In a stance against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), Oyo State has reaffirmed its commitment to prosecuting perpetrators under existing laws. Mrs. Toyin Balogun, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, reiterated this determination during a stakeholders sensitisation meeting held in Ibadan, the state capital. Balogun stated that the state government would not tolerate perpetrators finding refuge in hidden places, as stringent laws, including the Violence Against Person Prohibition Law and Sexual and Gender-Based Agency/Referral Centre Laws, are already in effect. These laws ensure that offenders face accountability for their actions. “As policymakers,” Balogun said, “we must actively work…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has taken action following the recent uncovering of an alleged assassination plot against him and other senior officials. In response to the foiled scheme, Zelensky has announced the dismissal of Sergiy Leonidovich Rud, the head of Ukraine’s State Protection Department responsible for his personal security. The announcement, made through a published decree, did not provide a specific reason for Rud’s removal or designate a successor to the sensitive role. This comes in the wake of revelations by Ukraine’s SBU security service earlier this week, which disclosed the detention of two colonels from the bodyguard department over…
From the Federal Government, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, has announced that the long-awaited Schemes of Service for Polytechnics in Nigeria are nearing release. This update was disclosed during a meeting with Prof. Idris Bugaje, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), held in Abuja. Yemi-Esan expressed her satisfaction with the collaboration between the Federal Government and NBTE, assuring stakeholders that the Scheme of Service for polytechnics is in its final stages, with only one area of contention left to be resolved. Yemi-Esan revealed plans for the accreditation of…
Nigerians are demanding justice and the immediate release of journalist Daniel Ojukwu, who has been held in police custody since May 1, 2024. Ojukwu, associated with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), was reportedly detained under accusations of violating the 2015 Cybercrime Act, stirring widespread outrage across the nation. The ordeal began when Ojukwu was reportedly abducted by the Intelligence Response Team on orders from higher authorities. Subsequently, he was taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Lagos before being transferred to the Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja. Protests erupted outside the Force Headquarters in…
American Express Co. has achieved a significant milestone in Nigeria’s financial sector with the introduction of the nation’s inaugural business credit card, a result of a partnership between American Express and local neobank, O3 Capital Nigeria Limited. Unveiled in Lagos on Thursday, the business card offers a spending limit of $10,000, coupled with a repayment window of up to 45 days for international transactions. Mohammed Badi, President of Global Network Services at Amex, expressed enthusiasm for the launch, highlighting its potential to bolster local businesses’ growth aspirations. “The first-ever American Express Business Card in the most populous African country will…
A Boeing passenger plane came off the runway during takeoff in Senegal early Thursday, injuring 11 people and shutting the international airport near the capital Dakar for almost 12 hours, management said. The B737/300 aircraft, an Air Senegal flight chartered by privately-owned Transair, was carrying 78 passengers and headed for the Malian capital Bamako, airport managers LAS said in a statement after the early hours drama left four passengers seriously hurt. The jet “came off the runway during its takeoff phase” around one am (0100 GMT), said LAS, made up of Turkish group Limak, the publicly-owned airport operator AIBD and…
Panamanian lawyer Ramon Fonseca, one of the heads of the now-defunct law firm Mossack Fonseca that was at the epicenter of the global “Panama Papers” scandal, died while awaiting sentencing in his money-laundering trial, his lawyer said Thursday. During the night Fonseca “died while hospitalized”, a member of his legal team told AFP, adding that the health concerns were “why he did not attend the trial” that opened on April 8. No further details were given about the cause of death of Fonseca, 71, who died in hospital in Panama City. Documents leaked from Mossack Fonseca, which were published in…
Ahmed Jaha, a member of the House of Representatives from Borno State, has called upon the Federal Government to consider the recruitment of military mercenaries as a strategic measure to address the pressing issue. Jaha’s proposal, made during a parliamentary session, highlighted the need for decisive action in combating the nation’s security woes. He specifically referenced the successful utilization of mercenaries during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, suggesting that similar measures could yield positive results in the present circumstances. During the session, which was convened following a motion presented by Ginger Onwusibe concerning recent security incidents, Jaha reiterated the urgency…
The European Union decided Wednesday to not renew the mandate of a military training mission in Mali, given the “evolving political and security situation”, the commission said in a statement. The West African nation has been ruled by juntas since back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021, with the military promising to hand over power through the ballot box in February. But they have postponed elections until an unspecified date, citing a precarious security situation aggravated by jihadist attacks. The 27 member states “have decided by mutual agreement not to extend the mandate of the EUTM (European Union Training Mission) Mali…
Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbe has signed into law a new constitution that eliminates direct presidential elections. The contentious legislation, denounced by opposition parties and civil society groups, is viewed as a bid by Gnassingbe’s family to extend their six-decade-long rule. Under the new constitutional provisions, only the parliament will possess the authority to select the nation’s president, effectively sidelining the electoral process. This decision comes in the wake of Gnassingbe’s ruling party, UNIR, securing a significant majority in the recent parliamentary elections, marred by allegations of government crackdowns on civic and media freedoms. Reports indicate a pre-election atmosphere of suppression,…
To strengthen bilateral security ties, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Commander, General Michael Langley, embarked on his inaugural visit to Benin from May 1-3, 2024. This milestone encounter stresses the enduring commitment between the United States and Benin to fortify democratic principles, uphold human rights, and foster prosperity for the Beninese populace. General Langley’s inaugural visit marked an important moment in the six-decade-long relationship between the two nations, emphasizing their shared dedication to counter violent extremism and propel economic growth. The U.S. Ambassador to Benin, Brian Shukan, hailed General Langley’s presence as emblematic of an expanding partnership aimed at safeguarding against…
John Swinney, a 60-year-old Scottish politician, has officially assumed the role of Scotland’s seventh First Minister. This follows the resignation of Humza Yousaf, who tendered his resignation to King Charles after Swinney was elected as the new leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP). Yousaf, who had been serving as Scotland’s First Minister since March 29, 2023, cited the end of the power-sharing deal with the Scottish Greens as a factor in his resignation, stating that he “paid the price” for the manner in which it concluded. Swinney, accompanied by his family including his wife Elizabeth, brother David, and 13-year-old…