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Organisation Urges Journalists To Improve Skills Of Investigative Journalism

By
Olasunbo Okoromi
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A non-Governmental Organisation, Safer-Media Initiative has trained Nigerian journalists on improving their investigative reportage skills.

The training took place at a Two-Day Capacity Building Workshop held in Abuja, the nation’s Capital. The training was tagged “Strengthening Grassroots Governance and Accountability Reporting” and had 39 Nigerian Journalists in attendance. The training was in collaboration with the Whole Soyinka Center for Investigative Journalism with support from MacArthur Foundation.

Several facilitators trained participants on topics cutting across various media organisations on how to carry out investigative and solution driven reporting.

The journalists were trained on diverse issues relating to investigative journalism, investigative interviewing, generating story ideas, data gathering, communication ethics, as well as challenges journalists encounter during reporting and possible solutions.

Executive Director, Safer-Media Initiative, Peter Iorter said that the exercise was aimed at equipping media practitioners with the requisite skills to research and investigate corruption and other issues in Nigeria.

He also pointed out that the training would guide participants on how to create a deeper public awareness of the menace of corruption through their reportage.

“The project aims to step up professional news coverage and investigative reporting, contributing to improving the sustainability capacity of journalists to perform their duty of holding government accountable, especially at the sub-national, state and local level as stated in the Nigerian constitution, ” he said.

Mr. Iorter disclosed that after the training the organisation will provide funding to assist selected journalists in their investigations.

“SMI will provide a small funding covering basic logistics to selected journalists. Trained and selected journalists will do investigative stories on issues around water, education, farming health, democracy deficits, poverty, ICT, women and children among others”, Mr. Iorter explained .

He added that Mentors will be assigned to support the selected journalists to uncover some of the ills in society and grassroots.

One of the facilitators, Mr. Hassan Adebayo applauded the organiser and its partners and also tasked the media practitioners on professionalism in their reportage, especially in fact-checking and evidence gathering for credibility.

A Participant, Mrs Dorcas Jonas appreciated the organisers and its sponsor for the training which has equipped her with the skills to do in-depth grassroots reporting and investigation.

Another participant, Mr. Emma Okereh, urged the NGO to expand and organise more capacity-building programmes that would equip journalists in carrying out their responsibilities.

Judo Federation To Unveil List Of Commonwealth Games Athletes 

By
Emenike Agu
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President of the Nigeria Judo Federation, Dr. Musa Oshodi, has disclosed that the Federation will release the list of Judokas to the Commonwealth Games before the end of this month.

Oshodi told The Guardian, yesterday, that eight athletes are currently in camp at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, preparing for the Games, adding that four judokas, comprising two men and two women, will eventually be picked for Birmingham 2022.

According to him, the number of athletes that will represent the country is based on requisition approved by the Judo Commonwealth Association.

“I think all of them are doing fine and whoever is eventually picked to represent us, will make us proud. That is what I can say for now,” he said.

Oshodi disclosed that the federation initially invited 10 athletes, a number that was whittled down to eight from where the four representatives would emerge. 

He added: “We cannot say what weight categories we will pick to avoid causing a crisis in the camp. But I know that before the end of this month, we will know those that will represent us.”

The Guardian can recall that Adeyanju Bukola (78kg); Joy Asonye, Azeesat Adijat, Esther Augustine (70kg); James Cecilia, Enku Ewa-Ekuta, Victoria Agbodobiri (63kg), Telumo Dose and Agu Blessing (57kg) were recently at the federation’s Ibadan camp as part of preparations for the games.

Nigerian Sports Journalists In Diaspora Hold Maiden Convention In US

By
Emenike Agu
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The Nigerian Sports Journalists in Diaspora (NSJID) will host its inaugural convention on August 12 and 13 at Greenbelt, Maryland.

Prof Mathias Mordi of School of Advanced International Studies, John Hopkins University is expected to chair the occasion while former Super Eagles player and erstwhile coach of the Super Falcons, Sam Okpodu will serve as a guest speaker alongside Dr. Komolafe Johnson, a Maryland-based medical doctor.

The convention, which theme is ‘The Future of the Nigerian Sports’, is expected to be attended by the creme de la creme of former and current Super Eagles players as well as several sports personalities in Nigeria.

As part of the activities marking the occasion, the Sports Journalists’ association which membership is drawn from the US, Canada and Europe will treat its members to a welcome dinner party at KOF Sports Cafe, located in Bowie, Maryland.

Members of Sports Journalists in Diaspora will also visit historic centers in Baltimore and Washington DC areas.

Part of the historic centers to be visited by the members include Courageous Wax Museum chronicling the lives and times of notable African-Americans sold into slavery, African-American human rights activists, famous athletes and lawyers as well as prototypes of ships that were used to ship Africans to the West during the slave trade of the17th century.

Members will also go on a tour of Washington DC to see the Whitehouse, among others.

Berlin Marathon: Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge Targets Fourth Victory

By
Emenike Agu
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Double Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge win run the Berlin Marathon in September, aiming for a record-equalling fourth win.

The 37-year-old Kenyan’s last competitive outing was in Tokyo in March, when he won in the fourth-quickest time in history.

Last August in Japan, he became only the third person to defend an Olympic Marathon title. 

Berlin – one of the fastest marathons – takes place on 25 September.

Kipchoge, who made his debut in Berlin in 2013, won in 2015 and 2017 and set a world record of two hours one minute 39 seconds on his most recent appearance in 2018.

Ethiopia great Haile Gebrselassie has won in Berlin a record four times.

“Berlin is the fastest course – it’s where a human being can showcase its potential to push the limits,” Kipchoge said.

He has won 14 of 16 marathons in his career, including two Olympic gold medals and nine other major titles.

Kenya will be represented by Lawrence Cherono, Geoffrey Kamworor and Barnabas Kiptum in the marathon at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, which begin next week.

Austrian Grand Prix: Max Verstappen Sets Impressive Pace In First Practice

By
Emenike Agu
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Red Bull’s Max Verstappen set an impressive pace in first practice at the Austrian Grand Prix before qualifying at this ‘sprint’ event.

The world championship leader was 0.255 seconds quicker than Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Mercedes’ George Russell was third, a further 0.145secs adrift.

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez was fourth and the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton fifth.

Qualifying sets the grid for a short race on Saturday that defines starting positions for the main grand prix.

Haas driver Kevin Magnussen was sixth fastest, followed by the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso’s Alpine – using the medium tyres while everyone else at the front set their times on the softs.

Haas’ Mick Schumacher and the Alpha Tauri of Yuki Tsunoda completed the top 10.

The session featured two red flags, one while Lando Norris’ McLaren was removed after breaking down after Turn Four, and a second because of debris on the track.

It was a difficult session for McLaren. In addition to Norris’ reliability problems, which came quite early on, Daniel Ricciardo was also struggling with an oscillating DRS flap, which it took the team most of the hour to solve.

Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas, who was 14th fastest, will start from the back of the grid as a result of a penalty for using too many engine parts this season.

World Cup Stadium Stands Will Be Alcohol Free In Qatar

By
Emenike Agu
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World Cup – Final – France v Croatia – Moscow, Russia – July 15, 2018 A replica of the World Cup trophy is pictured among glasses of beer at a restaurant where supporters of team Croatia gathered before the match in the city centre.

 Qatar’s World Cup stadium stands are set to be alcohol-free, with beer sales outside arenas only allowed before and after some matches, a source with knowledge of plans for the soccer tournament said.

This year’s World Cup is the first to be held in a Muslim country with strict controls on alcohol, presenting unique challenges for organisers of an event often associated with beer drinking fans and sponsored by global brewing brands.

“At stadiums, the plans are still being finalised, but the current discussion is to allow fans to have beer upon arrival and when leaving stadium, but beer won’t be served during the match or inside the stadium bowl,” the source told Reuters.

A document dated June 2 and seen by Reuters gives the first insight into how organisers plan to handle the demands of an estimated 1.2 million soccer fans, many of whom are used to drinking beer without limits on match days

Soccer’s relationship with booze has long been a tricky one and in the lead up to the 2014 World Cup, Brazil lifted a ban on alcohol at stadiums, after pressure from governing body FIFA.

There has been a question mark over alcohol at this year’s tournament since the Gulf Arab state won hosting rights in 2010. While not a “dry” state like neighbouring Saudi Arabia, consuming alcohol in public places is illegal in Qatar.

However, fans at November’s World Cup will also be able to buy beer during restricted times in certain parts of the main FIFA fan zone in the Al Bidda park in Doha, the Qatari capital.

“Unlike previous World Cup fan zones, beer won’t be served all day long, but at restricted times,” the source added.

Alcohol will also be available for 15,000 to 20,000 fans on a disused corner of the Doha Golf Club, some kilometres away from stadiums and the main fan zone, the document shows.

In addition, a sandy plot surrounded by a 3 metre wall and located between the delivery entrance of a hotel and a district cooling plant will be transformed into a 10,000 capacity venue promising Techno music and alcohol, the document shows.

A spokesperson for the organisers, Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, said that together with FIFA they will announce plans on the availability of alcohol at the 28-day tournament “in due course”.

“Alcohol is already available in designated areas in Qatar, such as hotels and bars, and this will not change in 2022. With the aim of catering to visiting fans in 2022, alcohol will be available in additional designated areas during the tournament,” the spokesperson said.

‘FAMILY FRIENDLY’

Although FIFA’s website advertises free flowing “beers, Champagne, sommelier-selected wines, and premium spirits” in stadium VIP hospitality suites, alcohol was not sold in stadiums in December during a test event for the World Cup.

Visitors are prohibited from carrying alcohol into Qatar, even from airport duty free, and they cannot shop at the country’s only liquor store, on the outskirts of Doha, where foreign residents with permits can buy for home consumption.

Alcohol can be bought by visitors to Qatar at a handful of licensed hotels and clubs, where a pint of beer can cost $18.

The price of beer inside the fan zones and close to the stadium has not yet been agreed, the source said.

Earlier this year, another source close to the discussions told Reuters that alcohol prices will be capped in the fan zones, pointing out that at the FIFA Club World Cup in 2019 a pint of beer cost around five pounds ($6.55). 

Although the document anticipates “strong demand for international beverages”, it says the main party zone adjacent to FIFA’s fan festival will be alcohol-free, offering up to 70,000 fans a six kilometre “family friendly” street carnival.

Rules about alcohol sales in soccer stadiums vary around the world. In England, alcohol is sold at stadium concourses, but fans cannot drink it in sight of the pitch while in France none is permitted on stadium grounds.

Ondo Poly Students Protest Alleged Killing Of Colleague By Amotekun

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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The students of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State on Friday staged a protest following the death of one of their colleagues whom they alleged to have been killed by the men of the state Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun.

According to the protesters, the deceased, Folarera Ademola, was an ND1 student of Science Laboratory Technology at the institution.

Speaking on the development, the Students’ Union President, Olorunda Oluwafemi, stated that the deceased was shot on June 27, 2022, by an Amotekun operative in front of his parent’s house.

Oluwafemi said, “The deceased suffered the gunshot wounds for 10 days before being taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, where he gave up the ghost yesterday (Thursday).

The angry students, who started the protest in front of the school gate, moved to the Palace of Olowo of Owo before taking the corpse of the deceased to the Governor’s Office in Akure, chanting various solidarity songs.

They also placed the coffin at the entrance of the Governor’s Office. The students  gave the state government a 24-hour ultimatum to hand over the Amotekun officer who allegedly shot the deceased to the police force for proper action, take charge of the deceased’s burial, and compensate the family.

However, the Amotekun Corps in a statement said the deceased was hit by the bullets when he was struggling to disarm an officer of the Corps during an operation.

The statement issued by the state commander of the Amotekun, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye said, “In its avowed determination to ensure that Ondo State is rid of criminal elements, the state Amotekun Corps is investigating the case of a syndicate that specialises in attacking Okada riders with dangerous weapons and dispossess them of their motorcycles in the process.

“Luck however ran out of one of the syndicates who was given a hot chase into a building in Owo by men of the Amotekun Corps, where other members of the gang were met, there were 15 men in the building, seven out of the men stacked naked inside the room filled with smoke.

“After introducing themselves to the men, the men struggled to disarm the operatives whose alarm attracted the other two outside. In an attempt to apprehend the suspect, they swung on men of the Corps, trying to disarm them and in the course of the struggle, one of their riffles triggered off and hit one of the suspects and an Amotekun officer.

At that instance, none of them told Amotekun officers that they were students. The incident occurred on the 27th and 28th of June, 2022.

Adeleye added that his “men eventually overpowered the suspects, arrested and took them to the Corps’ office in Owo where they were detained while the investigation continued.

“The suspect (deceased) left our facility on the same day, 11 days after the incident to get first aid treatment with the promise to return in continuation of the investigation.

“Surprisingly, the news of the dead injured suspect filtered yesterday (Thursday) after 11 days the incident occurred,” He added

Network Outage Across Canada Hit Banks, Businesses And Consumers    

By
faith Jegede
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FILE PHOTO: General view of the Rogers Building, quarters of Rogers Communications in Toronto, Ontario, Canada October 22, 2021. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio/File Photo

Canada’s Rogers Communications network issues have caused widespread disruptions affecting banks, police and consumers across the country.

Rogers says it is working on resolving the issues. In a message posted on social media the company said “We are aware of issues currently affecting our networks and our teams are fully engaged to resolve the issue as soon as possible.”

The outage, which appears bigger than the one last year that largely affected consumers, comes as Rogers is attempting to take over rival Shaw Communications. The C$20-billion deal has been delayed by antitrust authorities over competition concerns.

Police in Ottawa, the Canadian capital city, said some callers may have difficulty reaching emergency services via 911 calls. Police in Toronto, Canada’s largest city, also said some Rogers customers may have not be able to reach 911 operators, although its call center was fully operational.

Interac, which operates an email money transfer service used by several Canadian banks, said the outage was affecting its services. Toronto-Dominion Bank said it was facing system issues with its Interac e-Transfer service.

Bank Of Montreal said the outage was affecting all financial institutions, toll-free numbers as well as transactions.

Downdetector, which tracks outages by collating status reports from a number of sources, showed over 20,000 user reports of the outage. The reports dropped to nearly 10,000 by 9 am ET.

Rogers, which has about 10 million wireless subscribers and 2.25 million retail internet subscribers, dominates the wireless industry in the country along with BCE and Telus Corp.

I Want My Titles Back – Anthony Joshua 

By
Emenike Agu
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Former world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, is desperate to win back the WBA, WBO, IBF, and IBO titles from Oleksandr Usyk.

Joshua said he was not satisfied with the current status of the championship belts and he was determined to win them back from the Ukrainian.

“Someone told me:” You have a chance to become a three-time world champion, and I replied that this is not at all the place where you want to be. This is not the way I would advise young people to go. Because you want to hold the titles all the time, be the champion, and not part with them. I really want to return the titles.”

AJ was evidently tired of all the talk around the fight and can’t wait to get back in the ring against the Ukrainian.

“Too much talk for me. Less talk, more action. Just let me get in the ring and do my job. I’m not a comedian, and I’m not a speech writer. I am hungry and desperate to win back the titles,” the boxer said.

Recall that on the night of September 26, 2021, Usyk defeated Joshua in London by unanimous decision, and won the IBF, WBO, WBA, and IBO heavyweight titles. Immediately after that, AJ activated the rematch option specified in the contract for the first fight.

Usyk vs. Joshua will take place on August 20 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. In June, an official announcement of a rematch between the Ukrainian and the British was made.

Transfer Update: Man. United, Bayern Set For Osimhen Move

By
Emenike Agu
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Manchester United and Bayern Munich could yet make late moves for Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, according to reports in Italy.

With doubts over the future of Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski respectively, both clubs are reportedly in the market for a new forward to replace their want-away stars.

And according to La Gazzetta Dello Sport, that could mean an attempt to sign the Nigeria international, who is also on the radar of Arsenal.

Napoli are aware of the interest from other clubs, but are not ready to let him leave for any amount less than €100m, having signed him for a club and African record fee of €75m plus add-ons.

Ronaldo has not arrived back for pre-season at United and is reportedly seeking an exit that would leave the Old Trafford side in need of a new striker.

Meanwhile, Lewandowski has made it clear he is determined to leave Bayern and, should that happen, the German champions would need an elite striker to replace him.

Osimhen, who has three years left on his Napoli contract, has netted 24 times and provided eight assists in 51 league appearances for the Naples side.

Last season, Osimhen scored 14 goals and recorded five assists in 27 appearances in the Serie A.

He also netted four goals and one assist in the Europa League, as the Partenopi finished third in Serie A last term, with 79 points from 38 games.

The report also adds that Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti is hopeful he can count on Osimhen for next season but Chelsea forward Armando Broja would be a potential replacement.

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