{"id":53439,"date":"2025-04-04T15:38:43","date_gmt":"2025-04-04T13:38:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/?p=53439"},"modified":"2025-04-04T15:38:43","modified_gmt":"2025-04-04T13:38:43","slug":"press-review-28-march-to-april-03-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/press-review-28-march-to-april-03-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Press review 28 March to April 03, 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<h5><strong>Regional News<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dailytrust.com\/gunmen-kill-20-in-fresh-attacks-on-plateau-communities\/\">Gunmen kill 20 in fresh attacks on Plateau communities &#8211; Daily Trust<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Ten people were killed and many others injured on Wednesday in a series of attacks on five communities in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, bringing the total death toll in the LGA to 20 within one week. The attackers also burned houses, while several residents remain missing. The latest assault happened six days after gunmen killed 10 people and injured three others during a wake-keep ceremony in Ruwi, also in Bokkos LGA.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/issafrica.org\/iss-today\/urgent-au-action-could-defuse-rising-chad-sudan-tensions?utm_source=BenchmarkEmail&amp;utm_campaign=ISS_Weekly&amp;utm_medium=email\">Urgent AU action could defuse rising Chad\u2013Sudan tensions | ISS Africa<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Mediation by the African Union\u2019s High-Level Panel on Sudan could end the warmongering and strengthen regional security. When civil war started in Sudan in April 2023, the United Nations (UN) warned that the conflict could seep through the country\u2019s borders and spread. The likelihood of that happening is increasing with the Sudanese Armed Forces\u2019 (SAF) recent threats against its neighbours, Chad and South Sudan.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/issafrica.org\/iss-today\/grave-risks-for-cameroon-as-soldiers-desert-to-fight-in-ukraine?utm_source=BenchmarkEmail&amp;utm_campaign=ISS_Weekly&amp;utm_medium=email\">Grave risks for Cameroon as soldiers desert to fight in Ukraine | ISS Africa<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Cameroon faces a multitude of security threats and cannot afford to lose its soldiers to the Russia-Ukraine war. The desertion of soldiers to fight in Ukraine weakens the operational capacity of several African militaries and the stability of the affected countries. Cameroon\u2019s government recently highlighted the trend which, although not new, has intensified since Russia invaded Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/humanglemedia.com\/joint-forces-kill-several-terrorists-in-gao-region-of-mali\/\">Joint Forces Kill Several Terrorists in Gao Region of Mali &#8211; HumAngle<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The joint forces of the Alliance of West African States, popularly known by the French acronym AES, killed \u201cseveral terrorists\u201d during an operation in Hourara and Fitilli in the Gao region of Mali. A communique from the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIRPA) of the Malian armed forces, FAMa, was made public on March 31. Following intelligence shared with the AES forces, the soldiers were able to intercept a vehicle driven by two terrorists in Djidara, Gao region.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumtimesng.com\/news\/top-news\/785561-nigerian-military-kills-terrorist-commanders-fighters.html\">Nigerian military kills terrorist commanders, fighters<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Nigerian military says its troops deployed in different operations, killed key terrorist commanders and several of their foot soldiers in the first quarter of the year. The Director, Defence Media Operations, Markus Kangye, a major general, made this known while briefing journalists on operations of the military on Thursday in Abuja. Mr Kangye said the first quarter, spanning January to March, witnessed aggressive operational tempo by the gallant troops in conjunction with hybrid forces and other security agencies across all theatres.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dailytrust.com\/just-in-tinubu-embarks-on-2-week-visit-to-france\/\">Tinubu to embark on 2-week visit to France &#8211; Daily Trust<\/a><\/p>\n<p>President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart for Paris, France, today on a working visit. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy in a statement said during the visit, the President will appraise his administration\u2019s mid-term performance and assess key milestones. The President will also use the retreat to review the progress of ongoing reforms and engage in strategic planning ahead of his administration\u2019s second anniversary.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dailytrust.com\/2-dead-13-missing-in-bayelsa-boat-mishap\/\">2 dead, 13 missing in Bayelsa boat mishap &#8211; Daily Trust<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Two persons have lost their lives, while 13 are still missing following a head-on collision of two boats at Akede community waterfront in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA) of Bayelsa State. A source told\u00a0Daily Trust\u00a0that the incident which occured on Tuesday evening involved a speedboat carrying passengers and a fishing boat.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/yen.ng\/yen2\/2025\/03\/updated-three-soldiers-wounded-mrap-destroyed-in-terrorist-attack-on-borno-base\">UPDATED: Three soldiers wounded, MRAP destroyed in terrorist attack on Borno base &#8211; Yerwa Express News<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Three soldiers of Nigerian Army have sustained injuries during a recent Boko Haram terrorist attack on a military base in Doron Baga, a community of Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State. The attack also resulted in the destruction of a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/media-telecom\/mtn-cameroon-wins-court-appeal-release-seized-assets-2025-04-02\/\">MTN Cameroon wins court appeal to release seized assets | Reuters<\/a><\/p>\n<p>A Cameroon appeals court has ordered the release of South African mobile operator MTN&#8217;s bank accounts in the country, which were seized in 2022 over a loan dispute with a Cameroonian businessman, MTN said. A court order froze MTN Group&#8217;s\u00a0(MTNJ.J), opens new tab\u00a0Cameroon accounts containing 14 billion CFA francs ($23.20 million) in September 2022.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.africanews.com\/2025\/04\/02\/sahel-ministers-visit-moscow-to-strengthen-ties-with-russia\/\">Sahel ministers visit Moscow to strengthen ties with Russia | Africanews<\/a><\/p>\n<p>In a significant shift in the region&#8217;s diplomatic and security landscape, the foreign ministers of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger will visit Moscow this week to deepen their strategic ties with Russia. Scheduled for April 3-4, this marks the first AES-Russia consultations since the formation of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) in 2024. The visit underscores a growing pivot away from former colonial power France and the regional organization ECOWAS, with these West African nations, governed by military juntas following a series of coups between 2020 and 2023, seeking political and military support from Moscow.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/yen.ng\/yen2\/2025\/04\/police-rescue-2-abducted-varsity-students-in-nasarawa\">Police rescue 2 abducted varsity students in Nasarawa &#8211; Yerwa Express News<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Police Command in Nasarawa State says it has rescued two students of the Federal University of Lafia, FULafia, who were kidnapped on Sunday, March 30. SP Ramhan Nansel, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, stated this in a statement issued to journalists on Tuesday in Lafia.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/yen.ng\/yen2\/2025\/04\/ex-police-officer-kills-2-family-members-over-land-dispute\">Ex-police officer kills 2 family members over land dispute &#8211; Yerwa Express News<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Yovoyan community in Badagry, Lagos, was thrown into mourning on Tuesday morning when an ex-police officer, allegedly shot and killed two family members and one other person over a land dispute. A Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria learnt that Richard Atideka, Latevi Atideka, both from Yovoyan<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/yen.ng\/yen2\/2025\/03\/army-repels-terrorist-attacks-on-military-base-in-borno\">Army repels terrorist attacks on military base in Borno &#8211; Yerwa Express News<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Troops of the Nigerian Army repelled a Boko Haram attack on a military base in Doron Baga, a community within the Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State. The attack occurred on Thursday at 2:00 AM, sending residents fleeing for safety as terrorists launched assaults from different directions.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/en.journalducameroun.com\/cameroon-celebrates-literary-season-with-new-novel-release-and-debates\/\">Cameroon Celebrates Literary Season with New Novel Release and Debates &#8211; Journal du Cameroun<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The novel explores the question of whether Africans should sacrifice their identity, authenticity, heritage, customs, and traditions on the altar of Western modernity. This thought-provoking theme was the subject of a debate last Friday, moderated by journalist Chetah Bile, with\u00a0Professor Henri Ngoa Tabi\u00a0and\u00a0Dr. Maurice Simo Djom\u00a0as panelists. The discussion focused on \u201cFor a New African Narrative: Issues and Challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/en.journalducameroun.com\/cameroons-diaspora-kitchen-a-feast-for-the-senses-the-soul\/\">Cameroon&#8217;s Diaspora Kitchen: A Feast For The Senses, The Soul &#8211; Journal du Cameroun<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The brainchild of former Minister of Arts and Culture,\u00a0Ama Tutu Muna,\u00a0Diaspora Kitchen\u00a0brought together a melting pot of culinary talent, featuring over 50 chefs from Cameroon, the diaspora, and across the globe. From seasoned professionals to aspiring culinary artists, they converged to celebrate the rich tapestry of African cuisine, showcasing both time-honored traditions and exciting new interpretations.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/cg41qg74y04o\">Nigeria&#8217;s durbar: The spectacular horse parade closing Ramadan<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Booming gunfire, vibrant gowns and blaring trumpets have animated the Nigerian city of Dutse during the durbar.<\/p>\n<p>This is a days-long horse parade held to mark Eid al-Fitr, a celebration for the end of the Ramadan. Emirs &#8211; traditional Islamic leaders &#8211; usually parade through their territories with a huge procession of horseback riders.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dailytrust.com\/air-peaces-london-flight-emirates-return-reduced-intl-air-fares\/\">\u2018Air Peace\u2019s London flight, Emirates\u2019 return reduced int\u2019l air fares\u2019 &#8211; Daily Trust<\/a><\/p>\n<p>On the international scene, Ohunayo noted that the introduction of Air Peace on the Lagos-London route and the return of Emirates were able to bring down fares marginally. He added, \u201cIt also helped in increasing the number of passengers on the international routes and other airlines like Rwanda Air and Air Maroc etc had to adjust their fares with the introduction of Air Peace and with that there were more people who took advantage of that to travel.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumtimesng.com\/news\/top-news\/785565-dhq-dismisses-reports-of-nigers-mnjtf-withdrawal.html\">DHQ dismisses reports of Niger\u2019s MNJTF withdrawal<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0Defence Headquarters\u00a0(DHQ) has dismissed reports of Niger Republic\u2019s withdrawal from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), stating that such a move would have serious security implications.<\/p>\n<p>The Director of Defence Media Operations, Markus Kangye, a major general, addressed the media on Thursday in Abuja, emphasising the critical role of the MNJTF in regional security. The MNJTF was formed in 1994 by countries of the Lake Chad Commission to fight terrorism and other transboundary crimes in member states. Members of the Force are Niger, Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon, and the Benin Republic.<\/p>\n<h5>Peace and Security<\/h5>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.africanews.com\/2025\/04\/04\/un-concerned-after-niger-quits-force-fighting-armed-islamist-groups\/\">UN concerned after Niger quits force fighting armed Islamist groups | Africanews<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General has expressed concern over Niger\u2019s decision to withdraw from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNTJF) \u00a0fighting armed Islamist groups in West Africa. Leonardo Santos Sim\u00e3o, who is also head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), on Thursday told the Security Council that it was crucial to the region that the military coalition continues its operations.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.africanews.com\/2025\/04\/03\/russias-lavrov-accuses-ukraine-of-destabilising-sahel\/\">Russia&#8217;s Lavrov accuses Ukraine of destabilising Sahel | Africanews<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Russia&#8217;s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused Ukraine of trying to &#8220;destabilize&#8221; the Sahel region on Thursday. Lavrov made the comments at a news briefing in Moscow following talks with three of his counterparts from the Confederation of Sahel States. &#8220;Some players outside the sahel continue attempts to destabilize the region. Besides former colonizers, this also includes the recently Kyiv regime, which openly supports terrorist groups in this part of Africa while its Western sponsors turn a blind eye to it.&#8221; Sergey Lavrov told reporters.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/issafrica.org\/iss-today\/can-west-african-nations-come-together-to-stop-terrorism-spreading?utm_source=BenchmarkEmail&amp;utm_campaign=ISS_Weekly&amp;utm_medium=email\">Can West African nations come together to stop terrorism spreading? | ISS Africa<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Mistrust between AES and ECOWAS countries must be overcome to enable intelligence sharing and security cooperation. On 8 January, members of the violent extremist Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims attacked a fortified position of the anti-terrorist Operation Mirador in northern Benin. Media\u00a0reports\u00a0said the attack at the transfrontier W National Park resulted in at least 30 Beninese soldiers\u2019 deaths \u2013 the heaviest loss ever recorded.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rfi.fr\/en\/africa\/20250402-niger-frees-dozens-detained-after-coup-including-former-top-officials\">Niger frees dozens detained after coup including former top officials<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The announcement was made on national television on Tuesday, where a government official said the decision was \u201cin line with the recommendations of the national consultations for reform held in February\u201d. The\u00a0July 2023 coup\u00a0brought General Abdourahamane Tiani, former head of the presidential guard, to power. Dozens of people were.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bing.com\/news\/search?q=Counter-Terrorism+Centre+Hands+Over+Gen.+Tsiga%2c+Other+Rescued+Kidnap+Victims+To+NSA+Daily+Trust&amp;qpvt=Counter-Terrorism+Centre+hands+over+Gen.+Tsiga%2c+other+rescued+kidnap+victims+to+NSA+-+Daily+Trust&amp;FORM=EWRE\">Counter-Terrorism Centre Hands Over Gen. Tsiga, Other Rescued Kidnap Victims To NSA Daily Trust &#8211; Search News<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The National Counter Terrorism Center has handed over the former Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Maharazu Tsiga, and 18 other rescued kidnap victims to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. The handover took place in Abuja on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and insecurity in the country. Tsiga was abducted alongside other persons on February 5, 2025, from his hometown of Tisga in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rfi.fr\/en\/africa\/20250331-burkina-faso-pardons-21-soldiers-involved-in-failed-2015-coup\">Burkina Faso pardons 21 soldiers involved in failed 2015 coup<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The troubled west African country has been run since September 2022 by military leaders following a coup headed by Captain Ibrahim Traor\u00e9. Traor\u00e9 announced an &#8220;amnesty pardon&#8221; in December last year for several people convicted over the 2015 attempt to overthrow the transitional government in place after the fall of former president Blaise Compaor\u00e9. &#8220;The following persons, who have been convicted or prosecuted before the.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/prnigeria.com\/2025\/04\/01\/retired-security-experts-urge\/\">Retired Security Experts Urge Tinubu to Boost Intelligence, Manpower in Fight Against Insecurity &#8211; PRNigeria News<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Retired Security Experts Urge Tinubu to Boost Intelligence, Manpower in Fight Against Insecurity A group of retired security operatives has urged President Bola Tinubu to address the severe shortage of security and intelligence personnel, which they say is hampering efforts to tackle Nigeria\u2019s complex security challenges. In a communiqu\u00e9 released after their maiden annual lecture, the Alumni Association of the National Institute for.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/africa\/mali-burkina-niger-foreign-ministers-visit-moscow-this-week-2025-04-01\/\">Mali, Burkina, Niger foreign ministers to visit Moscow this week | Reuters<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The foreign ministers of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger will visit Moscow this week as the Sahel nations and Russia seek to strengthen ties, the three African countries&#8217; foreign ministries said in a joint statement on Tuesday. The West African nations, run by juntas that have taken power in coups in recent years, have formed an alliance known as the Confederation of Sahel States (AES).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/africa\/algerian-army-says-it-shot-down-armed-surveillance-drone-that-violated-airspace-2025-04-01\/\">Algeria, Mali report downed drone in border area but differ on details | Reuters<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Algeria and Mali on Tuesday gave differing accounts of an unmanned aircraft that went down in their desert border region. Algeria&#8217;s defence ministry said the army shot down an &#8220;armed surveillance drone&#8221; that violated the country&#8217;s airspace near Tin Zaouatine, a community that straddles the border.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/prnigeria.com\/2025\/04\/01\/nigeria-seeks-stronger-global\/\">Nigeria Seeks Stronger Global Collaboration in Border Security at London Summit &#8211; PRNigeria News<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Nigeria Seeks Stronger Global Collaboration in Border Security at London Summit Nigeria has called for enhanced intelligence sharing and strategic partnerships among global communities to curb the growing threat of Organised Immigration Crime (OIC). Speaking at the Border Security Summit in London, hosted by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Nigeria\u2019s Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, emphasized the need for proactive international cooperation to strengthen border security and prevent transnational crimes.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/en.journalducameroun.com\/cameroon-2025-presidential-elections-cameroon-sdf-sets-out-its-ambitions\/\">Cameroon-2025 Presidential Elections Cameroon: SDF Sets Out Its Ambitions &#8211; Journal du Cameroun<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Joshua Osih\u00a0is the\u00a0SDF\u2018s candidate for the October 2025 presidential elections in Cameroon. The party leader was endorsed by the congress last Saturday. They were attending the party\u2019s extraordinary congress at the Yaounde Multipurpose sports complex. During the meeting, the 57-year-old businessman was nominated as the SDF\u2019s candidate for the next\u00a0Presidential election. This will be the second time after 2018, when he won 3.35% of the vote. Ni John Fru Ndi\u2019s successor at the head of candidates. Some have already declared their willingness to run for the Unity Palace.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumtimesng.com\/news\/headlines\/785480-analysis-how-to-defuse-rising-chad-sudan-tensions.html\">ANALYSIS: How to defuse rising Chad\u2013Sudan tensions<\/a><\/p>\n<p>When civil war started in Sudan in April 2023, the\u00a0United Nations\u00a0(UN) warned that the conflict could seep through the country\u2019s borders and spread. The likelihood of that happening is increasing with the Sudanese Armed Forces\u2019 (SAF) recent threats against its neighbours, Chad and South Sudan. Last week, SAF Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Yasir al-Atta, said Chad\u2019s airports in Amdjarass and N\u2019Djamena were legitimate targets for Sudan\u2019s army. His statement was made against a backdrop of continued external support for the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF).<\/p>\n<h5>Humanitarian<\/h5>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/africa\/niger-withdraws-lake-chad-military-force-2025-03-30\/\">Niger withdraws from Lake Chad military force\u00a0 | Reuters<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Niger has quit an international force fighting armed Islamist groups in West Africa&#8217;s Lake Chad region as it seeks to shore up security around oil assets at home, the government said in a bulletin on state television. The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which also includes soldiers from Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon, has been working to.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/humanglemedia.com\/this-initiative-is-leading-transitional-justice-for-conflict-survivors-in-north-east-nigeria\/\">This Initiative is Leading Transitional Justice for Conflict Survivors in North East Nigeria &#8211; HumAngle<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The day the insurgents attacked in 2014, eight-year-old Aisha Awagana\u2019s home was filled with quiet anticipation. Her mother, Bintu, was heavily pregnant, resting on a mat while Aisha played with her grandmother, giggling as the old woman scolded her for being too restless. It was a normal day\u2014until the gunfire began.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dailytrust.com\/al-habibiyyah-spends-n110m-on-ramadan-feeding-advocates-mental-health-support-for-women\/\">Al-Habibiyyah spends N110m on Ramadan feeding, advocates mental health support for women &#8211; Daily Trust<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society (AIS) has revealed that it spent approximately N110 million on its 2025 Ramadan feeding programme, providing daily meals to an average of 2,700 people\u2014including both Muslims and non-Muslims\u2014throughout the 29-day fasting period. Speaking at a media parley in Abuja, AIS National Chief Imam, Sheikh Fuad Adeyemi, attributed the success of the initiative to contributions from philanthropists and well-meaning Nigerians. He also commended the media for their extensive coverage of Al-Habibiyyah\u2019s Ramadan activities.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dailytrust.com\/no-woman-should-die-giving-birth\/\">No Woman Should Die Giving Birth &#8211; Daily Trust<\/a><\/p>\n<p>April 7 is World Health Day 2025. The annual event is marked around the world on the anniversary of the World Health Organisation\u2019s (WHO\u2019s) founding in 1948. It presents an opportunity for the global community to reflect on pressing health challenges. The theme this year is \u201cHealthy beginnings, hopeful futures\u201d and the focus is maternal and newborn health and survival. The goal is to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths and prioritise women\u2019s longer-term health and well-being.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dailytrust.com\/japa-nursing-council-decries-poor-employment-of-nurses\/\">Japa: Nursing council decries poor employment of nurses &#8211; Daily Trust<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria has called for increased employment of nurses to curb the mass migration of health care professionals seeking better opportunities abroad. Acting registrar of the council, Ndagi Alhassan, made this appeal in Abuja during an oversight visit by the House of Representatives Committee on Health Institutions.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/healthcare-pharmaceuticals\/lassa-fever-kills-118-nigeria-over-last-three-months-2025-03-31\/\">Lassa fever kills 118 in Nigeria over last three months | Reuters<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Lassa fever killed 118 people in Nigeria in the first three months of this year, the West African country&#8217;s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said. The virus, which is carried by rodents and was first recognised in 1969 in the northeastern state of Borno, has killed thousands of people over the years, especially in rural areas due to unsanitary handling of food.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumtimesng.com\/news\/more-news\/785537-unicef-donates-2-5-million-of-oral-polio-vaccines-to-bauchi-govt.html\">UNICEF donates 2.5 million of oral polio vaccines to Bauchi govt<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The United Nations Children\u2019s Fund (UNICEF) has donated more than 2.5 million doses of Oral Polio Vaccines to the Bauchi State government. The Chief UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Nuzhat Rafique, disclosed this on Thursday at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) Bauchi, where the vaccines are kept. Ms Rafique said that the vaccination exercise would take place across the state from 24-29 April. She called on all stakeholders to ensure massive awareness campaign before the commencement of the exercise to ensure high level turnout and participation.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumtimesng.com\/news\/top-news\/785289-how-nigeria-can-become-more-inclusive-for-people-living-with-autism.html\">How Nigeria can become more inclusive for people living with Autism<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Whether we like it or not, whether we accept it or not \u2013 Autism diagnosis rates are rising not only in Nigeria but globally. In this instance, ignorance is not bliss; neither is denial a sustainable option. Inclusion in every area of society is the only way forward. This could be a long dissertation full of lofty ideas and principles that ultimately remain unimplemented and help no one. In real-life practical terms, how can inclusion be achieved?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumtimesng.com\/health\/health-news\/784849-interview-why-nigeria-must-increase-domestic-funding-for-family-planning-unfpa-official.html\">INTERVIEW: Why Nigeria must increase domestic funding for family planning &#8211; UNFPA Official<\/a><\/p>\n<p>In this interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Koessan Kuawa, Deputy Country Representative of the\u00a0United Nations Population Fund\u00a0(UNFPA) Nigeria, discusses the challenges of limited access and availability of family planning tools, the misconceptions and hesitancy surrounding birth control, and the urgent need to increase domestic funding to support Nigeria\u2019s family planning programmes.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/en.journalducameroun.com\/cameroons-lawyers-outraged-over-police-brutality-video\/\">Cameroon&#8217;s Lawyers Outraged Over Police Brutality Video &#8211; Journal du Cameroun<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0Bar Council, led by\u00a0President Mbah Eric Mbah, released a statement on Tuesday, March 4th, 2025, expressing their profound dissatisfaction and condemnation of the incident. The video, which went viral on social media on Saturday, March 1st, 2025, depicts police officers engaging in violent, degrading, and inhumane acts against a lawyer and other individuals.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/humanglemedia.com\/patients-still-struggling-despite-new-medical-facilities-in-adamawas-rural-communities\/\">Patients Still Struggling Despite New Medical Facilities in Adamawa\u2019s Rural Communities &#8211; HumAngle<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Rashida Usman, 39, still remembers the painful memory of one Thursday morning in 2019. She had woken up at dawn to brace herself for a difficult journey from her home in Shelleng, a local government area in Adamawa, to Yola, the state capital in\u00a0northeastern\u00a0Nigeria. The absence of a secondary healthcare facility in Shelleng prompted Rashida\u2019s journey. For years, she and many other women had to rely on a local dispensary that provided only primary healthcare.<\/p>\n<h5>Mobilization and economic development<\/h5>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/markets\/currencies\/nigerias-net-fx-reserves-hit-three-year-high-central-bank-says-2025-04-02\/\">Nigeria&#8217;s net FX reserves hit three-year high, central bank says | Reuters<\/a> ABUJA, April 2 (Reuters) &#8211; Nigeria&#8217;s net foreign exchange reserves stood at $23.11 billion at the end of 2024, their highest level in three years, the Central Bank of Nigeria said, signalling a major improvement in the country&#8217;s external financial position. The NFER, which adjusts gross reserves to account for near-term liabilities such as currency swaps and forward<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/energy\/nigeria-names-ex-shell-executive-lead-state-oil-firm-nnpc-2025-04-02\/\">Nigeria names ex-Shell executive to lead state oil firm NNPC | Reuters<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Bayo Ojulari, a former Shell executive, to head the state-owned oil firm NNPC Ltd as the country seeks to raise oil production and revitalise its refining capacity, the presidency said on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>After ending costly subsidies and twice devaluing the naira currency in his first year.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/africa\/west-african-juntas-impose-levy-imported-goods-2025-03-30\/\">West African juntas impose levy on imported goods | Reuters<\/a><\/p>\n<p>West African neighbours Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have announced a new 0.5% levy on imported goods as they seek to fund a new three-state union after leaving the larger regional economic bloc, they said in a statement. The Alliance of Sahel States began in 2023 as a security pact between the military rulers of the three countries.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumtimesng.com\/news\/top-news\/785211-julius-bergers-annual-profit-climbs-24-to-n16-billion.html\">Julius Berger\u2019s annual profit climbs 24% to N16 billion<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Julius Berger\u00a0Nigeria posted roughly a quarter increase in post-tax profit for 2024, taking its bottom line to N15.5 billion, according to its newly released audited financial report. Turnover for the group rose 27.8 per cent to N566.7 billion on account of improvement in the income from construction contracts and rendering of services, its two chief revenue sources. The conglomerate also saw the contribution of sales of cashew products to its revenue pool jump by more.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumtimesng.com\/business\/business-news\/785248-nigerias-net-fx-reserves-surge-to-23-1-billion-highest-in-3-years-cbn.html\">Nigeria\u2019s net FX reserves surge to $23.1 billion, highest in 3 years &#8211; CBN<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Nigeria\u2019s Net Foreign Exchange Reserve (NFER) has surged to $23.11 billion, its highest level in over three years, according to a statement released by the\u00a0Central Bank of Nigeria\u00a0(CBN) on Tuesday. Net Foreign Exchange Reserve (NFER) is the portion of a country\u2019s foreign exchange reserves that remains after deducting short-term liabilities such as FX swaps and forward contracts. It represents the actual reserves available for meeting immediate external obligations.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/en.journalducameroun.com\/african-development-bank-standard-bank-group-forge-landmark-deal-to-supercharge-african-trade\/\">African Development Bank, Standard Bank Group Forge Landmark Deal to Supercharge African Trade &#8211; Journal du Cameroun<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The agreement includes a substantial 3.6 billion rand investment in a social bond and a $200 million Risk Participation Agreement (RPA) for\u00a0Standard Bank\u00a0of South Africa Limited (SBSA). This initiative will significantly bolster Standard Bank\u2019s lending capabilities, ensuring that SMEs \u2013 the lifeblood of economic growth and job creation in\u00a0South Africa\u00a0\u2013 gain greater access to crucial financing.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dailytrust.com\/byd-electric-vehicles-hit-nigerian-market\/\">BYD Electric Vehicles hit Nigerian market &#8211; Daily Trust<\/a><\/p>\n<p>LOXEA Nigeria, a subsidiary of CFAO Mobility, has introduced the BYD (Build Your Dreams) electric vehicles to the Nigerian market as the automotive industry embraces a more sustainable and greener mobility option. By offering BYD vehicles, LOXEA becomes the pioneer in bringing a renowned Electric Vehicle (EV) brand to Nigeria. LOXEA is a leading player in innovative mobility solutions in Africa, offering clients a range of 100% electric vehicles from BYD.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dailytrust.com\/u-s-tariffs-and-nigerias-export-economy-risks-and-opportunities\/\">U.S. tariffs and Nigeria\u2019s export economy: Risks and opportunities &#8211; Daily Trust<\/a> T<\/p>\n<p>he recent imposition of a 14 percent tariff by the United States on Nigerian exports has raised concerns about its impact on the country\u2019s economy. While Nigeria\u2019s trade volume with the U.S. is relatively small\u2014valued at about $10 billion last year\u2014the new tariff threatens to make its exports less competitive in an already challenging global market.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.africanews.com\/2025\/04\/03\/a-booming-market-but-lacking-data-africas-challenge-business-africa\/\">A booming market, but lacking data: Africa&#8217;s challenge [Business Africa] | Africanews<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The lack of reliable data: a major obstacle to investment and growth on the continent, the efforts of Congo-Brazzaville to strengthen its food sovereignty with Protected Agricultural Zones, and the economic crisis in the DRC, exacerbated by business closures and ongoing violence. Africa, despite its economic dynamism and the rapid growth of its middle class, faces a significant challenge: the lack of reliable data. This is a considerable barrier for investors and local businesses that struggle to make informed decisions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Regional News Gunmen kill 20 in fresh attacks on Plateau communities &#8211; Daily Trust Ten people were killed and many others injured on Wednesday in a series of attacks on [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":50929,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[51],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-53439","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-press-review"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53439"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/26"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53439"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53439\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":53440,"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53439\/revisions\/53440"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50929"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53439"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=53439"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=53439"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}