The Nigerian Senate has made key appointments to its leadership positions. Senator Oyelola Yisa Ashiru, a member of the All Progressives Congress representing Kwara South, has been named the new Deputy Leader of the Senate. Additionally, Senator Nwebonyi Onyeka has been appointed as the new Deputy Chief Whip. The announcement of these appointments was made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during a plenary session. Senator Ashiru, who previously held the position of Deputy Chief Whip, has now been promoted to the role of Deputy Leader of the Senate. This change in leadership was necessitated by the appointment of…
Author: Editor Francis
The African Union Commission has fallen victim to cybercrime after fraudsters deployed artificial intelligence tools to impersonate the continental body’s head Moussa Faki. Mr Faki who is the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the secretariat of the African Union routinely writes to global leaders whenever he needs to place a call. Such a letter is formally known as note verbale and is the standard procedure for scheduling meetings between the African Union leadership and representatives of other countries or international organisations. Fraudsters faked his voice and placed several video calls to European capitals, ostensibly seeking to arrange meetings. AU…
The United States President, Joe Biden, on a solidarity visit to Israel on Wednesday, backed the ally’s account that Palestinian militants caused a devastating hospital strike in Gaza, adding Hamas had brought “only suffering.” AFP reports “I was deeply saddened and outraged by the explosion at the hospital in Gaza yesterday. And based on what I’ve seen, it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you,” Biden said as he opened a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv. “But there’s a lot of people out there who are not sure so we have…
The Independent National Electoral Commission says it was faced with more than 1,000 pre-election litigations in the build-up to the 2023 general election. INEC Director, Legal Drafting and Clearance, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, said this in a presentation at a two-day capacity workshop for journalists in Akwanga Nasarawa State. The presentation was titled, ‘Effects of Litigation on INEC’s Preparations for Kogi, Imo, And Bayelsa Governorship Election.’ Babalola said the pre-election litigations were borne out of primaries conducted by political parties, substitution of candidates, and failure of parties to adhere to their constitution and timetable for the conduct of the election. Pre-election…
A sad thing is happening in Ogun State as one 40- year old Lekan Sunday has been arrested for defiling the messenger of God. Lekan was arrested raping a prophetess in a church in the state It was said that he stormed the church, Orioke Aanu Oluwa Gbohunmi, in the Ilogbo Adu area of Kemta in Abeokuta with weapons and met the victim sleeping. He held the prophetess of the church hostage while brandishing a knife in her face, saying that he would kill her if she continued to give him a tough time. When she made the noise to…
Tension gripped the Senate as Chief Whip Senator Ali Ndume staged a walkout in protest, prompting Senate President Godswill Akpabio to call for an emergency closed session during the plenary session. Ndume raised a point of order, citing Senate Standing Order 54, which was ruled out of order by Akpabio. The Chief Whip expressed concerns about the proceedings in the chamber, which he believed were not in compliance with the rules and regulations. In his words, Ndume said, “Mr. President, there are some things we do in this chamber that are against the rules. Sir, nobody is too big to…
USAID has announced the initiation of the Localize Global Health Security project, a critical five-year contract with a budget of up to $37 million. This project aims to collaborate with local organizations in 15 countries spanning Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The primary objective is to enhance the capacity of these local entities to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging health threats within their communities. Global health security initiatives, particularly in response to challenges like Ebola, smallpox, and COVID-19, have underscored the significance of community trust and engagement in ensuring the acceptance, effectiveness, and sustainability of global health…
USAID has unveiled the Localise Global Health Security project, a significant five-year contract valued at up to $37 million. The project’s primary objective is to collaborate with local organizations in 15 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean to enhance their capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging health threats within their communities. The importance of community trust and engagement has been underscored by recent global health security initiatives, especially in addressing threats like Ebola, smallpox, and COVID-19. The Localize Global Health Security project will complement existing approaches by involving local governments, NGOs, and businesses to achieve…
Chidi Blyden has assumed the role of CEO at the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), following her tenure at the United States Department of Defense, where she held the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs. In her previous role, she served as the principal advisor on international security strategy and policy matters throughout the African continent. The MCC, an independent U.S. government agency dedicated to reducing global poverty through economic growth, has the majority of its programs in Africa. Blyden’s wealth of expertise and extensive experience in the region is expected to greatly benefit the agency as…
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Alhaji Jalal Ahmad Arabi to serve as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). This appointment is made for an initial term of four (4) years. Concurrently, President Tinubu has given a directive to the outgoing Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, to embark on a 3-month pre-retirement leave as per the provisions of Public Service Rule (PSR) 120243. This leave will be effective from October 18, 2023, leading up to his formal retirement from service on January 17, 2024. Alhaji Jalal Ahmad…
In a demonstration of his authority vested in Section 3(6) of the Corrupt Practises and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and in line with the Renewed Hope mandate aimed at revitalising Nigeria’s fight against corruption and reforming key institutions, President Bola Tinubu has given his approval for the appointment of a fresh management team for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). These appointments are pending Senate confirmation. The newly appointed officials are: Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu – Chairman / Chief Executive Officer, ICPC Mr. Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu – Secretary to the Commission, ICPC The current Chairman…
USAID, in partnership with Humanity United, has granted up to $45 million over five years to introduce the Powered by the People (PxP) initiative. PxP is designed to offer adaptable and accessible support to bolster the capacity, resilience, and effectiveness of organizers and citizen-led social movements advocating for human rights, social justice, democracy, and inclusive development worldwide. The PxP initiative will employ conflict-sensitive approaches to provide demand-driven assistance to social movement organizations and organizers. This includes flexible funding and rapid response resources to assist these organizations when and how they need it most. It will also facilitate peer-to-peer learning, provide…