In a recent survey that evaluated dozens of countries according to crypto usage, Binance, the largest cryptocurrency platform by trading volume highlights countries with the highest crypto adoption in the world.

Due to several factors existing in each country around the world, from economic to regulatory, there are countries that are more ahead of the curve in terms of crypto usage. Binance highlighted these countries below, with rankings based on a recent survey by Statista.

1. Nigeria - 32%

Topping the list is the African nation of almost 200 million people, mainly on the younger, more tech-savvy side. With most Nigerians adept at sending money and paying through their phones, almost a third of Nigerians surveyed by Statista have used or owned crypto at some point. Nigeria ranks 1st globally as the leading country per capita for Bitcoin and cryptocurrency adoption, with nearly one-in-three Nigerians indicating they used or owned crypto assets in 2020.

2. Vietnam - 21%

This economically fast-rising Southeast Asian nation of nearly 100 million has also seen huge demand in crypto, with activities varying from trading and P2P to payments and other utilities. According to Chainalysis, crypto traders raked in $400 million in crypto earnings in 2020.

3. Philippines - 20%

Another Southeast Asian country with an economic and demographic situation similar to Vietnam’s, the island-nation has shown that it is adept at adopting crypto. The country’s central bank has provided licenses to crypto companies, while its government is distributing bonds through a blockchain app. On the grassroots level, the nation is becoming a hotspot for blockchain-based play-to-earn games.

4. Turkey - 16%

At the crossroads of Europe and Asia, in this country, crypto companies have become so big that they sponsor national football teams, while football clubs also offer blockchain-based fan tokens. Some Turkish people have gone on the record to say Bitcoin is their primary alternative for investment, which is unsurprising given that the nation recorded $300 million in Bitcoin gains last year.

5. Peru - 16%

Latin America has been a hotbed for crypto adoption, with countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Venezuela seeing major activity on the crypto front in response to their respective economic situations. While at least six Latin American countries saw crypto adoption reach percentages in the double digits, Peru is the most advanced of these nations.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2021/08/15/top-5-countries-crypto-adoption-nigeria/

8th August 2021- As MTN gears up towards its 20th anniversary, Nigerians have sent their messages of appreciation and congratulations to the telecoms company.

The ICT and telecoms company began operations in Nigeria in 2001. 20 years later, it has become an integral part of Nigeria’s telecommunications success story. Many Nigerians have shared their opinion about the company’s operation in the country, highlighting how it has contributed positively to their lives. One Samuel Adekoya, an alumnus of MTN scholarship, credited it with providing him with the right platform to excel academically.

“The scholarship allowed me to concentrate on my studies and provided me with extra motivation to attain my first-class goal in Accounting. I am eternally grateful to MTN and wish the company another 20 years of success in Nigeria.”

MTN is set to reconstruct the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway under the road infrastructure task credit (RITC) scheme, and this has received commendations from Nigerians.

Karl Toriola, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN, in a statement, said:

“We are pleased to announce that our Board of Directors has approved our participation in the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit (RITC) Scheme. This is in response to the Government’s drive towards public-private partnerships in the rehabilitation of critical road infrastructure in Nigeria. We intend to participate in the restoration and refurbishment of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.”

Susan Orji described the road project as a birthday gift from MTN to Nigerians.

“This is a great 20th-anniversary gift from MTN to us. We cannot wait for the road project to be complete as it will contribute greatly to rural development.”

There have been commendations towards MTN on social media for its contribution to the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic and providing relief to millions of Nigerians. The company donated $25 million to the Nigerian government for the purchase of vaccines.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2021/08/08/nigerians-celebrate-mtn-at-20/

Nigeria's total value of capital importation has recorded a quarter-on-quarter decline of 54.06 per cent in the second quarter of 2021, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed.

According to the Bureau, the total value of capital importation into Nigeria declined to $875.62m in the second quarter of 2021 from $1,905.89m in the first quarter of 2021. This represents a decrease of -54.06% compared to Q1 2021 and a -32.38% decrease compared to the second quarter of 2020.

The largest amount of capital importation by type was received through portfolio investment, which accounted for 62.97% ($551.37m) of total capital importation, followed by Other Investment, which accounted for 28.13% ($246.27m) of total capital imported and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), which accounted for 8.90% ($77.97m) of total capital imported in Q2 2021.

By sector, Capital importation by Banking dominated in Q2 2021 reaching $296.51m of the total capital importation in Q2 2021.

The United Kingdom emerged as the top source of capital investment in Nigeria in Q2 2021 with $310.26m. This accounted for 35.43% of the total capital inflow in Q2 2021.

By Destination of Investment, Lagos state emerged as the top destination of capital investment in Nigeria in Q2 2021 with $780.06m. This accounted for 89.09% of the total capital inflow in Q2 2021.

By Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc emerged at the top of capital investment in Nigeria in Q2 2021 with $310.21m. This accounted for 35.43% of the total capital inflow in Q2 2021.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2021/07/29/capital-importation-nigeria-875-q2-nbs/

The newly constructed 1.5km, two-lane bridge on the border between Nigeria and Cameroon in Ekot-Mfum, Etung Local Government Area of Cross River.

The construction of the bridge began on April 28, 2017, and was completed in March 2021 at the cost of  $35.9 million. Funding for the project was provided by both countries.

Photos of the 1.5KM Border Bridge

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2021/07/28/photos-nigeria-cameroon-border-bridge/

God airpos

July 19, 2021 - Following the confirmation of the Delta Variant of COVID-19 and the rising number of infections and hospitalization in the country, the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID19 (PSC), has put six States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on red alert as part of the preventive measures against a third wave of the pandemic.

The States are:

1. Lagos,
2. Oyo,
3. Rivers,
4. Kaduna,
5. Kano,
6. Plateau and
7. the FCT (Abuja).

The PSC, however, warns that all States of the Federation should heighten their state of preparedness and continue to enforce all protocols put in place, given the renowned greater ease of spread of the Delta variant. These steps are critical as we begin to see worrisome early signs of increasing cases in Nigeria.

The PSC shall continue to minimize the risk of importation of Variants of Concern into the country by strengthening Surveillance at all Points of Entry (POE), enforcing extant quarantine protocols and sustaining the current restrictive measures against travellers arriving from India, Brazil, Turkey and South Africa.

The PSC felicitates with the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration. It, however, urges all State Governments and Religious Leaders to be mindful of the potential for the wider spread of the virus during large gatherings.

The PSC, therefore, recommends the following preventive measures for a safe Eid-el-Kabir celebration:

- Decentralization of Eid Prayer to neighbourhood Friday Prayer Mosques (outdoor);
- Suspension of Durbar activities; and
- Observation of limitations on all Indoor gatherings.

Nigerians and all Residents are reminded to stay safe, always.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2021/07/19/3rd-wave-nigeria-6-states-red-alert-eid/

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has ordered Mastercard to stop taking new customers in India, as authorities there say it violated the country's rules on how data should be stored.

Mastercard will be banned from issuing new debit, credit or prepaid cards, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). It did not stipulate how long the restrictions would last.

In a statement Wednesday, the central bank said that Mastercard had been given "considerable time and adequate opportunities" to comply with a mandate announced in 2018.

That measure requires all payment providers to store data on Indian users and transactions only on locally based servers. Companies were given six months to comply with the mandate at the time.

The RBI didn't immediately respond to a request for comment about why its action against Mastercard was coming now. The move will not impact the company's existing customers.

Data privacy concerns are on the rise around the world, leading to heightened pressure on companies to store their data locally. In China, Tesla recently set up a new facility to store local user information as the automaker faced scrutiny over whether its cars there could ever be used for spying.

China's extraordinary clampdown on Didi, meanwhile, has focused on allegations that the ride-hailing company has mishandled sensitive data about its users in China.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2021/07/18/data-violation-india-bars-mastercard/

A flyover with 16 meters dual carriageway has been inaugurated by former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The inauguration of the Flyover which took place on Friday, at Ikot Oku Ikono, Uyo, was witnessed by the political class, captains of industry, and persons across all walks of life.

Chief Obasanjo commended Governor Udom Emmanuel on his performance in transforming the state through quality projects, affirming his competence in the prudent management of resources.

“Governor I am very happy that you have not let me down and you have not disappointed the good people of this State, what you have here 1 km of Flyover is worth celebrations anywhere in the world but I will say to you that you have made me a lucky man.

“You said that this road was named after me and this flyover is a continuation of that road, and so Olusegun Obasanjo Road is not only a road it has a flyover”, he stated.

“Governor I am particularly happy that the background you had before taking up this job which is how to manage finances and how to manage the economy you are putting it to good use here in your state.

“And you know a good manager of resources when he is able to manage in the time of scarcity”

The former President urged the Akwa Ibom people to preserve the projects in the state and see it as an opportunity to better their lives, adding that such projects initiated and completed by the government ought to be protected against theft, vandalism for sustainable development and growth of the State.

“I heard the governor appealing to you that whatever infrastructure, whatever development is going on take care of them because they are part of the assets of the state and if they are destroyed or not taken care of properly, the State loses and every citizen of Akwa Ibom State is a loser in that sense.

Obasanjo called on the Akwa Ibom people to support Governor Udom Emmanuel on his succession plan in order to sustain his visions to move the state forward maintaining that his success as governor goes beyond the physical projects in the state.

“Your success does not lie only in what you have achieved physically in terms of development, socially in terms of where you have put the people of this State, your success also will be measured in your succession programme”.

Governor Udom Emmanuel expressed appreciation to God for the wisdom to actualize the project given the lean resources to the benefit of Akwa Ibom people, and called on youths to support government by protecting the facilities.

Governor Emmanuel pointed out that the inauguration of the flyover will create ease of commercial activities and reduce the rate of auto crash hitherto experienced along Ikot Oku Ikono.

“What we are celebrating is not excess wealth, it is a celebration of God’s wisdom, creativity of ideas in the face of scarcity and adversity.

“Let me thank all the communities this project has gone through for their support, you really stood by us during the project and I want to thank the youths, this is your asset you need to protect it.

“Thank you for acknowledging the fact that the kind of accident we use to have before now in this area today will be a thing of the past, there will be no more accident in this junction”, he declared.

Governor Emmanuel also approved the rehabilitation of adjourning roads used as diversion routes during the construction of the flyover and promised to provide three transformers to the communities to end blackout in the area.

“Let me say that the communities vehicles passed through like a bypass when we were doing the major construction certainly I promise you by next month we would have finished the design of the routes used as a diversion so that we can award and start immediate construction. The Traditional ruler here asked for transformers, I want to assure you, within the next one month we will give them those transformers immediately”, he assured.

The governor announced the inauguration of the next phase of projects in the state, as part of his promise to develop the state, “by September this year we will go into another phase where we will be commissioning dual carriageways, we will commission Uyo-Ikot Ekpene dual carriage, Etinan-Ndon Eyo dual carriage, and Eket Urban Remodeling”.

The Chief Executive Officer of the State however frowned at the disruption of projects in some Local Government Areas by youths, urging them to see the projects as means of stimulating the economy for the benefit of all.

Presenting an overview of the project, the Commissioner, Ministry of Works and Fire Service, Prof. Eno Ibanga said the project which was awarded to Julius Berger Plc in 2019 has been delivered as promised.

“This project was for delivery in two years and it has been delivered before two years, it is a construction of 1km length of the flyover with connections, and we have 16metres dual carriage with 8 meters each way that takes you from Uyo end towards Abak end”, he said.

In his remarks, the Regional Manager, Julius Berger Plc, Mr. Juergen Fischer described the project as beautification of Uyo which will address the traffic challenge experienced in the area.

He thanked Governor Udom for delivering on his promise and for having confidence in Julius Berger.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2021/07/18/disappointed-obasanjo-to-udom-flyover/

ifytrik:
Where una de see this covid-19 now?

15 July 2021 – Africa has recorded a 43% week-on-week rise in COVID-19 deaths, as hospital admissions increase rapidly and countries face shortages in oxygen and intensive care beds.

Fatalities increased to 6273 in the week ending on 11 July 2021 from 4384 deaths in the previous week. Africa is now less than 1% shy of the weekly peak reached in January when 6294 deaths were recorded. Namibia, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda and Zambia accounted for 83% of the new deaths recorded in the past week. The continent’s case fatality rate, which is the proportion of deaths among confirmed cases, currently stands at 2.6% against the global average of 2.2%.

COVID-19 cases have risen for eight straight weeks, topping 6 million on 13 July 2021. Over the past month, Africa recorded an additional 1 million cases. This is the shortest time it’s taken so far to add 1 million cases. Comparatively, it took around three months to move from 4 million to 5 million cases. This COVID-19 surge is the fastest the continent has seen.

The surge is driven by public fatigue with key health measures and an increased spread of variants. To date, the Delta variant, which is currently the most transmissible of all variants, has been detected in 21 African countries, while the Alpha variant is in 35 countries and Beta in 30.

“Deaths have climbed steeply for the past five weeks. This is a clear warning sign that hospitals in the most impacted countries are reaching a breaking point,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa. “Under-resourced health systems in countries are facing dire shortages of the health workers, supplies, equipment and infrastructure needed to provide care to severely ill COVID-19 patients.

Hospital admissions in around 10 countries have increased rapidly and at least six countries are facing shortages of intensive care unit beds. Demand for medical oxygen has spiked and is now estimated to be 50% higher than at the same time in 2020, yet supply has not kept up. A rapid WHO assessment of six countries facing a resurgence found that just 27% of the medical oxygen needed is produced.

“The number one priority for African countries is boosting oxygen production to give critically ill patients a fighting chance,” Dr Moeti said. “Effective treatment is the last line of defence against COVID-19 and it must not crumble.”

Insufficient quantity, disrepair or poor maintenance of production plants as well as challenges in distribution, scarcity of cylinders, personnel or technical skills are among the barriers to adequate medical oxygen supply in Africa.

In a WHO survey to which 30 African countries responded, only 18 countries had included corticosteroids in their national treatment guidelines, as recommended by WHO. Nine countries are including medications that are not recommended in treating COVID-19, such as hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir.

WHO is working with countries to improve COVID-19 treatment and critical care capacities by providing guidance on clinical management and support to update protocols and train health workers. Along with partners, the organization is also delivering essential medical supplies, such as oxygen cylinders and has supported the manufacture and repair of oxygen production plants.

The rise in cases comes amid inadequate vaccine supplies. The continent has vaccinated 52 million people since the start of the vaccine rollout in March this year, accounting for just 1.6% of the 3.5 billion people vaccinated worldwide. Only 18 million people in Africa are fully vaccinated, representing 1.5% of the continent’s population compared with over 50% in some high-income countries. 

“The double barrier of vaccine scarcity and treatment challenges is seriously undermining effective response to the surging pandemic,” said Dr Moeti. “However, with the expected fresh vaccine shipments and strong preventive measures, we can still turn the tide against the virus.”

Additional vaccines supplies expected in the coming weeks and months will help shore up the vaccination rates. Around 190 million extra COVID-19 vaccine doses will be needed to fully vaccinate 10% of Africa’s population by September 2021, with around 750 million more doses needed to fully vaccinate 30% by the end of 2021.

Dr Moeti spoke during a virtual press conference today facilitated by APO Group. She was joined by Hon. Dr Jean-Jacques Mbungani Mbanda, Minister of Public Health, Hygiene and Prevention, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Dr Ishmael Katjitae, Physician Specialist, Ministry of Health and Social Services, Namibia.

Also on hand to answer questions were Dr Richard Mihigo, Coordinator, Immunization and Vaccines Development Programme, WHO Regional Office for Africa; Dr Thierno Balde, Team Leader, Operational Partnerships, WHO Regional Office for Africa; and Dr Nicksy Gumede-Moeletsi, Regional Virologist, WHO Regional Office for Africa.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2021/07/15/covid-19-deaths-africa-surge-more-who/

July 13, 2021 - On Thursday, 25 officers of the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service completed a five-week Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) alongside a team of U.S. Army Special Forces.

Throughout the JCET, the American military trainers and the Nigerian Navy ​special operations forces trained together on a broad range of land-based skills and tactics, such as countering improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The exercise is part of a series of U.S. engagements with the Nigerian military that provides opportunities for the Nigerian military and U.S. elite units to work together, learn from each other, and strengthen relationships.

Delivering remarks during the JCET closing ceremony in Lagos, Acting U.S. Consulate Political and Economic Chief Merrica Heaton noted that the U.S. government works closely with all the services of the Nigerian military to provide technical assistance, equipment, and professional exchange and training opportunities.

According to her, the JCET is part of a close and continuous military partnership between the United States and Nigeria spanning decades to strengthen defence ties and promote regional security.

“The United States Mission to Nigeria is a steadfast partner — helping combat maritime crime in the Gulf of Guinea, counter violent extremists in the Northeast, and enforce the rule of law throughout the region,” Heaton said.

The magnitude of this summer’s engagements demonstrates the strategic importance of the United States-Nigeria bilateral relationship: the U.S. is delivering A-29 SUPER TUCANOs as part of the largest defence sale to an African country; the United States Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps are scheduled for extensive programs in Nigeria beyond pre-COVID levels. These engagements build on a longstanding security partnership, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea.

Nigeria participates in multiple bilateral and multilateral military exercises with the United States, including African Lion, Flintlock, and Obangame Express.

The U.S. and Nigeria cooperate on maritime security, military professionalization including human rights, counterterrorism efforts against Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa, defence trade, and strengthening governance.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2021/07/13/u-s-army-special-forces-nigeria-navy/

Popular Nigerian singer, Olarenwaju Fasasi popularly known as Sound Sultan is dead. Sound Sultan who was diagnosed with Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma died on Sunday at the age of 44. The deceased had been undergoing chemotherapy in a hospital in the United States of America.

Sound Sultan (born Olanrewaju Fasasi on November 27, 1976) was a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, comedian and recording artist. He was regarded as one of the pacesetters of modern hip hop music in Nigeria.

His demise was announced in a statement by his family on Sunday.

The statement read, “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of multitalented veteran singer, rapper, songwriter Olanrewaju Fasasi aka Sound sultan. He passed away at the age of 44 following a hard-fought battle with Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.

“He is survived by his wife, three children and his siblings. We, his family will appreciate the utmost privacy as we come to grips with the tragic loss.”

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is a group of related malignancies (cancers) that affect the lymphatic system (lymphomas). Lymphomas are the cancer of white blood cells (lymphocytes) and can be divided depending on the type of cells, B-lymphocytes (B-cells) or T-lymphocytes (T-cells), AITL is a T-cell lymphoma.

The lymphatic system functions as part of the immune system and helps to protect the body against infection and disease. It consists of a network of tubular channels (lymph vessels) that drain a thin watery fluid known as lymph from different areas of the body into the bloodstream.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2021/07/11/sound-sultan-44-dies-t-cell-lymphoma/

appishani1:
May God help us

Amen

Nigeria currently imports 2.2 million tonnes of fish while it produces 1.1 million tonnes against the total demand of 3.6 million tonnes annually. This was disclosed by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Permanent Secretary, Dr Ernest Umakhihe at the Independent Dialogue on the Transformation and Future of Aquatic Food Systems in Nigeria.

Dr Umakhihe said 10 million Nigerians are actively engaged in primary and secondary fisheries operations, and the contribution of fisheries to the National Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is about 4.5 per cent.

While noting that the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari is to grow Nigeria’s agricultural sector to achieve a hunger-free nation through agriculture that drives income growth, accelerates food production to address the food and nutritional security, he said the Ministry has played a key role in addressing aquatic food systems which include “backward integration policy" of Government to encourage fish importers to go into commercial aquaculture.

He said, “Fish is one of the cheapest and predominant sources of animal protein in Nigeria. It accounts for about 50 per cent of total animal protein consumed in Nigeria with per cent consumption of 17.5 Kg per person per year,”

In this regard, the total demand for fish is 3.6 million tons annually while Nigeria is producing 1.1million tons from all sources (Aquaculture, artisanal and Industrial sectors) leaving a deficit of about 2.5 million tons to be supplemented by importation”,

Speaking, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Mohammed Sabo Nanono said despite the potential impacts of the fisheries and aquaculture resources, the sector is however confronted with numerous challenges including the high cost of inputs and the use of unimproved breeds in aquaculture.

Nanono said the ministry is willing to engage and partner with all stakeholders for the development of the sector for economic development, wealth and job creation as well as food and nutrition security.

“The aim of the dialogue is, therefore, to deepen our understanding of these challenges while also proffering noteworthy recommendations that would leverage aquatic food systems capacity to contribute to the attainment of SDGs in Nigeria in the coming years”, he said.

In his remark, Country Director, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Dr Michael Ojo said, Nigeria has seen significant growth in production over the past 18 years, but we still have a large supply deficit limiting access for consumers and potentially contributing to relatively high costs of aquatic foods.

Ojo said the factors that constrain the supply of safe and affordable fisheries products to meet consumer demand are multiple and reside at many different points in the supply chain.

“We have seen significant growth in production (10-fold over the 18 years from 2000), but we still have a large supply deficit limiting access for consumers and potentially contributing to relatively high costs of aquatic foods.

“Deficits in the availability of feed and fingerlings, poor or inadequate cold chain, poor harvesting and handling, financing, etc. are some of the documented bottlenecks along the supply chain that can compromise food safety, increase the price, and ultimately constrain distribution to consumers, particularly those in low-income markets.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2021/07/09/nigeria-imports-2-2-million-ton-of-fish/

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has detected a confirmed case with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, also known as lineage B.1.617.2. The variant was detected in a traveler to Nigeria, following the routine travel test required of all international travelers and genomic sequencing at the NCDC National Reference Laboratory, Abuja.

The Delta variant is recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a variant of concern, given its increased transmissibility. The variant has been detected in over 90 countries and is expected to spread to more countries.

The variant has also been linked to a surge in cases in countries where it is the dominant strain in circulation. There are ongoing studies to understand the impact of the variant on existing vaccines and therapeutics.

As part of Nigeria’s COVID-19 response, NCDC has been working with the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), the African Centre for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID), and other laboratories within the national network, to carry out genomic sequencing.

This is to enable the detection of variants of concern and initiate response activities. All data on variants from Nigeria have been published on GISAID, a global mechanism for sharing sequencing data. Given the global risk of spread of the Delta variant, positive samples from international travellers to Nigeria are sequenced regularly.

The Government of Nigeria through the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) has initiated several measures to reduce the risk of the spread of COVID-19. This includes the introduction of travel restrictions from countries where there is a surge in cases associated with the widespread prevalence of variants of concern.

The national travel protocol which includes compulsory seven-day self-isolation and repeat test on the seventh day after arrival, are in place to reduce the risk of spread of the virus. It is very important that this is strictly adhered to, to prevent a surge in COVID-19 cases in Nigeria.

Given the high transmissibility of the Delta variant and following its detection in Nigeria, NCDC urges all Nigerians to ensure strict adherence to public health and social measures in place. Proven public health and social measures such as physical distancing, frequent handwashing, and proper use of face masks, prevent infections and save lives. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective and offers protection against the disease.

Additionally, states are urged to ensure sample collection and testing for COVID-19 is accessible to the public. Public settings such as schools with accommodation facilities, workplaces and camps should utilise the approved Antigen-based Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) for rapid testing of their population.

According to the Director-General of NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu,

“Although we have seen a low number of COVID-19 cases in Nigeria in the last eight weeks, it is incredibly important that we do not forget to be careful. The surge in cases in countries across the world and Africa is an important reminder of the risk we face. Please protect yourselves and the people you love by adhering to the known public health and social measures, getting vaccinated if you are eligible and getting tested if you have symptoms”.

The recommended control measures to limit the spread of the Delta variant continue to be testing, following the existing public health guidance and abiding by the current travel and public restrictions.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2021/07/09/delta-variant-detected-in-nigeria-ncdc/

athaboi:
Nuclear?

LOL

Transcorp Energy Limited, a subsidiary of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc, has presented an alternative energy solution (nuclear power plants) to Nigeria as part of its integrated energy strategy.

Unveiling the Company’s alternative energy plan at a meeting with the Honourable Minister of Science & Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Mr. Peter Ikenga, the Head of Transcorp’s Energy business said it will unlock greater value in the power sector.

Speaking at the event, Mr Ikenga stated that Transcorp Energy was seeking to collaborate with the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, to develop nuclear power plants as alternative energy sources for power generation in Nigeria using the OPEN100 model.

Mr. Ikenga in his remarks said, “This project is transformative and a first in Nigeria and would radically change the way nuclear power plants are deployed, offering a substantially less expensive and less complicated solution. It will further provide the country with a reliable and sustainable energy source, devoid of some of the challenges hampering stable and reliable power generation in Nigeria.”

The Honourable Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Ogbonaya Onu, while welcoming the Transcorp team, reiterated the commitment of the government to promote the application of science, technology and innovation within Nigeria, in line with Executive Order No. 5 of the Federal Government.

“We are delighted to see this innovation and appreciate Transcorp for leading the charge in the industry with this initiative. The approach by Transcorp to use small scale nuclear plants is catalytic for achieving the national goals on Science and Technology”, he stated.

The Minister further affirmed the commitment of the Federal Government, particularly the Ministry of Science and Technology to support Transcorp in the laudable venture and directed that a joint committee comprised of Transcorp, and all the relevant stakeholders be set up immediately to jointly manage the execution of the project.

The OPEN100 is the world’s first open-source blueprint for nuclear power plant deployment for a small, standard, pressurized water reactor that will accelerate deployment of the modular nuclear plants for power generation.

Transcorp Energy Ltd, a subsidiary of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc. is a leading energy company, engaged in upstream petroleum development and spearheading innovation in alternate energy sources. Transcorp Energy Ltd. is the operator of OPL 281 asset located in the Niger Delta.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2021/07/02/transcorp-energy-nuclear-power-plantsng/

COVID-19 death toll in India passed 400,000 on Friday, making it the third country after the United States (U.S.) and Brazil to record more than 400,000 deaths. Also, the country has recorded 30 million cases - second only to the US.

Half of the fatalities had been reported during a virulent second wave that peaked in April and May which overwhelmed its healthcare systems and crematoria.

In the last 24 hours, the Health Ministry recorded 853 deaths related to Coronavirus, bringing the total tally to 400,312. Over 46,600 new infections were reported during the same time, taking the 1.3-billion-plus country’s caseload to 30.4 million, the ministry indicated.

Experts warn that the real number of fatalities might be much higher as many deaths are not officially recorded in India. The experts have also warned of an impending third wave.

India’s main challenge remains to vaccinate its huge population amid the threat of a third wave as only 4.5 per cent of India’s population had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The country is currently using two homegrown vaccines: Covishield and Covaxin. Russia's Sputnik V has been also approved for use and is being used in some quantities.

The government is now racing to shore up its vaccine supplies, hoping to be well-prepared after a deadly second wave overwhelmed the country's fragile healthcare system.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2021/07/02/covid-19-indias-death-toll-pass-400/

Chinese video-sharing app TikTok, famous for its videos from 15 to 60 seconds long, said it plans to roll out the ability for everyone to publish videos up to three minutes in length, three times the existing one-minute limit.

The company said the option, for up to three minutes of video in length, will give more time for creators to make new or expanded types of content on the video service. The option will be rolled out over the coming weeks.

Three-minute videos have been in testing at least since December, and it’s been easy to come across them when scrolling through videos from top TikTok creators, particularly in categories like cooking. Longer videos were limited to select users, though, but they’ll now be rolling out to everyone on TikTok “over the coming weeks.”

TikTok didn’t say how longer clips might affect its much-loved recommendation algorithm. But it’s worth considering the possible parallels to YouTube: as the platform grew, YouTube biased its algorithm toward viewer retention, which meant longer and longer videos — it’s why just about everything on YouTube is over 10 minutes long now.

TikTok may not take the same approach, but if it turns out that longer videos = longer TikTok usage, we might see less of the app’s short, snappy, and strange viral clips.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2021/07/02/video-sharing-app-tiktok-to-videos/

The Federal Government has generated a total of N892,467,526 through the rail system of transportation in the first quarter of 2021.

This was revealed by the Railway Sector Report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The Report shows that the amount was generated from two main revenue sources; Passenger and goods/cargo.

Close observation by Brand Spur revealed that the revenue generated from passengers in Q1 2021 was put at N892,467,526 as against N398,999,290 in Q4 2020.

Similarly, revenue generated from goods/cargo in Q1 2021 was put at N26,195,160 as against N82,572,300 in Q4 2020.

According to the report, a total of 424,460 passengers travelled via the rail system in Q1 2021 as against 647,055 passengers recorded in Q1 2020 and 134,817 in Q4 2020 representing a -34.40% decline YoY and +214.84% growth QoQ respectively.

Similarly, a total of 10,511 tons of volume of goods/cargo travelled via the rail system in Q1 2021 as against 18,484 recorded in Q1 2020 and 35,736 in Q4 2020 representing -43.13% decline YoY and -70.59% decline QoQ respectively.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2021/06/24/nigeria-earned-n892-5million-rail-q1/

The rail transportation data for Q1 2021 reflected that a total of 424,460 passengers travelled via the rail system in Q1 2021 as against 647,055 passengers recorded in Q1 2020 and 134,817 in Q4 2020 representing a -34.40% decline YoY and +214.84% growth QoQ respectively.

Similarly, a total of 10,511 tons of volume of goods/cargo travelled via the rail system in Q1 2021 as against 18,484 recorded in Q1 2020 and 35,736 in Q4 2020 representing -43.13% decline YoY and -70.59% decline QoQ respectively.

Revenue generated from passengers in Q1 2021 was put at N892,467,526 as against N398,999,290 in Q4 2020. Similarly, revenue generated from goods/cargo in Q1 2021 was put at N26,195,160 as against N82,572,300 in Q4 2020

.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2021/06/24/424460-passengers-trave-rail-in-q1-nbs/

The billing is too high

Nbotee:
They shld also list those who became poor over the period

One of such issues: 82.4 Million People Forcibly Displaced Globally in 2020, Up by 4% – UNHCR

Despite the pandemic, the number of people fleeing wars, violence, persecution and human rights violations in 2020 rose to nearly 82.4 million people...

https://brandspurng.com/2021/06/19/82-4-million-forcibly-displaced-2020/

The twelfth edition of the Global Wealth Report, published by the Credit Suisse Research Institute, shows continued wealth growth. Total global wealth grew by 7.4% and wealth per adult reached another record high of USD 79,952.

Wealth differences between adults widened in 2020 for the world as a whole and also in most countries. The global number of millionaires expanded by 5.2 million to reach 56.1 million. As a result, an adult now needs more than USD 1 million to belong to the global top 1%. The ultra-high net worth (UHNW) group added 24% more members, the highest rate of increase since 2003, Brand Spur reports.

This increase reflects the disconnect between the improvement in the financial and real assets of households and the economic disruption caused by the pandemic. The United States added a third of the global total – 1.7 million new millionaires – a striking increase in the circumstances, but not enough to prevent its share of global millionaires from falling.

The report noted that the rise in wealth inequality was likely not caused by the pandemic itself, nor its direct economic impacts, but was instead a consequence of actions undertaken to mitigate its impact, primarily lower interest rates.

The US accounted for nearly a third of the world’s 5.2 million new millionaires last year, adding 1.7 million to the country’s total, now at 22 million. Germany followed behind, adding another 633,000 millionaires.

The UK – sixth in the rankings of those countries minting the newest rich – added 258,000 millionaires, so that the country now has 2.5 million individuals with assets worth more than $1m.

The rise in the number of millionaires in 2020 was accompanied by a sizable increase in the number of adults in the highest echelons of the wealth distribution. The vast majority of the 56.1 million millionaires in 2020 have wealth between USD 1 million and USD 5 million: 49.1 million or 88% of the HNW group.

In 2020, the UHNW group expanded by 41,420 adults, a rise of 24%, which exceeds the rate in any year this century except 2003.

Most regions contributed to this rise, with Africa and Latin America the only exceptions. North America, up 21,640 (23%), added the most members. China added fewer members, an extra 9,830. But this represents a 54% increase in the number in 2019. The percentage rises were also substantial in Europe (up 17%) and Asia-Pacific (up 20%).

Another 4.5 million adults (8.1%) are worth between USD 5 million and USD 10 million, and 2.5 million have wealth above USD 10 million. Of the latter, 2.3 million have assets in the USD 10–50 million range, leaving 215,030 ultra-high net worth (UHNW) individuals with a net worth above USD 50 million at the end of 2020. This is 41,410 more than the 173,620 recorded a year earlier, a rise of 23.9%.

That would be a very high rise in any year, but it is particularly striking in a year experiencing social and economic turmoil. The nature of the policy response to the pandemic has of course been a major influence here.

Wealth creation in 2020 was largely immune to the challenges facing the world due to the actions taken by governments and central banks to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19. Overall, the countries most affected by the pandemic have not fared worse in terms of wealth creation.

Global wealth is expected to rise a further 39% over the next five years to reach $583tn by 2025, while the number of millionaires is forecast to jump by nearly 50% to 84 million individuals. The group rich enough to be counted as the ultra-high net worth is also expected to expand by nearly 60% to reach 344,000 people.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2021/06/23/world-5-2-millionaires-covid-pandemic/

Metering remains one of the most pressing issues confronting Nigeria's electricity sector. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) estimates that as of Q2-2020, only 4.2m (40.3% of the 10.5m registered electricity customers) had been metered vs 3.6m in Q4-2017.

The lack of sufficient metering leads to estimated billing by Discos, which ultimately leads to unpaid receipts by customers, a key source of liquidity deficit in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

To improve liquidity in the NESI, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) began its National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) in Oct-2020 to fund local manufacturing and importation of meters by meter suppliers and Discos.

Metering Status in NESI (Q2-2020 vs Q4-2017) - Screenshot below

Notably, the NMMP followed the NERC's Meter Asset Provider (MAP) program, which had subdued effectiveness in closing the gap by authorizing third-party financing of meters, and amortization over a 10-year period. To put this in context, from Jan-2019 to Nov-2020, a total of 508,812 meters were installed under the MAP, compared to 6.6 million contracted meters.

This equates to 22,122 average monthly installations v s a monthly target of 166,781. In its first phase, the NNMP deployed 1.0m n meters, according to NERC. However, only 16,308 had been installed for end-users due to labour and logistical problems as of Nov-2020.

Meter Asset Providers in Nigeria have recently demanded an increase in meter prices due to tighter economic realities such as galloping inflation, foreign exchange devaluation, and global supply chain disruptions, among others, all of which have driven a spike in input costs.

Higher meter pricing will likely weigh on the NMMP's effectiveness, even as the majority of end-users remain unmetered and Discos continue to charge estimated bills. The Discos appear to be on course to miss the NERC’s Dec-2021 target for compliance in closing the metering gap, having already missed installation targets. Meanwhile, end-user frustration with estimated billing will persist in the medium term.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2021/06/23/power-sector-meter-deploy-meter-pricing/

Qatar Airways’ network will increase to 14 weekly flights to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, starting 1 July

Qatar Airways’ customers from Africa can enjoy new baggage allowances ranging from 46 Kg for Economy Class split over two pieces and 64 Kg split over two pieces in Business Class

22 June 2021 - In response to high demand, Qatar Airways has increased its service to Nigeria’s financial centre, Lagos, to two daily flights starting from 1 July 2021.

Operated by state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner featuring 22 seats in Business Class and 232 seats in Economy Class, this frequency increase will offer passengers even more flexibility to travel on board with the highest standards of hygiene measures and to enjoy a seamless travel experience onboard at Hamad International Airport.

With the addition of Côte d’Ivoire on 16 June as the fourth new African destination since the start of the pandemic, Qatar Airways currently operates over 100 weekly flights to 27 destinations in Africa. Qatar Airways also operates three weekly flights from Abuja, connecting more passengers from Nigeria to the airline’s rapidly expanding network to now more than 140 destinations.

Qatar Airways Vice-President, Africa Mr. Hendrik Du Preez said:

“Nigeria is a very important market to us and we will continue to offer more travel options and seamless connectivity to the largest network of destinations across Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and North America.

“After just under a year of resuming flights to Lagos and launching to Abuja, following the challenges imposed by the pandemic, it is a testament to the resilience of the African region that we have now increased our frequency to Lagos. We look forward to welcoming passengers on board to enjoy our world-class hospitality and service.” 

With more frequencies being added to key hubs, Qatar Airways offers unrivalled connectivity to passengers, making it easy for them to travel when they want to. Qatar Airways also offers strong connectivity to Asia-Pacific with destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta and Manila among many others.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for the aviation industry and, despite this, Qatar Airways never ceased operations and worked diligently to take people home safely and reliably throughout the crisis. The airline has also added seven new destinations in the past 12 months including San Francisco and Seattle in the US, Abuja, Accra and Luanda in Africa, and Brisbane and Cebu in the Asia Pacific.

Qatar Airways has become the first global airline in the world to achieve the prestigious 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. This follows HIA’s recent success as the first and only airport in the Middle East and Asia to be awarded a Skytrax 5-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating.

These recognitions provide assurance to passengers across the world that airline health and safety standards are subject to the highest possible standards of professional, independent scrutiny and assessment.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2021/06/22/qatar-airways-double-daily-flight-lagos/

June 21, 2021 - The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA) have announced the suspension of all inbound flights for national and international carriers coming from Liberia, Sierra Leon, and Namibia, effective 23:59 on Monday, June 21st.

The travel suspension includes inbound transit passengers with the exception of transit flights coming to the UAE and heading to these countries, the GCAA said in a statement on Saturday.

The GCAA indicated that it is required for those coming from Liberia, Sierra Leon, and Namibia through other countries that the period of their stay in the latter countries is not less than 14 days to be allowed access to the UAE. Cargo flights between these countries and the UAE will continue, as usual, the statement added.

The GCAA affirmed that UAE nationals, their first-degree relatives, diplomatic missions between the UAE and the three countries, official delegations, businessmen's planes -after getting prior approvals- and golden and silver residency permit holders, in addition to the holders of essential jobs according to the classification of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) and the staffs of UAE embassies in the three countries are excluded from this decision, provided that they should take preventive measures that include a mandatory 10-day quarantine and a PCR test at the airport as well as another test on the fourth and eighth days of entering the country.

According to the decision, the period of the required PCR test is reduced from 72 hours to 48 hours, provided that the tests are issued by accredited laboratories and carrying the QR Code.

This comes in response to the proactive precautionary and preventive health measures issued by all authorities concerned in the country to limit the spread of the COVID pandemic-19, the statement added.

The authority called on all travellers affected by the decision to follow up and communicate with the airlines to amend and schedule their flights and to ensure their safe return to their final destinations without any delay or other obligations.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2021/06/21/uae-suspends-flights-sierra-leone/

GENEVA – The first international treaty on violence and harassment in the world of work comes into force on June 25th 2021 – two years after it was adopted by the ILO’s International Labour Conference (ILC).

To date, six countries have ratified the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190)  – Argentina, Ecuador, Fiji, Namibia, Somalia and Uruguay. Ratifying countries are legally bound by the provisions of the Convention a year after ratification.

Together with Recommendation No. 206, Convention No. 190 recognizes the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment and provides a common framework for action.

It provides the first international definition of violence and harassment in the world of work, including gender-based violence and harassment.

Violence and harassment at work takes a range of forms and leads to physical, psychological, sexual and economic harm. Since the adoption of the Convention, the COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the issue, with many forms of work-related violence and harassment being reported across countries since the outbreak began, particularly against women and vulnerable groups.

To mark its entering into force the ILO will launch a global campaign to promote its ratification and implementation. The campaign aims to explain in simple terms what the Convention is, the issues it covers and how it seeks to address violence and harassment in the world of work.

“A BETTER FUTURE OF WORK IS FREE OF VIOLENCE AND HARASSMENT. [...] I URGE COUNTRIES TO RATIFY THE CONVENTION AND HELP BUILD, TOGETHER WITH EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS AND THEIR ORGANIZATIONS, A DIGNIFIED, SAFE AND HEALTHY WORKING LIFE FOR ALL."

Guy Ryder, ILO Director-General

“A better future of work is free of violence and harassment,” said Guy Ryder, the ILO Director-General in his message to launch the global campaign.

“Convention 190 calls on all ILO Member States to eradicate violence and harassment in all its forms from the world of work. I urge countries to ratify the Convention and help build, together with employers and workers and their organizations, a dignified, safe and healthy working life for all.”

The global campaign will be launched during the ILO Action Week on Convention No. 190, which takes place from 21-25 June 2021.

The Action Week calls for renewed commitment from countries to ratify and implement the Convention.

The Action Week begins on 21 June with a virtual high-level dialogue. The speakers will include the ILO Director-General, Ministers of Labour from Argentina and Madagascar, and representatives of the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

Following the Action Week, the ILO will launch a guide aimed at helping constituents and other stakeholders promote and implement the Convention and Recommendation. The guide covers core principles and measures that countries can take to prevent, address and eliminate violence and harassment in the world of work, including examples of national laws, regulations and policies.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2021/06/21/int-treaty-violence-harassment-at-work/

In Nigeria, 61 per cent of the 2.6 million people internally displaced are concentrated in Borno State, where most have settled in urban centres such as the capital, Maiduguri, the UN Refugee Agency, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) stated.

The UN Refugee Agency made this known in its 2020 Global trends forced displacement report obtained by Brand Spur Data Intelligence Team The report analyses statistical trends and changes in global forced displacement from January to December 2020 among populations for whom UNHCR has been entrusted with responsibility by the international community.

According to the report, the largest regional increase in the number of refugees in 2020 was in West and Central Africa (+12 per cent). This was primarily due to the deepening crisis in the Sahel region and also in northern Nigeria.

An overcrowded camp for newly arrived internally displaced people in Maiduguri. Borno state, Nigeria, March 2020. © SCOTT HAMILTON/MSF

The Africa Center for Strategic Studies noted that Nigeria faces a range of destabilizing security threats. In the North East region, violent attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa have resulted in the displacement of 2.5 million Nigerians. Kidnappings, extortion, and organized criminal attacks in the North West have displaced an additional 800,000 people.

Also, the report noted that the internally displaced population grew by several hundred thousand in both Mali and Niger and continued to increase in Nigeria and the Central African Republic.

The Sub-Saharan Africa region continues to face a severe humanitarian crisis with widespread and indiscriminate violence by armed groups as well as rising social and political tensions, forcing more people to flee their homes.

In contrast, the Southern Africa region saw a 3 per cent reduction in the number of refugees due to verification exercises conducted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo affecting particularly the number of registered South Sudanese refugees.

On June 17, 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari arrived in Maiduguri, Borno State for a one-day official visit amidst tight security. The president, who is on the visit to assess the security situation in the North East, which is the theatre of insurgency and terrorist attacks, will address troops of Operation Hadin Kai at Maimalari Cantonment, and also inaugurate some completed Federal and State Government projects.

Despite repeated conflict and violence across parts of the country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo hosted nearly half a million refugees, mainly from neighbouring countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the climate emergency made the situation even more complex and volatile. Major flooding affected the Sahel region early in 2020 and was exploited by insurgent groups to expand their operations.

At the end of 2020, the total number of forcibly displaced people was 82.4 million, while the total population of concern to UNHCR stood at 91.9 million people.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2021/06/19/61-internally-displaced-borno-unhcr/

Africa continues to experience expanding and record levels of forced displacement-a result of predatory governments, political fragmentation, and violent extremist groups.

Africa is experiencing another record year of forced displacement. This continues a steady upward trend seen since 2011. More than 32 million Africans are either internally displaced, refugees, or asylum seekers—up from 29 million a year ago.

The sources of Africa’s population displacement are highly concentrated. Ten African countries account for 88 percent (28 million) of all forcibly displaced people on the continent. Each of these top 10 countries of origin is in conflict. These conflicts are driven by a combination of government repression against citizens, extremist group violence, and the militarization of politics. Seven of the ten have governments that are autocratically leaning.

Of these 32 million forcibly displaced, three-quarters are internally displaced (24 million IDPs). This means that most displaced Africans have fled to their first safe refuge. Sometimes this involves crossing a border. Most of the time it does not. This detail matters because additional international laws of protection are activated once a forcibly displaced person is outside their country of origin (such as the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol or the 1969 OAU Refugee Convention).

While they are within their own country, their rights to protection are ultimately decided by their government, which may or may not adhere to Its international vows of protection (such as the Kampala Declaration).

Highlights

- With over 6 million forcibly displaced people, the DRC has at least a third more displacement than any other country in Africa.

- South Sudan has nearly 4 million people forcibly displaced out of a total population of 11 million, making it the African country with the highest proportion of its population displaced. South Sudan is also distinctive in that the majority of its forcibly displaced are refugees and asylum seekers, living mostly in Uganda, Sudan, and Ethiopia.

- Ethiopia saw the largest jump in the size of its forcibly displaced population in the past year with an estimated 1.8 million people dislocated due to the conflict in Tigray. Ethiopia simultaneously hosts over 800,000 refugees from surrounding countries.

- Nigeria faces a range of destabilizing security threats. In the North East region, violent attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West
Africa have resulted in the displacement of 2.5 million Nigerians. Kidnappings, extortion, and organized criminal attacks in the North West have displaced an additional 800,000 people.

- Sudan, with 2.5 million of its own internally displaced, is also hosting 1.1 million refugees, mostly from South Sudan and Eritrea.

- Burkina Faso has experienced an explosion in its forced displacement crisis as a result of militant Islamist group violence originating in Mali. Its 1.2 million displaced population represents a nine-fold increase from 2019.

- Mozambique, the only southern African country facing a major displacement crisis, saw a tripling in its displaced population. A violent insurgency in the north by Ahlu Sunnah wa Jama’a (ASWJ) has resulted in the number of displaced increasing from 211,00 to 668,000 people in the past year.

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/2021/06/19/africans-displace-conflict-repression/