SUBEB Censure Burning of New Classroom Blocks In Cross River

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July 22, 2022

Cross River Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), has condemned the burning of a recently constructed nine-classroom block at St Joseph Primary School, Bansara, Ogoja Local Government Area.

Chairman of the state’s SUBEB, Stephen Odey, who made the condemnation in a statement on Tuesday in Calabar, described the act as nefarious, adding that the board would do everything within its power to fish out the culprits.

He said such actions had created a setback to the government’s efforts in tackling accommodation challenges facing schools in spite of the state’s lean resources.

“I am sad that despite all our efforts to make sure that basic education is given priority in Cross River, some people are still out to frustrate the good intentions of the government and SUBEB.

“The state government is spending huge resources, yet people are destroying school facilities and carting away equipment and learning materials.

“There have been reported cases of vandalism, stolen computers, books and other facilities in some schools across the state, including the man arrested for stealing roofing sheets in a primary school in Asu Egbe, Ikom, LGA,” he said.

The SUBEB boss reiterated the need for communities to complement government’s efforts by taking ownership of schools to guard against theft and vandalism.

He warned that communities that did not protect infrastructure, learning materials and equipment provided by government, would be blacklisted from future interventions.

The Cross River SUBEB has been going round the state to maintain infrastructure in schools in the 18 LGAs of the state.

Some time ago, a nine-classroom block in Ogoja was burnt and one suspect was arrested while investigation was still ongoing

Faith And Politics: Let’s Talk About Org Tasks Christians To Get More Involved In Nigeria’s Political Process

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Emenike Agu

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July 22, 2022

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Ahead of 2023 General Elections in Nigeria, Christians have been charged to see themselves as an integral part of the political process in the country and participate in all aspects of the democratic activities as well as play a decisive role in choosing who governs and make laws for the country. Eminent panelists and speakers at the second in the series of “Let’s Talk About” Town Hall meeting which took place in Lagos Thursday July 21, were unanimous in this charge

The role of the church, Christians as well as their involvement in politics and governance took center stage at the luxurious and prestigious Waterfalls Events Center along Billings Way area of Ikeja, Lagos state capital. From the first edition which focused on “”The Counting Costs of COVID-19 Lockdowns” to the second edition, issues that touch the fabrics of the Nigerian nation were once again on the table and thoroughly addressed by panelists and speakers.

As the political clouds towards 2023 General Elections in Nigeria continue to gather, the program couldn’t have been more apt and timely. Themed “Faith And Politics” Let’s Talk About Town hall program was indeed revealing as much as it was enlightening and empowering. From one speaker to another, the question of Christians and politics was thoroughly addressed from all sides and angles by seasoned speakers.

The event drew Highly esteemed clergymen, state and federal lawmakers, political office holders and speakers from the Nigerian Civil Society. Pastor Kay Adesina, Secretary General of the Loveworld Incorporated aka Christ Embassy ignited the audience with an insightful awakening on “The Church As A Force For Political Change”. The highly respected Man of God highlighted the important place of the church in nation building and noted the huge data and demographics at the disposal of the church in Nigeria. He said the church is a force that holds tremendous power and impact in nation building in all political dispensations. The esteemed Man of God said time has come for the church to realize this and rise up to greater participation in politics in Nigeria.

Speaking on ‘Why A Christian Should Be Part Of A Political Process”, another respected clergy and member Central Executive Council, Loveworld Incorporated, Pastor T. T. Temisan chided the lukeworld attitude of Christians towards politics in Nigeria. He said Christians have the might to decide who rules the nation and makes policies over them. He enjoined the Nigerian Christian fold to take their destinies in their hands by not only acquiring their Personal Voters Card (PVCs) but also registering to become card carrying members of political parties and also aspire for political offices. By so doing, Pastor T.T. Temisan said Christians would stand on a stronger ground in the governance of the country.

Advancing the discussion on ‘Why A Christian Should Be A Card Carrying Member Of A Political Party”, Hon. Femi Obalemo, a political office holder highlighted the need and benefits of Christians joining a political party and being an active member of the party. He said it was the starting point of service to the society and contributing to the building a nation we all desire.

Two federal law makers in the House of Representatives Hon. Sergious Osesoghe and Hon. Preye Oseke also weighed in on the the discussion with brilliant presentations on what it entails to be a vital part of a political process and why a christian should consider running for a political office. Both law makers borrowing from their wealth of experience at National Assembly, took the audience through what true service means as a political office holder and how leadership guided by the word of God prospers a nation and her citizens.

Adding to the totality of a very rewarding town hall meeting, Civil Society activist, Dr. Chris Iyama, brought to the fore, the importance of advocacy and election monitoring in a given political process. The respected activist reminded Christians and indeed Nigerians that they can no longer stay quiet, aloof and lukewarm leaving their fate in the hands of others. He charged Christians to empower their voice through active engagement and participation at the forthcoming 2023 general elections by choosing and voting the right candidates into office.

At the end of it all, the panelists fielded questions from several professionals including lawyers, civil society activists, students and other members of the society.

The convener of Let’s Talk about, Anthony Ikeokwu, reiterated the beauty of giving people’s voices the platform to be heard and said the day’s theme “Faith and Politics” is in three parts. He said part two of the town hall meeting expected in September 2022, shall focus on the electorate voter education including choosing and voting the right candidates while the third part to come ahead of the 2023 elections shall feature the candidates standing for elective offices especially the presidential candidates.

Bingham University: Mgt. Debunks News of Boko Haram Invasion

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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July 22, 2022

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The Management of Bingham University has debunked the news making rounds in the social media about Boko Haram invasion on the institution.

The Director, Public Affairs of the institution, Daburi Misal, who reacted to the news in a statement in Abuja on Friday, urged the public to disregard the information.

“The attention of the management of Bingham University has been drawn to an online news report by nationwidenews.ng stating that `Boko Haram writes Bingham University, parents withdraw wards in panic’.

“The write up goes on to state that Boko Haram wrote the authorities of the university, informing of an imminent attack.

“The claim is totally false as no such letter has been received by the authorities of the university,” he said.

Misal said that the university had however taken extra precautionary security measures in the light of information being circulated in the social media.

He said that the claim that some parents had gone ahead to withdraw their children/wards from the campus was also false.

U.S.-Africa Business Summit: Morocco, MCC Commend Dynamic Partnership

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Elizabeth Williams

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July 22, 2022

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Morocco’s Prime Minister, Aziz Akhannouch, and President of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), Alice Albright, welcomed in Marrakech, the dynamism of their “fruitful” partnership, especially in the light of the last phase of the “Millennium Challenge” program.
“Morocco is positioned as an excellent partner for the Millennium Challenge Corporation, committed to investing more in the Kingdom,” said Akhannouch in a statement to the press after his talks with Albright, accompanied by the official delegation of the United States participating in the 14th edition of the U.S.-Africa Business Summit.
The MCC delegation stressed that the United States of America has confidence in the various programs conducted in Morocco, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and is ready to accompany them, stressed the Head of Government, adding that the Kingdom continues to implement its various commitments relating to the Millennium Challenge Program, signed between the Government and its American counterpart represented by Millennium Challenge Corporation.

Biden Announces US-Africa Summit For Mid-December

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Elizabeth Williams

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July 22, 2022

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U.S President Joe Biden has announced that the United States will bring together leaders from across the African continent for a major summit in Washington, DC this December to discuss pressing challenges from food security to climate change.

“The summit will demonstrate the United States’ enduring commitment to Africa, and will underscore the importance of U.S.-Africa relations and increased cooperation on shared global priorities,” Biden said in a statement on Wednesday.

The US-Africa Leaders Summit, scheduled for December 13-15, was announced simultaneously in virtual remarks by Vice President Kamala Harris to the US-Africa Business Summit in Marrakesh, Morocco. The latter event is being hosted by the Corporate Council on Africa and the Kingdom of Morocco.

A senior administration official, while discussing the US-Africa summit plans on condition of anonymity, told the Reuters news agency that about 50 African leaders are expected to join Biden for the December 13-15 series of meetings.

It will come at the end of a year when Biden has engaged other regions of the world with trips to visit US allies in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Biden has yet to visit Africa since becoming president, and the summit will be his most comprehensive look at the complexities of the continent.

So far, Biden’s diplomatic efforts have focused on promoting Western democracies as a counterweight to China, but the official said the US-Africa summit was not all about Beijing.

U.S.-Africa Business Summit In Morocco Focuses On Economic Recovery

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Elizabeth Williams

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July 22, 2022

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The U.S.-Africa Business Summit is a four-day 14th United States-Africa summit which began on Tuesday, July 19 to end July 22 in Marrakech, Morocco.

This year’s Summit themed “Building Forward Together” will explore a renewed commitment by both public and private sector stakeholders to building stronger U.S. and Africa trade, investment and commercial ties as we emerge from unprecedented health and economic challenges.

The event focuses on economic recovery post-COVID-19 pandemic. It provides opportunities for the Joe Biden-led administration and its partners in Africa to enhance their bilateral relations.The 2022 summit is being held under the theme “Building Forward Together”.

For four days, stakeholders in the public and private sectors will explore investment opportunities amid rising inflation and the high cost of living.Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) president and chief executive officer Florizelle Liser said the 2022 summit will build on the 2021 one that was held in the US and will seek to expand and deepen the US-Africa trade, investment, and business relationship.

“The 2021 Summit was a tremendous success, and the calibre of engagement by the US and African business and government leaders was outstanding. The partnerships forged, investment opportunities identified, and deals closed are still being cited by attendees.

Zimbabwe Gold Coin Buyers Will Need To Prove Source Of Funds – Central Bank

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Elizabeth Williams

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July 22, 2022

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The central bank of Zimbabwe recently announced the introduction of the gold coins as a store of value amid soaring inflation and depreciation of the local Zimbabwean dollar against major currencies.

Mosi-oa-Tunya is the local name of the Victoria Falls, which is located on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia to the north.

“All sales of the gold coins by the agents will be subject to Know Your Customer principles in line with international best practice, which include declaration of the source of funds,” a statement from the bank said.

The bank on Monday issued guidelines for the purchase of the Mosi-oa-Tunya gold coins, which will be released on July 25, saying that the agents will include authorized dealers (banks) its subsidiaries and foreign banks to sell the coins.

The bank said once payment had been received by the agent through normal banking channels, a buyer was allowed to take physical possession and ownership of the coin or opt to keep it through a registered bank (custodial services) on terms and conditions of the service provider.

To promote a culture of saving, the coins can only be resold after 180 days, and all buybacks will be done on provision of the original bearer certificate for the specific coin, the bank said.

On selling, customers may decide whether they want to be paid in local or foreign currency. Among the features of the 22-carat coin is a serial number.

Residents and non-residents will be allowed to export the coins supported by the bearer certificate of each coin, the bank added.

“Agents shall sell the Mosi-oa-Tunya gold coins in both local currency and United States dollars and other tradable/denominated foreign currencies at the willing-buyer willing-seller exchange rate,” it said.

“Denominated currencies for the purpose of buying gold coins will include the British Pound, the Euro, Australian Dollar, Botswana Pula and Rand,” said the bank.

Russia-Europe Gas pipeline, Nord Stream 1 Reopens

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Elizabeth Williams

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July 22, 2022

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Natural gas started flowing through a major pipeline from Russia to Europe on Thursday after a 10-day shutdown for maintenance — but the gas flow remained well short of full capacity and the outlook was uncertain, which leaves Europe still facing the prospect of a hard winter.

Deliveries through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline under the Baltic Sea resumed at 40% of capacity, the level they had been at for weeks before annual maintenance. The German government announced that it would step up its gas storage requirements and take further measures to save gas.

The pipeline had been closed since July 11 for maintenance. Amid growing tensions over Russia’s war in Ukraine, German officials had feared that the pipeline — the country’s main source of Russian gas, which recently has accounted for around a third of Germany’s gas supplies — might not reopen at all.

But the gas deliveries that were arriving still weren’t enough to resolve Europe’s energy crisis, and officials suspect that Russia is likely to disrupt supplies further. German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck said the reduced supply “speaks a clear political language and confirms that we can’t rely on deliveries.”

“The outlook is simply extremely volatile,” said Klaus Mueller, the head of Germany’s network regulator. “We must save more to get through the next two winters well.”

Russia’s state-owned Gazprom reduced the flow through Nord Stream 1 by 60% in mid-June, citing alleged technical problems involving equipment that partner Siemens Energy sent to Canada for overhaul and couldn’t be returned because of sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Canadian government earlier this month gave permission for the turbine to be delivered to Germany.

FG to formulate Policy for Health Industry development

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Cleopatra Okohai

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July 22, 2022

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The Federal Government is collaborating with key stakeholders to formulate a policy framework for the development of the Health Industries Corporation of Nigeria.

The Minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment, Amb. Mariam Katagum said this in a statement issued by Mrs. Oluwakemi Ogunmakinwa, the Assistant Director of Information in the ministry on Thursday in Abuja.

The minister of state spoke at the 9th African Day of Standardisation Symposium held in Lagos.

The theme of the Symposium was “Promoting the African Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Industries through Standardisation”.

Katagum said that HICON was designed to provide the critical enabling environment that would attract investments for the growth and development of pharmaceutical and medical infrastructure in the country.

She said that setting up HICON as an institutional framework would fundamentally ensure Nigeria had successfully established capability and capacity in manufacturing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API).

According to her, it will also ensure Basic Medical Hardware which would attract huge private investment into the health sector in the short to medium terms.

She said that with the implementation of HICON, the Federal Government would attract and incentivise local manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients, herbalceuticals, and medical and diagnostics devices.

Katagum said that these would make healthcare affordable and accessible with good quality service delivery through strategies that would encourage private sector investments in healthcare and related industries.

She said that the health industry comprises business activities in manufacturing, which included drugs, and medical devices/equipment among others.

It also included infrastructure: hospitals, lab design and construction as well as services: medical and nursing care, insurance, and hospital management.

According to her, it is one of the fastest and largest growing sectors in global economies, the foundation of the welfare system, and one of the major factors for progress in the Human Development Index worldwide.

The minister of state said she was optimistic that the seamless implementation of HICON would be possible and practicable with strict adherence to the requirements of applicable Standards at the National, Regional, Continental, and International levels.

She, therefore, called for regular updates of applicable standards in line with international best practices, a strict regulatory regime, and an ingenious approach to preventing the importation, manufacture and distribution of substandard pharmaceutical and medical devices.

Katagum also called on the Standard Organisation of Nigeria and other regulatory authorities in the industry to redouble efforts in ensuring that only goods and services that complied with the laid down standards were available in the market.

She said that SON would continue to get the much-needed support from her ministry to continue to effectively discharge its mandate.

“This can be attested to by the recent approval secured for the organisation to return provisionally to the Ports to collaborate with the Nigerian Customs Service to tackle the menace of substandard goods at all entry points in Nigeria.

“It is imperative to note that the operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area has turned the continent into one huge market and provided us the competitive edge in trading with other continents as a body.

“The need to promote intra-African trade and commerce has become more compelling in order not only to take optimum advantage of the huge African market but to position the continent against future pandemics,” she said.

The African Day of Standardisation is an annual event to create and promote awareness on issues relating to standardisation and conformity assessment among member countries of the African Organisation for Standardisation.

The event was organised by SON in collaboration with ARSO.

JAMB Adopts New Cut-off Marks for 2022 Admission In Universities, Others

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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July 22, 2022

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has adopted 140 as the minimum cut-off mark for degree awarding institutions for the 2022 admission process.

The minimum cut-off marks for polytechnics is 100 while colleges of education is 100.

This was made known at the Policy Meeting on Admissions presided by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, in Abuja on Thursday .

The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede had earlier displayed the minimum cut-off marks adopted by tertiary institutions.

Unlike the 2021, the adopted cut-off marks revealed that institutions now have uniform cut-off marks for the 2022 admissions.

According to him, for federal universities, merit quota remained 45 per cent while that of the state universities falls between indigene quota and national quota.

“The National merit quota for State institutions is the first 10 per cent irrespective of location of the candidate, 35 per cent allowed to indigenes of the state,” he said.

A total number of 1,761,262 candidates applied for the 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Board UTME, while 98,270 applied for Direct Entry into the universities through the board.

The meeting, however, resolved that December 31 would be the deadline for 2022 admissions into all public institutions and private institutions across the country for Universities, polytechnics and Colleges of Education.

Meanwhile, the minister of education advised tertiary institutions to adopt a more flexible posture in the admissions process provided all actions were in compliance with the guidelines.

“Just as in the previous admissions exercises, the admissions criteria still remain as approved and circulated.

“All institutions must therefore adhere strictly to them and all others prescribed by the regulatory bodies such as the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).

“This is particularly with regards to approved quotas, ratios and other specifications meant for improved quality, accountability and equity,” he said