Exploring Deriba Caldera, Republic Of Sudan

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August 26, 2023

Deriba Caldera is a prominent caldera rim which is known to be the highest point of the vast Marrah Mountains, and it is located Darfur Province in the Republic of the Sudan.

With an elevation of 3,042 meters (9,980 feet) above the sea level, the double crater caldera became Sudan’s highest point when South Sudan proclaimed its independence in 2011.

This cauldron-like volcanic part of the nation is a geologically young volcanic structure, which together with the Marra Mountains is part of a large geologic feature known as the Darfur Dome.

Being between 5 and 8 km (3 and 5 mi) in diameter across the outer crater, the inner crater is a little bit more interesting since it has a crater lake.

Formed some 3,500 years ago during the time of the eruption of voluminous airfall pumice and pyroclastic flows that traveled more than 30 km (19 mi) from the volcano.

As the Marrah Mountains are a mountain range, the part where Deriba Caldera is located is named as Jebel Marra, and it covers a broad area of the range. Nowadays, the volcano is dormant, even though there are hot springs and fumaroles present in the area, still there are no precipitations that it will become an active one.

Definitely, with the last eruption, what we can see today is the evidence of the collapsed magma chamber which allowed for the caldera to be formed and everyone to be able to enjoy in its beauty.

Even though there is no clear information about whether people can go to the top and enjoy the amazing scenery, Deriba Caldera is certainly among the most interesting natural places with which Sudan can brag about.

Nigeria Secures $500m For Digital Innovation Funding

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 26, 2023

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The Nigerian Government has secured access to approximately $500m to initiate a local funding programme to boost innovation and entrepreneurship in the Digital sector.

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani said this at a dinner in partnership with the World Bank in Abuja on Friday.

Tijani said the government’s plan to domicile local funding in Nigeria and ensure that it benefits true Nigerian businesses, stressing that “it will be collaborating with the Bank of Industry.”

Tinubu Appoints Tijani as Minister of ICT

“So, we’ve got access to about half a billion dollars to start local funding,” he said.

“Part of my responsibilities is working with BOI to ensure that we domicile that funding locally in Nigeria, work with firms who manage and invest in businesses to ensure that those businesses that will benefit are true, real Nigerian businesses.

“And what we are going to see is that the funding is available locally and in the coming months it is going to become larger and as these funds become larger, we want to leverage that money as well,” Tijani stated.

“So, the government is not just going to put half a billion and that’s it, it can bring more investors to heart as we have more money more of our innovators can have access to resources,” the Minister added.

The World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to eradicating poverty, improving lives, and creating job opportunities for the country’s youth.

He emphasized the potential of leveraging digital technologies to drive transformation and outlined two key areas of partnership with Nigeria to achieve these goals.

“One of the areas that we think has the greatest potential is the area of using digital technologies to transform. Now to do that it begins with having this digital national ID,” he said.

Chaudhuri said the World Bank is collaborating with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to ensure the successful rollout and registration of Digital National IDs for all Nigerians.

The World Bank Country Director said the ambitious target is to provide at least 148 million people of working age with a digital National ID by the middle of next year, marking a significant step towards inclusion and accessibility.

“The second is helping Nigeria lead the broadband infrastructure for broadband connectivity because without broadband connectivity, digital technologies will lead to a digital divide. So their support has been for good kinds of policies and regulations that will help invite private investment into this space and then fibre optic cables,” Chaudhuri said.

Employment Rate In Nigeria Rises By 76.7% In Q1 2023

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 26, 2023

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About three-quarters of working-age Nigerians were employed – 73.6%

in Q4 2022 and 76.7% in Q1 2023, a recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics has shown.

This indicates that most people were engaged in some type of job for at least one hour in a week, for pay or profit during the states time period.

A statement on the Nigeria Labour Force Survey published on the NBS website indicated that:

• The unemployment rate was 5.3% in Q4 2022 and 4.1% in Q1 2023 –

This it said, aligns with the rates in other developing countries where work, even if only for a few hours and in low-productivity jobs, is essential to make ends meet, particularly in the absence of any social protection for the unemployed. Also;

• The share of wage employment was 13.4% in Q4 2022 and 11.8% in Q1 2023, while more Nigerians operate their own businesses or engaged in farming activities, recorded at 73.1% in Q4, 2022 and 75.4% in Q1, 2023.

• About one-third (36.4% in Q4 2022 and 33.2% in Q1 2023) of employed persons worked less than 40 hours per week in both quarters, the statement added.

It said this is most common among women, individuals with lower levels of education, young people, and those living in rural areas.

• Underemployment rate which is the share of employed people working less than 40 hours per week and declaring themselves willing and available to work more was 13.7% in Q4 2022 and 12.2% in Q1 2023.

• The rate of informal employment including agriculture among the employed Nigerians was 93.5% in Q4 2022 and 92.6% in Q1 2023.

According to the statement, the report not only offers a snapshot of the current employment landscape but also provides a foundation for evidence-based policymaking.

It’s insights into labour market statistics empower stakeholders to make informed decisions that can shape the country’s labour market and economy.

The statement added that the survey was jointly conducted by the World Bank, International Labour Organisation, and other stakeholders.

Naira Ends Week on Negative Note

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 26, 2023

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The naira depreciated against the dollar on Friday as it exchanged at N778.42 at the Investors and Exporters window.

The naira lost by 0.87 per cent compared to the N771.69 it exchanged for the dollar on Thursday.

The open indicative rate closed at N773.29 to the dollar on Friday.

Forex: CBN Moves to Stop Naira Free Fall

A spot exchange rate of N799.90 to the dollar was the highest rate recorded within the day’s trading before it settled at N778.42.

The naira sold for as low as N700 to the dollar within the day’s trading.

A total of 73.80 million dollars was traded at the investors and exporters window on Friday

England Harlow Secondary School Closes Over Structural Concerns

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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August 25, 2023

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Harlow’s Frederick Gibberd College, a secondary school that opened to pupils only four years ago has closed its main building and sports hall due to structural irregularities.

Education minister, Robert Halfon described the situation at Frederick Gibberd College in Harlow, which is in his constituency, as shocking.

The school said its autumn term would start at a later date, affecting all new and returning pupils.

The closure followed advice from the Department for Education (DfE).

A technical survey of the main school building was completed in April, which raised a number of queries about its structure.

Following a survey, a further report and risk assessment was carried out.

A DfE spokesperson said the body identified concerns with building work carried out by a specific contractor that is no longer in business.

The DfE said it was working closely with school leaders and the relevant local authorities to make sure pupils and parents were informed.

It said temporary measures would be put in place to accommodate pupils safely and protect their education.

Frederick Gibberd College said Specific plans for how teaching will be delivered across the year groups shall be shared in due course.

500 Students In Rivercess To Benefit Registration Fees In Liberia

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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August 25, 2023

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Three officials of the CDC-led Government have made a commitment to pay registration fees for all students desirous of attending the Cestos High School in River Cess County this academic year to boost enrollment in public schools.

The announcement was made during the weekend at the official launch of Team Ruth Coker Collins for Weah’s Reelection in Cestos City, Rivercess County amidst huge applauds from jubilant students and parents.

Committed to the second term bid of President Weah, the group is the biggest auxiliary of the governing Coalition for Democratic Change in Rivercess County.

The three officials of government are Ministers of Public Works, Health and Labor respectively, Ruth Coker-Collins, Wilhelmina Jallah and Charles Gibson,

Speaking at the event, Minister Coker-Collins said it was an honor serving in the government and one of the ways to show appreciation is by contributing to their country mainly in the area of education.

Education at government secondary schools is free, but students are required to pay between L$2,000 and L$3,000.

Some students cannot afford this amount due to poor livelihood. This intervention would cost the duo about US$1.2 million.

The Principal of the school, J. Kwame Ben Yarley said the gesture was timely considering the harsh economic reality.

According to Yalley, such move would serve as a relief to struggling parents and students during the 2023/2024 school year.

The Principal in an interview with journalists in Cestos minutes following the pronouncement said the administration had projected 500 students as the total enrollment this year.

Treat Sex Education As a Lone Subject to Combat GBV Menace – Education Stakeholders

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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August 25, 2023

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The Federal Ministry of Education has been encouraged by stakeholders in the health sector to address sex education as a separate subject because of the worrisome rise in gender-based violence.

They spoke during a one-day symposium in Lagos, Nigeria theme was “Enhancing Response and Rapid Support for Survivors in Lagos, Nigeria.”

The experts recommended creating a specific curriculum on sexual and gender-based violence, adding that school counselors needed to have more authority to speed up the fight against the problem.

The director of the Girl-H program in Nigeria, Esther Musa, who spoke on behalf of the director of Mercy Corps, Ndubisi Anyanwu said the topic is extremely important in stopping gender based violence and domestic abuse.

The director said when it comes to stopping domestic violence, there is a need to look at the system because some of these systems are enablers.

She explained that Lagos has taken some concrete steps in ensuring that it mitigates gender-based violence. There are centers where victims can report cases and get protection.

She said the Lagos State government also has a center where it accommodates survivors. There are also family clinics where people can go for counseling.

On her part, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, represented by Funmilayo Obajimi, added that it is a nice program needed in all states of the federation.

Nigerian Students Face Hardship In Northern Cyprus

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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August 25, 2023

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The Global Non-Governmental Organization Executive Committee has revealed some of the challenges threatening the peaceful existence and education of Nigerian students in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

The Director of GNEC, Olasubomi Iginla-Aina said that based on findings during her visit to Northern Cyprus and interaction with Nigerian students, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive on transfer policy was the major challenge the students were facing.

She added that this had led to the deportation of a number of them or the inability to sit exams and further their education.

She explained that the government of Northern Cyprus, Nigerian students and the University authorities complained about the false agents, who were raising the expectations of Nigerians that there were job opportunities in TRNC.

She revealed that Northern Cyprus system told her that deportation rates would increase as persons with fake documents would be detected with the improved Information Technology system in the immigration services of Northern Cyprus.

She called on the Nigerian government to strengthen diplomatic ties with the country.

President, National Association of Nigerian Students, Opeoluwa Ojekemi, who spoke virtually during the parley said the CBN directive had affected Nigerians studying in Northern Cyprus negatively.

He revealed that the settlement of fees, rents, and other needs was difficult.

Ojekemi also criticized the role of fake agents in propagating false information about immediate employment upon arrival.

WAEC Ranking: Osun Will Return to Top 10 — Gov Adeleke

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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August 25, 2023

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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has assured that the State will be among the top ten in the ranking of the West African Examination Council, WAEC before his first term expires as the state governor.

Giving the assurance at the official opening of the three-day Education Summit aimed at revamping and repositioning the State education sector for better results, the Governor said the present administration has identified education as the common heritage that good governance could bestow on its teaming citizenry, hence the resolve of the present government to get it right.

Represented by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi said the State will deploy all legal academic means that will restore the past glory of the State in external examinations and produce sound minds as future leaders of the State.

Exploring Kwajalein Atoll In Marshall Islands

By

Angel Gimalo

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August 24, 2023

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Kwajalein Atoll is and important atoll that lies in the Ralik Chain of islands that is part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean.

The name for the atoll is taken from the southernmost and largest island of the atoll which is settled with 1,000 Americans who most of the time call the island Kwaj.

The land area that comprises the entire atoll is 16 square km (6 square mi), but it is considered to be one of the world’s largest coral atolls as measured by area of enclosed water, and comprising of 97 islands and islets.

Eleven of those islands and islets are leased by the united States of America, and they are part of the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site, formerly known as Kwajalein Missile Range, which includes radar installations, optics, telemetry, and communications equipment, which are used for ballistic missile and missile-interceptor testing and space operations support.

Even though this base is not well known around the world, but still there are families who are living on the atoll and working on the premises of the military base, and as the islands are not that big, the most popular personal transportation is the bicycle.

There are two airbases and three airstrips, however, the most important are the living facilities where there is a variety of housing arrangements, which depend from the people who are going to work there.

Having a very long history, first being discovered by the Europeans in January 1543, continuing with the Japanese control under a League of Nations Mandate, that later transformed into Japanese militarism, which continued with the American occupation until the time when the Marshall Islands got their independence. Nowadays USA is using the atoll under lease for their purpose, a lease which will last up to 2066.

Having both American and Marshallese population, there are not some tourists that are getting to the atoll, but still being part of the Republic of the Marshall Island means that the islands shall be military protected for a long time in case the history repeats once again.