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UNESCO adopts Victoria Falls draft decision with Zambian amendments

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The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has adopted a draft decision concerning the Zambian Victoria Falls World Heritage Site, incorporating amendments proposed by the country.

The adoption of the amendments was made at the 46th Session of the Committee held in New Delhi, India.

First Secretary, Press at the Zambian Mission in Paris, Naomi Mweemba, who made the announcement, said the revised draft decision aligned with previous Committee decisions and supports the Joint Integrated Management Plan (JIMP) as a blueprint for infrastructure development.

Mweemba explained that the “JIMP outlined improvements within and around the Victoria Falls site, including establishing precise boundaries, zonation and buffer zones to complete the retrospective inventory that began a decade ago.”

“The Committee urges Zambia and Zimbabwe to finalise and harmonise the JIMP with national and transboundary plans. This includes limits on use, permissible activities, infrastructure and safeguards to mitigate development pressures,” Mweemba stated.

According to Mweemba, the draft decision was adopted without objection, with Kenya presenting the amendments on behalf of Zambia and the Republic of Korea and Rwanda offering support.

“Consensus was reached between Zambia, Zimbabwe and the World Heritage Centre prior to the adoption of the amendments,” Mweemba noted.

She added that the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), an advisory body of the World Heritage Convention, was also involved in the discussions.

Zambia was required to include evidence in all management plans and State of Conservation reports showing that the Victoria Falls Livingstone Resort Hotel was adhering to mitigatory measures set by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) and the revised JIMP.

Additionally, Zambia has allocated $100,000 to support capacity-building programmes for sustainable development around the World Heritage site.

“This funding reflects Zambia’s commitment to implementing the safeguards recommended by the World Heritage Committee in 2023, ensuring that the proposed Batoka Gorge Hydro Electric Scheme does not compromise the site’s Outstanding Universal Value (OUV),” she added.

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Culture

GWR: Nigerian lecturer hits 100-hour mark in marathon lecture

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A Nigerian lecturer, Dr Nsikak Akpan, has hit the 100-hour mark in his attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the marathon lecture series, a record currently held by an Indian Professor, Arvin Mishra, who clocked 139 hours, 52 minutes, 42 seconds in 2014.

Dr Akpan, a lecturer at Foreign Links College of Health Technology, Moro, Osun State, had embarked on a 150-hour marathon lecture in a bid to set a new world record for the longest lecture stretch.

Each session of the lecture lasts four hours before the record chaser takes a break and returns after 20 minutes.

While speaking with journalists ahead of the event on the campus of the college, Akpan disclosed that his application sent to the Guinness World Records for him to embark on the marathon lecture was approved.

Delivering a lecture on a topic relating to mental health, Akpan reached 100 hours of continuous lecture at about 12:30 pm on Friday.

“The mental health of a man is a product of different things, most especially his environmental and spiritual well-being,” Akpan said on reaching the 100-hour mark.“

There are health conditions and seasons that one may have and will not contribute to the mental health of workers. The environment by which someone works has a direct effect on his health,” he noted.

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Nigerians are angry that British actor Idris Elba is selected to play lead role in ‘Things Fall Apart’ adaptation

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Nigerian social media users are wondering why British actor, Idris Elba, has been selected to portray the character of Okonkwo in the adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s classic novel, ‘Things Fall Apart’, in a new TV series by American entertainment company, A24.

According to English tabloid, Variety, apart from playing the lead role as the protagonist, Elba will also serve as executive producer alongside Gina Carter under their 22Summers production banner, while Nigerian filmmakers, David Oyelowo and Amanda N’Duka, will be the executive producers.

“Things Fall Apart states it is the “story of Okonkwo (Elba), one of literature’s most iconic characters—a fearless African warrior and leader who is resolute about preserving his people and culture,” the tabloid wrote.

“As British colonisers disrupt his world, Okonkwo’s struggle to maintain power and tradition spirals into a heart-wrenching confrontation. His fierce resolve, a fatal flaw in the face of unstoppable change, makes him an unforgettable character, embodying the tension between strength, vulnerability and adaptability,” it added.

However, Nigerian Netizens are not happy with the arrangement as they believe a Nigerian actor in the mould of Pete Edochie should have been the right fit for the role as he had played Okonkwo when the novel was first adapted as a movie in 1971 and later as a mini-series in 1987.

They are also wondering how Elba who is British, will be able to handle Igbo words and proverbs which made the Okonkwo character unique.

Others were also quick to point out Elba’s bad ‘African’ accent as noticed in the movie Wakanda accent.

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