PositiveNaija

Ezinne Favour Ogwuegbu 4.0

Ezinne Favour Ogwuegbu has graduated from the Eastern Mediterranean University, Cyprus with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.0 and earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations.

According to Chinecherem Jay Harry Jnr. – a colleague of Ezinne:

“Ezinne Favour Ogwuegbu, Nigerian Student of Eastern Mediterranean University, graduates top of her class with a 4.0/4.0 CGPA, earning herself bachelor’s degree in International Relations.

Favour has been very active in student politics, serving in the capacities of vice president of the Nigerian Student Society, Eastern Mediterranean University, and executive official II of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Turkish Zone, and in senatorial positions of these respective bodies.

She graduated top of her class in high school from Dayspring Academy, as Senior Prefect with straight A’s and 8 distinctions and 1 credit in WASSCE. She has also won several football awards in Cyprus and is an avid writer.

She hopes to contribute to achieving a fair and just society, and to enable the resuscitation of Nigeria’s diplomacy and position, internationally.”

Chisom Chikatara Wins 2018 CAF Super Cup With Wydad Casablanca

Chisom Chikatara has won the 2018 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Super Cup title with his Moroccan club side Wydad Casablanca.

Chisom Chikatara who plays as a forward was in action for 63 minutes before he was substituted for Gabriel Quintana, as Wydad Casablanca defeated Congolese side Tout Puissant (TP) Mazembe 1–0 to win the 2018 CAF Super Cup.

The CAF Super Cup features the winners of the CAF Confederation Cup, and CAF Champions League winners in a one-off game.

Chikitara was part of the Wydad Casbalanca side that defeated Al Ahly SC to win the CAF Champions League and he made a return from injury to feature in the Super Cup clash.

After the withdrawal of Chikitara, Wydad Casabalanca broke the deadlock through Amin Thigazaoui in the 83rd minute, which turned out to be the only goal of the encounter.

Wydad Casabalanca earned $100,000 for their victory while TP Mazembe were rewarded with $75,000.

ASTEVEN Group Launches First Sub-Sahara Renewable Energy Academy In Nigeria

ASTEVEN Group has officially launched ASTEVEN Renewable Energy Academy and Centre of Excellence, in Ogun State – the first Sub-Sahara Renewable Energy Academy in Nigeria.

Students of the academy will be trained green vendors, service providers, installers, technicians and dealers in renewable energy technologies. Graduates will also receive global certifications to ensure credibility within the industry.

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Bayelsa State Wins 2018 National Para-Swimming Open Championship

Bayelsa state have emerged winners of the second edition of the National Para-Swimming Open Championship after winning 27 medals comprising of 14 gold, five silver and eight bronze.

The two-day event in Abuja was organised by the Nigeria Para-Swimming Federation (NPSF).

Delta state came second with five gold, 11 silver and five bronze medals, while Osun state were third with nine medals made up of five gold, three silver and one bronze.

Oyo state came fourth with eight medals — two gold and six silver — while Ondo state were fifth with two gold and a bronze.

Imo state followed with a silver and three bronze, Ogun state had a bronze while FCT finished with no medal.

Habu Gumel, the President of the Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC), promised to give the NPSF the needed support to ensure they excel at the Paralympic Games. He said with the support of government and corporate bodies every one of the facilities needed by para-athletes would be provided.

According to the President of NPSF, Sylvester Ikuejamoye:

“If this group of people has decided not to be a burden to the society, and decide rather to use their talent to make a living and contribute to the society, then they are worth supporting.’’

Mr. Ikuejamoye said the Federation intends to keep together 10 athletes who would emerge from the National Para-Swimming Open Championship for national, continental and international championships if given adequate support.

Margaret Binga Wins Best Female Referee Award At 2018 World Taekwondo G-2 Egypt Open

President of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), Margaret Binga has won the Best Female Referee Award at the 2018 World Taekwondo G-2 Egypt Open in Cairo, Egypt.

The former two-time African Champion was invited to officiate at the high-level event, which would earn her top ranking points, and improve her quest towards being promoted to a Grade-1 ranked International Referee.

Presenting the award to Margaret Binga was the President of the African Taekwondo Union, General Ahmed Fouly, who praised the work ethic and achievements of Binga.

In the words of General Ahmed Fouly:

“It is amazing that Binga still finds the time to perform her international referee duties and at the same time shepherd such a high level of taekwondo activities back in Nigeria. We are keenly following the flurry of activities in Nigeria and it is very commendable.

Her performance as a referee at this event is only a testament to her constant drive to achieve excellence while working hard.”

Thanking the tournament organizers, coaches and referees for voting her as the best Referee, Margaret Binga said:

“Nigeria has good referees but we would want to step up their training so more of us can take our place on the world stage. This would require a lot of work and I hope that awards like this can motivate us more towards this aim.

The award will be a boost to as the Federation has set a target to target 100 new referees before the end of the four-year tenure of the present board.

The last NTF National Referee Course in December had more than 35 participants, and the Federation will be looking to conduct more National Referee Seminars across the six geo-political zones as the year runs out.”

The World Taekwondo G-2 ranked Egypt Opens had 287 competing athletes from 37 countries in attendance.

Alhudahuda College Zaria Wins 7th Kaduna International Trade Fair Quiz Competition

Alhudahuda College Zaria, has emerged winner of the 7th edition of the Kaduna International Trade Fair quiz competition.

Alhudahuda, represented by Aliyu Muhammad and Nurudeen Muhammad emerged the first position at the Kaduna International Trade and Investment Centre, with 150 points on aggregate.

Continue reading Alhudahuda College Zaria Wins 7th Kaduna International Trade Fair Quiz Competition

PositiveNaija Monthly Newsletter February 2018

PDF download: PositiveNaija Newsletter February 2018

Notably, we have sought out to deduce the geographic locations (within Nigeria or abroad), which the positive/success news/updates recorded are being achieved. In other words, our aim is to be able to tell objectively, how conducive/enduring the environments are to what Nigeria/Nigerians are achieving. To do this, we determined the locations on the basis of where exactly the achievement, progress, success, etc. was done or achieved as well as will be done or achieved and not based on where an award/recognition was or is presented.

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 (hinged on truth) 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!