Ronaldo In Saudi Arabia, Grand Al Nassr Unveiling

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January 4, 2023

A billboard welcoming the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo to Arabia’s Al Nassr club, in Riyhad, on Jan 3, 2023.

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo will continue his already eventful and brilliant career at Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr club after sealing a shock move estimated at more than 200m pounds ($286m)

The 37-year-old, a five-time winner of the Ballon d’Or, touched down in the capital late on Monday, according to Al Ekhbariya state run TV, and is staying at a luxury hotel with his entourage.

“He brought a big team of assistants and even a private security firm,” an official told newsmen.

There are high security measures around the airport with many police cars and checkpoints.

Ronaldo, who left Manchester United under a cloud after slamming the club in a TV interview will appear at Al Nassr’s 25,000-capacity Mrsool Park stadium in Riyadh at 7pm (midnight in Singapore) on Tuesday, officials said.

The latest, and possibly final, chapter in an illustrious career comes weeks after Portugal’s quarter – final exit from the World Cup in neighbouring Qatar, where his great rival Lionel Messi lifted the trophy with Argentina.

Ronaldo’s signing until June 2025 is just the latest foray into top-level sports by oil-rich Saudi, which has moved into Formula One, boxing and golf and snapped up English club Newcastle United.

Critics have dubbed the strategy “sportswashing” – an attempt by the conservative country to distract attention from its human rights record.

Al Nassr is expecting a full stadium for the unveiling, according to one official who did not want to be named because he was not authorised to speak to media.

Ronaldo is by far the biggest star to play in Saudi Arabia, although other heavyweights including George Weah, Pep Guardiola and Xavi also had stints in the wealthy Gulf in the twilight of their careers.

Al Nassr, the nine-time Saudi league champions, have called Ronaldo’s signing “more than history in the making”, claiming he will inspire the rest of the league and even the country.

In a tweet, Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal pledged to “support the rest of our clubs for quality deals with international stars soon”.

United terminated Ronaldo’s contract during the World Cup after an explosive interview where he said he felt “betrayed” by the club and had no respect for coach Erik ten Hag.

The Portuguese forward has long been one of the top-paid players in football, earning a reported salary of 31 million euros ($33m) at Juventus before taking a pay-cut to rejoin United.

Ronaldo has won five Champions League titles, league titles in Italy with Juventus, in Spain with Real Madrid and in England with United.

He is also the top scorer in the Champions League and with the Portuguese national team, with whom he won Euro 2016.

In Qatar, he became the first man to score at five World Cups with his penalty in the group-stage win over Ghana.

Fighting Insecurity: FG Deploys High-Tech In S/East

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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January 4, 2023

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President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the deployment of advanced technology to tackle insecurity in Imo and other parts of the South East.

Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo revealed this to correspondents after a closed door meeting with the president at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday.

He said he was in the villa to thank the president for the various supports and assistance given to the state and appeal to him to approve the tech deployment to enable the area to deal effectively with the security menace.

According to him, with the president’s approval, advanced surveillance equipment will soon be delivered to the region that will enhance the fight against insecurity without collateral damage.

The governor particularly thanked the president over the recent conversion of the Federal Medical Centre Owerri to a University Teaching Hospital for the Federal University of Technology, and the approval that converted Alvan Ikoku College of Education to a Federal College of Education.

While stated that he came to visit the president on behalf of his people.

Uzodinma said the visit was “also to thank him for the various supports he gave to us during our period of security challenges and the support he has also given to us in terms of the various approvals.

“Only two weeks ago, Igbos that came home from Lagos and outside South East enjoyed the benefit of the second Niger Bridge, something that is worthy of commendation.

“I also appealed to him for further support, to support us with some technological deployments; we have planned to be able to do an advanced kind of security control in the South East and he has also given his approval to that.

”And in a moment from now, we’ll be getting some surveillance equipment and some modern technologies that will help us manage security so that we can fight crime with little or no collateral damage to the environment.”

On assurance for citizens of Imo State in the New Year, Uzodinma said: “Well, my people are enthusiastic and committed Nigerians and we believe in the unity of the country.

”We believe that for us to grow as a people, we need the support and cooperation of Federal Government, and that I’ve always stood for.

”So, going forward, I know 2023 will be better than 2022. And the level of development we witnessed from 2020 to 2022 will be improved upon.

“And my people have seen a lot of things. If you go to South East, in imo State for instance, we got approval of Mr. President that has now enabled the government of Imo to partner with the Nigerian Navy, to dredge Oguta River to Orashi River to the sea,

”This is opening up that maritime route, if there is a naval base that we will now manage and control pipelines vandalism, crude oil theft, and all forms of criminality that besieged that area for a very long time.

”And the crime has gone down tremendously, since the Naval base was established.

“So I think we have hope for a better Nigeria. The road that we just completed that was commissioned by Mr president, the Owerri to orlu dualised expressway, Mr president has approved that Imo State Government be refunded.

“The good news is every day I come to Mr president, one positive approval or the other. So our people are happy, we’re committed, we’re happy; we have never had it so good.”

The governor maintained that the APC led administration had done well in terms of provision of infrastructure and security in Imo.

”So, that is why I continue to tell you, that the party to beat in my state is APC. Those who are fighting me in my state are not saying we’re not working. They’re not saying we’re not developing the place. They are not accusing us of corruption.

”All they are saying is that they are contriving, instigating insecurity out of desperation, and then blaming the security on a government.

“I’ve seen at the sub national that critical security measures are managed and controlled by Federal Government.

”So I cannot be blamed for insecurity, because you cannot single out Imo State.

“National security is about the 36 states of the Federation and FCT inclusive.

“So, I think we’ve done so well. And I’m happy by the grace of God, as soon as we’re able to bring the security to naught, we’ll have an environment that we will all celebrate and be happy with.

“During this season, we had relative peace in Imo State, and Christmas is a very critical period for us and New Year is also very critical. And apart from a few scratches in the hinterland we are on top of the security situation now in Imo State.

College Signs Agreement With AAUA

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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January 4, 2023

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The management of the Grace College of Education, Osogbo, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State for the commencement of degree programmes in some education related courses.

A statement by the Proprietor of the College, Amos Adetunji, obtained in Osogbo, said the MoU empowered the institution to run degree programmes in education-based courses in affiliation with the university.

The statement noted that at the signing of the MoU, AAUA Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, said that with the agreement, students admitted by Grace College for degree programmes would become bonafide students of Adekunle Ajasin University and would have their certificates awarded by the University.

He also noted that admission, examination, marking and grading of students would be supervised by the University.

The VC called on the Management of the College to shun acts that could cast doubt on the academic and moral integrity of the university and its certificates, adding that periodic inspections would be paid to the College to ascertain its compliance with the terms of the agreements.

In his remarks, the proprietor of the College, Adetunji, promised to abide by the terms of the agreements in order to grow the relationship between the two institutions.

Djokovic Gets Rousing Welcome In Australia

By

Emenike Agu

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January 4, 2023

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Novak Djokovic was grateful for a warm welcome from Australian fans, after he cruised through his first singles match in the country since being deported in 2022 with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Constant Lestienne at the Adelaide International 1 on Tuesday.

The Serb, 35, was deported on the eve of the 2022 Australian Open for not being vaccinated against Covid-19 and received a three-year travel ban from the country, which was then waived in November.

After being well received by fans during a rare doubles appearance on Monday, with chants of “Novak, Novak!” as he made his way onto the court, Djokovic began his preparations for the Jan 16-29 Australian Open against world No. 65 Lestienne by racing through the opening set.

The 21 time Grand Slam champion turned up the heat on his French opponent with a double break to go 4-0 up in the second set before Lestienne got on the board, but Djokovic closed out the match in style as fans again chanted his name.

“I have to say, I’m glad to be back in Australia, thank you all for coming out,” he said on court. “Thank you for giving me the welcome I could only wish for.

“It’s great to be back. To see the packed house for my first match was definitely a very pleasant surprise. Lots of support, lots of love. That obviously motivated me and allowed me to express myself in the best possible way..

“If I have to pick one country where I’ve had the most success, which treated me in the best way in terms of tennis, it’s here. I won my first Grand Slam here in 2008 and I have nine Australian Open titles – I’ve had some epic matches.

“Australia has been the place where I play my best tennis and I look forward to coming here. The circumstances last year were as they were and it wasn’t easy for anybody but I’m happy to be here, focus on tennis and enjoy my time with you guys.”

On his match against Lestienne, the Serb added: “For the first match I can’t complain, I played very well. I thought the first probably six games were very competitive.

“I’ve never faced him before today’s match… He doesn’t make too many mistakes and he kind of absorbs the pace from his opponent, kind of tricky serve, hits his spots.

“But once I made that break at 3-2 first set, I felt like I stepped it up one or two levels and played really good.”

Up next for the world No. 5 is another Frenchman in Quentin Halys, who beat Australian Jordan Thompson 6-3, 6-4.

Former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev also advanced to the second round of the ATP 250 tournament when Lorenzo Sonego retired with a right arm injury while trailing 7-6 (8-6), 2-1.

Medvedev, who lost to Rafal Nadal after a grueling five sets in the 2022 Melbourne Park final saved nine set points to win the opening set.

“I didn’t know it was nine set points, that’s crazy and probably the first time in my life I’ve saved nine set points,” said the world No. 7 Russian.

“What a match to start the year.

He will next play Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic for a quarter-final spot.

ASUU Protests As FG Withholds Her November Dues

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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January 4, 2023

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The check-off dues deducted by the Federal Government from the November 2022 salaries of university lecturers were not remitted into the account of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, LN247 has learnt.

Speaking with News correspondent in Abuja, the chairman of the Federal University of Technology, Minna chapter of ASUU, Prof Gbolahan Bolarin, confirmed that the government failed to remit the check-off dues for November.

Bolarin said, “Despite the pro-rata salaries that were paid for the month of November, those who got their pay slips observed that check-off dues and cooperative dues were deducted, but the issue now is that the account of ASUU was not credited.

“The government credited the cooperatives but refused to credit ASUU. Now, this is the question: since you claimed you paid us pro-rata, from where did you deduct the check-off and cooperative dues? And since the check-off dues were deducted, why wasn’t ASUU’s account credited? You deducted union dues from the source, but you failed to credit the union.”

FG JUSTIFIES DECISION

The spokesperson of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Olajide Oshundun, in an interview with News correspondent, justified the government’s decision on the check-off dues.

Oshundun said, “Constitutionally, there is a provision of the Trade Union Act (Section 37, Subsection 1) that says every year ASUU must render an account of money remitted to the body. All ASUU members get a monthly deduction, which is usually given to ASUU every month to run their secretariat.

“They are also to submit an audited report of this money every year, but for four consecutive years, ASUU didn’t do that.

“The ministry wrote to ASUU, asking them why they haven’t submitted the audited report of monies collected for four years. ASUU got that letter and didn’t respond to it. They didn’t even write to acknowledge the receipt of the letter. A reminder letter was subsequently sent to ASUU, which was also ignored.

“Then the ministry decided that the check-off amount due, deducted by IPPIS for November, should not be released to ASUU. So, when they respond and explain how they spent the money released, the money held by IPPIS will be released to them.”

But Bolarin faulted the ministry’s position on the audit report.

He insisted that ASUU submitted the said report.

JAMB: 1.2m Applied for Medical Courses, 105,226 Admitted

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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January 4, 2023

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Data obtained from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, the agency responsible for the regulation of admissions into tertiary institutions in Nigeria revealed that out of over 1,256,494 candidates who applied for Medicine-related programmes in Nigerian public and private universities in three years, only 105,226 were admitted.

The figures were obtained from the statistics of admissions for 2019, 2020 and 2021.

The admissions for 2022 are still ongoing in some universities due to delays from the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities and other university-based unions.

Some Medicine-related courses in Nigerian universities include Medicine and Surgery, Nursing, Anatomy, Physiotherapy and Pharmacy among others.

In the data obtained by news correspondent, in 2019, a total of 436,799 applied for 30,111 quotas for Medicine-related courses, however, 34,734 were admitted. The figure was higher than the recommended quota by JAMB.

Further analysis of the data revealed that in 2019, JAMB increased the quota for Medicine-related courses in Nigerian universities to 43,717.

That year, a total of 452,196 applied but only 36,821 applicants were admitted.

The latest data which revealed details of the 2021 admissions revealed that the available quota was pegged at 39,850. A breakdown of data revealed that 367,499 candidates applied out of which only 33,671 were admitted.

On its website, the regulatory board explained that some of the factors responsible for the failure of some candidates to get admitted include, “wrong O’ Level subject combination, low post-UTME scores, UTME combination deficiency, duplication of application, absence from post-UTME screening, mismatch of catchment institutions and absence of O’ Level results.”

A teacher at an Abuja-based private secondary school, Titilayo Rufus, said, “Most of the time, you have students who are not strong in certain O’ Level subjects needed for Medicine but then you still see them struggle to add Medicine-related courses in their UTME application.

“We have cases like that, some of them are influenced by parents, some by their friends, it is only a few that truly want to go for those courses and then when they are not admitted, they keep trying while some may even go to some private universities.

“I think the issue still lies with the kind of curriculum we operate in secondary schools. The curriculum is not structured in such a way that prepares students for a world of possibilities outside popular courses such as Medicine, Law and Engineering. These days, we now hear people talking about tech, UI/UX designing and all of that, the curriculum at the secondary school level also needs to be worked upon.”

UNILORIN Appoints 31 New Professors, 38 Readers

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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January 3, 2023

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The Governing Council of the University of Ilorin has approved the appointment and promotion of 31 new professors and 38 readers in various departments of the institution.

A statement on Tuesday by the Registrar and Secretary to the Council, Dr. Fola Olowoleni, explained that “this is one of the highlights of the 182nd meeting of the council.”

According to her, the approval followed the consideration of recommendations from the Appointments and Promotions Committee on elevations to the ranks of professors and readers based on the 2020 and 2021 promotion.

Some of the new professors include; Dr. Taibat Adebisi, Department of Home Economics and Food Science; Dr. Modinah Abdulraheem, Department of Chemistry, while the promoted professors include Dr. Olabisi Adekola of the Department of Agronomy.

Also some of the new readers include; Dr. Mutiat Balogun of the Department of Home Economics and Food Science; Dr Sadiat Shuaib of the Department of Performing Arts; Dr Azeezat Amoloye-Adebayo of the Department of Islamic Law and Dr Faoziyat Sulaiman of the Department of Biochemistry, among others.

Canada Govt Bans Nigerians, Others From Owning Residential Properties

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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January 3, 2023

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Canadian authorities have banned Nigerians and other foreigners from buying residential properties for the next two years according to a new law that took effect on January 1.

The ‘Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act’ was enacted to lower residential property prices, thought to have risen sharply due to foreigners buying the homes as investments and leaving locals with no choice but to purchase at exorbitant prices.

“The desirability of Canadian homes is attracting profiteers, wealthy corporations, and foreign investors,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party wrote on its website.

It added, “This is leading to a real problem of underused and vacant housing, rampant speculation, and skyrocketing prices. Homes are for people, not investors.”

In cities like Vancouver and Toronto, taxes have been introduced to non-residents and vacant properties to deter foreign investors and make housing costs affordable for locals.

The new law, however, makes exceptions for immigrants and permanent residents, allowing them to own residential properties.

According to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), Average home prices from more than $590,000 at the beginning of 2022 have significantly dropped to $465,000.

The association worried Canadians could suffer should countries like the U.S. and Mexico pass a similar law in retaliation.

“Canadians purchase vacation and residential properties in many countries, but particularly in the United States,” noted CREA.

The group asserted that many locals who buy properties abroad to escape Canada’s cruel winter might be the ones to bear the brunt of the new law.

“These provide Canadians with a place to spend the winter months and are a form of savings for Canadian retirees,” asserted CREA. “If Canada places a ban on Americans owning property in Canada, we should expect them to respond in kind.”

Polytechnic Staff Ban from Foreign Trips Without Permission

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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January 3, 2023

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The Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, has banned the staff of the institution from traveling out of the country without the permission of the governing board of the polytechnic.

The institution declared that whoever among the staff flouted the order would be heavily sanctioned.

The Rector of the polytechnic, Prof. Emmanuel Fasakin disclosed this at the institution’s Christmas carol And nine lessons service held on the campus of the institution.

He said, “Well, I do not gloss over the myriad of challenges Nigeria is facing presently but the situation calls for all well-meaning nationals to jointly find solutions so that our fatherland can be better. It is in light of this that management has decided to invoke the full weight of extant regulations on those who have misused the various opportunities we are providing our personnel to develop for their selfish interests.

“No longer shall we condone travelling out of the country without adhering to the laid down guidelines. Members of the polytechnic should take cognisance that overseas training can only be approved by the governing council. Whosoever travels out of the country under whatever guise without the relevant approval from Council will have questions to answer and if they cannot answer those questions satisfactorily, they may be sanctioned”

The don, however, commended the staff who contributed in one way or the order to the development of the institution since the beginning of the year.

Iranian Chess Player Without Hijab Barred From Returning To Iran

By

Emenike Agu

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January 3, 2023

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An Iranian chess player arrived in Spain on Tuesday after receiving what a source close to her said were warnings not to return to Iran for competing without a hijab at an international tournament in Kazakhstan.

Sara Khadem, born in 1997, took part in last week’s FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Almaty without the hijab – a headscarf mandatory under Iran’s strict dress codes.

The source, who did not want to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, said Khadem subsequently received multiple phone calls in which individuals warned her against returning home after the tournament, while others said she should come back, promising to “solve her problem”.

The source also said Khadem’s relatives and parents, who are in Iran, had also received threats, without giving further details.

Iran’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the case.

Khadem, who is also known as Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, arrived in Spain on Tuesday, the source said.

She has not responded to Reuters request for comment. Newspapers including Le Figaro and El Pais reported last week that Khadem would not be returning to Iran and moving to Spain.

The phone calls led to organisers deciding to provide security with the cooperation of Kazakh police, resulting in four bodyguards being stationed outside Khadem’s hotel room, the source said.

Iran has been swept by demonstrations against the country’s clerical leadership since mid-September, when 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini died in the custody of morality police who detained her for “inappropriate attire.”

Laws enforcing mandatory hijab wearing have become a flashpoint during the unrest, with a string of sportswomen competing overseas appearing without their headscarves in public.

Khadem is ranked 804 in the world, according to the International Chess Federation website. The website for the Dec. 25-30 event listed her as a participant in both the Rapid and Blitz competitions.

The protests mark one of the boldest challenges to Iran’s leadership since its 1979 revolution and have drawn in Iranians from all walks of life.

Women have played a prominent role, removing and in some cases burning headscarves, while protesters have taken heart from what they have seen as shows of support from both female and male Iranian athletes