Author: Agency Reporter

International buyers of Ghana’s cocoa have made at least half a billion dollars of upfront payments to state marketing board Cocobod, according to Reuters’ calculations, in a dash to secure supplies and avoid another season of heavy losses.An abrupt overhaul of the three-decade-old marketing system in the world’s No.2 cocoa grower has thrust traders and processors into a vastly expanded role in financing and bringing in the crop.Previously, Cocobod would take on bank loans to buy farmers’ cocoa, then sell the contracts for the crop forward to international companies.But after being financially hobbled by declining production and management decisions, the…

As residents of southern Lebanon begin returning to neighbourhoods reduced to rubble, new data shared with Sky News illustrates the impact of the conflict.The Centre for Information Resilience has verified more than 400 videos showing 300 separate incidents of harm to civilians and damage to infrastructure in Lebanon.It offers a window into the extent of the destruction since fighting began in October last year.For nearly a year, attacks were concentrated in southern Lebanon, along the border with Israel.In September, Israel stepped up its offensive. The red dots represent incidents from September to now.The country’s capital, Beirut, has been attacked regularly…

An Abuja-based lawyer, Mr Bala Dakum, on Thursday, narrated how his 85-year-old father, Deh Idi Dakum, was kidnapped and later murdered after ransom was paid.Dakum, while speaking with newsmen in Abuja, said he is yet to recover from the shock, days after the remains of his late father was found and buried.He said the octogenarian was kidnapped on Nov. 18 at about 7pm in their village, Matelem, in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau, and his dead body was discovered on Saturday.“I am a Principal Partner in B. I. Dakum & Co which is based in Abuja.“My Dad, Deh Idi…

United Kingdom: Detectives have launched a new investigation into more than five people suspected of helping Mohamed al Fayed commit widespread sexual abuse over almost 40 years.The fresh allegations against the former Harrods and Fulham FC boss, including rape and sexual assault, span the years between 1977 and 2014, with the youngest victim aged just 13 at the time she was allegedly targeted.The Metropolitan Police were previously contacted by 21 women, who made similar allegations about incidents between 2005 and 2023, but the billionaire businessman was never charged before his death aged 94 last August.Some 150 people have since contacted…

At least 30 people have died after landslides in a village in eastern Uganda, a local official said on Thursday, warning the toll could rise.”We lost about 30 people,” Bulambuli district commissioner Faheera Mpalanyi told AFP after landslides struck Masugu village, adding that six bodies, including that of a baby, had been recovered so far.”Given the devastation and the size of the area affected and from what the affected families are telling us, several people are missing and probably buried in the debris,” she said.The Ugandan prime minister’s office said as many as 20 homes were feared to have been…

The stakeholders on food systems transformation have advised the Federal Government to adopt multi-sectorial approach in its efforts to combat food system challenges in the country.They gave the advice on Wednesday at their bi-annual review meeting in Calabar.They said the development of food systems was critical to national growth, adding that it should be supported and replicated across all levels of government.The 2-day review meeting which commenced highlighted the importance of food systems to food security, nutrition, health and environmental sustainability.Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River said at the event that the transformation of food systems towards improving nutrition and…

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) says the Port Harcourt Refinery Company Limited has not released any new purchase price for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).Dr Billy Gillis-Harry, National President, PETROAN made this known in a statement on Wednesday.The refinery, operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPC Ltd.) on Tuesday began the first truck-out of petroleum products in view of the re-streaming of the rehabilitated facility.The re-streaming and truck loading signaled the commencement of crude oil processing from the plant and delivery of petroleum products to the market.The rehabilitated refinery is currently operating at 70…

Faustine Ndugulile, director-elect of the World Health Organisation (WHO) for Africa, is dead.Ndugulile, a 55-year-old lawmaker and medical doctor, reportedly died on Wednesday morning in India while undergoing treatment for an undisclosed illness.Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, expressed shock over the passing of the organisation’s top official and condoled with Ndugulile’s family.“Shocked and deeply saddened to learn about the sudden passing of Faustine Ndugulile, WHO Africa Regional Director-elect,” he wrote on X.“My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends, and the parliament and people of Tanzania.”Matshidiso Moeti, the current WHO regional director for Africa, also sent her condolences.“I’m deeply saddened and…

Bode George, a former deputy national chairman (south) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesperson, will face repercussions for insulting former President Olusegun Obasanjo. BACKGROUNDObasanjo, speaking at the Chinua Achebe leadership forum at Yale University in the US on November 16, said the 2023 general election was a “travesty”.The former president said Nigeria’s failing state status is evident due to “widespread corruption, poor leadership, and immorality,” causing insecurity and underdevelopment.He described the situation in Nigeria as chaotic under the “Baba-go-slow” and “Emilokan” reigns.“Emilokan” is a term popularised during President Bola Tinubu’s election campaign, when he…

The Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) is collaborating with MBR Signatures and Optiva Capital Partners to thrill airport users to a 20-day Christmas festival.The Managing Director of MBR Signature, Mr. Stanley Ezeani, made this known at a press conference at the premises of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd., operators of MMA2, on Wednesday in Lagos.He said that the festival would start on Dec. 1 with activities lined up daily as from 4.00 p.m.Ezeani said that the collaboration with Bi-Courtney would be for five years, adding that it was aimed to bring back the unique experience of what Christmas.“MBR Christmas Festival…