Education
Dignitaries honour Jim Ovia as he launches book “Africa Rise and Shine”
By The Nation
Those who see Africa as the dark continent got a fit and proper reply yesterday.
They are wrong, going by the story of a foremost banker, philanthropist and business icon, Jim Ovia, whose autobiography was presented in Lagos.
Ovia rose from a humble background to become chairman and founder of Zenith Bank Plc, one of the few giants in the industry..
The expansive Eko Hotel Convention Centre on Lagos Island was throbbing with dignitaries who listened attentively as Dr Christopher Kolade, who chaired the colourful ceremony, spoke.
He said: “The Africa story was always being told by those who didn’t have the right perspective and knowledge of the continent.”
Listening were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, doyen of Accountancy Pa Akintola Williams and former Commonwealth Secretary General Chief Emeka Anyaoku.
There were also bankers, industrialists, diplomats, politicians, including senators, governors, House of Reps members, senior military personnel and traditional rulers. Ovia said he wrote the book to correct the erroneous impressions that Africa represented anything but good. He said the foreigners’ opinion of Africa was based on limited information about the continent, adding that Africa has come of age and that the book’s title, Africa, rise and shine reflects the strides attained in the continent over the last 30years.
The Special Guest of Honour, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said: I’m impressed, not surprised about Jim’s success. The book has captured the Nigerian dream, especially where he said: ‘If I can do it, you can do it’. We need to rebrand Africa. Economies driven by technology will always blossom. The book is a civic tax that Jim has paid to better the society.”
Dr. Kolade, former Nigerian High Commissioner to Britain, who chaired the occasion, said Ovia had influenced many in corporate Nigeria, adding that it was a privilege to chair the event. He said he was happy to witness Africa as a shining continent, as the story is now being told by someone who is knowledgeable and a shining example of the rising and shining African.
Kolade said: “I accepted not only to read the book, but to do a write-up on the book.”
Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said: if you are a professional accountant, you will have reason to come across Jim.”
To him, the book is inspiring and good for everyone who wants to be successful. “
Tinubu described the book as “a remarkable one”. He said: “Jim wrote the book himself and there are no fictions or embellishments. It is worth reading and studying by youths. Jim was never afraid to try. He believes in Africa and Nigeria where everyone has the opportunity to do well in banking, healthcare, technology, among other sectors. He is an example that it is possible for the continent to grow. Jim has demonstrated that hard work is important for us to create the future we dream of.”
Several other personalities, including Mrs. Folorunso Alakija, Tony Elumelu, Chairman of United Bank for Africa and HEIRS Holdings, spoke glowingly of Ovia’s attributes and immense contributions to banking.
Ovia is the godfather of banking in our time. He is a philanthropist who has worked hard to get to where he is today. He has also established the Jim Ovia Foundation to better the lives of people, Mrs. Alakija said.
Ovia, who mounted the podium shortly after Osinbajo said: “You must use your God-given sense and go with your guts. We all have the feeling at certain points in our lives. We will want to do certain things; you are not too sure because you don’t have any data to prove it’s going to be right. But your instinct tells you do it, just do it.”
Ovia, who is reputed for his love for IT, said the internet enables one to do online transactions, online sales, online education and everything. He said Amazon is now over $1 trillion, pointing out that it doesn’t have a factory anywhere.
He said: “They don’t have any oil well at all but has over $1 trillion in market capitalisation and richer than Nigeria and twice the GDP of Nigeria. It is because they embraced technology and the internet. Look at what Google has done. Google was just set up as a search engine, but now Google is one of the richest companies in the entire world.
“Of course, the market capitalisation of Google is larger than Nigeria’s GDP, and I mean larger than all the oil wells we have, all the resources we have and all the agriculture we have. Just one company! So, economies driven by technology will always blossom. So, for us to blossom, let’s start to digitise the economy. If we digitise the economy, it will continue to grow. If we use technology to drive our manufacturing process, our agriculture and healthcare, we will know what that will do for us.
“The narrative of Africa has been something so pathetic. When you Google about Africa then, the first things that come out is that it is a continent of complex, a continent of corruption and of coups. And that was played out very dramatically when The Economist magazine had on their front page that Africa then was a continent of coup and a continent of corruption. But after two decades, that narrative started changing. Today, we now know that Africa is truly rising.”
He went on: “Between then and now, what you have is that GDP per capita of many African countries is well above $1,000, whereas about 20 years ago, it was below $500.
“So, for me, Africa is rising. Twenty years ago, only few African countries had mobile phones, but today, all the African countries not only have mobile phones, they also have broadband technology and internet penetration is high. Africa is rising by embracing technology. Today, no single Africa country that
Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele, a former CEO of Zenith Bank, described Ovia as “a true giant of our time, obviously not in size, but in all else!
“In Africa Rise and Shine, Ovia shares very important words of wisdom, drawn from his more than 38-year experience as an undeniable trail blazer in Nigeria’s banking sector, as well as his experience in the telecommunications and insurance sectors. The book conveys an inspirational message on universal principles that are applicable in every country, which can serve as a guide to millions of young Nigerians on how to succeed, especially not only because of the opportunities around you, but also despite the challenges in your environment,” Emefiele said.
He listed some of the attributes as devotion to knowledge, commitment to excellence, and courage to dare where many fear. “As you will find in the book, these factors were instrumental in enabling him to build a US$16 billion conglomerate from barely N20 million at start-up of this empire. For those of us who know him and have worked under him, Mr. Jim Ovia is a stickler for knowledge and is deeply committed to excellence,” Emefiele said.
“In my role as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, these qualities have served as a guiding principle for me and were very useful during the economic downturn that Nigeria faced between 2016 – 2017. Under the glaringly distinguished but often unacknowledged leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, these qualities propelled me and the rest of the economic team to remain focused, to work assiduously, and to reach out to relevant stakeholders in developing solutions that eventually led to Nigeria’s recovery from the recession by the 3rd Quarter of 2017.”
Other dignitaries at the event included APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, Governors Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom) Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Kashim Shetima (Borno), Ibrahim Dankwanbo (Gombe), Darius Ishaku (Taraba), Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) and the Sultan of Sokoto Abubakar Sa’ad’s representative Umar Sanusi.
Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Aliko Dangote represented by his daughter Halima Prof. Pat Utomi, Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akinolu, Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja 111, Dein of Agbor, Benjamin Ikenchukwu Keagborekuzi, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, Oba Otudeko, Mrs. Kay Ovia, Mr. Bode Augusto, representative of the Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen M.S. Yusuf (GOC 81), THIS DAY& ARISE TV Chairman/Publisher Nduka Obaigbena, Channels TV Chairman John Momoh, Chief Segun Osoba and Zenith Bank CEO Peter Amangbo among others.
… As Mbah canvasses higher admission quota for ESUT Law Faculty
The Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, says the state government will soon commence the construction of an ultramodern auditorium for the Augustine Nnamani campus of the Nigerian Law School at Agbani in Enugu State, stressing his administration’s readiness to support the campus to excel as a citadel of legal education in Nigeria.
Mbah made this known when he received a team of the Council of Legal Education at the Government House, Enugu, on Monday commending the Council for its work in guiding and nurturing teaching and learning in the Law School.
The governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, equally canvassed for an increase in the admission quota of the Faculty of Law, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, to create more opportunities for the increasing population of the state’s indigenes and residents wishing to study Law.
“Quite frankly, the expansion in the number of campuses of the Law School makes their management and coordination more challenging, but that is inevitable because of the increasing number of our brothers and sisters, who seek to become lawyers.
“I want to assure you that with respect to the commitment of our government and our state to enhance the facilities at that Law School, Agbani, the date for the groundbreaking ceremony for the auditorium will be communicated to you sooner than you would imagine.
“This is also an opportunity to request that you consider increasing the admission quota of the ESUT Faulty of Law because of the teeming number of our people that want to study law. On our part, we are determined to put all necessary infrastructure and human capital in place to make it one of the best Law faculties in the entire country because in Enugu, we prioritise education,” the governor stated.
Speaking, the Chairman of the Council of Legal Education, Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN, commended the Governor Mbah Administration for its commitment to the development of legal education in the country.
“Sometime ago, the governor hosted a delegation of the management saff of the Augustine Nnamani campus of the Law School here at the Government House. On that occasion, the governor sought to know the urgent needs of the Campus at Agbani. Upon hearing the request, he, on behalf of Enugu State Government, offered to build an ultramodern auditorium for the Nigerian Law School at Agbani.
“In addition to that, he also offered to appeal to Pinnacle Oil and Gas to build a Moot Court for the Augustine Nnamani Campus as part of his infrastructural support to the institution.
“So, we made it a point that before we set out to other places, including a visit to other law faculties that require accreditation, our first port of call would be to come to the Government House to pay our respect to the government and people of Enugu State to say thank you for the offer the state government has made,” Ngige said.
Stakeholders at the Values for Daily Living International [VDLI] inaugural annual conference have recommitted to continuing efforts in promoting ethical values and moral principles, inspiring positive change in individuals and communities worldwide.
The VDLI inaugural annual conference convened by Sandra Ani, was a resounding success, bringing together students, parents, scholars, educators, and community members to engage in meaningful discussions and celebrate achievements in value-based education.
The conference, held at the at The Parliament Hall, Post Primary School Management Board, Enugu State, attracted more than 1000 participants from various sectors, including education, business, healthcare, and government online and on-site.
The theme, “Take It Back: Building Today for a Greater Tomorrow” resonated deeply with attendees and speakers alike.
Prof. Peter Ndubueze Mbah (Ph.D.), the Hon. Commissioner of Education, Enugu State, in his keynote address emphasized the importance of integrating core values into every aspect of life, from personal interactions to professional endeavors.
He highlighted the need for a collective effort in nurturing a society grounded in respect, empathy, and honesty.
Throughout the conference, participants engaged in a series of interactive workshops, panel discussions, and networking sessions.
During the panel session, discussants reiterated the role of the church, school, and home in restoring values to society was a key topic of the panel discussions.
This interactive session provided deep insights into shared responsibilities in moral value restoration.
These narratives provided a powerful reminder of the impact that integrity and compassion can have on society.
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing a renewed commitment to fostering values in their personal and professional lives. “This conference has reignited my passion for ethical leadership and community service,” said one participant. “I leave here today inspired and ready to make a difference.”
Sandra Ani, the convener, in her address expressed gratitude to all participants, speakers, and sponsors for their contributions to the success of the conference. “Together, we have taken a significant step towards building a more compassionate and ethical society. I am confident that the conversations and connections made here will continue to inspire positive change in our communities.”
The event served as a platform for open dialogue and interactive learning, fostering a sense of shared responsibility in nurturing moral values within the community.
Other notable speakers included Hon. Chibueze Ofobuike, the chairman of Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State; Barr. Doris Chinedu-Okoro, CEO of Evergreen Group; and Mr. David Folaranmi, an advocate of drug abuse and addiction recovery.
Essay Competition
Highpoint of the conference includes an essay contest which focused on senior secondary school students from both government and private schools on the topic: “What are the common reasons why teenagers might be tempted to experiment with drugs, and what strategies can they employ to resist peer pressure and make healthy choices regarding substance use?”
The contest attracted over 500 entries, which were narrowed down to 100 students for the second stage, and finally, 20 students made it to the finals.
During the conference, the top 20 essay writers were invited to receive an award of excellence. The top three essay winners were each given an award plaque, a gold medal, a certificate of excellence, and a cheque of 200,000 NGN for the second runner-up, 300,000 NGN for the first runner-up, and 500,000 NGN for the overall winner.
These students came from Anambra State, Osun State, and FCT Abuja, respectively. The remaining 17 students, representing Benue State, Kwara State, Ireland, Ebonyi State, and Enugu State, were awarded a gold medal and a certificate of excellence each.
Brand Ambassadors
All top 20 essay contest finalists were appointed as brand ambassadors of VDLI. Their faces will appear on billboards in five states of the country. As ambassadors, they are expected to uphold and promote the moral values advocated by VDLI in their various environments.
Awards and Recognitions
All speakers were presented with recognition awards from the organization. The Hon. Commissioner of Education received an award for his profound impact on enhancing education; Hon. Chibueze Ofobuike was recognized for empowering youths and transforming communities; Barr. Doris Chinedu-Okoro received an award for her outstanding contribution towards advancing education; and Mr. David Folaranmi was acknowledged for his efforts in creating awareness on drug abuse and helping people overcome addiction.
Special Presentations
A notable presentation on the role of the girl child in upholding Nigeria’s values and ethics was made by Akpem Comfort Msuurshima from Jewel Model Schools, Makurdi, Benue State.
Additionally, a cultural display by students of Seat of Wisdom Secondary School, Enugu, showcased the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria.
About Values for Daily Living International Conference:
Values for Daily Living International (VDLI) is an organization dedicated to the global promotion of ethical values and moral principles. Founded in 2019, VDLI has been at the forefront of inspiring positive change in individuals of all ages. Through innovative programs, impactful initiatives, and engaging resources, VDLI strives to encourage individuals to lead more fulfilling lives, guided by morals such as honesty, integrity, and respect.
The mission is to use the teaching of values to change minds, thereby transforming lives.
VDLI’s vision is to cultivate a society deeply rooted in strong moral values, ensuring individuals contribute meaningfully to society.
The Organization emphasizes values such as Integrity, Leadership, Compassion, and Respect guide all aspects of VDLI’s work, from program development to community engagement.
Education
Ijesha Digital Hub Celebrates Job Placements for 17 Graduates from Inaugural Training Program
As 48 trainees graduate from cohort 1
The Ijesha Digital Hub has announced that 17 graduates from its first cohort are to receive job offers following their successful completion of the training program.
This significant milestone was announced to the ecstatic graduates and the huge crowd that had gathered to witness the historic event by the Keynote speaker and member of the Board of Trustees of Ijesa Global Alliance for Development (IGAD), esteemed industry leader Sir Aladekomo, chairman of SmartCity Resorts Plc and founder of Chams Plc..
The graduation ceremony celebrated the achievements of 48 trainees who completed intensive training in various digital disciplines: 10 in UI/UX Design, 23 in Cybersecurity, and 15 in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning.
These graduates are now equipped with cutting-edge skills and knowledge and recognized professional certificates in their respective digital domains ready to embark on their professional journeys.
In a press statement, Dr. Cornelius Adewale, executive director of Ijesha Global Alliance for Development (IGAD), remarked, “The immediate job opportunities for our trainees are a testament to the hub’s commitment to providing skills development training today so that participants can build tomorrow. We are proud of the engagement framework, training delivery, monitoring mechanism, and effective assessment we have developed. This initiative has the potential to transform Nigeria into a digital economy powerhouse.”
Prince Abimbola Olashore, chairman of IGAD, added, “The success of the first cohort of Ijesha Digital Hub underscores the significant role that targeted training programs play in addressing the skills gap in the Nigerian tech industry. The job placements of these graduates not only validate the quality of the training provided but also highlight the growing demand for skilled professionals in UI/UX Design, Cybersecurity, and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning.”
Dr. Adewale Alonge, vice president of IGAD, also emphasized the broader impact of this achievement, stating, “This milestone demonstrates the effectiveness of our comprehensive training approach and the dedication of our trainees. By equipping them with relevant skills, we are not only empowering individuals but also contributing to the overall growth and development of the tech sector in Nigeria.” Dr. Alonge noted that the achievement of the mission of the Hub would not have been possible without the dedication, commitment and leadership of the domain leaders, Dr: Adewale Obadare, Chief Visionary Officer, Digital Encode, for Cybersecurity, assisted by Mr. Tunji Igbalajobi, Mr. Ebenezer Ajayi (AI/ Machine Learning), Mr. Femi Bakare (UI/UX Design) and their team of mentors and instructors.
The event was chaired by Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi, the esteemed Asiwaju of Ijeshaland, who delivered remarks celebrating the achievements of the graduates and the impact of the Innovation Hub on the local community and beyond.
The 48 graduates have achieved a minimum of one professional certificate (some have two or more) in their digital specialization and are poised for leadership position in the digital transformation of the Nigerian economy.
The Ijesha Digital Hub remains committed to its mission of fostering digital entrepreneurship incubation and acceleration and technological advancement, ensuring that more young Nigerians are prepared to thrive in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
One of the highlights of the historic event was the announcement of the launching soon of a 100 million Naira digital infrastructure fund for the “1000 Digital Workforce in 24 months” project, by US based world-renowned Engineering Professor Olu Olowokere. Dr. Babatunde Ojo, IGAD’s secretary and clinical medical director based in North Carolina, USA presented special awards to the six top graduates from the graduating class.
Badaru on Operational Tour of 82 Division, other Military Installations in Enugu and Imo States
Boost for Nigeria’s Oil Production, As NNPC’s Utapate Crude Grade Hits Global Oil Market
Defence Minister in S’Arabia to Discuss Counter-Terrorism
LASG Acquires New Outboard Engines For Optimum Boat Performance
Elon Musk builds Hotel in Mars, Sets to launch soon at $5million per night – Photos
We Do Not Accept Refugee Application Directly From People – Canadian Govt.
-
Spotlight3 days agoConcerned citizens appeal to Gov Sanwo-Olu, Dangote Foundation, Banks, MTN Foundation, NNPC, others to assist journalist for brain surgery
-
Politics3 days ago
President Tinubu Restructures Media and Communications Team
-
Travel2 days ago
Defence Minister in S’Arabia to Discuss Counter-Terrorism
-
GRPolitics3 days ago
With Commitment, Resilience We’ll Defeat Banditry and Terrorism – Badaru
-
Energy21 hours ago
Boost for Nigeria’s Oil Production, As NNPC’s Utapate Crude Grade Hits Global Oil Market
-
News15 hours ago
Badaru on Operational Tour of 82 Division, other Military Installations in Enugu and Imo States
