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  • FULL LIST: Seven youngest African leaders you should know

    FULL LIST: Seven youngest African leaders you should know

    President Bassirou Diomaye Faye was on Tuesday inaugurated as President of Senegal. He is the youngest to take the presidential seat in the West African nation.

    Here is a list of youngest leaders in Africa. 

    1.     Ibrahim Traoré, Burkina Faso ( 36)

    Ibrahim Traoré is the current youngest serving President in Africa after he displaced the former military leader, Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba through a coup d’etat when he was 34. Ibrahim Traoré has been in charge of the Affairs of Burkina Faso since September 30th, 2022.

    2.     Mahamat Deby, Chad ( 39)

    Four-star military general, Mahamat Idriss “Kaka” Déby Itno is serving as the transitional president of Chad. He gained power following the death of his father, late Chadian President Idriss Déby who died in action while commanding troops in the Northern Chad offensive.  Born April 4, 1984, he assumed power on 20 April 2021. He is the second youngest serving African leader.

    3. Assimi Goïta, Mali (41)

    Following the military take over in Mali against former president Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta in 2020, Assimi Goïta became president and the third youngest military leader in Africa. The 41-yeat-old has been in charge of Mali on interim basis since May 28th, 2021.

    4.     Mamady Doumbouya, Guinea ( 44)

    Mamady Doumbouya led a coup d’état on 5 September 2021 that ousted the former president, Alpha Condé.

    Read Also: Masai urges Nigerian, African leaders  to invest in sports development

    Doumbouya is now the military officer serving as the interim president of Guinea since 1 October 2021. Born on March 4, 1980, makes him the fourth youngest leader on the African continent at age 44.

    5.     Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Senegal (Age 44)

    Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye is the youngest democratically elected president in Africa, and the fifth youngest African leader sworn in in on April 2, 2024. He is a lawyer, tax inspector, and politician who ran for the office of the president in place of disqualified candidate Ousmane Sonko. He was born on March 25, 1980.

    6.     Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia (Age 47)

    Abiy Ahmed was born on 15 August 1976 is the sixth youngest African leader. He is a politician serving as the third Prime Minister of Ethiopia since 2018. Ahmed is a computer engineer and military officer. He was awarded the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize “for his efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation, and in particular for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea”..

    7.     Andry Rajoelina, Madagascar ( 49)

    Andry Nirina Rajoelina was born on 30 May 1974 and is the seventh youngest African leader. The Malagasy-French politician and businessman who has served as president of Madagascar since 2019 was president of a provisional government from 2009 to 2014 following a political crisis and military-backed coup. He once held the office of Mayor of Antananarivo for one year. Before venturing into politics, Rajoelina was a media and advertising entrepreneur.

  • Five top reasons to plant trees

    Five top reasons to plant trees

    Trees are super important for keeping our environment healthy and balanced. 

    They’re not just nice to look at, they do a lot of important stuff! Trees give us oxygen to breathe, soak up carbon dioxide, help keep the temperature right, stop soil from washing away, give homes to animals, and even make us feel happier and bring our communities closer together. So, trees are like the superheroes of our environment!

    Here are five importance of trees to our environment:

    1. Trees prevent erosion

    Picture trees as the superheroes of the soil! Their roots grip the ground like a tight hug, stopping it from getting washed away when it rains.

    It’s like they’re wearing soil-saving capes! So, when we plant trees, we’re basically putting up an army of soil defenders to keep our neighborhoods safe and solid.

    2. Trees beautify the neighborhood

    Trees are like nature’s decorators, adding pops of color, interesting shapes, and a whole lot of liveliness to our streets.

    A neighborhood with trees is like a party where everyone’s invited because it’s just so charming! And let’s be real, who doesn’t love checking out blooming flowers or chilling in the shade of some cool, green leaves? It’s like getting front-row seats to Mother Nature’s fashion show!

    Read Also: Osun to commence planting of 100,000 trees in April

    3. Trees provide a breath of fresh air

    Imagine trees as nature’s air fresheners, taking in the harmful stuff like carbon dioxide and giving out nice, clean oxygen.

    When we have more trees, the air gets better, especially in places with lots of pollution. So, go give a tree a hug and take a deep breath!

    4. Trees provide shade and coolness in the environment

    Have you ever noticed how much cooler it feels under a tree? That’s because trees are like nature’s umbrellas, giving us shade when it’s super hot outside. They’re so good at it that they can even make cities cooler by up to 8 degrees Celsius! So, by planting a tree, you’re basically creating your own chill-out zone.

    5. Trees promote healing

    Studies have shown that looking at trees out the window can speed up the healing process for patients. It’s like they’re getting a dose of nature’s magic potion!, children with ADHD show fewer symptoms when they can hang out in nature.

    Trees and nature are like superheroes for focus, swooping in to save the day when our brains are feeling tired. It’s like they’re giving our minds a refreshing nature bath!

  • Six tips to save data while on low budget internet plan

    Six tips to save data while on low budget internet plan

    Detailed analysis of mobile data usage suggests that connectivity rates remain comparatively pricey in Nigeria. According to research data has thus become a very critical commodity that must be efficiently maximized, especially in view of the tiered data plans currently used by service providers.

    So how do we save our data and get the most value out of the service we are paying for?

    Here are a few tips that will help in saving data and getting the most value for the service that is being rendered.

    Monitor your data usage: Knowing the amount of data you currently use can go a long way in actually helping you save data. Every app on your mobile phone consumes data, but the data consumption varies from app to app. Applications like emails and WhatsApp do not consume as much data, provided that you are only sending data packets without the options of voice and video.

    Restrict background data: Some applications use up a lot of data even when the phone is not in use.  This is a brilliant feature of the smartphone: allowing background data to keep the applications on your phone updated. However, not every app needs to stay active at all times. You can stop the constant update by going to your settings option to select the app you want restricted or simply disable background app refresh in your settings. This helps reduce data consumption and also preserves the battery life of your device.

    Read Also: AI disruption to shape data centre business

    Set your limit:  Setting a limit on the amount of data you currently use will go a long way in helping you save data. Once your data limit is reached, your phone automatically turns off your mobile data access, which helps you in saving data.

    Compress your data: Another way to save your data is to compress the data you receive from videos, photos, and text. One way of doing this is to make use of browsers that actually help to compress the data. Browsers like Opera Mini and Google Chrome can help with data compression.

    Exercise caution with online video streaming: This is a known fact. But as much as we hate to admit it, the fun things consume most of your mobile data. Excessive streaming of videos, music, high quality images or GIF files, are things you need to avoid if you really want to maximize your internet usage. While we know these things are not entirely avoidable, there are some other ways to stay entertained responsibly. If you can’t avoid the entertainment your smartphone brings, you can set the quality at lower rates or decrease resolution in the settings menu of your smartphone.

    Wi-Fi: With Wi-Fi comes options and with options come possibilities. Wi-Fi is often regarded as a blessing by most smartphone users. While access to unlimited Wi-Fi connection is still rather limited in Nigeria, there are certain locations you can count on for free Wi-Fi. One of the most sensible ways of maximizing your mobile data usage is by setting up your smartphone for automatic updates only when on Wi-Fi connection. This way, you get to save some significant volume of the data drain that comes with auto-updates. Furthermore, downloads of heavy contents such as videos, high-resolution images, and music files should also be done when on a secure Wi-Fi connection.

  • Five Nigerian meals for Easter vacation

    Five Nigerian meals for Easter vacation

    It is Easter and like every other holiday, you would probably have family around or would be hosting some friends, right?

    You might be wondering how best to enjoy the whole celebration, what to eat and drink, and what to entertain your family, friends and guests with.

    Here are meals which will leave you and your loved ones eating and licking fingers and also craving for more.

    1. Chicken vegetable gravy/sauce

    This meal is actually a healthy one. Whether you call it gravy or sauce, you are more than safe with this recipe. It is very easy to make so you can’t go wrong with it.  

    This delicious meal is basically a combination of veggies and chicken.

    Make sure to eat it with white rice at least, it bangs!

    2. Coconut rice

    This meal would definitely make you have a taste you weren’t actually expecting. The yumminess of the rice mixed with coconut milk is something that would keep you longing for more. 

    Read Also; TCN restores grid after collapse

    3. Pounded yam and Egusi soup

    Just the thought of this food would have you salivating. Pounded yam which is one e most popular ‘swallows’ in the country paired with Egusi soup is always a good idea. 

    You don’t even need to do alot of hardwork like pounding the yam; If you have a mixer you can actually ‘pound’ your yam with it but if not your mortar and pestle would suffice. 

     4. Nigerian Jollof rice

    We all know that there is no party without Nigerian jollof rice. This meal is a favourite meal recipe you are sure  to find in practically every home in Nigeria during any celebration. Jollof rice which is not peculiar to Nigerians alone is mostly served during special occasions and social events, one of such is Easter. It belongs to no particular tribe in the country, and it’s accepted by all. 

    As you know, Jollof can be served with chicken as well as enjoyed with vegetables, salads, fried or roasted fish amongst other proteins. 

    5. Nigerian pancakes 

    For breakfast on Easter day, the Nigerian pancake is one meal that would certainly leave you full.

    With just flour, sugar, milk, eggs, this meal is ready.

  • Five celebrities with loyal childhood partners

    Five celebrities with loyal childhood partners

    Stardom brings a lot into a man’s life, one of which is unfaithful partners. However some celebrities have defiled this “common law” and are still with their childhood partners before stardom.

    1. Lionel Messi and Antonella

    The professional soccer star and Antonella met as children. However Messi eventually moved away from Argentina to train in his sport but they reconnected and eventually fell in love. The couple welcomed two sons before tying the knot in 2017. The following year, Roccuzzo gave birth to their third son.

    2. LeBron James and Savannah Brinson

    LeBron and Savannah James have been together for almost two decades. LeBron and Savannah James met in High School and had their first date at Outback Steakhouse. They tied the knot in 2013 with a star-studded guest list and a performance by Beyoncé and Jay-Z.

    Read Also: FULL LIST: four celebrities who married in 2024

    3. Adekunle Gold and Simi

    The duo is one of the most popular couples in Nigeria known for their positive energy and vibes. They’ve been together for over a decade now. Adekunle married Simi in January 2019. They had been dating for five years.

    4. Kobe Bryant and Vanessa Bryant

    Kobe Bryant and Vanessa Bryant were married for 19 years before the NBA star tragically died in an helicopter crash.

    The late NBA legend met his wife when she was just 17 years old. At the time, Kobe was a starting player on the Los Angeles Lakers — while Vanessa was a high school senior from southern California.

    5. Moises Caicedo and Paola Salazar

    Moises Caicedo is dating Paola Salazar. The two lovebirds are said to have been together for five years now, having met as teens.

  • FULL LIST: 11 female CEOs of top banks in Nigeria

    FULL LIST: 11 female CEOs of top banks in Nigeria

    Over the past two decades, the Nigerian banking sector has undergone a remarkable transformation, catapulting many industry players onto the global stage.

    Today, eleven of the nation’s top banks are led by visionary women, embodying strong leadership and driving exceptional financial performances.

    Zenith Bank Plc on Tuesday, March 19 appointed Dame Adaora Umeoji as the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO) from June 2024.

    Umeoji will take over from the current GMD, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, whose time in office expires on May 31.

    Also, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso on Thursday, January 11, appointed new executives to oversee the affairs of Union, Keystone, and Polaris Banks.

    The Nation lists 11 female Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of leading banks in Nigeria.

    Here are eleven female CEOs of top banks in Nigeria

    1. Miriam Olusanya (GT Bank):

    Miriam Olusanya is the Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank, the first woman to ever hold the position. She assumed this position in July 2021. She is a graduate of Pharmacy from the University of Ibadan and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Liverpool.

    2. Yemisi Edun (FCMB):

    Yemisi Edun is the managing director/chief executive officer of First City Monument Bank, the first woman to ever hold the position. She assumed this position in July 2021 after the suspension of Adam Nuhu.

    3. Halima Buba (SunTrust Bank):

    Halima Buba is a Nigerian businesswoman and banker from Adamawa state. She currently serves as the Managing Director and CEO of SunTrust Bank plc.

    4. Ireti Samuel-Ogbu (Citibank):

    Ireti Samuel-Ogbu is the MD/CEO for Citibank Nigeria Limited since September 2020. She is the first female CEO of the bank.

    5. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe (Fidelity Bank):

    Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe is a Nigerian business executive and banker. She is the first female managing director and chief executive officer of Fidelity Bank Nigeria.

    6. Tomi Somefun (Unity Bank):

    Oluwatomi Somefun is a Nigerian businesswoman and banker. She currently serves as the Managing Director and CEO of Unity Bank plc. 

    7. Kafilat Araoye (Lotus Bank):

    Kafilat Araoye is currently a Managing Director and CEO at LOTUS Bank, bringing experience from previous roles at XYZ outsourcing and Management Consulting Limited and GTBank. Kafilat Araoye holds a 1986 – 1987 Master’s Degree in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management at the University of Lagos.

    8. Bukola Smith (FSDH Merchant Bank):

    She is Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FSDH Merchant Bank in April 2021. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), a Honorary Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers and an Associate Member, the Certified Institute of Pensions (Nigeria). She emerged as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer in April 2021.

    9. Yetunde Oni (Union Bank):

    Yetunde Oni is the new MD/CEO of Union Bank. She replaces Mudassir Amray, the former CEO of the bank.

    Oni is an experienced banker in emerging markets with over 29 years of expertise in client solutions, relationship management, team leadership, and talent development. Until her appointment with Union Bank,

    She was the first female Managing Director and CEO at Standard Chartered Bank in Sierra Leone.

    10. Ms Bolaji Agbede (Access Bank):

    Access Holdings Plc on Monday, February 12, announced the appointment of Bolaji Agbede as the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the holding company.

    Her appointment follows the death of its late Group Chief Executive Officer, Herbert Wigwe, who died in a helicopter crash in the United States on Friday. 

    She served in different roles at the bank including, Head, Group Human Resources between 2010 and 2022 before she was appointed the company’s founding Executive Director, Business Support in 2022, a role she held until her new appointment.

    11. Adaora Umeoji (Zenith Bank)

    Dr Adaora Umeoji is the new Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO) of Zenith Bank from June 2024.

    She becomes the first female to lead the bank.

    Before this appointment, Umeoji had been the Deputy Managing Director of the bank since October 28, 2016, and has close to 30 years of banking experience of which 26 years have been with Zenith Bank.

    She holds multiple degrees, including a doctorate in Business Administration, and has completed prestigious programmes at Harvard Business School, Columbia Business School, and MIT Management Sloan School.

  • Meet eight PDP aspirants jostling for Ondo Gov ticket

    Meet eight PDP aspirants jostling for Ondo Gov ticket

    A handful of aspirants in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have been criss-crossing the length and breadth of Ondo State, consulting leaders and party faithful, seeking their support for the topmost job in the State.

    According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), party primaries in the Ondo State governorship election will start on 6 April and end on 27 April.

    The commission also confirmed that 16 of 19 registered political parties have indicated interest in contesting the governorship election in the state.

    Although political parties are expected to field a candidate each, the polls, like previous ones, will turn out as two-horse races or at best three-horse races.

    The national secretariats of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have set in motion the processes guiding their respective primaries.

    Read Also: I remain in PDP but will continue to support Tinubu’s administration, Eno tells defectors

    The PDP has fixed April 15 for a congress where its governorship candidate will emerge.

    Nomination and expression of interest forms have already been advertised, and intra-party campaigns have become intense.

    One of the talking points among the gladiators is the mode of primaries the various political parties intend to adopt to pick their respective party candidates.

    Political watchers and key players believe the outcome of the primaries will go a long way in determining the dimension.

    The aspirants in no particular order are as follow:

    1. Otunba Bamidele Akingboye – Businessman and philanthropist

    2. Hon. Agboola Ajayi – Former Ondo State Deputy Governor

    3. Hon. Sheba Abayomi – Former acting national chairman of the Federal Character Commission

    4. Chief Sola Ebiseni – Former commissioner and chieftain of Afenifere

    5. John Ola Mafo

    6. Adeolu Akinwumi

    7. Bosun Arebuwa

    8. Kolade Akinjo

  • Five major things that will invalidate fasting during Ramadan

    Five major things that will invalidate fasting during Ramadan

    During the Ramadan season, Muslim believers fast as a way of showing devotion to Allah. However, sometimes they may unknowingly perform certain actions that could invalidate their fasting.

    There are five actions capable of nullifying one’s fast. Below are several factors that could invalidate your fast:

    1. Listening to music: This is more of a contentious issue in the Islamic world. Many scholars believe that listening to music in general is forbidden due to the nature of the content in contemporary music.

    Others believe that listening to music during Ramadan is not only haram but distracts you from focusing on studying, reading, or listening to content related to Islam. To be safe, and ensure their fast is accepted, most people abstain from listening to music throughout the holy month.

    2. Deliberately vomiting: According to a hadith, which is a collection of sayings and actions by Prophet Muhammad, which Muslims use as guidance. Deliberately vomiting will break your fast.

    Read Also: Arase to IGP: probe competence of state CPs over killing of officers in Delta, Imo

    3. Any nutritious injection: Most things that break a fast involve a person tasting and swallowing calories that enter the stomach. Receiving an injection to nourish your body is seen in the same way thus breaking your fast.

    Medical injections however are allowed which was seen recently during the COVID pandemic.

    4. Masturbation: Much like sexual intercourse, if a person ejaculates while fasting, he/she has broken his/her fast.

    5. Blood transfusion: Receiving blood while fasting will result in breaking your fast. This is because blood is seen as a form of nutrition.

    However, you can draw blood during Ramadan as the amount drawn is minuscule and will not be swallowed.

  • FULL LIST: 18 APC aspirants jostling for Ondo Gov ticket

    FULL LIST: 18 APC aspirants jostling for Ondo Gov ticket

    Political gladiators are squaring up to participate in the governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State.

    The Ondo guber race is drawing attention due to the large number of aspirants.

    The governorship election comes up on November 16.

    According to the APC, the sale of nominations, expression of interest and delegate forms for contestants will begin on April 3 and end on April 10, 2024, while the primary election is slated for April 25, 2024.

    One of the talking points among the gladiators is the mode of primaries the various political parties intend to adopt to pick their respective party candidates.

    Political watchers and key players believe the outcome of the primaries will go a long way in determining the dimension

    Like its governorship primary in Edo State which produced Monday Okpebholo as the flag bearer, the APC pegged the price for the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms at N10m and N40m respectively for Ondo.

    It is not new that incumbent governors and political parties often tilt towards their incumbents. However, for Aiyedatiwa, the governor is faced with hurdles.

    Aiyedatiwa assumed the governorship of the state in December 2023 following the passing of the former governor – Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), who had died after a prolonged illness in Germany.

    Political watchers believe that the ruling APC has an edge over the opposition and as a result stands a better chance of winning the poll.

    According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), party primaries in the Ondo State governorship election will start in the next two weeks on 6 April and end on 27 April.

    Read Also: I remain in PDP but will continue to support Tinubu’s administration, Eno tells defectors

    The commission also confirmed that 16 of 19 registered political parties have indicated interest in contesting the 16 November governorship election in the state.

    The political parties are expected to field a candidate each but the polls, like previous ones, will turn out as two-horse races or at best three-horse races.

    The aspirants in no particular order are as follows:

    1. Mayowa Akinfolarin – Former member of the House of Representatives

    2. Oladunni Odu – Former Secretary to the State Government (SSG)

    3. Lucky Aiyedatiwa – Incumbent Ondo governor

    4. Gbenga Edema – Former Chairman of the Ondo State Oil-producing Areas Development Commission and former member who represented the State on the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)

    5. Brig. Gen. Olamide Ohunyeye (retd) – Retired Director of Finance at the Nigerian Defence Academy

    6. Jimoh Ibrahim – Business mogul and incumbent Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District

    7. Wale Akinterinwa – Former Ondo Commissioner for Finance

    8. Isaac Kekemeke – APC National Vice Chairman (South-West)

    9. Prof. Francis Faduyile – Former Special Adviser to the late Governor Akeredolu on Health

    10. Chief Olusola Oke – Two-time governorship candidate in the state (2012 and 2016)

    11. Dr Paul Akintelure

    12. Sola Ebisemi – Former Commissioner for the Environment in the state

    13. Ifeoluwa Oyedele – Executive Director (Engineering and Technical Services) at Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited

    14. Adedayo Faduyile – Former President of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA)

    15. Olusola Iji

    16. Jimi Odimayo

    17. Matthew Oyerinmade

    18. Funmilayo Adekojo

  • Five notable inventions by women

    Five notable inventions by women

    In history, women have made contributions to the world of invention. Despite historical challenges and systemic inequalities, women have consistently demonstrated their creativity, ingenuity, and resourcefulness by inventing  products and solutions that have shaped and helped our daily lives as well as advance human progress.

    From household chores to having breakthroughs in science, technology, medicine, etc, we will be talking about female inventors across different periods and cultures.

    Below are five notable inventions by women:

    1. Kevlar

    An American chemist, Stephanie Kwolek, in 1965 invented Kevlar, a strong, lightweight synthetic fiber used in a variety of applications, including bulletproof vests, tires, and sports equipment.

    2. Dishwasher

     Dishwasher, an important equipment invented by Josephine Cochrane, an American inventor, patented the first practical dishwasher in 1886 revolutionizing kitchen hygiene and efficiency.

    3. Windshield wipers

    In 1903, Mary Anderson, an American inventor, patented the first operational windshield wiper.

    Read Also: NAFDAC bursts syndicate producing fake Eva water in Rivers

    Her invention greatly improved visibility for drivers during rainy or snowy weather conditions.

    4. Correction Fluid

    In 1951, an American typist and inventor, Bette Nesmith Graham, invented correction fluid also known as Liquid Paper.

    This invention helped with the correction process for typewritten, and handwritten documents especially when a mistake is made.

    5. Medical syringe

    An American inventor, Letitia Mumford Geer, patented an improved medical syringe in 1899.

    This design featured a single-hand operation, making it easier for medical professionals to administer injections.

    These innovations have not only improved daily life but have also paved the way for more advancements in technology which have had a significant impact in the long run.