Author: Alade Adisa

Mali Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maïga has been dismissed after he criticized the military rulers’ handling of the transition to civilian rule. The secretary general of the presidential office, Alfousseyni Diawara, announced the decision on national television stating that “the duties of the prime minister and the members of the government are terminated.” The move came after Maïga’s remarks at a rally in Bamako on Saturday, when he accused the junta of unilaterally and indefinitely postponing the transition process that was initially set to begin on March 26. Maïga also expressed frustration over the lack of debate on the issue,…

Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has pledged its support for the ongoing amendment of the country’s constitution. The forum, under the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, made the commitment in a communiqué issued at the end of its 7th physical meeting on Wednesday night in Abuja. Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, who read the communiqué, said the governors discussed national issues, including constitutional amendments. He said the governors engaged Mr Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), who provided insights into…

Former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, on Thursday, sought to amend her suit challenging the order obtained by the EFCC for final forfeiture of her seized assets. Alison-Madueke, through her lawyer, Godwin Iyinbor, told Justice Inyang of a Federal High Court in Abuja upon resumed hearing in the suit. When the matter was called, no counsel appeared for the EFCC. Justice Ekwo then asked Iyinbor if he had received processes from the anti-graft agency and he responded in the affirmative. “Yes, my lord. We received a counter affidavit to our originating process and we have filed a further affidavit in…

The Federal Government has called for collective action to address healthcare challenges, especially women and children’s problems. The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, made the call during a side event hosted by the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) at the 65th National Council on Health (NCH) in Maiduguri on Thursday. The event, titled “ALGON Mission, Mandate, and Priority for Health 2024-2030,” focused on the role of local governments in shaping health policy and improving health outcomes in Nigeria. The minister stressed the need for collaboration across all sectors, including government, healthcare providers and Civil…

Donald Trump’s allies voiced vehement criticism Monday of President Joe Biden’s decision to let Ukraine use US-supplied long-range missiles for attacks inside Russia, accusing him of a dangerous escalation. With two months left in office, lame-duck US President Biden made a major policy change that yields to a long-standing request from Ukraine as it fights the Russian invasion, now in its third year. The new policy and Biden’s pledge to speed up military aid to Ukraine come as the United States prepares for Trump to take over as president in January, having questioned US assistance throughout the war. Trump has…

Reece James, Chelsea captain who has been laid off for most part of last season, and who just resumed playing, has suffered yet another injury setback. His fresh injury has made Nigerian, especially Chelsea FC supporters to troll him on social media and humorously liken him to the country’s frequently collapsing national grid. The 24-year-old right-back has been ruled out of Chelsea’s Premier League clash against Leicester City due to a hamstring issue. After just recently returned from a lengthy injury layoff, Reece was deemed unfit after feeling discomfort during training. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca confirmed the development during a…

The Senate has approved the $2.2 billion loan President Bola Tinubu requested to partially finance the ₦9.7 trillion budget deficit for the 2024 fiscal year. The lawmakers approved it on Thursday following the presentation of a report by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Aliyu Wamakko, during plenary. Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, commended the committee for its swift action and thorough examination of the loan request. In a letter read during the Senate and House of Representatives plenaries on Tuesday, Tinubu had explained that the loan was integral to his administration’s…

The International Criminal Court in The Hague on Thursday issued warrants for the arrest of Hamas leader, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri (also known as Mohammed Deif) as well Israel’s President, Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister, Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity over the war in Gaza and the October 2023 attacks that triggered it. Jordan’s FM says ICC’s decision must be respectedJordan’s Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi said on Thursday the ICC’s decision must be respected and implemented, adding the Palestinians deserved justice after what he termed Israel’s “war crimes” in Gaza. Netanyahu’s office says ICC arrest…

Pope Francis has opted to be buried in a wooden casket when he is laid to rest – amending a centuries-old tradition of a decorated send off as he works to simplify papal customs. The 87-year-old pontiff – who turns 88 next month – enacted a new set of liturgical rites aimed at modernizing the Catholic Church that scraps lengthy, garish funeral practices his predecessors observed upon their deaths, Reuters reported. When he dies, Francis will now be immediately placed in a single wooden casket lined with zinc, rather than the three interlocking caskets made of cypress, lead and oak.…

An Italian village is offering villas for $1 to Americans who were distressed and looking to flee the country after Donald Trump’s decisive 2024 presidential election win. The village of Ollolai, located in central Sardinia, is offering real estate for as little as $1.06 in a pitch to woo Americans who fancy the ex-pat lifestyle in the wake of the Nov. 5 election results, according to a new statement from Commune di Ollolai. “Are you worned (sic) out by global politics?” a website for the town wrote in a new advert. “Looking to embrace a more balanced lifestyle while securing…