The Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has vowed “to severely sanction members and their sponsors who take the party to court.”

The renewal of the threat followed a legal action by some aggrieved members in the Delta chapter and the subsequent order putting on hold the Saturday Local Government party congress exercise in the State as well as an order directing Gov. Mai Mala Buni-led National Caretaker Committee to stop parading them as leaders of the party.

Buni, while inaugurating the Local Government Congress Committees slated for Saturday, September 4, vowed that the Caretaker Committee was determined to carry out the directive of the December 5 National Executive Committee (NEC) which forbids members from taking the party to court.

Represented by CECPC Secretary, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, the party declared that the Saturday Local Government Congress and the July 31 nationwide Ward Congresses are “legally protected.”

The Chairman urged committee members to go to their various States of primary assignment with confidence, dignity, commitment, and pride.

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“We also use this opportunity to reiterate the resolution of NEC of our party to severely sanction members and their sponsors who take the party to court. His Excellency (Hon) Mai Mala Buni is determined to carry out to the letter the instructions of our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, which is to rebuild the party, button-up. The process has reached an advanced ground stage.

“Rest assured that your assignment, as well as the earlier Ward Congresses nationwide, is legally protected. We are on solid ground.

“Consequently, the CECPC ratifies and adopts the results of the party’s earlier nationwide Ward Congresses held on Saturday, July 31st, 2021, however, any State Caretaker Committee who swears in any person or group of persons who are not elected through a congress conducted by the designated National Congress Committee of the Party is null, void and of no effect. However, where there are still complaints, the CECPC would be fair to all.

“Accordingly, the CECPC hereby directs you all to go and conduct nationwide Local Government (LGA) Congresses on Saturday, September 4, 2021, as contained in the official timetable/schedule of activities released by the party.”

Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu, who spoke on behalf of the LG Congress Committees, promised to conduct the exercise in line with the Constitution of the party and the vision of the founding fathers.

Nigerians have been honing their culinary skills over the past month- with trending searches revealing that they’re asking“How to cook egusi soup?”, “How to cook Ogbono soup?”, “How to make bread?”

Other interesting questions that Nigerians asked are, “How to vote on BBNaija 2021?” and “What is happening in Afghanistan?” The BBNaija Shine Your Eye season 6 premiered in July and in August, Nigerian fans of the reality show needed to get accustomed with the new voting process to save their favourite housemates. Nigerians were also interested in ongoing events in Afghanistan after the news of the withdrawal of the United States military forces from the country and the rapid take over by the Taliban.

Wizkid’s essence remix featuring Justin Bieber; prolific striker, Romelu Lukaku’s return to Chelsea football club and EPL results for updates on premier league scores, results and fixtures were among the other top trending terms searched by Nigerians in the past month.

Below is the list of the top trending questions and terms that captured the interest of Nigerians in the month of August.

Search trends information is gleaned from data collated by Google based on what Nigerians have been searching for and asking Google. Google processes more than 40, 000 search queries every second. This translates to more than a billion searches per day and 1.2 trillion searches per year worldwide. Live Google search trends data is available at https://trends.google.com/trends/trendingsearches/daily?geo=NG

The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, has been appointed Assistant Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO).

He will head the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence in Berlin as well as lead the work on strengthening pandemic and epidemic intelligence globally.

According to a statement by the WHO Director General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, the University of Nigeria alumnus will resume his position by November 1, 2021.

He said: “I am pleased to welcome Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu as an Assistant Director-General for Health Emergency Intelligence from 1 November 2021.

“He will lead the work on strengthening pandemic and epidemic intelligence globally, including heading the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence in Berlin.

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“Dr Ihekweazu is currently the Director-General of Nigeria Center for Disease Control. He was trained as an infectious disease epidemiologist, has over 20 years of experience working in senior public health and leadership positions in several National Public Health Institutes, including the South African National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), the United Kingdom’s Health Protection Agency, and Germany’s Robert Koch Institute (RKI). He has led several short-term engagements for WHO, mainly in response to major infectious disease outbreaks around the world.

“Dr Ihekweazu, a Nigerian national, who was born in Germany, is a graduate of the College of Medicine, University of Nigeria and has a Masters in Public Health (MPH) from the Heinrich-Heine University, Dusseldorf, Germany.

“In 2003, he was awarded a Fellowship for the European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET) and subsequently completed his Public Health specialization in the United Kingdom. He is widely published in medical peer-review journals.

“I am confident that Dr Ihekweazu’s appointment will help further accelerate WHO’s work in health emergencies. Please join me in welcoming him to WHO.”

SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen that leads to COVID-19, was not developed as a biological weapon, the U.S. intelligence community said after a 90-day investigation into the disease’s origins.

Since the first case of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, near the end of 2019, the world has demanded answers for its possible origins.

Among those theorised in public is the infamous “lab leak theory,” which claims that SARS-CoV-2 was created in a laboratory in Wuhan.

Former President Donald Trump was among the earliest public figures to wonder if the coronavirus emerged from a Chinese laboratory. In April 2020, he promised “a very thorough examination” of the possibility, and later in September, he urged the United Nations (UN) to hold China accountable for having “unleashed this plague onto the world.”

At the time, the idea was largely rejected by scientists and was dismissed as a conspiracy theory. It was also considered political rhetoric because of Trump’s repeated use of phrases such as “Chinese virus,” “Wuhan virus,” “kung flu” and others in reference to COVID-19, which some have blamed for the rise in reports of anti-Asian incidents.

Read Also: Case surge: EU removes U.S. from safe-travel list

It was not until May, after President Joe Biden ordered a closer review of COVID-19’s origins, when the lab leak theory gained prominence as a legitimate possibility. He said the intelligence community has called it one of “two likely scenarios,” the other being human contact from an infected animal, also known as natural exposure.

Biden’s order required the intelligence community to report back in 90 days with a more definitive conclusion. On Friday, Aug. 27, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) released an unclassified report of the community’s findings.

The community, which consists of 18 intelligence agencies, was divided on the origin of COVID-19. However, they still recognised the plausibility of the same two scenarios: natural exposure and lab-associated incident.

Four agencies, as well as the National Intelligence Council, had “low confidence” that the virus originated in nature, while one agency had “moderate confidence” that it came from a lab incident. Analysts from three other agencies were unable to coalesce around either explanation without additional information.

While the community was unable to trace a true origin, they found that the virus “was not developed as a biological weapon”. They also assessed that Chinese officials “did not have foreknowledge of the virus” before the initial outbreak of COVID-19.

The European Union (EU) has recommended that its 27 nations reinstate restrictions on tourists from the United States (U.S.) following rising coronavirus infections there.

The decision by the European Council reverses advice that it gave in June, lifting restrictions on U.S. travellers before the summer tourism season.

The guidance is nonbinding, however, and U.S. travellers should expect a mishmash of travel rules across the continent.

The EU has no unified Covid-19 tourism policy and national EU governments have the authority to decide whether they keep their borders open to U.S. tourists.

Read Also: ‘Kwara records 3,513 cases, 57 deaths from inception’

The EU also removed Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Montenegro and North Macedonia from the safe travel list.

The European Council updates the safe travel list based on criteria relating to coronavirus infection levels. It gets reviewed every two weeks. The threshold for being on the EU list is having not more than 75 new Covid-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over the last 14 days.

Last week in the U.S., new coronavirus cases averaged over 152,000 a day, turning the clock back to the end of January, and the number of hospitalised Covid-19 patients was around 85,000, a number not seen since early February.

Kwara State has so far recorded 3,513 cases and 57 deaths since inception of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Commissioner for Health Dr. Raji Razaq, who stated this yesterday during the inauguration of the second round of COVID-19 vaccine in Ilorin, said that the state was already in the third phase of the pandemic.

He said the government would not rest on its oars to protect the citizens, saying that second round of the COVID-19 vaccine would ensure people get the full protection against the disease.

He added that the government would begin administering 102,900 doses of Moderna vaccine for the first phase of the second round after, which the second phase would begin after six weeks.

Read Also: Protest in Edo over compulsory COVID-19 vaccination from mid-Sept

The commissioner also stated that the 22,744 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine would be administered as the second dose to people, who had earlier received the first dose.

According to him, people need not die of COVID-19, as the government had painstakingly acquired the vaccine to ensure the safety of the people against the disease.

“The vaccine is safe for everybody. People should disregard any myth about the vaccine that it is dangerous. Prevention is cheaper and better than cure,” he said.

Dr. Nusirat Elelu, the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, lamented that some people do not believe in the vaccines.

She reiterated that COVID-19 vaccine “works and people should try to get vaccinated, the agency is also monitoring any adverse or non-adverse effect that may occur’’.

HUNDREDS of members of civil society groups in Edo State have staged massive protest in Benin City against Governor Godwin Obaseki’s move to begin compulsory Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination from mid-September in the Southsouth state.

The protesters declared that having anti-COVID-19 vaccination cards before accessing large gatherings would be counter-productive.

The peaceful protesters, who marched through the streets of Benin, were armed with placards, bearing various inscriptions. They included: “Obaseki cannot force us to take COVID-19, vaccines” and “I have right to access church, mosque”.

The protesters, under the aegis of Equity Initiatives, while addressing reporters at the Press Centre of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Benin, asked Obaseki to face infrastructural decay and insecurity in the Southsouth state.

Convener of the group, Chris Iyama, said: “We are here to express our displeasure over Edo State government’s move to force residents of the state to take COVID-19 vaccines. This is against our fundamental human rights.

“You cannot force someone to eat what he or she does not want. Are we in a banana republic? We own the state, not the government.”

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Also speaking, the Interim Chairman, Edo Civil Society, Bishop Osadolor Anthony Ochei, stated that it was the right of the citizens to decide whether to be vaccinated or not.

He said: “If Edo State government has failed, we cannot fail Edo people. Government has the right to make policies, but this terrible policy is not law.”

The governor, while speaking on the ravaging third wave of COVID-19 on August 23, at the Government House, during the inauguration of the second phase of COVID-19 vaccination, said: “From the second week of September 2021, large gatherings will only be accessed by those who have at least taken one dose/jab of the vaccine.

“From the second week of September 2021, people will not be allowed into worship centres (churches and mosques), event centres and receptions without showing proof of the vaccination cards.

“From the middle of September 2021, you can no longer access the banking services, if you have not been vaccinated.”

Obaseki added that the state government would push for vaccination to build immunity against the scourge, while indicating that the target was to vaccinate 60 per cent of the state’s population by next year.

However, the state has recorded three more COVID-19-related deaths and 92 new confirmed cases, bringing the total number of fatalities recorded to 11.

The state’s COVID-19 Incident Manager, Dr. Andrew Obi, stated this yesterday after the daily virtual meeting of the state COVID-19 Taskforce, chaired by Obaseki.

Obi noted that the deaths recorded during the third wave of the virus were of unvaccinated persons, reiterating the need for residents to get inoculated with the vaccines to remain alive and healthy.

He said: “Edo State, in the last 72 hours, recorded three more COVID-19-related deaths, bringing the total number of deaths recorded in the third wave of the pandemic to eleven.

“We also confirmed 92 new cases from the 522 samples collected within the 72-hour timeframe, with 56 recoveries and 254 active cases that are being managed at various treatment and isolation centres within the state.”

Read Also: Research on inclusive education presented in Lagos

Computer Science is an on-demand course globally. The evolution of technology, the penetration of the internet and the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has further amplified the desire for Computer or IT related disciplines.

The application of computer technology has become almost inevitable in all spheres of life as the world moves towards digitalization. Several innovations in the computing world are helping humanity to solve emerging problems across different fields such as communication, data management, research, business, training, aviation, medicine, security, education, manufacturing, economy, marketing and law.

Just recently, computer software and models were used to predict COVID-19 dynamics and many hardware and software applications are being developed to make life easier for people especially persons with special needs.

Computer literacy has become one of the “must have” skills for all potential and existing employees who want to be competitive in a changing world of works. In fact, most employers now include computer skills as of the major requirements for employment. Computer science is run as a Certificate, Diploma or Degree programme in most educational institutions and it is designed to equip the learners with 21st century computing knowledge and skills (both on software and hardware) needed to enhance their competences, creativity and employability skills. Many educational institutions also include “Introduction to Computer science (CSC 101)” as one of the compulsory General Study Courses (GSTs) that students irrespective of their various programmes are required to complete before their graduation from school.

Computer scientists play a key role in technology development. Over the years, computer science educators have trained and mentored young technopreneurs, soft/hardware engineers and researchers who are now big players in various fields. However, the continuous changes in technology have caused paradigm shifts in Computer science education, both in terms of content and methodology.

These changes have led to constant reviews of Computer science curriculums across different levels of education. Many educational institutions are now faced with the challenges of adjusting their mode of instructions and curriculums to accommodate emerging topics in computing and modern-day realties. Some of the current topics in computing science include; Internet of Things (IoT), Machine learning, Cybersecurity, Blockchain, Big data, Bioinformatics, Quantum and Distributed computing, Human Computer Interaction (HCI), Robotics, Augmented/Virtual Reality, Nanotechnology, Software Engineering, Technology law, Human/Net-Centric Computing, Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Networking, computer graphics, Python programming, 3/4-D printing, Data Science/Analytics, Survey and sequential programming, Green computing, Semantic technology, Voice technology, Neuromorphic computing, Brain computing and vision computing. The scope of computer science will constantly evolve in line with emerging trends and realities in technology and education.

 . Computing is part of everything we do!

 Computing is a green/on-demand course and graduates of computer science can work anywhere.

 Expertise in computing enables you to solve complex, challenging problems.

 Computing enables you to make a positive difference in the world.

 Computing offers many types of lucrative careers.

 Computing jobs are here to stay, regardless of where you are located.

 Expertise in computing helps even if your primary career is something else.

 Computing offers great opportunities for true creativity and innovativeness.

 Computing has space for both collaborative work and individual effort. Computing is an essential part of well-rounded academic preparation.

 Future opportunities in computing are without boundaries

The Computer science degree programme at Coal City University is four-year programme. It explores the entire computer architecture and how its different components are intertwined. In particular, the degree programme is a comprehensive study of the applications of computer science in modern scientific and technological contexts. Our students study the design, development and analysis of software and hardware used to solve problems in a variety of business, scientific and social contexts.

At the end of programme, our graduates are expected to become problem solvers and experts in different areas of computing. They are also awarded a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree in Computer Science. The Computer science programme at Coal City University is fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and has since graduated students who have also gone for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and are now competing favourably in the industry. Our curriculum is focused on areas that could enhance students’ creativity, problem-solving skills and employability after graduation from school. Our curriculum emerging areas in computing including: Python programming, Data science/Analytics, Computer networking, Software Engineering and Development, Cyber/IT Security, Computer graphics/Animations, Robotics, Blockchain, Big data, AI/Machine learning, Mobile application development, and other emerging topics in computing. Consequently, we often recommend these areas for our students during their internship exercise which is a core part of the programme. Our Six months internship programme enables our students to acquire industry-based experiences, increase their competencies and enhance their employability skills and self-actualisation after school.

We also have a well-equipped computer laboratory for robust practical sessions, while our classrooms are well equipped with multimedia facilities. Also, part of the benefits that our students enjoy is the exposure to different opportunities that enable would enhance their smooth transition and competitiveness after graduation. These among other things include professional courses such as:
• CISCO Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

• Project Management Professional (PMP)

• Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

• Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP)

• ITIL Foundation Certification

• Google Certified Professional (GCP) – Cloud Architect and

• Oracle Certification Courses etc

Computer science degrees are some of the most popular study programmes worldwide. If you’re passionate about computer hardware and software, you might already know that degrees in Computer science or any IT related disciplines would lead to rewarding and lucrative careers. Becoming a computer scientist would make you one of the people who work on innovations that will take humanity forward.

Edeh, Director, ICT/ Head of Department, Mathematics and Computer Science, Coal City University, Enugu wrote via viamichael.edeh@ccu.edu.ng.

The Federal Government has instructed all Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and Medical Directors (MDs) of Federal Tertiary Hospitals to immediately implement the “No-Work, No-Pay” rule, with effect from August 2, 2021, when the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) commenced their strike.

Recall that on August 16, 2021, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, under the leadership of Dr Chris Ngige, sued the striking doctors at the National Industrial Court for abdication of their responsibilities.

The Industrial Court therefore summoned the doctors to explain why the “No-Work, No-Pay” rule should not be applied against them. The court adjourned the suit by the government till September 15, giving ample room for conciliation.

In an unexpected turn of events, the government has now begun the implementation of the “No-Work, No-Pay” rule while the case is still pending in court.

The doctors have therefore described the action of the government as flouting the rule of law, vowing to go to court.

Speaking with The Nation, the President of the NARD, Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, said: “We attended the first National Industrial Court of Nigeria case hearing on August 16, wherein the government wrote that we should give them a reason why they should not apply the no work no pay rule. However the court now stated that the government should wait till on the 15th of September.

“The government has not waited and they have already applied what they were asking for. Therefore, they have flouted the rule of law. We will go to court. We will engage our legal counsel and follow it up.”

Read Also: Why we are not suspending strike, by doctors

The letter dated August 26, 2021, by the Director of Hospital Services at the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), Dr Adebimpe Adebiyi, instructing the CMDs and MDs of federal tertiary hospitals to implement the “No-Work, No-Pay” rule, reads: “The Ministry is in receipt of a letter from the Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FMOL&E), informing the Ministry of the laws Governing the ongoing strike by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), and the need to immediately apply the provisions of Section 43(1)(a) of

the Trade Dispute Act on “Special provision with respect to payment of wages during strikes and lock-outs” known in labour parlance as “No-Work, No-Pay”, with effect from Monday 2nd August 2021 when the strike was commenced by NARD members.

“Consequent on the above, I am directed to inform you to commence the implementation of “No-Work, No-Pay” policy on striking doctors with effect from Monday 2nd August 2021, including other health workers that may embark on strike subsequently.

“This directive is in line with the provisions of Section 43 (1) (a) of the Trade Dispute Act which inter-alia states”….. where any worker takes part in a strike, he shall not be entitled to any wages or renumeration for the period of the strike, and any such period shall not account for the purpose of reckoning the period of continuous employment and all right dependent on continuity of employment shall be prejudicially affected accordingly……”

“You are to compute the financial implication of the “No-Work, No Pay” from the salaries of the Resident Doctors and any other Health worker that participated in strike using the attached Template and forward same to the IPPIS office through the FMoH for implementation with effect from 2nd August, 2021. Please, accept the assurances of the warm regards of the Honourable Minister.”