Category: Africa - Page 9 - African News Today

My Focus is Accountability and Development in Abia State – Otti

6May

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Corruption, News, Nigeria

My Focus is Accountability and Development in Abia State – Otti

In a resolute declaration of his administration's priorities, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State laid out his agenda aimed at fostering accountability, recovering looted funds, and driving development initiatives across the state. Speaking during a solidarity visit in Nvosi, Governor Otti reiterated his unwavering commitment to steering Abia State towards prosperity while addressing pressing issues of governance and financial transparency. Governor Otti emphasized the paramount importance of accountability in governance, asserting that his administration's foremost objective is to reclaim misappropriated funds and ensure that public resources are judiciously utilized for the benefit of the people. Central to this agenda is the pursuit of accountability for the alleged misallocation of fu...

Minister Declares Press Freedom, while Journalist Arrests Mount

5May

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Human Rights, Justice, Law Enforcement, News, Nigeria

Minister Declares Press Freedom, while Journalist Arrests Mount

Mohammed Idris, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, celebrated government's commitment to press freedom despite evidence to the contrary. Making this bold proclamation during a press briefing held on Friday, the Minister stated that since Bola Tinubu assumed office as President on May 29, 2023, no journalist has been detained in Nigeria. The occasion for this declaration was a press briefing jointly organized by the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the Federal Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to mark the 2024 World Press Freedom Day. Idris further claimed that Tinubu’s administration had fostered the most conducive environment for journalists, off...

4May

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Nigeria, United Nations

42 Dead in Measles Outbreak in Adamawa

In Adamawa, Nigeria, a devastating measles outbreak has claimed the lives of at least 42 people within just over a week, as confirmed by Felix Tangwami, the state's health commissioner. The outbreak has primarily struck two local government areas, where nearly 200 suspected cases have been identified. Tangwami addressed the concerning situation during a media briefing on Friday, stating that measures are being taken to contain the outbreak. Vaccines have been swiftly dispatched to the affected areas, and field teams are actively working to manage the crisis. Measles, a highly contagious airborne virus, predominantly targets children under the age of five. The disease can be prevented through two doses of vaccine. Initial symptoms include high fever, cough, and runny nose, often acco...

Reopening of Kenyan Schools Postponed Amid Ongoing Flood Crisis

4May

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Education, Environment, Kenya, News, Safety

Reopening of Kenyan Schools Postponed Amid Ongoing Flood Crisis

Kenyan President William Ruto has postponed next week’s planned reopening of schools until further notice, as heavy rains and floods that have killed more than 200 people continue. The president in his state of the nation address on Friday said that “meteorological reports paint a dire picture,” citing the possibility of Cyclone Hidaya hitting coastal Kenya in coming days. Kenya and other parts of East Africa have been overwhelmed by flooding, with more than 150,000 displaced people living in camps across the country. Schools were to reopen this week, but the education ministry postponed that by a week. Students will now wait for the announcement of new reopening dates as some schools remain flooded and others have been damaged. Some displaced people have been living in schools whil...

Chad’s President Expected to Win as Country Heads to Polls

4May

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Chad, Elections, News

Chad’s President Expected to Win as Country Heads to Polls

Chad braces itself for presidential elections on Monday, with incumbent President General Mahamat Idriss Deby widely anticipated to secure a comfortable victory. Deby ascended to power three years ago following the death of his father, Idriss Déby Itno, who was reportedly killed in combat while battling rebels seeking to overthrow his administration. The elder Deby had governed Chad with a firm grip for thirty years. A career military officer, the current president initially pledged to organize elections within 18 months of assuming office. However, his government postponed the polls, allowing Deby to participate as a candidate for the presidency. Despite assertions from the government that the election would restore constitutional governance, opposition factions express skepticism, vo...

4May

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Corruption, Crime, Finance, Law Enforcement, News, Nigeria

58 Governors Looted N2.187 Trn in 25 Yrs – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has made staggering allegations that suggest no fewer than 58 former governors of Nigeria have been involved in looting, embezzlement, laundering, or misappropriating a sum totaling N2.187 trillion over a span of 25 years. These revelations were disclosed by the EFCC, excluding seized properties across the globe and other assets under probe, which purportedly amount to billions of Naira. The alleged N2.2 trillion looting spree, as per EFCC's claims, is equivalent to the entire budget of Lagos State for the year 2024, which stands at N2.25 trillion. Moreover, it surpasses the combined budget of the South-East states for 2024, totaling N2.29 trillion. The sum is also notably higher than the 2024 budgets of the North-Central states and N...

Police Inspector Cuts Off Wife’s Wrist in Jos

4May

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Crime, News, Nigeria, Security, Violence

Police Inspector Cuts Off Wife’s Wrist in Jos

A Police Inspector in Jos Plateau state has been arrested for cutting off his wife's wrist. For Mrs. Hauwa Shagari, a mother of three young children, the harrowing ordeal of Saturday, April 27, 2024, is one that she will not soon forget. What began as a day like any other swiftly turned into a nightmare, culminating in her hospitalization and a life-altering injury inflicted by her husband, Ibrahim Shagari, a Police Inspector. The incident, born from a minor disagreement over finances, has shocked the community, prompting calls for justice for the victim. Narrating her near-death experience from her hospital bed at the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Mrs. Shagari recounted the events that led to her grievous injury. She described how a seemingly innocuous disagreement with her inebriat...

Shettima Attributes Economic Calamity to Buhari, Calls it “Death Sentence” Crisis

3May

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Economy, News, Nigeria

Shettima Attributes Economic Calamity to Buhari, Calls it “Death Sentence” Crisis

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has once again pointed fingers at former President Muhammadu Buhari, his party colleague, for the unprecedented economic catastrophe plaguing Nigeria. This dire situation is attributed to the removal of petrol subsidies and the floating of the naira, coupled with years of unsustainable borrowing during Mr. Buhari's tenure. Despite opposition from prominent figures and warnings about the repercussions of Buhari's economic policies, he remained steadfast, leading the nation towards economic turmoil. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo's attempts to change course fell on deaf ears, and now, Mr. Shettima admits that Buhari's legacy left President Bola Tinubu with an "economic death sentence." See Also: Be Prepared for the Worst, Buhari Tells Intending Leade...

3May

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Economy, Finance, News, Nigeria

Naira Declines in May Trading Session

In the opening trading session of May at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) window, the Nigerian Naira experienced a slight decline, settling at N1,402.67 to the US dollar. This marks a decrease of 0.83% from the previous close of N1,390.96 in April, according to market data from the Financial Markets Dealers Quotations (FMDQ). Throughout the trading day, the Naira witnessed fluctuations, reaching a peak of N1,445 and a low of N1,299.42 against the dollar. This significant spread of N145.58 reflects the volatility observed in the forex market. Meanwhile, the volume of dollar transactions saw a modest rise of 3.32%, totaling $232.84 million, up from $225.36 million on the preceding Tuesday. In contrast, the parallel market saw the Naira weakening further, drop...

Dele Momodu Decries APC’s Alleged Attempts to Destabilize Opposition

3May

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Elections, Justice, News, Nigeria

Dele Momodu Decries APC’s Alleged Attempts to Destabilize Opposition

Dele Momodu, a prominent figure within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating a campaign to undermine and destabilize the opposition party. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television's Politics Today on Thursday, Momodu expressed concerns over what he perceives as the APC's concerted efforts to weaken the PDP. According to Momodu, the APC is employing various tactics to dismantle the opposition, including attempts to co-opt susceptible individuals, intimidate those who resist, and sow discord within the party's ranks. "The APC will do everything possible to destroy opposition; buy those who are buyable, to terrorize those who are not buyable and make sure that the party is in disarray, that is all," ass...