The Omicron variant of the not-yet-ready to go COVID-19 is more troubling with the arrival of 2022. It is likely to determine how ready the world is to kill the killer coronavirus. Despite all the outpouring of prayers by all faiths for this pandemic to let us be, this daring variant has continued to surge mercilessly across the globe. Disturbingly, the United Nations health agency, World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday said that it was crucial that more is done to help all countries receive lifesaving coronavirus jabs as quickly as possible. The alarm came as a senior WHO epidemiologist…
Author: Akanimo Sampson
2022 started on a good note for ExxonMobil, an American oil giant. This week, the oil company announced that it made two oil discoveries at Fangtooth-1 and Lau Lau-1 in the Stabroek block offshore Guyana. ExxonMobil is, however, one of the largest publicly traded international energy companies that use technology and innovation to help meet the world’s growing energy needs. It holds an industry-leading inventory of resources, is one of the largest refiners and marketers of petroleum products, and its chemical company is one of the largest in the world. The Fangtooth-1 well encountered approximately 164 feet (50 meters) of…
Tuesday’s frontal attack by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State that Ogoni leaders are largely responsible for the backwardness of that axis of the state has received a high profile support from a stalwart of All Progressives Congress (APC), Magnus Ngei Abe. Abe, an Ogoni and former Secretary to Rivers State Government and its Information Commissioner during the Peter Odili administration is a key APC figure who represented Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the Red Chamber of Nigeria’s bicameral Legislature. He pushed aside blind partisanship to express his profound appreciation to Governor Wike, for comments made to Ogoni people on…
The dream of Bakassi Local Government Secretary, Eyo Bassey Edet, to represent the area in Cross River State House of Assembly in 2023 on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) has started to receive the blessing of party leaders. APC chief in the area, Gerald Esin, says he is comfortable with Edet’s 2023 ambition. The Bakassi council scribe however made his ambition public at an end of year party attended by Bakassi APC chiefs and ward executive members. He explained that his intention is borne out the fact that come 2023, a candidate from the riverine area should represent…
For men and officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, 2022 is a year of intense battle against all forms of criminalities in the country. To this end, a marching order has been given to all Zonal Commanders and State Commandants to deploy officers and men massively to every nooks and cranny of Nigeria in a renewed fight against all forms of crimes. Commandant General of the civil defence, Ahmed Audi, gave the order while affirming that the fight against insurgency and insecurity in general calls for concerted efforts of the government, security agencies and the general public.…
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State on Tuesday looked at the faces of Ogoni leaders and with disdain told them to stop destroying their selves, pointing out that they are promoting disunity among themselves while blaming the backwardness of their area on others. Wike was speaking at the 30th celebration of Ogoni Day with the theme, “Leaving no one behind”, that held at the Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Bori town, in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State on Tuesday. Specifically, he queried how many Ogoni leaders can truly defend the interest of Ogoni land, and genuinely pursue issues of…
Combative Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has unwittingly provided aggrieved Igbo youths with political ammunition to eliminate the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Eastern Nigeria, the axis of Biafra agitation in Nigeria. Wike has been acting as a bulldozer since he became governor in 2015, talking as he wishes, and always seeking to foist his will on his party. This time his stance on the 2023 presidency is drawing the ire of Igbo youths. The youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Ohanaeze Youth Council ( OYC) has vowed to ensure a total collapse of PDP in Igboland if Wike,…
The Nigeria Police appears to be very busy up-scaling its crime-fighting strategies, but very weak in policing its weapons. A damning report has already indicted the police in the area of policing its weapons. According to a report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (AuGF), 178,459 firearms and ammunition belong to the police are missing or unaccounted for. The audit reviewed the arms movement register, monthly returns of arms and ammunition and ammunition register at the armoury section. Of the high number 88,078 AK-47 rifles. 3,907 assorted rifles and pistols across different police formations could not be…
It is shockingly becoming clearer that the security crisis in Imo State has the signature of some All Progressives Congress (APC) potentates. The aggrieved Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has started to make the messy affair public. IPOB is calling on the people of the troubled Eastern Nigeria state to hold Governor Hope Uzodinma, former Governor Rochas Okorocha and his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu accountable for bringing pain and sorrow to them. In its New Year message, the Biafra agitating group stated that it has become obvious that Uzodinma and his predecessor Okorocha, are the sponsors of the so-called unknown gunmen…
The crisis rocking the Ogoni mass movement, Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), is fast taking a turn for the worse. Its President, Fegalo Nsuke, says MOSOP has nothing to do with the planned political gathering billed for this Tuesday, January 4, in Bori, the traditional headquarters of Ogoni. January 4, every year is usually celebrated as Ogoni Day. But, Nsuke is saying the event will be a political event and he does not intend his presence to validate a decision already taken by the politicians without consultations with MOSOP. He said the Ogoni day event should…
By the turn of 2021, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) alerted the world that armed conflict, inter-communal violence and insecurity continued to take a devastating toll on thousands of children throughout 2021, From Afghanistan to Yemen, and Syria to northern Ethiopia, UNICEF denounced grave violations against youngsters in both protracted and new conflicts. Last week, four children were reportedly among the victims of an attack that killed at least 35 people – including two Save the Children staff – in Kayah state in eastern Myanmar. In a statement, UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said that, year after year, “parties to conflict continue to demonstrate a dreadful disregard for the rights and wellbeing of children”. “Children are suffering, and…
With the arrival of 2022, it was not clear by last year ending if the international community’s efforts to tackle the climate change crisis, as seen at the COP26 UN Climate Conference, will result in meaningful action. Undoubtedly, 2021 saw another steady stream of UN-backed reports reinforcing a stark message: man-made climate change is an urgent and even existential threat to life on Earth. To avoid catastrophic climate change, global temperature rises need to be kept to a maximum of 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels, but the odds of the world getting hotter in the next five years continue to…
PLAC BEAM, a news magazine of Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), a civic group in its latest edition is featuring Alao Aka-Bashorun, a prominent activist. He was born in Lagos in the year 1930. Having completed his elementary and secondary school education in Lagos, he left for England where he attended the London School of Economics. Shortly afterwards, he was called to the English Bar in 1955. He later re turned to Nigeria and enrolled at the Nigeria Law School in 1963 and was called to the Nigeria Bar in 1964. When in the late 1980s, the young poet…
Cross River State wing of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that it is taking strategic measures to regain the state which Governor Ben Ayade for selfish reasons sold to All Progressives Congress (APC). To this end, the party has thrown its governorship candidate race to all. The obviously desperate PDP says the governorship race will be open to all party members irrespective of their senatorial districts. Zoning, in the past few months, has raised dust and controversies on which senatorial district should produce the next governor. And, this puts to rest, controversies surrounding the position of the PDP on…
Political risk consultancy, Menas Associates has advanced reasons why a cabinet shakeup is underway in Algeria. In its monthly intelligence report on the North African country, it said reliable sources report that a partial cabinet reshuffle is imminent. Some believe that the mini-reshuffle will focus solely on the Finance Ministry. Prime Minister Aïmene Benabderrahmane continues to hold the office of finance minister despite being appointed as prime minister on June 30. As most commentators said at the time, it is impossible to competently manage both portfolios at the same time. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is strongly rumoured to be about to…
United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) representative in Libya, Asr Toson, says in 2021, over 10,000 people were reached through their health services. ‘’Still, more than 1.3 million people out of a total population of 6.9 million lack access to basic health care. ‘’A large proportion of health facilities are not functional or lack supplies or human resources. We need to scale up our efforts before the situation deteriorates further. ”We would request partners and donor institutions to come join hands with us in our pursuit to achieve a safer future for Libya and its people”, the UNFPA chief says. Asr…
The latest edition of PLAC BEAM, a news magazine of Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) says civil society organizations are deepening democracy in Nigeria. According to the magazine, most of the leading civic groups currently active in the country trace their origins to the years under military dictatorship between 1984 and 1999. They started out as critics of abuse of power, violations of human rights, corruption and general oppression liberally dispensed by those who had violently usurped the sovereign will of the citizens. From criticism, these voices logically evolved into a pro-democracy movement, organizing street marches, rallies and campaigns…
After the bizarre invasion of the Anglican Church by some ‘’mad dogs’’ security agents that operated like the unknown gunmen that have been shattering the peace in Imo State, the Uzodimma administration set silly pride aside and apologized to the church for the rude action of the invaders. Information and Strategy Commissioner, Declan Emelumba, in a statement, condemned the action of the police, pointing out that some people are hiding under the incident to whip up public sentiments. According to him, ‘’the plan is to de-emphasise the possible criminality behind his arrest by playing up the desecration of a church.…
This outgoing year, while fresh unrest caused serious instability in Myanmar, Afghanistan, Ethiopia and Sudan, long-running conflicts continued in Syria and Yemen. United Nations “Blue Helmet” peacekeepers suffered losses and injuries, particularly those serving in the peacekeeping missions in Mali and the Central African Republic (CAR). Nevertheless, the UN reaffirmed its commitment to protecting those caught up in the fighting. Syria: peace denied by a ‘gulf of mistrust’ The grim ten-year milestone of the Syrian conflict, which has killed more than 350,000 people, saw the UN Special Envoy for the country, Geir Pedersen, work tirelessly to advance the peace process,…
This outgoing 2021 saw the launch of a United Nations-backed programme to help developing countries protect their populations against the rampaging COVID-19, and steps were taken to prepare for future global health crises. This was in spite of the almost miraculous development of effective vaccines against the virus in 2020. The mass killer virus continued to spread and mutate throughout last year, with much of the blame placed on a lack of effective global collaboration as a key reason for the prolonged pandemic. The UN could have been forgiven for saying ‘I told you so’ when it became clear in…
Defiant Senate Minority Leader who is representing Abia South Senatorial District, Enyinnaya Abaribe, says nothing will stop him from succeeding Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State in 2023. This is even in spite of the fact that Ikpeazu has disassociated himself from his alleged endorsement of the senator’s governorship ambition. There has been a response in which he boasted that he would be the next governor The unshaken Senator Abaribe spoke after a grand civic reception in his honour by Nzuko Ahiaba la Abayi clans in Obingwa and Aba North Local Government Areas. He said he had already formally informed…
Alleged fresh invasion of Fulani herdsmen into Anambra State which was causing unease in the state has been doused by the state government. There was even concern that some herds of cattle invaded the newly commissioned Anambra State International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri. In a swift reaction, the state’s Information and Public Enlightenment Commissioner, C. Don Adinuba, said nothing of such took place. “We refute with all the emphasis at our disposal the report that a group of Fulani herdsmen and their herd of cattle invaded the newly-built and commissioned Anambra State International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri. “Nothing…
The long arm of the law is finally catching up with some operators of spurious medical laboratories in Akwa Ibom State who have been having a field day with their unwholesome activities. At one of such numerous labs, a student on Industrial Training was found to be issuing test results instead of Certified Laboratory Scientist. Head of the Monitoring /Inspection Team, Dr. Augustine Udoh, made their shock find known in Uyo, the state capital, on the booming business of fake medical laboratories in the state. Udoh who revealed that other laboratories impersonate popular names of Laboratory Scientists in the state…
The 2023 governorship ambition of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe is causing some serious unease in Abia State. Already, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is on fire for allegedly endorsing the senator as his successor. But, the obviously shaken governor is denying ever endorsing the senator or any other aspirant for the 2023 Abia governorship election. Ikpeazu is maintaining that he is presently occupied with ensuring that some critical road projects are dealt with, especially in Aba within this dry season window and would not want to be distracted by any 2023 political talks. The clarification came after amidst speculation in the state on…
With the tourism sector badly hit, Morocco’s growth is projected to slow in 2022. Menas Associates says so in its Morocco Focus, a monthly intelligence report on Morocco. But, International Monetary Fund (IMF) this month predicted that Morocco’s economy will grow by 6.3% in 2021. This was revealed in a December 10 press conference by the Fund’s mission chief in the kingdom, Roberto Cardarelli, when he presented the preliminary findings but6 he also said that the fund expects growth to slow to around 3% in 2022. This year’s 6.3% is one of the highest growth rates in the MENA region…
In Iran, there are no sign of improved certainty and stability on the immediate horizon yet in spite of the fact that another turbulent year is coming to an end for the country. What factors will determine developments in 2022 and beyond? For Menas Associates, a political risk consultancy, on the domestic political scene, the 2021 presidential election was unprecedented, being the first in the Islamic Republic to be predetermined by the actions of the Guardian Council and other state organs. On Iran Strategic Focus, its monthly intelligence report on Iran, the objective was to produce a political composition in…
Following recent deadly inter-communal clashes in West Darfur and protests in the capital city of Sudan, Khartoum, a senior official with the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is urging the authorities in Sudan to protect boys and girls from violence. Acting UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Kambou Fofana, made the appeal in a statement on reported excessive use of force against children. “UNICEF calls on all authorities in Sudan to protect all children from all forms of violence and harm including during conflict and political events. The use of excessive force against civilians is unnecessary and should be avoided,…
United Nations envoy to Libya, Stephanie Williams, says she is ready through mediation and the UN’s good offices, to work with the concerned Libyan institutions and interlocutors to address challenges in the troubled North African country. During a visit to help implement intra-Libyan political, security and economic dialogues and support recently postponed presidential and parliamentary elections, she issued a statement detailing her work over the last 10 days. Having arrived in Libya on December 12, Special Advisor Stephanie Williams said that she has heard “time and again the overwhelming desire of Libyans to go to the ballot box to determine their future…
The management of NELAN Consulting Firm has come under fire from Ebonyi State Government for the abduction of five of its engineers Information and State Orientation Commissioner, Orji Uchenna Orji, launched the attack on the company. On November 3, 2021, five engineers from NELAN Consultants, an engineering firm, who were supervising the Abakiliki Ring Road project were abducted at Onu-Nwenewo village in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state. Names of the missing engineers are, Nelson Onyemeh from Ihiala in Anambra State; Ernest Edeani from Nkanu in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State; Ikechukwu Ejiofor from Umunya in…
Ohanaeze Ndigbo has taken on Nigeria’s security agencies, accusing them of treating Ndigbo returning home for the Christmas and New Year holidays as security risks. The piqued Igbo socio-cultural group, therefore, wants security agents to stop intimidating motorists and passengers travelling from different parts of the country to Eastern Nigeria for the festive season. The group said it has discovered that there are attempts by a particular tribe amongst the security agents to deliberately swindle, molest, and delay motorists of Igbo origin with evil intent either falsely accused them of being members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) or…
