JAMB Mock Examination Experiences Hitches In Ekiti

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March 31, 2023

Candidates who sat for the mock Jamb in Ekiti and their parents have expressed concerns that the examination scheduled for 7 a.m. did not start until 2 p.m.

They lamented on the technical and other logistics hitches that led to the delay in most of the Computer-Based Test centres in the state.

The Acting Coordinator of JAMB in Ekiti, Ebenezer Owolafe, however, denied the reports of technical hitches.

He explained that candidates scheduled to write the mock examination at 8 a.m. were the only ones whose tests were rescheduled to 2 p.m.

He pleaded with the candidates and their parents to pardon the rescheduling without proper notification.

He said the mock exercise was successful across major centers in the state, noting that the board would correct any noticeable hiccup during the mock exercise ahead of the proper examination in April.

Candidates and their parents also complained about the inadequacy of space which made it difficult for candidates of the same batch to sit at the same time when the examination began.

Some parents who took their wards for the “Batch A” examination in most centers had to wait till 5 p.m., whereas they had thought that the examination would be over by 9 a.m.

VC Urges Students to Embrace Growth Mindset, Active Learning

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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March 31, 2023

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Vice Chancellor, Summit University, Kwara State, Abiodun Musa Aibinu has called on undergraduates to cultivate the habit of active learning and growth mindset.

Aibinu stated this during the inaugural retreat for the Audacious Innovation and Advanced Science Research Group (IASRG) and Artificial Intelligence for Females in (STEM) Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (AI4FS), themed Active learning with growth mindset, which is aimed at educating team members on importance of learning for implementation and not just for knowledge.

He said that the retreat was also to evaluate the team activities for 2022, set Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for 2023 and develop group and personal plan/KPI for the current year.

He reminded participants that the AI4FS project is aimed at developing innovation and inventions that would be changing the way we gain knowledge, acquire skills, work in the industry, develop our curriculum and provide gender inclusiveness in STEM in the country.

Aibinu, a professor of Mechatronics Engineering, further presented an overview of his mandate on growing research, innovation and development at the institution within four years which includes introducing grantsmanship and mentoring scheme, setting up four research groups with provision of appropriate facilities, and promoting research-based teaching for sustainable and societal development.

He also outlined the 2023 KPI for the research group which includes, Growing research proposal success rate from five to 10 per cent, generating $1,500, in research grants, moving from non-indexed publishing to ISI indexed publishing minimum of Q3 journals, have an income-generating registered startup company on the campus, fostering membership drive (quality over quantity), doubling the number of industry collaborators and extending invitation to other institutions.

Vietnam Artist In Race To See Heroic Mothers Not Forgotten

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Koko Lawrence

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March 31, 2023

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On her trusty motorcycle, Vietnamese artist Dang Ai Viet travels around the Southeast Asian country in a quest to ensure that the thousands of women who suffered the loss of two or more loved ones during the Vietnam War are not forgotten.

The 75-year-old has painted the portraits of 2,765 of the women, who are part of a group known in Vietnam as “heroic mothers”, in recognition of their sacrifice during the war that ended in 1975.

“I paint so that the current generation and the ones after will have a chance to see the look in the eyes of a mother who lost more than one of her sons,” Viet said in an interview.

During the war, Viet was a guerrilla in the Mekong Delta for the Viet Cong, fighters who backed North Vietnam in the battle against the government of the then South Vietnam and its main ally, the United States.

Some researchers have estimated about 3.8 million people were killed during the war, though estimates of the toll vary.

In Dong Thap province in the Mekong Delta, Viet recently painted the portrait of Huynh Thi Bay, 98, whose husband and eldest son were killed in 1969, only days apart.

“It is devastating enough for a mother to learn of the death of her son, but it takes a hero to learn of the death of both a husband and a son,” Viet said.

Before the portrait is handed over to the family, Viet includes details of the woman and how her loved ones died and the local government gives a stamp of authenticity.

“From now on, there will a picture of her in the family’s possession and we can always see my mother,” said Bay’s only surviving son, Thuong Van Hop.

In the past six months, Bay has travelled more than 10,000 km (6,214 miles) on her mission to paint the 5,000 surviving women.

She knows she’s in a race as time inevitably takes its toll.

“My biggest fear is that they would leave, and I would never want to miss anyone,” she said.

Cambodian Goldsmith Turns Bullet Casings Into Jewellery To Promote World Peace

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Koko Lawrence

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March 31, 2023

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Every week, Cambodian goldsmith Thoeun Chantha turns about five kilograms of brass casings of AK-47 and M-16 bullets into jewellery.

For more than two decades, the 42-year-old, whose father was killed during Cambodia’s years of war, has run a workshop to turn symbols of violence into what he calls wearable pieces of art.

“I’m a victim of the war as a Cambodian who lost family members in it and now the world is at war too,” he said.

The bullets are collected from shooting ranges and military training grounds around the capital, Phnom Penh.

Those deemed safe are melted and poured into a cylindrical mould before being cooled in a bucket of water. The metal is then shaped by hand into intricate bracelets, necklaces, rings and earrings to be sold for $US5 ($7.49) to $US20 a piece at markets popular with tourists.

AFCON 2023 To Begin 13 January 2024

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Emenike Agu

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March 30, 2023

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) revealed on Thursday that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Cote d’Ivoire 2023 will take place from Saturday, 13 January 2024, until 11 February.

This is the 34^th edition of the premier African sports event and is holding 40 years after Cote d’Ivoire first hosted the championship in which Nigeria and Cameroon contested the final match.

That was where Cameroon beat Nigeria for the first time ever as they won the first of their five titles.

The AFCON 2023 qualifiers are almost complete, and four nations have already secured their place in the competition: Algeria, Morocco, South Africa, and African champions, Senegal.

These teams will join hosts, Cote d’Ivoire, in the battle to become Africa’s football champions.

“The final draw of the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 Cote d’Ivoire will be held in September 2023.

Date and venue will be confirmed in due course,” read a statement on CAF’s official website.

Queen’s Club: Andy Murray Among British Players At Cinch Championships

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Emenike Agu

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March 30, 2023

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Andy Murray and Cameron Norrie are among 10 British players named in the line-up for the Cinch Championships at Queen’s Club this summer.

Five-time champion Murray, 2021 finalist Norrie, Dan Evans and Jack Draper are in the singles, while Neal Skupski, Joe Salisbury, Lloyd Glasspool and Jamie Murray will play doubles.

Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid will feature in the wheelchair draws.

The pre-Wimbledon tournament takes place from 19-25 June.

Men’s singles world number one Carlos Alvarez will make his debut at Queen’s while defending champion Matteo Berrettini, Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe have also confirmed their participation.

Berrettini defeated world number 12 Norrie in three sets in 2021, before defending his title against Serbia’s Filip Krajinovic last year.

In Alcaraz, Skupski and Hewett, the line-up includes the current world number one in the singles, doubles and wheelchair rankings.

Three-time Grand Slam champion Murray, who is the only Briton to win the Queen’s title in the Open era, said: “It’s always a great week at the Cinch Championships, playing at the Queen’s Club with British fans.

“Obviously I have a lot of special memories there so I’m really looking forward to returning this year.”

Rivers United Get Confederation Cup Quarter Finals Opponents On 5 April

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Emenike Agu

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March 30, 2023

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The draws for the quarter-finals of the two CAF inter club competitions will be held in Cairo on Wednesday, 5 April.

Nigeria’s Rivers United are in the Confederation Cup and will therefore get to know their opponents on that day.

The other qualified teams are: ASFAR Club (Morocco), US Monastir (Tunisia), Asec Mimosas (Côte d’Ivoire), Marumo Gallants (South Africa), Young Africans (Tanzania), Pyramids FC (Egypt) or Future FC (Egypt), Al Akhdar SC (Libya) or FC Saint Éloi Lupopo (DR Congo) or USM Alger (Algeria).

Similarly, the draw for the CAF Champions League will be conducted. The qualified teams are: CR Belouizdad (Algeria), Esperance Tunis (Tunisia), JS Kabylie (Algeria), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Raja CA (Morocco), Simba SC (Tanzania), Wydad AC (Morocco), Al Ahly (Egypt) or Al Hilal (Sudan).

The draws will hold at 7.30pm Nigerian time.

Whitney: School, Four Others Arraigned for Manslaughter

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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March 30, 2023

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The Lagos State government has arraigned Chrisland School and some of its staff members over the death of a 12-year-old student, Whitney Omodesola Adeniran, who died during the school’s inter-house sport on the 9th of February, 2023.

They were all arraigned on Thursday before Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja on a two-count charge of involuntary manslaughter and acting in a reckless and negligent manner that endangered her life.

The affected staffs are the principal, Belinda Amao, the Vice Principal, Nwatu Victoria, and a teacher in the school, Kuku Fatai. The other defendant is a vendor at the Agege Stadium, Ademoye Adewale.

Chrisland Schools’ Whitney Died from Electrocution, Asphyxia- Lagos Govt

The Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Lagos, SAN Moyosore Onigbanjo, who led the prosecution on behalf of the State Government told the court that the state had filed two count counts against the defendants. He asked the court to allow them to take their plea.

When the counts were read to the defendants, they all pleaded not guilty. The school principal, Belinda Amao, wept loudly while in the dock.

The Attorney General also informed the court that the state had lined up seventeen witnesses to testify against the defendant. He asked the court for a date to enable the prosecution open trial.

The defense team on its part informed the court that they had pending applications seeking the bail of all the defendants. The lawyers subsequently took turns moving their bail applications.

The Attorney General had no objections to the applications. He, however, urged the court not to grant bail on self-recognizance and to ensure to grant conditions that would guarantee that the defendants show up for their trial.

In her ruling, Justice Oyindamola Ogala granted the principal and vice principal of Chrisland School, Belinda Amao, and Nwatu Ugochi Victoria, bail in the sum of N20m each with two sureties in the sum of N10m each.

The other two defendants were granted bail in the sum of 10m each with two sureties in like sum pending the hearing and determination of the charge against them.

The court also ruled that the sureties must be residents within the jurisdiction of the court and their financial status and address must be credible and verifiable.

All defendants must also provide evidence of payment of tax for the last three years as well as deposit their international passport with the registrar of the court.

Parties in the matter have also agreed that the trial will continue after the Easter holidays. The court adjourned till May 25, June 1, 8, and 15 for the commencement of trial.

FIFA U20 World Cup May Shift To Peru

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Emenike Agu

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March 30, 2023

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Indonesia newspaper, The Jakarta Post has speculated that the FIFA U-20 World Cup may be transferred to Peru following the revocation of hosting rights of Indonesia.

Peru already have the rights for the FIFA U-17 World Cup which is to come up much later in year in November.

The U-20 World Cup is expected to run from 20 May to 11 June. Owing to the qualification of Israel, it is anticipated that hosting in any Asian country or Islamic state may still lead to further problems.

Indonesia newspaper speculates that Peru and Indonesia may be asked to swap tournaments. That could see the U-17 championships moving from Peru to Indonesia while the U-20 will be relocated to Peru.

The newspaper speculated that Israel have slim chance of qualifying for the U-17 and therefore make it easy for Indonesia to host the tournament.

Indonesia Newspaper Laments World Cup Hosting Rights Withdrawal

By

Emenike Agu

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March 30, 2023

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‘Sports and politics don’t mix’ is the headline of an editorial published by Indonesia newspaper, The Jakarta Post.

This is in the aftermath of FIFA’s revocation of an earlier hosting rights given to Indonesia for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Following Indonesia’s refusal to allow Israel, a qualified team to feature in the competition, FIFA on Wednesday took the competition away from Indonesia.

The editorial blamed the country’s leader, Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’ and his political party, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P),

for allowing politics to creep into sports in the moderate Islamic country.

“The endgame of this affair will unfold soon, but one thing for sure is that politics still prevails in almost all aspects of life in this country.

“We have seen the weaponization of laws for political interests, as happened in the enforcement of the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law, the revision of the Criminal Code, and the politicization of religion, which was rampant during elections both in national and regional levels. The move by Bali Governor I Wayan Koster and Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, who both are PDI-P members, to reject entry of the Israeli youth team is a blatant attempt to politicize sports.

“With the Feb. 14, 2024 elections in mind, the PDI-P, which failed to perform in regions known for their leaning to conservative Islam, will expect to reap votes from Muslim electorates to win both the legislative and presidential elections.

“Especially for Ganjar, who has consistently topped the opinion surveys of potential presidential candidates, his anti-Israel narrative is a display of loyalty to the party, while proving his Islamic credentials to voters. In fact, PDI-P chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri has not made her mind about her choice of presidential candidate. Such resistance sounds “normal” if it comes from Muslim-based parties.

“Only this time around, the PDI-P is making a big fuss of the Israel issue while it was silent about the Knesset delegation’s presence in the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which the House of Representatives hosted in Bali in March last year