PositiveNaija

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.

Jeremiah Ikoko Wins 6th Ships & Ports Table Tennis Championship

Jeremiah Ikoko of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has emerged the winner of the 6th Ships & Ports Table Tennis Championship.

The Championship, which holds annually and was sponsored by Dangote Ports Operations and the Nigerian Shippers Council, took place at the Apapa Club in Lagos.

Declaring the 6th Ships & Ports Table Tennis Championship open, the Chief Executive Officer of Ships & Ports, Bolaji Akinola, said the Championship was instituted to promote healthy interaction among maritime industry workers.

Sixty participants drawn from the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NIMASA, Tin Can Island Container Terminal, Lagos Channel Management, Dangote Port Operations, Bollore Shipping, ENL Consortium and the Maritime Microfinance Bank, among others, took part in the championship.

Two employees of the NPA, Kehinde Borokini, a four-time winner of the championship and Phillip Amebe; Jeremiah Ikoko of NIMASA and defending champion Sunday Otaru (Bollore Logistics), beat all other contestants to qualify for the semi-final stage.

Jeremiah Ikoko emerged winner after an explosive match against Amebe, to win the cash prize of ₦100,000. Second-place Amebe received ₦50,000, while Otaru, who defeated Borokini in the third-place tie, won ₦30,000.

In the words of Ikoko:

“I appreciate Ships & Ports for organising this event; it is a welcome development. This is the second time I am participating. Last year the players were fewer; we were not up to 30.

The standard of play has also improved. I believe this championship will go further in the next two years.”

Christiana Udoh Wins 2018 Dudley Newitt Prize For Experimental Excellence Award

Christiana Udoh, studying at the Imperial College in London, United Kingdom has emerged the first Nigerian to win the Dudley Newitt Prize for Experimental Excellence award.

The award was announced on February 26, 2018, during the Dudley Newitt Lecture held at the university campus.

Describing her performance during her Advanced Masters studies in Chemical Engineering as impressive, the university management offered Christiana Udoh a scholarship to commend her academic feat.

The Akwa Ibom State Government gave Udoh another scholarship award of $20,000. The State government while presenting the award to Udoh, commended Christiana Udoh for her hard work and commitment to her studies.

In the words of Christiana’s father:

“Christiana has retained her number one position and we feel thrilled about it. This shows that Nigeria is on course to favourably compete with any nation of the world.”

4 Nigerian Journalists Win ICFJ/UN Prizes For Outstanding Reports [2018]

Four Nigerian journalists have been awarded prizes of $1,750 by the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) and the United Nations Foundation for their outstanding coverage of conflict, flooding and desertification.

Continue reading 4 Nigerian Journalists Win ICFJ/UN Prizes For Outstanding Reports [2018]