The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has called on President Bola Tinubu to utilize his influential position to swiftly overturn the unjust ban imposed on 25 journalists and media outlets from accessing coverage of the presidential villa. In an open letter addressed to President Tinubu, the organization emphasized the need for journalists and media houses to be permitted to execute their responsibilities without hindrance, highlighting their vital role in upholding accountability and scrutinizing those in positions of authority. The Deputy Director of SERAP, Kolawole Oluwadare, undersigned the letter, and it was made public through Channels Television on Sunday. Pointing…
Author: Editor Francis
Incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa has been declared the winner of Zimbabwe’s recent presidential election, securing approximately 53% of the vote, according to an announcement by the country’s elections commission on Saturday evening. However, the opposition and analysts immediately raised doubts about the validity of the result. Mnangagwa, who assumed power following a military coup in 2017 that ousted long-standing leader Robert Mugabe, was widely anticipated to clinch a second term in office, benefiting from what critics say was a heavily skewed contest favouring the ruling ZANU-PF party. The party has maintained control for over 40 years. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC)…
The United States has raised serious concerns and strongly criticised the actions of Zimbabwean authorities for their conduct on August 23. During the day of presidential, parliamentary, and local elections, authorities conducted a series of raids and arrested at least 39 individuals linked to the Election Resource Centre and the Zimbabwe Election Support Network. These actions targeted lawful, independent, and nonpartisan election observation activities. The safety and well-being of those taken into custody by the police are of paramount concern. The US is calling on the Government of Zimbabwe to promptly release all detained individuals, return their belongings, and allow…
The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), has taken decisive action by imposing sanctions on six individuals allegedly involved in exacerbating the recent conflict escalation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Brian E. Nelson, the Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, affirmed the US commitment to finding peaceful solutions, stating, “The United States is committed to promoting a peaceful resolution to the escalation of conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Treasury will not hesitate to hold accountable actors committing human rights abuses and exacerbating…
The Federal government has successfully secured access to approximately $500 million to kickstart a domestic funding initiative. The disclosure was made by Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, during a dinner event organised by the Tech community on Friday. At the conclusion of the dinner, which was jointly hosted with the World Bank, Minister Tijani expressed, “So we’ve got access to about half a billion dollars to start local funding.” Tijani elaborated on the government’s strategy to house domestic funding within Nigeria, ensuring its direct benefit to authentic Nigerian enterprises. He highlighted a collaborative effort with the…
A sombre cloud enveloped the nation as news broke of a fatal crowd stampede at a stadium in the heart of Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, on Friday. As reported by both the Red Cross and a local member of parliament, the sad event led to the deaths of at least 13 people, with seven of them being children. Speaking on a local radio station, opposition MP Hanitra Razafimanantsoa conveyed the heartbreaking toll, saying, “So far, 13 people have been killed and 107 injured.” The Red Cross, present at the scene, echoed the gravity of the situation, stating, “We don’t yet have…
The Gross Domestic Product of the BRICS is now 36 percent of global GDP and 47 percent of the world population. This follows the announcement of the six nations joining the BRICS bloc. GOVIMA reported that The BRICS founding members, Brazil, Russia, Indian, China and South Africa have agreed to include Argentina, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates full members from January 1. “We have decided to invite the Argentine Republic, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab…
In the 10th Assembly of the House of Representatives, an impressive allocation awaits its members for constituency projects, totaling N54 billion. Under this provision, each individual legislator is set to receive a substantial sum of N150 million to facilitate and address various developmental needs within their respective constituencies. According to the information gathered through a lawmaker, constituency allowances are one of the few privileges available to lawmakers to directly impact their various constituencies. Constituency or zonal intervention projects in Nigeria denote development initiatives located within the constituencies of State House of Assembly members, House of Representatives members, or Senators. These…
Niger’s military leadership has ordered the expulsion of French ambassador Sylvain Itte from the country, escalating tensions between the West African nation and its international partners. The French ambassador has been directed to leave Niger within 48 hours, as confirmed by Niger’s foreign ministry in a statement released on Friday. The decision to expel the ambassador reportedly stems from his refusal to comply with an invitation. The ministry’s statement also alludes to “other actions by the French government contrary to the interests of Niger” as contributing factors to the expulsion, although specific details were not provided. Tensions have risen amidst…
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) unequivocally denied the rumors suggesting that the regional organization was under the influence of external forces orchestrating actions against the Niger Republic. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, firmly addressed these claims during a press conference held on Friday in Abuja. Touray categorically rejected the notion that foreign powers were remotely dictating ECOWAS’s actions, specifically its purported involvement in any actions aimed at the Niger Republic. GOVIMA reported that President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger Republic was ousted July 26 in a military coup led by the former commander of Niger’s…
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), has announced that the Port Harcourt Refinery Company is poised to recommence operations by December of this year. The announcement was made during Senator Lokpobiri’s inspection of the ongoing rehabilitation efforts at the Port Harcourt Refining Company plant in Rivers State’s capital, Port Harcourt. The disclosure was relayed through an official statement released in Abuja by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited. Accompanied by the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, Senator Lokpobiri emphasised the substantial progress achieved in the rehabilitation project. He confidently stated that, judging…
On Thursday, a statement revealed that the Federal Government intends to reintroduce the national tax amnesty scheme. The Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Finance, Stephen Kilebi, signed the statement. The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, highlighted anticipated outcomes during a two-day retreat in Abuja. The statement read, “The Chairman highlighted the deliverables from the committee, which include: optimum taxes; harmonised revenue collection functions; a revised national tax policy; a national fiscal framework; preparation of bills for constitutional amendment; revenue optimisation; production of a model template for…