INEC Begins Preliminary Display of Voters’ Register in Cross River

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August 17, 2022

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun a display of preliminary voters’ registers in Cross River, following the just-suspended Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

The new register was displayed at the commission’s office in Calabar and its area offices across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

INEC’s spokesperson in the state, Tonia Nwobi said the display will end on Aug. 22.

“The public is to scrutinize the register to make claims on or raise objections against the inclusion of registrants,” she said.

The register showed the names and particulars of candidates and their political parties as part of the preparation for the 2023 general elections.

For the 25 vacant seats in the Cross River State House of Assembly, a total of 187 candidates from 12 political parties are contesting to fill the seats.

11 political parties fielded 69 and 28 candidates for the eight House of Representatives seats and three senatorial seats respectively.

Tuesday ASUU-FG Meeting Ends In Deadlock, Strike To Continue

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 16, 2022

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The meeting between the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Federal Government ended in a deadlock on Tuesday.

Sources familiar with the matter told news correspondents that the Federal Government’s team met with the representatives of ASUU at the headquarters of the National Universities Commission.

“The meet with the FG’s team was headed by Professor Nimi Briggs and it started by 12:00pm and ended by 3:00pm. There was no new offer on the table, they simply begged us to call off the strike”, said the top ASUU official

Another source said, “ The lecturers left angrily, though we cannot really ascertain what was discussed with them as you can see, we were not invited, but the proposal presented was rejected”, a top ministry official also confirmed.

Also confirming the development, a member of the ASUU National Executive Committee who asked not to be quoted explained to news correspondent that the government was “unserious” with the negotiations.

“They are not serious. I can’t go over the details with you because the president is responsible for disseminating the information. The proposal presented was unreasonable. There is no hope in sight”.

The spokesperson for the ministry of education, Ben Goong when contacted, said the minister of education would brief the press on Thursday

The ASUU president, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke in a interview on Tuesday night, said, ‘‘It wasn’t good,” referring to the meeting.

“We didn’t sign anything; they did not come with anything good. I can’t go into details. We will talk to our members first before we talk to the press. We represent our members.’’

ASUU had embarked on a strike on Monday, February 14,2022 following the failure of the government to meet some of the lingering demands of the union.

Lagos Agrees On Improved Measures to Address Bursary, Scholarship Processing

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 16, 2022

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The Lagos State Scholarship Board (LSSB) has agreed with National Union of Lagos State Students (NULASS) on improved measures to ensure seamless process in the registration of bursaries.

This is contained in a statement signed by Spokesman of NULASS, Hassan Abdulsalam when the union paid a courtesy visit to and had stakeholders meeting with the LSSB in Lagos.

The meeting was attended by Abdulrahman Lekki, LSSB Secretary; members of staff, NULASS Executives led by its National President, Akinola Shasanya and other chapter Presidents.

According to Abdulsalam, Shasanya, the National President, highlighted pending issues as well as challenges students face when applying for bursaries and scholarships.

In response, Lekki stated that he desired partnership between NULASS and LSSB and issues would be addressed and improved accordingly.

“Innovations will be introduced to ensure a seamless process in registrations for the bursary and scholarship scheme so students would no longer worry about physical registrations.

“Measures will be adopted to make sure that all registrations would be done online to have a hitch free exercise for students and beneficiaries of the scheme,” the statement quoted Lekki as saying.

Also, according to the statement, Gov. Babajide Sanwoolu approved funds to clear all backlogs of payments, both fresh and subsequent, adding that processes to that effect will begin soon.

The NULASS spokesman added that Lekki emphasised that scholarship was for extraordinary and full time students, a standard that could not be compromised by the LSSB.

“As part of measures of encouragement, it has been approved by the board that medical students can now bring one credit for three papers and two credits for five papers, but not a pass, ” he added.

According to the statement, LSSB seeks support from public and private organisations to enable the board to extend schemes and packages to part time students.

“The support will also cover payment for all qualified students,” it said

Pres. Buhari to Present 2023 Budget September 2022

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 16, 2022

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President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to present the 2023 appropriation to the National Assembly in September.

The Director General, Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at training on budget preparation using the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System.

The two-day nationwide training on budget preparation is organised for over four thousand budget officers drawn from about nine hundred ministries, departments and agencies of the government.

Akabueze who was represented by the Director, Expenditure (Socials) in the Budget Office, Fabian Ogbu, said the federal government under Buhari is determined to ensure consistent and timely preparation, submission and approval of annual budgets as part of its Public Financial Management (PFM) reforms.

Akabueze, however, lamented that MDAs do not study the Budget Call Circular in detail and as such make mistakes that should ordinarily be avoided if they had complied with the relevant sections of the Budget Circular.

“The main goal of this training is to provide continuous learning to equip budget personnel with the requisite knowledge, skills and the tools they require to prepare and submit the 2023 budget,” he said.

“It has been observed that MDAs do not study the budget circular in detail, as such make mistakes that should ordinarily be avoided if they had complied with relevant sections of the budget cycle.”

He said the 2023 budget is also being prepared in tandem with extant federal government policies and guidelines as articulated in the 2023 Budget Call Circular and other relevant laws/regulations.

To address this, Akabueze said one of the modules at the training would address key items and sections to note in the 2023 Budget Call Circular.

NFF Election: Pinnick Will Not Contest Third Term

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Emenike Agu

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August 16, 2022

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Pinnick admits there are lots of Nigerians capable of running the country’s football ship.

Nigeria Football Federation President Amaju Pinnick may have finally laid to rest his widely-reported ambition for a third term in office.

Mr Pinnock publicly declared he would work with whoever emerges as president after him, though he insisted there have been calls from different quarters persuading him to continue in office.

“Third term, no, no. Am fine and am telling you that as there are so many Nigerians that are capable to run Nigerian football.

“I will assist and work with whoever emerges as the new Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) President and that’s my promise. I’ll intervene but never interfere,” Mr Pinnick replied when put on the spot on whether he would seek to continue his ‘good works’ in office.

Mr Pinnick, who has been in office since 2014, is the first Nigerian to hold the position of the NFF president for two terms. His second term is billed to expire on 20 September, 2022.

This is not the first time Mr Pinnick is suggesting he would not contest for a third term even though his actions and inactions have suggested otherwise.

Earlier in March, the former Delta State Sports Commision Boss, who was formerly the first Vice President of CAF, said his position as the NFF President was having a toll on his family and they have called on him not to continue in office.

However, last week, the FIFA Council member told a Kenyan newspaper on the sidelines of CAF General Assembly, that he has been receiving appeals from eminent Nigerians to remain in office.

“I had initially decided not to vie, but I have been receiving several calls from very influential Nigerians as well as genuine lovers of the sport urging me to seek another term. It is within the law and I will decide about it when the right time comes,” Mr Pinnick was quoted as saying.

“I’m yet to talk to my family and my business associates though, but there are people who want me to continue,” Mr Pinnick added.

Many believe with Monday’s development, Pinnick may have thrown in the towel and reined in his ambition.

Meanwhile, the NFF has rescheduled its Annual General Assembly earlier billed for 16 August in Yenegoa, to 18 August in Lagos, according to its First Vice President, Seyi Akinwunmi, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association.

On this, Mr Pinnick has confirmed that upcoming AGM will also serve as the pre-elective Congress meeting to draw up an election roadmap for the 2022 NFF Election.

Mr Pinnick, further scored himself high as he affirmed that detractors will never see the positives in his administration but he knows himself and his board members have done exceptionally well, even though the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

Cricket: Nigeria Ready To Host ICC U-19 World Cup Qualifiers

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Emenike Agu

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August 16, 2022

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Ehizoje says Nigeria is very ready to host the tournament as there are good grounds available

The Nigerian Cricket Federation (NCF) says it is ready to host the International Cricket Council (ICC) U-19 Africa Division 2 World Cup qualifiers in September.

Musa Ehizoje, the NCF’s public relations officer, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday,l that preparations are in place to host the eight-nation tournament in Abuja.

“Nigeria is very ready to host the tournament. The most important aspect of hosting a tournament is already in place, which is the grounds.

“We have twin pitches at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja and they are ready,” Mr Ehizoje said.

Considering the prevalent security challenges in the country, the NCF official said the ICC was satisfied with the country’s security details.

“There are no challenges with regards to security.

“Before any country will be given the right to host any tournament, ICC must be comfortable with your security plan and they are comfortable with our security details.

Nigeria can boast of the best security architecture in hosting tournaments as there has never been a case where there are security threats in our competitions both local and international,” he said.

Mr Ehizoje said the decision to grant Nigeria the hosting rights was due to her grassroots development efforts in promoting the game.

“This is not the first time Nigeria is hosting an ICC qualifier. We hosted the T20 Qualifier A in 2018 in Lagos.

“This will be the second time and it is because the world cricket governing body has seen what Nigeria is doing with regards to grassroots cricket development.

“Abuja also provides a natural solution to host the competition because of the twin pitches at the stadium and both are turf wickets.

“This is a 50 overs competition and you will require a minimum of two pitches at close proximity and that’s why Abuja has been chosen,” Mr Ehizoje added.

The tournament is scheduled for 28 September to 9 October.

University Of Jos Gets President’s Approval As Cancer Centre

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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August 16, 2022

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President Muhammadu Buhari has approved University of Jos in North-Central Nigeria as a National Cancer Centre.

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, gave the cheering news while answering questions from State House Correspondents after he had a closed door meeting with President Buhari.

He said the people of the State will remain grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari for delivering a lot of democratic dividends to the State.

According to him, “My visit to the President is to come and show him appreciation because of what he has done for Plateau State in the last few months. Just a week or two ago, we just got approval to make the University of Jos a Cancer Centre.

“Recently, the President approved the establishment of an orthopaedic hospital in Jos, Plateau State; the only one in North-Central. He also approved the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in Wase. Another one is the Federal Polytechnic Shendam, which is starting this year in October to be precise.

The President has also approved the conversion of the Federal College of Education Pankshin to a Federal University of Education and immediately approved the establishment of another Federal college of Education in the State.”

Volleyball: Nigeria Out-spikes Morocco At African U-21 Men’s Championship

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Emenike Agu

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August 16, 2022

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The Nigeria team secured an emphatic victory over Morocco in their group opener

The Nigeria team for the 2022 African U21 Men’s Nation’s Volleyball Championship in Tunisia have begun their campaign with a win.

On Monday, the team easily defeated Morocco, winning 3-0 (25-12, 25-16, 25-20) in their first match.

The Nigerian team took off to a fast start and went 7-0 in the first set before the Moroccans got their first point.

The former U19 Champions thrashed the North Africans 25-12 with a 13-point difference.

hough the North African team tried harder in the second and third sets, Nigeria was the better team, winning both sets 25-16 and 25-20.

As expected, the head coach of Nigeria’s U21 men’s team, Sani Mohammed, expressed delight in his team’s performance against Morocco but cautioned them not to get too carried away.

For Mohammed, the goal in Tunisia is to qualify for the FIVB U21 Men’s World Championship in 2023, and there is little to celebrate until that goal is met.

“The team will not be carried away with the win against Morocco; we have to beat the Gambia and host Tunisia to top our group. The Gambia is a familiar team, Nigeria played against them at the U19 level and they were a tough nut to crack”.

Nigeria will up against the Gambia on Tuesday before squaring up against hosts, Tunisia on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Exploring Centennial Bridge Panama, Designed To Withstand Strong Earthquakes

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Angel Gimalo

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August 16, 2022

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The Centennial Bridge, also known as Puente Centenario, is an important and major bridge crossing which is located above the very important Panama Canal, which is within the Republic of Panama.

This cable-stayed bridge has been built in 2004, in order to supplement the overcrowded Bridge of the Americas, which is much closer to the capital city, Panama City.

Both bridges nowadays are the only permanent crossings of the canal, in addition to a smaller ones who are not in use most of the time.

There are 6 lanes for traffic, where the total length of the Centennial is measured at 1,052 meters (3,451 feet), with a clearance of 80 meters (262 feet) below the bridge.

There are two 184 meters (604 feet) towers on each side of the bridge, and in between is actually located the main span which is 420 meters (1,380 feet).

Designed by a joint venture between T.Y. Lin International and the Louis Berger Group Inc, it was constructed by German-based Bilfinger Berger using resources from its Australian subsidiary Baulderstone Hornibrook, whereas the concept and initial aesthetic designs for the bridge was carried out by the Boston-based transportation architect Miguel Rosales from Rosales + Partners.

The entire structure is designed to withstand strong earthquakes which unfortunately are frequently recorded in the canal area.

Nonetheless, the Centennial Bridge got its name from Panama’s centennial independence which occurred on 3 November 2003, and with the 120 million dollars invested in this structure, the crossing of the Panama Canal is definitely easier and faster.

Archaeologists Find 2,200-Year-Old Roman Fountain In Türkiye’s Ancient City

By

Angel Gimalo

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August 16, 2022

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Excavations in the ancient city of Assos, which have been continuing uninterrupted for 42 years, have revealed a Roman-era fountain, says the head of archaeological digs

The remains of a 2,200-year-old Roman fountain have been unearthed in northwestern Türkiye, archaeologists at the ancient site of Assos said.

Located within the borders of the village of Behramkale in the Ayvacık district of Çanakkale province, the ancient city sheds light on the past with its richness above ground and the Roman and Byzantine artifacts being unearthed through excavations.

Professor Nurettin Arslan from the Faculty of Science and Letters at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University’s Archaeology Department, who is also the head of excavations in Assos, said the site is among the excavations carried out throughout the year in Türkiye and that work in the region has continued uninterruptedly for 42 years.

Noting that scientists and academics from some universities in Germany and a team of 30 people took part in the latest excavations, Arslan said, “Since the working conditions in the field were a bit intense in the winter, we continued to document the archaeological materials we previously found during that period.

In addition, we prepared for the restoration of the city walls. With the arrival of summer, our active work on the land has started. We are excavating different areas in the ancient city.”

According to the excavation head, one of the areas where digs are taking place this year is home to a gymnasium dating back to the Hellenistic period.

He stated that they are focusing on the cisterns built as an add-on during the Roman period in the well-protected gymnasium, which was the high school of the Hellenistic era.

Arslan said that Assos is located on a high hill, in an area devoid of natural water resources.

For this reason, there are underground water tanks and cisterns made by carving or cutting rocks in both official buildings and homes in the ancient city.

Noting that the fountain structure was found in front of the Roman-era cisterns of the gymnasium, he continued: “According to our initial findings, we learned that it was a magnificent fountain structure. We know of many cisterns in Assos, but this is the first time we’ve come across a monumental fountain structure.”