Commonwealth Games: First Batch Of Athletes Arrive To Rousing Reception In Abuja

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August 11, 2022

The first batch of Team Nigeria’s contingent to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja…yesterday.

• Amusan, Brume jet out to the U.S., AFN officials, remaining athletes return today
• How Ofili wanted to pull out of C’wealth Games

The first batch of Team Nigeria athletes to the just concluded Commonwealth Games in Birmingham was yesterday, given a heroic welcome by the Federal Government on their return after a successful outing.

Receiving the athletes and their officials at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, yesterday, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, applauded their excellent performance, which yielded 35 medals, lifting the country to the seventh position on the Games’ honours roll.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, the minister expressed joy on behalf of the country over their outstanding achievement, which was the first in the history of the nation.

“We are proud of you. We are also ready to give you all the support needed to make you soar higher and higher,” he said.

Earlier, Alhaji Abubakar commended Team Nigeria for lifting the country’s flag high among the committee of nations.

The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by the Director, National Sports Festival & Para Sports (NSF & PS) Department of the Ministry, Mr. Peter Nelson, reiterated his commitment to ensuring the realisation of the present administration’s policy thrust in the area of youth and sports development.

Speaking on behalf of the athletes, the two-time Commonwealth gold medallist and Tokyo 2020 silver medalist, Blessing Oborodudu, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his support to the Team, describing him as the father of sports in contemporary Nigeria.

She also appreciated Dare, Abubakar and other top management staff of the Ministry, the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), as well as their coaches, for giving them much support and the opportunity to do the nation proud at the Commonwealth Games.

World record holder and Commonwealth Games champion, Tobi Amusan, and long jump golden girl, Ese Brume, were not part of the team in Abuja, as they returned to their base in the United States.

While Brume, who set Commonwealth Games record twice on her way to winning the long jump gold medal on Sunday, left Birmingham for the U.S. on Tuesday morning, Amusan and a few others jetted out yesterday.

The duo of Amusan and Brume were said to have headed to the U.S. to prepare for the next stage of the prestigious Diamond League.

The Guardian learnt yesterday that the last batch of Nigerian contingent to Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, including the Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigerian (AFN), Samuel Onikeku, and members of the gold-winning women’s 4×100 metres relay team, will hit Abuja today.

MEANWHILE, an official of Team Nigeria has revealed how golden girl, sprinter Favour Ofili, almost pulled out of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

According to the official, Ofili, who won silver in the 200m before helping the women’s 4×100 metres relay team to win gold on the last day of the athletics event, considered the option of withdrawing from the competition following ‘some frustrating issues,’ including being quarantined for COVID 19 on arrival in Birmingham.

“It took a high level of counselling from some of our officials before Ofili agreed to participate in the Games,” the official stated.

The Guardian recalls that Ofili could not travel from the U.S. to Nigeria to attend the National Trials at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, where athletes were selected for both the World Championships in Oregon and the Commonwealth Games due to alleged health-related issues. The Trials in Benin City took place in June.

Israel’s Tourism Industry Continues To Bounce Back – Data

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Elizabeth Williams

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August 11, 2022

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Israel’s tourism industry is continuing to bounce back and slowly heading for pre-pandemic levels, according to figures released by the Tourism Industry this week.

July 2022 had nearly 22% fewer tourism entries than the corresponding period in 2019, a record tourism year for Israel. That year, the country registered a record number of 4.9 million tourist entries, of which 4.6 million were tourists who stayed at least one night, according to government data published in early 2020. Tourism activity in 2019 brought in about $7 billion to the economy that year.

Once the COVID-19 crisis began and lockdowns were imposed, visitor numbers plummeted and businesses were battered. Tour guides struggled and were told to retrain for other professions as recently as six months ago.

But inbound tourism has been bouncing back slowly. Between January and May 2022, about 785,000 foreign tourists entered Israel, up from about 400,000 in all of 2021, according to the Tourism Ministry.

In July, some 249,000 tourists entered the country, compared to 49,000 in July 2021, but below July 2019 with roughly 340,000 tourist entries. The highest number of tourists arriving in July was from the United States, with 81,800 arrivals, representing almost a third of all tourist arrivals to Israel.

EU Proposal: US Says Conclusion of Nuclear Deal With Iran To Be Quick

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Elizabeth Williams

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August 11, 2022

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The United States has indicated it was prepared to “quickly” conclude a deal with Iran over its nuclear program, on the basis of a drafted agreement submitted earlier in the day by the European Union representatives in the negotiations.

“For our part, our position is clear: we stand ready to quickly conclude a deal on the basis of the EU’s proposals,” the State Department said, indicating the deal’s restoration was up to Iran.

“They (Iran) repeatedly say they are prepared for a return to mutual implementation,” the spokesperson added. “Let’s see if their actions match their words.”

Major power talks involving Britain, China, France, Germany, Iran and Russia, as well as the United States indirectly, and aimed at reviving an agreement over Tehran’s nuclear program resumed, on Thursday in Vienna, months after they had stalled.

The US, which abandoned the original nuclear deal four years ago under former president Donald Trump, described the tabled draft as “the best and only basis on which to reach a deal.”

The draft in question has been described by EU officials as a “final text,” with one official speaking on condition of anonymity saying “The negotiation is finished, it’s the final text… and it will not be renegotiated.”

“Now the ball is in the court of the capitals and we will see what happens,” the European official added. “No one is staying in Vienna.”

European Union’s foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell added on Twitter: “What can be negotiated has been negotiated,” adding, however, that “behind every technical issue and every paragraph lies a political decision that needs to be taken in the capitals.”

Buhari urges Minister to end Brain Drain in Health sector

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Cleopatra Okohai

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August 11, 2022

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President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire to look into ways of turning the brain drain bedeviling the country’s health sector into brain gain by engaging top Nigerian medical experts in the diaspora in knowledge and skills repatriation.

Buhari said that the Federal Government was addressing the ‘brain drain’ in the health sector caused by the massive exodus of medical practitioners from Nigeria to other countries.

The president said the FG has so far disbursed N100bn to indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare investors as loans to expand their capital base and boost local production of medicines and consumables.

According to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari said this when he received the new executive members of the Nigerian Medical Association, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He urged the association and other stakeholders in the health sector to support initiatives by the Federal Government and work with the Committees set up to chart a fast track to a health system that best meets the needs of Nigerians in the 21st Century.

The President also commended the NMA, which is the umbrella body of all medical practitioners in Nigeria, for consistently choosing the peaceful resolution of differences on matters pertinent to the national health system.

‘‘I commend our medical professionals for their contribution to Nigeria’s exemplary management of the COVID-19 pandemic, the control of malaria, HIV, and Tuberculosis, and other feats also achieved by Nigerian doctors in the diaspora.

‘‘Our response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been praised internationally and your members are key parts of this success.

‘‘I recall that in the last quarter of 2021, the immediate past NMA Executives visited me and presented recommendations for the health sector, which included, the review and amendment of the National Health Insurance Scheme Act; upgrading and equipping existing health institutions; loans to fund hospital equipment; the repeal and re-enactment of the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Act; and Appeal for more funding for the four newly established Universities of Medical Sciences.

‘‘I am pleased to inform you that most of these recommendations have been addressed, whilst further action is being taken to study those involving cross-cutting administrative processes with legal implications,’’ Buhari said.

The President also used the occasion to congratulate a former President of the body, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, the President-elect of the World Medical Association, the first Nigerian to hold the position.

While wishing him a successful tenure, the President expressed hope that Enabulele would use his position to support improvement in health care delivery in Nigeria and lower-income countries.

He also wished the new executive members of NMA a successful tenure, urging them to earnestly continue to serve as arbiters of peace and progress.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, who led the medical practitioners to the audience, affirmed that the doctors have been good partners with his ministry, helping to regulate the health profession as well as providing quality healthcare services.

In his remarks, the President of the NMA, Dr. Uche Rowland Ojinmah, said the new National Officers Committee was elected on the 21st of May, 2022. He commended President Buhari for his assent to the National Health Insurance Authority Act, noting that it will help “improve the health indices of our nation”.

Dr. Ojinmah enjoined the president to ensure full and appropriate implementation of the NHIA Act; provision of “adequate work equipment, conducive work environment, and necessary budget support;” as well as elongation of the retirement age for medical consultants to 70 years and 65 years for non-consultant doctors and other healthcare workers.

Others include implementation of the Hazard Allowance circularised in December 2021 with the arrears; as well as the setting up of a Health Bank.

UN Trade Agency Pushes To Curb Cryptocurrency Rise In Developing Countries

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Elizabeth Williams

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August 11, 2022

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The UN trade and development body, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development UNCTAD, has called for action to curb cryptocurrencies in developing nations, in three policy briefs published on Wednesday.

Although private digital currencies have rewarded some individuals and institutions, they are an unstable financial asset that can bring social risks and costs, the agency warned.

UNCTAD said their benefits to some are overshadowed by the threats they pose to financial stability, domestic resource mobilization, and the security of monetary systems.

Cryptocurrencies are an alternative form of payment. Transactions are done digitally through encrypted technology known as blockchain.

The use of cryptocurrency rose globally at an unprecedented rate during the COVID-19 pandemic, reinforcing a trend that was already in motion. Some 19,000 are currently in existence.

In 2021, developing countries accounted for 15 of the top 20 economies when it comes to the share of the population that owns cryptocurrencies.

Ukraine topped the list with 12.7 per cent, followed by Russia and Venezuela, with 11.9 per cent and 10.3 per cent, respectively.

“Recent digital currency shocks in the market suggest that there are private risks to holding crypto, but if the central bank steps in to protect financial stability, then the problem becomes a public one,” UNCTAD said.

Furthermore, if cryptocurrencies continue to grow as a means of payment, and even replace domestic currencies unofficially, the “monetary sovereignty” of countries could be jeopardized.

President Buhari Reverses Authorization Of Seplat’s Exxonmobil Asset Purchase

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Elizabeth Williams

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August 11, 2022

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Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has reversed authorisation of Seplat Energy’s takeover of ExxonMobil’s shallow water business in Nigeria, intervening instead behind the regulator’s $1.3 billion transaction decline.

A spokesperson said the president decided the position of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) is to be supported, and the earlier confusion was because “various agencies involved in (the) decision had not coordinated well among themselves.”

“It has become clear that the various agencies involved in decision had not coordinated well among themselves and having looked at all of the facts with all of the ramifications, the president decided the position of the regulator is to be supported,” spokesperson Garba Shehu told newsmen on Wednesday evening.

The NUPRC had on Monday said the proposed takeover of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited by Seplat, an indigenous oil firm, was a regulatory matter and it had notified ExxonMobil the transaction could not go through.

“As it were, the issue at stake is purely a regulatory matter and the Commission had earlier communicated the decline of Ministerial assent to ExxonMobil in this regard. As such the Commission further affirms that the status quo remains,” said a statement by NUPRC chief executive, Gbenga Komolafe.

“The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) affirms that status quo remains in respect of ExxonMobil/Seplat Energy share acquisition.

Gas Prices Dip Just Below $4 For First Time In Five Months

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Elizabeth Williams

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August 11, 2022

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Gasoline prices dipped to just under the $4 mark for the first time in more than five months — good news for consumers who are struggling with high prices for many other essentials.

AAA said the national average for a gallon of regular was $3.99 on Thursday.

Prices in the U.Shave dropped 15 cents in the past week and 68 cents in the last month, according to the auto club.

The shopping app GasBuddy reported that the national average was already down to $3.98 on Wednesday.

Falling prices for gas, airline tickets and clothes are giving consumers a bit of relief, although inflation is still close to a four-decade high.

Oil prices began rising in mid-2020 as economies recovered from the initial shock of the pandemic. They rose again when the U.S. and allies announced sanctions against Russian oil over Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Recently, however, oil prices have dropped on concern about slowing economic growth around the world. U.S. benchmark crude oil has recently dipped close to $90 a barrel from over $120 a barrel in June.

High prices also may be causing U.S. motorists to drive less. Gasoline demand in early August was down 3.3% from the same week last year after tracking more closely to 2021 numbers earlier in the summer.

Prices at the pump are likely to be a major issue heading into the mid-term elections in November.

Pressure Grows On German Chancellor Over Tax Evasion Scam Ties

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Elizabeth Williams

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August 11, 2022

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Germany’s main opposition party has called on Chancellor Olaf Scholz to explain his role in a large-scale tax while he was mayor of Hamburg.

Scholz has been dogged by questions about meetings he had with private bank M.M. Warburg in 2016 and 2017. Hamburg officials later dropped demands for the bank to repay millions of Euros in tax refunds it had wrongly claimed for share trades.

Dozens of bankers are being investigated in connection with so-called cum-ex share transactions that are said to have cost the German state billions.

Scholz has denied wrongdoing and claimed not to recall details of his meetings with Warburg. But Thorsten Frei, a leading lawmaker with the center-right Christian Democrats, said recent revelations about 200,000 euros in cash being found in a safe belonging to a close party associate of Scholz raise further questions about the cum-ex affair.

The chancellor is holding his first annual summer news conference in Berlin on Thursday, during which the issue is likely to feature prominently.

Scholz, who was finance minister under Angela Merkel from 2018 to 2021 and became chancellor last December, will also face questions over Germany’s support for Ukraine, his government’s efforts to tackle inflation and a looming energy crisis and the coronavirus pandemic.

Edo State Varsity Disengages All Ad-hoc, Casual Workers

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 11, 2022

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The Management of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo on Tuesday, disengaged all ad-hoc and casual members of staff from the service of the university.

The university announced this via a Special Release by the Acting Registrar of the university, Ambrose Odiase.

The university in the release, a copy of which was made available to the News correspondents in Benin, said it was abolishing the category of staff with immediate effect, to better reposition the institution.

“The management of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma in repositioning the university and in line with International Labour Law Conventions and best practices, hereby abolishes the position of Ad-Hoc and Casual Staff in Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, with immediate effect.

“In light of this, the university management hereby disengages from her employment, all ad-hoc and casual staff in Ambrose Alli university, Ekpoma.

“By this circular, all those affected, are to proceed to the Bursary department for the processing and payment of all outstanding allowances and stipends due to them by 2:00pm on Wednesday, Aug. 10.

The university management thanks all the erstwhile ad-hoc and casual staff of the university for their services and wishes them well in all their future endeavours,” it said.

Six New Faces To Watch In Serie A

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Emenike Agu

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August 11, 2022

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Paul Pogba #10 of Juventus dribbles the ball up the pitch against Chivas during their preseason friendly match at Allegiant Stadium on July 22, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Juventus defeated Chivas 2-0.

Another intriguing Serie A title race looks on the cards this season as Italy’s big boys have brought in some well-known names in a bid to dethrone champions AC Milan.

Let’s look at some of the most important new faces ready to make an impact ahead of the weekend’s kick-off:

Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan)
Lukaku’s return to Inter was supposed to be part of a summer transfer campaign which would make them clear favourites for this year’s Scudetto.

However, their other two main targets, Paulo Dybala and Gleison Bremer were nabbed by Roma and Juventus respectively, leaving a big weight of expectation on Belgium striker Lukaku, who comes back to the Milan club with a reputation to rebuild after a dismal season at Chelsea.

He scored 64 times in 95 games in his previous two seasons at Inter and drove them to their first Serie A title in more than a decade, the 2021 crown ending both an 11-year drought and Juve’s grip on Italian football.

Paul Pogba (Juventus)
The France midfielder’s return to Turin from Manchester United was one of two big free-agent moves made by Juventus in the summer and a boost to Massimiliano Allegri despite a knee injury ruining his pre-season.

A meniscus injury in his right knee has pushed Pogba’s second Juve debut back a few weeks but with a World Cup looming in November and December, Pogba has reportedly decided against an operation before the start of 2023, leaving some worries over what kind of player Allegri will have at his disposal.

A Pogba on top form would close a gap in midfield which has been Juve’s weak point for some time.

Georginio Wijnaldum (Roma)
Roma have been riding the crest of a wave since winning the inaugural Europa Conference League last season, and the addition of Wijnaldum on loan from Paris Saint-Germain has made observers take Jose Mourinho’s team very seriously.

Some have even made them a dark horse for the league title now that the Netherlands international, a Champions League winner with Liverpool and still only 31 years old, will add his own brand of style and substance to Roma’s midfield.

Angel Di Maria (Juventus)
Juve’s second big free-agent signing of the summer is another certified name who brings a world-class pedigree to their attack, which has lost his Argentina teammate Dybala.

Copa America winner Di Maria moves to Turin after being released by PSG, where he won five league titles and five French Cups but missed out on the Champions League in 2020 when they were beaten in the final by Bayern Munich.

harles De Ketelaere (AC Milan)
Belgium forward De Ketelaere is to date Milan’s only big signing at 35 million euros ($36.2m) from Club Brugge, the second Belgian brought in by the champions after Divock Origi arrived as a free agent.

The 21-year-old, who has signed a five-year deal with Stefano Pioli’s side, has represented his country eight times and won the Belgian title with his hometown club in the last three seasons.

Milan are hoping that De Ketelaere will add extra punch to an attack which struggled at times last season, in particular against the league’s lesser lights.

Paulo Dybala (Roma)
Roma’s status as dark horses for the title is largely down to Dybala’s arrival as a free agent, a deal which could have a huge impact on the coming campaign.

The Argentina forward was expected to sign for Inter after being released by Juve but Lukaku’s return and an inability to shift dead wood in attack meant that they were unable to afford him.

In swooped Roma, and a telephone chat with Mourinho convinced Dybala to take a chance — and a massive pay cut — with a team who do not have Champions League football but have shown serious ambition after winning the Conference League in May.