Author: PositiveNaija

Aruna Quadri, Bode Abiodun & Sporting Win 2018 Portuguese Cup

Aruna Quadri and Bode Abiodun with excellent performances for Sporting retain the 2018 Portuguese Cup played at High Performance Center in Caldas da Rainha.

Aruna Quadri started the whitewash against ADC Ponta do Pargo with a 3-0 victory (11-7, 11-9, 11-8) after beating Énio Mendes to give Sporting the confidence going into the second match.

Portuguese international, Diogo Carvalho increased the lead for Sporting with another 3-0 (11-9, 12-10, 11-4) triumph of Nigeria-born Congo Brazzaville’s Saheed Idowu.

The partnership of Bode Abiodun and João Monteiro completed the 3-0 rout for Sporting as they defeated the duo of Idowu and Nigeria’s Jide Ogidiolu with a 3-1 (11-7, 14-12, 8-11, 14-12).

Since joining Sporting two seasons ago, Aruna Quadri has been instrumental to the team dominance of the Portuguese winning everything at stake in the league as well as becoming the first Portuguese team to feature in the ETTU Champions League and also making it to the quarterfinal of the championship.

In celebrating the victory, Aruna Quadri said:

“I am happy that we were able to retain this title because we worked hard for the title. It was not an easy win because every team in the league is now getting quality players and I must thank the management of Sporting for the huge support.

We will be playing the first leg of the ETTU Champions League this week against France’s Stella Sporta La Romagne and I hope that the win would help our confidence going into the Champions League quarterfinal match on Friday.”

Simidele Adeagbo Is Africa’s First Female Skeleton Athlete For Winter Olympics

Simidele Adeagbo becomes the first African woman to compete in the Skeleton category of the Winter Olympics.

Simidele Adeagbo, who will be joining the historic Nigerian bobsled team at the 2018 Winter Olympics, qualified after coming 3rd in her 5th qualifying race.

36-year-old Adeagbo is currently ranked 84th in the world, although she first time she ever touched a skeleton sled was in September 2017.

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NIPRD Develops Traditional Herbal Products For Ebola, Malaria & Other Diseases

The National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, NIPRD, has successfully researched and developed six traditional herbal products for the treatment of Ebola, malaria and other diseases.

Professor Karniyus Gamaniel, the NIPRD director-general, said this while presenting an assessment of his eight-year tenure (2009 to 2017) in Abuja on  January 19, 2018.

Professor Karniyus Gamaniel said that NIPRIBOL, a fixed dose combination drug was developed by the Institute for the treatment of Ebola Virus Disease, adding that the Institute had completed the Phase I study of the drug.

Professor Gamaniel further stated that the Institute had also developed NIPRIMAL, an anti-malaria for treatment of uncomplicated malaria, stating that the drug was also safe for use by pregnant women.

Other traditional herbal products include NIPRIMUNE, an immunostimulant, which can also be used to manage HIV in Nigeria and NIPRIFAN for the treatment of fungal skin infection.

He also said that another product developed by the Institute, NIPRD Oil, could be used as a nasal decongestant, insect repellant, air freshner and an anti-inflammatory agent.

He however noted that excessive use of this oil could cause irritation.

In the words of Professor Karniyus Gamaniel:

“The Institute has also developed ‘NIPRISAN’ for the management of sickle cell anaemia.

We are currently concluding plans to carry out commercial production and distribution of this product.

We have developed and implemented various institutional policies for effective governance, this include the scheme and condition of service, intellectual policy and quality management system.

We have also ensured the introduction of traditional herbal medicine into the national health system and established partnerships with local and international organisations.

The core competence of NIPRD is in the development of phytomedicines from indigenous plants and products, clinical trials, among others; we are a quality assured Institute.”

The Institute presented awards to over 150 staff for their hard work and dedication to the growth of the Institute, and the research and development of traditional herbal products.

The Federal Government of Nigeria in 1987 approved the establishment of the Institute as a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.

It was established with the primary objective of developing medicine and biological products from indigenous resources towards the growth and development of the country.

The Institute was later moved to the Federal Ministry of Health in 2001.

Chi Limited Wins 2018 MAN Award For Best Kept Industrial Premises

Chi Limited has been announced as the first place winner for best kept industrial premises in the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria’s (MAN) 50th Annual General Meeting and Awards.

Chi Limited won the award for adopting best workplace production practices and processes amongst competing multinational companies in the country.

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Winners Of World Finance Banking Awards 2017

Winners have emerged at the World Finance Banking Awards 2017. The World Finance Banking Awards 2017 are detailed in the World Finance Banking Guide 2017, which offers an insight into the scale of transformation in the banking sector.

Winners Of World Finance Banking Awards 2017 (Nigeria)

  • Best Banking Group – Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank)

Employing more than 10,000 people across Africa, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is one of the continent’s leading financial institutions, providing a range of traditional and digital banking services to more than 10 million customers. Headquartered in Lagos, GTBank is Nigeria’s largest bank by market capitalisation, and boasts an asset base in excess of NGN 3.16 trillion ($8.8 billion).

  • Best Private Bank – First Bank of Nigeria

Established in 1894 as the Bank for British West Africa, First Bank of Nigeria holds the honour of being the first bank ever to be established in Africa. The bank now boasts more than 10 million customer accounts and provides a balanced range of traditional banking products, along with a collection of modern, digital solutions for investment and wealth management purposes.

Founded in 1990, Diamond Bank is a multinational financial services provider that offers a range of products in the commercial, retail, corporate and investment banking sectors. The company has become Nigeria’s fastest-growing retail bank by sticking rigidly to its long-term vision of not just matching customer expectations, but exceeding them.

  • Best Retail Bank – Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank)

Since its inception in 1990, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) has delivered consistent year-on-year growth, driving financial inclusion through the implementation of a number if innovative tech-based services. Now regarded as one of Africa’s leading financial institutions, GTBank’s operations extend across the continent, serving more than 10 million customers at home and abroad.

  • Best Sustainable Bank – Access Bank

Access Bank initially started life as a commercial bank, but broadened its reach to include personal and business banking in 2012. It is currently one of Nigeria’s five largest banks, and is now set on becoming one of Africa’s most respected financial institutions, with a growth model that puts environmental sustainability and social responsibility on a par with profits.

  • Most Innovative Bank In Africa – Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank)

Financial inclusion is one of the most significant issues currently facing the Nigerian banking sector. Guaranty Trust Bank, which was established in 1990 and has since grown to become one of Africa’s leading financial institutions, has therefore committed to rolling out a variety of digital banking products aimed at providing citizens formerly excluded from the formal banking system with access to vital financial services. In particular, the firm’s Bank 737 service, which allows customers to access their money via a smartphone without the need for an internet connection, is making banking simpler, faster and cheaper for previously unbanked Nigerians. Since the service was introduced, more than three million customers have signed up, while over $3.1 billion has been sent through the platform in the form of mobile transactions.

Wema Bank ALAT Wins World Finance Digital Banking Awards 2017

Wema Bank Plc and its mobile app ALAT, have been named the ‘Best Digital Bank’ and ‘Best Mobile Banking App’ in the World Finance Digital Banking awards 2017.

The World Finance Digital Banking awards 2017 celebrate institutions that are leading the charge with digitalization while meeting consumer demands and mitigating against accompanying risks.

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IFFHS Ranks Rivers United As Best Nigerian Football Club In 2017

Rivers United have been ranked the best Nigerian football club in 2017 by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) in its latest club world ranking.

In the IFFHS ranking covering the period between 1st January 2017 – 31st December 2017, Rivers United had 86 total points with an impressive leap from its position of 651 in 2016 to 221 in 2017.

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