Nigeria wins awards in three categories for its securities issuance activities in the domestic and international capital markets at the EMEA Finance Awards [2018].
The EMEA Finance awards were for the best sovereign bond in Africa – $3 billion dual-tranche (10 and 30-year) Eurobonds issued in November 2017.
It also won awards for most innovative bond – $300 million diaspora bond issued in June 2017 and best naira bond – ₦100 billion seven-year inaugural Sukuk issued in September 2017.
Data Science Nigeria (DSN) opens Nigeria’s first-ever Artificial Intelligence Hub in the University of Lagos towards repositioning Nigeria as Africa’s leader in Analytics, Research and Data-Driven solutions.
The opening of the Hub brought together the academia, industry players, experts and the technology community, with the focus of fostering a strong synergy, that will drive innovation to address socio-economic challenges in the nation.
In his opening remarks the Founder of Data Science Nigeria, Mr. Bayo Adekanmbi described the Artificial Intelligence Hub as a strategic intervention, that will boost research, innovation and information technology across the country.
Mr. Adekanmbi said the hub has a clear focus on local innovations mindset to solve local social/business problems with top priority on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Strategies to be deployed in the hub according to Adekanmbi, include; Mentoring and Masterclass sessions facilitated by global Artificial Intelligence experts and Bootcamps.
The Artificial Intelligence Hub will also serve as a key avenue for developing the Artificial Intelligence cycle in the country, focus on deep learning and encourage talent discovery in the innovation & data analytics space.
In his brief address the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Professor O.T. Ogundipe lauded Data Science Nigeria for the AI Hub, assuring the Founder Mr. Adekanmbi and his team of the total support from the management.
Professor Ogundipe informed stakeholders that the Data Science Nigeria AI Hub initiative aligns with the University’s core focus on innovation, incubation and entrepreneurship.
The Director, Global Development Strategy, Data and Analytics of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Dr Uyi Stewart described the hub as a novel initiative for Nigeria’s advancement.
Dr. Stewart a Nigerian with 10 patents registered in the United States challenged stakeholders to explore the immense opportunities in the fourth industrial revolution, which is driven by cloud computing, digitization and artificial intelligence.
The Acting Director of the Centre for Information Technology, University of Lagos Dr. Victor Odumuyiwa believes the hub will address the gaps between the academic community and the industry.
The opening event also featured a special hackathon session on Artificial Intelligence and financial inclusion in Nigeria, facilitated by Dr. Uyi Stewart.
Data Science Nigeria is the vision of Bayo Adekanmbi, Chief Transformation Officer, MTN, a hands-on data scientist and a doctoral researcher who uses data science algorithms to understand low-income customers. DSN has organised free bootcamps, industry summits, online free courses and provide internship/direct job placements for the Nigerian data science community.
Nigeria has been ranked number one in the first edition of the African Sovereign Wealth Fund Index, polling 62.49 percent to beat Rwanda (62.24 percent) and Ghana (62 percent) into the second and third positions respectively, according to the African Sovereign Wealth Fund Index report released by Konfidants Advisory Group.
The African Sovereign Wealth Fund Index, which measures the size and other variables of the existing 12 Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) on the African continent, put the total assets of these SWFs at about $89 billion.
Continue reading Nigerian SWF Ranked Number One In Inaugural African Sovereign Wealth Fund Index
Winners have emerged in the Spelling Bee competition held in Alimosho Local Government Area (LGA) and Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
Johnpaul Njemnaobi of Shasha Nursery/Primary School took the first position while Daniel Akwomakou of Shasha Community High School won first position in the secondary school category.
Twelve schools – eight primary and four secondary schools – participated in the competition, which held at the council secretariat.
The council chairman, Mr. Jelil Sulaimon, advised the pupils to listen to their questions very well before answering them. He said the competition was held to hone the pupils’ skills in spellings.
Wife of the council chairman Hadjia Kabirat Sulaimon urged the pupils to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship. She noted that contests made students to perform better in their studies.
Master Oluwafemi Olasehinde of Shasha Community High School, who was the one day governor in 2016, advised the pupils to see challenges as part of their contest.
Master Oluwafemi Olasehinde stated:
“Plan, prepare prayerfully and proceed positively. Don’t panic. The competition is easy.”
Master Ikem Favour of Estate Primary School, Ile-Iwe Metta emerged the winner of the primary school category of Spelling Bee Competition in Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
Esiekpei Onome of Central Senior High School Okota beat others to the first prize in the secondary category.
Onyeagam Chidiebere of Akinbaiye Primary School and Ayebayo Precious came second and third respectively.
Evelyn Enwereuzo of Ajumoni Senior Grammar School and Oyelami Khalid of Okota Secondary School were runners-up.
The council Chairman, Shamsudeen Abiodun Olaleye hailed Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for initiating the Spelling Bee competition.
The competition, he said, aside helping students to improve on their vocabulary, also helps them to study hard in their educational pursuit.
According to him, his administration is on the threshold of returning public schools to its glorious past through interventions that would encourage pupils have equal opportunities with those in private schools.
To ensure this, Olaleye said the council has taken delivery of a 100-seater school bus that would convey students to and from the school.
According to Shamsudeen Abiodun Olaleye:
“In the next two weeks, we’re going to take delivery of another one and hopefully we would buy the third one before the commencement of next academic session. In all, we have earmarked three buses to ease the movement of our pupils.
The buses would pick pupils from Ilasamaja, Ajao Estate and Okota in the mornings and return them in the afternoon. This would allow the students to concentrate fully on their studies.”
Nine winners have emerged at the Hi-Life Fest 2018 talent hunt show with cash prizes totaling ₦6.6 million.
The Hi-Life Fest 2018 talent hunt show, which had two categories, namely Igbo highlife music and cultural dance, saw Dons Ifeanyi, a Musician from Anambra State emerged winner in the highlife music category while Umuchiziri dance group led by Chuzzy Anene emerged winner in the cultural dance category. Both winners went home with a cheque of ₦2 million prize money each.
Continue reading Winners Of Hi-Life Fest 2018 Talent Hunt Show
Temidayo Adewoye of Perchstone & Graeyshas emerged the overall winner in the maiden edition of the Babalola’s Law Dictionary Quiz Competition for young lawyers with a ₦250,000 prize money courtesy of the firm of Olumide Babalola LP and Law Pavilion electronic report.
The Babalola’s Law Dictionary Quiz Competition for young lawyers had 10 finalists, which held at the Onikan Youth Centre, Lagos.
Prime Scholars Academy School, Karu, Abuja, has emerged winner of the fourth edition of Best Brain Concept Mathematical competition beating nine other schools who competed in the mathematics quiz.
Continue reading Prime Scholars Academy Wins 2018 Best Brain Concept Mathematical Competition