The Nation Newspaper

Tag: shines

  • Peter Cole shines at African Summit Awards

    One of the brains behind Achievas Entertainment outfit and the MD/CEO of Ocean Glory Commodities Limited, Peter Cole Chiori has emerged winner as the Entrepreneur of the Year (Transport & Logistics) courtesy of the African Leadership Magazine at the just concluded 2018 edition of the African Summit Awards, London.

    According to Chiori, winning the award further shows that his brands has equally contributed immensely to the growth and development in the Transport and Logistic sector noting that more work will be intensified upon towards maintaining the pace of standard always.

  • Nigeria shines at UNWTO-CAF meeting

    MEETINGS, Incentives, Conference and Exhibition (MICE) has always been one of the ways destinations all over the world boost their tourism traffic. Nigeria was at the forefront of MICE many years ago.

    However, for some years now, countries like Ghana, South Africa and recently Rwanda have overtaken Nigeria as Africa’s leading conference destination.    The recently concluded 61st United Nations World Tourism Organisation Commission for Africa (UNWTO-CAF) meeting held in Nigeria offered Nigeria the opportunity to re-assert its position as a leading conference host. The Ministry of Information and Culture, led by Alhaji Lai Mohammed,  put a well-organized conference that the Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, described the conference in Abuja as one of the most successful events of the global body.

    The Secretary-General made the remarks in Abuja on Tuesday at a joint press conference with the Minister of Information and Culture. He said the UNWTO would leverage on the success of the meeting to promote Nigeria to become a top tourist destination in the world and commended the minister for putting Nigeria on the global tourism map.

    “Thanks to the minister that is pushing Nigeria as a new tourist destination. We are here to support Nigeria to be the most important and most attractive place to come to visit to enjoy the culture,” Mr. Pololikashvili said.

    The meeting was declared open by the President Mohammadu Buhari represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha. President Buhari said:  “The theme: ‘Tourism Statistics – A Catalyst for Development’ is apt and could not have come at a better time than now, considering the significance of the Tourism Statistics and Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) in measuring the contribution of the tourism sector to the national economy.

    “The importance of tourism and its potential to national economies cannot be overemphasized. Tourism, as we all know, contributes to the wealth of nations and the well-being of citizens, largely through foreign exchange earnings, generation of revenue, creation of employment, knowledge, cultural integration as well as increase the GDP of the country.

    “We are making steady efforts to diversify the economy through agriculture, solid minerals development and tourism. We are also investing heavily in infrastructure to promote tourism. This administration has injected about US$9 billion to strengthen its investment in power, roads and railway in the past two years alone.

    “Also, this government is investing in Social Investment Programme (SIP) to promote human capital development which has benefitted over 9 million people. These programmes include our Home-Grown School Feeding Programme that is providing one meal a day to 7.4 million pupils in 22 states of the federation; N-Power programme that has employed 200,000 university graduates and is about to employ 300,000 more; the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) under which some 297,973 poor homes are receiving 5,000 Naira monthly; and the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) that has provided loans to hundreds of thousands of small business owners.

    “The government is committed to providing public safety and security to all Nigerians, investors and tourists. Government is also investing a lot of resources in building the inventory of equipment and capacity of security agencies to keep the country safe.”

    Alhaji Mohammed, in his welcome speech, said  in view of the importance of tourism, it  has become for many member states as a source of foreign exchange, employment generation and income creation, in addition to encouraging infrastructural development and poverty reduction, in Nigeria, it is one of the sectors the government has identified as key to economic diversification agenda.

    He spoke further: “The sustained growth of the tourism industry illustrates how this all-important sector, with its added advantage of infinitude, can assist member states’ economies to reap the benefits of globalization.

    “This meeting, therefore, provides an excellent opportunity to discuss ways and means to promote intra-Africa travels and tourism, leveraging on our vast and unique resources and our number, for mutual benefit to all member states.  It is my expectation that this meeting will also serve as a platform towards establishing stronger linkages and functional collaboration among member states in order to realize the potentials with which the continent is endowed with.

    “ On our part, as a country, we are doing everything possible to move the tourism sector into the mainstream of the economy. Realizing that modern infrastructure is critical to tourism development, we are investing heavily in the development of infrastructure. In the last two years alone, we have spent an  unprecedented 9 billion US Dollars to build roads, standard railways and power. The investment is showing, as we have raised our power generation from 2,690 to 7,000MW, while road construction is going on in every of the country’s 36 states.”

    The Secretary-General, had before the meeting paid President Buhari a visit, also said the commitment shown by the President Buhari to tourism development has motivated the UNWTO to renew its interest in Nigeria. He commended the administration’s visa on arrival policy which, he said, has made Nigeria one of the most accessible countries and urged other countries to emulate the policy.

    Pololikashvili said the meeting in Nigeria would  provide a veritable platform to discuss and articulate concrete steps towards the development of tourism on the continent.

    “We had very interesting discussions with ministers and we made very concrete decisions on how to continue and how to work with African Continent, which has full support from our organization, and we are very glad that we are going in the right way.

    “We have an ambitious plan. We want to promote Africa as one of the main and most important tourism destinations in the world,” he said.

    The meeting, which had a about 160 delegates from 31 African countries, also had the tourism ministers from 26 African states in attendance.

    The delegated where treated to evenings of stage plays, music, cultural displays  and taste of Nigerian music cuisines.

  • Nodash shines at New York African Film Festival

    Nigerian filmmaker, Adekunle Adejuyigbe who is also known as Nodash has made Nigeria proud after his film, ‘The Delivery Boy’ was screened at the New York African Film Festival which took place at Lincoln Center, New York, USA in May.

    Only 20 to 30 films were selected for the festival which is typically attended by a hard-to-please mix of film connoisseurs, journalists and Hollywood producers.

    Some of the people who came to the screening admitted that they came with low expectations but they left with a new- found respect for Nigerian films, based on Adekunle’s success, it’s not farfetched to think that the next time they hear about a Nigerian film, they will be excited to watch it.

    “International audiences have responded extremely enthusiastically to the film, and we are looking forward to seeing how local movie fans react,” says Nodash who has an uncanny ability to create artistic, emotional pictures as a DP and as a director he is known for bringing out brilliant performances from his actors.

    ‘The Delivery Boy’ was shot by The Elite Film Team and produced by Something Unusual Studios.

    The film which has been getting good reviews also put up an impressive performance at the Nollywood Paris Film Festival.

  • Teen shines at international summit

    Teen shines at international summit

    The EF Academy, Torbay Campus, United Kingdom, an institution that offers International Baccalaureate (IB), IGCSE, A-Levels preparation programmes, is proud of Oluwatosin Onaolapo’s performance at the Global Student Leaders’ Summit held at The Hague in the Netherlands in June.

    The 16-year-old was one of the 23 students that represented the academy at the summit.

    Tosin, an IB student, serving as an intern for the summit, was praised for how she handled her role at the summit, which was to  to give a speech introducing Ndaba Mandela (grandson of Nelson Mandela).

    She was chosen out of 1,500 international high school students for this role at the three-day leadership conference focused on human rights issues.

    Other keynote speakers were Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, Pulitzer Prize winner Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, an alumna of the African Leadership Academy (ALA), South Africa.

    Oluwatosin said she learnt a lot from the summit.

    “The summit gives us the confidence to raise our voice higher and add our thoughts, our ideas to global issues. My entire internship experience was centered on learning from everyone around me and being bigger than some of the limitations that are typically associated with youth or race. It was all truly amazing,” she said.

    Students at the summit attended human rights and leadership workshops and participated in innovation sessions.

    The innovation sessions gave small groups of students opportunity to work together to solve a current human rights issue, using the ‘design thinking methodology’.

    They chose from four case studies of individuals who overcame situations where their human rights were diminished or disregarded, which were featured on the “Humans of New York” blog.

    Tosin’s group worked on finding a solution for women like Bhavani, an Indian now living in the U.S. after her husband died 15 years ago. She, and other women like her, have had to move past the gender roles that restrict them.

    “As a group, we realised that Bhavani needed support from other women who had been in, and risen above similar circumstances. One group member suggested we send letters of encouragement from such women to Bhavani. We then decided to fold those letters into origami cranes and have them mailed to her personally,” she said.

    From her experience at the summit, Oluwatosin believes young students should be given similar opportunities which challenge youths to seek solutions to problems.

    “Some of the other interns and I are thinking of creating an international non-profit organization where we can use what we’ve learned about leadership and storytelling to teach others to take leadership positions in the student council and become better ambassadors for EF Academy and for our countries. Being part of the conference allowed me to get a glimpse of where I stand in the global community,” she said.

    Oluwatosin, who lives in Port Harcourt and likes chemistry and economics, hopes to land a career that will allow her to combine her love for both the natural and social sciences.

  • Asuquo Ekpenyong shines

    Asuquo Ekpenyong shines

    Asuquo Ekpenyong, the commissioner for Finance in Cross River State, is now the youngest serving commissioner in the country. Ekpenyong’s nomination had raised eyebrows because of his age and the fact that he is not a career politician. But the dynamic and charming dude is ready to bring his wealth of experience to table in the Ben Ayade-led administration.

    The Odukpani local government area, Cross River State-born Ekpenyong is a graduate of Economics from the University of Reading, United Kingdom (UK), and holds Masters degree in International Banking and Financial Services from the same institution.

    After a brief working stint in England, he returned to Nigeria to work as a financial analyst at Davandy Finance & Securities Limited, Lagos and then relocated to Cross River where he was appointed a lecturer in the Banking and Finance Department of the University of Calabar, Cross River State. As a young industrious entrepreneur, he established Iquasu Ventures Limited, a haulage and logistics company in 2010. He later took over as Managing Director of Chamley Bureau de Change Limited. Asuquo’s expertise led to his appointment as Executive Director for Finance at Pearland Energy, an indigenous oil & gas company, and Non-Executive Director at Ekondo Microfinance Bank Limited.

  • Morocco Para Table Tennis Open: Chukwuemeka shines as Nigeria settle for silver in team event

    Morocco Para Table Tennis Open: Chukwuemeka shines as Nigeria settle for silver in team event

    France-based Nigeria’s Francis Chukwuemeka added another gold medal to his individual laurel after partnering Romania’s Bobi Simion in class 6-10 at the 1st Morocco Para Table Tennis Open in Agadir.

    However, Nigeria’s duo of Ahmed Owolabi Koleosho and Emmanuel Chinedu Nick had to settle for silver in the men’s class 1-5 after losing 2-0 to Brazil’s Welder Knaf and Venezuela’s Edson Joel Gomez Sanchez in the final.

    Prior to his triumph in the team event, Chukwuemeka has been anointed the Men’s Singles Class 9-10 champion, while his Romanian partner had also claimed the gold medal in Class 6-8.

    Koleosho and Nick did not lose without any fight as the contest was closer than the overall result might suggest. But it was the South Americans that emerged victorious ahead of the Nigerians.

    Before setting up the final against Nigeria’s Koleosho and Nick, Welder Knaf and Edson Joel Gomez Sanchez concluded their fixtures with two-nil victories over the Moroccan pairing of Adbelah Baidak and Abdeslam Oudrhiri, followed success by a similar margin in opposition to the partnership formed by Kuwait’s Yaqoub Alqasem and Sierra Leone’s George Wyndham.

    Knaf and Sanchez needed the full five games to secure the doubles (11-5, 11-7, 10-12, 9-11, 11-6), while Welder Knaf in his ensuing singles contest needed four games to beat Emmanuel Chinedu Nick (14-12, 11-9, 9-11, 11-5).

    Ahmed Owolabi Koleosho and Emmanuel Chinedu Nick finished in second place with Yaqoub Alqasem and George Wyndham in third position.

    To claim gold medal in their class, Chukwuemeka and Simion, the duo finished their fixtures with two matches to nil wins against Morocco’s Ayoub El Asmar and Abderrazzak Etgul, before overcoming Kuwait’s Ali Alsanea and Abdullah Alkhaldi.

    Proceedings concluded with success against the French pairing of Karim Boumedouha and Esteban Herrault; the initial doubles contest proving to be a testing affair. Bobi Simion and Francis Chukwuemeka needed the full five games (8-11, 12-10, 10-12, 11-5, 11-5) to secure victory before Francis Chukwuemeka overcame Esteban Herrault (11-7, 11-5, 11-7) to bring matters to an end.

    Meanwhile the Nigeria’s quartet of Chukwuemeka, Nick, Koleosho and Faith Obiora will be in action today at the 2015 African Para Championships, which serves as qualifiers for the 2016 Paralympics Games in Rio, Brazil.

  • Kunle Afolayan’s October 1 shines at AMAA

    Kunle Afolayan’s October 1 shines at AMAA

    With the dust yet to settle on the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) which held last Saturday at Boadwalk Convention Centre, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, whose movie October 1, carted home three awards has expressed joy over winning.

    “It feels good,” said Afolayan while speaking to The Nation over his movie’s outing at the AMAAs. “We have worked. And our work got recognised in three different categories.”

    October 1 won Best Actor in a Leading Role with veteran actor Sadiq Daba as the winner, Best Costume Design and Best Nigerian Film endowed by Bayelsa State Government.

    However, notwithstanding the accolades, Afolayan, not one to rest on his oars, has already moved to another project. He is currently working on a new movie, The CEO.

    “That’s the filmmaking life for you,” he said. “You don’t just do one and sit there. You have to keep moving. But the memory of the film will always be remembered every first of October.”

    Also at the event, Tony Elumelu, Chairman of UBA Plc and Heirs Holdings, was announced as the Honorary Counsel to the AMAAs. He accepted his new status alongside other honorees such as Horace Ovi, Harry Belafonte and Melvine Van Pebbles who also bagged lifetime achievement awards.

    Elumelu, who was at the United Nations General Assembly Summit on Sustainable Development Goals, in his speech read by Peace Anyiam-Osigwe at the awards ceremony, thanked AMAA for the honour and said that he will continue to work to promote the arts and entrepreneurship in Africa for three reasons which include self-determination and self-empowerment, Economic and social Development Aspirations of the Continent and most importantly, Pure Entertainment.

    Meanwhile, Mauritania led the pack in the number of awards among the countries in competition with the film, Timbuktu winning AMAA statuettes for Best Film, Best Film in an African Language, Best Child Actor and Best Director. South Africa, with the film, I Number Number, and Mauritius with the film, Lobraz Kaan registered their presence on the winners’ table.

    Other countries on the winners’ list include Ethiopia with the film Triangle Going to America, Egypt with the film Egypt’s Modern Pharaohs, Angola with Njinga: Queen of Angola among others.

    The founder of the awards, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe and the new CEO, Mr. Dayo Ogunyemi jointly expressed satisfaction with the awards show despite the challenges of Visa many delegates faced to get to Port Elizabeth.

    However, Anyiam-Osigwe challenged the government of South Africa to do more in opening her country to other African compatriots as all African nations fought alongside South Africa to defeat apartheid.

    “We are one and the theme of AMAA and our other initiatives this year is AFRICAONE. We will be going on tour of Africa with our creative artistes in music, film, comedy, visual arts and fashion with this message. The creative sector can employ millions of African youths and our governments must support and invest in this sector,” said Anyia-Osigwe who received thunderous applause.

  • Genevieve Nnaji shines in new movie, Road to Yesterday

    Genevieve Nnaji shines in new movie, Road to Yesterday

    After what seems like a break from the Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood diva, Genevieve Nnaji, is set to return to the big screen in a new production, Road to Yesterday . Producers of the feature film, The Entertainment Network, made this know when they announced plans to release the film in all Nigerian cinemas on Friday, November 27.

    Set in Lagos, the movie is an epic love story, about a couple desperate to mend their marriage. They embark on a road trip to a relative’s funeral. However, when memories and secrets from the past are revealed, a lot more is at stake than their relationship.

    According to the producers, Road to Yesterday is set to resonate with movie-goers nationwide.

    Written and directed by Ishaya Bako, a London Film School Alumni, and creator of Braids on a Bald Head (Best Short Film at the 2012 AMAA Awards) Road to Yesterday sees Genevieve Nnaji acting as Victoria Izu, the conflicted wife and mother.

    “Road to Yesterday was shot in various locations across Lagos. Its proudly Nigerian cast and crew celebrate the depth of local talent. With the support of AfricaMagic, the technical quality of the film demonstrates that it is possible to make a high quality production in Nigeria with the appropriate budget and technical input. The Nigerian premiere is set for Wednesday, November 18 in Lagos,” says Bako.

    Road to Yesterday also stars Nigerian-British actor, Oris Erhuerho, Majid Michel, Chioma ‘Chigul’ Omeruah and veteran, Ebele Okaro.

  • Ojo shines against 10-man hosts

    Ojo shines against 10-man hosts

    Liverpool have been making a fine art of nurturing talented wingers lately. First there was Raheem Sterling, then Jordon Ibe. The next sparkling speedster could well be Sheyi Ojo.

    The 18-year-old with Nigerian roots is spending a season out on loan at Wolves in the Championship and demonstrated his game-changing capabilities, coming off the bench at half-time to break the resistance of 10-man Fulham. Ojo hails from Hemel Hempstead and came through the youth ranks at MK Dons, his talent evident when, as a 14-year-old, Liverpool beat off competition from a number of leading European clubs to bring him to their academy.

    Patiently awaiting a first-team debut at Anfield, the England under 19 international spent time on loan at Wigan last season and now looks right at home at Wolves.

    It was Ojo’s searching cross from the left that was dispatched into the far corner by Adam Le Fondre’s glancing header 10 minutes into the second-half.

    Both players claimed it, running off on different paths to celebrate, but replays showed Le Fondre did get a definite touch and, being a striker with just one goal to his name this season, he will certainly claim it.

    Fulham, who had helped Wolves on their way to three points when Tom Cairney went in two-footed on Le Fondre before half-time, earning a straight red, then gifted them a second goal.

    Ojo weaved his way down the left once again and his powerful low shot somehow found its way between Andy Lonergan’s legs at the near post. It was a calamity by the keeper but let’s now allow that to obscure Ojo’s impact.

  • Otigba shines in Heerenveen Win

    Otigba shines in Heerenveen Win

    Central defender Kenneth Otigba enjoyed another outstanding 90 minutes with SC Heerenveen, who secured a 3-1 win against FC Utrecht on Saturday.

    Otigba was dangerous throughout the match duration and created one assist for the homers at the Abe Lenstra Stadion.

    Mark Uth stole the show with a hat-trick for The Super Frisians in the Eredivisie round four encounter, while Willem Janssen grabbed a consolation for the visitors.

    It was the second full game for Otigba, who has reportedly not declared where his international future lies.

    The 22-year-old defender has been tipped for bigger things by followers and observers of the game due to his excellent handling of the ball.

    Born in Kaduna to a Nigerian father and Hungarian mother, Otigba, has played for the U-21 team of Hungary in the past.

    He rejected a second invitation to play for the Hungarian U-21’s thus sparking reactions that he may want to commit his future to Nigeria.

    The Nigerian started his European career at Gyulai Termál FC in Hungary in 2000 before moving to Békéscsaba in 2004, from where he joined Heerenveen six years ago.