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AFD AND NBA AFRICA EXPAND BASKETBALL EXPERIENCE PROGRAM IN NIGERIA

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Adamawa, Jigawa schools win Milo Basketball zonal championships

AFD AND NBA AFRICA EXPAND BASKETBALL EXPERIENCE PROGRAM IN NIGERIA

By: Michael Mike

NBA Africa and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) today announced the official launch of the Jr. NBA & AFD Basketball Experience program in Lagos.

The flagship initiative, which was introduced in Lagos in November 2021 as a pilot program, aims to use basketball as a platform to promote social inclusion and support secondary school children to become changemakers in their local communities.  

The program’s weekly basketball and life skills sessions will educate youth participants about issues including physical wellbeing, mental health, life skills and healthy living. As part of the initiative, with the support of new partners, including the Lagos State Sports Commission, the collaboration will also support the renovation of outdoor basketball courts in Lagos and scale-up the program to reach more youth across the city.

The announcement was made at an official ceremony in the presence of H.E. French Ambassador to Nigeria, Emmanuelle Blatmann; AFD Director for Nigeria, Xavier Muron; NBA Africa Vice President & Country Head of Nigeria, Gbemisola Abudu; Dream Sports Africa’s (DSA) Nigeria Country Director, Michael Anejo and representatives of the Lagos State Government.

“This program demonstrates AFD and NBA Africa’s shared vision of using sport as a tool to foster gender inclusion, sustainable development and social cohesion in Nigeria,” said Muron.  “After the successful first steps in Lagos, we look forward to continuing to work with NBA Africa and engaging with the Lagos State Government to expand the initiative to other parts of the city.”

“The benefits and values that come from playing basketball extend far beyond the court, which is why we are committed to making the game more accessible to Nigerian youth,” said Abudu.  “Nigeria has a strong basketball tradition, and through the Jr. NBA & AFD Basketball Experience program, we are able to create more places where youth can learn the game and develop as players and leaders.”

Also Read: https://dailypost.ng/2022/10/08/iswap-kills-8-boko-haram-members-seizes-large-quantities-of-ammunition/

This flagship initiative, which is part of AFD and NBA Africa’s larger collaboration to support basketball infrastructure in youth development across the continent, builds on the inaugural Jr. NBA & AFD Basketball Experience launched in Zenata, Morocco in 2019.  In November 2021, AFD and NBA Africa initiated a pilot phase in Lagos implemented by international non-governmental organization DSA.  To date, the pilot phase has reached more than 21,000 boys and girls ages 12-17 from 55 public and private schools in Lagos State.

About AFD

AFD is France’s inclusive public development bank.  It commits financing and technical assistance to projects that genuinely improve everyday life, both in developing and emerging countries, and in the French overseas territories.  Its action is fully in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  Through its network of 85 agencies, AFD operates in 115 countries, where it is currently financing, supervising and supporting over 4,000 development projects. afd.fr

About NBA Africa

NBA Africa is a standalone entity formed in May 2021 that conducts the NBA’s business in Africa, including the Basketball Africa League (BAL).  The NBA has a long history in Africa and opened its African headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2010 before opening additional offices in Dakar, Senegal, and Lagos, Nigeria.  The league’s efforts on the continent have focused on increasing access to basketball and the NBA through youth and elite development, social responsibility, media distribution, corporate partnerships, NBA Africa Games, the BAL, and more.

NBA games and programming are available in all 54 African countries, and the NBA has hosted three sold-out exhibition games on the continent since 2015.  The BAL, a partnership between the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and NBA Africa, is a professional league featuring 12 club teams from across Africa that completed its second season in May 2022.  Fans can follow @NBA_Africa and @theBAL on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

AFD AND NBA AFRICA EXPAND BASKETBALL EXPERIENCE PROGRAM IN NIGERIA

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Zulum strengthens vocational education to address industry gap

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Zulum strengthens vocational education to address industry gap

… To introduce TVET for Almajiri pupils

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has directed a comprehensive strategy that will enhance vocational education across the three senatorial zones in the state.

Zulum announced the directive on Monday when he received the report on repositioning technical and vocational education in Borno at the council chamber.

According to the Governor, the strategic plan is designed to empower the youth, equipping them with the necessary skills to meet the demands of various industries and stimulate economic growth.

Zulum emphasised that educational facilities and vocational institutions should tailor their programs to address the deepening mismatch between them and the various industries.

“The mismatch between our graduates and the labour market is deep, and if we want to address that, we should ensure that a robust technical and vocational education is established,” Zulum said.

“We have achieved a lot in providing vocational skills to our youth; however, along the way, we felt that we are still not doing enough for this. We decided to constitute this committee to reposition the technical and vocational education in Borno State.

Speaking earlier Presenting the Chairman of the Committee, Alhaji Goni Ibrahim, noted that the review was conducted through site visits, stakeholder consultations, and comparative studies.

… To introduce TVET for Almajiri pupils

Meanwhile, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has instructed the Ministry of Education to consider introducing technical and vocational education in Sangaya Schools.

The Governor said, “I am happy to note that the Executive Secretary of the Sangaya Education Board is here. I have instructed the Commissioner of Education to liaise with you to consider introducing technical and vocational education in our Sangaya schools.”

Zulum also commended the leadership of the Commissioner of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr Lawan Abba Wakilbe, stating, “I want to commend the leadership of the commissioner of Education, for all the good works that he has been doing.”

Zulum strengthens vocational education to address industry gap

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Gunmen kill man in attempted abduction in Kwara mosque

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Gunmen kill man in attempted abduction in Kwara mosque

By: Zagazola Makama

Gunmen have killed a 45-year-old man, Alhaji Dahiru, during an attempted abduction in a mosque in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Aug. 30 at about 8:30 p.m. during Ishai prayer.

They said about seven armed men stormed the mosque and attempted to abduct Dahiru, who resisted. He was shot dead instantly before the attackers fled on motorcycles.

According to residents, two empty shells of AK-47 ammunition were recovered at the scene after the incident.

Family members of the deceased have since appealed for the release of the corpse for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.

Authorities said efforts were ongoing to track down the perpetrators and secure the area against further attacks.

Gunmen kill man in attempted abduction in Kwara mosque

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DSS arrests two over fake recruitment scam in Kaduna

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DSS arrests two over fake recruitment scam in Kaduna

By: Zagazola Makama

The Department of State Services (DSS) says it has arrested two suspects in Kaduna over an alleged fraudulent recruitment syndicate operating in the name of the Service.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects, identified as Aliyu Ibrahim and one other accomplice, were apprehended following credible intelligence that exposed their network.

According to sources, preliminary investigations revealed that between 250 and 350 individuals may have fallen victim to the scam, after being promised employment in the Service.

“The suspects are currently in custody while efforts are underway to arrest other members of the syndicate still at large,” the statement said.

The Service warned members of the public to be wary of fake recruitment offers, stressing that it does not conduct recruitment through agents or intermediaries.

“All DSS recruitment exercises are announced exclusively through official and authorised communication channels,” the sources said.

The Service further advised Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest security agency.

The sources said the arrest came amid rising cases of job racketeering across the country, assuring that it would continue to protect citizens and ensure that perpetrators of such fraud were brought to justice.

DSS arrests two over fake recruitment scam in Kaduna

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