Kenya Opens New Portal To Curb Academic Dishonesty

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August 5, 2021

Kenya’s race to rid the country of fake certificates is quickly gathering momentum with 74 public universities registering to list their graduates in a central database that will lock out academic cheats.

The registration exercise by the institutions to be considered as Qualifications Awarding Institutions will close on September 30.

The universities are expected to register the qualifications they award, followed by registration of the graduates on the Kenya National Learner’s Records Database by December 1 this year.

The database will display all records of graduates from primary school to university level.

Speaking during a consultative meeting with the Auditor General, Nancy Gathungu, the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) chair, Kilemi Mwiria, explained that the authority intends to ensure that people seeking employment have genuine academic documents.

The authority will employ a multi layered approach set in place to reduce opportunities and access points for hackers to ensure that only authorised users are authenticated to access the data.

A portal will also be opened for members of the public to verify their qualifications. In case of mismatch or any other form of discrepancy, such cases may be reported to the institutions, which will have the rights to correct such anomalies.

Mwiria noted that institutions in rural areas that have no electricity or internet connectivity will also benefit as ‘Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation and Ministry of ICT intend to connect electricity to all learning institutions, and the connection of all learning institutions to the national fiber grid.

As the institutions start sending in their data, the authority says it has put mechanisms in place to ensure data verification and integrity.

A recent report from KNQA reveals that one in every three Kenyans holds fake academic documents.

On July 8, Abdalla Mohamed, a candidate who had been shortlisted for a commissioner’s job at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission was forced to withdraw from the interviews after the Kenya Methodist University disowned his degree.

Early this year, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, which started a crackdown on fake certificate holders in formal jobs, has indicated that they will partner with the KNQA to uncover the fraudsters.

About 226 Varsities Get N300bn Tertiary Education Fund

By

Precious Obazee

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August 5, 2021

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In a bid to sustain the tempo of human and infrastructural development in the nation’s tertiary institutions, the Tertiary Education Fund (TetFund) has this year disbursed over N300 billion this year to about 226 tertiary institutions in the country for staff training and development of various infrastructure.

Speaking in Asaba at an audit and accounts reconciliatory meeting with the benefiting institutions in Delta State, the Chairman, Board of Trustees, TetFund, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, reiterated the agency’s commitment to its statutory mandates towards the overall development of the country’s tertiary education sub-sector.

He noted that TetFund was committed to building the education sector through training of the academic staff and the building of projects such that would guarantee improved and conducive teaching and learning environment.

He disclosed that in 10 years of TetFund, the agency has more than 10,000 projects to its credit across the various tertiary institutions in the country.

Speaking about efforts in academic staff training and development, the Tetfund chairman said in the past 10 years, Tetfund had successfully trained more than 30,000 lecturers across the country for masters and PhD programmes locally and internationally.

He added that in 2021 alone, the overall budget of Tetfund is about N300 billion with each university accessing overall budget of about N900 million; each polytechnic will receive in excess of N800 million, while the colleges of education will access in excess of N700 million.

He said the country had about 226 tertiary institutions presently.

He further added that for academic staff training and development, each university will access about N150 million, Polytechnic and colleges of education N120 million each this year.

While noting that TetFund placed high premium on academic staff training and development and was determined not to let down the standard, he said, “Yes, we spend more on physical infrastructure without which lecturers will not operate in conducive learning atmosphere.

“For this reason, physical infrastructure takes up of about two-thirds of our annual intervention but we place our premium on training of lecturers and that is why you have so many beneficiaries of our training programme here and we are here to see you physically and hear from you.

Also speaking, the Head, Academic Staff Training and Development, TetFund, Muhammad Sulaiman, stated that no fewer than 1,127 lecturers drawn from nine tertiary institutions in Delta State have been trained by Tetfund at the cost of over N5 billion between 2015 to date.

Sulaimansaidthe visit was to reconcile and harmonise records with beneficiaries of the programmer and also to interact with returnee scholars to tap from their experience particularly those that have travelled overseas in the period under review.

He revealed that from inception, Tetfund has invested over N161 billion for staff training and over N32 billion for conference attendance and teaching practice and out of this investment.

He said Tetfund has trained more than 30,000 academic staff across the country both local and international.

JAMB Donates 500-Capacity ICT Centre To Ogun Polytechnic

By

Precious Obazee

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August 5, 2021

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), under its former registrar Prof Ishaq Oloyede, has inaugurated a 500-capacity Information and Communication Technology (ICT) center the board donated to the Ogun State Institute of Technology.

The ICT project followed the National Tertiary Admissions Performance Merit Award worth N75,000,000 won by the institution as the most Compliant Institution in 2019 JAMB admission guidelines.

Oloyede, alongside Governor DapoAbiodun, represented by the State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. AbayomiArigbabu, inaugurated the state-of-the-art ICT at Igbesa.

In his remarks, Oloyede commended the Rector, OGITECH, OlufunkeAkinkurolere, for her doggedness and commitment towards improving standards of education at the institution, which earned it the National Tertiary Admissions Performance Merit Award.

In her welcome address, the rector said the nature of the building with its robust IT infrastructure makes it a great investment and a huge contribution to the polytechnic community, which corroborates the vision of this great institution as an ICT-based institution, which is to achieve an efficient and effective information technology-driven economy for sustainable development.

Nigerian President’s Son Ready For Wedding As Bridal Shower Holds

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Angel Gimalo

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August 4, 2021

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Emir of Bichi’s daughter, Zahra Ado Bayero, had a frozen-themed bridal shower, ahead of her wedding with President Buhari’s son Yusuf Buhari.

The couple are set to tie the knot in few weeks.

See pictures of bride-to-be.

Abba Kyari Appears Before Special Investigative Panel

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Angel Gimalo

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August 4, 2021

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Former Head of Police Intelligence Response Team, DCP Abba Kyari, currently on suspension on Tuesday appeared before the Special Investigation Panel, headed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in-charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department, Joseph Egbunike.

Sources said the SIP which is sitting at the Force headquarters Conference room had DCP Kyari presenting his defence to the indictment by the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the US to the SIP members until about 9 pm on Tuesday night.

Following the constitution of the panel by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, the panel had a meeting on Monday but commenced proceedings on Tuesday.

Kyari is under investigation for his alleged involvement in a $1.1m Internet fraud perpetrated by fraudster, Abbas Ramon, popularly known as Hushpuppi, and five others.

More Than 500 Fire Fighters Battle Greece Wild Fire, Worst in 30 Years

By

Angel Gimalo

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August 4, 2021

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Thousand of people have been evacuated as “out of control” wildfires engulfed homes in the suburbs of Athens.

More than 500 firefighters were battling through the night as residents reportedly became trapped between walls of flames sparked by Greece’s worst heatwave for 30 years.

Chaotic pictures show numerous cars and homes scorched as reports have emerged that some people have become trapped.

The main towns of Varympopi, Adames and Thrakomakedones have been the worst affected as authorities have grappled with a total of 81 forest fires.

Civil Protection chief Nikos Hardalias said the fires in the north of Athens was very dangerous and had been exacerbated by the heatwave – considered Greece’s worst in 30 years.

So far no severe injuries were reported as authorities confirmed several buildings had been damaged.

“We continue to fight hour by hour, with our top priority being to save human lives, Hardalias said. We will do so all night.”

500 firefighters have battled the blaze and have been assisted by nine helicopters, seven aircraft and 305 police in the densely vegetated area, Reuters report.

They are currently believed to aiding a rescue mission amid reports residents, firefighters and policemen were trapped between two fronts in the worst affected areas.

The 100 emergency line has received at least 14 calls by residents asking for help.

As the wind dropped later on Tuesday, the regional governor for greater Athens, Giorgos Patoulis, said this could allow the fire to be tamed after water-dropping aircraft resume operations at first light Wednesday.

“If the winds don’t grow it can be brought under control by the early morning so the planes can provide the final solution,” he told state TV.

Seven people have reportedly been taken to hospital with breathing problems.

Earlier, a total of 80 children were evacuated from a summer camp as residents fled local villages in towns while others stayed onto defend their houses with garden hoses.

The fire was so bad that equestrian clubs even let their horses loose to flee the fire.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has now visited a fire brigade operations centre coordinating efforts to contain the blaze and other fires.

“All available means and resources have been deployed in the fight on multiple fronts,” his office said in a statement.

“In these difficult times, the priority is to protect human lives.”

Meanwhile, a power grid operator in Athens said the fire had damaged parts of the grid, posing a major risk to the electricity supply in parts of the metropolitan region.

They issued several warnings as the fire also disrupted train services and forced authorities to seal off part of a national motorway.

The Greek Fire Service confirmed that it will now maintain an alert for most of the country throughout Tuesday and Wednesday as temperatures continue to soar.

Settlement: Nigerian Government Directs Sovereign Investment Authority To Source $200m

By

Angel Gimalo

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August 4, 2021

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The Federal Government has directed the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority to source $200m for settlement of International Court of Arbitration in Paris award in favour of the Chinese firm, Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited.

Officials of the Federal Ministry of Power said the government had agreed to pay the sum and had mandated NSIA to work out measures for settling the debt.

The $200m settlement offer was to compensate Sunrise Power for the unlawful termination of the contract for the 1,525 megawatts Mambilla hydropower project and the re-award of the same to another Chinese firm.

Based on terms the settlement, Sunrise is expected relinquish all claims to the project once the requirements contained in the agreement with the Federal Government were settled.

Officials of the power ministry also stated that the new contractors for the project were on ground, holding on till when the ongoing survey of the site and compensation of land owners were completed in Taraba, where the about $4bn plant would be constructed.

The original contract for the Mabilla project was for the plant to generate 3,050MW of electricity, but this was reviewed downwards to 1,525MW and the cost cut down by $1bn to $4bn.

The Special Assistant to the Minister of Power on Media, Aaron Artimas, explained that the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority had been ordered by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to take up the matter.

He said the government through the NSIA and other channels was working on how to settle the debt, stressing that it was incorrect to allege that there was no plan to honour the agreement.

Artimas, however, admitted that the payment had been delayed, stressing that this was due to some challenges, which were currently being addressed.

He said, “The only issue now is the delay in payment, but the government has committed to the agreement. However, the government is explaining that the challenge of COVID-19 affected its finances.

“But despite that, the NSIA was given a mandate on this by the President, because the government has to find money somewhere, as this was not budgeted for. So the government will pay.”

The power minister’s aide also stated that the international court had not come up with any fresh issue for the Federal Government.

He said, “The international court of arbitration or commerce in Paris that did the arbitration did not say parties should come back for any fresh or new issue because the government has accepted and signed documents following that agreement.

“There is a signed agreement between the government and the firm. The document was signed by the Minister of Power and confirmed by the President. It is a standing agreement that Nigeria will pay the $200m.”

On whether work on the power project had stalled due to the legal tussle between the Federal Government and Sunrise Power, the power ministry official responded in the negative.

Artimas said, “The project has been reviewed from 3,050MW to 1,525MW in order for it to be more bankable. Once this is fully determined, the China Exim Bank that is to finance the project will come with the funding.

“The bank is funding 85 per cent of the project while the Federal Government is handling 15 per cent.

“If it was not because of the challenge of COVID-19, the President was committed to asking the NSIA (Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority) to release funds so that contractors can mobilise to site.”

He added, “The contractors are Messrs Synohydro Corporation of China, who are the ones handling the Zungeru Power station. So they are already in Nigeria. Therefore, there should not be any challenge.”

The Head of Communications, NSIA, Titilayo Olubiyi, told our correspondent that the Mambilla power project was captured under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund.

He noted that although the details on how the funding of the project would be done were not available yet, work was already ongoing by the PIDF team on financing the power plant.

Olubiyi said, “I will tell you what I know for now, but will have to refer to the PIDF team to get more information because it is an ongoing project. Mambilla is part of the PIDF projects and there are five projects under the fund.

“The Second Niger Bridge is one, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is another, Abuja-Kano Expressway is there too. Initially, the East-West Road used to be part of that fund, before the request from the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs that it be transferred back to them.

“So there is ongoing work to address issues around financing, restructuring, etc, as it relates to Mambilla. In terms of the details as to the nature of the funding, I may have to come back to you on that.”

The NSIA official stated that the Federal Government was still interested in getting the Mambilla project running, but insisted that all necessary issues had to be cleared for a smooth delivery.

Expert says many Nigerians are At Risk of Lymphatic Disease

By

Olasunbo Okoromi

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August 4, 2021

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No fewer than 138 million Nigerians are said to be at risk of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) and if not addressed, may develop elephantiasis and swollen scrotum in men.

Mr. Emmanuel Davis, the Deputy Director/Programme Manager, National LF Elimination Programme, Federal Ministry of Health, made this known at a media dialogue in Port Harcourt.

The Lymphatic Filariasis disease is a parasitic disease caused by microscopic, thread-like worms. The adult worms only live in the human lymph system.

The disease is transmitted through the female mosquito bite, and the disease is considered globally as a neglected tropical disease (NTD).

According to Davis, LF is one of the numerous diseases associated with NTDs found in the rural areas and with low-income earners in Nigeria and the African Sub- Region.

“Other NTDs which are chronic are Trachoma, Schistosomiasis, Soil transmitted, Helminthiasis, Onchocherciasis (River blindness) and are in the preventive chemotherapy categories.

“The rest in the case management NTDs categories are Snake bite, Dog bite (Rabies), Yaw, Trypanosomiasis (Sleeping sickness),” he said.

He however explained that, if this disease is not addressed quickly, the affected persons may come down with elephantiasis and swollen scrotums in men in the nearest future.

Mass Administration of Medicine (MAM), using ivermectin and Albendazole tablets, must be taken annually to prevent this disease in affected areas in Nigeria.

“Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP) must be activated in states to ensure affected persons have basic healthcare, we must guide against mosquito bite.

“We must begin to take programmatic steps for interruption of LF transmission which Nigeria has modified and adapted.

“We must start doing assessment in LGAs that are due to stop treatment to meet the global elimination date of 2030,” said Davis.

According to him, 24.7 per cent of LGAs in Nigeria are not endemic for LF disease.

There was need for mass administration of medicines of the at-risk population area in Nigeria.

Hope Rises for Cancer Patients as UBTH Installs Brachytherapy Machine

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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August 4, 2021

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The University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) management says it has successfully installed an ultramodern brachytherapy machine for the treatment of cancer.

Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Joshua Uwaila, said the acquisition of the Cobalt 60 high dose rate brachytherapy machine was achieved through collaborative efforts between Darlington Obaseki, Chief Medical Director and the management of the hospital.

This is sequel to the installation of the Cobalt 60 high dose rate Brachytherapy machine and successful training of personnel to man the Unit.

UBTH is now only the 2nd hospital (Public or Private) in Nigeria to offer Brachytherapy services using the Cobalt 60 high dose rate machine for the treatment of gynecological malignancies such as Cervix, Endometrial and Vagina Cancers.

Nasarawa State to Establish College Of Nursing and Midwifery

By

Olasunbo Okoromi

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August 4, 2021

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The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has passed into law, a Bill for the Establishment of the State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Lafia and for Other Matters Related Thereto.

The Speaker of the House, Honourable Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, announced this after Honourable Daniel Ogazi, the Deputy Majority Leader moved a motion for the bill to scale third reading during the House proceedings in Lafia.

Balarabe Abdullahi said that the bill if finally assented to by Governor Abdullahi Sule would provide a ground for training and continuing education for the existing Nursing and Midwifery manpower.

” The college will train the needed Nursing and Midwifery manpower to the highest standard in the health sector.

“To promote, through teaching, research and other means, the advancement of knowledge and its practical application to the needs of the state.

” To organize from time to time in service vocational courses for serving nurses ,midwives and other relevant medical and health personnel on hospital and patient management, medical, health computer sciences and technology among other benefits,” he said.

He also said that the bill would boost health manpower development in the state if finally assented to by the governor.

The speaker directed the clerk of the House to produce a clean coy of the bill for Governor Sule’s necessary action.

Earlier, Honourable Daniel Ogazi, the Deputy Majority Leader of the House moved a motion for the passage of the bill into third reading.

The Deputy Minority Leader of the House, Honourable Luka Iliya Zhekaba seconded the motion.

The House unanimously passed the bill into third reading.

Meanwhile, the House deliberated on report of the House Standing Committee on Works and Transport on a Bill for a Law for the Establishment of the Nasarawa State Infrastructure Maintenance and Haulage Fee and for Other Matters Connected Thereto.

The speaker slated Monday, August 9, 2021 for the third reading of the bill after Honourable Daniel Ogazi; the Deputy Majority Leader of the House moved a motion for the adoption of the report on the bill which was seconded by the Deputy Minority Leader, Honourable Luka Iliya Zhekaba.