Prince William To Honour King Charles In Coronation Role

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May 1, 2023

Prince William is set to honor his father, King Charles, during his coronation on Saturday.

The Prince of Wales – who is also the heir to the throne – will vow his loyalty and allegiance to the King during the ceremony.

According to the liturgy of the service, about halfway through the historic ceremony, William will kneel before his father, place his hands between his and recite: “I, William, Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty to you and faith and truth I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb. So help me God.”

William is the only member of the royal family who will honor Charles in this way during the coronation service. He will also appear as the Stole Royal as the Robe Royal is presented to the king. William will assist both the Baroness Merron and the bishops in placing the robe on Charles.

The vow, which is known as the Homage of Royal Blood, are similar to his late grandfather, Prince Phillip’s vow to Queen Elizabeth. Phillip pledged to “liege man of life and limb” to the late queen in 1953.

Per the liturgy, there is a change in tradition when it comes to the Homage of the People. In the past, that role was performed by hereditary dukes and earls at Westminster Abbey during the coronation.

This year, Charles and Archbishop, the Most Rev. and Right Honorable Justin Welby have invited the public to participate in the homage.

Senate President Lauds Nigerian Workers’ Patriotism

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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May 1, 2023

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President of the Nigerian Senate, Ahmad Lawan has commended all workers in Nigeria as they join their counterparts around the world to mark Workers’ Day on May 1st.

Senator Lawan, in a statement personally signed by him and released on Sunday, noted that the great Nigerian workers have been remarkable for their patriotism, commitment to nation-building and resilience in the face of serious development challenges.

He acknowledged that Nigerian workers have contributed in finding solutions to the challenges and supported the efforts of the government targeted at meeting the yearnings of the populace.

“This consistent patriotic stance of the Nigerian workers has enhanced peace and industrial harmony and provided a conducive environment for economic growth and development in the country.

Eagle Square Available for Workers’ Day Celebration- FG

“The dictum that “Labour creates wealth” remains valid today as it has ever been. It is in the realization of this that government must always pay serious attention to labour-related matters.

“It is with this understanding that the ninth National Assembly has guarded itself against the introduction of any anti-labour legislation since its inception in 2019. We are happy that this stance has also helped in sustaining industrial peace in the country.

“This being the last May Day in the tenure of the Ninth National Assembly, it is worth highlighting some of the relevant achievements of this Assembly.”

On parliamentary strides, the Senate President stated that; “By 2019 when the ninth Assembly was inaugurated, the nation’s financial year or budget cycle had become notorious for being unreliable and uncertain. To redress that situation, the Assembly in collaboration with the Executive Arm of Government, promptly reset the financial year to run from January to December. This has since then been sustained, resulting in significant improvement in budget performance.

“Also, we successfully passed many critical bills that had become jinxed under the previous Assemblies, as we did to some other extant legislation that are critical to good governance and service delivery in the public sector.

“Such critical Legislations include: Deep Off-shore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts (Amendment) Act, 2019; Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020; Police Act 2020, Petroleum Industry Act 2021; Electoral Act 2022 and many more.

“A special mention must be made of the 16 constitutional amendment Bills, for the fifth alterations of the 1999 Constitution, which President Muhammadu Buhari signed into law in March this year.

“Recognising that Nigeria yet has many challenges to contend with, I urge the Labour movement to continue to sustain this atmosphere of industrial peace and harmony under the new administration of President-elect Ahmed Bola Tinubu that will be inaugurated on 29th May 2023.”

Senegalese Creates First Locally Made Surfboards

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Koko Lawrence

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May 1, 2023

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Senegalese entrepreneur creates first locally made surfboards — Pape Diouf, 27, repairs a damaged surfboard in his workshop named Sunugal surfboard repair in Yoff beach, Dakar, Senegal, April 19, 2023. REUTERS/Ngouda Dione

In a small beachside shack in Senegal’s capital Dakar, Pape Diouf spends hours on each surfboard he makes, shaping its foam surface with an electric planer to create the perfect curve.

Diouf, 27, is the first surfboard maker in the West African country, which has attracted surfers from around the world for decades due to Dakar’s position on a spit of land that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean, creating world-class waves.

The surf scene is dominated by locals, many of whom surf on old boards donated or passed down from older surfers. But Diouf, who is also a surfing instructor, aims to change that by increasing the availability of locally made boards.

“Ever since I was a little boy, I have dreamed of making my own board,” said Diouf, who opened his business “Sunugal Surfboard Repair” in 2020 with funds he earned from participating in an entrepreneurship competition.

Although he also repairs boards, making them is now his focus.

“Board making really needs to pick up,” said surfer Aita Diop, who competes with a board made by Diouf.

“Thank goodness we have one person making them, but there should be more so we can show that we are capable of making good boards,” she said.

Diouf’s boards sell for about 250,000 CFA francs ($422), which includes the cost of materials such as fibreglass that he has to import from Europe. He personalises some by decorating them with African fabrics.

“Currently it is only on site that you can have a Sunugal surfboard, but the goal of the project is not to stay in Yoff (the neighbourhood),” said Diouf, adding that he is working to open branches in other parts of Dakar and the country.

“Tomorrow, I hope we will see Sunugal surfboards all over the world.”

Airtel Africa, UNICEF Re-affirm Commitment to Digital Learning in Uganda

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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May 1, 2023

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A telecommunications operator, Airtel Africa and UNICEF have re-affirmed their shared commitment to accelerate access to quality education by millions of children in Uganda and the rest of Africa, through digital learning.

The commitment was made during Airtel Africa CEO, Segun Ogusanya’s courtesy visit to Kitende Secondary School in Entebbe.

Airtel Africa and UNICEF have launched the digital learning partnership in October 2021, to accelerate the roll-out of digital learning for children by connecting schools to the internet and ensuring free access to learning platforms in Uganda and other Airtel Operating Countries, to ensure that every child reaches their full potential.

The partnership was launched in Uganda at St. Mary’s Assumpta Girls High School in Adjumani district which was connected by internet to Kitende Senior Secondary School enabling students at the two schools to engage in a shared online biology classroom session.

Addressing guests at Kitende SSS, Airtel Africa CEO, Segun Ogusanya said they are cognizant of the great value that education contributes to our nations across the continent, which is the reason for the deliberate promotion and empowerment of the people.

He added that Airtel Africa will continue to support the shared efforts of the Government of Uganda, by Identifying and collaborating with strategic partners like UNICEF to transform the way children learn and the education outcomes in Uganda and across 13 other countries where Airtel Africa operates.

Airtel Uganda in partnership with UNICEF and the government will connect 100 schools in the first two years, targeting to positively impact 54,750 learners and teachers in primary and secondary schools across the country but focusing on rural schools in West Nile and Karamoja regions.

Ogusanya commended Airtel Uganda for the investments it has made and collaborations to accelerate internet connectivity in Uganda.

He said Airtel Uganda has deployed over 2500 masts that are 100% 4G, across the country to ease communication, payments and money transfer while transforming the livelihoods of millions of Ugandans through financial and digital inclusion.

The 4th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) which is among the 17 SDGs established by the United Nations advocates for inclusive and equitable quality education to promote lifelong learning opportunities for all children by creating easy access to education plus other learning opportunities.

Through the Kolibri digital learning platform, the partnership will reach 30,000 learners and 100,000 with USSD/SMS based content optimized for mobile.

The state minister for Primary Education, Moriku Kaducu acknowledged the positive contribution by Airtel Uganda and UNICEF which will be running for 5 years and targets to transform the way learners interact with teachers and the learning content.

She pledged government to support to the partnership in form of a conducive policy framework and engagement.

Gombe NYSC Inaugurates Camp Court

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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May 1, 2023

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The Gombe State Coordinator of National Youth Service Corps, Ada Imoni has inaugurated a camp court for the quick adjudication of Batch A Stream II corps members’ cases.

The inauguration was done shortly after the day’s morning meditation at the temporary orientation camp Amada, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.

She urged the batch to behave in conformity with acceptable norms, in line with laid-down rules and regulations on camp.

Explaining the duty of the court, she reminded them that the camp being a regimented space was governed by law and order, stressing that the court will not hesitate to use the provisions of the bye-laws to try erring corps members.

She also announced the selection of three corps members within the batch platoon leaders to serve as camp directors, adding that its was management’s decision of carrying them along especially when making decisions.

She said the inauguration of the corps camp directors will serve as liaison between NYSC management and corps members for ease of administration.

The camp director, Ado Taura congratulated the 1,203 corps members on a successful swearing-in ceremony and appreciated God for the journey mercies granted all participants to camp.

Taura also emphasized on discipline, teamwork and collective responsibility.

2023 UTME: JAMB To Commence Release of Result

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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May 1, 2023

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced date for the commencement of releasing results of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Board.

The Board said it would begin the release of UTME results on May 2, 2023.

This was contained in the minutes of the meeting during an emergency management meeting held over the weekend in Abuja.

The Board said it would be releasing the results of candidates, who have taken the examination so far on the 2nd of May, 2023.

The Board had delayed the release to ensure that all necessary screening are concluded besides ensuring that the mean and standard deviation are reasonably obtained before releasing these results.

The board noted that all candidates who sat for the examination but had challenges without being aware of such, would not see their results but would get notifications for rescheduled examination.

The examination body also said that three categories of candidates who missed their examinations had been rescheduled for mop-up examinations.

It said Candidates under these categories are principally those who were verified at their centers but could not sit the examination, those who could not be biometrically verified and those with mismatched data.

Akwa Ibom Teachers Call Off Strike

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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May 1, 2023

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Public primary and secondary school teachers in Akwa Ibom state have called off the four days industrial strike action.

This is sequel to a resolutions reached by the State Government with the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, at the end of a closed-door meeting presided over by the state Governor, Udom Emmanuel at Government House, Uyo.

Briefing the Government House Correspondents after the meeting, Commissioner for Labour and Manpower Development, Aniefiok Nkom, affirmed that government and the labour leaders have dialogued on the issues that gave rise to the industrial action and described the resolution as a win-win outcome.

He said the Governor saw what needed to be done and the NLC also saw what was delaying the process, hence it was a win-win situation and the matters raised by NUT Chairman have been resolved.

The Commissioner for Education, Idongesit Etiebet expressed gratitude to Governor Emmanuel for taking prompt actions to ensure that schools in the state resume.

She added that this indicated the Governor’s love for education and his workers-friendly disposition.

Confirming the resolution, the State Chairman of NUT, Comrade Edet Emenyi, praised the Governor’s disposition towards the teachers, assuring that teachers would return to classrooms for the commencement of academic activities.

Napoli 1-1 Salernitana: Dia Stunner Puts Title Party On Hold

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Emenike Agu

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May 1, 2023

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Victor Osimhen will have to wait to etch his name his Napoli’s history book after Boulaye Dia’s sensational equaliser earned a 1-1 draw for Salernitana to deny the Partenopei their Serie A title in 33 years

It was a difficult day for Osimhen, who had five shots but could not find a way through.

Inter’s victory over Lazio earlier on Sunday meant a win would be enough for Napoli to secure their first Scudetto since the Diego Maradona era.

Stadio Diego Armando Maradona was rocking at kick-off following news of Lazio’s defeat, though the home fans had to wait until the 23rd minute for their first clear opening when Osimhen headed over from a free-kick.

Mathias Olivera looked set to seal his name in Napoli history after heading the Partenopei ahead in the 62nd minute.

Yet Dia’s brilliant 84th-minute effort means Luciano Spalletti’s side will have to wait until at least Wednesday to officially win the title.

The league leaders wasted a lot of chances to seal the game and Dia made the hosts pay, cutting in from the left, getting the better of Osimhen and drilling a wonderful strike into the top-left corner, with subsequent saves from Ochoa frustrating a fervent crowd.

Had Napoli won a game that was delayed by 24 hours in order for public security to be reinforced in the city of Naples, it would have represented the earliest Scudetto success by a side in terms of remaining games before the end of the league season (six).

However, Napoli will have to wait. They lead by 18 points, meaning the title is all but theirs, though there will be frustration that they failed to get the job done at home, with their supporters waiting in droves outside the ground.

Lazio are in action again on Wednesday, and should they fail to beat Sassuolo, the title will be Napoli’s.

Nigerian Players In Diaspora: Oshoala Hits 20th League Goal

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Emenike Agu

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May 1, 2023

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England

Onuachu, Aribo (Southampton)

Paul Onuachu and Joe Aribo did not make the match squad in Southampton’s 3-1 defeat to Newcastle in a Premier League fixture played at St James’ Park on Sunday.

The 28-year-old striker is yet to register a Premier League goal for the struggling Saints in ten league matches

Compatriot Aribo has struggled to get regular playing time and has only featured in three Premier League games since January 2023.

Dennis, Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest)

Taiwo Awoniyi was in action as Forest lost to Brentford 2-1 in a Premier League fixture at Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday.

The 25-year-old had 56 minutes of action before coming off for Andre Ayew as Forest’s run of poor results continues.

Countryman Emmanuel Dennis was not in the squad as the striker is currently out with an injury.

Eze, Olise (Crystal Palace)

The duo Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise, two Palace players of Nigeria descent players scored and assisted respectively for Crystal Palace in their 4-3 win over West Ham United in the Premier League fixture on Saturday at Selhurst Park.

Olise gave Jordan Ayew on goal to equalise for Palace in the 15th minute as scored the winning goal from a penalty spot in the 66th minute.

Italy

Dessers, Okereke (Cremonese)

David Okereke was in action and scored the opening goal for Cremonese to take his goal tally to six as the home side were held to a 1-1 draw against Verona at the Stadio Giovanni Zini on Sunday.

The 25-year-old striker scored in the ninth minute and was outstanding in the match before coming off for Felix Afena-Gyan in the 70th minute.

While compatriots Cyriel Dessers was a second half substitute as they came on for Daniel Ciofani in the 70th minute but was not impressive in the encounter.

Osimhen, Troost-Ekong (Napoli, Salernitana)

Striker Victor Osimhen was in the starting lineup as Napoli missed a chance to seal their first Serie A title in 33 years following their 1-1 draw against Salernitana at the Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday

The 24-year-old Serie A top scorer was impressive all day but could not add to his 21 goals in 26 matches, but the Gli Azzurriare are 18 points clear of the table but will have to wait till the next feature to win their first Scudetto since 1990.

Defender William Troost-Ekong was an unused substitute for Salernitana.

Tyronne Ebuehi (Empoli)

Defender Ebuehi was handed a starting role by Paolo Zanetti but could not stop his side from their 2-1 away defeat to Sassuolo in a Serie A fixture played at the Stadio Mapei – Citta del Tricolore on Sunday.

The 27-year-old defender has made 21 league appearances and scored two goals this season.

Lookman, Aina(Atalanta, Torino)

Ademola Lookman was not in Gian Piero Gasperini’s squad as Atlanta defeated Torino 2-1 in a Serie A fixture played at the Stadio Olimpico Grande on Saturday.

CAF Confed Cup: Rivers United Crash Out After Stalemate

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Emenike Agu

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May 1, 2023

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A goalless draw in the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final clash against Young Africans of Tanzania in Dar es Salaam meant Rivers United were eliminated from the competition.

The Nigerians avoided defeat against their hosts, but it wasn’t enough to overturn the two-goal deficit they suffered at home in the first leg as the fixture ended 2-0 on aggregate.

Congolese striker, Fiston Mayele, struck twice in Uyo last week to hand the Tanzanians the advantage, going into the second leg.

Following a series of pre-match drama that’s had Rivers United claiming that their official team bus burgled and sprayed with toxic chemicals that led to five of their players catching the flu on Saturday evening, the game itself was also marred by floodlight failure, forcing the game to halt for over half an hour before the commenced again.

The current Nigerian Professional Football League champions will now turn their attention to the domestic scene with three outstanding games awaiting them as well as a high-profile Federation Cup round of 64 clash against Enyimba.

Young Africans will now face Marumo Gallants in the semi-finals after the South African side eliminated Pyramids of Egypt 2-1 on aggregate.

Marumo Gallants won the second leg 1-0 after earning a 1-1 draw in Egypt last week.