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Contribute your quota to Nigeria’s economy-Royal spices academy tasks graduands
An Ibadan-based School of Catering and Hospitality Management – Royal Spices Academy, has charged graduates of the academy to contribute their quota to achieving economic development in Nigeria.
Royal Spices is a government-approved academy dedicated to providing the highest level of culinary and hospitality instruction through world-class programmes.
Speaking at the 2022 graduation ceremony, coinciding with the 31st anniversary of running the hospitality business, held at World Lylies Event Center, Apata, Ibadan, the Rector and Chief Executive Officer of the Academy, Dr. Olufunmi Adegbile, also reminded the graduands that the society expected much from them both intellectually and morally, having acquired relevant attitudes, knowledge, and skills.
Adegbile informed that the idea was initiated to contribute her quota to the economy of the nation, adding that no fewer than 87 students graduated from different departments for the 2021/2022 academic session.
She congratulated all graduates whose dreams of acquiring knowledge and skills at the academy had materialised, urging them to be good ambassadors of Royal Spices Academy.
“We are having 87 graduating students in different departments; 32 with Diploma in Culinary, 41 with Certificate in Culinary, two with Diploma in Cake Making and Sugar Craft, four with Certificate in Cake and Sugar Craft, one with Diploma in Hotel and Hospitality Management, six with Certificate in Pastry and Finger Foods and one with Certificate in Grill and Bar management,” the Rector said.
Adegbile disclosed that the academy has entered into an affiliation with Institut Supérieur Bilingue Libre du Togo (IBLT), Togo, over the joint training and certification of students in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management leading to a bachelor’s degree.
According to her, the development is in line with the expanded vision of Royal Spices Academy, to enlarge the academic frontiers of the institution, and to open up more doors of opportunities for the benefit of students.
“Given this, students of Royal Spices Academy will have the opportunity to participate in the programme of IBLT, in terms of further training and capacity building, after they have undertaken their programme under the tutelage of Royal Spices Academy leading to the award of BSc in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management,” she explained.
Also commenting, the Chairman, Royal Spices Board of Trustees, Mr. Tunde Laniyan, urged the graduands to be more dedicated to their passion, professional ethics, and good character.
In his address, the guest speaker, Prof. Onaolapo Taiwo, emphasised the need for the graduands to be creative with the skills they have acquired at the academy, urging the Nigerian youths to be proactive to embrace skills and vocational training to overcome the current state of unemployment ravaging the country.
Speaking further, the clinical psychologist from the Lagos State University (LASU), however, called on the government to return the country to the days of trade centers.
His words, “regardless of your age, when a person acquires a skill until you put those skills together, they don’t become rewarding. When you put those skills together and become a vocation, it gives focus and becomes rewarding.
“Students with skills that are practical out there are better off than students who graduated with their bachelor’s degree. Vocations or skills open doors of opportunities.
“Youths should go for skills, For instance, we have been saying something to the government recently that, the one-year National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) should be more practical for the corps members.
Taiwo continued, “like spending three or more weeks somewhere, then the rest of those months should be used for skills that can make them useful because there is no job from government”.
In a chat with journalists shortly after the event, the overall best graduating student, Mrs. Temperance Aluko, noted that she was never expected to be the best graduating student, but was only diligent with her work.
Aluko, therefore urged her junior colleagues to be hardworking and strive for success.
Also, the best-behaved student, Mrs. Olayinka Shittu, said Royal Spices Academy has taught her great lessons in life, adding that apart from her academic work, the lessons had spiced up her marriage of over two decades by bringing joy and love to her home.
The highlight of the epoch-making event featured the presentation of an excellent award to Prof. Adenike Osofisan, for her outstanding contributions to her field and the country at large.
The overall best student, best-behaved student, and most innovative student among others were also awarded.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a record revenue collection of N5.7 trillion as of November 12, 2024, surpassing its yearly target by 10 percent.
This was disclosed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the ongoing 2024 Comptroller-General of Customs Conference in Abuja.
Themed “Nigeria Customs Service: Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose,” the conference showcased the Customs Service’s progress in modernizing its operations and fostering collaborative partnerships.
“Today, I stand before you to demonstrate how our commitments in 2023 have evolved into tangible achievements,” Adeniyi stated.
He attributed the revenue growth to a series of reforms, including the implementation of a one-stop solution for cargo alerts, a revamped ICT infrastructure, streamlined inspection procedures, and enhanced automation.
Adeniyi explained that these changes reflect the agency’s commitment to elevating operational transparency and efficiency.
“We pledged to re-align our free trade operations, elevate cargo integrity standards, and expand our scanning capacities,” he said.
“Above all, we promised to usher in a new era of customs operations—one built on transparency, efficiency, and genuine collaborations with our partners.”
As of Tuesday, November 12, Adeniyi confirmed that the NCS collected N5.07 trillion, achieving the anticipated 10 percent revenue surplus.
“This performance validates our partnership-driven approach to revenue collection and trade facilitation,” he added.
Adeniyi also highlighted recent strides in trade facilitation, revealing that six companies have been selected to benefit from the Authorised Economic Operators programme, which provides fast-tracked customs clearance and other trade facilitation benefits.
Similarly, the NCS has processed 21 requests under an advance ruling programme, designed to expedite customs decisions on import and export cargoes before they reach Nigerian ports.
The Comptroller-General expressed optimism about the NCS’s potential to drive further economic growth, citing the agency’s commitment to fostering partnerships and advancing innovative practices within the customs sector.
Nineteen out of the thirty-eight directors who were shortlisted to fill permanent secretary vacancies within the Federal Civil Service have failed the qualifying examination, a memo from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) revealed on Tuesday.
The memo, signed by Dr. Emmanuel Meribole on behalf of the examination committee, disclosed that the qualifying exam was conducted on Monday, November 11, 2024.
The Federal Government, through the OHCSF, launched the recruitment drive in October to fill permanent secretary vacancies in eight states.
Providing insights into the progress, Eno Olotu, Director of Press at OHCSF, stated, “Of the 38 eligible directors who sat for the exam, 19 have passed the first stage and will move on to the second stage, which will assess their competency in using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in government operations on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.”
Olotu highlighted the rigorous three-stage selection process, designed to ensure that only the most capable individuals are appointed to these high-ranking civil service roles.
This comprehensive approach, according to OHCSF, aims to elevate the quality of leadership across federal ministries.
The directors who advance beyond the ICT proficiency test will face a final stage on Friday, November 15, 2024, where a panel of senior government officials and private sector experts will conduct a final evaluation to determine their suitability for the permanent secretary positions.
The Chairman of the House Committee on the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and representative of Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in Oyo State, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, on Saturday urged the community to unite in advancing key development projects aimed at transforming Ikogosi.
Speaking at this year’s Ikogosi Day celebration and the launch of a N1 billion development project in Ekiti, the lawmaker, who served as the Chairman of the occasion, emphasised the importance of unity and collective action.
He encouraged attendees to approach the celebration as a call to action for the betterment of their community.
“As we all know, Ikogosi is not merely a town; it is a treasured gem in the heart of Ekiti State and Nigeria as a whole,” he said. “Ikogosi, a historic and vibrant town, plays a vital role in the tourism and economic landscape of Ekiti State. Its rich cultural heritage and unique resources draw visitors and stimulate economic activities that benefit us all.”
“Today is not just a celebration; it is a call to action,” he continued. “Let us come together, united in purpose, to support these transformative projects that promise to uplift the Ikogosi community. I urge everyone here to invest their time, resources, and energy in this endeavor. Together, we can build a legacy of self-help and development that future generations will cherish.”
Reflecting on the broader challenges facing the country, Oseni encouraged the people of Ikogosi and all Nigerians to remain hopeful and resilient, assuring them of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to a brighter future for the nation.
“To the good people of Ikogosi and all citizens of Nigeria, I urge you to remain steadfast and hopeful. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well for all Nigerians. The APC-led administration’s Renewed Hope agenda holds the promise of a brighter future. Though the beginnings may be challenging, perseverance will guide us toward a prosperous new Nigeria,” he stated.
In a statement released by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, the lawmaker lauded the Ekiti State government under Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s leadership for its transformative efforts in governance and development.
He acknowledged the strides made by the governor and praised his impactful initiatives, which have set Ekiti on a progressive path.
“First and foremost, let me commend the Ekiti State government under the leadership of His Excellency, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji. The trailblazing development initiatives and effective governance during your tenure have not gone unnoticed,” Oseni remarked.
“Under your stewardship, we have witnessed remarkable progress and commendable governance that have undoubtedly made Ekiti State a shining example of peace and development,” he added.
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