AFN Sends Warning Signal To Road Race Organiser, Demands Registration

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January 20, 2023

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria ( AFN) through its Vice President Tafida Gadzama has sent a warning signal to the Road race organiser in the country to do proper registration with the federation to get their race sanctioned.

He said it has come to their notice and World Athletics that most road races in the country are not registered.

The AFN received a letter from World Athletics warning that the federation will be held responsible for non-payment of prize monies.

This is unacceptable going forward and to ensure our athletes get rewarded for participating in any road race, all road race organisers must annually register with the AFN and will be issued with licenses certifying them as such,’ Gadzama told Vanguard correspondent.

‘We have seen races where World Athletics competition rules are not strictly followed and where world records are set when we, for now, know the level of our athletes. Like World Athletics have been doing to protect the integrity of road races worldwide, especially with the label road races, the AFN, as an affiliate of the world body cannot do otherwise hence the decision to send technical and medical delegates.

‘The technical delegates will ensure all World Athletics rules are strictly applied before, during, and after a race and all race courses are properly measured”, he added.

Newport’s Medieval Ship Becomes One Of Wales’ Biggest Historical Finds

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Angel Gimalo

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January 19, 2023

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Twenty years after it was found, Newport’s medieval ship has become one of Wales’ biggest historical finds.

The craft is believed to have been importing red wine to the UK and was in Newport for repairs, but while it was in the city, an accident left it unrecoverable.

It was broken up and what was left was preserved by the mud and silt of the River Usk.

“This has been the most extraordinary project and the team behind it deserve the highest of praise,” said TV historian Dan Snow.

Dorset’s Ancient Sunken Holloways: Ecological, Historic And Cultural Value To Be Assessed

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Angel Gimalo

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January 19, 2023

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A project is under way to survey ancient sunken paths in Dorset.

The Natural England-funded scheme is mapping the paths, called holloways, to assess their ecological, historic and cultural value.

Experts are carrying out 3D surveys at Shute’s Lane, a holloway near Bridport, and also studying Hell Lane, which runs between Symondsbury and North Chideock.

Following the study a map will be created to show the locations of sunken lanes across the UK.

Andy Jefferies of Natural England said: “Often described as sunken lanes, a holloway is a road, a lane, track or path with tall banks that tower over the sides with tree canopies closing over the top.

“They are really quite dark mysterious places… some are at least 10m deep into the ground and formed by the movements of people, animals and carts along routes with soft ground.”

The English name holloway, or hollow-way, derives from the Old English “hola weg”, a sunken road.

The paths have evolved over hundreds of years, sometimes beginning as trenches or boundaries between fields or estates.

Many feature graffiti carved into their banks, “it isn’t just ‘I woz here’ they are really quite elaborate carvings with ghouls and gargoyles and Celtic patterns, they clearly inspire some sense of mystery”, Mr Jefferies said.

Medieval Vessel: World’s Largest 3d Puzzle Ready For Display

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Angel Gimalo

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January 19, 2023

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With almost 2,500 pieces, measuring 30 metres and weighing 25 tonnes, it has been called the world’s largest 3D puzzle.

Archaeologists can now, after 20 years of painstaking restoration, start to reassemble the wreck of a 15th Century ship found in a south Wales riverbank.

Experts believe the medieval vessel is as significant a find as the Mary Rose – and it is a century older.

“The ship is of global significance and interest,” said TV historian Dan Snow.

Specialists have been working on the Newport Ship conservation project since the discovery of almost a third of the former wine- trading vessel and 1,000 medieval artefacts in the banks of the River Usk in 2002.

They have reached an important milestone on Thursday as all of its timbers, which had been preserved for more than 550 years, have now dried out and restored ready to go on display.

Poor Govt support for Private Hospitals fuelling Brain Drain

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Cleopatra Okohai

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January 19, 2023

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A former President of the Guild of Medical Directors, Prof. Olufemi Dokun-Babalola has decried the lack of government support for private hospitals, noting that it is contributing to the mass movement of doctors out of the country.

The don who is a fellow of the West African College of Surgeon, said both the Federal and state governments were taxing private hospitals heavily and do not care whether they succeed or fail, adding that they sometimes suffer multiple taxations.

Prof. Dokun-Babalola disclosed this in an interview obtained by LN247.

He urged the Federal Government to wake up to its responsibilities and address the problem facing doctors in private as well as public hospitals.

The professor of ophthalmology said, “The conditions of service for doctors in Nigeria are terrible and the government seems to be nonchalant about that. That is pushing out the doctors. We are worried about the situation.

“I must say that there is a mass movement of doctors out of the country. Of course, the government needs to wake up to its responsibilities and make life more comfortable for doctors, particularly doctors who are working in government service and even for doctors who are in private service, too.

“The government does not support private practice the way they should as they do in the United Kingdom for instance. The government sees private hospitals as cash baskets, both Federal and state governments are taxing private hospitals heavily, sometimes, multiple taxations and they don’t care whether you succeed or whether you fail.

“To that effect, many private hospitals in the country fail because of the lack of support they experienced at the hands of the government. This is just compounding the issue of brain drain in the country. “

Prof. Dokun-Babalola reminded the Federal Government that the country was losing a lot by allowing its doctors to travel out, warning that Nigeria can’t have robust healthcare amid brain drain.

“And truly, things are getting critical because when the government has spent a lot of money to train the doctors and they don’t stay, it is a major loss to the country.

“For every doctor that travels out, it is a major loss to Nigeria because we are losing intellect, service, and manpower and we are sending them to countries that have more than enough doctors.

“So, at the end of the day, our healthcare system is not robust as it should be. Because our leaders can travel when they have the slightest cough, they don’t care about what is going on in the country. These are issues that sadden one,” he said.

The professor noted that the push to leave the country for greener pastures abroad among healthcare practitioners was more among young doctors.

He explained, “Over half of the doctors in the university will leave the country within one or three years of completing their training. It is difficult to persuade a young doctor to stay.”

Prof. Dokun-Babalola, however, noted, “There are still some doctors in Nigeria that are better off than those who travel out of the country. The fact that you traveled abroad doesn’t mean that at the end of your career, you are going to be better off than doctors who stayed in Nigeria because there are still opportunities for doctors here in the country.”

Suggesting the way forward he said, “The only thing is for the government to support doctors that stayed behind and make life easier for them.

“The government should give them tax holidays and stop over-taxing them, and give them an enabling environment. That is what the government should do to encourage doctors instead of leaving everyone to their fate, whether you swim or sink is none of their business.”

According to the Nigerian Medical Association, the health sector is currently battling a serious brain drain problem with no fewer than 10,296 Nigerian-trained doctors practicing in the United Kingdom.

The massive brain drain in the health sector has in the last two years assumed a frightening dimension with patients struggling to get specialist care.

The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria in 2022 disclosed that about 500 consultants in various medical fields had left the service of government hospitals for practice abroad due to better conditions of service.

Also, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has said that the number of medical doctors in the country decreases daily, adding that only about 10,000 resident doctors are left.

The President of the association, Dr. Emeka Orji, said about 100 resident doctors leave the country monthly to seek greener pastures.

Insecurity, poor remuneration, and poor working conditions, among others, have been identified by experts as the factors fuelling healthcare workers’ emigration out of the country.

Exploring Royal Opera House Muscat, Oman

By

Angel Gimalo

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January 19, 2023

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The Royal Opera House Muscat is an important art complex and a venue for musical arts and culture, located in the capital city of the Sultanate of Oman, Muscat.

Construction began in 2007 and it was completed in 2011, where it was built on the royal orders of Oman’s Sultan, Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, it is an interesting architectural piece which shows traditional Islamic architecture, as well as Italianate architecture, reflecting the unique contemporary Omani architecture.

Being the leading arts and culture organization in the Sultanate, the premises can accommodate up to 1,100 people, and it serves as a center of excellence in global cultural engagement, however, it also enriches the culture through diverse artistic, cultural, and educational programs.

Attended a performance of Rossini’s La Cenerentola (Cinderella) at Royal Opera House Muscat, Oman

Built according to the blueprints of the main contractor Carillion, which is a British multinational facilities management and construction services company headquartered in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom, where nowadays it showcases rich and diverse artistic creations from Oman, the region, and the world.

Throughout the years, there were plenty of artists who performed at the Royal Opera House Muscat, with Plácido Domingo, Andrea Bocelli, and soprano Renée Fleming performing in the first year.

Nevertheless, Oman being on the map of impressive cultural manifestations, this intriguing cultural house shall continue to provide a space for culture and socioeconomic development reflections and actions, inspiring audiences and nurturing the creativity with each performance.

Special counsel named to probe Classified Records found with Biden

By

Jamima Joseph

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January 19, 2023

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Hours, after the white house revealed a second set of classified documents at Biden

home in Wilmington, Delaware, attorney general Merrick garland announced the

appointment of a special counsel Robert Hur to investigate US president, Joe Biden.

The discovery of the first batch of classified records was only made public by media outlets on Monday, and it was later confirmed by the White House.

The White House has not explained why the discovery was not made public when it happened, one week before the November midterm congressional elections.

Garland’s move comes hours after the white house disclosed that a second set of

classified records had been recovered in a storage space in the garage at Biden

Wilmington home.

The white house had announced earlier that a number of government records were

discovered by the president’s personal lawyers on Nov. 2 while boxes were packed to

vacate the Penn Biden center for diplomacy and global engagement in Washington.

Biden had used the office after leaving office as vice president in 2017 until his

the presidential campaign in 2020.

Nigerian Student produces kerosene and diesel from sachet water waste

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Jamima Joseph

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January 19, 2023

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A final-year student of the federal university Dutse, Zaynab Bilyamin, is drawing all the buzz after she produced kerosene and diesel out of sachet water waste.

Her project topic is: “Conversion of Low-Density Polyethylene and Mixed Low-Density Polyethylene with Polyethylene Terephthalate into Fuel.”

The project of the 24-year-old student in the department of chemistry is the first of its kind in the department and school, the young lady thanked her parents and project supervisor for their support.

“I carried out the experiment in the lab, although it was okay,” she said of the difficulties she encountered. However, an obnoxious odor that is not pleasant to the nose was emitted during the experiment. It would have been so much better if there had been a facility a little further away from residential areas.”

She mentioned further how she had to take her product to Bayero University Kano (BUK) in Kano State for analysis as there was no equipment for such in her school. “Had it been available in my school, then I would have carried out the physicochemical analysis myself in my school,” she said.

Adding that “the project would have been better and more helpful to Nigerians in reducing

wastes, turning them into useful products, and generating income .”

Zaynab further stated that space away from residential areas would have been the best idea for its production citing the conditions she had to work in.

Ronaldo v Messi: The Last Dance In Saudi Arabia Or a Fresh Start?

By

Emenike Agu

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January 19, 2023

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La Liga Santander – FC Barcelona v Real Madrid – Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain – May 6, 2018 Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi before the match

The rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominated football for more than a decade and the world will on Thursday get the chance to see another contest between the Portuguese and Argentine, which may not be the last time they face each other.

After 20 years in Europe’s top leagues, Ronaldo has taken his talents to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr after his contract with Manchester United was terminated and ironically his first match in the Middle East will be against his age-old rival.

Messi’s Paris St Germain take on a combined Al Hilal-Al Nassr team in an exhibition match giving Ronaldo and Messi a chance to rekindle their old ‘El Clasico’ rivalry when they played for Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectively.

With nothing for Messi left to prove in Europe or on the international stage, there is also speculation that Al Hilal want to bring the 35-year-old to Saudi Arabia when his PSG contract expires at the end of the season.

Mohammed Al-Jadaan, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Finance, had recently indicated that the door was open for moves by Saudi clubs to try and sign both of soccer’s biggest stars.

“Well we talked about that before and the quality of life is a critical part of the 2030 vision and quality of life in Saudi has improved, sports is a significant part of that,” he told CNBC when asked about Ronaldo or Messi moving to the country.

“The young population of Saudi watch sports and perform sports and anything we can do to enhance this industry will pay back and improve the quality of life not only for our people but for the working people from outside.”

Messi and Ronaldo won every Ballon d’Or award from 2008-2017 until Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric broke their hegemony and the Argentine has since won two more to lead 7-5 over his Portuguese rival in the race to be the world’s best player.

When the pair first faced off in 2008 as young upstarts looking to make their mark, Manchester United and Barcelona played out a 0-0 draw in the Champions League.

Since then they have never both been involved in a goalless draw for their clubs and national teams in memorable matches with millions tuning in to witness the greats in their prime.

The spotlight was on the pair at the World Cup in Qatar last year but whereas Ronaldo faded and was left out of Portugal’s starting lineup in the knockout stages as they were eliminated in the quarter-finals, Messi went on to lift the trophy.

Messi became the first player ever to score in every round at a World Cup and finished with seven goals as he completed his trophy collection and was named player of the tournament.

Should the Argentine move to Saudi Arabia, Thursday’s encounter between the sport’s two biggest stars of the modern era could signal the dawn of a new age in Asian football.

Microsoft to axe thousands of Jobs

By

Jamima Joseph

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January 19, 2023

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Microsoft is preparing to axe thousands of Jobs in the latest move by the biggest technology companies to reduce its workforce in the face of a slowing global economy.

As the majority of the world is still reeling from the economic turmoil of the last 3 years, it was learned that the US software giant could announce plans to cull a significant number of posts around the world within a matter of days.

Microsoft, which employs more than 220,000 people, including a good number in Nigeria (both physically and remotely), is said to be contemplating cutting roughly 5% of its workforce, which if accurate would equate to approximately 11,000 jobs.

It was also unclear how many UK-based positions would be affected. The company which has bet heavily on the growth of cloud computing and now has a market capitalization of $1.78 trillion, is set to report second-quarter earnings next week.

If finalized, an announcement about headcount reductions is likely to be made before Microsoft’s chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella, updates investors on the company’s financial performance on January 24.

Microsoft warned of a slowdown in its cloud computing business in October, acknowledging that major corporate customers were rethinking their spending in response to economic challenges.

“In a world facing increasing headwinds, digital technology is the ultimate tailwind,” said Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella in October.

“In this environment, we’re focused on assisting our customers in doing more with less, while investing in long-term growth opportunities and managing our cost structure with discipline.”

Under Mr. Nadella’s leadership, the company has been transformed, though recent quarters’ earnings have been hampered by the strength of the dollar.