Haters! All these graduates passed through the same no phone system.

Are these young entrepreneurs stars in the making – rich in talent and ripe with innovation? After meeting them, Richard Branson thinks so.

Eseoghene Ise Odiete and Nasir Abdulqadir Yammama were chosen as the Challenge winners from a pool of more than 1000 entrants. Eseoghene (Ese for short) runs Hesey Designs – an online store selling African-inspired accessories – through which she empowers and mentors young African women. Nasir Abdulqadir Yammama won over the judges with his business plan for a mobile phone app called Verdant, which aims to help crop farmers.

Both winners were awarded a £5000 grant and a scholarship to the Branson Centre for Entrepreneurship in South Africa. To top it off, they also received a mentoring session with Richard Branson, where they were able to ask questions about his life and business experiences.
The Virgin Founder was impressed with results of the competition and by the winners: “Innovation has been an important part of Virgin's heritage and I was pleased to see so many young Nigerians keen to embrace new ideas through the competition. Many congratulations to Ese and Nasir who had fantastic business plans and I’m sure will have very bright futures.”


Ese designed a pair of sneakers – made out of local Nigerian fabric called ‘Ankara’ – especially for Richard Branson, which he wore, complementing a bespoke Vivienne Westwood suit, to the launch of Virgin Atlantic’s new uniform. Standing on stage at the party, he introduced Ese to the fashion-forward crowd and heralded her as a possible Vivienne Westwood of the future.



http://www.virgin.com/entrepreneur/richard-branson-walks-in-enterprise-challenge-winners-shoes

http://google-africa..com/2014/04/meet-africa-connected-winners.html

Kossyne:

How many computer science graduates from our so called public universities with "no restrictions" can design an application? Some don't even know a single programming language. I don't see how banning phone use on campus affects students' abilities to learn.

Your don't?

Alright.

To each his own.

Na dem sabi!!!!! Who dun dull dun dull and who dun sabi book dun sabi am.....Rubbish

This one too.


https://youngafricanleaders.state.gov/2014/07/07/meet-the-fellows-catherine-oluwakemi-onabanjo/

Catherine Oluwakemi Onabanjo is currently a consultant for McKinsey & Company’s Lagos office, where she serves public sector, social sector and corporate clients across West Africa on their growth, strategy and transformation programs.

In addition to her client work, she is a member of the board of trustees for Helping Other People Excel (HOPE), an NGO whose theory of change is that developing leadership skills in Nigeria’s teenagers today will cultivate change agents who will drive social change in the country.

Kemi holds a Bachelor of Science in computer science from Covenant University and continues to closely engage with the university as welfare secretary and community outreach coordinator of the Covenant University Alumni Association.

Upon completion of the Washington Fellowship, Kemi plans to focus on capability building and development of her public sector clients, as she believes that the enhanced capability of public sector employees is a critical enabler to unleash Nigeria’s great potentials

See their graduate, pioneering the first computer club in Osogbo Grammar School (Junior School) during her service year. The school only had one computer. She made her dad send a whole desktop set from Lagos and she gave it to them when she left.

Haters stop the hate. CU currently have two Nobel Laureates in their Economics Department. Teaching Full Time. No University has that in Nigeria.

Hahahaha!!.....I know of someone who wouldn't like this news oh.

Right there where you are pray this prayer fervently: Any power that want me to be taking my birth every morning with warm water and salt, what do you think you are doing, i'm not a dry fish, therefore die by fire. #Thefearofebola

Buh do dey av 2 go 2ruh dix,tot dey were actually nuh using 4nes b4

chiebuka55: A Covenant University student just tweeted this picture of their school's phone outlaw undertaking form that all students are required to sign as they prepare for the next semester.

Now see their laptop agreement here...http://www..com/2014/08/check-out-covenant-university-mobile.html

Double Wahala for dead body

The first local hire of Mckinsey & Co Company (The No 1 Management Company in the World) in Nigeria. Was a CU graduate. After that UNILAG. They hired about 3 CU graduates.

That school only hires from the Top universities in the USA and UK..

Check here.

http://www.mckinsey.com/global_locations/africa/nigeria/en/careers_in_nigeria

http://www.mckinsey.com/global_locations/africa/nigeria/en/careers_in_nigeria/profiles/mayowa

http://www.mckinsey.com/global_locations/africa/nigeria/en/careers_in_nigeria/profiles/kemi

The first local hire of Mckinsey & Co Company (The No 1 Management Company in the World) in Nigeria. Was a CU graduate. After that UNILAG. They hired about 3 CU graduates.

That company only hires from the Top universities in the USA and UK..

Check here.

http://www.mckinsey.com/global_locations/africa/nigeria/en/careers_in_nigeria

http://www.mckinsey.com/global_locations/africa/nigeria/en/careers_in_nigeria/profiles/mayowa

http://www.mckinsey.com/global_locations/africa/nigeria/en/careers_in_nigeria/profiles/kemi

holyboss:

Hahaha! I claimed d last slot on d first page

with all this holier than thou attitude, indecency amongst the students is high... Abi no be dis school gal strip infront of camera dey dance? ... And oyedepo only knows how to slap people instead of visiting liberia and healing people... If truly he is a man of god

dayosaurus: with all this holier than thou attitude, indecency amongst the students is high... Abi no be dis school gal strip infront of camera dey dance? ... And oyedepo only knows how to slap people instead of visiting liberia and healing people... If truly he is a man of god

Please keep Quiet!... Haters!

teeblazer: See their graduate, pioneering the first computer club in Osogbo Grammar School (Junior School) during her service year. The school only had one computer. She made her dad send a whole desktop set from Lagos and she gave it to them when she left.

Haters stop the hate. CU currently have two Nobel Laureates in their Economics Department. Teaching Full Time. No University has that in Nigeria.

Omo u get problem ooo who ack u dose tales u were telling us now abeg wen u want get time for ur own life now self wen u dey carry anoda mans success for head like Y clef

For the second time running, First Class graduates of Covenant University, Ota, have emerged tops in the Presidential Special Scholarship Scheme for Innovation and Development with 19 out of 200 candidates.


This was revealed by the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Professor Julius Okojie, and contained in the commission’s memo obtained by our correspondent on Friday.


Okojie was quoted as saying that the outcome of the aptitude test for First Class graduates of Nigerian universities for sponsorship to 25 top universities in the world under the Presidential Special Scholarship Scheme for Innovation and Development, which was in its second phase, showed that Covenant University emerged as overall best with 19 out of the 200 students, set to benefit from the scheme in the current year.

He further noted that this feat, which Covenant University also achieved in the maiden edition of the scheme, meant that the university was producing quality graduates in the Nigerian university system. He commended the university for its extensive use of ICT in teaching and learning process.

It will be recalled that Covenant University’s First Class graduates came tops at the maiden edition of the scheme, producing 10 out of the 101 candidates that were selected in the final aptitude test for PRESSID.

In his response to the news, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charles Ayo, said the feat was a validation of the university’s efforts in producing qualitative graduates for the global community. He reiterated the university’s confidence in the quality of its First Class degree graduates, expressing confidence in their capabilities.

He appreciated God for “always confirming His vision with infallible proofs” and expressed optimism that the university would in no distant future be ranked among the top 10 universities in the world, “in fulfillment of the prophesy that had gone before it.”


Read more: http://campusportal.com.ng/cu/covenant-university-graduates-tops-presidential-scholarship-scheme/16550/#ixzz39vSHIeG4

teeblazer:

Please keep Quiet!... Haters!

please why would i wanna hate on a glorified secondary school? Meant for elites to dump their down syndrome ravaged kids.... Please go play with ur dolls

But cellphones have always been banned from the school since like 2003 everyone knows that. I think this post is 11yrs late lol!

MTN Project Fame Winner Season 5. Ayoola

A CU Graduate!

;DWhat about BIU Benson Idahosa University.Girls dare not wear torusers near their school gate na to amputate ur two legs join ur yansh. If u are not comfortable go to Government schools.

Osun Decides 2014 (Live Updates) + Results >> http://www.wapcoded.net/2014/08/09/osun-decides-2014-live-updates-results/

dayosaurus:

please why would i wanna hate on a glorified secondary school? Meant for elites to dump their down syndrome ravaged kids.... Please go play with ur dolls

Please shut up. Glorified school and their ALumni is leading every where. Envious persons.

Vincenzi: Glorified secondary school.

he be like say u dey read my mind. Exact words I've in mind to describe d school

http://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/News/National-Identity-Management-Commission-NIMC-Visits-Covenant-University#.U-Z7_fldUX0


team of officials from the National Identity Management Commission, on Friday, June 6, 2014, paid a courtesy call, on the Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University to thank the Management for granting the Commission the use of the University’s premises as one of the centres for the ongoing National Identity Card registration exercise.
While making his remarks at the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University, Professor Charles Korede Ayo, expressed excitement at the prospects of having a viable ICT driven initiative on identity capturing in Nigeria that finally works.

The Vice Chancellor in his statement, applauded the initiative, and explained that the insecurity issues in the nation can considerably be reduced through identity capturing. He stated further that one of the benefits of identity capturing is the ability to have individual accountability of the population of a country through accurate data availability.

Furthermore, he said, “The beauty of democracy is cordial relationship and interaction from the grassroots, and if we have identity management as we have stated, then the data base would contain the identities of individuals within the states in the country thereby making it easy to keep track of the population. But if we don’t know how many people we have in Nigeria, and what their statistics are, how do we make adequate socio-economic plans?”

Professor Ayo assured the NIMC officials of all necessary support from the Management to make the identity capturing exercise in Covenant University a huge success.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Registrar of Covenant University, Dr. Olumuyiwa Oludayo, appreciated the efforts of the NIMC officials since the registration exercise began and assured them that their presence on CU grounds is for the mutual benefit of both institutions.

Also speaking during the visit, the team leader of the NIMC officials, Mr. Mark Lukeman, thanked the Management for partnering with the NIMC, and for the level of support they have received so far from Covenant University. He stated that their mission and goal towards the exercise is not about identity card, but rather, about identity management, and that the pattern of enrolment, is clearly different from the previous exercise.

He noted that the identity card issued to the Nigerian citizens on this platform, has more security features than that of the United States of America’s Social Security System. According to him, the American Social Security card has 12 security features, while the Nigerian Identity card has 19 security features.

Present at the meeting were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Aaron Atayero, Registrar, Dr. Olumuyiwa Oludayo, and Director, Financial Services, Pastor Deji Okubanjo.

venant University concluded a one-day conference on e-governance on Monday, June 9, 2014.
The conference featured two Keynote Speakers; the Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University, Professor Charles Korede Ayo, who is an expert in e-governance as well as a Professor of Computer and Information Science and an Associate Professor, and former Dean, Faculty of Communication Technology, Cross River State University of Technology, Calabar, Dr. Etim Anim. The theme, “E-governance in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges for Civic Engagement and Participation.”

The event, which was organized by the university’s Department of Political Science and International Relations under the College of Development Studies, attracted participants from both public and private organizations.

In his welcome remarks during the conference, the Head of Department, Political Science and International Relations, Dr. Sheriff Folarin stated, “As an institution with a long list of internationally acclaimed awards for being ICT savvy, and with a Vice-Chancellor who is a Professor of Computer and Information Science, it is not therefore a coincidence that Covenant University is taking the lead in promoting e-Governance.”

While delivering his lecture, the Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University who based his argument on the UN declaration made at the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) of 2003; noted that e-Governance is the application of ICT to transform the efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability of exchange of information and transaction.

The Vice-Chancellor further stated that the use of ICT in governance brings morality, reduced-paper-work, transparency, responsibility, accountability, and simplicity through electronic documentation, online submission, online service delivery, etc. Furthermore, he described e-Government as the use of ICT to run the business of Government in a nation.

Professor Ayo described e-Democracy as an element that would encourage e-Engagement, as e-Engagement is considered as the aspect of e-Democracy that offers possibilities for enhanced consultation and dialogue between government and citizens.

Making his presentation at the conference, the second Keynote Speaker, Professor Etim Anim, stated that e-Governance is an enhancer of globalization, while globalization is a competition between one country’s democracy and another’s. He however said that there is a need for quality bureaucracy to channel, govern and enhance the creative energies of a country in other to maximize development.

While defining Governance, he said, “Governance is the exercise of political, economic and administrative authority in the management of a country’s affairs including citizen’s articulation of their interests and exercise of their legal rights and obligations.”

The conference was facilitated by Professor Patience Akpan-Ubong, from the School of Letters and Sciences, Arizona State University, USA; who is a visiting Professor to Covenant University.

Present at the event were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, (Administration), Professor Taiwo Abioye, Dean, College of Development Studies, Professor Isaiah Olurinola, Deputy Dean, School of Social Science, Dr. Daniel Gberevbie, and senior members of Faculty in the College of Development Studies.


http://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/News/CU-Holds-Conference-on-E-Governance#.U-Z79_ldUX0

http://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/News/We-Have-Great-Memories-of-Our-Undergraduate-Days-in-CU-Kenya-Alumnae#.U-Z78vldUX0


“We Have Great Memories of Our Undergraduate Days in CU,”...Kenya Alumnae
Vice-Chancellor, Covenant University, Professor Charles K. Ayo(M) flanked by Miss Loice Kitsao (L) and Miss Majorie Okeyo , former CU students from Kenya

Two Kenyans, Sheila Loice Kitsao and Marjorie Okeyo were among the first sets of international students in Covenant University. Recently they visited their alma mater and had a sweet reminiscence of their undergraduate days at Nigeria’s number one private university and how they were able to successfully make the most of the opportunity availed them to study in Nigeria.
Speaking during the visit to the University, Sheila and Marjorie, who graduated in 2009 and 2010 respectively, said they hold in their hearts fond memories of their undergraduate days in the University. According to Sheila, “Looking back at our early days in Covenant University, I think the ‘Chapel Services praise and worship sessions,’ the ‘Worship Him in the Evening’ service (WHITE) with Pastor Ntia helping us connect with the real essence of worship are some non-academic activities that makes studying in Covenant University one with a unique experience.”

Majorie on her part stated that the night meetings that were always organized was something she has continue to cherish, because those meetings have developed her capacity to make the most of the night seasons, even in her current work environment.

The Kenya nationals said their coming to Nigeria for study excited them and as such, they were able to find families within the University community who took them as their own family. “We were very excited about coming to study here, we found a family who took us as their own and as a result we felt we had our families here, despite the cultural differences.

Sheila stated that Covenant University is an institution in a class of its own. “The kind of programme we were exposed to was rigorous, demanding and challenging, but at the end the effect is paying off for us today.

Sheila, who graduated from the Department of Business Management, said one thing that stands the University out from others in the continent is the fact that the University is committed to its vision and gives students rounded education that opens their mind in a totally different way, thereby helping them tap into their innate capacities.

They noted that Covenant University’s academic curriculum is one that is operated holistically, that is training of students with a vision of what they ought to be in life from the spirituality platform to academic and physical enhancement through the Total Man Concepts. According to them, “We are glad we pass through Covenant University.”

Sheila, who currently works with the Kenyan Railway Corporation in the Business Development and Corporate Planning Department, said it is her heart desire that the world system would inculcate selflessness into work culture, as found in the University’s Core Value of sacrifice. “If only everyone can lead a sacrificial lifestyle, doing what they love for the love of others, the world would be a much better place,” she added.

Marjorie, who graduated from the Department of International Relations and currently works with Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), commended the University Management for establishing Covenant University International Students Association (CUISA). This, she said, would engender bonding and facilitate foreign students’ integration into the host community.

She reminisced on the level of international students’ representation in their day and what currently obtains today. According to her, “In our days there was just a trickle of international students, with Kenya being the dominant numbers. We also had a couple of students from the United Kingdom, United States of America, Malawi, Cameroon and one South African.”

The Kenya born Covenant University alumnae came on a short visit and felt it necessary to visit their alma mater, and visit some Nigerian friends in a bid to maintain contact with them.

http://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/News/Nobel-Laureate-Joins-CU-Faculty#.U-Z72PldUX0


Nobel Laureate Joins CU Faculty
Professor Eric Maskin

A Nobel Laureate in Economics and Professor of Economic Sciences from the Harvard University, Professor Eric Maskin, has joined Covenant University’s faculty as a Visiting Professor in the Department of Economics, College of Development Studies.
The Vice-Chancellor, Covenant University, Professor Charles Ayo, who announced the appointment, said the coming onboard of Professor Maskin is an impetus to the University’s quest to be one of the top ten universities in the world within the next ten years. According to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Maskin who visited Covenant University in May 2014 as a distinguished guest presenter at the University’s 1st International Conference on African Development Issues (CU-ICADI), will offer a course as well as interact and advise the University and the Department of Economics on curriculum design.

Professor Maskin won the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 2007 for his work on the theory of mechanism design. He has made contributions to many other areas of economics as well, including game theory, the study of intellectual property rights, and political economy. He also received Eric Kempe Award 2007 and Harvard University Centennial Medal 2010.

His current research projects include comparing different electoral rules, examining the causes of inequality, and studying coalition formation.

Professor Maskin holds a PhD from Harvard University. He was at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 1977–1984. In 1985 he returned to Harvard as the Louis Berkman Professor of Economics, where he remained until 2000. That year, he moved to the Institute for Advanced Study as Albert O. Hirschman Professor in Princeton, New Jersey (2000–2011). In addition to his position at the Princeton Institute, Maskin was the director of the Jerusalem Summer School in Economic Theory at The Institute for Advanced Studies at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In 2011, Maskin returned to Harvard University where he is currently the Adams University Professor.

Professor Maskin is a fellow of numerous institutes, including Jesus College, University of Cambridge, Research Fellow 1976–77; Guggenheim Fellowship 1980–81; Sloan Fellowship 1983–85; American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Fellow; British Academy, Corresponding Fellow; Econometric Society Fellow (President 2003); European Economic Association Fellow; Game Theory Society President 2010–; Jesus and St. John’s Colleges, University of Cambridge Honorary Fellow; National Academy of Sciences Member; Royal Academy of Economics and Finance (Spain) Fellow, among many other academic honours to his credit.

Professor Maskin is married to Gayle Sawtelle, a history lecturer, and has two children.

CU Holds Specialised Conference on Leadership and Innovation
L-R, Director, ALDC, Professor Aize Obayan, Representative of Dr. Okojie, Mr Dele Omotosho, Chancellor, Covenant University, Dr. David Oyedepo and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charles Ayo as the Chancellor declares the conference open

Covenant University’s African Leadership Development Centre (ALDC) in collaboration with the university’s Centre for Learning Resources (CLR) hosted a 3 day conference on the theme, ‘Leadership And Innovation: Cutting Edge Practices for the 21st Century Librarian.’
The conference, which started on Tuesday, July 08, 2014, pooled participants from all works of life; across Nigeria and Africa.

In his remarks at the opening ceremony, the Chancellor of Covenant University, Dr. David Oyedepo, stated that there are two legs on which leadership stands; character and capacity building. The Chancellor posited that knowledge is the new currency of the world, and therefore, the quality of information available to a people determines the level of their growth and development. He further said that we need knowledge to be relevant and the library is the fountain of information.

In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University, Professor Charles Korede Ayo appreciated the efforts of the African Leadership Development Centre and the Centre for Learning Resources towards the organization of the conference. He stated that Libraries and Librarians have a major role to play in revamping the economy of any nation.

In his keynote address, the President, West African Library Associations (WALA), Dr. O. Daniel, stated that good leaders are trailblazers, making a path for others to follow, while great leaders inspire others to dream.

Dr. Daniel, who is also a former Librarian of the National Mathematical Centre, Abuja, further said, “Smart leaders know the areas that they lack knowledge; as leadership and learning are indispensable to each other, and learning is an important part of leadership.” The scholar also encouraged leaders to listen to their people as they are a leader’s greatest asset.

While making her opening remarks, the Director of the African Leadership Development Centre, Professor Aize Obayan, explained that the Conference has been carefully designed and planned to capture and address critical aspects of the place of information management and scholarship in the context of Libraries today.

Professor Obayan said, “The conference sets out to further situate the vital role libraries and librarians play in the educational and human resource development base of nations, particularly in Nigeria and the Nation States of Africa.”

Among the activities that made up the events of the first day of the conference, was the launch of a book titled, ‘Rich Country, Poor People,’ written by one of the special guests of honour, Professor Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Senior Director, United Nations, HABITAT headquarters, Nairobi, Kenya.

The conference attracted quality paper presentations delivered by experts such as Mrs. Gloria Ita Ekpeme, CEO, Tomrald Consulting Ltd, Lagos, who spoke on ‘Leadership and Vision Building.’ Dr. James O. Daniel, President, West African Library Associations (WALA), who spoke on ‘Building and Sustaining High Performance Teams in Libraries,’ and Biodun Fijabi, International Faculty, Haggai Institute, who spoke on ‘Leadership, Innovation and Change Management.’

Other lead presenters at the conference include Dr. Rilwan Abdulsalam, President, Nigeria Library Association, who led the discussion on ‘Leadership Imperatives and the Challenge of the Digital Divide,’ also, Dr. Chris Nkiko, Director, Centre for Learning Resource who led the discussion on ‘Managing ICT Driven Libraries: Critical Leadership Issues,’ and Dr. Nicholas Omoregbe, HOD, Computer & Information Science & ICT Chair, Covenant University, who led the discussion on ‘Digital Imperatives in Creating and Sustaining Digital Institutional Repositories.’

The last day of the conference witnessed a number of presentations which included a presentation by Google, as well as a communique presented by a representative of the participants. Certificates of participation were also presented to each participant by the Directors of ALDC and CLR.


http://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/News/CU-Holds-Specialised-Conference-on-Leadership-and-Innovation#.U-Z71vldUX0

Only fools doubt proofs!


Covenant University Hosts Treasury Risk Management Workshop
Representative of the Vice-Chancellor, and Dean, College of Development Studies, Professor Isaiah Olurinola giving the Vice-Chancellor’s remarks at the programme

As the global economy gradually recovers from the 2008/2009 global financial crisis and economic recession, the Department of Banking and Finance of Covenant University has hosted a two-day workshop targeted at helping bolster the capacities of corporate organizations to manage investment and portfolio risk.
In her welcome address, the Head, Department of Banking and Finance, Dr. Abiola Babajide, said the workshop was one that is long overdue considering the aftermath of the global economic recession and the impact on financial and mortgage institutions across the world.

Dr. Babajide while alluding to a position averred by the immediate past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, His Royal Highness Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, said that among the factors that led to the creation of an extremely fragile financial system in Nigeria is the macro-economic instability caused by large and sudden capital inflows, along with others that almost brought the entire Nigerian financial system to the brink of collapse.

She noted that in the 21st century, especially today’s global market, the treasury management function has become broader in scope, involving managing an increasingly broad range of risks apart from financial and operational, which confront any organization aspiring for global relevance in today’s complex and volatile environment.

Dr. Babajide stated that the level of importance organizations are placing on effective measurement and management of risk is an indication of the increase risk levels they have to contend with in the present business environment as it relates with the larger global business environment.

She posited that the workshop would help review best practices commonly used by today’s financial institutions and corporations to manage their risk, while it would also help participants to highlight how market risks are measured, reported and controlled in today’s business circles.

The Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Dr. Ochei Ikpefan, in the opening session, said the aim of the workshop was to help treasurers redefine their roles and skills in risk management, while also building their capacities to help their clients steer off the path of bad risk while managing their portfolios.

Highlighting the various risks that organizations and individuals are open to in the contemporary business world, Dr. Ikpefan said he expects the workshop participants to draw lessons from the experiences of the different facilitators and build the necessary knowledge base to tackle the challenges of treasury risk management.

Declaring the conference open, the Dean, College of Development Studies, Professor Isaiah Olurinola, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Covenant University, Professor Charles Ayo, said the evolution of banking and the risk involved in holding in trust the resources of customers have made it expedient for practitioners to see treasury management as a serious business.

According to him, “It is not just enough to give out money, the money must return at a profit so that the bank or financial institution can continue in business.

He noted that there are a lot of things that can go wrong along the line of business, be it political, climatic, social or economical that would affect the organizations’ inability to recover what they have invested in certain areas of the economy and managing the treasury and risk attached to it becomes very critical and important.

He appreciated the quality of the resource persons on ground, who, according to him, are seasoned practitioners in the areas of treasury risk management who are expected to unveil and present practical realities of risk management in business.

Among the issues treated at the two-day workshop were foundational issues in treasury management, recent innovations and ICT influence in the business of treasury management, cashless banking and management in the economy: the challenges and prospects, practical challenges of managing treasury in rural and urban branches, risk in treasury management and practical sessions among others.

The Keynote Speaker and the 1st Vice-President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Dr. Olusegun Ajibola, at the 2-day workshop presented three incisive papers, which include ‘Managing Risk in the Current Dispensation with Fiscal and Monetary Policies,’ ‘Fundamental Issues in Bank’s Treasury Management,’ and ‘Cashless Banking and Management of Treasury in the Economy.”


http://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/News/Covenant-University-Hosts-Treasury-Risk-Management-Workshop#.U-Z70fldUX0

http://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/News/CU-Hosts-International-Conference-on-Demography-and-Economic-Development#.U-Z70PldUX0



CU Hosts International Conference on Demography and Economic Development
Representative of the Vice-Chancellor, and Dean, College of Development Studies, Professor Isaiah Olurinola giving the Vice-Chancellor’s remarks at the programme

As the world’s population continues to grow at an alarming rate and the palpable shortfall of corresponding infrastructure to make living comfortable for the populace, the Department of Economics and Development Studies of Covenant University organized an International Conference on Demography and Economic Development to signpost the challenges and prospects in population growth.
The two-day conference with the theme: “Demographic Change and Sustainable Development” attracted participants from the academia, non-governmental agencies, interest groups and government agencies.

In his welcome address, the Chairman, Conference Organizing Committee, Dr. Emmanuel Amoo, said there has been an argument in the past that there is a demographic dimension to almost every social and economic issue of importance. It is not clear whether the argument is still relevant or new ideologies would be necessary for the current population momentum and economic development.

Dr. Amoo stated that the conference is a formalized curiosity to shape the population and economic policy and practice that can move the African continent forward. According to him, “This conference is all about charting a course for every man and child to enjoy a life of good health, equal opportunity, and to ensure that poverty is reduced to the barest minimum.

“It is also to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth safe, every young person is free of diseases especially from the scourge of HIV/AIDS, that every active individual is gainfully employed to contribute to the nation’s GDP and ensure that our communities are habitable.”

He averred that sustainable demographic and economic solutions for both the present and future generations would only be reached through participants full and committed participation at all levels of the conference.

The Head, Department of Economics, Dr. Philip Alege on his part said the theme of the conference was carefully chosen to create a platform that allows participants to deliberate on the all-important nexus between demography and economic developments.

Dr. Alege told the audience that the challenges of bringing the growing human populace and their growing needs into balance with natural resource base, which underpins the much-needed development that confronted the world as the 20th century ended still persist today, and the conference should become the foundation for proffering solutions to those challenges and turning them into advantages.

He added that Covenant University’s Department of Economics and Development Studies is determined to take bold steps in charting policy debates of all issues that pertain to helping African nations see how development and the ever-increasing population can be turned into channels of economic development and growth.

Declaring the conference open, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charles Ayo, represented by the Dean, College of Development Studies, Professor Isaiah Olurinola, commended the Department for putting the conference together, as it tallies with the University’s vision of offering education at the regular degree programmes level and conferences, workshops, seminars and symposia in aiding a lifelong learning process.

He noted that the meaning and importance of demographic transitions cannot be overemphasized, and any nation that is interested in making the most of its growing population must also be interested in putting in place structures that would engender commensurate production to match the demands of the populace.

He stated that the educational sector should be seen as a revelation, where the high number of admission seekers for tertiary education cannot be accommodated by the available number of universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and technical schools in the country, likewise the high number of unemployed youths of working age.

The Vice-Chancellor’s representative challenged participants to deliberate robustly and come up with a workable communiqué that would assist nations in the African continent to rise to the challenges of a population and demographic imbalance, so that it does not become a catastrophic development issue for the continent.

In his keynote address, the Director-General National Population Commission, Dr. Ghaji Isma’ila Bello, represented by the Director, Planning and Research in the Commission, Dr. Emmanuel Atta, said while population is a natural endowment, if not properly managed, it could constrain the effort of government to fulfill its commitment to improve the quality of life and the standards of living for the people.

Dr. Atta stated that the Federal Government of Nigeria, in her drive to adequately address the needs and well-being of its citizens, adopted a National Population Policy For Development, Unity, Progress and Self-Reliance back in 1988, which was revised in 2004 and renamed National Population Policy for Sustainable Development, with the objective of promoting maternal, child and reproductive health care, achieving a lower population growth rate through the reduction of birth rates by voluntary fertility regulation methods.

In addition, the policy also aimed at achieving even distribution of population between urban and rural settlements, preventing the causes and spread of HIV/AIDS pandemic, and addressing the problems of internal migration and spatial distribution of the population.

Dr. Atta stated that a cursory look at Nigeria’s population figures with the current growth rate of 3.2% creates apprehension over the consequences of rapid population increases, placing enormous responsibilities on governments, the civil society and individuals.

He, however, said there are a number of key drivers that could help change the economic landscape to alleviate poverty and facilitate sustainable development. According to him, “In facilitating the process of sustainable development, action must be channeled towards raising awareness and promoting the need for concerted efforts for poverty reduction.

“Developing a country-specific knowledge sharing resource between researchers, policy makers and development practitioners, working in partnership with those responsible for policy implementation and, building and strengthening capacity of all to recognize the need for ‘soft skills’ and build training in these skills into education and training courses.”

Dr. Atta called participant’s attention to some pressing issues as it pertains to population and development, and his expectation that the conference is expected to proffer solutions and a roadmap to achieve the much-desired socio-economic growth.

Some of these issues include poverty and inequality, gender issues, investment in young people and their roles in socio-economic development, environmental sustainability, urban growth, ageing and data generation.