Russia’s proposed sanctions regime has triggered criticism and concerns from international quarters. The draft, introduced without prior discussions or negotiations, has drawn backlash for its perceived lack of transparency. While the draft acknowledges the need for travel bans and asset freezes, it also suggests terminating the Panel of Experts’ reporting mandate. Criticism has been raised about the draft’s provision to renew sanctions for only six months and add a sunset clause, which some argue might hinder sustained support for Mali. This move comes at a critical juncture when Mali requires ongoing assistance. Since the withdrawal of MINUSMA, the Panel of…
Author: Editor Francis
In a move aimed at bolstering the Niger-Burkina Faso alliance, the government of Burkina Faso has endorsed a bill sanctioning the sending of troops to neighbouring Niger. The approval of the draft law occurred during a session of Burkina Faso’s government, which is predominantly under military influence. Although specifics regarding the troop deployment remain undisclosed, the statement indicated that the modalities for this action were mutually agreed upon by both nations. “What affects security in Niger fundamentally affects security in Burkina Faso,” the statement quoted Defence Minister Kassoum Coulibaly as saying. The bill will be put to Burkina Faso’s transitional…
Tensions rise in Ogun State as councillors purportedly suspend Wale Adedayo, Chair of Ijebu-East Local Government Area, following his allegations of Governor Dapo Abiodun diverting council funds. The Daily Trust reports that some armed policemen and thugs invaded the council secretariat in Ogbere on Thursday morning over a plot to oust the embattled chairman. Adedayo had, in a letter to former Governor Segun Osoba and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accused Governor Dapo Abiodun of diverting local government funds. Abiodun had denied the allegations and insisted that his administration always augments LGs’ allocations to allow them to meet…
As part of the innovations to make the X app unique, Elon Musk, the tech billionaire, says audio and video call features will be added to X soon. In a post shared via the platform on Thursday, he specified that the feature will be compatible with Android, iOS, PC, and Mac. Musk said that once released, the feature would allow audio and video calls to be made without a phone number. https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1697145283472244974?s=20 This new innovation is part of existing innovations that Musk has added to the social platform since he bought the company. In 2022, the firm came up with…
Would you consider letting your sibling marry very soon, especially if a token from the government is attached? A county in China is offering newlywed couples a “reward” of 1,000 yuan, which is about 83,876 in the naira, if the bride is aged 25 and under, as the country battles a declining birth rate and searches for ways to get young people to marry. Changshan County said the reward was to promote “age-appropriate marriage and childbearing” for first marriages. It also announced a series of childcare, fertility, and education subsidies for couples who have children. Marriage rates in China hit…
Mustapha Habib Ahmed, the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has alerted authorities that the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon might initiate a complete release of excess water due to heavy rainfall in the region. Speaking in Abuja at the National Emergency Coordination Forum meeting, Ahmed revealed that Cameroon had already begun releasing water from the dam at a rate of 200 cubic metres per second, equivalent to around 18 million cubic metres daily. He cautioned that this could potentially lead to flooding in Nigerian states situated along the River Benue, encompassing Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Enugu,…
The Mutinous soldiers in Gabon, who took over the country’s leadership and cancelled the election have proclaimed their republican guard chief as the country’s leader on Wednesday night, after placing President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who was declared the winner of Saturday’s election, under house arrest. The coup leaders said in an announcement on Gabon’s state TV that Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema had been “unanimously” designated president of a transitional committee to lead the country. Oligui is a cousin of Bongo. Oligui, the new military leader, used to be the bodyguard of Bongo’s father, the late President Omar Bongo, said…
The Lagos State Governor, Bajide Sanwo-Olu and Speaker Mudashiru Obasa have met with the State Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC). The GAC is the highest decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos. Recall that there have been rumours flying that the governor and the speaker are at loggerheads over the screening of commissioners. In July, Sanwo-Olu transmitted a list containing 39 nominees to the legislative arm for screening for appointment as commissioners. The House cleared 22 of the nominees and rejected 17 others, including six former commissioners of the governor in his first tenure. The former commissioners include…
About six hours that military in Gabon have announced a total take over and cancellation of the election, they have placed President Ali Bngo under house arrest. GOVIMA reported that on Wednesday, the soldiers cited institutional, political, economic, and social crises as reasons for the coup. They added that Bongo’s administration had been reduced to an “irresponsible, unpredictable governance resulting in a continuing deterioration in social cohesion that risks leading the country into chaos”. The coupist also announced that one of his sons has been arrested for “treason”. Adding that they represent all security and defence forces in the Central…
Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi, the man who designed Nigeria’s flag passed on today. He designed the flag in October 1959, a year before Nigeria gained independence. Akinkunmi came back to limelight again when Olawale Olaniran, then student in the University of Ibadan, managed to track down the designer of the flag in 2006 and was in 2019 placed on five hundred thousand monthly stipend for life by the Nzenweofor Group at the company’s maiden edition of the LACLIC GOLDEN HEROES AWARD held at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel Abuja. Pa Michael Akinkunmi, the “Mr. Flag man“ is survived by friends…
A group of Gabonese military officers appeared on television Wednesday, announcing they were “putting an end to the current regime” and cancelling an election that, according to official results, President Ali Bongo Ondimba won. During the announcement, AFP journalists heard gunfire ring out in the Gabonese capital, Libreville. While announcing the cancellation of the vote results one of the officers said “all the institutions of the republic” had been dissolved. The address was read by an officer flanked by a group of a dozen army colonels, members of the elite Republican Guard, regular soldiers and others. It came moments after…
Lagos ranks 90th best city globally, 5th African city to live and work. The index 2023 report has ranked Lagos State as the 5th best African city to live and work, 90th best globally. It shows the African countries on the rating laser coming in at 60th, 67th, 72nd, 76th, 90th, and 94th. According to the report, the ranking is based on a global survey of close to 15,000 public members conducted in April 2023 in 20 countries on all continents to measure perceptions of the world’s top 100 cities. Speaking on the survey, the Chairman and CEO of Brand…