US, Kenya Launch Non-Tariff Trade And Investment Partnership Talks

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July 15, 2022

The United States and Kenya have launched a strategic trade and investment partnership through which they will pursue commitments aimed at boosting economic growth, supporting African regional economic integration and other areas, the US Trade Representative’s office said on Thursday.

The US and Kenyan governments will start work within three months to develop a road map for engagement in areas including agriculture safety and digital trade standards, regulatory practices, and customs procedures the USTR said in a statement.

Kenya has long sought a full free trade agreement with the United States and negotiations for such a deal to lower bilateral tariffs were launched by the former Trump administration with the east African country in 2020.

But the Biden administration, which has shunned traditional trade deals, did not resume these talks.

The partnership announced by the two countries on Thursday looks similar in structure to other recently launched US trade dialogues with Britain, the European Union and Indo-Pacific nations, focusing on cooperation in areas other than tariff reductions and market access enhancements.

The Kenya dialogue will include efforts to develop micro-small and medium-sized enterprises and discussions on enforcement of labor laws and promoting workers’ rights -central components of the Biden administration’s other trade initiatives.

US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, who launched the partnership with Kenyan Cabinet Secretary Betty Maina during a virtual meeting on Thursday, said in a statement that she wants the partnership to “grow our trade and investment relationship in a way that promotes resilience and facilitates sustainable and inclusive economic growth.”

“We also hope that this initiative can serve as a model for trade policy engagement in Africa, one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing regions in the world,” Tai added.

Oshoala Leads Other Africa’s Top Women Footballers In Final Shortlist For Caf Awards 2022

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Emenike Agu

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July 15, 2022

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Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala is in line for a record-making fifth victory in the CAF Awards’ women category. She won in the editions of 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2019 to equal the record of former Super Falcons’ striker, Perpetua Nkwocha.

A possible fifth win will make her Africa’s most decorated woman footballer. She along with nine other top stars made the shortlist of 10.

But unlike in the past, she is Nigeria’s sole candidate in that category as the country’s influence appears wanning.

On the other hand, South Africa have four players in the 10-woman shortlist.

The only other Nigerian hoping for a podium standing is Gift Monday who has two nominations in the Interclub Player of the Year and Young player awards.

Nigeria’s coach, Randy Waldrum is listed among the coaches as the on-going WAFCON will be the determinant just as it will also determine the National Team of the Year winner

Nominees (in alphabetic order by Member Association)

Player of the Year (Women)

· Ajara Nchout Njoya (Cameroon & Internazionale Milano)

· Evelyn Badu (Ghana & Alvaldsnes)

· Doris Boaduwaa (Ghana & Sekondi Hasaacas)

· Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco & AS FAR)

· Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria & Barcelona)

· Andile Dlamini (South Africa & Mamelodi Sundowns)

· Bambanani Mbane (South Africa & Mamelodi Sundowns)

· Chrestinah Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa & Atletico Madrid/Racing Louisville)

· Refiloe Jane (South Africa & AC Milan)

· Grace Chanda (Zambia & BIIK Kazygurt)

Interclub Player of the Year (Women)

· Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns)

· Bambanani Mbanie (Mamelodi Sundowns)

· Andisiwe Mgcoyi (Mamelodi Sundowns)

· Evelyn Badu (Sekondi Hasaacas/Alvaldsnes)

· Doris Boaduwaa (Sekondi Hasaacas)

· Ghizlane Chebbak (AS FAR)

· Sanaa Mssoudy (AS FAR)

· Fatima Tagnaout (AS FAR)

· Rose Bella (Malabo Kings)

· Gift Monday (River Angels/FC Robo)

Young Player of the Year (Women)

· Evelyn Badu (Ghana & Sekondi Hasaacas/Alvaldsnes)

· Doris Boaduwaa (Ghana & Sekondi Hasaacas/Alvaldsnes)

· Yasmine Zouhir (Morocco & AS Saint-Etienne)

· Gift Monday (Nigeria & River Angels/FC Robo)

· Flourish Sebastine (Nigeria & Bayelsa Queens)

Coach of the Year (Women)

· Gaoletlhoo Nkutlwisang (Botswana)

· Gabriel Zabo (Cameroon)

· Yusif Basigi (Hasaacas Ladies)

· Reynald Pedros (Morocco)

· Randy Waldrum (Nigeria)

· Serigne Amar Mousse Niang Cisse (Senegal)

· Desiree Ellis (South Africa)

· Jerry Tshabalala (Mamelodi Sundowns)

· Samir Landolsi (Tunisia)

· Bruce Mwape (Zambia)

Club of the Year (Women)

· Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)

· Sekondi Hasaacas (Ghana)

· AS FAR (Morocco)

· Malabo Kings (Equatorial Guinea)

· Rivers Angels (Nigeria)

National Team of the Year

Due to the absence of a major women’s competition during the period under review, the Organising Team for the CAF Awards 2022 has reviewed the selection process for this important category. The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco will be factored as one of the criterion in deciding a winner befitting of the status of the award and women’s football in general. The winner will be announced on 23 July 2022 during the final match of the Women’s AFCON.

HIV/AIDS: NACA, stakeholders task religious leaders on stigma, discrimination

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Cleopatra Okohai

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July 14, 2022

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The National Agency for the Control of AIDS and critical stakeholders have urged religious leaders to champion the campaign against discrimination and stigma faced by Persons Living with HIV/AIDS.

The Zonal Coordinator, North East, NACA, Mr. Tobias John, made the call in Abuja on Wednesday at a stakeholders dialogue.

The dialogue was aimed at setting the agenda for faith-based consultations on stigma and Human Rights in HIV.

John called on faith-based organisations to rise to the occasion in reorienting their congregants on discrimination and stigma against people living with HIV/AIDS.

According to him, it is through faith and teaching that behavioural changes can be achieved.

He said that discrimination and stigma were capable of impending progress made in mitigating the impact and spread of HIV/AIDS in the country.

Prof. Muslih Yahaya, Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah, South West, Nigeria condemned what he described as `mutual suspicion` and `self- righteousness` among the citizenry.

Yahaya urged religious leaders to use their platforms to emphasise things that unite the country rather than things that divide it.

He advised against passing judgement on persons, especially those living with HIV/AIDS.

Yahaya advised Nigerians to jettison stereotypes, particularly those based on tribes and religion.

He reiterated his confidence in the capacity of faith-based groups to change the narrative on stigma and discrimination.

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Network of Religious Leaders Living or Personally Affected by HIV/AIDS (NINERELA+) Ms. Amber Erinunwinhe, said that the group intends to develop a roadmap on how to reduce discrimination and stigma.

Erinunwinhe said that the agenda would tackle issues around prevention treatment and viral suppression.

She cautioned against violating human rights through stigma and discrimination.

The Country Director, Christian AID, Mr. Temitope Fashola, said love remains the central message of every religion.

Fashola said that love is paramount in the fight against discrimination and stigma against people living with HIV/AIDS because God created all with love.聽

FIP releases new guidance on Diabetes patients management

By

Cleopatra Okohai

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July 14, 2022

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The International Pharmaceutical Federation on Wednesday released a new reference guide to pharmacists to help improve the management of diabetes patients.

The “knowledge and skills reference guide for professional development in diabetes” was published on the website of the FIP, according to a press statement released by the group and made available to Newsmen.

The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) is the global federation of national associations of pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists and pharmacy educators, and is in official relations with the World Health Organisation.

FIP has been championing the role of pharmacists in preventing and treating chronic diseases, including diabetes, since 2006, and this latest guide, which is intended as a companion to the FIP diabetes handbook for pharmacists published in 2021, will help pharmacists to identify and acquire the competencies, such as screening and clinical management, they need to provide services for patients with diabetes.

As well as supporting pharmacists to upskill themselves as their careers develop, the new FIP publication is intended to guide the design and delivery of education and training

programmes by continuing professional development providers. The guide acknowledges that there are some barriers to and regulations around providing diabetes-related services in some countries but emphasises that “the incorporation of pharmacists into multidisciplinary diabetes care teams should always be strongly considered by clinicians and health policymakers”.

The authors write: “By expanding the full potential of pharmacists in the delivery of diabetes care and associated services, we get closer to offering optimal health services to patients making sure that no one is left behind.”

“Diabetes is a serious and complex health condition affecting millions of people worldwide. Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to support patients on their health journeys, supporting screening, prevention, treatment, and medication management as part of multidisciplinary care teams.

“This FIP publication is an important resource to support pharmacists in identifying the knowledge and skills needed to upskill for improved care and management of diabetes. The guide can also be used by educators and providers of continuing education to cross-reference content and learning outcomes to the information included in the guide,” said Dr. Astrid Czock, FIP Workforce Development Hub Lead for FIP Development Goal 8 (Working with others) and a member of the knowledge and skills guide advisory group.

WHO to reconvene Monkeypox emergency Meeting

By

Cleopatra Okohai

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July 14, 2022

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The World Health Organisation said on Thursday that it would reconvene its expert monkeypox committee on July 21 to decide whether the outbreak constitutes a global health emergency.

A second meeting of the WHO’s emergency committee on monkeypox will be held, with the UN health agency now aware of 9,200 cases in 63 countries at the last update issued Tuesday.

A surge in monkeypox infections has been reported since early May outside the West and Central African countries where the disease has long been endemic.

On June 23, the WHO convened an emergency committee of experts to decide if monkeypox constitutes a so-called Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) — the highest alarm that the WHO can sound.

But a majority advised the WHO’s chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus that the situation, at that point, had not met that threshold.

Now a second meeting will be held, with case numbers rising.

“The emergency committee will provide its views to the WHO Director-General on whether the event constitutes a PHEIC,” the UN health agency said in a statement.

“If so, it will propose temporary recommendations on how to better prevent and reduce the spread of the disease and manage the global public health response.”

A statement will be issued in the days following the meeting.

‘Tackle the stigma’

Most monkeypox infections so far have been observed in men who have sex with men, of young age, and chiefly in urban areas, according to the WHO.

The committee will look at trends, how effective the countermeasures are, and make recommendations for what countries and communities should do to tackle the outbreak, Tedros told a press conference on Tuesday.

He said the WHO was working closely with civil society and the LGBTQ community, “especially to tackle the stigma around the virus” and spread information to help people stay safe.

“WHO continues to work with countries and vaccine manufacturers to coordinate the sharing of vaccines, which are currently scarce,” he added.

The Geneva-based organisation is also working with countries and experts to drive forward research and development.

“We must work to stop onward transmission and advise governments to implement contact tracing to help track and stem the virus as well as to assist people in isolation,” Tedros said.

Snapshot profile

A week ago, the WHO issued its first situation report on the spread of monkeypox, detailing the typical profile of those affected by the outbreak so far.

According to available statistics, almost all patients affected thus far are male, with a median age of 37, with three-fifths identifying as men who have sex with men, the WHO said.

The normal initial symptoms of monkeypox include a high fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a blistery chickenpox-like rash.

But the report said that in this outbreak, many cases were not presenting with the classically-described clinical picture.

Among the cases that reported at least one symptom, 81 per cent presented with a widespread rash on the body, 50 per cent presented with fever, and 41 per cent presented with a genital rash.

The WHO’s 16-member emergency committee on monkeypox is chaired by Jean-Marie Okwo-Bele from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who is a former director of the WHO’s Vaccines and Immunisation Department.

There have been six PHEIC declarations since 2009, the last being for Covid-19 in 2020 — though the sluggish global response to the alarm bell still rankles at the WHO’s headquarters.

Oil Theft: Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency To Deploy Special Mission Aircraft To Combat Menace

By

Angel Gimalo

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July 14, 2022

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The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has promised that two special mission aircraft in the Deep Blue Project fleet will be deployed to fight oil theft.

Dr Bashir Jamoh, Director~General of NIMASA, who made this known in a statement in Lagos on Thursday, added that the move would protect the nation’s economy.

He made this known at the recently-held 16th edition of the Maritime Seminar for Judges, organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.

According to Jamoh, oil theft, pipeline vandalism and illegal refining are unlawful activities threatening the economic and environmental well-being of the country.

He said the aircraft from the mobile assets of the Deep Blue Project would support existing platforms being deployed by other security agencies, which NIMASA had memorandum of understanding with.

Jamoh said that the aircraft would assist in patrolling oil facilities, installations and other assets to observe suspicious human and vessel movements.

Jamoh, while restating the agency’s commitment to a crime-free and secure maritime domain, reminded participants at the seminar of President Muhammadu Buhari’s interest in rebuilding stakeholders and investors’ confidence in the country’s maritime sector.

“Approval of the president for procurement of the assets, his coming to commission them in Lagos, and their deployment for security duties have contributed immensely to the fight against maritime crimes.

“We shall be deploying our two special mission aircraft for aerial surveillance to prevent and fight oil theft in the country.

“With this, we aim at using the aircraft to patrol sensitive areas, record suspicious human and vessel movements to process intelligence for timely action by our security agencies.

“The oil industry is critical to our national economy and no space of the sector should be left for criminals to occupy or operate in,” he said.

The director-general said that NIMASA had recorded gains in maritime security efforts but noted that more would need to be done to sustain and consolidate on the gains.

“I am happy to state that our synergies have been beneficial to the country in many ways,” Jamoh said.

Bayelsa Government Calls For Shell’s Investment In Energy, Infrastructure Development

By

Angel Gimalo

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July 14, 2022

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Bayelsa government has urged Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) to contribute more to standards of living in the state by investing more in energy and infrastructure development.

Mrs Abimbola Essien-Nelson, Media Relations Manager, SPDC, in a statement on Thursday quoted Bayelsa deputy governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, as making the call during a business meeting with the company’s management in Port Harcourt.

SPDC’s first struck oil in commercial quantities in Nigeria at Otuabagi community within the Oloibiri fields in Bayelsa in 1956.

SPDC had in 2015 divested its equity interest in the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29, and the asset was acquired by an indigenous firm, Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company Ltd for $2.4 billion.

However, the company retains gas gathering infrastructure across Bayelsa that feeds the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas for export.

“The relationship between Bayelsa State and SPDC is cordial. Thank you for the investments in our state.

“Thank you for your contributions to support development efforts in the state. But how do we improve on this and bring dividends to our people? There is still so more to unearth in our state.

“This meeting is to see how we can work together to create a suitable environment for SPDC to operate and generate value for all of us,” Ewhrudjakpo said.

He said the state government was ready to partner Shell to expand its portfolio in Bayelsa with a view to reducing unemployment, youth restiveness and drug abuse.

He said the state had recorded a huge success using sports to keep youths away from vices particularly drug abuse and violent crimes.

According to Ewhrudjakpo, Bayelsa youths have shown that if we give them encouragement, they could deliver good value.

He said the state finished in the 3rd position at the last National Sports Festival in Edo even as the government also organises the annual Bayelsa Wrestling Classic to encourage more youths in the state to embrace sports.

Essien-Nelson also quoted the Managing Director, SPDC and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr Osagie Okunbor, as pledging the company’s support for government’s efforts to improve the environment in Bayelsa.

“It means that there is a plan. As a company, we key into your vision because we know that if you are successful it will help us and help our business environment.

“We commend you and His Excellency, Governor Douye Diri, for what you are doing to support business in Bayelsa State,” Okunbor said.

Okunbor was represented by an SPDC Director and Head, Corporate Relations Nigeria, Mr Igo Weli.

He commended Bayelsa government for the successes in sports development strides in the state.

The Bayelsa Government delegation included Chairman of the State House of Assembly Committee on Sports, Hon. Tare Porri; Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Mr Baraladei Igali; Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Dr Ebiere Jones; and Director of Sports, Braveman Wodi.

Shippers’ Council Frowns At Nigeria’s Cargo Clearance Time, Calls For Training Of Maritime Security Operators

By

Angel Gimalo

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July 14, 2022

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The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has decried the amount of time being spent by importers to clear their cargoes at the various sea ports in the country.

It said Nigerian Ports have the record of being the ports with the longest time of 21 days for cargo clearance in the world while countries like Singapore and Togo, spend about six hours.

NSC Executive Secretary, Emmanuel Jime, disclosed this on Thursday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, while speaking at a one-day training workshop organised by the country for men and officers of the Maritime Police Command with the theme, “Understanding the role and impact of the Police in the Maritime Industry”.

Jime, who was represented by the Director, South-South zone, Mr. Glory Onojedo, blamed the delay on the presence of several agencies and groups at the ports.

He said: “The Nigerian sea ports have the record of being the ports with the longest cargo clearing time in the world. While it takes six hours to clear cargo in Singapore and almost same time in Lome, Togo, it takes an average of 21 days to do so in any of the Nigerian ports.

“This is because of undue interference by so many groups that are not supposed to interfer in cargo movement as well as some groups that are not supposed to be in the ports.

Statutorily, only about several groups are supports to be at the ports but every agency is agitating to be in the ports. In spite of the delays, they extort money from consignees at the ports.”

Also speaking during the workshop, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in-charge of Maritime Police Command, Ibrahim Kaoje, said there was the need for training and retraining of maritime security operators due to pockets of security concerns within the country’s maritime domain.

Kaoje, who was represented by the Commissioner of Police in-charge of Rivers Port Command, Mrs. Evelyn Peterside, commended the Nigerian Shippers’ Council for its thoughtfulness to train the police personnel in the sector.

He said: “Since the ocean holds the key to the fast revolving global order, the oceans are the cradle of civilization and civilization can only prosper when the sea is safe, secured and free from all forms of security threats.

“With pockets of security concerns in the Nigerian maritime domain, the need for training and retraining of maritime security operators, which the Police is one of the stakeholders cannot be over-emphasized.

“It is at this juncture, I commend strongly, the efforts of the organisers of the programme, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, for her thoughtfulness to train the police personnel in the sector.”

Over 3, 000 Firefighters Battle Portugal Wildfire

By

Angel Gimalo

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July 14, 2022

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More than 3,000 firefighters battled alongside ordinary Portuguese citizens desperate to save their homes from several wildfires that raged across the European country on Thursday, fanned by extreme temperatures and drought conditions.

The central part of the country has been particularly hard hit by a spate of blazes this week.

In the village of Bemposta, residents used garden hoses to spray down their lawns and the roofs of their houses in hope that they could save them from the raging wall of red flames that approached through the wooden hills late on Wednesday.

“It began spreading towards that way (the right), the wind was blowing that way towards the mountain,” said 88-year-old Antonio Carmo Pereira, while pointing to the flames on the outskirts of his village. “I could see the view, but in a few minutes I couldn’t see anything, just smoke.

“(It’s) dangerous, yes. It’s surrounding all the houses,” he said. “I am afraid, but where can I go? Jump into a water tank? Let me stay here and look.”

More than 800 firefighters still fought on in the Leiria district, where Bemposta is located, on Thursday morning.

Temperatures in the interior of the Atlantic country were forecast to hit 44 C (111 F) during the day as the mass of hot and dry air blown up from Africa continues to linger over the western edge of the Iberian Peninsula.

In June, 96% of Portugal was classified as being in either in “extreme” or “severe” drought.

Scientists Design Albatross Inspired Glider To Soar Over Mars

By

Angel Gimalo

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July 14, 2022

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Scientists are designing a glider to soar over Mars for days at a time using only wind energy for propulsion.

The design is partly inspired by a technique an albatross uses in flight.

The plane has a wingspan of about 11 feet (3.4m) and will use several different flight methods to try to achieve the goal of “flying for free” without fuel.

It has been developed by University of Arizona aerospace experts and a Nasa planetary scientist.

Flight on the Red Planet is challenging due to its thin atmosphere.

Currently, there are several spacecraft orbiting Mars, recording imagery of its surface as well as ground rovers mapping small areas of the planet.

However, the atmosphere and interesting geological features like volcanoes can’t be easily accessed by space or land craft.

Nasa’s Ingenuity – a small helicopter – has made several flights on Mars but the solar-powered drone is regarded as a technology demonstration, flying for only short periods of time just above the ground.

“You have this really important, critical piece in this planetary boundary layer, like in the first few kilometres above the ground,” said Alexandre Kling, a research scientist in Nasa’s Mars Climate Modeling Center.

“This is where all the exchanges between the surface and atmosphere happen… and we just don’t have very much data about it.”

The Mars sailplanes will carry navigation sensors, a camera and temperature and gas sensors.

While these other forms of transport have been partly limited by power needs, the glider would use energy available in the atmosphere itself, explained Adrien Bouskela, an aerospace engineering doctoral student at the University of Arizona.

“It’s kind of a leap forward in those methods of extending missions,” he said.

“Because the main question is: How can you fly for free? How can you use the wind that’s there, the thermal dynamics that are there, to avoid using solar panels and relying on batteries that need to be recharged?”