Nigeria

On September 27, tragic news emerged from Kaduna State, Nigeria, where a military airstrike aimed at combating notorious criminal gangs, widely referred to as bandits, resulted in multiple fatalities and numerous injuries among innocent civilians. This grim incident has been reported by various media outlets, with Human Rights Watch highlighting the humanitarian crisis unfolding. Calls for accountability, unwavering justice, and increased transparency have echoed through the community, yet the echoes seem to fall on deaf…

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has pinpointed Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), and Burundi as the hardest-hit nations in Africa amid the ongoing mpox outbreak. The latest multi-country situation report from the WHO paints a sobering picture: DR Congo has logged 30,766 suspected cases, 5,610 confirmed cases, and regrettably, 25 fatalities. Meanwhile, Burundi has reported 2,188 suspected cases, with 853 confirmed, yet it has fortunately not endured any deaths. A glance at the data, spanning from…

Renowned musician Ayodeji Balogun, more famously known as Wizkid, has recently set his sights on fellow artist David Adeleke, or as many call him, Davido, igniting yet another round of verbal sparring across social media platforms. There's been talk that Wizkid intended to drop the inaugural track from his eagerly awaited album, "Morayo," on the same day Davido teased his first single for the upcoming 2024 calendar. In a bold move, Wizkid took to his X account, unleashing a stinging critique against Davido. He described…

The celebrated Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has announced her forthcoming novel, titled *Dream Count*. This captivating tale follows Chiamaka, a Nigerian travel writer grappling with the complexities of life in the United States. Readers can mark their calendars for the official release on March 4, 2025. Adichie is not a stranger to literary acclaim. Her debut novel, *Purple Hibiscus*, earned her the prestigious Commonwealth Writers' Prize. Following that success, *Half of a Yellow Sun* garnered the Orange Prize…

The Nigeria Emergency Management Agency has reported a grim development: 14 bodies have been retrieved from the waters of central Niger State. Unfortunately, around 150 passengers are still unaccounted for following a tragic boat capsizing incident. According to officials, the boat overturned after it was overloaded, carrying about 300 passengers from the Mundi community. These individuals had congregated for a religious event in the nearby Gbajibo village. Of those on board, 150 were successfully rescued, leaving a…

In a notable response to potential unrest, authorities in Nigeria are bolstering police presence in several key states ahead of an anticipated national protest, driven by concerns over soaring living costs and dissatisfaction with current governance. Organized by the Take It Back movement, demonstrators have slated their gathering for October 1, coinciding with the nation’s 64th anniversary of independence. Protesters claim that the government has neglected the issues raised during their August rally. The Nigerian…

Borno State is grappling with one of the most devastating floods it has seen in three decades, wreaking havoc on agricultural lands, essential infrastructure, and countless residences. According to government reports, around 30 individuals tragically lost their lives due to this calamity; however, local inhabitants contend that this figure likely underreports the actual toll, suggesting that more fatalities exist that haven’t been officially acknowledged. The impact of this deluge has been catastrophic, displacing over…

A recent study conducted by the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education sounds the alarm on how climate change is intensifying both the frequency and severity of extreme weather phenomena. This escalation is placing the world’s aging network of dams—more than 70,000 in total—under increased threat, particularly in regions marred by conflict where some structures lie neglected and abandoned. Take, for instance, the catastrophic failure of the Arbaat Dam in Port Sudan last August. The region experienced an unprecedented…

A deluge of unforgettable events unfurled as the Alau Dam swelled beyond its limits, unleashing torrents of water that wreaked havoc in the surrounding areas. The aftermath was catastrophic; entire communities were forced to abandon their homes. Close to Sanda Kyarimi Park, authorities issued urgent evacuation notices as dangerous wildlife—specifically reptiles—spilled out from a nearby zoo, seeking refuge from the inundation. Local residents reported sightings of various snakes and even crocodiles navigating the…

In commemoration of International Day of Democracy, UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered an insightful message highlighting the critical need to safeguard free expression. He also raised an alarm about the lurking dangers posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Guterres cautioned that if left unchecked, AI could wreak havoc on democratic frameworks, primarily by disseminating misleading information and inciting animosity among different groups. He pointed out that this year, the stakes are particularly high, as…