Largest Digital Classroom launched in Lagos (DailyTrust)
The Lagos State Government in partnership with Chronicles Software Development Company, on Tuesday, launched EkoDigitalSchool.com, the largest digital classroom in Africa.
The borderless school which is built on a cloud architecture can accommodate two to 10million students concurrently and would be data free to create equal access for all students so that no one is left out.
According to the Co-founder of Chronicles Software Development, Mr. Koyejo Oluwatosin, the platform is incorporated with all subjects which are aligned based on the curriculum, (week by week) while it also has various important features like assignments, tests, examinations and reports to ensure continuous interrupted learning, particularly as the COVID-19 pandemic ravages.
Oluwatosin further explained that the Eko Digital School takes a sequential approach to learning where student are expected to complete specific requirement before accessing next level of content. Read more
Yoruba Nation rally: Police keeping my daughter’s corpse, says salesgirl’s mother (Punch)
Ifeoluwa Oyeleke, the mother of Jumoke, the salesgirl who was allegedly killed by a stray bullet during the Yoruba Nation rally in Lagos on July 3, has accused the police of keeping her daughter’s corpse.
Ifeoluwa stated this on Monday at a coroner’s inquest.
Agitators for the Yoruba Nation gathered at the Gani Fawehinmi Park at Ojota amid the presence of armed policemen and soldiers.
Jumoke, 25, who displayed soft drinks at her boss’ shop in a compound close to the rally ground when security men chased some agitators into the premises, was hit by a stray bullet.
While the police denied killing her, witnesses said she was hit when the police opened fire on protesters. Read more
NRC adds Sunday to Lagos-Ibadan train schedule (DailyTrust)
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has added Sunday service to the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail line, it was learnt.
The train now operates seven days a week between 8:00am and 4:00pm except on Saturday when it operates between 8:30am and 6pm on both ends.
Spokesman of the NRC for Ibadan, Callistus Unyimadu who confirmed the development said the NRC adjusted the Saturday’s operation to enable those attending social events in Lagos and Ibadan to return on the train.
The train service which commenced officially in December last year was formally inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari on June 12 with the NRC increasing the train movement from one daily service to two. Read more
WAEC announces date for 2021 WASSCE August 16 (Punch)
The West Africa Examination Council has announced August 16, 2021, for the commencement of the 2021 West African Senior School Certificate Examination.
The Head of the Nigeria office, Mr. Patrick Areghan made the announcement in Lagos on Tuesday.
He said, “In accordance with the Final International Timetable, the WASCCE (SC) 2021 will take place throughout the sub-region from Monday, 16h August to Friday, 8th October 2021. Read more
Reps fail to stop resident doctors’ strike (Tribune)
Efforts initiated by the House of Representatives to halt the nationwide strike embarked on by National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) across the country, was stalled on Monday as the nationwide strike continues.
The meeting which was chaired by chairman, House Committee on Healthcare Services, Honourable Tanko Sununu, was attended by the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire; Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunmimbe Mamora as well as representatives of National Medical Association (NMA) and Chief Medical Directors of the University Teaching Hospitals and Federal Medical Centres (FMCs).
According to him, the contending issues include, payment of outstanding emoluments to members of NARD especially those employed on casual basis, repudiation of agreements reached earlier between government and the Nigerian Medical Association over labour related issues, as well as payment of outstanding post graduate residency course allowance owed NMA members.
In his address, Sununu expressed displeasure over the recurrence of industrial action, said, “It appears that anytime we have the appearance of COVID. Read more
PDP crisis: Secondus gets respite (Sun)
Embattled National chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party( PDP), Uche Secondus, got a respite, on Tuesday, as stakeholders in the opposition party okayed his stay in office pending the conduct of a national convention.
However, the party national convention, where new party officials will be elected will now hold latest by the end of October, 2021 against December, when the tenure of the current members of the National Working Committee ( NWC) is supposed to elapse. Read more
Hell fire is my biggest fear, says Don Jazzy (DailyTrust)
Don Jazzy, Chief Executive Officer of Mavin Records, has revealed his biggest fear.
The music producer cum brand influencer disclosed this when he featured on The Nancy Isime Show.
The Philanthropist disclosed that “hell fire is his biggest fear”.
He said: “At the moment, I’m afraid of God because it’s like we are threatened with hell fire. They say, if you are not a Christian, you will go to hell fire.
“It’s like they threatened you. Why don’t you just leave the option open? Why do you have to attach the hell fire to it? Let me make the decision. Read more
Oyo loses out on World Bank $70m flood intervention funds (Tribune)
There is fear that the perennial flood synonymous to Ibadan metropolis will increase especially with the early flooding warning issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) as the World Bank has cancelled its funding supports to the Second Pool of Long-Term Investment (PLT12) implemented under the Ibadan Flood Management Project (IUFMP), an agency of the Oyo State Government following issues in contract bidding.
The state government allegedly failed to conclude the contract award of the successful bidders for the four Lots (3A, 3B, 4A & 4B) under the World Bank international Competitive Bidding Process and this led to criticisms from some groups in February.
In a letter signed by the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Western and Central Africa Region, Mr Shubham Chaudhuri, dated July 30, 2021, addressed to the state Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, conveying the cancellation of the project and the withdrawal of $52 million (about N26billion) funding supports, the World Bank frowned over the failure of the state government to meet the basic conditions for the no objection for the three companies that emerged under the World Bank supervised bidding process since May 5, 2021. Read more
Nigeria to begin local production of COVID-19 vaccines in 12 months (ThisDay)
Federal government has said that it’s targeting to commence local manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines in the next 12 months.
Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye who revealed government’s plan while speaking on Tuesday on the ARISE TV Morning Show, also said that the agency had commenced clinical trials on three local herbal medicine products for the treatment of COVID-19.
Adeyeye said that government was concerned about the absence of medicine security and its implications for the healthcare needs of the people. Read more
Lyft driver busted for attack on country singer Clare Dunn (NYPost)
Country singer Clare Dunn has tearfully revealed how a rideshare driver yanked her from the car and violently threw her face-first into the ground — with the driver busted early Tuesday, online records show.
“This has been hell,” the “Get Out” singer tearfully told People magazine, sharing a photo of her bloodied and bruised face from the June 26 attack in Tennessee.
The Colorado-based star had been recording in Nashville when she and a friend shared a Lyft home from a girls’ night out, with the pal dropped off first, Dunn said.
The driver then got increasingly agitated as the 34-year-old singer asked him to take a slower route avoiding highways, and then pointed out that he had missed her turn, she recalled to People. Read more
Earth Photo 2021 winners announced (BBC)
A project depicting an Ethiopian family’s journey through education has won the 2021 Earth Photo competition.
Rosie Hallam’s triptych, A Right to an Education, shows Selamaw, the first person in her family to stay on at school past primary age, her mother, Meselech, and her father, Marco.
The family are subsistence farmers participating in an education programme.
The series also won the competition’s People category. Read more
Paul Walker’s daughter, Meadow, is engaged to Louis Thornton-Allan (PageSix)
Paul Walker’s daughter, Meadow, is engaged.
The 22-year-old model said “yes” to boyfriend Louis Thornton-Allan and shared a glimpse of her new diamond sparkler on Instagram Monday.
While standing in a pool, a grinning Meadow put her hand in front of her face to show off her ring in a video filmed by her now-fiancé.
“<3 <3 <3 <3,” she wrote in her caption.
Her late dad’s “Fast and Furious” co-star Jordana Brewster “liked” the post. Read more
China: Canadian citizen loses appeal against death penalty (BBC)
A Canadian citizen has lost his appeal against a death sentence in China for drug smuggling.
The court said it upheld Robert Lloyd Schellenberg’s sentence because evidence against him was “sufficient”.
Schellenberg was initially sentenced to 15 years in jail, but in 2019 an appeal court said this was too lenient, leading to a retrial and a death sentence.
The verdict comes as relations between Canada and China remain fraught. Read more
Captain America writers finally address fan theory that the Marvel hero is ‘a virgin’ (Metro)
Captain America fans have finally found out the answer to a major theory about the Marvel superhero and his virginity status.
For years, many have believed that the character Steve Rodgers (Chris Evans) had not lost his virginity before he became frozen in ice for over 60 years.
However, Captain America: The First Avenger writer Stephen McFeely crushed the theory once and for all in an interview with Yahoo.
‘I think he loses his virginity!’ he exclaimed, before adding: ‘Why do people think he’s a virgin?’ Read more
TikTok named as the most downloaded app of 2020 (BBC)
TikTok was the world’s most downloaded app in 2020 as it took the top spot from Facebook Messenger, according to digital analytics company App Annie.
The Chinese video-sharing platform is the only app not owned by Facebook to make the global top five of downloads.
In its home country, TikTok’s owner ByteDance also holds the top spot with the Chinese language video app Douyin.
TikTok’s continued popularity emerged even after former US President Donald Trump tried to ban it in America. Read more
Nigeria Will Return To Olympics Football In 2024 – Pinnick (Independent)
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick has pledged that the country’s football teams, both the men and women’s categories will qualify for the football events at the next Olympic Games billed for Paris in 2024.
Pinnick made the pledge in a statement while congratulating the Minister of Sports for the good outing of the Nigerian Team at the just concluded Tokyo Olympics.
Pinnick was particularly delighted at the performance of multi-talented Ese Brume, who won the women’s long jump: “I am happy for Ese (Brume) because I played a role in her discovery and nurturing. I am fulfilled at her career progression and I believe she will be there in Paris in three years’ time to win the gold medal. Read more
John Stones: Manchester City and England defender signs new five-year deal with champions (BBC)
Manchester City defender John Stones has signed a new five-year deal with the Premier League club.
His contract at the Etihad was due to expire next year, but he will now remain with the club until 2026.
The 27-year-old re-established himself in City’s title-winning last season, and was part of the England side that made it to the final of Euro 2020.
It had looked as if Stones was set to leave the club after falling behind Aymeric Laporte and Ruben Dias. Read more
Meet Marissa Rohan, the Dodgers ball girl who tackled fan on field (NYPost)
Marissa Rohan — the Los Angeles Dodgers ball girl — has been dubbed a “hero” after she tackled a fan who ran onto the field during Sunday’s 6-1 win over the rival Angels.
Rohan, who reps a No. 93 Dodgers jersey on the field, got the job done after a number of security personnel couldn’t catch the intruder. Rohan has worked for the team since 2019, but Sunday’s fan take-down is believed to be her first-ever viral field moment.
Rohan has been reposting messages and support from others to her Instagram Story. She even joked that Sunday was a “rough day at work.”
“Yeah I am not going to stop talking about this lol,” she captioned a news story about her play on Instagram. Read more
Lionel Messi agrees Paris St-Germain deal after Barcelona exit – Guillem Balague (BBC)
Lionel Messi has agreed a two-year deal to join Paris St-Germain following his shock exit from Barcelona, says BBC Sport columnist Guillem Balague.
The deal, which has the option of a third year, is subject to a medical.
The 34-year-old Argentina captain left Barca – the only club he has played for – as they were unable to afford a new deal under La Liga’s financial fair play rules.
Mauricio Pochettino’s PSG finished second to Lille in Ligue 1 last season. Read more
Difficult to see Messi in another club’s colours, says IniestaIndependenIndepende (Independent)
They played together for Barcelona for 14 years, winning everything the club game has to offer on multiple occasions.
Both have now left the Catalan club — but former midfield general Andres Iniesta, who joined Japan’s Vissel Kobe three years ago, says it will be hard to see Leo Messi play for another team.
“It will be difficult to see him in another shirt than that of Barca,” Iniesta told AFP on Tuesday as Messi few to a new adventure with Paris Saint-Germain.
“I don’t know if surprise is the right word — Leo really has represented Barca for so many years. But sometimes circumstances dictate things. I don’t have the inside track but it is a situation people will just have to deal with,” said Iniesta, who, like Messi, bade farewell to Barcelona at 34. Read more
Monaco boss Kovac tells his players to keep cool to carry on in Champions League (RFI)
Monaco boss Niko Kovac urged his players to keep their cool and finish off Sparta Prague on Tuesday night in the hunt for a place in the group stages of this season’s Champions League.
Goals from Aurélien Tchouaméni and Kevin Volland secured a 2-0 victory in Prague in a first leg clash marred by racist jibes from a section of the stands at the Generali Arena after Tchouaméni’s goal.
Kovac praised his players’ calm in the aftermath of the insults and ahead of the return leg at the Stade Louis II, he called on them to maintain their resolve.“We’ll have to be 100 per cent focused,” said the Croatian. “We played one half in Prague and now we have to play the second half. Nothing is finished yet and the players know this. We’ll give it our all.”Read more