“The millions of people living on the African continent are on the frontlines of climate change, and it is critical that polluters are held accountable for the suffering and injustice global warming is already inflicting”
Denouncing Trump’s decision to abandon the Paris Climate Agreement, Greenpeace International (www.Greenpeace.org) said the decision would cost the US its global leadership position and its share of the economic benefits of the clean energy transition.
Greenpeace Africa Executive Director Njeri Kabeberi said:
“Thursday, June 1st 2017 will be written in history as the day the US, under the administration of President Trump, turned its back on those who needed its leadership, ambition and compassion.
“The millions of people living on the African continent are on the frontlines of climate change, and it is critical that polluters are held accountable for the suffering and injustice global warming is already inflicting. Climate change impacts are already a daily reality, and action to stop catastrophic climate change cannot be delayed. Our global community will take action, and is already taking action, with or without the US government, and it is critical that major emitters like South Africa step up and take a leadership role.”
Jennifer Morgan, Greenpeace International Executive Director, said:
“Withdrawing from the Paris Agreement will turn America from a global climate leader into a flat earth society of one. It is a morally-bankrupt decision that Trump will come to regret. Global climate action is not a legal or political debate; it is an inescapable obligation to protect people and the planet.
“Trump is surrendering US global leadership to real world leaders who are seizing the momentum to protect their country and the climate by transforming their economies to clean energy. We are witnessing a seismic shift in the global order as Europe, China and others lead the way forward.
“Almost 200 countries committed to climate action in Paris and only one has decided to withdraw. This is how far out of step Trump is with the rest of the world. It is the changing of the global guard – as the US bows out, world leaders, CEOs and people across the world can and are moving forward into the future.”
Greenpeace East Asia Senior Global Policy Officer Li Shuo said:
“President Trump is taking his administration in the opposite direction to the rest of the world. While China cancels coal power plants, Trump cancels climate action.
“Trump’s attempt to sabotage the global transition to a safer clean energy future won’t succeed. It will only corner the US and present China with an opportunity to reap the economic benefits of America’s withdrawal.”
Real Madrid become the first team in the CL Era to win back to back titles!
Real Madrid wrote another glorious chapter in their history when they beat Juventus 4-1 to become the first team to defend a UCL trophy after a thrilling encounter at the National Stadium of Wales. The only team who attained that feat was AC Milan 27 years ago. On the scoresheet for tonight’s game were Cristiano Ronaldo who scored a double, Marco Asensio, Casemiro and Juventus’ Mandzukic whose scissors kick sent the football world into a frenzy. Unfortunately the team couldn’t go beyond that, the final moments of the game was very embarrassing for the team as well.
The Los Blancos also created history by scoring their 500th goal in the Champions League – the first team in the history of the Champions League to attain the mark. Thanks to a strike by Cristiano Ronaldo. The Spanish club have won 3 Champions League trophies in the last 4 seasons. Tonight’s trophy is their 12th European Cup/Champions League trophy, five more than any other side.
Barca unveil Ernesto Valverde as new coach
Retired Spanish footballer, Ernesto Valverde has been named the new manager of Barcelona FC. He signed his contract alongside president Bartomeu and sporting vice president Jordi Mestre. The former Barcelona player who is replacing Luis Enrique was officially presented at a press conference today.
“I feel a great responsibility at this great club, it’s a challenge. It’s a privilege to be at FC Barcelona and that shows great confidence in me. It’s one of the best challenges, of that I have no doubt. My idea is to deepen that characteristic style that Barça has.
When a team like FC Barcelona calls you, you don’t have to think about it too much. I consider Iniesta to be a very important player for the team and for the Club – he can still bring a lot out on the field.
My idea is to have a fluid relationship with the B team, to see players getting better day by day to come up to the first team. “Luis Enrique is a high quality coach, he has achieved great things here. “It is the most difficult challenge in my career but also the most attractive. I feel confident. In my career as a player I had great coaches: Cruyff, Irureta, Heynckes, Clemente…You always take something from each one. Managing Barça will be the biggest challenge of my career
Man City sign Ederson from Benfica
Benfica confirm they have received €40 million fee for goalkeeper Ederson from Manchester City. The contract which has been tagged the second most expensive goalkeeper deal in history is for 5 years. ‘s Recall that Gianlugi Buffon’s transfer in 2001 was £33m / €53m Ederson‘s transfer in 2017: £33.4m is 40m
The 23 year-old Brazilian was in Manchester on Monday and was spotted at the club;s training ground on Tuesday where he was to complete a medical. He is expected to conduct interviews with the club’s in-house media channels. His official confirmation will be announced in the coming days.
Atletico Madrid's transfer ban has been upheld.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has rejected Atletico Madrid‘s appeal against their transfer ban. The Spanish club’s hopes of signing players this summer have been dashed as they won’t be able to sign players until January 2018!
Full Statement from Atletico Madrid.
After the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) partially estimated the appeal filed by Atletico Madrid against the sanction imposed by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee in the case concerning the registration of licenses of underage players and that Ratified the FIFA Appeals Commission, reducing the economic penalty, but maintaining the ban on registering licenses in the next period of the market of signings, our club wants to state the following:
1. We consider that the decision to maintain the prohibition to register players in a second period, the one corresponding to the summer of 2017, supposes a comparative tort and discriminatory treatment towards our entity, since recently and in a similar case the Sanction allowing to register licenses from next July 1. This resolution is unfair and represents irreparable damage to our club.
2. The resolution was communicated outside the deadline established in the agreement signed by the parties and ended yesterday, May 31, 2017. This implies a lack of respect for our institution.
3. We wish to reiterate that we have been sanctioned despite strict compliance with Spanish legislation, Since we have always processed all our licenses through the Football Federation of Madrid, as indicated in the Sports Law.
4. Our sports planning for next season has contemplated at all times the two scenarios that could be given once the TAS emitted its decision. The club will advance from this moment on the negotiations necessary to formalize operations with the aim of registering players from January 1, when the next window opens in which we will be authorized by FIFA to register new licenses.
5. We are totally confident in our current squad, with which we have achieved the direct classification for the Champions League for the fifth consecutive year and with which we have reached the semi-finals of the Champions League and the Copa del Rey. From the club we have the commitment of players and technicians to continue competing at the same level next season despite this decision that obviously harms us. Together, team, club and hobby, we will continue fighting for our goals.
Arsenal and Wenger agree contract extension.
Arsenal Football Club and Arsène Wenger have agreed a two-year extension to his contract as manager and has been reportedly handed a £100m budget to spend in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Owner, Stan Kroenke said: “Our ambition is to win the Premier League and other major trophies in Europe. It’s what the fans, players, staff, manager and board expect and we won’t rest until that is achieved. Arsène is the best person to help us make that happen. He has a fantastic track record and has our full backing.”
Confirming the news, the Frenchman, said: “I love this club and I am looking forward to the future with optimism and excitement. We are looking at what we do well and how we can be stronger everywhere. This is a strong group of players and with some additions we can be even more successful. We’re committed to mounting a sustained league challenge and that will be our focus this summer and next season. I am grateful to have the support of the board and Stan in doing everything we can to win more trophies. It’s what we all want and I know it’s what our fans around the world demand.”
The Need to Address Mental Health Issues in Nigeria | By : Tony Ogunlowo
It’s not only the mad people who wander the streets dressed in rags, talking to themselves, that have mental health issues. People will be surprised to learn that a lot of seemingly healthy and sane people have mental health issues.
Mental health problems covers a very wide spectrum ranging from the clinically insane ( ‘were’ or mad-man) who roam our streets, to those who were born with mental disorders and disabilities and finally to the closet mental health sufferers.
It’s the last group, the closet-mental-health- sufferers, that I want to address here for they are the ones who are most at risk and are either not aware of it or don’t think it’s a problem. These are the people who suffer from depression, anxiety, panic attacks etc. Left un-checked it can lead to hypertension or the individual developing suicidal thoughts.
According to the Commonwealth Health organisation, the most commonly diagnosed mental illness in Africa is mood disorders caused by a number of things.
There are a lot of things that can cause an individual’s mental health to deteriorate rapidly: the current economic climate with all the uncertainty, peer and family pressure and undisclosed personal problems.
According to Professor Taiwo Lateef-Shiek, the Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Kaduna, 80% of Nigerians with mental health problems don’t seek proper help: they are more likely to go running to their pastors or babalawos or keep quiet about it. The recent rise in the number of people taking their own lives is a clear indication of this. If there is more awareness people won’t be stigmatised and ashamed to seek help or commit suicide.
In the Western world there are periodic campaigns to alert people to the dangers of concealing a mental health problem – it can happen to anyone! Hollywood giants like the late Tony Scott and Robin Williams committed suicide after years of suffering from depression. And in the UK, recently, the Royal Princes Harry and William openly talked about their battle with depression following the death of their mother, Princess Diana, in 1997.
In Africa, shame and the thought of being stigmatised prevent people from talking about their mental health problems until it is too late. Remember it can happen to anyone and any number of worldly problems can cause a person to lose the plot and go mad.
There is no shame in going to see a qualified practitioner (-definitely not your Pastor!) and discussing your problems. Sometimes all it takes is therapy, pills or a change in direction in life to clear your head. If you keep it to yourself hoping it’ll go away you’re wrong! It’ll only keep on building up and up till one day you’ll explode (- or implode)
Society also has a role to play in this – stop stigmatising people who have mental problems! You see ‘were’ or a mad-person on the street and start laughing at them, abusing them because they happen to be in the unfortunate position of not being able to control their faculties. Do you know what led to them losing their minds and ending up mad on the streets? You don’t know! It could be a catalogue of problems ( – or a man-made curse!) that finally pushed them over the edge. At the end of the day they are somebody’s brother, sister, uncle or mother. Show some empathy!
People with mental health problems just don’t develop it overnight: it starts off gradually. Signs to look out for are erratic behaviour, loss of interest in things and aloofness, mood swings and uncontrollable emotional outbursts. If the problem is dealt with in its infancy the patient has a good chance of a full recovery.
In the absence of a comprehensive mental health care system we have to look out for each other; sometimes all it takes is a shoulder to cry upon, someone to talk to.
And to the charlatan- pastors out there – you can’t cure every mental health sufferer out there with your brand of prayer sessions and God-knows-what: you’re not a qualified psychiatrist who specialises in these matters.
And if you have a mental health problem don’t hide away in shame- seek help! Your very life and well-being might depend on it!
Tony blogs at http://www.archangel641. blogspot.co.uk
Economic Confidential's 2016 Viability Index: An incomplete analysis. | By: Tope Bolarinwa
Following the recently released 2016 economic viability report by economic confidential, I beg to disagree that economic viability is a question of percentage of IGR to federal allocation. The picture below shows the index as published by economic confidential.
Viability is successful survival and economic viability is when a state is sustainable in terms of her use of her financial resources. That sure goes beyond the ratio of IGR to Federal allocation.
Federal allocation remains a credible funding source for every state in our federation and the mere fact that a state plans it’s expenditure around that alone is not enough to call the sat unviable, further to assume the absence of federal allocation for a state is to assume the absence of the federation which is a needless assumption; the federation would be there, the absence of the federation or inability of the federation to provide allocation would mean that many state’s IGR would also significantly dwindle. Nonetheless it is noble for states to take efforts to generate funds internally to being more development to her people.
Viability is about income vs expenditure. All states have deficit in that regard. But that does not tell the full story. We have to look at what percentage of expenditure is on recurrent and what percentage is on capital. This will tell us how the government is using the finances of the state to secure it’s sustainability over time.
Further we should look at income vs debt i.e. revenue to debt ratio.
While not exhaustive, these are all indicators that will further tell us about the viability of a state better than IGR percentage of Federal allocation. Please tell economic confidential to complete the work they have started so that we can understand more about the operations of our beloved states.
God bless Nigeria.
Temitope Bolarinwa blogs at whatsupng.blogspot.com.ng.
Opinion: What’s a life worth in Nigeria? | By: Biodun Ogungbo
Somewhere in Nigeria.
A trailer fell on a woman.
It crushed her legs.
She was still alive.
But in severe pains and begging.
Begging for help.
For someone to save her!
There on the scene.
Men and women.
Including law enforcement.
Walking around her.
Taking photographs and video.
Capturing her misery.
Her impending death from blood loss.
For all to see!
Oh, what a life?
This was the distressing picture I saw on my phone from a Whatsapp page first thing in the morning and it brought me to tears. This is however not the first such distressing picture or video you would see on social media. Or even hear about from patients and relatives. The question and the tragedy is this. How can we be so without care, without soul and without a shred of humanity? How can we be so detached as to see fun in the misery of others? How is it possible that NO ONE thought about or remembered something simple called FIRST-AID?
A law enforcement officer was in the picture! If the people have no clue what to do, should a law enforcement officer be clueless as well? There was a law enforcement officer in the picture and he was as useless as a lamp-post. There have been many posts on Facebook and in Whatsapp showing people standing by, contaminating crime scenes, accident scenes, taking pictures while someone was being assaulted, killed or dying respectively; as in the case above.
These are then posted online highlighting our collective shame in gory pictures and horrifying videos! So, what is a life worth in Nigeria? A picture for a thousand likes? A video shared to friends and family and seen by three hundred people? A story in Linda Ikeji’s blog? Or perhaps N2000 for recharge card!
What happened to first aid in Nigeria?
Cardiac arrest
Sometime ago, I wrote about a man who collapsed at the airport presumably from a cardiac arrest. He collapsed and lay dying on the floor in the departure lounge. Suddenly, people gathered around him and then some started praying. Oh, God of Nazareth! Oh, Jesus! This carried on for minutes until a trained nurse happened on the scene. She immediately took over and started to resuscitate the man with a cardiac massage and mouth to mouth resuscitation. Within a few minutes, the chap came back to life and was subsequently taken to hospital. Left to the prayer squad, he would surely have died. This idea of waiting for God to come and solve every little problem is baffling.
Convulsion
In Lagos, a baby was having a seizure (convulsion) and someone asked that the mother should quickly go and urinate. That the mother’s urine should be poured down the throat of the baby as a solution to stop the convulsion. Others have suggested cow urine and such other concoctions. The level of ignorance, stupidity, the myths, misconceptions and old wives’ tales in Nigeria are at an all-time high. Fueled by near fanatic spirituality, poverty and perhaps defective genome.
Another young girl was having a seizure in Abuja. She was thrashing around on the floor and foaming from the mouth. People quickly gathered round and no one went close to help her. In the crowd, someone said, ‘She is a Muslim’. ‘You cannot touch a Muslim woman’. Another shouted, ‘Get water’, ‘Pour water on her’.
Stroke
A man collapsed in the street with weakness of the left side of the body and slurring of speech. He was in distress and unable to help himself. Obviously, suffering a stroke. Many people walked by, some calling him a drunk and abusing him for obstructing their path.
My shame
I see all this from a very different perspective. I feel ashamed as a medical practitioner. I am distressed not from the images or the videos really as I see and have seen worse than these. I cry not because of the woman in the picture but for us all as a failing generation. We as a people! Collectively, we appear doomed, driving with speed to our mutual demise in the sea of deep ignorance. You see, our communal survival depends on being able to care for each other.
Our shame
We as doctors and other healthcare practitioners have perhaps not done enough in the communities to empower people with the information and knowledge to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid. We should do more. We should do more within the family, in churches and mosques and in our place of work. We should start in our own homes and then go into schools to teach and train and perhaps change attitudes to pain and distress. We should teach how to be humane so we can resuscitate our humanity. We should also be ready to use the media to carry these training to all Nigerians.
Finally, the Government should train its law enforcement officers to be skilled in responding to situations like this. Even civil servants in our ministries and youth-corpers must be knowledgeable in first-aid to preserve life before our non-existent emergency ambulance arrives.
But, that is another story!
Ogungbo is a medical practitioner in Abuja
Source
End Of An Era: Totti, Alonso, John Terry, others bid farewell to football.
The football world witnessed some emotional moments few days ago as legends; Francesco Totti, Phillip Lahm, Xabi Alonso, Dirk Kuyt, Maxwell, John Terry retired from the round leather game. Kuyt, Maxwell.
Totti who made 86 appearances in 25 seasons and scored 307 goals said farewell in an emotional speech after his final match for the club, a 3-2 win over Genoa. “Thank you, Rome. Thank you to my mother and father, my brother, my relatives and my friends. Thank you to my wife and to my three children. I wanted to start from the end – from the goodbyes – because I don’t know if I’ll be able to read these lines. It is impossible to sum up 28 years in a few sentences. I’d like to do so with a song or poem, but I can’t write any.
Over the years, I’ve tried to express myself through my feet, which have made everything simpler for me ever since I was a child. Speaking of childhood, can you guess what my favourite toy was? A football, of course! And it still is today. At some point in life, you grow up – that’s what I’ve been told and that’s what time has decided.
“Damned time. Back on 17 June 2001, we all wanted time to pass a little more quickly. We couldn’t wait to hear the referee blow the final whistle. I still get goose bumps now when I think back to it.
“Today, time has come to tap me on the shoulder and say: ‘We have to grow up. As of tomorrow, you’ll be an adult. Take off those shorts and boots because starting today, you are a man. You can no longer enjoy the smell of the grass, the sun on your face as you bear down on the opposition’s goal, the adrenaline consuming you, the joy of celebrating.
“Over the past few months, I’ve asked myself why I’m being awoken from this dream. Imagine you’re a child having a good dream… and your mother wakes you up to go to school. You want to keep dreaming… you try to slip back into the dream but you never can. This time, it’s not a dream, but reality. And I can no longer slip back in.
“I want to dedicate this letter to all of you – to all the children that have supported me. To the children of yesterday, who have grown up and become parents and to the children of today, who perhaps shout ‘Tottigol’. I’d like to think that for you, my career has become a fairytale for you to pass on.
https://twitter.com/RMadrid_Rey/status/869173637965852672
“It’s really over now. I’m taking off that jersey for the final time. I’ll fold it away, even though I’m not ready to say ‘enough’ and perhaps I never will be. Forgive me for not giving interviews and clarifying my thoughts, but it’s not easy to turn out the light. I’m afraid. It’s not the same fear you feel when you’re standing in front of the goal, about to take a penalty.
“This time, I can’t see what the future looks like through the holes of the net. Allow me to be afraid. This time, it’s me who needs you and the love that you’ve always shown me. With your support, I will succeed in turning the page and throwing myself into a new adventure. Now, it’s time for me to thank all of the team-mates, coaches, directors, presidents and everyone who has worked alongside me during this time.
“To the fans and the Curva Sud, a guiding light for all Romans and Romanisti. Being born Roman and Romanisti is a privilege. Being the captain of this team is an honour. You are – and will always be – my life. I will no longer entertain you with my feet, but my heart will always be there with you.
“Now, I will go down the stairs and enter the dressing room that welcomed me as a child and that I now leave as a man.
“I’m proud and happy to have given you 28 years of love.
“I love you.”
Ex Netherlands forward Dirk Kuyt also announced his retirement from professional football after an illustrious 19-year career that included spells in England and Turkey. The announcement came after firing the club to their first Eredivisie title in 18 years.
PSG’S Maxwell also retired from football about a week ago and speculation is rife that he could continue working for PSG. He retired with 37 titles.
Former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has also called time on his career. He admitted that he will find it difficult to find a new challenge to replace football as he ends a glittering playing career.
Speaking on his biggest regrets, he said: “I would include not winning the Champions League with Bayern and the Premier League with Liverpool.”
A touching farewell for Xabi Alonso as he leaves the field for the final time😢
🎥 @btsportfootball pic.twitter.com/2JyJ4VfkZh
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) May 20, 2017
John Terry’s dream farewell was ruined as his side were thrashed 2-1 by Arsenal at the FA Cup final. He however wants to focus on his long-term goal of becoming a top-level manager.
https://twitter.com/101greatgoals/status/869092674242056192
UCL final winner Phillip Lahm’s retirement came with an induction into Bayern’s Hall of Fames, he becomes the first player since Oliver Kahn in 2008 to receive such a honour. “I feel honored to be given a star at the FC Bayern Erlebniswelt next to the other great club legends.”
