Tobi Bakre Wins AMVCA Best Actor In A Drama, Movie Or Tv Series

BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA, MOVIE OR TV SERIES

Shanty Town

Chidi Mokeme

The Trade

Blossom Chukwujekwu

All The Colours Of The World Are Between Black and White

Tope Tedela

King of Thieves (Agesinkole)

Femi Adebayo

Black Mail

O.C. Ukeje

Tembele

Nkakalukanyi Patriq

Kofa

Daniel Etim-Effiong

Choke

Chimezie Imo

Brotherhood

Tobi Bakre WINNER

Four Four Forty Four

Ruchard Mofe Damijo

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Man City are the 5th club in English league football to win 3 titles in a row

Manchester City have made history by becoming only the fifth club in 135 years of English league football to win three championships in a row.

For Pep Guardiola it means joining a very exclusive list of managers to have built Triple title teams; Herbert Chapman, Bob Paisley and Sir Alex Ferguson.

While there has always been hype surrounding City in the Champions League, the league is still considered within the game as the ultimate challenge.

To be the best over 38 or 42 games is special and to repeat that consistency over 114 or 126 matches, truly remarkable. Hence its rarity value.

Mail Sport looks at the other outstanding sides who defined their era by winning the league championship again, and again.

And next season, Guardiola and City could stand alone. In the world’s most competitive division, nobody has ever won four on the bounce.

THE THREE-TIME CHAMPIONS

HUDDERSFIELD (1924-26)

Managers: Herbert Chapman, Cecil Potter

Key players: George 'Bomber' Brown, Bily Smith, Clem Stephenson

Huddersfield was regarded as a rugby league town until Herbert Chapman breezed through the door in 1921.

‘The father of management,’ is how his biographer Patrick Barclay describes the miner’s son from Kiveton Park who changed English football.

Chapman was an innovator, on and off the pitch. He was the first to recognise stopping goals was as important as scoring and adapted the traditional 2-3-5 to add a third centre-half.

He brought a new professionalism, many decades later George Graham studied his methods, and both spotted and invested in talent. There was disbelief when he spent £4,000 on a single player, Clem Stephenson, but the inside-forward became his influential captain.

‘I don’t want you to run. I want you to distribute the ball,’ were the manager’s instructions to his on-field general.

In 1923-24, Huddersfield became champions for the first time, pipping Cardiff City on goal average.

They beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 in their final game but the crowd wouldn’t leave until they heard news from Cardiff’s game at Birmingham. Chapman had a telephone glued to his ear in the office. When the match ended 0-0, he burst through the doors and shouted: ‘We’ve won.’

1924/25 saw Huddersfield finish two points clear of West Brom but Chapman then resigned to join Arsenal, spotting the potential of having a successful club in London.

Terriers fans needed have worried. No2 Cecil Potter took over and the transition was seamless with George 'Bomber' Brown scoring 35 goals.

‘Herbert had built the foundations so well, the club didn’t crumble after he left,’ says Barclay. Exactly the same was to happen at Arsenal the following decade.

ARSENAL (1933-35)

Managers: Herbert Chapman, Joe Shaw, George Allison

Key players: Cliff Bastin, Ted Drake, David Jack, Alex James

‘He saw the tube station bringing hordes of fans to the stadium and had this vision of creating the first super-club,’ says author Patrick Barclay about Chapman’s decision to join Arsenal. And that’s precisely how it transpired.

No team south of Birmingham had been champions until Chapman led Arsenal to the prize in 1931. Two years later, they won it again to spark their three-in-a-row.

He had more celebrated players than at Huddersfield, internationals Cliff Bastin, Alex James, Eddie Hapgood, Joe Hulme and David Jack among them, but what made Arsenal stand out was their manager’s ability to think differently.

He introduced white sleeves to Arsenal’s red kit so the players could see identify each other more quickly passing the ball. He instigated Gillespie Road underground station changing its name to Arsenal.

He championed shirt numbers, international club games and floodlights. ‘Way ahead of his time,’ adds Barclay.

Tragically, Chapman’s dedication caused his death in January 1934, aged 55, when he caught pneumonia watching the youth team to rest.

A shellshocked Arsenal played later that day, a 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday. Hulme only discovered the news on a billboard outside Highbury.

Once again, Chapman’s organisational skills served his club well after his own departure. Joe Shaw took over for the second half of the season to secure a second title and then George Allison completed the hat-trick with Ted Drake scoring 42.

A bust of Chapman stood in the marble halls of Highbury, a mark of gratitude and respect.

LIVERPOOL (1982-84)

Managers: Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan

Key men: Kenny Dalglish, Alan Hansen, Ian Rush, Graeme Souness

Despite Liverpool’s famed European exploits, the message before the start of every season was clear. ‘Winning the championship over 42 games was always considered the pinnacle,’ reveals local midfielder Sammy Lee.

Liverpool’s Scottish contingent of Dalglish, Hansen and Souness were at their peak. Mark Lawrenson to form a great defensive partnership with Hansen while Ian Rush teamed up with Dalglish in attack.

Paisley was reticent compared to his predecessor Bill Shankly but chose the outgoing Souness to be captain and deliver messages on the pitch. ‘I was the right age and prepared to offer an opinion up,’ said the tigerish midfielder.

Liverpool were 10th in November 1981 but the introduction of three points for a win that season enabled them to swallow the ground up on rivals and finish four clear of Bobby Robson’s Ipswich.

Rush’s 24 goals saw Liverpool win the 1982/83 title by 11 points but there were question-marks when Paisley resigned that summer with assistant Joe Fagan taking his place.

‘Liverpool had great strength in the Boot Room (their famed coaches room),’ explained Lee. ‘We went from Bill Shankly to Bob and then to Joe without as much turbulence you’d expect.’

The club won three trophies in ‘83/84 and became the first to achieve a hat-trick of championships for nearly 50 years. It also represented the end of an era with Souness leaving at the end of the season for Sampdoria.

MANCHESTER UNITED (1999-2001)

Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson

Key players: David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Roy Keane, Paul Scholes

The irony is that after United’s historic Treble in 1999, they got even better despite losing their great goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel.

After pipping Arsenal by a single point on the final day in 1998/99. they won the league the following season by a massive 18 points, and then 10 to complete the hat-trick.

The Class of ‘92 Gary and Phil Neville, David Beckham, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes were still relatively inexperienced when United enjoyed their ‘99 clean sweep, by the time of the new Millennium, they were unstoppable.

Sir Alex Ferguson also managed to produce the perfect midfield blend of Beckham, Keane, Scholes and Giggs; the crosser, the tackler, the passer and the dribbler.

‘The best midfield quartet I've ever seen play football,’ according to Gary Neville. ‘They were out of this world as a unit because of their quality on the ball – and their work-rate off it.’

It begs the question how many points would United have amassed in 1999/2000 if they’d replaced Schmeichel properly.

That season, Mark Bosnich and Raimon van de Gouw shared the No1 jersey with a disastrous cameo from Massimo Taibi, and United still collected 91 points. World Cup winner Fabien Barthez was enlisted for the following campaign.

Some of United’s football was breathtaking during this period with Fergie’s 4-4-2 made more flexible by Teddy Sheringham and Dwight Yorke being able to drop deep, Giggs and Beckham to work inside and full-backs Gary Neville and Denis Irwin to get forward.

In February 2001, United thrashed their closest challengers Arsenal 6-1 at Old Trafford with Yorke claiming a hat-trick. That is how superior they were.

MANCHESTER UNITED (2007-09)

Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson

Key players: Rio Ferdinand, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Edwin van der Sar ppl

Whereas Fergie’s first Triple team was built around a formidable midfield, his second was laden with attacking stardust.

For a period, the front three of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez was the best in the world – and in the summer of 2008 they were added to by Dimitar Berbatov arriving from Tottenham.

It hadn’t been an easy transition breaking up the Treble team. Roy Keane was forced out in dramatic circumstances and star striker Ruud van Nistelrooy came and left as Ferguson opted for building a new team around the Ferdinand-Vidic axis at the back, and the flair of Ronaldo and Rooney.

United’s title win in 2006/07 followed two years of dominance by Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea and the following season, Fergie’s new team won the Premier League and Champions League.

Ronaldo scored 42 goals to win the Ballon d’or. ‘I had four world-class players in my time at United - Cantona, Giggs, Ronaldo and Scholes,’ said Ferguson. ‘And of them, Cristiano was the ornament on the top of a Christmas tree.’

Ronaldo wanted to leave United for Real Madrid in the summer of 2008. Ferguson blocked it, claiming he wouldn’t ‘sell them a virus’ - but privately they agreed to let him leave a further 12 months down the line.

Hence 2008/09 saw United carry arguably the most glittering attacking quartet in their history though it was a much younger, unheralded striker who ultimately proved the key to a third consecutive title.

17-year-old Federico Macheda scored late back-to-back winners against Aston Villa and Sunderland to ensure United finished the season four points clear of Liverpool.

Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12106665/Man-City-fifth-club-English-league-football-win-three-championships-row.html

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Abati’s Claim: I Didn’t See Evil Spirits In Aso Rock – Femi Adesina

Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, has said he did not have an encounter with evil spirits during his eight-year sojourn at the Presidential Villa.

In an article titled ‘The spiritual side of Aso Rock’, Reuben Abati, who occupied Adesina’s office under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, had claimed that there was “a force higher than what we can imagine.”

Abati said the state house “should be converted into a museum and abandoned”. He added that a cleric disclosed that Aso Rock was “full of evil spirit.”

He also said he suffered injuries and could not breathe properly for six months and “never slept in the apartment they gave me in that villa for an hour”.

But in a reaction to the claims after seven years, Adesina said he slept in the house assigned to him in the presidential villa for eight years and was never disturbed by demons.

In an article titled ‘The good in goodbye’, Adesina said he never suffered any mysterious illness, adding that no weirdness was experienced in the residence.

He added that Abati’s alleged ordeal “really has nothing to do with Aso Villa”.

“My predecessor in office (read, ancestor) Dr Reuben Abati, had alleged that Aso Villa is haunted, and should be turned to a museum. Abandoned. True? I didn’t see any of his rather wild claims, not in eight years,” Adesina stated.

“To the glory of God, I never experienced anything like this. Human beings normally face one vicissitude or the other, it is part of life. But God equally spares His own. No ailment to nurse, other than things typical of aspiring senior citizens like me. And nothing died under the waist.

“Well, I slept in my house in the Villa for eight years. And I snored, even so loudly to wake myself up. So, it’s really different strokes for different folks. And it really has nothing to do with Aso Villa. Yes, sound sleep is another good in goodbye.”

https://dailytrust.com/abatis-claim-i-didnt-see-evil-spirits-in-aso-rock-femi-adesina/

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Ganduje Laments In Leaked Audio: Tinubu, Unfair To Me For Meeting Kwankwaso

The Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, has expressed disaffection over a recent meeting between a former governor of the state, Rabiu Kwankwaso and President-elect Bola Tinubu.

The governor made the lamentation in a leaked audio, verified by insiders as the voices of Mr Ganduje and that of a former ‘placeholder’ vice presidential candidate of APC, Ibrahim Masari.

In 2018, Mr Ganduje was seen in leaked videos stuffing bundles of dollars in his gown, believed to be a bribe he allegedly collected from a contractor.

DAILY NIGERIAN reports that Mr Tinubu recently met with the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, in the 2023 general election as part of the former’s plan to form a “unity government”.

It was gathered that the president-elect, during the meeting extended a hand of fellowship to Mr Kwankwaso and expressed his desire to work with him.

Although sources said the leaders will hold subsequent meetings to finalise the deal, it was gathered that Mr Kwankwaso was offered a ministerial slot by the incoming president.

But in the leaked audio clip, Mr Ganduje was heard lamenting to Mr Masari that the president-elect was unfair to him for inviting Mr Kwankwaso to a meeting in Paris.

In the audio, Mr Masari was heard pacifying Mr Ganduje and urging him not to be angry over the development.

He asked the governor to remain calm until he visits Mr Tinubu on Thursday.

“There is noise all over Kano [over the Paris meeting],” Mr Ganduje said at the beginning of the conversation.

But Mr Masari, who is a close ally of Mr Tinubu, said he had earlier hinted to him [Ganduje] of the possibility of the meeting.

“I told you about it but you asked me to dismiss it,” Mr Masari said.

“Even if it was true as you hinted, was there anything I could have done to prevent him? Nothing,” Mr Ganduje responded.

“You should have at least confronted him to confirm for yourself,” said Mr Masari.

“If he [Tinubu] now sees Kwankwaso as an alternative to us because we lost election, there is no problem about that,” Mr Ganduje said in emotion-laden voice.

But Mr Masari asked the governor to perish the thoughts and be calm, adding that he cautioned Mr Tinubu about the implications of the meeting without notifying Ganduje.

“I share your pains. Even your enemy knows that he was not fair to you, but please remain calm until you come [to Abuja],” Mr Masari consoled Mr Ganduje.

“He should have at least invited us for the meeting even if it was for symbolic purposes. And we even lost Kano because of him, the governor lamented. And one thing he [Tinubu] failed to understand is that power belongs to God. And these are very wrong calculations”, he said.

Responding, the former placeholder VP candidate said Mr Tinubu was sending the wrong signal that would prevent people from trusting him.

Mr Ganduje cited an example of how Kwankwaso fell apart with former president Goodluck Jonathan over corruption allegations.

“I spoke with Mr President earlier and I lamented to him about the issue. He (Tinubu) told me that it was SLS [Sanusi Lamido Sanusi] who arranged the meeting through [Gilbert] Chagoury (a Franco-Lebanese business tycoon and ally of Mr Tinubu). And I asked whether you were informed before the meeting, he (Tinubu) said no. I will adequately brief you when we meet, you know phone calls are not safe. Just keep exhibiting your maturity by keeping mum,” Mr Masari said.

The governor however said he received a security report that the meeting was part of a plan to scuttle the APC governorship case at the election petition tribunal, which Mr Masari concurred.

He, however, said it was not within the powers of Mr Tinubu to scuttle the election case.

“Yes, that game plan is there, but it is not within his purview, but your Excellency I’m pleading with you to be calm until you come around. Let’s not discuss this issue on the phone. You know how unsafe our conversation could be.

“Anytime you come around, we will have our usual meeting and present our resolutions to him,” Mr Masari added.

When contacted to react to the audio clip, the spokesman for the governor, Abba Anwar, said he was driving and promised to call back later.

“I’m currently driving, and as you can hear, I’m in a noisy area, so please give me a little time to call you back,” Mr Anwar said.

He, however, didn’t call back after over two hours. He also didn’t respond to subsequent calls.

https://dailynigerian.com/tinubu-unfair-meeting/

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President, Wife, Son Spent Over 250 Days Abroad For Treatment

By Deborah Tolu-Kolawole


Despite allocating huge resources to the health sector, Nigerian leaders and politicians have continued their mistrust for the sector by abandoning it to rot, while flying abroad to treat the commonest of ailments at taxpayers’ expense in what stakeholders have described as medical tourism.

The health sector, like other major sectors in the country, has continued to suffer ups and downs, including industrial actions, low funding and low access to basic healthcare facilities among poor Nigerians.

The Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors, the umbrella body of doctors undergoing residency, announced the commencement of a five-day warning strike on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.

The strike, which has grounded activities in government-owned hospitals and health facilities, has left poor citizens, who cannot afford treatment in private health facilities, stranded.

This is not the first time doctors and other categories of health workers will embark on strike in the life of the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd).

In 2016, NARD, under the leadership of the then National President, Dr Muhammad Askira, embarked on an 18-day strike.

In 2017, the association, under the leadership of Dr John Onyebueze, again went on strike. The strike, which commenced on September 4, was suspended on September 17.

In 2020, NARD members, under the leadership of Dr Aliyu Sokomba, again embarked on a one-week nationwide strike on June 15 over the disengagement of 26 resident doctors at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, salary cuts and issues surrounding the Medical Residency Training Fund. The strike was eventually called off on June 22.

A year later, NARD initially embarked on a 10-day strike from April 1 to 10, 2021. Later in July of the same year, the association proceeded on a 60-day strike.

While the strikes persist, Buhari and his wife, Aisha, and their son, as well as the incoming President, Bola Tinubu; and the consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress to become the Senate President in the 10th National Assembly, Godswill Akpabio, among other prominent politicians, continue to enjoy seamless healthcare in hospitals abroad.

Some of the benefiting countries of medical tourism by Nigerian politicians include the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and India.

Though the amount spent by the politicians on medical tourism could not be obtained by our correspondent as of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority in 2021 said citizens spend an average of $1bn annually on medical tourism for a range of healthcare needs across four key specialities of oncology, orthopaedics, nephrology and cardiology.

In May 2019, Sergius Ose Ogun, a member of the House of Representatives, sponsored a bill seeking to prevent public officials from seeking medical treatment abroad. The bill sought to amend Section 46 of the National Health Act thus: “(1) A public officer of the Federal Government shall not embark on medical trip abroad without approval; or be sponsored for medical check-up, investigation; or treatment abroad at public expenses except in exceptional cases on the recommendation and referral by the medical board and which recommendation or referral shall be duly approved by the minister or commissioner as the case may be; or embark on medical trip abroad unless he satisfactorily proves to the office where the officer is working, that such ailment cannot be treated in Nigeria.”


Buhari’s family trips

Before he was sworn in as President eight years ago, Buhari, whose mantra was ‘Change’, visited the Chatham House in London in 2015, where he said, “What is the difference between me and those who elected us to represent them? Absolutely nothing! Why should a Nigerian President not fly with other Nigerian public? Why do I need to embark on foreign trip as a president with a huge crowd with public funds? Why do I need to go for foreign medical trip if we cannot make our hospitals functional? Why do we need to send our children to school abroad if we cannot develop our universities to compete with foreign ones?”

Eight months after assuming office in February 2016, Buhari embarked on a medical trip to the UK, where he spent a total of six days.

In April 2016, months after his first medical trip to London, Buhari condemned the use of Nigerian resources for international medical expenses.

Amidst criticisms, the retired general embarked on his second medical trip on June 6, 2016. He spent 10 days treating an undisclosed ear infection, after which he rested for three extra days before returning to Abuja on June 19, 2016 despite the availability of the National Ear Centre in the country.

On January 19, 2017, the President embarked on his second longest medical trip. Before leaving, however, he wrote to the Bukola Saraki-led Senate revealing his plan to travel to London for a 10-day vacation.

In the letter, Buhari said he would hand over to his deputy, Prof Yemi Osinbajo. Though the medical holiday was due to commence on January 23, 2017, the President left Abuja the same day.

He returned to Abuja on March 10, 2017, after spending 50 days away.

In May of the same year, barely two months after his last trip, the President departed for London for his longest medical pilgrimage lasting 104 days.

It is still unclear what ailment he was being treated for, but Nigerians were asked to “pray” for the President.

What followed were speculations and misinformation about his health status, with some presuming him dead and replaced with a body double.

The long treatment must have helped as the President would not visit London for another medical check-up until a year later in May 2018 when he spent four days on “medical review.”

In late March 2021, Buhari departed for London again for a “routine medical check-up” that lasted 15 days.

His trip came amid a labour crisis in the health sector, which saw members of NARD embarking on an indefinite strike over unpaid allowances.

On March 6, 2022, the President jetted out to London again for a medical trip, which lasted 12 days.

Earlier, Buhari was scheduled to visit London from Nairobi, Kenya, where he was attending the United Nations Environmental Programme at 50.

He, however, returned to Nigeria on Friday March 4, 2022 but departed for London two days later.

The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, had announced that Buhari would proceed to London from Kenya for “routine medical checks that will last for a maximum of two weeks.”

On October 31, 2022, the President departed Owerri, the Imo State capital, for London for another medical check-up lasting about two weeks and returned to the country on November 13, 2022.

The President’s spokesman had, times without number, defended Buhari’s medical trips abroad, saying he “has used the same medical team for about 40 years.”


Recently, the Presidency noted again that Buhari visited a hospital abroad to take care of his tooth.

The President is not alone in medical tourism as his wife, Aisha, was flown to Dubai in August 2020 over a “persistent neck pain.”

Similarly, their son, Yusuf, was in 2018 flown abroad for treatment after he was involved in a power bike accident.

In August 2020, Buhari’s nephew, Mamman Daura, was also flown to the UK for medical treatment.

The President-elect, Bola Tinubu, is no stranger to medical tourism.

The former Lagos State governor spent a total of 90 days in the UK in 2021 following a knee surgery.

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the last election, Atiku Abubakar, was flown to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in December 2015.

Similarly in October 22, 2023, Atiku also jetted out to France for what was simply tagged “medicals.”

Earlier, the former vice-president in December 2022 noted that the limitations in the healthcare system at home would not allow him to patronise hospitals in the country.

In June 2022, former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, was flown to an undisclosed hospital abroad for back surgery.

The outgoing Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, in 2020 was flown to Berlin, Germany, for treatment. He has undertaken multiple medical trips abroad since then.

Akpabio, in a letter sent to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on March 27, 2023, disclosed that he did not honour the anti-graft agency’s invitation because he was undergoing medical treatment abroad.

In September 2015, Akpabio, who was the then Senate Minority Leader, travelled abroad for medical treatment after sustaining injuries in a car crash.

In March 2022, the Governor of Yobe state, Mai Mala Buni, returned from a medical trip to the United Kingdom.

In August 2020, a former military dictator, Abdulsalam Abubakar, returned to the country after spending about three months abroad for medical treatment.

The Nigerian Army in April 2018 announced that seven of its men, who sustained injuries fighting Boko Haram, were flown to India for proper care.

In June 2018, the senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District of Ekiti State, Opeyemi Bamidele, was flown to the UK for treatment in a private jet belonging to Tinubu.

Bamidele and five others were shot at a reception rally organised for the All Progressives Congress candidate.

In November 2017, the Presidency announced that Buhari approved an immediate overseas medical treatment for former Vice-President, Alex Ekueme.

In August 2016, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Economic Matters deployed to the Vice-President’s office, Ayodele Adu, died in an Indian hospital.

A former governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, confirmed the death of the presidential aide in a condolence message issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Olayinka Oyebode.

The list of prominent politicians and Nigerians who have embarked on medical tourism over the years is inexhaustible.


NARD condemns medical tourism

A former Vice-President of NARD, Dr Julian Ojebo, in an interview with Saturday PUNCH flayed politicians for travelling abroad for medical conditions that could easily be diagnosed and treated in Nigeria.

Ojebo lamented the poor state of health institutions in the country.

He said, “When it comes to the amount spent on medical tourism, the data available is underreported. We need to understand that the population is divided into low, middle and upper classes. Members of the low and middle classes, who are forced to go abroad for treatment, go to low income Asian countries like India and they spend roughly $800m to $900m.

“However, we have the rich and politicians, and these are the one per cent of the one per cent. These ones go to Europe. Recently, the President-elect went to France. For that category of people, we cannot even get the data.

“Medical tourism has impacts on our economy, how the world views us and on the quality of healthcare service delivery at home. When these politicians go abroad and they get their medical treatment, they tend to forget and not care about the situation back home. Yes, we also have good private institutions now like Duchess Hospital and Nisa Premier, but how many of those at the lower class can afford their services?

“How many of our public hospitals have functional MRI machines? Our politicians cannot continue to go abroad for medical conditions that can be diagnosed and even treated in Nigeria. The money taken abroad, if injected into our health system, will go a long way in reviving the sector.”

Similarly, the National President, Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, Dr Victor Makanjuola, said, “Medical tourism is a scourge with a very negative impact on the Nigerian health sector. It has been estimated that this phenomenon costs the country over $1bn annually.

“Other than the direct benefits to the ill individuals, medical tourism impairs the corporate health of the nation.

“It is partly responsible for the poor funding of the health sector with attendant poor healthcare delivery to average Nigerians. This is because most of the people who engage in medical tourism are politicians and senior public servants (usually at the expense of taxpayers) and are also the ones expected to mobilise resources for the local health sector. This results in chronic underfunding of the health sector.

“Indirectly, medical tourism negatively impacts the economy of the country through capital flight, increasing the demand for foreign currencies significantly, and contributing to a negative trade balance for the country.”

Sam Altman Visits Nigeria On AI Tour

Sam Altman was at an exclusive OpenAI event in Muson Centre, Lagos, Nigeria, on Friday, May 19, 2023. The event had several tech executives, investors, and founders in attendance.

It was a two-part event, with a Q&A session and a meet and greet with Altman.

One of the attendants, Sudhanshu Gaurav, Co-founder of Incash said, “It was a great event. Looking forward to integrating AI into our startup and cannot wait to see how it makes a huge difference to the African Tech space in the next few years.”

According to a reliable source, Nigeria may be Altman’s only stop in Africa as he leaves for Europe on the same day of the event. Another source also revealed that the company is in search for developers in the country.

While company has not officially shared the reason for Altman’s visit, Olusola Ayoola of RAIN Technologies said, Altman is here to learn how OpenAI “can meet our needs in Nigeria.”

OpenAI’s Sam Altman at Muson Centre Lagos
One of the most known stories about OpenAI in Africa has been its unfair compensation and layoff of Kenyan workers to perfect ChatGPT.

OpenAI could be looking to fix its PR in the continent for good.

However, it’s going to have its work cut out for it as another tech giant, Meta, has been battling lawsuits on the continent for several months.

Meta’s issues in Africa are also labour related as it was reported that workers were subjected to inhumane working conditions through one of Meta’s contractors —Sama.

OpenAI could also be visiting Africa to expand its business on the continent.

From Salesforce to Air India and Duolingo, many platforms have integrated with ChatGPT. However, we’ve not seen many African platforms doing the same.

OpenAI could be looking to strike partnerships with platforms that could benefit from integrating with its API.

This means securing a spot in Africa as the go-to company for AI needs.

Past visits of other Big Tech companies have always been motivated by profitability, but the real reason for the AI company’s visit to Africa remains a mystery.

https://techpoint.africa/2023/05/19/openais-sam-altman-is-in-nigeria/

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FG Gives 29 Civil Servants Television Sets For Hard Work

The Federal Government has recognised and awarded 29 staff for their hard work and performance in the discharge of their various duties in the civil service.

The staff were given 32 inches television set each for their contributory role to the growth of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq during the launch of the Ministry’s revised service charter and rewards and recognition of deserving staff of the Ministry, urged the awardees not to relent in their duties.

Farouq while handing over the television to the awardees said: “As you may be aware, the Ministry has been rendering services to millions of its customers through its various programmes and activities. As such it has become very important for the ministry to reward and recognize its staff who have been working tirelessly to ensure that the Ministry’s mandates are met.

“The award is in consonance with pillar six of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021 – 2025 (FCSSIP25) with emphasis on the need to reward and recognize outstanding staff in MDAs to encourage them to render efficacious service delivery to their target group.

“To this end, may I assure everybody that we are all winners in this project that has been assigned to us as a Ministry, and I wish to thank everyone for their hard work and dedication in these past 3 years.

“To all the awardees, the reward for good work they say is more work. I, therefore urge you all to take this award as a clarion call to put in more effort in the discharge of your duties”.

https://thenationonlineng.net/fg-gives-29-civil-servants-television-sets-for-hard-work/