The Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) on Wednesday justified the decision of the agency to go after assets of drug barons and traffickers. Marwa said this at a news briefing in Abuja to begin the week-long activities to commemorate the 2024 International Day Against Drugs and Illicit Trafficking. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that June 26 every year is set aside to commemorate the day. NAN also reports that the theme of the 2024 World Drug Day (WDD) is: “Evidence is Clear; Let Us Invest in Prevention.” Represented by Mr Shadrach Haruna,…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
An Arab diplomat told AFP on Wednesday that at least 600 Egyptians died during the hajj pilgrimage, citing searing heat that reached 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit) on Monday. “All of the (newly confirmed) deaths were because of the heat as well,” the diplomat said after Arab officials earlier reported a figure of at least 323 Egyptian deaths. AFP
South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa is to be sworn in for a new term as president at a ceremony in Pretoria on Wednesday after his African National Congress struck a government coalition deal. Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to re-elect the 71-year-old last week, after a May 29 general election that produced no outright winner. He will be officially inaugurated for a new five-year term before MPs, foreign dignitaries, religious and traditional leaders, and others at the Union Buildings, the seat of government. The presidency said at least 18 heads of state and government, many from other African countries are to attend. It…
Russia said Wednesday it was waiting for the United States to respond to its propositions regarding a prisoner swap, days before US reporter Evan Gershkovich was set to face trial in Russia. Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was arrested in March 2023 on espionage charges rejected by his family, employer and the White House as false. President Vladimir Putin said in February that talks on a prisoner swap involving the journalist were underway, but the Kremlin has not given any details on the progress of the negotiations. “The ball is in the court…
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has inaugurated new caretaker chairmen for all 23 local government areas. The governor’s action came shortly after the state House of Assembly, under factional leadership by Speaker Victor Jumbo, screened and confirmed the nominees forwarded by Governor Fubara. The nominees were invited for screening early Wednesday morning, with the swearing-in ceremony taking place at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House in Port Harcourt, amid heightened security measures. The newly sworn-in caretaker chairmen include: Abua/Odua LGA – Madigai Dickson Ahoada East LGA – Happy Benneth Ahoada West LGA – Mr. Daddy John…
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has provided free medical services to over two million residents in the Niger Delta region. The announcement was made by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, in a statement available during the flag-off of the medical outreach in Cross River State on Sunday. Representing the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, was Dr. Eme Inyangabia, the Assistant Director of Education, Health, and Social Services. Dr. Inyangabia emphasized that the outreach aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which aims for universal health coverage and overall well-being. “This free healthcare…
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has announced its commitment to match Italy’s $150 million in concessional loans and grants aimed at funding transformative projects across Africa. Italy’s Mattei Plan, unveiled earlier this year by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, seeks to bolster Africa’s development efforts in key sectors such as energy, water, agriculture, health, education, and infrastructure. The plan aims not only to spur economic growth but also to mitigate irregular immigration to Europe by creating job opportunities and enhancing living conditions within African nations. Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, praised Italy’s initiative, stating its potential…
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has announced the implementation of a daily “tactical pause” on military operations along a designated aid route in Gaza, effective from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. This aims to facilitate the increased flow of humanitarian resources into the embattled region. The pause affects the road leading from the Kerem Shalom Crossing to the Salah al-Din Road and further north, following discussions with United Nations officials and international organizations. Despite this tactical pause, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari emphasized that there will be no cessation of combat activities in other areas of southern Gaza, including…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stated the need for international cooperation on maritime security to unlock the vast potential of Africa’s blue economy. Speaking at the 2024 International Maritime Conference in Lagos, commemorating the Nigerian Navy’s 68th anniversary, President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, highlighted the transnational nature of maritime threats and the imperative for greater international collaboration to address them. Themed “Promoting the Blue Economy in Africa through International Cooperation on Maritime Security,” the conference aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14, the Vision of Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy 2050, and Africa’s Agenda 2063. “Significantly,…
Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in North Korea for a two-day state visit and was received by North Korea’s ruler Kim Jong Un at the airport in Pyongyang. According to observers, the two-day visit will also focus on further arms deliveries from Pyongyang, which Moscow intends to use in its war against Ukraine. The main part of the visit begins on Wednesday, the Russian news agency Interfax reported on Wednesday. The day would begin with a meeting between Putin and Kim on Kim Il Sung Square, Pyongyang’s urban and symbolic centre. …
A new poll reveals a shift in Black voter support in the critical swing states of Michigan and Pennsylvania. Former President Donald Trump has seen an increase in his support among Black voters, jumping into the double digits compared to his 2020 performance. The USA Today/Suffolk University survey, conducted from June 9 to 13, found that 15 percent of Black voters in Michigan and 11 percent in Pennsylvania now back Trump, a notable rise from his sub-10 percent support in 2020. Despite this gain, President Joe Biden remains the preferred choice for the majority of Black voters in these states.…
The federal government has firmly denied circulating rumors that the Murtala Muhammed Expressway, spanning from Kubwa to Asokoro in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has been renamed as Wole Soyinka Way. Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, issued a statement yesterday refuting the claims. Ibrahim emphasized that renaming the Murtala Muhammed Expressway had never been contemplated by the current administration. This comes in the wake of the June 4, 2024, inauguration of a new road in the FCT, codenamed Arterial Road N20. This road, extending from Katampe to Jahi, links the…