Fola Daniel Named Into AIO African Insurance ‘Hall of Fame’ [2018]

Fola Daniel, was at the 45th African Insurance Organisation (AIO) held in Accra Ghana decorated into the African Insurance “Hall of Fame”. The Award, an initiative of the African Insurance Organisation, and in its third edition now recognises individuals and companies for their outstanding contributions towards the growth of the African insurance industry.

Fola Daniel, having won the 2018 edition of the award will be automatically nominated for the Insurance Hall of Fame, which is organised by the International Insurance Society (IIS).

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Divine Oduduru 20.13

Divine Oduduru has won three titles with Texas Tech in the 100 meters, 200 meters and 4×100 meters events at the 2018 Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

The 21-year-old has become a leading athlete for his University and was impressive again as he led his team to victory.

Divine Oduduru started off when he won the 4×100 relay with Darien Tennon, Andrew Hudson and Joel Latson as they finished with a time of 39.39s.

He then moved on to the 100m, which he won with a time of 10.11s and also won the 200m with a time 20.13s, which was a new Texas Tech record, the fifth fastest time in the United States of America and his season record and personal best.

Oduduru who represented Nigeria at the 2016 Olympic Games is on scholarship in the United States.

A statement on the website of Texas Tech named Oduduru the High Point Scorer in the competition as he led his team to victory in the 100m, 200m, and also in the 4x100m relay.

Head coach of Texas Tech, Wes Kittley was excited about Oduduru’s performance in the 2018 Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the Clyde Hart Stadium.

He said,

“Wasn’t he special? Wow, fabulous in the 200, 100 and in the 4×100.

He’s a three-time champion today and the high point scorer. I’m really proud of him.”

Bulus FearGod Wins 9th Korea-Nigeria Drawing Competition

Bulus FearGod, a pupil of LEA Primary School, Waru, Abuja Municipal Area Council of the FCT, has emerged as the overall winner of the ninth edition of the Korea-Nigeria drawing competition.

Bulus FearGod defeated 149 other participants to win the gold medal and was presented with a laptop during the award ceremony held at the Korea Cultural Centre in Abuja.

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UNN Emerge Overall Winner Of NSA-NMC 2018 Statistics Competition

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has emerged the overall winner of the 2018 edition of the annual Statistics Competition for tertiary institutions in Nigeria organized by the Nigerian Statistical Association in collaboration with National Mathematical Centre, at Kwali, FCT, Abuja.

In addition, a four hundred level student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Mr. Chibuike Ugwu emerged the overall winner in the undergraduates category.

Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto came second while Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka took the third position.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the annual event, the Director General and Chief Executive, National Mathematical Centre, Abuja, Professor Stephen Onah said the competition was instituted to identify and encouraging young talents in Mathematical Sciences across the country.

In his words:

“The National Mathematical Centre, remains resolved with the support and encouragement of government and other stakeholders, to deliver on its mandate in this respect of identifying and encouraging young talents in Mathematical Sciences.

One of the objectives of this competition is to stimulate enthusiasm in the learning of Mathematics and Mathematical Sciences among young Nigerian Students.”

In his remarks, the President of NSA, Prof. Sidney Iheanyi represented by the First Vice President, Dr. Ebuh Godday said:

‘‘The sole aim is to rekindle in the competitors the dying interest for statistics and to develop sufficient capacity in this field.

We believe that statistical knowledge is a sine-qua-none for national development.

Going forward, we hope to make the programme assume a global dimension.’’

Over 40 universities participated in the contest in which the three winners emerged tops.

Benedict Egwuchukwu 3.90

Benedict Egwuchukwu, an Accounting graduate at the American University of Nigeria, Yola (AUN) has been named the best graduating student of the university with a 3.90 Cumulative Grade Point Average (on a 4.0 scale).

Twenty five other graduates, including three post graduate students, received awards for academic excellence with a total of 158 students receiving their graduate and masters degrees and post-graduate diplomas at the AUN, Yola.

Benedict Egwuchukwu also won awards for the best graduating student in Accounting, best graduating student in the School of Business and Entrepreneurship, VPAA and Provost’s Award for academic excellence, Haruna Musa Award for Academic Excellence, and Afrinvest Award for Academic Excellence.

Delivering his valedictorian speech at the graduation ceremony, Benedict Egwuchukwu stated:

“I decided not to let university pass through me.

People tend to shy away from challenges but my advice is to tackle them head on, the lessons learnt are invaluable.”

According to Dawn Dekle, the AUN President:

“This awards ceremony is amongst the most treasured occasions at AUN, as it provides us an opportunity to remember the achievements of the last year, and to honor those students who went above and beyond to contribute to AUN.

The graduation awards are meant to recognize excellence and foster competitive spirit. Our graduating seniors have excelled in academics, community service, athletics, and leadership. They have made us proud, and also brought international recognition to AUN.

Hard work brings success. It’s often said that there are no short cuts in life, but wherever you intend to go, hard work will be the most direct route for getting there.

I hope all of you graduating seniors will keep that in mind as you move forward from AUN and onto the path that awaits you.”

Fatima Abubakar Jauro 3.89

According to Fatima Abubakar Jauro, who won the best graduating student in Economics with a CGPA of 3.89:

“I feel happy and grateful, I’m sure if I had gone to another school, I probably won’t be able to reach my potential.

I’ve always wanted to study Economics since SS1, so I’ve been so passionate about it, so I was scared that if I go to another school they won’t give me that Economics. So coming to AUN, considering that I got what I wanted, I tried to put my all. I was passionate about it that was why everything was so easy and sweet.”

Abubakar Musa Bala

Abubakar Musa Bala, a graduate of Software Engineering who got the Stanbic IBTC award for academic excellence and the Sigma Pension Award for Community Service as well as being the founder of an NGO named AMB Foundation to train secondary school students from public schools in Yola on basic information and communications technology and computer based tests said:

“If you look at the exams nowadays like the JAMB exams, it is computer-based and most students are not privileged to have computers in their schools, most of them don’t know how to use these computers.

In a situation whereby an exam that is very critical to every student’s success, like JAMB exams is the key to university. so if you don’t know how to use the computer definitely you will not be able to pass JAMB exams.”

Kazayet Zachariah 3.77

Kazayet Zachariah, emerged the best graduating student in Business Administration with a CGPA of 3.77.

Hafsat Adamu

Hafsat Adamu emerged as the best graduating student in English Language and Literature as well as received the Royal Exchange Healthcare award for Academic Excellence.

Beat Drone Wins Techfest 2018 Prize

Beat Drone, a startup that provides drone services for farmers has emerged winner at the Techfest 2018, which held in Lagos from 15 to 16 May 2018.

Beat Drone, one of the featured startups under Passion Incubator, won the ₦5 million cash prize and ₦5 million in technical supports from the sponsors of the event. The sponsors include Diamond Bank, Interswitch, Visa, Microsoft, NIBSS, Deloitte, MTN Nigeria and Beat FM.

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Taofeek Olalekan Afeez & Alayande Abdulwaheed Abiola Win 2018 Microsoft Imagine Cup [National]

Taofeek Olalekan Afeez and Alayande Abdulwaheed Abiola, of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) have emerged winners of the 2018 Microsoft Imagine Cup National Finals in Nigeria.

The two undergraduates of Physics Electronics and Electrical Electronics who jointly formed TEAM TREP had presented a solution called Real Drip – a device that reduces the risk of blood clot or deep vein thrombosis. The non-invasive device monitors the flow of intravenous fluid during IV treatment and notifies medical staff in real time. The device monitors the rate at which intravenous fluid drops (flow rate) and notifies the medical staff on duty in real time, for the timely removal of intravenous needle to prevent back flow of blood, which may lead to pulmonary embolism if necessary action is not taken on time.

With this development, the team proceeds to the second round of the competition and if successful, they will join other students for global finals taking place in Redmond, Seattle in July [2018]. The competition is regarded as one of the biggest software competition for undergraduates in the world.

Now in its 16th year, Microsoft Imagine Cup, aims to give young developers the opportunity to acquire new and critical technical, business and team-building skills all while having fun along the way. However, the competition is segmented into three rounds, the National Finals which is round one, regional finals, round two and the World finals, round three (with a $100,000 cash prize).

Speaking on this development, Mr. Akin Banuso, General Manager, Microsoft Nigeria stated:

“Today’s students are the makers and doers that will build and change the world, as we know it. At Microsoft, we believe this new generation of innovators have the potential to address some of humanity’s most pressing problems; from how to predict and monitor diseases like Alzheimer’s and depression, to identifying ‘fake news’ or increasing response times during natural disasters.

Through Imagine Cup, the world’s young, aspiring entrepreneurs and developers collaborate to build a technology application, create a business plan and gain a keen understanding of what is needed to bring a concept to market. In a cloud-first, mobile-first world, creators and makers must work together to create a cloud for global good.”

Taofeek Olalekan Afeez, The Team Head for Team TREP, who was full of excitement said:

“We are excited about this win. We would like to thank Microsoft for this opportunity. We look forward to competing at the global stage and do our country proud.”

Also speaking, Mr. Damola Solanke, Principal Azure Apps & Infrastructure Lead, Microsoft Nigeria and Chief Judge of the competition said the winning idea was assessed based on four key areas – Technology, Innovation, Concept and Feasibility.

Mr. Damola Solanke said:

“We would like to commend TEAM TREP for satisfying the requirements of the competition. Their idea was well articulated and we look forward to seeing more homegrown solutions to our pressing needs as a country.”

The National entries for the Microsoft Imagine Cup competition opened in February 2018, and is available in 29 countries across the world including Nigeria. Participants create or join a team of up to three eligible students. Together, they make an original technology project from start to finish. The process involves coming up with a great idea, putting together a plan, building a project and submitting it.

Organized by Microsoft subsidiaries in-country, the National Finals select the best teams from each participating country as they pitch and demo their ideas to experts to vie for a coveted spot at the Imagine Cup World Finals.