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Category: Africa

  • Amnesty International says 150 abducted in Zamfara, wants govt to investigate schoolgirl’s death in Maiduguri

    Amnesty International says 150 abducted in Zamfara, wants govt to investigate schoolgirl’s death in Maiduguri

    ABUJA, NIGERIA, April 5, 2026 (NPA) — Amnesty International Nigeria has reported that armed men raided the villages of Kurfa Danya and Kurfan Magaji in Zamfara State, northwest Nigeria, abducting about 150 people on Thursday. According to the rights group, most of the victims were women and children.

    In a statement issued Sunday, Amnesty quoted villagers who described living in fear, constantly bracing for attacks. “This is Nigeria’s forgotten conflict,” the organization noted, criticizing authorities for failing to stem the mounting death toll and recurring mass abductions despite repeated assurances of action.

    Zamfara State has long suffered from terrorist violence, with communities repeatedly displaced. Illegal mining has been cited as one of the drivers fueling insecurity in the region.

    Separately, Amnesty called on Nigerian authorities to investigate the killing of a 14-year-old secondary school student in Maiduguri on Saturday, April 4. The girl was struck by a stray bullet allegedly fired by military personnel during celebratory gunfire at a nearby wedding.

    A friend of the victim recounted that she had just finished applying henna with her mother, joyfully preparing for a family wedding, when tragedy struck. The teenager, who lived with her family at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital quarters, was buried Sunday morning at Maiduguri graveyard.

  • UN warns credit ratings penalize developing nations, calls for reform

    UN warns credit ratings penalize developing nations, calls for reform

    LAGOS, NIGERIA, April 5, 2026 (NPA) — The United Nations has raised an alarm that developing countries are being priced out of affordable finance needed for sustainable development, with sovereign credit ratings often overstating risk and ignoring long-term economic potential. Speaking at the opening of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Special Meeting on Credit Ratings, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, delivering remarks on behalf of Secretary-General António Guterres, said the current system relies too heavily on “outdated and incomplete information,” leaving poorer nations unfairly penalized in global capital markets.

    “Adequate and timely finance is the fuel that drives sustainable development,” Mohammed warned. “Today that fuel is running perilously low, and it’s getting more costly.” She highlighted that developing countries face nearly $1.4 trillion in annual debt servicing costs, with more than 3.4 billion people living in nations that spend more on debt interest than on health or education. Rising fuel and raw material costs linked to global instability, coupled with climate disasters, are intensifying fiscal pressures and slowing growth, she added.

    Mohammed linked the debate on credit ratings to broader debt reform efforts, citing initiatives such as a borrowers’ platform, principles for responsible sovereign borrowing and lending, and a UN-led process bringing together debtor and creditor countries, private creditors, and civil society. She also pointed to the planned African Credit Rating Agency as a step toward improving data, transparency, and risk assessment.

    Calling for a reimagining of sovereign ratings, Mohammed urged a shift from speculation to investment, with methodologies that capture both vulnerability and opportunity. She stressed that affordable borrowing for development strengthens future solvency, noting that investment in health, education, infrastructure, climate resilience, and renewable energy reduces risk and builds prosperity. “It’s time to turn credit ratings from barriers into contributors to long-term finance and sustainable development,” she said.

  • WHO warns: Stroke deaths rising fast in Africa, urges immediate lifestyle changes

    WHO warns: Stroke deaths rising fast in Africa, urges immediate lifestyle changes

    INTERNATIONAL, April 5, 2026 (NPA) — The World Health Organisation (WHO) has outlined measures to prevent stroke, a serious medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a blockage or bleeding, leading to brain cell death.

    WHO urged people to adopt healthier lifestyles, including eating well, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol. Stroke, often called a “brain attack,” is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, requiring urgent medical attention to reduce long-term damage.

    There are three main types of stroke: ischemic, caused by blood clots blocking vessels; haemorrhagic, resulting from ruptured blood vessels; and transient ischemic attack (TIA), or “mini-stroke,” which produces temporary symptoms but signals future risk. Symptoms often appear suddenly and can be remembered with the acronym BE FAST: Balance problems, Eye changes, Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and Time — stressing the need for immediate help. Treatment ranges from clot-busting drugs and surgery to therapies that manage bleeding, while rehabilitation through physical, occupational, and speech therapy is vital for recovery.

    In Africa, stroke has become a growing public health crisis. Incidence rates reach as high as 316 per 100,000 annually, with prevalence up to 1,460 per 100,000. Alarmingly, the three-year fatality rate exceeds 80% in some regions.

    About 70% of global stroke deaths and 87% of stroke-related disability occur in low- and middle-income countries, including many across Africa, where limited access to emergency care and rehabilitation has made stroke one of the fastest-rising causes of death and disability.

  • South Africa police launch manhunt after fatal shooting, as government intensifies fight against gun violence

    South Africa police launch manhunt after fatal shooting, as government intensifies fight against gun violence

    AFRICA, April 5, 2026 (NPA) — The South African Police have commenced a manhunt for a suspect shooter who fatally shot a man in the early hours of Friday. Thohoyandou launched a manhunt for unknown suspect/s after a 35-year-old man was shot and killed at Makonde (Shadani) in the early hours of Saturday, 4 April, 2026.

    According to a statement by the South Africa Police Service, officers received a complaint from Shadani village, and upon arrival at the scene, they found the lifeless body of a male lying on the street with multiple gunshot wounds. Preliminary investigations revealed that several empty cartridges were found at the scene, indicating that the victim was shot multiple times.

    However, the SA Police Service noted that the motive for the attack is unknown at this stage, and investigations are ongoing.

    South Africa continues to grapple with rising incidents of gun violence, prompting government-led initiatives aimed at curbing the proliferation of illegal firearms and strengthening community policing. Authorities have emphasized that tackling gun-related crime remains a national priority, with coordinated efforts underway to improve safety and restore public confidence in law enforcement.

  • Netanyahu’s Easter message: Israel protects Christians amid persecution in Syria, Lebanon, Nigeria, and beyond

    Netanyahu’s Easter message: Israel protects Christians amid persecution in Syria, Lebanon, Nigeria, and beyond

    MIDDLE EAST, April 5, 2026 (NPA) — The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his Easter Message on Sunday, extended warm felicitations to Christians in Israel, the United States, and across the globe, wishing them a blessed and joyful Easter celebration filled with peace and renewal.

    In his statement, Netanyahu highlighted that Christians continue to face persecution across much of the Middle East, citing Syria, Lebanon, Nigeria, Turkey, and beyond. He stressed that Israel remains the only nation in the region where the Christian community is actively protected, nurtured, and allowed to grow and prosper without fear.

    The statement reads in part: “In this land where the story began, as missiles are fired at our capital — referencing the ongoing exchange of attacks between Israel and Iran amid the broader conflict involving the United States and the Persian Gulf nation — the holy city of Jerusalem stands resilient. As the US and Israel remain firm against the Iranian regime and its terror proxies, we continue to steadfastly safeguard the freedom of worship for all faiths, especially at this sacred time.”

    Netanyahu further prayed that the message of renewal, hope, and faith would shine brightly in the homes and hearts of the faithful. He emphasised that even under fire, his government’s commitment remains unwavering — defending life, safeguarding liberty, and ensuring that every believer, regardless of background, can pray in peace and security.

  • WHO Chief condemns attacks on Sudan’s health facilities

    WHO Chief condemns attacks on Sudan’s health facilities

    INTERNATIONAL, April 4, 2026 (NPA) — The Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has urged warring parties in Sudan to immediately halt attacks on healthcare facilities, warning that the escalating violence is costing lives and crippling vital services.

    In a statement issued today, Ghebreyesus drew attention to a series of recent assaults on hospitals, health workers, and patients. He described the situation as a “new spate of tragic attacks on health across Sudan,” noting that incidents have included killings, assaults, looting, and damage from air strikes.

    He referenced the April 2 drone strike on Al-Jabalain Teaching Hospital in White Nile State, which killed 10 healthcare workers and injured 22 others. A day earlier, another strike on the central medical warehouse in Rabak injured three people, including a pharmacist, and left unexploded ordnance inside the facility.

    On the same day, the Family Hospital in Al-Daein, East Darfur, was looted, with patients and staff assaulted and expelled. The hospital is located just blocks from Al-Daein Teaching Hospital, which was recently destroyed in a strike that killed at least 70 people, including patients and health workers.

    Similar violence was reported on March 25 in Al-Kurmuk, Blue Nile State, where a hospital was looted, equipment destroyed, and staff and patients forced out. One health worker was critically injured.

    “The continued attacks on health care facilities, health workers and patients who depend on them are unacceptable. This worrying pattern reveals a level of disregard for human life that no responsible actor can tolerate,” Ghebreyesus warned.

    The WHO chief stressed that protecting healthcare is a fundamental obligation under international humanitarian law and called for accountability for those responsible.

  • Eritrea expands forage production to boost milk output

    Eritrea expands forage production to boost milk output

    AFRICA, April 4, 2026 (NPA) — Eritrea’s Ministry of Agriculture has announced significant progress in its national strategy to expand forage cultivation as part of efforts to increase milk production and strengthen food security.

    According to the ministry, in a statement today, 27 types of forage crops suitable for livestock feed have been identified across the country. Forage farming, though rooted in Eritrea’s agricultural history, has not been fully developed until recent years. Officials say the sector is now central to the government’s plan to improve livestock health and meet rising demand for dairy products.

    Mr. Medhane Tesfay, Head of Forage Development at the Ministry of Agriculture, explained that forage-based milk production has been adopted as a national strategy. 

    In 2025 alone, 2,300 hectares of land were cultivated with forage crops, yielding an estimated 109,000 tons of green feed. This initiative, he noted, is designed to reduce dependence on imported feed, improve animal nutrition, and raise milk output.

    Livestock in Eritrea are divided into ruminants—such as cattle, sheep, goats, and camels—and non-ruminants like poultry and horses. Ruminants, which rely on microbial digestion in their multi-chambered stomachs, benefit most from forage-based diets. The ministry emphasized that the type and quality of feed directly influence milk yield and composition.

    Breed differences also play a role. Buffalo milk generally contains higher fat than cow’s milk, while camel milk is richer in minerals. Even within cattle breeds, milk composition varies. Local breeds such as Barika and Arado produce milk with different qualities compared to imported breeds like Holstein or Jersey.

    Officials highlighted that forage expansion is not only about increasing volume but also about improving quality. By diversifying feed sources and aligning them with livestock species and breeds, Eritrea aims to achieve more sustainable dairy production.

    The ministry concluded that forage-based strategies will remain the backbone of Eritrea’s dairy development, ensuring healthier livestock, higher milk yields, and greater resilience in the face of climate and market challenges.

  • Ramaphosa appoints Dr. Makhubu as new SARS Commissioner

    Ramaphosa appoints Dr. Makhubu as new SARS Commissioner

    AFRICA, April 4, 2026 (NPA) — President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Dr. Ngobani Johnstone Makhubu as the new Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) for a five-year term, effective May 1, 2026.

    The appointment was made in line with Section 6 of the South African Revenue Service Act of 1997, following a unanimous recommendation by a selection panel convened by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana.

    Dr. Makhubu, currently Deputy Commissioner for Taxpayer Engagement and Operations, succeeds Edward Kieswetter, whose contract concludes on April 30, 2026. With over 17 years of senior leadership experience across tax administration, finance, operations, and commercial management, Makhubu has worked in diverse industries including FMCG, mining, power generation, and public revenue services.

    He has played a central role in shaping SARS’s strategic direction since 2020, contributing to the implementation of the Vision 2024 strategy. Under this framework, SARS achieved a compounded annual revenue growth rate of 7.6 percent and improved voluntary compliance by 3.4 percentage points.

    President Ramaphosa congratulated Makhubu, describing SARS as a vital institution that provides the financial resources necessary for government operations, infrastructure development, and social services. He expressed confidence in Makhubu’s ability to build on the agency’s achievements and strengthen fiscal stability.

    The President also paid tribute to outgoing Commissioner Kieswetter, commending his incisive and innovative leadership that positioned SARS as a key enabler of fiscal stability, trade facilitation, and investment.

    Ramaphosa noted that the leadership transition at SARS reflects the importance of sound succession planning in strengthening state institutions.

  • ADC insists on congresses despite INEC’s delisting of Mark-led leadership

    ADC insists on congresses despite INEC’s delisting of Mark-led leadership

    ABUJA, NIGERIA, 3 April 2026 (NPA) — The African Democratic Congress (ADC), in a public notice on Friday, informed its members that despite what it described as “INEC’s illegal actions,” the party will proceed with its congresses as scheduled. The ADC said it had duly notified Nigeria’s electoral body through letters dated 27 February 2026 and 28 March 2026.

    In the congress notice signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, and National Organising Secretary, Prince Chinedu Idigo, the ADC outlined the timetable as follows: screening of aspirants on 7 April; appeals on the screening exercise on 8 April; polling unit, ward, and local government congresses on 9 April; appeals on those congresses on 10 April; state congresses on 11 April; appeals to the state congresses on 12 April; and the party’s national convention on 14 April 2026.

    Meanwhile, the ADC criticised INEC’s delisting of the David Mark‑led leadership from its website, describing it as a sinister plot by agents of the ruling APC government to destabilise the party following the movement of H.E. Rabiu Kwankwaso to the ADC. The party alleged that the ruling APC is attempting to hijack its leadership, calling it “the only viable opposition party left in the country.” 

    It added that the plan has reached a new level of desperation in recent days, driven by fear of the ADC’s growing momentum and the possibility that Nigerians may begin to believe change is achievable.

    The ADC reaffirmed its commitment to remain law‑abiding while resisting by all lawful means any attempt to undermine its independence. “If they are not acting on his orders, President Tinubu should rein in his enforcers before it is too late,” the party said, stressing that it remains focused on its duty to Nigerians and determined to protect its democratic processes.

  • ‘Leadership Without Compassion is Not Leadership’ — Obi criticises Tinubu for ending Plateau visit at airport instead of affected communities

    ‘Leadership Without Compassion is Not Leadership’ — Obi criticises Tinubu for ending Plateau visit at airport instead of affected communities

    ‘Leadership Without Compassion is Not Leadership’ — Obi criticises Tinubu for ending Plateau visit at airport instead of affected communities

    ABUJA, NIGERIA, 3 April 2026 (NPA) — Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential aspirant, Mr Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for failing to visit Angwan Rukuba in Jos North Local Government, where terrorists murdered innocent people last Sunday. Obi, in a statement on Friday, titled “Leadership Without Compassion is Not Leadership,” condemned what he described as the president’s lack of empathy.

    Obi alleged that during Tinubu’s visit to Benue State in June 2025, the president stopped at the Government House instead of visiting the actual scene of killings, and that in Jos yesterday, his engagement ended at the airport rather than in the affected communities. “What happened in Plateau yesterday highlights a complete absence of leadership. True leadership requires presence, empathy, compassion, and a willingness to meet people where their pain truly lies. For citizens who have just lost loved ones, homes, and their sense of safety, being addressed from an airport tarmac is profoundly inadequate,” Obi said.

    The former Anambra State Governor argued that Tinubu’s governance approach deepens the sense of abandonment already felt by Nigerians enduring repeated cycles of violence without meaningful protection or justice. “Plateau deserves more than distant words; it requires urgent action and a clear commitment to ending the insecurity that continues to claim innocent lives,” he added. 

    Obi stressed that leadership must be both visible and tangible—standing with victims, listening to survivors, and acknowledging their grief. 

    Signing off with his political slogan, “A new Nigeria is POssible. –PO,” Obi concluded that if Nigerians truly desire a better country, they must demand leadership that is present, responsive, and responsible at all times.