Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir bettered the women-only half-marathon world record when she took gold in a closely-fought race at the World Athletics Half-Marathon Championships in Gdynia on Saturday. Jepchirchir finished in a time of one hour five minutes and 16 seconds to improve her own mark set in Prague last month. The win meant the 27-year-old claimed the title for the second time, having won it in Cardiff in 2016. Germany’s Melat Yisak Kejeta crossed the line two seconds behind to take silver while Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw was third a further second adrift. Uganda’s 19-year-old Jacob Kiplimo won the men’s race…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
The acquisition of Paystack, a Nigerian FinTech company, by Stripe is a huge boost for the Nigerian technology ecosystem, says Jide Awe, the Chief Executive Officer of Jidaw Systems Limited. Paystack, a technology company solving payment problems for businesses, was recently acquired by Stripe, a U.S. FinTech company for over $200 million. Reacting on the development in Abuja on Saturday, Awe said the deal will enable Paystack explore diversification to other African countries. According to Awe, a massive investment of this nature is a plus for Nigeria’s tech community, an incredible boost and source of pride even in this time…
A head-on collision between a 40feet container truck and a petrol tanker has resulted into an explosion on the Otedola Bridge along Lagos/Ibadan expressway on Saturday. The accident occurred at 2.00 a.m. when the 40fit containerised truck, loaded with fabric, had a brake failure while moving inward Berger, resulting in the truck colliding with a tanker loaded with 33000 litres of PMS. The impact of the collision resulted in a fire explosion. The Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu confirmed the accident. “On arrival at the incident scene it was discovered that a 40fit containerised truck loaded…
Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany announced the winners of “Stay at Home” Media Recognition Awards for Ghana in partnership with H.E. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO, The First Lady of Ghana and for Nigeria in partnership with H.E. Dr. AISHA MUHAMMADU BUHARI, The first Lady of Nigeria. The theme of the awards was ‘Raising Awareness on how to Stay Safe and Keep Physically and Mentally Healthy during Coronavirus Lockdown’ with the aim to separate facts from myths and misconceptions. Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation emphasizes, “I am very proud of our winners from Ghana and Nigeria who helped to educate the communities about COVID 19 through their exceptional work…
The Jack Ma Foundation (www.JackMaFoundation.org.cn) will host an online media roundtable discussion and Q&A to allow accredited journalists exclusive access to the Top 10 Finalists (https://bit.ly/2GXvbvd) of 2020 Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) prize, ahead of the grand finale in November. The 2020 ABH prize competition is a flagship philanthropic program created by the Jack Ma Foundation’s Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative (ANPI) to support and inspire the next generation of African entrepreneurs regardless of age, gender and sector, who are building a more sustainable and inclusive economy for the future of the continent. Speakers: The Top 10 finalists, Jack Ma Foundation’s representative and the competition’s semi-finale Judges. When:…
The Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege has disclosed that respite is on the way of commuters plying the Warri-Benin expressway, as the Federal Ministry of Works is finalising preparations to undertake major works on this very important national corridor. A statement by the spokesperson to Omo-Agege, Mr Yomi Odunuga made available to ASHENEWS on Saturday, said the development is owing to “constructive and fruitful engagements between the Deputy President of the Senate (DSP) and Obarisi of Urhoboland, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, and the Honourable Minister for Works, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), on the deplorable state of the Warri-Benin expressway and…
As the anti- Special Armed Robbery Squad (SARS) protests continue in parts of Nigeria, the Federal Government is working assiduously to meet the demands of the protesters. The protesters’ demand includes the immediate release of those arrested and justice for victims of police brutality. The protesters are also calling for the setting up of an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of police misconduct. They are calling for psychological evaluation and retraining of all disbanded SARS officers before redeployment The anti-SARS protesters also demand for increase in salary of police officers. To meet the demands…
A tanker ladened with Petroleum product, on Saturday exploded on the Otedola Bridge, Berger axis of Lagos. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, said the incident occurred around 2.00 am involving a tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit and a truck carrying other goods, ChannelsTV reports. The Director-General of the agency, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyitolu, said both trucks were out-bound Lagos for delivery. “The Agency promptly responded to a fire outbreak after several distress calls were received from the control room at the above-mentioned address at around 0200hrs. “On arrival at the incident scene, it was discovered that a 40fit…
The International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) has come up with an agreement to create a Common Framework for handling sovereign debt treatments beyond the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI). Kristina Georgieva, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund (IMF), said this in Washington D. C. on Thursday at the IMFC opening press conference at the ongoing 2020 International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank virtual annual meetings. Georgieva said that there were two significant ‘deliverables’ from the G20 which were endorsed by the IMFC. She added that the framework would be an important advancement in the international architecture for resolving sovereign debt matters in an…
As Nigerians continue to protest Police brutality in the country, Vice president Yemi Osinbajo, has told Nigerians “We are sorry” for moving slower. According to him, “Many feel that we have been too silent and have simply not done enough. These feelings of frustration are justified.” Osinbajo assured Nigerians of action, which he said was ongoing. Read the letter below: Dear Nigerians, I know that many of you are angry, and understandably so. We could’ve moved faster and for this we are sorry. I fully understand how many young people feel. Many feel that we have been too silent and…