NASARAWA UNITED STEPS UP PREPARATION FOR NEW SEASON; RESUME SEPTEMBER 16

BY DONALD AGBAVOBOR

Nigeria Professional Football League Club, Nasarawa United have fixed Wednesday September 16 for players and officials to resume ahead of commencement of the new football season

This was one of the many decisions reached at the management meeting of the club held on Wednesday in Lafia

A statement signed by the media officer, Eche Amos, chairman of the club Barr. Isaac Danladi said the resumption date was necessitated by the need to adequately prepare the team for the next football season.

He revealed that with the support of the state governor, Abdullahi Sule the club now has a new facility that will serve as administrative office and camp house for players and officials.

NASARAWA STATE COMMISSIONER FOR SPORTS MOURNS DEPARTED SUPER EAGLES DEFENDER

BY DONALD AGBAVOBOR

The death of former Super Eagles defender, Ajibade Babalade last Friday in Ibadan sent shock waves across the football fraternity in the country with many still yet to come to terms with the reality of the sad occurrence.

 And as tributes continue to pour in for the former defensive stalwart of the Super Eagles,  Nasarawa State commissioner for Youth and Sports Development Honourable Othman Bala Adam has expressed deep sadness over the loss, describing it as a sad commentary for the entire football family in the country

In a statement issued in Lafia, the Nasarawa State commissioner for sports condoled with the Minister Of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, his Oyo State counterpart Engr. Segun Fakorede, the family of the late Ajibade Babalade and football fans across the country over the unfortunate incident

Honourable Othman who was also a former footballer in his youthful days having played for a number of clubs in the Nigerian league including the defunct ITF fc of Jos, recalled with fond memories the exploits of the late Ajibade Babalade in the round leather game.

He particularly made reference to his performance in the national team where he was a key member of the Super Eagles team that won bronze at the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations and also helped 3sc of Ibadan reach the final of the CAF Champions League in 1996.

LIST OF 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL AFRICAN WOMEN IN 2020

 

BY MAGDALENE TEIKO LARNYOH

Avance Media has named its 100 Most Influential African Women for 2020.

The list is made up of the most powerful African women from 34 countries who work in various industries including diplomacy, politics, activism, entrepreneurship, business leadership, and entertainment.

On countries with the highest number of women, there were 20 women from Nigeria, 11 from South Africa, and nine from Ghana.

The list is made up of 75 new entrants. The youngest African female on the list is 24-year-old Namibia’s Deputy Minister of Information, Communication, and Technology, Emma Theofelus.

Other people on the list are Halima Dangote, Ugandan Activist Stella Nyanzi, Olympic Committee Member, Lydia Nsekera, and the only 2 female finance ministers in Africa, Vera Daves De Sousa (Angola) & Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed (Nigeria).

The Managing Director of Avance Media, Prince Akpah, said the list is focused on women who are leaders in various sectors on the continent. These women can also inspire the younger generation.

100 Most Influential African Women

The criteria for selection included: excellence in leadership and performance, personal accomplishments, commitment to sharing knowledge, breaking the status quo, and being an accomplished African Woman.

Below is the list of Avance Media’s 2020 100 Most Influential African Women arranged in alphabetical order

1. Agnes Binagwaho (Prof) || Vice-Chancellor, University of Global Health Equity

2. Agnes Kalibata || CEO, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa

3. Amanda Mukwashi || CEO, Christian Aid

4. Amani Abou-Zeid (H.E Dr.) || Commissioner for Infrastructure & Energy, African Union

5. Amel Karboul (Dr.) || CEO, Education Outcomes Fund

6. Amina C. Mohamed (Dr.) || Cabinet Secretary, Sports, Culture & Heritage (Kenya)

7. Amina J. Mohammed (H.E) || Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations

8. Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh || Regional Head, IBM Africa

9. Angélique Kidjo || Musician

10. Anita Erskine || Founder, Anita Erskine Media

11. Anna Nimiriano || Editor-in-Chief, Juba Monitor

12. Anne-Marie Dias Borges || Presenter, BBC

13. Antoinette Sayeh || Deputy MD, IMF

14. Arikana Chihombori Quao || Activist

15. Aurélie A. Soulé Zoumarou || Minister, Digital Economy and Communications (Benin)

16. Ayisha Osori || CEO, Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA)

17. Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala || Vice President & CFO, AFDB

18. Bella Disu || Vice Chairman, Globacom

19. Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu || CEO, soleRebels

20. Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi || First Lady, Ekiti State

21. Chileshe Kapwepwe (H.E.) || Secretary-General, (COMESA)

22. Dorothy Tembo || Ag. Executive Director, International Trade Centre

23. Edith Yah Brou || Blogger

24. Eghosa Oriaikhi Mabhena || CEO, Puma Energy Africa

25. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf || Founder, EJS Center

26. Elsie S. Kanza || Head of Africa, World Economic Forum

27. Emma Lohoues || Actress

28. Emma Theofelus || Deputy Minister, Namibia

29. Esther Cobbah || CEO, Stratcomm Ghana

30. Fadumo Dayib || Politician

31. Faith Osier (Prof) || President, International Union of Immunological Societies

32. Fatou Bom Bensouda || Chief Prosecutor, International Criminal Court

33. Fatoumata Bâ || Founder, Janngo

34. Françoise Remarck || Chairman, Canal+ Cote D’Ivoire

35. Graça Machel || Founder, Graca Machel Trust

36. Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor || Minister, International Relations and Cooperation

37. Hajer Sharief || Co-Founder, Together We Build it

38. Hala Zayed (Dr.) || Minister, Health and Population (Egypt)

39. Halima Dangote || Executive Director, Dangote Group

40. Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu || CEO, Tony Elumelu Foundation

41. Ilwad Elman || Director, Elman Peace and Human Rights Center

42. Irene Charnley || Founder, Smile Communications

43. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang (Prof) || Chancellor, Women's University in Africa

44. Jewel Howard Taylor (H.E) || Vice President, Liberia

45. Juliet Ehimuan || Director, Google West Africa

46. Kamissa Camara || Secretary-General, Mali Presidency

47. Lalla Moulaye Ezzedine || Chairman, Bank of Africa Côte d'Ivoire

48. Laureen Kouassi-Olsson || Regional Head, Amethis

49. Leila Bouamatou || Managing Director, BANK OF MAURITANIA GENERAL

50. Linda Ikeji || CEO, Linda Ikeji Media

51. Louise Mushikiwabo || Secretary General, Organisation internationale de la Francophonie

52. Lucy Quist || Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Morgan Stanley

53. Lydia Nsekera || Member, International Olympic Committee

54. Magda Wierzycka || CEO, Sygnia

55. Maggie Kigozi || Chairperson, Africa Scout Foundation

56. Mamokgethi Phakeng (Prof) || Vice-Chancellor, University of Cape Town

57. Mansa Nettey || CEO, StanChart Ghana

58. Martine Coffi-Studer || Chairperson, Bolloré Transport & Logistics

59. Massogbè Touré || CEO, SITA S.A

60. Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti (Dr) || Regional Director for Africa, WHO

61. Melene Rossouw || Founder, Women Lead Movement

62. Mimi Kalinda || CEO, Africa Communications Media Group

63. Monica Geingos (H.E) || First Lady, Republic of Namibia

64. Nana Asantewa Afadzinu || Executive Director, WASCI

65. Nathalie Akon Gabala || Regional Head, Mastercard Foundation

66. Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli || Founder, LEAP Africa

67. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala || Board Chair, Gavi Alliance

68. Nompumelelo Thembekile Madisa || CEO, Bidvest Group

69. Olajumoke Adenowo || Founder, AD Consulting

70. Oumou Sangaré || Musician

71. Owen Omogiafo || CEO, Transcorp Group

72. Patricia Obo-Nai || CEO, Vodafone Ghana

73. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka (Dr) || Executive Director, UN Women

74. Racheal Njoroge || Managing Director, Cummins

75. Rachel Sibande (Dr) || Founder, mHub

76. Rasha Kelej (Dr) || CEO, Merck Foundation

77. Rawya Mansour || Founder, RAMSCO

78. Raychelle Omamo || Minister, Foreign Affairs (Kenya)

79. Rita Bissoonauth || Head, AU International Centre for Girls and Women’s Education

80. Sahle-Work Zewde (H.E) || President, Ethiopia

81. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey || Minister, Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (Ghana)

82. Sinach || Musician

83. Sisi Ntombela || Premier, Free State (South Africa)

84. Snowy Khoza (Dr) || CEO, Bigen Africa

85. Soham El Wardini || Mayor, Dakar

86. Sola David-Borha || Group CEO, Standard Bank Africa

87. Stella Nyanzi (Dr.) || Convenor, Women's Protest Uganda

88. Sylvia Mulinge || Chief Customer Officer, Safaricom

89. Temie Giwa-Tubosun || Founder, LifeBank

90. Toyin Sanni || CEO, Emerging Africa Capital

91. Toyin Saraki || Founder, Wellbeing Foundation Africa

92. Uche Pedro || Founder, BELLANAIJA

93. Vera Daves De Sousa || Minister, Finance (Angola)

94. Vera Songwe (Dr) || Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

95. Wala'a Essam Al-Boushi || Minister, Youth and Sport (Sudan)

96. Wanjira Mathai || Vice President & Regional Director for Africa, World Resources Institute

97. Winnie Byanyima || Executive Director, UNAIDS

98. Yemi Alade || Musician

99. Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr || Mayor, Freetown

100. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed || Minister, Finance (Nigeria)

 

Source: africa.businessinsider.com

UNDERSTANDING KEY VARIABLES OF MARKETING

 By Vwede OVERAH

Our contemporary society appears to have compelled many people to begin thinking outside the box, as a lot are thinking of one form of business or the other. While some wants additional sources of income, others plan starting or have just started their own businesses.

Sometimes, it could be difficult to achieve success in marketing without talking 

about the Key Variables of Marketing. This is because entrepreneurs and companies will not be in business if they don’t have something for people to buy; if they do not find people to buy; if they don’t encourage people to buy and if they do not provide value for their products and services.

All these objectives (also called the Marketing Mix) form the nucleus of strategic marketing.  The marketing Mix is a combination of factors that can be controlled by an entrepreneur or a company to influence consumers to purchase its products or services.

The key variables that make up the marketing Mix are commonly referred to as the Four P’s of Marketing:

Product:

The product refers to the service or tangible good that satisfies the target customer’s wants. First and foremost, it is important that a real target market is identified, quantified and justified.

Place:

The place refers to location, when and where products will be made available for targeted customers to buy it.

Price:

Price consists of the policies regarding competitive upgrades, discounts, list price, reseller pricing, distributor and street price (the actual selling price).

Promotions:

Promotion includes Online Marketing, Alliances, Advertising, PR, Event Marketing, Direct Marketing, Personal Selling and Channel Marketing.

A combination of some or all these variables, if properly managed and well executed, could blend to create a mix that satisfies the needs of the target market, thereby augmenting profitability and productivity.

FLIGHT ABORTED ON THE RUNWAY!!!

BY VWEDE OVERAH

Tributes as Tolulope Arotile, Nigeria’s First Combat Helicopter Pilot is Laid to Rest, with Full Military Honours.

SHORT BUT IMPACTFUL LIFE

Born on 13 December 1995 to the family of Mr and Mrs Akintunde Arotile in Kaduna, Arotile, hails from Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. She attended Air Force Primary School, Kaduna from 2000 to 2005 and Air Force Secondary School, Kaduna from 2006 to 2011 before she later gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna as a member of 64 Regular Course on 22 September 2012.

She was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force as a Pilot Officer on 16 September 2017 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the Nigerian Defence Academy.

Arotile was winged as the first-ever female combat helicopter pilot in the Nigerian Air Force on 15 October 2019, after completing her flying training in South Africa. She holds a commercial pilot license and also underwent tactical flying training on the Agusta 109 Power Attack Helicopter in Italy.

“While one of the two pilots is the first female fighter pilot in the 55 years’ history of the NAF, the second one is the first female combat helicopter pilot,” Air Chief Sadique Abubakar said at the October event.

Arotile died on 14 July 2020 at the age of 24, when she was inadvertently hit by the reversing vehicle of an excited former Air Force Secondary School classmate while trying to greet her. Before her untimely death, Arotile made significant and outstanding contributions to the war against terrorism, armed banditry and other forms of criminality in the Country, flying several combat missions.

Arotile said she joined the Nigerian Air Force out of a passion for the job. In her words “I joined the military simply out of passion for it. Being military personnel has been a long time ambition, the carriage and what it stands for are simply exceptional.

TRIBUTES

“My heart goes out to the family and colleagues of late flying officer, Tolulope Arotile.

“She was a brave patriot who pushed her self beyond limits to demonstrate her uncommon love for our dear nation. In the process, she made us all proud.

“By dedicating her young life to protect and defend Nigeria’s strength, honour and unity, her memory and legacy will continue to serve as a great inspiration to our youth especially our girls.”

Nigeria’s former President, Goodluck Jonathan

I join @NigAirForce and the nation to condole with the family of Late Fg Offr Tolulope Arotile, Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot.She was laid to rest today according to military traditions.Her service will be greatly missed by the AFN and may her soul rest in peace.

Gen. AG Olonisakin, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff

“Even at this moment, the Nigerian Air Force is still in palpable shock and loss as to why this had to happen our service. “As a service, we had so much expectation for Tolu which she was already living up to with ease. She contributed immensely to the decimation of enemies of our nation. Her death has really affected us in one way or the other”.

Nigeria’s Airforce Chief, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar

The First Female Combat Helicopter Pilot, Tolulope Arotile has been laid to rest today, I pray your soul Rest In Peace.

Nigeria has lost yet a heroine, you will be forever remembered as your name won't be left out in the book of History.

Muhammad Fatimah Temitope @MFTeemah

Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile will remain a source of inspiration, particularly to those who aspire to break new barriers. Her good legacies will surely endure.

Air Vice-Marshall OA Adesanya, Nigeria’s Defence Attaché to Moscow, Russia.

I pray that almighty Allah Grant you al-janah firdaus, continue to rest in power and remember to continue to handle that fighter jets for Nigeria in spirit, you're indeed an inspiration... I'll tell your story to my daughter probably, probably we can see many girls handle jet.

Surdick Olanrewaju

Rest on champion...your absence will be greatly missed against awọn Boko haram and evil bandits ...may God console your loved ones.... farewell farewell farewell.

Efo teete,  Omo ìyá eleja

@sethonia7

Rest in peace officer Tolulope Pray that God gives the family of the deceased and Nigerian Air Force (NAF) the courage to bear this huge loss.

Justice Chi, @OnyemaraC

I am so sad that Tolulope Arotile, Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot, died at the age of 24 years. You were bold, brave and patriotic. You defended the nation and inspired national pride. May God comfort your parents and family. We salute your cherished memory. RIP.

Akinwumi A. Adesina, @akin_adesina, President of the African Development Bank

In 2012, Pres Goodluck Jonathan made it possible for women to be enlisted into the NDA. 25 of them were selected and admitted, they're popular known as "Jonathan Queens". One of them is late tolulope Arotile (RIP).

Cmr. Mohammed, @I_Am_marwa

The journey was short but very significant, not only because you fulfilled your childhood dream or being the first and only female combat helicopter pilot, but that you are a Nightmare of Boko Haram. It is well.

Ayemojubar,  @ayemojubar

Tolulope Arotile was an inspiration. She shattered the ceiling, and will always be our number 1. May she rest in the bosom of the Lord. And may the Almighty God grant the Arotile family and all her loved ones the comfort to bear this loss. –AA

Atiku Abubakar, @atiku, former Vice President of NIgeria

As the late Heroine Tolulope Arotile is buried today, we appreciate her short but accomplished and patriotic life of service to her country. I call the states and the FG to immortalize her by naming streets or public buildings after her. May her soul Rest In Peace. Ameen.

Senator Shehu Sani, @ShehuSani

5 MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT AFRICA

By Rukewve Ochuko

Africa emerges as one of the continents that civilization is rooted in its origin, without influence from other nations. John Henrik an African-American historian once said: “the first light of human consciousness and the world’s first civilization was in Africa”. However, several theories and historians dispute Henrik’s school of thought.

Many theories have penned down various conceptions about Africa which have conformed the mind of many into seeing Africa in an image which in reality is just a mirage. Here are some of the conceptions about Africa debunked:

Africa is riddled with diseases
Over time, Africa has been reported as a continent riddled with diseases. These reports have led people outside of Africa to have the notion that Africa is a disease-plagued continent. In 2001, George W. Bush said of Africa, “Africa is a nation that suffers from terrible disease”. Africa as every other nation has a disease that plagues its inhabitants but this itself is no proof that the continent harbours all kinds of diseases. Citing malaria as an instance, malaria takes millions of lives each year in Africa not because of the disease breeds in the air but because of a lack of access to childhood immunization and basic health care.

Nevertheless, battling Malaria has been a relentless effort in various countries in Africa and as such, more immunization programs and health care have been put in place to eradicate malaria. Moreso, Africa holds one of the world’s top continents that possesses natural medicine that cures illness.

Africa is always hot
Most travellers assume that it is always hot in Africa. True, there are certain countries in Africa that experience hot weather compared to other nations specifically countries situated in tropical West Africa. However, this doesn’t occur all year round. Africa is made up of rainforest, temperate woodland, cool coastal peninsulas, and high altitude mountains. Also, in the depths of the Sahara desert, the temperature becomes freezing at night. There are many countries in Africa during the winter that experience snow. Countries such as; South Africa, Morocco, Lesotho, Tunisia, and Algeria.

All Africans are dark-skinned
One of the most rampant stereotypes that people have of Africans, is that all Africans are dark-skinned. This ideology is untrue. Africans have different skin pigments and possess distinct shades of skin that cut across various tribes in various regions around the continent. Over time, people from other continents have migrated into Africa and as such mixed with Africans, making it their home and marrying into the African tribe. This has been in existence for generations and as such the descendants from these people have settled in the continent. A major example is South Africa. Some of the locals (Afrikaans) in South Africa are whites. Black is a race, it is not just associated with the colour of the skin.

Africa had no civilization in its history
Certain historic theories in the past have noted that Africa, before the Europeans’ influence, were barbarians. One of such popular historian is T. Carlos Jacques. In his book, “From Savages and Barbarians to primitives: Africa, Social typologies, and history in Eighteenth-Century French Philosophy,” he likened Africans as people of the stone age and painted a picture of them as barbarians and uncivilised humans. With these theories, people have developed the notion blacks were slaves and uneducated since the beginning of time, but with much pride this is false. African historians and other historian scholars have dug deep to discover that Africans were indeed educated and exposed. The ancient Moors and the Carthaginians who were Africans once ruled the markets of commerce in the world and built great empires with their knowledge of Art and Architecture.

All African countries are poor
Poverty is one of the problems many African countries struggle with. However, not all African countries are wallowing in poverty. Africa is one of the world’s most rich continents with natural resources which includes Gold, crude oil, coal, and cocoa amongst others. Countries like Botswana, South Africa, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco rank in the top 100 out of 126 richest countries in the world as of 2019.

Source: guardian.ng

'I STARTED AS A RIGHT-BACK' - AJIBADE RECOUNTS OSAHON'S COACHING INFLUENCE

BY Samuel Ahmadu

The Norway-based striker has revealed the role of the FC Robo Queens handler on her incredible career journey

Raseedat Ajibade has opened up the impactful role of coach Emmanuel Osahon on her career during her close to a decade of experience with Nigeria Women's Premier League (NWPL) giant-killers RC Robo Queens.

The 20-year-old underwent remarkable formative years at FC Robo Queens and she gave a glimpse of her superb talent, scoring three goals to inspire the Flamingoes to the quarter-finals of the U17 Women's World Cup in Costa Rica.

In 2016, the forward played for the Falconets, starring in a 3-1 win over Canada at the U20 Women's World Cup in Papua New Guinea, winning the Player of the Match prize.

In qualification for the 2018 edition, Ajibade scored 10 goals to finish as Africa's joint-top scorer and later inspired Christopher Danjuma's team to the quarter-final in France.

Source: www.goal.com