Author: kajarbi54

Electricity has been restored to the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa, after the diplomatic mission settled its overdue municipal bills, marking the latest in a series of disconnections over unpaid utilities. The City of Tshwane cut power to the Nigerian High Commission on Monday as part of enforcement action over unpaid utility bills. Executive Mayor, Nasiphi Moya, confirmed the disconnection in a post on X and later expressed gratitude to the mission for settling the outstanding debt. This incident follows previous disconnections, including a 2023 cut at the Nigerian consulate in Johannesburg over R600,000 ($35,000) in unpaid bills…

Gambia’s Auditor General, Cherno Sowe, has raised concerns over discrepancies in the government’s 2024 financial statements after issuing an adverse audit opinion. Presenting his report to the Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) of the National Assembly, Sowe said the accounts do not fairly present the country’s financial position as of 31 December 2024. He cited several anomalies, including a payable account recording a debit balance, which reduced reported government liabilities by GMD 1.34 million, raising questions about the accuracy of the records. The Auditor General also disclosed that unclear and uncleared transit accounts led to an overstatement of government…

The Public Enterprises Committee (PEC) of The Gambia’s National Assembly has raised concerns over Gambia International Airlines (GIA) regarding unpaid Hajj ticket loans totaling approximately D1.6 million Dalasi. Lawmakers questioned the airline’s slow recovery process and weak financial oversight during a review of GIA’s 2022 financial statements on Monday. According to GIA’s Managing Director, Numo K. Sanneh, the outstanding sums relate to loans issued for Hajj tickets to individuals and families, some backed by personal guarantees. While the airline has recovered about D250,000, the majority of the debt remains unpaid, prompting warnings from committee members that continued delays could undermine…

Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) has announced the killing of 13 members of the Al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group Al-Shabaab, including five of its senior leaders, during a coordinated operation in the vicinity of Maha Saed in the Middle Shabelle region. In a statement, NISA said the operation was carried out after intelligence revealed that the group’s leaders were holding a meeting to plan terrorist attacks and coerce local communities into providing forced support. According to the agency, intelligence forces successfully thwarted the planned attacks, neutralising the suspects at the scene before they could carry out their objectives. NISA identified…

Suspected terrorists have attacked Angwara Local Government Area in Niger State, north-central Nigeria, killing one person and setting fire to a church and a police station in the community. The attackers reportedly burned down the United Missionary Church of Africa (UMCA) and razed the local police station during the assault. Confirming the incident, the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said armed bandits invaded the community and attacked the police station, where they were initially confronted by a tactical police team deployed to the area. According to Abiodun, the attackers later overpowered the security personnel and “used…

Ghana’s main opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has formally endorsed former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as its flagbearer for the 2028 general elections following his victory in the party’s presidential primary held on Saturday, January 31, 2026. The endorsement was announced in a statement issued on January 31 and signed by the NPP’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong. The party described Dr. Bawumia’s win as an emphatic victory and rallied its members to unite behind him ahead of the next general elections. Dr. Bawumia was declared winner by Ghana’s Electoral Commission after securing 56.48 per cent of…

Ethiopia has opened discussions with Britain aimed at deepening diplomatic engagement on bilateral and regional relations. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos on Sunday received British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, marking the latest in a series of visits by senior foreign officials to Ethiopia in recent weeks. In a statement, Prime Minister Abiy said discussions with Cooper focused on bilateral and regional issues, including enhanced cooperation between the two countries. In a separate meeting, Cooper met with Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos to further discuss bilateral relations and regional development. The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said…

The Confederation of Sahel States (AES) has condemned an attack on a military base near Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, expressing full solidarity with Niger following the incident, which occurred on the night of January 28-29. In an official statement, the acting president of the Confederation, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, described the attack as “barbaric, cowardly, and premeditated,” while issuing a strong warning to what he referred to as “foreign state sponsors” allegedly seeking to destabilize the region. The statement noted that the assault targeted not only military installations but also civilian infrastructure, thereby endangering local populations. The Sahel Alliance…

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have issued a stern warning to construction firms and contractors over a rising number of fibre-optic cable damages during roadworks and civil engineering projects nationwide. In a joint statement over the weekend, the agencies stressed that fibre-optic infrastructure is a critical national asset and cautioned that negligence resulting in its damage will no longer be tolerated. According to the new policy, any future damage to fibre-optic cables caused by road construction, excavation, or other civil engineering activities carried out without proper consultation with network operators and…

Nigeria’s Afrobeat legend, often referred to as the “Father of Afrobeat,” Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has been posthumously honoured with the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award, marking a landmark recognition for African music. The recognition ceremony, held in Los Angeles, United States, on January 31, honoured Fela’s enduring contributions to music, culture, and politics. His children accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award on his behalf. The award recognises Fela’s revolutionary impact on world music, particularly his role in blending West African highlife with American jazz and funk to create the distinctive Afrobeat sound. Although Fela did not receive a Grammy during his lifetime,…