Serie A: Injured Osimhen Ruled Out Of Napoli, Ac Milan Clash

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April 2, 2023

Bad news for Napoli as star striker Victor Osimhen has been ruled out of the upcoming match against Milan due to injury.

The 24-year-old Nigerian striker took part in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers during this international break, playing the full 90 minutes of a 1-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau. He did not feature in the second clash with Guinea-Bissau, which took place three days later.

As announced by Napoli, Osimhen returned from international duty complaining of discomfort in his left adductor muscle. A round of medical tests confirmed that he’s suffered a distractive lesion, an injury that could keep him sidelined for a number of weeks.

he Nigerian star will certainly miss the upcoming clash with Milan on April 2 and is also at risk of being ruled out of their two Champions League quarter-final clashes with the Rossoneri, scheduled for April 12 and 18.

Osimhen has been one of Napoli’s standout stars this season, scoring 21 goals in 23 Serie A appearances.

Epl: Arsenal Hero Wright Urges Arteta To Give Balogun a Chance

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Emenike Agu

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April 2, 2023

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Arsenal hero Ian Wright has urged manager Mikel Arteta to give Folarin Balogun a chance next season.

The striker, on-loan at Reims, has hit 18 goals in France to become one of Ligue 1’s top scorers this season.

“Hopefully he can come back to Arsenal at some stage and prove himself,” Wright told his Wrighty’s House podcast.

“He’s gone to another level in confidence. I think anywhere he goes in aspect of leagues, he’ll do what he is doing [in France] with the right service.

“It’s the way he’s taking those chances. His head space is at a different place right now. He knows he can do it right now.

“I guarantee you if he comes back, he probably picks up from what he’s doing in that league.”

Rhasidat Adeleke Helps University Of Texas Make 4x100m History

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Emenike Agu

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April 2, 2023

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Irish-Nigerian, Rhasidat Adeleke was in the University of Texas’ 4x100m relay team that set a new Texas Relay record on Friday at the Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas.

The 20 year old ran the third leg in a qaurtet comprising 2023 NCAA Indoor Championships 60m/200m champion, Julien Alfred who ran the first leg, Nigeria’s Ezinne Abba and of course anchor leg runner, Davis Kevona.

The Longhorns, as the school athletics team is called ran the fastest qualifying time at 42.38 for a new Texas Relays record and the fourth fastest time in University of Texas history.

Meanhwile, Adeleke, who will also be running in the 4x100m final Saturday has also been listed to run the first leg in the women’s 4x200m and 4x400m as her school, University of Texas will be looking for a clean sweep of the women’s relay titles at meeting.

Adeleke was rested in the semifinal of the 4x400m event won by the quartet of Rachel Helbling, Kennedy Simon, Lanae-Tava Thomas and Nigeria’s Ezinne Abba, running the fastest qualifying time of 3:31.20 to advance to Saturday’s final.

The 20 year old Adeleke and Alfred have been drafted into the final to replace Thomas and Abba in Saturday’s final.

Both Adeleke and Alfred will be involved in the 4x200m before running in the 1600 relay final.

Adeleke will start and hand over to Alfred while in the 4x400m final, the Irish-Nigerian will also start while the Saint Lucian, Alfred will run the third
leg.

Two Nigerians, Ella Onojuvwevwo ( LSU) and Imaobong Nse Uko (Baylor University) will also be running in the 4x400m final for their respective school.

While Onojuvwevwo will, like Adeleke run the first leg for her school, Nse Uko, the 2021 World U20 400m champion will be hoping to anchor her school to glory.

Nse Uko will also be involved in the 4x200m event and will run as the anchor leg in the third heat which also has Adeleke’s University of Texas.

Teenage Nigerian Boy Gets Apple Internship

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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April 2, 2023

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A 16-Year-Old Nigerian, Ifechukwudeni Oweh, From Port Harcourt has gotten himself an Apple Internship.

Ifechukwudeni fondly called Teddy is to work with the Wireless Technologies and Ecosystem team analyzing data from Apple devices to improve embedded artificial intelligence and machine learning systems. He’ll get true-to-work experience and collaborate with some of the world’s best innovators.

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Teddy in 2020, graduated from Chokhmah International Academy, Port Harcourt at aged 14 and a year later, moved to the U.S. in spring 2022 to pursue his bachelor’s degree.

The Teenager spent his gap year before he relocated, working for a couple of software companies and improving his coding skills.

“I’m honestly very excited,” he said. “I’ve been preparing for this a good portion of my life, and I can’t wait to contribute to a dynamic company like Apple.”

Already, Teddy has researched algorithms for machine learning models in the Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, disease spread using stochastic processes on networks and differential equations in the Department of Mathematics, and computational modeling for Tarleton’s Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research to support environmental and agricultural advancements.

WAEC Releases 2023 Results, 413 Withhold

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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April 1, 2023

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The West African Examinations Council has announced that it has released the West African Senior School Certificate Examination results for private candidates in the first series for 2023.

However, out of the 8,348 candidates that sat for the exam, it has withheld the result of 413 candidates due to varied cases of examination malpractice.

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He said, “The results of 413 candidates, representing 4.95% of the total number of candidates that sat the examination, are being withheld in connection with various reported cases of examination malpractice. The cases are being investigated and reports of the investigations will be presented to the appropriate Committee of the Council for determination in due course.”

Candidates who sat the examination should visit www.waecdirect.org to check their results. They will also be required to apply for their certificates online, through the WAEC Certificate Request Portal website: https://certrequest.waec.ng/.

According to the Head, National Office, WAEC, Nigeria, Patrick Areghan, 4,161 males sat for the exam while the remaining 4,187 were female representing 49.84% and 50.16%, respectively.

Speaking on the general performance in the exam, Areghan revealed that an analysis of the statistics of the performance of candidates shows that out of the 8,348 candidates that sat the examination, 2,960, candidates representing 35.46% obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects (with or without English language and/or mathematics); 2,003 candidates representing 23.99% obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English language and mathematics

Also, “27 candidates, with varying degrees of special needs, were registered for the examination. Out of this number, eight were visually challenged, two had impaired hearing and four were albinos; all these candidates with special needs were adequately provided for in the administration of the examination.”

NUC Accredits All 24 Courses Of Rivers Varsity

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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March 31, 2023

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The management of the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has revealed that the institution has obtained full accreditation from the National Universities Commission for all 24 programmes submitted for the exercise.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof Nlerum Okogbule, stated this at a media briefing to announce the commencement of academic activities in the satellite campuses of the institution.

He disclosed that the university has obtained full accreditation from the National Universities Commission for all the 24 programmes it presented to the commission.

“The Rivers State University scored 100 percent in the November/December, 2022 accreditation exercise conducted by the National Universities Commission. The university obtained full accreditation status for all the 24 academic programmes presented for the exercise.”

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The VC listed some of the programmes as Architecture, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, History and Diplomatic Studies, Medicine and Surgery, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Mathematics, Economics, Mass Communication, Political Science among others.

Prof Okogbule also said stated that academic activities have commenced at the various satellite campuses of the university located in Ahoada, Emuoha and Etche.

While commending governor Nyesom Wike for his vision in approving the locations of the satellite in various parts of the state, he said the facilities will bring development to the communities, and their neighbours.

He also assured students that security measures will be put in place to forestall any untoward incidents.

“We are in touch with the commissioner of police and security agencies to ensure that we have regular patrols in these areas,” he added.

He further said the completed police formations near the Etche, Ahoada and Emuoha campuses will boost internal security arrangements put in place by the university management in partnership with the communities to ensure the safety of both staff and students.

“You know security is everybody’s business. So, even the students themselves have to be security conscious and ensure that they don’t engage in activities that will attract these hoodlums. It is very important particularly this period when there are security challenges everywhere,” he stated.

ASUU Declares Indefinite Strike In Taraba

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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March 31, 2023

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University chapter has declared a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action.

This follows a permission by the ASUU national to the state branch to embark on the strike action to press home its demands and the state government’s rebuttal of claims that it is not owing workers salaries.

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Arising from a congress meeting, the union insists that the rationale behind their action is hinged on government’s failure to pay earned academic allowances, promotion arrears, fractional payment of salaries to staff as well as unsettled staff pension and gratuity scheme.

The Taraba State University ASUU Chairman, Samuel Shitaa noted that other reasons for the industrial action includes non implementation of agreements and perimeter fencing of the institution.

Reacting to the strike action, the state government through the Commissioner for Tertiary education Edward Baraya in a telephone interview said the union has not communicated their action to the state government.

He wondered why ASUU would take such a decision when the present government is doing everything possible to address the issues before leaving office.

Also reacting, the special adviser to the governor on media and publicity Bala Dan-Abu in a press statement said the outgoing governor is owing no worker salaries.

Below is Dan-Abu communique stating the government’s position on the issue.

Taraba state government.

Press statement

The outgoing administration of his excellency, arc Darius Dickson Ishaku, executive governor of Taraba state, is not owing any group of workers in the state monthly salaries and, therefore, will not be leaving behind any burden arising from unpaid emoluments for the in-coming administration.

This clarification became necessary following a press statement issued recently on behalf of the in-coming administration of Lt Col Agbu Kefas, the governor-elect which contained a promise to pay salary arrears in its first 100 days.

This veiled accusation is wrong and unnecessary. The Ishaku administration never toyed with the welfare of workers in its eight years of stewardship in the state. It had consistently paid their salaries since it assumed office in 2015, most of the time before the end of every month.

We find this so-called promise to pay outstanding salary arrears made on behalf of the governor-elect not only misplaced but also misleading.

It is also surprising coming from an in-coming administration widely known and regarded to be an offspring of the the present government of his excellency, arc Darius Ishaku.

We think we needed to set the records straight, hence this rebuttal.

Buying Uncertified Products Dangerous – SON

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Cleopatra Okohai

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March 31, 2023

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The Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Malam Farouk Salim, has cautioned Nigerians against buying uncertified products that would endanger their lives.

Salim gave the warning during SON’s Special Day at the ongoing 34th Enugu International Trade Fair on Thursday in Enugu.

He advised Nigerians to check if any goods had been certified with the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Program logo before they could buy them.

According to him, MANCAP means that the product has been inspected, sampled, and subjected to laboratory analysis, adding that the logo is for locally-manufactured products only as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Off-Shore Conformity Assessment Programme is for imported products.

“With it, the quality of any product is assured and guaranteed,” he said.

Salim, represented by the Director, South-East Regional Operations Directorate, SON, Engr. Fred Akingbesote added that the trade fair offered SON the opportunity to reach out to Nigerian and foreign manufacturers on the impact of the organisation in assuring standardisation.

He assured Nigerians of the organisation’s readiness to be a major player in assisting entrepreneurs in realisation of their dreams.

The Director General noted that Micro-, Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises play a significant role in the growth and development of industrialisation of the country.

He said: “We will keep encouraging and creating enabling environments for the sector to be part of the standardisation process to ensure that products emanating from them meet global standards.

“Our target is to grow their businesses by offering them our services to ensure standardisation of the processes and products they bring into the market,” he said.

Salim hinted that after telling manufacturers what they should do to make their products of quality and standard and they fail to comply with government regulations, SON may be forced to sanction their companies.

This standard, he said, includes services like standard testing, port/border import safety, training/technical advisory, metrology & instrumentation, and product certification, amongst others.

Earlier in his welcome address, the President, Enugu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Jasper Nduagwuike, lauded the efforts of the organisation in raising the standards of products.

Nduagwuike, represented by the First Deputy President, ECCIMA, Odega Jideonwu, said that despite these standards, a lot is still needed to be done to attain a high level of product standardization both for local and foreign products.

He commended the management and staff of SON for their consistency in participation in the Enugu International Trade Fairs.

“We are very grateful for your partnership with us over the years and for your realisation of the important role you play in ensuring that goods produced here locally meet international standards.

ECOWAS Volunteer Concludes Schools Regional Debate Championship

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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March 31, 2023

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ECOWAS, Youth for Change Incorporated have concluded a national debate competition among schools in commemoration of this year’s ECOWAS Volunteer’s Day.

The competition themed Volunteers Agents of Social Cohesion and Promotion of the Culture of Peace in the Face of Insecurity in the Sub-Region was held among eight selected schools in Monrovia.

The tournament organized by ECOWAS Volunteers’ and implemented by Youth for Change Incorporated, in the auditorium of the College of West Africa came to an end with Multee International School system being crowned champions to represent Liberia next year in Nigeria at the Central Regional tournament in the pilot phrase of the competition.

The ECOWAS Volunteer’s Program Country Coordinator, Nouhan Kamara, speaking at the close of the tournament said that the ECOWAS Volunteer’s Day is celebrated every year on the 26th of March to celebrate the power and potential of volunteerism.

He said the ECOWAS Volunteers’ Program is aimed at increasing youth participation and awareness of ECOWAS agenda 2050 with key interest in the youthful population of Africa and include young people in decision making.

He also said the ECOWAS Volunteers program currently covers five countries for its pilot phase namely, Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau and Burkina Faso.

He added that the ECOWAS Volunteers Program was officially launched on March 26, 2010, in Monrovia, Liberia, and aims at inserting the skills and expertise of volunteer citizens in the Sub-region across the different sectors.

He further stated that the overall goal of the ECOWAS Program is to develop a team of youth both male and female, united in their belief in the benefits of peace-building and reconciliation as a development tool to establish peace in their nations and region.

He disclosed that ECOWAS volunteer endeavors to promote Africa expertise and skills at work for sustainable development and greater social impact under the solidarity, Unity, Hopes and dreams of Africa theme.

JAMB Apologizes to Candidates over Hitches in Exams

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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March 31, 2023

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Jamb has admitted some of the hitches experienced by candidates during the 2023 Mock UTME Examination in 725 centers across the nation.

The Board has apologized to the affected candidates, stating that the exercise witnessed some hitches in a few centers with some candidates unable to sit for the examination

In a statement, the Head of Public Affairs and Protocol, JAMB, Fabian Benjamin said that the candidates will be rescheduled to sit for the examination at a date to be announced later at no cost to them.

He further stated that the Board would look at all issues thrown up by the mock exercise and act accordingly for a better and enhanced exercise.

The introduction of the Mock-UTME by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board is aimed at providing the Board with the opportunity to assess innovations that would be used for the main examination as well as allow candidates to have hands-on experiences on the CBT environment.

The exercise, which was introduced over six years ago, has availed the Board a unique opportunity to test innovations that have significantly improved on the Board’s ability to deliver world-class assessment exercise.

It would be recalled that before the conduct of the 2023 exercise, the Board revealed that it would be introducing some new measures that had never been used before and would want to use the opportunity of the mock exercise to assess their functionality.