Author: kajarbi54

Over 10,000 armed bandits have reportedly stormed multiple communities in Alkaleri Local Government Area, Bauchi State, North-East Nigeria, displacing more than 100,000 residents and overwhelming local vigilantes. Governor Bala Mohammed made the disclosure during a visit to displaced persons sheltering at Kashere Central Primary School, aided by community groups and the local government council. The governor, who expressed alarm over ‘ungoverned spaces’ in the Dajin Madam forest, said bandits were fleeing North-West military operations to regroup and recruit locals and outsiders, including former illegal miners. He announced a joint security summit with Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, and Benue governors to coordinate…

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has raised concerns over new agreements the United States is pursuing with African countries to govern the future delivery of U.S. global health funding. Director-General Jean Kaseya voiced the concerns during a virtual press conference on Thursday. “There are huge concerns regarding data and pathogen sharing,” he said. Kaseya explained that he had initially welcomed the strategy with enthusiasm, noting that it would allow African countries to receive funding more directly while requiring them to co-invest in their health systems. However, he said he declined an opportunity for Africa CDC…

The ECOWAS Parliament has urged member states to accelerate the incorporation of AfCFTA protocols into national laws. Lawmakers also emphasized the need to align tax policies across countries to lower transaction costs and promote smoother trade within the region. These recommendations, highlighted by Nigerian parliamentarian Hon. Sulaiman Gumi Abubakar, are documented in the report from the ECOWAS Parliament’s first extraordinary session of the 2026 legislative year. The call to fast-track AfCFTA domestication reflects a broader effort by Nigerian policymakers to fully leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area. In particular, Nigeria is prioritizing the reinforcement of its legal and regulatory…

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the United States have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a combined commitment of $1.2 billion to protect Congolese citizens and Americans from infectious disease threats. In a statement issued by U.S. Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, the new bilateral health cooperation is expected to bolster disease surveillance and strengthen outbreak response systems. Under the MoU, the U.S. government will provide up to $900 million over the next five years to accelerate the introduction and scale-up of health innovations supporting the DRC’s efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child mortality,…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rescheduled Nigeria’s 2027 elections, moving Presidential and National Assembly polls to January 16, 2027, and Governorship and State Assembly elections to February 6, 2027. INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, revealed on Thursday that party primaries, including dispute resolution, will run from April 23 to May 30, 2026. The commission had previously set the Presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, and the Governorship and State Assembly polls for March 6, 2027, under the Electoral Act, 2022. However, following the repeal of the…

President John Dramani Mahama will today deliver the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Parliament, outlining the government’s performance over the past year and presenting a roadmap for the year ahead. The Ghanaian leader is expected to provide a comprehensive assessment of the current state of the nation, focusing on key sectors including the economy, infrastructure development, education, healthcare delivery, and energy. The address, delivered in accordance with constitutional provisions, is anticipated to set the tone for the year while building on progress made so far. President Mahama is also expected to address issues related to inflation, public debt…

Residents and opposition parties in Namibia have criticized the government for failing to commence construction of a planned state hospital valued at N$2.9 billion (approximately $181.9 million). The 500-bed facility, initially scheduled for completion in 2027, was intended to ease the burden on Katutura Intermediate Hospital, but construction has yet to progress two years after the groundbreaking ceremony. Many residents view the project as a political tool, accusing the ruling Swapo party of using it to garner votes ahead of the 2024 elections. During the groundbreaking in 2024, former Minister of Health and Social Services, Kalumbi Shangula, insisted that the…

Zambia has rejected a clause in a proposed $1 billion health assistance agreement with the United States, prompting a delay in the signing of the five-year deal. According to a spokesperson for Zambia’s Ministry of Health, the disputed provision did not align with the government’s national interests, leading authorities to request further revisions. The official did not specify the exact details of the clause. The agreement, which was initially expected to be signed in November, outlines U.S. funding to support efforts against diseases such as HIV and malaria, strengthen epidemic preparedness, and improve maternal and child health services. Under the…

The ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA) has called for stronger female representation in high-level decision-making positions to better advocate for issues affecting women and children. Hon. Veronica Kaddy Sise, outgoing President of ECOFEPA, made the call on Thursday on the sidelines of the First Extraordinary Session of the Regional Parliament. While noting that significant progress has been made, she pushed for greater female participation in leadership roles and called for improved gender-friendly laws and initiatives that empower women and children. These, she said, include securing the election of more female Speakers of the ECOWAS Parliament, following the historic election of…

The Supreme Court of Uganda has unanimously upheld the election of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as the duly elected President, formally closing the final legal chapter of the January 15 general election. Delivering the ruling, Chief Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija said the Court reached a unanimous decision on the substantive matter following the withdrawal of Presidential Election Petition Number One of 2026 by former candidate Robert Kasibante. Only Justice Christopher Madrama Izama dissented, and solely on the issue of costs. With the petition withdrawn, the Court affirmed that “the candidate earlier declared winner by the Electoral Commission of Uganda remains the…