Ethiopia on Tuesday officially inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), marking the launch of Africa’s largest hydroelectric project. The ceremony took place in Guba, Benishangul-Gumuz region, along the Blue Nile. The event was highlighted by a dramatic flyover of an Ethiopian fighter jet as torrents of water cascaded down a 170-meter drop from the dam’s outlet—symbolizing both national pride and Ethiopia’s growing ambition in energy development. A regional energy powerhouse The GERD has an installed capacity of 5,150 megawatts, placing it among the 20 largest hydroelectric dams worldwide, although still far smaller than China’s Three Gorges Dam. Ethiopian authorities…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD), a leading pro-democracy and public interest advocacy organization, has strongly opposed the recent proposal by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to increase the salaries of Nigerian political office holders and senior public officials. FENRAD described the proposal as insensitive and economically untenable, especially at a time when the country is facing hyperinflation, widespread poverty, high unemployment, and stagnating productivity. The group expressed concern that several state governments have openly declared their inability to implement the proposed ₦70,000 minimum wage for workers—yet these same governments are expected to bear…
The UAE is pioneering the use of AI to draft, review, and update laws, becoming the first nation to integrate artificial intelligence into legislation. Overseen by the new Regulatory Intelligence Office, the system is designed to speed up lawmaking, cut costs, and improve accuracy. By 2030, the UAE aims for laws to be created 70% faster, reduce government spending by half, and boost GDP by 35%. The AI will also evaluate the real-world impact of laws and recommend timely updates, ensuring policies stay relevant as society evolves. The United Arab Emirates has become the first country in the world to…
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has raised alarm over Nigeria’s rising debt profile, warning that it has exceeded the nation’s legal threshold and threatens fiscal sustainability. Speaking at the 11th Annual Conference and General Assembly of the West Africa Association of Public Accounts Committees (WAAPAC) in Abuja, Abbas disclosed that Nigeria’s total public debt stood at ₦149.39 trillion (about $97 billion) in the first quarter of 2025, a sharp rise from ₦121.7 trillion in 2024. He noted that the debt-to-GDP ratio has hit 52 percent, well above the statutory ceiling of 40 percent, describing the situation as…
Elon Musk has introduced XChat, a new platform designed to revolutionize private communication with a strong focus on security and privacy. XChat features end-to-end encryption, vanishing messages, and supports audio and video calls without requiring phone numbers, making it free from traditional carrier restrictions. The platform allows unlimited file sharing of any type and is built on a fast, secure Rust-based architecture. It incorporates a Bitcoin-inspired encryption model for decentralized security, ensuring confidentiality and strong protection. XChat offers full cross-platform compatibility, enabling seamless messaging, calling, and file sharing, positioning itself as a cutting-edge solution for secure, private, and unrestricted communication.
Leaders across Northern Nigeria have raised fresh alarm over worsening insecurity in the region, urging President Bola Tinubu to take bold and decisive actions. They called for the immediate declaration of a state of emergency in the North and the sack of the nation’s Service Chiefs. At an emergency meeting, the Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum (NENF) described the situation as a “full-blown catastrophe.” They cited persistent terrorist attacks, bandit raids, and mass abductions that have left communities in fear, pointing to the recent massacre in Darajamal, Bama Local Government, where dozens of civilians and security personnel were killed. Dr Dominic…
As solar power rapidly grows worldwide and is poised to become the largest electricity source by 2033, critics continue to spread myths that cloud public understanding. Here’s what the facts say about 16 common solar power misconceptions. Myth 1: Solar power Is unreliable Contrary to claims that solar produces power only when the sun shines, solar is actually highly reliable. It follows predictable daily and seasonal cycles, complementing wind energy. Solar panels generate electricity even on cloudy days and are increasingly paired with battery storage for near-continuous supply. Studies show solar failure rates are extremely low, and grids with high…
The International Public Relations Association (IPRA) has shortlisted the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR) for the 2025 Golden World Awards (GWA). The announcement comes ahead of IPRA’s 70th anniversary celebrations in Accra, Ghana, from October 1–3, 2025. The three-day event will also feature the GWA Gala, the inauguration of IPRA’s first African president, and the 50th anniversary of the Institute of Public Relations Ghana. NCS and IMPR were nominated in the publications category, continuing their successful run on the global PR stage. In 2024, they won in Belgrade, Serbia, with a campaign titled “100 Days…
The Executive Director of the International Centre of Excellence (IRCE), Prof. Alash’le Abimiku, says new research showing similarities among Lassa fever virus strains across Nigeria offers hope for a single vaccine that could protect the entire West African sub-region. Abimiku, who spoke in Abuja ahead of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria’s (IHVN) 3rd Annual Scientific Symposium beginning Monday, said the finding is a major step towards overcoming one of the region’s most persistent health threats. The symposium has the theme: “Combating Viral Threats through Public Health Response and Research.” “One of the first studies we did was to understand…
A decade after its inaugural gathering in Nairobi, Kenya, the Africa Biennial Biosciences Communication (ABBC) Symposium returned—this time in Lusaka, Zambia—with renewed energy and purpose. The 6th edition of the symposium, ABBC2025, became more than just a meeting of minds; it was a reaffirmation of Africa’s determination to confront the growing menace of misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation in science. For three days, Lusaka hosted scientists, communicators, policymakers, journalists, and other stakeholders from across the continent. The program was as engaging as it was diverse—featuring plenary sessions, panel discussions, a “bus stop” idea exchange, fireside chats, a field visit to a…