The initiative is a key outcome of the Nigeria–Australia collaboration with the support of the Commonwealth government, aimed at addressing skill gaps in the mining sector and deepening bilateral ties between Nigeria and Australia.

It will be recalled that during the 2023 Africa Down Under, ADU, Conference in Perth, Australia, Alake entered into a bilateral agreement with the Government of Western Australia—through the Australian Ministry of Mines and Petroleum—and Murdoch University to facilitate technical training designed to strengthen the expertise of Nigerian mining professionals.

This collaboration, with strong support from the Australian High Commission in Nigeria, has now culminated in the commencement of a two-week pilot training programme involving eleven Nigerian participants at Murdoch University.

The training covers a wide range of subjects, including extractive metallurgy, sustainable geochemistry, and mineral science research.

Participants will also embark on field trips and engage directly with industry experts to explore mining trends, investment opportunities, and sustainability challenges.

In his remarks at the launch, Alake noted that the programme represented the realisation of a vision conceived less than two years ago.

READ ALSO: June 12: Tinubu to confer national honours on select legislators

He said, “I must not fail to acknowledge  the encouragement and support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the efforts of the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, H.E. Leilani Bin-Juda, who has been a pillar of support throughout this process—constantly engaging, traveling back and forth and ensuring this vision comes to life. I also express profound gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor and faculty of Murdoch University for opening their facilities to us so warmly. Establishing a working relationship with a leading mining nation like Australia is crucial to strengthening bilateral ties and fostering mutually beneficial development in our mining sectors.”

The minister also charged the participants to be worthy ambassadors of Nigeria and to leverage the training to enhance the country’s technical capabilities and contribute to evidence-based policy design and implementation.

“Let this moment mark the beginning of a transformative journey—not just for those attending this course, but for the millions of Nigerians who stand to benefit from a better-governed, more inclusive, and more productive minerals sector,” he added.

Welcoming the Nigerian delegation, Vice-Chancellor of Murdoch University, Professor Andrew Deeks, highlighted the importance of capacity building in the global resources sector.

He emphasized that the exchange programme aligns with the university’s mission to promote ethical, sustainable, and inclusive engagement across continents through impactful education and research.

According to him, “The support of the Commonwealth government underscores the importance of our nations coming together to share knowledge for the mutual benefit of our societies.”

The Western Australian Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Hon. David Michael, also welcomed the Nigerian delegation and expressed strong support for the collaborative approach to resource development.

During the course, the Australian Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety will host the participants as part of a structured capacity-building engagement.

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The Australian Transport Safety Bureau, ATSB, on Thursday finalised its investigation into the crash in the early hours of August 12.

It’s concluded that 23-year-old pilot Blake Wilson took the helicopter from an airport hangar for an unnecessary and unauthorised flight while affected by alcohol.

Wilson died when the Robinson R44 helicopter crashed into the roof of a hotel in the far northeastern city of Cairns at approximately 2 a.m. local time on August 12.

The crash triggered the evacuation of about 400 hotel guests.

The ATSB found that Wilson, a ground staff employee of the charter company that owned the helicopter, did not have the appropriate experience or licenses for the flight.

“The pilot did not hold the appropriate endorsements to fly at night, did not have any experience flying the R44 at night.

“They conducted the flight well below the 1,000-foot minimum height for flight over built-up areas,’’ ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said in a statement on Thursday.

READ ALSO: Is the almajiri system being imported into the South-west?

He said the final report provided assurances to the Cairns community and the aviation industry that were unlikely to be broader transport safety issues.

It needed to be addressed to reduce the risk of future similar incidents.

According to the report, Wilson was socialising and drinking alcohol with friends at various venues in Cairns on the night of August 11.

He returned to his apartment at 11 p.m. local time before driving to his employer Nautilus Aviation’s hangar at Cairns airport at 1 a.m. on August 12.

CCTV footage showed the helicopter took off after 1:30 a.m., flying low over the Cairns central business district, the marina and Wilson’s apartment building for 20 minutes before crashing.

The investigation found the helicopter was inverted when it hit the hotel.

Parts of the rotor blade were found in hotel rooms, with debris strewn across the hotel grounds and street.

No evidence was found to explain Wilson’s intentions, and Mitchell said it was fortunate no hotel guests were seriously injured.

Source: Xinhua/NAN

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Ezinne Kalu scored 19 points to lead the D’Tigress to win the better-rated Australian team.

Basketball fans in Lagos poured encomium on the team, as they earn the first valuable points in opening match of the group game.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in separate interviews on Monday that the team did well in winning the first game.

A basketball fan, Sesan Olabode, said that the team deserved the victory, having prepared well and played well in the match.

READ ALSO: EXTRA: Farooq, steeze and courage, By Simbo Olorunfemi

He urged the team to continue to rise to the challenge ahead of their opponent as the first victory would boost their confidence.

He said, “it is a fantastic win, the team showed great confidence in defeating Australia, the team should continue to rise to every challenge ahead of them.”

A grassroots basketball coach, Austin Okafor, said that “the team proved that it is indeed Africa’s powerhouse in women basketball.

“The team deserves commendation and should continue to fight hard in subsequent matches.”

Another grassroots basketball coach, Femi Adetoye, said the team had shown that it was a force to reckon with.

He said Australia was not a pushover and for D’Tigress to defeat them at the highest stage of basketball competition, it showed the depth of quality in the team.

He added that “it is a great result, Australia is no pushover in world basketball, therefore, D’Tigress should work harder in subsequent matches.”

Emeka Nwani, a basketball fan, said that the team showed good character and great judgment of the game.

He said that with what he saw in the first Paris encounter, the team would surely go far in the tournament.

Source: NAN

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Presenting the request to Hon. Bill Johnston, the Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Energy, Corrective Services and Industrial Relations of the government of Western Australia, on a courtesy visit, Alake acknowledged the progress achieved by the government in mineral development.

Alake, who led the Nigerian delegation to the 21st Africa Down Under Mining Conference held in Perth, said Australia had acquired a lot of knowledge and skills in developing its modern mining industry, adding that Nigerians will benefit from training, study trips and exchanges of mineral professionals in its current effort to transform the sector.

READ ALSO: Solid minerals will contribute 50% to Nigeria’s GDP –Alake

Alake said the government had launched a roadmap to attract foreign direct investment by investing in big data on minerals and the quantum of their deposits, forming a solid minerals corporation and joint venture agreements with multinationals in mining to enable the sector to compete globally.

He informed the minister that Nigeria had vast deposits of precious minerals, including lithium, gold, coal, lead, zinc, baryte and iron ore.

Alake proposed a programme enabling Nigerian mining professionals to study modern mining technology and practices in Western Australia with the government’s support.

Responding, Hon. Johnston who appreciated the courtesy visit of the Minister of Solid Minerals and his delegation remarked that the meeting would pave the way for cordial relations.

Accepting the proposal, Johnston said the government of Western Australia would support the transfer of knowledge and skills to mining professionals from Nigeria and sponsor mining experts to visit Nigeria to impart knowledge.

He urged the minister to make a formal request as soon as possible so both could work together to realise the goal.

He promised to mobilise the public and private sectors to support the initiative, as many companies are willing to explore opportunities for developing the mining sector in Africa.

Other members of the delegation were the Nigerian High Commissioner to Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific, Ambassador Anderson Madubike; Deputy High Commissioner, Mrs. Mercy Clement; Mr. Martins Imonitie, Investment Banker from ANZ Bank; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Solid Minerals, Dr.Mary Ogbe; Special Adviser to the Minister, Kehinde Bamigbetan; Director, Mining Cadastral Office; Engr. Nkom Obadiah and Technical Assistant to the Minister, Mrs.Chinemerem Nwaka.

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In a dramatic end to the first half, Emily Van Egmond gave Australia the lead only for Nigeria to equalise before the half-time whistle and then score twice in the second half to secure victory in Group B.

The victory is Super Falcons win at the 2023 edition of the tournament after their opener against Canada ended in a barren draw.

Australia edged ahead in the first minute of added time at the end of the first half.

Van Egmond guided her shot beyond Chiamaka Nnadozie following Caitlin Foord’s low cross into the penalty area.

But Nigeria equalised in the sixth minute of added time.

This was when Rasheedat Ajibade’s shot deflected towards the far post to Uchenna Kanu, who placed her shot through Steph Catley’s legs and beyond Mackenzie Arnold.

Asisat Oshoala’s introduction in the 63rd minute immediately unsettled the Australian defence and Nigeria forged ahead two minutes later when Osinachi Ohale, who was hurt in the process, headed in at the far post after Ajibade’s header was pushed away by Arnold.

READ ALSO: Super Falcons now 40th position in FIFA women world ranking

Oshoala’s presence unsettled Australia again in the 72 minutes as she scored Nigeria’s third goal from a tight angle following a mix-up between Alanna Kennedy and Arnold.

Kennedy pulled a goal back deep into added time, but the defeat means Australia go into their final group game needing a win against Canada to guarantee a place in the last 16.

Oshoala becomes the first Nigerian player to score in three Women’s World Cups.

Steph Catley, Australia’s captain who rued her team’s missed goal scoring opportunities expressed disappointment at the result, adding that the Super Falcons took their chances and deserved to win.

“Obviously extremely disappointed. I think this was a massive opportunity for us that we obviously let slide, but it’s tournament football, and this sort of thing happens.

“It was definitely not our best performance. We created a lot of opportunities that we potentially could have finished – I haven’t seen the statistics, but I assume we had a fair few shots.

“If some of those go in, maybe it’s a different story, but they [Nigeria] were great on the counter, and they finished their chances,” she said.

2023 FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

GROUP B

MP                     MP   W  D  L  GF  GA  GD Pts

Nigeria               2      1   1   0   3     2    +1   4

Canada               2     1  1   0  2      1   +1    4

Australia            2     1   0   1 3      3    0     3

Rep. of Ireland  2    0  0   2  1      3    -2    0

Source: NAN

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Tasmania Police said in a statement that midday, a wind picked up a bouncy castle and threw it into the air at an end-of-year activity day at Hillcrest primary school in Devonport, in the state’s north-west.

“Several children fell from a height of about 10 metres around 10.00 a.m. and are currently receiving medical treatment at the scene as well as in hospitals,’’ the statement added.

Police spokesperson, Darren Hine, said the victims receiving treatment were two girls and two boys.

The Police said their thoughts were with the families and loved ones of those involved.

It said that several helicopters responded to the incident, police and emergency services were also on the scene.

It added that the school was closed and parents rushed to the scene to collect their children.

“My heart is breaking for all those impacted by the tragedy at Hillcrest Primary School in Tasmania today.

“My prayers are with the family and friends of the children who lost their lives, the injured, the first responders and all those who witnessed this deeply distressing event,’’ Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a tweet.

Source: dpa/NAN

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Akinbiyi’s appointment was announced alongside other appointees by the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Ros Spence, the Premier of Victoria, of the Australian Labour Party.

Each Commissioner is recognised for their skills and life experience championing cultural and religious diversity across Victoria.

In a congratulatory message, Dabiri-Erewa said that Akinbiyi’s appointment had proved her leadership prowess and passion towards women and youth empowerment.

She urged her not to relent in her service to humanity but remain focused and strive to achieve more in the service of mankind.

Akinbiyi, a community leader and advocate, an award winning entrepreneur and also a Woman and Youth mentor, holds a Bachelor degree in Pure and Applied Mathematics from Ladoke Akintola University of Science and Technology, Ogbomoso, and also holds a B.Sc in Nursing.

She is also a graduate of African Leadership Development Programme (Leadership Victoria) where she was nominated for Women in Leadership and Entrepreneur of the year 2018 by African Media Australia, winner of

2018 Business and Entrepreneurship (Afro Shine Award) also by African Media Australia.

Akinbiyi, nee Sarumoh, in Ibadan, Oyo State, has served in many developmental committees and associations, a mentor to many African youths with multiple successful outcome.

She has also been privileged to speak in different community events that help to empower African youth and the newly arrived migrants in Australia.

A registered nurse, nurse educator, an IT professional and an entrepreneur with a passion for community development and cultural diversity who believes in positive integrations and unity, irrespective of race, social status, ethnicity, religion or gender.

She is happily married to Dr. Akinsola Akinbiyi, a high profile consultant psychiatrist in Australia and the marriage is blessed with children.

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A small number of positive infections has also been recorded in the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia.

This is the first time in months that cases have emerged in multiple parts of the country at the same time.

State and territory leaders will meet Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday for an emergency meeting.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said Australia was facing “a critical time” in its fight against Covid, as various states shut borders and enforce new restrictions to prevent further spread of the virus.

“I think we’re entering a new phase of this pandemic, with the more contagious Delta strain,” Mr Frydenberg told ABC News on Monday.

The escalation in Covid infections has prompted lockdowns in the cities of Sydney and Darwin, as well as restrictions across four states.

The situation remains most concerning in Sydney, where some 5 million residents are subject to a stay-at-home order.

The New South Wales (NSW) state government on Sunday expanded a lockdown to cover all of Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong.

Many businesses and venues have been ordered shut.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Monday reported 18 new cases, down from the 30 reported the previous day.

Nearly 59,000 people had been tested in the past 24 hours.

“We have to be prepared for the numbers to bounce around and we have to be prepared for the numbers to go up considerably because with this strain, we are seeing almost 100% of transmission within households,” she said.

While the two cases in Western Australia have been traced to the Sydney outbreak, the positive cases in Queensland and the Northern Territory have been linked to people who became infected despite completing hotel quaranti

The remote Northern Territory has recorded seven cases, prompting authorities to extend a lockdown of the capital, Darwin on Monday until Friday.

The Delta outbreak there had spread from a mining camp and now posed significant risk to the community, officials said.

“For the first time, we do have public exposure sites in the Northern Territory,” said Chief Minister Michael Gunner.

Authorities are also on alert after a member of cabin crew staff for Virgin Australia worked on five domestic flights while infected with the Delta variant.

The airline has contacted all affected passengers and crew.

Travel bubble suspended

The outbreaks have prompted some inter-state and international border closures.

New Zealand paused its quarantine-free travel bubble with all of Australia until at least Tuesday because of the latest outbreak.

The travel corridor between the two neighbours was opened in April.

Travel between New Zealand and specific Australian regions has been closed for short periods as outbreaks emerged, but this is the first time the bubble has been shut with all of Australia.

Australia has maintained very low rates of Covid transmission throughout the pandemic due to a closed-border policy, stringent quarantine and swift testing and tracing systems.

It has recorded no deaths this year, but 910 deaths and 30,450 cases overall.

Highly infectious variants

The newer, more infectious Covid variants however, have strained the nation’s defences – with several small outbreaks this year.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has described the Delta variant as a “very formidable foe”.

“No matter what defensive steps we’re taking at the moment, the virus seems to understand how to counter-attack,” he said.

Sydney’s outbreak first emerged two weeks ago in Bondi, the famous beach suburb, before spreading rapidly across the city.

Its origin has been linked to an unvaccinated driver who transported international arrivals from the airport.

Vaccination rollout

The NSW government has urged people to get their vaccine – noting that in one of the Sydney clusters, 24 of 30 people at a party became infected and those who didn’t had been vaccinated.

“If you’re vaccinated, you are much more likely to not be infected with COVID-19,” Mr Hazzard told reporters on Monday.

The recent outbreaks have renewed criticism of the nation’s slow vaccination rollout – which falls under the federal government’s purview.

So far, just under 5% of Australia’s adult population have been fully vaccinated under a phased rollout, and roughly 30% have received a first dose of either the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine.

However, significant levels of hesitancy have been recorded around the AstraZeneca vaccine due to its link to a rare blood clotting syndrome. Meanwhile, Pfizer supplies have been limited to certain age groups.

Government critics have argued that cities would not need to endure lockdowns if a majority of the population was vaccinated.

Source: BBC

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Concerns over the extent of the Sydney cluster saw authorities ban residents from several suburbs from attending a January 7 Australia-India cricket test in Sydney, and again called for widespread testing for even the mildest of symptoms.

Sydney is battling a number of clusters, the most concerning in its western suburbs which has been linked to a liquor outlet frequented by possibly thousands of people over the Christmas period.

New South Wales (NSW) state, the epicentre of Australia’s latest outbreak, on Tuesday said it had detected four new local cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, one in a man who travelled from Sydney to the outback town of Broken Hill.

“This is a reminder of what can occur for people who are moving out of Sydney. We said clearly in the past, if you have any symptoms, if you are concerned, you should limit your mobility,” acting NSW Premier John Barilaro told reporters in Sydney.

Barilaro urged people in three regional NSW cities, which the infected man visited, to get a COVID-19 test and isolate while awaiting a test.

NSW on Monday reported zero new local infections, the first time the state reported no new infections since December 15.

NSW has recorded nearly 200 cases in the recent Sydney outbreaks, though infections have largely been confined to just a few suburbs.

The state has imposed new social distancing restrictions and mandated the wearing of masks in shopping centres and on public transport or face a A$200 ($154) fine.

NSW has been effectively isolated from the rest of Australia after other states and territories closed borders or imposed 14-day mandatory quarantine rules.

Australia shut its international borders in March to all non-citizens and permanent residents.

Those allowed to enter must enter a 14-day hotel quarantine.

Australia has reported just over 28,500 coronavirus cases and 909 deaths.

Source: Reuters

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The state line between New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, which is highly porous and stretches hundreds of kilometres, is scheduled to close at 11.59 p.m. on Tuesday for the first time in 100 years.

Underscoring the need for decisive action, Victoria state reported a record number of new COVID-19 infections on Thursday, taking the national tally to a three-month high.

“There will be a significant military and police operation going on to monitor all cross-border activity,” NSW Police Minister David Elliott warned. “There’s serious fines and indeed, a jail sentence, to anyone that wants to push the envelope.”

People caught crossing the border without permission via any of the 55 roads that are heavily used by commuters, school children and road freight, or several river and wilderness crossings, will face penalties including a fine of A$11,000 ($7,700) and six months imprisonment.

Daily travel permits will be granted to people who live in border towns and cities but with the closure just hours away, the application system was still being developed.

Kevin Mack, the mayor of Albury, a border town on the NSW side, said with an estimated 50,000 car movements across the state line every day “it will be a nightmare for everyone.”

The border closure was announced on Monday in response to a surge in COVID-19 cases in Melbourne, the Victorian capital, which prompted authorities this week to reinstate strict social-distancing orders in more than 30 suburbs and put nine public housing towers into complete lockdown.

Victoria was responsible for 191 of the 199 new cases reported nationally on Tuesday, the biggest one-day rise since early April, excluding last week’s addition of historical data from cruise ships.

Australia has now recorded almost 8,800 cases and 106 deaths, far below many other countries, but the Melbourne outbreak has worried officials.

Some Australian media reported on Tuesday that Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews was considering reimposing some broader lockdown measures across the state.

The closure of the border is a blow to Australia’s hopes of cushioning the fall as the country heads into its first recession in nearly three decades, thanks to social distancing restrictions that were imposed in March and have been largely lifted.

BORDER CHAOS

For businesses on the border, which last closed during the Spanish flu pandemic in 1919, it also poses an immediate logistics headache.

“About a quarter of my staff like me live in NSW, and cross that border every day to come to work,” said Paul Armstrong, who runs a petrol station in Wodonga, a border town on the Victorian side. “I don’t know if they are going to be able to get in.”

The closure also comes during school holidays in both states, a peak travel time for many families.

Ray Bell, owner of the Twofold Bay Motor Inn in Eden, a coastal town on the NSW side of the border, said he received 37 cancellations overnight, including five guests who were forced to leave early to make it back home.

Outside of the border towns, Victoria residents will be able to apply for a permit, but will need to prove a special need for their travel.

Freight transporters will be free to cross the border without a permit, but will be subjected to random stops.

Meanwhile, Football Federation Australia (FFA) will be forced to request exemptions to allow Melbourne’s three A-League clubs into New South Wales after their plans to exit Victoria by plane on Monday night were scuppered by fog that closed the airport.

Source: Reuters

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