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  • Photography academy gets Oyo State’s nod

    Pixels International Academy, a new-age creative school founded by Pixels Digital Photography to empower Nigerians who want to build a career in photography, creative designs and branding has received the approval of the Oyo State Board for Technical and Vocational Education (BOTAVED).

    The institute got the endorsement of BOTAVED following the completion of its state-of-the-art  facility in Ibadan which is now open to students.

    Chief Executive Officer of Pixels Digital Photography, Omolaraeni Olaosebikan, said  the primary aim of the Academy is to contribute to the socio-economic development of Nigeria through technical and vocational training.

    “Pixels International Academy programme is designed to enable all Nigerians to develop professional confidence on and technical proficiency, to explore and define their own distinct creative vision. Our goal is to help many Nigerians discover where an exciting career in photography can take them. It is also to give competitive edge to our students through the comprehensive foundation we provide for them through world-class sophisticated photography equipment and practical, they would be exposed to while taking our courses,” she said.

    She urged all Nigerians who will like to build a career in creative designs, branding, to take advantage of the programme.

    In her remark during a press conference held in Ibadan, Dolapo Ishola, head of the academy said photography is a competitive field but there are many opportunities for talented and well-trained across fashion, wedding, landscape, photojournalism and conceptual photography.

    “When you attend Pixels International Academy, you will learn a wide range of skills using an established curriculum, learn more than photography skills, learn from professionals, enjoy the benefits of a creative learning community, establish industry connections and become a sought-after professional”, Ishola stated.

    Course details for Foundation in Photography programme at the academy include: Introduction to photography, Styles of photography, the Basic principle of the camera, Camera modes & settings, understanding exposure & exposure compensation, Introduction to photography, basic photo editing etc.

    For a Diploma in Photography, students will be exposed to skills needed to explore and define their own distinct creative vision through training on Gear guide: lenses & sensors, advanced compositional principles, lighting photography, graphic design, business & ethics of photography etc.

    Advanced Diploma in Photography will also provide the latest technical skills, insider advice and the chance to create own working portfolio for students. They will undergo courses like Timelapse & hyper-lapse photography, gel lighting, colour management, high-end editing using frequency separation techniques, studio flash & shaping light etc.

    The academy also offers short courses and online programmes on Studio Photography Masterclass, Photo Editing & Retouching Masterclass, Compositional Techniques, Smartphone Photography and Photography Foundation Programme.

  • Wike to politicians: take advantage of my olive branch

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has called on all politicians in the state to take advantage of his post-election olive branch to develop the state.

    A statement by his media aide, Simeon Nwakaudu, said Wike spoke yesterday when the Governing Council of the Rivers State University visited him at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

    According to the governor, the state needs peace and security for rapid growth.

    He said: “We want everybody to take advantage of the olive branch if they love the state. We are not afraid of fight, but we want everyone to join us to work for the development of the state.

    “The state is uppermost on our mind. I will do everything possible to promote its peace. We thank God that all the political tension is behind us. You cannot govern a state when it is not peaceful. We continue to reiterate the need for peace. We want total peace and reconciliation.”

    Read also: ‘Wike should address insecurity’

    Governor Wike urged the Rivers State University to check cultism, and advised the university to submit names of cultists to the government for necessary action.

    Wike also approved the employment of academic and non-academic staff, even as he reiterated that the government will implement the de-centralisation of the Rivers State University, with the Ahoada Campus to be built soon.

    The Pro-Chancellor, Justice Iche Ndu, said the Wike’s re-election is well deserved as it flows from the people. He decried the violence which greeted the election, and called on the political class to cooperate with the governor to promote peace.

    Justice Ndu implored the governor to invite elders, statesman, church leaders and mediators to take over the peace building process.

    He also urged the governor to approve the employment of new academic and non academic staff for the institution.

  • RCCG inaugurates College in Jos

    The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has laid the foundation for a new Christ The Redeemer College in Jos.

    The school is an addition to the Christ The Redeemer College at Keana link, Jos.

    The new college, which is the first full boarding school by the church in the Northern Nigeria, is located at the Redemption Camp in Kassa, Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State.

    The school has been designed to have 16 classrooms, boys and girls hostels, administrative block and other basic facilities that would propel learning in a conducive environment.

    Pastor Sunday Edward Akande, Special Assistant (Technical) to the General Overseer of RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye laid the foundation at the site.

    Speaking at the event, Pastor Akande, who is also the Pastor in charge of Region Eight, said the foundation laying was part of the policy of the Redeemed Christian Church of God to promote sound education and as well raise leaders of tomorrow that would have the fear of God.

    He said sound education coupled with spiritual upbringing was the bedrock of any society, saying a society desirous of growth would not to joke with both.

    “God is a master builder who works in partnership with men and a rewarder of those who are in partnership with him. The laying of this foundation is in line with the policy thrust of the RCCG to promote education and raise children that would be God fearing.

    “What we are doing today is also a stepping stone toward building another campus of Redeemers’ University on this camp ground in line with the vision of our father in the Lord Pastor Adeboye. There is enough land to accommodate all these laudable programmes,” he said.

    In his comments, the School Board Chairman, Pastor Tunde Ologere praised Pastor Adeboye and his wife, Folu, for their vision.

    He therefore called on members of the church and parents to team up with the management of the school towards making the project a reality within a short period of time as outlined by the board.

  • 29 schools battle to develop Ajegunle

    TWENTY-NINE schools located at Ajegunle in Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State are to take part in a competition geared towards developing the community.

    With the theme: Ajegunle Community Development Contest, the competition seeks for each school to suggest ways on how Ajegunle can be developed.

    A representative of Paradigm initiative, the technical body behind the competition, Mr Olayinka Taiwo, said at a briefing for the contesting schools that they had until May 10 to register for the competition.

    “The schools would first register and upload their developmental ideas on the contest’s website from April 10 -to May 10. The 10 best schools would be chosen on May 13 and would undergo a training between May 16 and 17. The contest would then take place on May 24 when each school would pitch its idea to a body of judges,” he said.

    Mrs Bolanle Olumekor, representing the Director, United Nations Information Centre, explained the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the pupils in order for them to incorporate it into their developmental ideas.

    Addressing the pupils, Convener of the programme, Grace Nkwocha expressed optimism that education could transform Ajegunle for the better.

    “In 2015, I was very concerned about our community Ajegunle when I came back from teaching abroad. There is a group of people who can transform the community; and that is the school. We are going to go through education to transform our community.  We have this image that is so bad but we can fix it, we can do something about it,” she said.

    She said she was confident young people could lead transformation.

    “We want to engage you (students) and your intelligence. You have the potential; you are not too young to create change. Education is a tool to solve problems. The major tool for development and transformation is education. Today we are going to inspire you, to see how you can contribute to the development of Ajegunle and Nigeria as a whole,” she said.

    Ms Nwocha also hoped that the government would support the developmental idea of the winning school as it would not be easy to sponsor it independently.

    Lukman Olumoh, who has been elected to represent Ajeromi-Ifelodun constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly; Mr Fatai Adekunle, chairman, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area represented by the chief of staff, Mr Lucky Uduikhue, and Youth Chairman, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Area, Mr. Micheal Ojobaro also attended the briefing.

  • TECH-U shines in latest Webometric ranking

    In a show of its acknowledged leadership in innovation, impact and excellence within the first year of commencement of academic programmes, Nigeria’s premier technical university, First Technical University (Tech-U) has emerged as one of the leading universities in Nigeria, according to the latest webometric ranking.

    In the current ranking, Tech-U comes out clear ahead of long-standing universities such as the Redeemers University (RUN), Bowen University, Pan Atlantic University (PAU), Lead City University and a host of private, state and Federal universities.

    Webometrics, also known as the Ranking Web, is the largest academic ranking of higher education institutions debuted in 2004 that runs independent, objective, free, open scientific exercise every six months performed by the Cybermetrics Lab (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC) for providing reliable, multidimensional, updated and useful information about the performance of universities from all over the world based on their web presence and impact.

    Coming in less than two years of its operation, Tech-U is ranked 43rd out of a total number of 252 higher institutions ranked in the country. The parameters deployed are impact rank, web presence, openness rank and excellence rank.

    As obtained from http://www.webometrics.info/en/Africa/Nigeria, Tech-U trumped UNILAG, Babcock University, FUTMINNA UNILORIN, UNIBEN, UNIPORT, UNAAB and several others with its aggregate point of 4050 to emerge as one of the most impactful Universities in the country.

  • Golden Eaglets book Mundial ticket first

    Five-time world champions Nigeria became the first African team to book a 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup ticket after 1-0 defeat of Angola in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday.

    Olakunle Olusegun earned the ticket to the tournament semifinals and to Brazil 2019 when he hooked a 21st-minute penalty into the roof of the net, with Angola’s goalkeeper Geovani stranded. But the Golden Eaglets were guilty of profligacy and the technical crew certainly has much to do still.

    As it happened against host nation Tanzania on Sunday, the Eaglets proved to be masters of the use of space and close control, but mostly lacked the right ideas and punch in the final third, just as some passes went astray at critical moments.

    REad also: ‘Tanazania 2019 won’t be walkover for Golden Eaglets’

    Two-goal hero against Tanzania, Wisdom Ubani could have been on the scoresheet in the 11th minute but his fierce effort from a 22 –yard free kick went narrowly off target.

    Angola was not to be cowed, as Zito latched onto the ball a few metres from the centre and unleashed a rocket that goalkeeper Sunday Stephen, in for the jittery Suleman Shaibu, did well to punch away.

    Three minutes later, Stephen had to be alert to push away another fierce Angolan shot, but two minutes later, at the other end, Ubani’s swift turn and shot came quite close with Geovani beaten.

    An Angolan defender handled the ball in the box under pressure in the 21st minute, and Olusegun made no mistake from the spot to put Nigeria in front.

    They could have had many more, but Shedrack Tanko bundled against the upright in the 42nd minute when it appeared easier to score, and Olusegun’s effort to chip Goevani from a swift counter was well-read by the goalkeeper.

    In the second period, the Eaglets’ profligacy continued, even after the Angolans were reduced to 10 men in the 51st minute as Jose Cabincano earned a second yellow card. In the 53rd minute, Ubani’s stinging shot from 25 yards went narrowly over, and on the hour, when it appeared easier to score, Ubani passed the ball to onrushing Olusegun who missed from close range.

    Substitutes Ibraheem Jabaar, Divine Nwachukwu and Peter Agba could not effect any improvement in the Eaglets’ game, and Nwachukwu even missed a glorious opportunity with six minutes to the end. The win means that the Eaglets return to the FIFA U-17 World Cup after missing out of the last edition staged in India two years ago.

    Nigeria will certainly finish at the head of Group A if they avoid defeat against Uganda at the same venue on Saturday.

  • Chibok meets Prophet Joshua

    In the Old Testament days of the Holy Bible, prophets were alter egos of monarchs. Kings ruled all right but it was almost at the behest of powerful prophets. The crown necessarily had to derive enough moral and spiritual authority from the prevailing prophet. A king would neglect the divine counsel of a leading prophet at his own peril.

    But there is probably no headier aphrodisiac than monarchy in its power and glory. As the Bible regales us, it is the ethereal wisdom of Prophet Nathan that brings rampaging KingProphet JoshuaProphet Joshua David back to earth. Nathan approaches David and says, oh wise King, there were two men, in a city, one extremely rich with exceeding large herds and the other dirt poor with only one little lamb.

    But alas, the rich fellow upped and snatched the poor man’s only possession to prepare meal for his stranger. King David was wrath with great anger. As the Lord liveth, such an evil one must surely die, he pronounced.

    And Prophet Nathan said to King David: “You are the man!”

    And the wise prophet proceeds to lay it thick on the now broken crown: Thus says the Lord, I anointed you king, delivered you from your enemies, gave you your master’s house; even your master’s wives and the house of Israel and Juddah. If these were not enough, I would have given you even more. But you had to commit such evil by killing your captain, Uriah and taking his wife. David is crushed by contrition.

    Such was the power of prophets. In pursuit of David, King Saul wipes out an entire commune of prophets, and never did the bible record a woman, viler than Jezebel. The great Prophet Isaiah is saddled to confront King Ahab and his blood-thirsty wife Jezebel, after she framed up and had Naboth executed in order to possess his land. Murderous Jezebel also hounded numerous prophets to their gruesome end.

    Prophets where somewhat universal to many ancient faiths. But over the ages, and with the coming of the Messiah, prophets apparently became outdated in the celestial scheme of things. Every man is now equipped with his own ‘prophet’; the Holy Spirit, according to Christian teaching.

    In today’s Nigeria however, a certain Prophet TB Joshua of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, remains redoubtable. The man in the Synagogue is sought after from all over the world. He is not only more known than many leaders, he makes and unmakes leaders.

    Today, a five-year-old kidnapping tangle-knot that may have defied the government of the land is now before Prophet TB, as a last resort somewhat. The agonizing parents of Chibok and Dapchi girls explain: “We decided to come to TB Joshua because we have seen him on TV and we see how he works miracles and helps people. If it is our fault that these things are happening, let him pray for us.”

    A prophet to the rescue?

  • Ibadan chefs training academy graduates first set

    THE first set of trained chefs and hospitality managers graduated from the Ibadan-based Royal Spices Academy last week.

    The academy, which is located at 20 Oluyole Industrial Estate, 7up Road, is a school of catering and hospitality management, producing professional chefs, personnel and entrepreneurs in the food industry.

    At the ceremony which was held at the World Lylies Event centre behind Queens College, Apata Ibadan, on Thursday April, 11, 23 graduands held their heads high having successfully completed the rigorous theoretical and practical training at the academy to obtain either certificate or diploma in catering and hospitality management.

    Addressing the graduands and guests at the ceremony, the Rector and Chief Executive Officer of the academy, Dr. (Mrs) Olufunmi Adegbile, revealed that  though it was the school’s first graduation ceremony, Royal Spices as a company started in 1991.

    She said: “The story of Royal Spices Academy cannot be told without telling the story of Royal Spices Company.

    “Royal Spices Company took off in 1991 with a well-defined vision/mission which was to change the face of providing food and food-related services. Emphasis was on quality food and quality presentation of the meal. Hitherto, both the service providers as well as the consuming public seemed satisfied with the basic provision of cooked meals presented plainly without frills or fancy.”

    The rector pointed out that the need to do things differently from others led to the conceptualisation of an educational institution, hence the birth of Royal Spices Academy.

    “With time, the educationist in the visioner of Royal Spices had to find expression, and the urge to do something different from the rest of the crowd led to the conceptualisation of an educational institution that will provide well-trained personnel that will serve , in a qualitative way, the high end of the catering sector.”

    Adegbile also promised that the institute was ready to contribute its quota to the economy by training youths to become employers of labour.

    “Royal Spices Academy is poised to contribute her own quota to the Nigerian economy and society by preparing willing youths to become professionals in the culinary arts, to become employable on the one hand, and to become employers of labour themselves.”

    The keynote speaker, Prof.Tunji Olaopa, explained that youth unemployment and poverty are the post-independence socio-economic crisis in Nigeria.

    Olaopa, who is also the Executive Vice Chairman,  Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy (ISGPP), highlighted the factors that contributed to youth unemployment in Nigeria.

  • Faulty leadership recruitment process, bane of Nigeria’s progress – Jega

    Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, on Wednesday in Kano, identified faulty leadership recruitment process, as a major factor that has retarded Nigeria’s progress for quite some time now.

    According to him, if the trend is allowed to persist, Nigerians will continue to live under the mercy of the so-called elite, whose major goal is to promote ethnic chauvinism, religious bigotry and parochial interests.

    This was the assertion  of Professor Attahiru Jega, who was the Chairman of the 15th Annual Conference of Fulbright Alumni Association (FAAN) held at Dangote Business School, Bayero University, Kano, from 16th to 18th April, 2019, with the theme: Economic Growth, Development and Security in Nigeria.”

    Professor Attahiru Jega, described the theme was apt, considering the systematic challenges of economic growth, security and development encountered by Nigeria.

    According to Jega, the theme would provide a veritable platform for generating ideas that would address these challenges.

    However, Jega expressed dismay, stressing that no matter how bright ideas and solutions are generated, they can only be addressed, if the country addresses the prevailing endemic leadership and governance crises.

    He contended that the recruitment process of leadership in Nigeria has been handed over to those, who do not have the love and interest of the Country at the expense of the masses.

    How can we have a purposeful leadership that will drive the necessary changes in Nigeria? , he queried.

    Jega, therefore, submitted that scholars, traditional rulers, civil society organizations and other key stakeholders have daunting challenges of addressing this menace, so that Nigerians would view election, as a glimmer of hope and weapon that they can use to change the bad leadership and governance in the country.

    In a keynote address, the Vice Chancellor of Kogi State University, Anyingba, Professor M.S Abdulkadir, said developing economies, like Nigeria can achieve economic growth, development and even stability, only in a socio-political and economic setting, devoid of violence, insecurity, terrorism, ethnic cleansing and so on.

    Represented by the Director of BUK Press, Professor Habu Mohammed, the VC, advocated that soldiers and policemen fighting guerrilla wars against the insurgents should be properly trained, as well as provided, with modern and sophisticated weapons.

    The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, William Stuart Syminton, who was represented by the Cultural Affairs Officer of the United States Embassy in Abuja, Mr. Sterling Tilley, said Nigeria and the United States had an age-long relationship adding that through Fulbright scholars, the United States understood popular culture and languages of Nigeria.

    Also Speaking, the FAAN President, Professor Adogba Okpaga, said the Fulbright programme is the most profound cultural and exchange programme ever instituted by the American government.

    He said the Fulbright programme, as at today had almost 300,000 people from over 140 countries in the world, with participants from both United States and other countries in the world.

    He explained that Fulbright Alumni Association held its first conference at the University of Ibadan in August 2000; and since then, it has been holding annual conferences.

    Earlier in his address, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Muhammad Yahuza Bello, welcomed the participants to Bayero University, Kano, adding that it was his fervent hope that the assembled Scholars, would rub minds and come up with strategic thinking to find solution to these intriguing questions.

    ”As a nation, what are the mistakes we have made? What are the opportunities we have lost? And what is that thing which we did not do well he queried?

  • Salah shines as clinical Liverpool see off FC Porto in UEFA Champions League

    A resurgent Mohamed Salah scored one and set up another to inspire a Liverpool to a 4-1 win over FC Porto in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg on Wednesday.

    The 6-1 aggregate victory has however teed them up for a last-four clash with FC Barcelona of Spain.

    They held off FC Porto in the early stages at Porto before Salah and Sadio Mane combined for the Senegalese to put them ahead with their first shot on target.

    The goal was however given after a VAR review.

    Egypt striker Salah doubled the tally after the break and goals from Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk wrapped it up late on.

    The Portuguese side had briefly reduced the arrears through Eder Militao, but having lost the first leg 2-0 at Anfield, they never seemed in a position to overturn the deficit.

    FC Barcelona had advanced on Tuesday when they won 3-0 in their second leg tie against Manchester United, completing a 4-0 aggregate victory.

    Five-times European champions Liverpool, who had produced a scintillating display to beat FC Porto 5-0 in the last-16 at the Dragao stadium last season, had a totally different approach this time.

    They soaked up the pressure as Porto made an adventurous start, with Jesus Corona curling a powerful shot just over the bar in the opening minute.

    Juergen Klopp’s side looked temporarily toothless, but they were just waiting for their moment — which came in the 26th minute.

    Mane latched onto a cross from Salah to beat Iker Casillas from close range but he was initially flagged offside, only for referee Danny Makkelie to check the VAR.

    After a two-minute review, the goal was eventually given.

    Facing the huge task of scoring four goals to qualify, FC Porto looked stunned, in spite of having attempted 15 shots before the interval.

    Salah, who endured a goal drought in March, confirmed he was getting close to his best again when he coolly slotted the ball past Casillas.

    That was after collecting a perfect diagonal through ball from Trent Alexander-Arnold in the 65th minute.

    It was Salah’s first 2018/2019 UEFA Champions League goal since December, and his first away from Anfield in the competition in 12 months.

    Militao soothed the home fans’ suffering a little, beating Roberto Firmino in the air to head home in the 69th minute.

    Brazilian Firmino, who had started on the bench as Klopp handed a rare start to Divock Origi, made it 3-1 with a downward header with 13 minutes left.

    And Van Dijk headed home a fourth from a corner kick eight minutes later to put the game beyond their hosts.

    Tottenham Hotspur will face Ajax Amsterdam in the other semi-final tie of the competition.(Reuters/NAN)