PositiveNaija

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”.

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.

NIPOST Adopts What3words

The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has announced its adoption of the innovative global addressing system, what3words.

Nigeria is the seventh country to adopt the module globally and third in Africa. The system is already in use for mail delivery in Mongolia, Sint Maarten, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Tonga and Solomon Islands.

Continue reading NIPOST Adopts What3words

Katherine Eta Emerge 3rd in the 2017 Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship

Katherine Eta has emerged the third place winner in the 2017 Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship (MOSWC) held in Disneyland, California, USA. Katherine Eta of Childville School, Ogudu, Lagos, was the only African Champion in this year’s competition.

Wai Feng Cheng (Hong Kong) and Chi Kei Leong (Macao) came first and second respectively at the Competition.

The annual Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship is a global competition that tests student’s skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Katherine Eta’s attendance at the championship was with the support of Zenith Bank. The Bank said in a statement:

“The bank has partnered with ReadAmana, organisers of the competition in Nigeria since 2007 and sponsored Nigerian winners’ participation in the World championship. For her effort, sixteen year old Katherine, whose attendance at the competition was made possible by Zenith Bank, received $1,500, a NuVision Solo 10 Draw Tablet at the world championship and another ₦750,000 ReadManna Chairman’s Prize.”

Apart from Katerine, four other Nigerian students had represented Nigeria at the competition which is open to all students aged between 13 and 22 years enrolled in an academic institution. The team was accompanied to the championship by an ICT Teacher from Glisten International Academy, Abuja, Stephen Adeyemi.

The 2017 Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship (MOSWC) in versions 2013 and 2016 of the Microsoft programs was contested worldwide by about 1.1 million students from 140 countries. 157 students from 50 countries eventually qualified to compete in the world finals in Disneyland, California. This year’s championship was held over a period of seven months from April 30 to August 1 with about 882 entries from 20 secondary schools in Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Kwara and the FCT. The competition ended with 112 out of the 161 students shortlisted for the national competition certified in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word.