East Devon: Dams Built By Beavers Create Area Of Wetland Amid Drought

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August 26, 2022

A network of dams built by beavers in Devon has helped to maintain an area of wetland despite a drought in the South West.

There are a number of beaver families living on land owned and farmed by Clinton Devon Estates.

They were the subject of a five-year study ending in 2020 which explored the impact of beavers on the countryside.

The trial found a number of benefits and the beavers have been allowed to continue living in the area.

The mammals used sticks and mud to create several dams on the estate in less than a year, and a hectare of grazing land is now permanently underwater as a result.

Beautiful Nigeria: Awhum Waterfall In Enugu

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Angel Gimalo

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August 26, 2022

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It’s quite impossible to talk about nature’s gift to SOUTH-EAST Enugu without mentioning The Awhum Waterfall.

Although it’s quite on the city’s outskirt, some 24km away, in Amaugwe village, this 30 meters high waterfall and the cave are something for the adventurous tourist. Though a Catholic Monastery manages the site, there is no religious restriction into the place.

The site’s attraction is not merely its waterfall; there is a mind-blowing stretch of 300m long limestone wall.

The towering limestone walls engulf the footpath that terminated beneath a wall, narrowing into different parts of the cave in which laid the twin cascades of Awhum Waterfalls.

The First Waterfall Intrudes The Cave At About 100m From The Entrance, While The Second And Biggest Cascade Stands At The Far End Of The Cave.

Thick forest canopies that cast a mild blanket of green tincture on the limestone walls cover a good part of the site, giving the enchanting milieu of an ambiance of awe and wonder.

Expert decries Poor condition of Tuberculosis work in Nigeria

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Cleopatra Okohai

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August 26, 2022

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The Executive Director, Stop tuberculosis partnership Geneva, Dr. Lucica Ditiu, has decried the slow pace and poor conditions of tuberculosis work in Nigeria.

Ditiu disclosed this in a goodwill message in Lagos at a dinner with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and the Private Sector community on Domestic Resource Mobilisation to end tuberculosis in Nigeria.

According to reports, the event was organised by Stop tuberculosis partnership Nigeria, as part of the High-level Mission on Domestic Resource Mobilisation to end tuberculosis in Nigeria.

Ditiu decried that in Nigeria, despite all the different languages, tuberculosis had not received the required attention.

She lamented that being a curable disease, tuberculosis was still killing people on daily basis, “perhaps because it doesn’t affect rich people.”

Ditiu said that some of the challenges the country was faced with in tuberculosis eradication included a huge financial gap and improvement in diagnostics through priority funding of state governments among others.

The executive director, however, heaved a sigh of relief as Gov. Sanwo-Olu cared and understood that TB was a threat and had heeded the clarion call to stop tuberculosis.

Similarly, Dr. Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, Board Chair, Stop tuberculosis said” TB kills more than HIV/AIDS,” saying that Nigeria was among the 30 high tuberculosis burden countries in the world.

Ogbuji-Ladipo, who lamented that the country was 6th globally and 2nd in Africa, noted that this was unacceptable as tuberculosis was both preventable and treatable.

She, however, noted that there were limited financial resources for tuberculosis response in Nigeria, saying only 31 per cent was available for implementation leaving a gap of 69 per cent.

According to her, it will be very difficult for tuberculosis eradication to reach its desired goal with the gap level.

She asked that all hands be on deck in the discussion on ways to mobilise resources to achieve a desired sustainable result.

Exploring One Of Europe’s Largest Health Spa, Caldea Resort, Andorra

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Angel Gimalo

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August 26, 2022

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Caldea Resort is Europe’s largest health spa located in Escaldes-Engordany, which is one of the seven parishes in Andorra.

It offers you 6,000 square meters (64,583 square foot) of inside and outside lagoons, saunas, jacuzzis, a grapefruit pool, an Aztecian pool, Indo-Roman baths, cascades, bubble beds, warm marble slates, and much much more.

The tower of the resort has been finished in 1994, and until this moment it is the tallest building in Andorra. It has 18 floors, and measure 80 meters (262 feet) in height.

The whole resort is a unique concept which means discovering the pleasures and benefits of natural spa water through fun, enjoyment and relaxation.

Caldea uses the water which emerges from the thermal source in Escaldes-Engordany at 68 degrees Celsius to create a harmonious interrelation between the body and water in futuristic surroundings.

In ancient Catalan, the word ‘caldea’ means tonifying and warm. In Roman times, the word ‘calidae’, from which the name of the town of Escaldes in Andorra originates, designated a warm water source.

Also, the thermal waters are rich in sulfur, sodium and minerals, they are too greasy as thermal plankton.

Nevertheless, after the Roman times, after all the history, two thousand years later, Caldea offers you a new form of well-being and enjoyment, an encounter with water in all its possible forms, from steam to ice, from Japan to Finland.

The whole architecture is cutting edge, the building looking like crystals that have been cut unevenly, certainly will make you wonder how is it possible for a small country like Andorra to have such a paradise!

Once Upon A Time – August 26 – 2013 – All 25,000 Applicants To The University Of Liberia Fail University Entrance Examination

By

Angel Gimalo

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August 26, 2022

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1346 Battle of Crécy, south of Calais in northern France; Edward III’s English longbows defeat Philip VI’s army, cannons used for first time in battle

1682 English astronomer Edmond Halley first observes the comet named after him

1873 First free kindergarten in the U.S. started by Susan Blow in Carondelet, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri

1924 The Catastrophe of Smyrna: known as the Asia Minor Catastrophe to Greeks. The Ottoman army expels Greeks and other non-Turks from Asia Minor. (August 13 OS)

1937 General Franco’s Nationalist troops conquer Santander during the Spanish Civil War

1959 British Motor Corporation introduces the Morris Mini-Minor, designed by Alec Issigonis, it was only 10 ft long but seated 4 passengers

1996 US President Bill Clinton signs welfare reform into law, representing major shift in welfare policy

HISTORICAL EVENTS TODAY

TODAY IN FILM & TV

1951 Film “An American In Paris” with music by George Gershwin, directed by Vincente Minnelli, starring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron premieres in London (Academy Awards Best Picture, 1952)

TODAY IN MUSIC

1968 “Hey Jude” single released by the Beatles in US (Billboard Song of the Year 1968, Billboard 10th biggest song of all time 2013)

TODAY IN SPORT

1971 Bobby Orr signs a five-year contract with the Boston Bruins worth one million dollars, the first million dollar contract in NHL history

2016 San Francisco 49ers Colin Kaepernick kneels in protest during the US national anthem at San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium while playing against the San Diego Chargers, objecting to racial injustice and police brutality in the US

MORE FACTS….

1907 Harry Houdini escapes from chains underwater in 57 seconds, at Aquatic Park in San Francisco, California

2013 All 25,000 applicants to the University of Liberia fail their university entrance examination

FAMOUS WEDDINGS

1926 Poet Arna Bontemps (24) weds fellow Seventh-Day Adventist Alberta Johnson

1946 “Gone With The Wind” actress Olivia de Havilland (30) weds screenwriter and novelist Marcus Goodrich; divorce in 1953

1965 Mobster and FBI informant Henry Hill (22) weds Karen Friedman in North Carolina; separate in 1989; divorce in 2002

Don’t Go To Northern Cyprus To Study, NIDCOM Boss Warn Students

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 26, 2022

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The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has cautioned Nigerian students against going to Northern Cyprus.

Its chairperson, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, handed down the warning on Thursday in Abuja at a ministerial briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team.

She said Northern Cyprus was not recognised by the U.N, adding that a lot of students had been killed there.

“There have been a lot of problems in Northern Cyprus; we have youths come to tell us, please tell everybody to stop going to Northern Cyprus.

“We did that some time ago and we were challenged at what rights we had to tell people not to go Northern Cyprus.

“I say it again; if you have to go to Northern Cyprus, think twice about it; no fewer than 20 students have been killed over the years and nothing has happened to the assailants.

“Students who had gone there earlier came to tell us that they had to embark on awareness campaign; don’t go to these places; Northern Cyprus is recognised only by Turkey,’’ she said.

Dabiri-Erewa added that NiDCOM would continue to appeal that Nigeria took a strong decision about places like Northern Cyprus.

Champions League: Five Nigerian Players Seek To End 10-year Drought

By

Emenike Agu

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August 26, 2022

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Only three Nigerian players have had the honour of lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy, the most recent being 10 years ago.

The stage is set for the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League group stage draw in Istanbul, and fans around the world are understandably excited.

The situation is similar in Nigeria, where the country’s player representation in the group stage has increased in recent seasons.

While the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo will be absent (unless he makes a late move from Manchester United), at least five Nigerian players are vying for glory with their respective clubs this season.

Let us spotlights these five Nigerian players who will battle to end the wait for another Nigerian Champions League winner after the heroics of Finidi George, Kanu Nwankwo, and John Obi Mikel.

Mikel was the last Nigerian to lift the Champions League trophy, and he did so with Chelsea 10 years ago.

While there are no Nigerians at Chelsea anymore, they are at other clubs that have a fighting chance of conquering Europe, although the odds are heavily stacked against them.

Victor Osimhen (Napoli)

Apart from being the most costly, Osimhen is the most visible Super Eagles player in this year’s Champions League.

Napoli spent big to sign Osimhen from Lille for big occasions like the Champions League.

Though Napoli missed out on the Scudetto after an incredible run in the league but Osimhen’s 14 goals in the Italian Serie A last season were enough to help Napoli return to the Champions League.

However, Osimhen and Napoli face a difficult path because they are in Pot 3.

Victor Osimhen

With two goals in two games so far, Napoli will be delighted to see Osimhen continue in that vein when the focus shifts to the Champions League.

Osimhen already demonstrated his quality last season with four goals in the Europa League, but he will need to do even more if Napoli are to win this highly coveted European club football trophy.

Zaidu Sanusi (Porto)

If FC Porto wins the Champions League this season, Sanusi will be the first Nigerian defender to do so, as none of the previous three Nigerian winners (Mikel, Finidi, and Kanu) was a defender.

While always doing his job at the back, Sanusi is also very effective in going forward, and he scored one of the goals that helped FC Porto win the title last season.

Zaidu Sanusi (PHOTO CREDIT: Goal.com)

Last season, Porto were eliminated from the group stage after finishing behind eventual runners-up Liverpool and Atletico Madrid.

Though they are not one of the favourites, Porto could get an ‘easy’ draw as they are in Pot 1.

Calvin Bassey (Ajax)

After a blistering run that saw him play in the Europa League final last season with Rangers, Bassey would hope to go all the way, this time, with Ajax in the Champions League.

Incidentally, two of Nigeria’s three Champions League winners Finidi and Kanu did so playing for Ajax and that should be a big motivation for Bassey.

Bassey, 23, also plays from the back like Sanusi; meaning the Champions League will be extra special as no Nigerian defender has ever won the diadem

Calvin Bassey

Ajax have enjoyed a great deal of European success with four Champions League titles to their name, but it is important to note their last title was as far back as 1995.

Alfred Schreuder’s men should get a ‘favourable’ path this season as they are seeded in pot 1 with the big boys.

Akinkunmi Amoo (FC Copenhagen)

After cutting his teeth in the Swedish league, Amoo will play on one of football’s biggest stages.

His Danish club FC Copenhagen qualified for the group stage of the Champions League following a 2-1 aggregate victory over Turkish Super Lig champions, Trabzonspor, in the playoff round.

Akinkunmi Amoo

Even though nothing suggests Amoo and Copenhagen can ruffle more feathers in the group stage, they will hope to give their very best shot.

Being placed in Pot four points to a potentially tough draw. It will be an enjoyable experience for Amoo to savour the Champions League moments for as long as it lasts with Copenhagen.

Samson Tijani (RB Salzburg)

Currently down and out with a severe injury, Tijani was in Salzburg’s Champions League squad last season, though he did not get any minutes.

Even if he would break into the Salzburg squad, the Austrian team must make it out of the Group stage for the former Golden Eaglets’ captain to feature in the Champions League this season.

Salzburg made it through the group stage last season before being knocked out in the next phase of the competition.

ⓘSamson Tijani

Meanwhile, Salzburg also have another player of Nigerian descent, Bryan Okoh, on their team.

Okoh, 19 was born to a Nigerian father and Congolese mother in Houston, Texas.

While he has already played for Switzerland’s youth teams, he is still eligible to play for four countries – USA, Nigeria, Congo, and Switzerland.

NFF Apologises For Tortuous Journey As Falconets Get Cash Gift From Sports Minister

By

Emenike Agu

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August 26, 2022

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The undisclosed cash gift is said to be a personal donation by the Sports Minister, Sunday Dare.

The Nigeria U-20 Women’s team, the Falconets, are finally back in the country after their tortuous journey from Costa Rica.

The Coach Christopher Dajuma-led team, who were knocked out in the quarter-final of the 10th FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after losing 2-0 to the Netherlands, arrived at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, late Wednesday.

The Falconets made headlines for all the wrong reasons on Wednesday when photos of them sleeping on the floor of Istanbul’s airport surfaced after a glitch in their travel schedule forced them to be grounded for 24 hours.

But after almost 72 hours since embarking on the trip back to Nigeria, the ladies finally arrived Wednesday night and were welcomed by the NFF Secretary-General Mohammed Sanusi and the Sports Minister’s representative Toyin Ibitoye.

Mr Sanusi, who had earlier absolved the NFF of any blame in the predicaments that befell the Falconets in their return journey home, apologised nonetheless.

“We want you to know that Nigerians appreciate all of you but we are saddened that you have to sleep over at the airport because for a reason that is beyond our control,” he said.

NFF on Wednesday, washed off ts hands from the travel logjam as it was FIFA that booked the tickets for the Falconets.

“The NFF did not book the team’s tickets from Costa Rica; FIFA did. FIFA also did not envisage the hitches that saw the team delayed for more than three hours in Bogota, and another one hour in Panama. By the time the team got to Istanbul, the flight to Abuja had left. The NFF scribe explained in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Abuja International Marathon Confirms More Elite Runners

By

Emenike Agu

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August 26, 2022

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A total of 200 elite runners are being targeted for the 17 December race

Determined to achieve its objective of becoming the first full marathon in Nigeria to have an elite field that will run a sub 2hrs: 10 mins the Abuja International Marathon, has signed more elite runners for its inaugural race slated for 17 December.

In a statement signed by the Race Director Olukayode Thomas, the Abuja International Marathon Managing Director Zsuzsanna Ogunmiloyo disclosed that the 17 December race will also include a 10 km fun race.

This is apart from the full marathon which will start at the City Gate and take runners through the most beautiful parts of Abuja and the 5km race for youths and children in their early teens.

According to Ms Ogunmiloyo, the newly signed elite runners are Emmanuel Naibei with a personal best of 2:08:27, Josphat Kiprop Kiptis with a personal best of 2:13:47, and Benard Sang with a personal best of 2:10:59.

They also include two women Beatrice Cherop with a personal best of 2:31:07 and Esther Macharia with a personal best of 2:27:15

Earlier, Ms Ogunmiloyo confirmed the signing of four gold labelled runners: two men and two women they are Andrew Kimtai, who boasts a personal best of 2:08 32. Gilbert Masai, with a personal best of 2:09:49, and two female runners, Caroline Jepchirchir with a personal best of 2:26, and Naomi Maiyo with a personal best of 2:30.

Ms Ogunmiloyo, who was in Birmingham, England for the 2022 Commonwealth to support the Team Nigeria contingent, said discussions are ongoing with some elite Nigerian athletes who won medals and posted globally acclaimed records at the Commonwealth Games to be part of the Abuja International Marathon.

‘”The weeks leading to the Abuja International Marathon will be a celebration of the best of Nigeria sports. Apart from the Marathon Expo which starts December 1 and ends December 16, we have so many other activities which include elite athletes from Nigeria and other parts of the world organizing clinics for pupils from schools in different parts of FCT.

“We are going to celebrate the best of FCT and a lot of positives about Nigeria,’’ she said

About 200 elite runners will participate in the Abuja International Marathon – 80 from different parts of the world and 120 from Nigeria.

‘’We are working closely with the High Altitude Club of Jos and other elite running clubs in Nigeria. Our aim is to see Nigerians excel in middle distance races, long distance, road races, marathons, and other aspects of athletics not only in Nigeria but worldwide.

“We have the potential to achieve this and the dream of Unicentral Resources Generation Limited, the licensee of Abuja International Marathon, is ensuring we achieved that potential soon,’’ said Ms Ogunmiloyo.

Railway Modernisation Project: Lagos State Government Announces Traffic Diversion

By

Angel Gimalo

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August 25, 2022

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The Lagos State Government has announced that there will be traffic diversion at the Jonathan Coker Level Crossing in the Fagba area of the State from Friday, 26th of August until Sunday, 28th of August 2022, between the hours of 10p.m and 3a.m daily due to the ongoing Nigerian Railway Modernisation Project (Lagos-Ibadan section) extending to Lagos Ports Apapa.

A release signed by the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, said motorists can make use of Ashade Underpass, Adejobi and Toyin Crossing alternately.

The statement said the Level Crossing at Jonathan Coker will be closed off to vehicular movement during the five hours to enable the contractors work seamlessly.

Dr. Oladeinde gave assurance that the officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) would manage vehicular movement along the axis, urging the motoring public to cooperate with the officers to minimise inconveniences.