Regional News
2,600 persons, mostly women and children, have been killed following attacks on 50 Benue communities between January 2023 and February 2024, Amnesty International says. Amnesty International Programme Director, Barbara Magaji, disclosed this during a photo exhibition and news conference on Wednesday, in Makurdi. Mrs Magaji further said 18 out of the 23 local government areas (LGAs) in the state, were constantly under security threats by armed attackers.
Nigerian Army Dismisses Claim of Recruiting Jihadists – PRNigeria News
The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to an audio-visual recording circulating on various online platforms, purportedly showing a misleading report suggesting that the NA is recruiting Islamic fundamentalists and jihadists. The footage also falsely portrayed an officer calling on Muslim young men to join the military to protect and propagate Islam.
UN report shows 2023 was worst year for children in armed conflict | Africanews
The United Nations says 2023 marked the highest number of violations against children in nearly a decade. Virginia Gamba, the U.N.’s special representative for children told the Security Council that the U.N. has verified 32,990 grave violations against 22,557 children in 2023. Gamba said the violations included the killing and maiming of children, followed by recruitment and use, denial of humanitarian access and abduction.
21 Nigerien soldiers killed in ambush by ‘terrorist group,’ ruling junta says | Africanews
An ambush by a “terrorist group” killed 21 Nigerien soldiers near the country’s border with Burkina Faso on Tuesday, Niger’s ruling military junta said in a statement read on national television. The statement Tuesday evening did not specify which group was behind the attack. Niger is struggling with a deadly security crisis involving several armed groups. Last week, the rebel Patriotic Liberation Front attacked a China-backed pipeline and threatened more attacks if the $400 million deal with China isn’t cancelled.
Again, Bandits Attack Mosque in Zamfara, Kill Two and Abduct Muslim Worshippers – PRNigeria News
In the early hours of Tuesday, armed bandits attacked a mosque in the Tazame community, located in the Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State. PRNigeria gathered that the bandits stormed the community as Muslims were preparing for early morning prayers, blocking the entrance to the mosque and shooting randomly. The Imam was shot and injured, while the Muazzin (Ladan), who calls Muslims to prayer, was killed along with his younger brother.
As Operation Lake Sanity intensifies, more BH terrorists surrender – Yerwa Express News (yen.ng)
Three Boko Haram terrorists have surrendered to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) operating in the Lake Chad region. The latest surrenders occurred after Operation Lake Sanity II intensified operations across the region. The task force introduced the new operation to flush out the remnants of terrorist activities. Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, MNJTF spokesperson, stated that two fighters surrendered in Cameroon’s Sector 1: Rawagana Mustapha, 18, and Mustapha Ali, 20
ICC convicts al-Qaida-linked leader of atrocities in Mali | Africanews
The International Criminal Court on Wednesday convicted an al-Qaida-linked extremist leader of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Mali, notably for abusing prisoners as the de facto chief of the Islamic police in the historic desert city of Timbuktu. Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud sat stoically while the decision finding him guilty of torture and cruel treatment between 2012 and 2013 was read out.
Nigeria to ban single-use plastics from January | Africanews
Nigeria is one of the world’s top plastic polluters, generating over 2.5 million tons of plastic waste annually. The need for a more comprehensive waste collection system and limited recycling facilities means that over 70 per cent of it ends up in the sea or in landfills. Now, Nigeria has become the latest African country to join the fight against the global plastic crisis by banning single-use plastics, notably straws, cutlery, plastic bottles, and water sachets.
Death toll from Kano’s mosque attack rises to 23 – Daily Trust
The death toll from the arson attack on worshippers by a 38-year-old Shafi’u Abubakar at a mosque in Larabar Abasawa community of Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano in May, 2024, has increased to 23, leaving only two survivors. Checks by a Daily Trust correspondent on Wednesday at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, where the victims of the attack received treatment, revealed that 22 out of the 24 admitted were dead.
Cameroon: French court backs Douala port in Bolloré dispute | Africanews
On June 19, the Court of Cassation in Paris ruled in favor of the Port of Douala (PAD) in its dispute with the French group Bolloré over container terminal concessions. The court overturned a previous decision by the Paris Chamber of Commerce, which had ordered the port to pay €58.6 million to a Bolloré subsidiary that lost a bid for the concession. This marks a major victory for the Port of Douala in a five-year legal battle against Douala International Terminal (DIT), formerly a Bolloré subsidiary now owned by MSC Group. DIT had sued the port after losing the contract renewal for the container terminal.
Malian singer detained in Italy in child custody dispute | Africanews
Award-winning Malian singer Rokia Traore was set to perform at the Rome Colosseum on Sunday (Jun. 23) but was arrested before that and the event cancelled. The singer and Belgian playwright Jan Goosens have gone to court in France, Mali and Belgium to gain full custody of their daughter. With verdicts reportedly giving either one the custody. A Belgian court ruled last year that Traoré failed to hand over “a child to the person entitled to custody.” Traore had been arrested in Paris in 2020 on a European arrest warrant before defying a ban on leaving France.
Niger revokes French company’s operating licence at major uranium mine | Africanews
Niger’s military government has revoked the operating licence of French nuclear fuel producer, Orano, at one of the world’s biggest uranium mines, the company said on Thursday. The decision has highlighted tensions between the junta, which came to power in a coup in July last year, and the former colonial power, France. The military seized control of Niger on the pledge of cutting ties with the West, vowing to review mining concessions in the country, and ordering the withdrawal of Western troops. Orano said it has been told to leave the Imouraren mine in northern Niger, which sits on an estimated 200,000 tonnes of uranium that is vital for producing nuclear energy.
Burkinabe leader visits country’s main TV station after alleged attack | Africanews
The Burkina Faso military leader Ibrahim Traore visited the national television station in Ouagadougou Thursday to reassure the safety of the staff following a recent attack on their headquarters. Last week, the Radiodiffusion-Télévision du Burkina (RTB ) headquarters was hit by projectiles, causing considerable damage. Captain Traore’s visit was intended to assess the situation firsthand and provide moral support to the employees.
Terrorists Attack Police Officers In North West Nigeria, Steal Rifles – HumAngle (humanglemedia.com)
Terrorists operating in North West Nigeria attacked a police checkpoint in the Bukuyum area of Zamfara, killing one officer and injuring others on Sunday, June 23. The terrorists suddenly opened fire at the five police officers manning the checkpoint near a local bridge around 2:00 p.m. The broad daylight gun firing at the officers was done by three armed men, according to eyewitnesses. Usama Fawa, a local businessman who witnessed the attack, told HumAngle that the police officers were extorting passing vehicles when the terrorists opened fire at them.
Almajiri and out-of-school children – Daily Trust
To assist in eradicating the Almajiri system and reduction of out-of-school children to less than two per cent in Nigeria, I suggest you have a column in the Daily Trust tagged ALMAJIRI and Out-of-School Children’s Corner. Why do we have to eradicate Almajiri system in Nigeria? A prominent politician, of blessed memory, once mentioned that the children we refuse to train today will not allow the ones trained to rest. And if you look around, this is already happening in our country.
aljazeera.com/news/2024/6/23/dead-dozens-missing-after-gunmen-attack-in-northern-nigeria
At least seven people were killed and 100 kidnapped on Saturday night when gunmen attacked a rural community in Nigeria’s northwestern Katsina state, residents and police said on Sunday, in the latest attack against residents in the north of the country. State police spokesperson Abubakar Aliyu Sadiq confirmed the attack and the seven deaths, but would not say whether anyone was missing. He said police were investigating.
African athletics championships in Cameroon marred by shortcomings | Africanews
Under fire from critics, Cameroon has just organised its second African senior athletics championship which took place in the virtually empty Japoma Stadium in Douala. Nearly 800 athletes from all over the continent took part in this 23rd edition of the competition which, despite difficulties at the start, was a ticket to the Paris Olympics. “We know that the African championships were relocated from the first stadium. And frankly it was very hard for us to compete,” says Algeria’s Medhi Amar Rouana, who came third in pole vaulting.
Troops killed 2,245 terrorists in 3 months –Military – Daily Trust
The military high command says no fewer than 2245 terrorists were killed between April and June 2024, representing the second quarter of the the year. It also disclosed that at least 3,682 suspected terrorists and other criminal elements were arrested while 1,993 kidnapped hostages were rescued from the terrorists’ den in various theatres of operations. Director, Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, who revealed this to journalists during a press briefing at Defence Headquarters, Abuja also said troops recovered 2,783 weapons and 64,547 ammunition. Buba, a Major-General, also explained that the troops of the Nigerian military attached to “Operation Delta Safe”, also denied the oil thieves of siphoning an estimated sum over N10bn crude.
No fewer than 2.1 million persons aged between 15 and 64 years in the South-South region, use psychoactive substances, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has said. Stella Ngwoke, the Commander, NDLEA command in Port Harcourt Ports, made the disclosure in Onne on Wednesday at an event to mark the 2024 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse.
Navy destroys 10 illegal refining sites in Bayelsa – Daily Trust
The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base in Brass, Bayelsa State, has destroyed 10 illegal refinery sites with a total capacity of refined 100,000 litres of stolen crude in Nembe Local Government Area of the state. The Commanding Officer, Forward Operating Base (FORMOSO), Capt. Ifeanyichukwu Mabeokwu, who disclosed this to newsmen, said the Nigerian Navy was poised to ensure illegal refining site and crude oil theft in the Niger Delta were decimated.
Niger mining pit collapse: Over 30 still trapped, 3 weeks after – Daily Trust
More than three weeks after a mining pit collapsed in Galkogo, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, over 30 miners have remained trapped, victims’ families and residents said.
Daily Trust recalls that labourers were working inside the 400-metre-deep pit owned by African Minerals and Logistics Limited when it caved in on June 3 after a heavy rain the previous day.
Bandits kill 3 vigilantes, abduct over 20 farmers in Kaduna – Daily Trust
Suspected bandits attacked a local vigilantes’ camp in the Shuwaka area of the western Kamuku forest under Kakangi Ward in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State. The attack, which occurred on Tuesday evening, resulted in the deaths of three local vigilantes and the abduction of over 20 villagers.
Opposition activists arrested in a crackdown in Mali were moved to prisons | Africanews Opposition politicians who were arrested in a crackdown in Mali were sent to prisons across the country this week, their families said, in a move rights groups decried as another step back for the country where the ruling junta has suspended all political activities.
Mali, a landlocked nation in the semiarid region of Sahel, has been embroiled in political instability that swept across West and Central Africa over the last decade. The nation has seen two military coups since 2020 as an insurgency by jihadi groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group worsened. The junta has ruled the country with an iron fist, and earlier this year suspended all political activities.
Cameroonian footballer Landry Nguemo dies in a tragic road accident | Africanews Cameroonian footballer Landry Nguemo tragically died on Thursday at the age of 38 in a road accident near Yaoundé. Nguemo, who scored three goals in 42 appearances for the Indomitable Lions, retired from football in 2020. The accident occurred a few kilometers from Yaoundé when Nguemo’s car, driven by his chauffeur, collided with a sand truck. Both Ng’uemo and his chauffeur died on the spot. The president of the Cameroonian Football Federation and Nguemo’s former teammate, Samuel Eto’o, expressed his sorrow on social media.
Nigerian Troops Foil Attack, Eliminate 5 IPOB Terrorists – PRNigeria News
In a swift and decisive response, Nigerian troops deployed for counter-terrorism operations in Ebonyi State have successfully repelled an attack on the Ishieke Police Station, which came under assault by suspected IPOB terrorists. The attack resulted in the torching of the police facility and several vehicles.
Rainy Season: Military Adjusts Operations to Protect Farmers – PRNigeria News
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said that it is scaling up its operations to ensure the safety of farmers during the upcoming rainy season. Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, said the military has adjusted its priorities to protect farmers and facilitate a successful farming season. In a statement on Friday, General Buba also revealed that troops neutralized 220 terrorists, arrested 395 others, and rescued 202 hostages in the past week alone.
Abuja estate residents live in fear over frequent attacks by kidnappers (premiumtimesng.com) On the night of 21 April, Oliver was brutally killed at Leisure Court Estate in the Sabon Lugbe area of Abuja, where he worked as a gateman. His bullet-riddled body was recovered the following morning by the residents. “He saw the kidnappers attempting to enter a building, and he shot at them. Unknown to him, others were behind him. They shot him from the back,” Kayode Imole, a resident of the estate, told PREMIUM TIMES.
Samuel Eto’o questioned by CAF over match-fixing | Africanews
The interrogation of Samuel Eto’o comes ten months after he was accused of ivolvement in match-fixing by players. The President of Cameroon’s Football Federation had a session with the disciplinary panel of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Tuesday. There was no word on how he pleaded. The questioning took place behind closed doors. The allegations contend that Eto’o irregularly helped one club to rise to the top of the Cameroonian League two years ago. His accusers say they have supplied evidence pinning the former Barcelona player to CAF. The match-fixing charge is not the only one bothering Eto’o.
Peace and Security
West African defense chiefs propose a $2.6 billion security plan | Africanews
Defense chiefs of West Africa on Thursday, June 27 proposed a plan to deploy a 5,000-strong “standby force” to fight the region’s worsening security crises, a measure that analysts say might not work due to challenges of funding and division within the regional bloc. The plan, which will cost $2.6 billion annually, was proposed to heads of state at a meeting of defense officials in Nigeria’s capital of Abuja. The plan was also aimed at preventing further coups following a string of military takeovers that have destabilized the region, Nigeria’s Defense Minister Mohammed Badaru said.
Boko Haram: Truth Alliance takes counter-narrative drama to North East communities – PRNigeria News
In a continued effort to counter extremist ideologies, The Truth Alliance has launched a community drama series under its “Time to Tell the Truth” campaign, aimed at exposing the recruitment tactics used by terrorist groups in Borno State. This was contained in a statement on Tuesday by the group’s Spokesperson, Mr. Ahmed Mustapha. The event, which took place from June 24th to 25th, was staged across various communities, including Baga Road, Bolori, Bulumkutu, Gamboru, Hausari, and Showkari in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.
Is Burkina Faso on the cusp of another coup? | Conflict News | Al Jazeera
Recent shootings, first at the presidential palace, and then, at the site of a public broadcaster, in capital Ouagadougou, are fuelling suggestions that Burkina Faso may be edging towards another mutiny, amid a growing security crisis in the country. Military leader Captain Ibrahim Traore, – or “IB” as he is called locally – promised to secure the fighting-ravaged West African country, hold elections, and expedite the country’s transition to democracy when he first seized power in a coup in 2022.
US faces tense relations and troop reductions in Africa as Military leaders meet | Africanews
The forced U.S. troop withdrawals from bases in Niger and Chad and the potential to shift some troops to other nations in West Africa will be key issues as the top U.S. military officer meets with his counterparts this week at a chiefs of defense conference. Gen. CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived in Botswana Monday as the U.S. faces a critical inflexion point in Africa. Increasingly, military juntas that overthrew democratic governments in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are reassessing their ties to the U.S. and the West and turning instead to mercenaries linked to Russia for security assistance.
Mali civil society lauds war crimes conviction of Islamist police chief | Africanews
Civil society associations and leaders of Malian society, in Bamako, followed the trial of Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz live from the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague on Wednesday. After an hour’s reading of the verdict by the judge, Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz, the former commissioner of the Islamic police during the occupation of Timbuktu by armed jihadist groups linked to Al Qaeda, was found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
General Musa Bolsters Nigeria-US Security Cooperation in Botswana – PRNigeria News
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has strengthened Nigeria’s security ties with the United States to boost bilateral cooperation in the fight against insecurity. General Musa and General Charles Brown JR, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, met on the sidelines of the African Chiefs of Defence Conference in Botswana to explore opportunities for mutual benefits and enhanced cooperation.
Niger considers routing oil through Chad after Benin dispute | Africanews
A China-backed pipeline that would make Niger an oil-exporting country is being threatened by an internal security crisis and a diplomatic dispute with neighoring Benin, both as a result of last year’s coup that toppled the West African nation’s democratic government. The 1,930-kilometer (1,200-mile) pipeline runs from Niger’s Chinese-built Agadem oil field to the port of Cotonou in Benin. It was designed to help the oil-rich but landlocked Niger achieve an almost fivefold increase in oil production through a $400 million deal signed in April with China’s state-run national petroleum company.
“Exploitation continues in Africa, but through economic methods,” Lavrov | Africanews
Russian Foreign Minister reckons that the economy has been weaponized and that African countries are among those bearing the brunt. Sergey Lavrov was speaking Tuesday (Jun. 25) in Minsk at a meeting with students and teachers. “Among those countries that want to be independent and seek mutually respectful partnerships are China, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Vietnam. The list is not exhaustive. In Africa, many countries are increasingly asserting their national interests and understanding that exploitation continues, but through different economic methods.
Three months into Operation Lake Sanity 2, communities around the southern Lake Chad region are experiencing enhanced peace and security. The development was highlighted during a visit by the Chadian Sultan of Kinassaram, Abakar Yerima, to Task Force Kirta troops stationed in Darak, Cameroon, on June 26.
Bandits’ kingpin, Dogo Gide, protects farmers in Zamfara – Daily Trust
Residents of Magami in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State are celebrating the relocation of Dogo Gide, a notorious terrorism kingpin. Gide has instructed farmers to return to their fields without fear of abduction, Premium Times reported.
Insecurity: Military establishes new commands in Kaduna – Daily Trust
The military high command has established new commands in Kaduna State as part of efforts to tackle insecurity. The three new commands are located in Samaru Zango-Kataf, Giwa, and Birnin-Gwari. Additionally, the Air Force is set to establish a base in Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area.
Seek dialogue, COAS urges armed groups – Daily Trust
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja, has appealed to aggrieved Nigerians who have taken up arms against the state to lay down their weapons and seek dialogue to resolve their grievances. Lagbaja made this appeal on Wednesday shortly after addressing troops at the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps in Bauchi.
BLOODY: Troops Kill 2,245 Boko Haram, IPOB Terrorists in 90 Days – PRNigeria News
The resolve of the armed forces is very clear and it is to destroy the terrorist and dismantle their military capabilities in order for citizens to be safe. Accordingly, troops are actively fighting in different forms and retain operational flexibility which gives us the ability to respond to different events and to project forces according to strategic needs.
The Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund (ATJLF), a public charity, has announced a substantial commitment of $2.68 million in grants and legacy projects to support transitional justice efforts across six West African countries. According to ATJLF, $1,555,000 will be allocated to 15 civil society organisations in Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Mali, Northeast Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia.
African Standby Force@20: Time for operationalisation – Daily Trust
The African Standby Force (ASF), established by the African Union (AU) to implement the continent’s right to intervene in situations that require military force, just clocked 20 years.
Conceived as an international, continental and multidisciplinary peacekeeping force with military, police and civilian contingents, its troops were to be stationed in their countries of origin and ready for rapid deployment under the AU. Operationally, five regional brigade-sized standby forces were to be stationed, each in east, west, central, north and southern Africa. Each brigade was envisaged to have about 5,000 members for an overall strength of 25,000 personnel.
Will France face energy shortfall after Niger cuts uranium supply? (trtworld.com)
The Niger military administration’s decision to cancel the permit for a major uranium mine operated by the French company Orano has reinforced the increased friction between the nation’s former colonial ruler and the junta as it pursues further disengagement from France. Niger is one of the world’s biggest producers of uranium, ranked at number seven, according to the World Nuclear Association (WNA). French nuclear power plants have sourced uranium mined in Niger by Orano, formerly known as Areva, for more than fifty years.
Niger army says it killed ‘influential’ Daesh member (trtworld.com)
Niger’s army said it had killed a key member of the Daesh terror group during a military raid in the west of the African country. The clash took place in the Tillaberi region in the vast and unstable “three borders” zone between Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. Extremist insurgents have staged attacks there for years despite the massive deployment of security forces. The army said it had killed Abdoulaye Souleymane Idouwal, whom it described as “an influential member” of Daesh, during a raid on Friday.
Don’t allow tribalism into your affairs, Sultan tells Nigerian Army – Daily Trust
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called on the Nigerian Army to resist tribalism, warning that it could divide the institution and the country. The Sultan made this plea on Wednesday in Bauchi during the commissioning of the newly constructed Nigerian Army Armoured Corps headquarters complex and the reunion and pulling out parade of retired senior armoured officers.
Humanitarian
IOM Launches New Rapid Response Fund In North Central State – HumAngle (humanglemedia.com)
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that nearly 400,000 displaced persons in Benue state, North-central Nigeria, live in about 26 camps and camp-like settings across 17 LGAs. Years of inter-communal conflict and farmer-herder crisis associated with shrinking natural resources have left a trail of violence in its wake. Lives have been lost and thousands displaced. To address this humanitarian crisis, the IOM, with funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has launched the Rapid Response Fund (RRF) in the state.
6 students drown in Kaduna River after exams – Daily Trust
Six teenagers, on Tuesday drowned in Mbang river at Ribang village, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The tragedy occurred around 5:30pm as the students were returning home from their West African Junior School Examinations. The victims, identified as Manasseh Monday (16), Musa John (16), Pius David (15), Monday Ayuba (16), David Danlami (19) and Yahuza Audu (16), were students of Government Secondary School, Fadan Chawai.
MNJTF launches free medical outreach in Cameroon – Yerwa Express News (yen.ng)
The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) launched a week-long free medical outreach program in Cameroon’s Sector 1. The program, which began on June 26th, targeted residents in Darak, Kofia, Hile Alifa, and Soueram
Target widows for empowerment, FG urged – Daily Trust
The President of Rock of Ages Empowerment Foundation (RAEF), Evang. Ignatius Newman, has urged the federal government to evolve a special scheme to empower widows in the country. He made the call at the distribution of different food and non-food items to over 1,200 widows in Abuja as part of events to mark the 2024 International Widows Day Monday in Abuja.
Playback Nigeria launches project to tackle violence against women – Daily Trust
Playback Nigeria, with the support of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Women Affairs Secretariat, has inaugurated a groundbreaking initiative aimed at tackling violence against women and girls in Nigeria, called “Maru-a-pula.” Playback Nigeria is an art-based organisation dedicated to using interactive arts for psychosocial support, community interaction, enhancement, development and capacity building.
Nearly 24 hours after Borno State High Court Judge, Justice Haruna Mshelia, his wife, driver, and a police security guard were abducted by members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in northeastern Nigeria, the state remains in confusion as there has been no communication from the captors. The incident, which took place in the evening of Monday, June 24, has sent shockwaves throughout the state as it marks the first abduction of a serving High Court Judge by Boko Haram or ISWAP since the insurgency began.
200 widows grace Helpline’s skills exhibition in Abuja – Daily Trust
No fewer than 200 widows Wednesday graced Helpline Social Support Initiative’s Skills Exhibition and Charity Sales with their variety of products and services. The event was organised by Helpline to celebrate the talents and resilience of widows on the occasion of 2024 International Widows Day with participants drawn from the six FCT area councils.
Researchers fear new ‘most dangerous’ mpox strain could cross borders (trtworld.com)
A new deadlier strain of mpox that transmits more easily between people is killing children and causing miscarriages in the Democratic Republic of Congo and may have already spread to neighbouring countries, researchers have warned. All countries should be preparing for “this new strain before it spreads to other places, before it is too late,” John Claude Udahemuka, a researcher at the University of Rwanda studying the outbreak, told AFP news agency.
Food security: Oxfam, others seek sustainable seed solutions – Daily Trust
Oxfam Nigeria, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) have called for a shift from the continuous distribution of free seeds to a more sustainable approach that empowers communities to produce their own seeds. They made the call at a one-day roundtable dialogue with humanitarian actors and stakeholders on Wednesday in Abuja.
Refugees in Burkina Faso take up entrepreneurship to avoid relying on charity (voaafrica.com)
Burkina Faso is home to a large number of Internally Displaced People, IDPs, due to eight years of insecurity. They live in various towns across the country. But in the capital Ouagadougou, some are now trying to adapt by taking up jobs or starting businesses instead of depending on charity. VOA’s Gildas Da met with some of the IDPs and has this report.
Man mobbed for ‘stealing’ pot of rice in FCT council – Daily Trust
A 23-year-old scavenger simply identified as Nura was reportedly manhandled by a mob for allegedly stealing a pot of rice at Kango community in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). A resident of Kango, Ayuba Iliya, said the incident happened on Tuesday around 11:23am when the scavenger allegedly took away the pot of rice on fire at a compound in the area.
Mobilization and economic development
Nigeria borrowed N7.71 tr in Q1 2024 – DMO – Daily Trust
The Debt Management Office (DMO) Wednesday clarified that Nigeria’s fresh borrowing was N7.71 trillion in the first quarter of 2024. It explained that the fresh borrowing includes N2.81 trillion as part of the new domestic borrowing of N6.06 trillion provided in the 2024 Appropriation Act and N4.90 trillion as part of the securitization of the N7.3 trillion Ways and Means Advances approved by the National Assembly.
Bvndle, UBA partner to Empower Businesses, Customers In Nigeria – Daily Trust
Bvndle, a customer engagement and loyalty platform, says it is set to redefine how Nigerians experience rewards and loyalty programs. In a statement, the platform said is designed with the modern consumer at its core. “Bvndle addresses the frustrations often associated with traditional loyalty programs, delivering meaningful rewards and personalised experiences that make every Naira count. “Through Bvndle, customers earn rewards by simply engaging in their everyday activities – shopping, dining, or utilising services from Bvndle’s extensive network of partners.
NUPRC seeks improved value delivery for 1.67bn crude reserve – Daily Trust
The Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) yesterday stressed the need for improved value addition to the heavy crude reserves in Nigeria to leverage on the rich. Commission’s chief executive, Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, spoke at the opening of a two-day workshop aimed at developing the daily national oil production and unlocking the full potential resources of oil fields.
Sterling Bank unveils N5bn SMEDAN fund – Daily Trust
Sterling Bank has partnered with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to launch the Databanc platform. The platform will serve as a single source of truth for data on businesses in Nigeria to guide personalised interventions and support from decision makers who serve the MSME ecosystem.
NELFUND Board meets on disbursement of student loan – Daily Trust
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has met over the approval for disbursement of student loan to successful applicants. The fund discussed the approval and other issues during its inaugural Board meetingon Wednesday in Abuja.
Nigerian governors assure workers of better minimum wage – Yerwa Express News (yen.ng)
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, has assured workers of a better new minimum wage from the ongoing negotiations between the government, private sector and organised labour. The governors gave the assurance in a communiqué signed by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, chairman of the forum after a meeting in Abuja on Wednesday. The forum promised continued engagement with key stakeholders to reach a mutually agreeable solution.
The Senate on Thursday extended the implementation of the capital component of the 2023 budget till 31 December. The upper chamber also extended the implementation of the N2.17 trillion 2023 supplementary budget till December. This follows the request of President Bola Tinubu for the extension of the implementation of both budgets.
Nigeria’s cryptocurrency market worth over $400m – SEC – Daily Trust
The Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Emomotimi Agama, has stated that Nigeria’s cryptocurrency market is estimated to be worth over $400 million, with a significant portion of the population involved in cryptocurrency trading and transactions. Speaking at the 2024 Annual Conference of the Association of Capital Market Academics of Nigeria (ACMAN) on Thursday in Abuja, with the theme ‘Crypto Assets and the Nigerian Economy: Implications for Financial Markets Regulation’, the SEC DG said the volume of the cryptocurrency market in Nigeria would hit $52.5 million in 2028, indicating a 12.66 per cent increase between 2024 and 2028.
