First, I am nearly confident that Nigeria’s presidency was not aware of this yacht line. In other words, no one can convince me that Tinubu would allow such, considering everything happening in the nation. My postulation is that one person in the government has a yacht which he is trying to dispose of, and the Nigerian people seem like a good target to dump it.
e Nigerian Senate and the House of Representatives have passed the controversial N2.17 trillion 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bill after its third reading, removing the controversial N5 billion budgeted for yacht, following outcry from civil society organizations and the general public.
The House of Representatives also made significant changes to the proposed supplementary budget, including an increase in the allocation for student loans and adjustments to other critical areas. The Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Abubakar Bichi Abubakar, shared these changes during a press briefing on Thursday.
When BBC Newshour broke the news at 3.30pm New York time yesterday, making a point that Nigeria’s lower legislature rejected and removed a N5bn yacht from supplementary appropriation bill, I was like “really?”
For the government, it may be time to scrutinize the budget team, considering how the House of Representatives tossed everything they sent, from defense to education. That means, even for a young government, the presidency may start making changes.
May Nigeria work, and may the wishes of our leaders align with the aspirations of our citizens: yacht, a floating mansion, has no value for Nigeria today, and I commend the actions of the House of Reps.
Education has always been a powerful tool for the transformation and progress of nations. In the context of Africa’s development, Russian educational institutions have emerged as valuable partners in shaping the future of the continent. The historical ties between Russia and African countries are deep-rooted, and the commitment to educating Africans has yielded remarkable results. This piece explores the enduring partnership and the exciting new initiatives that promise to further strengthen the bridge between Russia and Africa.
A Historical Legacy of Education
The mid-1980s marked a significant turning point when the Soviet Union had already signed numerous agreements in economic, cultural, and other fields with African nations. Thousands of African students were given the opportunity to study at Soviet universities and Technikons. As a result, today, we witness a notable legacy with African leaders, including the Presidents of Angola, Mozambique, and South Africa, who once honed their skills within the Soviet educational system. Moreover, the Soviets trained over 200,000 specialists on African soil, contributing to the continent’s development.
Contemporary Partnerships
Today, Russian universities continue to attract students from across the African continent. Prominent institutions like the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, St. Petersburg State Electrotechnical University “LETI,” Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, and the National Research University Higher School of Economics have welcomed a growing number of African scholars.
The most recent data shows that the number of African students studying at the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE) increased by 20% in the 2022-2023 academic year, demonstrating the increasing interest in Russian education. The educational program “Population and Development” at HSE has seen participation from 127 students representing 29 different countries, with six African nations actively engaged in this program.
Growing Opportunities
Russia’s commitment to educating African students is further exemplified by the substantial increase in state-funded places for foreigners in the 2023-24 academic year, totaling 30,000. The allocation of federal funds to support African students has increased by an impressive 150% in the past three years, reaching over 4,700 scholarships for the upcoming academic year.
Moreover, President Vladimir Putin has noted that approximately 10,000 African students are currently pursuing medical specialties in Russia, highlighting the diverse range of fields in which African scholars are making strides.
Number of students from African countries enrolled in higher education institutions and scientific organizations Source: Statista, 2023
Expanding Horizons
Currently, nearly 35,000 African students are studying in Russian universities, with over 6,000 benefiting from Russian government scholarships. This number continues to grow steadily, highlighting the enduring appeal of Russian educational institutions. Russia’s commitment to Africa goes beyond the classroom. President Putin has announced plans to open branches of leading Russian universities in Africa. The Russian-African Network University is fostering close ties with African educational institutions, aiming to enhance collaboration and educational opportunities.
A promising initiative, the Russian-African consortium of technical universities, is focused on joint training of professionals for the mineral resources sector, aligning with Africa’s growing significance in the global resource landscape. Also, the creation of the Association of African Graduates of Russian Universities in July 2023 in St. Petersburg signifies a new chapter in Russia-Africa educational cooperation. This initiative underscores the importance of nurturing all-round development within university education collaboration, thereby solidifying Russia’s commitment to its African partners.
From all indications, the sustainable growth of Russian education in Africa looks promising with the kind of friendship the government and people of Russia have extended to Africans over the years. This indicates the country poise to continue to play a pivotal role in advancing the continent’s potential. The collaborative efforts in education, the expansion of scholarship opportunities, and the joint initiatives between Russian and African institutions present a bright outlook for Africa’s development. The enduring friendship between Russia and Africa, forged through education, promises to have a lasting impact on the continent’s progress.
The intersection of mental health and spirituality is a topic of great importance, particularly in cultures where spiritual practices play a significant role in addressing various aspects of life, including mental well-being. Exorcism, a religious or cultural practice employed in various faiths such as Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism, has long been used as a method to address mental health disorders. In this piece, we delve into the complex relationship between spiritual approaches and mental health, with a focus on Islamic exorcism, and explore whether spiritual standpoints alone can effectively treat mental health issues.
The Role of Islamic Exorcism
Islamic exorcism, known as “Ruqyah” in Islam, is a practice often sought when individuals believe that they are suffering from spiritual afflictions, such as possession by Jinn (supernatural beings) or the effects of the “evil eye.” Skilled Islamic exorcists, who often have backgrounds in holistic remedies, are called upon to examine and provide spiritual solutions to such issues.
Spiritual Examination
When patients are brought to Islamic exorcists, the initial step is to conduct a spiritual examination to determine the presence of Jinn or spiritual afflictions. This examination is not carried out using laboratory tools but is performed through spiritual and cultural means. Common methods include reciting Quranic verses believed to elicit responses from Jinn or offering patients specially formulated powders. If a Jinn is present, it may communicate through the patient. If it is not Jinn possession but rather an effect of sorcery or the evil eye, patients may experience symptoms such as heat or vomiting.
The Complexity of Mental Health
It is crucial to recognize that not all mental health issues are rooted in spiritual afflictions. Factors such as societal pressures, family dynamics, peer influence, increasing responsibilities, and changes in thought processes can contribute to mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. These non-spiritual triggers of mental health issues necessitate a broader perspective in addressing them.
A Holistic Approach
In practice, Islamic exorcists are faced with complex cases that may or may not involve spiritual elements. Two real-life examples highlight the need for a holistic approach to mental health. In one instance, a young lady displayed symptoms of Jinn possession, but upon closer examination, a neurological test revealed underlying mental health issues related to her childhood experiences. In another case, a man exhibited unusual behaviour and was tested for Jinn possession, only to be found under the influence of sorcery.
The stories above underscore the importance of a comprehensive approach to mental health. While spiritual standpoints are meaningful to many individuals, they should not be the sole focus in addressing mental health issues. Combining spiritual and holistic mental health therapy can provide a more well-rounded and effective approach to treatment.
The dynamic relationship between mental health and spirituality should be approached with sensitivity and an open mind. Mental health issues are complex and multifaceted, often requiring a combination of therapies that address both the spiritual and psychological dimensions. By fostering collaboration between spiritual practices and modern mental health care, we can offer individuals the support they need on their journey towards improved mental well-being.
Umar Olansile Ajetunmobi, an independent, interdisciplinary researcher with special interests in political, (mental) health, development, and digital media communication, contributes to the development of this piece through his skills and knowledge garnered over the years.
Sam Bankman-Fried has been found guilty, CNN reports.
Sam Bankman-Fried was found guilty on Thursday for his role in the collapse of crypto exchange FTX.
After 15 days of testimony and about four and a half hours of deliberations, jurors returned a verdict that found him guilty on seven counts of fraud and conspiracy.
Bankman-Fried looked sunken as the verdict was read out. After the jury was released, he stood, head bowed and shaking as his lawyer spoke in his ear. A few feet behind him, his parents stood watching. As Bankman-Fried was escorted out of the room, he turned back and smiled at his parents. His father, Joe Bankman, put his arm around his mother’s shoulders. As their son left the room, Barbara Fried broke down in tears.
Bankman-Fried was found guilty of stealing billions of dollars from accounts belonging to customers of his once-high-flying crypto exchange FTX. He was also found guilty of defrauding lenders to FTX’s sister company, the hedge fund Alameda Research, which held FTX customer funds in a bank account.
During his trial, Bankman-Fried said he learned in 2020 that FTX customer funds were held by Alameda but he did not take action to safeguard them.
When he later discovered in the fall of 2022 that Alameda owed $8 billion to FTX, no one was fired.
Other charges Bankman-Fried was found guilty of include defrauding investors in FTX and a money-laundering charge.
The verdict caps a yearlong saga that took the 31-year-old Bankman-Fried from a billionaire living in a luxury apartment in the Bahamas to a defendant in one of the biggest white-collar crime cases since Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme that fell apart in 2009.
FTX was once one of the most trusted names in crypto. The trial has been closely watched by regulators, investors and the crypto community for signs of a potential larger crackdown on the largely unregulated crypto market.
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