The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ‘outstanding

  • Stallion bags outstanding rice value chain award

    Stallion integrated rice value chain approach has won the Feed Nigeria Summit “Agro Processor of the Year Award” at the  Nigeria Agriculture Awards.

    The award is in recognition of Stallion Popular Farms & Mills Limited concerted efforts at integrating rice value chain in the Nigerian agrarian economy as well as its dogged resolves to humanise farmed rice and self-sustainability in food production.

    ”We owe this accomplishment to President Muhammadu Buhari’s leadership atitudes and his agrarian-business agenda,” Stallion Popular farms & Mills Group Director Hapreet Singh remarked. He said the farm was leveraging the policy impetus of the Federal Government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda to bring sustainable and scalable growth to farmers.

    The farm’s effort to increase cultivated rice yield began in 2007 and has since been at the forefront of paddy agronomists in the country, working tirelessly to enhance rice production through scientific agricultural practices.

    Singh, while receiving the award,  at the event in Lagos, said it hoped to increase locally farmed rice to 1.5million tonnes yearly from 450, 000 metric tonnes.

    He said the farm has already deployed enhanced milling activities and set up more milling facilities through structured farming techniques.

    While thanking Feed Nigeria Summit for creating a platform to acknowledge real positive change makers in the agrarian sector, Mr. Singh said the creation of integrated agricultural operations such as world-class rice mills at strategic locations would promote milling and paddy cultivation in the captive areas and consequently make Nigeria self-sufficient in rice production.

    Anambra State Commissioner for Agriculture, Afam Mbanefo, who presented the award to the firm’s representative plauded Popular Farms and Mills commitment to the Federal Government’s exhaustive agenda in rice production.

    “You have not only supported the country’s agrarian objective for self-sufficiency in rice production, but have also worked assiduously with local and state governments in ensuring food security. Your efforts are indeed remarkable,” he added.

  • JCI celebrates 10 outstanding young persons

    JCI celebrates 10 outstanding young persons

    Last week, Junior Chamber International (JCI) Nigeria honoured young entrepreneurs in Lagos, Daniel Essiet reports.

    Junior Chamber International (JCI) Nigeria celebrated young business owners and social entrepreneurs from all over the country at a ceremony in Victoria Island, Lagos at the weekend.

    The crème de la crème gathered, bringing positive role models, to celebrate those devoted to enhancing change and economic inclusion.

    This year’s  Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) were Adebola Olomo, Oresanwo Lolade, Odjenima Atinuke, Araba Steven Omogbolahan, Uyi-Aivinhenyo Patricia, AbdulkadirMukhtar, Onitiju Ibukun, Akintayo Stephen, Steve Harris and Olawale Rotimi.

    According to the organisers, out of 130 nominations received, 20 were selected. They were further screened  by a panel. The public then voted for the final 10.

    The process was anchored by the JCI’s TOYP Team, panel and a team from the international auditing firm – KPMG

    JCI’s National President, Seun Osikalu, said the group was delighted by the quality of persons  chosen for the awards. He said  TOYP, a global initiative which is being replicated in Nigeria, concentrates on formally recognising young people who are making waves in their chosen fields and creating positive impact on other people, their community and the society at large.

    The recognitions, according to him, are to motivate other young people and encourage them in their bid to be socially responsible leaders. However, a diverse and vibrant array of established entrepreneurs featured in the list, highlighting the strength and tenacity of modern entrepreneurship.

    One outstanding entrepreneur was Chief Operating Officer of Solous MRF Limited and West Africa Energy, Mrs Lolade Oresanwo,  who has done much to help businesses reduce and recycle a wastes. Her company has a facility that  picks solid wastes, such as  milk cans, soft drink cans and sort them through for recoverable purpose. The firm, WestAfricaENRG, operates the first materials recovery facility in Nigeria with a focus on zero waste to landfill across the country.

    The other is Olomo Adebola,  chief executive officer, Deefrent Limited. Trained as a lawyer at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Olomo has garnered over 13 years’experience in Communications – in areas, such as marketing, technology, public relations and business strategy.

    Her work at MTN Nigeria won her several awards, including the much-coveted ‘Star Performance’ Award  for Nigeria and WECA (West and Central Africa) in her first year. This earned her a transfer to work with MTN Group, South Africa where she covered various aspects of communications and majored on E-Communications Consultant, Group-wide.

    However, Adebola’s most impressive career move happened in 2010, when she became the helmsman at Deefrent Limited. With her experience and impactful work, she has taken Deefrent from zero to over 100 clients in just five years.

    One  of the  awardess was Stephen Akintayo. An inspirational speaker and entrepreneur, he is the Chief Executive Officer, Gtext Media and Investment Limited, a leading firm in Nigeria, whose services span digital marketing, website design, bulk sms, online advertising, Media, e-commerce, real estate, Consulting and a host of other services.

    Stephen, popularly called Pastor Stephen, is the founder of Omonaija, an online radio station in Lagos.

    His mentorship has helped thousands of people, including graduates and undergraduates in business as well as in relationships. He is also the Founder and President of Infinity Foundation, an indigenous non-governmental organisation that has assisted over 2,000 orphans and vulnerable children, and has also partnered with 22 orphanage homes.

    One of the awardees, Dr Abdulkadir Mukhtar,  said  JCI  has done well to celebrate those unsung heroes who go above and beyond the call of duty to improve the lives of others in the communities around them.

    He  called on young people to take leadership roles in addressing the concerns of the economy and act as pioneers in transformation.

    Designed to highlight the country’s most inspirational and selfless people, the awards have attracted a growing list of corporate  supporters.

    TOYP Chairperson, Adetola Juyitan, said: “This year’s TOYP is coming with an unprecedented class, which is reflected through the quality of shortlisted nominees, the quality of the judges, the audit process managed by KPMG, the organisation of the grand finale of the event, among other things.”

    According to her, “Junior Chamber International, Nigeria has been participating at the international level over the years, and beyond hosting the edition, we will be taking advantage of the platform of this year’s programme to re-reinforce the presence of JCI in Nigeria.”

    She urged young people to contribute to the economy.

    Since 1983, JCI has honoured nearly 300 individuals across 57 countries.

    The criteria for recognition is that a Nigerian must be above 18, but less than 40, and must have excelled in their fields.

     

  • Union celebrates ‘outstanding students’

    Union celebrates ‘outstanding students’

    The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) Students’ Union Government (SUG) has held an award night to celebrate students with special talents and qualities and achievements.

    The event held at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium and was attended by guests from corporate organisations, including banks.

    It featured comedy, dance, music and an instant quiz tagged: Who Wants to be a Millionaire, where students contested to win N10,000 cash. The quiz became interesting when the first contestant jovially requested to walk away after the first question. The union president, Peter Oji, and members of the parliament also participated in quiz.

    Highlights of the event included presentation award and certificates of recognition to some students for their exceptional abilities. The Most Inspiring Aluta Leader award went to the union Vice President, Joy Nebo, while Most Punctual Parliament Member award went to Victor Emenike.

    The award for Filmmaker of the Year was given to Kingsley Nebo; Best Male Hostel of the Year award went to Eni Njoku Hall, Akpabio Female Hostel won the Best Female Hostel of the Year and Rotaract Club, the Best Club of the Year.

    Peter was honoured as the Grand Commander of the Lion Republic. The union president said the event also had a purpose as to celebrate graduating students for their excellence in academic and extra curriculum activities. The union leaders also hosted graduating physically-challenged students.

  • Assembly approves conversion of N5b outstanding salaries

    The Kwara State House of Assembly yesterday approved the conversion of the over N5 billion, being outstanding salary, pension and gratuity of council workers, to the Federal Government’s bailout loan.

    The approval will, according to the lawmakers, enable the third tier of government to benefit under the bailout arrangement of the Federal Government.

    The Assembly’s approval followed the presentation of Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed’s message by Speaker Ali Ahmad on the floor of the House.

    The governor said the debt profile of states and local governments, especially on salary, pension and gratuity, had been submitted to the Federal Government, stressing that the approval of the Assembly was a prerequisite to access the loan at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    The Speaker urged the council chairmen to use the bailout loan for the intended purposes, saying the House would not condone the diversion of the loan to any developmental project.

    He assured that relevant committees of the Assembly would monitor its implementation to ensure compliance.

    The Leader of the House, Hassan Oyeleke, said the request was necessitated by the inability of the local governments to pay outstanding salary, pension and gratuity, adding that the loan, repayable within 20 years, had a digit of nine per cent interest rate.

    Oyeleke, who said no conventional bank was ready to offer such facilities, enjoined members to grant the request, noting that no allocation of states and councils could address the problem.

  • NSCDC was outstanding during my tenure, says Obasanjo

    NSCDC was outstanding during my tenure, says Obasanjo

    •Ex-president, Amosun hail Abolurin

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday said the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), unlike other security agencies, distinguished itself during his tenure between 1999 and 2007.

    Obasanjo said he did not receive much complaints of “misbehaviour” about the NSCDC and its operatives as was the case with other agencies engaged in security matters.

    The former President spoke when the retired head of the NSCDC, Ade Abolurin, visited him at his Presidential Hilltop Estate, Abeokuta.

    He added that one of the problems afflicting Nigeria was lack of continuity of “integrity, patriotism and cherished values” by subsequent leaders.

    Obasanjo hailed Abolurin for nurturing the corps from unremunerated voluntary organisation to become a national agency combating pipeline vandalism, oil bunkering and other vices.

    He said: “This organisation became institutionalised by virtue of the good work the organisation was doing as a voluntary organisation for many years.

    “One of the things that I had to confront in my tenure as President of Nigeria was pipeline vandalisation, holdup, and crude oil stealing – what they called bunkering. There is nothing like bunkering, it is outright stealing.

    “We used all the available agencies and resources and your organisation as a voluntary organisation, unpaid,  unremunerated, unrecognised, uninstitutionalised, was doing a great job without being armed and without being equipped.

    “And that mean the height of commitment, nationalism, patriotism and service to the fatherland and service to humanity. Of course, I didn’t hesitate to move ahead on an Act of Parliament to be able to organise you into what you are today.

    “Of course, there is no human institution that is ever perfect. But I can say, when I was the president, I did not get as much complaints about the misbehaviour of your organisation as I get about the misbehaviour of other agencies of government that are doing similar security work for the nation and that is something that you should be proud of as an organisation.

    “I am not saying there are absolutely no bad eggs among you and you know that. And for those of you who will continue to carry the mantle, do not spare any bad egg among you.

    “You, Ade Abolurin, you did your best, no human being is perfect and if there is any imperfection that I noted, is probably your enthusiasm  to wanting to get things right. You’ve gone, you’ve seen, and I think you have conquered and you’re welcome home.”

    The former president thanked the leaders who came after him and sustained the organization.

    He added: “As I am talking to you, I am also talking to your successor and I believe that where you have taken this organisation to, those coming after you will be able to build over it.

    “One of our problems in this country is lack of continuity. I hope in your own case and this organisation, there would be continuity, continuity not for the man coming after you to do everything exactly like you have done it, it is not possible even if the person coming after you is your biological son. He wouldn’t do everything the way you would want to do it.

    “But there are some essential things that should be preserved and maintained, the issue of value, integrity,  commitment, patriotism, those cherished values and virtues that you have maintained in this organisation, would continue to be maintained.”

    Ogun State Governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun has hailed the achievements of Abolurin while in office.

    He said he transformed the once unknown outfit into a security agency to be reckoned with.

    He spoke when he received Abolurin, who paid him a thank you visit in his office yesterday.

    The governor described the feat of the ex-NSCDC boss as unprecedented and self-evident.

    “You brought professionalism into the Corps. There is no way the history of the Corps can be written without mentioning your name or making reference to your achievements.

    Abolurin hailed Obasanjo and Amosun for supporting him throughout his stay in office.

    He added that he was confronted with many tough challenges on the job, but he overcame by the grace of God.

     

  • Rufai CONFESSES: Enyeama is outstanding

    Rufai CONFESSES: Enyeama is outstanding

    Former Nigeria goalkeeper Peter Rufai has praised the current Super Eagles number one Vincent Enyeama for his performances last season.

    Enyeama was on the shortlist for many awards, including the Ligue 1 goalkeeper of the year as well as the Marc-Vivien Foe Award, which he won.

    Rufai reserved special praise for the 31-year-old, who went within 114 minutes of the French league’s goalkeeping record of playing without conceding.

    “He has proven his skills,” the former Eagles keeper told Goal. “He has proven his worth and he has proven that he can be reckoned with. He has shown consistency. He has done very well, Enyeama is outstanding.”

    Enyeama guarded the goal for Nigeria at the World Cup in Brazil, where he set a new African record of playing over two matches without conceding.

  • SSANU-LASU threatens to shut down varsity over members outstanding promotions

    SSANU-LASU threatens to shut down varsity over members outstanding promotions

    The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, Lagos State University (SSANU) Lagos State University chapter, has threatened to shut down the university if the management fails to resolve the lingering outstanding promotion of its members.

    The union, which is seeking promotion of its members for the 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 sessions respectively, is alleging double standard by the Governing Council in its approach to the union’s ongoing strike action.

    The Nation gathered that discussions between SSANU-LASU and management have been rosy until ASUU-LASU suspended the strike on Monday, with SSANU now hinging its fate on the Council meeting, which was supposed to hold last week Tuesday. The Chairman, SSANU-LASU Comrade Saheed Oseni, had earlier told our reporter that the Council’s decision  would determinate the union’s next line of action. Prior to that, the members had been involved in skeletal services.

    However, the matter took a turn for the worse following the cancellation of the Council meeting. Our reporter gathered that neither the Vice Chancellor, Prof John Obafunwa, nor the Registrar, Akin Lewis, attended the meeting. They were said to have sent representatives, a decision, which The Nation gathered further infuriated the Chairman of Council, Mr Olabode Augusto.

    With the development, SSANU-LASU called a congress where the Registrar,  who is also a SSANU member, reportedly addressed the gathering, saying Council could not address the issues because the Congress representatives of SSANU were not in attendance.

    Oseni said the union smelled a rat, adding that their members, whom the Registrar claimed were not in attendance, called him on phone to intimate him of the VC and Registrar’s absence.

    ”We felt bad and cheated,” Oseni said. Speaking further, he said: “We believe that if there are similar issues affecting every union on campus, all should be treated equally. If the Council attended to ASUU issues, then it behoves on them to attend to SSANU too. What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

    “We suspect the Council is trying to use divide and rule tactics here. But we are giving them till Thursday next week to address our issues; otherwise we will shut down this university. It is going to be a full blown battle. Nobody should marginalize us, because we are as important as ASUU. We are also going to draw the attention of all stakeholders to our cause.”

    LASU PRO, Kayode Sutton, said: “It is true that some members of SSANU scored over 65 (benchmark for promotion) in the 2011/2012 promotional exercise; but Council looked into it and realised the university did not have enough vacancies to fill them in. Besides, Council observed it had no financial muscle to cater for them. So they have been advised to sit for the 2012/2013 exercise.

    “Unfortunately, many of the members did not sit for the exam based on advice from the union leadership, which claimed the 2011/12 promotion was yet to be treated. Those who went and passed have been promoted accordingly. Therefore, Council advised that those who did not make it should sit for the 2013/2014 promotional exercise. Nonetheless, we are urging SSSANU members to resume to work in the interest of all.”

  • Outstanding principal receives lawmaker ‘s award, cash

    When the Principal of Ojodu Junior Grammar School, Ojodu, Mrs. Victoria Adebola Kolawole was using her personal resources to create a conducive learning environment for her students little did she know that her activities were being noted and that  she would be rewarded for her commitment to excellence one day.

    That day came last week Friday, when important personalities in the state gathered to honour her for the good work she has done over the years.

    The recognition award was courtesy of Lola Akande, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly (LSHOA) representing Ikeja II Constituency.

    Kolawole was given the award for ‘Dedication to duty, outstanding performance and excellence in management and administration’. Aside the plaque, Akande gave her cash award of N200,000, while other personalities gave donations amounting to N500,000. Kolawole described the award as an encouragement to her and others to do more.

    Reflecting on her action, Kolawole said all she had in mind was to change the situation in the school with whatever resources she has “because I knew the environment wasn’t conducive for learning and teaching, so I first had to change the environment.”

    “People were saying I was spending my money on a government school and I told them it is a legacy I am leaving behind, in 10 years’ time when I pass through that school I will remember that I did something.

    “My motivation is to have a conducive and high standard learning environment for the school. I decided to do it as a legacy and for posterity not necessarily for reward, but now God is rewarding me; in fact, this reward came to me as a surprise; just look at the calibre of people here,” she said.

    Praising Kolawole, Akande said: “I have attended many of her programmes and I have seen so many awards she has received like the best JSS School in the federation awarded by Federal Ministry of Education, best JSS Principal 2014 and so many others.

    “She is worth celebrating and she is excelling because she puts in everything she has into whatever she does. We are recognising her that she is doing well, that she is a woman of excellence, a woman of passion and I am trying through this gesture to inspire others, especially, teachers like her to emulate her,” Akande said.

    Wife of Lagos State governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola described Kolawole as an achiever.

    “You laboured for what you are being given today, it is your vision. We thank God that you did not join the bandwagon to do whatever you like as a civil servant. You put your spirit into it and it is commendable. You have done well and you are a total woman; continue to do more and you will achieve greater height,” she said.

    Dignitaries in attendance included  Dame Fashola; Senator Oluremi Tinubu; wife of Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mrs. Mayowa Ikuforiji; Deputy Speaker,   Kolawole Taiwo, who was chairman of the occasion; a member of House of Assembly, Sanai Agunbiade; former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Sarah Sosan and Head of Service, Oluseyi Williams.

  • Kwara pays athletes’ outstanding allowances

    Kwara pays athletes’ outstanding allowances

    The Kwara Government has paid all the outstanding allowances of the state athletes ahead of their trip to the 18th National Sports Festival in Lagos.

    Coach Tunde Kazeem, Director of the State Sports Council, disclosed this on Thursday in Ilorin, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Kazeem said that all the athletes and officials were in closed camping for 10 days, ahead of the sports fiesta, tagged “Eko 2012,” holding from Nov. 27 to Dec. 9 in Lagos.

    He boasted that the state would improve on its performance at the 17th edition of the fiesta in Port Harcourt in 2011.

    NAN recalls that Kwara finished in the 18th position on the medals table in Port Harcourt, having won 23 medals, including five gold, six silver and 12 bronze.

    The director said: “The entire requirements in terms of allowances and equipment have been met. I want to thank the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatai Ahmed, for providing us the enabling environment and giving us the moral and financial support to excel at the Games.

    “Any time from now, the chairman of the sports council and I will be attending an international seminar in preparation for the competition in Lagos,’’ he said.

    Kazeem disclosed that the state would compete in 15 sports events with 113 athletes, saying that Kwara would only compete in those events where it had a comparative advantage.

    “You know that sports nowadays, especially sports festival is no more a jamboree. You only go with those sports where you have a comparative advantage; where you have the strength to mop up some medals.

    “This is the reason we are going with 15 sports out of the 27 and by the grace of God, we hope that we are going to improve on our past effort.

    “The athletes and officials are ready to proceed to Lagos. We intend to leave on Sunday morning,’’ he said.

  • Saraki pays ABS’ outstanding fees

    Saraki pays ABS’ outstanding fees

    The proprietor of ABS FC, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has commended the players, staff and management of the team for their perseverance, even as he promised to support the team fully in their campaign in the 2012/2013 NPL season.

    He promised to continue to make the welfare of the team, which according to him will encourage performance, a top priority.

    Saraki, who spoke through the General Manager, Alloy Chukwuemeka ordered full payment of the 45% balance of last season’s sign on fees and other entitlements owed the team on Friday.

    According to Chukwuemeka ‘Saraki believes strongly that the welfare of players remain a topmost priority to achieve excellence and to get the best performances’.

    Explaining the delay in payment, Chukwuemeka said lack of sponsorship in the Nìgeria Premier League affected the club’s budget last season when clubs were forced to pay for match officials’ indemnities, accommodation, feeding and transportation. This led to the club’s inability to pay as at when due.

    While thanking Saraki for his commitment and sacrifice to the development of football in the country, the general manager charged the NPL to rise up to their responsibilities by securing sponsors for the league alongside other challenges facing the league system before the start of the new season.

    Meanwhile ABS FC is planning a two-week closed camping in Lokoja, Kogi State ahead of the new season.