The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Morocco

  • We’ll defeat corruption fighting back – Buhari

    We’ll defeat corruption fighting back – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that the anti-corruption war of his administration will be won even though it is tough, grueling, and fighting vigorously back.

    He gave the assurance while meeting with American Secretary of State, John Kerry on Wednesday on the margins of conference on climate change, COP22, in Marrakech, Morocco.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, President Buhari said corrupt people had accumulated a formidable arsenal of illicit wealth, which they were now deploying against the government on diverse fronts.

    He said: “But it is a war we are determined to win, and which we will win,”

    “People of goodwill are behind us, countries like America and many others are with us, and we will surely win.”

    The President also updated Secretary Kerry on the war against insurgency in the North-east of Nigeria, efforts being made to tackle humanitarian problems caused by the insurgency, and stating that a presidential committee had been launched “under Gen T.Y Danjuma, a man of high integrity.”

    On the unrest in the Niger Delta area, which manifests in the sabotage of critical oil and power installations, President Buhari said the engagement process was proceeding apace, adding that it was rather difficult bringing the main protagonists of the insurgency under one umbrella.

    He said Nigeria was happy with American support on different fronts, assuring that the economic challenges facing the country were being “frontally tackled, and we will overcome them soon.”

    Secretary Kerry expressed delight at the many successes of the Buhari administration, pledging continued U.S support in the bid to overcome security, humanitarian, political, and economic challenges.

    As the Barrack Obama administration exits next January, Kerry said he would love to continue engaging with Nigeria, even in a private capacity.

    He described President Buhari as a strong international partner in the battle against violent extremism.

  • Osinbajo presides over scanty FEC meeting

    Osinbajo presides over scanty FEC meeting

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday presided over the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

    President Muhammadu Buhari is in Marrakech, Morocco attending the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), also known as COP-22.

    The FEC meeting was scantily attended by cabinet members.

    About ten ministers were in attendance when the meeting started on Wednesday.

    The meeting was still in progress at the time of filing this report.

  • Buhari to attend Climate Change Conference in Morocco

    Buhari to attend Climate Change Conference in Morocco

    President Muhammadu Buhari will attend the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), also known as COP-22, in Marrakech, Morocco, from November 14-16.

    Buhari, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, will participate in the official opening plenary on November 15 where he will deliver his national statement during the High Level Segment of COP 22.

    The Presidential address is expected to highlight, among other key issues, Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to implementing the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and policy actions aimed at tackling climate change through environmental sustainable efforts.

    He will also rally international support for the clean-up of Ogoniland in the Niger Delta and the resuscitation of the Lake Chad Basin.

    While in Marrakech, the President is scheduled to attend the Africa Day Commemoration at COP 22 with the theme, “Moving from Commitments to Action with Intended Nationally Determined Contributions and African Renewable Energy Initiative.”

    He will also attend the Summit of African Heads of State on the sidelines of the Climate Change conference.

    COP 22, which will be attended by representatives from 197 countries including world leaders, environment ministers, government officials as well as a wide range of representatives from civil society and the private sector, is the first meeting of State Parties since the entry into force of the landmark Paris Agreement on November 4, 2016.

    The legally binding international Agreement on climate change, among others, addresses issues of global warming, including its impact on food security and agriculture.

    It would be recalled that President Buhari signed the Paris Agreement on September 22, 2016 at the margins of the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

    Buoyed by that commitment, the Nigerian delegation is optimistic that COP22 will provide a platform to promote and enhance delivery of the purpose-driven environmental sustainable agenda of the Federal Government.

  • Morocco triumph will inspire young players – Oshonaike

    Morocco triumph will inspire young players – Oshonaike

    After reclaiming her title 24 years after, Olufunke Oshonaike believes the victory in morocco would surely inspire young female players in Nigeria.
    Oshonaike, who defeated former African champion, Egypt’s Dina Meshref to emerge as the new continental champion at the ITTF Africa Senior Championships held in Agadir, Morocco.
    The 41-year-old six-time Olympian first won the African title in 1992 with her last triumph coming in 2002.
    “I am so excited that I can still do it and this is also an inspiration for girls that no matter your age, you can achieve whatever you want to in life. My victory in Morocco is a lesson to the young ones that they should not give up irrespective of the challenges they are facing in the country. A lot of things are happening in Nigeria that could frustrate one, but still they should not give up. Forget about what the coaches are doing or what the country is doing to you, just be focused and love and enjoy what you are doing and surely, you will get there one day. Even when you are married with kids, you can still get to where you want to get to,” Oshonaike said.
    The Germany-based star is not ready to quit the sport that she has been playing in the last two decades saying, “I’m not going to stop playing until I find anybody that could beat me. Until the young girls are ready to take over and if they are not ready, I’ll keep on playing for my country. After all, my family and children are not disturbing me. They love seeing me play. But as soon as I see any serious contender, I’ll throw-in the towel and take a bow.”

  • I’ve put Morocco defeat behind me – Quadri

    I’ve put Morocco defeat behind me – Quadri

    Following his narrow loss to Egypt’s Omar Assar in the final of the men’s singles of ITTF Africa Senior Championships, Aruna Quadri has said he looks ahead for better days in his blossoming career.

    The 2014 ITTF Star Player was on Tuesday made the four-man nominees list for this year’s ITTF Star Awards told NationSport yesterday that he is hoping to return to his French club as they continue their quest for top finish in the 2016/2017 season.

    “I think I was a bit unlucky to have lost the match. I am not really disappointed because I gave my best and it was clear from the beginning. I am satisfied with my performance as I am looking forward to a better outing in subsequent tournaments. In the overall I am contempt with the performance of our team because we never gave up. We were able to prove ourselves against the Egyptian and now we have some young players that were part of the team. I believe with more exposure they can make impact in major competitions,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) has appealed to fans within and across Nigeria to vote for Aruna Quadri for him to become the first athlete to win the award twice.

    To vote for Aruna Quadri, fans are expected to visit ITTFStarawards.com while the voting closes on November 13. The grand finale holds on December 8 in Doha, Qatar.

  • Nigeria finishes seventh at Africa rugby cup sevens

    Nigeria finishes seventh at Africa rugby cup sevens

    Nigeria’s Black Stallions improved their eighth place finish in 2015 to end their campaign at seventh spot at this year’s Africa Rugby Cup Sevens held in Nairobi.

    After losing their first match to host – Kenya, the Nigeria failed to make it to the semifinal stage despite defeating Senegal in their second group match.

    However, to finish seventh, the Azeez Ladipo-captained side defeated Morocco 19-5 to settle for the spot behind Tunisia, who was edged for the fifth place spot by former champion, Zimbabwe.

    Meanwhile, Uganda was crowned champions after beating Namibia 38-19 in the final at the Safaricom Stadium in Nairobi at the weekend.

    It was Ssebuliba Kayiwa that put Uganda ahead, scoring after a strong run and carries by Ramadhan Govule. Philip Wokorach converted for a 7-0 score.

    Sunday Haitembu responded immediately with a converted try for Namibia but Pius Ogena ensured that the Rugby Cranes retook the lead, Wokorach converting for a 14-7 score. The Namibians were taking the fight to the Ugandans, Jean Jacobs grounding for an unconverted try that brought the encounter to 14-12.

    Namibia would spill the ball with Uganda on the ropes, Wokorach pouncing on the loose ball to first step past his opponents before racing clear to score and convert his own try before James Odong landed for a 26-12 lead at the interval.

    Odong would land his brace, fortuitously gathering the ball from Wokorach’s speculative punt, touching down before Namibia scored a consolation try, Karuuombe Nandicatu’s converted effort bringing some respectability.

    Hosts Kenya finished third with a 41-0 whitewash of while a 55-0 win over Botswana saw Senegal claimed ninth place as Zambia took eleventh place with a 45-0 result over Mauritius.

  • Three year deal:Chikatara joins Wydad of Morocco

    After a long drawn debate over the eligibility of the Chisom Chikatara, Abia Warriors have confirmed his movement  to Wydad Athletic Club (WAC) of Morocco and the player has signed a three-year deal.

    The chairman of Abia Warriors, High Chief Emeka Inyama who disclosed this to SportingLife in Umuahia shortly after their 1-0 NPFL Match Day 27 win over Warri Wolves yesterday, opined that they agreed to sell Chikatara to Wydad after the Moroccan club fulfilled the contractual negotiation reached in February this year.

    He said there was a disagreement between both teams at some stages in the deal but that he was elated that the former CHAN Eagles’ striker has realised his dream of taking his soccer skills abroad.

    Inyama expressed that Abia Warriors would miss Chikatara but that they have been preparing for life after his exit when it was obvious that the player would take his soccer tricks abroad.

    “I want to announce to you that Chikatara has sealed a three year deal with Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco and he has travelled to join his new team. We had a disagreement at some stages because the deal was actually signed since February but I am happy to tell you that everything has been  sorted out between both clubs,” Inyama told SportingLife.

    Chikatara, popularly dubbed the Kolanut Boy, joined Abia Warriors some seasons ago and he grew through the ranks before he became an integral member of the first team three seasons ago.

  • 3.2bn people at risk of malaria globally – WHO

    3.2bn people at risk of malaria globally – WHO

    The World Health Organisation (WHO), has said that about 3.2 billion people remained at risk to malaria attack globally.

     

    This is contained in a report entitled: “Eliminating Malaria”, released on Monday on World Malaria Day, observed every year on April 25.

     

    It stated that in 2015 alone, 214 million new cases of the disease were reported in 95 countries and no fewer than 400,000 people died of malaria.

     

    The “Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030”, approved by the World Health Assembly in 2015, calls for the elimination of local transmission of malaria in at least ten countries by 2020.

     

    WHO’s estimates showed that 21 countries were in a position to achieve this goal, including six countries in the African Region, where the burden of the disease is heaviest.

     

    It added that the efficacy of the tools that secured the gains against malaria in the early years of this century is now threatened.

     

    The WHO also said that mosquito resistance to insecticides used in nets and indoor residual spraying is growing.

     

    It also warned of parasite resistance to a component of one of the most powerful antimalarial medicines.

     

    It added that further progress against malaria will likely require new tools that do not exist today, and the further refining of new technologies.

     

    “Since the year 2000, it showed that malaria mortality rates have declined by 60 per cent globally.

     

    “It also showed that in the African Region, malaria mortality rates fell by 66 per cent among all age groups and by 71 per cent among children under five years.”

     

    The advances, it added, came through the use of core malaria control tools that have been widely deployed over the last decade:

     

    They are insecticide-treated bed-nets, indoor residual spraying, rapid diagnostic testing and artemisinin-based combination therapies.

     

    WHO, however said in 2015 for the first time, the European Medicines Agency issued a positive scientific opinion on a malaria vaccine.

     

    In 2015, it added, all countries in the European Region , for the first time, recorded zero indigenous cases of malaria, down from 90 000 cases in 1995.

     

    Outside this region, it added that eight countries reported zero cases of the disease in 2014: Argentina, Costa Rica, Iraq, Morocco, Oman, Paraguay, Sri Lanka and United Arab Emirates.

     

    Eight other countries, it added, tallied fewer than 100 indigenous malaria cases in 2014.

     

    It also added that 12 countries reported between 100 and 1000 indigenous malaria cases in 2014.

     

    WHO says vigorous leadership by the governments of affected countries is key.

     

    It said that governments must strengthen surveillance of cases to identify gaps in coverage and be prepared to take action based on the information received.

     

    It also said, as countries approach elimination, the ability to detect every infection becomes increasingly important.

     

    “Reaching the goals of the “Global Technical Strategy” will require a steep increase in global and domestic funding from 2.5 billion dollars to an estimated 8.7 billion dollars annually by 2030.

     

    “Through robust financing and political will, affected countries can speed progress towards malaria elimination and contribute to the broader development agenda as laid out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” the report said.

     

    NAN reports that the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030, launched in January, seeks to reduce the rate of new malaria cases, and malaria death rate by at least 90 per cent.

     

    Others are eliminate malaria in at least 35 countries and prevent a resurgence of malaria in all countries that are malaria-free.

  • ITF lists Nigeria for World Team Qualifiers in Tunisia

  • Four suspected jihadists arrested in Spain, Morocco

    Four suspected jihadists arrested in Spain, Morocco

    Spanish and Moroccan security forces claimed on Tuesday to have broken up a suspected Islamist terrorist cell on the North African Mediterranean coast, according to the Spanish Interior Ministry.

    Four suspects were arrested, the ministry said that three of them in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta and one in the Moroccan city of Nador, both on the North Moroccan coast.

    The four are suspected of recruiting fighters for the extremist Islamic State militia in Syria and Iraq.
    They are also suspected of enlisting terrorists to launch attacks in Spain and Morocco.

    Spain has arrested some 60 suspected jihadists in the past year, many of them in its North African territory of Ceuta.