To address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced on June 14, 2024, that the U.S. will provide more than $315 million in additional humanitarian aid. This effort, backed by USAID and the U.S. Department of State, aims to support millions of Sudanese people severely affected by the ongoing conflict. The announcement, made by USAID Administrator Samantha Power, comes in response to 14 months of war that have pushed nearly five million Sudanese into extreme hunger. Current data indicates rising levels of acute malnutrition and hunger-related deaths among internally displaced…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
Youths in Rivers State have stormed local government secretariats to protest the tenure extension of local government chairmen. On Monday, youths took over the council headquarters in Degema Local Government Area, expressing their opposition to the extended terms of the chairmen. This unrest follows the recent move by local government chairmen, under the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), to remain in office for an additional six months. This extension is supported by a law passed by the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly, which empowers them to extend their tenure. ALGON Chairman Allwell Ihunda, who is also…
The United States has issued a dire warning about the escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan, stating the urgent need for international intervention and aid access. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield and USAID Administrator Samantha Power spoke in a press call on June 14, 2024, urging immediate action to address the catastrophe unfolding in the war-torn country. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield painted a harrowing picture of the situation in Sudan, particularly in Khartoum and West Darfur. “We need the world to wake up to the catastrophe happening before our very eyes,” she emphasized, describing the destruction and humanitarian needs exacerbated by ongoing ethnic…
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said that it destroyed not less than 10, 534.78 kilograms of cannabis (also called Marijuana) cultivated on 4.213912 hectares of farmland in Edo. NDLEA’s spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi, on Sunday in Abuja, said that the farm was located at Uhen forest in Ovia North East Local Government Area of the state. Babafemi said that the operatives of the agency, who raided the forests on Wednesday, June 12 arrested four suspects. He gave the names of the suspects as Frank Ishoku, 38; Clifford Ossai, 49; Vanger Timothy, 30; and John…
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) has taken legal action against 60 top executives from 13 commercial banks, including chairmen, CEOs, directors, and company secretaries, in a case involving a N17bn loan under the Anchor Borrowers Programme. The executives face contempt proceedings for allegedly failing to implement a No-Debit Order on Afex Commodity Exchange’s accounts, as directed by the Federal High Court in Lagos. The court’s order, presided over by Justice CJ Aneke, mandates the 20 banks to transfer the funds standing to Afex’s credit to GTBank until the N17.81bn debt, which includes unpaid amounts and recovery costs, is fully…
The Nigeria Liability Insurance Pool (NLIP) reported 51.6% increase in its gross premium earnings for 2023, attributed to the rise in third-party insurance premiums. The annual earnings soared from N1.18bn in 2022 to N1.79bn, driven by the National Insurance Commission’s (NAICOM) directive to increase motor insurance premiums effective January 1, 2023. In the new directive, premiums for private vehicles increased from N5,000 for a N1m Third Party Property Damage Limit to N15,000 for N3m claims. Similarly, owner good vehicles saw their premiums rise to N20m for N5m claims, while staff buses were directed to pay N20,000 premium for N3m claims.…
A Non-governmental Organisation, the Life After Abuse Foundation has decried United Nation’s systemic gender bias against men while urging it to commit more to promoting gender equality and recognition for men. The Founder and President of the Foundation, Ms Halima Layeni, said this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos. Layeni, who referenced the UN’s disposition to Father’s Day, men and their contributions to society said the UN has never acknowledged the importance of celebrating men and their contributions to society. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Father’s Day is celebrated worldwide to recognise the contribution that fathers and…
Troops of the Nigerian Army, on special security patrols during the Eid al-Kabir celebrations in Giwa Local Government Area, have successfully neutralized a terrorist identified as Daushe, an associate of the infamous bandit commander Buharin Yadi. The Nigerian Army disclosed this achievement in a statement posted on X.com on Sunday. The statement detailed the proactive measures taken by the troops to ensure a secure environment for all residents during the Eid-El-Kabir celebrations. “In a proactive move to safeguard the lives and properties of citizens during the ongoing Eid-El-Kabir celebration in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, troops deployed for…
At the recent G7 summit in Italy, the G7 leaders pledged their support for President William Ruto’s ambitious plan to enhance Africa’s development. President Ruto’s call for reforming the international financial architecture resonated with the G7, leading to a commitment to modernize financial systems to promote equity and inclusion for the Global South, especially Africa. The G7 has agreed to champion reforms in the international financial system to ensure it meets the needs of developing nations. This includes providing Africa with access to concessional, long-term, and agile finance and enhancing their participation in global decision-making processes. Moreover, the…
The Ogun State Police Command has announced security measures, including 24-hour patrols along key routes such as the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Kara Long Bridge, and Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode-Benin Expressway for the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations. The State Command’s spokesperson, SP Omolola Odutola, highlighted that police visibility will be heightened in several flashpoints including Onigari, Long Bridge, Alapako, and Sango/Ijoko. Commissioner of Police Abiodun Alamutu has deployed a robust security strategy to maintain order and safety during the festivities. Officers will conduct stop and search operations in critical locations such as State Judiciary road headquarters, Tasued junction, Ogunmakin, Foursquare, Kemta, Odogbolu, Ogbere junction, and…
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has issued a dire warning about the heightened vulnerability of children under five during cholera outbreaks. According to Celine Lafoucrier, Chief of the UNICEF Lagos Field Office, these young children are particularly susceptible to severe dehydration and higher mortality rates, necessitating urgent and targeted intervention. In a statement released on Saturday, Lafoucrier stated the need for state policies to prioritize the provision of high-standard water and sanitation facilities. She highlighted the importance of fortified healthcare systems capable of meeting the increased demands during cholera outbreaks. “Recurrent cholera outbreaks critically affect children and…
Recent polls indicate that former President Donald Trump might be at risk of losing his lead in Florida, a state he previously won in the 2016 and 2020 elections. The latest surveys reveal a tightening race between Trump and President Joe Biden, suggesting a competitive 2024 election in what has traditionally been a key battleground state. A poll conducted by Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and Mainstreet Research on June 8-9 among 883 registered voters shows Trump leading Biden by four points, with 46% to Biden’s 42%. This marks a decline from April, where Trump held a 50% to 42% lead.…