NIGERIA'S OLUMIDE ALIU ELECTED FIRST AFRICAN PRESIDENT OF ICAO

 

A Nigerian, Dr Olumide Bernard Aliu, has been elected as president of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council; making him the first African to head the world aviation safety body.

Mr. Aliu was elected ICAO Council president on Monday at the 38th Assembly of the organization in Montreal, Canada. He scored a total of 149 votes from the council which consists of 172 member countries.

Nigeria became a member of ICAO in 1960 and was elected into the Council of ICAO in 1962 as a Part II member State. The country has since remained on the Council and has continued to promote the interest of Nigeria and Africa on the Council as well as contribute to the development and growth of civil aviation in the region.

ASUU STRIKE: NIGERIAN STUDENTS VERSUS ACADEMIC STAFF UNION OF UNIVERSITIES POLITICAL PARTY (ASUUPP)

I have been refraining myself from writing about the ongoing ASUU strike for some time now. This is simply because I didn't understand if the struggle was for an increase in the lecturers' paltry income or the overall improvement of University education in Nigeria.

However, I now strongly believe that the lecturers and the politicians are merely playing hide and seek with the students. For someone who understands Nigerian politics to some degree, it is not hard to tell that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Academic Staff Union of Universities Political Party (ASUUPP) are on the same canoe boat. My sincere apologies to the few 2.5% lecturers who genuinely mean well for the Nigerian students.

Our your lecturers have been appearing and disappearing in and out of ASO Rock in the past few weeks lobbying for their selfish interest negotiating for the interest of the Nigerian students. And if the reputation of ASO Rock as the National Bakery Seat of Power is anything to go by, some of our esteemed lecturers may have gotten slices of the National bread Cake. I doubt if their conscience will allow them considering they are fighting for their pockets students. But like the old saying goes “the monkey can only vouch for the child in her womb because she may not know when the one on her back plucked a fruit”

I hear the strike will end sooner than some prophets had prophesied we expect. Evidently, the Nigerian students are the biggest losers at the end of the day. More than four months of their precious lives disrupted (for some negatively and for others positively). But for the lecturers their lives will never remain the same, at least if for only the fact that they have captured the attention of the country again with their pastime strike action. And not forgetting their pockets running over.

So if the lecturers demands are met today and they go home smiling to their girlfriends wives, what will become the fate of the Nigerian students who have endured in this struggle with them. I will tell you that free of charge, you can thank me later. Here are the ten point’s agenda I came up with;

1. The students will not smell benefit from the 1.7 trillion naira whether directly or indirectly. Except maybe for those who are in the lecturer’s good beds books.

2. The students will still be forced to buy handouts and half baked textbooks at exorbitant prices from the government lecturers. And for the students who do not comply, their days may be longer.

3. The innocent students will still be extorted before they pass certain examinations. And the lecturers will always be patronized by the students of the department of Aristology, who will always pay their way through school.

4. The students will still be made to pay the same astronomical tuition or it may even go higher.

5. The students will still be sexually harassed by government officials Mr. Lecturer.

6. Some students will unfortunately witness another strike before they eventually gain freedom graduate. I will be overwhelmed if the lecturers prove me wrong.

7. The students will still be subjected to the mercies of our poor educational system and there will be continuous tales of why they can't improve the educational standard.

8. There will still be the knowledge gap amongst Nigerian students. They will continue to graduate and overpopulate the labour market with little or absolutely no clue of where to go from there.

9. The students will not get back the last four months especially for those who have been dancing skelewu and nacking akpako doing nothing.

10. The students will not get sitting allowance for attending lectures like their counterparts in the national assembly.

The good news for the students is that strike or no strike, your destiny is in your hands and not that of ASUUPP. The strike does not hold any key to your becoming what you want to be in life. So you can drop out of school become the next tuface success story by keeping your dream alive. Don’t think of what ASUU can do for you but what you can do for your lecturers life to be fulfilling. I wish you guys all the very best.


The writer is an ASUU Strike Alumni and has been studying Strikology at the University of Naija since June 2013. He is the author of the International bestseller MY BOOK OF SUCCESS STORIES (Call 08187808666 for more enquiries) 

BILL GATES CONFERRED WITH NIGERIA'S PRESTIGOUS NATIONAL HONOUR

Bill Gates and Goodluck Jonathan

Microsoft founder and co-Chairman of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr. Bill Gates has been conferred with the national honours of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The President disclosed this on Monday November 11, 2013 at a meeting of the Presidential Task Force on Polio and Recognition Award held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He said the honour was in recognition of Bill Gates' support towards the eradication of poliomyelitis in Nigeria.

Bill Gates immunizing a Nigerian child

President Jonathan applauded the Microsoft founder for his commitment to help fight polio, providing life saving commodities and assisting Nigeria in agricultural development.

Jonathan also used the occassion to commend Alhaji Aliko Dangote for showing high degree of support for government and all sectors of the nation's economy. He reiterated the determination of the Federal Government to continue to partner with all stakeholders in the fight to eradicate polio in Nigeria.

Bill Gates will be decorated with his award at a ceremony that will come up later in Nigeria. 

TONY ELUMELU: THE AFRICAPITALIST AND HIS QUEST TO POWER AFRICA

Tony Elumelu

 

Tony Elumelu, Nigerian entrepreneur and one of Africa's most successful businessmen featured on African Voices, CNN’s International weekly half-hour programme. In the interview, with CNN’s Jill Dougherty, Elumelu talked about Africapitalism.

It's the term created by, to describe what he believes holds the key to the continent's future well-being. According to Elumelu, Africapitalism is the economic philosophy "that the African private sector has the power to transform the continent through long-term investments, creating both economic prosperity and social wealth."

Elumelu champions the idea that long-term focus on key sectors such as infrastructure and power does not only offer high returns but, in the process, can also help Africa deal with pressing problems such as unemployment and food security.

"The information people have about Africa in America and the western world is one of aid, one of squalor, one of poverty, one of religious crisis," says Elumelu, who first found success after turning a struggling Nigerian bank into a global financial institution. "They need to begin to see that Africa is a continent of economic opportunities -- a lot of potential and the returns on investment in Africa is huge."

lumelu also talked about his intentions to transform electricity shortage in Africa, empower young entrepreneurs, and his goals for the future. He also explained why his company Hiers Holding pledged $2.5 billion to President Barack Obama's Power Africa Initiative - a campaign aimed at doubling the access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa. Below is an excerpt of the interview.
 

NIGERIA'S SUPER EAGLETS CLINCH THE U-17 WORLD CUP FOR A RECORD FOURTH TIME

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets made history by becaming the first country to win the FIFA Under-17 World Cup for the fourth time, after defeating Mexico 3 to 0 at the El Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The eaglets had previously won in 1985, 1993 and 2007.

An own goal from Eric Aguirre of Mexico, a superb strike from Kelechi Iheanacho and an amazing free kick from captain fantastic Musa Mohammed sealed the victory for the Golden Eaglets. The final was a rematch of the Group F encounter between both teams with Nigeria humbling the Mexicans to a 6-1 defeat.

HEAVEN IS FULL OF JOY: A TRIBUTE TO JOY CHIEDOZIE ALLISON



Joy Chiedozie Allison (1982-2012)

Joy!!! Heaven is full of joy, no more sorrow, heaven is full of joy. Thus went that old church song that reminded us of what an exciting place heaven will be. Apparently we do not sing this kind of songs a lot these days. Apparently, it’s no longer in vogue (In this era of prosperity gospels) and very few people think of life after death.

This song flooded my thoughts early this morning as I sat down to reflect on my life. Yes! It’s something I don’t take for granted, no apologies. As the renowned Greek philosopher would say “an unexamined life is not worth living”. But I must confess this life examination thing doesn’t come naturally.

Yesterday was the first day of the month of November and being a Friday, I decided to hang out with an amazing friend I was recently introduced to but had not met. While we were busy warming up and jeering, I received an email. Before then, I had ignored previous temptations to pick up my phone because I didn’t want to be distracted (It’s not what you are thinking). But I couldn’t ignore this one, “It could be very important”. And yes, I was right.  

It was from the website Forever Missed and it was a reminder that today (November 2, 2013) was my friend Joy Chiedozie Allison’s birthday. And almost immediately, my mind went on those spinning trips. “What befitting gift should I get for ‘My Joy’ on her birthday?” I thought silently amidst the excitement that echoed around me. What present on earth would do justice to angel?

I met Joy during my Post-graduate studies at the University of Lagos. I had a lot of wonderful friends back then but Joy stood out. To be honest, I am not sure if it was because of her effortless beauty or her warm spirit. Unfortunately, the closer I got the more difficult it became to unravel this rare gem.

Joy Chiedozie Allison, you were simply a phenomenon. That special kind of friend we meet just one in our lifetime. There are no known words to begin to describe you or to explain the impact you have made in the lives of all those who knew you. Thinking about it now, I can boldly say you were an angel all along and you were apparently missed in heaven. I hope God is not too angry with us, for we didn’t know it was for a short while. I am grateful to him for the almost two years I knew you.

It was on my birthday last year; I was on my way to Owerri. I decided to stop over at Awka to see my younger brother and the news was everywhere. I naturally felt bad that we had lost so many lives in such a careless manner. But it was only the next day when a course mate put up your picture on her BBM with the dreaded R.I.P acronym that my heart crashed completely.

Am glad you didn’t just leave us because the little angel you left behind has been more than a comfort to us. I have not seen her since the funeral but I promise I will soon. I still talk to a couple of our course mates. Your absence has taken its fair share of sunshine from all of us. To say we miss you is to undermine everything you meant to us. We will eventually stop crying but we will never forget.

As we celebrate your birthday today, we draw strength from the beautiful life you lived and that you are finally home for good. Happy birthday NwanyiOma! I know heaven is filled with so much Joy for you.

You can read more tributes in memory of this angel here http://www.forevermissed.com/joy-chiedozie-joy-joy-girl-allison/lifestory#stories

NIGERIA'S ALIKO DANGOTE IS 64TH MOST POWERFUL MAN IN THE WORLD

 

Just so you know, he was the only black man and African on the list. (except of course for Barrack Obama and Mohammed Ibrahim), So this not a mere feat for our own Aliko Dangote who was yesterday listed as the 64th most powerful person in the world.

 

The publication compiled by Forbes released pitched the Nigerian Business mogul in the 64th position in a list of 72. The publication lists Aliko’s net worth as $ 16.1 Billion which makes him the richest man in Africa.

MEET ZURIEL ODUWOLE, THE NIGERIAN WONDER GIRL BREAKING RECORDS

 

When her peers are busy trying to find their voices, this wonder girl has discovered her purpose at the tender age of 11. She is busy rebranding Africa by showing the positive things about the continent, and making the case for Girl Child education and development in Africa and Emerging Markets. Meet Zuriel Elsie Oduwole, award winning documentary film maker, conference speaker and writer that is taking the African continent and the world by storm.

TWO NIGERIAN JOURNALISTS EMERGE WINNERS AT THE 2013 CNN/MULTICHOICE AFRICAN JOURNALISTS AWARDS



Tolu Ogunlesi & Dr. Susan Mboya
(President, Coca-Cola Africa Foundation)

Two Nigerian journalists Toyosi Ogunseye and Tolu Ogunlesi emerged winners at the CNN/Multichoice African Journalist of the Year Awards which held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, CTICC. It was the 18th in the series of the yearly event.

The two winners are Sunday Punch Editor, Tolu Ogunlesi, a freelance journalist for Ventures Africa, Nigeria, who won in the Coca-Cola Company, Economics and Biz Awards category and Toyosi Ogunseye, who won in the UNICEF-sponsored Environment Category.

Tolu Ogunlesi’s story was an investigative report on the Eko Atlantic City, a mammoth new development on the coastline of Lagos. He dedicated the awards to the millions of down-trodden people in Nigeria and around the world. He dedicated his award to the millions of down-trodden Nigerians and people around the world.



Toyosi Ogunseye & Steven Allen
(Regional Director, UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa)

Toyosi Ogunseye’s story, “The Rich Also Cry”, focused on pollution in an estate in Lagos where gaseous metal had created very serious medical challenges.

The top prize went to Msindisi Fengu and Yandisa Monakali from South Africa and their story was on a students’ hostel which looked like prison cells in South Africa. Other freelance journalists who won awards were Noicola de Chaud, won with a documentary in the Culture Category and Florence Dallu in the Radio General News Category. All the 16 winners were selected from over 1,400 entries.

TWO UNIILORIN STUDENTS CONSTRUCT AN AIRCRAFT PROTOTYPE

Ali David and Patrick Effiong, two final year students of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ilorin, have constructed an aircraft prototype. The duo told journalists in Ilorin that they had nurtured the passion to construct the aircraft when they were in 100 level, adding that it was now their final year project.

Mr. David noted that many of his colleagues were skeptical when they first broached the subject, adding that they were not deterred by the challenges they faced.

“What we are actually working on is a machine that will lift up itself through the law of aerodynamics and having an engine, a propeller and the fuselage,” he added.

Mr. Effiong, on his part, said: “With some of our lecturers backing us, we were motivated; we decided that we can carry out the construction.

Also speaking with newsmen, the project supervisor, Tajudeen Ajiboye, said the students had demonstrated a high level of intellectualism in spite of the challenges they faced.

Mr. Ajiboye, who said the students were faced with the problems of materials and manpower at the initial stage, commended them for their tenacity to accomplish the project.