How Rodgers has revitalized Liverpool

01-04-2014
London - Liverpool's 4-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend took them to the top of the Premier League table, raising hopes of a first English title since 1990.
Their title tilt has been masterminded by manager Brendan Rodgers, who oversaw a seventh-place finish last season in his first campaign since succeeding Kenny Dalglish in July 2012.
Here, AFP Sports looks at some of the methods that the 41-year-old has used to turn Anfield into a fortress once again.
1. A new identity
Liverpool have long been associated with pass-and-move football, but the club lost their way during Dalglish's second stint as manager, typified by the club-record 35 million ($58.3 million, 42.4 million euros) acquisition of target man Andy Carroll in January 2011. Rodgers has taken Liverpool back to their roots, instituting a patient, possession-based game and urging his players to play the ball out from the back even when they are put under pressure. "Under some of the previous managers, when things haven't been going well, we'd tend to go more direct and get the ball forward more quickly," captain Steven Gerrard told FourFourTwo magazine last year. "But Brendan wants us to play from the back and improve our angles so we pass with more incision and pace. He wants us to stick to Plan A."
2. Shrewd signings
Four consecutive seasons without Champions League football have hit the club in the pocket, but Rodgers has helped get around the problem by showing an eye for a bargain in the transfer market. Daniel Sturridge cost only 12 million when he signed from Chelsea in January last year, but he has emerged as one of the deadliest strikers in the country, scoring 34 goals in his first 43 games for the club. Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho, signed from Inter Milan for 8.5 million, has also proved a shrewd acquisition, although of the six players who arrived last year, only goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has been able to hold down a first-team place.
3. Getting the best out of Suarez
There was a time during the close season when the prospect of seeing Luis Suarez in a Liverpool shirt again seemed a distinctly remote possibility. Having been banned for 10 matches after biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic, the Uruguayan complained about his treatment by the British press and then accused Liverpool of breaking their word by denying him a move to Arsenal. Rodgers stood firm, however, and Suarez has rewarded the Northern Irishman by producing the best season of his career, scoring 29 league goals and developing a superb understanding with Sturridge. He signed a new contract in December and is the overwhelming favourite to be voted the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year.
4. Squad rotation and man management
Raheem Sterling disappeared from view mid-way through last season after bursting onto the scene, with Rodgers explaining that he was worried about him getting burnt out, and the 19-year-old winger's electric displays this term have vindicated the manager's cautious approach. After a rocky start to his Anfield career, former Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson has blossomed under Rodgers's guidance, while 21-year-old full-back Jon Flanagan has grasped the opportunity to claim a starting berth with both hands.
5. Tactical flexibility and bravery
Rodgers learnt at the knee of Jose Mourinho during his time as a youth coach at Chelsea and he is forging a reputation as a similarly resourceful tactician. Liverpool have used a variety of different playing systems this season, deploying a 3-4-1-2 formation during the autumn and alternating between a 4-3-3 and a 4-3-1-2 in recent weeks. Speaking after the victory over Spurs on Sunday, Rodgers said: "The last four games we played a diamond (4-3-1-2); today it was 4-3-3. We have got flexibility and that is what we are trying to develop, and the players are comfortable with that." His commitment to fielding two strikers has enabled Liverpool to plunder 88 league goals in 32 matches, while 33-year-old Gerrard has been a revelation in a new midfield holding role.

Russian troop numbers on Ukraine border decrease 2

1-04-2014

 Kiev - The number of Russian troops deployed on the border with Ukraine is decreasing, a Ukrainian Defence Ministry official said on Monday, but he cautioned that this might not represent a pull-back of forces.
Major General Oleksandr Rozmaznin told journalists the drop in numbers might reflect a scheduled rotation of conscripts rather than a withdrawal, and he would not confirm the numbers involved.
"The number of soldiers has fallen, but the exact figure is pretty approximate. I can not confirm the number," said Rozmaznin when asked if as many as 10 000 soldiers might have left the border area.
"The number has definitely dropped and it [the situation] has calmed down. We won't rejoice and shout 'Hurray'. It doesn't matter how many of them there are, we just need to make sure our defences are strong," he said.
Conscripts made up a large part of the Russian army and "a certain number of conscripts could be stood down and swapped for others", Rozmaznin said.
The Russian military build-up on Ukraine's eastern and southern borders, as Russian forces moved into Crimea and Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Moscow reserved the right to defend Russian-speakers in Ukraine, caused alarm in Kiev at the prospect of a broader military invasion.
Russia says the build-up represents military exercises and Russian officials say there are no plans for moving forces across the border into Ukraine's eastern and southern areas where the heaviest concentration of Russian-speakers live.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry was cautious at reports of a pull-back.
"We have information that the Russian Federation is carrying out unfathomable manoeuvres on the borders with Ukraine - in some border places they are taking away troops, in others they are coming closer," ministry spokesperson Evhen Perebiynis said.
"Such action can not fail to cause concern especially since we today do not have a clear explanation from the Russian Federation about the aims of these movements," Perebiynis told journalists.
US officials last Friday said Russia's reinforcement of troops near Ukraine had brought the total forces there to as many as 40 000, though European sources have been estimating lower numbers at around 30 000.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said, after talks with Russian Foreign Ministry Sergei Lavrov on Sunday in Paris, that progress on resolving the crisis over the Russian annexation of Crimea depended on a Russian troop pull-back from Ukraine's borders.
Although Moscow says the buildup is part of military exercises, it has also been pressing diplomatically for Russian-speaking regions of Ukraine to be given greater autonomy and for the Russian language to be upgraded to the status of a state language in Ukraine.

Danny Young survives car crash

 Lagos - Musician, Danny Young survived a car accident along Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Saturday night, reports NewswireNigeria

 Danny Young’s car collided with another vehicle on his way to the  Ogun State, NYSC orientation camp  in Shagamu.

Danny Young was taken to the hospital

D’banj plans to start bakery

 Lagos –  International singer and entrepreneur,Dbanj plans to launch Koko Bread, according to Pulse.ng.

The koko master who recently launched Koko Garri, spoke on the topic, “Do Africa, It Pays”, at the 'One Africa' campaign in Abuja said that his company, Koko Holdings will stary to production of Koko Bread to get youths interested in Agriculture.

The award winning singer acquired a cocoa farm in Ghana last year.

Barcelona in best form of season for Atletico clash - Alves 46 minutes ago

Barcelona - Barcelona head into the Champions League quarter-final showdown with La Liga title rivals Atletico Madrid in their "best form of the season", defender Dani Alves said.
The Catalan side host the first leg on Tuesday on the back of five straight wins, a run started by eliminating Manchester City from the competition and featuring a 4-3 victory at Real Madrid to boost their domestic championship hopes.
Barca trail leaders Atletico by one point with seven games to play.
"We are now in a better state than at this time last year. We have been up and down a bit in some competitions but the team is in good spirits," Alves told a news conference on Monday.
"We are in our best form of the season and in a month everything will be decided."
Ahead of their second-leg clash with City this month there was talk of a crisis at Barcelona. They went into the game having lost two of their previous three league matches and Alves said he was angry at the way the situation was taken out of context.
"If I look back five years ago this team was in a chaos and then 15 days ago we lost a game and it was as though it was a disaster," he said.
"People were saying Barca had lost the league and it was now between Atletico Madrid and (Real) Madrid. Then a week later Madrid are out and it is between Atletico and Barca. It is necessary to be more objective.
"Our style is always to attack. We don't try to be like normal teams but a side which influences kids and looks to play and win matches.
"To do that you have to take risks. We have been at the top of football now for the past five or six years but we know that if we win it is fantastic and if we lose it is a disaster."
The three meetings between Barca and Atletico so far this season have ended in draws, two of which came in the domestic Super Cup which the Catalans won on away goals.
"There is no point looking back at the other games now (against Atletico) as they were in other competitions and at other times," Alves said.
"We are rivals with different ways of playing, both valid and we are trying to get a good result to go into the next leg."
Atletico striker Diego Costa, Alves said, was one player he would gladly play alongside at Barcelona.
"If I could pick one player from Atletico to have in my team it would be Diego Costa for his goals and his work," the Brazilian said of the player with 25 La Liga goals to his name this season.
"It is going to be a difficult game and Atletico are a lot more than just Diego Costa. He is a great player and makes a difference for Atletico at the moment but they have other strong players.
"They have a strong structure and a difficult style to play against. It would be a mistake to just look at him."

Bayern favourites but United aren't underdogs, says Giggs

Manchester - Holders Bayern Munich are the favourites but Manchester United do not consider themselves to be underdogs for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at Old Trafford on Tuesday, according to Ryan Giggs.
The clash of two of Europe's biggest clubs will forever revive memories of their epic 1999 Champions League final in Barcelona when United scored twice in stoppage time to beat the German side 2-1.
Bayern won on their last trip to Manchester when they beat City 3-1 in a group match in October and a repeat of that scoreline would almost certainly set up Pep Guardiola's team to reach the last four.
But Giggs, who played in the final 15 years ago, remains confident of a United success against opponents who wrapped up the Bundesliga title last week.
"Obviously Bayern are a fantastic team," said Giggs, who will move to within one of Raul's record total of 142 Champions League appearance if he plays on Tuesday.
Now player-coach at Old Trafford, the 40-year-old Welshman told reporters: "They're the holders and Pep Guardiola's taken over and added a few new players and they're a very strong team.
"They're obviously favourites in most people's eyes but we're Manchester United at Old Trafford and we've seen so many good nights there, in Europe especially.
"So as players we don't see ourselves as underdogs, we see ourselves as Manchester United playing at home in the Champions League.
"We can't wait. These are the games that you want to be involved in as a player. We'll go out there and, yes it's going to be tough, but we're confident."

Why Keshi ‘would be mad’ to turn to Odemwingie

Lagos - With aching inevitability, the question of Peter Odemwingie’s potential return to the Nigeria national side ahead of the World Cup has risen in the minds of fans and to the fingertips of journalists.
Admittedly, all of the pieces are in place for the issue of Odemwingie’s persistent exclusion from the Super Eagles set-up to be a relevant and engaging subject.
First of all, the Nigerian attack has struggled to convince, despite Stephen Keshi’s assessment of numerous different options.
The triumphant semi-final victory, back in early 2013, against Mali made it easy to forget the struggles Nigeria had had in the AFCON group stage. Against Burkina Faso and Zambia the Super Eagles looked toothless, while Ethiopia were only dispatched, late on, due to an inspired contribution from Victor Moses.
In subsequent World Cup Qualifying bouts with Kenya, Namibia and Malawi, it took goals from the likes of Ahmed Musa and (centre-back) Godfrey Oboabona to secure the narrowest of victories. While Egypt (16), Ghana (18) and even Guinea (12), for example, accrued convincing results, the Super Eagles struggled to find the killer touch against palpably inferior opposition.
Even goal-shy Cameroon found the net eight times in their opening group—which was markedly tougher than Nigeria’s.
The Confederations Cup could easily have been an exercise in frustration. The struggles of Mohammed Gambo, Joseph Akpala and Anthony Ujah left Keshi with no illusions as to the importance of Emmanuel Emenike and Moses, both of whom missed the tournament through injury.
I have written enough about the short-comings of Nigeria’s attack during that competition to go through it all again here, but when one considers, also, the likely-reduced impact of Moses, following his year on the side-lines at Anfield, it’s clear to see why Keshi has sought to reconfigure his attacking line-up.
Ideye Brown was the first victim although, at the time of writing, it remains to be seen how permanent his exclusion will prove to be. For all his endeavour, the Dynamo Kyiv man simply wasn’t delivering in front of goal.
Keshi, to his credit, hasn’t been hesitant to introduce new options into the fold.
Victor Obinna, who, at one time, had looked like he was ‘done’ with the national side, has been brought back in and applied himself well. Michael Uchebo and Imoh Ezekiel were also given their international debuts against Mexico. Had either man made a lasting impression—and Uchebo came close during the frenetic opening stages—then they could have felt quietly confident of making the plane to Brazil. Such is the paucity of Keshi’s chosen resources.
At this point, Odemwingie emerges into the narrative.
Ahead of the AFCON, the striker wasn’t perceived to be an option. However, following the end of his (partially self-imposed) isolation at West Bromwich Albion, and his fruitless toils at Cardiff City, the former Lokomotiv Moscow man has been as a man reborn at Stoke.
His recent form, five goals and one Man of the Match display since the beginning of February, have seemingly offered a ready-made solution to the Super Eagles’ deficiencies. I know that many of you who contribute here, as well as those who I correspond with by e-mail and on Twitter, certainly think so.
I sympathise, of course. Odemwingie is experienced and versatile; he may well be hungry as well (2014 represents, surely, his final chance to make a lasting impression on the world stage) and, as we saw with Moses in early 2013, an inform striker can be worth his weight in gold.
Trust me; however, a recall for Odemwingie would represent a negative move for Keshi.
To illustrate why, I turn to the example of the Netherlands at the last World Cup. Although the Dutch made the final, their first since 1978, the grand master of the nation’s football, and one of the greatest players and thinkers in the history of the sport, Johan Cruyff, lamented their progress.
Cruyff, speaking to El Periodico, lambasted his countrymen for their negative, brutal tactics and their resort to ‘anti-football’ in order to advance in the tournament and try to unsettle Spain in the final. Bert van Marwijk’s side didn’t use Holland’s traditional, fluid 4-3-3 formation, employed two ‘destroyers’ in Nigel de Jong and Mark van Bommel in the heart of the midfield, and also selected Dirk Kuyt as a hard-working defensive forward.
Holland had out-performed 30 other nations, but in doing so, they had sacrificed their style, their key qualities and, most-importantly in Cruyff’s eyes, their principles. They had forgotten everything that made them, everything that, at one time, transformed them into the darlings of European football and, following their showing against Spain, in which they picked up nine yellow and one red card, disgraced Dutch football.
Stephen Keshi’s success with Nigeria has been built upon his fidelity to the team and the group, rather than a preference for individuals. The 2013 Cup of Nations triumph was born from the Big Boss’s bravery in ignoring the big names and the big egos, and putting his faith in the young and the un-feted.
Things may not be easy at the moment, but solutions can be found without resorting to Odemwingie, a player who, as much as any other, fits the profile of the kind of figure that Keshi axed in his (successful) quest for a positive Nigeria.
In South Africa, Keshi proved that the Odemwingies of this world are not conducive to a team that strives to be, once again, the pride of a nation.
Here is a man who has clashed with the manager in the past, here is a man who once drove to another club (without permission) in order to seek a move away from his current employers, here is a man whose departure from Lokomotiv was celebrated wildly by fans (albeit with despicable racial undertones).
Maybe he will score a goal or two and—in the short term—that might be enough for some of you, but the idea of welcoming him back into the national side would, for me, be like the Trojans dismantling their city’s fortifications to let in the wooden horse.
A ‘gift’, with many caveats, could destroy everything that pushed Nigeria to the pinnacle of Africa.

6 feared dead after consuming local beverage at a wedding party

 - Six people, aged between 20 years and 22 years, were feared dead after allegedly consuming a local beverage, Zakami, at a wedding reception at Unguwa Uku, in the Kano metropolis.
The incident happened at about 10.30 p.m. on Sunday.
According to an eye witness, the deceased, all males, drank the substance at the party that was also attended by many youths including the bride and groom.
The deceased collapsed after consuming the intoxicating beverage and died on the way to the hospital.
The Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Magaji Majiya, confirmed the incident.
He said the police had since commenced investigation into the matter with a view to finding out the cause of the tragedy.
“On receiving the report, we invited the groom; he is currently assisting us in our investigation.
“I cannot confirm the number of deaths until we finish our investigation,’’ he said.
- NAN

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Presidency to investigate attempted jailbreak

 An Ikeja High Court, on Monday denied the bail application filed by one-time Lagos socialite, Fred Ajudua, accused of defrauding two Dutch businessmen of 1.69 million dollars (about N252.8 million). Justice Kudirat Jose in a ruling on the bail application filed by Ajudua's counsel, Chief Charles Edosomwan (SAN), dismissed it for lack of merit. Jose said the medical reports issued by the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), showed that Ajudua was suffering from complicated ailments as a result of having a solitary kidney. The judge stated that Ajudua was admitted at LUTH on Aug. 3, 2013, and was treated for hypertension, traumatic haematuria and enlarged prostate gland. She said upon Ajudua's discharge on Jan. 12, this year, the doctors recommended further treatment and possible corrective surgery to ameliorate his condition. "These reports show that the applicant (Ajudua) is not a very healthy man and that he needs medical attention. "However, the reports have not shown that he cannot b treated while prison

Mikel Confirmed For Chelsea Exit

€Fresh reports from London have claimed John Obi Mikel wants to leave Chelsea at the end of the season. The report is coming only days after his agent denied the player is interested in moves away from Stamford Bridge. A report in the Daily Mail said that the Nigeria star, 26, wants to leave because he has found first-team opportunities restricted since manager Jose Mourinho's return last summer. The January arrival of Nemanja Matic, an important addition in a holding role, has further limited Mikel's chances. But he still has three years on his contract and the Blues would demand a hefty fee. Galatasaray have expressed firm interest but the Super Eagles midfielder wants to weigh up his options. Mikel joined Chelsea from Norwegian club Lyn Oslo in 2006, and has made more than 300 appearances, winning the Champions League, Europa League, Premier League and four FA Cups with the side. Fresh reports from London have claimed John Obi Mikel wants to leave Chelsea at the end of
 the season.

Full Scholarships in USA for African/Developing Countries Students

Organisation Scholarships in USA

Zawadi Africa Education Fund Undergraduate Scholarship for Women- in Partnership with Google

The Zawadi Africa Education Fund is a program designed to provide undergraduate scholarships to academically gifted girls/ women from disadvantaged backgrounds from Africa to pursue higher education in the US.

Eligible Field of Study: Computer Science, Computer Engineering and/or ICT

Application Deadline: Varies

Visit www.zawadiafrica.org/

Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program Japan

The World Bank and the Government of Japan, through the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program, offer scholarships for Masters Degree to postgraduate students from developing countries. Eligible applicants should propose a program of study related to development at the master’s level, in fields such as economics, health, education, agriculture, environment, natural resource management, or other development‑related subject.

Application Deadline: March 31

Visit go.worldbank.org/048IC50V60

MMMF Scholarship for Women from Developing Countries in US & Canada

The Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund (MMMF) provides grants to women from developing countries to help further their education and strengthen their leadership skills to improve the lives of women and children in developing countries. The MMMF awards grants are approximately $12,000 each.

Application starts from October 15th until January 9th.

Visit www.mmmf-grants.org/grants-us.html

AAUW International Fellowship for Women, Masters & Doctoral program in USA

American Association of University Women – AAUW International Fellowships are awarded for full-time study or research in the United States to women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Applicants must have earned the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree by September 30, (previous year) and must have applied to their proposed institutions of study by the time of the application. The AAUW International Fellowship for Women is for Masters, Doctoral and Postdoctoral program in USA

Application Starts August 1 and Ends December 1 (based on previous duration)

Visit www.aauw.org/learn/fellowships_grants/international.cfm

Harambe Fletcher Scholarships for African Students USA

The Harambe Fletcher Scholarship is a full-tuition award for young African entrepreneurial leaders wishing to pursue a master program at The Fletcher School at Tufts University, starting in September 2013.

Eligible Field of Study

Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy (MALD)

A two-year, highly flexible, interdisciplinary, professional degree in international affairs

Master of International Business (MIB)

A two-year hybrid international business/international affairs degree program

Application Deadline

Candidates must complete online HEA Application by December 30

Candidates must complete online Fletcher School Application by January 10

For scholarship application: www.healliance.org/Harambe_Fletcher_Scholarship.pdf

For admission: www.fletcher.tufts.edu/Admissions

Microsoft Research Graduate Women’s Scholarships, USA

The Microsoft Research Graduate Women’s Scholarship is a one-year scholarship program for outstanding women graduate students and is designed to help increase the number of women pursuing a PhD.

Eligible Field of Study: PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Mathematics departments

Application start August 14, and end October 16

Visit research.microsoft.com/en-us/collaboration/awards/fellows-women.aspx#Eligibility

7UP Harvard Business School Scholarship for Nigerian Students

The Seven UP Harvard Business School Scholarship was created by Seven Up Bottling Company Plc of Nigeria to commemorate its 50th anniversary and aligns with the Company’s overall vision of creating a greener future for promising Nigerians. Application opens for students admitted to the Harvard Business School MBA Class of following year.

Application Deadline: Varies between September and April for the 1^st to 3^rd round

Visit www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/funding.html#international

Boustany Foundation – MBA Harvard Scholarship programs

The Boustany Foundation recognizes the importance of helping people evolve and leave a positive impact on the world.  In order to achieve the above, the Foundation grants various Scholarships to exceptional and meriting individuals.

Application Deadline: 31 May (Offered every two years)

Visit Website for details: boustany-foundation.org

Borlaug Fellowship Program for Developing Countries Students, USA

The Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship Program (Borlaug Fellowship Program) helps developing countries strengthen sustainable agricultural practices by providing scientific training and collaborative research opportunities to visiting researchers, policymakers, and university faculty.

Application Deadline: January 15 (varies)

Visit www.fas.usda.gov/icd/borlaug/Borlaug.asp

Campbell Fellowship for Women Scholar-Practitioners from Developing Nations

The Vera R. Campbell Foundation funded Fellowship is offered for female postdoctoral social scientist from a developing country whose work addresses women’s economic and social empowerment in that nation.

Application Deadline: 1 November

Visit sarweb.org/index.php?resident_scholar_campbell_fellowship

ExxonMobil Middle East and North Africa Scholars Program for Masters in Geosciences, Engineering, or Business in Texas

The program is funded by ExxonMobil and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE). Through this unique scholarship opportunity, ExxonMobil aims to contribute to the Middle East and North Africa region by helping to develop highly skilled and culturally adept individuals.

Application Deadline: October 31

Visit www.iie.org/en/Programs/ExxonMobil-Middle-East-and-North-Africa-Scholars-Program

Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowships for International Students -USA

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program is a non-degree program for experienced professionals interested in strengthening their leadership skills through a mutual exchange of knowledge and understanding about issues of common concern in the U.S. and the Fellows’ home countries.

Application Deadline: Embassies and Commissions must submit their nominations to the Institute of International Education office in Washington, DC by October 1. The deadlines for applicants vary by country.

African countries: https://www.humphreyfellowship.org/sub-saharan-africa

Non-African countries visit https://www.humphreyfellowship.org/participating-countries-region

FHSSA Nursing Scholarships for African Nurses

As part of its mission to expand the availability of hospice and palliative care in sub-Saharan Africa, FHSSA, in partnership with the African Palliative Care Association, created the African Palliative Care Nursing Scholarship in 2010.

Application Deadline: Varies – contact sponsor for details

Visit www.fhssa.org/

PEO International Peace Scholarships for Women – USA and Canada

The PEO International Peace Scholarship Fund is a program of Women helping women reach for the stars. The fund provides scholarships for selected women from other countries for graduate study in the United States and Canada.

Application Deadline: between August 15 and December 15.

Visit www.peointernational.org/peo-projectsphilanthropies

Dorothy Marchus Senesh Fellowship For Women From Developing Countries in USA

The International Peace Research Association Foundation (IPRA), USA invites applications for the Dorothy Marchus Senesh Fellowship for Women from Developing Countries in Peace and Development Studies every two year.

Application Deadline: January 15 (Offered Biennially)

Visit iprafoundation.org/senesh_fellows.shtml

Frank Lanza Memorial Scholarship in Nursing & Emergency Medical Service

The Frank Lanza Memorial Scholarships recognize the outstanding academic and leadership accomplishments of students who are enrolled in regionally accredited community college programs in registered nursing, respiratory care or emergency medical services.

Application Period: Varies- February to 30 April

Visit www.ptk.org/?q=become-a-member/scholarships/lanza&destination=node/28729

ACI Foundation Scholarship in USA & Canada for Undergraduate and Graduate Students

The American Concrete Institute – ACI Foundation offers several Fellowship and Scholarship opportunities for ACI Student Members and E-Members. ACI Foundation Fellowships and Scholarships are awarded annually to help students with an interest in concrete achieve their educational and career goals.

Eligible Field of Study: Structural Design, Materials, Construction

Application Deadline: May 10 to October 18

Visit www.concrete.org/STUDENTS/st_scholarships.htm

AAHPM Scholarship in USA for Physicians from Developing Countries

The Developing Countries Scholarship Fund was established to provide access to quality education for physicians who reside in developing countries to attend the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) and HPNA Annual Assembly in Vancouver.

Application Period: August 1 to September 30

Visit www.aahpm.org/learn/default/physicians-in-developing-countries-scholarship.html

The Immigration Journalism Fellowship in USA for International Students

With the generous support of the Ford Foundation, the French-American Foundation in 2011 launched the Immigration Journalism Fellowship. The fellowship is open to experienced journalists of any nationality and with an interest in questions of immigration and integration.

Application Deadline: February

Visit www.frenchamerican.org/migration-media-and-equal-opportunity

EDSF Scholarship for  full-time students in Document Management and Graphic Communications

The Electronic Document Scholarship Foundation – EDSF scholarship program was initiated in 1999 to recognize and support the next generation of professionals for the Document Management and Graphic Communication industry. EDSF scholarships are awarded to full-time students who are committed to pursuing a career in the Document Management and Graphic Communications marketplace.

Application Deadline: May 1

Visit www.edsf.org/what_we_do/scholarships

Gus Archie Undergraduate Scholarships- Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Foundation

The Gus Archie Memorial Scholarship is supported by the Archie Fund of the Society of Petroleum Engineers – SPE – Foundation and each year, awards an outstanding student who plans to enter a university and pursue undergraduate degree in Petroleum Engineering.

Application Deadline: 30 April annually

Visit www.spe.org/scholarships/archie.php

See other SPE scholarships www.spe.org/scholarships/index.php

Google Lime Scholarship for Students with Disabilities to Study in USA or Canada

Google Lime Scholarship is offered for Students with Disabilities to study Computer Science, Computer Engineering or Software Engineering in USA or Canada at Undergraduate and Postgraduate Level

Application Deadline: February 18

Visit www.limeconnect.com/opportunities/page/google-lime-scholarship-program

ESA Foundation Scholarship for USA and International students

The Epsilon Sigma Alpha – ESA Foundation awards numerous scholarships annually to United States and international students. You don’t have to belong to ESA to receive an ESA Foundation scholarship, but the foundation extend you an invitation to join ESA, a premier service and leadership organization established in 1929.

Application Deadline: February 1

Visit www.epsilonsigmaalpha.org/scholarships-and-grants/scholarships

Internet Scholarship Program by U.S. Bank- USA

U.S. Bank offers high school and undergraduate students the opportunity to apply for one of it’s 40 $1,000 scholarship position annually. The U.S. Bank Internet Scholarship Program is available to high school seniors and college undergraduates.

Application Deadline: May 31

Visit www.usbank.com/community/financial-education/scholarship.html

Fellowships in International Human Rights in UK and US

Human Rights Watch, the international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization, invites applications for its fellowship program.

Application starts from June

Visit www.hrw.org/about/fellowships

The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program

The vision of the MasterCard Foundation Scholars program is to educate and develop bright yet economically marginalized young people in Africa who have a demonstrated “give-back” ethos and who will contribute to the transformation of the continent. It will transition promising young people from beneficiaries to benefactors, preparing them with the values, knowledge, skills, and leadership to fuel economic and social progress across Africa. The Scholars Program is anticipated to benefit 15,000 young people within 8 to 10 years. The following USA universities are partnering with MasterCard Foundation to offer scholarships in USA for African students

MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at Wellesley College, USA

As part of the Scholars Program, Wellesley will provide nine (9) African women with comprehensive support that includes scholarships, mentoring, counseling, and internship opportunities. Scholars at Wellesley will build experiences, values, and competencies that are critical to success in the global economy, and that enable them to give back to their communities and home countries. The students will arrive in groups of three students each year beginning Fall 2013.

Application Deadline: Varies – application start around September/November and closes around January/February

Visit new.wellesley.edu/admission/apply/howto

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Stanford University – USA

The MasterCard Foundation education initiative at Stanford University USA will provide comprehensive support to 20 talented but economically disadvantaged students from Africa over the next eight years. The Scholars Program will support five (5) undergraduates from Sub-Saharan Africa each year.

Application Deadline: Varies – application start around September/November and closes around January/February

Visit www.stanford.edu/dept/uga/application/international/index.html

MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at Arizona State University (ASU)

Arizona State University welcomed 10 undergraduate students from seven African nations in 2012, as the first class of MasterCard Foundation Scholars to begin studies at ASU. As part of this program, ASU will receive $27.5 million over the next seven years to provide academically talented, yet financially disadvantaged students from Africa, who are committed to giving back to their communities and countries, with access to high-quality education. The program will ultimately support 120 scholars at ASU.

Application Deadline: Varies – for admission application: 01 January; scholarship deadline: February 01

Visit asu.edu/ugapp.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at University of California, Berkeley USA

At University of California Berkeley, the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program will provide holistic support to 113 students from Sub-Saharan Africa from 2012 to 2020. The scholars will pursue both undergraduate and professional master’s degrees.

Application Deadline: Varies – first apply for admission

Office of Undergraduate Admissions: admissions.berkeley.edu/internationalstudents

Graduate Division: www.grad.berkeley.edu/international/index.shtml

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Michigan State University (MSU), USA

The MasterCard Foundation has partnered with Michigan State University to provide full tuition scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students from Sub-Saharan Africa. The university will receive $45 million in funding from the foundation to support 185 scholars throughout the nine-year program, which includes 100 four-year undergraduates and 85 master’s degree students.

Application Deadline: 15 February

Visit: MCFScholars.msu.edu

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Duke University – USA

The inaugural class of The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at Duke University represents the intellect and energy of the youth of Sub-Saharan Africa. With a financial commitment of $13.5 million from The MasterCard Foundation, Duke University will educate seven (7) classes of five (5) students from Sub-Saharan Africa — a total of 35 students — over the next 10 years.

Application Deadline: January

Visit admissions.duke.edu/application/instructions#application

MasterCard Foundation Scholarships at EARTH University for Africa, Latin America and Caribbean– Costa Rica

EARTH University, Costa Rica has a seven-year partner with the MasterCard Foundation to provide scholarships to young leaders from disadvantaged communities in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. The Foundation will provide 120 undergraduate scholarships amounting to $19.5 million to EARTH students for 7 years. Approximately one-third of the scholars will come from Sub-Saharan Africa and the rest from Latin America and the Caribbean.

Eligible Field of Study: Courses offered at the university which are mainly in Agricultural sciences and Natural resources management

Application Deadline: For African students: 25 May; For Latin America and the Caribbean: 1 June

Visit website: www.earth.ac.cr/?lang=en

University Scholarships in USA

American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship for International Students (AU EGLS)

The American University – AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship promotes educational access and opportunity while enhancing international diversity. The AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship (AU EGLS) is offered for International Undergraduate Students

Application Deadline: 15 January

Visit www.american.edu/admissions/international/egls.cfm

Visiting Scholarship for International Law Students, USA

The Center for the Study of Law and Society invites applications for visiting scholars for each year. The Center fosters empirical research and theoretical analysis concerning legal institutions, legal processes, legal change, and the social consequences of law. Closely linked to the School of Law, CSLS creates a multidisciplinary milieu with a faculty of distinguished socio-legal scholars in sociology of law, political science, criminal justice studies, law and economics, legal history, law and psychology, and legal and social philosophy, along with visiting socio-legal scholars from the United States and around the world.

Application Deadline: November 16

Visit www.law.berkeley.edu/1273.htm

International Student Ambassador Scholarships at Iowa State University USA

The Iowa State University, USA awards the International Student Ambassador Scholarships to undergraduate students with exceptional leadership qualities and a desire to positively represent both their home country and Iowa State University to prospective students.

Application Deadline: March 1 (fall & summer entry); October 1 (spring entry)

Visit www.admissions.iastate.edu/intl/ambassador_scholarships.php

ESTU International Students Academic Merit Scholarship

The International Students Academic Merit Scholarship is open to new international students seeking a graduate or undergraduate degree at East Tennessee State University –ETSU USA. The scholarship covers 50 percent of the total of in and out-of-state tuition and maintenance fees only. No additional fees or costs are covered.

Application Deadline

Completed applications, including letters of recommendation, need to be submitted by the following dates:

Fall semester deadline: no later than June 1st

Spring semester deadline: no later than October 1st

Visit www.etsu.edu/honors/international/internationalstudentscholarships/application.aspx

Colby-Sawyer College Scholarships for Undergraduate International Students USA

International Students who want to study for undergraduate degree at Colby-Sawyer College, USA are eligible for need-based and merit-based financial aid, and are encouraged to apply for a variety of scholarships and awards that acknowledge students who have reached a high level of academic achievement throughout their high school career.

Application Deadline: Varies –1 February

Visit www.colby-sawyer.edu/admissions/international/finaid.html

VCU International Student Scholarship Award

The VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) International Student Scholarship is sponsored with proceeds generated by the sale of Officially Licensed VCU merchandise. Virginia Commonwealth University values the contributions international students make to the university community through scholarship, service, and leadership.

Application Deadline: February 21

View application www.bsv.vcu.edu/Scholarships/ISTS.pdf

VCU Undergraduate Scholarship for the Advancement of Women – USA

The VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) Scholarship Award for the Advancement of Women is sponsored by the VCU Department of Business Services through proceeds generated by the sale of class rings and graduation-related items through the Jostens Company.

Application Deadline: February 21

Visit www.bsv.vcu.edu/Scholarships/SAW.pdf

IUPUI Scholarships for International Students USA

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) USA offers several undergraduate scholarship opportunities for international students. All scholarships require full-time enrollment (12 credit hours or more per semester) in the fall and spring semesters.

Application Deadline: Varies

Visit iapply.iupui.edu/scholarships/

African Presidential Fellowship Program at University of Michigan USA

The African Presidential Scholars Program offers early career faculty from Ghana, Liberia, South Africa and Uganda the opportunity to collaborate with faculty and students at the University of Michigan during residencies of two to six months.

Eligible Field of Study: Field of African Heritage, African Social Research, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, And Mathematics)

Application Period: August 15-October 15

Visit www.ii.umich.edu/asc/initiatives

Yossi Schiff Memorial Scholarship Fund for Graduate Students from Africa and Asia

The Yossi Schiff Memorial Scholarship Fund at University of Michigan, USA is designed to promote international understanding and offer an educational opportunity through scholarships to foreign graduate students (from developing countries) in need. Yossi Schiff Memorial Scholarship is offered for students from Africa and Asia to study Social Sciences, Humanities, Medicine, Public Health, Public Policy, Nursing and Environmental Sciences at University of Michigan, USA

Application Deadline: May 2

Visit www.rackham.umich.edu/funding/from_rackham/program_nomination_or_allocation/yossi_schiff_memorial_scholarship_fund/

George and Nancy Axinn International Scholarship Fund- Michigan State University USA

Professors George and Nancy Axinn endowed this scholarship to support graduate students who wish to pursue careers in international development. Preference is given to international students.

Application Deadline: December 1

www.carrs.msu.edu/programs/Axinn.php

International Guest Scholarships for Medical Student at American College os Surgeons

The American College of Surgeons offers International Guest Scholarships to competent young surgeons from countries other than the United States or Canada who have demonstrated strong interests in teaching and research.

Application Deadline: 1st July.

Visit www.facs.org/memberservices/igs.html

IIS Undergraduate Merit Scholarships

The Institute of International Studies (IIS) at UC Berkeley seek to award a series of merit scholarships of up to $2000 each to support undergraduate research in any area on international studies. The Institute of International Studies promotes interdisciplinary research in international, comparative, and policy studies on the Berkeley campus of the University of California.

Application Deadline: November 26

Visit iis.berkeley.edu/content/undergraduate-merit-scholarships

See full list of Scholarships in USA for international students

The more Facebook friends you have, the more likely you are to suffer from stress and anxiety says Psychologists

While there are several positive values from using Facebook and other social media, the overuse can be harmful to one’s health. Nicholas Carr, Author of Shallows: How the Internet Is Changing the Way We Think, Read and Remember he states that the world-wide web is turning us into scattered and superficial thinkers. Nicholas said, “I was inspired to write the book after I realized that I was losing my own capacity for concentration and contemplation. Even when I was away from my computer, my mind seemed hungry for quick hits of information. I felt perpetually distracted”. Technology is shaping the way we live our lives. More than any other form of technology, the internet; social media, has the most effect on our daily routine. You often admire social media icons with thousands of Facebook friends and even reached the 5000 limit. While you want to maximize your Facebook usage to hit that maximum friend’s limit, you also deserve to understand the emotion associated with attaining your goal. Being friendly pays whether offline or on Facebook but having many friends can be nuisance. Psychologists have found that the more Facebook friends you have, the more likely you are to suffer from stress and anxiety concerning your profile. They said that a significant minority of Facebook users suffered considerable anxiety for which there was only a limited reward. 12% of participants in an online survey conducted by scientists at the Napier University, Edinburgh said that Facebook made them feel anxious. A third (32%) said they experienced feelings of guilt and discomfort when they declined a friend request. Dr Kathy Charles, lecturer in forensic psychology who conducted the study said that “the results threw up a number of paradoxes. “For instance, although there is great pressure to be on Facebook there is also considerable ambivalence amongst users about its benefits. And we found it was actually those with the most contacts, those who had invested the most time in the site, who were the ones most likely to be stressed.” It’s thought that some of the stress could be a self-imposed pressure to come up with status updates which are going to appeal to a large and diverse group of people. Dr Charles compares it to a news channel dedicated solely to the person; the more viewers there are, the greater the pressure to produce content. If you feel yourself to be a key player in your own narrative then you create pressure to produce something to give to your audience. The survey used qualitative interviews and quantitative questionnaires to find out the views of students who use the Facebook regularly. 10% said that they disliked receiving friend requests while two-thirds (63%) said that they put off accepting or replying to friend requests. What Dr Charles described as “an overwhelming majority” of participants stated that the best thing about Facebook was that they could “keep in touch” without any further explanation being given. People who didn’t enjoy using the site or didn’t find it worthwhile were still reluctant to leave the site because they were worried about missing information because so many people use it to keep one another updated about their social activities; they also worried about offending their friends if they closed their account. Dr Charles compared the compulsion to keep on using Facebook to gambling: “Like gambling, Facebook keeps users in a neurotic limbo, not knowing whether they should hang on in there just in case they miss out on something good.” Other causes of tension that using Facebook put upon its users included performing Facebook culls, where you purge your friends of those that you no longer have any interest in, and the pressure to be entertaining and informative while maintaining the correct etiquette for various types of friends. If your value lies in subtlety and not just the speed of today’s fast moving digitally controlled world, you are likely to find the emerging trends troubling. 

How to Write a Good Fresh Graduate Resume without Work Experience

Need a job? Get experience! Need experience? Get a job!

This predicament has frustrated fresh graduates since the Industrial Revolution. As a fresh graduate without work experience, you have a challenge writing a resume, when you have nothing but education to work with. What you need is dedicated job research and customizing each resume for a chance at producing a persuasive marketing tool.

No matter how qualified and confident you may be for a job, it is your resume that first introduce you to your potential employer; hence, the need to give your fresh graduate resume some serious work before putting it out.

If you are a fresh graduate without work experience, here are tips to show you resume boosters and samples of fresh graduate resume to help you create a unique fresh graduate resume.

Your First Step         

Your first step is to open your word document (or a plain sheet of paper) and write a multiple-page template resume that includes familiar requirements for your target career field. Your resume format is your multi-purpose resume, containing any and every specific and general information about you, which you can tweak to suit every job you apply to; and should reflect your qualifications in your target field(s).

You will customize your follow-up resume to reply to specific job positions. Take care to match requirements with your qualifications in your opening skills summary and throughout your resume.

Tweak your Fresh Graduate resume for every Job Application

I’ve said that before but need to reemphasize; one complete resume cannot match every job you want to apply. A valuable skill for one job position may be a disadvantage for another. For instance, if you are good at sitting at a computer for 15 hours a day; that may be good for a programming job but a resume killer for a marketing job. Ensure to customise your CV/resume for every job application. Research the company you are applying to, and work your resume as best as you can to fit into the companies need.

Evaluate your School experience

Don’t overlook little events that shows experience in accepting responsibility and demonstrate reliability. Consider the following factors to identify the experience and skills you garnered in higher institution and match your information with the job you hope to land:

✓ Work: Internships, summer jobs, part-time jobs, campus jobs, entrepreneurial jobs, temporary work, and volunteer work.

✓ Sports: Proven ability to achieve goals in a team environment.

✓ Awards and honors

✓ Research papers and projects

✓ Campus leadership

✓ Grade Point Average (GPA): If it’s 3.0 or above; otherwise, omit it (some advisers set the GPA floor at 3.5).

✓ Technical skills and software facility

Concerning student jobs, one technique to make the most of your experience is to separate your jobs into fragments and explain them. For example, don’t say that your job title was “office help” or “office clerk” and stop there.

Instead, do this:

1. Divide your job into functions. Some examples:

telephone reception, telephone sales, social media sales, contract negotiations, purchasing, inventory, staff training, computer application training, Web design, public speaking, and written communications.

2. Describe each function in terms of your accomplishments and their outcomes.

Make your aim clear

If you use an objective statement, make it clear. Don’t use illogical statements, like this one:

Seeking a challenging position that will allow me to actualize my talents in saving the world, with good potential for professional growth and pay commensurate with my ability.

Instead, cut to the chase, like this:

Research position in product marketing field in Abuja

You can add a summary, too.

Get rid of unsupportive information

Don’t fatten your portfolio with irrelevant data or pictures. Include an activity only if it reveals skills, competencies, accomplishments, results, or other qualification to support your intended job.

If an exhaustive search of your hobbies, campus activities, or community service turns up absolutely nothing worth putting on your resume, your education must carry the entire weight of candidacy for employment. Milk it dry.