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Turkey Earthquake: 3 Children Rescued From Destroyed Building In Hatay Province

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Rescuers are racing to save people trapped beneath the rubble after thousands of buildings collapsed in the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

A girl was rescued by firefighters, from the ruins of a building in Hatay province.

Footage has emerged from Syria of the incredible moment men digging through rubble with their hands freed a tiny girl as her father tries to keep her calm.

The father is heard saying to his young girl, Nour, “Dad is here, don’t be scared” as the search and rescue team furrow through large rocks to pull her out from deep underneath.

Volunteers from the Syrian Civil Defence, known as the White Helmets, are seen telling Nour to “look over to her dad” as they carefully lift her out of the rubble.

Death toll tops 5,000 as patients left to die in ‘forgotten’ hospital – latest updates

Her father watched on as her dust-covered face emerges from the pile in the opposition-held town of Jinderis, north of Aleppo.

Other videos captured two more children freed from the earthquake wreckage nearly 24 hours after it first struck.

Two children have been rescued from the ruins after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake devastated parts of Syria and Turkey.

Two displaced children have been rescued from the ruins after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake devastated parts of Syria and Turkey.

One young boy and his mother were trapped in rubble for more than 20 hours when they were freed overnight.

Footage shows the chaotic scenes as volunteers carefully remove the young child from a collapsed building as rain pours down with just head torches lighting the rescue mission.

The dust-covered child is then taken to be cared for by other rescuers in Sarmada, northwestern Syria.

The family had already been internally displaced because of the war.

A second young boy named Ahmed was recued from the village of Qatma, north of Aleppo.

Two children have been rescued from the ruins after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake devastated parts of Syria and Turkey.

Two children have been rescued from the ruins after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake devastated parts of Syria and Turkey.

Covered in debris, he gently cries with relief as he is taken from the wreckage to receive medical attention.

Ahmed had also been displaced and his family’s home was destroyed by the powerful earthquake.

People watch digging operation at site of building collapse following an earthquake in Turkey1:22

Rescuers worked through the night in extremely cold temperatures searching for more survivors after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the region on Monday morning.

A second 7.5 magnitude tremor struck later on Monday afternoon with officials saying it was “not an aftershock”.

Thousands have died so far, with many more suspected to be trapped under collapsed buildings across Turkey and Syria.

The north-west of Syria, where the videos were recorded, is held by rebels. Around four million people are believed to be living there, having been displaced from other parts of the country by the civil war.

Many displaced families live in buildings already wrecked from frequent Russian and government airstrikes that have now been damaged by the earthquake.

The White Helmets said the situation in the area is “disastrous”. The territory, centred around the province of Idlib, depends on Turkish aid to supply essential resources including food to medical supplies.

Stephane Dujarric, a UN spokesperson, said 224 buildings were destroyed and 325 buildings, including aid warehouses, were damaged in north-western Syria.

UI@75: Varsity Inaugurates Planning Committee To Celebrate Milestone

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In preparation for the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan which is tagged “UI@75”, the University Management has inaugurated a high-level Committee to plan, coordinate and execute various activities to mark the milestone event.

The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof. Kayode Adebowale, while inaugurating the Committee said the Committee was inaugurated early to give it enough time to prepare for the events to celebrate the anniversary billed to come up later in the year.

Professor Adebowale expressed confidence in the Committee, noting that the members were people of adequate experience that would add value to the given task and charged them to start in earnest.

The VC disclosed that the task of the Committee would involve fund raising, amongst other things.

He, thereafter, announced Prof. Peter Olapegba, a member of the University Governing Council, and Director of the University Alumni Office, as the Chairman/Convener of the Committee, saying the full membership list would be released soon.

Prof. Adebowale charged the Committee to fully engage the Alumni community of the UI and ensure that a befitting 75th anniversary is put together for the University.

The Chairman/Convener, UI@75 Committee, Prof. Olapegba, thanked the University management for the confidence reposed in him, promising to put his best in discharging the enormous task ahead.

Gov Sule Promises Recruitment Of 1000 Additional Teachers In Nasarawa

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The Governor of Nasarawa state, Abdullahi Sule has promised to recruit 1000 more teachers in the state.

Governor Sule stated this during an interactive session with APC Stakeholders during the second round of campaign tours in the Udege and Loko Development Area of Nasarawa local government area, Northern, Nigeria.

He said that candidates with capacity and competence are the ones to be recruited and due process must be followed at every stage of the exercise where only the best should be considered as teachers in the state.

“We need qualified and competent prospective teachers in each LGA of the state and so the recruitment of teachers must reflect a fair distribution so that every constituency is represented

“One of the ways we intend to achieve qualitative education is to completely insulate our teacher recruitment process from political sentiments and undue interference”, Sule noted.

The state chairman of the All Progressive Congress, (APC), John Mamman said their visit to Udege and Loko development area is to show appreciation for the support you’ve shown to governor Abdullahi Sule over three years.

“As you all know, APC is a party that is sensitive to the plight of the people. Engineer AA  Sule has kept faith in the party’s manifestos. He has delivered good governance, accountability, transparency for the common good of the people especially at the grassroots.

“We will continue to deliver dividends of democracy to you at all times . As you can see AA Sule has been able to tackle insecurity in most of rural communities. Now you can agree with me that within the period of this administration, you are going about your businesses without fear, you have been able to work on your farms without being attacked by criminals”, Mamman said

He, therefore urged the people of Udege and Loko to vote for APC from top to bottom.

“When I say from top to bottom I mean from the presidential down to the state house of Assembly”, he added.

Turkey Earthquake: Ghanaian Football Association Excited As Atsu Is Rescued From Rubble

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Footballer Christian Atsu has been pulled from the rubble of a building “with injuries” after the earthquakes in Turkey, his club’s vice-president Mustafa Özat has told Turkish radio.

Atsu, who plays for Hatayspor, was trapped after the earthquakes that have killed at least 4,800 people.

The ex-Ghana forward, 31, played 107 games for Newcastle and has had spells with Chelsea, Everton and Bournemouth.

Hatayspor sporting director Taner Savut is still in the collapsed building.

Hatay was one of the areas closest to the epicentre of the earthquake, and has suffered extensive damage.

“Christian Atsu was removed from the wreckage with injuries,” Özat told Radyo Gol.

“Unfortunately, our sporting director Taner Savut is still under the rubble.

“Hatay was deeply affected. We are coming towards the end of the most dangerous hours.”

Atsu, who won 65 caps for Ghana, joined Hatayspor in September 2022 after a season with Saudi Arabian team Al-Raed.

He scored the winning goal in the 90th minute of Hatayspor’s Super Lig match against Kasimpasa on Sunday.

The Ghanaian Football Association tweeted: “We’ve received some positive news that Christian Atsu has been successfully rescued from the rubble of the collapsed building and is receiving treatment. Let’s continue to pray for Christian.”

Beautiful Nigeria: Origin Of Akwete Cloth, Produced In Abia State

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Akwete is a town in Abia state, it is the Headquarter of Ukwa East Locale Government of the state.

Akwete is known in Nigeria and West Africa for its unique weaving making the town an important tourist destination in the state.

Akwete cloth is a unique hand-woven textile produced in Igboland for which the town of Akwete in Abia state, South Eastern Nigeria is famous.

The raw materials used in its production are wool, cotton, silk, raffia, cotton and the bark of certain trees (hemp). The Akwete cloth was originally referred to as “Akwa Miri” (Cloth of the water) meaning towel.

The traditional Igbo weaving as demonstrated in Akwete processes sisal-hemp, raffia and spun cotton into finished product on a wide vertical loom.

Igbo legend tells us that weavers from that village were among those to do so in the late nineteenth century.

Using imported threads in an array of vibrant colours, and inspired by cloth imports from England, India, and elsewhere, the Legendary Weaver Dada Nwakwata began weaving designs of her invention.

Said to be the founder of weaving as it is now known in her villages, Dada Nawkwata has remained a major role model for Akwete weavers, who like her claim they can weave any cloth design set before them.

The mid- to late nineteenth century, weaving grew from part-time activity that occupied some women, to full-time occupation in which all Akwete women participated.

At this period, Akwete weavers responded to the patronage of neighboring Ijo peoples of the Niger- Delta, devising novel techniques to create desired patterns in new textile materials.

Just like most women’s weaving throughout Nigeria, Akwete weaving is done on anupright frame loom with continuous warp and other accessories

The basic Akwete cloth is usually made of cotton thread whilst the decorative patterns and effects are added with thread of heavier texture or contrasting colours.

In former times, only royal families could wear the ‘Ikaki’ motif, andif an ordinary person attempts to wear it, he could be sold into slavery.

The weavers claim that certain motifs and designs were revealed to them in the dreams.

Materials Used For Production

The materials used in the production of Akwete cloth are as follow: Loom, heddle, beater/sword, yarn/ twine /brass spatula, rope, shuttle, wax

Women usually tie the cloth as a wrap-around skirt (wrapper) with a blouse of lightweight machine-made fabric.

The cloth is usually woven in pairs and the Igbo women wear the two wrappers on public occasions, the first one tied to reach the ankle and the second one to mid-calf length.

While the Men use the fabric to sew traditional shirts popularly known as jumper, Wokor, or Etibo.

These they wear over trousers for special occasions. The cloth may also be woven in smaller versions that could be used as curtains, cushion, table, lectern, or bed covers.

Exploring Burj Rafal, Saudi Arabia  

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Burj Rafal is a tall skyscraper hotel which is located in the capital and most populous city within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh.

Being 308 meters (1,010 feet) high above the city, this concrete, steel and glass marvel is a modernist masterpiece that was designed by the Hong Kong firm, P&T Architects & Engineers Ltd.

Blending in the urban landscape, the exterior façade is made entirely of turquoise colored glass which interestingly changes color to a little bit greener shade with at sunset and sunrise.

With around 350 rooms, Burj Rafal is considered to be among the tallest residential buildings in Saudi Arabia’s capital, nonetheless, it holds the title as well for one of the tallest hotels in the world.

Officially opened in January 2014, this unique and glorious vertical residential landmark is one of the most popular places where locals would like to live, in addition to the nice neighborhood where it is located.

All in all, definitely one of the most modern marvels from the kingdom of the Middle East, Burj Rafal is perhaps one of the biggest achievements of the Hong Kong based company that uniquely designed it.

How to detect Prostate Cancer early -Expert

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A health expert has urged men to pay better attention to sudden or gradual changes in their health in order to detect prostrate cancer early and seek prompt medical intervention to them.

According to Dr. Akinade, Dr. Akinsola Akinde,seeking medical explanations for changes observed in the body could help early detection of prostate cancer in men.

The medical expert asked men not to ignore frequent urination and chronic back pain, noting that they could be signs of prostate cancer. 

Akinde, a former chairman of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria, also warned Men against ignoring blood in urine and the inability to hold or delay urination, adding that they could also be indications that such a person is suffering from prostate-related diseases. 

The medical expert further said prostate cancer is now a common health condition affecting men, but noted that it can be treated if diagnosed early. 

He stated that men who are age 50 or older are often more at risk of suffering prostate cancer. 

While noting that there were no specific causes of prostate cancer, Akinde stressed that the disease was common among the black including the African-Americans. 

He stressed that there was a need for people above 50 years to go for regular prostate-specific antigen tests to confirm if their prostate enlargement is cancerous or negative. 

He explained, “We don’t know what causes prostate cancer. There are suggestions but then they are just postulates. It is a disease very common among black. Even in America, African-Americans are at higher risk. 

“All men are at risk to have prostate cancer. If you get to the age of 50 years, you should do a routine screening. There is a test that can be done that will help to pick up the diseases at an early stage. The thing about cancer is that it is usually in different stages, and if you can pick up cancer at stage one, you can more or less cure it. 

Read Also: Cancer: 70% of patients in low-income countries suffer hardship – WHO

“These symptoms I mentioned are not specific to prostate cancer. What these symptoms mean is that they are suggesting prostate enlargement. Prostate enlargement could either be negative or it could be cancerous. 

“If you are in that age group and you can’t hold on to your urine, you have to rush to the restroom; we call it urgency, and that is another point you are having a problem with your prostate. When you are passing blood in your urine, that is also a sign that you are having prostate cancer. When you see any of the symptoms, you need to do a test to confirm if is negative or cancerous.

“So, if you are age 50 and above, you should do that test regularly. If you have a high blood level, you will be subjected to other tests to confirm if you have cancer.” 

The medical expert lamented that Nigerians don’t go for medical checkups “until the disease becomes almost incurable”. 

According to him, many people don’t go for the test early, adding that by the time they have symptoms, the cancer is already in stages 3 or 4. 

“We do not play a lot of importance to our health; people don’t go to the hospital until they are sick. People should go for regular annual checks,” he said. 

On what the nation can do to expand access to cancer care for Nigerians, he said, “There is a need for more radiotherapy. The allocation for health is not adequate. The government does not make enough allocation for health treatment. 

“There is a need for each geo-political zone in the country to have at least a radiotherapy centre to cater for prostate cancer because it is the second most common cancer in men after cancer of the liver”. 

Dr. Akinde’s admonition came as Nigeria joined the global community to commemorate the 2023 World Cancer Day themed: ‘Close the care Gap: Uniting our voices and taking action.’

While noting that cancer is a major public health issue of concern, the WHO in its message to mark the 2023 WCD says the theme was to help summon like-minded people to be united in building stronger alliances to fight cancer.

Once Upon A Time – February 7 – 2005 – Britain’s Ellen MacArthur Becomes Fastest Person To Sail Solo Around The World

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1301 Edward of Caernarfon (later Edward II) becomes the first English Prince of Wales

1842 Battle of Debre Tabor: Ras Ali Alula, Regent of the Emperor of Ethiopia defeats warlord Wube Haile Maryam of Semien

1856 Colonial Tasmanian Parliament passes the 1st piece of legislation (the Electoral Act of 1856) anywhere in the world providing for elections by way of a secret ballot

1991 Provisional Irish Republican Army launches a mortar attack on 10 Downing Street during a cabinet meeting in an attempt to assassinate Prime Minister John Major, injuring four people

1992 The Maastricht Treaty is signed by 12 countries from the European Community (EC) to create the European Union (EU)

Historical Events Today Events In 2022

Today In Film & TV

1974 Mel Brooks’ western spoof film “Blazing Saddles”, starring Cleavon Little and Gene Wilder premieres at the Pickwick Drive-In in Burbank, California; patrons watched from horseback rather than cars

Today In Music

1985 “New York, New York” becomes the official anthem of New York City

Today In Sport

2005 Britain’s Ellen MacArthur becomes the fastest person to sail solo around the world taking 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes 33 seconds

1839 Henry Clay declares in Senate “I had rather be right than president”

2018 All citrus fruit can be traced to the southeast foothills of the Himalayas, according to DNA study published in “Nature”

Famous Weddings

1403 English King Henry IV marries his second wife Joan of Navarre

1901 Queen Wilhelmina marries Prince Heinrich von Mecklenburg-Schwerin

1925 Heavyweight boxing champ Jack Dempsey (29) weds actress Estelle Taylor (30)

Stop Female Genital Mutilation, experts tell FG – Parents

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As Nigeria joined the global community to mark the United Nations International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation today, medical experts have asked parents to stop cutting the clitoris of their daughters, warning that the harmful practice causes trauma among other health problems. 

The experts also urged the Federal Government to implement laws against FGM and ensure that it is banned in all cultures across Nigeria to bring an end to the practice in the country.

The expert who spoke in an interview in commemoration of this year’s event said FGM is an unacceptable harmful practice and a violation of women’s and girls’ basic human rights.

The theme of the 2023 commemoration is “Partnership with Men and Boys to Transform Social and Gender Norms to End Female Genital Mutilation.”

Marked globally on February 6 annually, the day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

The day provides the opportunity for governments, member states, civil society organisations, development partners, activists, and other relevant stakeholders to raise awareness, renew commitments and advocate for the abandonment of the practice.

Read Also: Doctors, nurses more guilty of female genital mutilation –Physician

Speaking also with Newsmen, a renowned Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Prof. Oladapo Ladipo, said cutting the clitoris should be discouraged by parents. 

Prof Ladipo who is President/Chief Executive Officer of the Association for Reproductive and Family Health said, “There is no reason for tempering with the external genitalia of a female child like cutting or squeezing the clitoris. 

“There is no need at all. Clitoris has no negative effects on childbirth and if the baby’s head touches the clitoris, it is not going to do anything to the baby as far as I know and as far as science knows. 

“Circumcision of the girl child should be discouraged even by the government. It does not confer any known benefit to the female child. Secondly, it can be very traumatic and the complications can be fatal sometimes. So, circumcision of the female child should be banned in any culture because there is no rationale for it. 

Further warning of its dangers, the gynaecologist said FGM was unhealthy and violates the rights of women.

He urged the Federal and state governments to protect the rights of women and girls from all forms of violence and abuse by enforcing laws against FGM. 

FGM is a procedure involving partial or total removal of external female genitalia or another injury to the female genital organ for non-medical reasons. The act is globally recognised as an extreme violation of the rights of women and girls.

In 2015, the Federal Government signed into law the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, which prohibits FGM and provides for a set of punishments for perpetrators of the harmful practice.

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund, FGM remains widespread in Nigeria. 

Data from UNICEF indicates that with an estimated 19.9 million survivors, Nigeria accounts for the third-highest number of women and girls who have undergone FGM worldwide.

FGM, UN Women says affects 200 million women globally, with dire consequences ranging from debilitating pain to childbirth complications to death. 

“Today, UN Women is recommitting to ensuring that laws are not only passed against the practice but that governments are taking action to implement those laws”, the agency said.

A General Medical Practitioner, Dr. Tunji Akintade, called on the government at all levels to enforce laws violating the rights and dignity of women and girls.

He stated that the new trend of FGM practice, commonly referred to as the ‘medicalisation of FGM,’ was unacceptable, asking the public to report any medical practitioner found in the harmful practice to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria for disciplinary action.

“Medicalising the practice of FGM does not eliminate the danger it poses to women, as it still removes and damages healthy and normal tissue and interferes with the natural functions of a girl’s body”, he said.

He noted that the harmful practice has a physiological impact on the lives of women and girls.

According to the World Health Organisation, FGM has no health benefits, and it harms girls and women in many ways.

Data from the WHO shows that FGM causes multiple sexual health problems for the survivors, such as damage to a female’s anatomic structures that are directly involved in sexual function, and can therefore have an effect on the victim’s sexual health and well-being.

Borderless hosts NITDA blockchain developers in Port-Harcourt

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NITDA collaborates with Borderless to train blockchain developers in Nigeria. The programme which started in December 2022 has several sessions both online and physical meetups.

After the onboarding program in December, the upcoming blockchain developers have gone through a series of virtual classes.

Borderless Hub as the mentor for the NITDA blockchain scholarship had several meetups in January 2023.

Purpose of the meetup

Practical experience 

One of the purposes of the meet-up is to help students understand the practical aspect of what they have been learning during the virtual classes.

Discuss challenges

Another cogent reason for the blockchain developers’ meetup is to discuss any challenges that the students are having with the E-Learning platform.

Reinforced learning 

Continuous virtual learning might not provide all the required learning outcome. Therefore another reason for the meetup is to reinforce what the students have learnt. 

Networking with other blockchain developers

Borderless Hub is a developers’ hub started by Crypto Smart in partnership with Comsotech to train young Africans who can develop usable blockchain Solutions.

The meet-up is an avenue for the NITDA scholarship students to meet with other blockchain developers that are trained by borderless. 

Breakdown of January meetup 

First meet up in January 

The first meet up took place on January 14th, 2023 where Karla Obakpolor, lead partner at borderless hub, did an introduction to blockchain technology.

During the meet up, Karla Obakpolor also narrates her tech journey. This was no doubt a motivation to the upcoming developers who now understand how the blockchain technology works.

Before the end of her session, she introduced the student Algorand blockchain, how to build on algorand blockchain, programming languages used on algorand blockchain among others.

Second meet up in January 

The second meetup which was on January 21st, 2022 was also a success.

Adedayo Samuel, one of the instructors at borderless, gave a lecture on computer appreciation. 

He explains the importance of hardware knowledge to tech and as a blockchain developer.

Ekeleme Favour, a frontend developer and one of the volunteers at borderless, gives an introduction to JavaScript with regard to Domineum guide.

The second meetup increased the level of enthusiasm from the students who are ready to learn more.

Third meet up in January 

The third and last meet up in January took place on January 28th, 2023. 

Great Adams, a full stack developer and one of the instructors at borderless, delivers a detailed explanation of JavaScript and various frameworks which can be used to develop blockchain solutions.

NITDA blockchain scholarship continues and the students are expected to learn more and more as they cross different milestones in line with the curriculum.

About Borderless Hub

Borderless is a developers’ hub, located at Port Harcourt, where young Africans are trained to become developers who can build solid infrastructures and innovative ideas for Africa using the Algorand Blockchain.

About NITDA

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is committed to implementing the national digital economy policy for a digital Nigeria. 

NITDA’s core mandate is to create frameworks for planning, research, development, standardisation, application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation, and regulation of information technology practices in Nigeria. 

The agency is creating an all-encompassing plan through its various scholarship programs to develop IT skills required for a digital Nigeria. 

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