President Buhari Inaugurates Council on Startup Act

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April 5, 2023

President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated a 14-member National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship with the mandate to guide the implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA) 2022.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the new Council is tasked with the mandate to guide the implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA) 2022.

Speaking on Wednesday at the inauguration of the 14- member Council chaired by him, the President directed the Secretariat, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to ensure faithful implementation of the Act, which provides incentives and support for start-ups, including tax breaks and access to funding.

The inauguration preceded the week’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting and had members of the Digital Innovation Council in attendance.

The President noted that Nigeria has been at the forefront of the remarkable growth of startups in Africa, with Nigerian start-ups raising over US$4 billion between 2019 and last year.

”It is worth noting the remarkable growth of start-ups worldwide, with over US$400 Billion of venture funding accessed in 2022.

”This growth was fuelled by a surge in demand for digital services as people worldwide turned to technology to stay connected, work remotely, and access essential goods and services largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

”In Africa, the startup ecosystem has also been growing at a remarkable pace.

”In 2022, African startups raised a record of US$5.4 Billion in funding,” he said.

President Buhari, therefore, charged members of the Council to harness the potential of Nigeria’s young and innovative population, who have demonstrated their ingenuity, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit in creating innovative solutions to the challenges of the nation and the continent.

”With this inauguration, which serves as our first meeting, I hereby direct the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), to convene another meeting of the Council in May 2023 to make further progress on the implementation of the Act.

”I congratulate the members of the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship on their assignment and wish them a successful and productive engagement in harnessing our youth talents and uplifting our country’s economy to new heights,” the President said.

Describing the Startup Act 2022 as a testament to the vision and commitment of his administration to harness the potential of Nigeria’s young and innovative population, the President recalled that it was developed in collaboration with his office, the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, with the support of the Tech Ecosystem.

He explained that the Act, which became law after its approval by the Federal Executive Council on 15th December 2021 and the Presidential assent on 19th October, 2022, provides incentives and support for start-ups, such as tax breaks, access to funding, ease of doing business, intellectual property protection, and participation in public procurement.

He particularly commended the efforts of Pantami and the Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, for this achievement.

The President acknowledged that as Nigeria aims to become a global talent factory through the implementation of the Startup Act 2022, its startup ecosystem still faces significant challenges, such as access to funding, support infrastructure, and skilled talent.

”These remain major barriers to the growth of the ecosystem, particularly for early-stage start-ups.

”The provisions of the Nigeria Startup Act 2022 represent an important step towards addressing these challenges and promoting the growth of a more vibrant and inclusive startup ecosystem in Nigeria.

”Furthermore, implementation of the Act will lead to consolidation and further development of the gains recorded by Nigeria’s digital economy, in the last four years, in the areas of contribution to GDP and increased revenue generation, among others,” he said.

President Buhari stressed that the Council would serve a critical governance structure in the implementation of the Act, which will ensure that government agencies, entrepreneurs, investors, and support organizations collaborate with the startup ecosystem to achieve the goals of promoting the growth of a vibrant and sustainable startup ecosystem.

”I had earlier directed the Secretariat, the National Information Technology Development Agency to commence the execution of the implementation plan it developed.

”One of the important aspects of the implementation plan is the development of the Startup Portal, which will serve as a platform that will drive the implementation of the NSA 2022 and collaboration between all stakeholders,” he said.

The members of the Council include the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Vice Chairman; the Minister responsible for Communications and Digital Economy, who will preside over the Council in the absence of the President and Vice President; the Minister responsible for Finance, Budget and National Planning; the Minister responsible for Industry, Trade and Investment; the Minister responsible for Science, Technology and Innovation and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Others are four representatives of the Start-up Consultative Forum, one representative of the Nigeria Computer Society, one representative of the Computer Professionals (Registration Council of Nigeria) and the Director-General, NITDA, who will serve as Secretary of the Council.

In his remarks, Pantami noted that it is widely accepted that digital innovation and digital entrepreneurship are the two prerequisites towards building an indigenous digital economy.

He said the inauguration of the Council would support the administration to consolidate the gains and achievements recorded in the digital economy sector.

”This administration has set three unprecedented records when it comes to ICT contributions to GDP. For example in the first quarter of 2020, ICT alone contributed to 14.07 per cent to the country’s GDP.

”In the second quarter of 2021, ICT alone, without digital services, contributed 17.92 per cent to GDP while in the second quarter of 2022, ICT contributed 18.44 per cent.

”Annually, this administration has been setting new records when it comes to ICT contributions to GDP,” he said.

The Minister also used the occasion to apprise the Council that Nigeria’s broadband penetration is now 100 per cent with the deployment of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite Internet service

Exploring Chuuk Lagoon, Micronesia Oceania

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Angel Gimalo

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April 5, 2023

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The Chuuk Lagoon, formerly known as Truk Atoll, is an important atoll that is located in the central part of the Pacific Ocean, and it is part of the Federated States of Micronesia.

Being part of the Chuuk State, which is one of the four states that comprise the Pacific island nation, Chuuk Lagoon is an enclosed natural harbor that is 79 km by 50 km (43 mi by 27 mi) and covers an area of about 2,130 sq km (820 sq mi).

The highest point that can be found is 443 m (1,453 ft) above sea level, and with a population of above 35,000 inhabitants, the majority are living in the capital of the state, Weno, which is located on Moen Island.

Throughout history, Chuuk has been settled by native inhabitants, and records of the first settlers that were found are dating back to 1 and 2 century BC, although from more modern times its story began in 14 century, when with the expanding European empires, the islands were claimed first by the Spanish Empire.

Spain managed to cling to them for a very long time, where in 1899 it sold the islands that are part of the Caroline Islands chain to the German Empire, and that is the year when the Spanish Empire completely withdrew from the Pacific arena.

Germany managed to hold the island up until World War I when the Japanese Navy was tasked with pursuing and destroying the German East Asiatic Squadron and protecting the shipping lanes for Allied commerce in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

With ongoing operations, the Japanese Empire managed to secure the Marianas, Carolines, Marshall Islands, and Palau island groups by October 1914, thus confirming its status as an empire.

The Japanese Empire was successful in holding Chuuk Lagoon and other Pacific islands up until World War II when Chuuk became the Empire of Japan’s main and most formidable naval base in the South Pacific.

Even though the base was heavily fortified against the Allies who were operating in New Guinea and the nearby Solomon Islands, on 17 February 1944 Chuuk’s capacity as a naval base was destroyed through a naval air attack in Operation Hailstone, by the American forces.

As the attack continued for 3 days, the US planes sank 12 smaller warships and 32 merchant ships, as well as 275 aircraft. These attacks managed to cripple the base, and Chuuk Lagoon did not pose threat to the Allied Forces with the ongoing war.

Being one of the greatest battle stages of World War II, nowadays Chuuk Lagoon is considered to be one of the best places where people can dive and explore the underwater remnants from this period.

Even in 1969, the French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau explored the lagoon and following his documentary about the haunting remains of the naval base, the lagoon became a popular site for scuba-diving enthusiasts.

Currently, 9 wrecks can allow diving enthusiasts to experience the devastation that the war brings.

Divers can spend hours exploring the site’s wrecks, returning multiple times without seeing the same wreckage twice, testifying to the great destruction of Operation Hailstone.

In addition, with a local diving guide, visitors can explore the engine rooms and cargo holds of some of the destroyed ships, and when tired of exploring WWII remnants, there are always the amazing and quite colorful soft and hard corals that provide shelter to the local marine life.

All in all, Chuuk Lagoon even though nowadays is not so famous as a tourist spot, it certainly holds its title as the most important place in the world during the events that were unfolding during the Second World War.

Customs Intercept Over 16,000 Ltrs of Smuggled PMS

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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April 5, 2023

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The Nigeria Customs Kebbi Area Command has intercepted over sixteen thousands litres of Premium Motor Spirit also known as petroleum in Yauri town about to be smuggled out of the country.

Addressing journalists at a press conference at the command headquarters in Birnin Kebbi, the Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo warned operators of fueling stations using their business premises as conduit for smuggling petroleum products out of the country to desist from such act or face the wrath of the law.

He said the command has put in place necessary measures to checkmate smugglers with the intention of promoting trade and revenue generation of the present administration.

According to the controller, the command has recorded a tremendous success in the area of revenue generation which is a pointer that the command is determined to attain and even surpassed it’s revenue target for the year which stood at one billion, fifty eight million, seven hundred and two thousand four hundred and sixty six naira (₦1,058,702,466).

Once Upon A Time – April 5 – 1923 – Firestone Tire And Rubber Company Starts Producing Inflatable Tires

By

Angel Gimalo

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April 5, 2023

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1242 Alexander Nevsky of Novgorod defeats the Teutonic Knights in the Battle of the Ice

1722 Dutch navigator Jacob Roggeveen is the first European to discover Easter Island / Rapa Nui in the southeastern Pacific

1818 Battle of Maipú: Chile’s independence movement led by Bernardo O’Higgins and José de San Martín win a decisive victory over Spain, leaving 2,000 Spaniards and 1,000 Chilean patriots dead

1847 Birkenhead Park, the first civic public park, opens in Birkenhead, England, designed by Joseph Paxton

1879 Chile declares war on Bolivia and Peru, starting the War of the Pacific.

Historical Events Today Events in 2023

Today in Film & TV

1987 Fox TV network premieres showing “Married With Children” and “The Tracey Ullman Show”

Today in Music

1874 Johann Strauss Jr’s opera “Die Fledermaus” premieres in Vienna

Today in Sport

1984 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar breaks Wilt Chamberlain’s all-time career scoring record of 31,419 points (31,421)

MORE FACTS…

1923 Firestone Tire and Rubber Company starts producing inflatable tires

1943 Chinese steward Poon Lim is found off the coast of Brazil by a Brazilian fisherman family after being adrift 133 days, after British ship SS Benlomond torpedoed by german U-boat

Famous Weddings

1614 American Indian princess Pocahontas and daughter of chief Powhatan marries English colonist John Rolfe

1653 Dutch painter Jan Vermeer marries Catharina Bolenes in Schipluiden

1955 American musician Ray Charles (24) weds Della Beatrice Howard

TETFUND, FARA To Establish Agricultural Fellowship Platform

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Precious Obazee

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April 5, 2023

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The Tertiary Education Trust Fund ( TETFUND) says it is in partnership with the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) to establish and inaugurate the Agricultural Research and Innovation Fellowship For Africa (ARIFA) platform in Nigeria.

The Executive Secretary of TETFUND Sonny Echono, revealed this at the inauguration of ARIFA in Abuja stating that TETFUND’S intervention in ARIFA would impact on faculties and departments across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions

He opined that the collaboration would result in the delivery of science-led solutions for improved livelihoods while sustaining and advancing academic excellence.

He noted that TETFUND had supported over 120 scholars nominated by beneficiary institutions, stressing that most of the Phase one nominees are rounding off their programmes in 2023.

The Executive Secretary further said that the Fund recognizes ARIFA model as an innovative strategy for revitalising pedagogy that would strengthen the institutional capacities of Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

He reiterated the Agency’s commitment to support another 500 sets of fellows, adding that the pre-admission process of the second phase of the programme had since commenced.

Echono urged the researchers to be part of the innovation ecosystem that would strengthen Nigeria’s educational and agrifood systems.

In his remarks, the Executive Director of FARA, Dr Yemi Akinbamijo who affirmed that the inauguration of the programme was the beginning of realising ARIFA training in Brazil, however emphasized that ARIFA fellow returnee from Brazil would be planted back in their institutions where they took off.

Commission Holds Capacity Training For Teachers

By

Precious Obazee

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April 5, 2023

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The National Secondary School Education Commission (NSSEC) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu for supporting the commission since it’s establishment and inauguration of the Governing Board.

The Chairperson, Governing Board of NSSEC, Ambassador Nimota Akanbi gave the commendation at the end of a of a five-day capacity training workshop for teachers in English Language and Mathematics for North Central Geo-political zone held in Ilorin, kwara state.

According to a statement issued by the commission’s Head of public affairs, Fatima Banpere, the chairperson expressed happiness that the education policy of the present administration has helped in no small way to improve the education of Nigerian students particularly at the secondary level.

Ambassador Akanbi also praised the Federal Government for making significant investment in the sector, reiterating that secondary school education lays the foundation for lifelong living and human development.

The chairperson further revealed that the current training of teachers in English Language and Mathematics was an eye opener, adding that the task before the Commission is enormous.

She stated that the commission is gradually working with stakeholders from all the geo-political zones to resuscitate the Senior Secondary Education sub-sector in the country.

Akanbi urged education Agencies and Governors of the 36 States of the federation and the Minister of FCT to work together in order to ensure that the mandate, mission and vision of the Commission are achieved.

Like Indonesia, FIFA Strips Peru Of U-17 World Cup

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Emenike Agu

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April 4, 2023

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Peru became the second country in recent weeks to be stripped of the right to host a FIFA tournament, after the governing body on Monday said the South American nation had failed to fulfil infrastructure commitments ahead of the under-17 World Cup.

FIFA said the U-17 tournament is still set to take place from Nov. 10-Dec. 2, adding that its Council will designate a new host.

“The move was made given the inability of the host country to fulfil its commitments to completing the infrastructure required to stage the tournament,” FIFA said in a statement.

“Despite a very positive working relationship between FIFA and the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF), it has been determined that there is now not sufficient time to secure the required investment and complete the necessary work with the Peruvian government ahead of the tournament start date.

“FIFA would like to express its thanks to the FPF for their efforts, and remains open to organising a competition in Peru in the future.”

The FPF took note of FIFA’s statement, before providing further explanation for the decision.

“The decision is based on the delays in the start of the execution of the sports infrastructure works … in addition to the recent weather events in Peru that have caused damage and left many families affected,” the FPF said in a statement.

Peru’s northern region was struck by torrents of rain last month in the midst of Cyclone Yaku, leading to homes and cars being buried in mud and the deaths of at least six people.

The Peruvian federation added that it and FIFA had been working on the “operational organisation” of the event, while Peru’s government focused on investment in the infrastructure of public venues.

“Despite the willingness of the government authorities to fulfil the obligations assumed as a country before FIFA, its implementation unit did not manage to comply with the processes within the established deadlines,” the FPF said.

Last month, Indonesia was stripped of its hosting rights for the Under-20 World Cup, following outrage among some politicians in the predominantly Muslim nation about Israel’s participation.

Both tournaments were initially scheduled to take place in 2021, but were moved to 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sir Alex Ferguson Gets Medal 40 years After Aberdeen’s Famous European Win

By

Emenike Agu

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April 4, 2023

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Alex Ferguson is already known as one of the greatest managers in football history but the Scot will have to make room in his trophy cabinet for one more medal that is set to be awarded 40 years after he guided Aberdeen to European glory.

Before Ferguson became a serial winner with English side Manchester United, where he won 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies among other honours, he managed Aberdeen from 1978 to 1986.

His greatest success at the Scottish club came when they beat Real Madrid in extra time in the final of the European Cup Winners’ Cup in May 1983.

However, only the starting 11 and five substitutes received winners’ medals on the night in Gothenburg.

UEFA have now agreed to provide six additional medals, with Ferguson the first name on the list.

“It’s a great honour to be receiving this medal and I am grateful to everyone who has worked so hard to make this happen,” Ferguson, 81, said in a statement.

1983 European Cup Winners’ Cup medal.

“Their efforts, along with the co-operation of UEFA is much appreciated. It’s also fantastic to see some of the wonderful people who worked tirelessly behind the scenes during this hugely successful period for the club now being honoured.”

Assistant manager Archie Knox and midfielder Dougie Bell — who missed out on a place in the squad due to injury — will also receive medals.

“In addition, a medal will be presented to the Donald Family in recognition of then director, Ian Donald, and his father and late chairman, Dick Donald,” the club said.

“The same accolade will also be granted posthumously to former vice-chairman, Chris Anderson.

New King Charles III Stamps Go On Sale In Britain

By

Koko Lawrence

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April 4, 2023

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The first Royal Mail stamps bearing the profile of King Charles III will go on general sale at post offices and retailers from Tuesday.

But while special presentation packs of the new design will be available, stamps featuring the image of Queen Elizabeth II will be sold first.

The mail service said the old stamps will continue to be on sale until stocks run out.

King Charles, who succeeded his mother to the throne in September last year, reportedly said he did not want the old stamps destroyed.

The format is the same as the first one featuring Queen Victoria which was first issued in 1840, except that the king is not seen wearing a crown as with previous monarchs.

The issuing of the new stamp comes a day after the price of first and second class stamps went up.

Blue Rail Line: Lagos Transport Authority Conducts Free Train Ride

By

Angel Gimalo

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April 3, 2023

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The Blue Rail Line, which connects Marina to Mile 2 in Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria on January 24, 2023.

In order to start this, the 13 km Lagos Blue Line Rail Service train is currently being tested, according to Abimbola Akinajo, managing director of LAMATA, the Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority.

Environmental correspondent, Gimalo-Angel Olowogoke reports the Test train ride left the marina station for the mile 2 station at precisely 1 o’clock in the afternoon.

The Managing Director, of Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Abimbola Akinajo said the exercise would last between two to three months, to enable Lagos residents to enjoy the free ride before commencing the full rail operation in April.

The test ride started with cowry cards being handed to passengers, then placing the card on a tap here surface. This admits one passenger at a time and at a very fast pace.

This will enable up to 250 passengers to maneuver the station per minute.

Excited passengers who spoke to us called for maintenance and sustenance.

Assistant Director, Corporate Communication, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Kolawole Ojelabi talked about the period the train is expected to last.

He further said that measures have been put on place to keep the station and the train clean.

He also said the short time the train uses to shuttle Marina and Okokomaiko/Mile 2 will bring about ease of doing business, when commuters start using the train.

The Blue Light train will be able to carry between 200,000 to 250,000 passengers daily based on the availability of rolling stock.

Right now, the government has purchased three rolling stocks, while another six may be purchased when the second phase is completed by the government.

“Operations would run from 5.30 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day. The system is designed to run a train in three minutes.