The Nation Newspaper

Tag: soup

  • UNILAG Alumni launches N738m project

    …honours Ogundipe, Shittu, others
    The University of Lagos ( UNILAG ) Alumni Association, Lagos State branch, amidst an alumni get-together and award ceremony on Sunday launched its N738,981,000 ‘Support Our University Project’ (SOUP) at the Jelili Omotola Hall C of the varsity.

    The event marked the final day of UNILAG Alumni week which started with a press conference at the Afe Babalola Auditorium of the varsity on March 16th.

    SOUP, according to the Lagos State branch chairman, Dr. Lukumon Adeoti, is a ‘long time project’ meant to ‘fund the university’s projects.’

    Estimations from the alumni have it that a total of N468, 500,000 will be expended on UNILAG students.

    This sum is expected to cover the awarding of scholarship to indigent and first class students, conduct of an educational contest, running an innovation and research in science and technology programme, and awarding of the three best graduating students across all faculties.

    Other proposed expenses under the project include N181, 000,000 for skill acquisition and entrepreneurial skills development and a total of N57, 700,000 for academic excellence and professional development.

    The state branch’s Annual General Meeting and the Alumni week are expected to cost about N31, 781,000.

    Speaking during the launch, Adeoti explained the essence of the project include, “One, [it is] about the indigent students, [because it] is part of it [sic].

    “[It includes] even the indigent students, the first class student and third class students. We believe and ask how we can come in to mitigate that.

    “Also, there is entrepreneurship. Entrepreneur skills because the whole world has gone beyond this white collar job.

    “Through this, we trace some people and by the time they are in final year, and by the time we have trained them and they leave the university, they will be able to stay on their own.

    “Another one is employability scheme. We have plans on that. So, by the time we invite our friends from the industry to train our students on how to do things, there is no way that we won’t be doing well in the area [of their studies].”

    Adeoti also explained that the money from donation to the project will go the university.

    “It’s a long time project,’’ he said. “So, we are trying to raise money for it. By the time we get the money, and we start expending the money accordingly, virtually all the money will go back to the university. ‘’

    The Geophysics lecturer, therefore, called on alumni of the university to contribute to the course of the project in order to make it a success.

    He, however, identified the insufficiency of funds as one factor that has made it difficult for the state branch to do much.

    Adeoti said, “It is a reality that the federal government cannot do it alone.

    ‘‘Therefore, we need participation of all stakeholders including the private sector, successful entrepreneurs, friends of the university/alumni, prominent alumni members, as part of our efforts in this direction.

    ‘‘We have intention to do more but [for] the handicap due to the paucity of funds.

    ‘‘We are of the opinion that this challenge could be mitigated by contribution from all of us… Our interest in this university has necessitated the programme tagged Support Our University Project (SOUP).

    Speaking on the project, the national president of UNILAG Alumni, Olorunsogo Dr. Sunny Kuku reiterated the role of alumni association in funding the university.

    He urged members to donate to the project which ‘is in line with the tenets, hopes and ambitions of the alumni association.’

    The vice chancellor, Prof. Toyin Ogundipe, has said that the University of Lagos (UNILAG) will make judicious use of whatever comes in from the Support Our University Project (SOUP).

    Ogundipe, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Development Services), Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, gave the assurance during the award/get-together ceremony for the launch of the project.

    “I assure you that will shall use your money and whatever you bring in judiciously. We will also support to the best of our ability,” she said.

    Meanwhile, Ogunsola expressed his gratitude to the varsity’s alumni association for seeing the university through the times when ‘things went down.’

    She restated the commitment of the university towards building the image of the university.

    Ogunsola said, “In addition, the university has been working to complement the work of the alumni by reaching out to industries, reaching out to development partners and working with them in order to make sure that we continue to be relevant.

    “And what we are having now is collaborations that can engender not only fund but can also bring about impact.”

    On his part, Adeoti revealed measures the association would take in order to increase the participation of the varsity’s alumni.

    He mentioned sensitization, creation of website for the state branch, use of social media and creation of the position of vice chairman II as part of measures to be taken.

    Meanwhile, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Alumni Association has also conferred honorary awards on prominent members and ‘friends of the university.’

    List of awardees at the event includes the Hon. Minster of Communication, Barr. Adebayo Shittu, Innovation in Information and Communication Skills Award; 12th Vice Chancellor, UNILAG, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, Distinguished University Administrator award; Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, William Babatunde Fowler, Tax Legend Award; and Chairman, Police Service Commission, Mike Okiro, Innovation in Security Advancement Award.

    Also in the list are: Senator Andrew Uchendu, Excellence in the Development of National Politics; Chief Henry Ajomale, Distinguished Democratic Leadership Award;  Hon. Moshood Oshun, Youth Empowerment Award; and Prince Lateef Fagbemi,  Innovation in Fire Safety and Manpower Training Award.

    The rest of the awardees include, among others, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Chioma Ajunwa-Oparah, Outstanding Athlete Award; Prof. Matthew Olusoji, Exemplary University Leadership Award; Sir Joseph Ari, Innovation in Skill Acquisition and Wealth Creation Award; Prof. Oluwayemisi Obashoro-John, Humanitarian Award and Chairperson; Nigerian Women Premier League, Mrs Aisha Falode, Excellence in Women Soccer Award.

    According to the Adeoti, the awards was conferred on them because they have been good ambassadors of the university.

    Adeoti, who explained that the non-alumni members considered ‘to be friends of the university’ were honoured because of their assistance to the university, reiterated that they were not only being awarded because of their money.

    He said, “It’s not only the issue of money, we have so many people that we could not give award because we emphasize [on] integrity a lot.

    “When I was talking, in UNILAG here we have so many people that are relevant…the professor, it’s not that they are rich but they have contributed tremendously towards the development of this country.”

    At the event, Fagbemi made a donation of N2.5 million Naira while Okiro (and friends) promised 1 million Naira as support.

    Nigeria’s topmost sport female journalist, Aisha Falode, on her own part donated the sum of N500, 000.

    Others, including Shittu and Oshun, promised undisclosed amount of money which they said would help achieve the aim of the project.

  • Pot of soup democracy?

    SIR: Democracy alone can supply the vitalising force to stir the peoples of the world into triumphant action against their ancient enemies- hunger, misery and despair – Harry Truman

    After a prolonged military rule and the subsequent return to democratic rule in 1999, Nigerians had hoped for a much better life than what is obtainable at the moment. Dividends of democracy are certainly not starvation; despair or a do or die affair.

    Concerns of democratic governments and legitimate systems all over the world centre around providing welfare and basic necessities that will make life easier and prepare citizens for the challenge of nation building. Some countries even though not endowed with natural resources, have used their initiatives to guarantee that lives of their citizens are at least comfortable and satisfactory.

    It is obvious that politicians in our clime work for their own stomachs. This is glaring in their body languages especially if they are successfully voted into power. The poor electorates are completely abandoned to swim alone. Even when vote buying may not be a new phenomenon in electioneering in Nigeria, it was taken to a new dimension in the just concluded Ondo State election. Perhaps, this might be attributed to the high level of poverty which has made the poor masses vulnerable or susceptible to the prey from desperate politicians.

    It is worrisome and undemocratic that pot of soup is fast becoming a factor in winning an election. The scenario is that the desperate politicians want the votes to seasonally control the available resources while the poor masses need the pot of soup to take care of their empty stomachs!

    Why do politicians buy votes? This is possible when political parties fail to build brand that can convince voters that they are trust-worthy. Democracy is all about choice of leadership through political participation; it is an avenue for eligible voters to elect those that will lead them. Not a situation where political leaders impose themselves on the people, commando style, through intimidation and ballot stuffing.

    It is high time Nigerians understand the antics of politicians.  If politicians had done well, there would be no need to distribute rice, bread not to talk of buying voters cards during campaigns. We must draw lessons from US election and the just-concluded Gambian presidential elections where the people stood their ground and said no to political impoverishment and enslavement. We must say no to poverty and pot of soup democracy.

     

    • Alifia Sunday,

    Ilorin, Kwara State.

  • Alibaba’s banga soup analogy

    Alibaba’s banga soup analogy

    He is described as the king of Nigerian comedy, but Atunyota Alleluya Akporobomerere, aka Alibaba has proven to have some more wits about him. This time, he brings his brand of comedy to bear, as he encourages his fans not to give up in life, using a typical Niger Delta delicacy, banga soup for his analogy.

    “Some people will not let you hear word when them own banga ripe. But as soon as your banga just show signs say e go soon ripe, they will start telling you of how much calories is inside Banga soup! But when they were eating their own Banga soup, with heavy balls of yellow eba and the kente-like soup was running down their palm and down on to their elbow, they could not spell calories talk less of how much was in the soup,” he said via Instagram.

    Continuing, he made a subtle reference to Arsenal FC beating Chelsea in Sunday’s standoff. The entertainer said that we all have a goal in life and our goals are different from one person to another. However, he noted that sometimes, in life, we tend to chase the same goals.

    “In such cases, with a level playing field, the goal is the same. You choose how you want to win it then. It’s like athletes preparing for a 100 meters dash. And when the gun blasted out to mark the beginning of the race, you had hopes of winning. You even came with your people to cheer you on to victory. Then by a twist of fate, better preparation, plus other factors, one of the 7 sprinters beat you to win the race. My dear athlete, this is not the time to say, the Canadian Open is not like IAAF tournament in the U.S. You ran and you lost. In any case, you were not a wild card. You had won in your heats to emerge one of the finalists,” he adds

    The comedian also made allusion to the 10 maidens in the Bible who went to see the groom and had to wait, can’t blame anyone for not letting them see the groom.

    “NA me talk say make UNA no carry extra oil? What I am trying to say in parable by perambulating is that… When Chelsea and Arsenal stepped onto the field… Never mind… you must have gotten my point by now. Go figure,” he concludes.

  • Falcons devour Semo, Egusi soup

    Falcons devour Semo, Egusi soup

    The Super Falcons are not missing any of the delicious Nigerian delicacies they are used to eating back home ahead of their African Women Championship (AWC) final against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in Windhoek tonight.

    SportingLife gathered that the players, having become tired of the sugar-laden meals that they were being served at their prestigious Safari Hotel abode, were delighted when sumptuous plates of Semovita and egusi soups were arranged for them by the team’s leader of delegation, Dilichukwu Onyedinma.

    Onyedinma, who regularly visits the West African restaurant in Windhoek, where Nigerian meals are sold, also made sure that the Falcons were served soup with a rich variety of meat and fish called ‘assorted’ in local Nigerian parlance such as brokoto, beef, fish, etc.

    SportingLife’s correspondent was at the restaurant run by a Yoruba couple in Windhoek and they confirmed that various Nigerian meals including jollof rice were taken to the players at their hotel.

    One of the regulars at the restuarant has been the chief coach of the Falcons, Edwin Okon, and in one of his visits, he had to reluctantly settle for ‘Semo’ when he was told that there was no more eba.

    “My brother, you dey come here too?” Okon asked in surprise.

    “I don tire for the sweet things wey we dey eat for hotel,” he said before zooming off with his food.

  • Racist abuse saga: Mikel in the soup

    Racist abuse saga: Mikel in the soup

    Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is demanding answers from Chelsea’s security team on why they failed to stop Super Eagles midfielder, John Obi Mikel’s entry into the referee’s room to confront Mark Clattenburg following an alleged racist remark he made during Manchester United’s 3-2 win at the Stamford Bridge.

    The Sunday Mirror says the Russian who did not know, or sanction, the angry raid on the referee’s room by the incensed Nigerian and several other Chelsea officials, who had been told by team-mate Ramires of the ref’s alleged racist comment, now will demand to know how Premier League rules and Chelsea’s own club code over security were so easily breached?

    There are serious questions over why didn’t Chelsea’s own security men block the angry raid and protect the game officials until tempers had cooled.

    That basic failure is a clear violation of rules and can land Chelsea an FA ­disciplinary charge of failing to control their players and backroom staff.