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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

 

Tammy Abraham: AS Roma close in on transfer of Chelsea striker

Emmanuel Ukoh
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Roma’s general manager Tiago Pinto arrived in London on Wednesday in an attempt to complete the signing of Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham.

Although there is purported reports that the Serie A club, managed by former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, have already agreed a deal with the Champions League holders, it is yet confirmed.

But Roma are set for further talks with a view to signing the 23-year-old, who has two years left on his contract and is still considering his next move.

Arsenal are also interested in signing the England international, who was Chelsea’s joint top goalscorer in all competitions last season with 12.

Abraham was rarely used after Blues boss Thomas Tuchel took over midway through last term and with Inter Milan forward Romelu Lukaku set to return to Stamford Bridge, playing chances could be further limited.

The expected £97.5m deal for Lukaku has created a domino effect, with Inter now linked with Roma forward Edin Dzeko as the Belgian striker’s replacement.

In turn, potentially losing Dzeko has sharpened Roma’s interest in Abraham.

But it is also understood that Pinto, who helped land fellow Portuguese Mourinho in May, is pursuing other options should Abraham decide to stay at Chelsea.

 

 

BBC

Afghanistan replaces Army Chief

Confidence Okwuchi
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Afghanistan has replaced its Army Chief, as Taliban militants continue to make rapid advances

Insurgents have taken control of 10 of the country’s 34 provincial capitals.

On Thursday the Taliban said they had taken the strategically important Ghazni city, which is on the road to the national capital Kabul.

President Ashraf Ghani earlier flew to the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif – traditionally an anti-Taliban bastion – to try to rally pro-government forces.

The removal of the country’s army chief, General Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai, was confirmed to the BBC on Wednesday. He had only been in the post since June.

His successor will have to deal with escalating violence across the country, as the Taliban continue their offensive. US and other foreign troops have all but withdrawn following 20 years of military operations.

The UN reports that more than 1,000 civilians have been killed in Afghanistan in the past month.

On Wednesday, President Ghani held crisis talks in Mazar-i-Sharif with ethnic Uzbek warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum and prominent ethnic Tajik leader Atta Mohammad Noor about defending the city.

A veteran commander, Mr Dostum was quoted as saying, “The Taliban have come to the north several times but they were always trapped.”

For years, Mr Ghani tried to sideline the warlords in an attempt to boost the Afghan National Army, and now he is turning to them in his hour of need, the BBC’s Ethirajan Anbarasan says. Earlier this week, the president also agreed to arm pro-government militia.

Also on Wednesday, President Ghani held crisis talks in Mazar-i-Sharif with ethnic Uzbek warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum and prominent ethnic Tajik leader Atta Mohammad Noor about defending the city.

Mr Dostum, a veteran commander, was quoted as saying: “The Taliban have come to the north several times but they were always trapped.”

According to report, for years, Mr Ghani tried to sideline the warlords in an attempt to boost the Afghan National Army, and now he is turning to them in his hour of need.

BBC/Confidence Okwuchi

Cholera outbreak: Kebbi residents tasked on personal, Environmental hygiene

Mosunmola Ore
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Amid fears over rising spread of Cholera across the states, the executive secretary of Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital in Kebbi, Mr Aminu Bunza, has called on the people of the state to ensure personal and environmental hygiene and to drink clean water only.

READ ALSO: Cholera: NCDC records 30,000 cases, 816 deaths in seven months

In a phone interview on Wednesday morning, Aminu Bunza, the executive secretary of Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital in Kebbi,  made this call, confirming that 146 deaths have been recorded so far in the state.

He said the outbreak was first recorded in Sakaba local government area of Kebbi State.

Mr Bunza said 2,028 persons had been infected by the disease as of Wednesday.

“The outbreak was first recorded in Dirin daji community of Sakaba and it has now spread to 20 local government areas of the state. The affected people spread across the local government areas.”

The hospital boss said the state government was taking steps to stem the spread of the disease.

“The state government has provided equipment and drugs to all the local government areas and trained health personnel to ensure the issue is being tackled even in the areas where the outbreak has not been recorded.”

Mr Bunza, however, called on the people of the state to ensure personal and environmental hygiene and to drink clean water only.

He also called on health personnel to avoid rendering home services to suspected cases, urging people to report suspected cases to the nearest health facility.

MTO/Premium Times

Labour Union calls for improvement in Education sector

Lateefat Ibrahim
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To ensure improved Educational System, a Labour Union known as Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union COEASU Southeast Zone, has called on government to look into the challenges facing Education sector in the country.
The call was made during the 7th National Conference at Ebonyi State College of Education Ikwo where the union told government to look into the challenges facing Education sector in the country.
The Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Comrade Greg Esheya made this Known to Journalists while addressing the Conference at the College Tertiary Education Fund Lecture Theater in Abakaliki the State Capital.
Comrade Esheya said the earlier Government heeded to the call better.
The National Chairman of COEASU, Dr Smart Olugbeko said the conference was organised to address the decaying nature of Education in the country.
The Acting Chairman of COEASU Ebonyi State Chapter, Comrade Sunday Oboke urged Ebonyi State Government to look into the welfare of the College workers.
“No gazzete of the College for pension and gratuity, no condition of service to the staff, no internal road network in the school, incomplete salary since 2018 and promotion without financial implication among other things,” he said.
The Provost of the College, Professor Bernedit Mbam, represented by the Deputy Provost , Dr Francis Azunku thank the Union for Organising the conference in the institution and promised to work together with the union.
The Immediate past Provost of the College, Professor Dan Enyi said “the pandemic of poor funding and it’s attendant effects on Education has persisted over the years and only divine intervention and political will can salvage the situation. Average annual budget for Education has been fluctuating between 5¹/²% and 7¹/²%, when many poor countries are allocating between 15 to 20%.
A member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Comrade Chinedu Ogah who was given award of Excellent service to mankind, represented by the State Your Leader of  All Progressive Congress APC, Comrade Ogochukwu Elem urge COEASU and other Unions to always be United.
“In pursuit of your goals, you must be one, don’t allow anyone or even Government to divide you, that is the only way you can safeguard the future of the unborn generation of this country,” he emphasised.
The Conference also gave awards to 12 persons including Reverend Father John Okwueze Odeh.
The theme of this year’s conference was “challenges of COVID 19, Insecurity and poor funding on Teacher Education in Nigeria”.
Lateefah Ibrahim

 

President Buhari Mourns Gani Fawehinmi’s Son, Mohammed

Dominica Ijeoma Nwabufo
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President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the family of the late irrepressible lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi, over the death of their son, Mohammed.

In a message, the President condoled with Ganiat, mother of the deceased, and the entire family, urging them to find comfort in God, who gives and takes, and to draw consolation in the fact that the departed robustly fought a debilitating condition, which confined him to the wheelchair for many years.

“His body may have been broken, but his spirit was virile, agile, and he kept the flag of the family flying, doing justice to the memory of his late father,” the President said.

While praying for the repose of the soul of the departed, President Buhari urged strength for all those who mourn Mohammed Fawehinmi.

 

Dominica Nwabufo

Algeria mourns 69 wildfire victims

Dominica Ijeoma Nwabufo
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Algeria has declared three days of national mourning starting from Thursday for at least 69 people who’ve been killed in dozens of wildfires.

The victims of Algeria’s many fires include 28 soldiers who died trying to fight the flames.

The wooded, mountainous Kabylie region west of Algiers has been hardest hit.

Social media images have shown blazing hillsides, terrified livestock, and vast columns of smoke towering over communities.

A heat wave and strong winds have fanned the fires, but the authorities say arsonists are to blame for much of the devastation.

Arrests have been made, but no evidence against the accused has been presented. It’s not clear what their motivation might have been.

 

BBC/Dominica Nwabufo

Nigeria Cricket Blog to host Junior camp in Lagos, Abuja

Confidence Okwuchi
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Nigeria’s Premier Cricket Blog, The Middlestump is planing to host a free Junior Cricket Camp in Lagos and Abuja.

It says this is a way of extending the reach of the game and partnering to drive the grassroots development agenda of game’s ruling body in Nigeria; the Nigeria Cricket Federation.

One of the executives of the blog,Olumide Akintokun said most of the top cricketers in the country today are those that benefited from the sound foundation laid by a number of private developmental initiatives some decades ago.

He said more privates need to throw in support the present effort of the Federation.

“We intend for this to be The Middlestump’s statement in support of the huge effort being thrown at developmental courses across the country by different Cricket establishments, especially backed by the Nigeria Cricket Federation,” he said.

Akintokun said, The Middlestump Summer Camp initiative is tagged, “GreenShoots”, which according to him, aptly describes, the objectives of the project.

“We hope that the kids will be treated to a nice time when the camp open from August 23rd to 25th, 2021. But our ultimate goal is to sow a seed of Cricket; discipline, teamwork, focus and integrity in the minds of these little ones when we engaged them for those days,” he added.

The Camp is billed to run simultaneously at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos and at the “Package B” of the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja on the Camp days.

NP/Confidence Okwuchi

Long queues as Zambians vote in general election

Dominica Ijeoma Nwabufo
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Voting began in Zambia’s general elections early on Thursday morning, with long queues reported in some polling stations.

President Edgar Lungu, who faces a stiff challenge from opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema, was among the first people to vote as polls opened in the capital Lusaka. There are 14 other presidential candidates in the race.

“We are winning, otherwise I wouldn’t have been in the race if we were not winning,” President Lungu told journalists after voting, noting that Zambians had “come in to vote in numbers”.

The country’s electoral commission has said it will announce the results of the elections within 72 hours.

The vote is coming amid a worsening economy with the youth demanding better prospects including more job opportunities.

 

BBC/Dominica Nwabufo

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