Nigerian Teacher Wins $10k Grant for "Quality Education for All" Project

Ms. Olubunmi Anani, the winner of the 2020 Maltina Teacher of the Year competition, has been awarded an international grant of $10,000 from the Muhammad Sanusi II Sustainable Development Goals Initiative Challenge. The grant is aimed at supporting innovative education projects for improved education in Nigeria.

Anani was among the ten teachers from various countries selected as winners of the Sustainable Development Goals Challenge Showcase for Cohort 2. She was recognized for her dedication to empowering vulnerable out-of-school girls and child mothers in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria.

In her response, Anani expressed her gratitude for the grant, stating that it would assist her team in making education accessible to vulnerable children in rural areas. She also highlighted her participation in the MS11 Accelerator program as a means of accessing resources that would help bring quality education to the reach of vulnerable children in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria. Anani pledged to use the grant and resources judiciously to achieve the donor’s vision for SDGs 4 and 5, which focus on quality education and gender equality.
#newscast

Bandits Invade Plateau State University Campus in Attempted Kidnapping of Students

On Tuesday night, Plateau State University (PLASU) reportedly thwarted an attack by bandits on its campus. The armed assailants had stormed the institution's female hostel located in Bokkos, but no students were kidnapped during the incident.

According to the university's Public Relations Officer, Mr John Agams, the gunmen were repelled by local security personnel within the university. While one student was injured in the attack, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Benard Matur, was on-site, urging students to remain calm.

So far, the police command in the state has not made any official comments regarding the incident.
#newscast

Source: Vanguard

Elon Musk Slams WhatsApp, Says It Can't Be Trusted

Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and owner of Twitter, has criticized the messaging app WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta. This comes after a Twitter engineer, Foad Dabiri, complained that WhatsApp had been using his microphone in the background while he was sleeping. Musk quoted the tweet and stated that WhatsApp cannot be trusted.

Additionally, Musk mentioned that the founders of WhatsApp left Meta due to dissatisfaction and played a critical role in creating a new messaging service called Signal.
#newscast

Locally made explosive devices recovered from slain gunmen in Anambra State.

Two gunmen were killed by police operatives in Anambra State, South-east Nigeria, on Monday.

The joint operation involved vigilante operatives and was conducted following tips from residents about the activities of suspected criminals. The incident took place at about 8:45 p.m. along Umusiome Nkpor in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state. The slain gunmen were among a gang of four hoodlums operating in an unregistered black Lexus SUV in the area, but two others escaped.

The police recovered two locally made explosive devices, one AK-47 rifle, nine live 7.62 ammunition, four AK-47 magazines and charms from the gunmen during the operation.

In a separate operation at about 4 p.m. on the same day, the police arrested four suspected vandals in Ogbunike, a community in Oyi Local Government Area of the state. The suspects were caught vandalizing a truck suspected to have been stolen in the area. They all confessed to the crime and are currently helping the police with information on other syndicate members.

#newscast

Source: Premium Times

Femi Otedola Accuses Tony Elumelu of Betrayal Over Ughelli Power Plant Acquisition

Nigerian businessman Femi Otedola has stated that his interest in Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) was driven by the desire to unlock the company's potential and create value for shareholders. He confirmed that he had offered to purchase Transcorp for N250 billion, but his offer was rejected.

Otedola recently sold his 6.3% stake, comprising 2.6 billion shares, to Tony Elumelu, who increased his stake from 2.07% to 25.9% within days of acquiring Otedola's stake. According to sources, Otedola's move to take the top spot in the conglomerate's ownership upset the Transcorp chair, who eventually compensated Otedola with millions of dollars.

Otedola also claimed that Elumelu had betrayed him in the past by outbidding him in the acquisition of Ughelli Power Plant, despite him expressing interest.
#newscast

Source: Premium Times

From $999 to $100 Million: Dr. Joseph Nantomah Real Estate Journey to the Wall Street Journal

Dr. Joseph James Nantomah, also known as The Black Mentor, will be featured in the prestigious American newspaper, Wall Street Journal, as the first African real estate investor and wealth coach in the United States to be showcased in the esteemed paper.

The Wall Street Journal is known for covering business, finance, economics, and money, and Dr. Nantomah's notable achievements in real estate investment merit his exploration in the newspaper. This recognition follows his award as a Doctor of Real Estate Education by the American Heritage University of Southern California in March 2023. Dr. Nantomah has made headlines in various top newspapers for his accomplishments in real estate investment, philanthropy, mentorship, and mindset coaching.

As the No. 1 African-American real estate millionaire investor, he has built over $100,000,000 worth of assets, starting with only $999. The Wall Street Journal maintains a high standard in selecting and honoring the most competent and worthy personalities in their fields of expertise. The Black Mentor's feature in The Wall Street Journal on May 10th, 2023, will set a new pace and record.

#newscast

Death Toll Rises to 16 in Rival Cult Violence in Akwa Ibom State

Over the course of three days, rival cult groups, the Klaans and the Black Axe confraternities, engaged in violent clashes in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State. The conflict was sparked by disputes over toll collections at mini bus parks. The violence, which has yet to be contained, has resulted in the deaths of at least 16 people and the destruction of millions of Naira worth of property in affected areas, including Idu and neighboring communities of Use Offot, Ekpri Nsukara, and Oniong. Many residents have been forced to flee for their safety and seek refuge with friends and family.

The clashes began when the two confraternities fought fiercely over alleged encroachments into parking areas designated for a different cult group. This led to an angry reaction from the opposing group, igniting the violent conflict. The violence has spread rapidly, and several communities have been affected, with Use Offot seeing the loss of eight lives, and Anua, Ekpri Nsukara, and Oniong communities experiencing the deaths of over 10 others. Many people have been hospitalized due to the violence and the injuries they have sustained.

While the police have confirmed the killings, they have reported that only four people have died. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Odiko Macdon, condemned the disruption of public order and safety by the rival cult groups and assured residents of Uyo of their safety. The Commissioner of Police (CP), Olatoye Durosinmi, has deployed tactical resources to restore order and apprehend the perpetrators. The CP has also issued a warning to the perpetrators to desist from their actions or face the consequences.

#newscast

From PSG to Al-Hilal: Messi's next move confirmed in exclusive report!

Report reveals Lionel Messi is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the summer and join Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia. The purpose of Messi's recent trip to the Middle Eastern country was initially unknown, but it is believed that he was finalizing details of his future during the visit. A source quoted by AFP confirmed that Messi's move to Al-Hilal is a "done deal," and that the contract is exceptional and huge. Messi's current contract with PSG will expire at the end of next month.

PSG simply noted that Messi remains under contract until June 30, while a separate PSG source said that if the club had wanted to renew his contract, it would have been done earlier.

Messi's expected move to Saudi Arabia follows in the footsteps of his arch-rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Saudi Pro League club, Al Nassr, in a massive deal in January. However, there are doubts about Ronaldo's continuity at Al-Nassr, as recent reports suggest that he is keen on a return to Europe. Ronaldo's current agreement with Al-Nassr is said to be worth over 400 million euros ($439 million), making him the world's highest-paid athlete according to Forbes.

#newscast

Source: Leadership

Calls for Action as Another Nigerian Student Dies from Drug Overdose

A 19-year-old student of Petroleum and Gas Engineering at the Federal University, Otuoke in Bayelsa State, identified as Job Alawari Kei, reportedly died from taking a drug called Colorado (Colos).

The drug is allegedly popular among young people involved in internet fraud, commonly known as Yahoo Boys. The deceased student had reportedly cashed out on an internet deal and wanted to celebrate by getting high, but the drug handed to him by his friends led to his death.

This incident has raised concerns over the rate of student involvement in drugs and internet fraud. The student's death is coming a few weeks after the death of another 200-level student of the same university identified as Bright Akhere. The latter's death was at a swimming pool in Renew Empire Hotel in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Students are worried about the increasing number of drug overdose-related deaths in the last six months. The school authorities have organized several orientation programmes on the dangers and consequences of drug abuse, especially for all freshmen. However, the students are still concerned about the issue, and some of them are calling for an aggressive campaign against drug abuse within and outside the campus.

The Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer confirmed the incident, stating that the student slumped after taking illicit substances and was rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead. The institution has not held any management meeting to address drug-related student deaths yet.
#newscast

Source: Leadership