Once Upon A Time – Jan. 8 – 1835 – US National Debt Is $0 For First And Only Time In History

By

Angel Gimalo

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January 8, 2022

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1656 Oldest surviving commercial newspaper begins (Haarlem, Netherlands).

1790 1st US President George Washington delivers 1st state of the union address.

1835 US national debt is $0 for the first and only time in history.

1912 Chiefs, representatives of people’s and church organisations, and other prominent individuals form the African National Congress and declare its aim to bring all Africans together as one people to defend their rights and freedoms.

1916 WWI: ANZAC forces withdraw from the Gallipoli Peninsula after Ottoman forces successfully defend access to Constantinople.

1926 Abdulaziz Ibn Saud becomes King of Nejd and Hejaz; forerunner of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Historical Events Today
Today in Film & TV
1978 TV series “All Creatures Great and Small” debuts on BBC TV, based on the books by James Herriot, starring Robert hardy and Christopher Timothy.

Today in Music
1956 Elvis Presley’s “Don’t Be Cruel” and “Hound Dog” single goes #1 and stays #1 for a record 11 weeks (for a single).

Today in Sport
1993 Michael Jordan’s game-high 35 points leads Chicago to 120-95 win over Milwaukee; gives him exactly 20,000 points in 620th game of his NBA career; 2nd-fastest to reach milestone after Wilt Chamberlain (499).

Do you know this fact about today? Did You Know?
1610 Simon Marius. a German astronomer, independently discovers the first three moons of Jupiter one day after Galileo.

Would you believe this fact about today? Would You Believe?
1708 Spanish armada headed by the San Jose and loaded with gold sunk after British squadron attacks off coast of Colombia (rediscovered 2015).

Oromoni: Amidst protests, Dowen College says truth has prevailed

By

Henry Williams

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January 8, 2022

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Following the exoneration of the five students and five employees of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos State, linked to the death of a 12-year-old student, Sylvester Oromoni (Jnr), by the state government, the management of the school has urged all those who have been spreading malicious information against the school as a result of the unfortunate incident to cease henceforth “and allow our dear Sylvester’s soul rest peacefully in our Lord’s arms.”

This was even as the state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, yesterday, insisted that the deceased died of natural cause as indicated in the result of the autopsy conducted on his body, advising members of the public who may have any misgivings about the outcome of the police investigation, medical enquiry and legal advice with the case to go to court rather than taking law into their hands.

The management of Dowen College, in statement yesterday, regretted Oromoni’s death, saying the longstanding integrity, values and processes the school worked tirelessly to maintain over the past 24 years have been called into question and dragged through the mud

Oromoni (Jnr), a student of Dowen College, died last year November in a controversial manner. He was allegedly attacked by five of his senior colleagues for refusing to join a cult.

Oromoni’s father had alleged that his child was beaten and fed a liquid chemical that eventually claimed his life.

But Dowen College in a swift reaction dismissed the claim, insisting that the student-sustained injuries while playing football with his colleagues.

Afcon 2021: Nigeria’s William Troost-Ekong says tournament should be respected more

By

Henry Williams

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January 8, 2022

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The Africa Cup of Nations should “100% be more respected”, says Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong.

The Watford centre-back said seeing Premier League players being asked if they would honour their national call-ups had been “difficult”.

Troost-Ekong is set to lead Nigeria out against seven-time champions and 2017 finalists Egypt on Tuesday in his first major tournament as captain.

“If it was the Euros or any other tournament, I don’t think there would be any kind of conversation like this,” he told Football Focus. “That would be ludicrous.”

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright, Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira and former Newcastle and Tottenham defender Sebastien Bassong have also called for the tournament to be given more respect.

FCTA Release Teachers Outstanding Promotion Arrears

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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January 8, 2022

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The Chairman, Nigerian Union of Teacher, NUT, FCT wing, Dr. Stephen Knabayi has disclosed that the FCT Administration has paid the promotion arrears of teachers in the Federal Capital Territory.

Kinabayi, stated this in Abuja after a meeting with FCTA.

The Chairman said the meeting was tough and extensive, but at the end, the union succeeded in getting its demands and the money was paid on Thursday, 6th January, 2022.

While revealing that the administration has since cleared the promotion Arrears of 2017, Kinabayi noted that the one that was settled now after their meeting with the Permanent Secretary was the promotion Arrears of 2018.

According to him, “The union had a closed door meeting with the Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA that lasted for several hours, while the union insisted, demanded for the promotion arrears, it was eventually paid”.

It could be recalled that the union under the leadership of Stephen Kinabayi has been demanding for promotion arrears of teachers recently.

Christine Mboma crowned BBC African Sports Personality of the Year

By

Henry Williams

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January 8, 2022

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Namibian sprinter Christine Mboma has been voted the BBC African Sports Personality of the Year for 2021, so becoming the first female winner in the award’s long history.

The 18-year-old became the first Namibian woman to ever win an Olympic medal when taking silver in a star-studded 200m final in Tokyo last year.

Mboma saw off Kenyan runners Eliud Kipchoge and Faith Kipyegon, South African para-athlete Ntando Mahlangu, Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and South African swimmer Tatjana Schoenmaker to win the award.

She becomes the second Namibian athlete to be recognised in such fashion, after sprinter Frankie Fredericks won the BBC African Sports Star of the Year award in 1993.

Tigray conflict: Ethiopia frees rebel leaders in Christmas amnesty

By

Henry Williams

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January 8, 2022

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Ethiopia’s government says it will free several prominent opposition figures as the country marks Orthodox Christmas.

Speaking on Friday, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said the government was making the move in a bid to achieve national reconciliation and to promote “unity”.

Leaders of the rebel Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) will be among those pardoned in the amnesty.

Government forces have been fighting the rebels for over a year in a war that has claimed thousands of lives.

The surprise pardon comes amid a lull in the 15-month long conflict, which has recently seen government forces retake the initiative and capture several rebel-held towns.

Announcing the new amnesty, the government communications service said in a statement that the “key to lasting unity is dialogue. Ethiopia will make any sacrifices to this end”.

Lagos To Seal Schools over Non- Compliance To Resume on Jan 4

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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January 8, 2022

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The Lagos State Government says it will seal schools that failed to comply with the stipulated academic calendar in the state.

The state government said the compilation of the names of all schools who failed to comply with the directive of the state’s Ministry of Education that private and public schools should resume on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, was being compiled and “disciplinary actions will be taken” forthwith.

The Director-General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, made this known in a statement on Saturday.

The statement was titled, ‘LASG Frowns At Non-Compliance With Academic Calendar By Some Schools’.

Seriki-Ayeni reiterated that part of the mandate of her office was to develop a harmonised school calendar in conjunction with stakeholders in the education sector and ensure compliance, stressing that the monitoring exercise embarked upon by the officials of the Agency was to appraise the level of compliance with the resumption date, students’ presence and safety protocols.

Revealing that some schools disobeyed the directive, the DG explained that the Y2021/2022 harmonised school calendar was developed in conjunction with stakeholders in June 2021 to ensure uniformity in the education system.

She said the agreement was communicated to all schools and associations to ensure equal educational standards and learning systems.

“During our recent exercise to monitor the level of compliance with Tuesday 4th January, 2022 resumption date, we observed that the level of compliance was low. We are going to seal the schools that have not adhered to the academic calendar with ‘Notice of Non-Compliance’ stickers and issue letters of invitation to the Administrators to visit our office in Alausa where further disciplinary actions will be taken,” Seriki-Ayeni was quoted as saying.

She emphasised the need for all schools, public and private, to comply with the academic calendar in order to ensure that an equal system of learning in all schools in Lagos State is achieved.

Seriki-Ayeni, therefore, urged school owners to communicate effectively with parents to prepare their wards early for resumption, stating that it takes an entire term to prepare for an upcoming term.

Mediterranean diet voted best for 2022

By

Cleopatra Okohai

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January 7, 2022

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The Mediterranean diet has been voted as the best diet for 2022, for the fifth year running, according to ratings by the US News and World Report.

The Mediterranean Diet was ranked number one as best plant-based diet, best heart-healthy diet, best diabetes diet, the best diet for healthy eating, and the easiest diet to follow.

The Mediterranean Diet Pyramid was created in in 1993 by Oldways in partnership with the Harvard School of Public Health and the World Health Organisation.

This diet pyramid recommends a daily intake of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, herbs, spices, nuts and healthy fats such as olive oil, twice-weekly servings of ﬁsh and seafood, moderate portions of dairy foods, eggs, and occasional poultry and infrequent servings of red meats and sweets.

Various studies have also found that the Mediterranean diet could reduce the risk of dementia, memory loss, diabetes, depression and some form of cancers. The diet, which has also been described as more of an eating style than a restricted diet, has also been linked to stronger bones, a healthier heart and longer life.

In second place were the DASH diet, which stands for dietary approaches to stop hypertension and emphasises reducing salt intake; and the flexitarian diet, which encourages being a vegetarian most of the time but is flexible enough to allow a burger once in a while.

The winning diets were noted to fall within accepted ranges for the amount of protein, carbs, fat and other nutrients they provide.

The Mediterranean diet, which comprises meals from Greece, Spain, Italy and French was voted the healthiest diet as it is a key secret to an active lifestyle, weight control which is low in red meat, sugar and saturated fat and high in produce, nuts and other healthful foods.

According to usnews.com, the Mediterranean diet may offer a host of health benefits, including weight loss, heart and brain health, cancer prevention, and diabetes prevention and control.

By following the Mediterranean diet, you could also keep that weight off while avoiding chronic disease, experts suggest.

In an email correspondence with CNN, the managing editor of health for US News & World Report, Gretel Schueller said the top diets were driven by what can be eaten and not what cannot be eaten which are particularly helpful for people, especially during the pandemic.

She also added that the winning diets provide wholesome nutrition and also allow for occasional treats.

“All the diets that perform well are safe, sensible and backed by sound science. The diet winners also all provide adequate calories with a focus on vegetables, fruits and whole grains; a modest amount of lean protein, dairy; and an occasional treat.”

FG introduces N10 per litre excise duty on carbonated drinks to ‘curb non-communicable diseases’

By

Cleopatra Okohai

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January 7, 2022

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The Federal Government has introduced an excise duty of N10 per litre on all non-alcoholic, carbonated, and sweetened beverages.

Excise duty refers to the taxes levied on the manufacture of goods within the country.

Speaking during the public presentation of the 2022 budget on Wednesday in Abuja, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said the new policy introduced is in the Finance Act signed into law by the President Muhammadu Buhari on December 31, 2021.

She said, “There’s now an excise duty of N10 per litre imposed on all non-alcoholic and sweetened beverages. And this is to discourage excessive consumption of sugar in beverages which contributes to a number of health conditions including diabetes and obesity. But it is also used to raise excise duties and revenues for health-related and other critical expenditures. This is in line also with the 2022 budget priorities.”

Also, Ahmed said the government had introduced a law requiring foreign companies providing digital services in the country to collect and remit Value Added Tax to the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

According to her, the new policy is also contained in Section 30 of the Finance Act which amended the provisions of Section 10, 31 and 14 on VAT obligations for non-resident digital companies.

She said “Section 30 of the Finance Act is designed to amend Section 10, 31 and 14 of VAT is in relations to VAT obligations for non-resident digital companies and the mechanism that will be used is to restrict VAT obligations mainly to digital non-resident companies who supply individuals in Nigeria who can’t themselves self-account for VAT.

“So if you visit Amazon, we are expecting Amazon to add VAT charge to whatever transaction you are paying for. I am using Amazon as an example. We are going to be working with Amazon to be agreed to be registered as a tax agent for the FIRS.

“So Amazon will now collect this payment and remit to FIRS and this is in line with global best practices, we have been missing out on this stream of revenue.”

Lockdowns no longer necessary to contain COVID-19 – Africa CDC

By

Cleopatra Okohai

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January 7, 2022

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The Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention says lockdowns were no longer necessary to contain COVID-19.

According to Africa’s top public health agency, African countries battling the alleged fourth wave of the COVID-19 infection fueled by the alleged Omicron variant should adopt a new approach to tackle the ongoing pandemic other than lockdown.

The Director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, John Nkengasong stated this while speaking at a news conference on Thursday.

“We are very encouraged with what we saw in South Africa during this period where they look at the data in terms of severity (of infections).

“The period where we are using severe lockdowns as a tool is over. We should actually be looking at how we use public health and social measures more carefully and in a balanced way.” he said.