News & Announcements

A temporary ceasefire in Sudan has been agreed as fighting between two warring factions entered its sixth week, BBC reports.

Previous truce attempts between Sudan’s regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have tended to collapse within minutes of beginning.
But the new deal will be enforced by a “ceasefire monitoring mechanism,” according to a US-Saudi statement.

As part of the seven-day humanitarian ceasefire, Sudanese officials have agreed to restore essential services.

Fighting between the two sides has plunged the country into chaos since it began last month, with more than a million people thought to have been displaced.
Stocks of food, money and essentials have fast declined and aid groups repeatedly complained of being unable to provide sufficient assistance in Sudan’s capital Khartoum, where much of the violence has taken place.
Both the regular army and the RSF have been urged to allow the distribution of humanitarian aid, restore essential services and withdraw forces from hospitals.

The United States and Saudi Arabia, who sponsored the peace talks in Jeddah, said the ceasefire would come into effect on Monday evening.

In a statement, the US State Department acknowledged previous failed attempts at brokering peace in Sudan but said there was a key difference this time.

“Unlike previous ceasefires, the agreement reached in Jeddah was signed by the parties and will be supported by a US-Saudi and international-supported ceasefire monitoring mechanism,” it said, without giving more detail.

Taking to Twitter, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken added, “It is past time to silence the guns and allow unhindered humanitarian access.

“I implore both sides to uphold this agreement – the eyes of the world are watching.”

The war broke out in Khartoum on 15 April following days of tension as members of the RSF were redeployed around the country in a move that the army saw as a threat.

There was also a power struggle between Sudan’s regular army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who leads the RSF.
Hundreds of people have been killed in the fighting and the UN has warned of a worsening situation in Africa’s third-largest country, where a huge number of people already relied on aid before the conflict.

It has been two weeks since representatives of the warring factions first gathered in the Saudi capital for peace talks.

On 11 May, both sides signed a commitment intended to lay the groundwork for humanitarian assistance in Sudan.

But earlier this week, UN aid chief Martin Griffiths told the AFP news agency there had been “important and egregious” violations of that agreement, which he added fell short of a ceasefire.

Reports of violence across the country remain rife, with strikes reported on Saturday by eyewitnesses in southern Omdurman and northern Bahri, the two cities that lie across the Nile from Khartoum.

An Omdurman resident recalled her house “shaking” early on Saturday as a result of “heavy artillery fire”.

“It was terrifying, everyone was lying under their beds,” Sanaa Hassan, a 33-year-old living in the al-Salha neighbourhood, told Reuters by phone. “What’s happening is a nightmare.”
                 

In an epoch-making event that will positively transform Nigeria’s oil and gas sectoral landscape, President Muhammadu Buhari will on Monday, May 22nd, 2023 commission Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals, the world’s largest single train refinery in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos; alongside his counterparts from Ghana, Togo, Senegal, Niger, and Chad.

Promoted by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, the petroleum refinery with a capacity to process 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) is sitting on 2,635 hectares of land located in Dangote Industries Free Zone in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, and will provide employment to over 100,000 persons. The coming onstream of the gigantic project is expected to mark Nigeria’s exit from the league of oil-rich nations that are heavy importers of petroleum products.

Expected at the historic event apart from international dignitaries are the Presidents of Togo, Gnassingbé Eyadéma; Ghana’s Nana Akufo-Addo; President of Senegal, Macky Sall; President of Niger Republic, Mohamed Bazoum, President of Chad, Mahamat Déby and a host of ambassadors.

President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, who will not be physically present, will present his goodwill message virtually.

READ  26 Facts About Dangote Petroleum RefineryAs of the time of filing this report, all the 36 state governors and most of the governors-elect, ministers, senators, and captains of industries in Nigeria and others from outside the country, global oil traders, top international bankers, international multilateral agencies have indicated their readiness to grace the ceremony.

Nigeria’s President-Elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu whose administration as the governor of Lagos in 2002 floated the Free Trade Zone in Ibeju-Lekki where the Refinery is located, is expected to be at the event.

The commissioning of Dangote Petroleum Refinery is significant given that it is the first time that a refinery of such magnitude built by an individual is being commissioned.

Dangote’s petroleum refinery is expected to meet the needs of Nigerian consumers and those in neighbouring countries while allowing for exports beyond the African continent. The refinery will drive the promotion of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as over 50 countries in the trade bloc depend on imported refined petroleum products.

According to the Facts Sheet on Dangote Petroleum Refinery, the new Refinery can meet 100% of the Nigerian requirement of all refined products (Gasoline, 53 million liters per day; Diesel, 34 million liters per day; Kerosene, 10 million liters per day, and Aviation Jet, 2 million liters per day) and also have a surplus of each of these products for export.

“The refinery is designed for 100% Nigerian Crude with the flexibility to process other crudes. It has a self-sufficient marine facility with the ability for freight optimization and the largest single order of 5 SPMs anywhere in the world. Diesel and Gasoline Products from the refinery will conform to Euro V specifications.”

“The refinery design complies with World Bank, US EPA, European emission norms, and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) emission/effluent norms. State-of-the-art technology. Designed to process a large variety of crudes including many of the African Crudes, some of the Middle Eastern Crudes and the US Light Tight Oil,” the Facts sheet added.

It also stated: “65 Million Cubic Metres of sand dredged costing approximately Euros 300 million, using the world’s largest, the second largest and the tenth largest dredgers to elevate the height by 1.5 meters, to insure against any potential impact of the increase in mean sea level due to global warming. Bought over 1,209 units of various equipment to enhance the local capacity for site works.”

“332 cranes to build up equipment installation capacity. Built the world’s largest granite quarry to supply coarse aggregate, stone column material, stone base, stone dust & material for breakwater. (10 million tonnes per year production capacity).”

“Developed a port and constructed two quays with a load-bearing capacity of 25 tonnes/ sq meters to bring Over Dimensional Cargoes close to the site directly. The company also constructed two more quays in the port with a capacity to handle up to Panamax vessels to export fertilizer and petrochemicals and two quays to handle liquid cargoes. The port will thus have 6 quays, including a Roll-on/Roll-off quay”, the sheet added.
                 

The American branch of the All Progressives Congress has announced that it will stage a political demonstration on Sunday night in support of Bola Tinubu’s anticipated inauguration as president-elect on May 29. The solidarity march was a response to the alleged protest by members of the Obi-Datti International Political Action Committee, according to a statement made on Sunday by Prof. Tai Balofin, Chairman of the APC’s US chapter.

ODIPAC, a US-based pressure group contesting the results of the February 25 presidential election, has been encouraging its followers to turn out in large numbers for its planned mega rally in Chicago, Illinois, United States, using viral e-fliers on social media.

Obidients in Diaspora presents gigantic rally in the center of Downtown Chicago, according to a portion of the flyer. This E Flyer serves as a teaser for our major rally. By spreading the E Flyer around all of our contacts, we can all start raising awareness.

The flier partly read, “Obidients in Diaspora presents mega rally in the heart of Downtown Chicago. This is a teaser E Flyer for our mega rally. We all need to start creating awareness by sharing the E Flyer with all our contacts and make it go viral.”

The ODIPAC demonstration, which is being prepared in conjunction with NADECO, Afenifere, and other organizations, is intended to cause fear before Tinubu’s inauguration, according to Balofin, who also claimed that the APC-USA is aware of this.

However, the APC leader was confident that the May 29 inauguration ceremony would go according to schedule because it symbolizes the democratic choice of the Nigerian people.

He said, “We wish to emphasize that the election victory of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu was achieved through a transparent, free, fair, and credible process. The will of the Nigerian people has been expressed, and their mandate to elect Tinubu as their leader cannot be undermined by protests or any form of agitation.

“The leadership of ODIPAC, NADECO, and AFENIFERE intends to hold a rally at the Richard J. Daley Center in Chicago, purportedly to champion the cause of democracy. While we acknowledge the beauty and significance of the Richard J Daley Center in showcasing good governance, we firmly believe that such a prestigious location should not be utilized for divisive purposes.

“The architectural design and scenic view of the Richard J Daley Center symbolize the unity and harmony that should be fostered within democratic societies. Regrettably, certain groups seek to exploit this setting to propagate their agenda, which contradicts the principles of unity and progress.

“In conclusion, we implore the Independent National Electoral Commission to uphold the will of the Nigerian people and ensure the preservation of democracy by respecting and acknowledging the mandate granted to Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu. Let us stand together to restore Nigeria’s rightful path to progress and prosperity. We urge all lovers of democracy and supporters of the All Progressives Congress to join us on May 21st in Chicago for a counter-protest against the proposed protest organized by ODIPAC.”

Yunusa Tanko, a spokesman for the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council, responded to our request for comment by stating that the demonstrators are not acting in violation of the law or the Constitution.

He claimed that anyone who witnessed what happened during the most recent presidential election after making a significant investment would not be hesitant to oppose the result, whether in Nigeria or the Diaspora.

He said, “The Nigerian people both locally and internationally invested heavily in this election, including the US and British governments as well as European countries generally. What people were expecting to see was a free, fair and credible election that would be devoid of all kinds of malfeasance.

“Instead, what they saw was a charade, manipulation, intimidation, instigation and every negative word that can be used to describe the election. And so, they are not happy with the outcome of the election as announced by INEC.

“It is their constitutional right to raise an objection by way of protest. They are raising issues that are not beyond the Constitution. I believe they should be allowed to vent their anger. You cannot beat a child and tell him, at the same time, not to cry.”

At least nine people have reportedly been murdered by suspected terrorists in the Ungwan Dakwa village near the Dogo Dawa ward of Kaduna State’s embattled Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area.

It was discovered that the event happened on Saturday at around 2:00 pm when the neighborhood was raided and shot at randomly.

Neither the state administration nor the state police command have made any official confirmations.

However, Hon. Yahaya Birnin-Gwari, a member-elect of the House of Assembly, verified the attack on the neighborhood where the victims were killed.

Numerous locals, according to Birnin-Gwari, also suffered wounds of various severity as a result of the attack.

He claims that on Saturday, a horde of terrorists assaulted the neighborhood and committed the heinous act.

He stated that those who were hurt were taken to nearby Funtua in Katsina state where they were now receiving medical care.

He continued by saying that after the incident, the majority of the locals left their homes and the neighborhood was abandoned.

Mohammad Jalige, the Command’s public relations officer, was unable to take a call put to his mobile phone and did not reply to a text message when he was contacted, thus he was unable to corroborate the occurrence.

The UK is about to disclose new limitations that would likely prevent students from Nigeria and other countries from studying in the UK from bringing their family with them.

This crackdown will be announced this week, according to an exclusive revelation by The Sun UK.

During the crackdown, all master’s students and many other post-graduates will be prohibited from inviting family members over.

The UK media outlet House claimed that PHD students, whose programs typically run between three and five years and need a high level of skill, will not be subject to the prohibition.

The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, was reportedly asked by Tory MPs to “get a grip on the rocketing numbers” following reports that net migration to the UK had risen to 1 million.

UK ministers are reportedly planning to unveil the immigration crackdown on Tuesday or Wednesday in an effort to stem the tide of rising numbers.

According to The Sun, “Rishi Sunak is anticipated to come out fighting on immigration, pointing out that these are numbers he inherited as they go back to the year ending in December 2022, two months after he was elected prime minister.

“There has been an explosion in the number of people coming to Britain piggybacking on their relative’s student visa.

“Students brought 135,788 family members to Britain last year – nine times more than in 2019.

“Last year, 59,053 Nigerian students brought over 60,923 relatives.”

“We have got to get a grip,” a Tory MP told The Sun on Sunday.

The Kano State Police Command has arrested a 35-year-old woman, Fatima Salisu, for attempted culpable homicide and causing grievous hurt.

The suspect lured the 8-year-old daughter of her neighbour, Sharifa Usman, to an uncompleted building in the Kumbotso Local Government Area of the state where she stabbed her in the stomach, and neck, left the knife stuck in her stomach, and fled from the scene.

It was gathered that Fatima, of Gadon Kaya Quarters, Gwale LGA, committed the heinous act because the girl’s father had been advising her husband to marry a second wife.

Spokesperson of the command, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, in a statement on Friday, May 19, 2023, said the suspect was arrested at a hideout in Dungulmi village, Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State on May 18.

The PPRO further said the victim is receiving medical treatment at Mallam Aminu Kano Specialist Hospital.

“On 14/05/2023 at about 1840hrs (06:40 pm), a distress call was received from a good Samaritan who reported that he heard a loud cry of a girl from an uncompleted building located at Kureken Sani in Kumbotso LGA, Kano State. He was attracted and rushed to the scene where he met a girl in a pool of blood with a sharp knife being stabbed and the knife being stuck in her stomach, in addition to other injuries on other parts of her body,” the statement read.

“On receipt of the report, the victim was immediately rushed to Mallam Aminu Kano Specialist Hospital where she was admitted. The Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc immediately directed the immediate launch of a hunt by all Police Officers and to use all available assets to ensure that the perpetrator(s) are brought to book as soon as practicable.

“Afterwards, the rescued victim identified as Sharifa Usman, ‘f’, 8 years old, of Gadon Kaya Quarters, Gwale LGA Kano while recuperating at the Hospital stated that, “the attack was by a woman in their neighbourhood identified as one Fatima who took her from Gadon Kaya Quarters to the said uncompleted building in Kureken Sani Kumbotso LGA, and stabbed her with a knife on her neck, stomach, left the knife stuck in her stomach, abandoned her and ran away from the scene.

“At the preliminary investigation, the husband of Fatima, one Yusuf Aminu, ‘m’, of Gadon Kaya Quarters, Gwale LGA, Kano State was arrested.

He claimed that his wife, Fatima has evidence of a mental disorder and is unaware of her whereabouts. 

“Sustained follow-up coupled with intelligence-led operations led to the arrest of the suspect, Fatima Salisu, ‘f’, 35 years old of Gadon Kaya Quarters, Gwale LGA Kano State at a hideout in Dungulmi Village, Isari District, Dutse LGA, Jigawa State on 18th May 2023.

“At this moment, the suspect is undergoing investigation at the Police Command’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) by Homicide Section. 

“While the suspect has since confessed to committing the crime, she further stated that she committed the act as revenge because the father of the girl has been advising her husband to marry a second wife. 

“However, the ongoing discreet investigation is seeking answers to the following questions in order to dispute the criminal cover-up of the statement earlier made by her husband: 

i. Why did the suspect take the child from Rijiyar Zaki in Gwale LGA down to Kureken Sani Quarters in Kumbotso LGA?ii. Why did the suspect seclude the little girl in an uncompleted building in a faraway location?iii. Why did the suspect run away to a far location (Jigawa State) after the commission of the crime?iv. Why did the suspect refuse to disclose her location to her husband, children, and relatives after escaping from the crime scene?

“While praying and wishing for the quick recovery of the 8-year-old Sharifa, the Commissioner of Police appreciates those that assisted with the information that led to the arrest of the suspect.

The case will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.
                 

Mark Nwagwu, retired Zoology professor, poet, and columnist, who turned 86 today, has registered for a Ph.D. programme in Anthropology at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan.

The renowned professor took to his Facebook on Wednesday, May 17 to disclose this.

He wrote: “This morning on my 86th birthday anniversary, I was at the Post-graduate School, University of Ibadan, and registered for Ph.D. studies in anthropology in the Institute of African Studies. The staff welcomed me with Happy Birthday songs to my delighted amazement.”

Stunning? Sure. Nwagwu is currently at the University of Ibadan to develop the research project within the next two or three weeks.

On why he decided to register for the programme, the distinguished professor said that he wanted to find answers to some thorny questions that can only be provided through hard research.

“It’s quite a long story but I’ll keep it short. There’s a man, a brilliant and successful lawyer whose lifestyle caught my attention and I decided I would follow it up with a biography. He was accessible but did not think that what he did and how he merits a biography. I was not dissuaded and continued. In the process, he brought in his father, his farms, and his entrepreneurial spirit.

“I finished the book and he was quite pleased.

The friendship continued and when I took copies of my memoirs Dreams Dance the conversation dwelt on our history. He wondered, if we do not know our history, where we are coming from, how can we know where we are going? This was last year.

“I wanted to write the biography in poems and some other thoughts in poems. He was interested and we set up a meeting. During our discussions on our history on 25 April this year, far too many questions lingered on my mind and could not be answered by a book.

“It required answers that can be provided only through hard research. There and then I told him I would carry out work for a Ph.D to provide some answers to the thorny questions. He agreed to sponsor the research. And I am at the University of Ibadan to develop this research project over the next two or three weeks,” Nwagwu maintained.

Nwagwu, who was a professor of Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Ibadan for many years, retired in 2002. He is a member of the Nigerian Academy of Science.

The professor has over the years shown so much love and loyalty to his late wife, Helen, who was a retired Professor of Psychology at the University of Ibadan. Helen passed on on 30 March 2018.

He has continued not just to eulogize the virtues of his late wife but has also dedicated some volumes of poetry to her. The Collections of poems are “Helen, Not-of-Troy”, which was published when she was alive, and “Time Came Upon Me & other poems,” which was published in 2019.

Other poetry collections Nwagwu has written for his wife include “Cat Man Dew” in 2012, and “HelenaVenus” in 2013.

His memoir, “Dreams Dance: My journey through life”, his 8th book, was published in 2022. The book “is a glaring testimony to the life of Mark Nwagwu, a man born with a broad-based talent which copiously equipped him for whatever drew his fancy.”
                 

The minister of Education, Tony Mwaba Kazadi has impregnated his Deputy Minister, Aminata Namasia in the Democratic Republic of Congo  (DRC), claiming It was an accident at work.

Tony and Aminata have had a love affair going on for quite some time now. They work together and their feelings grew deeper despite the fact that they’re both married. 

This was revealed by a DC reporter known as Lungila John as Congo’s President has set up a committee to look into the matter.

The citizens of DRC lambasted the minister and his deputy, saying they portrayed bad conduct and showed proof of a lack of morals in the country.

Although, Deputy Minister, Aminata Namasia, has been a good role model until this incident occurred.

Meanwhile, Aminata opted not to address the scandal when the story hit social media space a few days ago but instead demanded that her privacy be respected.

Aminata, posted on Twitter, “Beyond my official and public duties, I have a life that must be respected by all. A right guaranteed to all Congolese by our Constitution. Tarnishing my image should not be a tolerated habit.

“Indeed, it could harm not only my commitments but also the image of my married male colleagues and their homes.

“On the eve of the electoral contests scheduled for December of this year, political detractors can attack my opinions and political actions rather than opting for practices tending to smear my person.”

Dame Pauline Tallen, the minister of women’s affairs, stated on Friday that the new gender strategy will increase women’s political inclusion and involvement.

Tallen made this statement as the Development Partners Group on Gender, or DPGG, the Gender Equality Women’s Empowerment Coordination Strategic Framework 2023–2028, and the Presidential High-Level Advisory Council, or HLAC, were launched with partners.

She emphasized that without financial assistance, the potential of the documents’ releases would be hindered; as a result, the documents required solid and long-lasting financial support because “women are the backbone of our communities and our economies.”

She said; “This Strategy Note and Framework are a clear commitment from our development partners to fulfil a crucial accountability role and can improve the alignment and coordination of initiatives and actions taken in the interest of advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in avoiding duplication of such efforts

“Following today’s launch, all efforts committed to their development will not go in vain and be allowed to gather dust on the shelves but should get the necessary buy-in from all our partners.

“I am confident that the successes we have recorded in the implementation of Nigeria for Women Project and the Agile project will be sustained as we prepare to scale them up to cover other States.

“We need to build a strong and resilient movement for progress towards attaining this and driving the Gender Agenda for Nigeria towards the empowerment of all women and girls, as well as the vulnerable.

“We have heard stories of women traders, who have been forced to shelve transformative business ideas because they could not access N200,000 from the financial system.

“In some instances, we heard stories of women smallholder farmers, who consistently receive less than one-tenth of the value of the high-value crops like coffee and shea butter; and even high-potential girls, who are consistently top of their class and aspire to build careers in science and technology, but have had to defer their dreams because “the boys have to go to School first”.

“As a way forward, we had to seek for ways to change these narratives resulting in the National WEE Policy and Action Plan being launched today.”

She claims that the Policy calls attention to important industries like agriculture, entrepreneurship, the traditional labor market, education, and skills, where the majority of Nigerian women and girls are employed or likely to seek careers.

The Minister further stated that, “The Policy also recognizes cross cutting enablers as Women’s Financial Inclusion, WFI, and Literacy, Digital Innovation, Literacy, Access, Household, Workplace, and Community Support Structures (norms change, access to care, labour saving solutions, PWDs, affinity groups), as well as issues of Gender-Responsive and Data-Driven Government Processes (e.g. policy making, budgeting, and procurement)

In a goodwill message, the Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, AAN, Ene Obi, said, “As we launch this strategic note, let us remember that our work does not end here. It is merely the beginning of a collective effort to create a better future for all.

“It is a call to all stakeholders for action, all hands must be on board. We must hold ourselves accountable, monitor progress, and continuously adapt strategies to address emerging challenges.

“It is our collective responsibility to make sure that this all-important document will not remain on the shelf, as change can never happen except there is collective agency, ownership, and implementation of the set plans. These will in the long run make a huge impact on the lives of women and girls in Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, the United Nations Residents and Humanitarian Coordinator, Matthias Schmale, in a goodwill message said, “We want to overcome the dependence on humanitarian aid and I think that’s where women empowerment and women in agriculture will be fundamental.

“We all know, Nigeria can feed itself, and empowering women as key producers in the agricultural sector will lead to a situation where humanitarian aid is not needed. So we need to see that a policy will have a direct impact on other areas of our work, including our humanitarian work.”

Waheed Kareem, 65, was imprisoned at the Oyo State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department after being apprehended for allegedly sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl.

According to an inquiry conducted by our correspondent, Kareem, a native of Abeokuta in Ogun State, and Rasheed, his younger brother who is 60 years old and is currently on the run, assaulted his stepdaughter in Olude, Apata in Ibadan, Ido Local Government Area of Oyo.

It was also discovered that the teenager (name withheld), a JSS I student at a public secondary school in the LGA, had been subjected to serious maltreatment by her biological father since she was two years old.

A reliable source claimed that it took many days for the incident to be reported to the police.

The girl described her story, claiming that it began when she was two years old and her biological father had carnal knowledge of her after her mother, Abiodun Kareem, left their marriage and left her with her father. She continued, saying that until she was eight years old, the sexual assaults.

She claimed that because they were staying alone, her father found it simple to carry out the heinous deed.

The victim said her maternal grandmother made her an unplanned visit and told her about her struggle for six years, which is how the secretgot exposed.

The father was detained and held in detention for four years while awaiting trial after the case was reported to the Isabo Police Station in Abeokuta, Ogun State, but tragically passed away in custody.

She described her current situation and claimed that while her younger brother Rasheed, also known as Onaala, had sex with her every day, his 65-year-old stepfather Kareem resumed where her father left off.

She claimed that the reason she kept it a secret from her mother since 2021 was because the man had threatened to kill both her and her mother.

Further information revealed that a neighbor had observed that, as opposed to the typical three to five days, she was experiencing her menstrual flow for 16 days each month.

It was determined that her womb had been contaminated at a private hospital where her mother took her as a result.

Abiodun, the victim’s 35-year-old mother, confirmed the charge and claimed she confronted her husband but was forced to remain silent because she had the resources to care for the three children he had with her, who are now 6, 4, and 2 years old.

Adewale Osifeso, the state police public relations officer, could not be reached for comment as of publication time on Saturday.

Oluwagbemileke Ojerinde, director of child welfare at the ministry of women’s affairs and social inclusion, has pledged that the victim would receive rehabilitation from the state government while her mother would receive assistance in raising the other three kids.