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Nigeria, others emerge winners of nuclear technology video contest

Video
By Kingsley Okoye
Abuja, Sept 27, 2018 (NAN)Youths from South-Africa, Nigeria and Tanzania have been awarded first prizes for a youth video competition for research in nuclear energy technology, a statement from ROSATOM Central and Southern Africa says.

The statement posted on ROSATOM’s website indicates that the winners received the highest number of votes from the jury and the general public via the Facebook platform.

The competition was tagged: “Atoms Empowering Africa’’

ROSATOM is one of the global technological leaders that brings together nuclear power and power engineering assets, as well as design and construction.

It had in June invited African youths, between age 18 and 30 to research and make videos about various nuclear technologies, their applications and benefits to Africa.

The youths were also asked by ROSATOM to post their video online and stand a chance to win educative week-long journey to Russian and tour of nuclear facilities.

Following the applications, more than 30 students from sub-saharan Africa took part in the contest organised by ROSATOM in cooperation with African Young Generation in Nuclear (AYGN).

Other supports groups are South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE) and South African Network for Nuclear Education Science and Technology (SAN NEST).

Members of these organisations which comprised the jury panel for the competition casted their votes for the contestants before members of the public decided the winners.

The jury chose seven videos that were published on participants’ personal Facebook pages and collected the biggest number of “likes”.

The Jury’s choice was based on the number of initial “likes” each video received and such criteria as creativity, comprehensibility and impact.

At the end teams from Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria were among the shortlisted.

According to ROSATOM winning teams would receive an all-expenses paid trip to Russia in Nov, while other contestants among the top seven shortlisted videos will all receive power banks and diplomas for their exceptional work and valiant efforts.

ROSATOM said the independent jury awarded their special decision to a contestant from Nigeria due to exceptional effort and great attention to technical detail shown in the video.

The special decision winner whose video was on “Sustainable Development Goals” was produced by Nigeria’s Ugenyi Igbokwe.
According to ROSATOM, the award ceremony will take place on October 16 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

“During the ceremony there will be screening of winners’ videos and a lecture about benefits of nuclear energy.

“The organisers will include the winners from outside South Africa into the ceremony via video link.’’

ROSATOM listed the winners, who were awarded first prize and all-expenses paid trip to Russia to include:
Veronica Kgabisang Gouws, Koketso Kgorinyane, and Naomi Mokhine from South Africa, their video was on “How would you explain the benefits of the peaceful atom to your fellow Africans.’’

It indicated that the second wining team was made of Harriet Mphaho and Thabo Mametja from South Africa.with the Video, “How would you explain the benefits of the peaceful atom to your fellow Africans”.

While the third winner by Sophia, Abeid, George Davids and Suzane Constantine Mumba from Tanzania with the video “Going Nuclear, African’s energy future.

According to ROSATOM, winners who will be awarded with a diploma and a second prize of a powerbank: include:
Irvine Lumumba and Grace Malele from Kenya, whose video was on “Peaceful Atom for Africa; Who and Why”.

Others are David Mwaka, Isaac Kiprotich and Donald Kemboi from Kenya their video was “ Nuclear Energy For A Greater Africa”.

Clement Masele and Anaeli Kisanga from Tanzania produced video on “Atoms Empowering Africa“.

Mr.Dmitry Shornikov, Chief Executive Officer of ROSATOM Central and Southern Africa said: “We at ROSATOM view education and youth development as a priority.

“Atom Empowering Africa” Video Competition is running for the 4th year already.

“It is aimed at encouraging students to do their own research into various nuclear applications for peaceful use.

“We are happy to support youth empowerment through this competition and hope it allows more young people from Sub-Saharan African to research how atomic technologies can benefit all Africans.”

The President of AYGN, Gaopalelwe Santswere, also said,“As for me, videos are excellent. I was impressed by their powerful nuclear message.

“They totally deserve full marks, to my mind, everyone should watch this.’’ (NAN)
KC/EAL
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Agent
By Victor Adeoti
Olode(Osun), Sept. 27, 2018 (NAN) There was drama at the Ward 7, Unit 12 Polling Unit in Adereti village, Ife South Local Government Area, as a  PDP agent in the ongoing governorship rerun election in Osun was missing on duty.

An official of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC),  Stephen Oyewande, said he could not explain why the PDP  agent was not on duty at the polling unit.

Oyewande, INEC’s Deputy Director, Voters Education, told newsmen to direct their enquiries on the missing party agent to the PDP.

“ Call the state chairman of the party and ask him why his party agent is not here. I can’t explain why he is not here,’’ he said.

Present, however, were  Lateef Abimbola of All Progressives Congress, Olaiya Yemi of All Peoples Alliance and  Rasheed Mojeed of Advance Congress of Democrats.

Also present were  Adeyemo Gafar of Action Democratic Party and Bayo Shittu of Social Democratic Party (SDP), were present at the polling unit.

There was tight security at the polling unit while voters were prevented from bringing their smartphones into the cubicles.

Scores of commuters, especially those moving toward the Ondo end of the highway were caught in the traffic snarl due to the roadblock mounted by the police. (NAN)
VE/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

Strike

By Moji Eniola
Ikeja, Sept. 27, 2018 (NAN) The two gates to the premises of Ikeja High Court in Lagos were closed as organised labour began a nationwide strike on Thursday following the inability of the Federal Government to meet the demands for a new minimum wage.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress NLC and United Labour Congress (ULC) are demanding at least N65,000 as minimum wage for workers as against the current N18,000 in the organised public and private sectors in the country.

A Correspondent of NAN observed that all courtrooms were under lock and key, lawyers, litigants and members of the public who attempted to gain entry into the premises were turned away by security men manning the premises.

Mrs Taiwo Olatokun, the Chief Registrar of the Lagos State Judiciary, who on her arrival to the court premises, was observed to be unable to gain access to her office because the administrative building was also under lock and key.

Officials of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) were however, unavailable to answer enquiries from the media as their national union had on Wednesday directed its members to join the strike by the organised labour. (NAN)
MAE/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)

Osun Re-run: Our eyes on vote-buying – Police, INEC

Election
Olode (Osun), Sept. 27, 2018 (NAN) Mr Bello Ahmed, the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police in charge of the Osun governorship re-run election in Olede in Ife South Local Government, has said that security agents were monitoring the issue of vote-buying.

Ahmed, while speaking with newsmen at Adereti polling Unit 12, ward 7 in Olode, said that any one caught buying votes would be arrested.

He, however, said that the election had been peaceful, adding that the voters were behaving maturely.

” We are law abiding and we obey the rule of law but anyone who perpetrates crime will be arrested.

“But so far, so good; the election is going on smoothly,” Ahmed said.

Also speaking, Mr Stephen Ojewande, Deputy Director of Voter Education and Publicity, INEC, said nobody was allowed to come to the polling unit with smartphones.

Ojewande said people with smartphones were restricted 300 metres away from the polling units.

“We ensure that nobody comes to the polling unit with smartphones.

“We also ensure that people with smartphones are chased 300 metres away from the polling unit,” he said.

Ojewande also said that voting would end by 2 p.m., adding that the last person on the queue would be attended to.

Asked why Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agent was not at the polling unit, Ojewande said all parties agents were supposed to be at the polling unit.

He said it was the PDP Chairman that could answer that question.

Also speaking, Olalekan Tanni, a member of local observer group, said the election process was very transparent.

Tanni also commended INEC officials for arriving at the polling unit early.

He, however, said that no election observer was prevented from monitoring the election at the polling unit.

Mr Femi Kuku, INEC Supervisory Presiding Officer, said that election materials arrived at the polling unit before 7 a.m.

Kuku also said that the turnout of voters was impressive.

Meanwhile, there was heavy security presence at the polling unit even as voters waited patiently to exercise their civic duties.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at Olode there were 581 voters with PVCs.(NAN)
VE/AOS/AMY
Edited by Bayo Sekoni and Abdullahi Yusuf

UNFPA offers relief materials to flood victims in Nigeria
By Muhammad S. Tola
Support
Abuja, Sept. 27, 2018 (NAN) The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) says it is supporting victims of recent flood disaster in parts of the country with more than 5,700 various relief items.
The Media Associate of the fund in Nigeria, Mrs Kori Habib, disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
The statement explained that the intervention was specifically meant for women and girls, especially pregnant women and lactating mothers.
According to UNFPA, the support has been distributed through the federal Ministry of Health to the beneficiaries in the four worst affected states of Niger, Kogi, Anambra and Delta.
It listed the relief items to include dignity kits for pregnant and lactating mothers, sleeping mats and wrappers for women.
“UNFPA also supported the Federal Ministry of Health to conduct a rapid assessment to enable the sector identify the level of support needed for urgent response.
“UNFPA responded with the provision of critical live saving materials in addressing the need of women and girls.
“UNFPA is doing its part by providing life-saving reproductive healthcare to women in crisis-affected countries, safe spaces for women and girls, and services for survivors of sexual violence.
“With the support of the entire humanitarian community, we can dramatically reduce the risks faced every day by millions of women and girls in flooding context,’’ the statement read in part.
It explained that the assistance was in response to a call for support to flood victims by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The fund noted that serious flooding has affected at least 12 states in the country, with rural areas being the most vulnerable, since the end of August this year.
The affected states include Adamawa, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Delta, Edo, Kebbi, Kogi, Niger, Kwara, Rivers and Taraba.
“More than 100 people have been killed in recent weeks, with the latest flood alert from the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA),
“indicating that rising water levels of Niger and Benue rivers will cause severe flooding – likely to surpass the worst flooding crisis in 2012, when over seven million were affected across the twelve states,’’ the statement added.
NAN recalls that the federal government has on Sept. 17 declared the flood as a national disaster and appealed for global support for victims.
The incidents of flooding have continued to wreak havoc, including mass displacements, deaths and destruction of homes and communities across the country. (NAN)
MST

NLC strike: Students express dissatisfaction over strike in Bauchi

Dissatisfaction
By Ayinde Abdulsaheed Olaide
Bauchi, Sept. 27, 2018 (NAN) Students of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, and Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, have expressed displeasure over the strike embarked upon on Thursday by the labour movement in the country.

The organised abour said that the declaration of the seven-day warning strike became inevitable after talks with the Federal Government over a new minimum wage became deadlocked.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Bauchi, Mr Emmanuel Gaius, a Biological Science student of ATBU, said that the strike had already started having a negative impact on him.

“We are supposed to be reading in the library right now and getting prepared for 11 o’clock test.

“Unfortunately, the library is under lock, due to the strike and my mind is unsettled right now.

“As you can see as well, most of the classrooms too are locked down. But we are waiting to hear from the school management soon,” Gaius said.

Also speaking with NAN, Dindah Lumi from the Department of Education, expressed fear that his time for graduation might be extended if the strike continued.

“I got to school this morning and discovered that there is strike in progress.

“I am afraid if the strike continues, it would affect us immensely because our graduation year would be extended,” Lumi said.

Adam Yahuza, a student of Quantity Survey Department, Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, expressed concern that he could not receive treatment at the medical centre due to the strike.

“I have been sick for the past two days now and I decided to come to the school medical centre this morning to receive treatment and drugs.

“However, I was told that there is strike and I was sent away.

“I am not myself right now because I don’t have any money to go to any hospital,” Yahuza said.

Grace Daniel, a Mass Communication student from polytechnic, also told NAN that no lecturer had come to teach them since morning.

NAN reports that all the departments in the polytechnic were under lock and many students had already started going back home at the time of filing this report. (NAN)
EED/NKO
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Edited by Nkechi Okoronkwo

Minimum wage :Strike paralyses business activities

Wage
Abuja, Sept. 27, 2018 (NAN) The warning strike called by Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress (TUC), over disagreements on the adoption of a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers was effective in some parts of the country.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that business activities were paralysed in Sango-Ota, Ogun, due to the action as the premises of public institutions remained closed.

On Sept. 12, NLC issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to either agree with its demand for the tripartite committee deliberating on a new minimum wage to reconvene and complete its assignment.

Some of the places NAN visited were Ado-Odo/Local Government headquarters, the courts, Post office, Ansarudeen Secondary School and Primary Schools.

Some lawyers who came to the Magistrates’ Court and High Court in Sango-Ota to transact business could not gain access to the courts as the gates, while school teachers in schools visited were at the gates sending wards home.

Some workers, who wished not to be identified, commended NLC and the organised labour for the strike aimed at ensuring that workers received decent pay.

They said the current pay of workers was not enough to take care of workers.

Also, in Adamawa, government workers joined the strike.
The state Government Secretariat in Yola was locked as was the case in Yola North and Yola South local governments secretariats.
The courts were also closed while some banks rendered skeletal services.
But at Federal Medical Centre, Yola, the doctors and nurses attended to patients.
Meanwhile, the Police Command in Adamawa has advised the public to remain calm and go about their normal businesses.
The command in a statement by its spokesman, SP Othman Abubakar, said it had put adequate security measures to ensure that no one was harassed because of the strike.
“Adamawa State Police Command has put in place security measures to ensure that the good people of Adamawa State go about their normal businesses without harassment from any quarters,” Abubakar said.
But in Gombe State, bank customers expressed anger over the strike and said the labour unions were not sensitive to the plights of the people.
They said the strike was uncalled for since government had not called off negotiations with the unions.
Mr Ndubuisi Dibia, a businessman, said that NLC had not taken into consideration the implications of strike on the economy.
“ NLC has not taken into consideration the strike implication on businesses. Businessmen like us have nothing to do with strike so why will the bank deny us services.

“ I do not think they know the implications of their action on an economy that is recovering from recession”, he said.
Mrs Roseline Nworah, a trader in Gombe New Market said she was not happy with the action of the banks, adding that the strike was not necessary since negotiations were on-going.
Abubakar Mohammed, a farmer, said NLC should be more concerned with implementations rather than fighting for a new minimum wage.
Mohammed said: “ The last minimum wage of N18,000 is not being paid by most governors. What has NLC done to that?

“ Now they are on strike to get the govt. to implement N65,000 as new minimum wage. Who is deceiving who?

“ Let NLC force governors to pay the last minimum wage so that when we have a new one the workers can feel the impact.’’
Meanwhile, government ministries and other government buildings and schools remained locked.
Mr. Hussaini Pantami, the Principal of Government Junior Secondary School, Yelenguruza (Gombe State) appealed to all stakeholders to find a way of resolving the issue so that the students could go back to school. (NAN)
Reporters/JCE
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Edited by Chukwudi Ekezie

Strike
By Dada Ahmed/Kate Okewu/Joan Nwagwu
Abuja, Sept.27, 2018 (NAN) The 7-day warning strike ordered by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has paralysed activities at federal secretariat, Abuja, on Thursday, being the first day.

Public and civil servants in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) stayed away from their offices, which remained under lock and key.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondents, who visited the Federal secretariat and it environs observed that offices were shut down.

NAN reports that in compliance with the strike, the gate of the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, the Court of Appeal, Ministries and agencies within the FCT were locked.

The Ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs and Environment were also closed as union members used their vehicles to block the entrance to some of the buildings.

Also, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) was empty as only few senior staff members were seen reporting for work.

Few other senior officers, who had reported for work, were seen sitting idle at the gate and discussing in groups at the federal secretariat, Abuja.

NAN also observed that some school children in uniforms, who had reported for school were seen returning homes due to the strike.

Some of the public school teachers told NAN that they were not informed about the strike, and therefore, turned their pupils and students back.

However, the strike had little impact on the social and commercial activities in some satellite towns Kubwa, Mararaba, Karu, Gwagwalada among others in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

NLC had on Wednesday midnight embarked on the strike to press home its demand for the implementation of the new minimum wage for Nigerian workers in the country.

NAN correspondents, who visited some commercial outfits, including Kubwa, Mararaba and Gwagwalada markets on Thursday, reports that traders and buyers were seen transacting business, oblivious of the strike.

Mr Chukwu Nworgu, a meat seller at the Kubwa market, told NAN that though the strike was a right thing in the right direction, he had to eke a living to be able to keep body and soul together.

“ I am in full support of the strike, but I have to do my business to earn a living as a private man to feed my family, “ he said.

Miss Amina Okatahi, who operates beauty salon in Kubwa, who spoke in the same vein, however, called on the parties in the minimum wage negotiation to hasten the resolution to the issue in view of its negative impact on the larger economy.

“We may not feel the negative impact of the strike much, but this is not to say that other areas of the nation’s economy will not feel it.

“ I am therefore appealing to the Federal Government and the organised labour to go back to the negotiating table and arrive at an agreed minimum wage for workers to avert indefinite strike,’’ she urged.

Other small scale operators, who also spoke with NAN on the issue stressed the need for a new minimum wage, adding that when workers received living wage, it would boost economic activities.

“When workers smile home due to increase in their salary and other emoluments, businessmen and women will also smile because that means a boost to our business,’’ Malam Mohammed Ali, a cloth seller said.

Kubwa, Gwagwalada and airport express roads remained a beehive of activities as transport operators were seen conveying passengers to their various destinations unhindered.

At Wuse market, NAN also reports that it was business as usual as buying and selling went on smoothly as at the time of this report.

The story was not different at the UTC, Area 10, with traders and other business operators conducting their activities.

Meanwhile, buses with inscription of names of Ministries, Departments and Agencies were off the roads as a result of the strike.

The President of NLC, Ayuba Waba, said the warning strike became imperative, following the 14-day ultimate given by the union for the nation to have a new minimum wage could not materialise.

However, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige, said the committee would meet again on Oct. 4 on the issue. (NAN)
KTE/JAN/DUA/AFA
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Edited by Dada Ahmed/Felix Ajide

Armed Forces College honours 1992 military plane crash victims

Barcelona, Real Madrid suffer humbling losses

Seville, Sept. 27, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) La Liga champions Barcelona slumped to a shock 2-1 defeat at struggling Leganes and Real Madrid were resoundingly beaten 3-0 by Sevilla on Wednesday.

The shocking results meant Spain’s two biggest clubs lost on the same day for the first time since January, 2015.

Philippe Coutinho gave Barca the lead against bottom-of-the-table Leganes in the 12th minute with a classy volley but the Catalans’ comfortable hold on the game dramatically fell apart shortly after the interval.

Nabil El Zhar headed home a looping cross in the 52nd minute and 20-year-old Oscar Rodriguez turned in a second goal barely sixty seconds later, to the joy of the 12,000 fans crammed into the Butarque stadium.

Barca’s unexpected loss handed Real the chance to move three points clear at the top of the table but the European champions were outclassed by a rampant Sevilla.

Sevilla scored all their goals in a livewire first half to inflict a first league defeat on Real under Coach Julen Lopetegui.

Barca remained top of the table on goal difference, locked on 13 points with Real. Atletico Madrid are third on 11 and Sevilla fourth on 10.

Portuguese striker Andre Silva gave Sevilla the perfect start by scoring from close range in the 17th minute after a mix-up between Real’s out-of-form defender Marcelo and midfielder Casemiro.

AC Milan loanee Silva pounced four minutes later after poor goalkeeping from Thibaut Courtois, netting for the sixth time this season and moving above Lionel Messi as the top scorer in Spain.

Even though Gareth Bale almost pulled one back for Real when his shot struck the post the Los Blancos eventually lost the match.

Sevilla had hammered Levante 6-2 in their last match and were relentless throughout the first half against Real.

After Franco Vazquez hit the bar, striker Wissam Ben Yedder scored in the 39th minute for his sixth goal in a week, rounding off a remarkable fourth consecutive home league win over Real for the Andalusian side.

Real’s wretched night continued as Luka Modric had a goal ruled out for offside after a lengthy consultation with the video assistant referee (VAR).

And Marcelo came off injured, endangering his chances of playing in Saturday’s city derby against Atletico.

The timing of Marcelo’s injury also went against Real, who had to play the final 20 minute with 10 men as Lopetegui had already made the maximum three substitutions.

“We came here with the aim of putting pressure on Sevilla and we couldn’t do it as we wanted to, that’s obvious, and Sevilla were the far superior side,” Lopetegui told reporters.

Barca coach Ernesto Valverde, meanwhile, will face criticism for rotating his side again after resting players in Sunday’s surprise 2-2 home draw with Girona.

For the trip to the suburbs of Madrid, Valverde brought in Thomas Vermaelen at the expense of Jordi Alba.

He deployed an unfamiliar back three and started without striker Luis Suarez to give forward Munir El Haddadi a first competitive start since returning on loan from Alaves.

Vermaelen was caught out of position when El Zhar headed in the equaliser and Gerard Pique was caught in possession moments later, allowing Rodriguez to slam the ball into the roof of the net.

The development gave Leganes, in their third season in the top flight, an unlikely yet thoroughly deserved win.

“Sometimes it’s difficult to explain what happens in a game. You have a game under control and then the opposition can do damage like they (Leganes) did in one minute,” Valverde said.

“We wanted to get the second goal because a one goal lead is never enough. At 1-0 you’re close to an accident. We didn’t create the chances we’d have liked.

“That’s five points in three days gone and it’s difficult to explain.” (Reuters/NAN)
ERO/SN
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Edited by Silas Nwoha