Author: Tunde

The Day Liberia Changed: The April 14, 1979 Rice Riots By St Clarence D. Avery, MBA | Author | Army Veteran The Rice Riots in Liberia, sparked by a proposed increase in rice prices, marked a pivotal moment in the country’s history on April 14, 1979. The protests revealed deep-seated frustrations regarding political power and social inequality, as a small number of Americo-Liberian families had long dominated the government and economy while the majority of the population had little influence. President William R. Tolbert Jr. attempted to broaden the political landscape but faced criticism for his limited efforts. When the…

DODOMA: Stakeholders working on child protection and legal reform in Tanzania have agreed on a comprehensive roadmap aimed at combating child marriage. This plan focuses on aligning laws and policies, enhancing educational protections for children, and addressing the socio-economic issues that lead families to engage in this practice. The roadmap emerged from a strategic meeting involving government bodies, ministries, civil society organisations, legal professionals, and other key players. They identified shortcomings in the current framework and outlined priority actions moving forward. Participants underscored the importance of implementing legal reforms alongside improved community awareness and coordination among child protection agencies. Representatives…

The US Department of Justice is investigating whether special prosecutors from the Nixon administration acted improperly during the Watergate scandal, which led to President Richard Nixon’s resignation in 1974. In June 1972, a burglary at the Democratic National Committee’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., exposed significant corruption within the White House. Recently, Geoff Shepard, a former Nixon aide and author on the subject, presented allegations to the DOJ’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). He argued that the special prosecutors, initially Archibald Cox and later Leon Jaworski, violated due process rights by secretly meeting with judges and withholding evidence from defendants. A…

Lahai Marah has won the All People’s Congress (APC) District Chairmanship re-run election for Falaba District, receiving 74 votes. Originally slated for Falaba, the re-run took place in Makeni as the party sought to finalise its district leadership contest. Marah’s closest rival, Abubakarr Jalloh, secured just two votes, while Lahai Koroma, another listed candidate who did not attend the re-run, received three votes. The final vote tally was: – Lahai Marah: 74 votes – Lahai Koroma: 3 votes – Abubakarr Jalloh: 2 votes Koroma’s absence and the decision to hold the election in Makeni are significant factors in this contest.…

At least 257 inmates have been released from correctional facilities in Plateau, Kogi, Taraba, and Adamawa states following pardons granted by the governors in celebration of Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary. Plateau State governor Caleb Mutfwang led the way, granting absolute pardon to 130 inmates and commuting four death sentences to life imprisonment. He announced the decision during his goodwill message on Independence Day, after consulting with the Plateau State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy. In Kogi, Governor Usman Ododo granted clemency to 101 inmates, citing factors such as old age, health issues, good conduct, and remorse. He emphasised…

East Africa is making strides towards energy independence with a new $16 billion refinery in Kenya, although concerns are growing over the potential environmental impact of an expanding oil sector. At a groundbreaking ceremony in Lamu on Wednesday, Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote joined Kenyan President William Ruto and several other African leaders to mark the start of construction on the Dangote East Africa Petroleum Refinery. Once operational, the facility is expected to process 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day, producing petrol, diesel, and jet fuel for Kenya and the wider East African market. “This is Africa coming together to…

President Julius Maada Bio delivered a powerful speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on 22 September 2026, advocating for urgent global reforms. He highlighted Sierra Leone’s experience with civil war and recovery to address pressing international issues such as war, inequality, climate change, and the decline of trust in global institutions. Speaking on the theme, “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All,” Bio’s address was just part of Sierra Leone’s broader agenda at the assembly. The delegation also raised topics including Africa’s representation on the Security Council, child marriage, climate change, and…

Olatunde Igbasan, Director of the City Boy Movement West Africa, has urged Nigerian youths to promote their nation and avoid electoral violence. Speaking during a walk to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day and the APC Youth Week, Igbasan, who is also the APC Youth Network West Africa Director General, encouraged young people to use their influence positively and enhance the country’s image. He expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stating that significant changes are evident for Nigerians living abroad. He suggested that if Tinubu is given a second term, ongoing projects and initiatives could be successfully implemented. “It’s time…

The European Commission has announced that Ukraine’s financial and military requirements for this year have been fully met, following Kyiv’s earlier report of a $27 billion (€23.92 billion) shortfall in its Ministry of Defence. This unexpected situation had surprised Brussels last month. “We have identified the means to cover Ukraine’s budget and defence needs for 2026,” said the Commission in a statement shared by President Ursula von der Leyen. They also reaffirmed the necessary steps to ensure timely release of these funds. This development puts an end to discussions that began in late August when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged…