The Nation Newspaper

Tag: programmes

  • Youths urged to take advantage of programmes

    Unemployed youths in Delta State, south-south Nigeria, have been called upon to take advantage of the State Government’s empowerment programmes.

    The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Delta State Governor, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, made the call while addressing newly recruited but disengaged protesters from the State Civil Service by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration.

    Some persons were recruited into the state civil service in April 2014 by the former Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan.

    The CPS said the Okowa’s administration meant well for the people of Delta and for those disengaged, adding that the state government’s decision to disengage those recruited one month before his inauguration was in good faith.

  • Lagos Business School and its programmes

    Success is a choice, not an obligation. Since that is the case, business-minded individuals need to make informed choices in their quest for management education. Business schools may be numerous, but experts observe that only a few actually fit the profile.
    The Financial Times of London contributes its two cents’ worth to quality control in management education. Every year, it publishes a list of some of the world’s best business institutions to guide prospective students’ choices. LBS has consistently featured in the ‘open enrolment education’ category of that list since 2007. More significantly, the school recently joined the FT’s ranking of top custom education providers; the first time it would be achieving the feat.
    Meanwhile, less than 5 percent of the world’s 13,000 business programmes are said to have earned the Association to Advance the Collegiate School of Business’ (AACSB) accreditation, touted as the highest achievement for business schools worldwide.
    Typically, AACSB-accredited schools have good faculty, a challenging curriculum, and provide educational and career opportunities unavailable at other business schools. LBS began the AACSB business accreditation process in 2006, and is working towards concluding the initial process successfully.
    Since 1991 when LBS started as a small institution offering management education in Lagos, it has consistently resonated with a mix of top executives and high-potential professionals interested in gaining useful management insights. The reason for this pull is abstract to some, while many others typically associate the school with prestige and high ethical standards. From LBS’ standpoint, however, three characteristics are responsible for the success stories recorded by some of its alumni. Sound knowledge is one, the right attitude another; and a solid network tops it off.
    Participants in LBS’ programmes always stand out, thanks to the School’s focus on providing sound knowledge that equips them to succeed in Africa and beyond. To achieve this, LBS employs the services of world-class local and international faculty to facilitate its MBA and Executive Education programmes. These academics are oftentimes expert sources for financial/business intelligence and thought leaders whose research works are published in international journals of repute.
    The School’s full-time MBA programme is designed to prepare managers to succeed in the increasingly complex global business environment. Small wonder, then, that participants in the programme are highly regarded both locally and internationally for the aptitude they display in their respective circles. Last year, former MBA student, Adebayo Alonge, emerged one of the finalists in the maiden Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. The Fellowship is the flagship programme of President Barack Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), which takes 500 young leaders to the US for academic coursework and leadership training. In the same year, Onyanta Adama, another MBA student, made the shortlist for the FT MBA Challenge with UK charity World Child Cancer. She joined five other students from Lagos and abroad to draft a plan on how Ghana could treat childhood cancer in a self-sustainable manner.
    But business education at LBS goes beyond building the intellect. After all, it takes a blend of knowledge and the right ethical attitude to produce the ideal business person or manager. Thus, in the course of their studies, participants also internalise the School’s values that set them apart in the real world such as integrity, professionalism, spirit of service, mutual respect and community. In a word, they are groomed to have the right ethical attitude towards business and management in a system dominated by sharp practices.
    After the programme, they join a solid network of over 5000 alumni whose expertise they can leverage in their quest to take their careers or businesses to the next level. Such launch pads have never been in short supply from the pool of participants in LBS’ executive programmes. Earlier this year, Paul Orajiaka (AMP 20) revamped a rundown school in Ikorodu, Lagos. He assured that the project was the first in a long line of CSR initiatives that would cut across the six geopolitical zones of the country in months to come. This was preceded by his interview with Forbes magazine for starting his doll manufacturing company, Auldon Limited, with a paltry $30, and making it a success story in the industry. Other positive change agents associated with LBS include Dr Christopher Kolade, Professor Pat Utomi, Pascal Dozie and governors, top executives/managers of multinationals and medium-to-large scale businesses too numerous to count.
    Every institution worthy of the name stands for something, and LBS is no exception. LBS stands for sound knowledge, the right attitude and a solid network. With a mix of these characteristics, it empowers managers to succeed in the fast-paced 21st century business environment defined by cut-throat competition.
    Jakpor is the Communications Officer, Lagos Business School

  • NGA resolves to keep faith with programmes

    NGA resolves to keep faith with programmes

    Despite paucity of fund the management of National Gallery of Art (NGA) has resolved to keep faith with the implementation of its progammes and activities, which are initiated to promote and propagate the visual art sub-sector. The gallery is also unrelenting in its campaign to push the Art Embellishment and Artist Royalty Act through the national assembly.

    Director-General of NGA, Mr. Abdullahi Muku who spoke with Arts Editors in Lagos said that ‘if enacted the act will make it mandatory for every public building and bridges in Nigeria to have some kind of embellishment especially art works with a percentage of the construction cost set aside for this purpose.’

    He stated that apart from the fact that the pool of money set aside will be available to the artists to access through the sale of their works, it would make them sit up and bring out the best in them.

    “With Artist Royalty entrenched in the Act, if an artist sells his work to somebody and that person resells it, a percentage of it will go to the artist or his/her family. This is a residual income that will benefit artists just like the royalty that performing artists enjoy for the playing of their musical works in any medium,” he noted.

    It will be recalled that three years ago, an Act aimed at promoting embellishment and artist royalty could not go beyond the first reading at the seventh National Assembly. But, Muku assured that NGA is hoping to reopen the bill through private sponsorship. “This is a dream we are hoping to realise with this 8th Assembly,” he added.

    Leading the prorammes is the proposed Abuja Biennial, which has been in the works since 2013. Also, on the priority list of NGA is a proposed-bill to repeal and reenact the Act that set up the agency over 20 years ago.  According to Muku Abuja Biennial is an event, which the agency would continue to push for as it has a lot of economic benefits for Nigeria. “The Abuja Biennial is a programme we are committed to, both for its economic benefits to the country generally and the artists in particular,” Muku said.

    “For 14 days, renowned artists from Nigeria, Africa, the Diaspora and the world would gather in Abuja to showcase the best of the best of the their works with art collectors, art dealers and art lovers buying these works.”  Earlier scheduled for this year, the event has been rescheduled to hold in 2017.

    The decision to initiate the event, he said, was informed by the experience of NGA’s participation at similar events within Africa and overseas. He cited the Dak’Art in Dakar, Senegal as an example of a biennale that inspired the event. “Having participated in the Dakar Biennale almost from inception, we discovered that they have been able to make good money from organising the event compared to what they spend. We are hoping to do the same by getting the private sector fully involved and other key stakeholders,” he added noting that the biennale would start even on a low key.

    Reacting to questions on how public-private partnership (PPP) can drive the gallery’s events, Muku said:  “We are open to the input of the private sector.  In fact, the coming in of Art Galleries Association of Nigeria (AGAN) was meant to promote government’s policy of public-private partnership (PPP) which was used to run the now rested Art Expo, Lagos.

    Muku did not fail to flaunt the economic viability of the Abuja Biennale, saying: “The Abuja Biennial is an art market that will bring together artists, art and culture administrators, art collectors/connoisseurs, political leaders and administrators, tourists and tourism practitioners. It is so named to identify with the world standard as every biennial is named after its host city. Abuja being the capital city of Nigeria is chosen for its economic vantage position and is keying into Mr. President’s vision of diversifying the economy.” Other events of the gallery include Nupe Art Conference/Exhibition, Art of Friendship, Children Funfair, Children Funfair, Art Fair and National Visual Arts Competition. He, however, blamed the inability to host the National Visual Arts Symposium and the distinguished lecture series last year on logistics, hoping that they will take place this year.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Ajimobi lauded on transformational programmes

    Ajimobi lauded on transformational programmes

    Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi has been described as a man with a vision, who within a short period of his first term brought dividends of democracy to the people of Oyo State.

    The Baale of Ido. Chief Tajudeen Adelani Akinosun Agura who said this yesterday in Ibadan, posited that Governor Ajimobi’s re-election is a confirmation of his relentless efforts towards the development of the state.

    Agura described the governor as the best governor Oyo State has ever had in its political history.

    He maintained that Governor Abiola’s achievements in the last four years convinced the masses to renew his mandate for another four years.

    The community leader gave kudos to the state governor for committing himself to the well being of the citizens of the state despite all odds.

    He explained that dualization of road projects in major cities in the state, construction of Total Gardens, urban renewal, respect to the traditional rulers, prompt payment of workers salaries among others, were the unbeatable feat recorded by the Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

    “Governor Ajimobi is a sound leader with adequate administrative strategies. His coming for second term is a blessing to the entire citizens of Oyo State. I know that the governor would use the opportunity of his second term in office to take the state a greater heights in a ramification, he maintained” he said

    Agura said Governor Ajimobi’s persistence on people-centred policies had endeared him to the hearts of everyone.

  • Toronto Festival announces new programmes

    The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has announced the launch of a new programme platform, comprising of up to 12 films of high artistic merit that demonstrate a strong directorial vision by significant international filmmakers.

    It says a three-person international jury will award a prize of $25,000 to the Best Film in the programme.

    “TIFF has always been devoted to celebrating and nurturing artistic vision in cinema. I’m pleased that we’re able to commemorate TIFF’s 40th anniversary with a renewed commitment to artistically ambitious filmmaking,” said Piers Handling, Director and CEO of TIFF. “Our objective with this programme is to offer greater visibility during the Festival to distinctive and visionary films from around the world.”

    Inspired by the JiaZhangke film, the platform, it is said “will showcase films made in the spirit of true directors’ cinema: free, daring and transformative,” said Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of the festival. “It will offer audiences, industry members and media a new opportunity to discover high-quality international cinema while giving the next generation of master filmmakers a platform to reach audiences and increase their global profile.”

    Bailey said the jury and film lineup will be announced in the coming months. The 40th Toronto International Film Festival runs from Thursday, September 10 through Sunday, September 20, 2015.

    Film submissions for the festival are currently open and will close on May 29.

    TIFF is a charitable cultural organization whose mission is to transform the way people see the world, through film. An international leader in film culture, TIFF projects include the annual Toronto International Film Festival in September; TIFF Bell Lightbox, which features five cinemas, major exhibitions, and learning and entertainment facilities; and innovative national distribution program Film Circuit. The organization generates an annual economic impact of $189 million CAD.

    TIFF Bell Lightbox is generously supported by contributors including Founding Sponsor Bell, the Province of Ontario, the Government of Canada, the City of Toronto, the Reitman family (Ivan Reitman, Agi Mandel and Susan Michaels), The Daniels Corporation and RBC.

  • NIPSS praises IBBUL programmes

    The management of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL), has been commended for initiating developmental academic programmes that will accelerate the socio-economic fortunes of Niger State and Nigeria at large. Air Commodore Emmanuel Jekada (rtd), gave the commendation while he led the Senior Executive Course 37 of 2015 participants of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, who were on a study tour to the university.

    He expressed satisfaction with IBBUL’s infrastructural stride, applauding the Niger State government for establishing the institution. Jekada stressed that every effort should be made to ensure that the funding system is enduring for sustainability.

    Jekada said the visit was part of traditional mandates of participants to undertake a tour to research and educational institutions nationwide with a view to expanding their knowledge on critical issues affecting the sector and how to evolve policies that could help mitigate some challenges.

    In his response, IBBUL Vice-Chancellor, Prof Muhammad Nasir Maiturare told participants that the university, with her 10 years of modest history has evolved through developmental stages and now ranks high among its equals.

  • AUN kicks off MBA, MSc, PhD programmes

    The American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, has opened admissions for postgraduate degrees and diploma in the School of Business & Entrepreneurship (SBE).

    The programs are: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration; Master of Business Administration (MBA); Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Business Administration, and the Postgraduate Diploma in Management (PGDM).

    Lectures for all the postgraduate programmes will commence in August 2015.

    Applicants studying for their PhD, which takes between 36 and 60 months, should be holders of a business-related M.Sc. or an MBA, while those seeking placement on the 18-24 month M.Sc or MBA programme should have at least second class honours degrees in business-related disciplines.

    For the PGDM programme (12-18 months), applicants should have first degrees or Higher National Diploma in any discipline.

    Application forms are available on the university’s website.

  • Farmers laud Ogun govt’s programmes

    Farmers laud Ogun govt’s programmes

    Ogun State government has been lauded for its commendable agricultural programmes which have improved the fortunes of farmers in the state.

    The State’s Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Chief Olusegun Dasaolu, gave the commendation during an interactive session between  farmers and Governor Ibikunle Amosun on how best to further improve the quality of service delivery in the sector.

    Chief Dasaolu said he was impressed with government’s rice cultivation in Eggua in Yewa North, 50-hectare Cocoa farm and a plantain farm in Alagbagba in Odeda Local Government, 50- hectare oil palm farm in ImekoAfon and the establishment of Green House in Kotopo, which has started to produce high-yield tomatoes, pepper to the citizens as well as various cassava farms in the state.

    The AFAN chairman also praised the state government for paying its counterpart fund regularly, saying it has allowed farmers to  get their input, such as fertiliser, ands seedlings, among others.

    He urged the state government not to relent in agriculture, saying more is still needed to be done, so that the state agricultural programmes can lead to industrialisation as seen by more irms opening shops in th state as well as the establishment of an ethanol factory the first in Sub-Sahara Africa in Agbara.

    The Chairman, Ogun State Poultry Farmers Association, Dr. Odunsi, urged the state government to look at the possibility of acquiring broiler processing machines as well as egg processing machines, which will turn egg into powder, which can be used by top companies such as Cadbury.

    This, he said, would improve the state Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    Governor Amosun thanked the farmers for their unflinching support to his government in the last 46 months,adding that agriculture will be given more priority in his second term.

    He urged them not to relent in their support as his government means well for them and their families especially now that all attention must be focused on agriculture as oil prices has fallen on the international markets

    Also speaking, Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Ronke Sokefun urged farmers to have faith in Governor IbikunleAmosun’s administration as they stand to gain more if he is re-elected in next month governorship election.

  • ’We ‘ll back presidential candidate with masses-oriented programmes’

    The  Conference of Southwest Political Parties (CSWPP) has said it would support the presidential candidate that put the interest of the masses on the front burner.

    At its meeting held in Ibadan,the Oyo State capital,the group expressed its readiness to back the best presidential candidate that would also promote national unity, tackle unemployment and revamp the nation’s economy.

    In a communique by its spokesman, Otunba Olu Alonge, the group said it has set up a seven-man committee led by Chief M. O. Ogunbodede to hold consultations with notable leaders in the zone to determine where the group would pitch its tent.

    The committee has two weeks to conclude its assignment and report back to the group, following which members of the public would be intimated through the media on its choice candidate in the Southwest zone.

    CSWPP said the conference would adequately consider the programmes of all the presidential candidates and ratify the best among them, who could uplift the southwest region in all aspects of life.

    It urged INEC to conduct an acceptable polls devoid of favouritism, while security operatives should shun partisanship to guarantee smooth conduct of the election.

  • ’We “ll back presidential candidate with masses-oriented programmes’

    ’We “ll back presidential candidate with masses-oriented programmes’

    The  Conference of Southwest Political Parties (CSWPP) has said it would support the presidential candidate that put the interest of the masses on the front burner.

    At its meeting held in Ibadan,the Oyo State capital,the conference expressed its readiness to back the best presidential candidate that would also promote national unity, tackle unemployment and revamp the nation’s economy.

    In a communique issued by the group’s spokesman, Otunba Olu Alonge said the group has set up a seven-man committee led by Chief M. O. Ogunbodede to hold consultations with notable leaders in the zone to determine where the group would pitch its tent.

    The committee has two weeks to conclude its assignment and report back to the group,following which members of the public would be intimated through the media on its choice candidate in the Southwest zone.

    CSWPP said the conference would adequately consider the programmes of all the presidential candidates and ratify the best among them, who could uplift the southwest region in all aspects of life.

    It urged INEC to conduct an acceptable polls devoid of favouritism, while security operatives should shun partisanship to guarantee smooth conduct of the election.