Author: Tunde

The All Progressives Congress (APC) youth in the South-West have praised the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, for his initiatives aimed at developing young Nigerians. APC South-West Youth Leader, Adesuyi Daramola, thanked the monarch for his ongoing commitment to youth empowerment, economic development, and preserving Yoruba culture. In a statement from the Media and Publicity Director for the APC South-West Youth Leader, Remilekun Oyelowo, Daramola expressed these sentiments during the 2026 Olojo Festival in Ile-Ife. He described the Ooni as a “father figure” who genuinely cares for the welfare and aspirations of the youth, especially those in the South-West.…

A diverted FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv experienced chaos on Wednesday when the pilot was attacked in the cockpit, reportedly with a crash axe. The aircraft was carrying over 170 passengers when it descended rapidly by more than 17,000 feet amid a struggle between the pilot, Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, and his co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani citizen. The flight, FZ1073, was en route to Tel Aviv when an emergency alert was issued, redirecting it to Saudi Arabia. Passengers captured video footage showing bloodied individuals attempting to subdue the assailant. Eyewitness reports described a scene of…

The Ministry of Finance held its FY2027 Bilateral Budget Discussions this week, featuring presentations from the Ministries of Health and Gender and Children’s Affairs. Deputy Minister of Finance I, Kadiatu Allie, urged participants to focus on aligning resources with national priorities for tangible outcomes. The Ministry of Health requested NLe341.27 million for recurrent funding in FY2027, which exceeds the budget ceiling of NLe153.30 million by NLe187.96 million. They also proposed NLe211 million for new capital projects aimed at enhancing immunisation, family planning, and various health programmes, alongside building regional hospitals, supporting the Sierra Leone Social Health Insurance (SLeSHI), and expanding…

GovTech 2026 celebrated two decades of connecting the government with the technology sector. Organised by the State Information Technology Agency (SITA), the event reviewed the progress of government technology since 2006, covering areas like connectivity, infrastructure, cloud computing, data, cybersecurity, and digital services. For Huawei, this milestone was an opportunity to consider how to transform these digital foundations into intelligent solutions for South Africa’s public sector. “AI can help government enhance public services by automating routine tasks and enabling quicker, data-driven decisions,” said Matamela Mashau, Chief Technology Officer for Enterprise Network Solutions at Huawei Sub-Saharan Africa. “The infrastructure needed to…

Italy held France to a 1-1 draw at the Stade de France on Friday night, ending Zinedine Zidane’s winning start as head coach of the French team. France took the lead in the 55th minute with a stunning free-kick from Michael Olise, who struck the ball over the Italian wall into the top corner. However, Alessandro Bastoni equalised for Italy midway through the second half after capitalising on a mistake by Lucas Da Cunha, who failed to control the ball just outside the penalty area. The Inter Milan defender slotted his shot past goalkeeper Mike Maignan, silencing the home fans.…

Africell Sierra Leone has teamed up with Sierra Leonean musician Drizilik to promote his new album, Audacity. This partnership, announced on 28 September 2026, aims to connect Drizilik’s music with audiences in Sierra Leone and abroad via Africell’s advertising and media network. The campaign features citywide billboards and outdoor events that include QR codes directing the public to Drizilik’s website, where they can access Audacity ahead of its global release on 30 September. Africell’s CEO, Shadi Gerjawi, emphasised the importance of arts and culture in Sierra Leone’s identity, stating the company is eager to support those contributing to the creative…

Ethiopia’s army has intensified its advance towards Tigray’s capital, Mekelle, amidst rising tensions following the severance of ties with Eritrea. The African Union has called for restraint from all parties as fighting escalates and explosions are reported in Addis Ababa. In other news, a growing number of urban residents in Côte d’Ivoire are turning to farming on weekends, seeking additional income as they manage plantations from afar. This movement includes civil servants, entrepreneurs, and traders from Abidjan. Meanwhile, Senegal is preparing to host the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, a significant milestone as it marks the first Olympic event…

Two underage migrants were injured in a knife attack on Thursday during a clash in the La Marina area of Ceuta, highlighting the ongoing violence amid the city’s migration crisis. The National Police intervened, and emergency services treated the two youths for cuts around their ankles. This incident occurs as Ceuta grapples with the arrival of tens of thousands of migrants and struggles to provide adequate accommodation for those remaining in the city. Ceuta’s Department of Health has issued a health warning regarding Trampolín beach, where a migrant encampment persists. Water samples taken on 23, 25, and 28 September revealed…

Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has called for enhanced international cooperation to improve access to reliable information and strengthen governance during the 17th International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC) in Sierra Leone. The conference, which runs from 28th to 30th September at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi, coincides with UNESCO’s International Day of Universal Access to Information (IDUAI). In his keynote speech, delivered on behalf of President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, VP Jalloh emphasised the importance of the conference amidst rapid digital changes and increased citizen engagement in governance. He reflected on Sierra Leone’s journey…

DAR ES SALAAM: Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi announced that Tanzania is at the forefront of electricity access in Africa, according to World Bank statistics. He made this statement on October 2, 2026, during a signing ceremony for a financing scheme focused on electricity connections between the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) and CRDB Bank. Ndejembi revealed that Tanzania currently has nine million electricity customers, with TANESCO serving six million and the Rural Energy Agency (REA) catering to three million. He highlighted this achievement as a testament to the government’s efforts to enhance electricity access across the nation. The partnership between…