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Nigeria Risks Losing Commonwealth Gold As AIU Suspends Nwokocha Over Doping

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The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has announced the provisional suspension of Nigerian sprinter Grace Nwokocha.

Nwokocha was part of the quartet that won gold in the 4x100m relay at this year’s Commonwealth Games.

She has been suspended by the world body for the use of banned substances. Ostarine and Ligandrol, two anabolic agents prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) – were found in Nwokocha’s blood sample.

“The AIU has provisionally suspended Nigerian runner, Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha, for the Presence/Use of Prohibited Substances (Ostarine & Ligandrol) (Article 2.1 and Article 2.2),” the body said in a statement on Twitter.

A provisional suspension means an athlete is temporarily banned from competition before a final decision is taken at a hearing conducted under WADA rules.

Nwokocha, 21, ran the anchor leg in Birmingham last month as Nigeria beat England and Jamaica to take gold in record-breaking fashion at the Commonwealth Games.

The trio of Favour Ofili, Rosemary Chukwuma, and Tobi Amusan were the other members of the winning quartet that set a new African Record of 42.10s.

The latest development, means the gold medal and African record are at risk of being expunged.

The doping rule nullifies any performance in its entirety, even if just a member of the team is guilty of the doping infraction.

Nwokocha who is the reigning Nigeria national champion took part in last year’s Tokyo Olympics and also entered the 100m and 200m at the world championships in Eugene Oregon this year, reaching the semi-finals in both events.

While the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has said it would be investigating the Nwokocha doping saga, PREMIUM TIMES findings show the sprinter’s training mate in the United States is also in the doping dragnet.

Back-to-back NCAA champions Randolph Ross and Nwokocha used to share the same coach Duane Ross.

Randolph was sent packing from the World Athletics Championships held in Oregon on the eve of his 400-meter preliminary race, about a month after officials could not locate him to take an anti-doping test.

Before this latest setback, Blessing Okagbare was the last Nigerian athlete to be provisionally suspended before a 10-year ban was later slammed on her for multiple doping infractions and failure to corporate with investigators.

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BREAKING: EFCC Declares Yahaya Bello Wanted [PHOTO]

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Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi state, has been declared wanted by the EFCC.

He reportedly evaded arrest yesterday when the commission visited his home to enforce arrest.

More to come…

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Hydrogen, CCHub Partner To Encourage Fintech Startup Success

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As the country faces economic challenges, the need for adaptive strategies in the fintech industry becomes paramount. In line with this, leading fintech startup Hydrogen Payment Services Limited (‘Hydrogen’) has teamed up with Co-creation Hub (‘CcHub’) to host an insightful event themed ‘Adapting Fintech Business Models to Economic Climates’.

The event is set to take place on Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 12:00 a.m. WAT at the CCHub office in Sabo, Lagos, will delve deep into the intricacies of Nigerian economic challenges and how these influence the fintech ecosystem. Participants will gain actionable insights on how to adapt fintech business models to volatile economic conditions by prioritising flexibility, agility, and customer-centricity.

This collaboration underscores the shared commitment of both entities to empower aspiring founders venturing into the fintech space amidst economic uncertainties. By leveraging their respective expertise and resources, Hydrogen and CcHub aim to equip
emerging entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools, and support needed to thrive in today’s dynamic economic conditions.

Emeka Awagu, Chief Technology Officer at Hydrogen, commented on the strategic partnership with CcHUB: “Our alliance with CcHUB amplifies our shared commitment to pioneering transformative solutions in the Nigerian fintech sector. By leveraging Hydrogen’s technological expertise alongside CcHU’s innovative approach, we are primed to set a new standard for fintech excellence and drive impactful change across the industry.”

The event will feature a distinguished panel of industry experts and thought leaders. including Ina Alogwu, Group Director, Digital Transformation, ARM HoldCo; Emeka Awagu, Chief Technology Officer, Hydrogen; and Miracle Ezechi, Digital Marketing Manager, Hydrogen.

The panel discussion will be moderated to encourage an engaging and insightful conversation on the strategies and innovations required to thrive in the Nigerian fintech landscape amidst economic challenges.

Interested attendees are encouraged to register here and reserve a spot.

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ECONOMY: CBN Not Using Foreign Reserves To Defend Naira — Olayemi Cardoso

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, asserts that the nation is not defending the value of the naira with its foreign reserves.

He made this known on Wednesday in Washington, DC, where he is attending the International Monetary Fund-World Bank Spring Meetings.

Cardoso said $600 million came into Nigeria’s reserves account within the last two days.

The naira has appreciated against the dollar in recent weeks, gaining over 40%, from about N1,900/$ to about N1,000/$1 now. But while the naira rebound, Nigeria’s foreign reserves are dwindling, dropping to about $32.29 billion on April 15 — the lowest level in over six years.

Cardoso said, “What you’ve seen with respect to the shift in our reserves is normal in any country’s reserves where for example, debt is due and certain payments need to be made because that is also part of keeping your credibility.

“Other times money comes in, it takes it up again. Between yesterday and today, about $600 million came into the reserves account. We are looking towards a market that operates by itself, willing buyers, willing sellers and price discovery.

“The shift in our reserves has really little or nothing to do with defending naira and that is certainly not our objective.”

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