WHEN SPEAKERS CONNECT

Speakers Connect is an initiative of Bolaji Femi a renowned public speaker, trainer and entrepreneur of repute. The idea was to create a hub for existing and budding speakers to network, share knowledge and become better at what they do. It is this idea that birthed the Speakers Academy which held her maiden edition between 4th & 5^th January 2018. The launch of the Speakers Academy is to teach those exploring a career in professional speaking (people who want to turn their passion for Speaking into a full-time profession). 

The first edition was a huge success, over fifteen (15) participants registered and attended several  intensive labs,  a deep-dive on speaking business, marketing, eloquence, ethics and other  topics that helps professional speakers grow their business and perfect their speaking craft.

The impact of the Speakers Academy can only be explained through the overwhelming request received by the association from people who are either willing to join Speakers Connect (which has become the umbrella body for public speakers) or ready to attend the next edition of the Speakers Academy which comes up in the 2^nd quarter of the year 2018. Details of the next Academy will be made available in due course.

Below are pictures from the 1^st edition of The Speakers Academy.    

Telling the Ota Story with Pictures

FOCAL POINT is an initiative of CyAN Concepts –a brand identity of Cynthia Njoku, an Ota based Photographer and Photoartist of international repute, with the collaborative effort of Ota’n’Environs Magazine -a community-based magazine with a knack for authentic news dissemination and community development. Having been into photography for a while now, I’ve been privileged to attend a few gatherings outside of Ota such as:

* Unabashed Africa -Abeokuta a photowalk organized by Bayo Omoboriowo (official photographer to President Muhammed Buhari),

* Slum2School Initiative organized by Otto Orondaam consisting a photowalk with  other reputable photographers telling the stories from the slum and  interaction with children from Makoko area of Lagos,

*  Canon Street Photography Workshop which included a photowalk to designated parts of Lagos Island –put together by Canon MEA in conjunction with African Artists Foundation, Victoria Island.

Also, in my experience working with a media outfit; Ota’n’Environs Magazine, both as official photographer and columnist, I have come to understand the place of photography in Public Relations and as a tool for social re-engineering and community development.

Many occasions in my photography journey outside of Ota I have come across photographers who also live in Ota but operate outside and after exchange of pleasantries, I do get some few reactions when I introduce myself as coming from Ota. Reactions such as “so you’re from Ota! Wow! I used to think it was only point-and-shoot photographers we have in Ota”. “Are there really other contemporary photographers in Ota?”

I have equally had the privilege to do some solo photo walk in Ota mostly as a result of my journalistic adventures and out of sheer passion, what I see is quite inspiring and calls for more organized effort from other professionals. I believe we can tell the Ota story through our different lenses, capture moments and showcase it to the world.    

Hence FOCAL POINT birthed to bring together photographers within Ota and its environs. You will agree with me that “no man is an island”, I believe that our coming together will avail us opportunity to share and learn from one another.

This photowalk is open to all photographers who wish to join us as we walk and capture impressive moments to tell the Ota story.

Participation details:

Send an email indicating interest and availability for the walk with the caption “Focal Point” to cyanconceptsphoto@gmail.com and otanenvirons@gmail.com

Follow @cyan_concepts on Instagram.

Phone number: 08093588423

GROOVES EVENTS CENTER TO HOST DIVA OF THE MOMENT FINALE

All is now set for the finale of the well anticipated talent hunt competition; Diva of the Moment 2017. The event will feature different display of talents from the top ten finalists that came through after a rigorous and competitive selection process that includes online voting and talent challenge screening.     

The C.E.O of Grooves Events Center Mr. Uchenna Okeke disclosed to our correspondent yesterday that they are leaving no stones unturned in hosting an ‘A-list event’ that will change the face of events and entertainment in Ota. ‘’ This is an opportunity to further showcase Ota to the world and we are set to put up a standard event suitable as a good TV content as we will be having Planet TV and other reputable media houses to cover the event’’ Mr Uchenna added. He implores all fun seekers and fun loving individuals to come along and let’s turn up together. He also assures that maximum security arrangement will be put in place. Our crew who were on ground can confirm that Grooves Events Center is already wearing new looks with a lot of facelift going in preparation for this anticipated event.  

Celebrities expected to grace the event include two Nollywood superstars Mercy Aigbe Gentry and Nkechi Blessing Sunday.

The event will be heralded with a welcome reception party on Friday 22^nd December while the grand finale is slated for Saturday 23^rd December 2017 at the same venue. Please note that this event is strictly by reservation

Find below the details of the reservation. Learn more about the event on www.divaofthemoment.com            

BREAKING: OBALANLEGE EMERGES AS NEW OLOTA OF OTA

Dr Yemi Obalanlege Olota elect

History was made in Ota today as Dr Abdulkabir Adeyemi Obalanlege emerges as the 13th Olota of Ota to fill the vacant stool. You will recall that the Olota stool became vacant since May 2017 following the transition of the late Olota of Ota Oba Moshood Alani Oyede.

The newly elected  Olota until is election a Senior lecturer at the Crescent University, Abeokuta Dr. Yemi Obalanlege (Ph.D, MCIPR, FHEA) ‎was born in Mushin, Lagos State on 28 of August, 1966. His parents were Prince Hassan Taiwo Obalanlege of Ijemo Compound and Mrs Mutiat Afolake Obalanlege (Nee Anjorin) of Isoloshi Compound, Ota.

He was elected on Tuesday morning by an open ballot system held at the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Secretariat by five kingmakers led by the Ekerin of Ota, High Chief Bamgboye Osunlabu.

The Oba elect polled five votes out of the possible five to emerge against Prince Gbolagade Akinboyede of Isoloshi ruling house, his brother, Barrister Abiodun Akinboyede and Barrister Oluwatoyin Adeyanju.

It will be recalled that 22 names were shortlisted by the Ijemo-Isoloshi ruling house, out of which the final four were selected after careful examination by the kingmakers.

The election was supervised by the Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Adewale Dada with heavy security presence.

Dr. Yemi Obalanlege is a member of  the National Union of Journalists, a fellow of the Higher Education Academy, UK. He had before now lectured at the University of East London, England, University of Lincoln, England.

Olota elect in warm handshake with Chief Osunlabu the Ekerin of Ota after the election

from left to right: Hon. Adeniji Chairman Ado-Odo Ota Local Govt. Dr Yemi Obalanlege (the Olota Elect) Chief Osunlabu Ekerin of Ota.

photo credit: Villiz Pixels

Miss Tourism Ogun Unveiled 2018 Contestants

The Miss Tourism Ogun organizers are pleased to present to you the Semi-finalist contestants competing for the 2018 Edition of the contest themed “The Heritage Edition”.

This year, 20 girls have been selected from the online auditions.

Miss Tourism Ogun 2018 is set to promote Tourism, Elegance, Leadership, Intelligence, Talent and Eloquence in young ladies around Ogun State and Nigeria at large. Miss Tourism Ogun Nigeria provides ladies with training, experiences and skills that will follow them for a lifetime. We are very focused on giving back, Community service and paying it forward is a must for our delegates and Queens.

In lieu with promoting our Gele culture and discovering our HERITAGE, Miss Tourism Ogun has partnered with the Esoe Remo Networks for the Miss Tourism Ogun Onigele Contest. A contest geared towards the revival of our Gele Culture.

This is not a one day pageant event, win and go home. This is a year of appearances, challenges, personal development, tourism promotions, community outreach, learning to give your crown a voice, finding your passion and learning to adapt it into your platform. We pride ourselves on being the BREAK AWAY PAGEANT.

The finale (which comes up later in the first quarter of 2018) will feature crowning of the eventual winner and awards to individuals and organizations that show support towards our cause of revitalizing and promoting tourism in the state. It is on this note that we call on corporate organizations and well-meaning individuals for sponsorship to make this quest a successful one.

We believe in HOPE because our Tourism Girls show us everyday something amazing!

Check out the pictures of the top 20 contestants below as they prepare to battle their way into the Top Spot. 

 Miss Tourism Ogun is brought to you by AGL Technologies in conjunction with Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

OTA TRADE EXHIBITION 2017 TO BEGIN NOVERMBER 30TH

L-R: Fisayo Ajibola, Chief Executive Officer, Perfect Brands,  HON. (Prince) Bashir Oladele Adeniji, Executive Chairman of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government and Abiodun Ogundele, Project Coordinator during the unveiling and public presentation of the Ota Trade Exhibition 2017 Application Forms and Prospetus on November 1, 2017

The organiser of the Ota Trade Exhibition 2017 (OTE), Perfect Brands has announced that this year’s fair scheduled to hold from Thursday 30^th November to Sunday 3rd December, 2017 at Ijamido town hall in Ota, Ogun state, is aimed at supporting Nigeria’s quest to achieve a virile industrialised economy by providing a platform for the nation’s short and medium scale entrepreneurs,SMEs.

According to Chief Executive Officer, Perfect Brands, FisayoAjibola, the theme of the fair “Providing Veritable Platform for Commerce and Industry Growth” is apt and timely in the face of the current economic realities which underscore the need for diversification and inter-sectoral synergy.

Ajibola during the unveiling and public presentation of the OTE 2017 prospectus, called on all industry players to support the efforts of the local government in making Ota, the business hub of Ogun state a force to reckon with. 

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government, HON. (Prince) Bashir Oladele Adeniji said the he is delighted to be hosting this exhibition at this crucial time in our country when the economy is undergoing a recovery from the harsh realities of an economic recession.  He stated that he is very optimistic that this exhibition will impact positively on the socio-economy of Ota and its neighbors as it will further open up Ota to world and position it towards maximizing its full potentials as the industrial and commercial nerve center of Ogun State.

The Exhibition will bring people from all walks of life to Ota from manufacturers to vendors and shoppers and this is good for us all. Everyone will benefit when the biggest and quality brands come to display in Ota. Our government is looking forward to this and we enjoin everyone to embrace the unique opportunity and make the best out of it.  We as a government will continue in our effort to ensure the ease of doing business, Hon Adeniji added.

The Exhibition Project Coordinator Abiodun Ogundele also disclosed that 50,000 visitors and over 500 exhibitors across the countries were expected at the general consumer fair billed to last 4 days.

“The fair will close with a gala night and an interactive session that will afford experts, business owners and other stakeholders the opportunity to discuss ways to position Ota as the mainstream of commercial activity in Ogun State and as well network in a relax atmosphere” Ogundele assured. 

Ota trade exhibitionis an annual fair that will have multinationals, local manufacturer, SMEs among others showcasing their services and products to the whole world at large. It will also be an avenue for companies within and outside Ogun state to have a firsthand feel of their consumers and intimate them with their product and services.