Category: News - Page 2 - African News Today

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

23May

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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

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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, ...

Monaco Midfielder Faces Sanctions for not Supporting LGBTQ

22May

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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

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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...

Renewed Hope Has Turned to Hopelessness – Prof Usman Yusuf

20May

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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

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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

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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...

ADB Commits $2 Billion to Clean Cooking Access in Africa

16May

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Africa, African Development, Environment, Finance, Infrastructure, News, Safety

ADB Commits $2 Billion to Clean Cooking Access in Africa

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has pledged a monumental $2 billion over the next decade towards enhancing access to clean cooking solutions in Africa. This commitment was announced during a landmark summit on Clean Cooking in Africa held in Paris, where the Bank's President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, emphasized the critical importance of safe cooking alternatives beyond just culinary needs, highlighting the profound impact on dignity. The significance of this commitment lies in its potential to save the lives of approximately 600,000 individuals annually, predominantly women and children. The AfDB plans to allocate 20% of its energy project financing towards promoting safe cooking alternatives, aiming to address the prevalent use of charcoal, wood, and biomass for cooking in Africa. ...

South Africa’s Contentious Healthcare Bill Signed into Law

16May

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Elections, Legislature, News, South Africa

South Africa’s Contentious Healthcare Bill Signed into Law

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the National Health Insurance (NHI) bill into law on Wednesday, sparking both hope and controversy across the nation. The bill, enacted just two weeks before a crucial general election, aims to deliver quality healthcare to all South Africans, regardless of income. However, concerns loom large over its implementation amidst fears of corruption and budget constraints. The ruling African National Congress (ANC), facing the possibility of losing its parliamentary majority for the first time post-apartheid, sees the NHI as a vital step towards equitable healthcare. Currently, 80% of citizens rely on stretched state-run health services, while only 16% have access to private healthcare through medical aid schemes. See Also: One Million Afric...

Reps Wants Nigerians Educated on the Cyber Crimes Levy

16May

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Finance, Legislature, News, Nigeria, Security

Reps Wants Nigerians Educated on the Cyber Crimes Levy

In a recent session, the House of Representatives took steps to address what it termed misconceptions surrounding the Cyber Crimes Act to ensure its effective implementation. The directive, aimed at the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), stressed the importance of public awareness and correct execution of the law. The motion, presented by the House Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, along with seven others, highlighted concerns regarding the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024. The House emphasized the need to rectify misinterpretations of the law and dispel any erroneous perceptions of its enforcement. During the session, Chinda referenced a previous motion on May 9, 2024, which focused on the ...