Friday 24 August 2012
The future of education in Africa is mobile
It is a problem felt in many parts of the world, but in Africa, the strain is even more acute.
In sub-Saharan Africa, 10m children drop out of primary school every year. Even those fortunate enough to complete primary school often leave with literacy and numeracy skills far below expected levels.
In addition, there is a major shortage of trained and motivated teachers. It is estimated that to ensure that every child has access to quality education by 2015, sub-Saharan Africa will need to recruit 350,000 new teachers every year. It seems increasingly unlikely that this will happen.
Throw in one of the highest concentrations of illiterate adults in the world, and you begin to understand the scale of the problem.
In the last decade many African countries have, against these significant odds, made solid progress in improving their education levels. However, the challenges are often too large. The “usual” tried and tested methods of delivering education are not enough.
Yet there is a potential solution.
While education struggles to cope, mobile communication has grown exponentially. Africa is today the fastest growing and second largest mobile phone market in the world. While in some countries – including Botswana, Gabon and Namibia – there are more mobile subscriptions than inhabitants, Africa still has the lowest mobile penetration of any market. There is plenty more growth to come. Over 620 million mobile subscriptions mean that for the first time in the history of the continent, its people are connected.
These connections offer an opportunity for education. Already, we are starting to see the beginnings of change. An increasing number of initiatives – some large-scale, some small – are using mobile technologies to distribute educational materials, support reading, and enable peer-to-peer learning and remote tutoring through social networking services. Mobiles are streamlining education administration and improving communication between schools, teachers and parents. The list goes on. Mobile learning, either alone or in combination with existing education approaches, is supporting and extending education in ways not possible before.
Numbers game
For millions of Africans, much of their daily reading and writing happens on mobile phones in the form of SMS and instant message (IM) chats. Mobiles are also increasingly being used to access long-form reading material – not only 160 character text bites. For example, projects such as Yoza Cellphone Stories, which offers downloads of stories and novels, has shown impressive uptake amongst young African readers who enjoy mobile novels or ‘m-novels’. On Yoza, users not only read stories but comment and vote on them. In its first 18 months, Yoza had 470,000 complete reads of its stories and poems, as well as 47,000 user comments.
Since 2010, the non-profit organization Worldreader has provided school children in a number of developing countries with access to digital books through donated Kindle e-readers. Recently, it has begun to publish the books via a mobile phone-based e-reader. The Worldreader app and its library of stories is already on 3.9 million handsets, with active readers in Nigeria, Ethiopia and Ghana, to name a few.
In many countries, mobiles are the only channel for effectively distributing reading material, given the high cost of books and their distribution, especially to rural areas. Reading on a mobile device is different to reading in print. Mobile devices offer interactivity, the ability for readers to comment on content, the ability to connect with other readers and to publicly ask questions and receive support. Mobile devices can be used to deliver appropriate and personalized content, in ways that print books cannot. Of course, print books have their strengths – such as not having batteries that need to be recharged. A complementary approach that draws on the strengths of each – print and mobile books – is ideal.
Social networking sites, accessed primarily or only via mobile devices by most Africans, are also on the rise and offer another opportunity. Already they are being used by teachers and learners to share resources and provide support in open discussions. For communities that are geographically dispersed and cannot afford to meet in person, the support from such virtual communities is invaluable.
In sub-Saharan Africa, 10m children drop out of primary school every year. Even those fortunate enough to complete primary school often leave with literacy and numeracy skills far below expected levels.
In addition, there is a major shortage of trained and motivated teachers. It is estimated that to ensure that every child has access to quality education by 2015, sub-Saharan Africa will need to recruit 350,000 new teachers every year. It seems increasingly unlikely that this will happen.
Throw in one of the highest concentrations of illiterate adults in the world, and you begin to understand the scale of the problem.
In the last decade many African countries have, against these significant odds, made solid progress in improving their education levels. However, the challenges are often too large. The “usual” tried and tested methods of delivering education are not enough.
Yet there is a potential solution.
While education struggles to cope, mobile communication has grown exponentially. Africa is today the fastest growing and second largest mobile phone market in the world. While in some countries – including Botswana, Gabon and Namibia – there are more mobile subscriptions than inhabitants, Africa still has the lowest mobile penetration of any market. There is plenty more growth to come. Over 620 million mobile subscriptions mean that for the first time in the history of the continent, its people are connected.
These connections offer an opportunity for education. Already, we are starting to see the beginnings of change. An increasing number of initiatives – some large-scale, some small – are using mobile technologies to distribute educational materials, support reading, and enable peer-to-peer learning and remote tutoring through social networking services. Mobiles are streamlining education administration and improving communication between schools, teachers and parents. The list goes on. Mobile learning, either alone or in combination with existing education approaches, is supporting and extending education in ways not possible before.
Numbers game
For millions of Africans, much of their daily reading and writing happens on mobile phones in the form of SMS and instant message (IM) chats. Mobiles are also increasingly being used to access long-form reading material – not only 160 character text bites. For example, projects such as Yoza Cellphone Stories, which offers downloads of stories and novels, has shown impressive uptake amongst young African readers who enjoy mobile novels or ‘m-novels’. On Yoza, users not only read stories but comment and vote on them. In its first 18 months, Yoza had 470,000 complete reads of its stories and poems, as well as 47,000 user comments.
Since 2010, the non-profit organization Worldreader has provided school children in a number of developing countries with access to digital books through donated Kindle e-readers. Recently, it has begun to publish the books via a mobile phone-based e-reader. The Worldreader app and its library of stories is already on 3.9 million handsets, with active readers in Nigeria, Ethiopia and Ghana, to name a few.
In many countries, mobiles are the only channel for effectively distributing reading material, given the high cost of books and their distribution, especially to rural areas. Reading on a mobile device is different to reading in print. Mobile devices offer interactivity, the ability for readers to comment on content, the ability to connect with other readers and to publicly ask questions and receive support. Mobile devices can be used to deliver appropriate and personalized content, in ways that print books cannot. Of course, print books have their strengths – such as not having batteries that need to be recharged. A complementary approach that draws on the strengths of each – print and mobile books – is ideal.
Social networking sites, accessed primarily or only via mobile devices by most Africans, are also on the rise and offer another opportunity. Already they are being used by teachers and learners to share resources and provide support in open discussions. For communities that are geographically dispersed and cannot afford to meet in person, the support from such virtual communities is invaluable.
Forensic test can predict hair and eye colour from DNA
Scientists have developed
a forensic test that can predict both the hair and eye colour of a
possible suspect using DNA left at a crime scene.
The team that developed the test says it could provide
valuable leads in cases where perpetrators cannot be identified through
DNA profiling.The Hirisplex system could allow investigators to narrow down a large group of possible suspects.
Details appear in the journal Forensic Science International: Genetics.
Predicting phenotypes - outward traits such as hair colour or eye colour - from DNA information is an emerging field in forensics.
An important current approach, known as genetic profiling, involves comparing crime scene DNA with that from a suspect or with a profile stored in a database.
But this relies on the person either being among a pool of suspects identified by the police or having their profile in a DNA database.
Tools such as Hirisplex could be useful in those cases where the perpetrator is completely unknown to the authorities, said Prof Manfred Kayser, who led the study.
He said the test "includes the 24 currently best eye and hair colour predictive DNA markers. In its design we took care that the test can cope with the challenges of forensic DNA analysis such as low amounts of material."
Prof Kayser, from Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, added: "The test is very sensitive and produces complete results on even smaller DNA amounts than usually used for forensic DNA profiling."
He told BBC News that the journal article described everything needed to establish the test in a forensic lab, but that the team was also in touch with industry regarding their knowledge about hair and eye colour prediction.
The test system includes the six DNA markers previously used in a test for eye colour known as Irisplex, combining them with predictive markers for hair.
In the study, the authors used Hirisplex to predict hair colour phenotypes in a sample drawn from three European populations.
On average, their prediction accuracy was 69.5% for blonde hair, 78.5% for brown, 80% for red and 87.5% for black hair colour.
Analysis on worldwide DNA samples suggested the results were similar regardless of a person's geographic ancestry.
The team was also able to determine, with a prediction accuracy of about 86%, whether a brown-eyed, black haired person was of non-European versus European origin (excluding some nearby areas such as the Middle East).
The findings were also outlined at the sixth European Academy of Forensic Science conference in The Hague this week.
Super-fertility offers clue to recurrent miscarriage
They say the wombs of some women are too good at letting embryos implant, even those of poor quality which should be rejected.
The UK-Dutch study published in the journal PLoS ONE said the resulting pregnancies would then fail.
One expert welcomed the findings and hoped a test could be developed for identifying the condition in women.
Recurrent miscarriages - losing three or more pregnancies in a row - affect one in 100 women in the UK.
Doctors at Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton and the University Medical Center Utrecht, took samples from the wombs of six women who had normal fertility and six who had had recurrent miscarriages.
Quality testing High or low-quality embryos were placed in a channel created between two strips of the womb cells.
Cells from women with normal fertility started to grow and reach out towards the high-quality embryos. Poor-quality embryos were ignored.
"But we have discovered it may not be because they cannot carry, [but] it is because they may simply be super-fertile, as they allow embryos which would normally not survive to implant."
He added: "When poorer embryos are allowed to implant, they may last long enough in cases of recurrent miscarriage to give a positive pregnancy test."
This theory still needs further testing and will not explain all miscarriages.
Dr Siobhan Quenby, from the Royal College Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, told the BBC: "This theory is really quite attractive. It is lovely. It's a really important paper that will change the way we think about implantation."
"It had been thought that rejecting normal embryos resulted in miscarriage, but what explains the clinical syndrome is that everything is being let in."
She said research would now need to discover whether this could be tested for in women and whether their receptiveness to embryos could be altered.
The UK-Dutch study published in the journal PLoS ONE said the resulting pregnancies would then fail.
One expert welcomed the findings and hoped a test could be developed for identifying the condition in women.
Recurrent miscarriages - losing three or more pregnancies in a row - affect one in 100 women in the UK.
Doctors at Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton and the University Medical Center Utrecht, took samples from the wombs of six women who had normal fertility and six who had had recurrent miscarriages.
Quality testing High or low-quality embryos were placed in a channel created between two strips of the womb cells.
Cells from women with normal fertility started to grow and reach out towards the high-quality embryos. Poor-quality embryos were ignored.
Prof Nick Macklon
Princess Anne Hospital
However, the cells of women who had recurrent miscarriages started to grow towards both kinds of embryo.
Prof Nick Macklon, a consultant at the Princess Anne
Hospital, said: "Many affected women feel guilty that they are simply
rejecting their pregnancy. "But we have discovered it may not be because they cannot carry, [but] it is because they may simply be super-fertile, as they allow embryos which would normally not survive to implant."
He added: "When poorer embryos are allowed to implant, they may last long enough in cases of recurrent miscarriage to give a positive pregnancy test."
This theory still needs further testing and will not explain all miscarriages.
Dr Siobhan Quenby, from the Royal College Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, told the BBC: "This theory is really quite attractive. It is lovely. It's a really important paper that will change the way we think about implantation."
"It had been thought that rejecting normal embryos resulted in miscarriage, but what explains the clinical syndrome is that everything is being let in."
She said research would now need to discover whether this could be tested for in women and whether their receptiveness to embryos could be altered.
Syria crisis: Number of refugees rises to 200,000
The UNHCR said the figure was already more than its projection of 185,000 for the end of this year.
About 30,000 arrived in Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the past week.
Meanwhile, activists say Syrian army tanks have reached the centre of the Damascus suburb of Darayya, after shelling killed about 20 people.
The reported offensive is part of a government military campaign launched this week to regain control of outlying areas of the capital.
Lebanon fears The violence in Syria has taken a toll on civilians, with more than 200,000 registering with the UNHCR in neighbouring countries since security forces began suppressing pro-democracy protests in March 2011.
The total reflects an increase of about 30,000 in the past week, but also takes into account a change in the way refugees are counted in Jordan.
Mr Edwards said the deteriorating security situation in Lebanon, where 51,000 refugees are registered, was "hampering our work to help refugees fleeing Syria's conflict, though operations are continuing".
There are also thought to be more than 1.2 million internally displaced people in Syria, and 2.5 million in need of humanitarian assistance.
Guerrilla tactics The main battle fronts are currently in the second city of Aleppo and in Damascus, where the government this week launched a fierce military offensive to crush rebel resistance on the outskirts of the capital.
Opposition activists said troops backed by tanks had entered
the south-western suburb of Darayya on Friday afternoon, and had been
seen on al-Thawra Street, in the centre.
"The rebels have mostly slipped away. The fear now is that the army will round up young men and summarily execute them, as it did in Muadhamiya," activist Abu Kinan told the Reuters news agency, referring to a nearby suburb where the bodies of as many as 40 men shot at close range were reportedly found in buildings after troops pulled out.
Earlier, the army had used multiple rocket launchers located at the nearby Talat Qawqaba military base and artillery at Mezzeh military airport to bombard Darayya.
It has targeted the town for several days, shelling it from afar and clearing it with ground troops, trying to sweep it clear of rebels, reports the BBC's Barbara Plett in Beirut.
But rebel fighters are using classic guerrilla tactics, making it difficult for the army to defeat them despite its use of massive force, our correspondent adds.
Activists said at least 70 people had been killed in Darayya in the past 72 hours, most of them civilians.
Opposition sources also reported fighting on Friday in other suburbs of Damascus, as well as heavy shelling on several districts of Aleppo.
About 30,000 arrived in Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the past week.
Meanwhile, activists say Syrian army tanks have reached the centre of the Damascus suburb of Darayya, after shelling killed about 20 people.
The reported offensive is part of a government military campaign launched this week to regain control of outlying areas of the capital.
Lebanon fears The violence in Syria has taken a toll on civilians, with more than 200,000 registering with the UNHCR in neighbouring countries since security forces began suppressing pro-democracy protests in March 2011.
Adrian Edwards
UNHCR
"We are now at a much higher
level of 202,512 refugees in the surrounding region," UNHCR spokesman
Adrian Edwards told a news conference in Geneva on Friday.
"In Jordan, a record 2,200 people crossed the border overnight and were received at Zaatari camp in the north," he added.The total reflects an increase of about 30,000 in the past week, but also takes into account a change in the way refugees are counted in Jordan.
Mr Edwards said the deteriorating security situation in Lebanon, where 51,000 refugees are registered, was "hampering our work to help refugees fleeing Syria's conflict, though operations are continuing".
There are also thought to be more than 1.2 million internally displaced people in Syria, and 2.5 million in need of humanitarian assistance.
Guerrilla tactics The main battle fronts are currently in the second city of Aleppo and in Damascus, where the government this week launched a fierce military offensive to crush rebel resistance on the outskirts of the capital.
"The rebels have mostly slipped away. The fear now is that the army will round up young men and summarily execute them, as it did in Muadhamiya," activist Abu Kinan told the Reuters news agency, referring to a nearby suburb where the bodies of as many as 40 men shot at close range were reportedly found in buildings after troops pulled out.
Earlier, the army had used multiple rocket launchers located at the nearby Talat Qawqaba military base and artillery at Mezzeh military airport to bombard Darayya.
It has targeted the town for several days, shelling it from afar and clearing it with ground troops, trying to sweep it clear of rebels, reports the BBC's Barbara Plett in Beirut.
But rebel fighters are using classic guerrilla tactics, making it difficult for the army to defeat them despite its use of massive force, our correspondent adds.
Activists said at least 70 people had been killed in Darayya in the past 72 hours, most of them civilians.
Opposition sources also reported fighting on Friday in other suburbs of Damascus, as well as heavy shelling on several districts of Aleppo.
England v South Africa: Rain forces Cardiff abandonment
South Africa won the toss and elected to field but play only started at 15:00 BST with a reduced 24-over game.
After one wide was bowled, more rain reduced the game to 23 overs per side.
The rain began to fall shortly before the scheduled start time of 10:15 BST, and the game finally got underway at the fifth attempt at 15:00.
After another brief interruption, a 23-over match commenced only 20 minutes before the cut-off time off 13:32.
England could only score four runs off the first three powerplay overs, but Bell then stepped up the scoring rate as he and captain Alastair Cook hit 12 from left-arm seamer Lonwabo Tsotsobe's second over and 16 off the final over of the powerplay.
Bell, who is not in the England squad for the ICC World Twenty20, hit two fours and two sixes in his 18-ball innings, the pick of which was a straight hit six over mid-off off the bowling of Morne Morkel.
After one wide was bowled, more rain reduced the game to 23 overs per side.
Ian Bell hit two sixes in his 26
not out from 18 balls as England progressed to 37-0 before the rain
returned and this time, no resumption was possible.
The "no result" means England remain above the Proteas at the top of
the International Cricket Council's one-day rankings table.
The rain began to fall shortly before the scheduled start time of 10:15 BST, and the game finally got underway at the fifth attempt at 15:00.
After another brief interruption, a 23-over match commenced only 20 minutes before the cut-off time off 13:32.
England could only score four runs off the first three powerplay overs, but Bell then stepped up the scoring rate as he and captain Alastair Cook hit 12 from left-arm seamer Lonwabo Tsotsobe's second over and 16 off the final over of the powerplay.
Bell, who is not in the England squad for the ICC World Twenty20, hit two fours and two sixes in his 18-ball innings, the pick of which was a straight hit six over mid-off off the bowling of Morne Morkel.
Empire State Building shootings wounds 11, killing 2, police say
A shooting and subsequent gun battle at the Empire State Building in
New York killed two people and wounded at least nine others Friday,
authorities said.
The shooter was one of
the two killed, investigators said. They identified him as Jeffrey
Johnson, 53, who was laid off last year and apparently killed a former
co-worker Friday morning.
A construction worker
followed the suspect and alerted officers. The suspect, using a
.45-caliber semi-automatic handgun, then fired on police and they
returned fire, killing him, said Police Commissioner Ray Kelly.
Most of the injuries
apparently occurred during the exchange of gunfire, and some may have
been hit by shots fired by police officers, Mayor Michael Bloomberg
said.
Witnesses recount chaotic, unsettling scene at Empire State shooting
Empire State shooting a 'surreal scene'
Johnson had worked as a designer of women's accessories at Hazan Imports, police said.
Witnesses said police shot the man at least three times.
"It's just a crazy scene
here," said Rebecca Fox, who works across the street from the famous
skyscraper. She said she had been getting coffee with her headphones on
when she saw people running.
Fox said she saw a woman who had been shot near a brewery, as well as blood splattered on the sidewalk.
One witness -- 22-year-old Max Kaplan -- said he heard at least nine shots and saw ambulances race to the scene.
"We're all very shaken up at the office," he said.
Aaron Herman, a CNN iReporter, painted a portrait of confusion.
"It was a little
chaotic, police had barricaded the area and I saw one woman who was a
victim, I think she had been grazed," he said. "Some said they heard
around three 'pops' and ran into nearby local stores to be safe."
The White House said top
aides told President Barack Obama about the shooting around 9:30 a.m.
The shooting does not appear to be linked to terrorism, authorities
said.
Local and federal
authorities who converged on the building around 9 a.m. closed several
streets around 5th Avenue and 34th Street, snarling traffic in the heart
of Manhattan.
Shortly after the
incident, Manhattan's Bellevue Medical Center reported that it was
treating six victims suffering from gunshot wounds, who were at the
Empire State Building Friday. All the injuries were not life
threatening, according to hospital spokeswoman Alice Ramos.
The Empire State
Building is one of the most famous skyscrapers in the world and one of
New York City's best-known tourist attractions.
Each year, about 4
million people visit the building's two observation decks. At more than
1,453 feet tall, the landmark building reaches more than a quarter-mile
into the sky.
The area typically has a large security presence.
"There's always a focus and concentration on the building," said retired police officer Lou Palumbo
"That building gets special attention."
The Empire State
Building Company said in a statement Friday that "the building is fully
operational at this time," and that police are investigating the
incident.
Deadly shootout near New York's Empire State Building
Two people are dead,
including a gunman, and up to nine others are wounded in a shootout near
New York's Empire State Building, officials say.
The gunman was reportedly killed by police, and officials
said nine others were wounded in the rush-hour incident in the heart of
Manhattan.Law enforcement officials said a shop worker sacked near the iconic tower shot dead a former colleague.
The incident took place shortly after 09:00 (13:00 GMT).
Some of those hit by bullets may have been accidentally hit by police, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a news conference.
But he said their injuries were not life-threatening and they were expected to make a full recovery.
'Shooting indiscriminately' Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said the suspect had been fired about a year ago from his job designing women's accessories at a business near the skyscraper.
He said the "disgruntled" worker had been armed with a .45 calibre pistol, and he fatally shot a former colleague in the head.
The shooter was identified as 53-year-old Jeffrey Johnson. His 41-year-old victim was not named.
Commissioner Kelly said that a construction worker followed the gunman, and alerted two police officers outside the Empire State Building. There was a confrontation and the officers shot the attacker dead.
There was a heavy police presence earlier at the scene on 34th Street and Fifth Avenue, and the FBI also attended.
Federal officials said the shooting was not related to terrorism.
Fifth Avenue, a major traffic artery in the city, was closed from 42nd street.
Witnesses described people running away from the scene of the shooting.
An eyewitness told the New York Daily News that the gunman had been wearing a business suit and carrying a briefcase.
One woman, Aliyah Imam, told TV station Fox 5 News that the gunman was "shooting indiscriminately at people".
She said a young woman standing next to her fell to the ground after being shot.
One of New York's most popular tourist attractions, the Empire State Building is a 1,453-ft (442-metre) skyscraper, which attracts nearly four million visitors a year.
The tower also has offices and the area is bustling with workers on weekday mornings.
South African hippo dies before pool rescue
The hippo was named Solly by staff at the Monate Conservation Lodge
A hippopotamus which had been stuck in a swimming pool of a game reserve lodge in northern South Africa for four days has died.
Correspondents say the hippo died before it was sedated to remove it from the pool, which had no steps.The pool was being drained so the hippo could be tranquilised and lifted out by a crane.
Earlier the lodge's manager told the BBC the animal had been in some distress as the pool was being emptied.
The hippo took to the pool at the Monate Conservation Lodge, north of Johannesburg in Limpopo province, on Tuesday.
South Africa's National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals told the Associated Press agency that the four-year-old hippo had been forced from its pod by dominant males.
'Stressed'
Lodge manager Ruby Ferreira told
the BBC's Newsday programme that the hippo, named Solly, had been quite
happy swimming in the pool, which is 2m (6.5ft) deep, 10m long and 5m
wide.
But she said the hippo had become "stressed" on Friday morning as the pool was drained in preparation for its rescue.The water had to be drained to prevent the hippo from drowning when sedated.
Wildlife rescue expert Simon Prinsloo told AP the young hippo had died even though water was being poured on the animal to keep it hydrated.
A vet who was to tranquilise the hippo arrived at the scene nearly four hours late and could not save him, South Africa's Eyewitness News reports.
"We've been waiting all morning. I'm very heartbroken at the loss of Solly," Ms Ferreira told Eyewitness News.
Earlier in the week, residents of Cape Town were warned about a stray two-year-old calf that had been spotted in Zeekoevlei, a district south-east of the city centre, after it too was separated from its pod.
Wildlife officials are hoping to guide it back to its home pod in the Rondevlei Nature Reserve.
Election a stark choice on America's future
Buckle up! The political conventions in
Tampa and Charlotte over the next two weeks will throw the 2012 election
campaigns into high gear, and send it careering down a mean, rocky road
toward one of the most important choices Americans have made in half a
century.
Only twice before in the
lives of most voters have we seen an election offering such radically
different visions about the role of government in national life.
The first was 1964, when
Lyndon Baines Johnson was holding up the Democratic standard, calling
for government to create a Great Society with a cornucopia of new
federal programs. On the other side, Barry Goldwater had seized the
Republican banner from previously-dominant moderates and crusaded on the
most conservative agenda in six decades, seeking to push back not only
the Great Society, but much of the New Deal.
"Extremism in the defense
of liberty is no vice and ... moderation in the pursuit of justice is
no virtue!" Goldwater declared to thunderous applause at the GOP
convention. It was a bare-knuckles fight, but LBJ was campaigning in
John F. Kennedy's cloak and Goldwater's proposals were seen as scary and
radical. LBJ swept to a crushing victory. Score one for bigger
government.
The second "choice"
election came in 1980, when, after a decade of failed leadership, a man
came galloping out of the West who seemed the most improbable of figures
to get the country going again. And he was carrying with him many of
Goldwater's ideas. But Ronald Regan turned out to be a strong leader
with a million-dollar smile; Jimmy Carter, a man better suited to be a
saint than a politician, went down decisively. Score one for smaller
government.
This year's election is
shaping up to be a rubber match with major implications for the
country's future. Gov. Mitt Romney's choice of Paul Ryan as his running
mate has dialed up the ideological contrast between the two tickets,
while both sides have been throwing sharp elbows at each other (even by
the low standards of American politics).
The harshening words and diverging visions speak to an election that breaks somewhat with tradition. Time was, as Chris Cillizza at the Washington Post and
others have pointed out, the playbook was simple: run to the base in
the primary and pivot back to the middle in the general election,
winning over as many of the voters in the middle as you can. (In
economics, this effect is called Hotelling's Game and is otherwise
normally used to explain why gas stations all seem to be on the same corner.)
Abortion, Medicare hot topics before RNC
Challenging the GOP platform from within
Stewart: Romney knows what voters need
But this election features a small number of genuinely undecided voters --and high negatives for both party candidates, as Karl Rove notes in Thursday's Wall Street Journal
-- so the dominant strategy has become playing to the base. That
explains Romney's picking Paul Ryan, but it also explains why partisans
of both sides rejoiced when Ryan was picked: His strong conservative
beliefs fire up the Democratic base as well as the Republican one.
If anything, this year's
choice is starker than in 1980: Reagan had a pragmatic streak, so he was
willing to compromise to get a deal done and keep moving forward (Tip
O'Neill used to say that the Gipper would win more than half a loaf and
come back for the rest later). Romney and Ryan, however, reinforced by
the tea party, show no inclination to compromise. On the Democratic
side, aides to President Obama are spreading the word that, if he wins,
he has had enough of trying to accommodate the Republicans and will also
be more confrontational.
Whether the two sides
will seize upon their conventions to set forth more complete, detailed
plans for the next four years remains to be seen. So far, they have
refused to go beyond vagaries and harsh, trivial attacks on each other.
Most voters are yearning for more courage and less bile.
But there should be no
doubt that the two tickets stand behind radically different visions of
the role of government and individuals. Under President Obama, federal
spending is now 24% of GDP,
far higher than in recent decades. While Obama talks of trimming, his
most thoughtful advisers think the government is likely to grow in
coming years no matter who wins (see Larry Summers's provocative column
in the Financial Times this week).
In contrast, Romney has
vowed to get federal spending down to 20%. That difference may not sound
like much, but it roughly equates to over half a trillion dollars each
year. At a time when 10,000 Baby Boomers are becoming eligible for
Medicare and Social Security each day, going from 24% to 20% of GDP
would mean massive cuts.
Presented with a stark
choice between bigger government and smaller government, where are
voters likely to come down? That is a question that has interested
scholars for a long time. Some years ago, political scientists Lloyd
Free and Hadley Cantril observed that Americans were "philosophical
conservatives" but "operational liberals," that is, they would tell
pollsters they wanted to keep government small, taxes down and socialism
out. But when asked if they wanted the government to spend more on
programs and benefits, they were all for it.
In the coming election,
we may have finally reached a point of reckoning between these two
conflicting impulses. And so, while conventions are generally the place
for sweeping statements, the winning ticket will need to be able to
speak operationally as well as philosophically.
All this makes for a
dramatic series of addresses, not just from Mitt Romney and President
Obama, but from their parties' top messengers: people like New Jersey
Gov. Chris Christie and San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro. These
conventions will offer them a chance to make a firm case to the American
people on which kind of government, both operationally and
philosophically, they should choose.
Looming over that choice
is the question of whether, at the end of this campaign, the winner can
actually govern. Certainly, the raucous, often vicious nature of the
combat so far has not been encouraging. One of us (David) has been
attending conventions for some 40 years and has witnessed a distinct
change in tone; listening to the hot rhetoric in both conventions in
2004, it suddenly became comprehensible how the country could have wound
up in Civil War back in 1861 after another election full of
ramifications for the nation's future.
And the chasms between the two parties continue to widen before us. A deeply illuminating study,
released a few days ago by the Washington Post and the Kaiser Family
Foundation, has shown that over the past 14 years, the percentages of
Democrats and Republicans who consider themselves "strong partisans" has
shot up by about 20 points in each case.
So, in pushing voters to
make a choice between sharply different visions, it is also imperative
that the candidates look beyond November to the next four years,
figuring out how they will bring the country together again when the
brawl is over. The acceptance speeches are not just a moment to rally
the base, they are also a place to begin laying the foundations of a
successful presidency.
FINANCE & SUPPORT MANAGER
Start Date: As soon as possible
For a detailed job description and requirements for both positions please visit www.oxfamnigeriajobs.org Method of Application If you are interested in this position please send a motivational letter and curriculum vitae in English to jobs-nigeria@oxfamnovib.nl to the attention of The Recruiter, Shabinah Asgarali. Further enquires on the position can be sent to Joop Peerboom, Senior Finance Officer, joop.peerboom@oxfam novib.nl |
Closing Date: 07/09/2012
Lonmin appoints acting chief executive
Chief financial officer Simon Scott will take over from Ian Farmer,
who has begun treatment for an unspecified illness, the company said.
It added Mr Farmer would not return to work full-time for "some months".
One of the first things Mr Scott will have to deal with is an investigation into the deaths at the Marikana mine.
The Lonmin-owned platinum mine has been at the centre of a violent pay dispute, exacerbated by tensions between two rival trade unions.
On 16 August, 34 people were killed and at least 78 injured after police opened fire on striking miners, marking one of the bloodiest police operations since apartheid.
Violence had already killed 10 people, including two police officers, since the strike had begun a week earlier.
In a statement announcing the management update, Lonmin said: "Ian Farmer, the chief executive officer of Lonmin Plc, has commenced a course of treatment and it will be some months before he is able to return to work full-time.
"In light of this, the board of Lonmin has today appointed Simon Scott, the chief financial officer, as acting chief executive officer for the time being."
It added Mr Farmer would not return to work full-time for "some months".
One of the first things Mr Scott will have to deal with is an investigation into the deaths at the Marikana mine.
The Lonmin-owned platinum mine has been at the centre of a violent pay dispute, exacerbated by tensions between two rival trade unions.
On 16 August, 34 people were killed and at least 78 injured after police opened fire on striking miners, marking one of the bloodiest police operations since apartheid.
Violence had already killed 10 people, including two police officers, since the strike had begun a week earlier.
In a statement announcing the management update, Lonmin said: "Ian Farmer, the chief executive officer of Lonmin Plc, has commenced a course of treatment and it will be some months before he is able to return to work full-time.
"In light of this, the board of Lonmin has today appointed Simon Scott, the chief financial officer, as acting chief executive officer for the time being."
USAID, NGO LATEST JOBS
USAID, NGO LATEST JOBS, FRIDAY 24, AUGUST
For fifty years, USAID programs have saved and improved millions of lives around the world, advanced American values, increased global stability, and driven economic growth in emerging markets. Our long and proud history of helping developing countries and improving quality of life is underpinned by our caring, talented workforce. It is this caring that stands as a hallmark of the Agency and shows the world our true character as a nation. Today, we are the world’s premier modern development enterprise, and our 21st Century workforce find themselves doing the best work in the most amazing places, whether it is helping sick people get HIV/AIDS drugs in the most remote parts of Africa, helping farmers learn how to grow crops better in Asia, or teaching people how to govern themselves democratically.MARKETS II, a USAID-funded project, is seeking to hire a full time:
JOB TITLE: IRRIGATION AND INPUTS SPECIALIST.
LOCATION: Abuja, with travel to project target states as required.
The Irrigation and Inputs Specialist shall coordinate all activities, including planning, implementation and monitoring of MARKETS II irrigation and inputs development strategy, and monitor sub-contractors’ technical assistance activities. S/he will prepare an inventory of available improved pro-poor irrigation technologies, supervise pilot demonstrations of promising irrigation technologies, facilitate training of local manufacturers In irrigation equipment production and marketing, and assist with the development and dissemination of innovative water and soil best practices. The Irrigation and Inputs Specialist will also work with private seed companies on product portfolio review, development of distribution networks, and training of outgrowers on best seed production practices. Additionally, the irrigation and Inputs Specialist will assist with the development of training and training materials in collaboration with private service providers hired by MARKETS II. The Irrigation and Inputs Specialist will assist with M&E activities, draft scopes of work and provide inputs for periodic and quarterly reports. S/he will pay particular attention to the equal participation of women and youth in all activities.
EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS
Experience with gender mainstreaming and youth development.
Ability to work collaboratively and build alliances with relevant groups, organizations, agencies, businesses, in private or public sectors is important. High level of initiative and creativity. S/he must be a team player, able to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
Strong organizational and work prioritization skills, attention to detail.
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Demonstrates leadership, versatility, and integrity.
First degree in agronomy, irrigation development or related discipline, and more than five years of professional experience in private sector and/or agribusiness development. Master’s degree preferred.
Demonstrated experience in smallholder irrigation development and/or seed marketing is required. Knowledge of USAID project or agricultural value chain development is a strong advantage.
Demonstrated ability to provide technical and marketing assistance to input dealers and/or equipment manufacturers is desirable. Experience developing and promoting environmentally sustainable agricultural production and processing techniques is also advantageous.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
As directed, the Irrigation and Inputs Specialist is charged with the coordination and supervision of activities, directly or via delegation, as appropriate. These include but are not limited to the following tasks:
Facilitate the entry into the Nigerian market by international seed companies and/or irrigation equipment providers, making seed and/or irrigation equipment available for demonstration and training purposes.
In addition to technical tasks, the Irrigation and Inputs Specialist will assist with M&E activities, drafting scopes of work and provide inputs for quarterly reports, other periodic reports, and work planning exercises.
Produce work products in conformity with MARKETS II and ciients standards.
Communicate information in a way that demonstrates a basic understanding of development assistance work, MARKETS II culture, values, and practices, and the specific scope and nature of the MARKETS II project.
Demonstrate maturity, dependability, integrity, and initiative to learn competencies and skills required for the job assignment.
Contribute positively to a work environment that emphasizes teamwork, respect for differences, accepting and giving constructive feedback.
Supervise the planning, implementation and monitoring of MARKETS II irrigation and inputs development strategy including but not limited to: drafting scopes of work for short- term consultancies; identifying expatriate and local trainers, technical advisors, and marketing specialists in support of irrigation and inputs development; coordinating work of local and expatriate consultants to ensure timely delivery of quality products; and supervisory review of the irrigation and inputs development action plans and the effectiveness of activities.
Liaise with client firms, other stakeholders and subcontractors to assist with the planning, implementation and monitoring of MARKETS II irrigation and inputs specific activities including, but not limited to: monitoring of subcontractor technical assistance activities and ensuring timely and effective delivery of quality products consistent with expected milestones and results.
Prepare an inventory document of available proven pro-poor, low cost irrigation technologies that can be produced locally and help to minimize transaction costs, including drip irrigation equipment, treadle pumps, low-cost tube wells, and catchment basins.
Provide technical guidance to support private-sector driven efforts that increase access to pro-poor, low cost irrigation technologies for farmers. This will include piloting the African Market Garden (AMG) low pressure drip irrigation technology in collaboration with ICRISAT and Dizengoff Agro and Kickstart’s Moneymaker treadle pump to support homestead gardens for women, youth, and/or vegetable value chain activities, should that value chain be selected.
Train local manufacturers in irrigation equipment production and marketing, technology promotion that links manufacturers with interested farmers, and equipment quality control to allow more poor farmers to benefit, all the while establishing a sustainable market-driven equipment supply system.
Assist with the development and dissemination of soil and water management best practices and incorporate into MARKETS II training materials and package of practices.
Support the rehabilitation of small-scale irrigation systems and the provision of operations and maintenance training building on MARKETS’ and Bridge to MARKETS 2’s training of water user associations and their roles and responsibilities with the irrigation systems.
Assist private seed companies with the analysis and product portfolio review and assist with the development of downstream seed distribution networks.
Liaise with private seed companies to provide training support to their outgrower farmers using existing and improved Packages of Practices (POP) with the aim of regional-level production for village-level distribution of seed.
Liaise with MARD, the National Agricultural Seed Council, Africa Rice, IITA and ICRISAT and NARI’s to facilitate the introduction of appropriate crop varieties and hybrids including stress-tolerant crop varieties which help to mitigate against climate change. Incorporate variety descriptions and best agronomic practices in POPs to ensure that farmers, extension agents, and agro-processors have access to proper information on available varieties.
DUE DATE: Monday September 3, 2012.
TO APPLY
MARKETS II is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are requested to submit a CV and Cover letter via email to Christin Hutchinson: chutchinson@winrock.org no later than the closing date. Please use the words Irrigation Specialist in the title line.
CURRENT VACANCIES, BRUNEL ENERGY
CURRENT VACANCIES, BRUNEL ENERGY, FRIDAY 24, AUGUST 2012
Written by Prince Friday Jobs Aug 24, 2012
JOB SUBSEA CONTROLS ENGINEER (VC23054)DESCRIPTION
Brunel Energy provides specialist personnel to the international oil & gas, petrochemical, power generation and construction industries. Our clients are predominantly major operating companies and international engineering or construction companies. Through a network of 35 offices in 5 continents (Europe, America, Asia, Africa and Australia) we currently second nearly 4,000 Technical Engineering Specialists to the largest multi-national Oil & Gas Companies and major EPC Contractors, through well established global supply agreements.
JOB
Role: Lead Engineer for Subsea Controls. Scope includes design, fabrication, FAT testing, SRT Testing, SIT Testing, installation support, static commissioning, commissioning and startup of the control system.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Reviews and provides EM guidance to Contractor design efforts
• Meets the design requirements by participating and advising Contractor in Design reviews, HAZOPs, Risk Analysis and FMECAs
• Maintains a high standard of quality and reliability by monitoring performance and taking action when necessary
• Stewards and influences timely and effective resolution of contractor’s interfaces
• Develops software logic and safety logic together with EM Operations
• Develops System P&IDs with Contractor/EM Operations
• Develops System C&E and Interlock Schedules with Contractor/ EM operations
• Develops FDS for the MCS software with Contractor/EM Operations
• Develops FDS for SPCU, HPU and SESD3 equipment with Contractor/EM Operations
• Participates in development of FDS for IWOCs
• Reviews Contractors Quality/Test and Inspection Plans
• Reviews Contractor’s technical deliverables, specifications, drawings, DFO etc.
• Monitors activities and information flow particular to interface management—identify potential problems and aid development of recommendations.
• Reviews/Assists in development of Contractors’ FAT, EFAT, SRT and SIT procedures.
• Assists Contractor in developing the Insurance, Installation and commissioning and 2 year operating Spares requirements.
• Visits Contractor’s locations periodically, to review component testing thro to FAT of completed equipment.
• Works closely with Contractor/Operations in the software testing to identify compliance with specification requirements/interlocks and C&E requirements.
• Participates in Subsea Controls/Umbilicals SIT at Contractors locations.
• Works closely with Contractor/EM Operations in the development of the Static Commissioning Procedure and Commissioning procedure.
• Participates with the Installation Group/Installation contractor in the installation of the Subsea Controls Equipment and umbilicals
• Stewards the offshore Static Commissioning effort and the offshore Commissioning and Start Up of the project
• Helps Operations develop a displacement/flushing procedure for pre-start up.
• Reviews/Accepts Contractors Mechanical Completion Dossiers, and O&M Manuals, for the Subsea Controls and Umbilicals equipment.
• Assists Operations in the ongoing Installation and Commissioning of additional Wells after First Oil up to handover date.
• Compiles a Lessons Learned Dossier for Subsea Controls and Umbilicals.
REQUIREMENTS
• Minimum BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or other related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in subsea systems from preliminary engineering through detailed design, manufacturing and testing. Project experience strongly preferred.
• Effective communication and presentation skills
• Must be able to work in multicultural environment
• Knowledge of EMCAPS elements and implementation
• Good interpersonal skills
CONTACT: Oggar, Helen (+234 1 271 4022)
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
CURRENT VACANCIES, BRUNEL ENERGY
CURRENT VACANCIES, BRUNEL ENERGY, FRIDAY 24, AUGUST 2012
Written by Prince Friday Jobs Aug 24, 2012JOB SUBSEA CONTROLS ENGINEER (VC23054)DESCRIPTION
Brunel Energy provides specialist personnel to the international oil & gas, petrochemical, power generation and construction industries. Our clients are predominantly major operating companies and international engineering or construction companies. Through a network of 35 offices in 5 continents (Europe, America, Asia, Africa and Australia) we currently second nearly 4,000 Technical Engineering Specialists to the largest multi-national Oil & Gas Companies and major EPC Contractors, through well established global supply agreements.
JOB
Role: Lead Engineer for Subsea Controls. Scope includes design, fabrication, FAT testing, SRT Testing, SIT Testing, installation support, static commissioning, commissioning and startup of the control system.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Reviews and provides EM guidance to Contractor design efforts
• Meets the design requirements by participating and advising Contractor in Design reviews, HAZOPs, Risk Analysis and FMECAs
• Maintains a high standard of quality and reliability by monitoring performance and taking action when necessary
• Stewards and influences timely and effective resolution of contractor’s interfaces
• Develops software logic and safety logic together with EM Operations
• Develops System P&IDs with Contractor/EM Operations
• Develops System C&E and Interlock Schedules with Contractor/ EM operations
• Develops FDS for the MCS software with Contractor/EM Operations
• Develops FDS for SPCU, HPU and SESD3 equipment with Contractor/EM Operations
• Participates in development of FDS for IWOCs
• Reviews Contractors Quality/Test and Inspection Plans
• Reviews Contractor’s technical deliverables, specifications, drawings, DFO etc.
• Monitors activities and information flow particular to interface management—identify potential problems and aid development of recommendations.
• Reviews/Assists in development of Contractors’ FAT, EFAT, SRT and SIT procedures.
• Assists Contractor in developing the Insurance, Installation and commissioning and 2 year operating Spares requirements.
• Visits Contractor’s locations periodically, to review component testing thro to FAT of completed equipment.
• Works closely with Contractor/Operations in the software testing to identify compliance with specification requirements/interlocks and C&E requirements.
• Participates in Subsea Controls/Umbilicals SIT at Contractors locations.
• Works closely with Contractor/EM Operations in the development of the Static Commissioning Procedure and Commissioning procedure.
• Participates with the Installation Group/Installation contractor in the installation of the Subsea Controls Equipment and umbilicals
• Stewards the offshore Static Commissioning effort and the offshore Commissioning and Start Up of the project
• Helps Operations develop a displacement/flushing procedure for pre-start up.
• Reviews/Accepts Contractors Mechanical Completion Dossiers, and O&M Manuals, for the Subsea Controls and Umbilicals equipment.
• Assists Operations in the ongoing Installation and Commissioning of additional Wells after First Oil up to handover date.
• Compiles a Lessons Learned Dossier for Subsea Controls and Umbilicals.
REQUIREMENTS
• Minimum BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or other related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in subsea systems from preliminary engineering through detailed design, manufacturing and testing. Project experience strongly preferred.
• Effective communication and presentation skills
• Must be able to work in multicultural environment
• Knowledge of EMCAPS elements and implementation
• Good interpersonal skills
CONTACT: Oggar, Helen (+234 1 271 4022)
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
CURRENT VACANCIES, BRUNEL ENERGY
CURRENT VACANCIES, BRUNEL ENERGY, FRIDAY 24, AUGUST 2012
Written by Prince Friday Jobs Aug 24, 2012JOB SUBSEA CONTROLS ENGINEER (VC23054)DESCRIPTION
Brunel Energy provides specialist personnel to the international oil & gas, petrochemical, power generation and construction industries. Our clients are predominantly major operating companies and international engineering or construction companies. Through a network of 35 offices in 5 continents (Europe, America, Asia, Africa and Australia) we currently second nearly 4,000 Technical Engineering Specialists to the largest multi-national Oil & Gas Companies and major EPC Contractors, through well established global supply agreements.
JOB
Role: Lead Engineer for Subsea Controls. Scope includes design, fabrication, FAT testing, SRT Testing, SIT Testing, installation support, static commissioning, commissioning and startup of the control system.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Reviews and provides EM guidance to Contractor design efforts
• Meets the design requirements by participating and advising Contractor in Design reviews, HAZOPs, Risk Analysis and FMECAs
• Maintains a high standard of quality and reliability by monitoring performance and taking action when necessary
• Stewards and influences timely and effective resolution of contractor’s interfaces
• Develops software logic and safety logic together with EM Operations
• Develops System P&IDs with Contractor/EM Operations
• Develops System C&E and Interlock Schedules with Contractor/ EM operations
• Develops FDS for the MCS software with Contractor/EM Operations
• Develops FDS for SPCU, HPU and SESD3 equipment with Contractor/EM Operations
• Participates in development of FDS for IWOCs
• Reviews Contractors Quality/Test and Inspection Plans
• Reviews Contractor’s technical deliverables, specifications, drawings, DFO etc.
• Monitors activities and information flow particular to interface management—identify potential problems and aid development of recommendations.
• Reviews/Assists in development of Contractors’ FAT, EFAT, SRT and SIT procedures.
• Assists Contractor in developing the Insurance, Installation and commissioning and 2 year operating Spares requirements.
• Visits Contractor’s locations periodically, to review component testing thro to FAT of completed equipment.
• Works closely with Contractor/Operations in the software testing to identify compliance with specification requirements/interlocks and C&E requirements.
• Participates in Subsea Controls/Umbilicals SIT at Contractors locations.
• Works closely with Contractor/EM Operations in the development of the Static Commissioning Procedure and Commissioning procedure.
• Participates with the Installation Group/Installation contractor in the installation of the Subsea Controls Equipment and umbilicals
• Stewards the offshore Static Commissioning effort and the offshore Commissioning and Start Up of the project
• Helps Operations develop a displacement/flushing procedure for pre-start up.
• Reviews/Accepts Contractors Mechanical Completion Dossiers, and O&M Manuals, for the Subsea Controls and Umbilicals equipment.
• Assists Operations in the ongoing Installation and Commissioning of additional Wells after First Oil up to handover date.
• Compiles a Lessons Learned Dossier for Subsea Controls and Umbilicals.
REQUIREMENTS
• Minimum BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or other related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in subsea systems from preliminary engineering through detailed design, manufacturing and testing. Project experience strongly preferred.
• Effective communication and presentation skills
• Must be able to work in multicultural environment
• Knowledge of EMCAPS elements and implementation
• Good interpersonal skills
CONTACT: Oggar, Helen (+234 1 271 4022)
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) VACANCIES
The mission of the WHO Nigeria Country Office is to promote the
attainment of the highest sustainable level of health by all people
living in Nigeria through collaboration with the government and other
partners in health development and the provision of technical and
logistic support to country programmes.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Monitor and ensure that the requirements of the payment and reporting processes are being met in line with established time-lines as per the payment guidelines; Make required modifications and/or addenda to the payment guidelines when instructed to do so;
Prepare payment instructions and related correspondence for submission to the Bank for preparation of cheques and cash required for programme implementation; Prepare information and related correspondence for submission to the Bank regarding changes to payment instructions that have previously been communicated to the Bank; Review and reconciliation of cash book and bank statements.
Process the release of programme funds as per the approved budget; up-date and monitor purchase order balances, ensure all expenses are charged to correct purchase order and award; monitor receipts and disbursement of funds; monitor cash levels and initiates action for replenishment; prepare vouchers and financial reports; submit monthly imprest report in timely manner with accurate back-up documentation; provide feedback to programmes on utilization if funds and status of funding;
Manage the EPI NIDs Payment Mechanism in the State of assignment.
Provide administrative support for all Programmes in the State and for the day-to-day management of the office.
Handle administrative arrangement for meetings, seminars, workshops and conferences
Liaise with hotels, airlines and travel agents on protocol issues involving travel of staff members and WHO consultants.
Ensure timely procurement of, and payment for, required goods and services; ensure maintenance of WHO goods and property; maintain up-dated inventory records of WHO property;
Advise WHO staff on administrative, program and protocol matters in accordance with WHO rules and procedures; monitor and follow up on leave, contract and other personnel matters.
Perform other duties as may be assigned by supervisor.
QUALIFICATION/EXPERIENCE
Completion of Secondary education, preferably supplemented by a University degree in Accounting, Finance or related discipline. Good knowledge of computerized accounting systems.
At least 5 years experience commensurate with the duties of the posts and its grade in an international, public or private organization of repute.
Good knowledge of Accounting and related disciplines. Must be computer literate and familiar with MS Windows applications for word and data processing.
Ability to establish and maintain good relations with people at various levels and of different nationalities. Ability to acquire sound knowledge of WHO rules, regulations and procedures. Demonstrated abilities for team-work.
Experience in working with bilateral or` multilateral International Organizations in the country.
Knowledge of other WHO official Languages (French/Portuguese) will be an added advantage.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
RESPONSIBILITIES
Monitor and ensure that the requirements of the payment and reporting processes are being met in line with established time-lines as per the payment guidelines; Make required modifications and/or addenda to the payment guidelines when instructed to do so;
Prepare payment instructions and related correspondence for submission to the Bank for preparation of cheques and cash required for programme implementation; Prepare information and related correspondence for submission to the Bank regarding changes to payment instructions that have previously been communicated to the Bank; Review and reconciliation of cash book and bank statements.
Process the release of programme funds as per the approved budget; up-date and monitor purchase order balances, ensure all expenses are charged to correct purchase order and award; monitor receipts and disbursement of funds; monitor cash levels and initiates action for replenishment; prepare vouchers and financial reports; submit monthly imprest report in timely manner with accurate back-up documentation; provide feedback to programmes on utilization if funds and status of funding;
Manage the EPI NIDs Payment Mechanism in the State of assignment.
Provide administrative support for all Programmes in the State and for the day-to-day management of the office.
Handle administrative arrangement for meetings, seminars, workshops and conferences
Liaise with hotels, airlines and travel agents on protocol issues involving travel of staff members and WHO consultants.
Ensure timely procurement of, and payment for, required goods and services; ensure maintenance of WHO goods and property; maintain up-dated inventory records of WHO property;
Advise WHO staff on administrative, program and protocol matters in accordance with WHO rules and procedures; monitor and follow up on leave, contract and other personnel matters.
Perform other duties as may be assigned by supervisor.
QUALIFICATION/EXPERIENCE
Completion of Secondary education, preferably supplemented by a University degree in Accounting, Finance or related discipline. Good knowledge of computerized accounting systems.
At least 5 years experience commensurate with the duties of the posts and its grade in an international, public or private organization of repute.
Good knowledge of Accounting and related disciplines. Must be computer literate and familiar with MS Windows applications for word and data processing.
Ability to establish and maintain good relations with people at various levels and of different nationalities. Ability to acquire sound knowledge of WHO rules, regulations and procedures. Demonstrated abilities for team-work.
Experience in working with bilateral or` multilateral International Organizations in the country.
Knowledge of other WHO official Languages (French/Portuguese) will be an added advantage.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
JOB OPPORTUNITIES at 3M
3M,
A leading multinational is a diversified technology company serving
customers and communities with innovative products and services. Each of
our seven businesses has earned leading global market positions.3M is looking to recruit dynamic Sales Representatives for our various business divisions.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The successful candidates will be responsible for calling on industrial key accounts to generate the demand for 3M products in the Nigerian market.
The candidates will be responsible for achieving the overall sales targets and profitability targets within their respective sales territory, utilizing selling skills and a good knowledge of the product portfolio.
The candidates will leverage good industry knowledge and experience in combination with company resources appropriately, in order to achieve business and growth objectives within their respective sales territory.
Reporting to the Sales Manager.
QUALIFICATION:
The candidates must have minimum of first degree.
3 – 4 years sales experience as a sales representative in various industries
Must be able to communicate on a technical level to clients.
Multinational experience is an advantage.
DUE DATE: 30 September, 2012
TO APPLY
Should you be interested in applying for the role, please submit your resume to mmmakofane@mmm.com before close of business on the 30 September2012.
US cycling star Lance Armstrong has announced he will no longer fight drug charges from the US anti-doping agency, ahead of a Friday deadline.
In a statement, the 40-year-old maintains he is innocent, but says he is weary of the "nonsense" accusations.
The US anti-doping agency (USADA) now says it will ban Armstrong from cycling for life and strip him of his seven Tour de France titles.
Armstrong retired from professional sport in 2011.
USADA alleges he used banned substances as far back as 1996, including the blood-booster EPO, steroid and blood transfusions.
Armstrong sued in federal court to block the charges but lost.
CBN To introduce N5000 note as N20, N10 and N5 becomes coins
BEGINNING from early 2013, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will introduce N5,000 note denomination into the Nigerian economy as part of the apex bank’s currency restructuring exercise.
Apart from the introduction of the N5,000 note, the apex bank will also convert the existing N10 and N20 notes to coins and thus take the numbers of coin in the nation currency system to six.
Governor of the apex bank, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, while addressing a press briefing on Thursday, in Abuja, on the proposed Currency Restructuring Exercise, stated that according to international best practices, monetary authorities were required to review their nation’s currency at interval of between five and eight years. He said this was done to address, among other factors, inevitable weaknesses and challenges identified in the circulating bank notes and coins.
In the case of the Nigerian currency, the CBN Governor said the various denominations had been circulating without any major review.
For instance, he said the N100 note, restructured in 1999, had been in existence for 13 years, while N200, which was also restructured in 2000, had been in existence for 12 years.
The same goes for N500 note, which was restructured in April 2001 and has being in existence for 11 years, while the N1000 note, which was restructured in October 2005 had been existing for seven years.
The CBN governor, who said the last comprehensive review of the currency that saw the introduction of N20, N5, N10 and N50 polymer was carried out in 2005 and 2009 respectively, stated that the current currency restructuring exercise threw up a lot of challenges which included public apathy towards the usage of 20k, N1 and N2 coins.
In the light of these challenges, he said the apex bank conducted several stakeholders’ meetings where it was agreed that the CBN should coin lower denominations of currency up to N100. It was also agreed that there was need to encourage the usage of coins and for the apex bank to introduce higher denomination bank notes to discourage dollarisation, reduce the volume of bank notes and the overall cost of currency management.
He said on November 28, 2011, the CBN board considered and approved the new currency series, with subsequent approval of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Under the new currency restructuring programme, he said, the existing denominations of N50, N100, N200, N500 and N1000 would be redesigned with additional new security features.
On the new N5000 notes, he said the faces of three Nigerian women namely, Margaret Ekpo, Olufunmilayo Ransome-Kuti and Gambo Sawaba would adorn the front page because of the strong love he and President Jonathan had for women while the back page would be adorned with the portrait of the National Assembly.
Disabusing the minds of Nigerians on the tendency of the new currency restructuring exercise to fuel inflation, the apex bank boss said inflation in Nigeria was a monetary phenomenon.
Johnny Depp set to earn US$75 million for fifth Pirates Of The Caribbean film
Hollywood superstar Johnny Depp is set to earn one of his biggest pay packets yet.
The eligible bachelor separated from his partner of 14 years earlier this year and is due to return back to the top of the actors’ pay league.
Depp will do a fifth Pirates Of The Caribbean film and is expected to make around US$75 million from the latest instalment of the blockbuster franchise.
Dokubo-Asari, earns $9 million (N1.420billion) annually, guarding NNPC pipelines
The Wall Street Journal reported , Mujahhid Dokubo-Asari, leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force, earns $9 million (N1.420billion) annually, guarding pipelines of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The paper, which is well respected in the financial world, reported that the contract was sealed last year.
It said: “Last year, Nigeria’s state oil company began paying him $9 million a year, by Mr. Dokubo-Asari’s account, to pay his 4,000 former foot soldiers to protect the pipelines they once attacked. He shrugs off the unusual turn of events. “I don’t see anything wrong with it,” said the thickly built former gunman, lounging in a house gown at his home here in Nigeria’s capital.”
NNPC, the paper said it gathered from one of its senior officials, is giving $3.8 million (N599.64million) a year apiece to two former rebel leaders, Gen. Ebikabowei “Boyloaf” Victor Ben and Gen. Ateke Tom, to have their men guard delta pipelines they used to attack. Another general, Government “Tompolo” Ekpumopolo, maintains a $22.9 million-a-year (N3.614billion) contract to do the same, the official said.
The paper said: “A liaison to Mr. Tom declined to comment on the contracts. Mr. Ekpumopolo didn’t return phone calls and messages. Mr. Ben, when reached for comment, asked, “How much money is involved in this interview?” and then hung up.
“Later, he sent an enigmatic text: “Very wel dn im nt dispose bt cnsider 100%al u wnt ,we need investors in niger delta absolute peace is guarante.”
“For President Goodluck Jonathan, a Niger Delta native, such lavish expenditures have become a political liability. Despite a growing economy, his country of 167 million struggles to finance even the basics, starting with power plants, roads and sewers. A blossoming middle class in Nigeria’s cities has put further strain on public infrastructure.”
The paper also said the country is spending hundreds of millions of dollars a year to maintain an uneasy calm in the oil-rich delta, where attacks ranging from theft to bombings to kidnappings pummeled oil production three years ago, to as low as 500,000 barrels on some days.
It added: “This year alone, Nigeria will spend about $450 million on its amnesty programme, according to the government’s 2012 budget, more than what it spends to deliver basic education to children.”
It quoted Jonathan’s aides as saying the treasury would face an even worse drain if a full-blown militancy in the delta flared up again.
“If it’s too huge, what are the alternatives?” said Oronto Douglas, a senior adviser to Mr. Jonathan.
But for the Managing Director of Shell, Mutiu Sunmonu: “For you to address the whole issue of poverty and development, you need some kind of peace. That is what I think the amnesty programme has offered.”
The paper noted: “Theft fell sharply. Yet now, just as Nigeria’s state oil company has begun institutionalising pipeline-watch jobs for some ex-militants, theft has blossomed again.”
Sunmonu said: “It’s quite an escalation. If nothing is done, it will continue to increase because more and more people will just come to feel that this is a gold field. We’re not going to give up on this and run away from it. We believe it can be stopped.”
Victor Moses begins talks with Chelsea FC today
Chelsea have taken their summer spending beyond £70 million and added yet another attacking midfielder after a £10 million deal was finally agreed last night for Wigan Athletic’s Victor Moses.
It was Chelsea’s fifth this summer for the 21 year-old and he has now been given permission to speak to the European champions. Personal terms are expected to be a formality, with Moses having already told Wigan that he was keen to move to Stamford Bridge.
Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong has announced he will no longer fight drug charges from the US anti-doping agency (USADA).
In a statement the American, 40, maintains he is innocent, but says he is weary of the "nonsense" accusations.
USADA says it will ban Armstrong from cycling for life and strip him of his seven Tour de France titles.
Armstrong retired from cycling in 2005 after the last of his seven successive Tour de France titles, although he returned to the sport between 2009 and 2012 as part of the Astana and then RadioShack teams.
USADA alleges he used banned substances as far back as 1996, including the blood-booster erythropoietin (EPO), steroid and blood transfusions.
USADA says it will ban Armstrong from cycling for life and strip him of his seven Tour de France titles.
"It's most unlike him to withdraw from a legal
argument. But in doing this maybe he is denying USADA the chance to
directly put their evidence to him and reach the conclusion that they
were probably going to come to.
"He is not admitting guilt but most people will assume in their own minds there is some kind of admission given he is not contesting the charges when his legacy is on the line."
"He is not admitting guilt but most people will assume in their own minds there is some kind of admission given he is not contesting the charges when his legacy is on the line."
"I refuse to participate in a process that is so one-sided and unfair," said Armstrong of the USADA proceedings.
USADA chief executive Travis Tygart responded: "It is a sad day for all of us who love sport and our athletic heroes."
Armstrong retired from cycling in 2005 after the last of his seven successive Tour de France titles, although he returned to the sport between 2009 and 2012 as part of the Astana and then RadioShack teams.
USADA alleges he used banned substances as far back as 1996, including the blood-booster erythropoietin (EPO), steroid and blood transfusions.
Thursday 23 August 2012
Meles Zenawi, Ethiopia's premier and key U.S. ally, dies at 57
Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, a strongman in the troubled
Horn of Africa and a key United States ally, has died, his government
announced Tuesday.
Ethiopian PM dies at 57
Meles had not been seen in public in months, sparking intense international speculation about his health.
The government revealed neither the cause nor the location of his death Monday at the age of 57.
Meles came to the
forefront as a leader of a guerrilla insurgency against dictator Haile
Mengistu Mariam in 1991 and cemented power in the ensuing decades.
Ethiopian PM dies at 57
Seen by admirers as a
force for stability in a region with Islamist insurgencies in Somalia
and Yemen and a history of famine, he was also criticized for cracking
down on political opposition and the press.
"He came to power at the
barrel of a gun, but he made the transition from rebel leader to
political leader very quickly," said Ayo Johnson, a writer on Africa and
director of Viewpoint Africa.
But he never overcame his "mindset as a rebel leader," and his democratic credentials were "poor," Johnson said.
"The West turned a blind eye to many aspects of his game that were not up to scratch," he added.
That's partly because of
his action against Islamist movements in the region, including an
invasion of Somalia in 1998, Johnson said.
"He supported everything
that the United States wanted to do against terror," he explained, such
as give American drones based in the region permission to use Ethiopian
airspace on their way to targets in Somalia.
And "he was able to address the fundamentals -- health care, education, reducing the poverty rate," Johnson said.
U.S. President Barack
Obama praised Meles' "unyielding commitment to Ethiopia's poor" in a
statement Tuesday, citing his "personal admiration for (Meles') desire
to lift millions of Ethiopians out of poverty through his drive for food
security."
But in June, U.S. Sen.
Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat, highlighted a different aspect of
Meles' rule -- the case of journalist Eskinder Nega, who was then before
a court in Addis Ababa.
While praising the prime
minister's work in "containing the real threat of terrorism in the
region and making gains against the region's recurring famines," Leahy
accused him of "trying to silence those who do not toe the official
line."
His Ethiopian People's
Revolutionary Democratic Front took all but one seat in parliament in
elections in 2010, Africa expert Jason Mosley pointed out in the wake of
Meles' death.
"Nearly 200 people were
reportedly killed, and tens of thousands detained" in the previous
elections in 2005, said Mosley, who is with the Chatham House think tank
in London.
Last year, Ethiopia found two Swedish journalists guilty of supporting terrorism and sentenced them to 11 years in prison.
Meles died at 11:40 p.m.
Monday from an unspecified infection, spokesman Bereket Simon said.
Deputy Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn is now in charge.
There will be no elections before the next scheduled ballot in 2015, Bereket said.
Meles had been scheduled
to step down in 2013 as part of a transition process, Mosley said, but
questioned whether he genuinely intended to relinquish power.
Meles was out of the
country when he died and members of his family were with him, according
to Bereket. He did not say what country Meles' body was in or when it
would return to Ethiopia, except that it would be soon.
The spokesman acknowledged the prime minister had been sick for some time but didn't immediately seek treatment.
The news came almost a week after the government said Meles was "recovering well" after treatment for an unspecified illness.
Bloggers launched a
counter of the number of days he's been missing, while citizens took to
social media to discuss his whereabouts and exchange conspiracy
theories.
The secretive nation had
released little information about his whereabouts, prompting rumors and
opposition claims that he was dead or facing a life-threatening
illness.
The government held a news conference last month and announced Meles received treatment for an unspecified illness.
His absence was more
evident last month when Ethiopia hosted an African Union summit in its
capital of Addis Ababa. Meles, a key player in talks on the tensions
between Sudan and its rival neighbor South Sudan, did not attend.
Former U.N.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Ethiopia under Meles had "played a key
role in both the region and the African continent."
"I hope that his
successor will continue to be a driving force on a wide range of issues,
from brokering peace negotiations to shaping development
relationships," Annan said.
Ethiopia, a key Western
ally often lauded for effective use of aid money, is surrounded by
unstable nations such as Somalia and Sudan. Meles has been credited with
working toward peace and security in the region, and the Ethiopian army
sent peacekeepers to battle the Islamic extremist group Al-Shabaab in
Somalia.
Ebola outbreak kills 10 in Congo
The Ebola virus has killed 10 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the World Health Organization said Tuesday.
As of Monday, WHO said,
the deaths are among 13 probable and two confirmed Ebola cases reported
in Orientale province in eastern Congo.
The Congolese Ministry of
Health has set up a task force to deal with the outbreak and is working
with WHO, UNICEF, Doctors Without Borders and the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention.
Twelve cases and eight
deaths occurred in the area of Isiro, a town in Congo's north, WHO said.
The fatalities included three health care workers. One death each
occurred in Congo's Pawa and Dungu regions.
Killer of white supremacist gets life in South Africa
A South African man was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison for the killing of white supremacist leader Eugene Terreblanche, a lawyer in the case said.
Chris Mahlangu was convicted on four counts including murder, for which he got life, lawyer Zola Majavu said.
Terreblanche, the leader
of the neo-Nazi Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (Afrikaner Resistance
Movement, or AWB), was killed in April 2010 following an apparent
dispute over wages with workers on his farm.
Terreblanche, 69, was
bludgeoned with clubs and stabbed with a machete during the attack at
his farm near Ventersdorp in South Africa's North West province, police
said.
The trial began in October.
Police charged Mahlangu and a 16-year-old in the death. It was not immediately clear what sentence the minor got.
The AWB is best known for
trying to block South Africa's effort to end apartheid. The group used
terrorist tactics in a bid to stall the country's first all-race vote in
1994, killing more than 20 people in a wave of bombings on the eve of
the elections.
Terreblanche was
convicted of a 1996 attempted murder of a black man who worked as a
security guard on his farm. He served about two-thirds of a five-year
sentence.
52 killed in Kenya territory clash, officials say
Tensions between semi-nomadic cattle herders and farmers in southeast
Kenya sparked an attack on the herders Wednesday that left as many as
52 people dead, officials said.
A majority of those killed were women and children, police said.
The tensions and rivalry
that resulted in the violence have been ongoing for decades in the Tana
River area, said Joseph Kitur, deputy provincial police officer in
Kenya's Coast Province.
The most recent clashes
began last week when the Orma, a community of semi-nomadic herders,
invaded farms belonging to the Pokomo.
The Pokomo responded by
attacking Orma huts Wednesday morning, killing 31 women, 11 children and
six men, Kitur said. The Kenyan Red Cross put the number of fatalities
higher, at 52. Forty-three of the victims had deep cuts and nine were
burned, the Red Cross said through its Twitter account.
The farmers also captured 200 cattle belonging to the Orma.
Police were patrolling the area to prevent any further clashes, Kitur said.
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