In a bid to enhance the bilateral relationship between China and Kenya, the Chinese Embassy in Kenya has announced a comprehensive cancellation of visa appointments starting November 20th, 2023. In this updated process, applicants are now encouraged to directly submit their visa applications to the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Nairobi during regular working hours. To streamline the application process and ensure a smooth submission, interested individuals are advised to adhere to the following guidelines: I. Online Application Submission: Applicants are required to accurately fill out the online application form through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Nairobi…
Author: Editor Francis
Recall that Nigeria was invited for the emergency joint Arab-Islamic summit in the Saudi capital Riyadh to discuss the war taking place in the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian territories. In the same vein , the Federal Government has been designated by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League to spearhead a special delegation tasked with initiating immediate international measures to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, conveyed this development in a statement, indicating that the information was communicated to Nigeria by the Royal Embassy of…
In a strategic move to propel digital innovation in Africa, a delegation from the U.S. Government is en route to South Africa to partake in the Africa Tech Festival scheduled in Cape Town from November 13-16. Recognizing Africa’s vast digital potential for economic recovery, social and gender equality, and job creation, the Africa Tech Festival aims to gather over 15,000 tech entrepreneurs and innovators for a three-day event shaping the future of the continent’s tech industry. This initiative aligns with the Digital Transformation with Africa (DTA), a flagship project of the Biden-Harris Administration. The U.S. government’s participation includes a conference,…
In a significant collaboration, USAID’s Power Africa Nigeria Power Sector Programme has joined forces with the Lagos State Government to launch a three-week training initiative on clean energy solutions. This program, set to benefit 500 women nationwide, kicked off with the training of the initial 30 participants. Held at the Lagos State Electricity Board in Ikeja, the training is a crucial component of Power Africa’s Growing Green Jobs for Women in Nigeria program. The focus is on providing hands-on expertise in solar installation and maintenance, coupled with the opportunity to attain certification from the Council for the Regulation of Engineering…
At least 70 people, mostly children and the elderly died in massacres in north-central Burkina Faso in early November. The perpetrators remain unknown and the EU and the United States have called for an investigation. According to a provisional report released on Monday by the Faso public prosecutor, Simon Gnanou, the killings in the village of Zaongo on 5 November claimed 70 victims, “mainly children and the elderly”. He added that “the perpetrators of the atrocities remain unknown for the moment”. On Sunday, the European Union referred to this massacre and a possible death toll of around one hundred, calling…
Students in public schools in Osogbo, Osun, were sent home on Tuesday following the nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). The students from various public primary and secondary schools were seen on the roads and streets, heading back home. At CAC Grammar School, Gbodofon, Osogbo, the gate was left wide open as students were moving out of the school premises while some teachers were seen gathered under a tree, holding discussions. Similarly, some banks in Osogbo refused to open their doors to customers, while some were sceptical about opening and few…
Affiliates of the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria in Lagos State, on Tuesday complied with the directive of the two labour unions to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike. The National Executive Council meeting of the labour unions, held on November 13, 2023, in Abuja, resolved to embark on the strike. The decision was due to the alleged failure of the Federal Government to address issues affecting workers, such as the minimum wage, insecurity, corruption, and poor governance. Also, both unions had made some demands, which the government had allegedly failed to address following the recent…
In a surprising turn of events, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have announced plans to commence a nationwide strike at midnight, defying a restraining order issued last week by Justice Benedict Backwash Kanyip of the National Industrial Court. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, strongly criticised the decision, labelling it as “clearly unwarranted” and an attempt to “blackmail the government” by the leadership of the NLC. This decision by the NLC and TUC, other than being an ego tripping move is clearly unwarranted. It is an attempt to blackmail…
The Minister of State for Police Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, has disclosed plans for comprehensive reforms within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). This announcement follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive to withdraw police personnel from VIP security duties and initiate a community policing strategy. Speaking during a two-day management retreat at the Ministry of Police Affairs, the minister acknowledged the critical juncture at which the NPF and the Ministry find themselves, grappling with the consequences of decades of neglect that have hindered their ability to fulfill their constitutional mandate. Suleiman-Ibrahim outlined key initiatives, stating, “Our key mandates include developing and implementing a…
In a recent diplomatic exchange, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken engaged in a conversation with Kenyan Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, extending congratulations on his new role as Foreign Minister. The call emphasized the enduring and strategic partnership between the United States and Kenya, acknowledging Kenya’s substantial contributions to global peace and stability. During the conversation, Secretary Blinken expressed gratitude for Kenya’s commitment to lead a multinational security support mission to Haiti, addressing the crisis in Sudan, promoting peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and countering extremism in Somalia.…
African telecommunication giant, MTN, is reportedly considering an exit from three markets on the continent, namely Guinea-Bissau, Guinea-Conakry, and Liberia. This potential move, as reported by Business Insider Africa, is part of discussions surrounding the “orderly exit” of operations in these countries. MTN, a pan-African mobile operator with a current presence in 19 countries across Africa and the Middle East, is contemplating this strategic shift. While the specific reasons for the potential exit have not been disclosed, the company’s financial reports indicate challenges in the West and Central Africa region. CEO Ralph Mupita highlighted signs of inflation and currency devaluation…
Property owners in Abuja are set to face new tax obligations as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has given the green light to a draft property tax regulation for the city. The FCT-Internal Revenue Service has initiated the implementation of the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) in accordance with the Capital Gains Tax Act 2004. The CGT imposes a 10 percent tax on the total chargeable gains accrued to individuals from the disposal of chargeable assets in a given year of assessment, after allowable deductions have been made. Haruna Abdullahi, the Executive Chairman of FCT-IRS, announced these…