Category Archives: News

Thousands of climate-displaced Somalis abandoned by authorities, Amnesty Int’l claims

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Somali authorities and the international community have repeatedly failed to protect thousands of people displaced by climate-related drought in southern Somalia, leaving them vulnerable to violations of their rights to food, water, health, and life, according to a new Amnesty International report.

Titled “No rain, no food, no animals: The human rights impact of drought and displacement in Somalia”, the report details how, between 2020 and 2023, climate-induced drought, coupled with ongoing conflict and marginalization, forced thousands of Somalis to relocate first to internal displacement camps in southern Somalia and later to Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya. During these journeys, authorities provided little to no relief, including food or healthcare.

“Somalia is on the frontline of human-induced climate change,” said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa. “Its contribution to global warming is negligible, yet its people bear the brunt of the crisis. High-income countries most responsible for climate change must step up to support Somalia in adapting to these effects.”

The report, based on interviews with 177 refugees at Dadaab between September 2024 and March 2025, as well as humanitarian workers and government officials, highlights the dire conditions faced by displaced families. Persistent drought has dried up water sources, causing people to rely on contaminated water, resulting in outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera. Food prices have surged by up to 160% above pre-2020 levels, fueling malnutrition and further displacement.

Read Also: How climate change ignites wildfires

Somalia declared the drought a national disaster in November 2021, yet health budgets remain under 5% of government spending, far below the 15% target set by the Abuja Declaration, leaving millions without access to essential services.

Stories from affected families illustrate the human cost. Fadumo, a 53-year-old mother of eight from Baydhabo, abandoned her farm and walked 24 hours for dirty water before relocating to Dadaab after failing to find work in Mogadishu. Bile, a 33-year-old father of eight from Jilib, lost his elderly parents after he had to move with his family due to drought-induced food scarcity.

Displacement often occurred multiple times. IDPs initially settled in southern Somalia faced further movement due to continued drought or floods. Journeys to Dadaab could last two days to six weeks, with many forced to sell belongings or livestock to afford transport. Humanitarian aid was largely absent along travel routes, with limited assistance concentrated only at camps, leaving many families malnourished and exhausted upon arrival.

“Somali authorities must urgently implement climate resilience policies that protect vulnerable communities from the compounding effects of drought, conflict, and displacement,” Chagutah said.

The report calls for a coordinated international response to ensure that climate-displaced communities in Somalia receive the protection, resources, and rights guaranteed under the Somali constitution and international law, including the Kampala Convention.

Ochanya: Family urges IGP to arrest fleeing rape suspect 7yrs after

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The Ogbanje family of Ogene-Amejo, Okpowu Local Government,  Benue, has appealed to the Inspector-General of Police (I-G) to arrest  Victor Ogbuja, for allegedly raping their late teenage daughter, Ochanya Ogbanje, and fleeing.

This is contained in a petition written by the family to the I-G, titled: “Petition on police refusal to arrest and prosecute Victor Ogbuja over the gruesome rape to death of 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje after seven years.”

The family’s petition, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, urged the I-G to declare the fleeing suspect wanted, put him on watchlist, manhunt and arrest him.

According to the family, in spite of the outrage that greeted the sordid circumstances that surrounded Ochanya’s death, the police have failed to arrest the suspect and bring him to justice seven years after.

“We write to bring to your knowledge the blatant refusal of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to apprehend and prosecute a fleeing suspected rapist, Victor Ogbuja, seven long years after he absconded when it was made public that he repeatedly raped Ochanya Ogbanje.

“Ochanya, then a Junior Secondary School student of the Federal Government Girls’ College, Gboko, Benue, died on Oct. 17, 2018, due to health complications from years of prolonged rape at the hands of the Ogbujas, while she lived with them.

“We urge the I-G to declare the fleeing suspect Ogbuja wanted, put him on the watchlist and launch a manhunt to arrest him,” the petition filed by the family’s lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, reads in part.

The family, which also claimed that the suspect is living in Lagos, requested the I-G to recall the case file from the Police Command in Benue to the Force Headquarters for further investigation.

The Ogbanje family further claimed that the suspect’s family continued to insult, intimidate, and threaten their family on the ground that they were responsible for the abscondment of their son.

They are also seeking police protection for their family members because of the persistent and enduring threats from the Ogbuja family, who they claim are relatively influential and politically connected.

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“It is our considered view that the seemingly outright refusal of the  Police to apprehend Victor Ogbuja for prosecution has occasioned a grievous act of injustice, not only to the late Ochanya, but also patently poses a danger to innocent girls and women unaware of his predatory habit and antecedents.

“Furthermore, the failure to arrest Victor Ogbuja portrays Nigeria in the eyes of the international community as a lawless country where the rights of vulnerable people are trampled upon at will by powerful people and the elite.

“In light of the renewed calls by Nigerians, both at home and abroad, the Nigeria Police Force has an opportunity not only to redeem its image in this case but to assert itself as Nigeria’s foremost law enforcement agency,” the family added.

Ochanya was said to be five years old, when she was taken from Ogene-Amejo village by her mother, to live with Mrs Felicia Ogbuja, her relative, in Ugbokolo in search of a better primary school.

From age seven, the suspect allegedly started raping her repeatedly through the vagina and anus until she developed a medical condition diagnosed as “faecal and urinary incontinence.”

At the age of 13 years, when her health condition became aggravated, Ochanya revealed the cause of her medical predicament to her caregiver, Evangelist  Enuwa Soo, in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue.

On realising the gravity of her health condition, her caregiver moved Ochanya to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, for proper diagnosis.

In spite of efforts to cure her, Ochanya’s health condition continued to worsen as she was uncontrollably urinating and defecating on herself. Ochanya subsequently passed away on Oct. 17, 2018.

The medical report from the Benue State University Teaching Hospital  given to police command, stated that Ochanya suffered “faecal and urinary incontinence, which was initially mild and it progressively worsened” before her tragic death.

The suspect’s mother, Mrs Felicia Ogbuja was, however, convicted and sentenced to five months imprisonment for her abdication of responsibility to Ochanya, which permitted the sexual assault against the teenager.

(NAN

Equinix to launch $22m data center in Lagos, boosting Africa’s digital infrastructure

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Equinix, Inc. (Nasdaq: EQIX), the global digital infrastructure company, has announced plans to open a new high-performance data center in Lagos, Nigeria, with an initial investment of $22 million. The LG3 facility represents the first phase of a broader $100 million investment aimed at transforming Africa’s digital landscape over the next two years.

Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2026, the Lagos data center is expected to strengthen local businesses’ capacity to scale while attracting international companies to the country, cementing Lagos as a strategic hub for global connectivity.

The new facility will integrate Equinix Fabric, allowing businesses to securely connect their physical and virtual infrastructure with cloud providers, partners, and other Equinix locations worldwide.

“LG3 marks a significant milestone in Equinix’s commitment to bridging Africa’s digital divide,” said Wole Abu, Managing Director for West Africa at Equinix. “As Lagos emerges as a hub of talent, innovation, and connectivity, this facility will accelerate access to technologies like cloud, AI, and the next generation of startups. We’re not just building data centers; we’re fostering growth and laying the groundwork for a connected African economy ready to compete globally.”

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Olawale Owoeye, Managing Director at Cedarview, added, “Equinix’s Lagos data center provides a robust platform for expanding our digital footprint. Its reliability and access to a global ecosystem empower us to deliver high-performance solutions to our customers.”

Nigeria, Africa’s second-largest economy, has a growing tech-savvy population, with Lagos recognized as the only African city in the Global Top 100 Startup Ecosystems. Equinix entered the African market in 2022 and has since expanded into Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and South Africa, supporting Africa’s digital transformation through sustainable, carrier-neutral infrastructure.

Aslıhan Güreşcier, Vice President, EMEA Growth & Emerging Markets at Equinix, emphasized, “Africa’s digital transformation is accelerating, driven by a young population, rising internet access, and growing demand for secure data infrastructure. Our new Lagos facility reflects our commitment to supporting the region’s growth and connecting it to the global economy.”

With over 270 data centers worldwide, Equinix continues to leverage Nigeria’s strategic position as an international hub for subsea cable connections, linking Africa with Europe, Asia, and beyond. The company also prioritizes sustainability, ensuring LG3 and all its sites operate efficiently while minimizing environmental impact.

Troops rescue 86 victims, nab 29 terror suspects in Borno

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Troops of Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have rescued 86 kidnapped victims and foiled a terrorists’ ambush during coordinated operations in Borno.

This is contained in a statement on Monday by the Media Information Officer for OPHK, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba.

Uba said the troops of 135 Special Forces Battalion under Sector 2, OPHK, encountered Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists at Dutse Kura on Sunday while responding to reports of abductions along the Buratai–Kamuya Road.

He said the troops engaged the insurgents, pursued them towards Mangari, and overpowered them in a follow-up encounter that led to the destruction of 11 makeshift terrorists’ structures.

According to him eight victims, including men, women, and children, were rescued in the operation.

Read Also: Troops neutralise six terrorists, recover weapons

“Recovered items include an AK-47 rifle, five magazines with 73 rounds, four PKT ammunition belts, five civilian vehicles, five motorcycles, eight bicycles, and two logistics tricycles. The terrorists’ camp was destroyed after clearance operations,” he said.

Uba said that troops deployed at Mangada also apprehended 29 suspected terrorist logistics suppliers en route to Chilaria area of Borno.

He said suspects were nabbed with two pickup vans and a tricycle loaded with about 1,000 litres of petrol, engine oil, new gun truck tyres, medical consumables, and large quantities of foodstuff.

According to him, the Military High Command commended the troops for their gallantry and professionalism and urged them to sustain the tempo to deny terrorists freedom of action across the North East theatre. (NAN)

Navy rescues 10 crew members from distressed vessel

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The Nigerian Navy has rescued 10 crew members from a distressed vessel, MV SEMA III, which was enroute Calabar from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

This is contained in a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Ayiwuyor Adams-Aliu, on Monday in Abuja.

Adams-Aliu said that the navy had proven its swift response capability and dedication to saving lives at sea.

He said the operation was carried out by personnel of Forward Operating Base IBAKA on Friday.

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“Acting on a distress call received around 2000 hours, a naval gunboat equipped with a submersible pump was immediately deployed.

“On arrival, the team discovered the vessel taking in water and promptly evacuated all occupants comprising one Cameroonian, one Equatorial Guinean and eight Nigerians, who were later received, debriefed, and catered for at FOB IBAKA until Saturday.

“The Master of MV SEMA III expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Nigerian Navy for its timely intervention and exceptional professionalism,” he said.

Adams-Aliu said the successful rescue operation underscores the Nigerian navy’s renewed efforts to ensure maritime safety, protection of critical national assets, and promotion of lawful economic activities within Nigeria’s maritime domain.

(NAN)

US unveils new visa rules targeting applicants with chronic illnesses

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The United States government has rolled out new immigration guidelines that could deny visas and green cards to foreign nationals living with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and other long-term illnesses.

The directive, issued under President Donald Trump’s administration, broadens the definition of a “public charge” — a term in U.S. immigration law referring to individuals likely to become financially dependent on government assistance.

According to a State Department cable circulated to U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide, visa officers have been instructed to identify applicants whose medical conditions could result in “hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of care.”

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The document lists cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, cancers, metabolic and neurological disorders, as well as mental health conditions among the illnesses that could trigger visa denials. It also highlights obesity as a potential red flag, citing its association with costly complications such as asthma, sleep apnea, and hypertension.

Under the new policy, officials are directed to consider whether applicants may pose a financial burden on the state due to their health conditions.

Previously, medical screenings for visa applicants mainly focused on communicable diseases such as tuberculosis. However, this directive marks a significant policy shift, placing chronic illnesses at the center of immigration eligibility assessments.

According to the U.S.-based Murthy Law Firm, the State Department’s move represents an unprecedented linkage between health status and admissibility, effectively tying an applicant’s medical history to their perceived economic value.

It remains unclear whether these new rules will extend to nonimmigrant visa categories such as tourist (B1/B2) or student (F1) visas.

AIMEC hosts strategic workshop to advance inclusive economic growth in Africa

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The African Inclusive Markets Excellence Centre (AIMEC) has held its inaugural Strategic Planning Workshop in Tunis, Tunisia, from October 28 to 30, 2025, establishing a solid operational framework and roadmap to drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth across the continent.

An initiative of the African Union Commission (AUC) hosted by Tunisia, AIMEC aims to help AU member states design policies that expand equitable market access, particularly for women, youth, and marginalized groups, in line with Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The workshop, opened by Ambassador Dr. Youssef ElKordofani, AIMEC Executive Director, and H.E. Mr. Samir Abid, Tunisia’s Minister of Trade and Export Development, brought together key stakeholders, including AU Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Industry and Mining, H.E. Ms. Francisca Belobe, African Business Council President Dr. Amany Omar Asfour, and representatives from GIZ, regional bodies, and the private sector.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of AIMEC’s 2025–2027 Strategic Framework, built on four pillars — Knowledge Leadership, Policy Innovation, Capacity Building, and Scaling Solutions. Participants also agreed on concrete next steps for staffing and implementation to fast-track the Centre’s operations.

The event received wide national media attention, highlighting Tunisia’s growing role as a regional hub for African cooperation and inclusive development.

Ghana President Mahama commissions Damongo camp prison

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Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama has inaugurated the new Damongo Camp Prison, a 300-capacity correctional facility built by The Church of Pentecost, describing it as a symbol of hope, redemption, and partnership for national renewal.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Damongo, the capital of the Savannah Region, President Mahama commended the Church for its continued collaboration with the Ghana Prisons Service, noting that it had already built similar facilities in Ejura and Nsawam.

“This project demonstrates what can be achieved when the state, the Church, and the community come together in service to humanity,” Mahama said. “Nation building is not the sole responsibility of government, but a collective moral endeavour of all who believe in the dignity and potential of every human being.”

The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prison reform, revealing plans to provide the Service with logistics to expand into large-scale farming, poultry, and agro-processing as part of efforts to enhance productivity and inmate rehabilitation.

He added that the Prisons Service would play a key role in the government’s proposed 24-hour economy, engaging in production activities such as manufacturing, furniture making, sewing school uniforms, and processing agricultural goods for both government and commercial use.

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Mahama also announced an increase in inmates’ daily feeding allowance from GHS 1.80 to GHS 5.00, stressing that the move was driven by justice, not charity. “It reflects our belief that dignity should never depend on one’s circumstances,” he said.

Additionally, the President pledged to provide the Damongo Camp Prison with a 66-seater bus to support staff mobility.

Expressing gratitude to the Church, Mahama said: “We thank Apostle Eric Nyamekye and members of The Church of Pentecost for their faith in humanity and their partnership with the state. As Mandela said, a society’s greatness is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens.”

In his remarks, Apostle Dr. Eric Nyamekye, Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, said the prison projects form part of the Church’s Kingdom Project—an initiative focused on spiritual transformation and societal development. “Our aim is to raise disciples of Christ who impact their world with righteousness,” he said.

Youth Charter launches Africa expansion of “Youth 4 Africa” framework

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The Youth Charter (YC) has announced the Africa-focused expansion of its acclaimed Youth 4 Africa Framework, calling for a new era of holistic, cross-sector youth development across the continent. Building on over 30 years of global experience in Sport for Development and Peace (SDP), the organisation is urging African governments, CAF member associations, Pan-African institutions, NGOs, the private sector, and international development agencies to align sport, education, health, employment, and peacebuilding under a unified strategy to help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

The announcement coincides with a growing wave of youth-focused initiatives across Africa, including the Tibu Africa–IOM Morocco Africa Cup of Living Together and the CAF x Afreximbank Schools Football Programme, both of which highlight the increasing commitment to using sport as a catalyst for social development, opportunity, and unity.

Speaking on the initiative, Geoff Thompson, Founder and Executive Chair of the Youth Charter, described Africa’s youth as the continent’s greatest asset. He emphasised that unlocking their potential requires moving beyond isolated projects toward an integrated model of community transformation. According to him, linking sport with education, employability, health, and peace can create powerful engines for hope, aspiration, and opportunity.

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The Youth 4 Africa Framework builds upon the Youth Charter’s Community Campus Model, an ecosystem that connects sport and physical activity with education, digital skills, health, wellbeing, creative expression, employment pathways, and peacebuilding.

The Youth Charter cited recent African initiatives as evidence of this emerging movement. The Tibu Africa & IOM Morocco “Africa Cup of Living Together” serves as a model for social inclusion, engaging migrant and Moroccan youth through education, leadership, and employability programmes that advance key SDGs. Meanwhile, the CAF x Afreximbank Schools Football Development Programme is creating pathways that connect grassroots football with professional careers in coaching, administration, media, technology, and entrepreneurship.

Together, these efforts demonstrate how sport, when integrated into national development strategies, can strengthen Africa’s human capital, reduce inequality, and promote peaceful, cohesive societies.

The Youth Charter is calling on African and international partners to play active roles in advancing this vision. It urged the African Union to embed holistic sport-for-development frameworks within the Agenda 2063 plan, while encouraging CAF, member associations, and ministries to expand community-based sport ecosystems tied to education and employment. Financial institutions such as Afreximbank and the African Development Bank are being called upon to invest in sport-led youth development and infrastructure. The Charter also urged international organisations including UNDP, UNICEF, IOM, and UNESCO to integrate sport and culture into their youth, peacebuilding, and migration programmes.

“Sport is Africa’s universal language,” Thompson concluded. “If we integrate it with education, skills, and opportunity, we can empower millions of young Africans to become tomorrow’s leaders, entrepreneurs, and peacebuilders.”

AMAN Union announces winners of 2025 Aman Union Awards

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The AMAN Union, a leading forum for commercial and non-commercial insurance and reinsurance companies across the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), has announced the winners of the 2025 4th Aman Union Awards during its 15th Annual General Meeting, hosted by the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) — a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group.

The announcement was made by Dr. Khalid Khalafalla, Chief Executive Officer of ICIEC, who highlighted the Union’s commitment to recognizing excellence and innovation in the export credit, investment, and trade insurance sectors.

The Exceptional Performance Award went to Saudi Eximbank for its Export Pioneers Graduate Program, which was praised for its pioneering approach to institutional capacity-building, business growth, and socio-economic development across member countries.

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“The Export Pioneers Graduate Program reflects the very essence of what AMAN Union stands for — collaboration, innovation, and capacity-building,” said Dr. Khalafalla. “By empowering the next generation of professionals and strengthening the export ecosystem, such initiatives contribute directly to the sustainable growth of our member countries.”

The Best Research Paper or Thesis of the Year Award was presented to the Jordan Loan Guarantee Corporation (JLGC) for its research on sustainable finance, recognized for offering actionable insights that promote resilience and economic growth in line with AMAN Union’s mission.

Commenting on the award, Mr. Mourad Mizouri, Secretary-General of AMAN Union, said, “The recognition of this research underscores AMAN Union’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking and knowledge sharing. Encouraging thought leadership is vital to building agile institutions that can address emerging global challenges.”

The 2025 AMAN Union Awards reaffirm the organization’s ongoing commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainable growth across the export credit and investment insurance ecosystem. Through these recognitions, AMAN Union continues to strengthen economic cooperation and resilience among OIC member states.