The Nation Newspaper

Tag: winner

  • Western Lotto winner grabs N15m

    Western Lotto Nigeria Limited yesterday presented a cheque of N15 million to the first winner of the jackpot on its platform, Dorcas Nwagbara.

    She won in the Powerball draw on August 13. Powerball is one of seven international lottery games on the Western Lotto platform. The N15 million prize is arguably the highest winning on any lottery in Nigeria.

    An elated Nwagbara, a microbiology graduate of the Imo State University and entrepreneur, said she was initially in shock when she received a call informing her of her win.

    She stated: “As you can imagine, I am super excited. Friday, September 15, was one of the most exciting days in my life so far. I woke up that morning, and I did not even know that my name was everywhere. My name was trending. “I then got a call from Western Lotto. Apparently, they had been trying to reach me all of Thursday, September 14. I had won the jackpot on Wednesday, September 13”.

    Speaking further, she said: “Initially thought it was a call from one of the utility service providers and I was like “not again”.  I picked up the call, and the next thing I heard was, “Congratulations! You won the N15million Powerball Jackpot.  I was like, ‘Can you say that again’?  The caller confirmed.

    “I do not know what to say but to thank God. I just want to thank God, and I also want to encourage whoever is playing Western Lotto games to keep playing. I played up to 11 lines the day I won. So, just keep playing. It would come.”

    At the ceremony Wednesday, the company presented a symbolic cheque to mark the winning. Western Lotto Managing Director Yomi Ogunfowora said the company was as excited as the winner.

    “The win by Dorcas confirms our claim that our customers can win every prize on offer across all our games and that we would honour such wins”, Ogunfowora stated. He added: “As we celebrate Ms Dorcas Nwagbara, we believe her winning cheque of N15 million will invite Nigerians to join us in a world of fun and hope for a better lifestyle.”

    Western Lotto Nigeria Limited offers seven international lottery games under license from the Nigerian Lottery Regulatory Commission. The games are Powerball, Euro Jackpot, LottoRace, Euro Millions, Mega Millions, Kashman and UK Lotto.

  • Entertainment is not for the weak – Okiemute, Project Fame winner

    Entertainment is not for the weak – Okiemute, Project Fame winner

    Twenty-five  year old Linguistics & Communications graduate from University of Port Harcourt, Okiemute Ighorodje, winner of the 9th edition of the MTN Project Fame West Africa, who recently dropped an EP with the title ‘PH610’ in a chat with Dupe Ayinla-Olasunkanmi, speaks on the link of the new work with her personality, and other issues.

    Tell us about your EP?

    My EP which is titled PH610 is an embodiment of my personality as an artist. Firstly the meaning of the title signifies my audition tag number in Port Harcourt for the project fame West Africa audition, for me that was an opportunity for me to show case myself. So the title is very significant.

    I want my audience to grow with me; I want my fans to feel me, one step at a time.

    Did you envisage becoming the winner?

    No I didn’t, I just wanted to show case myself and basically have fun while doing that.

    Getting into the academy, what were your fears?

    Getting into the academy, my fear were, me not able to give a good performance and also not having anything to show for it afterward.

    How do you intend to survive, with the competition becoming high?

    This industry isn’t for the weak, I have come to understand that working hard and consistency is the major key in this business. I intend to stay focus and believe in my brand to survive. The sky is big enough for every star to shine.

    Have you gotten all your entitlement from the sponsors?

    As for my entitlement promised by the sponsors, all are being fulfilled accordingly.

    Tell us what makes your music different from what we have been listening to?

    What makes me special is the fact that I am really true to my profession as an artist (when it comes to performance, I leave 101% on the stage) and also my love for my fans  and I  am a happy brand.

    Who inspired your passion for music?

    My inspiration for music has always been my love to perform in front of people, as a child I found it very interesting and felt really happy that my eldest sister also made me the lead singer while we sing in group to our neighbors.

    How long do you intend to stay?

    I intend to continue in the industry as God wills and as long as I breathe because music is my life, my beginning and my end.

    How did you spend your money?

    My money won will be a discussion for another day maybe. Soon when making more money this period of investment.

  • Why I titled my EP PH610 – Okiemute, Project Fame winner

    Why I titled my EP PH610 – Okiemute, Project Fame winner

    Okiemute Ighorodje, who won the 9th edition of the MTN Project Fame West Africa last year, and recently dropped an EP with the title ‘PH610’ has revealed that the new work blends with her personality as an artiste.

    “My EP which is titled PH610 is an embodiment of my personality as an artist,” the 25 year old Linguistics & Communications graduate from University of Port Harcourt  disclosed to The Nation in a chat.

    “Firstly the meaning of the title signifies my audition tag number in Port Harcourt for the project fame West Africa audition, for me that was an opportunity for me to show case myself. So the title is very significant.”

    Okieute who made her debut with a single titled ‘Good Luving’, produced by Kezyklef early in the year, stated that the entertainment industry is not for the weak.

    “I have come to understand that working hard and consistency is the major key in this business. I intend to stay focus and believe in my brand to survive. The sky is big enough for every star to shine.”

    Okiemute who used to model is the third of four girls in a family of six, credits her journey into music to one of her sisters, whom she said was always quick to put her at the fore front of any music-related activity.

    A first timer on Project Fame, Okiemute made the decision to participate this season because she was certain she had built enough confidence, hence she auditioned in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

  • Lagos @50: Winner emerges in Spot N Post campaign

    Lagos @50: Winner emerges in Spot N Post campaign

    A winner has emerged in the Spot N Post campaign, a private engagement initiative to celebrate Lagos @50, organised by Abelinis Limited, a Lagos-based experiential company. The campaign, which started in May, required Lagosians to spot a car branded in the colours of the Lagos @50 festivities, take a picture with it and post on social media. The respondent with the highest number of likes emerges winner.

    At the end of the viral competition, Seun Oloketuyi, a media entrepreneur, got the most likes. Last Thursday, Oloketuyi was presented with a prize of N100,000 at the Ogba, Lagos office of Abelinis Limited.

    Deji Orunkoyi, general manager of the company, said the campaign was initiated to join Lagos in celebrating its Golden Jubilee.

    “Lagos is a land of dreams and as a company doing business here, we thought to give back in our little way. We looked at the line up of activities and came up with this idea to ensure Lagosians across local governments felt the joy of the landmark celebrations. We toured 20 local governments and are glad at the responses,” Orunkoyi said.

    The Chief Executive Officer of Abelinis, Abiodun Oshinibosi, added that the Spot N Post campaign was basically his company’s corporate social responsibility initiative. According to him, “employing our expertise and experience as an experiential company with a track record of successful activations, we bought the car, branded it and toured the state without seeking or getting any support from the government. We are happy with the response and are further committed to contributing our quota to the development of Lagos State.”

    Established in 2011 as a project management company with interests in events, activation and production, Abelinis Limited has entrenched a culture of philanthropy in the heart of its corporate social responsibility. Last year, through one of its initiatives, Fanz Championship Africa, the company built a borehole at Amuwo Odofin Primary School, renovated the school’s abandoned toilet facilities and donated a generator for the borehole. When it turned five in 2016, the management and workers of Abeinis visited the Area G Police Station, Ogba, Lagos, to donate food items and cheques to support the education of children of deceased policemen. Prior to this, it paid school fees for selected undergraduates, donated Apple laptops to some identified creative youths, visited the Modupe Cole and Ijamido orphanage homes to support the less privileged.

    It also presented a phototherapy machine and top-of-the-range incubator to the Ifako and Ijebu Ode general hospitals to reduce Infant Mortality Rate (IMR).

    Earlier this year, during the company’s sixth anniversary, it gave four police widows N50,000 cash and 50,000 worth of VTU each to start a retail vending spot.

  • Heritage, Dstv give N25m to winner

    Heritage, Dstv give N25m to winner

    Heritage Bank Plc, one of the sponsors of Big Brother Naija Season-2 reality TV show and MultiChoice Nigeria, owners of DSTV yesterday presented the 2017 winner, Efe Ejeba grand prize of brand new Sorento SUV and N25million cash prize in Lagos.

    Speaking at the grand prize presentation to the BB Naija Season-2 winner on Tuesday, Fela Ibidapo, Group Head, Corporate Communications of the bank, noted that beyond providing financial assistance to BB Naija contenders, Heritage Bank would between six to nine months help define the platform created for them; through business and advisory support services.

    According to him, this support will help chart a veritable course and equip the housemates with the necessary tools to make informed business choices during individuals’ careers.

    He affirmed that in a bid to bring additional value to Nigeria culture, Heritage Bank would ensure that in partnering with the house mates, they take positive steps towards creating, preserving and transferring wealth to Nigerians.

    “We are proud to be part of the reality show because our involvement has re-emphasize the wealth enshrined in our cultural heritage,” Fela said.

    He said BB Naija reality TV has projected the some of the positive aspects of the Nigerian culture of projecting kings and queens in every citizen.

    When we started this journey some weeks ago, people were asking us, how will you do it as a bank, remarking that with help of DSTV and the housemates among others they were able to create the needed experience among the Nigerian people.

  • Ex Project Fame winner, Jeff Akoh joins TMC

    Ex Project Fame winner, Jeff Akoh joins TMC

    R&B starlet, Jeff Akoh, has joined leading creative agency and management firm, Temple Management Company (TMC). The gifted singer, who became the youngest winner of Project Fame in 2015, signed the dotted lines in the company of his mother, Betty Akoh, at the corporate office of the company in Victoria Island, Lagos recently.

    According to Mark Redguard, Head of Entertainment, “Temple Management is not only about A-list artistes, we are also focused on artiste development by nurturing young stars who will take the reins. In Jeff Akoh, we at TMC see this lofty vision is actualised and we hope to do some wonderful things together.”

    Jeff expressed optimism about his new relationship with TMC saying, “It is the joy of every artiste to have a solid backend and I am happy that TMC brings that and a lot more with strong affiliations to global players in the entertainment industry,” said Jeff.

    “After I won Project Fame, there has been a lot of expectations from Nigerians, rightly so. I am more confident than ever that I can do some fantastic music. As they say, when preparation meets opportunity, the inevitable result is success.”

    Jeff held his own among established acts like Awilo Longomba, Sir Shina Peters and Onyeka Onwenu at the recently held Sunny On Sunday Concert in honour of King Sunny Ade. Jeff who was raised in Abuja is a singer and sound engineer who trained at SAE Institute, Cape Town, South Africa. He won the eighth season of Project Fame West Africa in 2015. Before then, together with his brother, Fred Akoh, he contested on Glo Naija Sings in 2010 at the age of 13, finishing in the Top 10. He released a single entitled ‘Never Let You Go’ and a feature with Yemi Alade entitled Kissing (Remix).

    TMC Limited which recently curated the much-talked about Sunny On Sunday concert is a full-service creative talent and event management company incorporated in Nigeria and operating in the Entertainment, Sports, Media and Art sectors.

  • Estako by-election: Agbomhere urges APC to declare him winner

    An aspirant on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) for Estako Federal Constituency by-election to replace Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu in the National Assembly, Mr. Blessing Agbomhere, has urged the party’s appeal panel to declare him winner of Saturday’s primaries.

    Agbomhere, who stormed out of the venue of the primaries, got 75 votes against the 334 votes Johnson Oghuma got.

    Addressing reporters yesterday after submitting his petition to the party’s appeal panel, Agbomhere said he was already leading before the election was manipulated in favour of his opponent.

    The politician accused the election committee’s panel, headed by Senator Ibn Na’Allah, of disallowing constitutionally recognised delegates from participating in the party primaries.

    He said the APC constitution provided for 26 party executives at the ward level to vote in the primaries while the panel allegedly reduced the number to 12 executive members.

    But the former APC governorship aspirant urged his supporters to vote for the party during the by-election.

    Agbomhere said: “The process was changed to favour my opponent. If they had followed the party’s procedures, I would have won. I got the 75 votes while I was in the field.

    “My prayer is for the party to declare me winner. I am a party faithful and I believe in democracy. I am asking my supporters to vote for the APC because I know I will get justice.”

    APC State Chairman Anselm Ojezua said he monitored the primaries and it was transparent.

    Ojezua said: “Yesterday’s (Saturday’s) primary was transparent, free and fair. Strangely enough, in his (Agbomere’s) written petition, he did not accuse the panel of manipulating the process; he only said the list it used was short of the requirement.”

  • Kenya Airways issues free ticket to competition winner

    THE Kenya Airways (KQ) has fulfilled the pledge of a free ticket to Nairobi to the winner of the 7th Travelscope Youth Tourism & Hospitality Leaders Forum Essay Competition held on May 5, 2016 at Jogor Centre, Ibadan.

    The organiser of the event and Managing Editor, Travelscope Magazine, Omololu Olumuyiwa, while presenting the KQ ticket to the winner, Ebenezer Oyawale, lauded the airline for their unflinching support and great passion for youth tourism advancement.

    “With the KQ flight ticket, Kenya Airways has further demonstrated that Africans should embrace one another to explore the tourism potential within the continent that cannot be experienced in any other continents”, Olumuyiwa said.

    Oyawale, a tourism management student of Federal Polytechnic, Ede, in his response shortly on receiving the ticket, said: “For me, this trip to Kenya is a dream come true knowing that the country is one of the leading safari destinations in Africa.

    “Kenya Airways and Travelscope have reawakened my passion for tourism.  I have earlier gained at the educative tourism forum and with this flight ticket, I have another opportunity for sight-seeing and practical exploration of the tourism potentials in Kenya”,Oyawale said.

    Olumuyiwa further said: “The annual forum is organised as a platform to provide an opportunity to engage youths and stakeholders with interest in tourism. They will actively participate in the educative forum as a way to orientate and as well uplift their lives to contribute positively towards sustainable development of the sector in Nigeria”.

  • Akeredolu: change is here

    Akeredolu: change is here

    Change is here, says Akeredolu as INEC declares him winner

    Ondo State Governor-elect Oluwarotimi Akeredolu yesterday promised not to fail the people when he assumes office on February 24.

    Akeredolu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the pledge in his acceptance speech read at his home in Owo amid jubilation after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him winner of Saturday’s election.

    Returning Officer and University of Ilorin Vice Chancellor Prof. Abdul-Ganiyu Ambali, who announced the result around 1.20pm, said Akeredolu polled 244, 842 votes to beat Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Eyitayo Jegede with 150, 380 votes and Alliance for Democracy (AD) candidate Olusola Oke, who scored 126, 889.

    APC won in 14 Local Government Areas. AD won in two (Ilaje and Okitipupa) and PDP in Ondo East and Ondo West councils.

    The APC won in Akure North, Akure South, Ile Oluji/Oke-Igbo,

    Ifedore, Ose, Akoko South West, Akoko South East, Akoko North East,

    Akoko North West, Owo, Idanre, Irele, Ese-Odo and Odigbo Local Government Areas.

    The Returning Officer said of the 1, 647, 973 total registered voters, only 584, 997 were accredited. There were 551,272 valid votes and 29, 615 votes were rejected.

    “Having polled the highest number of votes and having satisfied all requirements, I hereby declare Oluwarotmi Akeredolu the governor-elect of Ondo State,” Ambali said.

    Akeredolu praised President Muhammadu Buhari “our national leader” and the “principled” National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie- Oyegun and members of the National Working Committee (NWC).of the party.

    He said: “I wish to express my profound gratitude, first, to the Almighty God whose infinite grace has allowed us to see this day.

    ”This victory is of God through the people. It is not for me or the APC alone; it is a victory for the people of Ondo State, irrespective of which side of the divide you stood during the election. For me, it is a challenge to perform. It is a call to rescue our state and reverse it fortunes.

    ”I thank the people of my dear state for their steadfastness. I have heard their messages throughout the campaign to all the nooks and crannies of the state. Today, you have spoken with one voice. You have walked your talk. You have voted for me as your governor for the next four years.

    ”Today, change has come. I hereby make a solemn pledge that this collective mandate shall address all issues with keen determination. The welfare of our people alone shall be the directive policy of the government.

    Today’s victory is a confirmation of the willingness and readiness of the people of Ondo State to change and seek a better life. I thank you for your faith and confidence in me. I thank all those whose uncommon sacrifice, contributed in no small measure to the success of the exercise. A special show of gratitude must be extended to our security agents for their patriotic duty.

    ”I shall in few months be saddled with the task of providing responsible leadership, a leadership that would take our people from poverty and stagnation to productivity and prosperity, from pains and lamentation to joy and laughter.

    ”It is the sole reason you have voted for me and by the grace of God I will not fail you.

    ”There was jubilation in many parts of the state, especially in Akure and Owo. Members of the APC trooped out to celebrate Akeredolu’s victory. Most of them held brooms and danced round major streets, singing.

    Many also converged on the party’s secretariat on Oba Adesida Road and at the Akeredolu campaign office at Oyemekun Road, where they sang and danced.

    Residents of Owo took to the streets to celebrate the coming of another indigene as governor.Second Republic Governor of the old Ondo State, the late Chief Adekunle Adekunle Ajasin,  hailed from the ancient town. Many APC chiefs besieged Akeredolu’s residence to celebrate with him, among them Senator Tayo Alasoadura, Victor Olambitan, Tola Oworh, Gbenga Adefarati, Olalekan Odere, Wale Akinterinwa, Femi Agagu, Olayemi Omosuyi, Timileyin Adelegbe, Ifedayo Abegunde, Yemi Olowolabi, Saka Yusuf, among others.

    Also in Owo yesterday was Minister of Mines and Steel Dr. Kayoode FayemiImmediately, the result was announced, Akeredolu in a convoy joined his kinsmen, who were already jubilating.They moved from Akeredolu’s residence at the Government Reserved Area (GRA), through Fajuyi Road to Ehinogbe, Iloro and ended it at the Palace of Olowo of Owo, Oba Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi III.

    Members of the Boys Brigade were also in the party.

    Akededolu’s agent Dr Benson Enikuomehin,  said the election was free and fair.

    ”The result of the election showed that people are against Mimiko and his government. From the result, we could see that in Akure where the PDP candidate comes from, the party lost. Even in Mimiko’s hometown, the PDP won with a slight margin. This is to tell you that the people of Ondo State are tired of Mimiko and his hegemony,” he said.

    But Jegede’s agent,  Mr. Ayo Fadaka, said INEC was too hasty in conducting the election. According to him, the election was conducted less than 48 hours after Jegede was declared the PDP candidate.

    Fadaka alleged that “some individuals were used to truncate the future of the people of Ondo State by teaming up to work against the common interest of the people.”

    “They came to Ondo to work against us and eventually gave our government to the APC.”

    He said Jegede and the party would consult widely and decide on the next step to take, adding that “for now, we have not decided on what to do as a political party, but as time goes on, we shall take appropriate action.”

    ”INEC collaborated with the judiciary to deprive the good people of Ondo State good government, which the Olusegun Mimiko administration has ensured in the last eight years. Knowing full well that the electoral body has up to January, next year to organise the election, INEC still went ahead to conduct the election despiteunfavourable conditions,” Fadaka said.

  • Lagos to name entrepreneurship grant winners

    Lagos to name entrepreneurship grant winners

    LAGOS State government will name winners of a business-pitch competition organised to lower the curtain on the state’s Ready, Set, Work (RSW) programme for 500 final year students of its tertiary institutions next week.

    The 13-week programme for students of the Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) and the Lagos State College of Health Technology exposed the students to entrepreneurship and employability training that would culminate in grants for the best ideas and internships for the best performers.

    Last Saturday, the top 25 participants in the entrepreneurship stream pitched their business ideas before a panel of judges comprising two commissioners, Mr Olawale Oluwo (Energy and Mineral Resources), Mr Steve Ayorinde (Information and Strategy), and the Special Adviser on Education, Mr Obafela Bank-Olemoh.

    Also on the panel were the LASU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun; the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Education, Mrs. Seriki Ayeni; the Director of Entrepreneurship Programme, Ministry of Wealth Creation, Mrs. Abiose, and other investors.

    Bank-Olemoh, the brain behind the scheme, noted that the student with the best business idea and pitch would receive N1million.  The second place would get N500,000; while the third place gets N250,000.  In addition, he said, the trio would get N100,000 monthly for six months for upkeep to prevent the temptation of spending their capital, which could lead to the death of the business.

    The grant would be drawn from N15.5million approved as entrepreneurship grants by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for the project.

    Bank-Olemoh noted that through the scheme, the government hopes to improve the quality of graduates being churned into the industry.

    He said: “We are trying to raise the standards and create an enabling environment for the youths. I prefer partnering with the private sector on this because it reduces interference. These students must believe that it is not what they have learned that will improve their lives but what they do with what they have learned.”

    Mr Bank-Olemoh said the scheme would expand to include other sectors such as entertainment and art, agriculture, among others in its next edition.

    Human Resources representatives from partnering companies, such as PricewaterCoopers (PwC), SystemSpecs, Guarantee Trust Bank, Access Bank, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Total Oil and Jobberman, interviewed the employability stream participants for six-month paid internships.

    Deputy General Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, Total, Dr Nkoyo Attah, was impressed by the performance of the students, noting areas of improvement.

    She said: “Generally, I think they are doing well – although there is a lot to be done to broaden their global knowledge. Some of them don’t know basic things happening around the country and the world. Some don’t even know the two major presidential candidates of the United States upcoming election. But they are ok in the area of soft skills.

    “But government is doing a good job. This scheme is so impressive – the fact that you identified a problem and you are making efforts to solve it. We would always like to be part of the development of the country. One person cannot do it alone; that is why we partnered the government on this initiative. We want to limit ourselves to 10 candidates for this first edition.”