Burkina Faso has officially eliminated visa fees for all travellers from African countries, following a decision reached at a recent cabinet meeting chaired by junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré. Security Minister Mahamadou Sana confirmed that African citizens wishing to visit Burkina Faso will no longer be required to pay visa fees. However, they must still complete an online application, which remains subject to approval. The move is part of Burkina Faso’s push to strengthen Pan-African solidarity and deepen regional integration. The country now joins a growing number of African nations — including Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya — that have recently…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has called on Fulani herdsmen to embrace cattle ranching as a sustainable way of improving livestock production and addressing the recurring farmer-herder conflicts that have fueled insecurity across the state. The Governor made the appeal when he received representatives of various Fulani groups at the Government House, Minna. The delegation visited under the auspices of the Madako Foundation for Conflict Resolution and Empowerment. Governor Bago, popularly known as the “Farmer Governor,” described ranching as the most effective and modern approach to livestock management, stressing that it offers better opportunities for value chain production and…
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reported a significant recovery of public funds totaling approximately ₦50.6 billion and $1.066 million from the North-West and North-East geopolitical zones of Nigeria between May 2023 and July 2025, reinforcing its commitment to combating corruption and ensuring accountability in these regions. According to a detailed report presented at a media engagement attended by select journalists from the Northwest and the Northeast and held at the Bristol Hotel in Kano, the ICPC tracked a total of 1,440 public projects valued at about ₦271.054 billion, with 767 projects worth ₦112.737 billion…
The NNPC Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of NNPC Ltd., has extended its Vulnerable Farmers Training Programme to Northern Nigeria as part of efforts to boost food security, empower rural communities, and drive national development. The initiative, now in its second phase, is designed to equip farmers with modern agricultural techniques, including climate-smart practices, organic fertilization, post-harvest loss reduction, and strategies for improved market access. The first phase of the programme was held across the South-East, South-South, and South-West regions, where more than 4,000 farmers benefitted from training on innovative practices and market strategies. According to the foundation,…
The National President of the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG), Arc. Kabir Ibrahim, has cautioned that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to reduce food prices by addressing transport costs could backfire if broader structural challenges confronting the agricultural sector are not simultaneously tackled. Reacting to the pronouncement by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Ibrahim described the situation as being “caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.” He explained that while lowering transport costs may provide temporary relief, other critical issues such as high input costs, energy supply, insecurity, and distribution bottlenecks…
In the heart of Niger’s sprawling rural landscapes, smallholder farmers form the backbone of the nation’s food security and economy. Yet, despite their vital role, many struggle with outdated, costly, and often inaccessible farming equipment. The advent of small-tech tools—advancements inspired by China’s innovative, affordable solutions—offers a beacon of hope, promising to transform how Niger’s farmers cultivate their land. The costly tractor trap Traditionally, large-scale tractors and heavy machinery symbolize modern farming. However, their price tags—sometimes reaching tens of thousands of dollars—are well beyond what smallholder farmers can afford. Besides the high upfront cost, maintenance, fuel, and repair expenses often…
Research led by Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and the Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Programme shows that over half of hospital patients with breathlessness had died within a year of admission (51%), as opposed to just 26% of those without the symptom.Most of these patients had more than one condition that cause breathlessness, including pneumonia, anaemia, heart failure and TB. The findings demonstrate the importance of integrated, patient-centred care, researchers say, to tackle the burden of high mortality for people with breathlessness, particularly in low-income countries.Dr Stephen Spencer, Wellcome Trust Clinical PhD Fellow at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and the Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome…
Cassava is one of the easiest and most rewarding crops to grow, but understanding its growth cycle is the key to maximizing your harvest. 🔹 1. Planting Stage (0–1 month):Cassava is usually planted using stem cuttings, not seeds. Within the first month, the cuttings sprout roots and shoots. 🔹 2. Establishment Stage (1–3 months):The plant focuses on building a strong root system and leafy canopy. This is when it needs good weed control and adequate rainfall. 🔹 3. Vegetative Growth Stage (3–6 months):Cassava grows vigorously, producing many leaves. Photosynthesis at this stage helps store energy in the roots. 🔹 4.…
Health experts across West Africa are calling for urgent investment in research, innovation, and stronger regional collaboration to combat Lassa fever and other Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers (VHFs). The call was made on Wednesday at the Second Lassa Fever International Conference in Abidjan, organised by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) under the theme “Beyond Borders: Strengthening Regional Cooperation to Combat Lassa Fever and Emerging Infectious Diseases.” The conference brought together scientists, policymakers, and global health leaders to reaffirm regional commitment, mobilise political will, and drive joint action against Lassa fever, which remains a major public health threat across the region.…
Researchers from China and the United States have unveiled a pioneering 6G chip that delivers internet speeds exceeding 100 gigabits per second—approximately ten times faster than 5G and hundreds of times faster than current average commercial internet speeds. The ultra-compact chip, developed jointly by scientists at Peking University, City University of Hong Kong, and the University of California, Santa Barbara, measures just 11 millimeters by 1.7 millimeters. It operates across an unprecedented frequency band from 0.5 GHz to 115 GHz, encompassing wireless signals traditionally handled by nine distinct radio systems. Central to this breakthrough is an electro-optic modulator that efficiently…