New Post Africa

Category: Politics

  • Lagos Government begins compensation for Blue Line rail landlords

    Lagos Government begins compensation for Blue Line rail landlords

    LAGOS, NIGERIA, 01 April 2026 (NPA) — The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), has reached a new milestone in its commitment to residents affected by the Blue Line Rail extension project.

    After completing compensation payments to tenants, the Authority has now commenced disbursement to landlords. This next phase highlights the government’s resolve to ensure fair, transparent, and timely compensation for all stakeholders impacted by the project.

    The process officially began today with the presentation of cheques to landlords who had completed documentation and verification for the Blue Line Depot land acquisition. Duly enumerated property owners received payments as part of the coordinated exercise.

    The compensation programme is being overseen by Dr Babatunde Osho, Managing Director of Global Impact Environmental Consulting, working closely with LAMATA officials.

    This initiative is a critical component of the wider Blue Line Rail project, which is progressing toward completion in the first quarter of 2027. By prioritising equitable compensation and inclusive transition processes, LAMATA reinforces its commitment to the social well‑being of Lagosians while advancing a modern, integrated urban transport system.

  • South Africa slashes fuel levy to ease price rise on citizens

    South Africa slashes fuel levy to ease price rise on citizens

    AFRICA, 01 April 2026 (NPA) — In a decisive move to shield South Africans from surging global energy costs, the National Treasury and the Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (DMPR) have announced a temporary R3 cut to the general fuel levy.

    Effective immediately, the levy on petrol drops from R4.10 to R1.10 per litre, while diesel falls from R3.93 to R0.93. Officials say the measure will provide motorists with urgent relief while safeguarding the stability of the country’s fuel supply system.

    The Finance Minister emphasised that the decision balances consumer welfare, particularly food and transport inflation, with fiscal objectives. The one‑month reduction is expected to cost R6 billion in foregone revenue and will be reviewed monthly for the next two months.

    Without the cut, April’s fuel price hikes would have been steeper: petrol up R3.06 per litre, diesel rising more than R7, and paraffin climbing by over R11 wholesale. The DMPR stressed that paraffin pricing excludes levies and taxes, a deliberate policy to protect low‑income households.

    Authorities assured the public that national fuel stocks remain sufficient, with reported shortages linked to localised panic buying and logistical bottlenecks. Citizens are urged to avoid unnecessary stockpiling and purchase responsibly to prevent further strain on distribution networks.

    The government reiterated its commitment to protecting vulnerable households, promising further targeted measures to cushion the poor from high energy costs. Officials added that work is underway on a broader package of interventions to support households and key sectors of the economy, with details to be announced soon.

  • Tinubu cancels Ogun trip and others, heads to Jos after deadly attacks

    Tinubu cancels Ogun trip and others, heads to Jos after deadly attacks

    ABUJA, NIGERIA, 01 April 2026 (NPA) — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has abruptly postponed his scheduled trip to Iperu, Ogun State, where he was due to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport. Instead, he will travel to Jos, Plateau State, to commiserate with the government and people following recent gun attacks that claimed innocent lives.

    According to a statement signed by Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu will proceed from Plateau to Lagos to observe Good Friday. On Saturday, 4 April, he will head to Ogun State for the commissioning of the Cargo Airport and the inauguration of two commercial aircraft to boost economic growth.

    The President is also expected to unveil the new Federal Operations Unit building of the Nigerian Customs Service and its operational vehicles.

    Back in Lagos, Tinubu will commission several infrastructure projects by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, including the Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge, the Lagos State Geographic Information System Building, a Multi-Agency Complex named after him, and a school complex.

    Before returning to Abuja, Tinubu will visit Bayelsa State on 10 April to commission projects completed by Governor Duoye Diri.

  • APC resumes nationwide electronic membership registration

    APC resumes nationwide electronic membership registration

    ABUJA, NIGERIA, 01 April 2026 (NPA) — The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the resumption of its electronic membership registration exercise across all wards and designated centres nationwide.

    In a statement, on Wednesday, signed by Felix Morka, CON, National Publicity Secretary, the Party urged existing members to validate their membership and encouraged new members to register. Registrants must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).

    The APC explained that the e-registration initiative is aimed at digitising its membership register, safeguarding record integrity, improving access to data for planning and management, promoting internal democracy, and strengthening its commitment to democratic innovation in Nigeria.

  • Kemi Badenoch issues stark Passover warning to UK Jews: “This year is different”

    Kemi Badenoch issues stark Passover warning to UK Jews: “This year is different”

    INTERNATIONAL, 01 April 2026 (NPA) — Kemi Badenoch, Leader of the Conservative Party, has extended a goodwill message to British Jews for Passover, but with a sombre warning that this year is unlike any other.

    In her statement on Wednesday, Badenoch noted that recent events — Jews murdered in a UK synagogue, Hatzola ambulances torched in Golders Green, and growing fears about safety — mark a disturbing shift. “This year I can’t write the usual sort of Passover message,” she said, rejecting platitudes in favour of a call to vigilance.

    Reflecting on the meaning of Passover, Badenoch emphasised that freedom is not guaranteed but must be defended in every generation. She warned that antisemitism has eroded basic freedoms, from walking openly in London to worshipping without heavy security.

    The Conservative leader pledged stronger action under her leadership, including banning extremist marches, revoking visas for hate preachers, and adopting a zero-tolerance approach to radicalisation. She insisted that antisemitism is not just prejudice but “Jew hatred” — an existential threat to Jewish life in Britain.

    Badenoch urged British Jews to resist intimidation with visibility and defiance, stressing that Israel cannot be the only sanctuary. “This is your home,” she declared, promising to lead from the front in tackling sectarian hate and defending Jewish rights.

    Her message concluded with a reminder that Passover teaches resilience: “Freedom must be defended, generation after generation. We can and will defeat the scourge of antisemitism.”

  • BREAKING: Federal Government unveils ₦20 million National Laureate Prize for exceptional students, researchers

    BREAKING: Federal Government unveils ₦20 million National Laureate Prize for exceptional students, researchers

    ABUJA, NIGERIA, 01 April 2026 (NPA) — The Federal Ministry of Education has announced the launch of the Nigeria National Laureate Annual Prize Programme, a groundbreaking initiative designed to reward exceptional academic research and innovation in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

    In a press release issued on 31 March, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, described the programme as a strategic effort to elevate scholarly excellence and position research as a driver of national development.

    According to Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations, the prize will award ₦5 million for outstanding undergraduate dissertations, ₦10 million for master’s theses, and ₦20 million for doctoral research. Winners will also receive national recognition at a high-profile gala.

    Dr Alausa emphasised that the initiative seeks to reposition academic work as a valuable national asset, encouraging innovation and intellectual contribution. The programme will be funded by the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) and its partners, with a 10-member committee chaired by Professor Abubakar Sambo overseeing submissions, evaluations, and selections.

    Tertiary institutions have been directed to nominate outstanding research, while the committee retains the authority to identify exceptional works independently. The 2026 cycle will begin with a call for submissions in May, followed by evaluations from June to September, and will culminate in the National Laureate Gala in Abuja this November.

    The Ministry noted that the prize marks a decisive shift in Nigeria’s academic landscape, contrasting the neglect of scholarly achievement with the lavish rewards often given to reality television contestants. 

    The new programme is a complete departure from a culture where academics are overlooked while participants in TV reality shows walk away with over a hundred million naira for appearing half-naked on national television.

  • New month, new resolve: Peter Mbah reaffirms good governance for Enugu

    New month, new resolve: Peter Mbah reaffirms good governance for Enugu

    LAGOS, NIGERIA, 01 April 2026 (NPA) — Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to deliver on campaign promises and advance the vision of a stronger, more prosperous Enugu under his ‘Tomorrow is Here’ agenda.

    In his traditional new month message on Wednesday, Mbah wished citizens a happy April, urging them to embrace peace, renewed hope, and success. He described the new month as another opportunity to sustain the momentum of progress already set in motion across the state.

    Mbah’s broader vision is to transform Enugu into a leading hub for business, tourism, and quality living, with a target of increasing the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from $4.4 billion to at least $30 billion within the next 4 to 8 years.

    Since assuming office, the governor has pursued ambitious development projects, including the Enugu Air initiative, smart schools, innovation and technology hubs, rural road construction, urban renewal schemes, and other infrastructure designed to stimulate sustainable economic growth. His message underscored the administration’s determination to build a resilient and prosperous Enugu, assuring citizens that the government remains firmly committed to advancing their collective aspirations.

  • INEC Chairman Amupitan stresses procurement integrity ahead of 2027 elections at workshop

    INEC Chairman Amupitan stresses procurement integrity ahead of 2027 elections at workshop

    LAGOS, NIGERIA, 01 April 2026 (NPA) — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has entered the second day of its three-day capacity-building workshop for National Electoral Commissioners and senior management staff, with Chairman Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, leading deliberations on procurement integrity as a cornerstone of credible elections.

    Prof. Amupitan’s active participation underscored the Commission’s commitment to strengthening procurement systems ahead of the 2027 General Election. He emphasised that transparent procurement directly impacts the timely delivery of sensitive materials, deployment of technology, and overall logistics, noting that strict adherence to regulatory frameworks is vital for public confidence.

    Day Two featured interactive sessions in which Commissioners and Directors reflected on past challenges and shared strategies to improve compliance. Mr Nelson Ojougboh of the Bureau of Public Procurement highlighted the importance of aligning procurement with the national budget cycle, warning that non-compliance constitutes a statutory violation. He introduced revised Standard Bidding Documents to enhance transparency and efficiency.

    Prof Prince Michael Ikupolati addressed procurement risks, emphasising proactive management and the use of insurance instruments, such as performance bonds, to safeguard resources. Mrs Nanzok Bukata focused on structured planning, documentation, and transparency, stressing that clear records and due process are essential to credibility.

    The workshop reinforced INEC’s resolve to institutionalise best practices and strengthen its culture of accountability. Prof. Amupitan’s leadership signalled the Commission’s determination to ensure procurement reform supports the successful delivery of a credible and transparent 2027 electoral process.

  • Nigeria’s defence ministers storm Borno, reaffirm commitment to defeating terrorism in North East

    Nigeria’s defence ministers storm Borno, reaffirm commitment to defeating terrorism in North East

    ABUJA, NIGERIA, 01 April 2026 (NPA) — The Minister of Defence, Major General Christopher Musa, and the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, paid an operational visit to Headquarters Theatre Command, Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) in Maiduguri on 31 March 2026. The visit aimed to assess ongoing operations, reinforce government commitment to the fight against terrorism, and engage key stakeholders.

    The Ministers began with a courtesy call on the Shehu of Borno, expressing gratitude for his support to the Armed Forces and acknowledging the resilience of the people. They later met the Deputy Governor at the Borno State Government House, who conveyed appreciation for the sacrifices of troops. The Ministers assured of intensified efforts to enhance security and strengthen collaboration with the state government.

    In honour of fallen heroes, they laid wreaths at the Military Cemetery in Maiduguri, underscoring national gratitude for troops who paid the supreme price. At OPHK Headquarters, Theatre Commander Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar briefed them on recent operations, including the neutralisation of over 280 terrorists during Ramadan, the disruption of logistics networks, and the rescue of abducted civilians.

    According to a statement on Wednesday, Major General Christopher Musa commended the Armed Forces for their professionalism and resilience, stressing the need for sustained national support. The visit also featured an inspection of the new Command and Control Centre and commissioning of family accommodation for troops, reflecting the government’s commitment to improved welfare and morale.

  • Nigeria government pledges strong measures after the Jos North attack

    Nigeria government pledges strong measures after the Jos North attack

    ABUJA, NIGERIA, 31 March 2026 (NPA) — The Federal Government has expressed deep concern over the tragic attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North, extending condolences to the victims’ families and the people of Plateau State.

    Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, assured Nigerians that security agencies responded swiftly. Troops under Operation Enduring Peace were mobilised immediately, cordoning off the area, securing access routes, and launching clearance operations to track down perpetrators. These actions, he said, prevented further escalation and demonstrated the government’s readiness to act decisively.

    Idris explained that the response forms part of a broader security framework in Plateau and the wider North-Central region. Reinforced surveillance, troop deployments, joint patrols, and rapid response mechanisms have been introduced to neutralise threats proactively. At the national level, the government remains committed to dismantling criminal networks through targeted military offensives and strategic deployments.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu convened a high-level meeting with security and intelligence chiefs to review the situation and chart a lasting solution. He also invited Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang for further deliberations, with outcomes to be made public. Idris emphasised that these steps highlight the seriousness with which the Federal Government is treating the matter.

    The Plateau State Government has imposed a 48-hour curfew in Jos North to stabilise the environment and support operations. State authorities continue to work closely with federal agencies to prevent reprisals, restore calm, and facilitate investigations.

    While acknowledging the gravity of the incident, Idris stressed that it reflects localised tensions rather than a collapse of national security. He noted that Plateau has long faced communal challenges, but assured Nigerians that both federal and state governments are committed to restoring peace and protecting lives.