Latest news with #development
Zawya
20 minutes ago
- Business
- Zawya
Togo: African Development Bank strengthens partnership with civil society
The African Development Bank ( held its first-ever Civil Society Open Day in Lomé, Togo, on 3 June. The event brought together representatives from the Togolese government, around 30 national and international civil society organisations (CSOs), and Bank staff — all committed to strengthening development partnerships in Togo. The key personalities at the event all emphasised this shared vision. Opening the event, Stéphane Akaya, Secretary General of Togo's Ministry of Economy and Finance, stressed the importance of civil society: "This open day with the African Development Bank reaffirms our joint commitment to inclusive and transparent progress. We are seeking to strengthen a tripartite partnership, where civil society is engaged from conception through to evaluation in order to ensure effective, people-centred development." Seconding Mr Akaya's point, Wilfrid Abiola, Head of the Togo Country Office of AfDB Group, said: "The African Development Bank Group remains committed to strengthening collaboration with Togolese civil society, which is a key player in sustainable development.' The CSO Open Day in Lomé aimed to strengthen collaboration between the Bank and civil society by sharing information on the Bank's development operations and projects in Togo. It also sought to encourage dialogue on the role of CSOs throughout the project cycle — from planning and preparation to implementation, supervision, and completion. "We are keen to strengthen our partnership with civil society organisations in Togo, encouraging open dialogue and promoting their full participation in the projects that we support," Zeneb Touré, Head of the AfDB's Civil Society and Community Engagement Division, said. Minemba Traore, Senior Civil Society Officer for West Africa at the Bank Group, shared information on the institution's engagement with CSOs, while Ndey Oley Cole, Senior Programme Officer in the AfDB's Gender, Women and Civil Society Department, presented a summary of the exchanges. Key outcomes and next steps from the discussions included: Greater involvement of civil society: CSOs will be included in all phases of development projects. Creation of a formal dialogue platform: The Bank, government, and CSOs will work together to establish a permanent forum for ongoing consultation. Capacity building for CSOs: Training will be provided in project monitoring and evaluation, proposal writing, and market access strategies. Improved communication: The Bank will share information on its activities in Togo in a more dynamic and accessible way, better meeting the needs of partners and the public. Promotion of social inclusion and diversity: Efforts will be made to ensure greater participation of young people and women in development initiatives. Development of a detailed action plan: Concrete deliverables and clear deadlines will guide follow-up and ensure effective implementation of commitments. The Open Day laid the foundations for closer partnerships, which can provide spaces for exchange, consultation and collaboration between the Bank, CSOs and other stakeholders in Togo. Such an approach will enable the AfDB to better understand local priorities, discuss partnership opportunities and receive input from civil society on the projects that it finances in Togo. The initiative is aligned with the Bank Group's Civil Society Engagement Action Plan 2024-2028, which was approved last year. Under Pillar 3 of this action plan, particular attention will be paid to strengthening dialogue with civil society organisations in the countries where the Bank works. Holding of civil society open days in regional member countries of the Bank is a key mechanism for operationalising this commitment. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB). Link to photo album:
New York Times
an hour ago
- Sport
- New York Times
The most important developmental tasks for Lions' offensive coaching staff
Earlier this week, we examined the most important developmental tasks for each defensive position coach heading into 2025. We'll do the same today on the offensive side. Development isn't exclusive to draft slot or contract status. It can be a clear project reaching his potential or a good player leaping to Pro Bowl or All-Pro status. The Lions have done well to field a competitive roster with players who, more often than not, develop as expected. That's no accident. That's very much intentional. Advertisement Here's where the focus lies on offense. An obvious one here, but Hooker is the most important developmental task for Brunell — a former NFL QB himself. The Lions spent an early third-round pick on Hooker in 2023, prior to the team extending Jared Goff's contract. The thought was that Hooker would be able to provide the team with a strong backup option as they entered a window of contention, or perhaps a trade chip down the road if another team liked what they saw and made the Lions a quality offer. But where do things stand now? Hooker's rookie year was essentially a redshirt season, recovering from a torn ACL. He flashed at times in training camp and the preseason, particularly his underrated mobility. But in practices, Hooker would often hold onto the ball too long in team periods. It felt like he was overthinking and waiting for the receiver to come open instead of throwing him open. It's a mental adjustment a lot of young quarterbacks have to make. The talent is there, though. Hooker can rip it. He can run. He's mature and has all the intangibles, and you have to think the Lions will give him every chance to win the No. 2 job again in 2025, hoping he emerges better from some competition courtesy of Kyle Allen. Goff said he sees the game slowing down for Hooker. Brunell is eager to work with him this summer. Here's what he'd like to see entering Year 3: 'It's, obviously, having a grasp of our offense,' Brunell said. 'Being able to manage that, getting in and out of the huddle. We do have some new concepts in the passing game, some things we're doing a little different. Understanding the intent of every passing play and understanding our protections really well. And then when we get to the OTAs (and) we're on the field competing against our defense, just being able to execute, making good decisions with the ball, taking care of the ball, no turnovers. But also, specifically, and really what I look for, is just being really good with your fundamentals. And then in preseason, obviously, once we get out in the games and then maybe we have an opportunity to compete against other teams in practice: Moving the ball, moving your team, executing, playing at a high level.' Advertisement Big year for Hooker. Honorable mention: N/A Holmes said he woke up on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft and would've felt a 'gut-punch' if he didn't walk away with Vaki (and another player on this list). If a two-time executive of the year felt this strongly about Vaki, you can't help but keep an eye on him. Vaki, a college safety and part-time running back, impressed in small stints filling in offensively so much, he caught Holmes' attention. He said Vaki didn't even major at running back, but he looked like he could develop into one. Factor in his defensive skills and special teams contributions across the board and it's easy to see why Holmes liked him. He's a football player. The Lions are focused on turning Vaki into a quality NFL running back. He's viewed as a quick study and a mature player, entering the league at 24. He's already a good receiver out of the backfield. He's got some wiggle and short-area quickness in his game, but his physicality also shows. After spending a year with Scottie Montgomery, Vaki will now be coached by new RBs coach Tashard Choice. He likes what he sees so far. 'You know what, I am very impressed by him right now,' Choice said. 'Having a chance to have him in OTAs — his quickness, his suddenness. He works extremely hard. I know how well he's done this last year on teams, talking to Fipp a lot. And I'm back having a chance to be with the returns and seeing him move and his movement and watching tape. But this son of a gun can play. And to me, I think he's still putty where you can form him to be the player you want. But the fact that he has D-Mo, he has Jah, guys that do things the right way, he's in a position to really succeed. 'It's going to be interesting to see how well he does, because he has it in him. He has the speed, he has the quickness, and he has to tune some stuff in on his game. But the fact that he's coachable and he listens and he works at it. And so for me, it's my job to get him better.' Honorable mention: Jahmyr Gibbs. Holmes said TeSlaa was his favorite wide receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft. Not necessarily the best, but his favorite. The more you learn about him, the more you understand why. A lightly recruited wing-T quarterback in high school who had to go the Division-II route to learn how to play wide receiver, TeSlaa picked it up fast enough to play SEC football by the time it was all said and done. The fact that he was able to advance that quickly speaks to his intelligence and work ethic, and when you watch the tape, you see his natural athleticism and speed paired with elite size. Don't be fooled by the lack of production at Arkansas. TeSlaa's got the goods, and the Lions are confident they can get him where he needs to go. Advertisement Montgomery has already seen it. 'Number one thing was poise. We threw a lot at him mentally. I challenged him, put him at multiple positions to see if he could handle that. Brought him along as fast as we could. He didn't blink an eye,' Montgomery said of TeSlaa. '…He has to prove it, continue to make those jumps as the competition level rises. …But what you saw is a guy that definitely belonged, and his physical talent and ability showed that not only did he belong, but he's exactly what we thought he was at this point in time. 'Just gotta grow and develop as a player and unlock the smaller details of what we do, but a great example, though, if you will, of a guy working his way into what he is, not just one of those guys that hits a height, weight and speed. …This is a guy that has worked to get to where he is. Really happy to have him where he is right now.' The draft capital the Lions spent to acquire TeSlaa — a late third-round pick and two 2026 thirds for No. 70 overall — was steep. But they're betting on his work ethic, intangibles, athleticism and their staff here. TeSlaa developing into a quality receiver on his hometown team would be a hell of a story. We'll see if he gives us something to write about. Honorable mention: Jameson Williams. The tight end room consists of a Pro Bowl and All-Pro talent in LaPorta, a steady No. 2 in Brock Wright, then the likes of Shane Zylstra, Kenny Yeboah and UDFAs Zach Horton and Luke Deal. Given the direction the Lions went when Steve Heiden left to become Aaron Glenn's offensive line coach in New York, I'll go with LaPorta. And not just because he's one of the most important players on the roster. LaPorta set records as a rookie and was an instant impact as a receiver. His ability to contort his body, make contested/full-extension catches and generate yards after the catch made him a player defenses needed to focus on as a rookie. As a sophomore, though, as teams paid more attention to him and weapons like Jameson Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs stepped up in the passing game, LaPorta's production dipped. It coincided with some nagging injuries LaPorta was playing through, too. And yet, he finished sixth among tight ends in receiving yards as a No. 3 option, while most of the players ahead of him were No. 1 or 2 options. Advertisement All that to say, LaPorta has this receiving thing down. His new position coach, Tyler Roehl, wants to see where he can take his game as a blocker. 'With Sam, natural. Just real natural feel in the pass game. Where can I continue to add value for him in the run game? He's got the right mindset and intent. You can tell that he has a really good foundation to build upon. There are small things in the run game that I can help out with, but talking about no ego, about the team, high capacity to learn, and an unbelievable work ethic. He's–just our communication and the way he goes about his work, excited to continue to help add value to his game.' It starts with mindset and intent, as Roehl stated. Not all tight ends want to block and it shows. LaPorta does. And while it doesn't always look pretty, it can be effective. Roehl is a former running back/fullback who coached tight ends and running backs at the collegiate level before making the jump to the NFL. This seems to be his area of expertise. If LaPorta, already a willing blocker, can become a true asset in that department, he'll truly have zero holes in his game. Honorable mention: Horton, Deal. You could make an argument for a few different players. Christian Mahogany needs continued development after flashing as a rookie in 2024. Current rookies Tate Ratledge and Miles Frazier could be key pieces for the future — and Ratledge specifically should be a Day 1 starter. Even Kingsley Eguakun could develop into an intriguing piece. However, in my opinion, it's easier to find quality guards than a quality tackle. And Manu has the tools to be just that. Remember that tidbit about Holmes waking up knowing he needed to walk away with two players on Day 3 of the 2024 draft? Vaki was one, Manu was the other. A bit of a hidden gem, the Lions felt the need to trade a 2025 third-rounder for Manu, with the notion that other teams were lurking behind them. What they saw was a player born in Tonga, tucked away in Canada. He was raw, but my goodness, the tools. A 6-foot-7 frame, great explosion, a player who moves well in space and a no-nonsense mentality are all great foundational characteristics of a potential starting tackle. Add in Hank Fraley and veterans who want to help, and the Lions have one of the better situations for a young lineman to be dropped into. And while his footwork and fundamentals needed an overhaul, that's what the 2024 season was for. Advertisement 'I liked where he ended last year, where he was with his play, where his demeanor was, where he really was, assignment-wise. He really did a good job, and he grew every day,' Fraley said of Manu. '…He does have a physical presence about him and he can exert his physicality on the field. That's what I think you got to see later in the year. Now it's — can he take that next step? It's a huge step. It's no longer, hey, we're trying to get all your base and balance right. There was a lot we changed with him. 'I told him when we drafted him there was going to be a lot that I was going to change how he did things. …Tweak that foot there, turn your toe out, place your hands here, all that. All these little things, he's heard me a whole year saying it and it's — can I take this, and now, without thinking of all these little things that come into play, can I keep playing fast? I think that's what we're going to see.' The blueprint for a player like Manu is Philadelphia's Jordan Mailata. That's a lofty goal, of course, but even if he can develop into a quality tackle — like Taylor Decker — it would give the Lions a young offensive line to build around when others leave or retire. Penei Sewell will be the face of the next wave, but guys like Mahogany Ratledge, Manu and Frazier could join him. Honorable mention(s): Ratledge, Frazier, Eguakun. We'll end with special teams, and even though he's a coordinator and not a position coach, this is an important pairing. Last training, when the Lions signed UFL phenom Jake Bates, it was met with excitement. He made crucial, booming kicks at Ford Field months before he would do so for the Lions, playing for the Michigan Panthers. His leg strength was a sight to behold and gave him NFL upside. The Lions beat out the Packers, among others, for his services. But Bates had rough patches. In training camp, he'd miss badly from short and connect with ease from a distance. Fipp attributes some of that to not having a full offseason to rest, going from the UFL straight to the NFL. But there is a mental element involved in playing that position. It's just you and your thoughts, and Bates is one to isolate. If he was in his head at one point, you wouldn't know it when the season started. He connected on 26 of his 29 attempts, including 6-of-8 from 50-plus yards, with some clutch kicks along the way. Advertisement While Fipp cautions that kicking is fluid year-to-year based on what's asked of the player and the conditions around him, he believes there's more in Bates. The Lions will play more outdoor games than they did a year ago, which Bates will need to be ready for. They'll continue to tinker with kickoff strategies. But Bates proved he belonged last year. 'I think the biggest thing with him is just continuing to progress,' Fipp said. 'Keep his confidence up. I said a year ago at the very beginning of the year, he's gonna have some ups and downs, and we're gonna stick with him. And I'll say the same thing this year: he's going to have some ups and downs and we're going to stick with him. …I feel great about him. Just watching him, I can tell and you can see that he's a lot more confident, he's a lot more sure of what's going on around him. …I'm excited for him. He looks great. And I think the guy's gonna be a great player in this league.' Honorable mention(s): LS Hogan Hatten, P Jack Fox, Vaki, Dan Jackson. (Top photo of Sione Vaki: Daniel Bartel / Imagn Images)
CTV News
2 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Dartmouth takes suggestions for bridge toll area
Atlantic Watch Bridge officials in Halifax are looking for ideas to develop the real estate where toll booths used to be in Dartmouth.
Zawya
5 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
SODIC hands over VYE project 6 months ahead of schedule
Arab Finance: Sixth of October for Development and Investment Company (SODIC) announced the early delivery of VYE, its next-generation development in New Zayed, according to a press release. This achievement supports the company's position among key real estate developers for ahead-of-schedule delivery. The sustainable scheme is the largest solar-powered residential project in Africa and the second largest in the Middle East. The development is set to deliver 108 units this month, among a total of 1,783 units set for handover throughout 2025. Designed to provide a seamless and integrated living experience, VYE will expand its services with key lifestyle amenities, including the VYE Town Center, scheduled for completion in early 2026. The Karmell Hub will be completed by mid-2026, while a fully equipped community clubhouse will be implemented by the end of 2027. In May, SODIC inked a revenue share agreement with Rula for Land Reclamation for the development of a 1,000-feddan plot in New Sphinx City, located in West Cairo.
BBC News
8 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Worcester land flagged for student housing up for sale
Land earmarked for a controversial student housing scheme has been put up for sale, sparking suggestions it may not go to demolish St Clement's Church Hall, off Henwick Road in Worcester, and build 54 student flats were approved by the city council in 2023 despite local church hall and land around it is now up for sale with Savills, which is advertising the plot as a "consented student development opportunity".The estate agent is asking for offers for the freehold of the site by 31 July. Before the initial plans were approved, people living nearby and local councillors had described the scheme as a "substantial overdevelopment" which would overshadow existing sheltered housing schemes in the also raised concerns about "generational conflict" between students and elderly residents. Richard Udall, a local Labour councillor, said he was not surprised the plot was up for sale."The proposal was going to be very difficult for anyone to achieve," he said. "The area is very tight and the restrictions imposed would make construction very difficult."The planning conditions also required the developer to fund a pedestrian crossing on Henwick Road and to ensure the building is staffed 24 hours, seven days a week."The developers have clearly decided the scheme is not viable."He added that "virtually the entire local community" was against the plans and suggested the site would be better suited to community said the 54 student beds in the development would be in clusters of three, four and five-bedroom apartments, with facilities such as an indoor cycle store, laundry, bin store and reception on the ground attached to the planning approval mean the developer would need to pay Worcester City Council £87,500 in Section 106 contributions, which would help fund infrastructure and community projects. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
