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http://ift.tt/2sfS5W6 Jamaica's Usain Bolt / AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN The celebrations were in full swing for Usain Bolt’s final race on home soil Saturday with many Jamaicans saying they wish their favourite son could go on running forever. “I wish Usain Bolt could run for another 40 years. He is going to be missed,” said fruit seller Carlos Morgan who comes from Trelawny region where Bolt grew up. Jamaican track and field fans started lining up outside Kingston’s National Stadium in the blazing hot sun several hours before the start of the second annual Racers Grand Prix event. The world’s fastest man is scheduled to run the 100 metres in the final race of the evening. “The legend is going out in style,” said chef Sharon Bailey, who paid 1,000 Jamaican dollars (US$8) for her bleacher seat. Bailey came to the 30,000-capacity National Stadium and joined the sea of yellow and green, vuvuzela blowing fans with her friend, Shawn Dennis, who works as a cashier in Kingsto...

http://ift.tt/2sg2Yam Lexi Thompson of the USA walks down the 1st fairway during the third round of the Manulife LPGA Classic at Whistle Bear Golf Club on June 10, 2017 in Cambridge, Canada. Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images/AFP Vaughn Ridley / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP Lexi Thompson closed in on her second victory of the season after firing a five-under-par 67 to grab a one-shot lead at the Manulife LPGA Classic in Cambridge, Ontario on Saturday. Thompson, 22, who won last month’s Kingsmill Championship in Virginia, reeled off five birdies and no bogeys in a flawless display at Whistle Bear Golf Club. Thompson’s round left her with a 54-hole aggregate 199 at 17 under, one clear of fellow American Lindy Duncan, who also shot a 67 on Saturday. A further shot back from Duncan is Chun In-Gee of South Korea, who remained in the hunt with a 68. Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn shot a blistering seven-under-par 65 to move into contention at 14 under, three off the lead, alongside Can...

http://ift.tt/2rtlJn9 BSN CEO, Nigeria, Lere Baale and CEO Business School Netherland, Juanita Bouwer during a press briefing on the visiting BSN CEO and External Examiners To help address the unemployment crisis in Africa and equip its youths, Business School Netherlands (BSN) is championing a free capacity development programme for young people on the continent. Tagged the Business School Netherlands Youth Empowerment Scheme (BSNYESAFRICA), the programme comprises five modules, each consisting of a 13-week programme. The first module began with a two-day classroom session in Lagos with over 300 youths from the 36 states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Chief Executive Officer of BSN, Lere Baale said the programme would run for 13 weeks through in-class and e-learning platforms. He added that youths have the opportunity to acquire mentorship support, seed-funding for outstanding ideas and networking through the BSN global networks. While reinf...

http://ift.tt/2qTWHAz David Nabarro David Nabarro, the United Kingdom (U.K.) candidate for this month’s crucial election as Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has promised to target 50 percent female representation including in senior roles at the organisation. Nabarro said WHO “countries should rightly expect to see a return on their investment” and a strong focus on technology and digital under his leadership.On day in charge of the World Health Organization, he vowed to start changing the culture and the way of working in Geneva and across the world. A statement by Joseph Abuku of the Press and Public Affairs section of the UK Embassy assures that “with a big drive on transparency and accountability, Dr Nabarro aims to improve trust in the WHO and ultimately, performance”. Nabarro has outlined his proposed changes to include more accountability for the WHO team; transforming human resources and embracing modern technology to improve transparency and ...

http://ift.tt/2rtkKDi Nasser Bourita The Federal Government and Morocco have sealed pacts to drive the implementation of the gas regional pipeline and fertilizer initiative.According to the Foreign Minister of Morocco, Nasser Bourita who presented the broad guidelines of the projects at the signing of the agreements in Morocco, the shared vision of the two leaders, President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari and King Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco is in favour of a sustainable, active and solidarity based joint development for Africa. He noted that both projects were initiated during the Royal visit of the king to Nigeria in December 2016.Tagged ‘The Wonder of Africa’, the Joint Initiative on the Morocco –Nigeria Gas Regional Pipeline has been described as one designed by ‘Africans for Africans’ with a direct impact on 300 million people through the speeding up of electrification projects in West Africa; thus serving a basis for the creation of a competitive electricity regional mark...

http://ift.tt/2qTGQSt Onajide The Managing Director of R.T. Briscoe Nigeria, ‘Seyi Onajide has been reelected President of the Association of Automobile, Boatyards, Transport Equipment and Allied Employers of Nigeria (AABTEAEN) at the 37th annual general meeting (AGM) in Lagos. Others re-elected were the Managing Director of CFAO Yamaha Motors Nigeria Limited, Olivier Levigne as Vice President and the Group Head, Human Resources of Mandilas Group, Andrew Dzerma as Treasurer. They were all returned opposed. Also, Mrs. Rose Osuinde of the Mandilas Enterprises Limited was appointed to chair meetings of members committee of Human Resources experts.Onajide admitted that the last financial year was one of the most challenging period in the history of the nation. “Tight monetary liquidity and slump in oil earnings are mainly to blame for the harsh economic environment and the country suffering its first recession in over two decades. “Government’s priorities in 2017 will be a con...

http://ift.tt/2rt4BOb Jim Iyke Disturbed by the incessant maternal and child mortality rate in the country, Nollywood Actor Jim Iyke has concluded plans to lead an awareness campaign to the grassroots level in the country. This is against the backdrop that 145 people die everyday on maternal mortality. Speaking in Abuja during his installation as the White Ribbon Alliance Nigeria (WRAN) Special Envoy for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, the actor assured the campaign would commence in two weeks time. “We hope we are going to bring this campaign against maternal mortality to the grassroots by launching the campaign, but I am going to unveil it to the members of the media very soon. It is a campaign that will curb some of the tragedy that has been happening in the communities. “ We intend to approach the powers that be, especially the policy makers, to see how they can propagate the proper policies that will geared towards responsive measures to help women in labor,” he sa...

http://ift.tt/2qTGg76 Besides, medical experts, yesterday in Lagos, at the Nestle/Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) WHD conference said approximately 1.8 billion of the people globally are suffering from hypertension and 50 per cent of them are unaware of their condition. • 50% of sufferers are unaware, at higher risk of kidney failure, others • WHO data show only five per cent of deaths in Africa have recorded cause No fewer than 60 million Nigerians, that is one in every three people in the country, are hypertensive.Also, according to the statistics released yesterday on the occasion of the World Hypertension Day (WHD), around three out of 10 people are suffering from hypertension worldwide. Besides, medical experts, yesterday in Lagos, at the Nestle/Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) WHD conference said approximately 1.8 billion of the people globally are suffering from hypertension and 50 per cent of them are unaware of their condition and some of them who are aware of thei...

http://ift.tt/2rtknZA In a bid to address the women’s skin and hair challenges, from damages and premature ageing, Ardent World Incorporated, manufacturers of beauty products launched its ranges of products into the Nigerian market. The brand has been on ground in Asia, United States and other countries globally. The eventat Ikoyi Lagos doubled as media parley and interactive workshop for stakeholders, beauticians, dermatologists and members of the public . The group were educated on the use of the company’s products and solutions to skin damage and hair breakage often common to African women were proffered. Speaking at the event Mrs. Angeline Fiechter, President Ardent World Incorporated, disclosed that she has spent over 12 years in the line of consumers products and beauty business , however, faced with daughter’s skin plights gave rise to new products. “The products are natural and body friendly without side effects.” Among the world class products were GLUTA-C Intense Whitening...

http://ift.tt/2qkRH4N With the recent Ransomware cyber-attack already affecting more than 200,000 victims in 150 countries across the world, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) has advised countries and companies to urgently protect their computer systems against future attacks. With the recent Ransomware cyber-attack already affecting more than 200,000 victims in 150 countries across the world, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) has advised countries and companies to urgently protect their computer systems against future attacks. Europol Executive, Rob Wainwright described the attack as “unprecedented in its scale” and warned that more people could be affected in the coming weeks. Last week’s virus attack took control of users’ files, demanding payments with Russia and the United Kingdom (UK) among the worst hit countries.According to Wainwright, the Ransomware was being combined with a worm application, which allo...

http://ift.tt/2pzlYuD Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Nigeria may begin local production of vaccines by 2019.Already, the Federal Ministry of Health had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with May and Baker Nigeria Plc for the production of vaccines under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole told The Guardian when he received wife of the Senate President and the Women Advocates for Vaccine Access (WAVA), Toyin Saraki in his Abuja office that since it takes two years to produce a vaccine, signing the MoU now was precedent to making the vaccines in 2019. “It is expected that with this MoU, they will roll out some vaccines for the country by 2019,” he stated. “We want to embark on PPP with May and Barker. We are already developing an Mou for local production of vaccines and is awaiting the Federal Executive Council (FEC’s) approval and will commence with May and Baker,” he said....

http://ift.tt/2qkRVZz Pencom DG, Mrs. Chinelo Akohu- Amazu The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has urged Federal Government workers who retired between January and August 2016, and were duly enrolled, to contact their Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) to commence the process of collecting their benefits. The Head, Corporate Communication, PenCom, Emeka Onuora, said this in a statement, adding that the accrued rights and benefits have been credited into the Retirement Savings Accounts of the retirees. According to him, arrangements are being made to pay the next batch consisting of those who retired between September and December 2016, adding that the Commission is solidly committed to ensuring that retirement benefits are paid as and when due. He said the government and PenCom salute the courage, patience and perseverance of the retirees during the period before resources were mobilised to pay the accrued rights. Also, the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has inaug...

http://ift.tt/2qkMry7 A recent study from the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that more than 25 million adults in the United States live with chronic pain, and almost 40 million adults have experienced severe pain in the past three months.PHOTO: thedoctorstv.com *Common brands linked to increased risk of heart attack, study finds New research uncovers unexpected links between sleep deprivation and pain sensitivity. The findings may have significant implications for pain management therapies. A recent study from the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that more than 25 million adults in the United States live with chronic pain, and almost 40 million adults have experienced severe pain in the past three months. Any pain that lasts for longer than 12 weeks is considered to be chronic. Chronic pain can be a consequence of injury, an underlying illness, or it may have no known cause. Many people resort to complementary medical...

http://ift.tt/2pA4Gm0 AXA Mansard Insurance AXA Mansard has emerged winner of the “Most Innovative Insurance Company of the Year” at the maiden edition of Top 25 Most Innovative Companies & Institutions in Nigeria Awards 2017, held in Lagos. The event was organised by the BusinessDay to celebrate leading organisations and institutions advancing the frontiers of innovation and inspiring the new generation of innovators in shaping Nigeria and Africa’s future. The firm was also recognised for its AutoFlex, an innovative motor insurance digital media campaign it ran in 2016, which gave customers the flexibility to customise their motor insurance covers instead of the traditional approach that makes them buy all the modules of fire, theft and accidental damage compulsorily. Commenting on the recognition, the Chief Executive Officer of AXA Mansard Insurance Plc, Yetunde Ilori, said: “This achievement is indicative of AXA Mansard’s consistent commitment to redefining standards...

http://ift.tt/2q79ZIw Opera, the developer of popular mobile browser in Africa, has announced its plan to invest $100 million (N30 billion ) over the next two years to facilitate the growth of African digital economy. The company will use the investment to speed up internet adoption in Africa and strengthen the internet ecosystem with local partners.Africa is on its way to transform itself into digital continent with the rapid adoption of mobile internet. For the past five years, the Opera Mini browser has been a key facilitator in bringing more than half of Africa’s internet population online by featuring tools for lowering data costs. Recently, the company celebrated 100 million monthly users in Africa and is now focusing on making the next generation of web browsers to cater the needs of African internet users. Developing AI-powered news engine with compression technology for Africa According to a GSMA Intelligence report, the biggest consumer barriers to internet adoptio...

http://ift.tt/2r68iIt Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue Governance under President Muhammadu Buhari is a drama still unfolding. Daily, we are treated to fresh story-lines by political actors who behave as though they owe nobody any explanation. They plot; they act; and pull the curtains as it pleases them. The opposition has been forced into premature silence while the hitherto virile press—the live wire of any responsible democracy, is gasping for survival. It’s been a long time since we heard from the Nigeria Labour Congress. What makes news in Nigeria these days is called corruption—whether contrived or real. If trophies were to be won on global scale by the most corrupt countries in the world, Nigeria wouldn’t be at the bottom of the ladder. Nigerian politicians would be unbeatable contenders. How sad! On daily basis, billions of naira are uncovered and recovered from homes, abandoned buildings, airports, farmlands and even cemeteries. The worst part of it is that we only hear about discove...

http://ift.tt/2r5Zm5Y Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu/ EPA/JASON SZENES Zambia’s president Edgar Lungu has called for an out of court settlement with First Quantum Minerals, which is being sued for $1.4 billion by a state-owned firm, the presidency said on Thursday. First Quantum asked a Zambian court in February to dismiss the suit from Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH), which is 77 percent state-owned and holds minority stakes in most of the country’s copper mines. “The president decided that the finance minister leads a government team to engage First Quantum for a speedy and amicable conclusion of this matter,” presidential spokesman Amos Chanda said. “The government team includes the minister of mines and should start work by next week so that we can quickly have an amicable settlement as directed by the president,” he said. Zambia is Africa’s second-largest copper producer and differences with mining companies over taxes, electricity...