The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Owerri

  • COSON to meet stakeholders in Owerri

    COSON to meet stakeholders in Owerri

    The nation’s collective management organisation for musical works and sound recordings, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), has announced plans to hold a stakeholders forum for copyright owners in the Southeast and Southsouth states.

    The forum, holding at the main hall of Rockview Hotel, Owerri, on February 16, is expected to be attended by top artistes, songwriters, composers, music publishers, performers, record companies, broadcast stations, hotels, night clubs, restaurants and transport companies from Imo, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Delta and Cross River states.

    According to Chairman of COSON Chief Tony Okoroji, “the messages we are getting from Owerri suggest that there is great expectation. We are bringing together diverse groups to chart a new course for Nigerian entertainment.  The copyright revolution we have begun must spread so that we can create new jobs for the many young people who are unemployed in Nigeria and ensure that the environment is right for investment in the creative industries. Those who think we are bold have not seen anything yet. COSON is going to even be bolder in 2016.”

    Corroborating Okoroji’s thoughts, COSON General Manager, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji said: “We are leaving no stone unturned in putting together a first class event in Owerri. The successes of our previous stakeholders’ events are indicative that we are making progress especially with the recent successful hosting of the Nigerian Digital Music Summit in Lagos. I am confident that stakeholders across the country are willing to make the necessary sacrifice to make the process work. We are indeed looking forward to the Owerri Forum.”

     A few weeks ago, the Edo Chapter of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) allegedthat COSON has not been transparent in the distribution of royalties collected on behalf of artistes.

    The state Chairman of the association, Maleke Idowu, stated this when he led other leaders and members of the union on a courtesy visit to the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), noting that PMAN has petitioned the state House of Assembly on the matter.

    The society had, on December 15, 2015, approved the distribution of N140 million in royalties to members and affiliates. The unanimous approval of the proposed distribution took place at the Extra-Ordinary General Meeting (EGM) of COSON held at the Oranmiyan Hall, Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja. Following the approval, several members of COSON at the venue confirmed that shortly after the approval, they received alerts from their banks confirming that their royalties had been paid.

  • FUT Owerri tops Unilever Ideatrophy business

    THE Federal University of Technology Owerri, has clinched the Unilever Nigeria sponsored Ideatrophy business challenge.

    FUT Owerri tagged team ‘Blueprint’ slammed two other institutions-teams ‘Apex’ and ‘Idealist’ in a keenly contested battle to emerge first and second runners up in that order.

    Sponsored by Unilever, the Ideatrophy which hit its fourth edition this year, is a national competition which gives undergraduates from various universities in Nigeria the opportunity to develop and execute strategies that deliver business results.

    This year’s edition tagged: ‘The confidence to do more’ tasked the students to develop a communication and marketing plan for Rexona and also drive communication that Nigeria’s most popular and widely patronised deodorant: ‘Sure is now Rexona’.

    The competition featured personalities including; Prof Pat Utomi who delivered the keynote address, as well as the Lagos State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi Etti.

    Speaking at the event, Managing Director of Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr. Yaw Nsarkoh, congratulated the winning team on their outstanding success. He also praised other participating teams for their impressive performance.

    Nsarkoh expressed Unilever’s passion to help equip Nigerian undergraduates with invaluable business skills that would help them become successful entrepreneurs operating under a world class standard. He urged the students to continue aspiring towards more success.

    Said Nsarkoh: “This is not the end, it is only a beginning, we believe that whatever we call best in Nigeria should be able to hold its own against any team in the world.”

    He emphasised the need for creativity, which he described as necessary for survival in the workplace and life in general. He further highlighted the need for students to take advantage of the networking opportunity the competition provides.

    “Competition such as this provides room for development and networking as participants get to work with people from diverse backgrounds and learn ethics, co-existence and integrity as it relates to the workplace.”

    Utomi charged the students to take advantage of the opportunity for exploits.He identified fortitude, creativity, perseverance and goal setting skills as vital.

    “Principles   are   like   a compass that stirs you towards a destination, providing a guiding path,” Utomi said.

    “The problem in Nigeria today is that the country has become an instant gratification society where the   attitude   of   overnight   success   is   encouraged,   where   people   embrace   wealth   without   work, religion without sacrifice, education without character, pleasure without conscience and business without morality,”Utomi added.

    Utomi also advised the students to expand their creativity which he described as central to the creation of a better world.

    Durosimi Etti described Unilever’s initiative as laudable.

    He said: “Unilever has again demonstrated their love for the country, this shows that their investment in the country is not just about getting returns   but   impacting   on   the   lives   of   Nigerians.”

    Bella Victor, one of the winning team members,   said   coming tops in the   competition   was   a   dream   come   true.

    “This is a great moment for me,” Victor said. “I am grateful to Unilever for the opportunity to participate in this competition. We promise to consolidate on this success and use it as a platform to move on to greater achievements,” he added.

    This year’s competition also saw the introduction of the individual recognition award Also for the first time, individual recognition award was introduced, and was won by Jennifer Ikeokwu from Babcock University.

    The high point was the presentation by participants of their works to Mr Nsarkoh. Others in attendance include: Marketing Director David Okeme, Guest Judge, Titi Akinsanya and Marilyn Maduka, leadership development Manager. The event also featured a mock interview session for students, vetting of CV’s/resume and one-on-one networking sessions with business leaders, among others.

     

  • FG assures on Owerri Int’l Cargo terminal

    FG assures on Owerri Int’l Cargo terminal

    The federal government has assured it will expedite actions on completion of an international cargo terminal at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport (SMICA) Owerri, in Imo State.

    The Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Aviation, Hajia Binta Bello, gave the assurance in Owerri while conducting Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, on an inspection tour of the project site.

    Bello said the contractors handling the project have been sufficiently mobilised to ensure early completion.

    She said the contractors were awaiting arrival of building materials for the super structure of the terminal in the country to commence work on the site.

    Bello pointed out the project will facilitate commencement of international air cargo operations to boost economic development in the South – East geo- political zone and other surrounding states.

    She informed Okorocha and his entourage that works on the cargo terminal’s foundation has been completed.

    She also assured that contractors handling the project will deliver within the agreed timeline.

    Okorocha said he was pleased with the extent of development at the cargo terminal and thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for giving approval to the early completion of the project.

  • Heartland return to Owerri

    Heartland return to Owerri

    • Vow to roast Kwara United

    After losing two games in a row,Heartland Football Club will return to their traditional home ground,the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri for the match day 24 fixture against Kwara United today.

    Penultimate Monday,the Naze Millionares were humiliated by visiting Shooting Stars of Ibadan 3-1 in a match day 22 game at the Rojenny Stadium,Oba and just last Sunday,the Owerri outfit lost 2-0 to Nasarawa United in Lafia to complete a miserable week for them.

    However, the media officer of Heartland Cajetan Nkwopara who disclosed to SportingLife on phone from his base in Owerri that his team will be hosting  Kwara United at the Dan Anyiam stadium, allayed fears that all was not well in the team

    “We have put behind the two defeats we suffered against Shooting Stars and Nasaraw United.It’s in the past now and we’re targeting  to secure three points against Kwara United”

    Commenting on the circumstances that led to Heartland’s loss at Rojenny against Shooting Stars,Nkwopara revealed that the game against the Oluyole Warriors would have been played in Owerri but it was after the players complained of fatique that it was moved to Rojenny for television coverage.

    “The LMC wanted us to play on Saturday so that the Supersport crew will move to Nnewi on Sunday after televising our game live but the players complained of tiredness because they played two consecutive away games.

    “Because of the players complaints,the LMC decided to move all the games previously scheduled for Owerri and Nnewi to Rojenny stadium,Oba to enable the Supersport crew  beam the two games live.”

    Nkwopara assured the teeming fans of Heartland that their darling team will return to winning ways today when they host embattled Kwara United who equally lost 1-0 at home in Ilorin to Wikki Tourists last Sunday.

  • Owerri: Restoring its clean and green status

    SIR: The duty of every government is to ensure that citizens’ safety and physiological needs are met and Imo State is not an exception. No right thinking government will allow the interest of few individuals to override the interest of the general public.

    This is why Imo State government has taken it as a duty to ensure that Owerri, the state capital is clean and the green status is restored. Every discerning Imolite would agree with me that Owerri, the state capital which was among the neatest cities in our country in the past has lost its clean and green taste. And if there’s a time we need to cooperate with the government to ensure that the status is restored, it is now.

    Imolites woke up to the news of the demolition of illegal structures early hours of last Monday in the state capital especially in places where such structures are obstructing traffic and it continued throughout the week. The development is already generating tension, tongues are waging in protest.

    I understand the pains of such demolition considering the high level of unemployment but of a truth, Owerri, lately has lost its glory; every available space is now a market, every crowded junction has been turned to a park for commercial bus drivers to carry passengers and an avenue for touts to generate revenue from buses. We may be looking at the plight of those affected, but we may never understand the security threats of such structures.

    Apart from the security threats, these illegal structures have contributed immensely in worsening traffic on our major roads and have turned our roads to mini markets for hawkers and a safe haven for beggars.

    For Owerri to be restored, some businesses, road side shops, itinerant traders, hawkers, beggars etc must give way on our major roads. This was how Aba started till it got to its present decrepit state and the former governor would never forget piles of criticisms and how unpopular the ruins in the commercial city of Aba reduced him to. Same people that resisted moves by the government in the demolition of illegal structures in Aba in the past were same people that used it against the former governor.

    If we don’t curb this menace now, the same indecorous critics of the governor who have turned the mouth piece of those affected would be same critics that will still be here to criticize him in future for not restoring Owerri’s clean and green taste.

    Change remains the only constant thing in life and it does not just come by shouting change or voting for change, change is a process, change requires sacrifice, some things must give way for change to come. Some may say why now? If not now, then when?

    The gains of demolishing such illegal structures far outweigh the pains.

    In as much as we want the best for our state, we also need to help our government to achieve such. The interest of few individuals should never be allowed to override the safety and well-being of the general public.

    • Joseph Chimezie,

    Owerri, Imo State.

  • Dana Air begins flights to Owerri

    As part of its domestic route network expansion, Dana Air will tomorrow kick off daily flights to Owerri.

    The addition of Owerri brings  its route network to five destinations – Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo and Owerri.

    The Chief Commercial Officer of Dana Air, Mr. Obi Mbanouzuo, said the airline was working with the objective of integrating most major cities in Nigeria into its route network and making air transport accessible by developing new routes and linking same to its existing routes network to better serve the demands of passengers.

    “We are constantly reviewing our operations and our decision to commence operations to Owerri is hinged on our desire to offer passengers in Owerri and its environs access to Dana’s wider route network,” said Mr. Mbanuzuo.

    Also, the airline has set an introductory online fare of N9,900 to boost leisure and business trips across its route network.

    Dana Air operates flights from Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt and Uyo; will operate daily flights from Murtala Mohammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2), Lagos to the Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri, as well as onwards flights to Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja.

    Dana Air, which is the only domestic airline to have undergone an operational audit by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and its foreign partners the Flight Safety Group, has also gone through the three phases of the IOSA workshops and is now due for full IOSA audit coming up within the year.

  • A day for women in Owerri

    A day for women in Owerri

    Men gave way and could only watch from the sidelines. Women, among them the elderly and expectant mothers, went through the streets of Owerri, the Imo State capital, with just one song in their mouths: change. OKODILI NDIDI reports

    It was quite a spectacle watching Southeast women take over Owerri, the Imo State capital. In their colourful attires, they moved with determination, eager to let everyone know where they stood on the future of the state, region and even the entire country. There were expectant and nursing mothers among the crowd as they filled the Dan Anyiam Stadium, where their song grew louder and as clear as their message. They wanted change. They wanted change in the leadership of the country. And the retired General Muhammadu Buhari was their choice, they said.

    The stadium was filled to capacity as early as 8 am. The enthusiasm of the broom-waving women defined their yearning for change.

    The gathering, which also attracted octogenarians, was a testament of Igbo women’s resolve to support a new order.

    Owerri was literarily taken over by the army of women who marched round major streets in their colourful attires dancing gracefully to the admiration of the men.

    Motivating the women were the wives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Hajia Aisha Buhari, the vice presidential candidate, Oludolapo Osinbajo, the state governor’s wife, Nneoma Okorocha, the party’s National Woman Leader, Ramatu Tijani and other women and wives of prominent politicians from the zone and beyond.

    Addressing the huge crowd, Mrs. Buhari, who rode into the stadium on a double-decker bus amid ovation, enjoined them to support the change that will midwife a new Nigeria, where “the Nigerian women will have a feel of what governance is all about”.

    She stated that for this new Nigeria to be actualised, “the women should vote for the APC en masse,” assuring that once this is done, they should know that they have played a prominent part in the salvation of Nigeria.

    Aisha, who was given the Igbo name Ogechi, meaning God’s time, harped on the need for the unity of the country at all times, adding, “We are one in this country and we should work together irrespective of religion or ethnic differences”.

    Urging support for the reelection of the Imo state Governor, Rochas Okorocha, and other APC candidates, she charged the women to return to the communities and mobilise for the party.

    Also addressing the women, Mrs Okorocha described women as agents of change, noting that change revolves around them as home builders.

    She urged the Southeast women to give massive support for the APC Presidential candidate, adding that the change has started in Imo State and would spread to other parts of the zone.

    According to her, the emergence of Buhari as the nation’s President will restore the economy and security of the country.

    Several other women, who addressed the people, took turns to underscore the need for women from the zone to join other zones of the country to support and embrace the change that is sweeping through the country.

    That notwithstanding, the determined women also assured that they will take the massage of change home to their husbands, who they said will “equally support their wives”.

    In his remarks, the state governor, Rochas Okorocha, described Buhari as a great and disciplined Nigerian who is poised to end corruption, adding that “when he takes over as President, criminals will flee the country”.

    He said, “When Buhari comes on board, he will lock up the pump of corruption and education will be free in the entire country as it is in Imo State”.

    In attendance at the rally were, wife of the Vice Presidential candidate, Oludolapo, Osibanjo,  APC National Woman Leader, Ramatu Tijani, wife of former Bayelsa State Governor, wife of former Benue State Governor, Wife of Senator Chris Ngige, among other prominent women.

  • PHOTO: Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport inspection

    PHOTO: Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport inspection

  • Okuoka loving life in Owerri

    Okuoka loving life in Owerri

    Heartland striker, Happy Okuoka has committed himself to the Owerri-based side for the 2013/14 Glo Premier League season.

    Okuoka was the subject of transfer rumours to the Nigerian champions, Kano Pillars but his decision to pitch tent with the two-time Federation Cup winners has made nonsense of the speculated move to the Pyramid City side.

    The lethal finisher joined the Naze Millionaires in the 2012/13 Glo Premier League season and made his debut in the side’s Charity Shield clash against champions, Kano Pillars in Port Harcourt as well as the Super Four contest.

    Okuoka said he decided to stay back at the side to team up with teammates to launch Heartland back to the continent.

    “I’ve joined my team, Heartland for the 2013/14 Glo Premier League season, I just came back from the morning training. I won’t make promises right now but I’m certain we’ll return to the continent at the end of the season.

    “I’m excited at the quality of players I met on ground upon arrival I strongly believe together we’ll take the team to a higher height,” Okuoka said to supersport.com.

    Heartland will today at the Old Stadium, Owerri engage Glo Premier League newcomers, Abia Warriors in one of the high-profile matches lined up for the Owerri-based side to put them in top shape for the commencement of the new season in February.

    Heartland struggled for a larger part of last season finishing their campaign in 11th position on 52 points.

  • Rochas Okorocha now a grandfather

    Rochas Okorocha now a grandfather

    APART from the political success which the governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has recorded, these are definitely the best of moments for him as his first daughter, Uloma, who got married last year January to Uche Nwosu, a serving commissioner for Land Survey and Urban Planning, has welcomed twins.

    The wedding which was carnival-like drew who-is-who in the country. The marriage was consummated at the Holy Cross Catholic Church, in Owerri, capital of Imo State, following the traditional wedding at the bride’s family home in Ogboko, 3 January. Nwosu, we gathered, had been having an affair with Uloma before he was appointed commissioner.

    Uloma Nwosu is the Director General of her father’s foundation, Rochas Okorocha Foundation.