Scotland VS Ukraine World Cup Play-off Suspended

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March 8, 2022

Scotland’s World Cup play-off against Ukraine has been postponed.

The nations were set to meet at Hampden on 24 March but Ukraine requested that Fifa move the tie back following Russia’s invasion of the country.

As a result, the play-off final for the winners against either Wales or Austria will now also be delayed

Discussions are under way for a new date, with the Nations League window in June the most likely option.

A large contingent of recent squads selected by Ukraine contains players from their homeland, with 15 out of the 23-man pool for November’s World Cup qualifiers playing in their home leagues.

Reps make U-turn, reconsider rejected pro-women bills

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Henry Williams

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March 8, 2022

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The House of Representatives has receded the pro-women bills that were rejected during the voting on the amendments to the 1999 Constitution last week Tuesday and relisted them for reconsideration.

Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the House of Representatives, made this announcement after executive (closed doors) session at the commencement of plenary on Tuesday.

The House had voted against the Bills Acts to alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for Affirmative Action for Women in Political Party Administration; expand the Scope of Citizenship by Registration and provide Criteria for Qualification to become an Indigene of a State in Nigeria.

Since last Wednesday, hundreds of of women have besieged the National Assembly, blocking the main entrance to the nation’s Parliament premises within the three arms zone to protest the death of the bills.

17 Ebonyi Lawmakers Lose Seats Alongside Gov Umahi, Deputy

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Henry Williams

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March 8, 2022

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After a Federal High Court, Abuja granted an order sacking the Ebonyi state Governor, Dave Umahi and his Deputy, Eric Igwe from their respective positions, the court has also granted an order sacking 17 members of the Ebonyi state house of assembly.

The affected 17 lawmakers were part of the individuals that defected with Umahi from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Earlier, it had been reported that Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, granted an order that restrained Umahi and Igwe from parading themselves as the Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, on the grounds that the mandate which they enjoy was given to them under the platform of the PDP.

Court sacks David Umahi as Ebonyi governor

By

Henry Williams

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March 8, 2022

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has sacked David Umahi and Dr Eric Igwe as Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State respectively.

Justice Inyang Ekwo Tuesday ordered the duo to vacate their offices, after their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

The judge held that the votes that brought them to bureau belonged to the PDP and cannot hold on to the votes having elected to jettison the party that nominated them.

Ekwo also held that the votes cast for PDP in the March 9, 2019 governorship election are not transferrable to the APC that failed in the election

WAEC to Celebrate 70th Anniversary, to Reward Personalities, WASSCE Candidates

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Precious Obazee

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March 8, 2022

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The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has expressed its readiness to hold its annual council meeting which also coincides with its platinum anniversary.

The anniversary would also be an opportunity for the council to present various awards to deserving awardees and personalities from Nigeria and other member countries under the auspices of its WAEC Endowment Fund, International Excellence and National Distinction/ Merit Awards in respect of WASSCE for school candidates, 2021.

Some of the awards include the Omo N’ Oba Erediauwa Coronation awards which would also be presented to the best male and best female candidates while the Augustus Bandel Oyediran trophy award, would be presented to the school with the best aggregate result in WASSCE for school candidates, 2021.

The Head of Nigeria National Office (HNO), WAEC, Patrick Areghan who briefed journalists, in Lagos, said the council meeting which would feature the 27th endowment fund lecture to be delivered by Prof. Ngozi Azuka Osarenren from the Educational Foundation Department of the University of Lagos, would hold on March 14, in Abuja.

He said the council meeting is held on a rotational basis among the five member countries to deliberate on; providing qualitative and reliable educational assessment, encouraging academic and morale excellence; promoting sustainable human resource development and promoting international cooperation.

The meeting, he added, also affords the host country a rare opportunity to interact with stakeholders in the education sector, member of the diplomatic corps, as well as opportunity to showcase its economic, cultural and tourism potentials.

The HNO stated that though holding both virtually and physically, various awards would be presented to deserving awardees and personalities from Nigeria and other member countries under the auspices of the WAEC Endowment Fund, International Excellence and National Distinction/ Merit Awards in respect of WASSCE for School Candidates, 2021, are going to be presented to deserving candidates.

He emphasised on the council’s achievement in the last 70 years saying, WAEC has creditably executed its functions by successfully meeting the educational aspirations of its teeming clientele across the sub-region for 70 years now.

A’Level Exams: Grace Mugabe’s Elite Private School To Accommodate Examiners

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Precious Obazee

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March 8, 2022

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The Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council (Zimsec) is hiring former First Lady Grace Mugabe’s elite private school to accommodate examiners marking Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations in a deal sources say could be worth a fortune.

Traditionally, the examinations board makes use of publicly funded educational institutions.

Sources told local media on Monday that examiners are housed at the controversially established Amai Grace Mugabe School in Mazowe for more than a month.

It also emerged that Zimsec has another deal with the Zaoga owned, Ezekiel Guti University (Zegu) in Bundura, having shunned the Bindura University of Science Education (Buse).

Zimsec Public relations manager, Nicky Dhlamini Moyo confirmed the developments in an interview saying there was nothing amiss about the arrangement.

Drop In Kenya’s Teenage Pregnancies Linked To Shorter Term Breaks

By

Precious Obazee

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March 8, 2022

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According to the Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Education Dr. Sarah Ruto, short period of closure of schools has contributed to a drop in teenage pregnancies in Kenya.

Addressing members of the press in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County, the CAS said that the number of teen pregnancies recorded during this year’s Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) is relatively lower.

She noted that the numbers are attributed to the short closures of schools that were occasioned by the Covid-19 disruption of learning activities in all learning institutions.

The CAS noted there is need for a collaborative effort with members of the society in order to ensure that children are protected at all costs to curb the issue of teen pregnancies and ensure that they complete their education.

Elgeyo Marakwet County has eight children sitting for their examinations in hospitals across the county with cases of teenage pregnancies and other illnesses.

The CAS was speaking during the monitoring and distribution of KCPE examinations at Iten where she said the examination has been running smoothly in the entire country with zero cases being reported as the exams enter day two.

She said that there have been improvements in the manner in which national examinations are administered which has made the process smooth and efficient.

International Women’s Day: Women In The Energy Sector Address Workplace Challenges

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Elizabeth Williams

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March 8, 2022

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Gender equality simply translate to equal opportunities for the female folks as the male. Over the years the fight for gender equality has been strongly advocated for across the world especially powered by the United Nations who presents it as one of its sustainable development goals.

International Women’s Day – celebrated annually on March 8 – is a day that commemorates the social, political and economic achievements of women.

Women in different parts of the world use this day to come together to celebrate one another and rally for equal treatment and representation.

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is: “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.”

This year’s campaign is represented by the #BreakTheBias hashtag and calls on people to work towards a world that is equitable, inclusive, and free from bias and discrimination so the playing field is levelled for women moving forward.

It is important to note that gender equality issues does not only apply to women in the real sense, it cuts across gender neutrality advocacy.

It is also crucial to understand that bias and discrimination is not only directed to gender but to Race, tribe or sect as well as religious affiliation.

Oxford definition of discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, sex, or disability.Discrimination is the act of making unjustified distinctions between people based on the groups, classes and that simply has its root from hate.

In addressing the real challenges faced by women in Africa, Experts who are women in the Energy sector during a recent gathering in Lagos, speak about the divers issues confronting the female folks in the workplace.

Patricia Simon-Hart Managing Director AFRAC Ltd and Women in Energy Network who is also a member of Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria PETAN, says women should came across as professionals to avoid harassment.

While another speaker admonished women to be diligent with work , and pay attention to appearance.

Maintaining work-life balance and understanding that vulnerability is not a sign of weakness, women are encouraged to be flexible with their work environment and organisation; knowing that Asking for work balance is a give and take.

Representative from Kenya national oil company says, skill set is very important and women need to prove themselves to be positioned in a leadership position.

Looking back at the history of the international women’s day, the most consequential International Women’s Day protest took place in Russia on March 8, 1917 where Thousands of Russian women took to the streets of the capital, Petrograd, now known as St Petersburg, to demand the end of food shortages and World War I.

The United Nations celebrated International Women’s Day for the first time in 1975. Ever since the global community has ascribed different themes to the event each year; and there has been different interpretation to the celebration of the day.

Gender Ideology Theory vs Non-discrimination Policy Law

Gender Ideology Theory is another issue that is making waves across the globe especially prevalent in the United States of America.

In the United States, students have been introduced to gender ideology through social media “influencers,” helping fuel a rise in gender dysphoria among children. As a result, schools have begun enabling gender-confused students to “socially transition”—without their parents’ knowledge or consent Through the Non-discrimination Policy Law. Heritage foundation plays host to a few brave parents who have started to speak out, to defend their rights and the rights of their children.

Non-discrimination Policy Law, seeks “to guarantee that human rights are exercised without discrimination of any kind based on race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status such as disability, age, marital and family status

Equality and freedom from discrimination are outlines as basic human rights by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). While the UDHR is not binding, nations make a commitment to uphold those rights through the ratification of international human rights treaties. Specific treaties relevant to anti-discrimination law include

* The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,

* The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

* The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and

* The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

* In addition, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10 and Goal 16 also advocates for international efforts towards eliminating discriminatory laws

It is therefore expedient to say gender equality refers or applies to women when it comes to asking for equal rights for women and advocacy for opportunities in social, political and economic achievements for women. But the overall concept of ‘’Gender Equality’’ goes deeper than issues regarding or concerning women’s right.

NAFDAC warns Nigerians against use of Aluminium Phosphide Pesticides

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Cleopatra Okohai

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March 8, 2022

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has warned the public of the risk involved in using Aluminum Phosphide 560TB pesticides.

The warning is contained in a public alert with No. 009/2022 signed by the Director-General of the agency, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, and issued to newsmen on Monday.

She said that the warning followed the report of the death of three (3) children as announced by the Zimbabwean authorities, who said the death of the children was as a result of them inhaling the pesticides that had been applied to maize for storage.

According to Adeyeye, Aluminum Phosphide (AlP) is a cheap, effective and commonly used pesticide.

It is used as a rodenticide, insecticide and fumigant for stored cereal grains to kill small verminous mammals such as moles and rodents.

She said that pesticides are now one of the most common causes of poisoning among agricultural pesticides, and it liberates lethal phosphine gas when it comes in contact either with atmospheric moisture or with hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

According to her, pesticides come in different brand names such as Justoxin, Force Toxin, Phostoxin, Celphos, Multiphos and many more.

“The possible risk of this liquid chemical to the body is that human toxicity occurs either due to the ingestion of AlP (commonest mode) after exposure and injury from phosphine inhalation (uncommon) or even after absorption through the skin (rare).

“The signs and symptoms are nonspecific, instantaneous and depend on the dose, route of entry and time-lapse since exposure to poison.

“After inhalation exposure, patients commonly have airway irritation and breathlessness.

“Other features may include dizziness, easy fatigability, tightness in the chest, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, ataxia, numbness, paraesthesia, tremor, muscle weakness, diplopia and jaundice.

“In severe inhalation toxicity, the patient may develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), cardiac failure, cardiac arrhythmias, convulsion and coma, and late manifestation of hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity may also occur.

“NAFDAC implores distributors, retailers, and consumers to exercise caution in the storage, ensure safe and proper handling of the chemical product,’’ Adeyeye said.

The Director-General also advised members of the public to always read warning labels before purchase.

“Carefully follow label instruction for proper handling, proper application and proper storage.

`Ensure use of protective measures when handling pesticides such as wearing impermeable gloves, long pants, and long-sleeve, nose mask and safety glasses.”

According to the Adeyeye, NAFDAC encourages consumers to report adverse events related to the use of this product to the nearest agency office, or NAFDAC PRASCOR (20543 TOLLS FREE from all networks) or via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng.

She added that the public could also report adverse events via the NAFDAC ADR e-Reporting platform available at www.nafdac.gov.ng

IWD 2022: NACA urges protection of women at risk of HIV

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Cleopatra Okohai

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March 8, 2022

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The National Agency for the Control of AIDS has called for more efforts to reduce the gender inequality and violence that women and girls at risk of HIV face in the country.

The agency made the call in a statement it released ahead of the 2022 International Women’s Day.

The statement which was signed by the NACA Head of Media and Protocols, partly read, “This year’s International Women’s Day comes on the heels of an unprecedented global movement for women’s rights, equality and justice.

“Poverty, sexual harassment, violence and discrimination against women have captured headlines and public discourse, propelled by a rising determination for change.

“This theme for this year’s IWD will provide an opportunity to transform this momentum into action, to empower women in all settings, rural and urban, and celebrate the activists who are working relentlessly to claim gender equality for women to enable them to realise their full potential. This strategy is equally important in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of leaving no one behind.

“Evidence exists that most gender-related interventions have focused on breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty, particularly for disadvantaged women and girl children, but have been weaker in promoting women’s economic empowerment through employment or sustainable livelihoods.

“Unfortunately, in most communities, resources are limited to support economic strengthening and livelihood interventions for indigent Persons Living with HIV, particularly women, whose main role is still to be a wife, mother, and homemaker while the man is the main decision-maker and income-earner.

“We understand the vital link between gender, social equity and climate change, and recognise that without gender equality today, a sustainable and equal future remains out of reach.

“The 2022 IWD celebration provides the National Agency for the Control of AIDS another opportunity to reposition for change and to build on the previous achievements, with focus on awareness creation on the impact of HIV on indigent persons living with HIV particularly women and girls, while calling for greater gender equality and equity. It also provides the Agency an avenue to further intensify efforts to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.”

The statement quoted the Director-General of NACA, Gambo Aliyu, as saying, “Women must be empowered to transform their perceived weaknesses to opportunities if we must break the cycle of poverty, diseases and particularly reduce the HIV burden in Nigeria as much has been done to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV, but much more needs to be done to reduce the gender inequality and violence that women and girls at risk of HIV often face.”