April 17, 2021 - PremiumNews

All Posts in "Day: April 17, 2021"

Dubai Education Tourism Initiative Partners Princewills Trust On Youth Career

The Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM) under its Education Tourism Initiative, CLR education consulting, and in partnership with Princewills Trust has announced the commencement of the 2021 Vision and Success Opportunity Challenge.

The Vision and Success Opportunity Challenge is a forum created by Princewills Trust, where ambitious young leaders pitch ideas and strategies for furthering their vision and success in life.

The challenge is designed to help current Nigerian university undergraduates and postgraduates imagine realistic career models and investigate how to shift from concept to reality while still pursuing their studies.

Backed by an incentive of an all-expenses-paid experiential tour of the city of Dubai for the best ten submissions, the objective of the challenge is to enable Nigerian university undergraduates and post graduates to envision viable career models and explore how from ideation to practice, while still pursuing their studies.

To participate, contestants are required to develop and submit a business model pitch in the area of their expertise. Such business models may be novel or the offshoot of current research plans. In either case, it needs to be the original work of the contestant and each contestant is required to work solo for this challenge. The challenge will have two rounds which include a reading Pitch Deck round and a presentation Pitch Deck round.

StellaIbiene Obinwa, Director for Africa (DCTCM), explained that the city of Dubai was chosen for this challenge to gain first-hand knowledge of a global business hub known for its great vision, hospitality, and commerce.

She added that the tour intends to introduce participants to the next step in their vision and success journey, including learning resources and post-graduation opportunities in Dubai.

Prince Tonye Princewill, founder and initiator of Princewills Trust, said:”I’m excited to be involved in a project like this, but I’m particularly motivated with this one because it’s Dubai. Not only because it is a wonderful tourist destination, which it is, but also because of the amazing educational opportunities it has with campuses of all the top Universities in the world having a presence there. What motivates me is how Dubai moved from a vision to become reality. It is a modern template for development, governance and nation building and I see lessons there, which no books can teach you. That is why I want others to have a chance to lose sleep, ask their own questions and dare to dream impossible dreams. Because it’s the only way you can guarantee that sustainable change can happen.”

by Online Editor — April 17, 2021 in Travel & Tourism 0

How FG Can Arrest Inflation In Nigeria-NACCIMA

NACCIMA calls for urgent action to address spiralling inflation | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World NewsNigeria — The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News

The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has advocated the need for immediate action to address the nation’s current Inflation trends.

Amb. Ayoola Olukanni, Director-General, NACCIMA, gave the advice in reactiin to the Inflation figure released by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).showing a surge from 17.33% recorded in February to 18.17% in March as well as the rising cost of food in Nigeria

He said NACCIMA on several occasions in recent past, had warned that the upward trajectory of inflation is what will happen if action is not taken to address underlining causes of the inflationary trends.

He said:” Most significant in this regard is the issue of insecurity which is spreading across the country and its consequences on agricultural production especially by the small farm holders across the food belt of the nation; many of these farmers are either not able either to engage in active farming or evacuate their farm produce”

He added that shortage of forex, depreciation in exchange rate and huge import bill have also all combined to produce the upward inflationary trend Nigeria is witnessing.

He explained that steps must be taken by government to arrest the trend.

” In all of these, perhaps most important is the issue of insecurity.Business and productive activities only thrive in a safe and secured environment. An enduring solution must therefore be found to the problems of banditry and other sources of insecurity across the country.

“The current low productive capacities in various sectors of the economy have also been due to the recent massive power outages and consequential effect on electricity supply to homes and industries especially SMEs.

“There is therefore the need to expedite action on the energy component under the Economic Sustainability Plan as part of the strategic options designed to address the energy crisis.To address food inflation there must be significant improvement in the area of road infrastructure to facilitate movement of farm produce and goods across the country.

“This is to strengthen the food supply chain and reduce cost of transportation from the farm to the market. More support should also be given to the SMEs in the agribusiness sector as they are important in the quest to ensure food security and combat food inflation”

by Online Editor — April 17, 2021 in SME/Manufacturing 0

Tay Iwar Launches New EP ‘Love & Isolation’

New EP: Tay Iwar - Love & Isolation | BellaNaija

Nigerian singer-songwriter,Tay Iwar has dropped his anticipated new EP ‘Love & Isolation’, out 16th April 2021.

Amidst a chaotic world forced into lockdown, ‘Love & Isolation’ is a deeply personal EP and an ode to self-healing. The release sees Tay produce three of its five tracks, with Jeffrey Rashad and Insightful co-producing the other two.

The new EP also signifies a sonic shift for Tay towards a more romance-tinged R&B vibe, with opener and new single “YOGA” feat. Asa, a smooth, seductive slow jam, perfectly encapsulating this. “STONES” feat. Xenia Manasseh is a more sombre, heartfelt affair, as is the downbeat charm of “FEEL” feat. Lou Val & Insightful. Next up is the reflective but majestic ballad “THINKING” before recent single “PEAKING” closing things out with the kind of energy that typifies the EP – smooth, soulful and emotionally driven.

‘Love & Isolation’ is a mature, contemplative release, representing a new chapter in the ever-diversifying story of Tay Iwar. Tay says, “Love & Isolation is the transition from an era to another era for me,” explaining, “There’s almost nothing linking this project to the last one, besides me, the artist because this is a slow style, more romantic than I’ve ever done before. The intention is for people to feel and tap into yourself. It’s a perfect self-healing EP post-pandemic.”

Dubbed ‘Nigeria’s most reclusive musician’ by OkayAfrica, Tay Iwar is an artist, singer-songwriter, sound engineer and record producer who shot to fame in 2014 with acclaimed debut EP ‘Passport’.

A key player in the nation’s alté scene, he followed this up with his debut album ‘Gemini’ in 2019, released in partnership with Soulection, and ‘Gold’, the 8-track collaborative EP alongside Le Mav. Having since produced and featured on tracks for Odunsi (The Engine), Lady Donli, Santi and Juls to name a few, the Nigerian has received support from Complex, Clash, Beats1 Radio and Rinse FM among several prominent platforms.

by Online Editor — April 17, 2021 in Arts/Entertainment 0

Paul Obi Foundation Gives Scholarship, Grants To Ogberuru Communities in Imo

PHILANTROPHY – Ezechukwu Chibuike ,final year student Federal University of Technology ,Owerri receiving his cheque during the Sir Paul Obi Foundation Scholarship Award & Social Intervention Grants to less Privileged people at Ogberuru ,Orlu ,Imo State by the founder ,Barrister Paul Chukwuma Obi recently

The Sir Paul Obi Foundation and non partisan and profit making body floated by the Company Secretary of NIPCO Plc ,Barrister Paul Obi has marked its third year of inauguration with offers of scholarships and social intervention grants to indigent people in the society

At the event held at the Foundation complex in Ogberuru, Orlu LGA, Imo State, Barrister Paul Chukwuma Obi said activities marking the commemoration of the outfit third anniversary were in three fold, primarily at touching the lives of people with bias for their empowerment.

He said the first of the interventions was the offer of 135 bags of 25kg rice to support household in the town to cushion the effect of COVID -19 pandemic during the lockdown.

According to him, the donation which was targeted at offering succor to the people as well as ameliorating their socio – economic conditions was an aftermath of the scourge ravaging the country and worldwide .

He added that the second aspect of the interventions was the offer of hope and support to scores of handicapped people in the area.

The legal icon said physically challenged people in our midst needs special care even more than those not handicapped as their conditions have put some strains on them necessitating assistance on a regular basis .

The donation to the handicapped includes bags of rice and other food items to aid their feeding for some time ,a feat that the beneficiaries were elated about as they were been assisted like those not in any way physically challenged .

He informed that the third aspect of the foundation activities during the yuletide was the offer of scholarships to indigent people as continuing efforts of the organization to be a notable contributor to educational growth in the community in particular and the state in general.

The Foundation has at its third anniversary offered about five indigent undergraduates in different universities in Nigeria bringing its total student portfolio to about 35 scholarships across the Ochasi clan

He recalled that his late father, Augustine Okoronkwo Obi who was very pivotal to his being a lawyer, a vocation that has provided the wherewithal to embark on the foundation as the deceased continuously strive for educational pursuits by all

The NIPCO Plc company secretary noted that the foundation primarily aimed at offering scholarships for university education had to shift to social interventions following the pains people are facing due to the economic situation of the country and the world in general.

Barrister Obi informed the audience that the Foundation also empowered 25 indigent men, women and youths drawn from five different parishes that partner with the organization by providing them soft revolving grants to enable them start a trade .

He further emphasized that the Foundation would continue its educational support in the years ahead in a conscious move to ward off illiteracy with its adverse consequences on the growth of the communities and the state in general.

He promised to donate 150 exercise books for distribution to all schools in the area through the Foundation .

He lauded the support of the traditional rulers in the area,saying as they have all seen the program as a boost to their efforts at making the people self reliant with sound education that could shape their lives.

These interventions, the founder noted, must have accounted for the chieftaincy title of Ochendo Ogberuru conferred on him by the traditional ruler the Ezi 1 of Ezimba, Ogberuru , Eze Micheal Igwenma for acts capable of reducing poverty in the land.

At the event, HRH Eze Damian Obianigwe commended the donor for his material and moral support to the people and the royalty stressing that each time the foundation shows its kindness to the communities, the entire town feels a deep sense of happiness.

by Online Editor — April 17, 2021 in Ndigbo 0

Harassment: Okoroji Sues IGP, EFCC, Seeks N6bn Damages

Bizmen sue police, EFCC, others over alleged harassment, threats – The Sun Nigeria

The Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) has dragged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over ceaseless harassment and disturbance of its officers, staff and associates.

The motion ex-parte was filed before Abuja Federal High Court on behalf of COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji, Ms. Bernice Eriemeghe, Mr. Vincent Adawaisi and Ms. Anne Okomi, by lawyer, James Ononiwu of WhiteDove Solicitors, Lagos law firm.

The presiding judge, Justice A.R. Mohammed, ordered the three security agencies together with one Pretty Okafor and Biodun Eguakhide to show cause over the alleged continued disturbance and harassment of the COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji; the General Manager, Ms. Bernice Eriemeghe and two other officers of COSON, Mr. Vincent Adawaisi and Ms. Anne Okomi.

COSON, its Chairman and management staff are seeking the court’s for a declaration that the Inspector-General of Police, Pretty Okafor, Biodun Eguakide, DSS and EFCC have been engaged in an unlawful, unconstitutional and coordinated brutal, horrendous, wicked, harassment and torture of the plaintiffs who are innocent citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Chief Tony Okoroji asked the court for general damages in the sum of Five billion Naira (N5,000,000,000) jointly and severally against the 1st to 5th Defendants in the suit and a perpetual injunction.

The COSON chairman is also seeking general damages in the sum of One billion Naira (N1,000,000,000) against the Inspector-General of Police for defamation of character and the sum of Five billion Naira (N5,000,000,000) for the unlawful, unconstitutional and coordinated brutal, horrendous, wicked, harassment and torture of his person.

Besides,he is seeking general damages in the sum of two billion Naira (N2,000,000,000) against Stanbic IBTC Bank for the unlawful freezing of his two accounts domiciled in the bank.

by Online Editor — April 17, 2021 in Law/Human Rights 0

Nigeria Highest Importer of Commercial Services In Africa-WTO

Nigeria Highest Importer of Commercial Services In Africa-WTO

Nigeria has been rated as number one importer of commercial services in Africa in 2020,according to data released by the World Trade Organisation (WTO)

Nigeria was ranked 25th commercial importer in the world, but the first in Africa followed by Egypt, which was ranked 28th in the world,the

the Geneva-based international trade organisation said.

While Egypt and Morocco made the list of world exporters led by the United States, Nigeria was conspicuously absent in the global commercial exporters’ list.

It said the US also ranked first in the commercial importers’ list followed by China, United Kingdom and Japan; while US, UK, China and India topped the exporters’ list.

by Online Editor — April 17, 2021 in News 0

IMF To Nigeria:Halt Generator Use Now

Nigeria Economy Can't Fully Recover Before 2022 - IMF - Nigeria Business Information

The International Monetary Fund has advised Nigeria to halt the use of generator in the country,saying it’s harmful and inefficient.

The international agency also emphasized the need for the country to solve its power problem which has made the cost of doing business very high.

Abebe Selassie, the Director, African Department, IMF, Abebe Selassie, gave the advice at a press briefing on regional economic outlook, Sub-Saharan Africa

He said:“In the case of Nigeria, ensuring that the country enjoys or unleashes its tremendous potential requires reforms in three areas, in our view.

“I think first and foremost is that more fiscal space needs to be created through domestic revenue mobilisation to pay for investments in health, in education, in infrastructure, which Nigeria swiftly needs.

“Second, I think reforms in the energy sector are going to be paramount. The cost of doing business is very high on account of the inefficiencies in the energy sector, power supply interruptions, and the famous recourse to the use of highly inefficient and harmful generator up and down the country.

“Again, getting power supply, getting policies to make sure that Nigeria resolves this problem once and for all, I think, is also paramount. And thirdly, macroeconomic policy calibration, things like creating deep and liquid foreign exchange markets will be important.”

by Online Editor — April 17, 2021 in Power 0

Ecobank Dangles Mortgage Loans, Investment Options On Nigerians in Diaspora

Ecobank has introduced several investment packages and opportunities to encourage Nigerians in the diaspora to own houses in the country and also participate actively in money and capital markets.

Olukorede Demola-Adeniyi, Head, Consumer Banking, told newsmen that his the bank is offering mortgage loans to Nigerians living abroad to finance property ownership in the country.

She emphasized that the terms and conditions are flexible and easily accessible. She encouraged them to open domiciliary account with the bank to access the various opportunities.

The packages can also be accessed via Naira accounts,she said

She added:“We offer loans for outright purchase of completed properties and refinancing of existing homes. Our financing solutions also provide access to a range of respected property vendors that they can choose from to achieve their desired accommodation. We allow up to 10 years tenor at highly competitive interest rates. However, the borrower must be a legal resident of the country they are applying from. As a bank, we want to eliminate the associated challenges faced by hardworking Nigerians who are interested in having properties of their own at home here.”

She added that her bank also helps Nigerians in the diaspora with resources for wealth management through investment in money market, capital market, real estate and treasury products at attractive and competitive interest rates on both foreign and local currencies, stating that the bank offers financial planning advisory including information on stocks, bonds, real estates and insurance products, in addition to helping customers retrieve outstanding dividends and missing shares.

She advised them to open a multi-currency online account in Naira, GBP, USD & EURO via https://aop.ecobank.com, adding that they can also download the bank’s award-winning mobile banking app, Ecobank Mobile, which is available on app stores to enjoy real-time access to their accounts from the comfort of their home.

She further stated “You can download the Rapidtransfer app to send money home and your beneficiary can pick up USD cash at any Ecobank branch nationwide or have it directly credited into their Ecobank domiciliary account. You can also send money through any of our remittance partners such as Ria and Small World for cash pick up and direct credit. Other partners such as Western Union and MoneyGram are available for cash pick up only. You can wire funds directly to your foreign currency account through our correspondent bank in USD, GBP and Euro. “

She disclosed that the bank is actively driving the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Naira for Dollar scheme which offers N5 on ever dollar received over the counter or into an account.

by Online Editor — April 17, 2021 in Banking&Finance 0

How Davido Shaped My Musical Careeer– Peruzzi

How Davido Helped My Musical Career – Peruzzi Explains - Newscastars

Sensational Nigerian music artist, Tobechukwu Victor Okoh, popularly known as Peruzzi, has credited his music business acumen could be credited to award-winning musician, David Adeleke,popularly called Davido.

“When I met David, the only thing I knew was how to write songs. I didn’t know any other thing but now, I know the music business. I used to be a very shy person and David used to tell me, ‘when I’m walking, don’t be at the back, walk beside me.’

“I lived with him for 2 years and was collecting the energy every morning and that made me realise that this is where you’re supposed to be no matter how long it took you, you’re finally where you’re supposed to be.”

Amid mourning his beloved mother who had died just two days after the release of his hit single, ‘For Your Pocket’, Peruzzi said having his team handle the song’s publicity afforded him the time he needed to grieve.

“I had just dropped ‘For Your Pocket’, and then my mum died two days after. I had to take my time to cry but at the same time try to hide from my guys because we were already tweeting about the release of the new song, and I did not want them to stop. After a while, I had to tell them to allow me when it’s time to cry, and I would not disturb them, but whatever they did, they should not stop tweeting about it. I would go into the shower and cry, allow the water to wash away the pain, but once I was out, it was back to work. It was at that time that Davido posted my song on Snapchat, and that gave my career the boost it needed,” he said.

He also told the story of how he got featured in the song that shook the Nigerian music industry in 2018.

He said: “Gaaga called me one morning, [saying] that we should vibe in the studio and that 2Baba was going to be there as well, and I said okay. I had already planned everything I would tell 2Baba because I had not met him before that time. When I got there, everything I planned on telling him was what he was telling me. He was bowing his head to me, and I was confused. I just kept saying, don’t do this to me; you are 2Baba. What he did that day, I will never forget. We released the video, and it scattered Nigeria. Amaka gave me that older and more mature-minded audience. It was a song everyone could relate to, and it skyrocketed my career.”