₦airaland Forum

The Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, on Tuesday said the takeover of the National Assembly by security operatives earlier in the day was a gross violation of constitutional order.

He said the the development was not authorised by the Presidency.

Read more at https://annafrica.net/2018/08/07/osinbajo-says-takeover-of-national-assembly-not-authorised-by-presidency/

Senate minority leader, Godswill Akpabio, has resigned his position but gave no reason in his letter of resignation.

Rumors have been rife for days now that Akpabio would defect from opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP, to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC...

read more at https://annafrica.net/2018/08/07/godswill-akpabio-resigns-as-minority-leader/

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday summoned the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, and the Director-General of the Department of State Security, Malam Lawan Daura at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The two security chiefs, who arrived Aso Rock at different times, were to update the acting president on security developments including the blockade of the National Assembly by security officials.

read more at https://annafrica.net/2018/08/07/osinbajo-summons-ig-dss-boss-over-nass-blockage/

You can now make group voice and video calls with up to four people on Whatsapp.

Just start a one-on-one voice or video call and tap the new "add participant" button in the top right corner to add more contacts to the call.

The new feature will only appear on the latest update of Whatsapp.

Read full story here https://annafrica.net/2018/07/31/whatsapp-introduces-group-voice-and-video-calls/

Donald Trump arrived in the United Kingdom on Thursday, where he is waiting for many events, and has already set foot in criticizing Theresa May about Brexit.

Asked in Brussels after a NATO summit, the US president said he doubted that the proposals of the British Prime Minister on the future trade relationship with the EU, exposed Thursday, correspond to the vote of the British in favor leaving the EU.

“I do not know if that’s what they (the British) voted for, people voted to break ties with the EU,” said the US president. The government’s proposals “respond to the British vote,” replied Theresa May a little later.

The US President’s visit will focus in particular on trade links with London, which is keen to sign a free trade agreement with Washington after the Brexit scheduled for late March 2019.

https://annafrica.net/2018/07/12/donald-trump-arrives-uk/

Everyone has paracetamol in their medicine cabinet but misused, this medicine can be dangerous or even deadly, as the case of Naomi Musenga recalls, and is the cause of a hundred liver transplants each year.

According to Pharmacologist François Chast, “Paracetamol is the best and the worst of things, it’s an innocuous medicine, very well tolerated in 99.999% of cases, but it becomes an extremely dangerous weapon when it is used outside the nails”.

Read full story at https://annafrica.net/2018/07/12/paracetamol-a-common-but-dangerous-medicine/

Uganda will review a tax on the use of social media, the prime minister said on Wednesday after a protest against the controversial measure was broken up by police firing live rounds and teargas into the air.

Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda told parliament that President Yoweri Museveni had “encouraged further discussion” on the fiercely-contested levy.

“Government is now reviewing the taxes taking into consideration the concerns of the public” and an amended bill will be debated on July 19, said Rugunda.

Read full story at https://annafrica.net/2018/07/12/uganda-to-review-social-media-tax-after-protest-pm/

Egypt is in a frenzy at the moment over a decision by new Health Minister, Hala Zahed to play the national anthem every morning in state hospitals, followed by a recitation of the Hippocratic oath through the hospitals’ intercoms.

She said the decision will help promote “patriotism and loyalty” of all hospital staff members as well patients in the state-owned facilities. She also stressed the recitation of the Hippocratic oath — generally taken by all new physician receiving a medical degree and attributed to Hippocrates of ancient Greece, often called the Father of Medicine – would remind doctors of their “professional ethical code and humanitarian role.”

Read more at https://annafrica.net/2018/07/12/egypts-new-health-minister-decides-to-give-daily-dose-of-national-anthem-in-hospitals/

One of the biggest financial institutions in Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc has gone a step further in its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by launching a Social Impact Challenge tagged #SimpleChangeBigImpact.

The challenge is aimed at funding dozens of innovative ideas designed and executed by individuals or groups in the society. It invites individuals and groups to pitch ideas that are capable of enriching lives within and outside their community, as well as receive finding from the Bank to execute those ideas.

This is the latest in a long line of CSR initiatives by GT Bank, designed to foster socio-economic development across the country.

Read full story at https://annafrica.net/2018/07/11/gtb-launches-social-impact-challenge/

It is celebrations galore as all 12 boys and their soccer coach trapped for more than two weeks deep inside a flooded Thai cave have been rescued, giving a happy finale to what has been a drama with many twists and turns.

The Thai Navy Seal Unit said on its official Facebook page that, “The 12 Wild Boars and coach have emerged from the cave and they are safe”.

Read full story at https://annafrica.net/2018/07/10/thailand-cave-update-all-12-boys-including-coach-rescued/

Djibouti has commissioned a $3.5 billion free trade zone built by China, with the aim of strengthening ties with the Asian giant, as well as provide jobs for thousands of young job seekers in the country.

The new trade zone, one of several new port and trade facilities being developed by Djibouti, covers 48 square kms and was built by China’s Dalian Port Corporation.

The zone will be jointly operated by Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority and China’s Merchants Holdings company.

Read full story at https://annafrica.net/2018/07/06/djibouti-commissions-china-built-free-trade-zone/

There was jubilation on Wednesday when rescuers located the 12 boys and their soccer coach in the Chiang Rai cave in Thailand. The boys have been stuck in the cave for ten days now.

The problem rescuers are now having is figuring out how to get the boys and their coach out of the flooded cave.

The rescuers now have to figure out how they would get out the junior soccer team from the several kilometers long and flooded cave.

Read full story https://annafrica.net/2018/07/06/thai-boys-still-stuck-in-cave/

Nigeria’s Senate has said that one way to resolve the recurrent herdsmen clashes with farmers is for the Federal Government to give them low interest loans so that they can establish cattle ranches in different parts of the country.

Also, the Senate also says poverty into the country has remained a constant threat to National Security; so it wants the government to urgently review and strengthen the nation’s basic security infrastructure.

The Senate also called on political office holders to restrain themselves from further complicating and worsening the Nation’s current challenges.

https://annafrica.net/2018/07/06/senate-suggests-giving-loans-to-herdsmen-to-end-violence/

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Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, is facing serious crisis today as aggrieved members have united to form the Reformed All Progressives Congress, R-APC, effectively breaking the All Progressives Congress into two.

The R-APC announced its party National Executive that includes major politicians to be led by Buba Galadima as Chairman.

Things are not well in Buhari and Tinubu’s party.

The recently elected National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, visited Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and other members of the party’s caucus on Wednesday.

He stated they were working on sustainable solutions to the party’s crisis.

Oshiomhole led members of the party’s national working committee on the visit and promised they would work with other leaders of the party to resolve the problems facing APC.

He told the Senate President that he and leaders of the party are committed to finding solutions that would satisfy everyone concerned.

https://annafrica.net/2018/07/06/nigerias-ruling-party-crisis/

The longest total lunar eclipse of this century is about to happen at the end of this month, and Nigeria and other parts of the world will experience what is called “blood moon” which is a spectacular total lunar eclipse.

This will be totally visible in Lagos.

Stargazers are expected to enjoy this event as would many Nigerians who have witnessed this type of event before.

https://annafrica.net/2018/07/06/longest-total-lunar-eclipse-of-the-century-happening-this-july/

French President Emmanuel Macron has said that the EU’s plans to create migrant processing centres in North Africa will not work unless the process is led by African countries.

Macron during a visit to Nigeria said many African countries are worried that such centres would act as a pull factor for migrants.

Read full story at https://annafrica.net/2018/07/05/eu-needs-africa-for-migration-challenges-to-be-solved-macron/

An unbelievably talented 11 year old, Kareem Olamilekan drew a portrait of French President, Emmanuel Macron during his visit to Fela Kuti’s New Afrika Shrine in Lagos on Tuesday.

Macron was on a two-day visit to Nigeria and attended a cultural showcase at the Afrika Shrine to announce the launch of the African Cultural Season, scheduled to hold in France in 2020.

Read full story at https://annafrica.net/2018/07/05/the-11-year-old-nigerian-artist-who-drew-president-macron/

Forty-nine African Union members signed the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement.

A.U. Chairperson, Paul Kagame made the announcement in Nouakchott during the closing ceremony of the 31st summit of the 55-member African Union.

Read full story at https://annafrica.net/2018/07/03/49-african-union-members-sign-free-trade-pact/

The 12 children and their football coach trapped for nine days in a flooded cave in Thailand were found “safe and sound” on Monday night, causing jubilation and relief in the country.

Chiang Rai Province Governor Narongsak Osottanakorn said in the midst of shouts of relief workers and journalists.”We found them all 13 safe and sound”.

Read full story at https://annafrica.net/2018/07/03/trapped-children-in-thailand-found-safe-and-sound/

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani says regional oil exports may be threatened if the United States tries to pressure clients to stop buying his country’s crude oil.

Rouhani during a visit to Switzerland was quoted saying “the Americans have claimed they want to completely stop Iran’s oil exports.

Iranian officials in the past have threatened to block a major oil shipping route, in case of hostile U.S. action against Iran.

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A record number of migrants are reportedly missing after a rubber boat they were on sank off the coast of Libya.

An official said 63 migrants have disappeared after Sunday’s incident east of Tripoli, while 41 people have been rescued.

Reports say more than 170 migrants have gone missing in the Mediterranean sea since Friday.

International Organization for Migration said smugglers are exploiting migrants desperate, to get to the E.U. before it tightens its borders.

More than 1000 people have died while sailing from Libya to Europe so far this year.

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The death toll from the tanker explosion which occurred last week on Otedola Bridge in Lagos has risen to 12 from the initially reported 9.

The fuel-laden tanker burst into flames last Thursday along the Otedola Bridge axis of Berger in Lagos after its brake reportedly failed, burning at least 54 vehicles.

The State Commissioner for Health, Jide Idris told journalists on Monday that 10 bodies were recovered from the scene of the incident (as opposed to the nine initially reported).

Read the full story at https://annafrica.net/2018/07/02/lagos-tanker-explosion-death-toll-rises-to-12/

Ten Soldiers were killed and four missing after a Boko Haram attack on a military position in Southeast Niger on Sunday. It’s been nearly a month since six people were killed in the last attacks attributed to the group, shattering several months of calm in the troubled region.

The attack is said to have targeted Niger’s Army positions in Bla Brin, a village not far from the Lake Chad area.

The last attacks attributed to Boko Haram took place early last month.

Stay up to date with the latest African and International news on African News Network
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French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Fela’s African Shrine, a nightclub founded by Nigerian music legend Fela Kuti, on Tuesday.

The New Afrika Shrine located in the teeming Lagos district of Ikeja replaced Fela Kuti’s original club that burnt down in 1977, but for millions of fans it still represents the original Shrine built by the musical maverick.

According to Olivier Laouchez, the head of the TRACE media and entertainment group and organiser of the event, “The Shrine is a must-see place, and that Lagos is Africa’s cultural capital”.

Read full story at https://annafrica.net/2018/07/02/french-president-to-visit-felas-african-shrine/

A gas pipeline in Ilara near Ogijo area of Ogun State exploded on Sunday night.

Eyewitnesses say the explosion occurred at about 10:00 pm on Sunday and rescue officials are still battling to put out the fire.

Sources reported that the pipeline had been attacked by suspected vandals who left the valve open after stealing petroleum products from it last week.

The area has, however, been cordoned off by the police to avoid loss of lives.

The incident comes just days after a fuel-laden tanker exploded on Otedola Bridge along the Berger axis of Lagos, killing at least 9 people and burning at least 54 vehicles.

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Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, has announced the commencement of its Independent Power Project, making it the first university in Nigeria to embark on such a project.

The university’s founder, Aare Afe Babalola says the project is a monumental undertaking and a milestone step by the university. Babalola said the university is one of a few in Nigeria that has a steady 24-hour power supply. He said this is necessary because of the university’s research park and the 400 bed multi-system hospital that required constant power supply.

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President Muhammadu Buhari expressed shock and sorrow over the fatal tanker explosion. .

In a statement, he said, “I am very sad to learn of the tragic loss of lives, tens of vehicles, property and other valuables in the petrol tanker fire.” He then expressed his deepest condolences to the government and people of Lagos. He said this is sadly the greatest tragedies the country has witnessed in recent times.

Read more at https://annafrica.net/2018/06/29/buhari-others-react-to-lagos-tanker-explosion/

A UNESCO panel has added Lake Turkana, a conservation hot-spot in Kenya and a candidate site for the birthplace of mankind, to the list of endangered world heritage sites on Thursday.

The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s World Heritage Committee expressed concern about the disruptive effect of Ethiopia’s Gibe III Dam “on the flow and ecosystem” of Lake Turkana downstream.

UNESCO said in a statement on Thursday that the impact “poses further threat to the site”.

Located in northwestern Kenya and known as the Jade sea, Lake Turkana is the most saline lake in East Africa and the largest desert lake in the world.

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Democratic Republic of Congo said on Wednesday, that it is moving closer to declaring its Ebola outbreak over.

The country’s health ministry reported that it had completed surveillance of the last people who came into contact with patients and had not found any new cases. It added that if no further cases of the deadly disease are confirmed after one more three-week incubation period, Congo will be able to officially declare an end to the outbreak, which is believed to have killed 29 people since April.

Officials said more than three thousand people have received Merck’s experimental vaccine and health workers have kept watch on over a thousand people who came into contact with Ebola patients.

Stay up to date with the latest African and International news on African News Network
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South Sudanese President Salva Kiir said he hopes his meeting with arch-foe Riek Machar in Khartoum on Monday will bring an “immediate end” to the devastating war in their country.

Machar and Kiir met at a Khartoum convention centre for a new round of peace talks after a meeting between the two heavyweights last week in Ethiopia failed to achieve a breakthrough.

The latest rounds of talks between the bitter rivals come as East African leaders launched new efforts to secure peace in South Sudan, where warring factions face a looming deadline to avert UN sanctions.

Read full story at https://annafrica.net/2018/06/26/south-sudans-president-optimistic-about-peace-talks/

At least five people were killed and six others injured as Islamist terrorists, Boko Haram raided a village in Borno state at night.

According to sources, a male suicide bomber detonated his explosives among a group of residents sleeping in the open in Tungushe village in Borno state at about 00:15, West African time.

Mustapha Muhammad, a civilian militia leader in the area said, the blast was followed by indiscriminate gunfire from Boko Haram terrorists lurking in the dark.

Read full story at https://annafrica.net/2018/06/25/boko-haram-raid-village-in-borno-killing-at-least-5/