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Malian soldiers. PHOTO: AFP The Malian authorities on Thursday charged six prominent figures, including a former prime minister, with seeking to mount a coup, a move that came after a military putsch in August, their lawyers said. The public prosecutor’s office in the capital Bamako said in a statement that six people were under investigation for “plotting against the government, criminal association, insulting the head of state and complicity.” A group of lawyers defending the six said the individuals, who include Boubou Cisse, the last prime minister before the August putsch, had been charged with an “attempted coup.” “All of those charged are civilian figures with no established connection to anyone in the military,” they said. Five of the six have been detained in custody, except for Cisse, whose whereabouts are unknown, the public prosecutor said. Details about the affair are sketchy, but it comes at a time of turbulence following the ouster of Mali’s elected president, I

Boris Johnson Britain on Thursday finally severed its turbulent half-century partnership with Europe, quitting the EU single market and customs union to go its own way four-and-a-half years after its shock vote to leave the bloc. Brexit, which has dominated politics on both sides of the Channel since 2016, became a reality as Big Ben struck 11:00 pm (2300 GMT) in London, just as most of mainland Europe ushered in 2021. Prime Minister Boris Johnson — the figurehead of the “Leave” campaign — described it as an “amazing moment” for the country and played up his upbeat narrative of a “Global Britain” unshackled from rules set in Brussels. He vowed that post-Brexit Britain, despite being battered by a surge in coronavirus cases, would be an “open, generous, outward-looking, internationalist and free-trading” country. “We have our freedom in our hands and it is up to us to make the most of it.” On the front page of its Friday edition, the stridently anti-EU Daily Express showed a pi

A map of Nigeria Commodity imports up 1.9%, exports down 0.3% By Yinka Kolawole & Emmanuel Elebeke ECONOMY The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported that Nigeria’s terms of trade (ToT) decreased by 2.13 percent in the third quarter of 2020 (Q3 2020). NBS noted in its quarterly report on Commodity Price Indices and Terms of Trade (Q3 2020) that the slip in the ToT is due to rise in commodity import index and decrease in export price index. The terms of trade (ToT) represent the ratio between a country’s export prices and its import prices. The ratio is calculated by dividing the price of the exports by the price of the imports, usually in percentage terms. READ ALSO: ASUU strike cripples economies of university communities in 2020 NBS stated: “The All Commodity group import index rose by 1.89% between July and September 2020. This was driven mainly by an increase in the prices of Products of the chemical and allied industries (9.55%), wood and articles of wood

Kim-Jong-Un.jpg Kim Jong Un thanked North Koreans for supporting his leadership in “difficult times” in a rare hand-written New Year letter released Friday ahead of a crucial ruling party congress that will set the country’s economic goals. The personal message came after the isolated North put on a performance featuring fireworks, singing and dancing in Pyongyang’s Kim Il Sung Square to usher in the new year, despite the coronavirus pandemic, which the North insists has yet to reach its shores. Kim usually delivers a televised speech on January 1 that is scrutinised by Korea-watchers for signs of where the reclusive state is headed in the new year. But he skipped the occasion last year, replacing it with an address he had delivered at a party meeting the previous year. It is widely expected that he will again drop the televised speech this year ahead of the country’s first congress in five years. State media have said the event will be held in early January but have yet to sp

Six people, including a child, were killed on Wednesday by an armed group in a troubled highland region of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, local sources said. The casualties were from a camp for displaced people in Bijombo, in the High Plateaux region, which is in the grip of violence between ethnic militias, they said Thursday. “They were attacked in a field near their camp by militiamen from the Ngumino-Twirwaneho,” a group led by a former DRC army colonel, the army spokesman for South Kivu province told AFP. The six fatalities, which included a 10-year-old child, were buried in a common grave late Wednesday, said a local civil society leader, Ombeni Kashongo. A 12-year-old girl was wounded and was being sent to the nearest location with appropriate medical facilities, a local nurse, Alexis Rukanyaga, said. ALSO READ:  Mali charges six prominent figures with attempted coup Eastern DRC is struggling with militia groups that sprouted after the region plunged into war in t

Twenty people were killed Thursday in Algeria when a vehicle carrying mainly African nationals overturned in the south of the country, the civil protection unit said. The crash took place near the town of Tamanrasset and 11 people were also injured, the rescue unit said on its Facebook page. Those killed were 19 African nationals, including children, and the Algerian driver of the pick-up truck, which was completely destroyed in the accident, it added. The injured were given first aid at the scene of the accident before being transferred to a hospital. Tamanrasset in southernmost Algeria is near the country’s borders with Mali and Niger, and a key transit route for illegal migrants from sub-Saharan Africa trying to reach the Mediterranean to then cross to Europe. ALSO READ:  Brexit becomes reality as UK quits EU single market In recent years Algeria has seen an influx of sub-Saharan migrants, many pouring across the country’s southern border. The civil protection unit urged dr

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reassured that the country will come out of its challenges under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari with the cooperation of all stakeholders. The party said this in its new year message to Nigerians on Thursday in Abuja, adding that the Federal Government is taking necessary measures to resolve the country’s challenges. The message was signed by Gov. Mai Mala Buni, Chairman, APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee, and Sen. James Akpanudoedehe, the committee’s secretary. READ ALSO:  Orphan empowerment and Christmas festivities The party noted that on account of difficult economic circumstances occasioned by the decline in economic activities, the country’s security challenges got escalated. It, however, said that Nigerians must unite and work together to bring about lasting solutions to the country’s challenges. It added that though it had been very slow in getting Nigerian leaders at all levels irrespectiv

By Azu Ishiekwene IT’s true that coronavirus is not among the top five most deadly diseases in Africa today. But it’s also correct that at this time, we know far less about the COVID-19 pandemic than we know about malaria, diarrhoeal diseases, Ischaemic heart diseases, meningitis, tuberculosis, or HIV/AIDS. Yet, we’re fooling around with COVID-19 and making convenient excuses as if ignorance or malicious defiance is a remedy. I’ve been a fool, too. When the virus was first announced in 2020, I thumped my nose at it. I argued that anyone who can survive the multitude of diseases in this country – from malaria to Lassa fever and typhoid and from meningitis to all the debilitating effects of an absent government in between – can survive anything. Of course, I heard what I thought were rumours of COVID-19-related deaths and watched TV footages in Italy, Chile and elsewhere of health workers collecting dead bodies in churches because hospital morgues could no longer contain them. But t

PDP and its colour flags …asks Nigerians to remain resilient, patriotic By Levinus Nwabughiogu-Abuja People’s Democratic Party, PDP caucus in the House of Representatives has asked political leaders at all levels of government to be more opened-minded and show good leadership to the people in the new year. The caucus also enjoined Nigerians to remain resilient and patriotic in their dealings. The appeal is contained in a message signed by the caucus leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda from Rivers State on Thursday to mark the new year, 2021. Also read: PDP Reps Caucus commiserates with Gov. Makinde over Mother’s, #ENDSARS protesters’ deaths The statement read thus: “For myself and on behalf of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) caucus, House of Representatives, I bring our warm greetings, wishes and felicitations of the season to our Bosses, Nigerians. “No doubt, the 2021 new year celebration is devoid of the usual pomp and glamour- no thanks to the numerous challenges that we have

Nigerian Stock Exchange *As investors gain N8.19trn in 2020 By Nkiruka Nnorom CAPITAL MARKET The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has recorded its best performance in the last eight years on the back of the positive sentiment that swept through the market to record 50.02 percent returns as the year 2020 ended yesterday (December 31, 2020). Also, investors recorded N8.19 trillion gains following the renewed interest, especially by local investors. Specifically, the market, which opened the year at 26,842.07 points, rode steadily on some positive policy initiatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to curtail the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic and accelerate the economy, to close the year at 40,270.72 points. READ ALSO COVID-19: Osun schools no longer resuming January 4 — Govt Also, the market capitalisation, which opened at N12.969 trillion, rose to N21.157 trillion, indicating 63.14 percent growth during the year. CBN had during the year, cut the base monetary policy ra

Edo government on Thursday said that it had recorded 14 new coronavirus cases, urging residents to be proactive and observe all precautionary measures to guard against spread of the deadly virus. The State Incident Manager on COVID-19, Dr Andrew Obi, in a statement in Benin on Thursday said that government had reactivated isolation and treatment centres. Obi urged residents in the state to take personal responsibility in protecting themselves to prevent spread of the virus while celebrating the beginning of the New Year. READ ALSO:  Teachers, doctors-in-training, lion tamers to earn same salary in Cuba According to him, nine of the recorded cases were confirmed at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, while the remaining five cases were confirmed at the Irrua Specialist Hospital laboratory. “As residents celebrate the beginning of the New Year 2021, there is need for everyone to be cautious, proactive and observe all precautionary measures against the spread of COVID-19. “

By Owei Lakemfa HUMANITY in 2020, the year we bade a hurried goodbye to, yesterday, like snails, withdrew into their shells following the outbreak of the corona virus COVID-19 pandemic. It was an instinctive abandonment of multilateralism. Not even the countries that claim to be religious entities, remembered that they are enjoined to be their brother’s keeper. Like Cain in the Holy Book, they would have retorted to any enquiry about their action: Am I my brother’s keeper? However, it was a vain scramble of individualism. Human beings behaved less out of knowledge and more like the child who thought that if war were to break out, all he would need do, is run and hide under his grandmother’s bed, as if the war can never get there. So, it was in the shell of each country’s skin the virus incubated each with its own solitary index case. The result at the close of that troubling year, was that from the seven isolated cases from the Wuhan fish market, humanity had 82.7 million infection

..Says only visionless politicians joining APC Atiku Abubakar Former Vice President and 2019 Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has said the party must be united to secure electoral victories in the 2023 general elections. The Wazirin Adamawa also said it is only a politically naive and vision less politician that will dump PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state will one day “be courageous enough to tell Ebonyians the true reasons why he left for a sinking ship APC.” Speaking at a political event on Tuesday organised at Afikpo South Local Government Area in Ebonyi South Senatorial zone by one of the illustrious sons of the local government and a PDP stakeholder, Engr. Dr. Onuoha Nnachi, Atiku in a goodwill message read by Oladimeji Fabiyi, said at the appropriate time the people will know the main reason Umahi joined the APC. ALSO READ:  Breaking: President Buhari signs N13,

By Omeiza Ajayi, Abuja The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, said it is currently working on modalities for the conduct of Wards, Local Governments and States Congresses, a process that would culminate into its National Convention. This was disclosed in a New Year Message titled ‘Rebuilding our Party for a Stronger Democracy’ and jointly signed by the Chairman of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee CECPC, Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state and the Caretaker Secretary, Sen. James Akpanudoedehe. In the statement issued Thursday in Abuja, the party noted that the surviving year 2020 was very difficult for humanity in every part of the world because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Nations and governments had to shut down. A new normal, with all its adverse consequences on human life, became the world’s reality. The struggle to save human life from the COVID-19 pandemic became the order of the day. Unfortunately, many lives were lost, and millions of people suffered

CBN By Elizabeth Adegbesan The Central Bank of Nigeria depreciated the naira yesterday by N16.25 kobo depreciated in the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window. This represents the third and  biggest daily depreciation of the naira since 2017. Recall, the indicative exchange rate for the window jumped to N374 per dollar at the close of business from N368.33 per dollar on 11th of March 2020, translating to N5.67 depreciation for the naira. READ ALSO: ASUU strike cripples economies of university communities in 2020 Similarly,  last month,  CBN depreciated the naira  by N7.75 in the window, as the FMDQ platform, showed that the I&E window rose to N393/$ at the close of business from N385.5/$  November 24 2020. Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative exchange rate for the window rose to N410.25 per dollar from N394 per dollar on Wednesday, indicating N16.25 kobo depreciation of the naira. However, the volume of dollars (turnover) traded in the window rose by 43 percent t

African Union and United Nations peacekeepers in Sudan’s Darfur region are carrying out their final patrols as the 13-year mission officially comes to an end. Following a peace deal with rebel groups in October the Sudanese government is to take over security in the region where hundreds of thousands have died since conflict broke out in 2003. About 500,000 people still live in displacement camps in Darfur. READ ALSO:  2020 a very trying year for Nigeria – Ashiru, Ex PDP Guber candidate Attacks in the region are still common and many civilians are concerned about the imminent pull out of peacekeepers. A spokesman for the mission said the UN would still be present in the country and would continue to support the Sudanese people. Vanguard News Nigeria  The post AU-UN peacekeepers do final patrols in Darfur appeared first on Vanguard News . Tyranny of God

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged Nigerians to renew their faith in the country, in spite of the problems faced in 2020, including security and economic challenges. The PDP said this in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan on Thursday in Abuja. Ologbondiyan commended Nigerians for their resilience and an unshaken resolve to stand by one another in the face of the challenges. Also read: PDP must be united to secure electoral victories in 2023 — Atiku He expressed sadness over cases of attacks from bandits, terrorists, kidnappers and vandals in 2020. “Notwithstanding the experiences of 2020, as citizens march into the new year, there should be a change of narrative for the nation in 2021,” he said. He urged Nigerians to strengthen their bond of unity in their collectively patriotic resolve to rescue the nation. “The PDP prays for our nation and urges all hands to be on the deck to ensure a happy and more peaceful 2021,” he said. Vangua

Opposition parties in the Central African Republic have called for a re-run of Sunday’s election saying it was marred by insecurity and fraud. Ten parties, known as the Democratic Opposition Coalition, say only about a third of all voters were able to take part. The country is still extremely fragile as a result of the civil war that broke out after a coup in 2013. READ ALSO:  Breaking: Wike reopens Shell’s Kidney Island after meeting with Kyari Militias still control about two thirds of the country. In the days before the election some of the militias launched an offensive and advanced towards the capital Bangui in what appeared to be an attempt to postpone the vote. Vanguard News Nigeria  The post Central African Republic opposition call for poll repeat appeared first on Vanguard News . Tyranny of God

  The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reassured that the country will come out of its challenges under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari with the cooperation of all stakeholders. The party said this in its new year message to Nigerians on Thursday in Abuja, adding that the Federal Government is taking necessary measures to resolve the country’s challenges. The message was signed by Gov. Mai Mala Buni, Chairman, APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee, and Sen. James Akpanudoedehe, the committee’s secretary. The party noted that on account of difficult economic circumstances occasioned by the decline in economic activities, the country’s security challenges got escalated. Also read: Killings in Kaduna, Zamfara, Plateau, Benue fuelled by abuse of social media — NSA It, however, said that Nigerians must unite and work together to bring about lasting solutions to the country’s challenges. It added that though it had been very slow in getting Ni

By Mohammed Bello Yunusa IN Nigeria nothing is rational. Everything is instigated. That the cock did not crow this morning, the cock must have been told not to crow so that I don’t wake up early for my duties. Therefore, at all times, as much as you needed someone who knows another one that knows the water board manager to get your house connected to water supply line, you also need the same chain of relationship to react to government policies, errors or make demands on the government as a citizen. The individual citizens have no reasoning capacity, so this type of social capital is required. It cannot be voluntary. The citizens must have been instigated by opponents or other persons that either hate or are not benefitting from the system. This is the fallacy of our collective reasoning that undermines our political and socioeconomic development and national unity. We must revive our collective capacity to see issues as the present themselves. Otherwise, we have chosen to remain in

By Harris Emanuel Chairman of Essien Udim Local Government Council, Akwa Ibom State, Anthony Luke has canvassed collaborative efforts among stakeholders towards the development of the education sector and improvement of the quality of learning at the grassroots. The Council boss stated this at the inauguration of Okon Secondary Commercial School (OSCSCO) Alumni Association and conferment of honorary membership on him by the body, identifying education as one of the cardinal agenda of his administration. He expressed his administration’s commitment to the development of grassroots education which he described as the cornerstone for a better society. Represented at the event by his Press Secretary, Edidiong Idemokon, the Chairman commended the alumni association for coming together to support and contribute their quota toward the development of their alma mata. Luke pledged the support of the Council to the body to enable her to succeed in its vision and urged others to emulate th