Sometimes, some people are not even present, but they are sufficiently “excellent” to be captured in the speech anyway. Their Excellencies. In Nigeria, it has captured the imagination and worship of politicians who are fascinated by the concept—but rarely the substance or challenge—of excellence. Some public officials, unfortunately, serve their extremely narrow and selfish interests. Still, we call each governor “Excellency” even when we know there is no one more sinister, incompetent, or corrupt.

Chinese President, Xi Jinping, has directed the military to enhance its preparedness for war and boost its combat capabilities, signalling a heightened emphasis on strategic deterrence amid rising tensions with the West. Xi, during an inspection of a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force brigade, stressed the importance of “comprehensively strengthening training and war preparations” to ensure the military is battle-ready. The United States, however, has been fostering ties with Taiwan’s government and supplying it with military equipment, to Beijing’s displeasure. Last month, the US State Department approved a potential arms deal worth $228 million, intended to supply spare parts to Taiwan’s military. Although Washington formally recognises Beijing’s sovereignty under the “One China” policy, it continues to provide military and diplomatic support to Taiwan.

AN expert in mathematics and science education, Patrick Obot, has proposed the use of an innovative solution to enhance multilingual learners’ success in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. Obot proposed that the innovative Culturally Relevant and Internationally Informed Mathematics Education (CRIIME) framework can be integrated into teaching science and mathematics to help multilingual learners. He disclosed that the proposed framework blends culturally relevant teaching practices with suitable global practices and educational standards to create a learning experience that enhances multilingual learners’ success in science and mathematics. Obot also disclosed that the proposed CRIIME framework also “addresses the challenges many educators face in increasingly diverse classrooms. By integrating the framework into classroom instruction, learning experiences will be more practicable and align with multilingual learners’ academic needs.”He added that the framework also offers a scalable and adaptable solution for educators globally, making it an essential tool for improving mathematics education in multilingual settings.

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria has criticised the Federal Government’s plan to secure a $500 million loan from the World Bank to support basic education. On 26 September 2024, the World Bank approved $500m for HOPE-GOV and $570m for HOPE-PHC. According to the Programme Information Document for the loan project, obtained by PUNCH on Friday, the loan is expected to receive formal approval by March 2025. Obele observed that many Nigerians were alarmed by the government’s frequent requests for external loans amounting to billions of dollars. He stressed that while borrowing can be beneficial when used for productive purposes, it becomes harmful when directed towards mere consumption.

“Don’t leave tennis, man,” Djokovic said in an on-court interview after beating Nadal in straight sets 6-2, 7-6 (7/5) at the “Six Kings Slam” exhibition in Saudi Arabia. Nadal, 38, announced on 10 October that he would retire from tennis after the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next month. Organisers of the Saudi event billed Saturday’s match as possibly Nadal’s last singles contest as a professional. Djokovic and Nadal — two of the sport’s famed “Big Three” alongside Roger Federer — had faced each other 60 times on the main tour prior to Saturday’s exhibition match, with Djokovic holding a narrow 31-29 lead. The Women’s Tennis Association announced in April that Riyadh would host the next three editions of the Tour Finals, featuring the top eight singles players and doubles teams.

About 44 Nigerians and Ghanaians were deported to their home countries in a single flight on Friday, according to the UK Home Office. The Home Office said that the Nigeria and Ghana deportations were part of a “major surge” in immigration enforcement and returns, according to the Guardian UK. There are also regular deportation flights to Albania, Lithuania and Romania. Deportation flights to Nigeria and Ghana are relatively rare, with just four recorded since 2020, according to data released under freedom of information rules. Friday’s flight had more than double that number removed on a single flight.

The Federal Government has called on Nigerians in the diaspora to return home and contribute to the nation’s growth and prosperity. She highlighted that diaspora engagement is crucial for fostering national growth, urging Nigerians overseas to explore and utilise the numerous opportunities available at home. She further noted that NIDCOM is actively working to establish frameworks that will facilitate greater diaspora involvement in Nigeria’s growth efforts. Babalola acknowledged the country’s abundant human and natural resources and urged young people to reconsider leaving Nigeria for opportunities abroad. “We are blessed with both human and natural resources,” he said, stressing that youth should avoid the lure of seeking “greener pastures” overseas.

A 36-year-old man of Lusaka’s Chelston area has complained to the Lusaka Boma Local Court, Zambia, about the s3x drought that has characterised his marriage. According to Zambia Observer, Best Bwanga told the court his wife, Phelliny Hamainza, 37, denied him s3x on the pretext that she was having her menstrual period for two consecutive weeks. Best said, to his amazement, during the period he was denied sex, Phelliny chatted with other men on social media telling them how horny she felt. She noted that Best should not have moved in to live with Philliny after being chased from his friend’s place. Justice Tembo ordered Best to compensate his wife with K10,000, to be paid in monthly installments of K350, beginning next month-end, and child support of K500.

According to the plaintiff, the defendant once fought him throughout the night and left him with wounds all over his body. In addition to the slaps, Ajayi also claimed that Lanre went further to tear his clothes to shreds thereby disgracing him. According to her, her husband dragged her to court only because he wanted to marry another wife. She slapped me in the presence of my boss and colleagues and went further to tear my clothes to shreds. She once arrested me with the police after my wife and I fought and I was detained by the police.

A health expert, Constance King, has launched a mental and physical challenge competition aimed at bringing fun to Africa. The competition, titled ‘Scavenger Hunt Africa’, is inspired by the American TV show ‘The Amazing Race’. The show will feature six teams living together during the competition. Due to Nigeria’s size, the country has been divided into two regions—Abuja and Lagos—where the winning teams from each region will face off for the grand prize. Ultimately, ‘Scavenger Hunt Africa’ plans to visit six African countries, culminating in a final showdown for a prize of 2 million in local currency.

Schneider Electric has unveiled a new energy solution aimed at addressing the power crisis plaguing countries in West Africa. The firm, in a statement, said that the new products within the Secure Power portfolio, is designed to provide reliable backup power in meeting the needs of users across West Africa. Regional Business Leader, Schneider Electric, Uche Nnadi, stressed that the products which include Connect UPS and the Gaming UPS are designed to provide reliable backup power for routers, modem as well as ensuring uninterrupted power for gaming systems. APC Product Manager, Coscharis Technologies, Ajaja Oluwasola highlighted their long-standing partnership with Schneider Electric, emphasising the company’s readiness to meet current trends in the power sector with the new solutions. The high point of the event was the award presentation to 15 partners for their excellence, innovation, and dedication.

A US judge on Friday let Google put off opening Android-powered smartphones to rival app shops while the tech titan appeals an order to do just that. The ruling by federal Judge James Donato spares Google from having to meet a November 1 deadline to open its Android smartphone operating system to rival app stores. Google is also facing an antitrust lawsuit in a third federal case in Virginia over its dominance of online advertising. Under the Epic Games order, for the next three years, Google will be prohibited from engaging in several practices that were deemed anticompetitive by the jury in the landmark case. Phones running on the Android operating system have about a 70 per cent share of the world’s smartphone market.

Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr Mariya Mahmoud, has observed that women are not just vital contributors to the national economy; but also catalysts for innovation, social change, and sustainable development. The minister who was the Special Guest of Honour at the Abuja Business and Investment Summit, also called on stakeholders to support women entrepreneurs. Speaking on the importance of women’s entrepreneurship, Mahmoud asserted that businesses led by women tend to be more socially responsible and have a profound impact on their communities. Mahmoud highlighted some of the significant barriers faced by women to entrepreneurship despite their potential. “However, it is time we recognize that empowering women entrepreneurs is not just a matter of equity; it is an economic imperative,” Mahmoud emphasised.

News Tackling fuel supply crisis: Lessons from NLNG template 15 hours ago The problem of financing the project led Asiodu to recommend that the government sells five percent of the country’s 60 percent in the joint ventures with Agip, Philips and Shell to raise $500million which was deposited in an escrow account. FacebookTwitterWhatsAppTelegramNews Examining Nigeria’s economic transformation through local refining 15 hours ago Successive administrations in the country have in the past labored in vain to deregulate the downstream petroleum sector, amid resistance from groups such as the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress. FacebookTwitterWhatsAppTelegram

The IMF’s executive board approved a $1.1 billion payout for Ukraine on Friday, which it says will be used to provide budget support to the war-torn country. The approval of the Fund’s fifth loan review brings the total amount disbursed to Ukraine since then to $8.7 billion. “Russia’s war in Ukraine continues to bring a devastating social and economic toll on Ukraine,” IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said in a statement. “Despite the war, macroeconomic and financial stability is being preserved through skilful policymaking by the Ukrainian authorities as well as substantial external support,” she added. Ukraine’s economy had been “more resilient than expected” in the first half of the year, with good domestic data “bolstered by continued sizeable external support,” according to the IMF.