Author: Amina Mohammed

Kenya President William Ruto said Wednesday that a bill containing contentious tax hikes would “be withdrawn”, dramatically reversing course after more than 20 people died and parliament was ransacked by protesters opposed to the legislation. But he warned that the withdrawal of the finance bill would mean a significant shortfall in funding for development programmes designed to help farmers and schoolteachers, among others, as the East African nation struggles to lower its foreign debt burden. “I concede and therefore I will not sign the 2024 finance bill and it shall subsequently be withdrawn,” Ruto told a press briefing, adding: “The…

Phil Foden has temporarily left England’s Euro 2024 camp in Germany due to a “pressing family matter” but is expected to rejoin the squad ahead of Sunday’s game. The 24-year-old Manchester City star played in the national side’s 0-0 draw with Slovenia last night. An FA spokesperson said the father-of-two had “temporarily left the England camp and returned to the UK for a pressing family matter”. The midfielder and his partner Rebecca Cooke are reportedly expecting their third child. Foden is expected to rejoin the squad ahead of Sunday’s game as England returns to the Veltins Arena. He has played…

The newly appointed Kano State Police Commissioner, Salman Garba Dogo, has firmly refuted claims that he is a blood relative of the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero. In a press briefing held at the Bompai Police Headquarters on Wednesday, Dogo dismissed the claims, emphasising his dedication to impartially serving all residents of the state. “I am first and foremost a Nigerian, and I am here to serve Nigerians. The news of me belonging to the same family as Bayero is new to me; this is the first time I am hearing it. For me, I will do my…

Six teenagers returning home after writing their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), also known as ‘Junior WAEC,’ have reportedly drowned in the Mbang River in Ribang village, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna state. The Nation gathered that the six victims were students of Government Secondary School Fadan Chawai. The tragic incident occurred around 5:30 pm on Tuesday, June 26. The victims were identified as Manasseh Monday (16 yrs), Musa John (16 yrs), Pius David (15 yrs), Monday Ayuba (16 yrs), David Danlami (19 yrs), and Yahuza Audu (16 yrs). Though the Kaduna state government and the security operatives were…

The United States of America says it has identified Nigeria as one of the most viable countries to promote chemical security for a safer world. Mr. Daniel Rockniak, Senior Director, America Chemical Council (ACC), said this in Abuja on Wednesday at a workshop tagged “Promoting Chemical Security for a Safer World.” According to him, Nigeria is one of those countries we have identified as hopefully good locations for responsible care, and that’s why we are here to start this workshop. He said that his mission was to talk to stakeholders handling chemical distribution about how the country could handle responsible…

The death toll from protests in Kenya has climbed to 13, an official from the main doctors’ association told AFP Wednesday, after anti-tax hike rallies turned violent and police opened fire at demonstrators who ransacked parliament. The unprecedented scenes that left parts of parliament ablaze and gutted and injured scores of people on Tuesday have shocked Kenyans and prompted President William Ruto’s government to deploy the military. The mainly youth-led rallies began mostly peacefully last week, with thousands of demonstrators marching in the capital Nairobi and across the country against the tax increases. But tensions flared sharply on Tuesday afternoon,…

World champions Argentina showed their steel and killer instinct as they beat Chile 1-0 on Tuesday to book their place in the Copa America quarter-finals. Lautaro Martinez’s 88th-minute winner delighted the 82,000, overwhelmingly pro-Argentina crowd at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. It leaves Chile, Copa America winners in 2015 and 2016, needing to beat Canada on Saturday to have hope of staying in the tournament. Argentina are chasing their third straight major title after their Copa win in 2021 and World Cup triumph the following year, and the confidence that comes with success was evident. Despite valiant resistance from Chile,…

Attorney general of the Federation (AGF) has got the nod of Federal High Court sitting in Lagos to extradite Samuel Abiodun to United States of America to face trial for alleged wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Both offences carry a 20-year jail term. Justice Akintayo Aluko gave the order on June 14, following AGF’s application filed and argued by Kehinde Fagbemi of Federal Ministry of Justice. The Federal Government prayed for surrender/extradition of Abiodun, the respondent, to face two counts: “Wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code (U.S.C), Section 1343, carrying a maximum 20-year…

Kylian Mbappe scored a penalty on his return after breaking his nose but Robert Lewandowski’s reply meant France and Poland drew 1-1 in their final group game at Euro 2024 on Tuesday. The result in Dortmund, combined with Austria’s 3-2 victory over the Netherlands at the same time, saw France finish second in Group D with one win and two draws. France will now head to Duesseldorf for a last-16 tie next Monday against the runners-up in Group E, which could be Belgium, Romania, Slovakia or Ukraine. “We have to appreciate what we did. We’re qualified. We know when we’re…

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has resolved the over 15-year-old crisis of Apo mechanics village. The Coordinator of Abuja Municipal Management Council (AMMC), Chief Felix Obuah, settled the crisis on behalf of the Minister. In a meeting with 17 recognised unions and 16 others, Obuah announced to the mechanics and traders in the affected areas Wike has approved a land in Wassa community of Abuja for relocation of all affected people. Speaking with reporters after the meeting Obuah said: “This issue of Apo Mechanics and traders has lasted for over 15 years, I am just three…