08:24 17/06/2015
London - Michelle Obama's visit to a girls' school in a diverse
east London neighborhood turned into a love fest Tuesday when she was
greeted with singing, poetry and interpretative dance on her mission to
promote education for girls.
In return, the U.S. first lady spoke
from the heart about the role education played in her remarkable rise
from a tough working-class environment, and the need for girl students
to fight discrimination and cut their own proud swath in the world.
"The
world needs more girls like you growing up to lead our parliaments and
our board rooms and our courtrooms and our universities," Obama said,
visibly moved. "We need you."
She came to London to promote her
"Let Girls Learn" initiative, which now has the backing of the British
government. The two nations on Tuesday announced plans to support girls'
education in countries affected by crisis such as Sierra Leone, Liberia
and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
About
$200 million will be devoted to the efforts, which also include
supporting teacher training, girls' leadership camps and other community
based programs.
Obama said there are more than 62 million girls
with no chance to go to school — a basic right she said should be
extended to every girl on the planet. She cited unaffordable school
fees, early and forced marriages and pregnancies, and also societal
beliefs that girls are simply less worthy as some of the factors holding
girls back from reaching their potential.
Girls in their maroon
school uniforms waved American flags and screamed with excitement as
Obama arrived at the Mulberry School for Girls in the Tower Hamlets
neighborhood.
She told the student audience, which included many
Muslims, that they might hear people make stereotyped comments about
their religion but that they cannot afford to be discouraged.
"You
might wonder if people will ever look beyond your headscarf to see who
you really are," she said. "But with your education from this amazing
school you have everything you need to rise above it."
Obama was
joined by Justine Greening, Britain's International Development
Secretary, and former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard. They
argued that countries that educate girls on an equal basis with boys
reap many benefits.
"It has a direct impact on national economies. It's hard to argue with the facts," Obama said.
The
first lady brought her teenage daughters Malia and Sasha and her mother
Marian Robinson on the trip and they all had tea with Prince Harry at
Kensington Palace before the school visit.
They also planned to have tea with Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha at 10 Downing Street.
News, Events, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Fashion, Beauty, Inspiration and yes... Gossip! *Wink*
Wednesday, 17 June 2015
Ellis lauds 'tremendous' Wambach as USA advance, Nigeria dumped
07:40 17/06/2015
Vancouver - Coach Jill Ellis hailed the 'tremendous' contribution of veteran Abby Wambach after her volley dumped Nigeria and put the United States through to the last 16 of the Women's World Cup as Group D leaders on Tuesday.
The 35-year-old's goal means the Olympic champions take on one of the best third-placed finishers in Edmonton next Monday rather than flying thousands of kilometers to the east coast to face Brazil in Moncton.
"Jokingly, I thought when I took the job (of coach in May 2014) if Abby has one leg, she is going to make this roster because she embodies a lot of the spirit of this team and our programme," said Ellis said.
"Her leadership is tremendous. Her spirit is fantastic. So when I met with her early, I said, 'Listen, I have not predetermined your role. Your role will be as big as you deliver.'
"You can't discount the goal it was fantastic."
It was Wambach's 183rd for the 'Stars and Stripes' and 14th in a World Cup, just one shy of Brazil star Marta's record.
It came in front of a passionate 53,000-plus crowd of largely US fans at BC Place Stadium.
Wambach's volley came just before half-time off a Megan Rapinoe set-piece corner after Julie Johnston had an earlier effort ruled offside.
"I know Abby, I know big moments she'll deliver. I was just pleased with the investment tonight," said Englishwoman Ellis.
Wambach's presence was desperately needed after the 1991 and 1999 champions followed on from their promising opening 3-1 win over Australia with a goalless draw to Sweden.
"This was a big game for us to get a result and experience is a key part of that decision," said Ellis.
"I would say Abby is at her peak fitness. Tonight I knew I wanted to get 90 (minutes) out of her, we did that; we'll work hard on the recovery," she said.
"We're battle tested and are confident now we are coming out of that. This game could give them a boost in terms of what they're capable of doing."
The USA finish top of Group D -- dubbed the 'Group of Death' -- with seven points, ahead of Australia with four, with Sweden on three and Nigeria on one.
Australia advance in second place after holding Sweden 1-1 with the Scandinavians awaiting their fate following Wednesday's final group games.
'Lucky to win'
Nigeria were playing without suspended defender Ugo Njoku and played the last 20 minutes on ten after Sarah Nnodim was sent off for a second yellow card following a challenge on Rapinoe.
Coach Edwin Okon was not impressed with the goal or the Americans.
"I don't think they (USA) were very good -- it was a lack of concentration on our part," said Okon who refused to shake Ellis's hand after the game.
"They were just lucky to win today. She (Wambach) only got that goal because of a lack of concentration from our defence."
Nigeria, who have won nine of the eleven African championships so far, once again head home early from the World Cup having just gotten behind the knockout round once in 1999.
Ellis said: "I typically always go and shake the coach's hand. The bench personnel shook my hand. I said (to Okon), 'You're not going to shake my hand?' He said, 'No.' He kind of put his hand out a little bit. That's his call, not mine.
"I was pleased with how we played and pleased to be moving out of a tough, tough group."
Vancouver - Coach Jill Ellis hailed the 'tremendous' contribution of veteran Abby Wambach after her volley dumped Nigeria and put the United States through to the last 16 of the Women's World Cup as Group D leaders on Tuesday.
The 35-year-old's goal means the Olympic champions take on one of the best third-placed finishers in Edmonton next Monday rather than flying thousands of kilometers to the east coast to face Brazil in Moncton.
"Jokingly, I thought when I took the job (of coach in May 2014) if Abby has one leg, she is going to make this roster because she embodies a lot of the spirit of this team and our programme," said Ellis said.
"Her leadership is tremendous. Her spirit is fantastic. So when I met with her early, I said, 'Listen, I have not predetermined your role. Your role will be as big as you deliver.'
"You can't discount the goal it was fantastic."
It was Wambach's 183rd for the 'Stars and Stripes' and 14th in a World Cup, just one shy of Brazil star Marta's record.
It came in front of a passionate 53,000-plus crowd of largely US fans at BC Place Stadium.
Wambach's volley came just before half-time off a Megan Rapinoe set-piece corner after Julie Johnston had an earlier effort ruled offside.
"I know Abby, I know big moments she'll deliver. I was just pleased with the investment tonight," said Englishwoman Ellis.
Wambach's presence was desperately needed after the 1991 and 1999 champions followed on from their promising opening 3-1 win over Australia with a goalless draw to Sweden.
"This was a big game for us to get a result and experience is a key part of that decision," said Ellis.
"I would say Abby is at her peak fitness. Tonight I knew I wanted to get 90 (minutes) out of her, we did that; we'll work hard on the recovery," she said.
"We're battle tested and are confident now we are coming out of that. This game could give them a boost in terms of what they're capable of doing."
The USA finish top of Group D -- dubbed the 'Group of Death' -- with seven points, ahead of Australia with four, with Sweden on three and Nigeria on one.
Australia advance in second place after holding Sweden 1-1 with the Scandinavians awaiting their fate following Wednesday's final group games.
'Lucky to win'
Nigeria were playing without suspended defender Ugo Njoku and played the last 20 minutes on ten after Sarah Nnodim was sent off for a second yellow card following a challenge on Rapinoe.
Coach Edwin Okon was not impressed with the goal or the Americans.
"I don't think they (USA) were very good -- it was a lack of concentration on our part," said Okon who refused to shake Ellis's hand after the game.
"They were just lucky to win today. She (Wambach) only got that goal because of a lack of concentration from our defence."
Nigeria, who have won nine of the eleven African championships so far, once again head home early from the World Cup having just gotten behind the knockout round once in 1999.
Ellis said: "I typically always go and shake the coach's hand. The bench personnel shook my hand. I said (to Okon), 'You're not going to shake my hand?' He said, 'No.' He kind of put his hand out a little bit. That's his call, not mine.
"I was pleased with how we played and pleased to be moving out of a tough, tough group."
NAFDAC abolishes drug hawking in Benue
07:40 17/06/2015
Makurdi - The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Tuesday banned hawking of drugs in Benue.
The state Coordinator of the agency, Ibrahim Anikoh, disclosed this in Makurdi when received members of the Benue state Correspondents Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Anikoh also said that the agency had banned the sale of unregistered local gin (Ogogoro) as a preventive mechanism aimed at preventing the reoccurrence of the Rivers and Ondo states disaster in other states.
About 50 persons died in Rivers and Ode-Irele in Ondo state, which was attributed to the consumption of the locally brewed gin.
Methanol concentration above 1500-2000mg/L after consumption can easily lead to death in untreated patients.
He regretted that a lot of illicit drugs were entering the country through the Nigerian/Cameroon border line.
The coordinator further disclosed that ladies were using some herbal drugs to commit adultery.
Earlier, in his address, the Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel, Aloysius Umalo, pledged to support the agency in its effort to rid the country of fake drugs.
Makurdi - The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Tuesday banned hawking of drugs in Benue.
The state Coordinator of the agency, Ibrahim Anikoh, disclosed this in Makurdi when received members of the Benue state Correspondents Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Anikoh also said that the agency had banned the sale of unregistered local gin (Ogogoro) as a preventive mechanism aimed at preventing the reoccurrence of the Rivers and Ondo states disaster in other states.
About 50 persons died in Rivers and Ode-Irele in Ondo state, which was attributed to the consumption of the locally brewed gin.
Methanol concentration above 1500-2000mg/L after consumption can easily lead to death in untreated patients.
He regretted that a lot of illicit drugs were entering the country through the Nigerian/Cameroon border line.
The coordinator further disclosed that ladies were using some herbal drugs to commit adultery.
Earlier, in his address, the Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel, Aloysius Umalo, pledged to support the agency in its effort to rid the country of fake drugs.
8 new MERS cases in South Korea; 20th patient dies
07:40 17/06/2015
Seoul - South Korea on Wednesday reported eight new cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), while another person infected with the virus died, health officials said, bringing to 20 the number of fatalities in the outbreak that began last month.
A total of 162 people in South Korea have been infected in the outbreak, the largest outside Saudi Arabia. It has been traced to a 68-year-old South Korean man who returned from a business trip to the Middle East in early May.
South Korea's health ministry said 19 people diagnosed with the MERS virus had recovered and been discharged from hospital since the outbreak began.
The latest MERS patient to die in South Korea was a 54-year-old woman who had bronchiectasis and high blood pressure. All of the people to die in the outbreak had existing ailments or were elderly.
All of the infections known to have occurred in South Korea have taken place in healthcare facilities. Three hospitals have been at least partially shut and two have been locked down with patients and medical staff inside.
More than 6 500 people are in quarantine, either at home or in health facilities.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has called the South Korean outbreak "large and complex".
The eight new cases reported on Wednesday marked an uptick from the four and five on the previous two days, but below double-digit daily increases reported last week.
MERS is caused by a coronavirus from the same family as the one that triggered China's deadly 2003 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
The vast majority of MERS infections and deaths have been in Saudi Arabia, where more than 1,000 people have been infected since 2012, and about 454 have died.
Seoul - South Korea on Wednesday reported eight new cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), while another person infected with the virus died, health officials said, bringing to 20 the number of fatalities in the outbreak that began last month.
A total of 162 people in South Korea have been infected in the outbreak, the largest outside Saudi Arabia. It has been traced to a 68-year-old South Korean man who returned from a business trip to the Middle East in early May.
South Korea's health ministry said 19 people diagnosed with the MERS virus had recovered and been discharged from hospital since the outbreak began.
The latest MERS patient to die in South Korea was a 54-year-old woman who had bronchiectasis and high blood pressure. All of the people to die in the outbreak had existing ailments or were elderly.
All of the infections known to have occurred in South Korea have taken place in healthcare facilities. Three hospitals have been at least partially shut and two have been locked down with patients and medical staff inside.
More than 6 500 people are in quarantine, either at home or in health facilities.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has called the South Korean outbreak "large and complex".
The eight new cases reported on Wednesday marked an uptick from the four and five on the previous two days, but below double-digit daily increases reported last week.
MERS is caused by a coronavirus from the same family as the one that triggered China's deadly 2003 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
The vast majority of MERS infections and deaths have been in Saudi Arabia, where more than 1,000 people have been infected since 2012, and about 454 have died.
Xenophobia: Nigeria Union reports new attacks in South Africa
07:40 17/06/2015
Pretoria - The Nigerian Union in South Africa on Tuesday reported new xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other foreigners in Sternkopf, Namakwa Municipality, Northern Cape Province of South Africa.
The President of the Union, Ikechukwu Anyene, revealed in Pretoria, South Africa, that the Northern Cape Province Chapter Chairman of the Union reported the incident to its National Secretariat.
"The National Secretariat of Nigeria Union has received report of xenophobic attacks from Kennedy Osagie, the Northern Cape Province chapter chairman of the union.
"The report indicated that South Africans attacked Nigerians.
"Two cars belonging to Nigerians have been reportedly burnt and they have been going from house to house looting and destroying their property," he said.
Anyene, who said that there were 20 Nigerians living in the affected community, added that none had been reported dead in the incident.
"Six Nigerians have taken refuge with their families in nearby Springbok community and they do not know the whereabouts of the other Nigerians," he said.
He said that the Union had reported the incident to the Nigerian Consulate in South Africa.
Nigeria’s Consul General in South Africa, Ambassador Uche Ajulu-Okeke, confirmed the incident, saying the mission had commenced investigations.
"The Nigerian Consulate in South Africa has received report of new xenophobic attacks in Northern Cape Province of South Africa.
"The mission has commenced investigation into the incident and will ensure that Nigerians are safe in South Africa," she said.
Pretoria - The Nigerian Union in South Africa on Tuesday reported new xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other foreigners in Sternkopf, Namakwa Municipality, Northern Cape Province of South Africa.
The President of the Union, Ikechukwu Anyene, revealed in Pretoria, South Africa, that the Northern Cape Province Chapter Chairman of the Union reported the incident to its National Secretariat.
"The National Secretariat of Nigeria Union has received report of xenophobic attacks from Kennedy Osagie, the Northern Cape Province chapter chairman of the union.
"The report indicated that South Africans attacked Nigerians.
"Two cars belonging to Nigerians have been reportedly burnt and they have been going from house to house looting and destroying their property," he said.
Anyene, who said that there were 20 Nigerians living in the affected community, added that none had been reported dead in the incident.
"Six Nigerians have taken refuge with their families in nearby Springbok community and they do not know the whereabouts of the other Nigerians," he said.
He said that the Union had reported the incident to the Nigerian Consulate in South Africa.
Nigeria’s Consul General in South Africa, Ambassador Uche Ajulu-Okeke, confirmed the incident, saying the mission had commenced investigations.
"The Nigerian Consulate in South Africa has received report of new xenophobic attacks in Northern Cape Province of South Africa.
"The mission has commenced investigation into the incident and will ensure that Nigerians are safe in South Africa," she said.
Commission sanctions electricity distributor over outrageous bills
06:54 17/06/2015
Abuja - The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on Tuesday ordered Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to make refunds to all customers given over-estimated bills.
This is contained in a statement issued by the commission's Head of Public Affairs, Dr. Usman Arabi in Abuja.
"Following conclusion of investigations of misdemeanor leveled against it, the commission has ordered AEDC to refund the affected customers through energy credit of all excess charges those customers were billed", it said.
The statement explained that the action followed an earlier Notice of Enforcement and subsequent investigation of instances of overbilling perpetrated by the company.
"AEDC shall with immediate effect from the date of this Order, commence refund through energy credit of all excess charges billed its customers.
"The commission further orders AEDC to within five days notify the affected customers of the overbilling in writing.
"This is in line with Regulation 9 (7) of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission's Meter Reading, Billing, Cash Collections and Credit Management for Electricity Suppliers Regulation 2007," it said.
It also ordered the company to publish an apology to affected customers in a newspaper with wide circulation within its franchise area.
The statement also ordered the company to state their business units and the amount of excess charges billed them during the period under review.
It said the company was expected to report back within two months beginning from June 15, to the commission, its compliance with the sanctions meted on it.
According to the statement, the company tripled its customers' bills issued in September 2014 and issued it as bills for October 2014, without evidence of a commensurate increase in electricity supply within the same period.
The commission, on Thursday April 16, 2015, issued Notice of Enforcement Action on AEDC over manifest and flagrant breaches' of approved methodology for estimated billing of electricity consumers.
Abuja - The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on Tuesday ordered Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to make refunds to all customers given over-estimated bills.
This is contained in a statement issued by the commission's Head of Public Affairs, Dr. Usman Arabi in Abuja.
"Following conclusion of investigations of misdemeanor leveled against it, the commission has ordered AEDC to refund the affected customers through energy credit of all excess charges those customers were billed", it said.
The statement explained that the action followed an earlier Notice of Enforcement and subsequent investigation of instances of overbilling perpetrated by the company.
"AEDC shall with immediate effect from the date of this Order, commence refund through energy credit of all excess charges billed its customers.
"The commission further orders AEDC to within five days notify the affected customers of the overbilling in writing.
"This is in line with Regulation 9 (7) of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission's Meter Reading, Billing, Cash Collections and Credit Management for Electricity Suppliers Regulation 2007," it said.
It also ordered the company to publish an apology to affected customers in a newspaper with wide circulation within its franchise area.
The statement also ordered the company to state their business units and the amount of excess charges billed them during the period under review.
It said the company was expected to report back within two months beginning from June 15, to the commission, its compliance with the sanctions meted on it.
According to the statement, the company tripled its customers' bills issued in September 2014 and issued it as bills for October 2014, without evidence of a commensurate increase in electricity supply within the same period.
The commission, on Thursday April 16, 2015, issued Notice of Enforcement Action on AEDC over manifest and flagrant breaches' of approved methodology for estimated billing of electricity consumers.
Saraki says Senate will seal all avenues of revenue leakages
07:40 17/06/2015
Abuja - The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, has pledged the commitment of the 8th Senate to instill transparency by sealing all avenues of revenue leakages through government agencies.
Saraki made the pledge when a delegation of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), led by Clement Nwankwo, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja on Tuesday.
He said that the senate would also strengthen its oversight functions.
The senate president promised to end the era of quantum revenue leakages through income-generating government agencies like the NNPC, which was allowed to function without an operational budget.
"We are pushing for a more transparent National Assembly and engaging the participation of the civil society organisations in what we are going to do.
"I want to tell you that some of us have strong views that issues of budget must be transparent.
"Days are gone where agencies like the NNPC will be able to function without operational budget. We must move away from that.
"One of the key issues that we have now is the issue of revenue leakages because of lack of transparency, especially agencies that have bulk of revenue coming in."
Saraki pledged that the 8th Senate would focus on people-oriented bills and also revisit all the vital bills that could not scale through in the 7th Senate.
"You have raised a number of bills, one of which is the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, which is key to deepen the electoral process.
"More importantly is the Constitution Amendment, which was unfortunate that after all the work that was done, it could not be assented to.
"I can assure you that as soon as we resume, we will begin discussion on how to go about bringing it back to the floor, the same goes with the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).
"As soon as we resume, we will find a way of fast tracking some of these people-oriented bills that are still left to be attended to."
The Senate president called on the CSOs to always cooperate with the National Assembly, adding that the parliamentarians were all elected to serve the people.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Nwankwo, had commended the successes recorded in the elections of the leadership of the Senate and that of the House of Representatives.
He solicited the support and partnership of the National Assembly, especially on revisiting some bills such as: People Living with Disability Bill and Electoral Acts (as amended) Bill, among others.
Nwankwo promised to work with the National Assembly "to evolve issue-based legislations, avoid unnecessary bickering and confrontation, with a view to advancing the nation’s democracy."
Abuja - The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, has pledged the commitment of the 8th Senate to instill transparency by sealing all avenues of revenue leakages through government agencies.
Saraki made the pledge when a delegation of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), led by Clement Nwankwo, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja on Tuesday.
He said that the senate would also strengthen its oversight functions.
The senate president promised to end the era of quantum revenue leakages through income-generating government agencies like the NNPC, which was allowed to function without an operational budget.
"We are pushing for a more transparent National Assembly and engaging the participation of the civil society organisations in what we are going to do.
"I want to tell you that some of us have strong views that issues of budget must be transparent.
"Days are gone where agencies like the NNPC will be able to function without operational budget. We must move away from that.
"One of the key issues that we have now is the issue of revenue leakages because of lack of transparency, especially agencies that have bulk of revenue coming in."
Saraki pledged that the 8th Senate would focus on people-oriented bills and also revisit all the vital bills that could not scale through in the 7th Senate.
"You have raised a number of bills, one of which is the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, which is key to deepen the electoral process.
"More importantly is the Constitution Amendment, which was unfortunate that after all the work that was done, it could not be assented to.
"I can assure you that as soon as we resume, we will begin discussion on how to go about bringing it back to the floor, the same goes with the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).
"As soon as we resume, we will find a way of fast tracking some of these people-oriented bills that are still left to be attended to."
The Senate president called on the CSOs to always cooperate with the National Assembly, adding that the parliamentarians were all elected to serve the people.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Nwankwo, had commended the successes recorded in the elections of the leadership of the Senate and that of the House of Representatives.
He solicited the support and partnership of the National Assembly, especially on revisiting some bills such as: People Living with Disability Bill and Electoral Acts (as amended) Bill, among others.
Nwankwo promised to work with the National Assembly "to evolve issue-based legislations, avoid unnecessary bickering and confrontation, with a view to advancing the nation’s democracy."
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