Anthropologist Hassan Ali Ghazaly, founder of the Afromedia Initiative for Pan-African Journalism and Media, has congratulated Gohar Nabil on his appointment as Egypt’s Minister of Youth and Sports following a presidential decree and his swearing-in. In a statement, Ghazaly, on behalf of the Afromedia team, expressed appreciation for the confidence placed in Nabil, noting that the next phase requires renewed vision and effective policies to empower young people, support sporting talent, and position sports as a tool for development in line with Egypt’s state strategy and New Republic vision. He underscored the need to strengthen Egyptian-African cooperation in media, youth,…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
Terrorists have kidnapped 15 travellers along the Utonkon–Okpoga Road in Benue State, killing one person in the attack. The incident occurred around 7:00 p.m. on Monday, targeting a commercial bus traveling through the Utonkon axis in Ado Local Government Area. The vehicle was en route from Iheijwo market in Oju Local Government Area to destinations in South West Nigeria when it was intercepted by the attackers. A youth leader in Utonkon district, Jude Onwe, told Channels Television that the gunmen stopped the bus and forced the passengers into the bush. “They collected the passengers’ phones to prevent them from contacting…
Kenya Airways has announced its role as the official airline partner for the 2026 Magical Kenya Open, reinforcing a collaboration aimed at promoting sports tourism and positioning Kenya as a global golfing destination. The announcement was made on Tuesday at the Magical Kenya Open Partnership Launch held at Karen Country Club, where the airline highlighted the strategic importance of the partnership in connecting international players and officials to the DP World Tour event. The airline said the sponsorship reflects a broader alliance between national sporting institutions and the aviation sector to elevate the profile of the tournament, which has evolved…
Nigeria produces about 2.1 million metric tonnes of onions annually, maintaining its position as Africa’s second-largest producer after Egypt, the National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN) has said. The association’s National President, Aliyu Isah, disclosed this in an interview in Abuja on Tuesday, estimating the value of the country’s annual onion output at about N1.17 trillion. He said Nigerian onions are exported across West and Central Africa and into some European markets, describing the crop as a key contributor to rural livelihoods and the agricultural economy. Isah credited government interventions — including improved seeds, fertiliser and…
The United States has signed into law a $5.88 billion bipartisan spending package to strengthen the global fight against HIV, according to a press release from UNAIDS highlighting Washington’s continued commitment to the response. The funding supports bilateral HIV programmes, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and UNAIDS, reinforcing US leadership in efforts to meet global HIV targets. UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima said the allocation would provide life-saving support for millions in partner countries while keeping programmes efficient, data-driven and results-oriented. “US President Donald Trump signed the consolidated spending package into law on 3 February 2026,…
The Nigerian naira strengthened against the euro during the week’s fourth trading session, closing at N1,606/€1 on Thursday, according to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) data — an improvement from N1,644/€1 recorded on Wednesday. Market activity reflected sustained buying pressure for the local currency, easing the EUR/NGN rate. The naira’s recent resilience against major currencies, including the U.S. dollar and the euro, has been linked to improved foreign exchange inflows, fiscal reforms, trade surpluses, and stronger external reserve buffers. Following years of steep depreciation, the local currency has shown firmer momentum in 2026. Nigeria’s external reserves — estimated at $46.7…
The World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board has agreed to table proposals at the World Health Assembly in May to expand the definition of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) to include cirrhotic liver disease and inherited bleeding disorders such as haemophilia. Egypt, which sponsored the resolution on cirrhotic liver disease, told the board the condition affects more than 1.7 billion people globally, driven by metabolic risks, unhealthy diets and physical inactivity. The proposal seeks formal recognition and integration of liver disease into the global NCD response — including surveillance, prevention strategies, primary healthcare management and national NCD plans. Armenia, introducing the resolution…
The naira recorded a modest appreciation at the official foreign exchange market in mid-week trading, even as it slipped slightly in the parallel market, reflecting mixed but stabilising exchange-rate dynamics. Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed the local currency closed at N1,359/$ on Wednesday, improving from N1,367/$ on Tuesday and N1,384.5/$ on Monday. In the parallel market, however, the naira traded at N1,453.13/$ on Wednesday, compared with N1,445/$ on Tuesday. ALSO READ Naira opens February stronger at N1,384.5/$, narrows gap with parallel market The spread between official and parallel market rates narrowed to N94, down from N96…
Northwest University, Sokoto (NWUS), and the University of Lahore, Pakistan, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in medical education and professional training. The MoU was signed on behalf of NWUS by its Founder and Pro-Chancellor, His Excellency, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, and on behalf of the University of Lahore, by the Chairman and Vice Chancellor, Prof. Awais Raoof. Sen. Wamakko and Prof. Raoof with the signed MoU Under the agreement, both institutions will collaborate to advance medical studies through academic exchange programmes, capacity building initiatives, joint research, and the training of healthcare professionals. The partnership forms…
The United States has deployed a small special forces team to Nigeria as part of a deepened military partnership aimed at countering terrorism, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) has said. AFRICOM Commander, Gen. Dagvin Anderson, disclosed this during a digital news conference on Tuesday, noting that the deployment followed high-level engagements with President Bola Tinubu. According to Anderson, discussions he held earlier with President Tinubu in Rome culminated in closer operational coordination, including the approval of U.S. airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in Nigeria on Christmas Day. He said both countries agreed on the need for decisive, coordinated action…