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Tag: Nigerian Newspapers

  • Adebayo wins 9mobile prize

    NIGERIAN writer, Ayobami Adebayo, has emerged winner of 2018 edition of 9mobile Prize for Literature, the most prestigious literature prize for first time fiction writers of African origin. She received a prize of £15,000 and a Montblanc Meisterstück pen among others.

    Her novel: ‘Stay with Me’was announced the winner at an event yesterday, at the 9mobile headquarters in Banana Island, Lagos.

    Another Nigerian, Lesley Nneka-Arimah, author of the book: ‘What it Means When a Man Falls Down from the Sky’, and a South African, Marcus Low, author of ‘Asylum’ emerged as runners-up.

    Ayobami’s announcement followed the unanimous selection of her book by the panel for the 2018 9mobile Prize for Literature chaired by Prof Harry Garuba supported by Siphiwo Mahala and Doreen Baingana.

    Acting Managing Director, 9mobile, Stephane Beuvelet, congratulated the winner and the runners-up, and restated the telco’s commitment to continuously support Nigerians and other Africans with the best platforms to express their passion and creativity.

    Beuvelet, who was represented by the Executive Director, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, 9mobile, Abdulrahman Ado, also assured of the company’s commitment to the prize, saying, “we will continue our sponsorship of the prize. It will continue; I assure you it’s not sunset.”

    Speaking, Ayobami expressed shock at emerging the winner of the coveted prize and commended the runners-up.

    “It’s unexpected. I’m surprised not just in terms of winning the prize itself because it was a very strong shortlist. The other books were very amazing. Leslie Arimah’s collection of short stories, I think, is one of the best books that was published that year. Marcus Low’s Asylum is also really brilliant. So, it’s surprising to win the prize. I’m shocked,” she said.

    Born in Lagos, Nigeria in 1988 and raised in Ilesa and Ile-Ife, Osun State, Ayobami has written for the BBC, LitHub, The Guardian (UK), and has worked as an editor for Saraba magazine since 2009.  Her 260-page novel, Stay With Me, set between 1985 and 2008 in Nigeria, revolves around a childless couple – Akin and Yejide. They are young, educated Nigerians with modern sensibilities about work, marriage and children. Everything appears perfect, until Akin’s mother and Aunts begin pressuring them to have children, something they have been unable to do despite years of trying.

    In addition to the prize money, other rewards for Adebayo include a 9mobile-sponsored fellowship at the University of East Anglia where she will be mentored by Professor Giles Foden, author of The Last King of Scotland’.

    Past winners of the 9mobile Prize for Literature (previously Etisalat Prize for Literature) include Nigeria’s Jowhor Ile, for his novel, And After Many Days; Democratic Republic of Congo’s Fiston Mwanza Mujila, for his novel, Tram 83; South African writer, Songeziwe Mahlangu for his novel, Penumbra and Zimbabwean writer NoViolet Bulawayo for her novel, We Need New Names.

     

     

     

  • Flower Convention holds in Lagos

    Silverbird Entertainment Limited, in partnership with Business Day Newspaper and Eventstracer, will hold The Lagos Flower Convention from August 16 to 18.

    The convention is the premier event in its recently launched Small Business Event Circuit (SBEC). It will hold at the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The Lagos Flower Convention is an exhibition and sales event that aims to explore and expose the untapped economic value of the floriculture industry by connecting various small businesses (florists, landscapers, gardeners, etc.) involved in the cultivation and sale of flowers and other related items to a broad-based audience consisting of industry experts, investors and visitors.

    There will be a variety of selected exhibitors showcasing and selling floricultural products ranging from freshly cut & beautifully arranged flowers to other ornamental plants.

    To be a part of the free event, Intended participants should register at the eventstracer.com.

  • CANOD wins M&B Paracetamol account

    RENOWNED Pharmaceutical company, May and Baker (M & B) Plc, has appointed CANOD Advertising, as its preferred agency to handle its  M & B Paracetamol campaign. The appointment followed a rigorous pitch process that involved four leading media agencies at which the firm emerged victorious and the subsequent hard negotiations that further confirmed it as an agency deserving of the media account.

    The pitched brand, M & B Paracetamol, “the Red one”, has fast acting and effective tablets as well as pleasant tasting pineapple flavoured syrup for children. M&B’s avowed aim to sustain its dominance of this particular market category with “the Red one” led to its resolve to partner with an efficient agency hence the need for the pitch and the eventual triumph of CANOD.

    The campaign which commenced in the last week of July is flighted on both television and radio with its execution in both English and vernacular languages to effectively penetrate the target markets.

     

  • We’re ready to tackle insecurity, says Wike

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has reiterated the government’s commitment to tackling insecurity.

    He said the government would do everything to protect life and property.

    Wike said the government had proscribed youth groups in the state because they have been hijacked by cultists.

    A statement by the governor’s media aide, Simeon Nwakaudu, said he spoke yesterday when he handed over 40 patrol vans fitted with communication gadgets to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), See 4 Eye, Police Anti-Kidnapping, Police Anti-Cultism, Federal Road Safety Corps and Eagle Crime at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

    The statement reads: “The Rivers State government is fully prepared and will do everything required to protect lives and property. Without the protection of lives and property, there will be no governance and development.

    Read Also: Wike to youths: contribute your quota to development

    “We are one state that has suffered neglect from the Federal Government in terms of support to fight insecurity. They have refused to pay back funds that we used in building federal projects. But that will not stop us from intervening when the need arises.”

    The governor said he would  increase support to security agencies because of the success of Operation Sting.

    Wike announced a N30 million reward for anyone with information leading to the arrest of killers of a director in the civil service during the Choba crisis, and a notorious criminal, Bobrisky in Gokana council.

    “Anybody operating under a youth body henceforth will be arrested by security agencies. Before you contest for any youth body’s leadership, you must send the names to the DSS and Police for screening. If they are cultists, we will not allow them to operate,” he added.

    The governor said the vehicles and gunboats must be deployed to secure Rivers State.

    Commissioner of Police Mustapha Dandaura said the security agencies would use the vans to tackle criminals.

    He said since the inauguration of Operation Sting, there had been improvement in security of life and property.

  • BUA to drive SDGs in host communities

    CEMENT manufacturing giants, BUA Group, has promised to drive the realisation of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in its host communities.

    It said it and its subsidiaries will continue to adopt responsible business practices whilst contributing positively to the development of host communities by investing in health, education, water and sanitation, and other areas in line with the SDGs.

    Its Group Head for Corporate Communications  O’tega Ogra,  who spoke during the inauguration  of six solar-powered water projects the firm donated to various communities in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government area of Edo State, said the firm remained commited to corporate sustainability and social development initiatives.

    He said: “Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is more than just a watchword at BUA Group.These projects have reaffirmed that at BUA Group, CSR is more than just a watchword. It is a social pact and enduring commitment between BUA, the people and communities where we operate to bring about sustainable development.”

  • ‘Yaba deserves special recognition’

    The Executive Chairman of Yaba Local Council Development Authority (LCDA), Kayode Omiyale, has appealed to the Federal Government to give special recognition to Yaba LCDA which was carved out of the Lagos Mainland Local Government Area because of major critical institutions located there.

    Institutions domiciled in the council include University of Lagos (UNILAG), Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), West African Examination Council (WAEC), Federal College of Education (Technical), Psychiatric  Hospital, among others.

    According to the chairman, none of the institutions occupying half of the council’s land is paying a dime into its purse. “We spend a lot of money to provide infrastructure, maintain them and make workers of these institutions comfortable.”

    Read Also: Govt assures Lagosians of peaceful Sallah

    Omiyale spoke during a business summit organised by the council to provide a forum for interpersonal  relationship between the council and the business community.

    He said: “Very few of the businesses operating within Yaba LCDA pay our rates; some of those paying are doing it after being compelled. We have shown them what the resources we get is spent on, we are very prudent in our spending, and hence rate payers should be encouraged. That is why we have identified 10 companies to be recognised for paying our rates without being coaxed.”

    The council chair urged business owners to prioritise youths in Yaba for employment, sine it was part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

    Facilitator of the summit, Prof. Abiola Sanni, a tax consultant, advised the councils to embrace e-payment and reduce physical contact and cash payment. This, he said, would ensure prompt issuance of receipt. A call was made for heads of the institutions to pay the required rates for the businesses operating within their institutions.

  • Rotary, Oyo partner to eradicate polio

    The Nigeria National Polio Plus Committee of the Rotary International and Oyo State government have met to evolve strategies for the eradication of polio in the state.

    Mr. Yinka Babalola, the leader of the delegation, said the team was on an advocacy visit to Governor Seyi Makinde to bring to his attention, issues concerning polio eradication.

    According to him, eradicating polio worldwide was a Rotary-driven initiative, and the organisation is committed to making every child polio-free globally.

    Babalola hinted that the geographical spread of polio has reduced to only Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria. He said Nigeria was close to totally eradicating the disease, stressing that it was moving toward the end of the epidemic.

    Read Also: Kano to immunize 3.2million under-five children against polio

    He, however, warned stakeholders not to relent in the battle against polio.

    Dr. Tunji Funsho, a member of the delegation, urged the government to be more committed toward polio eradication. “Oyo State has not recorded any case of polio for 10 years, but there are risks. The risk is that Oyo is surrounded by states with issues of vaccines deprived polio still paralysing children.

    “That is why it is good to tighten security as far as polio eradication is concerned through strengthening routine polio immunisation,” he said.

    Governor Makinde assured the delegation that his government was committed to polio eradication as well as adequate health care delivery. He promised that counterpart funding and other support would be given attention.

  • APC chieftain slams Jonathan’s comment

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Yekini Nabena, has cautioned ex-President Goodluck Jonathan against making statements that can undermine his image.

    Nabena, who is APC’s deputy national publicity secretary, said the statement credited to Jonathan regarding the ability of APC in Bayelsa State was uncalled for.

    He noted that the “push and start President” never won any election, even in his home state of Bayelsa.

    He was reacting to a statement credited to the ex-President, where he described APC in Bayelsa as lacking the political presence to win the November 16 governorship election.

    The party chief noted that Jonathan had never contested any election and won, saying he lost the 2015 election which he contested as a sitting President.

    Read Also: Jonathan: APC can’t win in Bayelsa

    APC also defeated Jonathan’s candidate in the senatorial election in the state, Nabena added.

    He said: “Jonathan is attempting to rewrite history on presidential elections conducted under his watch in Bayelsa State while he was President. He never won as votes never counted. Aided by security agents, election results were simply announced in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “Former President Goodluck Jonathan even lost senatorial zone in the last National Assembly election won by APC. So, one wonders the party Jonathan refers to as not being on ground in Bayelsa State.”

    The APC chieftain accused PDP and Governor Seriake Dickson of plotting to use the state’s security outfit, Operation Doo Akpo, to rig the election.

  • Hospital installs 3500kg incinerator

    The Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, (FETHI), Ekiti State, has installed a 3500kg capacity incinerator capable of combusting both medical and household wastes.

    The incinerators will henceforth dispose the hospital waste effectively and eliminate its danger to the environment, as well as the cost and stress of having it transported to a landfill.

    Officer in charge of the hospital’s waste management Babatunde Adeniran (Principal Environmental Health Superintendent) said the incinerators (3000kg and 500kg) can run for 24 hours throughout a week. He also affirmed that the incinerators are eco-friendly, adding that the ashes cannot cause hazard to the environment.

    FETHI now operates in compliance with International Emission Regulations to protect human health by installing incinerators that can effectively reduce the quantity of waste, as well as providing a safe alternative for the disposal of hazardous waste generated within the hospital community.

  • Alex Iwobi Will Score for Us, says Everton Manager Silva

     

    Everton manager Marco Silva, had on Thursday expressed confidence that Nigerian international Alex Iwobi will complete his team; hungry for goal in the new season.

    Everton confirmed the arrival of Alex Iwobi from Arsenal for a fee of £40 million ($49m) on a five-year contract.

    The 23-year-old was Everton’s seventh signing after they signed goalkeeper Jonas Lössl, right-back Djibril Sidibe, midfielders Andre Gomes, Fabian Delph and Jean-Philippe Gbamin, in addition to Kean.

    According to Everton manager Marco Silva signing Iwobi was a target which he had coveted all summer, stating that the 23-year-old will help compete the strongest teams that will score for the club in the new season.

    “Alex was one of our main targets for this window and I believe he is a fantastic signing for Everton. He is a direct and skilful winger and attacking midfielder who always works very hard for his team,” Silva told the club’s official website.

    Read Also: Everton move: Arsenal wants £40m for Iwobi

    “He is still young but already with a lot of top-level experience – 100 Premier League matches, more in Europe and many international games.

    “It was important for me to have one more quality option for our attacking positions to add to what we have with Richarlison, Bernard and Theo Walcott.

    “Alex fits exactly the profile of player I want in my model. He is hungry to join Everton and take the next step in his career, to help us compete with the strongest teams in the league and reach his potential at our club.”

    Nevertheless, Arsenal on Thursday wished the Nigerian international  ‘all the best’ in his new club but, described him not more than an example of a  ‘young player’ that had to be sold out on deadline day.

    Arsenal head coach Unai Emery was quoted saying “Alex has made a big contribution here at Arsenal. He worked hard in the academy where he was an example to many young players and has been an important part of our squad. We wish Alex every success in the future,” the Spanish manager said.

    Iwobi made 149 appearances at Arsenal, with the first of them coming in 2015 at just 19 after he had graduated from the academy in north London.

    He has also made 36 appearances for Nigeria, including this summer, in their run to the semi-finals of the African Cup of Nations, as well as in last summer’s World Cup.