PositiveNaija

Publiseer Joins International Publishing Distribution Association (IPDA) [2018]

Publiseer has become the first African publishing company to join the International Publishing Distribution Association (IPDA), an international umbrella organization for companies in the field of publishing distribution.

As part of its membership, the founders of Publiseer, Chidi and Chika Nwaogu, will be attending the 5th International Digital Distributors Meeting organized by IPDA, scheduled to hold on the 6th and 7th of June 2018 in Madrid, Spain.

The meeting will focus on issues like, “new business models in the publishing distribution sector”, “worldwide growth of self-publishing”, and “publishing and distribution of hypermedia content”.

Some notable companies already in the International Publishing Distribution Association (IPDA) are Bookwire (Germany), BookRepublic (Italy), Vearsa (Ireland), DeMarque (Canada), Overdrive (USA), Numilog (France), Cyberlibris (France), Hipertexto (Colombia), Netizen (México), PocketBook (Switzerland),Tolino Media (Germany), Books on Demand (Germany), Trajectory (USA), StreetLib (Italy), Libreka (Germany), ArtaTech (Poland), Ingram (USA), Publit (Sweden), Viz Media (Japan), GiantChair (USA), Nextory (Sweden), CB (The Netherlands), and Izneo (France).

Publiseer is a digital publishing company in Nigeria, focused on distributing the books and songs of independent Nigerian writers and musicians. The mission of the company is to promote the creativity of Nigerians to the rest of the world.

The publishing platform has announced it will commence print-book publishing and distribution of physical music CDs. It has also launched ‘Publiseer for Music Videos’, a publishing package that will help musical artists get their music videos on Vevo. Publiseer has also added ‘Pandora’ to the list of partner stores it distributes songs to.

Publiseer has distributed 92+ books and songs of 250+ Nigerian writers and musicians, to 400+ stores in 100 countries, including Amazon, Google Play store, and Apple store.

Ayodeji Olarinoye Appointed FIFA Doping Control Officer [2018]

Ayodeji Olarinoye, a former medical doctor in the Nigerian U-17 football team, has been appointed as a FIFA Doping Control Officer (DCO) by the world soccer governing body, FIFA.

According to the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) in its weekly bulletin, the institution from which Ayodeji Olarinoye, graduated from, with this appointment, Ayodeji Olarinoye is Nigeria’s first FIFA doping control officer.

According to the publication, the 38-year-old is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine and British Association of Sports and Exercise Medicine.

The publication said the medical doctor would join the network of FIFA medical officers, responsible for ensuring safe and healthy participation in football after attending several anti-doping training.

According to the publication:

“The 38-year-old Ayodeji is the son of a retired civil servant and former Head of the International Department of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in the 1990s, Dr. Steve Olarinoye.

Dr. Olarinoye was honoured in 2015 by the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) for his dedication to duty and special interest in the field of Sports Medicine.

He is currently running a programme in Sports and Exercise Medicine in Cardiff, U.K.”

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!