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Tag: maiden

  • Benin Film Academy to hold maiden graduation ceremony

    Benin Film Academy to hold maiden graduation ceremony

    Barely a year after its establishment, the Benin Film Academy (BFA) will today, be graduating its first set of students in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    Founder of the academy, award-winning filmmaker, Lacelot Imasuen, described the occasion as a dream come true for him.

    “We are going to hold our maiden graduation ceremony for the first set of students of the Benin Film Academy, numbering about 50. We said it, and it happened. We have one of the graduating students playing a major role in an upcoming movie. We promised that we will be taking the aspiring Nollywood greats from the streets to the big screen. And that’s exactly what we are doing,” the filmmaker stated.

    Imasuen revealed that during the ceremony, all the short films produced by the graduands will be screened to the admiration of the guests at the event.

    The filmmaker also, announced the premiering of his latest film, ‘Crushed’ in Benin on Sunday.

    BFA was established last year by the popular filmmaker and director in partnership with Igbinedion University, Okada. The film school was officially opened on Tuesday, June 13, 2017, while lectures commenced June 19.

    “Benin Film Academy, a gateway to the heart of Nollywood across the Niger/Delta and the Midle-Belt region is established to groom the new faces that will rule the big screen in the country,” Imasuen added.

  • LSE lists three Obijackson Group firms in maiden report

    LSE lists three Obijackson Group firms in maiden report

    About 343 firms in Africa were listed in the maiden edition of the Companies to Inspire Africa Report unveiled in Lagos. Fifty-nine were Nigerian companies, with three from the Obijackson Group, EMEKA UGWUANYI reports.

    The London Stock Exchange (LSE) has unveiled the maiden edition of its “Companies to Inspire Africa Report.”

    The unveiling of the report which covers 343 African firms of which 59 are nigerian companies took place in Lagos during the week.

    At the event, LSE Group Chief Executive Officer, Xavier Rolet, said: “The motivation behind researching and publishing this report was to demonstrate what we instinctively believe – that these companies are fundamental to the successful future of the African economy, with enormous potential for growth and high quality job creation. High growth private companies are fast becoming the driving force behind African economies: and are developing skills, creating high quality jobs and driving economic growth.”

    He said three of the 12 companies under the Obijackson Group, an integrated oil and gas conglomerate, made the list, which was compiled by LSE, African Development Bank (AfDB), PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), CDC Group, Citi, FTI Consulting and Diamond Bank.

    The companies are Nestoil, Energy Works Technology (EWT) and B&Q Dredging. Nestoil Limited is the Group’s oil and gas pipeline construction arm.

    EWT is a specialist in pressure vessels, process plant equipment, and oil and gas steel structures manufacturing. It is also an ISO 9001:2008 and UKAS-certified manufacturer. B&Q Dredging has the largest fleet of dredgers in Nigeria.

    “The report showcases Africa’s success stories to investors, policy makers and other stakeholders in the global space.

    According to Rolet, the rigorous evaluation, which resulted in the identification of the nominated firms included an analysis of the company status, growth capacity over the past three years in terms of revenues, staff strength and operational output. Revenue analysis was based on audited financial accounts, undertaken and accredited by one of the “Big Four”audit firms.

    Highlighting the efficiency of the companies in the report, Rolex said: “The companies listed and profiled in the report boast an impressive average compound annual growth rate of 16 per cent.”

    The World Bank Treasurer, Ms. Arumah Oteh, who was at the event, said:“The companies profiled in the report, not only generate vital employment opportunities and contribute to sustainable economic growth, but are also the bastions of Best Practices and Good Corporate Governance. They have also had to weather the challenges that African private entities often have to contend with, notably a difficult operating environment, weak infrastructure and inadequate access to finance.”

    Obijackson Group Group Managing Director  Dr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, who expressed delight over three of his firms making the list, said: “This recognition has joined the list of factors propelling our Group forward to the achievement of greater level of best practices, good governance, quality and efficiency, in our effort to help lift a huge number of people out of poverty on the continent. We happily accept the recognition and interpret it as a call for us in the Obijackson Group to remain focused in our mission of contributing substantially to economic growth, further creation of quality jobs, training and sustaining some of the best talents in Africa, generation of tax revenues and helping to drive forward our continent of Africa that is home to more than one billion people.”

    Also, President, Council of the European Union (EU), Prof Edward Scicluna, who also attended the unveiling of the report,  said: “The companies showcased in the “Companies to Inspire Africa  Report” will generate productive jobs and sustainable livelihoods, and this is an admirable milestone in the rise of Africa’s entrepreneurs – sharing theirs success with the global community.”

    Another guest, the Rt. Hon. Priti Patel, a member of the British Parliament and the British Secretary of State, Department for International Development, said: “Companies to Inspire Africa showcases some of the outstanding stories of innovation, bravery and growth across the continent. It brings Africa’s entrepreneurial spirit to an international audience, and I would like to congratulate all the companies featured, for their vision, ambition and tenacity. It is their success that will drive Africa forward to a future of prosperity and away from reliance on international aid.”

    The Obijackson Group of Companies, with exceptional technical capabilities and proven expertise in every sphere of its operations, has been acknowledged as one of the fastest-growing conglomerates in sub-Saharan Africa.

    The Group has over 2,000 employees. Its other subsidiaries are Shipside Dry-dock, Hammakopp Construction, Impac Oil and Gas Engineering, Nesthak Limited, Century Power Generation, Nesto Aviation Services and Neconde Energy Limited.

  • Campus writers elect leaders at maiden convention

    Members of the National Union of Campus Journalists (NUCJ) – the umbrella body for student-writers – converged on the University of Ibadan (UI) for their maiden national convention. The convention was attended by delegates from some tertiary institutions.

    Delivering a keynote speech titled: Student advocacy: The dawn of a new age, Mr Oluwatope Alabi, a journalist with the Osun State branch of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Osogbo, said the activities of student-journalists had boosted campus advocacy in the last eight years, which exposed cases of injustice suffered by students.

    He said pressure groups, such as the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), had failed in fighting for the rights and welfare of students across campuses, adding that students now look up to campus journalists whenever their rights are trampled upon.

    He said: “As the last hope of your colleagues, posterity will not forgive you when they suffer injustice and you don’t write about it. You must speak for others and let their welfare be your happiness. In doing so, intimidations will come from the authorities, but a committed journalist will always have his way.”

    Urging the NUCJ members to unite and forge a common front in achieving their goals, Alabi said: “Remove all barriers that can prevent you from collaborating among yourselves and speak with one voice. Face the objective of serving students everywhere; spread your tentacles to private and faith-based institutions. Build a formidable partnership with Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and other relevant bodies. You will be a force to reckon with across tertiary institutions.”

    Other speakers at the event included Mr Salaudeen Kamorudeen of the Fountain University, and Mr James Peter, publisher of  The Biographer.

    The convention featured election into the executive and legislative arms of the union. Ibrahim Alamode, a UI student, was elected president, while Aisha Shittu of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) became the Vice President, and Mubarak AbdulHameed of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) is National Secretary.

    Also, Hammad Obanaye of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, was elected the Publicity Secretary, Folarin Kolawole of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State became the Southwest Zonal Secretary, Muhammed Akinyemi of UNILORIN is North Central Secretary, and Victor Ifegwu of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Southeast Secretary.

    Ifeoluwa Adediran of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, defeated two male candidates to become the Senate President. Other principal officers of the legislative arm are the Deputy Senate President, Ifedayo Ogunyemi (MAPOLY), Chief Whip, Ifedayo Olorunfemi of the Federal School of Statistics.

    Ibrahim, in his acceptance speech, promised to make the union effective and strong, while calling for members’ support.

  • Elizade varsity maiden convocation Sat.

    Five first class graduates will lead thirty others at the maiden graduation of Elizade University, Ilaramokin, Ondo State, on Saturday.

    This was announced by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Theophilus Fadayomi, at the pre-convocation briefing.

    He said all courses offered by the university have been accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC), adding that there are 31 programmes spreading across five faculties.

    Fadayomi said N18b has been expended on the university by its Founder, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, to raise the standard of tertiary institution in the country.

    Fadayomi called on the Federal Ministry of Education to re-examine its stance on the mode of disbursement of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and allow private universities to also benefit, considering their contributions to the economic growth of the country.

  • Alao makes strong impressions with maiden album

    Alao makes strong impressions with maiden album

    If you are eager for danceable gospel music with strong biblical messages, Sore Titun (Do A New Thing) by Olajumoke Alao- a chorister with RCCG Lagos Province 10- is just tailor-made for you.

    The seven-track album covers interesting themes such as praise, priesthood of believers, deliverance, exemplary Christian living and others in music.

    It is obvious the singer is determined to make a big entry into the gospel music. She sings powerfully and passionately, finding a balance between entertainment and divine messages.

    Alao is bound to attract attention because of the originality of her songs and their strong appeals to the spirit and soul.

    While Mo gbe e ga introduces a new dimension to praising songs, Awa ni iran ti a ti yan emphasises the priesthood of believers and the needs to fulfill their calling.

    Gbe e jade is a passionate appeal to God to release overdue blessings and entitlements. Alao reminds God of how He did it for biblical figures, urging Him to replicate the same with bigger testimonies.

    Listeners will dance and learn basic biblical themes with this album. Alao is welcomed to the gospel music where she is certain to make strong impressions.

    However one wishes she sings more in English for non-Yoruba speakers. Only arresting the arrester is delivered in English, thereby shutting off millions of non-Yoruba speakers. Other than that, the album is a commendable effort.

     

     

     

  • AOCOED Alumni hold maiden homecoming today

    AOCOED Alumni hold maiden homecoming today

    Alumni body of the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED) Oto/Ijanikin, will today hold its dinner/homecoming at the Banquet Event Centre, Lateef Jakande Road Agidingbi, Lagos.

    The dinner, first of its kind in the association’s history, is to reunite old alumni, have fun and seek ways to further enhance the development of the 57 year-old institution.

    The event will also feature presentation of awards to distinguished alumni who are making giant strides in their various chosen fields. It will also award those that have contributed to the development of the college and assisted members in one way or the other.

    In a chat with The Nation, the association’s national president,  Comrade Adeyemi Adesanya, revealed the inspiration behind the event.

    He said: “We discovered that the college is very old, about 57 years, while the alumni organisation is about 30 years. So, we felt there was need to call our old graduates all over the world for a reunion. We want to use this opportunity to appreciate ourselves, the college and Lagos State.”

    Adesanya recalled that when his executive committee came on board in November 2012, the first task before it was to have a database of all past graduates of the oldest institution in the state.

    Adesanya confessed that the journey has not been smooth, nonetheless, he was happy that the alumni building has been  completed

    “When we came on board, we started putting together a database of all our students. Today, I’m happy to tell you that there is no graduate whose particulars are not with us, whether such one has collected his or her certificates or not.

    “I recall the first national executive meeting we had, I told my executive members that whoever was not ready to contribute meaningfully would not be accommodated. Today, I’m quite grateful to them because they all worked with me wholeheartedly.”

    He continued: “The first challenge was how to have our alumni building because we did not have any place to stay and there was no money. So, we taxed ourselves. We also reached out to some distinguished Lagosians and alumni with which we raised some funds to lay the foundation.”

    According to Adesanya, the choice of where to site the building as well as conforming to professional standard, were another set of headaches the alumni body had to tackle.

    “The foundation alone cost us a lot of money. Initially, we were looking at it like the normal way we cut cost when building our own houses; but when the supervising engineers came, look at the drawing and discovered it would be a storey building, their recommendations were too professional from foundation up, which made the cost of the building expensive.  We did not have a choice than to comply. Today we are grateful because the building is ready,” he said.

    Adesanya thanked Governor Akinwunmi Ambode as well as the state SUBEB for providing employment opportunities to a large number of AOCOED graduates during its last recruitment exercise.

    According to him, Ambode would be the chairman of the day, while former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be the special guest of honour. An alumnus and Provost of Micheal Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED) Prof Olu Akeusola will deliver the keynorte address.

  • Varsity holds maiden convocation

    The Samuel Adegboyega University, in Ogwa, Edo State will graduate her pioneer set of 50 students tomorrow.

    Listing the achievements of the four-year old university, At a press briefing to announce the convocation, its Vice Chancellor, Prof Benard Aigbokan, said the institution has partnered with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to nurture 100,000 oil palm nursery for sale to small-scale farmers and offered international ICT training to students in collaboration with New Horizon, an e-training firm, among others.

    “In order for the students to achieve the competence necessary to prepare them for the labour market, the university has ensured that all students graduate with a minimum of three certificates which include a certificate for their course of study, ICT certificate from New Horizon and entrepreneurial certificate in which students are empowered with additional skills in hair dressing, tie and dye, farming and so on,” he said.

    The vice chancellor debunked the allegations that National Universities Commission (NUC) rated the university as substandard, noting that the rumour has been corrected by the regulatory agency.

    Activities that featured as part of the convocation included a novelty match, convocation drama as well as the inauguration of a multipurpose hall and Centre for Economic Research (CERDEL).

     

  • Group holds maiden pre-Ramadan trade fair, conference 

    An Islamic organization, Sofasal-El-Asal Society of Nigeria (Sofasal) has completed arrangement to hold a ten-day pre-Ramadan Trade Fair and Business Conference, to herald the 2014 Ramadan season.

    The programme, which will hold at the National Stadium from Friday 13th to Sunday 22nd June is designed as a platform for all Nigerians, particularly the Muslims to source for items that are frequently in high demand during the Ramadan fasting period at affordable cost.

    A statement by the group said it becomes imperative to reduce the increased level of spending during Ramadan period as Muslims will always ensure that they have adequate stock of food for early morning and the evening meals as well as those they will share with friends, family and the needy.

    According to the organizers, the fair which is the first of its kind in Nigeria and indeed Africa, would create opportunities for organisations (manufacturers, distributors, dealers and retailers) to develop a unique and enduring relationship with a key segment of the Nigerian consumers’ population.

    More importantly, it is a forum for examining the meeting point between religion and commerce in line with the dictates of God and his provisions.

    The exercise will involve government agencies, foreign missions, market men and women, multinationals, service providers food/beverages (Non-Alcoholic), financial institutions, healthcare, textiles/fashion, fast moving consumer goods, household/kitchen appliances, travel and tourism (particularly operators who provide Hajj Services) etc.

  • Joburg City festival holds maiden edition

    The Joburg City Tourism Association will host the very first Joburg City Festival scheduled for the week between Joy of Jazz and Arts Alive, meaning the inner city will come abuzz with activities for 3 weeks straight.

    The Joburg City Festival was launched on 17 – 19 May 2013, where the Joburg City Tourism Association, along with their members and partners JDA; Gautrain; Joburg Tourism Company and Gauteng Tourism, invited and hosted 76 journalists from stretches as far and wide as Botswana to Cape Town, to give them a taste of what the official festival in August will display.

    The festival will run over 9 days and the official programme will offer something for everyone! From art and cultural activaties; tours; music; dance parties; street sports; fashion and lots more.

    ”We are excited about the very first festival as it is ideally scheduled to link the two big cultural festivals, Joy of Jazz and Arts Alive, giving tourists, city dwellers and suburbanites an opportunity to explore their city. We hope that in future these 3 weeks of festivities will put Johannesburg on the map as a destination for winter breaks. The city has been undergoing a massive rejuvenation and the Joburg City Tourism Association endeavours to promote this and the city’s heritage through the festival,” said Margeaux Swartz, JCTA Director and spokesperson.

  • ‘I failed in my maiden business’

    THE state of the economy notwithstanding, more students are starting their own businesses instead of seeking employment.

    Such budding entrepreneurs manage to maintain their full-time course loads while taking on the drivers seat, with many sleepless nights to show for their efforts. Jerry Osagie is one of them.He is setting the IT world on fire .

    A University of Benin postgraduate student of Petroleum Chemistry, Osagie having been mentored by leading entrepreneurs, is producing some products.

    He launched his first on-line business in 2007 with N5000. The income he earned gingered him to go on.

    He started his own business when he was an undergraduate at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. It helped him to pay his fees.

    Osagie is from a family of six. Most of his siblings were in the university then and things were difficult. He had to look for ways to support himself.

    A friend introduced him to online survey jobs. He tried to make some money from it. But he failed.

    “Istarted attending seminars on GSM recharge card printing and googleadsensein various states.

    “There was a particular one I attendedin Awka, Anambra State.The seminar made impact on me.

    “I was exposed to internet business. We closed late that day and couldn’t get a bus to return to Benin that same day. Luckily, I was able to find a tipper driver who agreed to help me to Benin. I arrived home around midnight. Since then, I have relented my efforts at creating extra sources of income.”

    In 2009, he went underground, painstakingly researched and came out with hot ideas and cutting edge tools on traffic generation, seo, article writing, Google Adsense, PPC advertising, professional copywriting, and web design, which eventually gave birth to his first breakthrough online via Google Adsense in 2010.

    His deep knowledge and experience in web design helped him to expand the business.

    He has since designed websites for someindividuals,business organisations and some churches in Nigeria.

    He has a network of successful blogs.

    He is the author of the book: eCash Hybrid (ECH101) – how an average Nigerian can easily make $250 daily on clickbank.

    For Osagie, starting his own business is a way of earning some extra money, as well as gaining invaluable experience. His master’s year has means well for him. He has time to get the business up and running and iron out any difficulties. His business and degree course are flexible, allowing him to organise his schedule.

    In the long term, he hopes to expand the business, to provide employment for people and to reach more customers.

    He wants his products to transform the lives of Nigerians, allowing them to provide for their families, educate their children, and pursue a limitless future.

    He stressed that true passion must be at the core of any business. According to him, if there’s no passion behind the idea, then there will be no substance to anything else one does. Osagie believes one must live and breathe his mission and idea.