Residents plead for speed breakers on the newly constructed isheri Oshun road

as the number of accidents increases. 

The residents of isheri Oshun joint CDA has called on the Lagos state government to construct speed breakers on the newly constructed isheri Oshun ijegun road as several accidents has been encountered  since the project was completed, owing to nonavailabilityof speed regulators on the road in managing the velocity of the motorist.

In a discussion during a drive safe programme and ‘ember’ month campaign with the theme; “Crash the crash, Speed kills” organized by Life Booster foundation and isheri Oshun joint CDA in conjunction with federal road safety corp.(FRSC), Vehicle Inspector office (VIO) Nigerian Police Force( NPF) and Lagos state Traffic Management Authority (LASTMAN), the members of the community stressed the need for speed breakers and road signs to reduce the number of accidents andmortality on the road.

Speaking about life Booster foundation, the convenerof the programme, Mr. Akin Thomas started that the life Booster foundation which started 15 years ago was born out of humanitarian service with the goal of letting people know that it is their responsibility to be alive. 

He also said that the road records about 5 accidents monthly which prompted his foundation to organize this programme to sensitize the road userson safety especially in this ember month when the road will be busy.

“We lose people here monthly, the mortality rate is about 3 persons per month,  I could Remember how bad this road was some few years back, people were not dying but now that the road is smooth we are loosing people. We sincerely thank the Governor of Lagos state, MrAkinwumiAmbode for his development around the state but we need speed breakers on the road to help regulate the speed of motorist.”

“In this programme we have invited the state holders, the law enforcement agencies, the community members, the students, the bus drivers, Okada riders, and also the marwadrivers who ply the road on daily basis for sensitization on how to use the road to save life and Properties. 

The high point of the event was the lecture from the FRSC, VIO, LASTMA, and the Nigerian Police Force.

In her lecture the controller of the Isolo division of the FRSC Mrs. C Iwuoha cautioned the road users especially the pedestrians to be mindful of the road by looking left and right before crossing, noting that most times, when ever there is a road accident that the blame usually goes to the drivers, not knowing that the fault might also be from the other road user who didn’t check well before crossing.

“The road users are both the pedestrians and also the motorist, everyone has the responsibility of being conscious to avoid road accidents on this road, parent should always take care of the children by keeping to the driving rules and always in making sure that their children don’t cross the road unguided.”  She said.

50,000 ATHLETES TO PARTICIPATE IN 2017 LAGOS CITY MARATHON – AMBODE

…Targets Tourney to Become Africa’s Best

…Top 10 World Marathoners to Compete for $50,000 Grand Prize

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday said no fewer than 50,000 athletes from across the world are expected to participate in the second edition of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon billed to hold on February 11, 2017.

 

Governor Ambode, who stated this at Lagos House in Ikeja while addressing a world press conference on the marathon, said necessary logistics have been put in place to make the event hugely successful, and as well promote the tourism potentials of the State.

The Governor said about 33, 753 runners including 65 elite marathoners from different parts of the world and over 100 local elite runners participated in the 2016 edition held on February 6 this year, while the marathon was adjudged as one of the best in the world.

He said the government was working to ensure that the 2017 edition of the Lagos City Marathon billed to hold on Saturday, February 11, 2017 would see a major improvement compared to the maiden edition.

Governor Ambode said that as a result of the success of the maiden edition, several individuals and corporate organisations have contacted the organizers of the Marathon to partner towards ensuring a successful tourney, adding that it would go a long way to engage and empower thousands of Lagosians in various sectors.

The Governor said that the 2017 edition, would also feature the top ten men and women marathoners in the world, who would also be joined by many gold label, silver label and bronze label marathoners from different parts of the world.

He said the appearance fees for gold label runners is $50,000, silver label $20,000 and bronze label $10,000, adding that invited local and foreign elite runners would be paid 50 per cent of their appearance fee now and balance up when they arrive Lagos for the tourney.

Winner of the 2017 Lagos City Marathon, according to the Governor would also go home with a cash prize of $50,000, while second and third place winners will smile home with $40,000 and $30,000 respectively.

“The Lagos City Marathon is presently ranked 68th in the world, but our desire is to make it the top ten in the world and that is what we are working on with the next episode of the event.

“Unlike the one held on February 6 this year, where we had over 30,000 athletes who participated, we are targeting a minimum of 50,000 runners who will take the city of Lagos by storm and put the city on the world map for coming up with such a huge event.

“We look forward to something exciting happening in Lagos. We are going to use sports as a vehicle to help develop our youths and when you talk about youth development you have to talk about recreational sports, about how you mentally activate younger ones and we just think that this marathon is one of those vehicles that we should use to galvanize sports in younger ones and even Lagosians at large,” Governor Ambode said.

The Governor also expressed optimism that the success of the first edition and efforts to make next year’s edition bigger, the Lagos City Marathon would soon be labeled by the IAAF.

“We may get the CAA label before February 11, 2017; this will be another feat. We have put the necessary machinery in place to have a more elaborate start and a grand finish for this edition. There will also be entertainment at the finish for runners and spectators,” he said.

The Governor also added that for the 2017 edition, plans have been put in place to accommodate volunteers who would work hand in hand to make the event a success, adding that every volunteer would get a certificate signed by him and their names will be in Lagos State data base for volunteers.

He said that the State Government was working with other partners to address the challenges and hiccups recorded in the first edition of the Marathon, assuring that he would personally supervise the logistics required for the event.

“Route education plan will be released early so that Lagosians can plan their movement on race day. There will also be live transmission for the local and global audience. There will be clearer and bolder kilometer marking along the route. Our target is to also make Lagosians proud of this event and make them look forward to it every year,” the Governor said.

On his part, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, Managing Director of Access Bank, the major partners of the Lagos City Marathon, expressed optimism that the 2017 edition of the race would be bigger and better.

He said Access Bank was glad to partner with Lagos State, noting that the success of the first edition did not only showcase Lagos to be an avenue for sports development, but also for the growth of tourism and youth development.

Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative 2017 – Lagos, Nigeria

The Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative, CYFI, is a dynamic youth-based initiative launched in 2011 by the U.S. Consulate General, Lagos. CYFI brings together Nigerian youth of exceptional vision, skills and experience to design and implement projects that have a positive impact on Nigerian society. Former Ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington, was a champion of civil liberties, democracy and closer ties between the U.S. and Nigeria.

CYFI fellows are committed to putting the ideals of Walter Carrington into practice. The CYFI Board of Directors, in conjunction with the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Consulate General, Lagos, selects fellows who demonstrate exceptional vision, skills and experience. Fellows are then grouped into teams based on interest, and teams then develop and implement their own youth engagement project over the course of the one-year fellowship duration.

Eligibility

• Open to all citizens and permanent residents of Nigeria currently residin++++++++++++++g in Lagos.

Application Process

Application: December 10 – December 31, 2016

Applicants selected for an interview will be notified by the CYFI Board. Interviews will be held at the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos.

AFIF Entrepreneurship Award 2017 US$10.000,00 Cash Prize

In the framework of the 2017 edition of the Africa Finance & Investment Forum and to encourage sustainable development, economic growth, innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa, EMRC will present the “AFIF Entrepreneurship Award 2017“, offering a financial contribution and exposure/visibility to an African SME for a project with good impact.

AFIF 2017’s focus is to promote access to finance and strengthen entrepreneurship in Africa. To achieve this, EMRC  is launching the annual “AFIF Entrepreneurship Award” ), calling all African-based entrepreneurs to participate in this renowned award, which will be followed by international partners, leading African businesses and international media.

Award

• An existing African small-medium business, will receive a US$10.000,00 cash prize, yearlong media promotion support in and out of Africa, free participation in the AFIF 2017, including the pre-conference Training.

Application Procedure

Applications  must be sent to EMRC (sa@EMRC.be) by December 19th, 2016.

Johnson & Johnson Africa Innovation Challenge for Consumer Health Entrepreneurs 2017

Johnson and Johnson’s Africa Innovation Challenge (AIC), an initiative to support Africa’s vibrant and growing innovation ecosystem is now accepting submissions to the AIC 2017 challenge. Individuals and companies that have locally sustainable consumer health solutions can submit their solutions to receive funding and mentorship from Johnson & Johnson.

Eligible Countries: Countries in Africa

Eligible Fields: There are three different categories, however you can apply to all three:

• Promoting Early Child Development & Maternal Health: Improving maternal health helps nurture happy, healthy babies and generates positive child development. We are looking for non-pharmaceutical product and technology solutions that will help ensure women and newborns in Africa stay healthy during pregnancy, childbirth and throughout child development.
• Empowering Young Girls: Access to good education and basic needs such as feminine care products is important to make sure young girls across Africa realize their full potential. We are looking for consumer product, technology and educational innovations that address these needs, making a brighter future possible for young women.
• Improving Family Well–being: Families need reliable healthcare information and access to healthcare professionals and effective products in order to thrive. We are searching for innovative technology-driven solutions that help promote access to healthcare knowledge, advice and products and enhance the well-being of consumers in Africa.

How to Apply: 

To apply to the challenge, visit the Africa Innovation Challenge application page

 Application Deadline: 17th January, 2017

SPHEIR Receive funding to transform higher education in emerging markets

SPHEIR- stands for Strategic Partnerships for Higher Education Innovation and Reform.

SPHEIR aims to transform higher education systems in focus countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Middle East to better meet the needs of graduates and employers. It supports diverse, large-scale partnerships working across different sectors and countries to improve the quality, relevance, accessibility and affordability of higher education. It focuses on creating new and innovative solutions to key higher education challenges to deliver systemic and sustainable change at scale.

Applications open 21 October 2016: SPHEIR recognises the private sector as a key driver of innovation and sustainability and welcomes applications from partnerships including or led by private sector companies. Partnerships involve at least two partners and SPHEIR funding will support projects for 3 to 5 years. In keeping with the partnership nature of the programme, organisations are expected to contribute some of their own resources.

Visit the SPHEIR website to find out more and apply: www.spheir.org.uk

 Application deadline: January 20, 2017

Food security: USAID partners Chi Farms to empower farmers

As part of efforts to boost food security in Nigeria, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has signed an agreement with Chi Farms Limited to empower over 6,000 small holder fish, soya bean and maize farmers .
The project is expected to contribute to Nigeria’s food security drive by adding over 4,000 metric tonnes of catfish to local markets yearly.
According to the Executive Director, Chi Farms Limited, Martin Middernacht the agreement is part of the United States Government’s Feed the Future Initiative.
The partnership will enable Chi Farms engage small holder farmers to become successful cat fish farmers as well as get the required training for industry quality standards
The agreement he said is part of U.S. Government’s intervention in growing Nigerian aquaculture.
Part of the terms of the deal, he said will see Chi Farms supply quality feed and quality cat fish juveniles to farmers to enhance the company’s feeding milling and hatching capacities .
He said: “This development will add positively to the overall food security in Nigeria. We are delighted that USAID has decided to support the initiative of Chi Farms.
“At the same time, it is at the core of what we do at Chi Farms. We are convinced that working with out-growers is a step in the right direction towards sustainable economic development.”
His counterpart from USAID, Mr Roland Oroh said: “We are very happy to work towards food security in Nigeria with our trusted partner Chi Farms.
“USAID previously partnered with Chi Pharma, a sister company to Chi Farms, to roll out insecticide-treated nets in Nigeria.
The Nation