To address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan, Administrator Samantha Power of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) engaged in discussions with Deputy Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) Commander Lieutenant General Shams El-Dein El Kabbashi. The conversation, held on May 9, 2024, highlighted the urgent need for unhindered humanitarian access across Sudan, particularly emphasizing the necessity of cross-border access from Chad to Darfur. Administrator Power reiterated the devastating consequences of SAF’s obstruction of humanitarian aid, stressing that five million Sudanese people are currently at risk of starvation. With 860,000 of the most vulnerable individuals left without assistance…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
Chadian soldiers deployed on Friday in large numbers across several districts of the capital after late-night celebrations marked the presidential election victory of junta leader General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno. Even before the official results gave Deby more than 61 percent in Monday’s ballot, the presidential guard had parked many armoured vehicles on major junctions and thoroughfares. AFP reporters said the number of troops on the streets Friday appeared considerably larger than after previous elections. Just hours before the official results were announced late Thursday, Prime Minister Succes Masra had declared himself victor of the vote.…
Former President Donald Trump continues his legal battle amidst a hush money trial, with notable Republican figures stepping up to support him despite a gag order limiting Trump’s public statements. U.S. Senator Rick Scott of Florida recently joined Trump during the 14th day of proceedings in New York, following in the footsteps of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who stood by Trump’s side in previous court appearances. Scott’s presence alongside Trump serves as a means to help the former president connect with constituents while navigating the courtroom restrictions imposed by the judge. With Trump restrained from making certain public comments,…
During a recent media briefing in Umuahia, Abia State’s capital, Governor Alex Otti addressed the surge of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC), likening political parties to churches and stating individuals’ freedom to join whichever party they like. “Political parties are like churches, and any church that you would like to go, you are free,” Governor Otti said during the event titled “Governor Alex Otti Speaks to Abians.” He expressed his lack of concern over the departures from PDP, stating that his focus remains on delivering governance to the residents of Abia State.…
Journalist Daniel Ojukwu, affiliated with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), has been released from police custody following intense pressure from civil society organizations. Ojukwu, who had been abducted by the Intelligence Response Team of the Inspector General of Police, regained his freedom after enduring 10 days in captivity. The ordeal began on May 1 when Ojukwu went missing, prompting concern among colleagues, family, and friends as his phone numbers became unreachable. FIJ quickly initiated a missing person report with local police stations, while a hired detective tracked the last known location of his phones to an address in Isheri…
Spotify, a global online music streaming platform, said it paid more than N25 billion to Nigerian artists as royalties in 2023. Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Spotify’s Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, said this was double what was recorded in 2022, with a 2,500 per cent increase since 2017. Muhutu-Remy said these details were contained in Spotify’s recently launched annual report “Loud &Clear”. She said the report was meant to increase transparency in the music industry by sharing data on Spotify’s royalty payments and breaking down the global streaming economy, the players and the process…
Bandits on Thursday night invaded the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Okene in Kogi State and abducted some students. An eyewitness account indicated that the bandits swooped on the university around 9pm while the students were reading for their upcoming exams. The source said that the bandits came in through the bush, went into three lecture halls and began to shoot into the air to scare the students. “They trapped the students inside the halls and started taking them; the school was thrown into total confusion as fear-stricken students in other halls scurried to safety, scampering in various…
The House of Representatives is in mourning following the passing of Honorable Isa Dogonyaro, the representative of Babura/Garki Federal Constituency of Jigawa State in the 10th Assembly who died after a brief illness. In a statement issued on friday by the House of Representatives’ spokesperson, Honorable Akin Rotimi, in Abuja, Hon. Dogonyaro, affectionately known as “Kogunan Ringim,” was recognized for his commitment to legislative duties, particularly in advancing crucial healthcare legislation pertaining to HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Control. The statement reads, “It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Hon. Isa Dogonyaro (Kogunan Ringim), the distinguished Member…
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have arrived in Nigeria for a 72-hour tour dedicated to promoting the Invictus Games and connecting with wounded soldiers. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex touched down in the populous African country on Friday via a British Airways overnight flight to Abuja. The invitation for the visit came from General Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, who emphasized the importance of their presence in interacting with soldiers on the road to recovery. During their stay from May 10th to May 13th, 2024, Prince Harry, the driving force behind the Invictus Games, and Meghan Markle…
The UK economy has bounced back from a recent recession, showing resilient growth in the first quarter of 2024. Official data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals a 0.6 percent expansion in gross domestic product (GDP) during this period, surpassing market expectations and injecting confidence into Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s leadership ahead of the impending general election. The growth, fueled by high performances in service industries and car manufacturing, surpassed market expectations of 0.4 percent. This marks the strongest economic performance since the final quarter of 2021, contributing to yet another record peak for London’s stock market.…
In the murky depths of the internet, a peculiar phenomenon has emerged – the rise of “zombie colleges.” These institutions, once defunct in the physical realm, have been resurrected online, shrouded in mystery and ambiguity. Aspiring students hoping to pursue higher education find themselves ensnared in a web of deceit and confusion. A recent investigation by USA TODAY delved into the murky world of these zombie universities, uncovering a disturbing trend of counterfeit websites masquerading as legitimate educational institutions. Among them are names like Stratford University, Morrison University, and Jones International, to name a few. What makes these online entities…
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Nigerian Army’s 15 Field Engineering Regiment in Badagry has dismantled an illegal alcohol manufacturing factory in the Badagry area of Lagos State. NAFDAC disclosed this operation in a statement released on X.com, stating their successful crackdown on illicit activities within the region. The operation specifically targeted Chinedu Okafor, who was found to be operating an unlawful drinks manufacturing operation from his residence located at No. 24, MTN Road, Badagry. The statement detailed the involvement of NAFDAC enforcement officers, who, with crucial intelligence provided by the Nigerian Army,…