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AFRICAN PROVERBS
“The lion does not turn around when a small dog barks.” – Maasai Proverb (Maasai Tribe, Kenya, Tanzania)
WHIPSO Gambia supports needy families celebrate Eid ul-Adha
WHIPSO Gambia since its inception in The Gambia in 2021 has invested and given support to education, health, agriculture and water supply.
This year’s Tobaski campaign saw WHIPSO Gambia give Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, Ndemban Clinic and Tanka Tanka Pshycratic Hospital each a cow. It also gave three cows to a school under WHIPSO Gambia while the rest was distributed to other parts of the country for those in need to put a meal on their tables for the auspicious day.
Muhammed Nyan, chief executive officer of WHIPSO Gambia said the Turban project (Tobaski distribution) will be an annual gesture, noting that the aim of the organization is to support sustainable projects in The Gambia and to give benefits to the world not just by helping needy Muslims but all poor people in the world regardless of gender, religion or tribe.
Nyan said they are yearning for more sustainable projects to positively impact the lives of the vulnerable and needy families since most of them find it difficult to afford food daily.
The organisation earlier this year supported hundreds of familes across the country with food packages during the Holy month of Ramadan.
In partnership with its parent body WHIPSO Germany, it also boosted the country’s main referral hospital, Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH), by providing 9 tanks and compressors worth half a million dalasis for its NAWEC water system.
WHIPSO Gambia in partnership with its parent body based in Germany also extended another magnanimity to Muslims in The Gambia with the presentation of rice as Zakat ul Fitr on Eid Al-Adha day. The gesture excluding administration cost was valued at D1.1 million.
It also distributed Fidyah and Kaffarah of over five thousand food packs to needy Muslims as Iftar. It bought and slaughtered 15 cows and cartons of chicken, all of which were distributed as meals to Masjids and needy Muslims as Iftar on daily basis for the Fidyah and Kaffarah. The budget for the Fidyah and Kaffarah was D1.4 million.
It also slaughtered 25 goats as Aqiqas and distributed them to 175 beneficiaries within Kombo.
It also slaughtered and cooked 8 sheep which it distributed as Iftar meals to people who were fasting.
Mr. Nyan thanked their donor partners for making the generosity possible.
Awa Njie, a beneficiary and member to the Association of Disability Community in The Gambia said WHIPSO Gambia has always made them smile during their times of of need. She therefore thanked them for the gesture which she said came at a critical time.
She called on government to closely work with WHIPSO Gambia for the development of the country.
Credit to: Thepointnews paper gambia
Adedayo Akinbode… Nigeria’s serial marathon runner, ‘Ambassador’
It is not every day that a Nigerian quits a lucrative job at Shell to focus on running marathons across the world. But that is what Adedayo Akinbode did, and within 10 years, she has participated in over 100 marathons across 77 countries on five continents.
And guess what, she is far from resting on her oars, as her goal is to push that figure from 77 to a record-breaking 196 countries around the world. Speaking with The Guardian, Akinbode said her participation in marathons has created awareness about Nigeria, adding that visiting countries where Nigerians are rarely heard of pushes her even further.
“It is quite a challenging endeavour, especially considering that I don’t have the necessary funds readily available. To date, I have managed to run marathons in 77 countries, fully self-funded. However, I am reaching a point where I require additional support to continue pursuing my goal.
“The more I visit countries where Nigerians are rarely heard of or where they have seldom encountered a person of African descent, the more determined I become to explore even more of these places.
“The highlight of my participation is when I hear the announcer proclaim, ‘Here comes number so so, Adedayo from Nigeria’, and regardless of whether they have heard of Nigeria before, everyone in the vicinity shouts, Nigeria!
“This moment, for me, is the epitome of accomplishment, as it signifies that I am effectively promoting Nigeria and spreading awareness about my country.”
A graduate of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering of Obafemi Awolowo University, formerly the University of Ife, Osun State, Akinbode did not start participating in marathons because she was jobless.
Career-wise, she started as a Management Trainee at Cadbury Nigeria Plc, where she rose to become the Planning Manager. Thereafter, she joined Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company where she rose to become the Low-Risk Contracting Team Lead. She is now a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS),
Even though she participated in her first two marathons as a corporate executive at Shell, her love for marathons fostered her quitting the job to enable her to continue to participate in marathon events across the world. She, however, maintains that participating in marathons is not for profit, as she does not run for the money involved.
Surprisingly, her foray into marathon events came from initial efforts to keep fit and healthy.
“I would say that running marathons didn’t choose me, but rather I stumbled onto running in 2012,” she said. “It happened during my annual checkup when my doctor informed me that I was obese and had high cholesterol levels. He advised me to change my lifestyle, and eliminate certain foods, warning that if I didn’t make these changes, my life could be at risk. However, I struggled to make those necessary changes and simply ignored the report.
“Fortunately, in 2013, my company introduced a programme called the Global Corporate Challenge. This initiative involved participating in a global event where each individual was encouraged to achieve 10,000 steps per day. Before the challenge began, we were given speedometres to track our steps without making any immediate lifestyle changes. After two weeks, I found myself consistently recording 700 to 800 steps, making me one of the highest achievers in my company.
“When the event officially started two weeks later, we gained access to see the step counts of participants from other parts of the world. I noticed people from Canada and Germany recording an impressive 20,000 to 30,000 steps per day. Being a highly competitive individual, I didn’t like being at the bottom rung of the ladder.
“There was a particular person in the forum who recorded over 27,000 steps, so I asked him how he achieved the steps. He explained that he avoided using the elevator, walked to work, and even ran sometimes.
“After hearing his advice, I decided to stop using the elevator in my office building, even though I worked on the 14th floor and the conference room was on the 16th floor, while the canteen was on the 10th floor. Previously, my driver would drop me off near the building entrance to go park in the car park. However, I instructed him to park the car in the farthest spot, away from the entrance. He was concerned about how I would reach the office from there, but I assured him that I would walk.
“By making these adjustments, I started increasing my step count even before the day officially began. Initially, it wasn’t easy, but I gradually became accustomed to the changes. My daily step count went up to 5,000 and then 6,000, and I was quite pleased with my progress. However, one day I arrived home with nearly 9,000 steps, and I realised I was so close to reaching the 10,000 mark. Determined, I decided to walk on my street to achieve my very first 10,000 steps. It was a success.”
As a result, Akinbode discovered that it was relatively easier to reach the 10,000 steps on weekdays, though her step count would decrease on weekends. Recognising this pattern, she decided to make a change.
“On Saturdays, I intentionally started walking around the streets, not necessarily running, but maintaining a brisk pace, to ensure that I reached my 10,000 steps. On Sundays, I attended church and danced energetically, which contributed to my step count as well.
“So, one of the weekends, I was walking and it started raining. I contemplated returning home without reaching my goal or continue walking in the rain. I decided it was better to continue in the rain to achieve my 10,000 steps despite concerns from people in the neighbourhood who started talking and questioning my actions.
“Even my security guard asked if everything was all right. With these thoughts in mind, I was afraid that everyone would think there was something wrong with me because I was walking in the rain.
“Fortunately, while contemplating this, I noticed another woman, Tayo Badejo, walking towards me in the rain. I felt relieved and excited to see her. She expressed her gratitude, saying she was glad that people wouldn’t consider her crazy for walking in the rain.
“I responded, sharing that I had been thinking the same thing. She then mentioned that they were doing a similar challenge at her workplace. One day, when we were out running, she said, ‘Oh, do you know we can register to run a marathon?’ I asked, ‘What is a marathon? She explained, ‘It’s when people run 42 kilometres.’ I questioned, ‘Why would anybody run 42 kilometres?’ She replied, “When you get home, go to YouTube and search for the New York Marathon or Boston Marathon.” So, I got home, watched it and I liked it. I did a lot of research and only one per cent of the world’s population have run marathons or can run marathons.
“I made a decision that I must be part of that one per cent. I told Tayo that I wanted to go for it, and she suggested that before we attempt the full marathon, we should start with the half marathon, which was coming up in Accra, Ghana. Other people joined, and she trained us.
“Then, in September 2013, we all went to Accra for a half marathon. It was my very first, and I had a big number with my name on the vest. On the streets of Accra, there were people lined up, especially towards the finish line, and they would shout your name. My number was 607. ‘607, Dayo, go go go!’ I felt like the whole world was giving me attention. I loved it so much.
“After that race, when I got back to the hotel room, I wanted another one. So, I went online to look for another half marathon, but I couldn’t find one. However, I found the Dubai Marathon slated for January 2014, which had a 10-kilometer race and a full marathon. Since I just finished running the half marathon, which is 21 kilometres, I said to myself, ‘I traveled from Nigeria to Ghana to run 21 kilometres. I cannot go from Nigeria to Dubai to run only 10 kilometres. I will go for 42 kilometres,” she recalled.
Akinbode stated that before she had the opportunity to talk to anybody, who might have either encouraged or discouraged her, she registered to participate in the Dubai marathon.
She added: “I booked my flight ticket and hotel. This was in September 2013 for an event coming up in January 2014. To the glory of God, I completed that marathon. When I crossed the finish line, my friends were nowhere to be found. I returned to the hotel, and informed them I finished; they couldn’t believe it. However, it served as proof that with determination and preparation, you can achieve what you set your mind to. It is worth mentioning that at the time, I was 46 years and had never participated in any sport as a child. I was more focused on academics.
“In 2014, at the age of 47, I ran my very first marathon. Around the same time, during my comprehensive check-up in 2013, I discovered that a lot of positive changes had taken place in my body. I was informed about no longer being obese. My cholesterol levels became normal, and my endurance improved.
“After completing the Dubai Marathon, I had the desire to run another one. My initial goal was to join the one per cent club of marathoners, but I found so much enjoyment in it that I decided to pursue another. Thus, I traveled to Tanzania for a marathon. It was in Tanzania that my life truly changed, as I met people from various parts of the world, who were somewhat boastful about their achievements.
“I remember encountering a Japanese man who proudly declared that the upcoming marathon would be his 1000th, while others mentioned it would be their 10th or 20th marathon.”
To boost her participation in marathons, Akinbode joined several clubs including the Marathon Globe Trotters Club. She revealed that as she participated in marathons across the world, she discovered that many runners often aspire to run in Nigeria to advance their ranks.
“At that time, Nigeria didn’t have a marathon that meets global standards. When I shared the idea of starting one with my fellow runners, they encouraged me. I initially hesitated; they assured me of their support in organising it. In 2017, we gave birth to the Ile Ife Heritage Marathon, which we meticulously organised to meet global standards.”
“Every year, my runner friends from around the world come to participate in this marathon. Remarkably, we had 30 participants in the inaugural edition. They returned to their home countries and began sharing their positive experiences in Nigeria.
“The marathon takes place in Ile Ife, starting at the University of Ife. The vice-chancellor inaugurates the event, and we run through the campus before reaching the finish line at the residence of the Oni of Ife, accompanied by cultural dances and festivities. Participants expressed excitement at having the opportunity to meet the monarch and cherish the handshake they received from the king of Ife.
“As a result, visitors leave with fond memories and spread the word about their positive experiences in Nigeria. To date, we have welcomed people from 16 different countries to our marathon in Nigeria.”
Credit to: Theguardian
Gambia fined to pay US$110,000 to daughter of disappeared citizen
The Court said in its judgment delivered by Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma on July 5, 2023 that 100,000 USD of the amount is for the violation of the fundamental rights of Ms Nana-Jo N’dow while the remaining 10,000 USD is reimbursement for monies spent on forensic inquiry and identification of the late father’s grave.
Justice Koroma said although the Gambian government discharged its obligation to provide remedy, it was not done within reasonable time in accordance with Article 7 (1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).
The Court also awarded cost in favour of the Applicant, Ms N’dow.
But on May 26, 2017, Lamin Jarju of the Ministry of Justice wrote a legal advice to the Director of Public Prosecution in which he alleged that Ndow and Cham collaborated with Jarju and Camara to overthrow the Gambian government. He concluded that there was insufficient evidence to charge Jarju and Camara and recommended instead that an investigation be carried out to determine their involvement in the abduction, their inclusion in the payroll of the Gambian Army and the role of four junglers, an elite squad of the army, that reportedly whisked off both missing men.
Thus, the case against both suspects was dismissed for lack of sufficient evidence but Nana-Jo said the bases for the dismissal were inconsistent and incorrect and Sarjo Cham’s statement was not considered in reaching that conclusion.
Consequently, the applicant said she lodged an appeal with the Ministries of Justice and Interior on the grounds of lack of proper investigation and in response, the Ministry of Justice asked the Ndow family to provide information or evidence to assist the investigation and the prosecution of the culprits.
She said that in response, the Ministry was advised to interrogate Pa Ousman Sanneh, a former member of the Jungler squad, who was then in detention and who was named in the newspaper report as responsible for the assassination of Ndow and Cham, charge him with murder, and arrest and prosecute Jarju and Camara for aiding and abetting both murders.
The applicant said that the Ministry of Justice had assured her that it would ensure “justice is done and seen to be done in all cases of abuse and crime under the 22-year rule of former president Jammeh”.
According to Nana-Jo, the ministry’s response referred to the Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) set up by the government with the primary mandate of truth-seeking by establishing facts and identifying root causes of the violations which was not a judicial body to prosecute, or grant amnesty, reparation, etc. She added that TRRC states that informants and witnesses shall not be subjected to civil or criminal proceedings for disclosing human rights violation and if remorseful may be granted amnesty.
The applicant added that she sent a sent a letter on May 31, 2018 to the Ministry of Justice and Vice President of The Gambia regarding initiatives taken by The Gambian Center for Victims of Human Rights Violations in relation to the enforced disappearances and recommendations for next steps. She said that the letter led to the exhumation and identification of the mortal remains of four presumed victims – Solo Sandeng, Lamin Sanneh, Jaja Nyass and Njaga Jagne by Justice Rapid Response assisting the government after which a letter was sent to the widow of late Mr Ndow, Mrs Ernestina Ndow, assuring her that further exhumation will be carried out under the direction of TRRC which would have a full investigative unit.
However, she said that since July 2018, no investigation had been conducted or initiated though there had been confession by people suspected to be connected with the disappearance and alleged murder while the remains of the late Saul Ndow was later located. Despite that, the applicant said the Gambian government failed to act thereby contradicting the provisions of Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 8 of the Universal Declaration of Human and Peoples’ Rights (UDHR) that guarantees right to effective remedy.
She therefore urged the Court to hold the government liable for violations of the right to life as guaranteed in Article 3 of UDHR and Article 4 of the African Charter, as well as the right to be tried within reasonable time in line with Article 7 of the ACHPR.
She also asked the Court to order the government to carry out a proper and timely investigation leading to the prosecution of those indicted and the reimbursement of the 10,000 USD she spent on forensic inquiry and identification of her father’s grave and another 100,000 USD as compensation for the violations.
For their part, the Gambian government told the Court that the State had investigated, identified the culprit and issued a white paper which should form the basis for the prosecution of those responsible for the abduction and murder.
Mr Kimberg Tebene Tah, lawyer representing the State, also acknowledged that victims were entitled to reparation and that funds had been allocated for them, adding that it would amount to granting double reliefs or compensation should the Court award reparation to the applicant. The Respondent State asked for more time to allow the government to implement the recommendations of the TRRC which he claimed was similar to the reliefs sought by Ms Nana-Jo.
However, Nana-Jo’s lawyers told the Court that the investigations carried out by the TRRC was not effective since it did not lead to the prosecution of anyone. More so, TRRC was not a court and could not handle a criminal case of this nature, adding that 10 years after, there had been no prosecution, nor compensation, while the government had not provided any evidence to demonstrate its readiness to pay reparation to the victims. They urged the Court to grant their reliefs.
In its analysis, the Court held it was competent to hear the matter, despite the claims of the Republic of The Gambia and that the matter was admissible after noting that Ms Nana-Jo had established sufficient relationship as an indirect victim.
On the merit, the Court observed that the State violated the rights to life of Saul Ndow but that by setting up TRRC, the State performed its obligation to provide effective remedy.
While commending the State for the work done so far at TRRC, the Court noted that four years of not prosecuting nor awarding reparation while the case was pending and ten years after the incident, could not be considered as working within reasonable time.
Consequently, it awarded 10,000 USD as monies recoverable and 100,000 USD as damages. It also ordered the Gambian government to ensure all its human rights obligations were fulfilled through the TRRC without delay, and to submit to the Court within six (6) months measures taken to implement this judgment.
Also on the panel were Justices Gberi-Be Ouattara and Ricardo Claúdio Monteiro Gonçalves.
credit to: thepoint news paper
Tinubu Leaves for Guinea Bissau Saturday
* To attend ECOWAS summit Sunday
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja for Guinea-Bissau on Saturday, July 8, to attend the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in Bissau, capital of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.
According to a release issued Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Mr Dele Alake, the summit, which holds on Sunday, July 9, is expected to address memoranda on pressing sub-regional issues including Report of the 50th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council (MSC) covering security challenges faced by the member countries; Report of the 90th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Council of Ministers on the financial situation of the body and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as well as Report on the status of Transition in the Republics of Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea.
Other issues slated for discussion include: Memoranda on the ECOWAS Single Currency Programme and the Report on Obstacles to Free Movement of Goods on the Abidjan-Lagos corridor.
President Tinubu will be accompanied by some members of the Presidential Policy Advisory Council and other top government officials.
He is due back in the country at the end of the meeting.
Credit to: thisdaylive
Alleged forgery: Mmesoma’s case should serve as warning to UTME cheats — ex-NUC boss, Okebukola
FORMER Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission, NUC, Emeritus Prof. Peter Okebukola, said yesterday that the case of Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma should be a warning to potential Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, cheats.
According to him, Mmesoma’s episode has shown that JAMB has moved several steps ahead of examination cheats.
Describing the incident as unfortunate, he said many people were unaware of the thoroughness of the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, in promoting the integrity of JAMB-conducted examinations.
Mmesoma had claimed to have scored 362 in the 2023 UTME, and was celebrated as the highest scorer of the examination.
The accusation by JAMB that the result was fake and manipulated by the candidate from her original score of 249 triggered reactions from the public.
However, after being presented with incontrovertible evidence, the 19-year-old candidate from Anambra sState, admitted that her score, according to a text message she received from the Board, was 249.
While reacting to the development in a statement in Abuja yesterday, Okebukola, who is the immediate past chairman, Governing Board of the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, said this was a confirmation that “Prof. Oloyede and his able team at JAMB ” were jumps ahead of unscrupulous persons.’
He called on all educational institutions and examination bodies to adopt the Oloyede model and techniques of stamping out examination malpractice in schools and public examinations in the country.
The statement read: “The findings from my usually-reliable sources confirm that there is some hanky-panky with the results which Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma claim to have obtained in the 2023 UTME.
“I think many people are unaware of the thoroughness of Professor Is-haq Oloyede in promoting the integrity of JAMB-conducted examinations.
“He loves all candidates and will stop at nothing to ensure that unadulterated results are published and duly qualified candidates are admitted to our tertiary institutions based on existing vacancies.
“On the other hand, he will also stop at nothing to penalise any centre or candidate whose integrity will tarnish the image of JAMB.
“Urge all our educational institutions and examination bodies to adopt/adapt the Oloyede model and techniques of stamping out examination malpractice in our school and public examinations.
“You cannot get away with bad practice with Professor Oloyede who is globally-acclaimed as a leading light in higher education in Africa. The indisputable facts that I have, point to my advising the candidate to subject herself to the decision of JAMB.
Mason Mount explains why he left Chelsea in £60m Man Utd transfer & talks up his role in Red Devils’ plans
Mason Mount says it “became clear that I wasn’t in Chelsea’s plans” as he explains why a £60m ($76m) transfer to Manchester United has been made.
- Spent 18 years with the Blues
- Looking for a new challenge
- Confident he can impress
WHAT HAPPENED? The England international, who came through the academy system at Stamford Bridge, is taking on a new challenge after 18 years tied to the Blues – during which he made 195 appearances. Mount did figure in 35 games last season, but only scored three goals and was not a guaranteed starter. He had also entered the final year of his contract in west London, with the decision taken to head for Old Trafford and rediscover a professional spark.
WHAT THEY SAID: Mount has told MUTV of leaving his comfort zone: “Several months ago, it became clear that I wasn’t in Chelsea’s plans moving forward. Once I knew that United were involved, my decision was made up. A massive club, huge iconic players have played here, and I wanted to be a part of that from the beginning. Getting in early and ready for pre-season to start was a main objective of mine as well.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Mount has been handed the iconic No.7 shirt at United and believes he can make an important contribution in the Red Devils’ engine room. He added on his role in Erik ten Hag’s plans: “I’ve always seen myself as a midfielder or a number eight that can obviously get forward, attack, try and score goals, create goals, but also be able to do the other side as well and defend and help the team when we’re under pressure. That’s obviously a massive focus of mine, being able to come here and help the boys in that situation and I know what I can bring to this team and now it’s about going and doing it on the pitch.”
Credit to: goal.com
Alleged Result Manipulation Saga: Oloyede is several jumps ahead of UTME cheats- Okebukola
A former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola has averred that the Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma episode should be a warning to potential Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination cheats, that the Board is several jumps ahead of them.
Prof Okebukola who described the incident as unfortunate said many people are unaware of the thoroughness of the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede in promoting the integrity of JAMB-conducted examinations.
Mmesoma had claimed to have scored 362 in the 2023 UTME and was celebrated as the highest scorer of the examination. The accusation by JAMB that the result was fake and manipulated by the candidate from her original score of 249 triggered reactions from the public.
However, after being presented with incontrovertible evidence, the 19-year-old candidate from Anambra state, admitted that her score according to a text message she received from the Board was 249.
While reacting to the development on Thursday in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, Okebukola who is the immediate Chairman Governing Board of the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN said this was a confirmation that “Prof. Oloyede and his able team at JAMB “are jumps ahead of such unscrupulous persons”.
He has accordingly called on all educational institutions and examination bodies to adopt the Oloyede model and techniques of stamping out examination malpractice in the school and public examinations in the country.
The statement read in part: “The findings from my usually-reliable sources confirm that there is some hanky-panky with the results which Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma claim to have obtained in the 2023 UTME.
“I think many people are unaware of the thoroughness of Professor Is-haq Oloyede in promoting the integrity of JAMB-conducted examinations.
“He loves all candidates and will stop at nothing to ensure that unadulterated results are published and duly qualified candidates are admitted to our tertiary institutions based on existing vacancies.
“On the other hand, he will also stop at nothing to penalise any centre or candidate whose integrity will tarnish the image of JAMB.
“urge all our educational institutions and examination bodies to adopt/adapt the Oloyede model and techniques of stamping out examination malpractice in our school and public examinations.
“You cannot get away with bad practice with Professor Oloyede who is globally-acclaimed as a leading light in higher education in Africa. The indisputable facts that I have, point to my advising the candidate to subject herself to the decision of JAMB.
“Rather than flex muscles and raise unnecessary sentiments on the matter, a penitent posture which is widely broadcast with the same volume as the on-going aggressive posture has the high chance of mellowing whatever sanctions JAMB is planning to apply.
“About two weeks ago, June 24 precisely, at the 2023 policy meeting of JAMB which I had the honour of attending, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, provided case studies of the extent to which candidates and some examination centres could go in the attempt to cheat their way to high scores.
“Our jaws dropped at the meeting when we were informed that the examples are just the tip of the iceberg. This episode is a warning to potential UTME cheats, that Professor Oloyede and his able team at JAMB are jumps ahead of such unscrupulous persons.
“I urge all our educational institutions and examination bodies to adopt/adapt the Oloyede model and techniques of stamping out examination malpractice in our school and public examinations”.
Credit to: Theguardiannews
BCC mayor urges women to harness political opportunities
The mayor of Banjul City Council (BCC), Rohey Malick Lowe, on Wednesday 5 July 2023 pointed out that there is no reason why women should not seize the opportunity and the advantages that exist, while forging ahead with their political agenda and not to pay attention to intimidation and hate speeches.
The Banjul mayor made this statement at the advocacy training workshop on Gender for women councilors organised by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy.
Mayor Lowe besides noted that she thinks women need to be supported and encouraged to join politics. According to her, it is a widely held view that when women are in decision-making and political leadership positions, society stands to gain.
She also said that limited capacity on the part of the women hinders them from standing up for their rights.
“There is the lack of political will to ensure gender equality is respected at all levels of governance and in all sectors of the society. The Civil Society Organisations pay little focus on gender issues which to me, needs a lot more of attention as it is a global issue,” she stressed.
Lowe acknowledged that joining politics requires financial resources and women generally are unable to afford the huge financial demands – saying that mainly accounts for women’s non-engagement in politics.
Rohey also stated that the government of The Gambia has elaborated a National Gender Policy with the aim of achieving gender equity and women empowerment as an integral part of the national development process through enhancing participation of women and men, girls and boys for sustainable and equitable development and poverty reduction, which she believes is a laudable initiative.
However, she added that it would be interesting to know how far this policy has been implemented.
“One of the recommendations that can resolve this issue across board is to adopt a quota system. Senegal, our close neighbour is enjoying 47% of women’s representation at the local level. This is because they have adopted the list system whereby any list that any political party submits must have a 50 – 50 representation of both men and women. This has solved the gender leadership representation at local level. “This or a similar architecture may be a solution to getting more women in politics especially at the local government level,” she suggested.
Credit to: Thepoint.gm
AFRICAN PROVERB
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – Kenyan Proverb (Kenya)
D5 Creation