Project Lead Africa is thrilled to announce Ondo State Entrepreneurship Agency (ONDEA) as the official sponsor for the 2023 Leadership Excellence and Dignity Awards. According to the organizers, the 2023 Lead Awards ceremony promises to be bigger and better, with the support of leading organizations driving innovation and growth within and outside Ondo State.

In a press statement made available to journalists in Lagos, the Principal Consultant and Executive Director, Project Lead Africa, Mr. Abiola Alaba Peters said “We are glad of this collaboration, having Ondo State Entrepreneurship Agency (ONDEA) as our headline sponsor for this year, is such a honor, the aim is to inspire more these generations to keep doing more for our dear Sunshine state”.

Also referred to as “Ondo State Most Prestigious” Leadership Excellence and Dignity Awards is an annual award ceremony that celebrates individuals and organizations that are proudly Ondo State indigenes.

Themed, ‘Celebrating High Achievers”, “the 2023 Lead Awards aims to unearth the giants of the Sunshine state that are yet to be celebrated” says the Project Director, Adebukola Oba, who also confirmed that the event will showcase a new wave of super creative and talented individuals, including organizations that are eager to take Ondo State to the next level.

On his part, the Special Adviser to the Ondo State Governor on Entrepreneurship Development, Dr. Summy Smart Francis (hc) stated that the ONDEA’s decision to sponsor the 2023 Lead Awards was borne out of the desire to inform, educate and encourage creative’s and other professionals, particularly young people in Ondo State.

Dr. Smart who is also the founder and President Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs (A.Y.E) while thanking His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ondo State, for providing the platform for young people to thrive in the state, express his enthusiasm to speak and interact with fellow compatriots at this year Lead Awards.

While Lead Awards aim to drive collaboration, foster partnerships, and provide a platform for quality leaders to share insights that can shape future generations, Ondo State Entrepreneurship Agency (ONDEA) which is an initiative of Akeredolu led administration, aimed at providing professional guidance to local entrepreneurs, empowers SMEs and MSMEs in Ondo State.

Associate sponsors for the 2023 Lead Awards include Dejavu Hotels, AutoProbe, Shaunze Royal and Aristo Games & Bristrol among others.

Another Detty December is upon us, and it is in everyone’s best interest to prepare well for it.

Even though we have written about what to expect, some people are foolhardy – that’s why we are warning you of the pitfalls.

1. Underestimating traffic

If you have an event by 6 pm, leave your house by 4 pm because you are going to be caught in the throes of traffic. You can stay in a traffic jam for 30 minutes, meanwhile where you want to go is just five minutes away.

2. Going out when they don’t have enough money

In December, everything is expensive, even transportation. It’s better to sit down in your house and manage your money than go out and disgrace yourself.

3. Going early to concerts or going to concerts at all

Unless it’s for Johnny Drille, or Pulse Fiesta, never go early to any Nigerian concert, they will most likely start at least four hours late.

If you go to any concert, do not complain, because you will have complaints.

4. Having a concrete plan about how and when to go home

If you don’t have a car, don’t have too much fun and forget you have a home to get back to. Before they close all your estate gates, and you are left out in the cold.

5. Getting too drunk at parties

We get it, the year has been tough and long but don’t drink yourself to a stupor and embarrass yourself and the members of your family, especially at your office parties. If you pass out and someone steals your belongings, you won’t be too happy now, would you?

With these few points of ours, we hope you have resolved to have fun but within reasonable limits.

Two artists, Miracle Takumo and Sime Patrick, have emerged joint winners in the second edition of the Arts for Change competition tagged ‘ Nigeria of my dreams’.

Announcing the winners in Lagos on Wednesday at the grand finale of the competition, former commissioner for Arts and Tourism, Steve Ayorinde said the panel of judges ensured that the artists actually produced the works they presented for the competition, otherwise they would have been disqualified.

Also, Imole Oyebamidele and Ibitoye Emmanuel emerged the first and second runners up, respectively.

Abolore Shobayo, a member of the panel of judges, explained that all the artworks were good,adding that three criteria were used in arriving at the winner.

He listed the criteria as a good interpretation of the concept, creativity, and quality of artistic expression.

The facilitator of Arts for Change competition, Loye Amzat, said the competition is getting better from the maiden edition, which was held at Freedom Park last year with a price tag of 500,000.

He, however, thanked Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), First Bank, GoBet247 and other sponsors who partnered with the project to identify and reward creativity among the youths.

He said; ” Arts for Change competition was conceived to identify and reward talents among our youths. Last year, the theme was Nigeria, Stronger Together. Over 300 artists competed last year during the maiden edition. This year is more robust with the theme: “Nigeria of my dreams.”

Duke Asidionye, an art promoter, spoke on the need for the youths to look beyond the politicians by ensuring that they fix the country through innovations.

He said the youths should focus more on their creative abilities to birth a new nation.