French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin has confirmed for the first time that 326,000 tickets will be sold or distributed for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on the Seine in Paris.
Not 700, not 600, not even 500 thousand tickets. In the end, 326,000 tickets will be sold or distributed for the opening ceremony of the thirty-third modern Olympic Games, which will be held for the first time outside a closed stadium.
The organisers are thus confirming an open secret: the reduction in their plans for the Floating Parade, from the two million people they once envisaged to a more reasonable figure of around 600,000. Opposition from the French security services, common sense and fears of terrorist attacks have prevailed over grandiose plans.
Nevertheless, the figure will be a record, quadrupling the capacity of a top-tier international stadium. Previous opening ceremonies have been held in the main athletics stadium.
“We will have 104,000 spectators on the lower terrace who have paid for a ticket. Then there will be 222,000 people on the higher stands (with free tickets),” Darmanin told a Senate hearing. Add these figures up and the figure is clear: 326 people will accompany the athletes during the ceremony on the Seine in the capital, Paris.
In addition, the ministry estimates that around 200,000 people will watch the open-air parade along the river on 26 July from buildings overlooking the Seine, with a further 50,000 in the capital’s fan zones. These figures, which are difficult to quantify, would bring the total to between 500,000 and 600,000, including those who pay for tickets, those who have access to free tickets and those who can watch from their buildings.
The open-air ceremony on the boats follows promises to make the Paris Olympics “iconic”, with the local organising committee keen to break with past traditions in the way it hosts the world’s biggest sporting event.
The opening ceremony at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics was widely regarded as the most spectacular in history, while the London 2012 ceremony, overseen by Trainspotting director Danny Boyle, won rave reviews for showcasing Britain’s quirky side. The French idea is clear: to top both.
A total of 180 boats will sail some six kilometres along the Seine, 94 of them carrying athletes, said Marc Guillaume, the head of security for the Paris region, at the same hearing.
“No country has told us they do not want to take part. They have confidence in our organisation,” the minister concluded. The Olympics have been targeted in the past, most notably in Munich in 1972 and Atlanta in 1996. France was placed on high alert for terrorist attacks in October after an Islamist suspect entered a school in northern France and fatally stabbed a teacher.
Around one million people are expected to be screened by French security forces for potential security risks, including athletes, journalists, private security guards and people living near key infrastructure.
The Delta State University, Abraka, last Saturday held its ninth convocation and award ceremony for regular and weekend graduates during the 2013/2014 academic year. The event was a unique in many aspects, particularly as it marked the end of the usual long and endless wait by graduands for collection of their certificates after completing their studies.
The Institute’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Victor Peretomode, disclosed that for the first time, it was possible for those who graduated to get their certificate on the same day without hassles. He used the occasion to highlight some of the other milestones achieved by DELSU since its inception and under his leadership.
The Vice Chancellor, who addressed newsmen at the main campus of the university, elaborated on, not just the ceremony, but the activities of the university, its achievements, setbacks and its plan towards achieving excellence through the use of technologies.
•The Senate building
“We are constantly reviewing standards to enable us be at par with international standard. We have a vision of using multiple technologies in teaching, learning and innovation”, he said, adding that plans were afoot to ensure that lectures delivered at the main campus in Abraka are received simultaneously by students in Oleh and Asaba campuses.
He spoke of plans to provide wireless internet facilities at the staff quarters and hostels as part of effort to make information easily assessable for staff and students alike. “It will also reduce the risk associated with lecturers driving from one campus to the other to deliver lectures,” he added.
The VC, who was accompanied by deputy vice chancellors in charge of Administration and Academics, Prof Mrs R.O Aziza and A.E Anigala respectively; Ejiroghene Udjor and Mrs R B Oki, Registrar and Librarian as well as the Rectors of the Oleh and Asaba campuses among others, said the most important “‘First’ achieved by the present management of DELSU was an upgrade that ensured that all 9,607 students who passed out at the Saturday’s convocation got their certificates immediately.”
He said, “Using technology, for the first time we are doing something very innovative. Graduands would pick up their certificates at convocation. Certificate will be given to all those who are receiving awards while others can pick theirs immediately after the ceremony.
“Most of our students after NYSC will be engaged in their own jobs and be employers of labour. The university has come a long way and is achieving the purpose for its establishment,” he enthused, adding, “With effect from next year, if a final student fails a course he will just come and write that course, not the present practice of asking them to take up to 15 course units; we feel that is not necessary.
“We are also looking at the possibility of changing a situation where students who fail a second semester course are asked to wait for a year. In the alternative, they can take a similar course being offered in the next semester so they can complete their courses and go for the NYSC without the unnecessary delays.”
“We have also awarded contracts for the procurement of vehicles and our deans would soon be riding in brand new Toyota Hiluxes and we have procured vehicles for principal officers of the institute. We have also awarded contract for the procurement of waste crunch and disposal vehicles. Also, we awarded contract for physiotherapy lab (fitness lab) and an indoor sports hall. We have procured X-ray machines and we are expecting additional three.”
And to improve relationship between the university community and its Abraka host, the VC disclosed that the institute, working with one of its contractors, resurfaced the main road leading from the Eku-Agbor expressway to its Campus (Site) II. He said a similarly work was ongoing in another part of the town, including the realignment and dualisation of the windy internal road network of its Main Campus (III).
He said the institute was also looking inward to tackle manpower challenges in critical areas by absorbing some of the brightest students in key areas like medicine, pharmacy, accounting and engineering, adding that one of the beneficiaries was Mr Lawrence Uche, who was given automatic employment after his graduation.
“As in the case of Mr Lawrence Uche, we will repeat that but we will have to look into areas of need. We have to be very careful because we don’t want inbreeding, especially for students who have lived here all their lives, who had their basic, primary and secondary education in Abraka and other campuses.
Despites the strides recorded by the institute, Prof Peretomode noted that several challenges were militating against management achieving its set objectives. He particularly lamented the challenges of electricity power, cultism and examination malpractices and incessant abduction of lecturers and other staff of the institute.
Specifically, he noted that the institute spends up to N12million naira monthly on diesel used to generate electricity for its activities. As a result, he said it was not possible to achieve 24-hour electricity supply until the university community is connected to a dedicated electricity supply line from the national grid.
Meanwhile, events leading to the ninth Convocation Ceremony commenced on April 24 with a Jummat service and an interdenominational Christian service held at the Our Saviour Chapel on 26 April. There were also drama presentation by the Department of Theatre Arts and art exhibition by the Department of Fine and Applied Arts.
The Convocation lecture, titled “Catalytic Metamorphosis of Nigerian university education”, was delivered by a visiting professor to Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof Samuel Oyebandele. The VC described the lecture as very enlightening and beneficial to the staff and students.
The State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan also inaugurated projects executed by Prof Peretomode and his successor, Professor Eric Arubayi. They included the Senate Council Chamber, Postgraduate Student hall and firefighting trucks. The projects were financed through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and internally generated revenue.
The VC explained that the firefighting trucks were procured to stem recent fire incidents, which ravaged property worth several millions of naira. He further disclosed that the gesture was being replicated in the Asaba and Oleh campuses of DELSU.
The Governor, in his address at the event joined the call against proposed scrapping of weekend programmes by the NUC, saying, “The NUC (Nigeria University Commission) should first evaluate the advantages of weekend programmes before scrapping it. I stand here to lend my voice to those calling on NUC not to scrap weekend programmes not because of financial benefits to the universities but, because there is a lot of people out there who will not have the opportunity of having education without weekend programme.”
Meanwhile, giving a breakdown of 9,607 graduands at the ninth convocation ceremony, Prof Peretomode said, “Of the 8,148 first degree students, 13 made First Class and they are three from the Faculty of Arts, while four each came from the faculties of Science and Management Science and two from Basic Science.
“Eight hundred and fifty-nine students made Second Class Upper (2-1) while 4,199 made Second Class Lower (2-2). There were 2,824 while 184 are leaving with Pass.
“There are also 248 unclassified degrees, those from Medicine and Surgery etc. their results are not classified even though there are some that would have made distinction because of their result,” Prof Peretomode added.
Similarly, he disclosed that there were 560 Masters’ Degrees and 206 Postgraduate Diplomas as well as 848 diploma certificates of which 151 came out from the Faculty of law, where 37 graduated with credit, 99 merit and 15 passes.
Of the 37 students that graduated from the Engineering Faculty three had distinctions while there are 20 and 14 with Credit and Merit passes respectively.
Novak Djokovic is having a better week than you. Days after winning Wimbledon, the tennis star has married his fiancée Jelena Ristic, The Associated Press reports.
Hours following his defeat of Roger Federer in London on Sunday, the couple flew to Montenegro, where they tied the knot last Thursday.
Approximately 250 guests attended the civil ceremony, which was held at a five-star resort. The couple will marry again in a church wedding today in front of 15 family members.
The ceremony was held amid tight security and strict confidentiality.
Among the attendees for the event were Boris Becker, Marian Vadja, Victor Troicki, Nenad Zimonjic, Janko Tipsarevic and childhood friend and Serb footballer Neven Markovic who served as Djokovic’s best man. Maria Sharapova was also a guest according to reports.
The couple, who met in high school eight years ago, will have a church wedding today.
Ristic is expecting the birth of the couple’s first child after the US Open.
Djokovic, 27, and Ristic began dating in 2005 and got engaged in September.They announced in April that they are expecting their first child together.
From the night of September 14 when she died to the day her remains were interred, people have been flocking to her home in Iba, a Lagos suburb. The late Alhaja Asia Alape-Idowu-Esho was not only a woman of substance in her own right, she also bore great children. One of them is the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule. The Iba countryhome of the Idowu-Eshos, Alapes and Adebules have been a Mecca of sorts since Mama’s death.
Within few minutes of her death, the whole Iba community and by extension, Ojo town started mourning.
The late Alhaja Alape-Idowu Esho, was born into the Ogunbiyi-Alape dynasty of Iba.
Her marriage to Alhaji Kamorudeen Idowu-Esho produced five children – Mujeeb, Monsurat, Idiat, AbdulHafeez and Rasheedat, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She died at 69.
She is survived by her loving husband and children.
After her interment at Iba the following morning, sympathisers joined the family at L.A Primary School, Iba for prayers. The Lagos State Executive Council was led by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire. Politicians within and outside Ojo axis were present. Some members of academic staff from the Lagos State University (LASU) where Dr Adebule lectured and obtained her Doctorate in Curriculum Studies last year were not left out. Leaders of the institution’s Muslim community teamed up with the clerics in Ojo to pray for the deceased and the relative left behind.
Some women in the community singing round the town with the picture of the deceased, a tradition often found among the Igbo.
They later joined the guests in the school compound.
Last Sunday, the eight-day Fidau was held at the same school expansive premises.
From Iba junction to the school premises, different big banners with pictures of the deceased were hung at strategic points.
They were sponsored by individuals, party and siblings of the deceased.
Commercial motorcyclists had a bright outing; itinerant drummers were also on hand to enliven the atmosphere.
The crowd was massive; even the down pour could not stop them from thronging the venue in large number.
They shone in white attires and purple headgears and caps.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu, representing Lagos Central Senatorial District was among the early birds at the venue.
She led eminent personalities which include state executive, former state cabinet members, party stalwarts, community leaders and youths.
The event, which began with prayer, featured recitation of the Holy Quran, admonitions and special prayers for the deceased and her family.
Among the guest speakers was Dr AbdulLateef Adetona, who enjoined the gathering to be God conscious in their dealings.
Adetona, the LASU Senior Lecturer, said death could come at anytime, hence mankind should always prepare.
Donations were collected for charity on her behalf.
According to a family friend, Alhaji Musbau Oyefeso, the amount realised is N2.5 million.
Oyefeso, the former Lagos State Independent Electoral Commissioner said, the money would be used to dig boreholes in some Mosques within Iba and procure other useful material to development the Iba Central Mosque.
All Progressives Congress (APC) National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed prayed Allah grants her Al-Jannah firdaus (best of the paradise.)
Lagos State House of Assembly Majority Leader, Dr Ajibayo Adeyeye who has known Dr Adebule since year 2000 believed the late Alape-Idowu-Esho had great impact on her daughter.
“Dr Adebule is an upright woman and that is I have always identifies with her. I pray God grant Mama paradise and give my sister (Dr Adebule) and the rest of her family the fortitude to bear the lost,” Adeyeye said.
Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lateef Ibirogba described her as a righteous woman.
“She trained all her children to be of good personality and they are people of integrity. I pray that Allah grants her Al-Jannah firdaus because she truly served Allah,” he said.
He urged parents to emulate the lifestyle of the deceased for them to enjoy good gesture after their demise.
The son-in-law of the deceased, Alhaji Saheed Adebule, an Information Technology expert described her as “my mother because she treated me like her son.
“She was somebody you cannot forget in a hurry because she always leave her impression on your mind; she was loved by everybody; reliable, honest and straight forward. Oh, I would miss her companionship,” Alhaji Adebule said.
His wife, Dr Adebule though described her death as painful but thanked Allah for given her mother the grace to serve Him.
The Lagos State SSG said of her mother: “She dedicated her last 13 years serving Allah, stop hustling for money and focus on humanitarian gesture. Aside engaging in charity on our behalf, she even gives us money not minding our status. I was surprised during the last Eid-il-Fitr when she told me she fasted the whole 29 days of Ramadan as if she knew she would not witness another edition.
“She was my role model; always stretched back to meet our needs; none of her children ever lack anything; very supportive and prayerful. I miss everything about her; she really understands me. I lost a priceless jewel.”
Dr Adebule thanked people who stood by the family during the funeral and prayers.
“I was shocked by the turn out and people sending condolence messages. I thanks them all,” she said.
THE LOCAL Organising Committee (LOC) on the 18th National Sports Festival said on Monday that the gates of the Teslim Balogun Stadium would be thrown open for today’s Games opening ceremony.
Peter Bolumole, Secretary, Protocols and Ceremonials Sub-committee of the LOC, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the venue for the historic event was ready. Bolumole said that the official time for the commencement of the ceremony for the biennial Games, tagged “Eko 2012’’ was 4: 00 p.m. He noted that the gates would be thrown open from 3 p.m., free of charge to sports-loving Nigerians.
“Lagos State is ready and we promise to put up a thrilling opener to the historic Games because the sports festival is one that we value a lot. The official time for the opening ceremony is 4: 00 p.m. but the gates would be thrown open by 3:00 p.m. and entry is free for all sports lovers,” the sub-committee secretary said.
Bolumole revealed that among expected dignitaries are President Goodluck Jonathan, who would be represented by Vice-President Namadi Sambo; Gov. Babatunde Fashola, as well as all other state governors. He expressed confidence that the event would be colourful and would also reflect the state’s cultural heritage.
The sub-committee Secretary also disclosed that one of the country’s best musical artistes, Banky W, is expected to grace the ceremony with his performance.
“We are confident of a colourful and delightful ceremony that will reflect the cultural richness of the state. Also, Banky W, who is one of the country’s best musical artistes, will be performing. As such, we expect this will turn out to be a magnificent event,” he said.
The secretary also assured Nigerians that security would be tight at the venue and urged sports fans to have no cause for alarm.
