Author: Web Desk

The U.S. Government’s Prosper Africa initiative has announced the close of $274 million in long-term financing for West Africa’s rapidly growing housing sector. This is in partnership with Bank of America Securities, Inc, Brean Capital, LLC, The Bank of New York Mellon, Togo’s Caisse Régionale de Refinancement Hypothécaire (CRRH), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). This partnership, announced on Thursday, opens new opportunities for U.S. investment in Africa’s emerging markets and provides an avenue for West Africans to gain greater access to homeownership, a statement by Africa Regional Media Hub said. MiDA Advisors served as the originator and lead transaction…

The cholera outbreaks in the WHO African Region continue to evolve, with 13 countries currently reporting cases. South Sudan is the latest country to confirm a new outbreak during the reporting week. Overall, incidence cholera cases and deaths in the region have been declining in the past five weeks. In week 9 (27 February – 5 March 2023), a total of 3835 suspected cases were reported from 13 countries, reflecting a 12.6% decrease compared to 4389 cases recorded in week 8. Similarly, deaths decreased from 89 in week 8 to 70 in week 9, a 21.3% decrease. Between 1…

ECOWAS and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in February facilitated the safe return of 299 ECOWAS citizens stranded in Niger. IOM transit centres in the Agadez region of Niger are overcrowded due to the socio-political and security situation in the sub-region, with some migrants spending relatively long waiting periods, which entails an increasing need for direct assistance. The main nationalities remain Guinea, Mali, and Nigeria. The support by ECOWAS has served as an immediate solution for the safe and dignified return of its nationals, decongesting the centres and providing humanitarian assistance to migrants in need while more…

Malnutrition in mothers soars by 25 per cent in crisis-hit countries, putting women and newborn babies at risk With half of stunting in children under 2 developing during pregnancy and before six months, new report raises the alarm on the need to invest in essential nutrition programmes for adolescent girls and women NEW YORK, The number of pregnant and breastfeeding adolescent girls and women suffering from acute malnutrition has soared from 5.5 million to 6.9 million – or 25 per cent – since 2020 in 12 countries hardest hit by the global food and nutrition crisis, according to…

The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has called on members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to sustain the momentum and canvass for votes from all eligible voters in the state to guarantee the success of the party in Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections. AbdulRazaq made the call on Saturday evening at APC Adewole Ward meeting in Ilorin West Local Government Area. “We must not relent because of the success recorded in previous elections. We must redouble our efforts to consolidate on the success. We must continue to canvass and campaign for our party and all…

ABUJA, An explosion and fire near an illegal oil refinery site in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region killed at least 12 people Friday, police said, although local residents reported a much higher death toll in the fire that raged on for hours. The explosion in Emuoha council area of the southern Rivers state occurred along a pipeline targeted by illegal refinery operators who were trying to steal oil, state police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko said. “We are aware that there was an explosion relating to bunkering activities,” she said, adding that authorities were working to determine the number of casualties…

The Jela Projects Limited in conjunction with Seed Rehabilitation Foundation, is set for the 2023 Lagos Women Dance on Saturday, 4th of March, where many women from all walks of life are expected to participate. The dance, which is in its fourth edition, was announced in a statement signed by the Founder, Jela Projects Limited, Mrs Angela Tony-Iji, on Friday in Lagos, the dance has the potential to promote tourism in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole. The statement also said that the dancing helped in reducing stress and women should be encouraged to imbibe the culture of dance.…

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says over the past few days there has been renewed attention on the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Global Health Authority, therefore, asked nations to share information on the Covid-19 origins. Its Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus said this during an online Media conference. He said; “As we have said before if any country has information about the origins of the pandemic, it is essential for that information to be shared with WHO and the international scientific community. “It is not to apportion blame, but to advance our understanding of how…

Dr Akintoye Akindele, Tech Investor and Chief Executive Officer of Platform Capital, says he has impacted over 100,000 youth entrepreneurs locally and internationally. Akindele in a statement on Friday in Lagos said he would continue to support and donate to various institutions that provide grants to entrepreneurs. “I am passionate about Africa and want to see to it that African entrepreneurs, youths and business people become very successful and relevant globally. “I will not stop regardless of obstacles, until the dream of an empowered Africa, which will deliver maximum dividends to Africans from its vast natural and human resources is…

The Sokoto State All Progressives Council campaign team has reemphasised it’s commitment to embark on an electioneering campaign without violence in spite of alleged provocation by the opposition in the state. Sen. Aliyu Wamakko gave the assurance in a statement by Dr Danladi Bako, the Chairman, Publicity, Sokoto State APC Campaign Council and member of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council Media Directorate, on Thursday. Wamakko spoke to newsmen after a caucus meeting on the outcome of a briefing by the heads of security agencies with political parties in the state, attended by State APC Chairman, Isa Achida. He rejected insinuations…