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International Youth Day Kicks off with Youth Festival

FELA OLAGUNJU
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To celebrate the International Youth Day, United Nations have kicked off with the #YouthLead Innovation Festival which take place today,  August 12 and will also hold on the 13th.

According to UN, “the Festival is a strategic and timely approach to drive our world to a solutions-oriented future through youth-led innovation as it brings together young innovators and solutions makers together with United Nations offices, policymakers and industry leaders.”

With the theme, “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”, the International Youth Day 2021 is virtually convened by DESA in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Major Group for Children and Youth.

The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Gutierrez  commenting on this year’s International Youth Day said“Young people are on the frontlines of the struggle to build a better future for all. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the dire need for the kind of transformational change they seek – and young people must be full partners in that effort.”

The Youth Lead innovation festival aims to present opportunities for multistakeholder dialogue and collaboration for the use of innovation and technology to achieve Sustainable Development Goals and support the COVID-19 Recovery agenda.

It further aims to address the fact that many young minds from marginalized and vulnerable communities are lagging behind irrespective of imminent growth in digital technology and innovation.

No one is left behind as all indigenous youths are encouraged to participate in the festival as it also creates enough room and platform to highlight their great and innovative works.

The International Youth Day, is a celebration of innovative youth-led solutions for the achievement of the SDGs and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information on the festival activities, visit https://www.un.org/en/observances/youth-day

S.S/UN

China: Crackdown on business to last for years

Nneka Oyibo Ukachukwu
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The Chinese government has unveiled a five-year plan outlining tighter regulation of much of its economy.

It says new rules will be introduced covering areas including national security, technology and monopolies in the world’s second largest economy.

The plan comes soon after Beijing started targeting the technology and education industries.

The document references Chairman Mao as China celebrates the 100th anniversary of the nation’s Communist Party.

10-point plan
The 10-point plan which runs to the end of 2025, was released jointly late on Wednesday by China’s State Council and the Communist Party’s Central Committee.

It said laws will be strengthened for “important fields” such as science and technological innovation, culture and education.

The plan also said the Chinese government aims to tackle monopolies and “foreign-related rule of law”.

Regulations relating to China’s digital economy, including “internet finance, artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing etc.” will also be reviewed.

The announcement raised fresh concerns that Beijing’s crackdown on technology and private education companies is set to continue and expand in years to come.

Fall in shares
Shares in many Chinese companies listed in the US, Hong Kong and mainland China have fallen sharply this year as investors’ concerns grow over the crackdown.

Anti-monopoly
Beijing has already launched anti-monopoly investigations into some of the country’s biggest technology firms and taken action against a wide range of other businesses.

In April, technology giant Alibaba accepted a record $2.8b  fine after an investigation found that it had abused its dominant market position for years.

Last month, Tencent was told to end exclusive music licensing deals with record labels around the world.

Also in July, some of the country’s biggest online platforms – Kuaishou, Tencent’s messaging tool QQ, Alibaba’s Taobao and Weibo – were ordered to remove inappropriate child-related content.

After-school tuition fees
Chinese authorities said they had increased their scrutiny of after-school tuition services offered by individual teachers.

During a recent inspection, one person and six institutions were punished for offering unlicensed after-school tutoring that broke regulations, the Beijing Municipal Education Commission said in a statement Monday.

The move came as tutoring firms had changed how they operated after a government crackdown on the industry.

Last month, Beijing unveiled a massive overhaul of China’s $120bn private tutoring sector, under which all institutions offering tuition on school curricula will be registered as non-profit organisations.

The new rules said “curriculum subject-tutoring institutions are not allowed to go public for financing; listed companies should not invest in the institutions, and foreign capital is barred from such institutions.”

Meanwhile, this week China’s banking and insurance watchdog stepped up its regulation of online insurance companies, according to report.

The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission ordered the firms to stop improper marketing and pricing or face “severe punishment.”

 

BBC/Nneka Ukachukwu

Malawi leader sacks minister, chief of staff

Dominica Ijeoma Nwabufo
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Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera has sacked the energy minister and his chief of staff who are facing corruption charges.

The two and one other official – Enock Chihana, a partner in the governing Tonse Alliance – were arrested on Monday for their alleged involvement in a state oil contract.

They were reportedly trying to influence the way that contracts for the supply of oil were awarded.

Minister Newton Kambala was not replaced upon his dismissal.

The functions of the energy ministry have been transferred to the president’s office.

The chief of staff Chris Chaima Banda’s replacement was also not named in the announcement about his dismissal.

Mr Kambala and Mr Banda have not commented on the matter.

Mr Chihana commented about the probe saying taking to the anti-corruption

 

India Landslide kills at least 13, dozens trapped

Nneka Oyibo Ukachukwu
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At least 13 people have died and dozens more are trapped under debris after a landslide in a Himalayan district in northern India.

Falling boulders swept a truck, a bus and other vehicles from a stretch of highway in Himachal Pradesh state.

Rescue operations are being hampered by rocks that are continuing to fall, officials say.

Several deadly landslides have hit India in recent months during an unusually heavy monsoon season.

Rescue operations
Wednesday’s landslide occurred on a highway in Kinnaur district. 10 people have been rescued, but about 30 others are still trapped, reports say.

Border police are taking part in the rescue efforts and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been put on alert.

“We expect the rescue operations to continue through the night, if not longer,” local official Abid Hussain Sadiq said.

Nine people were killed last month in Himachal Pradesh when falling rocks hit their vehicle. At least 136 people died in landslides in the western state of Maharashtra recently after heavy rains flooded hundreds of villages and swept away homes.

 

BBC/Nneka Ukachukwu

Zambia’s Electoral Commission promises transparency

Dominica Ijeoma Nwabufo
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The Electoral Commission of Zambia has promised a transparent and credible process as millions of Zambians are voting on Thursday in presidential elections, held against a backdrop of deteriorating economic conditions.

Police and troops have been deployed across the country to monitor polling stations and a record number of international observers will be monitoring the process.

President Edgar Lungu is seeking a second term but faces a strong challenge from Hakainde Hichilema, the candidate for Zambia’s main opposition party.

The vote is seen as a high-stakes election, with Zambia’s predominantly young electorate demanding improvements to the economic situation and better job opportunities.

 

BBC/Dominica Nwabufo

 

 

Nasarawa Assembly passes financial autonomy bill

Lateefat Ibrahim
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The Nasarawa State House of Assembly, has passed into law, a Bill for a Law to Repeal and Re-Enact the Nasarawa State House of Assembly Financial Management Law 2021 and for Other Related Matters.
Speaker of the House, Balarabe Abdullahi, announced the passage of the bill into law after the Majority Leader of the House, Tanko Tunga moved a motion to that effect during the  House proceedings in Lafia the State Capital.
The speaker said that the financial autonomy of the House was to ensure transparency, accountability and good governance  in the state.
“The purpose of the bill is to grant real financial autonomy to the state House of Assembly.
 
“This is our bill. I appreciate you all for your commitment to enable the bill sees the light of the day,” he said.
Balarabe Abdullahi directed the clerk of the House to produce a clean copy of the bill for Governor Sule’s assent.
Meanwhile, the Majority Leader of the House, Tanko Tunga, moved a motion for the bill to scale third reading.
The Deputy Minority Leader of the House, Luka Zhekaba, seconded the motion.
The House unanimously passed the bill into law.
The House also passed into law A Bill for a Law to Establish the Nasarawa State Urban and Regional Planning Board and for Other Purposes Connected Therewith after the Majority Leader of the House,  Tanko Tunga moved a motion for the passage of the bill into law which was seconded by the  Minority Leader of the House Luka Zhekaba.
The speaker said that the bill if finally assented to by the Governor, would ensure proper and good development plan in the state.
He then, directed the clerk of the House to produce a clean copy of the bill for the Governor’s assent.
The House unanimously passed the bill into law.
The speaker committed  a Bill for a Law to Provide for Management of Funds Accruing to the Nasarawa State Judiciary from the Consolidated Revenue Funds of Nasarawa State  and all Other Services to Ensure Accountability, Transparency, Effective and Efficient Utilization of Funds and for Other Matters Connected Therewith to the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation in conjunction with the House Committee on Public Account to work on the bill and report to the House on Sept. 13, 2021.
This was after the Majority Leader of the House, Tanko Tunga moved a motion for the second reading of the bill which was seconded bythe Minority Leader of the House Luka  Zhekaba
In the same vein, the speaker slated Sept 13, 2021 for the deliberation of report of the joint committee on Housing and Environment/ Health on a Bill for a Law to Establish the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency and for Other Matters Related Thereto.
This was after  Hon Luka Iliya Zhekaba, the Chairman of the committee presented its report during the day’s sitting.

 

Lateefah Ibrahim

Super Falcons forward Francisca Ordega joins CSKA Moscow from Spain

Emmanuel Ukoh
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Super Falcons winger Francisca Ordega is looking forward to a fresh start at Russian club CSKA Moscow, reports say.

Ordega leaves Spanish Iberdrola side Levante five months into a three-year contract as she opts for a new adventure with the reigning Russian champions.

“I love to challenge myself every time so I enjoy taking on challenges to test myself,” she had told BBC Sport Africa.

“Women’s football is fast growing in the last five years and teams are beginning to compete on a big stage.

“Playing in big competitions like the World Cup with your country and the Champions League with your club will only bring out the best in you.”

Francisca Ordega is an established international player, who scored twice to help Nigeria win a ninth Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in December 2018 and made the final three for Caf’s women’s Player of the Year award for 2018.

The much-travelled and vastly-experienced Ordega previously played in Russia and Sweden before moving to Washington Spirit in March 2015.

Back in December 2016, she became the first African to play in the Australian Westfield W-League when she joined Sydney FC on loan.

The former Nigeria youth international also had another loan stint at Spanish club Atletico de Madrid Femenino in 2017, followed by a spell in Asia with Chinese outfit Shanghai Shengli.

 

 

Complete Sports/Emmanuel Ukoh

Covid-19: Vaccine portal opens for 12 to 15 year olds  in Ireland

Confidence Okwuchi
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The Republic of Ireland says children between the ages of 12 and 15 can now register to get the Covid-19 vaccine

The Government said they would need consent from a parent or guardian, either when registering online, or at the vaccination centre.

Those eligible can get the jab at vaccination centres and some pharmacies or GPs.

The Irish Health Service Executive,  HSE said that it would try to facilitate parents who are working with later appointment times.

About 280,000 children will be eligible for immunisation with a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee, NIAC made the recommendation to extend the country’s vaccination programme in July.

The Irish health service has asked parents to study the expert advice on vaccination for this group and make a decision from there as to what is best for their child.

Parents and guardians have been asked to discuss the vaccination process with their children.

As of Wednesday, a total of 6,192,071 Covid-19 vaccines had been administered in the Republic of Ireland.

Of those, 3,447,303 were first doses and 2,744,768 were second doses.

The total number of deaths linked to Covid-19 in the Republic of Ireland since the start of the pandemic stands at 5,044.

A total of 317,204 people in the Republic of Ireland have had a confirmed diagnosis of the virus since the pandemic began.

BBC/Confidence Okwuchi

Botswana awards houses to Olympic winners

Emmanuel Ukoh
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Botswana has awarded each member of the country’s relay team in the Olympics Games with a two-bedroom house.

The team won a bronze medal at the Men’s 4 × 400 metres relay at the just-concluded Games.

Its was the only medal won by Botswana in this year’s games.

It is their second medal ever in the history of Olympics, having won a silver in the London 2012 games.

The Men’s 4 × 400 metres relay for the country were represented by Isaac Makwala, Bayapo Ndori, Zibane Ngozi and Baboloki Thebe.

Two other members of the relay team, Leungo Scotch and Anthony Pasela, will also be awarded with the houses.

Each member of the team will to be gifted 50,000 Botswana pula ($4,400: £3.200) for the bronze medal and 2,000 pula for setting a new Africa record.

Sports Minister Tumiso Rakgare during his welcoming ceremony speech said the two-bedroom house was “even more valuable” than the cash reward.

 

 

BBC

Osun monarch tasks journalists on unity, patriotism

Dominica Ijeoma Nwabufo
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A traditional ruler in Osun State, Oba Hameed Oyelude Makama, the Olowu of Kuta, has urged journalists in the state and nation to be patriotic and responsible in their reportage.

Oba Oyelude gave the charge in Osogbo at his investiture as the Life Patron of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) Chapel.

The Permanent Chairman of the Supreme Royal Council of Owu Obas and Chiefs, who described journalists as indispensable in the society, also identified them as critical to the success of Nigeria’s democracy.

According to him, journalists as members of the fourth estate of the realm, with the constitutional duty to inform the public, must discharge their duty with every sense of patriotism that ensures national unity and security.

The monarch urged journalists to be sensitive to the mood of the nation and be responsible in their reportage, adding that the peace of the nation is the peace of the citizens.

He said, “I want to urge all journalists to unite Nigerians. Nothing pays us more than a united country, where there’s peace and cooperation. Journalists should endeavour to propagate those common values that promote our oneness under the ideals of justice, fairness and equity”.

At the same event, former Chief of Army Staff and current Nigeria’s Ambassador to Republic of Benin, Lt. Gen. T. Buratai (rtd), who chaired the occasion, also called for the recognition of traditional rulers in Nigeria’s quest for national unity and security.

The retired Army Chief opined that the wealth of experience of the royal fathers and their knowledge of their domain as well as the activities that go on there could prove useful both in nation building and the fight against insecurity in the country.

He said, “I therefore call for more recognition of our Royal Fathers and traditional rulers in the scheme of things given the immense role they play in the society. This will enhance more understanding, peace and security in our country”. 

Buratai described Oba Makama as a bridge builder whose quest for peace and development in his kingdom and country was unparalleled.

 

Dominica Nwabufo

 

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