Author: fatimah

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has issued a warning to public universities following reports of widespread staff abandonment, urging institutions to strictly enforce existing legal provisions. In a circular addressed to heads of university institutions nationwide, the ministry said it had identified “numerous cases of job abandonment” among teaching and research staff. According to the statement, such practices constitute a breach of the statutory obligations governing university lecturers and researchers, as outlined in the ordinance of 27 September 2017. The ministry reiterated that all academic staff, regardless of rank, are required to personally fulfil the duties attached…

Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested Aminu Ali Baba and Abdulrasheed Abubakar in connection with the seizure of two bags containing 140 packets of explosives destined for Kano and Kaduna States. The explosives were intercepted in a commercial bus along the Kaduna – Zaria highway, following intelligence-led surveillance. Swift follow-up operations led to the arrest of Ali Baba at Karota Park in Kano and Abubakar at Mando Park in Kaduna. In a separate but related operation, NDLEA operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, arrested a 30-year-old Brazilian national, Ingrid Rosa Benevides, for attempting to smuggle…

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) has engaged the Gender Committee of the Gambian Parliament on a bill that seeks to increase the representation of women and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the National Assembly. The bill, developed and introduced by the committee was jointly reviewed by stakeholders during a three-day consultative meeting held from 21 to 23 January 2026. Speaking during the engagement, the Head of the IDEA office in The Gambia, Madam Jainaba Fye, described the consultation as a significant step towards strengthening inclusive governance. She explained that the bill proposes the creation of…

President Alassane Ouattara on Friday unveiled a new government for Côte d’Ivoire, several months after the country’s presidential election held in October 2025. The cabinet, led by Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, consists of 34 members, including four deputy ministers. This represents a slight reduction from the previous administration, which comprised 36 ministers. One of the notable changes in the new executive is the introduction of a deputy prime minister position. The role has been assigned to Téné Birahima Ouattara, the president’s younger brother, who will support the prime minister in coordinating government action. The reshuffle also brings changes to…

President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) arrived in Paris on Friday for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, following his participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos and a private visit to Brussels, according to media reports. The meeting, requested by authorities in Kinshasa, takes place as France remains one of the DRC’s key international partners, particularly in the areas of diplomacy, security and development cooperation. Discussions between the two leaders are expected to focus on bilateral relations, as well as the political and security situation in the Great Lakes region, where ongoing instability has…

The African Union (AU) has officially reinstated Guinea into the continental body, ending the country’s suspension that followed the September 5, 2021 military coup. The decision was announced after the 1,325th meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC), held on January 22, 2026, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Guinea’s reinstatement follows its return to constitutional order, marked by the successful conduct of presidential elections on December 28, 2025. The country had been suspended from all AU activities after the coup that ousted former president Alpha Condé and brought Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya to power. Following a transition period of just…

Gambian President Adama Barrow has called for stronger public-private partnerships (PPPs) across Africa, describing them as essential instruments for sustainable development and viable alternatives to rising public debt. Speaking on Friday in Banjul at the 7th edition of the Financial Afrik Awards, President Barrow said PPPs are no longer optional as African economies open up to global business and seek innovative ways to finance development without overburdening public finances. Addressing delegates at the Sir Dawda Jawara International Conference Centre, the president noted that the conference theme; PPPs as an alternative to public debt, reflects the pressing economic realities facing the…

The African Union (AU) is considering lifting sanctions imposed on Guinea, signaling a possible return of the country to full participation in the continental bloc following recent political developments. The move was discussed on Thursday during the 1325th meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) in Addis Ababa, where the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, presented an assessment of Guinea’s political transition. He told council members that the country had reached a critical stage in restoring constitutional governance. According to Youssouf, the adoption of a new constitution and the conduct of presidential elections in late…

The Savannah Regional Police Intelligence Department has arrested 24 Togolese nationals suspected of engaging in illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey, in the West Gonja Municipality. The arrests were made on Friday after police intercepted a Kia truck with registration number BA 223-12 during a routine operation. Upon interrogation, the occupants reportedly disclosed that they were citizens of Togo en route to Tuntumba, an area identified as a hotspot for illegal mining activities. According to police sources, the suspects indicated their intention to take part in galamsey operations upon arrival at the mining community. The individuals are currently being…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has unveiled its operational objectives for 2026, emphasizing a strengthened approach to tackling substance abuse nationwide. Speaking at the agency’s annual review and planning meeting, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) urged officers to maintain momentum in the fight against illicit drugs by dismantling drug cartels and intensifying public awareness campaigns. The high-level meeting, which brought together directors, commanders, and formation heads, was aimed at setting a strong tone for the year and building on the agency’s record-breaking achievements in previous years. Brig. Gen. Marwa highlighted that 2026 would focus…