Silas Adekunle Builds World’s First Gaming Robots

Silas Adekunle, the founder and CEO of Reach Robotics, has developed the world’s first gaming robots called MekaMonsters, a multi-functional connected battle bots with augmented reality capabilities.

Adekunle was born and grew up in Nigeria before moving to the UK with his family when he was 11. He graduated from the University of the West of England, Bristol, with a first class degree in Robotics. He stated that he got the idea to build the robots while studying there, teaching maths and science in local schools on the university’s partnership scheme.

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Samuella Sam-Orlu Wins 2017 UBA Foundation National Essay Competition

15-year-old Samuella Sam-Orlu of British Nigerian Academy, Abuja, has emerged the overall winner of the 2017 UBA Foundation National Essay Competition.

Samuella Sam-Orlu wins an educational grant of ₦1,000,000.00 to study in any African university of her choice, as well as a laptop.

Samuella clinched the first position at the grand finale, which was held in Lagos, ahead of 11 other finalists selected from over 1,000 entries received by the UBA Foundation from students of senior secondary schools across Nigeria.

Samuella Sam-Orlu who was escorted by her guardian, Mrs. Jacqueline Uzoadibe said that winning the competition would propel her to do more in attaining her dreams of becoming a Medical Director.

The second prize was bagged by Deborah Chinwendu Innocent aged 15 of Enal International Schools Abuja, who won ₦750,000 educational grant and a laptop while the third prize went to Yahofon Ettah Essien of Nigerian Christian Institute Akwa Ibom State, coveting a ₦500,000 educational grant and a laptop. The other 9 finalists were given laptops. All 12 finalists also went home with certificates.

In his remark, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of UBA Plc, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka said:

“Seeing past winners tell their stories on the impact the grants have made on their education and particularly how the financial burden was lifted off their parents, gives us joy that our foundation is unique and stands out from others in touching lives.”

He informed the gathering made up of parents, students and media that the essay competition had produced over 100 winners, since its inception in 2011 in Nigeria, with winners studying varied courses in universities in Nigeria and within the African continent.

Mr. Kennedy Uzoka further stated on the 2017 UBA Foundation National Essay Competition:

“I must also state here that we want to make sure that the grants are given to those who really need it. That is why we restrict the grant to schools within Africa alone. If by chance the parents of any winner sends his or her ward to an elite school outside Africa, we would not go ahead with that support, because what we are really after are those who need the grant as we contribute to the development of Africa.”

IKEDC Receives ISO 9001 & OHSAS 18001 International Certification

Ikeja Electricity Distribution Plc (IKEDC), has been conferred with the ISO 9001 and OHSAS 18001 International Certification, as a mark of its commitment to safety quality management of materials and resources.

Ikeja Electricity Distribution Plc (IKEDC) is Nigeria’s largest power distribution company.

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Nemitari Ajienka Emerge Youngest Lecturer At Edge Hill University

24-year-old Nemitari Ajienka has emerged the youngest lecturer at Edge Hill University in the United Kingdom on November 20, 2017.

In the words of Nemitari Ajienka:

”Immensely Grateful. BSc & MSc distinctions & PhD. A new journey now begins at 24; youngest lecturer at Edge Hill University, UK. #PhD #brunel #MDX #Bham #nigeria #proudlynigerian #PortHarcourt”

Ajienka who now works as a lecturer in Computer Science at Edge Hill University appreciated the effort of one of his lecturers, Dr. Andrea Capiluppi for his unconditional support and PhD supervision.

The emergence of Nemitari Ajienka as another young Nigerian lecturing in the UK University comes barely two months after Nigerians celebrated 27-year-old Salihu Dasuki for becoming the youngest senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University in England.

Ben Ezeamalu, Femi Asu & Daniel Adugbo Nominated For NRGI Media For Oil Fellowship

Ben Ezeamalu, Femi Asu and Daniel Adugbo have been nominated for this year’s Natural Resource Governance Institute, NRGI Media For Oil Fellowship.

Ben Ezeamalu is a Premium Times’ reporter, Femi Asu is with The Punch newspaper and Daniel Adugbo is with Daily Trust.

The NRGI Media For Oil Fellowship is a development program designed to promote reporting that deepens knowledge of the Nigeria oil sector and that drives positive change in the sector.

According to Ben Ezeamalu:

“The opacity of activities in the sector, the cabal-like attitudes of the players, and the apparent pervasive corruption have served to fuel my interest in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.”

The NRGI will support the journalists to hone their journalism skills and understanding of resource governance issues to produce stories that analyse options for reform of the oil and gas sector, as well as offer balanced and accurate in-depth analysis of the major governance problems facing the country

Through the fellowship, the journalists will focus on transparency and accountability in the governance of the oil and gas sector in Nigeria; the governance of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation; and the governance of Nigeria’s oil and gas licensing processes.

NRGI in a statement stated:

“A unique feature of the fellowship is that it is non-residential: fellows experience minimum disruption to their work schedules while taking advantage of a guided professional learning experience.

In-depth investigative reporting of Nigeria’s oil sector is a clear need. The NRGI-MFOR fellows will seek to bridge this gap from July 2017 to June 2018.”

Winners Of The Guardian Manufacturing Excellence Awards [2017]

Winners have emerged in the maiden edition of The Guardian Manufacturing Excellence Awards [2017]. The awards, held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, was designed to recognise distinguished sector-players in the manufacturing industry, who have consistently outperformed in spite of prevailing economic circumstances.

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How Great Is Nigeria! By Kenneth Okpomo

How Great Is Nigeria! By Kenneth Okpomo

Nigeria is a great country. This is a fact that cannot be disputed. In five main categories I shall discuss the distinctive attributes of this country with a view to capturing the real depths and dimensions of her greatness.

  • Geography

With a land area of 923, 768 sq. Km (and an arable land area of about 34,000, 000 hectares), Nigeria is certainly a big and fecund country. The country’s savanna, mangrove and rainforest vegetation is distinctively suitable for various kinds of commercial and livestock agriculture. Crops such as millet, sorghum, cowpea, soybean, groundnut, tomato, sesame, melon, bean, cashew, tomato, onions, etc, grow well in the northern belt where livestock such as cattle, ram and goat are commonly reared. In the southern belt, palm kernel, cassava, plantain, yam, cocoyam, potato, cocoa bean, rubber, plantain, okra, grow well while poultry bird, goat, rabbit, snail, pig, etc, are commonly breed. Assorted sea animals are plentiful in the country’s expansive rivers and water bodies.

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