiling of a photographic book that captures the essence of Lagos.

    And on hand to serenade high calibre socialites, captains of industries and political bigwigs was the Shuga Band. And the band lived up to its billings.

    While the host, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, recited Lagos praise poetry, Shuga sang covers of the best Lagos highlife songs such as ‘Taxi Driver’, ‘Eko Akete’ and ‘My Lagos’ – an adaptation of the popular ‘Eko o Gba Gbere’ song released by the band two years ago –in sync with Ambode’s poetry which eulogised Lagos as “the smallest, the richest, the oldest”, further amplifying the state’s vaunted character as a land of opportunities where “fortune favours the brave”.

    The governor and his deputy, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, were later joined by other dignitaries including the first governor of Lagos State, Brig. Gen. Mobolaji Johnson, acting president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Lagos’ former governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader, Asiwaju Tinubu, first civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande and former military governor of Lagos State, Rear Admiral Ndubusi Kanu for a cake-cutting ceremony to the swinging tune of ‘Happy Birthday to You’ by the Shuga Band.

    Other guests at the event included current governors like Rochas Okorocha, Isiaka Ajimobi, Ayo Fayose,  Ibrahim Dankwambo and Ibikunle Amosun of Imo, Oyo, Ekiti, Gombe and Ogun States respectively. Also present were Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu I.

    The Lagos-based 14-piece group, led by Akiin Shuga (real name Akinloye Tofowomo) is a widely travelled band that is not new to high-profile events.

    “It is an evening to celebrate all Lagosians and everyone who has ruled Lagos,” said an excited Akiin Shuga who was excited that his band was the preferred official band for the Lagos @ 50 occassion.

    “And I feel honoured to be among them.”

    Today, Shuga Band is synonymous with weddings, corporate and other social engagements. The band has also played for fans across the world, from Paris to Sri Lanka to Dubai and America.