The Nation Newspaper

Tag: host

  • Constituents host Ogun APC deputy governorship candidate

    The Ogun State deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, has been hosted by residents of Ota Ward 3 and other wards in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.

    She attended her ward meeting as part of activities for next year’s governorship campaigns.

    Mrs. Salako-Oyedele, who is the running mate to Prince Dapo Abiodun, told the people in her ward her plan to actualise their dreams, if elected in 2019.

    Expressing gratitude to her grassroots constituency for their support, the running mate said Abiodun had plans for them, especially in health, education, pension and economic empowerment.

    In health, Mrs Salako-Oyedele told the people that, if elected, the Abiodun administration would provide free healthcare for children from 0 and six years.

    The running mate said the administration would revamp existing healthcare facilities and build new ones.

    Guests at the meeting included Segun Ojolowo, Chief Durojaiye Aiyedogban, the Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperatives; Mr. Olaseni Koiki, and O. K. Salako, a former member of the Federal House of Representatives.

  • How not to host

    •Logistical crisis at Asaba Africa Athletics Championship a shame

    Hosting nary a tea party ought to be a task to be undertaken with utmost care and attention for any self-respecting host. Bringing athletes from the entire African continent therefore, should be a national event in which all concerned must consider a most patriotic duty.

    But this was not the case with the just-ended 21st African Senior Athletic Championship in Asaba, Delta State. Reports preceding the event which kicked off August 1 had been most unsavoury, to say the least. And the photograph of stranded foreign athletes sprawling on bare floor at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, last week Tuesday, was most disgraceful and a taint on Nigeria’s image.

    It is reported that contingents, chiefly from Kenya and about 200 athletes from a few other countries were stranded in Lagos up till late Tuesday evening, unable to connect flights to Asaba. For a tournament that was to start the following day, we consider this an inexcusable logistical calamity.

    It is well known that Asaba is peculiar in the sense that its airport has few scheduled flights. It also lacks night landing facility. These crucial facts ought to have been taken into consideration in scheduling the arrival of athletes. Many more airlines ought to have been pressed to service and possibly, chartered flights arranged for the occasion.

    In the event that all these failed, hotel accommodation ought to have been put on standby around the vicinity of the airport to ensure that athletes delayed for a few hours are kept in comfort while they await their flight.

    For an international event of this magnitude, it is expected that the Minister of Sports and even the Presidency would have taken keen interest and indeed played active roles in both the preparation, organisation and event proper to ensure that embarrassing glitches such as those reported did not arise at all. Deploying one or two jets from the presidential fleet to see to the smooth movement of delegates, especially considering Asaba airport’s peculiarities would have been most salutary.

    There were also several other unedifying reports. Nigeria’s Sydney Olympics gold medallist, Enefiok Udo-Obong, wrote on a whatsApp platform that, “There are problems, probably Asaba is not yet ready by my assessment… there are no floodlights, I heard they are still in Lagos, while painting is going on in darkness. Every contractor is rushing to finish because tomorrow’s events start by 9.00am.

    “In general, I see a lot of efforts, a lot of endeavours but the enormity of the occasion seems to have overwhelmed the LOC,” Udo-Obong surmised.

    This apparently encapsulates the situation of things in the Delta State capital for a tournament whose planning had been in the works for about two years.

    However, we are happy that the stranded athletes at last managed to arrive Asaba for the tee off of the tournament. The Kenyan contingent which had threatened to return home were in Asaba and were most sportsmanly with it: “Despite the hiccups here and there, which of course happens… we are still focused on taking all the medals,” says team leader, Peter Mutai.

    We tender our apologies to the  athletes and officials and urge Nigeria’s sports authorities and indeed the Federal Government to endeavour to show more than a passing interest in a tournament of this nature.

    Forward-looking countries seek opportunities to host big events and attract quality human traffic to their countries. They seek to showcase facilities and delight travellers so they can do repeat visits. Tourism is a big stimulant for today’s economies and it is very serious business.

    To win hosting rights for an African showpiece event which brings about 52 countries to one venue with over 1,500 participants is a feat not to be taken lightly. It is not for nothing that many countries engaged in underhand acts to host major sports events like the World Cup. The reason is that major events are a tonic to a country’s economy.

    This is hoping that the Federal Government would not only seek out great opportunities like these but must make the very best of them.

  • Lagos, others host PZ Cussons fashion fiesta

    The University of Jos, Port Harcourt, Benin, Lagos and Calabar have been chosen to host the maiden edition of PZ Cussons Imperial Leather and Canoe fashion design competition tagged ‘Masters of Style’. The competition is targeted at university undergraduates with talent in fashion designs.

    According to PZ Cussons, the competition is aimed at discovering young and budding talents aspiring to become fashion designers in the industry.

    Speaking on the initiative, the Head of Marketing, PZ Cussons, Charles Nnochiri said the competition would be open to only students of the selected universities across the country. “As you may know our brands, Imperial Leather and Canoe are big on luxury and style and have over the years supported many initiatives that have promoted the entrepreneurial spirit amongst Nigerian youths. We have only thought it necessary to set up a platform that will continue to give rise to fresh talents in fashion designing and give them the initial push and support they need to go on and achieve their dream of becoming top designers. The youth being the future of our nation is not lip service to the PZ brand. Therefore our need to invest in the brighter and productive future is what has given birth to the ‘Masters of Style’ competition,” he said.

  • Nigeria to host Afreximbank’s 25th anniversary

    Nigeria has emerged the host for the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) Annual Meetings (AAM2018) and 25th Anniversary scheduled to July 9-14, the bank announced at the weekend in Cairo.

    Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, conveyed the country’s readiness to host the event in a letter to the bank in which she stated that the Federal Government felt highly honoured at being considered to host the meetings and anniversary.

    The two events will be held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja and will feature seminars exploring various aspects of trade and economic development and looking at the transformation of African economies through trade.

    There will also be the meeting of the Afreximbank Advisory Group on Trade Finance and Export Development in Africa.

    Other activities include an investment forum hosted by the government, a trade exhibition, and formal celebration of the bank’s 25th Anniversary.

    The events will conclude with the bank’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).

  • Sterling Bank to host non-interest banking forum

    Sterling Bank will be organising a one-day public lecture on non-interest banking with theme: “Reducing Poverty and unemployment through Non-Interest Banking”. The event, which holds on January 15th, in Kano is in line with the lender’s  continuous bid to sensitize the public about non-interest banking, The event which is slated for the.

    It is also part of the bank’s commitment to deepen the awareness and public enlightenment of alternative finance or non-interest banking in Nigeria.

    Speaking on the programme, the Chief Host of the Lecture and Executive Director, Finance and Strategy, Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman, said the lender will continue to intensify efforts to sell the Sterling Alternative Finance offerings to customers and prospects while remaining a reference institution in the area of Non-Interest banking not only in Africa but globally.

    The Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is expected to headline the public lecture as the Royal Father of the day while the Executive Governor of Kano State,  Abdulahi Ganduje is the Special Guest of Honor.

  • Ebuka to host BBN season 3

    Ebuka to host BBN season 3

    Big Brother Naija season one alumnus and season 2 host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, is returning to host the third edition of the reality show.

    The lawyer turned media personality successfully hosted the second edition of Big Brother Naija which saw aspiring hip-hop artiste Efe Ejeba win N25 million prize money and a SUV after three months in the Big Brother house.  He also hosts the youth focused ‘Rubbin’ Minds’ on Channels Television, and is co-host of ‘Men’s Corner’ on Ebony Life Television.

    “We are thrilled to have Ebuka return as host of Big Brother Naija,” the Regional Director, M-Net West Africa, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu said.

    “This was the platform that unearthed his potential first as a housemate and then as a host, ultimately launching him to stardom. He is a prime example of what the Big Brother platform offers, as he has proven over the years to be one of Nigeria’s biggest names in pop culture and entertainment whilst also lending his voice to youth empowerment initiatives. Fans and viewers alike are familiar with his cool, debonair and witty on air and on stage personality, and they are guaranteed to enjoy the excitement that he brings to the Big Brother Naija show.”

    Following the recent announcement of Big Brother Naija’s return for a third edition, auditions for the show held in six locations across Nigeria drawing massive crowds with the promise of 45 million naira worth of prizes available to the eventual winner of the show. Big Brother Naija is sponsored by Payporte.

  • Oil firm advocates synergy among host communities

    Heritage Energy Operational Service Limited (HEOSL) at the weekend called for synergy between host communities and stakeholders in OML 30 to prevent vandals from tampering with oil facilities.

    The company made this appeal through its Media Relations and Internal Communications Coordinator, Mr. Chidi Orazulike.

    It was reacting to reports on the spillage in Evwreni Well 8 and 9 of OML 30.

    Orazulike said the spill might have been caused by vandals.

    He said the company’s Health, Safety, Security, Environment and Quality (HSSEQ) Department was informed of the incident by field officers, who notified their partners and other relevant authorities, including Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

    According to him, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) was also notified, and mobilised for a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to ascertain the volume of spill, extent of environmental impact and cost of remediation.

    His words: “The evaluation team was denied access to the site by agitating community members, who gave conditions as means to access the site for spill containment and remediation. So the team was rendered inconclusive, but was later given access for repairs after serious deliberations.”

    The people of Egbo quarters of Uwheru, Ughelli North, had cried to the company to intervene in an oil spill in one of its facilities at Evwreni Wells 8 and 9 of OML 30, since October 20.

    A local leader, Odion Andrew Umukoro, said they woke up  to discover oil gushing out from the well head. They contacted the company but got no response.

    Umukoro said the spill might have been caused by failed equipment inherited from SPDC by Heritage.

  • CSR: We are committed to host community devt, says NIPCO

    CSR: We are committed to host community devt, says NIPCO

    NIPCO Plc has restated its commitment to host community development as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, especially in education development through facility upgrade and co -curricular activities in primary schools in Lagos State.

    NIPCO’s Chief Corporate Affairs Manager (CCAM), Mr Lawal Taofeek, stated this in an address at the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Sports Festival /Merit Award for primary school pupils and teachers in Apapa sponsored by NIPCO .

    He said NIPCO has over the years embarked on series of facility upgrade in primary schools in the state, especially in its host communities with Apapa Nursery & Primary School and Ijora Oloye Nursery & Primary schools, being some of the beneficiaries.

    “We see our interventions in education and sports as a social investment, which will pay off greatly in the standards of education and sports development in the local and state levels,”he said.

    According to Lawal, NIPCO has been a consistent sponsor of the event aside from facilitating the inter-house sports festival of its adopted school in the area – Apapa Nursery & Primary School, for years. He noted that the events provide a veritable platform for sourcing young talents that could raise the bar for the local and state governments in sports.

    Lawal, who represented the company’s Managing Director, Sanjay Teotia, at the twin event which attracted large turnout of pupils and teachers, said the sponsorship was  in line with the organisation’s long standing cordial relationship with the community

    “NIPCO places high premium on youth development through sports and good learning environment for pupils, especially at the foundation levels – nursery/primary stages,” Lawal said, adding that it was the zeal for youth development through sports and education that prompted the company to refurbish four classrooms in Apapa Nursery & Primary School and provided furniture and sporting materials to the nursery section of Ijora Oloye Nursery & Primary School.

    According to him, unearthing the budding talents in the pupils through sports is of utmost value to the company as sports play very significant role in the development of the child. He assured the teeming crowd at the event that NIPCO, as a responsible corporate citizen, will continue to associate with sports and education development through appropriate support as occasion demands.

    The Secretary of the State Universal Basic Education Authority (SUBEB), Apapa Local Government Area (LGA), Mrs. Olawepo Fausat, paid  glowing tributes to NIPCO for its consistency in supporting education and sports in the LGA, stressing that its noble gesture is worthy of commendation

    She said the event was organised to further motivate members of staff in primary schools in the area as well as provide avenue for sports development.

  • Organisers name Akon as host of AFRIMA 2017

    Organisers name Akon as host of AFRIMA 2017

    African-American music star, Akon, has been unveiled as host of the 4th annual All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) scheduled to hold on Sunday, November 12, 2017 at the Eko Convention Centre of the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

    Organisers announced on Tuesday, that the Senegal-born superstar will helm proceedings at the live broadcast of the award show scheduled to air on over 80 television stations and online platforms across the world.

    The singer will be supported by Ms. Sophy Aiida, a Cameroonian-French entertainment broadcaster, as co-host of the show.

    With a track record of outstanding success in the global music industry that has brought immense recognition to Africa’s creative energy and originality, Akon, a multi-Grammy award winning singer, songwriter, record producer and actor, has put his name in the Guinness Book of World Record as the number one selling artiste for master ringtones in the world.

    Ranked the fifth most powerful celebrity in Forbes’s Africa list of 40, Akon is also a business man and philanthropist who is passionate about the African continent. He provides electricity for 15 African countries through his “Light Africa Project” and supports underprivileged African youngsters through his Konfidence Initiative. He runs music labels, Konvict Music and Kon Live Republic successfully.

    Sophy Aiida is a prolific broadcaster who is known on radio as Cameroon’s biggest-girl-next-door. Sophy was born in Paris, moved to New York where she spent 15 years before returning to Cameroon to contribute to her homeland. The multilingual and multi-talented woman is regarded as one of Central Africa’s biggest show host. Sophy has also acted in rave African French-speaking movies and has also dropped a debut single.  Sophy Aiida is the co-founder of the Nakande Project, an initiative that supports the emergence of great young women through its education, empowerment and mentorship programmes. She has hosted various annuals show and events in Africa.

    Ahead of the main event, the AFRIMA Music Village is scheduled to hold on Friday, November 10. The Music Village is an evening of non-stop open music festival of live performances from African stars and nominees, with an audience of 40,000 people. It will also be broadcast live and produced by a prominent experiential marketing/production agency in Africa, Backstage Pro.

    The annual All Africa Music Awards in partnership with the African Union Commission, is a celebration of Africa by rewarding the creativity and originality of African artistes and songwriters with the resplendent 23.9 carat gold-plated AFRIMA trophy. The 2017 Main Awards Ceremony, in association with Lagos State of Nigeria, the Official Host City, will be a colourful, performance-packed event graced by music stars, industry legends, captains of industries, diplomats, government officials, music lovers across the continent. The event will be broadcast live across 84 countries in Africa.

    Also lined up for the weekend of AFRIMA 2017 is Africa Music Business Roundtable in Association with TRACE with the theme, Digital Takeover: Shaping the Future of African Music (November 10). AMBR is a platform created by AFRIMA for engagement on music, money, media and evolving global business practices as they affect the creative industries in Africa.

  • Rwand Air to host African airlines’ 49th AGM in Kigali

    RwandAir will play host to the 49th Annual General Assembly (AGA) and Summit of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) scheduled to take place at the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda from November 12-14.

    This important yearly event which was last held in Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe last November, is expected to attract over 500 high profile delegates from the aviation industry in Africa, Europe, Middle East, Asia and North America.

    Addressing the reporters during a press conference held in Kigali as part of an advance visit, AFRAA Secretary- General, Dr. Elijah Chingosho, said: “The AFRAA AGA is the premier gathering of senior global aviation executives in Africa. Annually, the AGA brings together global aviation leaders and stakeholders to take stock of aviation milestones and plan the future for the development of African aviation.”

    The AGA will discuss issues on the development of air transport in Africa in general and development opportunities for African airlines in particular.

    Air transport in Africa is an economic bridge – linking people, goods and capital to markets and industries and integrating the vast continent.

    AFRAA President/Ag, CEO of RwandAir, Chance Ndagano  thanked AFRAA for the opportunity to host this major aviation event.

    He stated that hosting the event in Rwanda, presented an excellent opportunity to strengthen aviation in the country and further promotes the tourism sector.

    ”It is a pleasure and an honor to host the 49 th AFRAA Annual General Assembly and Summit in Kigali. RwandAir looks forward to welcome airline top executives and other aviation stakeholders to Remarkable Rwanda – the land of a thousand hills,” he added.