PositiveNaija

Iliya Pam And Deborah Pam Win 10th Ibadan City Marathon

Iliya Pam and Deborah Pam from Plateau State have emerged winners of the 10th edition of the Power Oil/Splash FM Ibadan City Marathon 2018. Iliya Pam won the male category, having finished in two hours, 36 minutes, while Deborah Pam won the female category after finishing in two hours, 51 minutes.

The 42 km race was sponsored by West Midland Communications, owners of Splash FM and Lagelu FM in conjunction with other partners.

The first three winners in the male category went home with cash prizes of ₦1 million, ₦700,000 and ₦250,000 respectively, while those in the female category got ₦700,000, ₦400,000 and ₦250,000 respectively.

Iliya Pam, a second-time winner of the race, is a 300 level student of Physical and Health Education at Federal College of Education, Pankshin, and a member of Plateau State Sports Council. Deborah Pam, a third-time winner of the same race, is an official of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Kefas Williams (2:38:32) and Yohanna Friday (2:40:42) emerged runner-up and second runner-up respectively in the male category, while Nuhu Elizabeth (3:04:21) and Hudung Gyang Stephen (3:05:28) emerged runner-up and second runner-up respectively in the male category.

All the winners from first to third in both categories of the event were from Plateau State.

Iliya Pam, who was also the winner of the 2018 Access Marathon race in Lagos, gave thanks to God for emerging victorious in the tournament.

In his words:

“It is unfortunate that I ended the race in 2 hours, 36 minutes as against the 2 hours, 27 minutes of the Access race in Lagos. I had trained very well to participate in the Commonwealth but could not make it.

I am determined to compete in international long distance races against Kenyans and others.’’

Deborah Pam, who won the race in 2013 and 2015 stated:

“I could not attend the last edition due to injury. I never thought I would win this, but I thank God it happened. I have participated in several international competitions.

I participated in a 50 km race in Doha in 2015; I also participated in a race in China and Cross-Country in Uganda. I also won the last Lagos City Marathon race.”

Iliya Pam and Deborah Pam are married couples.

In the Wheelchair event, Nofisat Adefala came first, James Oyebamiji in second place, Adebayo Oduwaye in third position while Joyce Otun came fourth.Over 2,500 athletes battled for prizes at the Power Oil/Splash FM Ibadan City Marathon 2018 in Ibadan with three million prize money available.The marathon races including the wheelchair and artisan category all started off at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan.

Daniel Etor & Al Nasr Win Oman Sultan Cup [2018]

Daniel Etor has helped Al Nasr to win the Oman Sultan Cup – major piece of silverware; for the first time in their history.

The Oman Sultan Cup final played by Al Nasr and Sohar Club finished in a 2-2 draw after 120 minutes with Al Nasr emerging victorious with a 8-7 score in the shootout.

Continue reading Daniel Etor & Al Nasr Win Oman Sultan Cup [2018]

GTC Emerge Overall Champion Of 2018 NAF Inter-Command Combat Sports Competition

Team Ground Training Command (GTC) has emerged the overall champion of the third edition of the Nigerian Air Force, NAF Inter-Command Combat Sports Competition.

The NAF Inter-Command Combat Sports Competition, which featured 7 teams, commenced on 3 April 2018 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Team GTC was able to edge out the 6 other teams drawn from the 5 remaining NAF Commands and the Headquarters NAF (HQ NAF) in a keenly contested competition.

The winner got [6 gold and one silver medals]. Team Logistics Command (LC), which came second, had 5 gold medals, 6 silver medals and 9 bronze medals while team Tactical Air Command (TAC) came third with 5 gold medals, 6 silver medals and 3 bronze medals. The fourth, fifth and sixth positions went to HQ NAF, Air Training Command (ATC) and Special Operations Command (SOC) respectively. Team Mobility Command (MC) came seventh with 2 silver medals and 7 bronze medals.

As part of events to mark the end of the games, an invitational Combat Relay Race was held. Out of the 3 security agencies that participated, the Nigerian Army (NA) Team carted away the gold medal while the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigerian Police came 2nd and 3rd respectively.

In addition, the final round of the Tug of War competition held between Team LC and Team SOC with the former winning. Thereafter, trophies and medals were presented to winners while the Combat Sports Flag, which signified the end of the 2018 Edition of the NAF Inter-Command Combat Sports Competition, was lowered.

At the closing ceremony, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State congratulated the champions for distinguishing themselves at the competition and donated 2 million Naira to GTC. He also congratulated all participants for their painstaking efforts during the games.

The Inter-Command Combat Sports Competition, which was introduced into the NAF three years ago, has become an annual regimental sporting event, aimed at continually promoting combat fitness and esprit-de-corps among Service personnel.

The competition was also aimed at enhancing effective service delivery, which can only be achieved when personnel are physically and mentally fit.

The event, which was tagged “Uyo 2018”, featured over 600 participants who competed in 8 various games.

Winners Of 2018 Toyota Dream Car Art Contest

Nine new national winners have emerged in the 2018 edition of Toyota Dream Car Art Contest organised by Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL).

Each winner presented their drawing; explaining the concept of the drawing showing originality, creativity, environmental friendliness, safety and future relevance urging Toyota to manufacture their dream car in the future.

The event is the 12th edition of the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest with children coming from different schools and states to share their concepts about the future of vehicular mobility by drawing their dream cars in the contest.

According to TNL’s Public Relations Manager, Mrs. Bukunola Ogunnusi:

“Toyota Dream Car Art Contest is a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative of Toyota Motor Corporation Japan to develop the innate artistic talent in children and cultivate an enduring relationship with them.

Toyota distributors and dealers globally have keyed into this initiative because of its acceptance and impact on children’s psyche the world over.”

In Abuja, 318 children participated; 325 participated in Port-Harcourt and 520 participated in Lagos. Three winners emerged from each category in Port-Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos centres, making a total of 27 winners from the three zones.

Three national finalists from each category, making nine winners in all, emerged after the rigorous assessment of entries from the three drawing centres. All the winning entries were judged based on the originality, creativity, environmental friendliness, safety and futuristic concept in their drawings.”

Winners of the national contest, received laptops, other corporate gifts and winner’s certificates.

The Managing Director, Toyota Nigeria, Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo stated:

“Toyota (Nigeria) Limited believes in tapping into the minds of children towards helping them realise their God-given talent and express it positively.”

The nine students, representing three age groups (below eight years; eight -11 years; and 12-15 years), will represent the country at a global contest of the event later in the year, according to a statement by the TNL.

PositiveNaija Monthly Newsletter March 2018

PDF download: PositiveNaija March 2018 Newsletter

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:

Urgent efforts are needed in the areas of security and rule of law; leadership and diplomacy; and energy and power.
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!

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Wins 2018 Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has received the 2018 Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers award.

The 2018 Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers award was presented at Poets & Writers’ annual dinner in celebration of writers, in New York City.

The Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award celebrates authors who have given generously to other writers or to the broader literary community.

The award, which is presented each year at Poets & Writers’ annual dinner, is named for Barnes & Noble in appreciation of its long-standing support.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was honoured for her work with the Farafina Trust Creative Writing Workshop in Nigeria.

The Nigerian author was honoured alongside other writers, Steve Cannon, and Richard Russo.

Susan Isaacs is the chairman of Poets & Writers’ Board of Directors and also the chair of the committee charged with selecting the honorees.

According to Susan Isaacs:

“We receive nominations from writers, publishing professionals, and others in the literary community. From the information about the nominees and their accomplishments, we select three writers and an editor who exemplify Poets & Writers’ core values: service, integrity, inclusivity, and excellence.

This year’s honorees are models of those qualities. The Board is delighted to be able to honour them. Their work makes me proud to be part of this community.”

According to Poets & Writers:

“The three writers we honor this year have not only expanded our horizons through their own writing, they are dedicated to supporting other writers and to bringing diverse voices into the literary conversation.”

Adichie, who has been championing a “Wear Nigerian” campaign, was clad in a black and yellow outfit from Nigerian brand Muse Factory.

Call for Entries: 2018 PositiveNaija Essay Competition

2018 POSITIVENAIJA ESSAY COMPETITION

The 2018 PositiveNaija Essay Competition aims to encourage Nigerian patriotism, nation building as well as a platform for excellence!

Title of Essay:

THE LOVE OF A NIGERIAN!

Objective:

Inform the world through your essay, what genuinely makes Nigeria and Nigerians kind, cooperative, tolerant and well-meaning towards one another and humanity today.

Eligibility:

Essay submissions are free – at no cost to the participants
Open to all nationalities
Participants and winners of the 2017 edition can still participate
PositiveNaija Team and the Advisory Judges are not eligible

Essay format:

Maximum of 1,500 words
At the beginning or end of the essay, state only your full names, nationality, email and telephone number(s).
Must be submitted in both MS Word & Portable Document format (PDF)

Essay expectations:

One (1) essay submission per person
Must be original, no plagiarism and not previously published
The competition language and the language of entries is English.
Truth, logical consistency, facts, narrative structure/organisation, creativity/initiative.

Reward [starting cash prizes]

1^st prize: ₦75,000
2^nd prize: ₦50,000
3^rd prize: ₦25,000

Reward [certificates]:

Top 10

Reward [publication]:

1^st position: Essay is published as the ‘Foreword’ in the 2018 PositiveNaija Series
2^nd – 10^th positions: Essays published in the 2018 PositiveNaija Series
1^st – 10^th positions: Essays are published weekly on the blog.

Timelines for the 2018 PositiveNaija Essay Competition:

Submission dates by participants: 1^st June 2018 – 31^st July 2018 (SEE ANNEX 4 for status of entries).
PositiveNaija review and submit Top 10 best entries to Advisory Judges: August 1 – 10, 2018.
Blind review by Advisory Judges who shall [individually] assess, grade and rank the entries: August 11 – 31, 2018.
Decision of Top 3 entries by Advisory Judges are published (without ranking) on the Competition Page: 3rd September 2018.

*Decisions by the Judges are final and are not subject to legal appeal

Profiles of the Top 3 participants are requested and published: September 4-6, 2018
The audience will then determine the final ranking for Positions 4th – 10th with an open and public online vote – multiple votes are allowed (SEE ANNEX 1 below for voting weights): September 8 – 14, 2018
The audience will then determine the final ranking and winner (Top 3) with an open and public online vote – multiple votes are allowed (SEE ANNEX 1 below for voting weights): September 17 – 23, 2018
PositiveNaija collates: September 24 – 30, 2018
Overall winner (and essay)/results are declared/published on 1^st October 2018 on PositiveNaija
Payments made and certificate issued to winners on 1^st October 2018

Sponsorship:

We welcome sponsorships for the 2018 PositiveNaija Essay Competition. Identifying, supporting and partnering with us on this competition is a testament to your personal, institutional or corporate conviction on the greatness, development and potentials of Nigeria/Nigerians.

For transparent and accountability purposes, every sponsorship for this competition received shall be made available on the blog [for privacy, sponsors can choose to use the initials of their names] (SEE ANNEX 3 below). We shall also provide up-to-date progress report to you.

Your support – financial or service-oriented, could therefore be targeted to the following areas:

Prizes: Top 1 – 10 Essays (Target: 10 million Naira)
Media/Publicity (Target: 3 million Naira)
Administrative/Logistics (Target: 2 million Naira)
General/Overarching – If your support is targeted to the general/overarching running of the competition, we will ensure equity in its distribution to the entire competition process.

We are committed to making the PositiveNaija Annual Essay Competition, the most rewarding educational prize competition in Nigeria by the year 2022.

Submission:

Email: positivenaija@yahoo.com

Deadline: 31 July 2018

Advisory Judges (4):

Eire. Ifueko Alufohai

Eire. Ifueko Alufohai (Mrs.) - BA, LLB, LLM

Executive-level professional with over 20 years combined experience in legal practice, legal advisory services, and administration of national and international status.

She is well-positioned to apply legal and administrative expertise towards providing value-adding solutions.

Mrs. Alufohai was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1996. She holds an LLM from the University of Houston, Houston Texas, and also a B.A in History from the University of Benin.

She is the immediate past Executive Director of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and currently the Edo State Focal Person of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Sharon Kaburuk

Sharon Kaburuk - MA, MSc

Communications Specialist. Creative Director, TaTsuniya and initiator #NigerianHistoryMatters. Experience in Brand & communications, event coordination and administration. Currently focusing on Capacity building and Private sector partnerships in Renewable Energy.

Mr. Osagie James Osemwegie - Bsc, Msc

Software Engineer and Research specialist in human behaviour modelling.

Current work focuses on the use of mobile phones to improve public health strategies in reducing sedentary lifestyles in Saskatchewan Canada.

Mr. Emmanuel Akpata

Strategy Consultant with academic background in Economics, Consumer behaviour and System Dynamics.

*Click on the photographs of the Advisory Judges for further information.

Acceptance of Terms

By participating you declare that you accept these terms and conditions.

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ANNEX 1 – VOTING RIGHTS AND WEIGHTS

*The Advisory Judges shall grade each entry with a total of 100

*The grades of the Advisory Judges shall have 80% (0.8) voting weight

*The audience can vote as many times possible

*The votes of the audience shall have a 20% (0.2) voting weight

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For updates, kindly visit: www.positivenaija.com