By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

A group, known as Working to Advance Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education in African Women (WAAW) foundation, says measures are in place to train youths on web development and product design.

Mr Jonah Onah, a Programme Associate of the foundation, who disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja, said that the training would be for six months.

Onah said that the programme was aimed at giving the trainees the right skills for the job market and also place them on a job after the training.

The official said that the programme, She Hacks Africa wasan initiative of WAAW foundation that had trained a lot of young people in Web Programming Technologiesand improve their career.

She Hacks Africa Academy is an intensive 4-month Bootcamp and 2-month internship programme designed for Nigerian youths to acquire skills in full-stack web development and product design.

The interactive programme aims to develop software programming and entrepreneurial skills in youths who would go on to become software developers and technology entrepreneurs.

This programme allows young aspiring developers to walk away with critical self-awareness, startup skills and leadership capabilities that will ultimately result in positive changes, economically and socially in their communities, he said.

He said that the foundation was targeting youths within the age of 20 to 30 with prior knowledge in Javascript, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) andHyperText Markup Language (HTML).

Onah said that the training would start on July 5, while interested persons could apply via. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Service to social media platforms Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram has been restored in Ethiopia after they were restricted earlier on Monday, internet blockage observatory NetBlocks said.

Service to impacted online platforms in Ethiopia has been restored as of Monday mid-morning.

We continue to monitor, NetBlocks said.

Earlier on Monday, the London-based watchdog had said in a tweet that network data had showed that Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram had been restricted in Ethiopia.

Its Director Alp Toker told Reuters that NetBlocks observed the restrictions at six locations across Ethiopia.

The Head of Ethiopias Information Network Service Agency, Shumete Gizaw, did not immediately respond to phone calls and text messages seeking comment on Monday morning.

State-run telecommunications monopoly Ethio Telecom chief executive Frehiwot Tamiru also did not immediately respond to phone calls and text messages seeking comment.

Platforms including Twitter, YouTube, Snapchat, LinkedIn and Reddit had remained available, Toker said in an email.

Users with access to VPN services were able to work around the restrictions, he added.

Ethiopias electoral board had said on Saturday that it was postponing June 5 parliamentary elections to an unspecified date due to logistical challenges.

That would be the second time the vote had been delayed after the initial August 2020 date was scrapped because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Access to the internet in Ethiopia has been restricted in the past during periods of political unrest, including in the northern region of Tigray in 2020 after the military launched an offensive against regional forces that attacked its bases there.

After an internet blackout in June 2019, NetBlocks estimated that it had cost the countrys economy 17 million dollars. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Grace Alegba

The Society of Energy Administrators (SEA) on Sunday called for the formation of indigenous laws to tackle safety issues in the energy sector.

The president, SEA, Dr Yekeen Adeboye, made the call during his investiture at Ikeja as pioneer president and the maiden induction/inauguration of the Lagos Chapter.

He, however, expressed worries over the neglect of Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE) standards in the country.

Adeboye linked cases of building collapse, petroleum tanker explosion, cancer, pollution and other avoidable disasters, which occur daily in the country to non adherence to QHSE risk management.

The SEA president said energy played a vital role in the economic and social welfare development of nations because the sector cuts across infrastructure, transportation, power and all spheres of life and must be regulated.

He said the society would partner government and corporate organisations to regulate unsafe practices in various fields jeopardising safety of lives, property and the environment.

Presently, the QHSE risk management practice varies from one company to the other; there is no standard.

We have submitted a proposal to Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to develop QHSE Risk Management Plan and policy for Nigeria.

In a couple of weeks they will set up committees to develop that particular standard.

And recently we took part in the safety master plan of Lagos that is ongoing, our society submitted a programme which is QHSE Risk Management to change the safety culture of public servants because the public servants do not account for risks, he said.

Adeboye, a petrochemical engineer and accredited environment management consultant, stressed the need to ensure maintenance plans are factored into projects and implemented for human and environmental safety.

The SEA president noted that several Nigerians were exposed to radiations and emissions from telecommunication facilities that were cancerous due to non accountability in QHSE Risk Management.

He called on governments, professional bodies, the academia, corporate organisations and other groups to collaborate with SEA to make Nigeria safer for all.

The guest lecturer, Prof. Babajide Alao, who was inducted SEA Honorary Fellow, called for urgent localised legislation in the energy sector to ensure Nigeria stoped relying on foreign laws not suitable for the country.

Alao, also, an Acting Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, University of Lagos, said International Oil Companies (IOCs) used laws from their countries while operating in Nigeria due to the countrys obsolete QHSE policies.

Speaking on the topic, Risk Management in Energy Services Administration: Challenges and Remedies of Non-Accountability of QHSE, he listed the consequences of non accountability to include regular pipeline vandalism.

He lamented the ignorance and lack of capacity of illiterate petroleum tanker drivers, who cause explosions due to non accountability, use of outdated equipment, facilities and systems.

Alao said SEA should be encouraged because there are too many charlatans in the oil and gas industry constituting risk ignorantly to the larger Nigerian population.

He listed other problems of non adherence to QHSE standards in various sectors of the nations operations and proffered solutions while urging the society to intensify awareness campaigns to correct the bad situation.

Alao called for strengthening regulations and instituting court cases, punitive damages and compensation pay-outs as a result of non compliance as well as introducing QHSE into the curriculum of tertiary institutions.

Mr Oluwaseun Olukoya, was inducted Lagos State Coordinator for the SEA, while the Director General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Oke Osanyitolu, Mrs Funmilade Akingbagbohun, Deputy National Chairman, Nigerian Institution of Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers and 10 others were inducted honorary fellows.

Other inductees included 17 fellows, 21 associate members and 11 industry giants, including the Dangote Group as corporate members alongside new SEA Board of Trustees (BOT) members. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

French Open champion Iga Swiatek allowed Karolina Pliskova a mere 13 points in a 6-0, 6-0 humiliation for the Rome Masters title on Sunday.

Swiatek, 19, dropped just four points against the ninth-ranked former US Open finalist Pliskova in a 19-minute first set.

She needed only 27 additional minutes to wrap up her third career title on her first match-point.

The double bagel win will move the Polish teenager into the top 10 for the first time in her career.

Swiatek will be up from 15 two weeks before her title defence at the next Roland Garros grand slam.

I was very focussed today (Sunday) and I am proud of myself, Swiatek said. I am really happy to win this tournament in Rome. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Following are the results of Match Day 21 fixtures played in the 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Sunday:

Kano Pillars 1-0 Adamawa United

Heartland FC 2-0 Katsina United

Wikki Tourists 1-2 Nasarawa United

Kwara United 2-0 Plateau United

Rangers International 0-1 Rivers United

Dakkada FC 0-2 Akwa United

Sunshine Stars 0-0 Jigawa Golden Stars

Lobi Stars 2-0 FC IfeanyiUbah

Warri Wolves 0-2 MFM FC

Postponed:

Abia Warriors vs Enyimba International
(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has joked his players would kill him for a place in his 2029/2021 UEFA Champions League final match team.

The English Premier League (EPL) champions face domestic rivals Chelsea in Porto on May 29 with European club footballs biggest prize at stake.

Fittingly, the Spaniard has a wealth of talent from which to choose the right combination.

But Guardiola said: They want it. They will kill me to play. So, I know it and its nice. They have to feel it and everybody can do it, thats all.

It will be an incredibly tough decision for me, but I have to analyse the opponent, the best way we have to do it, and were going to try.

I know it doesnt matter, the selection I am going to do, they are going to do everything to try to win it. I know it.

But at the same time, I have to see the way I want to play, the way I want to defend with the mentality of the players, the guys who handle better the pressure than the other ones.

Also, in that moment, try to be honest with myself, with the team and try to make the best choice possible, knowing that we have five substitutions or six substitutions in the final.

Everyone has to be ready because in the final, many things can change and many things can happen.

Manchester City celebrated their league title success in style with a thrilling 4-3 win at Newcastle United on Friday night in which Ferran Torres plundered a hat-trick.

It helped him to stake his claim for a place in the match day squad in Portugal.

They face Brighton on Tuesday evening before a final-day home clash with Everton in the EPL, and Guardiola has insisted he has not yet picked his team.

He said: I have an idea. Of course I know exactly how they play, I have an idea how they attack, but I have two options, so we will see.

Still I am not clear and these three games are going to tell me the players, the momentum and the chances they have to play.

But Im pretty sure we have to be prepared to compete in the best condition possible against Chelsea in the games we have to play before this final.

We cannot arrive there and say: Ah, today we will start to play. Its too late. We have to start to compete and try to win the final from now on, not on the day. If it happens, it will be too late.

Asked how difficult it would be to tell players they would not be involved in the final, Guardiola was philosophical.

He said: Its tough in a normal game in the Premier League - can you imagine in the final of the Champions League? Of course it will be.

But its a business, this job, Im sorry. So, the players follow the managers because you win. When you dont win, they leave you alone.(dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker headed a dramatic stoppage-time winner at West Brom to keep Liverpools UEFA Champions League hopes alive.

Just as the Reds top-four chances looked virtually over, the Brazil international glanced in Trent Alexander-Arnolds corner-kick to clinch a 2-1 win on Sunday.

He was mobbed by his teammates after his shock goal moved Liverpool to within a point of fourth-placed Chelsea with two English Premier League (EPL) games left.

Mohamed Salah had earlier cancelled out Hal Robson-Kanus first top-flight goal for almost four years.

Roberto Firmino hit the post and Sadio Mane had a goal disallowed for offside as relegated Albion gave as good as they got.

Kyle Bartley saw his goal ruled out as the Baggies nearly caused an upset before Alissons late heroics.(dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Monday Ajogun

Former President Goodluck Jonathan said in Benin on Sunday that he never believed in the use of temporary political office to punish people.

My belief, particularly when I joined politics is not to use a temporary privilege, a temporary position God has given to me to punish people, he said.

He was delivering an address at the 50th birthday celebration of Apostle Charles Osazuwa, President of the Rock of Ages Christian Assembly when he made the submission.

Jonathan stressed that people would always be remembered for legacies they left behind.

Some of the things I did while in office to which people still make reference were based on the conviction not to use my position to cause the death of anybody.
Any position I have occupied by divine providence should not be used to create hardship for other people, he said.

Just at 50 years, you have impacted significantly on many lives, he told the cleric.

In his address, Edos Gov. Godwin Obaseki lauded Apostle Osazuwa for using the word of God to address current realities and challenges facing the country.

What singles you (Apostle Osazuwa) out is your ability and capacity to use and link the challenges we are having today as a country with the scriptures and to use same to give hope to the people particularly the youths.

Apostle Osazuwa understands the role of God and the role of the scripture in our modern society; nobody, in my view has been able to explain things the way he does.

Government helps to organise us and when government fails to help us to express ourselves, its the church and men of God like you that help us to pick up the piece; government will always be grateful to people like you, he said.

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, who was also in attendance, commended the Apostle Osazuwa for using the church to impact on the lives of the people.

Okowa said that the Church was in a position to proffer solutions to challenges facing the nation and urged its ministers to continue to speak truth to power.

Earlier, Apostle Osazuwa, enjoined politicians to make life easier for the masses.

King David used his position to make things easier for the children of Israel. I encourage our governors and all politicians not to use their positions to cause pain in the lives of the people, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Monday Ajogun

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that the Nigeria Governors Forum remains the best platform to discuss issues affecting Nigeria.

The former President, who made the observation in Benin on Sunday while addressing journalists, said the antagonism between governors was uncalled for.

Jonathan stressed that the coming together of all the governors in a round table to discuss and proffer solutions to issues affecting Nigeria would help the President.

Governors themselves should continue to meet, I dont really love a situation where the Northern governors will meet then the Southern governors will cry foul.

Then the Southern governors will meet then the Northern governors will cry foul, that will not help our country.

The governors through the governors forum should meet, they are the people who run this country, the President is just one person in Abuja.

The states, especially in a country where the local governments are very weak, its the states that people fall back to.

So if the governors of the states meet and dialogue, interrogate things that are good for this country, then we will move forward.

I dont really enjoy the antagonism between governors, they should come together and discuss.

If there are issues that is affecting one or two states, I think the governors should see how they can collectively come with a way to address those issues, he added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Nathan Nwakamma

Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa on Sunday said that the virtue of love towards all practised by his mother, late Mrs. Rose Diri, shaped his political philosophy of no bitterness.

Diri disclosed this at Ayamasa, his maternal hometown in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state, during the eighth-year wreath-laying ceremony in honour of his mother.

Madam Diri was born on May 15, 1939 and died on her 74th birthday 74 on May 15, 2013.

The governor said his late mother was the perfect example of the woman and wife captured in Proverbs 31 in the Bible.

He described his late mother as a woman that accommodated everyone who came across her while alive and never had any enemy.

According to him, her lifestyle of living without enmity and grudge towards anyone impacted his own life greatly.

My mother had no enemies. That is why as a governor, I do not have any enemy because I learnt that from her.

She was a woman that I can aptly say was described in Proverbs 31. Our mother was a mother to everybody.

From here in Ayamasa, she got married and moved with her husband to Sampou. Even in Sampou, she was mother to everybody. Those who came across her can testify that she took everybody who she saw as my friend like her own children.

For those of us she left behind, the only thing I would say is to continue to emulate the standard she left for us. Diri said.

The governor in his remarks further condemned politics of bitterness and blackmail.

He expressed the hope that his emergence as governor would change the narrative and heal political wounds in the state.

Let us not pull anybody down. Those that have served have done very well and served meritoriously. Let us give them the honour. Those of us serving now should know that history would always be there to look back at our service.

We should move away from abusing one other and name-calling to a friendly and brotherly disposition. A disposition of service to our people, service to Bayelsa people, the Ijaw nation and Nigeria at large. he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News