U.S. Bans Sales Of Top Nvidia AI Chips To China

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September 1, 2022

Chip designer Nvidia has said the U.S. government is banning it from selling two of its top AI chips to China over national security concerns, as Sino-U.S. tensions bubble over the fate of Taiwan, where almost all major chip firms have their products made.

The announcement signals a major escalation of the U.S. crackdown on China’s technological capabilities. According Shu Jieting to China’s commerce ministry spokesperson The U.S. continues to abuse export control measures to restrict exports of semiconductor-related items to China, which China firmly opposes.

Nvidia said it had booked $400 million in sales of the affected chips this quarter to China that could be lost if firms decide not to buy alternative Nvidia products. It said it plans to apply for exemptions to the rule.

Image recognition and natural language processing are common in consumer applications like smartphones that can answer queries and tag photos. They also have military uses such as scouring satellite imagery for weapons or bases and filtering digital communications for intelligence-gathering purposes.

This is not the first time the U.S. has moved to choke off Chinese firms’ supply of chips. In 2020, former president Donald Trump’s administration banned suppliers from selling chips made using U.S. technology to tech giant Huawei without a special license.

Nvidia said it had booked $400 million in sales of the affected chips this quarter to China that could be lost if firms decide not to buy alternative Nvidia products. It said it plans to apply for exemptions to the rule.

Nvidia shares fell 6.6% after hours. The company said the ban, which affects its A100 and H100 chips designed to speed up machine learning tasks, could interfere with the completion of developing the H100, the flagship chip it announced this year.

Nvidia last week forecast a sharp drop in revenue for the current quarter on the back of weaker gaming industry. It said it expected third-quarter sales to fall 17% from the same period last year.

Nigeria’s Defence Academy Graduates 129 Pioneer Paratroopers

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 31, 2022

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The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna, has graduated 129 paratroopers of the Basic Airborne Course 7/2022, amongst the Academy’s Cadets of 70th Regular Course.

The graduand paratroopers were the pioneer jumpers of the newly established NDA drop zone.

The Cadet paratroopers were also at their fourth year (Tama four) in the Academy, currently undergoing their 5 years academic and military training before their commission into the Armed Forces as Officers.

Speaking at the event, the Director Military Training of the Academy, Brig. General Emmanuel Emekah said the training was in line with the curriculum of the NDA for cadets training as reviewed by the Chief of Defence Staff.

He said it was also the Academy’s Commandant training philosophy which lays much emphasis on physical fitness of Cadets to be able to meet up with contemporary security challenges.

Emekah noted that it was in that regards they were training the Cadets on specialised warfare courses which the airborne course was part of.

He explained that the purpose of the Basic Airborne Course was to qualify the Cadets in the use of parachute as a means of combat deployment.

According to him, it was also to develop their leadership, self-confidence, and an aggressive spirit through mental and physical conditioning.

Emekah disclosed that in few days, the Cadets would be taken to Calabar in Cross River State for amphibious course.

Earlier, Commandant of the NDA, Maj. General Ibrahim Yusuf, restated the Academy’s commitment in continuing to ensure discipline and thorough bred cadets in both academy and training.

He tasked the paratroopers on continued resilience, disciplined, courage and dedication in achieving their goals towards the path of their career.

Some of the graduand paratroopers, Cadet Hassan Ibrahim and Esther Adeleke said they went through the rigours of ground training, tactical and jump phases where they did five requisite jumps which included three Hollywood and combat equipment jump, and a night jump.

They thanked the Commandant and the Academy’s management for giving them the opportunity of undergoing courses as cadets.

The event featured live jumps exercise with parachutes from airplanes by the Cadets at various points in the bush, where after they were reassembled and decorated with their airborne badges.

NYSC Boss Seeks Affordable Housing For Officials

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 31, 2022

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The Director General of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brigadier General Muhammad Fadah has assured that his administration would ensure that every staff of the Scheme would work in conducive environments and also have their personal accommodation in order to boost their morale.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Director, Press and Public Relations of NYSC, Eddy Megwa.

According to the statement, the NYSC Director General stated this on Wednesday when he paid a courtesy visit on the Managing Director of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Madu Hamman in his office in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

He said that a friendly working environment and personal residential apartment is a necessity for every worker.

Fadah requested the FMBN to sensitize NYSC Officials so as to enable them benefit from the Federal Government Housing loan and other welfare packages of the bank.

In his remarks, the MD of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Madu Hamman said every human being is expected to have affordable accommodation.

He added that the FMBN offers various housing plans across the country with many developers and is still partnering many organisations and Cooperative societies.

“The bank is doing a lot to make accommodation affordable to Nigerians through mortgage loans. We will come to sensitize the NYSC staff because there are areas of mutual interest where we need to collaborate,” the MD said.

Students Association Condemns ASUU Declaring Indefinite Strike

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 31, 2022

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The National Association of Nigerian Students says the declared comprehensive, total and indefinite strike declared by the Members of Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU, is not in the interest of our nation nor the tertiary education system of Nigeria

NANS also called on the Federal government to investigate the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities with the aim of unraveling their motivation for what the students described as insistence on collapsing the public university system in Nigeria.

NANS made these calls in a statement signed and made available to Journalists in Abuja by it President, Comrade Sunday Asefon.

The Student Association said it considered ASUU’s decision as not only unpatriotic, unnecessary but wicked and definitely not in the interest of Nigeria nor the tertiary education system of the country.

According to the statement, “we have taken the time to review the decision of ASUU to declare an indefinite strike after the ongoing six-month strike we consider the decision not only unpatriotic, unnecessary but wicked and definitely not in the interest of our nation nor the tertiary education system in Nigeria.

“Such a decision was easy for ASUU because many of their leaders do not have their wards in public universities and still keep employment at various private universities around the country and as such not affected by their attempt to collapse the sector for their selfish and inconsiderate gains.“

NANS decry ASUU’s action saying “ASUU has ulterior motive which is to collapse university education system in Nigeria and systematically promote Private Universities .

“ASUU has succeeded initially to masquerade their strike action as an action in the interest of the tertiary education system in Nigeria and in the interest of the teeming Nigerian students, events of recent weeks have therefore made it abundantly clear that ASUU has an ulterior motive which is to collapse university education system in Nigeria and systematically promote Private Universities where many of them have their children, stakes and perhaps where they receive payment for the job of collapsing public universities in Nigeria.“

NANs described the refusal of ASUU to call off the over six month old strike as “educational terrorism” and economic sabotage .

It called on government to act fast in putting an end to the lingering crisis.

According to NANS, “the declaration of the indefinite strike after virtually all ASUU demands had been met must be considered an act of educational terrorism and economic sabotage, government must act fast and be ruthless in dealing with anyone found culpable to serve as deterrence to others who might want to hold the nation at ransom and perpetuate systemic terror attack on the nation.“

NANS further condemned the insistence of ASUU to be paid it’s six months arrears.

“We condemned totality the insistence of ASUU on payment of six months’ arrears for the entire period of the strike before they can call off the strike.

“This demand is not only insensitive; it is selfish, inconsiderate, and uncharitable. The six months are periods of no work, we, therefore, encourage the government to use every available legal window available to it and ensure that ASUU does not kill our tertiary education system.”

NANs further called on State Government to liaise with Vice-Chancellors of state institutions to announce the resumption of academic activities and grant the Vice-Chancellors authority to enforce the resumption as state universities should never have joined the strike in the first place.

Beautiful Nigeria: Sukur Cultural Landscape, Adamawa State

By

Angel Gimalo

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August 31, 2022

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The Sukur Cultural Landscape, with the Palace of the Hidi (Chief) on a hill dominating the villages below, the terraced fields and their symbols, and the extensive remains of a former flourishing iron industry, is a remarkably intact physical expression of a society and its material culture.

Sukur is located in Madagali local government area of Adamawa state of Nigeria along Nigeria/ Cameroon border, some 290 km from Yola, the Adamawa state capital of north eastern Nigeria.

It is a hilltop settlement which stood at an elevation of 1045 m.

The total land area covered by the site is 1942.50 ha with core zone having 764.40 ha and the buffer zone 1178.10 ha respectively.

Sukur is an ancient settlement with a recorded history of iron smelting technology, flourishing trade, and strong political institution dating back to the 16th century.

The landscape is characterized by terraces on the farmlands, dry stone structures and stone paved walkways.

The terraced landscape at Sukur with its hierarchical structure and combination of intensive and extensive farming is remarkable.

The remains of many disused iron-smelting furnacescan still be found.

These shaft-type furnaces, blown with bellows, were usually sited close to the houses of their owners.

Iron production involved complex socio-economic relationships and there was a considerable ritual associated with it.

IBB Avenue Flood Control Project In Akwa Ibom State, Ready

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Angel Gimalo

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August 31, 2022

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The IBB Avenue Flood Control Project is a lengthy flood control project embarked upon by Governor Udom Emmanuel in partnership with the World Bank to arrest flooding problems in Uyo and environs.

It was built by CHINA ROAD AND BRIDGE CORPORATION (CRBC) and it’s a brainchild of Governor Udom Emmanuel. It comprises both underground and surface drainages.

The State Government promptly paid its counterpart funding and lobbied the World Bank and together they have executed this N23b 9 kilometres Flood Control project that connects several Communities in Uyo and two other LGAs and terminates at a River in Nsit Ibom LGA.

The perennial flooding on IBB Avenue (and environs) has been brought to an end, permanently.

Nigeria’s Transport Ministry Develops Strategy To Facilitate Cargo Movement, Enhance Import, Export

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Angel Gimalo

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August 31, 2022

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The federal government is to champion the extension of rail lines from land-locked countries to coastal states of Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana and other African countries as part of efforts to sufficiently benefit from the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The Minister of State for Transportation, Sen. Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki, stated this today at a Stakeholders Engagement/Sensitisation Workshop on: “Implementation Plan of African Continental Free Trade Area for the Transportation Sector in Nigeria”.

She said the strategy would facilitate movement of cargoes, enhance import and export of goods to promote trade and create employment opportunities.

The minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr Magdalene Ajani, noted that proper galvanisation of the transportation sector through ensuring connectivity, safety, regulation of the road subsector, port reforms (electronic call-up), and deployment of the Deep Blue Project are pivotal for the realisation of AfCFTA, as these would leverage the transportation sector and country to immensely benefit from AFCFTA

“Charting out strategies to implement the low hanging fruits that will propel the sector to achieve the various deliverables in the AfCFTA implementation plan is key”, she said.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr Magdalene Ajani, said there was the need for stakeholders to vigorously pursue the buy-in for African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, more so at a time the ministry is saddled with the responsibility of providing seamless transportation system that will facilitate both domestic and regional trade, thereby diversifying the economy and increasing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation.

On her part, the Secretary, National Office for Trade Negotiation (NOTN), Winnifred Ofili, while decrying Nigeria’s share of trade which remains low at 3%, said AfCFTA agreement aims to create a single market for goods and services in order to deepen the economic integration of Africa.

In his presentation, the Executive Secretary, National Action Committee on AfCFTA, Francis Anatogu, recognised and appreciated the preparedness for the trade agreement as the Transportation Ministry already has a master plan and was among the first to set up a Technical Working Group, although he was quick to point out that the ministry needs to prioritise aspects of its interventions to be impactful.

NYSC To Provide Support For 2023 Nigeria’s Population Census Exercise

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 31, 2022

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The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Mohammad Fada says the Scheme is ready to provide the support that will lead to a successful 2023 population and housing census in Nigeria.

The Director General stated this when he paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman, National Population Commission, Nasir Kwarra in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

General Fadah also appreciated the Commission for involving Corps Members in the recent test-run in preparation for the 2023 census exercise.

According to the Chairman of the National Population Commission, the partnership with NYSC is very crucial to the success of the 2023 national population and housing census.

He said the involvement of Corps Members who are graduates of different courses with the required skills from NYSC will add more credibility to the exercise.

Kwarra who said the last population census was held sixteen years ago commended the Corps Members that participated in the recent census pre-test exercise during the demarcation of all the 774 local government areas of the country for their exemplary performances.

He added that during the 2023 exercise, Corps Members would boost the staff strength of the commission as part of their contributions to national development.

“Partnership with NYSC is very necessary for a credible housing and population census.

“The main census in April 2023 will involve mass deployment of trained personnel and materials in order to have accurate demographic data for national planning,” he added.

Chan Qualifiers: Peseiro Joins Super Eagles B Ahead Of Ghana Clash

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Emenike Agu

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August 31, 2022

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Coach Yusuf, with the support from Peseiro and his technical crew, is positive the Super Eagles can turn things around

The Super Eagles Head Coach, Jose Peseiro, has linked up with the home-based Super Eagles team as they step up preparations for their crucial game this weekend in Abuja.

The Super Eagles B team are in the race for qualification for next year’s African Nations Championships, the CHAN tournament in Algeria.

Officially led by Coach Salisu Yusuf, Ghana’s Black Galaxies beat the Super Eagles team 2-0 last weekend in Cape Coast.

The team now needs three un-replied goals to beat their fierce West African rivals to the ticket to Algeria in 2023.

Hard as it seems, Coach Yusuf, with the support from Peseiro and his technical crew, is positive his team has the wherewithal to turn things around, this weekend at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.

“We have an idea where they have strength as a team and we will seek how we can restrict their strength and explore their weaknesses,” Yusuf said after the first leg defeat.

He continued: “Football is a game of 90 minutes and we must look to overturn the two goals we conceded.

“The team needs to work even harder than we did in the short time we had to prepare for this game. We have to turn things around in Abuja.”

Just like his Nigerian counterpart, the Ghana Coach, Anor Walker is even more upbeat ahead of the second leg of the 20223 African Nations Championship final round qualifying tie in Abuja.

Walker believes Nigeria can no longer deny his team the much-coveted ticket after they had done well enough to get a 2-0 first-leg victory in Cape Coast.

Hearts of Oak duo Daniel Afriyie Barnieh and Suraj Seidu scored in the second half to secure the important victory for the Black Galaxies.

It [not qualifying] would not be possible because I have not seen any threat in their [Nigeria] attack,” Walker said after Sunday’s match.

“In fact, since I have seen the way they play, we will also strategise for it and when we get to Nigeria, it will be a different strategy that we will use to approach the game.

“We are not coming back such that we will not be able to qualify, we are going to Nigeria and for sure we will qualify for CHAN next year,” the coach declared.

Unlike Nigeria, Ghana has failed to qualify for the last three editions of the CHAN tournament and that explains why they are desperately looking forward to breaking that jinx.

Afn Boss Tonobok Predicts Better Outing For Nigeria In Hungary

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Emenike Agu

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August 31, 2022

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President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria AFN,Tonobok Okowa has expressed optimism that Nigeria will perform better at the next World Athletics Championship next year in Hungary.

He opined that the forthcoming reception for Team Nigeria who did the nation proud at the recently concluded World Athletics Championship in Oregan USA and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham is well deserved and should be commended.

He made the submissions while responding to questions on Arise tv including his thoughts on concerns in some quarters that male athletes have not been doing very well in recent times.

He opined that athletes and coaches alike all need support to up their games adding that achievements made so far is an indication that the future is bright and that a lot more can be achieved. The federation he said has been making efforts to get more corporate body support which has started to yield fruits.

“We have been trying to get the attention of the cooperate bodies but thank God some of them are beginning to support us. Our athletes did very well and I believe they will do better with more support” he enthused.

On how best to discover more athletes in the country the AFN boss said catching them young remains the best option citing Delta state example where he said continuous effort is being made to discover talents that are groomed for youth games and sent to high performance centre. “We need to catch them young and also follow them up that is the way to go” he added

Nigeria hit the grabbed the headlines for the right reasons at the recently concluded world athletics Championship in Oregon where Tobi Amusan among others shone like a million stars as well as in Birmingham where Team Nigeria ended up as best in Africa with 35 medals made up of 12 Gold 9Silver and 14 Bronze.

All things being equal Team Nigeria to the 2022 CWG will be hosted at the Aso Rock Villa September 15.