Exploring Amphitheater of El Jem Tunisia, Considered Largest In North Africa

By

-

June 20, 2022

The Amphitheater of El Jem is an ancient structure which serves as a great monument to the city of El Djem, which was previously known as the city of Thysdrus, in the central-east part of the Republic of Tunisia.

Considered to be the largest amphitheater in North Africa, El Jem Amphitheater is considered to have been built in 238, or began at that year, for the then Roman province of Africa Proconsulare.

This free standing structure was built entirely with stone blocks with no foundations, in a smaller size than the great Colosseum in Rome, Italy.

Being 149 meters (489 feet) long, 124 meters (407 feet) wide and 36 meters (118 feet) high, the El Jem Amphitheater was built in order to entertain the spectators who would come here and enjoy in the “festivities”.

Estimated that it accommodated up to 35,000 people, it is definitely among the grandest ones from the ancient world.

Since there are no clear sources about the person who instigated the construction, there is a strong belief that the local proconsul Gordian, who later became the Emperor Gordian III began this endeavor.

The amphitheater’s floors consist of series of arches that are formed from composite engaged columns, and this is considered to have been a Roman development which combines elements of Corinthian and Ionic columns.

In 1904, during an archaeological survey, a basement area was discovered that was intact and gave a somewhat good indication about the function of this impressive arena.

With 65 meters (213 feet) length, the basement is divided into two vaulted galleries which contain cells and rooms which once housed wild beasts and gladiators.

Nowadays are still clearly visible the openings which allowed for the wild animals to be raised and lowered from their cells with a very modern for that age, lift system.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the amphitheater was used as a fortress, shelter, factory and also a storage facility, where each and every leader has left some kind of mark on it.

Due to the very long history, its kind and unique architecture that can not be seen at any other place in Africa, the Amphitheater of El Jem was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.

With the excellent acoustics, the place is an ideal setting for Tunisia’s Symphonic Music Festival to be held here, where the musicians are performing classical music since 2012.

All in all, being one of the most visited and most important monuments of the small nation in Africa, the Amphitheater of El Jem shall continue to be a beacon of Tunisia that will give a bright light to all those who are eager enough to explore the Roman architecture which was spread throughout three continents.

Samuel Eto’o Pleads Guilty To 1.6 Billion Tax Fraud In Spain

By

Emenike Agu

-

June 20, 2022

0

Former Cameroon football star and president of Cameroon Football Federation, Samuel Eto’o has struck a deal with Spanish prosecutors to avoid going to jail for tax fraud he committed while playing for Barcelona, a court in the city announced.

Eto’o, who played for Barcelona from 2004 to 2009, received a fine and a 22-month suspended sentence but will not serve any time, as is customary in Spain for prison terms of under two years for non-violent crimes.

Reports in Spain claim Eto’o, 41, will pay a fine of 1.8 million euros ($1.9 million).

The record four-time African footballer of the year and Jose Maria Mesalles — his former representative, who for his part was sentenced to 12 months and a fine — must reimburse Spanish tax authorities for the amount defrauded, around 3.9 million euros.

Prosecutors accused Eto’o of failing to declare income from the transfer of image rights between 2006 and 2009.

According to them, Eto’o transferred his image rights to a company based in Hungary which declared his earnings in that country, where the tax rate is one of the “lowest in Europe”.

A second Spanish company declared them in Spain at the corporate tax rate, less than the income tax that should have been paid.

Eto’o was the “real holder of the image rights”, maintained the prosecution, according to whom the transfer was fraudulent and only designed to pay less tax.

Eto’o, who last year was elected head of the Cameroonian football federation, is one of a number of football stars to have a run-in with Spanish tax authorities, following the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar.

International Friendly: Super Falcons to face Japan’s Senior Women Team in Kobe

By

Emenike Agu

-

June 20, 2022

0

Nine-time African champions and FIFA World Cup ever-present Nigeria will take on the Senior Women National Team of Japan in a prestige international friendly match at the Noevir Stadium, Kobe on Thursday, 6^th October this year.

The date falls within one of the FIFA Women International Windows for this year.

Nadeshiko Japan, which is the alias of the Women National Team of Japan, are rated 13^th in the world, while the Super Falcons are 39^th.

Both teams have clashed only once at competitive level – at the 2004 Olympic Women’s Football Tournament. Nadeshiko pipped the Falcons 1-0 at the Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus on 14^th August 2004.

Two back-to-back friendlies in 2013 were won 2-0 each by Nadeshiko.

Japan’s entertaining girls won the FIFA World Cup in Germany in 2011, beating Team USA in a pulsating penalty shoot-out after regulation time ended 2-2. Nadeshiko thus became the first team from Asia to win a senior FIFA World Cup trophy.

The Super Falcons are perennial champions of the African continent and have participated at every FIFA Women’s World Cup since the competition began in 1991, reaching the quarter finals in 1999.

Nottingham Forest Target Awoniyi With 17.5m Club Transfer Record

By

Emenike Agu

-

June 20, 2022

0

Super Eagles’ fringe striker and Union Berlin goal poacher, Taiwo Awoniyi, could be heading back to English Premiership, following the interest from newly promoted Nottingham Forest.

The side, according to Daily Mail reported that are closing in on the club-record signing of Awoniyi with significant transfer funds earmarked for the newly-promoted club this summer.

Awoniyi, who was part of Super Eagles’ second round exit at the last AFCON tournament in Cameroon had scored 15 goals to help Union Berlin punch above their weight in the Bundesliga last season and is thought to have set his heart on a move to the Premier League, despite interest from RB Leipzig. He is expected cost about £17.5million.

Awoniyi, 24, joined Liverpool in 2015 and had loan spells at six different clubs without making the breakthrough at Anfield.

There have been suggestions that Liverpool are entitled to a percentage of any transfer fee, as part of his move to Union for nearly £6m last summer.

Forest are thought to have at least £70m available to strengthen the squad this summer to help Steve Cooper establish them in the top flight, as they prepare to compete in the Premier League for the first time this century.

They are still haggling with another Bundesliga club, Mainz, over the price for Moussa Niakhate, with Mainz chasing at least £13m for the defender.

Forest are looking at other reinforcements in defence and are thought to have registered an interest in Argentina international Nicolas Tagliafico, who is set to leave Ajax this summer. Tagliafico, 29, has two years left on his contract in Holland.

With the future of Brice Samba unclear – the French goalkeeper is wanted by Lens – Forest have also registered an interest in Dean Henderson, who is available on loan from Manchester United.

Medical certificates from Ukraine no longer recognised –MDCN

By

Cleopatra Okohai

-

June 20, 2022

0

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria has announced that it will not recognise any medical degree issued by Ukrainian medical schools from 2022.

The MDCN disclosed this in a statement shared on its official Facebook and Twitter pages, noting that it will not honour certificates issued by Ukrainian medical schools until normal academic activities resume.

The council also reiterated that online medical degrees are eqully not recognised.

The statement reads, “The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) wishes to inform the General Public that Medical and Dental Degree Certificates issued by Medical Schools from Ukraine from 2022 will not be honoured by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria until when normal academic activities resume.

“Council however advises students who are currently studying medicine or dentistry in Ukrainian medical schools to seek transfer to other accredited medical or dental schools in other countries for the completion of their programmes.

“In addition, the Council’s attention has been drawn to information that some students are carrying out online medical training being organised by schools in Ukraine, China, and some other countries.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Council categorically states that online medical training done in any part of the world is short of an acceptable standard and is not recognised by the MDCN.

“In the light of the above, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria will not honour any Medical Degree Certificates issued at the end of any online medical training.”

In a related development, MDCAN also has announced that the application for a one-year internship from students undergoing medical and dental degree programmes from foreign universities will no longer be entertained without clearance from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

The MDCAN stated this in a social media post on their official Facebook page.

The council directed all chief medical directors/medical directors of Teaching Hospitals and Federal Medical Centres to seek clearance from MDCAN before accepting any foreign-trained medical officer in their hospital for internship placement.

Nearly one billion people have mental disorders globally – WHO

By

Cleopatra Okohai

-

June 20, 2022

0

The World Health Organisation says that nearly one billion people worldwide suffer from some form of mental disorder, according to the latest UN data.

The data released on Friday said the staggering figure was even more worrying because it included around one in seven teenagers.

“To make matters worse, in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of common conditions such as depression and anxiety went up by more than 25 per cent,’’ it said.

It said in its largest review of mental health since the turn of the century, that WHO had urged more countries to get to grips with worsening conditions.

According to the data, social and economic inequalities, public health emergencies, war, and the climate crisis are among the global, structural threats to mental health.

It said that depression and anxiety went up by more than 25 per cent in the first year of the pandemic alone.

It offered examples of good practices that should be implemented as quickly as possible in recognition of the important role that mental health played in positive and sustainable development.

“Everyone’s life touches someone with a mental health condition. Good mental health translates to good physical health and this new report makes a compelling case for change.

“The inextricable links between mental health and public health, human rights and socio-economic development mean that transforming policy and practice in mental health can deliver real, substantive benefits for individuals, communities, and countries.

“Investment into mental health is an investment into a better life and future for all,’’ WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus said.

Ghebreyesus said that even before COVID-19 hit, only a small fraction of people in need of help had access to effective, affordable, and quality mental health treatment, citing the latest available global data from 2019.

He said, for instance, more than 70 per cent of those suffering from psychosis worldwide did not get the help they needed.

“The gap between rich and poor nations highlights unequal access to healthcare, as seven in 10 people with psychosis receive treatment in high-income countries, compared to only 12 per cent in low-income countries,’’ Ghebreyesus said.

According to him, the situation is more dramatic for cases of depression, pointing to gaps in assistance across all countries including high-income ones.

“Only one-third of people who suffer from depression receive formal mental health care.

“Although high-income countries offer ‘minimally-adequate’ treatment for depression in 23 per cent of cases, this drops to just three per cent in low and lower-middle-income countries,’’ he said.

“We need to transform our attitudes, actions, and approaches to promote and protect mental health, and to provide and care for those in need.

“We can and should do this by transforming the environments that influence our mental health and by developing community-based mental health services capable of achieving universal health coverage for mental health,’’ he said.

Drinking Coffee may reduce risk of acute Kidney Injury – Study

By

Cleopatra Okohai

-

June 20, 2022

0

A recent study has indicated that drinking two to three cups of coffee per day could help lower the risk of acute kidney injury.

The study, conducted by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers further revealed that drinking any amount of coffee reduces the risk of acute kidney injury, but drinking two to three cups is more beneficial, according to a report by Science daily.

The director of the Division of Nephrology and professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Chirag Parikh, who was part of the study said, “We already know that drinking coffee on a regular basis has been associated with the prevention of chronic and degenerative diseases including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and liver disease.

“We can now add a possible reduction in acute kidney injury risk to the growing list of health benefits for caffeine,” he said.

According to the National Health Service in Great Britain, “Acute kidney injury is a type of kidney damage that is usually seen in older people who are unwell with other conditions and the kidneys are also affected.`

“AKI is when your kidneys suddenly stop working properly. It can range from minor loss of kidney function to complete kidney failure and normally happens as a complication of another serious illness,” the NHS said.

The study which was published in the Kidney International reports consisted of 14,207 grown-ups between 1987 and 1989, ages 45 – 64, using data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities.

The participant’s coffee intakes were assessed by the researchers, at the first visit via food frequency questionnaires.

Overall, the team of researchers discovered that 27 per cent never drank coffee, 14 per cent drank less than a cup daily, 19 per cent drank only one cup of coffee per day, 23 per cent drank two to three cups daily and 17 per cent drank more than 3 cups of coffee in a day.

Coffee consumption was found to be highest in white participants, people without a diabetes diagnosis, men, smokers, and also individuals with normal blood pressure, lower body mass index, and people with a higher total energy intake daily were more probable to drink more coffee.

To define acute kidney injury, the researchers looked at rates of hospitalisation, throughout a median 24 years of the follow-up period. A total of 1694 acute kidney injury events were recorded for all study participants.

Parikh said, “We suspect that the reason for coffee’s impact on acute kidney injury risk may be that either biologically active compounds combined with caffeine or just the caffeine itself improve perfusion and oxygen utilization within the kidneys,”

“Good kidney function and tolerance to acute kidney injury is dependent on a steady blood supply and oxygen.”

According to the study findings, “Higher coffee intake was associated with a lower risk of acute kidney injury incident and could present an opportunity for cardiorenal protection through diet.

“Further evaluation of the physiological mechanisms underlying the cardiorenal protective effects of coffee consumption is necessary.”

Kwara State Government Commits N150 Million To Water Projects

By

Olasunbo Okoromi

-

June 20, 2022

0

The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has committed One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N150,000,000) to the construction of at least 48 modern motorized boreholes and their accessories in Moro and Asa local government areas of the State.

The investment complements the ongoing efforts of the administration to make potable water available to residents of the State.

This commitment was expressed in a statement issued by the Press Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Babatunde Abdulrasheed.

The gesture of the State government has led to the Federal Government offering to construct 20 solar boreholes in Edu and Offa local government areas, each getting 10 a piece to deepen public access to water.

“This is just one of the findings from the budget review process this year.

“It is, therefore, worth informing the Kwara public that the government is committed to steadily meeting their water needs in phases as our resources permit.

“The spending on water aligns with His Excellency’s ongoing investments in Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) and Open Defecation Free (ODF) campaign.

“These efforts are glaring and impactful, and we are making appreciable progress,” a statement quoted the Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Florence Olasumbo Oyeyemi, as saying.

Kwara First Lady Procures Health Insurance For 100 Sickle Cell Warriors

By

Olasunbo Okoromi

-

June 20, 2022

0

In commemoration of the 2022 World sickle cell day, the First Lady of Kwara State and Founder Ajike People Support Center, Ambassador Dr Olufolake Abdulrazaq, has procured health insurance cover for over 100 people living with the disease, while the health insurance cover for survivors who has been under the scheme since last year was renewed.

While presenting the health insurance cover for beneficiaries at an event, Ambassador Abdulrazaq who was represented by the state Commissioner for Health , Dr. Raji Rasaq, observed that the social and economic burden the management of sickle cell poses on survivors and families are enormous.

She noted that the presentation of the insurance cover will go a long way to support the care and management of benefiting survivors while calling on public spirited individuals to take a cue from this initiative.

The Executive Secretary of Kwara State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Olubunmi Jetawo highlighted the challenges faced by people living with sickle cell and commended the First Lady for assuaging these challenges through this laudable charity initiative.

A sickle cell survivor, Mrs. Titi Bamidele, on behalf of the beneficiaries thanked Ambassador Abdulrazaq and the Ajike People Support Center for the gesture.

The event had in attendance, top government functionaries, Civil Society Organizations and Non Governmental Organizations.

NGO Sensitizes Children To Dangers Of FGM, Child Marriage In Osun

By

Olasunbo Okoromi

-

June 20, 2022

0

A non-governmental organization, Value Female Network (VFN) and Osun State Ministry of Women, Children & Social Affairs, has sensitized children in Osun state to the dangers of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Child Marriage.

The sensitization came at a concert at the Freedom Park, Osogbo, in commemoration of International Day of the African Child.

Addressing the children, the UNICEF FGM Consultant for Southwest Nigeria, Mrs Aderonke Olutayo, said children should recognize both practices as harmful to their well-being.

Olutayo explained that Female Genital Mutilation, Child Marriage and Child Trafficking, among other evils were violation of Children’s rights and must be reported to the police, traditional rulers or religious leaders in communities.

She outlined the dangers associated with Female Genital Mutilation and child marriage, advising children and adults to speak out against them.

Olutayo said, UNICEF intended to celebrate children in the state in a relaxed atmosphere while also letting them know about harmful traditional practices and how to protect themselves from such acts.

Also speaking, the FGM Coordinator in Osun State Ministry of Health, Mrs Toyin Adelowokan, advised parents to give their children sex education.

The Executive Director of VFN, Dr Costly Aderibigbe, urged participants to be advocates against harmful practices, especially Female Genital Mutilation which is prevalent in the state, adding that they should not allow anyone trample on their rights.

Aderibigbe said, the five million people would form a group of ambassadors against FGM, who would in turn make a pledge and commit to ending FGM in Nigeria.

Celebrity comedian, Woli Agba joined the Movement of Five Million People and was decorated before the children and adults present at the event.