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.

Winners Of Nigerian Triathlon Championship [2018]

Winners have emerged in the 5th edition of the Nigerian Triathlon Championship, which was concluded at the Lagos National Stadium Surulere.

Williams Gbekemiye emerged champion as he beat Perelate Gbagi and Ibrahim Akinlabi to the second and third places respectively in the Elite triathlon event.

In the female Elite Triathlon, Rosemary Marcus finished first, Gloria Odiaze came second, while Joy Tonjor finished third. In the Male Junior Triathlon, only two participants contested for hours. Sadiq Yahaya finished first while Osamuyiwa Uyi finished second.

In the Junior Duathlon (female), Alabi Yemisi won the gold, Kate Oyewole picked the silver while Adedotun Oluwapelumi won the bronze. In the Elite Duathlon (male), Adeniran Opeyemi won the bronze, Odunayo Adeyemi finished second, while Oke Itunu Joseph finished third.

In Elite Duathlon (female), Ukpeseraye Ese finished first, Happy Okafor was second while Glory Effiong finished third. In the Junior Duathlon (male), Aluko Kehinde finished first, Michael Segun ended second, Masud Garba picked the bronze.

In the Cadet Duathlon (male) Akinsemoyin Faruk finished first, while Malik Sanni picked the silver.

Apart from medals, the athletes got cash prizes and gift items made available by the sponsors.

According to the outgoing President of the Nigeria Triathlon Union, Dr. Lanre Glover:

“I must commend everyone that contributed to the success of the event. First, I must thanks the athletes who turned out in large number, our officials and the members of the NTU board.

I must also thank our sponsors – Linkage Assurance, DHL, De United (Indomie), Grand Oak Nigeria Limited for their unflinching support.”

About 106 athletes from 21 states and seven clubs took part in the championship.

Boubini Jones-Wonni Emerge Best Graduating Student From Miles College In USA [2018]

18-year- old Boubini Jones-Wonni, has emerged as the best graduating student and Valedictorian from her class [2018] at Miles College, Metropolitan Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America, USA.

Jones-Wonni who was declared by the university authority as best graduating student on May 5, 2018, got her admission in 2014 after making the best result in the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination, SSCE, at the Word of Faith Group of Schools in Abuja and was also the best student at age of 14.

She was initially granted admission by the University of Alabama, Birmingham, USA, at age 15 to study Medicine, but could not make it to the school due to late resumption. She therefore settled for Miles College in Alabama to pursue her first degree in Biology.

Born on October 23, 1999, she started her education at Banky’s Private School in Abuja, where because of her intelligence, she was asked to enroll for the common entrance at primary three. She made the best result and was admitted into Word of Faith Group of Schools in Abuja, where she sat for the 2013/2014 SSCE and had an outstanding result with ‘As’ and ‘Bs’ in all her subjects, and was made valedictorian of the year.

Boubini Jones-Wonni said:

“I want to express my gratitude to God and then to the Federal Government through the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, to avail me of this opportunity to gain admission into Miles College in Alabama to pursue my first degree in Biology.

Today, I have successfully completed the programme, I thank God for being with me throughout the programme, and He crowned my effort. I was not expecting this but I thank God.”

Howard University, Washington D.C, USA, has granted her admission to study medicine, where she will become a trained neurologist and surgeon soon.

Oluwafemi Adedairo Wins World Mathematics Team Challenge [2018]

Oluwafemi Adedairo of the Nigerian Tulip International College (NTIC) has won the World Mathematics Team Challenge after defeating renowned schools across the globe.

According to Oluwafemi Adedairo:

“It was a big surprise. I feel happy and excited about it. I want to thank my teachers and the Almighty for this award.”

Speaking at the NTIC award-giving ceremony, the Deputy Managing Director of NTIC, Mr. Feuzullah Filbin, said the school’s accomplishment in the competitions was due to hard work by the students.

In the words of Mr. Feuzullah Filbin:

“The secret behind our success is the hard work of the students and also their dedicated teachers.

In this academic session, NTIC students participated in various competitions where there made themselves, their families, the NTIC families, Nigeria and the Africa continent at large proud at global scenes by returning with 62 international medals. 11 gold, 22 silver and 29 bronze medals and produced twelve first positions, four second- position and eight third positions at national competition.

Some of the competitions participated in include: The Intellectual Challenge, University of Cambridge UK, GISUTECH-International Robotic and Technology competition UGANDA, GOLDEN Climate International Project Olympiad KENYA, International Math Challenge THAILAND, Malaysian International young inventors, Mendel Biology International Olympiad KYRGYZTAN, Universal Competition for Educational Posters TADJIKISTAN, Universal Project Olympiad USA, World Mathematics Team Championship and Global Math Challenge, conducted online.

At National level, the students participated in competitions such as, Mathematics Without Borders, Nigerian Round, National Mathematics and Science Olympiad, Association of Chartered Certified Accountant, World Scholars Cup, Abuja Round and IQ League, Abuja.”

Abubakar Ibrahim Wins 2018 Michael Elliott Award For Excellence In African Storytelling

Abubakar Ibrahim, a Nigerian reporter and editor whose work conveys the human toll of terrorism and displacement, has been named the winner of the 2018 Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling.

The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) said Abubakar Ibrahim, a news editor at the Daily Trust in Nigeria, was selected by a distinguished jury from among 238 applicants for this prize.

Ibrahim’s story that won him the prize: ‘All That Was Familiar’, was published in Granta magazine in May 2017.

His story puts a human face on a story often expressed in numbers: More than two million people from northeastern Nigeria, northern Cameroon, and southern Niger have been internally displaced since Boko Haram began its insurgency.

Abubakar Ibrahim tells about the struggle of two women, one from Cameroon and one from Nigeria, to find their loved ones and return home.

The Michael Elliott Award, which was established in 2016 in honour of Michael Elliott, is given by ICFJ in partnership with ONE and the Elliott family.

Michael Elliott was an outstanding editor and philanthropist whose life was a testament to the power of storytelling to bear witness to and improve the human condition.

The prize aims to advance the work of an emerging journalist covering Africa who strives to strengthen people’s voices and improve their well-being.

According to Emma Oxford, Elliott’s widow on the 2018 award:

“Mike would be thrilled by the breadth and depth of talent displayed by the entrants for this year’s award.

The Elliott family, along with ONE, ICFJ and many generous supporters, is proud to help support the development of quality journalism in Africa.

I am hugely grateful to the staff of ICFJ and my fellow judges for their thoughtful review of the broad range of entries.

The winning story exemplifies outstanding storytelling on a difficult and important topic. Abubakar’s fearless reporting and powerful writing brought home to me the hardships faced by women, in particular, displaced by the scourge of Boko Haram.”

Two broadcast journalists were commended as finalists for the award, which includes Lindile Mpanza of South Africa’s SABC Digital news, for her report on sexual abuse of widows.

The other finalist is Ridwan Dini-Osman of Ghana’s GHOne, for his coverage of a community in crisis because its drinking water is contaminated.

Abubakar Ibrahim would receive the award and a cash prize at a reception in New York on May 24.

He would also spend time in U.S. newsrooms to learn new skills and share knowledge in an intensive, customised programme run by ICFJ, to help deepen future reporting that engages and empowers Africans.

The inaugural winner was BBC Kenya health reporter Mercy Juma.

 

Olanrewaju Tejuoso Wins 2nd Prize Prix du Ministère Sénégalais de la Culture at Dak’Art 2018

Olanrewaju Tejuoso has won the 2nd prize of the  Prix du Ministère Sénégalais de la Culture at Dak’Art 2018.

The international exhibition titled “A New Humanity”  housed the works of seventy-five (75) artists from thirty-three (33) countries with three (3) from Nigeria [Ndidi Dike, Emeka Udemba and Olanrewaju Tejuoso aka Olan]. The Prix du Ministère Sénégalais de la Culture at Dak’Art 2018 renewed the invitation of five (5) international commissioners.
 
Encounters and exchanges focused on: “Contemporary African Art and transformations of the intellectual and normative frameworks.”

Continue reading Olanrewaju Tejuoso Wins 2nd Prize Prix du Ministère Sénégalais de la Culture at Dak’Art 2018

Nigeria Wins 12 Medals In The 1st African Para-Badminton Championships

Nigeria para-badminton athletes has won a total of 12 medals – seven gold and five silver at the 1st African Para-Badminton Championships which was held in Kampala, Uganda between April 30 and May 4.

Bello Oyebanji clinched three gold medals in three events while Eze Chukwuebuka won two gold medals in the championships.

Also, Dixon Dada increased the country’s gold medals to seven after winning two gold medals while Umar Baba and Chinyere Okoro won two silver each. Ijeoma Chukwuemeka also added two silver to the country medal haul.

According to Samuel Ekeoma, National Coordinator of Nigeria Para-Badminton:

“This is a very good outing and I’m proud of what the athletes have been able to achieve. I hope the government and corporate bodies will reward the athletes for the fantastic performance in Uganda.”

Nigeria had earlier won 7 medals (one gold, three silver and three bronze) in the 2nd Uganda Para-badminton International Championships held from April 25 to April 29.

Nigeria won a total of 19 medals in the two competitions sanctioned by the Badminton world body.