PositiveNaija

UNIBEN Emerge 2nd At 2017 PetroBowl Championship

Team Uniben (University of Benin) has emerged second place winner at the 2017 PetroBowl Championship of the Society of Petroleum Engineers Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition held in San Antonio, Texas, USA.

Team Uniben consist of five students which include Okon Samuel Iniobong, Osogba Oghenekaro, Oseghale Aloysius, Anyaezu Tobenna, Henry Monday Oguns and Thompson Edidiong represented the Society of Petroleum Engineers, Africa region at the Annual Technical Conference 2017 International PetroBowl contest and the International Paper contest respectively.

This is the first time in the history of the competition that an African School advances to the final stage. The University of Benin had its first match in the PetroBowl Championship against the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia of which they won and moved to the round of sixteen to compete against the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil of which again the university of Benin won to advance to the Elite 8 to play against the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.A of which the University of Benin won to qualify them to the final four of the PetroBowl competition.

In the final four, the University of Benin faced Batangas State University, Phillipines and won after which they advanced to the final play against Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM) to take the second place and clinched the silver medal.

The Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Professor Kess Obahiagbon led the Head of Department, Petroleum Engineering, University of Benin, Dr. Kelani Bello along other staff and students of the department to present the award to the Vice-chancellor, Professor F.F.O Orumwense at the Vice-chancellor’s conference room.

Receiving the award, the Vice-chancellor, Professor Osasere Orumwense who was overwhelmed by the performance of the students, thanked them for making Uniben proud and encouraged them to continue to soar higher.
Speaking, the Dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Benin, Prof. Kess Obahiagbon informed the Vice-chancellor that only two students from the University of Benin participated in the competition as against five students from other universities as the other three students had visa restrictions.

In his remarks, the Head of Department, Petroleum Engineering, University of Benin, Dr. Kelani Bello reiterated the outstanding performance of the students from the University of Benin adding that their victory automatically qualifies them to participate at the 2018 Society of Petroleum Engineers Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition in Dallas, U.S.A.

In their various remarks, the Students Affairs Chair, Society of Petroleum Engineers, Benin Section and Faculty Sponsor/Advisor, Uniben Chapter, Engr. Giegbefumwen Peter Uyi and the Students expressed joy for their victory.

Team Nicademia Wins 2017 USPF Changemaker Challenge

Team Nicademia has won the 2017 Changemaker Challenge, organised by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF). As overall winner, Team Nicademia receives a cash prize of 1 million Naira with an acceptance into incubation programme superintended in the 2017 Changemaker Challenge.

Nicademia is an online distribution platform for African-inspired animations and cartoons that seek to promote African culture, traditions and values to the world.

The USPF Changemaker Challenge 2017, an arm of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), is a nationwide competition open to innovators, software developers, User Experience (UX) designers, students and other ICT enthusiasts from all over Nigeria.

The Executive Vice-Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta Represented by Head of Strategy and Corporate Performance Monitoring, USPF, Mr. Kelechi Nwankwo said the aims and objectives of the Challenge were to empower the Nigerian youths by challenging their tenacity to create technology-driven solutions for the needs of their Communities and the nation at large adding that the development of ICT was the reason for the creation of USPF.

He, however, assured that NCC would continue to use USPF as a platform in the promotion and application of innovation processes in ICT, to help empower the youth saying that one of the commission’s eight-point agenda is the promotion of ICT innovations and investment opportunities.

In his words:

“We believe that there is no better way to propagate this than to proactively involve the new generation of tech-innovators and entrepreneurs. Given the right platform and support, they can analyse and address everyday problems and find solutions to them. The innovation is already in them. This is in sync with the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) policy objectives on telecommunications/ICT; to encourage rapid ICT penetration among all socioeconomic levels and increase broadband penetration.

“The ERGP policy is to promote and encourage local production of ICT hard and software, to reduce import dependence and generate foreign exchange by exporting to the regional and continental markets. Indeed, the ERGP acknowledges that ICT and digital technology have the potential to ramp up, transform labour productivity and create new economic sectors. It is our belief that the solutions and services that emerge from this changemaker challenge 2017 will demonstrate that fact.”

The Secretary of USPF, Mr. Ayuba Shuaibu, said 226 applications from the six geo-political zones of the country were received for the contest. He said innovation was at the centre of the current ICT and knowledge revolution and opportunities. According to him, USPF organises the competition with the conviction that the critical mass of the emerging information society resides in innovation and software know-how.

In his words:

“The USPF organised this special challenge to spur national technology innovation development and deliver appropriate solutions-dependable instrument, tools and meaningful responses to global challenges presented by Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The maiden edition took place in 2015 and we are pleased to let you know that the three winning solutions are still in the market and expanding.”

Team Jiggle came second while Team Kano Magenta made third position. Team Jiggle and Team Kano Magenta received ₦750,000 and ₦500,000 respectively and both will also undergo incubation programme.

Nigeria Emerge 2017 D+ Most Positive African Country

Nigeria has emerged the most positive African country on the World’s Most Positive Countries 2017 index published by Daily Positive (D+).

Nigeria re-emerged as the regional winner of Africa after missing out last year. Nigerians have excelled with glittering awards, such as, the Royal Academy of Engineering Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation, World Food Prize and BBC World News Komla Dumor Award. The Nigerian robotics team won a gold medal at the FIRST Global robotics competition in Washington DC. Nigeria did not ever give up on the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls and continued to make progress and rescued significant number of the girls in 2017.

In 2015, Nigeria emerged the most positive African country on the World’s Most Positive Countries 2015 index published by Daily Positive (D+).

Globally, Australia was crowned the World’s Most Positive Country for 2017, for the second time ever in half a decade, according to the annual global index published by Daily Positive (D+), a unique online media organization from Australia for positive news.

The annual list of top ten most positive countries is compiled based on a positivity index comprised of a global expert panel rating, a D+ journalists rating, a global web poll and the number of positive news entries in 2017 on the D+ website.

Apart from this overall list of 10 most positive countries, for the third time, D+ also published a list of regional positive countries from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America. The regional winners were selected based on the same criteria used to select the overall winners but from a specific region outside of the top ten in the list.

The top 10 World’s Most Positive Countries for 2017 along with respective ranking points are as follows:

Country Name	Total Points
Australia	501
Canada	489
Switzerland	480
China	472
France	461
Germany	454
Denmark	442
England	434
Netherlands	428
United States of America	418

D+ Most Positive Regional Countries 2017

Africa: Nigeria

Asia: Bangladesh

It is mainly because, along with many positive achievements, in 2017 Bangladesh dealt with the world’s fastest growing refugee crisis with open arms and saved the world from a huge catastrophe. Huge credit goes to the current Bangladeshi government and Bangladeshis from across the country who raced to save Rohingya refugees fleeing the brutal ethnic cleansing operation of Burmese military. Bangladesh became exemplary for the regional powers and many developed nations with its humane response to deal with well over half-a-million refugees that arrived in the country in few weeks. Apart from that, Bangladesh inaugurated its first solar-powered Food Warehouse with a capacity of 25,000 tonnes of grain. Bangladesh launched its first ever nano-satellite Brac Onnesha. Bangladeshi surgeons successfully separated two 9-month-old sisters born pygopagus in a complex operation.

Europe: Norway

Norway is the regional winner from Europe. Norway topped the World Democracy Index indicating that it has a near-perfect fully functional democracy. That helped Norway to achieve best press freedom in the world. As part of continuous economic development, Norwegian solar panel maker Saga Energy recently signed a deal worth 2.5 billion euros ($2.9 billion) with Iran’s state-owned company Amin Energy Developers to build solar power plants in Iran.

North America: Cuba

Cuba retained its regional title for the third consecutive year. After job well done by the Cuban medical professionals in West Africa to fight Ebola since 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized their efforts in 2017. Cuba continued its positive attempt to integrate and engage further with the international communities. As a result, first ever cooperation agreement between the European Union and Cuba was approved in order to expand bilateral trade, promote dialogue and provide joint action on the world scene.

South America: Colombia

Colombia became the regional winner from South America for the second consecutive year. Colombia continued to build on the peace process that started for last few years in order to neutralize the local armed groups. Also, Colombian singer Shakira received the 2017 Crystal Award for her efforts to help displaced and disadvantaged children in Colombia. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos was named as one of the most influential people by Time Magazine for his determination to establish peace. Natalia Ponce de Leon of Colombia, a human right activist and acid attack victim, was honored with the United States Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award 2017.

Other nations outside of the list of most positive countries also made 2017 a memorable one. Iceland topped the list of the world’s most peaceful country. Tunisia, Jordan and Lebanon abolished a law that allowed rapists to avoid prosecution by marrying their victims. Saudi Arabia‘s King Salman issued a decree allowing women to drive for the first time in the Kingdom. India created history by successfully launching 104 satellites on a single mission, overtaking the previous record of 37 satellites launched by Russia in 2014. Portugal won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time since it first entered the contest in 1964.

According to Dr. Arif Jubaer, Founder of D+:

“On the occasion of D+ world’s most positive countries 2017, it was great to see people from all around the world coming together and working for a positive world despite all the negativities surround them. For the positive newsmakers, 2017 was not about their individual dreams, rather it was about the dreams for a positive world.”

D+ will present the above information and facts in detail at a presentation ceremony on Saturday, 25 November 2017, 2.00PM in Melbourne, Australia.

For more information on the World’s Most Positive Countries 2017 visit http://www.dailypositive.org/Most_Positive_Countries

Contact Information:

Contact Person: Dr. Arif Jubaer, Founder, Daily Positive (D+)

Web Address: http://www.dailypositive.org/

Email: arif.jubaer@dailypositive.org

Mobile: +61-411215302

PositiveNaija Monthly Newsletter October 2017

PDF download: PositiveNaija Newsletter October 2017

*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 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!

Nigeria Wins 2nd Africa Zone 2 Junior Swimming Championship

Nigeria emerge winner of the 2nd Africa Zone 2 Junior Swimming Championship at the newly refurbished National Stadium Swimming Pool.

Nigeria won 26 gold, 35 silver and 26 bronze medals, winning a total of 87 medals.

Ghana came second with 12 gold, nine silver and six bronze medals making a total of 27 medals.

Senegal came third with eight gold, three silver, and six bronze winning a total of 17 medals.

The event took place from October 27 to 29 [2017].

Ten countries took part in the 2nd edition of the regional swimming championship.

They are: Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Togo, Guinea, Central Africa Republic, Sierra Leone, Benin Republic, Niger and Equatorial Guinea.

The maiden edition of the Championship was held in 2012 at Akure, Ondo State.

Winners of 2017 West Africa Media Excellence Conference and Awards

Winners have emerged in the maiden edition of the West Africa Media Excellence Conference and Awards (WAMECA) [2017].

The awards, organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) to honour excellence in print, online and broadcast journalism in West Africa, took place at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, Accra, Ghana.

Continue reading Winners of 2017 West Africa Media Excellence Conference and Awards

Cornelius Adewale Wins 2017 Bullitt Foundation Environmental Prize

Cornelius Adewale has won the 2017 Bullitt Foundation Environmental Prize for his leadership role in developing an app and web tool that can measure a farm’s carbon footprint and help farmers reduce the impact of that footprint.

The 34-year-old Nigerian, who graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University, is currently studying at the Washington State University, Pullman, where he is planning a phone app to help farmers grow more crops.

In 2011, Mr. Cornelius Adewale moved to Pullman with $6,000 in his pocket ― money he’d earned from the vegetable harvest at his farm in southwest Nigeria. Six years later, Adewale is a PhD candidate at WSU and a member of the board of directors of Washington’s Tilth Alliance.

Cornelius Adewale as winner of the 2017 Bullitt Foundation Environmental Prize is entitled to a $100,000.

Adewale plans to use the money to build a phone app that will help Nigerian farmers grow more crops, using fewer resources, with a lighter touch on the planet.

The app will be a portal to research and information about organic farming specific to Nigeria’s climate. And farmers will be able to measure the quantity of organic matter in their soil just by taking a picture of it, using their phones.

According to Denis Hayes, president and Chief Executive Officer of the Bullitt Foundation:

“Cornelius just had a magnetism and energy and charm that made him irresistible.

He came with rave recommendations from his professors, who believe he can be a transformational force in agriculture.”

For the past two years, Adewale has been working with a team of students at WSU to create a web-based tool that helps Washington farmers measure their carbon footprint, and gives them ideas for how they can reduce that footprint by adjusting the way they farm.

According to Lynne Carpenter-Boggs, an associate professor in WSU’s department of crop and soil sciences:

“The thing that is really unique and wonderful about Cornelius is his humility ― he really relates to everyone as individuals. He’s there to help, but in a way that’s about empowering the individuals, not telling people what to do … he truly is a natural leader.”

Cornelius Adewale found WSU’s organic agriculture major ― the first such major ever offered at a US university ― in an online search. He used the $6,000 from his harvest to launch his master’s degree.

When he got to Pullman and saw WSU’s organic farm, he burst out laughing. It was only 2 1/2 acres ― about half the size of his own farm in Nigeria. (WSU’s organic farm is now 30 acres.)

Still, he believed he’d come to the right place. Before his money ran out, he secured a research position at WSU to help fund his master’s degree and, later, his PhD.

Adewale thinks Nigerian farmers need more information about ways to use organic methods to build up their soil, making their farms more fertile and productive, without using chemicals.

In Washington, part of his graduate studies included helping develop the free web tool called Ofoot that Adewale wants to use as the base for his mobile phone app in Nigeria.