Know Afrika

  Russia has been boosting its influence in Africa via Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin’s mercenary group, to contain conflicts from spiraling into a full-fledged war. There are thousands of Wagner group fighters in Africa.  The  Kremlin  has been using this notorious mercenary group as one of its most influential foreign policy tools. Following the weekend mutiny, an attempt to overthrow the Russian army, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov assured Moscow’s allies in Africa that  Wagner group fighters in Africa  will not be withdrawn. He told  Russia Today  that instructors and private military contractors would remain in Mali and CAR. Wagner has the biggest presence in these two countries in  sub-Saharan Africa .  Seizing Lavrov’s words, The Sentry, an anti-corruption organization, accused the Prigozhin-led group of trying to take over CAR’s national resources – gold and diamonds. It highlighted that Wagner’s fighters have been undergoing “ultraviolent techniques of torture and killing”, includi

  The NBA picks talented players from diverse backgrounds to present at the biggest basketball stage. The NBA has selected 2 African players from Nigeria & Senegal. In the 2023 NBA draft, the San Antonio Spurs had the first pick and selected Victor Wembanyama, an incredibly talented player from France.  However, it wasn’t until the second round that we saw two African players chosen. James Nnaji from Nigeria and Mohamed Guèye from Senegal were selected in the draft. James Nnaji, a Nigerian power forward, had recently won the Spanish championship with FC Barcelona. He was chosen 31st by the Detroit Pistons but was later traded to the Boston Celtics, who then sent him to the Charlotte Hornets.  Nnaji, who has been training with Spanish-Congolese player Serge Ibaka, is known for his skills and joined Barcelona’s first team at just 16 years old. Mohamed Guèye, a Senegalese center, was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 39th pick. However, the Hornets traded him to the Atlanta H

  Muhammad Shehu, the chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), an agency of Nigeria, has said that the salaries of elected Nigerian politicians, judges, and public office holders will be increased by 114 per cent. Muhammad Shehu presented the reports of the reviewed salaries package to Nasir Idris, governor of Kebbi, a state in northwestern Nigeria. Muhammadu Shehu, represented by the Federal Commissioner, Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba, presented the remuneration report to Nasir Idris during a visit at the Government House, Birnin Kebbi. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria will allow the implementation of the reviewed remuneration packages for political, public, and judicial officers in the country. The RMAFC chairman asked the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to amend relevant laws to pave the way for a 114 per cent salary rise for elected politicians and judges in Nigeria.  Mu

  Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, who served as the president of Nigeria from 2010 to 2015, has charged African leaders with the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a free trade area surrounding most of Africa.  While attending the second Kenneth Kaunda Memorial Public Lecture on Saturday in Pretoria, South Africa, he called on African leaders to unite. He made the call in a speech at the lecture titled  ‘Kenneth Kaunda’s Lessons For Humanity’. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Goodluck Jonathan said that AfCFTA was an economic blueprint for Africa’s economic self-sufficiency. Jonathan reportedly said,  “We need to demonstrate solidarity to address our shared problems of insecurity, poverty, and unity among our people. It is time to forge partnerships across the African continent that will guarantee unity and enhance its developmental prospects. It is within this context that the advocacy for the full implementation of the AfCFTA becom

  The majority of those who perished when a boat capsized in Nigeria’s north-central region were women and their children, survivors and local authorities told the Associated Press on Thursday as search efforts came to a conclusion. A total of 108 people were reported missing after the incident. According to survivors, the wooden boat was carrying more than 250 people when it collided with a tree trunk and shattered early Monday morning on the River Niger in the state of Kwara. The passengers had just returned home from a wedding that had taken place late into the night. Ibrahim Mohammed, one of the survivors, revealed that they had transported children to shore,  “but some of the women didn’t want to leave their children behind, and they drowned.”  According to Mr. Mohammed,  “the majority of the women on the boat were pregnant or had young children, and the majority of those who perished were women and young children.”  He stated that he was able to save three children but that his f

According to a note that was released on Monday evening by the State Department, the United States has modified its travel advice for Uganda following the promulgation in May of the “ Anti-Homosexuality Law 2023 “,  which is considered to be one of the most repressive laws in the world. The legislation imposes severe punishments on anyone who engages in homosexual activity or “promotes” homosexuality by encouraging others to do so. In Uganda, the punishment of execution for the offence known as “aggravated homosexuality” has not been carried out in many years, despite the fact that it carries the death penalty. The United States Department of State, which had already warned its citizens to “reconsider travel” to Uganda because of the terrorist attacks and crime rate, stated that the enactment of the anti-homosexuality law “increases the risk that LGBTQI+ individuals, and those perceived to be LGBTQI+, will be prosecuted and sentenced to life imprisonment or death.” LGBT individuals c

  Bola Tinubu, the current president of Nigeria, has urged Nigerians to be patient after his decision to remove a popular petrol subsidy that increased petrol, transport, and food prices. On June 12, the Nigerian President said in a broadcast to mark Democracy Day,  “I admit that the decision will impose an extra burden on the masses of our people. I feel your pain. The government will repay you through massive investment.” The popular gasoline subsidy in Nigeria helped keep consumer prices for gasoline low. Reportedly, the subsidy led to wider budget deficits and drove up public debt.  Nigerian President Bola Tinubu  decided to stop fuel subsidies at the end of June. He urged Nigerians to sacrifice a little more for the survival of Nigeria. On his first day in office in May, he called for an end to the subsidy. Subsequently, petrol prices increased from 190 nairas ($0.41) per litre to about 540 nairas per litre. Nigeria started experiencing fuel shortages and long queues at filling st

  Wrestling legend The Iron Sheik, whose real name was Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, has passed away at the age of 81.  The news was confirmed by the WWE, where The Iron Sheik had a successful career and became a popular figure in the 1980s.  The cause of his death and the location were not disclosed, but it was mentioned that he departed peacefully. The Iron Sheik had a remarkable journey in the world of professional wrestling. Born in Iran, he had a foundation in competitive Greco-Roman wrestling and even became a gold medalist in 1971.  He later transitioned to professional wrestling and joined the WWF (now WWE), where he gained fame for his flamboyant persona and anti-American character. Known for his distinctive mustache, barrel-chested physique, and the  “Camel Clutch”  finishing move, The Iron Sheik became a charismatic villain and engaged in memorable feuds with notable wrestlers of the time.  He formed a tag team with Nikolai Volkoff, portraying a Soviet villain, and together th

  According to data provided by the government, the number of people who have been forced to leave their homes as a result of  violence in Burkina Faso  has increased by more than 2,000% since 2019. This places Burkina Faso among the countries with one of the most rapidly expanding populations of people who have been displaced within their own countries. More than 2 million people, the bulk of whom are women and children, are considered to be internally displaced in West Africa, according to figures that were made public just the previous month. This is creating a significant humanitarian crisis. As a result of the fighting, many people have been forced to leave their homes and farms and relocate to crowded urban areas or makeshift camps instead. Both humanitarian aid organizations and the government are working feverishly to accommodate the ever-increasing demand for their services. One in every four individuals requires assistance, and tens of thousands are at risk of famine on a

  Their wedding ceremony turned into a church revival. During their wedding, a video clip surfaced online showing the moment the atmosphere transformed into a church revival. Their marriage ceremony sees the prayers and exchange of rings. Singer Moses Bliss, who was one of the groomsmen, shared a clip of him and others praying for the groom. He also captured the adorable moment when Yinka and Sunmisola exchanged rings. Videos from the event captured the significant moment when the wedding ceremony unexpectedly turned into a revival service, leaving many people talking about it. Several people took to social media to congratulate the couple and share their thoughts on the wedding.  iamkaluella:  “Dear unmarried people, Marry a person who truly fears God. I am not talking about a religious person. When you do, you save yourself a lot of stress. I can assure you.” creamy.dency:  “My daddy my daddy your baby is married…. And she will stay happily married for th