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Tag: Pan Atlantic University

  • How teen author turned rejection into grit

    How teen author turned rejection into grit

    At 17, Edu Muyyassir, a student at Pan Atlantic University, Lagos State, studying Information Science and Media Studies, has turned his personal struggles and adversity into a powerful message of hope, grit, and resilience.

    His debut book titled The comeback code, is a compelling guide on resilience and perseverance. It is making waves as a timely tool and intervention for young Nigerians and beyond, offering practical guides and strategies to rise above life’s many challenges.

    An indigene of Epe Local Government Area in Lagos State, Edu, the son of a family of six, recently graduated from Loyola Jesuit College in Abuja. Although an average student academically, in his secondary school days, he found his true calling in writing, coding, and chess. “I have a passion for writing, playing chess, and coding for software development. I can also design websites,” he says.

    His interest in technology led him to develop an app to help people battling addiction, though he has to wait until he is 18 before he can publish it on Google Play.

    Read Also: Codefest Nigeria Hackathon targets world record

    Edu’s journey into writing this compelling self-help book began with a crushing setback. “After securing a flight ticket to pursue my education in the United States, my student visa was denied because of the restriction placed by the administration of President Donald Trump. The rejection moved me to tears, further pushing me into despair, on the edge of depression. It broke me, and I lost my joy,” Edu recalls.

    Rather than feeling discouraged he channeled his energy into writing a book that speaks to anyone facing life’s myriad trials—be it joblessness, addiction, grief, or illness. The book also speaks to those battling mental health challenges, offering a lifeline to rediscover purpose and resilience.

     “This book can help anybody—be it students, workers, artisans, etc. The book is broken into easy-to-read chapters that encourage readers to be deliberate about their growth; to have the willingness and determination to start over again, believe again, and win again. There is also a chapter that talks about resilience in parenting, especially in this generation where social media, even with all its advantages, influences a lot of young people negatively.

    “There is a chapter that speaks to spiritual resilience because, for many people, when things do not go well for them, they blame God for it. So, I try to encourage them to understand that there is always light at the end of the tunnel, and that their struggle is a path to their prosperity.

  • Coca-Cola Nigeria, others make case for water sustainability

    Stakeholders drawn from water related fields in the public sector, non-governmental sectors as well as corporate organisations including Coca-Cola Nigeria have stressed the need for increased level of collaborations to tackle the challenges associated with water scarcity and its waste in Nigeria.

    Speaking during a sustainable development symposium organised by Pan Atlantic University (Lagos Business School) held at the institution’s campus in Lekki, Lagos with the theme ‘From Global Goals to Local Action: Catalyzing Action Towards Sustainable Water Development’ the stakeholders declared that there was the need for government, corporate organisations as well as non-governmental organisations to partner in promoting sustainable water provisions and management in Nigeria which they noted would go a long way  in bridging the demand gap for water access in communities.

    In his remarks during the panel discussion, Director, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability, Coca Cola West Africa Business Unit, Mr. Clem Ugorji stated that it has become increasingly imperative for government and other critical stakeholders to work together to ensure water availability for all considering the population growth and limited access to potable water.

    Ugorji said: “We recycle the water we use for manufacturing and return it to the environment safely. We give back to communities through local water initiatives. Beyond that, we also believe we have a broader responsibility to replenish water. In several African countries, we are working with a range of partners to protect and improve water sources and provide access to clean water to communities.”

    Also speaking at the symposium, a Don at the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Lagos, Prof. Taibat Lawanson explained that there is need for government and the private sectors to work together to ensure efficient availability of water resources to the communities.

    On his part, the Chief Operating Officer of Lagos State Water Corporation, Engineer Deji Johnson stressed the need for Nigerians as well as corporate organisations to show concern in the manner in which water is used.

    In her own remarks during the panel discussion, Dr. Ijeoma Nwagwu, a Faculty on Strategy and Sustainability at the Lagos Business School, commended organised private sector including Coca-Cola for the invaluable role they have played in water sustainability drive over the years.

     

  • Pan-Atlantic University, Afrinolly team up for short courses for Creative Entrepreneurs

    The School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, in partnership with Afrinolly Limited, have come together to create three short courses targeted at aspiring creative digital media content producers.

    According to information, these intensive hands-on and practical courses will run for 96 hours over a three month period. The programme oûers both fulltime and part-time options, while the classes will hold at both the Afrinolly Creative Hub and Pan-Atlantic University Main Campus at Ibeju-Lekki.

    Courses that are being offered are ‘Mobile Phone Filmmaking Course’, a short course to train students on how to make quality short films with both Android and iPhones; ‘Screenwriting for Integrated Media’, a short course to train students to write stories for Film (narrative) and Television, creating memorable characters and learning the tool (Celtex and Final Draft); as well as ‘Acting and Digital Performance’, a course to train students on acting for Film & TV, developing characterization, breaking down a script, preparation on and rehearsal, understanding character biographies and auditioning.

    According to both bodies, the courses will offer students an opportunity to learn from industry experts and facilitators, create short-format content to launch career, provide access to N6m film fund, access to production equipment, studio and post-production facility at Afrinolly Creative Hub, and a host of others.

  • Don backs Dogara on postponement of national census

    Don backs Dogara on postponement of national census

    A don, Dr Austine Nwaeze, on Wednesday said he supported the suggestion by the Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara that a national census should be after the 2019 general elections.

    Nwaeze, who lectures Political Economics at Pan Atlantic University, Lekki, Lagos, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the census, planned for 2018, would be an exercise in futility.

    He said that although conducting the exercise was good in view of the current economic plan of Federal Government, but it might not change the narrative.

    “I will suggest that the national census be held in 2020 or 2021 for a fair exercise.

    “It should be extended by few years after the elections because of our peculiarities as a people.

    “I support the people who are calling for the suspension because we should learn from the mistakes of the past.

    “Since the early 1960s, our elections have been controversies. The exercise has always pitched one section of the country against the others and almost negated the purpose of the scheme,” he said.

    He said that postponing the exercise until after the election would enable the government to plan and prepare better for the exercise.

    Nwaeze said the suggestion to postpone the census was in order as it would not disrupt the current economic recovery plan.

    NAN recalls that Dogara, had on Monday in Abuja, warned that the census figures could be manipulated if the census was conducted in 2018.

    Dogara, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan, said the exercise should be conducted in 2017.

    He said that political interests would determine the outcome of the results, rather than the actual figures.

    The Speaker argued that 2018 was too close to 2019, an election year, and feared that politicians could hijack the exercise to their advantage.

    “If you conduct census just before the elections, there will be so much pressure, crises and a lure for people to manipulate the figures for political reasons, such that the agency cannot even cope with.

    “So, it is better for a fresh administration to conduct this exercise from the beginning of that administration when we do not have any pressure of elections in sight.

    He was reacting to the clamour by some groups for the census to be conducted in 2018.

  • Google’s Women Techmakers to train 300 females

    Google’s Women Techmakers to train 300 females

    Ms Britt Deyan, the People Operations Diversity Lead, Google on Friday said that Google will train 300 females in technology.

    Deyan told a news conference in Lagos that the training was part of Google’s Women Techmakers summit, to be held on April 8, 2017 aimed at celebrating women in technology.

    She said that Google Nigeria was hosting one of 19 global Women Techmakers summits (and the only one in Africa), which recognise and celebrate the achievements of women in the technology space.

    According to her, through these events, Google aims to encourage diversity and inspire more women to take active roles in the technology space.

    “The event has attracted three times as many women in technology as the first event, held in 2016, an indicator of the level of demand from the women in technology community for opportunities to engage, network and learn with, and from, each other.

    “The theme for the Saturday event is ‘Tell your story’ and attendees will have a chance to listen to leading women in the technology sector, including Google Nigeria country director, Mrs. Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor.

    “The attendees will attend hands-on workshops for both a technical and non-technical audience, including a technical TensorFlow Workshop and a Develop Your Story Workshop, featuring improved coaches from the US.

    “Other attractions on the lineup include a Fireside Chat with Kemi Adetiba, Music Video Director, moderated by Honey Ogundeyi, Founder and CEO at Fashpa.com,’’ she said.

    Deyan said that 700 applications were received for the summit but 300 were selected.

    Ms Mich Atagana, the Communications & Public Affairs Manager, Southern Africa, Google said that the Women Techmakers summit 2016 was an eye-opener.

    Atagana said that technical skills were becoming more critical, hence, the female folks should acquire them.

    She said that a lot of the female folks do not have technological role models in Africa, thereby finding it difficult to take up careers in technology.

    The Google Nigeria Director said that Techmakers was Google’s global programme for women and it provided visibility, community and resources for women in technology to drive innovation and participation in the field.

    Ehimuan-Chiazor said that Google achieved this by hosting events, launching resources and piloting new initiatives with communities and partners around the world, to ensure women were supported and empowered in the industry.

    She said that Techmakers was one of a number of initiatives that Google was running in Africa, with the aim of developing the local ecosystem.

    According to her, others initiatives included the Digital Skills initiative, which saw Google train one million African youths in digital skills between April 2016 and March 2017, which is expanding this year.

    “Another is Google Launchpad – Google’s mentorship-driven global startup programme, with the goal of driving real success for startups.

    “Launchpad comprises three phases – Build, Start and Accelerator. Applications for Launchpad Accelerator class 4 are now open – and for the first time, the programme will be accepting applications from Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.

    “Google is serious about Nigeria and our strategy is to continue to help get users online by developing an accessible, relevant and sustainable internet ecosystem.

    “As part of that strategy, we are helping to strengthen the developer community in Africa and empowering the next generation of developers,” she said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Pan Atlantic University’s Lagos Business School is partnering with Google to host the summit.

    The Dean of Lagos Business School, Dr Enase Okonedo, said that it was essential to recognise the need for more women in technology and leadership roles in the continent.

    Okonedo said that the event presented a unique opportunity to demonstrate the school’s commitment to developing responsible leaders for Africa.

     

  • ‘8 new private universities will increase intake of students’

    An Associate Professor, Onafowokan Oluyombo, on Thursday said the approval of eight new private universities by the Federal Government would increase the intake of students seeking admission into universities.

    Oluyombo of the Department of Accounting, Pan Atlantic University, Lekki, Lagos, made this known in Ota, Ogun.

    The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwuka, had on Wednesday announced the approval of additional eight private universities to give youths the opportunity to acquire university education.

    Anwuka made the announcement while briefing State House Correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    This was sequel to a memo approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and presented to the Council by the Federal Ministry of Education.

    With this development, the number of universities in Nigeria has increased from 143 to 151, with private universities risen to 69 from 61.

    Oluyombo said, “The Federal Government’s plan is really welcome because it will increase the intake of students seeking admission into various universities in the country.

    “The introduction of eight more private universities will lead to competition among the key players in the educational system.

    “This will result in the drop of fees, and parents will also have value for the money they are spending on their wards.’’

    Oluyombo urged the owners of the new private universities to play according to the rules and regulations of NUC to improve the nation’s quality of education.

    He urged the government to inject more funds into the tertiary institutions.

    Oluyombo also advised the government to suspend further approval of more universities.

  • Foundation gives The Nation correspondent scholarship

    Foundation gives The Nation correspondent scholarship

    An Abuja-based foundation, The Dr Bukar Usman Foundation, has given a senior Correspondent with The Nation, Evelyn Osagie, a part scholarship to pursue her Masters at the prestigious Pan-Atlantic University.

    With about a decade experience in journalism, Osagie won the Female reporter of the year award at the 2015 edition of the Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA).

    Osagie reports on the arts, culture, women and children. Notable among her inspiring reports is the story of The Nation girl Indian Ayuba, whose mother was mentally-challenged, a story she followed since 2009.

    Impressed by her developmental stories, and dedication to the course of humanity, and also after following Osagie’s journalistic career for some years, its founder and president, Dr Usman, said the foundation had given the multitalented journalist and poet a part-scholarship to pursue her Masters at the prestigious university.

    A letter, signed by Dr Usman states that her commitment and stories have brought development, and touched the lives of people, especially women, children, and communities across the country.

    The letter read: “In recognition of your developmental stories, and reports on various subjects across the nation, I have the pleasure in informing you that the Dr Bukar Usman Foundation has offered you a part-scholarship to enable you to pursue a Masters Degree in Communication at the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos.”

  • Don commends JAMB’s plan to cancel scratch cards

    Don commends JAMB’s plan to cancel scratch cards

    The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has been commended by Dr Onafowokan Oluyombo, over the proposed plan to cancel the use of scratch cards for students seeking admission into higher institutions.

    The Don, an associate Professor in the Department of Accounting, Pan Atlantic University (PAU), Lagos, gave the commendation on Tuesday, adding that the proposed plan of JAMB was a welcome development that would reduce sharp practices as well as the exploitation of parents.

    The Don also said that JAMB’s plan would make parents visit banks across the country and make payment for their wards.

    Oluyombo, however, urged JAMB management to ensure that charges across banks in the country were uniform.

    “’Banks should not be able to charge differently because it will still lead to irregularities if such act is allowed,’’ he said.

    Oluyombo advised JAMB to ensure that the monopoly by banks was broken by involving many financial institutions across the country.

    NAN reports that the board’s Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyode, had during the National Executive Council Meeting of Non-Academic Staff of Union on Oct. 18 in Abuja said that JAMB would cancel the use of scratch cards.

    NAN also reports that Oloyode said the policy would commence next year to check excesses of banks and vendors who exploit parents.