Tahir Mamman Unveiled As Nigeria’s 47th Minister Of Education

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August 17, 2023

The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved and unveiled Professor Tahir Mamman as the new Minister of Education.

Mamman, the former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School from 2005 to 2013 takes over from Adamu Adamu and becomes the 47th Minister of Education in the country since 1958.

Born in 1954, the senior lawyer obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from Ahmadu Bello University in 1983, proceeded to the NLS in 1984, and earned his Masters’ degree from the University of Warwick.

The education sector in Nigeria, particularly tertiary education has been plagued with incessant strikes actions which have led to a collapse in the academic calendars.

During the last administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, with Adamu Adamu, manning the education ministry, the tertiary education sub-sector witnessed lots of industrial actions by academic unions such as the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, and the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, among others.

The industrial actions bordered on the implementation of agreements, poor welfare, infrastructure dearth, and shortage of academics, among others.

Another priority for the new minister is to make schools safe places to learn.

Nigeria adopted the global Safe Schools Declaration in 2019 after endorsing it in March 2015.

Based on this proclamation, the nation is required to implement programmes and policies to stop attacks on schools, respond to them, and combat assault impunity much of which was not seen during the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

This is another area of focus for the new minister, which would entail him ensuring that students deprived of educational facilities as a result of conflict, violence or crisis are promptly given access to alternative temporary schools, in line with the National Guidelines for Accelerated Basic Education.

With the new appointments of Tahir Maman as Minister of Education and Yusuf Sununu as Minister of State for Education, the huge task of remedying the sector rests on these appointees.

WTO Rules Against China Retaliatory Tariffs On US Imports

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faith Jegede

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August 17, 2023

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GERMANY-CHINA-DIPLOMACY-ECONOMY — Chinese President Xi Jinping stands by national flags at the Schloss Bellevue presidential residency in Berlin on March 28, 2014. Chinese President Xi Jinping begins a landmark visit to fellow export powerhouse Germany Friday, the third leg of his European tour, expected to cement flourishing trade ties and focus on the Crimea crisis. AFP PHOTO / JOHANNES EISELE (Photo credit should read JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images)

World Trade Organization experts HAVE ruled that tariffs imposed by China on billions’ worth of US imports in retaliation for Washington’s steel and Aluminium tariffs violated international trade rules.

A WTO panel set up to help resolve one of the numerous disputes within the tit-for-tat trade war between the world’s two biggest economies found that China’s additional duties measure is inconsistent with various articles of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).

Washington hailed the ruling, with Sam Michel, a spokesman for the US trade representative, saying it recognized that China illegally retaliated with sham ‘safeguard’ tariffs.

The case revolves around China’s decision in April 2018 to impose tariffs on 128 US imports, worth $3 billion, including fruits and pork.

The administration of former US President Donald Trump announced steep tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from China and a number of other countries around the same period.

Marking a departure from a decades-long US-led drive for free trade, Trump justified the steep tariffs with claims that massive flows of imports to the United States threatened national security.

The administration of his successor, President Joe Biden, has taken a less combative tone but has stuck with the tariffs.

Separate panels set up by the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body to settle complaints filed over the US steel and aluminium tariffs ruled late last year they too violated international trade rules.

Washington has appealed those rulings, which also determined that the inconsistencies found were not justified by the security exceptions provided for in the GATT, as they were not applied in a time of war or during a case of serious international tension.

Wednesday’s panel ruling did not delve back into whether Washington was justified in claiming national security exemptions.

But it acknowledged the US tariffs had been imposed evoking such objectives, and not as so-called safeguard measures imposed to protect domestic industry.

It therefore found that an agreement allowing for retaliation against unjust safeguard measures did not apply in this case, as China maintained.

The panel recommended that “China bring its WTO- inconsistent measure into conformity with its obligations under the GATT”.

WHO Holds First Traditional Medicine Summit

By

faith Jegede

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August 17, 2023

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The World Health Organization opened its first summit on traditional medicine with the group saying it was seeking to collect evidence and data to allow for the safe use of such treatments.

the UN health agency admitted that it was aware that, traditional medicines are the first port of call for millions of people worldwide, hence the talks in India to bring together policymakers and academics with the aim mobilize political commitment and evidence-based action towards them.

WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that WHO was working to build the evidence and data to inform policies, standards and regulations for the safe, cost-effective and equitable use of traditional medicine.

Traditional medicine could boost healthcare “access gaps”, but was of value only if used “appropriately, effectively, and above all, safely based on the latest scientific evidence” which the organization would provide Tedros warned earlier.

The two-day WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit takes place alongside a meeting of G20 health ministers in the Indian city of Gandhinagar.

“We need to face a very important real-life fact that traditional medicines are very widely used,” Nobel laureate and Chair of WHO Science Council Harold Varmus told the summit via video link.

“It is important to understand what ingredients are actually in traditional medicines, why they work in some cases… and importantly, we need to understand and identify which traditional medicines don’t work”.

The summit, set to become a regular event, follows the opening last year of a WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine, also in India’s Gujarat state.

The UN health agency defines traditional medicine as the knowledge, skills and practices used over time to maintain health and prevent, diagnose and treat physical and mental illness.

The agency believes that many traditional treatments have no proven scientific value and conservationists say the industry drives a rampant trade in endangered animals, just because they have no way to regulate it.

As a reaction to the use of homemade remedies, which soared during the Covid-19 pandemic and worked for many when they could no longer trust “the science”, including a green herbal drink based on Artemisia that was promoted by Madagascar’s president as a cure.

The plant has proven efficacy in malaria treatment, but its use to combat Covid was widely scorned by foreign doctors.

In China, traditional medicine has a distinguished history, but top European medical bodies have previously demanded it be subject to the same regulatory oversight as conventional medical methods.

“Advancing science on traditional medicine should be held to the same rigorous standards as in other fields of health,” WHO research chief John Reeder said in a statement.

Of the WHO’s 194 member states, 170 acknowledged their use of traditional and complementary medicine since 2018, but only 124 reported having laws or regulations for the use of herbal medicines — while only half had a national policy on such methods and medicines.

“Natural doesn’t always mean safe, and centuries of use are not a guarantee of efficacy; therefore, scientific method and process must be applied to provide the rigorous evidence required,” the WHO said.

The sudden desire of the health regulator, to meddle in time-tested and trusted traditional remedies, passed from generation to generation could probably be a result of their inability to exert 100% medical control on the world during the Covid fiasco. WHO claims that about 40 per cent of approved pharmaceutical products currently in use derive from a “natural product basis”, citing “landmark drugs” that

Kenyans Debate Over TikTok Ban Petition

By

faith Jegede

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August 17, 2023

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A petition urging the prohibition of TikTok has ignited a lively discussion within Kenya’s parliamentary and public spheres.

The Kenyan parliament engaged in a comprehensive debate surrounding the petition, which was submitted by Kenyan citizen Bob Ndolo.

Ndolo implored Members of Parliament to consider outlawing TikTok, asserting that the platform poses a challenge to the fundamental cultural and religious values of Kenya.

In his submission, the petitioner highlighted the inadequate regulation of TikTok within Kenya, attributing it to the surge of offensive and unsuitable content pervading the platform.

Moses Wetangula, the Speaker of the Kenyan parliament, said “The petition emphasizes that although TikTok has gained substantial popularity among Kenya’s youth, the nature of content being disseminated on the platform is unsuitable.

This trend, including the promotion of violence, explicit sexual content, hate speech, profanity, and offensive conduct, poses a substantial threat to Kenya’s cultural and religious values.”

Ndolo further stressed that the ban would function as a safeguard, shielding Kenyans from TikTok’s adverse repercussions, which encompass addiction, potentially disrupting the education and mental well-being of students. He also expressed concerns about the potential illicit collection or dissemination of personal data of Kenyan citizens by the app.

Within the parliamentary debate, a dichotomy of opinions emerged. While some lawmakers and citizens aligned with the proposed ban, others voiced reservations, citing potential setbacks to Kenya’s technological advancement and the livelihoods of numerous young content creators on TikTok.

Lawmakers such as Kimani Ichung’wah, the majority leader in parliament, have advocated for a different approach. Rather than an outright ban, they proposed more rigorous content oversight on the platform.

The TikTok ban petition has ignited a crucial dialogue, reflecting the intricate balance between cultural preservation, technological progress, and the digital landscape’s impact on society. As the discussion continues, Kenyan stakeholders grapple with navigating the path forward that best serves the nation’s values and aspirations.

Anambra Seals Orphanage Over Illegal Adoption

By

faith Jegede

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August 17, 2023

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The Anambra State Government has sealed off the Arrow of God Community Children’s Home in Onitsha over allegations of illegal adoption and selling of children.

The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, led security agents to seal off the facility after the founder absconded.

The government’s decision came after an investigative piece,the outcome of a 19-month investigation was published by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism exposing the orphanage for allegedly trading babies for cash.

The report published on August 10, 2023, was conducted by investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo.

A total of about 20 children, ages one to seventeen, including a newborn baby, were recovered from the orphanage while the founder and the employees fled.

Obinabo said, “The ministry is not aware of any adoption with the Arrow of God Orphanage Home and the adoption process never went through the ministry.

“Since I assumed office, all application for a court order of adoption or care goes through the designated Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Magistrates’ Court in Awka as against the Nnewi Court order presented in the documentary. This is so because the fundamental goal is to protect the best interest of the child.”

She warned other children’s home operators involved in illegal adoption to desist forthwith or face the consequences, stating that the state government is all out to clamp down on operators who don’t follow the stipulated standardised operational practices and processes in the state.

“The children recovered are currently in the care of the state government as necessary steps are underway to trace and reunite them with their different families,” she added.

Pres. Biden, First Lady To Visit Maui Wildfire Disaster Site

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Angel Gimalo

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August 17, 2023

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U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will travel to Hawaii on Monday to survey the devastation from deadly wildfires that destroyed much of the Maui resort town of Lahaina last week and killed at least 106 people.

Biden will get a first-hand look at the damage and meet with first responders, survivors and federal, state and local officials, the White House said in a statement.

“I remain committed to delivering everything the people of Hawaii need as they recover from this disaster,” Biden said in a post on the social media platform X, previously known as Twitter.

The inferno spread rapidly from grasslands outside town into Lahaina last Tuesday, catching people by surprise and charring a 5-square-mile (13-square-km) area of town in hours.

The fire destroyed 2,200 buildings and caused an estimated $5.5 billion in damage, officials said.

On Wednesday Biden approved Hawaii’s request that the federal government reimburse the full cost of 30 days of the emergency work expected to be carried out over the next four months, said Deanne Criswell, head of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Administration, during a news briefing at the White House.

The federal government so far has disbursed $2.3 million in assistance to families, and approved more than 1,300 registrations for assistance, Criswell said in Wednesday’s briefing.

FCTA To Demolish About 500 Unapproved Buildings, Structures In Dutsen-Garki

By

Angel Gimalo

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August 16, 2023

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The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Wednesday, announced plans to demolish about 500 illegal houses and structures in Dutsen-Garki, Apo District, Abuja.

Mr Mukhtar Galadima, Director, Department of Development Control, FCTA, disclosed this after a meeting with the leaders of the community in Abuja.

Galadima, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Monitoring and Enforcement, Mr Hassan Ogbole, explained that all houses and structures that were illegally acquired or built would be demolished.

He lamented that individuals acquire properties and lands from the natives and develop the lands without approval from the FCTA.

“This is unacceptable to the FCT Administration,” he said.

He explained that the meeting with the locals was in line with the reform agenda of the FCTA to consult the natives before any demolition exercise so as not to take the people by surprise.

He added that the meeting was to also intimate the leaders of the affected community and the public on the intended demolition exercise.

Galadima said that they have agreed with the community leaders to embark on marking of houses and structures, illegally built by non-indigenes in two weeks time.

This, he said, would be followed by the demolition exercise.

The director advised residents against contacting locals for land acquisition and urged anyone interested to acquire land to go to the constituted authority to avoid loss of properties.

He also advised the locals against selling off lands and properties to non-indigenes or expanding without approval from FCTA.

In his remarks, Mr Kak Bello, Deputy Director, Monitoring and Enforcement, Abuja Environmental Protection Board, pointed out that besides erecting illegal structures, people also build on water ways.

“This is not good for the environment. Building on flood plains and dumping of refuse on water ways contribute to the environmental problems being experienced in some parts of FCT.

“I urged people to be law-abiding and desist from building illegally and on flood plains,” he said.

On his part, one of the representatives of the community, Mr Danjuma Fanus, pledged the full cooperation of the community leaders for the success of the exercise.

Fanus, nonetheless, appealed to the FCTA to be considerate while carrying out the exercise so as not to make any of the natives a victim.

“We will cooperate with the authorities, but we also need your cooperation,” he said. (NAN)

Exploring Hierve Agua, A Series Of Natural Rocks In Mexico

By

Angel Gimalo

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August 16, 2023

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Hierve el Agua is an unique geological feature that is formed by a series of natural rocks, and it is located in the Municipality of San Lorenzo Albarradas, in the central part of the Free and Sovereign State of Oaxaca, within the United Mexican States.

Located more precisely in a remote, very isolated region with rough terrain which is largely forested with holm oak forest, cactus and other semi desert vegetation, the area makes it look like it is some sort of a petrified waterfall.

Consisting of two rock shelves, where one is some 50 meters (164 feet), and the other 90 meters (295 feet) above its surrounding, the Hierve el Agua is considered to have been formed by the fresh water springs whose water is over-saturated with calcium carbonate and other minerals.

Then as the water drips over the cliffs, the excess minerals from the water are deposited on the side, something similar to the creation of stalactites in caves.

At the top of this impressive geological creation, there are two mineral pools which are sitting at the exact edge of the cliff, and as they are full of calcium carbonate, magnesium, and just enough sulfur to lend them a yellow hue, they present a great opportunity for visitors coming here to enjoy a small dip in the water.

As Hierve el Agua is becoming a more popular tourist destination, in the past the formation and its bubbling springs were used as a water supply to series of canals and terraces which are leading down to the valley.

Unfortunately, those canals have been abandoned, and nowadays they present something like a source for the archaeologists who would like to get to know a bit more about the locals that live here.

Still, considered to be one of the best things that definitely deserve to be seen in the State of Oaxaca, this natural attraction has been developed for that purpose.

As a matter in fact, food stands, small markets, cabins and a regular swimming pool have been built for visitors, which makes it crowded, especially during high season.

That is why it is always recommended to come as early as possible, or perhaps as late as possible, in order to avoid the big crowds and to be able to enjoy as much as possible in this magnificent Oaxaca gem.

All in all, gaining more in popularity, but failing to bring development and prosperity for the communities that surround it, Hierve el Agua shall continue to attract a lot of people who are eager to see a jewel as unique as this one, and tell the story and history about it to the entire world.

Once Upon A Time – August 16 – 1945 – Puyi, Last Chinese Emperor Is Captured By Soviet Troops

By

Angel Gimalo

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August 16, 2023

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1896 Gold first discovered in Klondike, found at Bonanza Creek in the Yukon, Canada by George Carmack

1930 I British Empire Games open in Hamilton, Canada

1945 Puyi, the last Chinese Emperor and ruler of Manchukuo is captured by Soviet troops

1946 Direct Action Day: Widespread riots erupt in Calcutta between Muslims and Hindus over whether Pakistan should be a separate state, killing over 4,000 and leaving 100,000 homeless

2012 Wikileaks founder, Julian Assange is granted political asylum by Ecuador

Historical Events Today Events in 2023
Today in Film & TV
1930 The first color sound cartoon “Fiddlesticks” by Ub Iwerks (ex Walt Disney studio) is released

Today in Music
1974 American punk rock band “The Ramones” concert debut at CBGB’s in New York City

Today in Sport
1743 Champion of England titleholder Jack Broughton publishes ‘Rules of the Ring’ – earliest boxing code

2008 Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt sets new world record of 9.69 seconds to win the coveted 100m gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics

MORE FACTS…
1989 A solar flare from the Sun creates a geomagnetic storm that affects micro chips, leading to a halt of all trading on Toronto’s stock market.

1972 Morocco King Hassan II’s B727 shot during failed coup attempt by General Mohamed Oufkir. Reportedly, King Hassan grabbed the radio and told the rebel pilots “Stop firing! The tyrant is dead!”, fooling pilots to break off attack

Famous Weddings
1290 Charles of Valois, son of King Philip III of France weds Margaret of Anjou, daughter of King Charles II of Naples

1477 Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor, weds Mary of Burgundy, the heiress to the Duchy of Burgundy in Ghent, Belgium

1846 Italian “The Barber of Seville” opera composer Gioachino Rossini (54) marries 2nd wife, French model Olympe Pélissier (47) in Paris, France

Tinubu Unveils Confirmed List of Ministers with their Portfolios

By

Mana Balagbogbo

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August 16, 2023

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CONFIRMED: FULL LIST – MINISTERIAL PORTFOLIOS

SOUTH WEST

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy
Bosun Tuani

Minister of State, Environment and Ecological Management
Ishak Salako

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister Of The Economy
Wale Edun

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy
Bunmi Tunji-Ojo

Minister of Power
Adebayo Adelabu

Minister of State, Health and Social Welfare
Tunji Alausa

Minister of Solid Minerals Development
Dele Alake

Minister of Tourism
Lola Ade-John

Minister of Transportation
Adegboyega Oyetola

SOUTH EAST

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment
Doris Anite

Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology
Uche Nnaji

Minister of State, Labour and Employment
Nkiruka Onyejeocha

Minister of Women Affairs
Uju Kennedy

Minister of Works
David Umahi

SOUTH SOUTH

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development
Festus Keyamo

Minister of Youth
Abubakar Momoh

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs And Poverty Alleviation
Betta Edu

Minister of State, Gas Resources
Ekperipe Ekpo

Minister of State, Petroleum Resources
Heineken Lokpobiri

Minister of Sports Development
John Enoh

Minister of Federal Capital Territory
Nyesom Wike

NORTH WEST

Minister of Art, Culture and The Creative Economy
Hannatu Musawa

Minister of Defence
Mohammed Badaru

Minister of State, Defence
Bello Matawalle

Minister of State, Education
Yusuf T. Sununu

Minister of Housing and Urban Development
Ahmed M. Dangiwa

Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development
Abdullahi T. Gwarzo

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning
Atiku Bagudu

Minister of Environment and Ecological Management
(Kaduna)

Minister Of State, Federal Capital Territory
Mairiga Mahmud

Minister Of State, Water Resources And Sanitation
Bello M. Goronto

NORTH EAST

Minster of Agriculture and Food Security
Abubakar Kyari

Minister of Education
Tahir Maman

Minister of Interior
Sa’idu A. Alkali

Minister of Foreign Affairs
Yusuf M. Tuggar

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare
All Pate

Minister of Police Affairs
Ibrahim Geidam

Minister of State, Steel Development
U. Maigari Ahmadu

NORTH CENTRAL

Minister of Steel Development
Shuaibu A. Audu

Minister of Information and National Orientation
Muhammed Idris

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice
Lateef Fagbemi

Minister of Labour And Employment
Simon B. Lalong

Minister of State, Police Affairs
Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim

Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs
Zephaniah Jisalo

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation
Joseph Utsev

Minister of State, Agriculture and Food Security
Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi