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2 years ago | [YT] | 3

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Nigeria was ranked eleventh worldwide in terms of Internet penetration and seventh in terms of mobile phone usage, according to data released by the Nigerian Telecommunications Commission on Thursday.

At the two-day Emerging Technology Forum for the Telecommunications Industry’s opening ceremony in Abuja, Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, said this.The EVC said that the global data acquired by the NRI team showed that digital transformation was a necessity for the entire world in order to maximize the social and economic impacts of the digital era. The EVC was represented in his remarks by the Head, Spectrum Database Management, NCC, Abraham Oshadami.

The NRI, he continued, looked at 131 economies’ performance in four areas: technology (infrastructure), governance, people, and effect.

He said, “Nigeria is a telecommunications powerhouse, accounting for 82 per cent of the continent’s telecom subscribers and 29 per cent of the continent’s internet consumption.”

“Our country ranks eleventh in the world for Internet penetration and seventh in mobile phone usage.

“The NRI team’s global data shows that digital transformation is a global imperative for maximising the social and economic effects of the digital era. Despite these remarkable metrics, our Network Readiness Index (NRI) ranking for 2022 of 109th out of 131 countries is both humbling and challenging.”

Danbatta went on to state that, as representatives of social and economic development in the country, prioritising network preparedness is not only a strategic need but also a mission.

“It can create new inequalities, which can hinder the ability of younger generations to engage in the digital economy, but it also remains a powerful way to do more with less at all levels of income. Formal education is evolving, and metrics are important to support informed policy making.”

2 years ago | [YT] | 0

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Following a coup that has provoked warnings of regional military intervention, Algeria claimed to have dispatched a senior official to the neighbouring Niger on Thursday to explore a diplomatic proposal.

Lounes Magramane, secretary general of the foreign ministry, “will be visiting” Niger on Thursday, the department announced on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The military-installed government’s Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, Defense Minister Salifou Mody, Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangare, and Justice Minister Alio Daouda were among those he met, according to Niger’s Voice of the Sahel radio station.

The trip was launched by Algeria’s foreign minister Ahmed Attaf a day earlier in an effort to find a diplomatic solution to the issue, in which Algiers vehemently rejects any use of force.

The elected president of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Mohamed Bazoum, was overthrown on July 26 by members of his security. ECOWAS has vowed to use force to restore him to office.

The group has emphasized that any involvement would be a last resort and that it prefers a diplomatic resolution. The bloc has also imposed trade restrictions against Niger.

Magramane’s visit is another step in Algiers’ “unceasing efforts… to contribute to a peaceful solution to the crisis in Niger, avoiding increased risks for this neighbouring and brotherly country and for the entire region”, the Algerian foreign ministry said.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria, which shares a 1,000-kilometre (600-mile) southern land border with Niger, has repeatedly warned against using force because it would pose “a direct threat” to his nation.There will be no solution without us (Algeria),” he emphasized. We are the initial group impacted.

The largest nation in Africa, Algeria, borders Mali and Libya, both of which are embroiled in protracted wars.

Niger, after Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali, is the fourth country in West Africa to experience a coup since 2020.

Any military action against one of their neighbors would be seen as a “declaration of war” on Burkina Faso or Mali, according to the juntas in those countries.

In the event of a military operation, “the entire Sahel will go up in flames,” Tebboune has said.

2 years ago | [YT] | 2

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On Thursday, former Nigerien president Mohamed Bazoum was imprisoned following a military takeover directed by the nation’s former commander of the presidential guard, Abdourahamane Tchiani. French President Emmanuel Macron has requested his release.

In Niger, a former French colony whose elected president Bazoum was overthrown in a military coup in July, Macron similarly called for the restoration of democratic rule.The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) ordered the formation of a standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger and stated that they will consider all possibilities for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Politics Nigeria recounts that after the coup, France and the European Union suspended their financial and security assistance to Niger, while the United States issued a warning that its own help to the nation would be at risk.

With French troops stationed in numerous regions of West Africa as part of its anti-terror operations, the coup has seriously harmed relations between France and Niger.

“If we hadn’t got involved with operations Serval and then Barkhane, there’s no doubt Mali and Burkina Faso will no longer exist, and I’m not sure myself if Niger will still exist.”

Macron said that the French actions, which effectively stopped the development of caliphates a few thousand kilometres from France’s frontiers, were sought by African states.

Bola Tinubu, the president, instructed the team of Islamic ulamas who had come to see him in the presidential palace on Thursday to go back to the Niger Republic and carry on the conversation with the military junta.

After the meeting, Muhammed Idris, the minister of communication and national orientation, spoke with a State House correspondent.

2 years ago | [YT] | 0

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On Saturday, Anthony Joshua will face Robert Helenius, who has been drafted in to take Dillian Whyte’s place.

This weekend at the O2 Arena, Joshua was scheduled to fight his former foe Whyte.

However, Whyte’s random anti-doping test revealed “adverse analytical findings,” which resulted in the cancellation of that heavyweight match.

According to the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, it has notified the Association of Boxing Commissions and the British Boxing Board of Control that Whyte’s “random anti-doping protocol” has produced the unfavourable results.

Helenius boxed last weekend, beating Mika Mielonen by stoppage on Saturday, and will step in at short notice to take on former unified champion Joshua.


“This wasn’t in the script,” Joshua said. “I respect Helenius and may I say, I respect any male or female who steps into the ring. I am laser focused on the win. I can make steps forward to bigger and better things but the road map has a checkpoint, Saturday night. May the best man win.”

The 39-year-old Finn was knocked out by Deontay Wilder in one round last year, though prior to that he had secured respectable back-to-back wins over Adam Kownacki. He has a 32-4 (21) record and three of his defeats have come inside the distance.

“I am excited about fighting Anthony Joshua on August 12,” Helenius said. “I am a true Viking that is willing to face any challenge at a moment’s notice. This is not an opportunity I was going to let slip away. I plan to make the most of it.”

Although Whyte will not be boxing, he is protesting his innocence. He wrote: “I am shocked and devastated to learn of a report by VADA of adverse findings relating to me.

“The fight is being cancelled without having any chance to demonstrate my innocence before the decision was taken.

Joshua previously said his dream scenario would be to fight Whyte, followed by Deontay Wilder, then finally Tyson Fury and believes he can beat all three
“I can confirm without a shadow of doubt that I have not taken the reported substance, in this camp or at any point in my life.

“I am completely innocent and ask to be given the time to go through the process of proving this without anybody jumping to conclusions or a trial by media.

Liam Smith will rematch Chris Eubank Jr at the AO Arena in Manchester on September 2.

“I insisted on 24/7 VADA testing for this fight, as I have done voluntarily and at my own expense for all of my fights for many, many years.

“This is not the first time that I have been reported as having an adverse finding for a substance which I have not taken, and as I did last time I will again prove that I am completely innocent.”

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2 years ago | [YT] | 1

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West of Bonny Island and south of Port Harcourt, in Rivers State, three boats that were spotted tapping crude oil from a pipeline at a distribution site were bombed and destroyed by Nigerian Airforce fighter planes as part of Operation Delta Safe.

The air strikes were carried out on Saturday, August 5, 2023, according to Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, director of NAF Public Relations, who made this information public.

He said; “These are not the best of times for oil thieves and their accomplices in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria as the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) continues to strike at the heart of their activities.

“One of such operations occurred on Saturday 5 August 2023 at about 4 Nautical Miles South-East of Bille, a riverine area located west of Bonny Island and South of Port Harcourt, in Rivers State.

“The air strikes became necessary after 3 boats were sighted tapping crude oil from a pipeline.


“Consequently, the boats were engaged and destroyed by the aircraft.

“Flying towards Port Harcourt, the crew also observed an active illegal refining site with tanks and reservoirs loaded with suspected illegal refined products, about 4 miles South-east of Idama in Rivers State.

“The site was subsequently attacked and destroyed.

“Air strikes against these economic saboteurs will be sustained until they desist from their acts of thievery and economic sabotage.

“The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has since directed all air component commanders nationwide to ensure they team up with other security agencies as they sustain air strikes on all criminal elements in the country.

Meanwhile, in the early hours of August 6, 2023, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Special Forces on a night patrol near Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State freed 7 kidnapped victims—6 ladies and 1 man.

According to the Intelligence gathered, the terrorists fled into a nearby woodland after abandoning their victims when they saw the soldiers. The female victim admitted to being abducted from Paikoro in Niger State during questioning, while the lone male victim said that he was taken against his will from Rijau in Niger State.

The victims were later transferred to the NAF Medical Centre in Birnin Gwari for evaluation and released after being thoroughly monitored, but the male victim is still being watched.

2 years ago | [YT] | 2

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Following the coup on July 26, former finance minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine has been appointed as the new prime minister by Niger junta commander Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani.

Mahamadou Ouhoumoudou, who was away in Europe during the coup, is replaced by Zeine.


From 2001 until the army overthrew the late former President Mamadou Tandja in 2010, Mr. Zeine, who is believed to be in his 50s, served as cabinet director and finance minister.

A junta spokeswoman delivered a statement announcing his appointment on the public television network Télé Sahel on Monday night.

In recent years, Zeine has reportedly worked for the African Development Bank in Gabon, Ivory Coast, and Chad, according to the independently owned ActuNiger news website.

Along with appointing Brig. Gen. Amadou Didilli as the nation’s High Authority for Peace Consolidation (HACP) leader and Brig. Gen. Abou Tague Mahamadou as the inspector general of the army and national gendarmerie, the junta made these appointments on Monday.

It designated Lt Col Habibou Assoumane as the commander of the presidential guard and Col Ibro Amadou Bachirou as the junta leader’s personal chief of staff.

2 years ago | [YT] | 2

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Authorities in Cape Town, South Africa, voiced worry on Monday after a violent taxi strike left at least two people dead, thousands of commuters stranded, and highways closed.

An individual was “shot dead and three others injured after a motorist was pelted with stones” on the route leading to the city’s airport, according to police on Monday.

Authorities stated that they also discovered the body of a 28-year-old guy who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds in an incident that was “believed to be taxi related” and had been discovered nearby.


Police said they could not rule out if the killing of an officer on Friday night in a township 20 kilometres southeast of Cape Town was linked to the strike, as it came while officers were “performing crime prevention patrols to quell taxi related incidents.”

Four buses from the city-operating Golden Arrows Bus firm were allegedly petrol bombed after passing through roadblocks erected by the taxi drivers on strike.

The cab drivers have been protesting the government seizing their vehicles for traffic offences since they took to the streets last Thursday. Roads have been blocked by cars using garbage, stones, and burning tires.

The South African National Taxi Council, or Santaco, which has pulled all of the taxis belonging to its members, denied being responsible for the violence.

Nceba Enge, the association’s deputy chairperson, blasted the city’s decision to impounded their vehicles and charged Capetonian officials with undermining the city’s taxi industry.

“If your number plate is not properly fixed or cracked, your van will be impounded. If the lights are cracked, your van will be impounded. If the driver is not wearing a safety belt, your van will be impounded. So, we feel that it is unfair,” he said.

Western Cape province premier Alan Winde told VOA the provincial government would not allow lawlessness from those penalized for breaking the law. He called for an end to violence.

“Citizens can’t get about their day. They can’t go to school. They can’t get to work. They can’t get to health facilities and of course that’s paramount for me,” he said.

On Thursday, thousands of stranded commuters gathered at bus and taxi stops all throughout the city. Some chose to walk home into the night, while others slept there as violent outbursts occurred.

According to Bongani Msibi, he and other people waited for transportation Sunday night at a nearby taxi and bus rank.

Both locally and internationally, the strike’s effects have been felt. Police had to accompany foreign teams that won a Netball World Cup event in Cape Town to the airport.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office of the United Kingdom has issued a travel warning to its citizens.

After failed negotiations at the weekend between Santaco and the government, it announced the action would continue until Wednesday

2 years ago | [YT] | 0

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Ghana took a step toward participating in the multibillion-dollar worldwide business when it established a green-minerals strategy to assist in managing the mining and production of lithium.

According to Lands and Natural Resources Minister Samuel Jinapor, the policy document was approved by the cabinet on July 27. It will set forth clear regulations and a fiscal framework for mining so-called green minerals in a way that ensures Ghana obtains the maximum value from its resources. The parliament is anticipated to approve it by the end of the year.

“Ghana is seeking to operate at a level that makes the best out of the resource as much as practical,” Jinapor said Aug. 3 in the capital, Accra. “Ghana’s Green Minerals Policy as approved by cabinet demands that not a single volume of lithium produced in this country will be allowed to be exported in its raw state.”


Global resource nationalism is growing as developing nations fight against historical disparities in the wealth flows from mining and demand a larger cut of the benefits from rising commodity prices. President Gabriel Boric of Chile, the second-largest producer of lithium, is requesting a larger portion of the mining windfall to support hospitals and schools. Lithium, according to Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, is too critical for private businesses to venture in.

According to Jinapor, Ghana is the continent’s top producer of gold and possesses resources of other so-called green minerals like manganese, graphite, and cobalt.

As Western countries scramble to secure supplies of vital minerals required for the transition to clean energy, the lithium business is growing in Ghana.

“Now we have a national policy on exploitation, management and regulation of the Ghana’s green minerals, there may be some tweaks to improve the policy as parliament works to approve and inculcate it into the nation’s mining policy document,” the minister said.

Companies including Australia-based Atlantic Lithium Ltd. are exploring for lithium in Ghana, though the firm has yet to apply for a mining lease, Jinapor said.

“Government will engage with them when they come,” he said.

2 years ago | [YT] | 0

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England defeated the super Falcons Nigeria 4-2 on penalties on Monday in Brisbane to advance to the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals.

The match ended 0-0 at the end of extra time, with the Falcons having the majority of the chances, but the European Champions, who were down to 10 players, managed to sneak in front of 50,000 spectators.

After playmaker Lauren James was sent off for an unnecessary stamp, England managed to hold on, but they will know they need to get better if they are to win the World Cup in addition to their European championship. For a spot in the semi-finals, they will play either Colombia or Jamaica on Saturday. England got off to a bad start in the penalty shootout when Georgia Stanway missed, but Desire Oparanozie was unable to capitalise and missed with a nearly identical attempt.

Beth England made no errors, but Michelle Alozie of Nigeria’s shot high over the top gave England a lead they never lost, and Chloe Kelly’s composed conversion sealed the victory.

The Lionesses, who triumphed in the European Championship at a sold-out Wembley Stadium in London last year, were picked to win easily against the 40th-ranked team in the globe.

However, the Falcons have demonstrated at this World Cup that they are capable of competing against anyone.

They shocked the home team, Australia, in the group stage, winning 3-2 by capitalizing on their quickness in transition.

The Nigerian onslaught frequently left England’s back three vulnerable, so they used the same strategies against them as well.

As the Lionesses found plenty of space out wide, England shook Nigeria in the opening exchanges of the game.

In the first half, they completed 173 passes compared to Nigeria’s 83 attempts, controlling possession as well.

However, the Nigerians appeared the most dangerous and frequently gave the European champs a real scare.

Ashleigh Plumptre, an English native, missed two excellent chances to start the scoring, the first of which came in the 16th minute when a shot from outside the box hit the crossbar.

In the first half, the Nigerians had eight shots on goal, three more than England, whose finest opportunity was created by Alessia Russo in the 23rd minute.

English had the most of possession in the second half, but Nigeria appeared to be the more threatening team.

With 15 minutes remaining, England had a great opportunity to win the game, but Chiamaka Nnadozie made a great save on Rachel Daly’s strong header.

Nigeria once more appeared to be the most likely to win the game in extra time, with Michele Alozie and Oshoala both coming close, but neither team was able to break the tie.

2 years ago | [YT] | 2