Category: Africa - Page 4 - African News Today

Kano State House of Assembly Dissolves Newly Created Emirates, Paves Way for Sanusi’s Return

23May

By adminNo Comments

Legislature, News, Nigeria

Kano State House of Assembly Dissolves Newly Created Emirates, Paves Way for Sanusi’s Return

Kano, Nigeria – In what may be described as a major move, the Kano State House of Assembly has dissolved the four newly created emirate councils in the state, leaving only the Kano Emirate. This decision followed extensive deliberations on the floor of the House during a plenary session on Thursday. The Kano State Emirates Council Amendment Bill was brought to the floor for consideration, and it swiftly passed through its second and third readings on Thursday morning. The bill's approval marks a significant shift in the state's traditional leadership structure, which had been altered under the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. Deputy Speaker Muhammad Butu elaborated on the rationale behind repealing the law, stating that it was essential to restore the lost glory ...

Atiku Vows to Continue Presidential Bids: “I Will Keep Contesting”

23May

By adminNo Comments

Elections, News, Nigeria

Atiku Vows to Continue Presidential Bids: “I Will Keep Contesting”

Abuja, Nigeria - Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria's former vice-president, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to pursuing the presidency, declaring his intention to "keep contesting" as long as he remains healthy. The 77-year-old veteran politician made this statement during an interview on the Hausa service of the Voice of America in Abuja. Abubakar, who represented the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 presidential election, will be 81 years old by the next election in 2027. Despite his age, he remains resolute in his ambition to lead Nigeria. “Of course, I will keep contesting again and again as long as I am alive and healthy,” Abubakar said, underscoring his enduring political resolve. Having made six attempts at the presidency, Abubakar has been on the ballot as a pres...

Nigerian Army Rescues Hundreds of Hostages from Boko Haram

22May

By adminNo Comments

Armed Forces, News, Nigeria, Security, Terrorism

Nigerian Army Rescues Hundreds of Hostages from Boko Haram

The Nigerian army announced that it has rescued 350 hostages, predominantly children and women, from the clutches of Boko Haram extremists in northeastern Nigeria. The rescue operation, which spanned several days, culminated in the liberation of the captives from the Sambisa Forest, a notorious hideout for the extremist group. Major General Ken Chigbu, a senior Nigerian army officer, presented the rescued hostages to authorities in Borno state late Monday. The hostages included 209 children, 135 women, and six men, all appearing exhausted and clad in worn-out clothes. Among the female hostages, some had babies believed to have been born from forced marriages, a grim reality for many girls and women subjected to sexual violence and forced unions during their captivity. Hajara Umara, ...

Armed Men Attack Villages in Northcentral Nigeria, Killing Up to 40 Villagers

22May

By adminNo Comments

Nigeria, Safety, Security, Terrorism

Armed Men Attack Villages in Northcentral Nigeria, Killing Up to 40 Villagers

Remote Villages in Plateau’s Wase District Targeted in Deadly Late-Night Raid Plateau State, Nigeria — Armed men launched a brutal attack on remote villages in northcentral Nigeria's Plateau State, resulting in the deaths of at least a dozen villagers during a late-night raid, authorities reported on Tuesday. The assailants struck the Zurak community in Wase district, causing widespread panic and forcing many residents to flee into nearby bushes. The incident marks another tragic episode in the region's long-standing conflict, which has seen hundreds killed over the years. The violence is primarily attributed to the ongoing struggle for control over water and land between nomadic herders and rural farmers. While government officials confirmed twelve casualties to The Associat...

Monaco Midfielder Faces Sanctions for not Supporting LGBTQ

22May

By adminNo Comments

Human Rights, News, Religion, Senegal, Sports

Monaco Midfielder Faces Sanctions for not Supporting LGBTQ

France's Sports Minister Calls for Action Against Mohamed Camara France's Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra has called for sanctions against Monaco's midfielder Mohamed Camara. The call came after Camara covered a message supporting LGBTQ on his jersey during the team's final league match on Sunday. During the French championship's annual campaign against discrimination, each team wore a badge with the word "homophobia" crossed out. This campaign, held during the weekend's final phase, aims to promote inclusivity and condemn discrimination. Camara, however, chose to cover the badge and also boycotted the pre-match group photo where players stood in front of a banner bearing the same message. His actions took place during Monaco's 4–0 victory over Nantes. Describing Camara...

South African Coal Plant Closure Delayed Amid Energy Crisis

22May

By adminNo Comments

African Development, Environment, Infrastructure, News, Power, South Africa

South African Coal Plant Closure Delayed Amid Energy Crisis

South Africa's public power utility, Eskom, has announced a delay in the closure of several coal-fired power plants, citing the ongoing electricity crisis as the primary reason. The Eskom board has approved the continued operation of the Camden, Grootvlei, and Hendrina power stations until 2030, local media outlet Engineering News reported on Monday, May 20. Originally, these power stations were scheduled to be retired between 2023 and 2027. However, South Africa experienced one of its worst electricity crises last year, with daily power cuts lasting up to ten hours. These outages severely impacted the country’s economy, which is Africa's most developed. The decision to keep these plants operational is a direct response to the urgent need to stabilize the national grid. “The electri...

CNG Vehicles Will Fail Without Proper Infrastructure – Babachir

20May

By adminNo Comments

Infrastructure, Nigeria, Petroleum, Transportation

CNG Vehicles Will Fail Without Proper Infrastructure – Babachir

In a recent interview on Trust TV's Daily Politics, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr Babachir Lawal, expressed skepticism about the viability of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles in Nigeria. Lawal argued that without the necessary infrastructure, the federal government's directive to convert petrol and diesel-powered vehicles and generators to CNG could be disastrous. "The government needs to put in place necessary infrastructure that will lubricate the effectiveness of the CNG vehicles, or else it will be catastrophic," Lawal stated emphatically. President Bola Tinubu has directed various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to commence the conversion to CNG as part of his strategy to ensure energy security, enhance utility, and reduce high fuel costs...

Renewed Hope Has Turned to Hopelessness – Prof Usman Yusuf

20May

By adminNo Comments

Cost of Living, Economy, News, Nigeria

Renewed Hope Has Turned to Hopelessness – Prof Usman Yusuf

In a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Professor Usman Yusuf, a prominent member of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has lambasted the Renewed Hope Agenda, labeling it as a source of increased hopelessness for Nigerians. During an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, which was monitored by DAILY POST, Yusuf expressed his disappointment, stating that the Tinubu-led federal government has failed to instill any sense of hope among the Nigerian populace over the past year. "People have lost hope. It pains me to see our people lining up to collect cups of palliatives. Renewed Hope has turned into hopelessness. People have lost hope," Yusuf remarked. He further critic...

Judiciary is the Biggest Threat to Nigeria’s Democracy – Obi

17May

By adminNo Comments

Elections, Judiciary, Justice, News, Nigeria

Judiciary is the Biggest Threat to Nigeria’s Democracy – Obi

Enugu, May 17, 2024 – Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, has declared the judiciary as the foremost threat to Nigeria’s democracy, rather than the electoral umpire. Obi made these remarks during his keynote speech at the fifth memorial of late Justice Anthony Aniagolu at Godfrey Okoye University in Enugu. In a candid and critical address, the former governor of Anambra State lamented the current state of Nigeria's judicial system, which he described as being plagued by corruption and inefficiency. "Justice in Nigeria goes to the highest bidder and has become commodified," Obi stated emphatically. "While the judiciary, today, still boasts of a few outstanding judges, there is an undeniable decline in our judicial system. This decline ...

Tinubu’s Economic Reforms Showing Positive Results – Bagudu

17May

By adminNo Comments

Economy, News, Nigeria

Tinubu’s Economic Reforms Showing Positive Results – Bagudu

Abuja, May 17, 2024 – President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms have begun to bear fruit, according to the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu. Speaking to newsmen in Abuja on Friday, Bagudu highlighted the renewed faith in Nigeria's economy and the resurgence of foreign investor interest as key indicators of the reforms' success. In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Bola Adebiyi, Bagudu acknowledged the initial challenges posed by the removal of the petrol subsidy but emphasized the long-term benefits. "Although the removal of petrol subsidy caused some pain, the policy has increased the quantum of funds available to the three tiers of government to invest in critical infrastructure," Bagudu stated. He argued that these investments woul...