IAAF Appoints Solomon Ogba As Chief Scrutineer [2017]

Former President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Solomon Ogba, has been appointed as Chief Scrutineer for the 51st IAAF Congress in London.

This was contained in a letter signed by the manager of Institutional Forums, in the Governance, Member & International Relations Department, Anne-Marie Garrigan of the IAAF which states that:

“It is a pleasure to inform you that during its meeting on 31st July 2017, the IAAF Council has nominated you as a Scruitneer during the [upcoming] 51st IAAF Congress on 3rd August 2017.”

Others Scrutineeers are Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations, BAAA Chief, Rosamunde Carey, Mozambique Sarifa Fagilde, Kwan Kee from Hong Kong, Yoonis Yaqoob Issa Al Siyabi Timor Leste, Nijole Medvedeva from Lithuania, Israeli Jack Cohen, Canadia Gordon Orlikow, Linda Hammersley from New Zealand, Brian Roe from Australia, Mirian Cristina Ermacora from Argentina, and Manuel Bravo from Ecuador.

The 51st IAAF Congress in London took place at the venue of the World Championships. The 2017 IAAF World Championship is the 16th edition and will hold August 4-13. It is to be sprinter Usain Bolt’s and distance runner Mo Farah’s last.

 

Odinaka Anudu Receives Africa-China Reporting Project Fellowship [2017]

Odinaka Anudu, has emerged as one of the 20 journalists selected from Africa and China to participate in the 2017 Africa-China Reporting Project Fellowship scheduled to hold in Ethiopia in early September.

Odinaka Anudu, a BusinessDay’s journalist, emerged as one of the few Africans selected for the fellowship for his series of competitive stories submitted to Africa-China Reporting Project as well as his proposal for an investigative story on Africa-China economic relations.

Continue reading Odinaka Anudu Receives Africa-China Reporting Project Fellowship [2017]

Winners of 2017 NIBSS Ennovate Naija Competition

Winners have emerged in the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS) Competition tagged: Ennovate Naija.
Eight contestants that made the grand finale were tested on originality, feasibility, innovation, articulation, self-confidence, intellectual capacity and stage of development of idea.

  • Charles Atere won the top prize of ₦350,000.
  • Odunayo Adesokan and Ayoola Ogunlowo emerged second and third respectively with cash prize of ₦300,000 each.
  • Ibukunoluwa Aina and  Sulaimon Bello also emerged winners with ₦250,000 respectively.

The Managing Director, NIBSS, Mr. Adebisi Shonubi said that the initiative came as a result of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) policy on cash-based transactions which stipulated a cash handling charge on daily cash withdrawals.

In his statement:
“The policy is aimed at reducing the amount of physical cash circulating, encouraging more electronic-based transactions (payments for goods, services, transfers, etc.) and to drive financial inclusion by providing more efficient transaction options and greater reach.
It is also aimed at developing and modernising the Nigerian payment system.”

He further explained that as a proactive measure to solve some of the challenge, NIBSS conceived the idea of organising an online crowd sourced contest Ennovate Naija, aimed at generating innovative ideas to drive the policy and generate solutions to overcome the present challenges.
Shonubi also pointed out that the initiative is an online contest to stimulate innovation amongst Nigerians and generate ideas on ways to enhance e-payment in Nigeria.
He further added that the contest is open to Nigerians with no age restrictions, and winners will be rewarded with cash prizes for the best 5 ideas.
The winners, in addition will be given exposure to investors who could help move their ideas forward.

Sodiq Taiwo & Yemisi Olatunji Win Zimbabwe Open Squash Championship [2017]

Sodiq Taiwo, has won Zimbabwe Open Squash Championship after beating compatriot Olanrewaju Abulrahaman 3-2 in a closely contested final at Suburbs Squash Club. Yemisi Olatunji beat Zimbabwean Yvonne Mubure 3-0 in the women’s final. Olatunji was awarded $750.

Continue reading Sodiq Taiwo & Yemisi Olatunji Win Zimbabwe Open Squash Championship [2017]

Team Nigeria Wins 11 Medals At 2017 Regional African Gymnastics Championship

Team Nigeria has emerged victorious at the 2-day 2017 Regional African Gymnastics Championship with a total of 11 medals; 2 gold and 9 bronze.

The level 4-9 regional tournament was held in South Africa between August 4th and 5th [2017].

Lara Anot, (five years old) who is the youngest gymnast in the tournament won Nigeria first medal, a bronze with other gymnasts including Gabriella Asemota, Nfonmma Bassey and Elger Orese also among the medal winners.

According to the Technical Representative, Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria, Coach Anthony Asuquo:

“We finished the first phase of the level four and five today (Friday). Nigeria have gotten four bronze medals as at today, tomorrow Saturday is the high levels and Olympic level. That’s is where we want to send a signal to Africa that Nigeria is also a force to reckon with.

We have the only boy Uche Eke. He came all the way from the United States to represent Nigeria, he is in the Olympic level already. I’m optimistic he’ll bring his wealth of experience into play when the stage is set”.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Receives 2017 Aspen Institute Madeleine Albright Award

Dr. (Mrs) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been awarded with the 2017 Aspen Institute Madeliene Albright award during the 2017 Aspen Institute Madeleine K. Albright Global Development Lecture.

At the lecture event Dr. (Mrs) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala spoke on how technology – from biometrics to drones, to life-saving vaccines supported by Gavi, to geospatial data – is enabling development and development-spurring technology.

Mrs. Iweala, former Finance Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria will be the fifth person to receive such award.

The Aspen Institute Madeleine K. Albright Global Development Lecture recognizes an exceptional individual whose vision has provided breakthrough thinking to tackle the challenges of global development.

Dr. Ngozi is the recipient of numerous awards including recognition as one as one of Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women in the World, Foreign Policy’s 100 Global Thinkers, and Fortune’s 50 Greatest World Leaders. She is currently Senior Advisor at Lazard, and Chair of the board of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization.

First Bank Basketball Club Wins Zenith Women Basketball League [2017]

First Bank Basketball Club of Lagos claimed their eighth Zenith Bank Women Basketball League after beating First Deepwater 84-53 on July 29, 2017.

The Elephant girls have now their eyes set on this year’s FIBA Africa Champions Cup Women (ACCW), which will take place in November [2017].

According to the First Bank coach Peter Ahmedu:

“We knew what our target was and didn’t at any point in time joked with our games because in basketball you cannot underrate any team. We kept our focus and we thank God we won.”

This is not the end of the story for us but just the beginning because we would still go for the zonal qualifier as well as the Final Round. Last year we claimed a Third-Place finish in Maputo, Mozambique, but I think we can achieve more”, the play caller explained.”

Magdalene Ukato who led the way for First Bank with a team-best 20 points, was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2017 Nigeria League.