The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has confirmed that the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the regional bloc is now official, taking effect from January 29, 2025. In a statement on Wednesday, the spokesperson of the bloc, Joel Ahofodji emphasized that the withdrawal aligns with the decision of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, reflecting the regional body’s commitment to solidarity and the interests of the people. He added that the bloc remains open to the return of the three nations whenever they choose to rejoin. Implications of the withdrawal ECOWAS has…
Author: Abdoulaye Kay
Heifer Nigeria has launched a Solar-Powered Irrigation Pump (SPIP) to tackle the high cost of irrigation farming and mitigate climate challenges affecting farmers. Speaking at the launch in Abeokuta on Wednesday, Dr. Lekan Tobe, Country Director of Heifer Nigeria, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s food system and reducing reliance on imports. He described the initiative as a crucial step toward sustainable agriculture and food security. Tobe emphasized that the SPIP initiative is part of Heifer Nigeria’s broader effort to equip farmers with climate-resilient solutions. The pilot phase targets 168 farmers in Ogun State, with plans to scale the…
The Minister of Women Affairs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated on Wednesday that Nigeria is a significant source, transit, and destination country for human trafficking in Africa. She made this remark during the 2025 annual academic summit organized by the University of Abuja’s Faculty of Social Sciences, themed “Illegal Migration and Girl-Child Trafficking in 21st Century Nigeria: Changing the Mindset through Quality and Functional University Education.” Sulaiman-Ibrahim highlighted that factors such as poverty, economic hardship, lack of education and skills, cultural and gender norms, and weak law enforcement contribute to illegal migration and trafficking in Nigeria. According to the Global Slavery Index…
The Kebbi Government says it is assessing the condition of the Zuru General Hospital with the aim of upgrading it to a referral centre. The state governor, Nasir Idris stated this when he visited the Emir of Zuru, Muhammadu Sani-Sami on Wednesday. Idris visited the emir to thank the people of Fakai, Sakaba, Danko/Wasagu and Zuru Local Government Areas that make up the emirate. ALSO READ [OPINION] Pension Scheme Or Pension Scam? By Abdu Labaran ALSO READ Cable Foundation selects 13 journalists for climate storytelling fellowship [LIST] Idris said that upgrading the General Hospital to a referral centre would ease…
At least 3,690 Nigerians in the United States are facing deportation as part of a broader immigration crackdown by U.S. authorities. From Africa, Somalia leads with 4,090 citizens followed by Nigeria which has 3,690, while Ghana ranks third with 3,228. According to a document from the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) titled “Noncitizens on the ICE Non-Detained Docket with Final Orders of Removal by Country of Citizenship”, Somalia has the highest number of deportees from Africa, with 4,090 citizens affected. Nigeria follows with 3,690, while Ghana ranks third with 3,228. ALSO READ US: 18 states sue to block…
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted hazy and cloudy weather conditions across the country from Wednesday to Friday. In its weather outlook released on Tuesday in Abuja, NiMet forecasted slight dust haze over the northern and North-Central regions throughout Wednesday. The southern region is expected to experience a hazy atmosphere with patches of clouds, along with chances of early morning mist or fog over coastal cities. Localized thunderstorms are likely over parts of Ogun, Lagos, Ondo, and Delta States later in the day. For Thursday, slight dust haze is expected to persist in the northern and North-Central regions. The…
The United States has officially notified the United Nations of its decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, with the exit set to take effect on January 27, 2026, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric announced. Speaking at a news briefing in New York on Tuesday, Dujarric reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to addressing climate change, despite the U.S.’s decision. “We reaffirm our commitment to the Paris Agreement and to supporting all effective efforts to limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius,” he said. The Paris Agreement, adopted by 193 countries in December 2015, aims to keep global temperature…
The Ebonyi State Government has taken a firm stance against indiscriminate waste disposal by imposing a fine of N50,000 on offenders. This decision aims to combat the growing problem of refuse dumping and was announced in a press release from Mr. Reuben Okorie, Head of Public Relations at the Ministry of Environment, made available to journalists on Tuesday in Abakaliki. In the statement, the government urged residents to properly bag their waste and dispose of it only at designated dump sites and waste bins between the hours of 5 AM and 8 PM. The initiative reflects the government’s commitment to…
Cable Newspaper Journalism Foundation (CNJF), the non-profit organisation, has selected 13 journalists for its Amplifying Climate Storytelling Fellowship. The fellows were selected from a pool of 78 applicants. The fellowship, organised in partnership with TheCable Newspaper, includes a capacity-building training scheduled for February 3 and 4 in Lagos. The training will feature a field trip to a coastal community, and participants stand to receive a modest climate storytelling grant. CNJF stated that the selection reflects diversity across online, print, and radio media platforms and a fair gender balance, with six female and seven male journalists. ALSO READ Sowore rejects bail conditions,…
The Debt Management Office (DMO) has clarified that President Bola Tinubu inherited a total of N87.38 trillion in public debt upon assuming office on May 29, 2023, refuting media claims that he inherited N21 trillion, which then supposedly increased to N142 trillion. In a statement issued on Monday, the DMO clarified that as of June 30, 2023, the actual total public debt stood at N87.38 trillion. This figure includes both external and domestic debts, covering the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), the 36 states, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The statement stressed that the reported N21 trillion figure was…