The Governor General of Canada, Ms Julie Payette, on Tuesday arrived in Lagos for an official visit to the state amid tight security.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Payette and her entourage landed at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos at 8.47am.
She was received by the Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, Canadian Consular officials as well as security chiefs.
The governor general is scheduled to inaugurate the Lagos State Biobank, located at the Mainland Hospital in Yaba.
The biobank was where the isolation unit used by the State Government to contain the 2014 Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak was situated.
The Laboratory, funded by Canada in partnership with the state government, would serve as a single repository for all high-concentration pathogens in the State.
It would also help the state mitigate post-EVD threats and build capacity for prevention, detection and response to future outbreaks in Nigeria and West Africa.
NAN reports that Payette was on Monday in Abuja received by President Muhammadu Buhari and other top government functionaries.
She also delivered a lecture at the National Space Research and Development Centre Agency.
Tag: canada
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Governor General of Canada arrives Lagos
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Buhari hosts Governor-General of Canada, says Nigeria’s democracy improving steadily
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Abuja said Nigeria’s democracy is steadily improving with deeper understanding of the culture and tenets among the people, and strengthening of the institutions that guarantee free and fair elections.
Receiving Governor General of Canada, Her Excellency Rt. Hon. Julie Payette, at the Presidential Villa, President Buhari said he saw the evolving strength of democracy in the country by contesting for elections three times before winning at the fourth trial in 2015.
The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, told the Governor General that Nigeria had been learning from the mistakes of those who practiced democracy for a longer period, and by looking inward at its own peculiarities.
“I emphasize free and fair elections at all times,’’ he said.
The President said the bilateral relations with Canada will continue to be improved considering the huge interest of the country in Nigeria and growing economic ties, with many Nigerians schooling and working in the country.
He said Canada played a brotherly role in helping displaced persons in the North East, following Boko Haram insurgency.
In her remarks, the Governor General said Nigeria and Canada enjoy a warm and strong partnership that has translated into ease of migration, large trade relations and cultural exchanges.
Rt. Hon. Payette, who is an astronaut, said it was important for nations to pool resources together to start exploring the benefits of space in providing solutions to some problems on earth.
The Governor General noted that the world would achieve more by de-emphasizing geographical differences and refocusing its energy on the commonality of humanity, pointing out that from space one can only see an earth without borders.
Rt. Hon. Payette said her visit was about showcasing “youth, innovation and technology’’, adding that Canada would like to partner with Nigeria in the ongoing diversification of the economy.
“We wish you free and credible elections in 2019,’’ she said.
Speaking with journalists at the end of the meeting, she disclosed that the two countries have resolved to deepen bilateral relation in the areas of Trade and Commerce, education, security, Science and space technology advancement.
Payette, who is accompanied on the visit by eminent Canadians including government officials, members of parliament and members of the business sector, noted that Nigeria and Canada had been friends and partners for decades
Describing Nigeria as the largest trading partner in Africa and largest investor in Canada, she said Canada had a strong base in Nigeria as the number of companies doing business in the country had grown significantly in recent years.
She said “Many opportunities exist for deepen cooperation as you mentioned to me during our conversation there is a lot of room for growth for the bilateral relation between Nigeria and Canada.
“Fortunately, we already have a strong base and we will continue to build on this.
“Nigeria is Canada’s largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa and as well Nigeria is the largest investor from Africa in Canada.
“The number of Canadian companies doing business here, have grown significantly in recent years and we really hope that this delegation would foster even more trading and commerce between our two countries,’’ she said.
Payette said that, at the height of the Nigeria – Canada relationship, more than 10,000 Nigerian students were studying in Canada.
She further revealed that another set of over 5,000 Nigerians residing in Canada had been contributing positively to the growth of the Canadian textile industry.
She said that one of the priorities of her visit to Nigeria was to meet and celebrate the vibrant youths of the country.
Payette said the visit would also focus attention on the National Space Research and Development Agency in Abuja.
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Aisha Abimbola to be buried in Canada tonight
Sensational Nollywood actress Aisha Abimbola popularly called ‘Omoge Campus’, who passed away after a long battle with breast cancer on Tuesday night will be laid to rest this evening in Canada.
According to an official statement by Saidi Balogun the President of ‘The Golden Movie Ambassadors of Nigeria’ (TGMAN, her body will be laid to rest today.
“We wish to announce to the public that the remains of Amb.AISHA ABIMBOLA( omoge campus) TGMAN Vice President. Will be laid to rest today,Thursday the 17th may 2018. By 2:30 pm Canadian time which is 8:30pm Nigerian time’.
This is being handled in conjunction with the Canadian government and families of the deceased based in Canada and TGMAN.
“However, a candle light procession/ artiste night will be held in her honour on Thursday 24th, may 2018, while fidau prayers will be offered on Friday 25th, may 2018. ( T- shirts will be available for d artiste night/ candle light programmes) . Information on the venues and modalities for collection of T- shirts will be communicated as soon as possible” he said.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi3_JuuFw4f/?taken-by=saidibalogun
More condolence messages have continued to pour in over the death of Yoruba actress, Aisha Abimbola after her battle with breast cancer.
Ronke Odusanya, Biodun Okeowo, Odunlade Adekola, Ferrari Okoro have shared their condolence messages and commiserated with the family of the deceased over their loss.
Condolences pour in over death of Aisha Abimbola
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Trump announces intention of U.S. to bid for 2026 World Cup
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the intention to bid for the 2026 World Cup in conjunction with Canada and Mexico.
Trump, while announcing the bid on his Twitter handle, warned against opposition from countries that the U.S. has always supported.
Morocco is currently challenging the North American bid for the first 48-team World Cup in 2026.
The president suggested that the U.S. was considering withdrawing support for countries that are not reciprocating the America’s gestures.
“The U.S. has put together a STRONG bid with Canada and Mexico for the 2026 World Cup.
” It would be a shame if countries that we always support were to lobby against the U.S. bid.
“Why should we be supporting these countries when they don’t support us (including at the United Nations)? Trump tweeted.
The 2018 edition of the World Cup would be hosted by Russia.
On Dec. 2, 2010, FIFA president Sepp Blatter announced the winning bids at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich.
While Russia was chosen to host the 2018 World Cup, Qatar was chosen to host the 2022 World Cup.
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Fourteen killed in Canadian youth hockey team bus crash
Fourteen people were killed when a bus carrying a Canadian junior hockey team collided with a truck in Saskatchewan province, police said, in one of the worst disasters to strike Canada’s sporting community.
The tragedy sent shock waves through the hockey-loving nation and engulfed the home of the Humboldt Broncos ice hockey team, a small farming town of fewer than 6,000 people, in grief. Fifteen survivors were taken to hospitals, with three of them in critical condition, police said.
The team had been traveling to a playoff game when the accident occurred at about 5:00 p.m. on Friday near the Tisdale area, around 185 miles (300 km) north of Regina.
“Our Broncos family is in shock as we try to come to grips with our incredible loss,” Kevin Garinger, the team’s president, said in a statement.
The players had been on their way to compete in Game 5 of a playoff series against the Nipawin Hawks.
The Hawk’s president, Darren Opp, told the Globe and Mail newspaper that the truck, a semi-trailer, T-boned the players’ bus.
“It’s a horrible accident, my God,” he said. “It’s very, very bad.”The cause of the crash could not be immediately confirmed, however, and police said nothing about the identity of the dead or condition of the truck driver.
Citing relatives, the Canadian Press reported that the Broncos’ head coach Darcy Haugan and the team’s 20-year-old captain, Logan Schatz, were among those killed.
Many social media users posted Haugan’s photograph alongside messages of shock and sympathy, and the hashtags #prayersforhumboldt and #humboldtstrong.
“God bless Darcy Haugan for being an incredible mentor and coach to young hockey players and prayers for his family to help cope with their immense loss,” the Western Provinces Hockey Association wrote on Twitter.National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman said the NHL mourned the passing of those who died “and offers strength and comfort to those injured while traveling to play and be part of a game they loved.”
Reuters
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Commonwealth Games: D’Tigers lose 67-82 to Canada
The Canadian national basketball team on Saturday defeated the Nigerian national male basketball team, D’Tigers, 82-67 points at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.
The Nigerians had lost their first preliminary qualification game against the Tall Blacks of New Zealand on Friday and have now all but crashed out of the tournament.
Canada were favourites going into the game, and in the game’s first quarter Canada took a 23-16 points lead, while D’Tigers took a narrow lead of 21-20 in the second period.
D’Tigers also rallied to take another slim lead in the third quarter, pipping Canada by 15-14 points, with both leads doing little to peg the North Americans back.
It was in the final period, however, that Canada extended their domination, taking 25 points against D’Tigers’ 15.
The Nigerian basketball team are now in the bottom of Pool A, having played two matches and lost both.
Pool toppers New Zealand and second-placed Australia played their group’s other game later in the day.
Two teams will qualify for the semi-finals from each preliminary group, while the bottom two teams from Pools A and B will play for a place in the qualifying finals.
Nigeria’s final group match is against hosts Australia on Tuesday at 12 noon Nigerian time.
NAN
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Canadian doctors protest pay raises, demand slash in salaries
In Canada, more than 500 doctors and residents, as well as over 150 medical students, have signed a public letter protesting their own pay raises.
“We, Quebec doctors who believe in a strong public system, oppose the recent salary increases negotiated by our medical federations,” the letter says.
The group say they are offended that they would receive raises when nurses and patients are struggling.
“These increases are all the more shocking because our nurses, clerks and other professionals face very difficult working conditions, while our patients live with the lack of access to required services because of the drastic cuts in recent years and the centralization of power in the Ministry of Health,” reads the letter, which was published February 25.
“The only thing that seems to be immune to the cuts is our remuneration,” the letter says.
Canada has a public health system which provides “universal coverage for medically necessary health care services provided on the basis of need, rather than the ability to pay,” the government’s website says.
The 213 general practitioners, 184 specialists, 149 resident medical doctors and 162 medical students want the money used for their raises to be returned to the system instead.
“We believe that there is a way to redistribute the resources of the Quebec health system to promote the health of the population and meet the needs of patients without pushing workers to the end,” the letter says.
“We, Quebec doctors, are asking that the salary increases granted to physicians be canceled and that the resources of the system be better distributed for the good of the health care workers and to provide health services worthy to the people of Quebec.”
A physician in Canada is paid $260,924 ($339,000 Canadian) for clinical services by the government’s Ministry of Health per year on average, according to a report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information published in September 2017. On average, a family physician is paid $211,717 ($275,000 Canadian) for clinical services and a surgical specialist is paid $354,915 ($461,000 Canadian), according to the same report.
This is total gross pay, however, and does not take into account overhead each doctor pays to operate, as the Canadian Institute for Health Information is careful to point out to CNBC Make It.
In May 2016, one physician publicly broke down the cost of running his family practice, and though he brought in $231,033 ($300,000 Canadian), he was left with $136,906 ($177,876 Canadian) after subtracting his business expenses — but before taxes and employment benefits are taken out.
The cost of medical school in Canada is subsidized by provincial governments, according to The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada. The cost varies depending on whether a student is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or foreign student and the particular school. For Canadian citizens or permanent residents, tuition for the first year of medical school ranges from $2567 ($3,334 Canadian) to $20,064 ($26,056 Canadian), according to The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada’s website.
The same group, the Médecins Québécois pour le Régime Public (MQRP), that published the aforementioned public letter, also published a letter on February 17 opposing $500 million worth of pay increases for specialist doctors. The group called the pay increase “indecent.”
And on February 1, the MQRP published a letter denouncing working conditions of nurses. “The nurses are exhausted by a heavy workload. They argue that the chronic lack of staff and the fatigue caused by repeated overtime, sometimes mandatory, for lack of replacement of the team, have an impact on the safety of patient care,” the letter says.
culled from www.cnbc.com
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Winter Olympics: USA beat Canada on penalties to win women’s ice hockey gold
The United States beat Canada 3-2 in a sudden-death shootout to win Winter Olympics gold in the women’s ice hockey for the first time in 20 years.
The scores were level at 2-2 after five penalty shots each, but USA’s Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson scored past Shannon Szabados before Maddie Rooney saved from Canada’s Meghan Agosta.
Canada won gold at the previous four Olympics, including victories over USA in the 2002, 2010 and 2014 finals.
The game had ended 2-2 after overtime.
Hillary Knight opened the scoring for USA but Haley Irwin and Marie-Philip Poulin put Canada ahead before Monique Lamoureux-Morando took the match into overtime in Pyeongchang.
USA beat Canada in the first women’s ice hockey Winter Olympic final in 1998.
BBC
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Canada to start teaching computer coding from kindergarten
Canadian schoolchildren will soon start learning computer coding and other digital skills from kindergarten through to high school, the government announced Wednesday.
According to the Science Ministry, about 500,000 students will be offered the opportunity to take part in the CAD 50 million ($38 million) program over the next two years About 500,000 students will be offered the opportunity to take part in the CAD 50 million ($38 million) program over the next two years, according to the science ministry.
“Many jobs today rely on the ability of Canadian workers to solve problems using digital skills,” said a statement.
“The demand for such skills will only intensify as the number of software and data companies increases – whether they sell music online or design self-driving cars, for example,” it said.
Five hundred teachers across the country will be provided with the training and tools to teach digital skills and coding.
The government also wants the program to encourage more young women and indigenous children to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math.
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TCL to release BlackBerry KEYone QWERTY Android Smartphone May 31
TCL has announced release date for the BlackBerry KEYone QWERTY Android Smartphone, which was launched at the Mobile World Congress this year.
TCL Communication, the smartphone manufacturer for BlackBerry, said in a statement that the BlackBerry KEYone will officially go on sale starting May 31 in the US and Canada, while the pre-orders will begin from May 18.
Engadget reports the KEYone price to be around $549 for the unlocked variant with no details on the carrier-locked models.
However, the report adds that there will be various offers from the telecom carriers in the US to sweeten the deal that includes Sprint to launch BlackBerry KEYone in the spring.
After the smartphone licensing deal signed between BlackBerry and TCL Communication back in December last year, BlackBerry KEYone was unveiled in February this year, putting an end to the speculations about BlackBerry ‘Mercury’ smartphone.
“After all the anticipation and positive response received from the BlackBerry community on the BlackBerry KEYone, it’s an honour to offer this all-new Android-powered BlackBerry smartphone to customers across Canada,” Gadgets360 quotes Steve Cistulli, President and General Manager for TCL Communication (TCT), North America, as saying.
The BlackBerry KEYone comes with the signature QWERTY keypad slider below the device, which also embeds a fingerprint sensor on the space-bar as well as capacitive touch on the entire keyboard for scrolling.
Talking about the specifications, the smartphone sports a 4.5-inch full-HD (1620×1080 pixels) IPS display with a pixel density of 433ppi and Corning Gorilla Glass 4 protection.
The all-new BlackBerry KEYone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 octa-core processor clocked at 2GHz, coupled with 3GB of RAM and an Adreno 506 GPU.
For photography, BlackBerry KEYone sports a 12-megapixel rear camera with a Sony IMX378 sensor – the same sensor as the one on the Google Pixel – that has 1.55-micron pixels. There is an 8-megapixel front facing camera with a wide-angle lens and a flash module.
BlackBerry KEYone gives 32GB of inbuilt storage that is expandable via microSD card (up to 2TB).
The new KEYone comes with standard set of connectivity options, including 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth v4.2, NFC, 3.5 mm headphone jack, and a USB Type-C port.
It runs on a 3505mAh battery that’s said to give all-day battery life and support QuickCharge 3.0 with a ‘Boost’ charging feature that gives 50 percent charge in “roughly 36 minutes”.
The BlackBerry KEYone QWERTY Android Smartphone runs with the Android 7.1 Nougat OS.