UFC ignores Nigeria over lack of infrastructure, to host first African fight in Senegal

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion has overlooked Nigeria as the possible first African country to host a fight event over lack of infrastructure with Senegal emerging as the frontrunner to stage what would be a historical event.

Despite being Africa’s most populous country and the best ideal market for such a landmark event, Nigeria lacks a standard venue to host a UFC fight event which is arguably the biggest MMA show in the world as the company is working towards hosting an event on the continent soon.

Aside from that, big-name fighters in the promotion including two-time and current UFC Middleweight champions and former Welterweight champion Karamu Usman are Nigerians which ultimately made Nigeria a perfect destination for such an event.

But unavailability of necessary infrastructure needed to successfully host a UFC event, especially relatively sized arenas, seems to have thrown Nigeria off the pole position to host the promotion’s first fight in Africa.

Africa is the only continent yet to host a UFC fight event. But UFC’s chief operating officer, Lawrence Epstein is saying a UFC event in Africa “has been on other radar” with Dakar Arena in Senegal being tipped as the most likely venue to host the continent’s first UFC fight.

“A UFC event in Africa has been on our radar for many years – The first thing we look for is an arena that suits our size requirements. We like those arenas that are within the 12,000 to 20,000 range (of seats),” Lawrence Epstein told BBC Sport Africa.

He continued;

“Africa certainly has some smaller arenas – there is nothing wrong with that but we like to pack arenas, to create a tremendous amount of energy and, of course, the more tickets you have to sell the better.”

“That’s why Dakar is leading because they have one of the larger arenas in sub-Saharan Africa and a lot of events have already gone there with success. Senegal is top of the list based upon the information that our team has put together.”

The Arena was opened in August 2018 at the country’s capital city of Dakar and boasts a capacity of 15,000 – it’s home to the Senegal Basketball team.

It also has famously hosted the 2019 Women’s Afrobasket and regular season conferences in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) in 2022 and 2023.

“The next step is to get our entire operation team down to do a site survey, evaluate the arena and all the infrastructure we need to put on an event,” said Mr Epstein.

Messrs Karamu and Adesanya alongside Francis Ngannou who was the UFC heavyweight champion before he mutually parted ways with the promotion, had for some time now, been urging the company to stage an event in Africa.

They have also started making plans on infrastructure and necessary logistics needed to successfully stage a fight event in Africa.

High demand for buses reason we spent $1.2 million to evacuate Nigerians in Sudan- Buhari Regime

The federal government has explained that the sum of 1.2 million dollars allegedly spent in hiring buses for the evacuation of Nigerian students in Sudan was due to the dire need of the war situation.

This is contained in a statement signed by the spokesperson of the ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs Rhoda Iliya.

It was also signed by officials of the ministry of foreign affairs Ambassador Janet Olisa and Dr Sani Gwarzo of Humanitarian affairs ministry in Abuja on Saturday.

“The outcry over the negotiated sum of 1.2 million dollars for the buses hired for the exercise, is uncalled for.

“The amount in question was negotiated in a condition of war and where there are competing demands for same bus services by other countries also trying to evacuate their citizens.

“The general public is hereby advised to discountenance the unverified information being circulated on the social media as some of them are either due to ignorance or sheer mischief,” it said.

The statement also appealed for cooperation and understanding of all Nigerians in the ongoing efforts to ensure all Nigerians stranded in Sudan are returned home safely.

“The first batch of 13 buses conveying six hundred and thirty seven (637) evacuees had arrived the identified safe borders at Aswan, Egypt.

“The evacuees are undergoing necessary documentation and clearance before admission into the Egyptian territory for their eventual evacuation to Nigeria in the coming hours by the Nigerian Air Force and Air Peace airline, who have been on standby for the operations.

“However, the movement of the second batch of 29 buses will commence on April 29 and the evacuees are advised to be at the designated locations with only one luggage.”

It advised Nigerian students awaiting evacuation from Khartoum to cooperate with embassy officials for proper documentation while embarking on the buses to the designated locations.

“This will go a long way in speeding up the process and avoiding unnecessary delays with documentation and clearance upon arrival at Aswan, Egypt.”

The government expressed commitment towards successful evacuation of all Nigerians stranded in Sudan before the expiration of the extended 72 hours ceasefire agreement.

“We want to use this opportunity to extend our appreciation to friendly countries who have in one way or the other assisted in bringing succour to Nigerians fleeing the war in Sudan.

“Particularly, Nigeria acknowledges the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for graciously assisting with the evacuation of eight Nigerians from Sudan to safety in its territory, from where they would be airlifted back to Nigeria,” the statement added.

Court Orders Semen Donor To Stop After Fathering 550 Children

Dutch judges have ordered a man suspected of fathering more than 550 children through sperm donations to stop donating, in the latest fertility scandal to shock the Netherlands.

The man, identified in Dutch media only as “Jonathan M.”, 41, was dragged to court by a foundation protecting the rights of donor children and the mother of one of the children allegedly fathered from his sperm.

Dutch clinical guidelines say a donor should not father more than 25 children in 12 families, but judges said the man had helped produce between 550 and 600 children since he started as a sperm donor in 2007.

The court, therefore, “prohibits the defendant from donating his semen to new prospective parents after the issuing of this judgement”, judge Thera Hesselink said on Friday.

Jonathan M. may also not contact any prospective parents “with the wish that he was willing to donate semen, advertise his services to prospective parents or join any organisation that establishes contact between prospective parents,” Hesselink said in a written judgement.

Should he continue with his donations, he would face a 100,000-euro ($110,000) fine for every transgression, as well as additional fines, the judge ordered.

Famous American TV host Jerry Springer is dead

Jerry Springer, an American journalist, politician and era-defining television host has died aged 79, the deceased’s friend and the family’s spokesperson Jene Galvin who described him as “irreplaceable” confirmed to BBC News on Thursday.

“Jerry’s ability to connect with people was at the heart of his success in everything he tried whether that was politics, broadcasting or just joking with people on the street who wanted a photo or a word,” said Ms Galvin in a statement.

They said Mr Springer, who is best known for his raucous TV talk shows, died peacefully at his Chicago home on Thursday – this came a few months after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

“He’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart and humour will live on,” the statement added.

Mr Springer began his career as a political campaign adviser to former American senator Robert Francis Kennedy but would soon move to practising law following the assassination of the lawmaker in 1968.

In 1970, he ran for Congress against Donald Clancy but failed to unseat the Republican.

He is also well-known for his time on Television as journalist and host including popular shows such as Jerry Springer talk show, talent show competition America’s Got Talent and reality court show Judge Jerry.

Kenyan pastor charged for ‘mass killing’ of church members

Kenya authorities announced on Thursday, April 27, said they had arrested another pastor over the “mass killing of his followers” just days after the discovery of dozens of bodies linked to another church.

Ezekiel Odero, the head of the New Life Prayer Centre and Church, “has been arrested and is being processed to face criminal charges related to the mass killing of his followers,” Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki said in a statement.

“The said church has been shut down. The over 100 people who were holed up at the premises have been evacuated and will be required to record statements,” he added.

Odero’s arrest comes on the heels of an ongoing investigation into Paul Mackenzie Nthenge, the cult leader accused of the deaths of 98 people linked to his church.

The self-styled preacher is accused of urging his followers to starve themselves to death as a path to God. Most of those found in mass graves have been children, and police fear the death toll could rise as their search widens.

Kindiki had described the case as “the clearest abuse of the constitutionally enshrined human right to freedom of worship.”

Nthenge was arrested again last month, according to local media, after two children starved to death in the custody of their parents.

He was released on bail of 100,000 Kenyan shillings ($700) but surrendered to police after a raid on his property in the Shakahola forest uncovered bodies.

Nthenge is due to appear in court on May 2.

Iran government to prosecute 2 actresses for not wearing hijab

The Iranian government has said two actresses appearing unveiled in a picture will be charged to court.

The government said the ladies flouted Iran’s mandatory hijab law.

Katayoun Riahi, 61, posted her picture online without a veil while Pantea Bahram, 53, posed for a picture during film screening without a head covering.

These pictures went viral causing police to accuse them of “the crime of removing hijab in public and posting photos on the internet,” local media in Iran said.

The prosecution team said the actresses will likely pay fines or face jail term.

Recently, the government warned that new technology will be adopted and surveillance cameras will be used to track down women not wearing hijabs in public places.

According to Iran’s Islamic Penal Code; any act deemed “offensive” to public decency is punishable by 10 days to two months in prison or 74 lashes.

The law applies to girls and women from age nine who appear unveiled in public places.

Last year, a 22-year-old woman, Mahsa Amini died in morality police custody after she was arrested for not wearing a hijab.

This caused public outrage which led to many weeks of nationwide protests.

Women and girls who joined the protest were brutally attacked causing the death of Sarina Esmailzadeh, Nika Shakarami, Hadis Najafi, among others.

Nigeria records 55 million malaria cases annually – Federal Government

The Federal Government has disclosed that an estimated 55 million cases of malaria and nearly 90,000 malaria deaths occur each year in Nigeria.

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire disclosed this at a press briefing to commemorate the World Malaria Day, themed ‘Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement,’ with the slogan ‘Act now.’

Dr. Ehanire, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mamman Mamuda, said despite efforts by the government and its partners to combat the effects of malaria in the country, the country still accounts for 27 percent of global malaria cases and 32 percent of global malaria deaths.

“It is estimated that approximately 55 million cases of malaria and nearly 90,000 malaria deaths occur each year in our country.

“Malaria also has an adverse effect on the economy of our nation as it is the major cause of absenteeism in schools, offices, businesses, markets and thereby reducing the income of families, including the hardship of out-of-pocket expenses borne by Nigerians yearly for diagnosis and treatment.

The out-of-pocket expenditure for malaria is estimated to be 70 per cent and Nigerians pay as much as N2,280 on each malaria.

“The economic burden of malaria in Nigeria was estimated at $1.6b (N687bn) in 2022 and may increase to about $2.8bn (N2tn) in 2030.

Consequently, we must continue to fight to achieve zero malaria by 2030, in line with the World Health Organisation’s global technical strategy,” he said.

The government, however, calls for investment to defeat malaria and step up innovative strategies and impactful interventions.

President Buhari to attend Gulf of Guinea Summit

President Muhammadu Buhari will on Tuesday, April 25, join other members of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC) in Accra, Ghana, to participate in the Commission’s third Extraordinary Session.

According to the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari will be delivering remarks on strategies for strengthening peace and security in the fight against maritime-related crimes in the region.

The statement read;

“President Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja for Accra on Tuesday, April 25, to attend the third Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC), convened by President Nana Akuffo-Ado of Ghana.

“The president is scheduled to participate and deliver remarks at the high-level discussion on strategies for strengthening peace and security in the fight against maritime-related crimes in the region.

As the immediate past Chair of the Assembly, President Buhari had championed collective efforts by Member-States of the region, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC) and their partners to address and prevent piracy.

“In June 2019, Nigeria’s National Assembly passed the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act, 2019 (POMO Act) which aims to prevent and suppress piracy, armed robbery and other unlawful acts against a ship.

“The president will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, National Security Adviser (NSA) Maj.-Gen Babagana Monguno (rtd), Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Amb. Ahmed Abubakar, among other government officials.”

Warring factions agree on three-day ceasefire in Sudan

After Ten days of fighting in Sudan, the United States said warring factions had brokered a three-day ceasefire which would be effected on Tuesday, April 25.

U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken said in a statement:

“To support a durable end to the fighting, the United States will coordinate with regional and international partners and Sudanese civilian stakeholders to assist in creating a committee to oversee the negotiation, conclusion, and implementation of a permanent cessation of hostilities and humanitarian arrangements in Sudan”.

Blinken added that the U.S. will work with Sudanese parties “toward the shared goal of a return to civilian government in Sudan.”

This comes as Nigeria said it would evacuate over 2,000 of its citizens from Sudan On Tuesday.

Director of Special Duties, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Onimode Bandele, in a Channels Television interview, confirmed that Nigerians trapped in Sudan would be evacuated on April 25.

The fighting between factions, the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces has claimed hundreds in Sudan.

The Sudanese army, led by Abdelfattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, led by Mohamed “Hemedti” Hamdan Dagalo, are at war.

Woman stabs her 2-year-old baby to death, feeds on body parts

A 27-year-old woman has been arrested by detectives in Kitengela, Kajiado county of Kenya after allegedly stabbing her two-year-old daughter to death and later feeding on her remains.

Olivia Naseren reportedly killed her child, Glory Njeri, after she parted ways with the minor’s father.

A police report revealed that the woman cut her baby into pieces before feeding on the intestines and kidney.

This occurred after she became violent and started breaking household items shortly after locking herself in the house while playing with the baby.

The noise attracted her neighbours who watched in disbelief as she descended on her daughter with a knife more than 100 times, as they could not access the room to rescue the innocent soul.

Police and the locals managed to break into the house and found the woman unconscious. The police report read;

“Juvenile aged two years old was sliced by the mother into pieces, and she later fed on her intestines the suspect was found at the scene unconscious and escorted to the Kitengela Sub-county Hospital for treatment.

“Neighbours were attracted by noise from her house and they rushed into her room where they found she had locked herself inside alongside the minor. She began by breaking her TV set before she picked her baby whom she stabbed more than 100 times as neighbours watched in disbelief. She later dismembered her body and began eating the deceased body parts.”

The woman was rushed to Kitengela Sub-county Hospital for treatment pending further action.

The report added;

“Upon arrival at the hospital she was treated and forced to vomit the alleged body parts which are now part of the evidence in the case.”

Arsenal team plane bursts into flames on runway during takeoff to London

A plane carrying the Arsenal women’s team back to London after a Champions League match, burst into flames as it was about to take off, forcing the players and staff to remain in Germany.

Photos show flames shooting from an engine on the Boeing 737 on the runway at Braunschweig Wolfsburg Airport in Germany.

The 7.30pm Sunday, April 23 flight was due to take off just a few hours after Arsenal secured a 2-2 draw against VfL Wolfsburg in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.

The plane made a loud bang just before it was about to take off on April 23, according to reports.

Horrified pilots saw the blaze and quickly pulled the plane up on the tarmac to evacuate all the passengers.

An airport spokesman told German newspaper BILD a bird strike on the engine had caused the fire.

The airport official added that nobody was hurt during the incident.

The team and Arsenal staff were put up in a nearby hotel.

They were then flown back to London on Monday on another plane.

Iran launches hijab surveillance in crackdown on unveiled women

The Iranian government has introduced surveillance cameras to track women not wearing hijabs in public places as part of a new offensive against its female nationals.

The government created an animation to circulate the information across the country that cameras monitored by police authorities will be planted in public places.

Local media reported that police would monitor the cameras planted in public places and send text messages warning women who refused to comply with the mandatory hijab law.

The national police boss in Iran, Ahmad Reza Radan, announced that advanced technology, including street cameras, would identify women violating the mandatory hijab in “public places, cars or commercial centres.”

After the announcement, many women and girls in the country refused to abide by the mandatory hijab law.

According to Iran’s Islamic Penal Code, any act deemed “offensive” to public decency is punishable by 10 days to two months in prison or 74 lashes.

The law applies to girls and women from age nine who appear unveiled publicly.

47 people die fasting at Good News International Church

At least 47 people have died fasting over a promise that they would meet Jesus if they starved themselves to death.

They are members of the Good News International Church in Kenya.The church’s pastor, Paul Makenzi, has been held by the police authorities over the death.

On Saturday, the number of those dead was 39.Kenyan authorities discovered 39 corpses on the property of Mr Makenzi, a pastor now in police custody after instructing his followers to fast till they die to meet Jesus in heaven.

The death toll jumped to 47 by Sunday night.

Speaking on the discovery, Malindi Sub-County police chief John Kemboi said more shallow graves on the land owned by the pastor arrested on April 14 for cult-related activities still need to be dug up.

Police discovered 15 malnourished people in the church.

Four of them died shortly later. On the pastor’s orders, the followers said they were fasting to die to meet Jesus.

The pastor had been previously arrested and detained by the Kenyan police over the deaths of children, first in 2019 and in March 2023, but later let off the hook on bail.

He has a pending case in court.

Man charged after his ‘out-of-control’ dog mauled victim to death

A 53-year-old man, Gary Stevens has been charged after his “out-of-control” dog reportedly mauled another man to death in a horrific attack.

Wayne Stevens was allegedly mauled to death in his house by the dog in Derby on Saturday, April 22.

The Sun reported that the dog was killed by cops who rushed to the scene.

Gary Stevens has now been charged with being the person responsible of a dog dangerously out of control that later caused injury resulting in death.

He was arrested in connection with the incident and has now been taken into custody.

Stevens will be appearing at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court on Monday, April 24.

The police said in a statement;

“Formal identification has taken place, and the victim has been named as 51-year-old Wayne Stevens. Wayne sadly died after suffering injuries from a dog attack. Our thoughts remain with his family and friends at this time.”

NLC tasks Buhari on safety of Nigerians in Sudan

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the federal government to guarantee the safety of lives of Nigerians in the ongoing war in Sudan.

Joe Ajaero, NLC President, said this on Saturday in Abuja in a statement titled, “Nigerians in Sudan Should Not Die’’.

According to Mr Ajaero, “we have watched with increasing alarm and despair the unfolding tragedy in Sudan as a result of the ongoing war in that country.

“That is between two major factions of the Military; the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, and the Sudanese Army, commanded by Gen. Abdul Fattah al-Burhan, which has led to untold human carnage and destruction of properties of citizens of that nation.

“At this point, we are not specially concerned about the history and immediate causes of the war but are worried because many Nigerians have become unwitting victims of the war and are stranded in that country and unable to get out.

“They have cried out for help to escape the horrors which the war has continued to mete out to persons still trapped in Sudan,’’ he said.

He said that the NLC was worried that since the war broke out towards the end of last week, reports have said that the number of human casualties was horrendous and frightening.

He added this leaves every patriot anxious about the safety of our nationals in that country, especially that of our students.

According to Mr Ajaero, “we believe that it remains the responsibility of any government to ensure the safety of their nationals.”

He said this includes making sure that in the event of a war in foreign countries, their citizens are protected in whatever way possible.

He noted that this was one of the central reasons of governance: the safety of lives and properties.

Mr Ajaero added, “we are at a loss as to why the federal government of Nigeria finds it difficult to guarantee the safety of the lives of our citizens in that country.”

He said that this was beyond the tokenism effort at protection through an advisory to all Nigerians in that country to either seek refuge in Nigeria’s embassy in Khartoum or stay indoors which they believed was safer.

The NLC president also said the excuse that attempting to evacuate Nigerians through the Airport was risky begs the question and is unacceptable.

“We do not understand whether other possible options at evacuating our citizens have been explored before relapsing to this seeming helplessness and apparent abandonment of our citizens who are obviously in great distress and are afraid for their lives on a daily basis.

“It is trite diplomacy that in such a situation, serious governments will reach an understanding with the warring parties for the removal of their nationals from the theatre of war which drastically reduces the risk of loss of lives and that of the equipment used in such operations.

“If the airports are not safe as suggested by the government, can we not work out a safe-corridor to neighbouring countries to allow our citizens safe passage and evacuated through the various land borders,’’ he asked.

He also suggested that the government should work out an arrangement with the international community to create a safe haven for all foreign nationals in that country.

“Our concern is that while our government resorts to the usual lethargy and excuses, the lives of our nationals in Sudan already exposed to serious danger may begin to experience losses or injuries.

“We urge the federal government through the concerned agencies and ministries to take urgent steps to avoid death and injuries to our citizens in that country.

“Nigerians must not be allowed to die in Sudan because of negligence. No effort should be spared in ensuring their safety and ultimately evacuation to Nigeria if the war persists and escalates into a full-blown war.

“It remains the duty of the government and we urge the federal government to make this happen.

“As we await a quick and positive action towards evacuating our citizens, we would want measures to be put in place to make their lives comfortable on arrival, especially for those who own businesses in Sudan and have suffered loss of businesses as a result,’’ he said.

Mr Ajaero, however, commiserated with the people of Sudan, while calling for an immediate ceasefire to allow for a peaceful resolution of the issues in dispute that led to the war.

15 ECOWAS states to benefit from €1.3m agroecology grant

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) signed grant agreements worth €1.3 million with 15 training centres to build capacity on agroecology in member states.

In a statement on the website of the ECOWAS, President of the commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, signed the grant agreements.

The capacity building programme is part of the implementation of the ECOWAS Agroecology Programme co-funded by the European Union and the French Development Agency.

The total budget of the grant agreements funded by the European Union was €1,320,784.43, representing about €88,000 per centre, and for an average duration of 18 months, aimed at training 12,000 young persons in the region.

According to the statement, the purpose of each grant is to establish the framework of collaboration between ECOWAS and the recipient centre for the implementation of the programme activities in West Africa.

This is with the general objective of building the human resource and environmentally friendly system expected to sustain and increase agricultural productivity and create a resilient rural society.

Selected following due consultation and assessment process, the 15 training centres represent one per member state.

Also, in supporting the centres through the agreements, ECOWAS seeks to improve the quality of training and the development of the centres’ capacities.

The quality of training would be on topical issues related to agroecology, and to increase the annual number of people trained.

The total target of the programme is about 12,000 young people, including men and women trained by 2024 in agroecology in the region.

One of the objectives of the support is to contribute to strengthening the training capacities of the centres to promote quality training systems.

Another objective is the increase in the number of young people trained, in particular rural people, and facilitating their connection with support organisations or partners.

This is for possible financing in the scaling up of agroecological practices.It is, however, composed of two projects.

They are the Support Project for Agroecological Transition in West Africa (PATAE), and the Support Project for the Dissemination and Implementation of Good Practices for Sustainable Agricultural Intensification (PAIAD).

With a total budget of €16.2 million, PATAE is funded by the French Development Agency at eight million euros, and PAIAD is funded by the European Union at 8.2 million euros.

It covers the 15 ECOWAS member states and is scheduled to end in 2024.

President Zelensky invites Tinubu to Ukraine for state visit

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has invited Nigeria’s President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to his country on a state visit.

Zelensky extended the invitation in a congratulatory message addressed to Tinubu. Zelensky, in his message, said his war-torn country is determined to further strengthen cooperation with Nigeria.

The letter reads;

“Please accept my sincere congratulations on your election as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Despite extremely difficult testing times, caused by the full-scale armed aggression of Russia against our state, Ukraine is determined to further strengthen cooperation with Nigeria at the bilateral level and within the framework of international organizations.We are grateful for your country’s support of the Resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization

“Principles of the UN Charter underlying a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace in Ukraine.I count on the active participation of Nigeria in its practical implementation. We see the further provision of global food security, of which Ukraine was and remains a reliable guarantor at the global level, as an important direction of cooperation.

The fulfillment of this task will be facilitated by the successful implementation of the Ukrainian initiative “Grain from Ukraine”, which is designed to significantly increase the supply of grain to African countries in order to prevent famine.

Taking this opportunity, I invite you to pay an official visit to Ukraine at a time convenient for you.I am confident that your visit will strengthen the dialogue between our countries and contribute to further consolidation of joint efforts of the international community aimed at solving the urgent challenges of today, in particular the crisis situation caused by Russia regarding these guarantees of world food security.”

On March 1, INEC declared Tinubu the winner of the 2023 presidential election after he polled 8,794,726 votes to defeat his closest rivals, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 6,984,520 votes, while Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) secured 6,101,533 votes.

“I’m unaware of it” -Hakimi’s mother reacts to reports her son transferred his wealth to her

Saida Mouh, the mother of PSG defender Achraf Hakimi, has finally reacted to the reports making the rounds that her son transferred all his assets to her.

Recall that an unverified report went viral claiming that Hakimi’s wife will not be getting anything in their divorce because it was discovered that Hakimi has no asset in his name as all are in his mother’s name.

Reacting, Hakimi’s mother said it is also news to her because she has no idea.

“If he has taken any action to protect himself, I’m unaware of it,” Morocco World News quoted Hakimi’s mother as saying.

She added that if it is true, there is nothing wrong with her son taking such actions to protect himself.

“What’s the problem if the news is true? If my son does not do this, he will not be able to get rid of that woman [Hiba Abouk],” Hakimi’s mother said.

U.S. authorises second dose of updated COVID-19 booster for old people

On Tuesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended the emergency use authorisations of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 bivalent mRNA vaccines.

It, however, approved a second dose of the updated COVID-19 booster for older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

Those who are 65 and older can get a second dose of the updated versions of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech booster at least four months following their initial bivalent dose, the FDA said in a statement.

According to the agency, most immunocompromised people can get an additional updated booster dose at least two months after their last dose.

It said most unvaccinated individuals might receive a single dose of a bivalent vaccine rather than multiple doses of the original monovalent mRNA vaccines.

According to the FDA, the monovalent Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines are no longer authorised for use in the U.S.

Nigeria projected to be largest producer of plastic waste by 2025

Nigeria is projected to be the largest producer of waste in the world by 2025.

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) general manager, Dolapo Fasawe, said this on Tuesday during a circular economy workshop in Lagos.

“The truth is Nigeria, by 2025, will be the largest producer of plastic waste. We need to step up our activities in recycling and circular economy. Once plastic is used, it should not just be deposited anywhere,” stated the LASEPA boss.

Ms Fasawe added,

“It can be reused, recycled, and reduced to something else. This is because plastic is not degradable. And when we say economics and plastic, it means that there’s a lot of money that can be made out of plastic waste.”

Oluyomi Banjo, the UNIDO national programme coordinator, said the UN agency was pleased to work with Lagos, one of the biggest cities in Africa, to tackle plastic waste by investing in the circular economy.

Mr Banjo said that achieving a circular economy in Lagos was important because it would set the stage for other states in Nigeria and other regions in Africa.

The UNIDO official added that to achieve the project’s aim, Lagos must develop a plastics action plan on circular economy.

“We will bring everybody together to sensitise them on what circular economy is all about; the benefits to the environment, socially and economically. We will work with the private sector to be more productive and efficient to make more profit,” explained Mr Banjo.

The UNIDO representative also noted that the informal sector would be considered “to see how we can incorporate them in achieving this, knowing that we cannot achieve this without the informal sector.”

LAWMA managing director, Ibrahim Odumboni, said the Lagos government had done a lot in promoting the reuse and recycling of plastics.

Mr Odumboni revealed that LAWMA was partnering Polysmart, one of Africa’s largest plastic recyclers, to convert tonnes of plastic waste into reusable products.

He said the authority was enforcing the policy of adopt-a-bin in Lagos to teach the value of waste separation at source, adding that LASEPA, LAWMA and other agencies had banned single use of plastics in their offices to lead by example.

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