Malawi Govt Developing First Ever Sign Language Training Manual

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July 26, 2023

The Ministry of Education says that government is developing the first ever Sign Language Training Manual to guide the training of special needs teachers in the country.

Chief Education Officer responsible for Inclusive Education Department, Peter Msendema, made the remarks on the sidelines of the National Spelling Bee Competition held at Embangweni School for Deaf Children.

The Malawi National Association for the Deaf (MANAD) organized the competition with financial support from the MANAD Board Chairperson.

Msendema said the development of the manual is one of the activities the ministry has set aside to improve the quality of special needs teachers as the country strives to enhance access to education for learners with special needs.

He hailed MANAD and its partners for undertaking the initiative, which he said would trigger hardworking spirit among learners with special needs.

He assured the association of his department’s commitment to closely working with it to improve and increase access to education by children with disabilities.

In his remarks, MANAD Board Chairperson, Robert Mbendera lamented the gaps existing in the sign language sector, stressing the need for the government and its development partners to strengthen and promote sign language at every level.

Mbendera said the spelling bee competition is just one of the initiatives his organization has undertaken to help learners to improve their literacy prowess.

Malawi is the second country in Africa to conduct such a competition after Botswana, which conducted its first in 2019.

Africa Fashion Week London Returns For Its 13th Edition

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Koko Lawrence

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July 26, 2023

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After 12 years of supporting and promoting African designers, fabric and culture on the global stage, Africa Fashion Week London, the biggest annual fashion exhibition and runway show in the UK, returns for its 13th edition with a bigger and better package.

It is billed to hold from October 27th to 29th at the London Olympia, Kensington, with 50 designer runway shows, and 30 digital designers fashion films, closing with a VIP grand finale show slated for Sunday the 29th evening.

For over a decade, the event has been a significant platform for showcasing African and African-inspired fashion and design, attracting participants from various countries across Europe, Africa, and North and South America.

Over the years the event has hosted over 1200 designers and exhibitors, with an estimated audience of 80,000, including industry professionals, buyers, retailers, and global media.

It was founded in 2011 by Queen Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, wife of the Ooni of Ife, with the aim of increasing the exposure and recognition of African designers by providing them with a cost-effective global platform to showcase their work. The primary focus Queen Ronke says is on emerging African heritage designers and SMEs who are often overlooked by major fashion events or are only given token representation. “At AFWL, we ensure that our designers receive equal opportunities for promotion, access to buyers, and a chance to display their work in a world-class venue. We are dedicated to supporting and nurturing the sustainable design and apparel manufacturing industry.

“Our ultimate objective is to make African-inspired fashion not only a popular choice but also a formidable competitor to established fashion houses.”

A feat which Olori Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi has achieved over the years via the AFWL, the Africa Fashion Week Nigeria – the sister’s platform, and most recently the AFWBrazil, where the indigenous Adire Oodua fabric shone brightly on the runway.

In addition, the AFWL is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion by providing opportunities for fashion students, POC, and marginalized communities. “We strive to ensure that at least 90% of our workforce represents these groups, providing them with valuable experience working for a major fashion showcase event” says Olori Ronke Ogunwusi.

The event has represented 26 African countries and 70 nationalities. As preparations for this year’s edition begins, we are excited to see what the world is fashionably looking like, and with AFWL robust exhibitions, and runway shows, we are definitely looking to breaking new grounds for the African market.

Osun Govt Suspends Rector

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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July 26, 2023

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Osun State Government has suspended the Rector of the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Tajudeen Odetayo over alleged financial recklessness and abuse of office.

The suspension of Odetayo, who was appointed Rector in March this year was contained in a letter signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, A Jimoh.

The letter suspending Odetayo dated July 11, 2023, a copy of which was obtained in Osogbo.

Appointed the 6th substantive Rector of the polytechnic by the immediate past governor of the state, Adegboyega Oyetola, towards the twilight of his administration, Odetayo’s appointment was however reversed by Governor Ademola Adeleke, shortly after he took over reign alongside others done by his predecessor after July 16, 2022 governorship election.

But the administration that suspended his appointment, on March 10, 2023, through a letter by the state Head of Service, Leye Aina, reappointed him for a four-year tenure.

The government has appointed of Kehinde Alabi, as Acting Rector of the institution.

According to a letter by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, the appointment took immediate effect.

Group Donates Books To Foundation

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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July 26, 2023

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The University of Cambridge and Innmedics Global Pharm Limited of India have donated 200,000 text and workbooks worth N250m and medical consumables worth over N8m to the PhilipAnna Foundation of Nigeria.

PhilipAnna Foundation said that the donations were made in honour of Dame Anna Kolawole, who was described as a visionary leader who used her leadership skills to drive development in the communities where she lived and worked during her lifetime.

Managing Director for Innmedics, Jighar Mehta said that the expensive nature of health made it imperative for companies like his to partner with the PhilipAnna Foundation.

Member of the Board of Trustees, Oluwakemi Ajakaiye, Managing Trustee, Temitope Phillips and South-West Coordinator of the PhilipAnna Foundation Gboyega Kehinde, expressed their gratitude to the donors.

Heavy Rain In New Delhi Forces Evacuations, Schools Closure

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Angel Gimalo

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July 26, 2023

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Heavy rain brought flooding to an area near New Delhi on Wednesday forcing some evacuations and schools closures as the region braced for more downpours two weeks after the Yamuna river burst its banks inundating parts of the capital.

Hundreds of vehicles were submerged in a commercial neighbourhood in Noida city, which adjoins southeast Delhi, after the Hindon River overflowed. People living near its banks had to move to higher ground, television footage showed, and some neighbourhood schools were closed.

“Intense spells” of rain fell on Delhi early on Wednesday, the weather department said, with 37 mm (1.46 inches) of rain in central parts and as much as 110 mm (4.33 inches) in eastern parts in the past 24 hours.

Moderate to heavy rain was expected in Delhi later on Wednesday, it said.

The Yamuna River, which runs through the city, rose to a 45-year high following heavy rain in northern areas this month, flooding parts of the city and forcing the evacuation of thousands of people.

Flood waters reached the walls of the historic Red Fort and engulfed a memorial dedicated to Independence hero Mahatma Gandhi.

The river had risen close to the “danger level” in Delhi early on Wednesday, the Central Water Commission said.

Actors Guild Of Nigeria Hosts International Film Festival In U.S.

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Koko Lawrence

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July 26, 2023

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The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) says it plans to hold an international festival in Miami, Florida, to create network for Nollywood actors with their global colleagues.

National President of AGN, Emeka Rollas, who disclosed this on Tuesday at a news conference in Lagos, said the festival would be done in partnership with the African Travel Film Festival.

According to him, the essence of the festival is to create networking platform for Nollywood actors with their global colleagues

“We will be touring the Telemundo studio in Miami; we will also be exploring the beaches of Miami in a boat cruise as well as get more knowledge through masterclasses on filmmaking,” Rollas said.

He added that the festival would hold in Miami, Florida , from November 9 to November 11, to spur cross-cultural collaborations in filmmaking.

According to him, this is deliberately designed to further expose Nollywood actors to casting directors and producers across the globe which will breed cross cultural collaborations in filmmaking.

Rollas said that the collaboration would go a long way in benefiting the nation economically and further put Nigeria on the global stage.

Also speaking, Dr Alex Okoroji, Chairman, Organising Committee for the festival, said that the guild was excited to be hosting the festival in Miami.

According to her, this is because the city remains a vibrant cultural scene with a large population of Nigerian and African immigrants.

Okoroji said that the theme for the festival is The future of Nollywood Actors in the Global Economy.

“This festival will be a celebration of the brightest Nigerian film and television actors and it will feature a wide range of events.

“The events include a red carpet gala and awards, film screenings, panel discussions, city tours, workshops and seminars.

“Actors, filmmakers, and other creative professionals can network and learn from each other as well as meet and engage with their fans and supporters in the diaspora,” she said.

According to her, the official hosts for the event would be Nancy Isime and Joseph Benjamin.

ICYMI: Resident Doctors Begin Indefinite Strike

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Cleopatra Okohai

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July 26, 2023

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The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has embarked on an indefinite strike on Wednesday.

NARD’s decision was contained in a release issued on Tuesday evening by the association’s president Dr. Emeka Orji. Orji, after the association’s July National Executive Council meeting held in Lagos.

He disclosed that the strike will take effect from Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at 12 am.

Dr. Orji said said NARD was making an eight-point demand among which are the “immediate payment of the 2023 MRTF; immediate release of the circular on one-for-one replacement, payment of skipping arrears and upward review of CONMESS in line with full salary restoration to the 2014 value of CONMESS.

” NARD is also demanding” payment of the arrears of consequential adjustment of minimum to the omitted doctors; reversal of the downgrading of the membership certificate by MDCN, payment of MRTF, new hazard allowance, skipping and implementation of corrected CONMESS in State Tertiary Health Institutions and payment of omitted hazard allowance arrears.”

The demands highlighted by the association include the immediate payment of the 2023 MRTF, the immediate release of the circular on one-for-one replacement, and the payment of skipping arrears, among others.

LN247 had reported that the association had issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government on July 5 demanding the implementation of all its demands.

Also recall that on Monday, July 24, the Speaker of the House of Representatives,Tajudeen Abbas, held a meeting with NARD as part of efforts to find a solution to the imminent strike.

Abbas had asked the doctors to take advantage of the talks and bare their minds on their demands and other matters and suggest realistic solutions to them.

he said, “We must approach these issues with an open mind and guided by the fact that revenues available to the government may not fully meet our demands.”

Clean Earth Trust Finds Over 40,000 Pieces Of Litter On Guernsey Shoreline

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Angel Gimalo

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July 26, 2023

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Nearly 40,000 pieces of litter were found on Guernsey’s beaches over a year, a charity has said.

The Clean Earth Trust said findings from its 2022 marine litter report would bolster its campaign to ban single-use plastics.

The report also recorded more than 10,000 cigarette butts were found by volunteers across 38 beaches and bays.

A charity spokesman said: “Over a thousand pieces of litter were found per mile of coastline.”

Of these items, 66% were plastic, highlighting the “importance of reducing our plastic consumption”, it said.

It added the 2022 survey provided a “snapshot of waste found on Guernsey’s beaches” – but many litter pickers outside the charity would not have recorded their findings.

The trust said it would use the data to support its campaign to ban the supply of specific single-use plastic products, including plastic cutlery, plates, straws and cotton bud sticks.

Plastic carrier bags also feature in the proposed ban, which has been presented to the President of the Environment and Infrastructure Committee.

Research Can Solve Food Challenges, Abeokuta Don

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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July 26, 2023

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A doctoral degree holder in Animal Breeding and Genetics from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Olaiwola Ogunpaimo has called on the government to collaborate with specialized tertiary institutions, make use of research and technology to tackle food challenges in the country.

He advised the government to include training, research and the use of technology as part of the strategies if the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wished to achieve the best results within a short period.

He stressed that while some of the strategies remained challenging to implement, it was important for the government to be mindful of the fact that some parts of that proposal needed further consultation before implementation.

Ogunpaimo said the government will also collaborate with mechanization companies to clear more forest and make them available for farming.

He said there is presently more than 70 million hectares of land in Nigeria and with the initial 500, 000 hectares of land that the government is aiming at, there may be no need to initially mechanize forest but rather engage in planting arable crops.

£500m Hydro Scheme: Scottish Government Approval For Project

By

Angel Gimalo

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July 26, 2023

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The Scottish government has approved plans to expand Argyll’s Hollow Mountain underground power station.

Renewable power developer Drax proposes building a new £500m pumped hydro storage plant at its existing Cruachan facility near Oban.

The company said the extension could be operational in 2030 and support 1,000 jobs during its construction.

But before it can go ahead, the project needs new UK government policy that would support private investment.

Developers of pumped storage hydro schemes argue that the current UK energy market does not have the mechanisms to make such major projects attractive to investors.

The UK government said it did intend to enable investment in pumped hydro storage technology.

The existing underground power station at Cruachan was opened by the late Queen in 1965.

At the time, it was the first large-scale reversible turbine storage energy project of its kind in the world.

It is housed within a huge cavern dug out inside Ben Cruachan, which is nicknamed Hollow Mountain because of the project.