PositiveNaija, Author at PositiveNaija

ASTEVEN Group Launches First Sub-Sahara Renewable Energy Academy In Nigeria

ASTEVEN Group has officially launched ASTEVEN Renewable Energy Academy and Centre of Excellence, in Ogun State – the first Sub-Sahara Renewable Energy Academy in Nigeria.

Students of the academy will be trained green vendors, service providers, installers, technicians and dealers in renewable energy technologies. Graduates will also receive global certifications to ensure credibility within the industry.

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Bayelsa State Wins 2018 National Para-Swimming Open Championship

Bayelsa state have emerged winners of the second edition of the National Para-Swimming Open Championship after winning 27 medals comprising of 14 gold, five silver and eight bronze.

The two-day event in Abuja was organised by the Nigeria Para-Swimming Federation (NPSF).

Delta state came second with five gold, 11 silver and five bronze medals, while Osun state were third with nine medals made up of five gold, three silver and one bronze.

Oyo state came fourth with eight medals — two gold and six silver — while Ondo state were fifth with two gold and a bronze.

Imo state followed with a silver and three bronze, Ogun state had a bronze while FCT finished with no medal.

Habu Gumel, the President of the Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC), promised to give the NPSF the needed support to ensure they excel at the Paralympic Games. He said with the support of government and corporate bodies every one of the facilities needed by para-athletes would be provided.

According to the President of NPSF, Sylvester Ikuejamoye:

“If this group of people has decided not to be a burden to the society, and decide rather to use their talent to make a living and contribute to the society, then they are worth supporting.’’

Mr. Ikuejamoye said the Federation intends to keep together 10 athletes who would emerge from the National Para-Swimming Open Championship for national, continental and international championships if given adequate support.

Margaret Binga Wins Best Female Referee Award At 2018 World Taekwondo G-2 Egypt Open

President of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), Margaret Binga has won the Best Female Referee Award at the 2018 World Taekwondo G-2 Egypt Open in Cairo, Egypt.

The former two-time African Champion was invited to officiate at the high-level event, which would earn her top ranking points, and improve her quest towards being promoted to a Grade-1 ranked International Referee.

Presenting the award to Margaret Binga was the President of the African Taekwondo Union, General Ahmed Fouly, who praised the work ethic and achievements of Binga.

In the words of General Ahmed Fouly:

“It is amazing that Binga still finds the time to perform her international referee duties and at the same time shepherd such a high level of taekwondo activities back in Nigeria. We are keenly following the flurry of activities in Nigeria and it is very commendable.

Her performance as a referee at this event is only a testament to her constant drive to achieve excellence while working hard.”

Thanking the tournament organizers, coaches and referees for voting her as the best Referee, Margaret Binga said:

“Nigeria has good referees but we would want to step up their training so more of us can take our place on the world stage. This would require a lot of work and I hope that awards like this can motivate us more towards this aim.

The award will be a boost to as the Federation has set a target to target 100 new referees before the end of the four-year tenure of the present board.

The last NTF National Referee Course in December had more than 35 participants, and the Federation will be looking to conduct more National Referee Seminars across the six geo-political zones as the year runs out.”

The World Taekwondo G-2 ranked Egypt Opens had 287 competing athletes from 37 countries in attendance.

PositiveNaija Monthly Newsletter February 2018

PDF download: PositiveNaija Newsletter February 2018

Notably, we have sought out to deduce the geographic locations (within Nigeria or abroad), which the positive/success news/updates recorded are being achieved. In other words, our aim is to be able to tell objectively, how conducive/enduring the environments are to what Nigeria/Nigerians are achieving. To do this, we determined the locations on the basis of where exactly the achievement, progress, success, etc. was done or achieved as well as will be done or achieved and not based on where an award/recognition was or is presented.

It is important to mention that most achievements by Nigeria/Nigerians achieved abroad should not be relegated as being ‘superior’ or achieved out of a ‘privileged comfortable environment’ as most of these achievements are usually first in recognition of what has been done or attained within Nigeria and as such requiring an international/global export.

Recommendations:

Nigerians should be more observant towards the progress, development and excellence made in/by the country and fellow citizens.
The right conditions (hinged on truth) for the vivid manifestations of these achievements and subsequent potentials are needed.
Existing implementation frameworks should be critically reviewed with an indigenous approach.
Strategic planning and an effective monitoring system with a focus on sustainability.
Better coordination among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

We hope that you find these assessments useful, inspiring and educative. We will also be glad to hear from you!

Lagos State Government Inaugurates 4 Special Courts For Prosecuting Sexual Offences & Corruption Cases

Towards efficient dispensation of justice, the Lagos State Government (LASG) has inaugurated four special courts solely for the prosecution of sexual offences and corruption cases.

The two courts will adjudicate on special offences (economic and financial crimes), while the two others will try sexual offences.

The sexual offences court is the first of its kind in Nigeria.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Oluranti Adebule, said Lagos was collaborating with the British Council under the Rule of Law Anti-Corruption Programme to provide technical support for the anti-corruption fight.

The Governor further stated:

“The state collaborates with such agencies charged with the investigation and prosecution of corruption offences by providing an enabling environment in terms of responding to inquiries and providing information to anti-graft agencies.

I am particularly glad about the designation of two courts to handle sexual related offences as it complements our fight against sexual abuse.

These sexual offences courts will have trained and experienced prosecutors to interact with survivors, provide support and ensure timely prosecution of the cases.

Between 2015 and now, the DSVRT and Mirabel Centre have handled over 400 cases of sexual offences while 376 cases are being prosecuted in the various courts.

With a dedicated court now in place to handle these cases, l am sure that these cases will get the attention they deserve.

We have awarded the contract for the expansion of the operations of the DNA and Forensic Centre and Chemistry Section.

This will automatically place Lagos as one of the leading centres for forensics in Africa.”

Funlola Odunlami, the Solicitor-General of Lagos, lauded the Lagos State Government for being the first state to implement the initiative of the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

In her words:

“Lagos leads and other states follow, Governor Ambode is very passionate about issues relating to domestic and sexual violence; he led the walk `Say No to Domestic and Sexual Violence’ and he is passionate about the work of the DSVRT.

We have to make sure that in Lagos State perpetrators of sexual crimes no longer exists.

Members of the public can dial #6280*, text ABUSE to 6280 either on MTN or Airtel or call the DSVRT on 0813796004, individuals can dial 112 which is a toll free line.

Laboratories and Forensic Centers were created to audition victims of sexual violence.

In the Ministry of Justice, there is a particular department with lawyers which is set aside to handle sexual crimes and to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.”

Shell Nigeria Wins 17th Nigeria Oil And Gas Industry Games (NOGIG)

Shell Nigeria emerged the overall winners of the 17th Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Games (NOGIG) at the Main Bowl of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Shell Nigeria won 11 gold, 12 silver and 11 bronze medals at the Games. NNPC finished second with 9 gold, 12 silver and 14 bronze medals, while the third place went to Chevron amassing 8 gold, 3 silver and 5 bronze medals.

NLNG beat ExxonMobil to fourth place position after winning 5 gold, 5 silver and 5 bronze medal with ExxonMobil, collecting 3 gold, 5 silver and 6 bronze medals. Total Nigeria took the sixth position winning 3 gold, 4 silver and 7 bronze medals.

NAOC, NCDMB, DPR, Eroton and PTI placed 7th, 8th, 9th, 10 and 11 respectively.

Thirteen oil and gas companies in the country participated in the weeklong 17th Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Games (NOGIG) which featured, Swimming, 8-ball pool, Chess, Scrabble, Basketball, Athletics, Football, Squash, Tennis and Table Tennis.

South-South Zone Wins 4th Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) National Games

South-South Zone of Nigeria has emerged the overall winners at the fourth edition of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) national games tagged “Doctors’ Games” held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

South-South Zone in the first position had 17 gold, three silver and seven bronze medals.

North-Central Zone in the second position had three gold, one silver, four bronze medals, while North-West finished third with three gold and one bronze.

Hosts Ogun State were fifth with two gold, six silver and nine bronze.

For emerging as overall winners, South-South have now won every edition of the NMA national games (2014, 2016, 2017).

South-South Zone capped an eventful participation with a 4-1 win against South-East Zone in the football event in the closing ceremony.

This year’s edition which kicked off on 21 February, had doctors representing South-South, South-East, hosts Ogun, Lagos, North-Central, North-West all participating.

Participants competed in football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, scrabble, draught and chess.

The fourth edition of the NMA national games was supported by Mega Lifesciences Nigeria Limited.