As UK Universities Run Deficits Over Immigration Laws, We Must Learn Not To Abuse Positioning

By

-

May 18, 2024

In the Igbo Nation, it is always a great honour when you call your kinsmen and they gather to listen to you. The UK was a center of gravity in Europe, but it did not see it as an honour. It went to dismantle what made the UK amazing, via BREXIT, etc. Today, even its universities are paying the prices as inflation rises and poverty scales in the land. After BREXIT, I wrote that it was a huge irony that the “Great Britain which used to annihilate kingdoms and colonized them” would like to be left alone, peacefully! Unfortunately, that would weaken the UK because it did not know the power of its strength.

Fixing the paralysis of the UK has moved immigration to new dimensions: “Universities across England are grappling with a funding crisis orchestrated by a sharp decline in student applications, a trend believed to have been birthed by the UK’s new immigration laws…The OfS report, seen by the Financial Times, reveals that 40% of England’s universities are expected to run deficits in the 2023-24 academic year, with many institutions facing low cash flows.” Some of these new immigration laws would not have been necessary without BREXIT.

Good People, in this world, most times, we do not understand the privileges we have. That was what happened to Nigeria. One afternoon, some people closed all land borders in Southern Nigeria, distorting decades-old trade routes between Nigeria and its neighbours. By the time we woke up, from scoring those mindless economic own-goals, those countries had moved on. Till today, Nigeria has not recovered because those countries have established new trade routes. Check the data, our economy and Naira took the worst turns, post border closure.

The Main Market in Onitsha, Nigeria is the largest market in Africa by volume of goods and geographical size. It serves Niger, Benin Republic and other countries. Those customers come with USD dollars. But because Nigeria did not model the impact, we stopped them, and lost the inflow. When they left, Naira was impacted.

The Main Market in Onitsha, Nigeria is the largest market in Africa by volume of goods and geographical size. It serves Niger, Benin Republic and other countries. The foreign customers always come with USD dollars. But when we closed the land borders, we stopped them, and lost the inflow. When they left, Naira was impacted.

If the UK cannot fund KNOWLEDGE of the future, it will fade over years. And by now, it is self-evident that BREXIT was an own goal. Of course, they will reverse some of the unaligned immigration laws as they govern with data, knowing what works and does not work.

My Response on Impact of Brexit on this

“As of February 2024, the UK’s GDP per capita has only increased 4% since the 2016 Brexit vote, which is significantly lower than the 8% increase in the Eurozone and 15% growth in the U.S.. The NIESR estimates that Brexit’s negative impact will increase gradually, reaching about £2,300 per capita by 2035”.

I did not write this decline is due to BREXIT but I posit that without BREXIT, the UK will not have this new immigration policy which is affecting enrollment. You need to acknowledge my inferences; BREXIT did not affect students enrollment directly, but BREXIT triggered many things like lower standard of living, inflation, etc which make the UK seem poorer, pushing for these changes like immigration.

New UK Immigration Laws: 40% of England’s Universities Expected to Run Deficits in 2023-24 Academic Year

By

Samuel Nwite

-

May 18, 2024

0

Universities across England are grappling with a funding crisis orchestrated by a sharp decline in student applications, a trend believed to have been birthed by the UK’s new immigration laws.

The Office for Students (OfS) has highlighted these concerns in its annual report, pointing to a dire financial outlook for the higher education sector.

The OfS report, seen by the Financial Times, reveals that 40% of England’s universities are expected to run deficits in the 2023-24 academic year, with many institutions facing low cash flows. The report cautions that an increasing number of universities will need to overhaul their funding models to avoid the risk of closure.

Immigration Laws and Decline in Student Applications

The recent legislative changes include restrictions on international students’ ability to bring family members to the UK and an increase in the salary threshold for skilled workers from £26,200 to £38,700. These measures have already led to a significant drop in applications from international students, a crucial source of revenue for UK universities.

The Russell Group of top-tier universities has warned that any further reduction in overseas recruitment could destabilize the sector, resulting in less spending in local communities, fewer opportunities for domestic students, and diminished research output.

As the OfS annual statement notes, “Data on undergraduate applications and student sponsor visa applications indicates that there has been an overall decline in student entrance this year, including a significant decline in international students.”

The financial strain on universities is compounded by a decade-long freeze in the £9,250 annual tuition fees for domestic students. The Russell Group estimates that universities are losing £2,500 per domestic student annually, a figure projected to rise to £5,000 by the end of the decade.

The OfS report contrasts starkly with last year’s assessment, which suggested no immediate concern for the short-term viability of most providers. The current data show a notable decline in both undergraduate applications and student sponsor visa applications, contradicting earlier forecasts that anticipated a 35% increase in international students and a 24% rise in domestic ones.

Broader Economic Impact

The economic ramifications of declining university revenues extend beyond the higher education sector. Universities are major employers and economic contributors in their regions. Over 50 UK universities are making budget and job cuts due to financial pressures, a trend that could lead to reduced student choice and educational opportunities.

The OfS expressed further concern, stating, “Across the sector as a whole this may over time reduce student choice: in some subject areas, or in some regions, or for some types of students.” This reduction in choice could have long-term implications for the diversity and quality of education in the UK.

Government Stance and Potential Solution

The UK government has maintained that the new immigration policies are essential to control migration and ensure that the skills brought by international students meet the country’s economic needs. However, the 14-week independent advisory report on the UK’s visa graduate program concluded that the program is not being abused and should remain in place. Despite this, the government has signaled its intention to possibly further restrict the route, particularly for students attending lower-ranked universities.

In response to these challenges, universities may need to explore alternative revenue streams, increase fundraising efforts, and advocate for policy changes that support international student recruitment and funding stability. The OfS has emphasized the need for universities to adapt their financial strategies to ensure sustainability.

Universities UK, the collective voice for 140 universities across the UK, has been actively lobbying for a more favorable immigration policy. The organization stresses that international diversity is crucial for the academic and financial health of UK universities and urges the government to support measures that enhance the UK’s attractiveness as a study destination.

The OfS also recommends that universities focus on diversifying their international student recruitment efforts to include a broader range of countries. This strategy could mitigate the risk associated with reliance on students from a few key markets, such as China and India, which are significantly affected by the new immigration restrictions.

Long-term Economic Impact

The broader economic impact of declining international student numbers could be substantial. According to a report by the Higher Education Policy Institute, international students contribute over £28 billion annually to the UK economy through tuition fees and spending in local communities. A significant reduction in this income could lead to job losses not only within universities but also in the wider economy, affecting housing, retail, and other sectors that benefit from student spending.

6 Best Cryptocurrency to Invest in 2024 Ahead of the Next Bull Run

By

TI Partners

-

May 18, 2024

0

The cryptocurrency market has been booming since 2024. The crypto community’s general sentiment has remained positive, as evident in the crypto fear and greed index, a metric used to measure investors’ emotions. It provides a score from 0 to 100.

While this metric reflects “greed,” which means that investors in the market are willing to buy more, people expect the score to surge even higher to reflect “extreme greed” and a significant bullish movement.

As a result, new and seasoned investors wonder about the cryptocurrency they should invest in before the next bull run.

To help simplify the choice, we have carefully selected the best cryptocurrencies to pay attention to. These tokens can potentially record substantial gains during the next bull run. If you want to diversify your portfolio profitably, this article about the best cryptocurrency to invest in is for you. Continue reading to find out.

6 Best Cryptocurrency to Invest in 2024 Ahead of the Next Bull Run

Here is the list of 6 Best Cryptocurrency to Invest in Ahead of the Next Bull Run in 2024 for good returns:

As a rule of thumb, diversification should be approached with caution, given the highly volatile nature of the crypto market. Choosing low-risk cryptocurrencies with high gain potential is one of the best ways to do this.

We have listed six cryptocurrencies to help you in this venture.

5thScape (5SCAPE)
DarkLume (DLUME)
SimuGaze (SGAZE)
Cosmos (ATOM)
Stellar (XLM)
Sei (SEI)

In the next section, we will check out the cryptocurrency to invest in before the next bull run, helping you make an informed decision.

1. 5thScape (5SCAPE)

The next cryptocurrency to invest in ahead of the next bull run is 5thScape. This is another new project in the market that has gathered lots of interest since its launch.

Players passionate about virtual reality find this project exciting as it integrates blockchain technology to create an immersive experience.

By owning 5SCAPE, the utility token, players can enjoy multiple benefits that enhance their digital experience across various domains.

Some benefits include free primary access to all digital products, educational content, games, movies, and more.

The presale is currently on and has moved to the second stage, quickly raising over $2.4 million from the target of $2.5 million. This indicates a growing interest in the project. Investors who want to join can do so for $0.00215.

>>Click here to visit 5thScape Presale Page

2. DarkLume (DLUME)

DarkLume is a new virtual reality project that prides itself on being the “metaverse of fantasies.” The project redefines the virtual world by introducing new concepts to create an even more immersive experience.

DarkLume offers its players diverse activities and entertainment designed to create and maintain engagement. Some of the activities in which you can participate in the ecosystem include leisure and fun, dating, and social interaction. Also, DarkLume provides ‘wild activities’ designed to take adrenaline junkies to the limit.

The DarkLume ecosystem is powered by its native token, DLUME, which enables players to acquire citizenship in countries within the ecosystem.

What is more, DLUME can be purchased using fiat currency and earned by participating in social activities. The token presale will take place in the first and second quarters of 2024, offering investors an opportunity to get in early ahead of listing. Including metaverse tokens in your portfolio is a smart way to stay ahead of the upcoming bull run.

>>Click here to visit DarkLume VR

3. SimuGaze (SGAZE)

Step into the world of virtual reality with the groundbreaking SimuGaze project. The fusion of virtual reality and blockchain technology has created many industry ventures, and SimuGaze is one to watch.

SimuGaze is an exciting virtual reality racing and simulation project that has created buzz since its release. The project aims to create a global community of passionate gamers who share a love for speed, competition, and innovation.

With SimuGaze, gamers can choose from several racing disciplines, such as Formula 1, rally, street racing, and more. Also, players can enjoy the feel of realistic acceleration, braking, and cornering as if they were behind the wheel.

The introduction of the SGAZE utility token makes it even better. The token is used to conduct transactions, incentivize players, and create a sense of belonging in the community.

Users and investors can acquire the SGAZE tokens through the upcoming presale or by participating in in-game activities. The presale will have ten rounds, with the price starting at $0.00138 and moving up to $0.0018 before listing on exchanges.

Investing in a token presale is an excellent way to become an early adopter and an opportunity to receive exponential gains as the project grows.

>>Click here to visit SimuGaze Presale Page

3. Cosmos (ATOM)

Cosmos is a blockchain ecosystem that plans to develop an internet of blockchains by creating secured communication and connections among various blockchains.

Cosmos sets out to solve some of the problems associated with blockchain, including slow transactions and high costs, by creating an interconnected network of blockchains using the Tendermint software.

The ecosystem’s native token, ATOM, is used to pay for gas fees and can also be staked to contribute to and improve the network’s security. Since its launch in 2014, Cosmos has gradually solidified itself as one of the top cryptocurrencies, sitting at #27 on the global crypto market chart.

Over the last month, ATOM has spiked by an impressive 15%, making it one of the tokens to watch.

5. Stellar (XLM)

Stellar (XLM) can be a significant cryptocurrency to add to your portfolio, given its impressive performance over the years. Stellar has created a cheaper, faster, and more efficient way of sending money.

A decentralized protocol enables the transfer of digital assets to traditional currencies at a low cost, allowing for cross-border transactions between any pair of currencies.

The project also recently launched some amazing features, such as Soroban, a smart contract designed for scale and sensibility.

Finally, over the last month, XLM, the network’s native token, has grown by 18% and has an impressive market cap of $3.9 billion.

6. Sei (SEI)

The last cryptocurrency on our list to invest in ahead of the next bull run is Sei (SEI). Sei is a layer-1 blockchain built on the Cosmos network, and it is another excellent cryptocurrency for long-term profits.

Decentralized exchanges (DEXs) have grown in popularity, but it is clear that they need more speed and convenience of trading afforded by centralized exchanges such as Binance and Coinbase. This is what SEI plans to modify. They intend to leverage their layer-1 blockchain to provide a professional trading option to the DeFi community.

Ultimately, Sei has proven to be an impressive project to pay attention to.

Factors That Drives the Growth of Cryptocurrencies

Several factors can be attributed to the growth of cryptocurrencies; some of them are:

Demand and Supply: The basic principle of economics applies to cryptocurrencies. Once the demand for digital assets outstrips its supply, the asset’s price is expected to surge. Consumer sentiment and market trends contribute to market demand.

Adoption is a significant factor affecting the growth of cryptocurrencies. The rate of adoption of a project fuels its rise or fall. Some of the cryptocurrencies included in our list, like SimuGaze, DarkLume, and 5thScape, are experiencing heavy adoption, making them very valuable investments in 2024.

Utilized Technology: This factor plays a vital role in determining the growth trajectory of a crypto project. Tokens with innovative technology like virtual reality and artificial intelligence are predicted to grow exponentially, creating avenues for massive gains in the long term.

Economic Factors: Broader economic factors like inflation, interest rate, and global market trends play a significant role in the value direction of a project. When periods of economic uncertainties arise, cryptocurrencies are often considered a ‘haven.’

Closing Thoughts on the Best Cryptocurrency to Invest in Ahead of the Next Bull Run

Cryptocurrency bull run is a period when the demand for cryptocurrencies outweighs supply. During this time, the prices of tokens skyrocket, sometimes reaching new highs and printing substantial gains for intelligent investors.

Ahead of the next bull run, cryptocurrencies like SimuGaze (SGAZE), DarkLume (DLUME), and 5thScape (5SCAPE) are some of the projects that have been positioned for growth. The meteoric rise of their underlying VR technology is the driving force behind the confidence.

However, it is crucial to remember the highly volatile nature of the crypto market. Tokens can rise and fall swiftly. Therefore, you are advised to do your research before deciding to invest.

Donald Trump’s Approval of Cryptos Sparks Debate: Top Meme Coins Showing Signs of a Rally

By

TI Partners

-

May 18, 2024

0

While the meme coin market has surged in the past few months, former US president Donald Trump’s backing of cryptos could push the meme coins further into the bull market. The majority of meme tokens, such as DOGE and Shiba Inu, are used for donations. With the Trump campaign team offering to accept cryptos as a form of donation, the meme coin market is about to witness more adoption.

The latest news has sent the meme coin market into a frenzy, and investors are looking to buy valuable meme coins. After a careful study of the market, KangaMoon, Dogecoin, Pepe, Dogwifhat and Bonk are some of the top meme coins that will surge soon. Elon Musk Tesla has already announced acceptance of DOGE as a form of payment with KANG already surging in presale.

KangaMoon (KANG) Community Members Surge Past 25,000

KangaMoon (KANG) tops the list of the best new meme coins you should invest in today. Although in presale, the Kangamoon project has attracted the interest of many investors who see it as a viable choice. So far, the community is growing beyond the expectations of investors, with over 6,000 presale buyers and 25,000 community sign-ups.

The KangaMoon ecosystem is a unique blend of Play-to-Earn and Social-fi structure. With the P2E feature, users can connect with people worldwide and challenge them in fights to test their skills. Also, users can engage in weekly, monthly, and quarterly challenges and win prizes through the Social-fi structure. Non-gamers can speculate on match outcomes and win rewards.

All these combine to ensure that users have a seamless experience in the ecosystem. There are several incentives for users. Over 250M of the total 1B total supply are mapped out for in-game rewards. That means every challenge is a chance to win, and this victory translates to rewards such as KANG, virtual currency or rare in-game items. Meanwhile, the KANG token is sold for just $0.025.

Early buyers have gotten over 400% ROI as the price moved from $0.0050 to the current price. Some analysts forecast the price to trade at $0.50 in Q3 and $1 by year-end. As such, it will be wise to accumulate the token now. At the current trajectory, KANG is on the path of challenging established meme coins like DOGE and SHIB. This makes it one of the top meme coins on our list.

Dogecoin (DOGE): The Ultimate Memecoin for Secure and Efficient Digital Payments

Dogecoin was designed to accept and send digital payments via the Dogecoin network. It is an open-source peer-to-peer platform launched in 2013. Dogecoin boasts a massive and buoyant community where thousands of members interact.

The ecosystem uses $DOGE for all payments. The DOGE token is accepted by many merchants worldwide as a means of payment. Recently, Elon Musk Tesla announced that it will accept DOGE as a form of payment. Also, $DOGE is used to pay content creators on various social media channels. Some analysts believe that the increasing adoption of DOGE will push the price up.

In the past three months, Dogecoin’s price has increased by over 80%, hitting a new milestone. Some analysts believe that Dogecoin’s price will reach $1 in the coming weeks. With the recent rumors of the Trump campaign accepting cryptos as a means of donation, analysts are projecting DOGE as one of the tokens that will be widely used for the donation. As such, now might be the best time to accumulate the top meme token before the price heads to the moon.

Pepe (PEPE): The Memecoin Platform with Amazing Features

The Pepe (PEPE) token is built on the Ethereum blockchain, one of the widely used blockchains across the crypto market. Pepe is a deflationary meme coin with a token burn feature. Pepe boosts a large community which sees it as a cost-effective way to trade.

There is also a redistribution system in the Pepe ecosystem where a percentage of each transaction is given to holders. This initiative helps foster more participation and rewards long-term investors. The burning mechanism ensures that Pepe tokens are burned from time to time to keep the circulating supply in check.

As one of the under $1 meme coins, Pepe’s price has surged in the past months, with analysts hinging the rally on massive whale activity. It was rumored that a whale purchased over $143B worth of Pepe tokens, fueling speculation that the price will establish support above $0.00001 in the coming weeks. With the Pepe market cap still low, analysts project massive growth in the coming months.

Dogwifhat: A Meme Coin Worth Buying for Its Decentralized Approach

Dogwifhat (WIF) is a dog-themed meme coin that is popular among meme lovers. Although new, the memecoin has received massive support across the meme coin community. The $WIF token doesn’t have actual utility and thrives mainly on hype. However, as a Solana-based meme coin, the increasing adoption of the Solana blockchain has boosted the WIF token’s visibility.

Dogwifhat parades itself as a platform with the objective that no single entity can control it, giving users control over its assets. The community-driven approach and speculative dynamics drive the token price.

Meanwhile, Dogwifhat has maintained its lead as one of the top meme coins with a market cap of over $2B. The Dogwifhat price has also witnessed tremendous growth, moving from $0.34 in February to $4.85 in March which is also its ATH record. Although the market retracement has depleted the token, analysts project a rise to $10 in the coming weeks as the bull market draws closer. With the bull market anticipated, you might want to buy the token now.

Bonk Coin’s Burning Mechanism Makes It a Must-Have Meme Coin

Bonk (BONK) is a popular meme coin that is available on several blockchains. It boasts a unique burning mechanism, which makes the value stable. In the past weeks, over 278B Bonk tokens have been burned which has pushed the price up. In the Bonk ecosystem, you will find BonkSwap, BonkVault, and BonkDex.

These are crucial components that play a huge part in the ecosystem. You can use the $BONK token to participate in DeFi by staking and lending. Also, users can use it for payments within the Solana network. Bonk tokens can be used to buy and sell digital assets in the NFT marketplace in the Solana ecosystem.

Regarding market activity, Bonk is one of the meme coins that has experienced huge growth in the past year. The Bonk price has surged by over 4000% in the year-to-date price metrics. At the same time, the Bonk trading volume and market cap have witnessed increased market activity in the past weeks. Analysts believe that with the increasing adoption of meme coins, Bonk will head to the moon soon.

Final Thoughts

A key political figure like Donald Trump has gotten many crypto investors and experts talking. His view on crypto could change the crypto market dynamics. This change could trigger more rallies for meme coins which are mostly used for donations and gifts. The above coins are some of the best meme tokens to buy now and wait for the speculated bull market.

Discover the Exciting Opportunities of the KangaMoon (KANG) Presale Today!

Website: https://Kangamoon.com/

Join Our Telegram Community: https://t.me/Kangamoonofficial

“Umu-Ada” vs “Umu Ada” And Welcome Prince Harry and Wife

By

Ndubuisi Ekekwe

-

May 17, 2024

0

Some nice feedback on my writing about Prince Harry and his wife Markel, our daughter, the Duchess of Sussex, and Ada Mazi of Nigeria! I had used “Umu Ada” and “Umu-ada” to mean different things.

Under Igbo Izugbe (General Igbo) and Prof FC Ogbalu’s 1978 Igbo convention on harmonization of Igbo alphabets, hyphen “-” brings new meanings in Igbo. My Igbo teachers, Madam Odumuko (junior secondary) and Papa Iyke (senior secondary), would literally tear your paper, if you use hyphen to indicate the division of a word at the end of a line, because in Igbo, that will mean a different thing even though that is allowed in English.

“Umu-Ada” is “daughters” and is typically used for married daughters.

“Umu Ada” means “daughters’ children or daughter’s children”.

Here “Ada” is not a name or the first daughter in a family, but “any daughter” in the collective form. The daughter’s children are “Umu Ada”, and arguably the most important visitors when they visit their mother’s birthplace. This is because in ancestral Igbo, if your kingdom falls, the last refuge is to run to that daughter’s married place; those Umu Ada are possibly the ones who will welcome and accept you while you are in exile.

Interestingly, Umu Ada have unusual power in Igbo culture; they are the ones called to address difficult crises in their places of birth. Why not? If everything fails, they will place hosts to those kindreds in their husbands’ lands. That is why tilll today, every Igbo community shows reverence to Umu-Ada and Umu Ada!

Igbos name their daughters “Nneka” which means “mother is supreme”. When a kingdom fails and men are to go into exile, where do they go? Mother’s place. So, in the ancestral Igbo culture, everyone was reminded that you can do garagara in your home but when wahala comes, Umu Ada and Umu-Ada hold the ace.

So, Prince Harry’s kids are Umu Ada, and Markel can join the Umu-Ada League of Ovim in the Americas!

Welcome Meghan Ifeoma Markle and Prince Harry to Nigeria