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Banking and Finance Conference: Pres. Buhari Charges Nigerian Institutions To Improve Economy

Elizabeth Williams
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Banking and Finance Conference: Pres. Buhari Charges Nigerian Institutions To Improve Economy

Nigeria’s President Mohammadu Buhari has charged Bankers and Banking Institutions in Nigeria to help improve the nation’s economy.

He said this at the14th virtual Annual Banking and Finance Conference on September 14.

The Banking and Finance Conference is an annual event of The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), with an estimated audience of 1,000 people comprising professionals, policy makers, regulators, operators and other stakeholders in the financial services industry.

African Continental Free Trade Area is creating new opportunities for pan African trade and investments. Banks with Continental reach, like several institutions presented here, can lead the way in cementing economic integration,”

We look to you to set the pace in this regard,” Kagame noted.

The Rwandan President added that as government the role is to maintain good enabling environments, protecting both shareholders and consumers, while allowing for innovation.

Africa Has Resources To Fund Its Economic Growth

President Paul Kagame says Africa has the resources to fund its own economic growth and reduce dependence on external resources.

“Indeed, Africa has the resources to fund its own economic growth and reduce dependence on external resources,” Kagame said.

The 14th virtual Annual Banking and Finance Conference Themed “Economic recovery, inclusion and transformation: The Role of Banking and Finance” the conference runs from 14th to 15th September 2021, targeting to reposition Nigeria’s banking and finance industry as a catalyst for an inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development of the country.

Gantz Says Israel Could Accept New Iran Nuclear Deal

Elizabeth Williams
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Gantz Says Israel Could Accept New Iran Nuclear Deal

Defense Minister Benny Gantz said he was prepared to accept a scenario in which the US negotiates a fresh nuclear deal with Iran, in a rare comment from a senior government official not rejecting such a multilateral accord out of hand.

“The current US approach of putting the Iran nuclear program back in a box, I’d accept that,” Gantz told Foreign Policy in an interview published Tuesday, employing rhetoric used by the Biden administration to describe the goal of the 2015 nuclear deal, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

While Israeli defense officials not in government have indicated a degree of tolerance for the JCPOA or a negotiated nuclear deal of any kind in the past, that sentiment has not extended to public officials, and Gantz appears to be the most senior cabinet member to reflect it on the record.

However, a spokesperson for the minister later clarified that Gantz does not support an American return to the JCPOA, but rather maintains that Israel would accept some other longer, broader and stronger nuclear agreement.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett assured US President Joe Biden at the White House last month that he would not publicly campaign against Washington’s efforts to coax Iran back to the 2015 accord brokered by former US president Barack Obama and abrogated by Biden’s predecessor Donald Trump in 2018, Israeli officials said.

That was a departure from Bennett’s predecessor Benjamin Netanyahu, who campaigned aggressively against the JCPOA and even accepted an invitation to address a joint session of Congress where he unsuccessfully lobbied lawmakers against the deal in 2015, aggravating an already growing rift between Israel and the US Democratic Party.

Bennett, however, has also made it clear that he opposes a negotiated nuclear deal and has not publicly stated that its resurrection is something that Israel could live with, as Gantz did in his Tuesday interview.

The defense minister also made clear that he wanted to see a “viable US-led plan B” that includes significant political, diplomatic, and economic pressure against Tehran imposed jointly by the US, Europe, Russia, and China — as well as a credible military threat — if talks in Vienna seeking a US-Iran return to the JCPOA fail to bear fruit.

“We have to connect China in this too, Asia has to play a role,” Gantz said, noting Iran’s growing economic ties with the Far East. “Israel has no ability to lead a real plan B, we can’t put together an international economic sanctions regime. This has to be led by the US.”

“Iran has to fear that the US and its partners are serious,” he added.

Gantz also indicated to Foreign Policy that Israel had its own “plan C” that would involve military action.

“If push comes to shove, we’ll get there,” Gantz said, switching to English to make the point, adding: “We’re not America, but we have our capabilities.”

He went on to warn that if world powers fail to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, it’ll lead to a nuclear arms race.

Nigeria’s Debt hits N35.5trn, Local Stands At N21 Trillion

Elizabeth Williams
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Nigeria’s Debt hits N35.5trn, Local Stands At N21 Trillion

The Director-General of Debt Management Office, DMO, Patience Oniha, disclosed on Wednesday, that Nigeria’s public debt stock stood at N35.465 trillion as at June 30, 2021.

Total Public Debt is composed of the domestic and external debt of the Federal Government, the 36 state governments and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

According to the Director-General of the DMO, Patience Oniha, the external debt accounted for N13.7 trillion or 38.7 per cent while approximately N21.8 trillion was sourced from the local market.   

Of the total value, 83.07 per cent was held by the Federal Government while the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) borrowings accounted for 16.93 per cent.

The percentage of FG’s share of the national debt had increased from 81.94 per cent as at December 2020.

A breakdown of the public debt figure under review indicated that that external debt was N13.711 trillion, representing 38.66 per cent.

On the other hand, domestic debt was N21.754 trillion, representing 61.34 per cent of the total stock.

The Federal Government accounted for N11. 828 trillion of the external debt and N17. 632 trillion of the domestic debt.

States and the FCT’s external debt stood at N1.883 trillion, with a domestic debt stock of N4.122 trillion.

The breakdown of the external debt showed that the bulk of the debt is owed to multilaterals (World Bank Group and the African Development Bank Group), which accounted for 54.88 per cent.

The next highest category is the commercial debt (Eurobonds and Diaspora bonds) which accounted for 31.88 per cent; while bilateral (China, France, Japan, India and Germany) stood at 12. 70 per cent. Promissory Notes represent 0. 54 per cent.

Businesses Allowed to Deny Unvaccinated People Entry – Namibia’s Attorney General

Elizabeth Williams
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Businesses Allowed to Deny Unvaccinated People Entry – Namibia’s Attorney General

Namibia’s Attorney GeneralFestus Mbandeka says Businesses in the country reserve the right to enforce mandatory vaccination against Covid-19, provided they can substantiate their decision in line with the provisions of the Labour law.

The attorney general, who yesterday responded to a question on the matter at a Covid-19 briefing, said employers may opt to use a provision of the labour law stating they must provide employees and customers a safe and healthy environment.

He said the labour law also requires of employees to protect others they come in contact with in line with their work.

If it is found that some of these requirements are reasonable and necessary, they may not be found to be unconstitutional, Mbandeka said.

“I think there could be good grounds for doing so in order to minimise the risk of infection,” he said.

He said the reason for introducing additional measures is to encourage vaccination, since uptake is still low.

Mbandeka said the country is dealing with a pandemic that is not only affecting the rights of individuals, but in which individuals are posing risks to others.

However, many have questioned the issue of posing risk to the vaccinated few who are suppose to feel a sense of protection after inoculation but the reverse is the case.

The Attorney Generaladded”The Constitution allows fundamental freedoms we enjoy as people, however, those freedoms are subject to certain restrictions that are reasonable in terms of the law,” he said.

President Hage Geingob had said while individuals have rights, those rights stop where another’s rights begin. A statement that can be viewed as leading to more conflict or rather creating a line between the vaccinated and unvaccinated in the country.

Israel, EU Reach Deal To Mutually Recognize Vaccine Certificates

Elizabeth Williams
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Israel, EU Reach Deal To Mutually Recognize Vaccine Certificates

Israel and the European Union reached an agreement on Wednesday to mutually recognize vaccine certificates, the Foreign Ministry announced, in a move that will allow travelers access to Green Pass programs.

The ministry said work on the agreement would be completed in early October and would give vaccinated Israeli tourists and business people access to the EU Green Pass, allowing entrance to “restaurants, cultural centers, public institutions and more.”

It would also allow Israel to gear up to begin accepting tourists from Europe, the statement said. Furthermore, it will allow Israelis access to other countries’ programs, should they join the initiative in the future.

However, the ministry cautioned that the program does not supersede entry requirements of individual EU nations, like Portugal and Sweden, which currently bar Israeli tourists. It also allows Israel to continue to bar entry to travelers from specific EU countries if it chooses.

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid hailed the agreement as “an important step in laying the groundwork for a return to normal with regard to flight and tourism ties between Israel and the EU.”

Israeli travel to Europe has plummeted in recent weeks after the EU removed Israel from a list of nations deemed “epidemiologically safe,” and Portugal and Sweden responded by slapping entry bans on Israelis for all but humanitarian and essential reasons.

Israeli holiday travel to Europe largely stopped due to entry ban fears

Israelis are abandoning plans to travel to Europe in large numbers, amid fears that they could find themselves barred from entry or suddenly required to quarantine upon return home.

Travel agents report many people changing plans and deciding to staycation over the Jewish holidays, after decisions two weeks ago by Portugal and Sweden to bar Israelis except for essential and humanitarian needs raised worries that other countries will follow suit and holidays would be suddenly disrupted.

Travelers from Israel and the US who are not inoculated against the coronavirus are now only permitted entry to France if they can prove an essential reason for making the trip and can present a negative test before traveling. And they will need to quarantine for seven days upon arrival.

Several other EU countries are barring non-vaccinated Israelis.

Enyimba Officially Unveils Finidi George As Head Coach

Emenike Agu
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Enyimba Officially Unveils Finidi George As Head Coach

Nigeria Professional League club, Enyimba FC, have officially announced the appointment of former Super Eagles winger, Finidi George as their new head coach.

The confirmation of the former Ajax and Real Betis winger as the new gaffer for the People’s Elephant was contained in an official statement released on Wednesday.

George signed a two-year contract with the eight-time Nigerian champions and replaces Fatai Osho whose contract expired at the end of August.

George, a legend of the Nigeria’s men’s senior national team, made 62 appearances for the Super Eagles in an illustrious playing career that lasted 15 years.

He was a key member of the glorious era that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994 and represented the country at two FIFA World Cups – the 1994 and 1998 editions.

At club level, George won the UEFA Champions League with Ajax in 1995 and went on to play for Real Betis, RCD Mallorca and Ipswich Town

His first official game as Enyimba head coach will be the CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round fixture against Senegalese side Diambers FC in mid-October.

Speaking to Enyimba’s media immediately after putting pen to paper, George said: “I have to say it’s a great opportunity for the club to have this confidence in me.

“I want to thank the chairman, the members of the board, and the supporters for even thinking about me. On my own part, I will be here to just work and do the job. It’s never going to be easy but I’m here to work and make the team win.”

The Chairman of Enyimba, Felix Anyansi-Agwu, stated that the arrival of George represents a new chapter for the club.

“I believe that the time has come for us as a club to open up a new chapter, a chapter that will showcase the many hardwork that has been going on behind the scene and usher in lots of success.

For us to have engaged a coach like Finidi George who is coming from Europe is a clear statement of intent about our aspirations,” Mr Anyansi-Agwu added.

Henderson Fires Winner As Liverpool Beat Milan In Champions League Thriller

Emenike Agu
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Henderson Fires Winner As Liverpool Beat Milan In Champions League Thriller

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson struck a rare Champions League goal to earn his side a 3-2 victory over AC Milan in a rip-roaring Group B opener at a rocking Anfield on Wednesday (Sept 15).

Henderson rifled home in the 69th minute to settle an absorbing contest Liverpool had threatened to run away with when Fikayo Tomori’s own goal handed them an early lead.

Remarkably, after soaking up a Liverpool bombardment in which Mohamed Salah missed a penalty, Milan struck twice in quick succession at the end of the first half with Ante Rebic and Brahim Diaz silencing the home crowd.

Milan had a goal disallowed shortly after the break before Salah made amends for his penalty miss by equalising from close range in the 49th minute.

The outcome was still in doubt until Henderson capped a memorable Anfield night with a thumping effort – only his second in the competition and first for seven years.

Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri Sets New Record, Rises To 15 In ITTF Ranking

Emenike Agu
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Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri Sets New Record, Rises To 15 In ITTF Ranking

Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna has set a new African record as the first player from the continent to be ranked in top 15 in the ITTF Ranking.

In the Week 37 of September 14 ranking released by the world table tennis ruling body, Aruna who was runner’s up in the men’s singles of the Cameroon 2021 ITTF African Championships moved four steps up the ranking ladder to be rated 15 as the first African to attain such height in the world ranking to erase Omar Assar’s record of world number 16 set by the Egyptian on January 2018.

Aruna’s unbeaten run came to an end in the final of the tournament in Cameroon when he lost 4-1 to Assar and for his performance, the former World Table Tennis Player of the Year gained ranking points to join the elite club in the world.

Also his partnership with Bode Abiodun won the men’s doubles in Cameroon and the duo has gained ranking points to be ranked 20th in the world by ITTF in the men’s doubles.

For emerging as the men’s singles champion in Cameroon, Assar gained eight steps up in the ranking to be rated 28th in the latest ranking.

Also, Assar’s compatriot – Ahmed Saleh garnered ranking points to move to 47th in the world, Senegal’s Ibrahima Diaw moved 10 steps up to 59, while Olajide Omotayo rose to 87th in the world rating.

In the women’s ranking, bronze medalist in Cameroon and six-time African champion Egypt’s Dina Meshref held on to the top in the continent after rising to 35th in the ranking.

 Her compatriot and teammate, Yours Helmy gained 16 steps to rise to 85th in the world, while Nigeria’s Offiong Edem gained 12 steps to rise to 107 in the ranking.

Meanwhile, China’s duo of Fan Zhendong and Meng Cheng held on to the pinnacle of the ranking as the best rated players in the men and women rating in the world.

South Africa Keen To Replace Japan As Hosts Of FIFA Club World Cup

Emenike Agu
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0
South Africa Keen To Replace Japan As Hosts Of FIFA Club World Cup

South Africa is hoping to replace Japan as hosts of this year’s Club World Cup after the Olympic and Paralympic host country withdrew from staging the tournament because of COVID-19.

South African Football Association President Danny Jordaan is set to meet FIFA counterpart Gianni Infantino today to discuss the nation stepping in to hold the event.

Jordaan is also due to have meetings with FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura and Confederation of African Football President Patrick Motsepe over South Africa’s interest in hosting the competition, scheduled to take place in December.

South Africa must receive Government approval if it is to be successful with its bid.

There has also been reported interest from Saudi Arabia, which has aligned itself closely with Infantino in recent years.

Japan last week pulled out of staging the seven-team World Cup, featuring the six continental champions and the winners of the host nation’s top-tier domestic league, amid concerns over the risk of rising COVID-19 infections.

South Africa has seen a reduction in new cases of the novel coronavirus in the past two weeks, leading to the Government relaxing restrictions and raising the possibility that fans could soon be allowed back into stadiums.

The country has recorded more than 80,000 deaths from COVID-19, the highest of any African nation, but has vaccinated around 10 million people.

UEFA Champions League winners Chelsea could be prevented from taking their place in the tournament if it is hosted in South Africa as the country is on the British Government’s red list, meaning they would have to quarantine for 10 days upon their arrival back in England.

South Africa’s representatives at a home Club World Cup would be Mamelodi Sundowns, the club formerly owned by Motsepe until he became CAF President.

This year’s Club World Cup had been scheduled to be held in China under a revamped 24-team format before the postponement of Tokyo 2020 and other events forced FIFA to push it back.

FIFA then decided it would be staged using the traditional seven-team format.

Plans to hold a 24-team tournament appear to have been put on the backburner as FIFA is pushing for the main World Cup to be staged every two years rather than four, in a move which has drawn the ire of UEFA and its President Aleksander Čeferin.

Algerian Judoka And Coach Suspended For 10 Years Over Tokyo 2020 Withdrawal To Avoid Facing An Israeli

Emenike Agu
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0
Algerian Judoka And Coach Suspended For 10 Years Over Tokyo 2020 Withdrawal To Avoid Facing An Israeli

Algeria’s Fethi Nourine and his coach Amar Benikhlef have been suspended for 10 years by the International Judo Federation (IJF) after withdrawing from the Tokyo Olympics to avoid facing an Israeli opponent.

Nourine, 30, who was in the men’s -73kg class, said at the time that his political support for the Palestinian cause made it impossible to compete.

The IJF said the pair “with malicious intent” used the Games as a “platform for protest and promotion of political and religious propaganda”.

The governing body’s disciplinary commission said it was a “clear and serious breach” of its statutes, code of ethics and the Olympic charter.

Nourine was due to face Sudan’s Mohamed Abdalrasool in his first bout and a win would have paired him with Israel’s Tohar Butbul.

At the time he was provisionally suspended and the Algerian Olympic Committee withdrew their accreditation and sent them home.

The ban covers all IJF events and activities through to 23 July 2031, though they can appeal against the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The incident was not the first time that Nourine had withdrawn from competition to avoid facing an Israeli opponent. He pulled out of the 2019 World Championships in Tokyo for the same reason.

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