Ibrahim's day of glory as he receives $100,000 cash prize from NLNG

Ibrahim's day of glory as he receives $100,000 cash prize  from NLNG

BY Prisca Sam-Duru

It was a day of glory for winner of the 2016 The Nigeria Prize for Literature, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, as the Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Limited on 29th November formally presented The Nigeria Prize for Literature and accompanying cash prize of $100,000 to him, at a Public Presentation ceremony in Abuja.

Ibrahim’s entry, Season of Crimson Blossoms, was chosen out of 172 other entries to claim the prize in October 2016.

Present at the well-attended event, were the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, representing the Federal Government;the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr Maikanti Baru, represented by the Group General Manager, LNG Investments Services (NNPC), Dr Bola Afolabi; the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright; NLNG Management;members of the Advisory Board; Judges; Lawyer, Poet and previous prize winner Tade Ipadeola, the media as well as invitees from the Nigerian literary community in Abuja.

Tony Attah, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG, in his keynote remarks, said“the journey to this day began some 12 years ago in Lagos, when the inaugural edition of Nigeria Prize for Literature kicked off in search of uniqueness and excellence; and looking for our real identity as a people, using the vehicle of literary brilliance and creativity. This journey is similar to that undertaken by NLNG. Over 50 years ago, the idea of this company was muted; but it remained an idea for several decades before eventually coming to life. There were several failed attempts spanning a number of administrations and it sometimes appeared that this idea was jinxed from the word go.

“There was no shortage of opinions, some of which expressed the belief that Nigeria could not achieve the ambition of becoming an LNG producer nation. However, NLNG was eventually incorporated in 1989 and Nigeria’s dream of owning an LNG company and taking a stronger, more central role within the global energy community began to take shape. With several strategic legal and other instruments put in place to make this work, including the NLNG Act, aspiration became reality, and since then it has been one success story after the other.

“My whole point here is that Nigeria LNG has proved that the rightful place for Nigeria and indeed Nigerians, remains as they say, “up there” with the very best, and I say this without fear of contradiction.  Today, twelve years down the road, we are here to repeat our message and demonstrate our core vision of helping to build a better Nigeria,” he added.

The Minister for Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in his goodwill message urged for more support from the private sector in transforming the creative industry into a creative economy. He said “we have failed to transit from a creative industry to a creative economy because there is no meeting of minds between the private sector and the creative industry. I think it is the government that can provide this bridge.I enjoin NLNG to join hands with government in ensuring that the intellectual properties of all our writers are protected.”

The Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, represented by the Group General Manager, LNG Investments Services (NNPC), Dr Bola Afolabi, in his remarks commended the leadership of NLNG for sponsoring the prize which has encouraged literary work among Nigerian writers, adding that NNPC is very proud to be associated with prize.

In his acceptance speech, Ibrahim commended NLNG for its sponsorship and support for the Nigeria Prize for Literature, saying"It is certainly a great privilege to have been so honoured with the Nigeria Prize for Literature and the attendant financial incentive, for which I am truly grateful. But the greatest triumph today is the light of belief I have seen kindled in the floundering hearts of those who previously thought there was a glass ceiling over their heads because of their background, because of the sounds of their names or what part of the world they come from. If you believe, the only thing stopping you from accomplishing your goals is you and no one else.”

Ibrahim's writings received broader attention in 2012 when he published his collection of short stories, The Whispering Trees, to critical acclaim. Season of Crimson Blossoms is his first novel. He is a recipient of several prizes and fellowships.

The Nigeria Prize for Literature rotates yearly amongst four literary genres: prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature. The 2016 Prize is for prose fiction and comes with a cash prize of $100, 000. Next year’s prize will be for poetry.

The Nigeria Prize for Literature and The Nigeria Prize for Science are some of Nigeria LNG Limited’s numerous contributions towards building a better Nigeria.

US committed to assisting Nigeria realize economic potential - Bray

US committed to assisting Nigeria realize economic potential - Bray

By Prisca Sam-Duru

U.S Consul General, Lagos, John Bray yesterday said that as a partner and friend, the United States remains committed to helping Nigeria realize its economic potential.

Bray who spoke on the topic “The Challenges and Opportunities of Managing a Recessionary Economy: The American Experience” at the 2016 Hubert Humphrey Alumni Association Annual Lecture held in Lagos, noted that “As the most populous country on the continent and as the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria clearly stands to gain from increasing its attractiveness to foreign investors. As in the case for the U.S. economy, FDI offers much to contribute to Nigeria’s ability to grow its economy and increase its global competitiveness.” Insisting that “There is not a one size fits all solution, based on the American experience of dealing with recessionary economies it is clear there is no simple answer.
Different times, different circumstances require a unique set of fiscal and monetary policies.

I feel confident saying that the solution is both inside and outside of Nigeria. I am also confident in saying that the policies do make a difference. They can make things worse, they can make things better.

The lesson learned in the wake of the Great Depression is that economies stand to gain more by being open than by being isolationist.

The United States continues to be the number one destination for foreign direct investment for several reasons, including: the confidence foreign investors have that they will be treated fairly, that they can repatriate profits, that the rule of law is supreme, and that it is relatively easy to do business.

At the Department of Commerce, we work every day to strengthen America’s best assets such as our highly productive workforce and our commitment to innovation to ensure that the United States remains the most attractive destination for investment.

I hope that Nigeria will use the current recession as an opportunity to adopt and implement economic reforms to address challenges that existed before the current recession began but that will still need to be met and overcome after the recession ends, which we all know will happen, in order to set this country on course for long-term sustainable development and help it to bring greater prosperity to all the people of Nigeria.”

Marine platform's mobile libraries breathe fresh air in Northern literature

Marine platform's mobile libraries breathe fresh air on Northern literature 
By PRISCA SAM-DURU

When oil firm, Marine Platform promised to encourage reading from an early stage, by donating books to schools in the North, last year at  the 2015 Ake Arts and Books Festival, many thought it was one of those strategies by corporate organisations to gain cheap popularity. How wrong skeptics were as the company penultimate week in Kaduna, took corporate social responsibility to a truly innovative and positive level when 100 primary schools in the state became beneficiaries of mobile libraries stocked with beautiful and colourfully illustrated storybooks for easy access for pupils. Both at governor Malam Nasir El Rufai’s office at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, LGEA Sheikh Abubakar Gumi Model Primary School, Polytechnic Road, Tudun Wada, Kaduna, Marine Platform, donated 100 mobile libraries containing 100 books to schools in the state. At Governor Malam Nasir El Rufai’s office, with some of his cabinet members present, Mr. Abaji Nyam of Marine Platform presented a sample of the mobile library with the books stocked in it, a proof  of  his company’s intention to boost reading culture among school children in parts of the North, beginning with Kaduna State. 



According to Nyam, “We believe it’s a scalable model and, for us, this is not the end of the cooperation. We will work with the state government in whatever way we can. And we hope that that fire of inquisitiveness will be ignited in the children to make better adults later in life.” Nyam showing off the libraries while Governor El-Rufai and others watch, in Kaduna Earlier, while inspecting the 100 mobile libraries on the lawn of Government House, Kaduna, Nyam gave insight into the project and how he hopes it would inspire other donors to contribute in making books available to indigent children, especially those in public schools that often have the challenge of learning materials like books. He said, “We all agree that our future depends on our children. The whole idea is not just for the children to have books, but for the books to be able to trigger off inquisitiveness, trigger off the desire to learn, trigger off the desire to explore. That is the whole benefit of this project. “Books are very significant to children; they spark off that desire to learn and make them inquisitive. Of course, an inquisitive child is one that keeps asking all the questions. Children want to learn about other places; they want to learn about other people and the society around them.” Nyam told the pupils his experience as a young reader, how books became windows through which he explored faraway places long before he visited them as an adult. Although there are other initiatives Marine Platform has up its sleeves, Nyam said it was his company’s hope that the mobile library initiative would also challenge others to take a cue and offer assistance in areas of educational needs across the country. Responding, El Rufai thanked Nyam and his company, Marine Platform for delivering on their promise and promised to revamp the libraries in Kaduna State and ensure that in every local government area, there is one functioning and well equipped library with triple offering: books, electronics as well as textbooks. “Your contribution is significant and creative. We hope to adopt your model and scale it up. It is sad that young people don’t read any more; they prefer visuals and they love pictures. We have to find ways to make young people interested in reading and have access to libraries and good books. We pray God to help expand Marine Platform’s business so that you can do more for us.” As part of El Rufai’s innovative approach of putting young people first, he has sponsored children twice to Ake Arts and Book Festival so they can be part of the ambience of writers and thinkers. “I actually sponsored children to Ake festival,” he said. “I hope we sponsor more next year to get them interested in reading and writing.” Two pupils, Aisha Abdulwasi’u and Muhsin Adam, sampled the books by reading excerpts to the admiration of everyone present. The entire class took the books from the library shelves and leafed through them, admiring the glossy colours and photographs.