Kenyan basketball experiences a transformative moment with the inauguration of the National Basketball Association (NBA) office in Nairobi. Distinguished figures, including five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, NBA Africa Chief Executive Officer Victor Williams, and Basketball Africa League (Bal) President Amadou Gallo Fall, graced the event held Wednesday evening at Sankara Hotel in Nairobi. The attendance also featured NBA Kenya Senior Director and Country Operations Lead Michael Finley, NBA Africa Head of Basketball Operations Frank Traore, and Kenya Basketball Federation President Paul Otula. Earlier in the day, Ron Harper paid a courtesy visit to President William Ruto at State House in…
Author: Editor Francis
More than a million people have been displaced by flooding caused by heavy rains that have been affecting Somalia for several weeks, the Somali president announced on Wednesday evening. The Horn of Africa is facing torrential rains and floods linked to the El Nino weather phenomenon, which have claimed dozens of lives and caused large-scale displacement, particularly in Somalia, where the massive rains have destroyed bridges and flooded residential areas. “Our country is in a critical state and our people have been affected by the floods everywhere,” President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said in an address, adding that the floods had…
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an application by the Ondo State House of Assembly Speaker, Olamide Oladiji, and other lawmakers seeking the impeachment of the state’s Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa. On Thursday, the panel of justices at the Court of Appeal dismissed the application after the lawmakers withdrew it, citing the “interest of peace.” Justice Haruna Tsammani, who led the panel, declared, “The appeal, having been withdrawn, is hereby dismissed.” The Speaker’s legal team, led by Dr. Remi Peter O., announced the withdrawal, stating, “On behalf of the appellants, we are here to withdraw this appeal. The…
In recognition of International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, the United States expresses profound appreciation for the relentless commitment demonstrated by women and girls worldwide who passionately champion human rights and fundamental freedoms within their communities. Despite facing formidable personal risks, these women human rights defenders play a crucial role in holding governments accountable and advocating for universal human rights. Confronting challenges such as gender-based violence, threats, intimidation, online harassment, and imprisonment, these resilient individuals persist on the frontlines with an unwavering dedication to constructing inclusive and accessible societies. Secretary Blinken emphasizes, “Defending the rights of women and girls is…
In a briefing ahead of the COP28 conference, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry emphasised the critical nature of the upcoming event, marking the first global stocktake of collective progress towards the goals of the Paris Agreement. Addressing the media, Kerry stressed the importance of securing strong outcomes on three mandated issues: the global stocktake, the adaptation report, and the establishment of the loss and damage fund. He stressed the need for candid, strong, visionary, and comprehensive discussions to assess developments since the Paris Agreement. …. what Mother Nature has been screaming at us about over the past year…
The Ondo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, returned to the state on Wednesday after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja last Friday. The meeting with stakeholders aimed to address the political crisis within the Ondo All Progressives Congress (APC). The crisis unfolded as the Ondo State House of Assembly sought Aiyedatiwa’s impeachment amidst a breakdown in the relationship between Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and his deputy. Aiyedatiwa had served as the acting governor during Akeredolu’s extended medical vacation in Germany. During a Tuesday meeting, the Ondo Assembly disclosed that Aiyedatiwa had been asked to submit an undated resignation…
Henry Kissinger, the former US secretary of state whose unapologetic promotion of raw American power helped shape the post-World War II world, died Wednesday, his consulting firm said. He was 100. “Dr. Henry Kissinger, a respected American scholar and statesman, died today at his home in Connecticut,” Kissinger Associates announced in a statement late Wednesday. It said that Kissinger’s family would hold a private funeral, with a memorial service to take place later in New York, where Kissinger grew up after his Jewish family fled Nazi Germany. The statement did not provide a cause of death. Kissinger had remained active…
The United Nations heralded Wednesday the forthcoming scale-up of malaria vaccination across Africa after the first shipment of doses arrived in Cameroon. Since 2019, more than two million children have been jabbed in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi in a pilot phase, resulting in substantial reductions in severe malaria illness and hospitalisations. Now the scheme is moving into a broader rollout, with 331,200 doses of RTS,S — the first malaria vaccine recommended by the UN’s World Health Organization — landing Tuesday in Cameroon’s capital Yaounde. The delivery “signals that scale-up of vaccination against malaria across the highest-risk areas on the African…
Malam Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, expresses gratitude to stakeholders and the Nigerian populace for their positive response to his reappointment by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. In recognizing this reappointment as a fresh challenge, Kyari is unwavering in his commitment to bringing stability to the oil industry and enhancing service delivery to boost revenue. The GCEO humbly appeals to stakeholders in the oil sector and fellow Nigerians to rally behind the company under his leadership, ensuring the success of…
1. “The 2024 Appropriation bill has been themed the Budget of Renewed Hope.” 2. “The proposed Budget seeks to achieve job-rich economic growth, macro-economic stability, a better investment environment, enhanced human capital development, as well as poverty reduction and greater access to social security.” 3. “Defence and internal security are accorded top priority. The internal security architecture will be overhauled to enhance law enforcement capabilities and safeguard lives, property, and investments across the country.” 4. “Human capital is the most critical resource for national development. Accordingly, the budget prioritizes human development with particular attention to children, the foundation of our…
The South West Professional Forum (SOWPROF) has asserted that the majority of illegal structures demolished in Lagos belonged to the Yoruba community. Chief Segun Ajibulu, the President of SOWPROF, conveyed this stance in a statement provided to journalists by Lateef Kayode, the group’s Assistant General Secretary. Addressing concerns that the demolition may be targeting a specific group, SOWPROF emphasized that their thorough investigations revealed that about 80 percent of the victims were from the southwest region. The group denounced efforts to ethnicize the environmental issue, labeling it as self-serving. SOWPROF expressed disappointment that ethnic politics is being injected into the…
In a stern response to the growing trend of residents blocking inner roads and streets for social events, the Lagos State Taskforce has strongly condemned such actions, branding them as selfish and inconsiderate. CSP Shola Jejeloye, the Chairman of the Agency, expressed dismay at the inconvenience caused to law-abiding citizens and the disruption of vehicular movement. Recent interventions by the Agency included the halting of a birthday celebration in Yaba, where celebrants and guests had occupied a significant portion of the road, leading to traffic congestion and inconvenience for other Lagosians. Chairman Jejeloye identified Lagos Island, Oworonshoki, and Agege as…