The death toll from flooding in Nigeria’s Niger State has risen to 151, with thousands forced from their homes, according to emergency officials. Ibrahim Audu Hussaini, Director of Information at the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, confirmed the updated figure on Saturday. Just a day earlier, the death toll had been reported as 117. Hussaini stated that more than 500 households have been affected, displacing over 3,000 people. The devastating floods hit the central town of Mokwa on Wednesday night and continued into Thursday morning. Days later, rescue teams are still combing through mud and debris, searching for victims. Flooding…
Author: Tosin Onisuuru
U.S. President Donald Trump has commented on Elon Musk’s departure from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), affirming that the entrepreneur will continue to remain close to the administration. On his Truth Social page, Trump wrote: “Today marks his last day, but not really, because he will always be with us, lending his support every step of the way. Elon is fantastic!” Trump also announced that he and Musk will hold a joint press conference in the Oval Office on May 30 at 1:30 p.m. local time (8:30 p.m. Kyiv time). Musk had previously confirmed his departure from DOGE, hinting…
Gilead Sciences remains committed to providing its twice-yearly HIV prevention injection, lenacapavir, in low-income countries—even amid uncertainty about funding due to cuts from the Trump administration. A final decision from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on lenacapavir’s approval is expected by June 19. If approved and endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), the drug could reach 2 million people across 18 low-income countries by early 2026, as part of agreements with the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund. Lenacapavir has shown nearly 100% efficacy in large clinical trials. It promises to…
Mauritanian economist Dr. Sidi Ould Tah has been elected as the next President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), marking a significant leadership transition for the continent’s premier development finance institution. He will assume office on September 1, 2025, succeeding Nigeria’s Akinwumi Adesina after his two-term tenure. A Decisive Victory Dr. Tah secured the presidency after three rounds of voting during the AfDB’s annual meetings in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, garnering 76.18% of the vote. His closest competitors were Zambia’s Samuel Maimbo and Senegal’s Amadou Hott. A Proven Track Record With nearly four decades of experience in development finance, Dr. Tah…
In a nationwide address marking his second anniversary in office, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday declared that “the worst is over” for Nigeria and that the country is poised for a more prosperous future. Reflecting on the progress and challenges of the past two years, Tinubu said that tough economic reforms implemented by his administration are beginning to bear fruit, signaling renewed optimism in Africa’s most populous nation. Two Years of Tough Decisions and Economic Reforms President Tinubu, who was sworn in on May 29, 2023, inherited a country grappling with multiple crises: high inflation, surging debt, insecurity, and…
Ngugi wa Thiong’o, the renowned Kenyan author and playwright celebrated for his unflinching critiques of colonialism and post-independence corruption, has passed away at the age of 87. Kenya’s President, William Ruto, confirmed the news of his death in the United States, following reports of declining health in recent years. Ngugi’s teenage years were shaped by the Mau Mau uprising against British colonial rule, a struggle that would greatly influence his writing. His works often challenged not just the colonial order but also the Kenyan elites who inherited its benefits. In December 1977, Ngugi was arrested and held without charge in…
Joseph Kabila, the former president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has arrived in Goma, a city currently under rebel control in the country’s eastern region, for discussions with residents. This was confirmed by three close associates who spoke to Reuters. His visit comes just a month after he announced his intent to help resolve the ongoing crisis in this conflict-torn region. If confirmed, Kabila’s presence could complicate U.S.-backed efforts to end the M23 rebellion. The M23, an armed group supported by Rwanda, controls parts of eastern Congo rich in minerals that have attracted significant American interest for mining investments.…
Namibia has held its first-ever national day of remembrance for the victims of the genocide committed during German colonial rule. This solemn event commemorates a tragedy often referred to as “Germany’s forgotten genocide,” recognized by historians as the first genocide of the 20th century. Over 70,000 Namibians were systematically killed, and this newly established public holiday aims to honor their memory and acknowledge the suffering they endured. Decades before the Holocaust, German forces in what was then German South West Africa carried out mass killings, forced labor, and inhumane medical experiments targeting the Ovaherero and Nama peoples, who resisted colonial…
On May 27, 2025, Uganda’s parliament passed an amendment to the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Act, reinstating the authority of military tribunals to prosecute civilians. This move comes despite a January 2025 Supreme Court ruling that had declared such military trials unconstitutional. The decision has ignited protests from opposition leaders, who argue that the amendment violates the Supreme Court’s ruling and undermines civilian rights. They cite concerns about the lack of independence and appeals in military courts. For the past 20 years, human rights activists and opposition figures have criticized the use of military tribunals to try civilians,…
In an emotional final address at the 2025 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the Bank’s President for the past decade, expressed deep gratitude to the individuals and institutions that shaped his transformative tenure. A Special Moment of Reflection Adesina’s speech, delivered in the presence of African heads of state, dignitaries, and development partners, was more than just a review of achievements. It was a sincere and personal tribute to those who supported him and the Bank’s mission over the past ten years. “I wish to start first by saying thank you,” he began,…
