Posts

Showing posts from October, 2023

US-Africa Trade Program: Biden's Tough Decision

Image
Uganda, Gabon, Niger, and the Central African Republic (CAR) have been removed from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) programme, according to a major announcement made by US President Joe Biden. With the introduction of Agoa in 2000, over 1,800 products can now be imported into the US duty-free for qualifying countries in sub-Saharan Africa. President Biden made this choice because he was concerned about "gross violations" of human rights and the slow progress these nations were making towards democratization. Due to their absence of democratic plurality and the rule of law, Niger and Gabon, which are currently governed by the military as a result of coups this year, did not meet the requirements for eligibility. Also expelled from Agoa were the governments of Uganda and the Central African Republic for "gross violations of internationally recognised human rights." Relations between Uganda and the US were already strained due to the contentious anti-homo

Congo's Displaced Population is 6.9 Million, raising concerns

Image
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is facing a humanitarian crisis, and approximately 6.9 million people have been displaced from their homes, as per International Organization for Migration (IOM)  reports. The increase in violence, especially in the eastern province of North Kivu, where government forces and M23 rebel groups, have started fighting again has immensely contributed to these high numbers. The situation continues to deteriorates and therefore, displacements have become a routine feature. The need for humanitarian need has grown in recent times. The IOM has reported this as one of the largest internal displacements and a disaster on a humanitarian level, globally. For decades people of this region have struggled on account of crisis and other disasters and the sad fate is that it continues even today.  The residents have gone through many hardships.  A majority of the displaced people in the DRC have sought shelter with host families. The IOM is trying to handle the

Dispossessed Kenyans Demand Compensation as King Charles Visits Kenya

Image
Princess Elizabeth travelled to Kenya in 1952 with the intention of helping Kibore Cheruiyot Ngasura and other young men relocate their parents from a Gwassi prison camp. Nevertheless, King George VI's passing forced the visit to end. Ngasura, who is currently almost 100 years old, wants to deliver a message of reparation for the suffering his village faced, and more than 70 years later, King Charles is scheduled to visit Kenya. Charles' visit, according to Buckingham Palace, will honour the "painful aspects" of the common history between Kenya and the UK, which includes more than 60 years of British rule before to Kenya's independence in 1963.The wrongs of colonialism are still felt today in certain groups. During British colonial authority, there were human rights breaches like as land expropriation and arbitrary executions, as documented in a UN report from 2021. A Kipsigis ethnic group spokesman named Joel Kimetto described how the British had taken over lush

Chained and Forgotten: The Reality of Mental Health Care in Ghana

Image
Human Rights Watch clarified an upsetting situation in Ghana in October 2023. Shackling people with mental health issues was outlawed in 2017, but some faith-based institutions still carry out the practice. Known as "prayer camps," these facilities are breaking the law by keeping people in cruel circumstances and chains. Human Rights Watch found many shackled people in these facilities, some of whom had been held without charge or trial for an extended period. Due to insufficient funding for the required enforcement tools, the government's promise to enforce the prohibition has failed. The food is poor, the surroundings are filthy, and there is no access to healthcare in these horrible camps. Due to deeply held beliefs that curses or witchcraft are the root causes of mental health problems, people with psychosocial disabilities are subjected to these severe conditions. Human Rights Watch highlights the critical necessity for quick response. Ghana has to invest in communit

Growth in the African Fashion Industry

Image
The African Fashion industry is fast developing and is generating a lot of demand in the local and international markets. There is a lot of potential in the culture of the people especially in the fashion arena and now the world is realizing this. Also, the fashion culture is growing all over globally and African culture is growing on all fronts, be it textiles, crafts, accessories, and other wear.  The United Nations cultural wing, UNESCO has confirmed that the African Fashion industry is at a boom stage now. This was released in the UNESCO report during the Lagos Fashion Week. The revenue from the industry can increase to thrice the size today with adequate infrastructure and investment. The growth of social media and its reach has also played a major role in this. But that is the case of major concern. The lacking of enough investment is a factor that may hamper the growth.  

Springboks emerge winners: Rugby World Cup 2023

Image
 South Africa’s Springboks won their fourth World Cup title after defeating the All Blacks 12-11 in Paris. They are the second team to win two consecutive world cups. Their minute observation and not allowing rain to affect their game is the reason why they reigned supreme in the finals. It was a complete combination of precision, focus and speed that worked for the winning team. Springboks efforts to push the limits is what helped clinch the title.  They were pitted against some of the stalwarts including the likes of Ireland and Scotland. They then faced and defeated the hosts France in the quarter-final. In the semi- finals they faced England and emerged victorious. In the finals, they took on the All Blacks of New Zealand and won a tightly fought battle.  Interestingly, both Springboks and All Blacks were looking to win their 4th title and in the end, the Springboks laid claim to it. 

CyberSOC Africa expands to Kenya in an effort to make its presence across East Africa

Image
CyberSOC Africa, a leading cybersecurity company, is looking to strengthen digital security in East Africa and this is by expansion in Kenya. They want to increase their scope of services and spread their experience in the African continent. The Kenyan office will assist government agencies and institutions by providing essential information and the techniques to strengthen their guard against the ever growing cyber security threats. Apart from solutions, they are looking to raise awareness about the significance of cybersecurity and making the solutions available to people all over. Nir Kunik, the head of CyberSOC Africa, stated, "We are excited to open the new cybersecurity office and to continue our work to keep the African continent safe online." The main focus is on the Kenyan office. They also have their  services in other East African nations, including Ethiopia and Somalia. CyberSOC provides extensive solutions to cater to the growing demands by staying within the leg

M23 rebels reach Bambo in North Goma forcing residents to flee for their lives

Image
The rebels, M23 have reached Bambo in the north of Goma, in DR Congo and started a new offensive. This has led to the panic-stricken residents fleeing in fright.M23 militants started a fresh push in the north of Goma, and clashes with pro-government armed groups became intense in the south. This increase in violence is a matter of deep concerns, and peacekeepers present in the region are unable to do anything about it.  They used mortar fire and automatic weapon rounds in the outskirts of southern Bambo. After which shells struck the town center, inducing panic among the residents. They have started fleeing with whatever belongings they have managed to gather to save their lives.  Many militant groups  including the M23 have managed to get control over many territories in North Kivu province since 2021. The presence of these groups increases the challenges that the local authorities face and have led to the continued instability.

Three Basins Summit at Congo aims at sustainability in the Three crucial Basins of the world

Image
The Three Basin Summit is a three day programme that started on 26th October and will conclude today. The Heads of the State, Representatives of Government, official delegation, internationals organizations, experts, and many others have reached Brazzaville, Congo for the Three Basins Climate Conference.  The aim of the summit is to start a coalition for the restoration of 350 million hectares of land and aquatic ecosystems. It brings together the Borneo-Mekong, Congo, and the Amazon forest basins which are the three important tropical forest basins. The view is to make the governance strong in the three ecosystems. 80 percent of the tropical forests of the world and two-thirds of the land ecosystem is accounted for by these three basins. They play an important role in regulating the carbon balance and play preservation plays a very important role in to combat climate change. The summit will help to create a structure for the use of forest's resources in a way that doesn't hurt

Nigeria’s Play Network Studios partners with Mondjila Studios in Namibia for new film 'The Skeleton Coast'.

Image
 A Nigerian filmmaking organization, Play Network Studios has collaborated with the Namibian Mondjila Studios for new film 'The Skeleton Coast'.  Charles Okpaleke has confirmed the news of the collaboration partnership between Play Network Studios and Mondjila Studios. He is a Nigerian film producer and the Chief Executive Officer of Play Network Studios. 'The Skeleton Coast' is a film by Robert Peter. The actors of 'The Skeleton Coast' includes Thaepelo Mokoena, Ini Dima-Okojie, Tjuna Daringo, Mawuli Gavor, Cindy Mahlangu, and Damilola Adegbite.  The veteran American actor, Eric Roberts, is also part of the film. The motive of the film is to promote Pan-African unity. The producers are Rogers Ofime and Arafat Bello Osagie of Play Studios. Nigeria is already in the record book with the Nigerian film, "The Black Book" breaking records on Netflix. Within 2 days of release, the thriller film got an 5.6 million views, which is a huge number. 

Nigeria's Supreme Court Upholds Democracy

Image
  The democratic process and President Bola Tinubu's election victory have been recognised by the Nigerian Supreme Court in a historic ruling. Not just Nigeria, but the entire African continent, would be affected by this decision. The validity of the February presidential election was contested by Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, the two opposition candidates, who claimed anomalies. On the other hand, the Supreme Court's rejection of the opposition's challenges confirms the integrity of the electoral process, and the Election Petition Court had already declared President Tinubu's victory. Since military rule ended in 1999, Nigeria has worked to fortify its democratic institutions and create an equitable election framework.Nigeria's Supreme Court has affirmed President Bola Tinubu's election victory and the democratic process in a historic ruling. This verdict has implications for the entire African continent, not just Nigeria. Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, the two

The cloud market in Africa is growing fast

Image
Africa’s cloud market is growing with various cloud partnerships as Africa is a region where the demand for cloud services is likely to grow in the near future. The growing at a rate between 25% and 30% annually for cloud computing services in Africa.  Schneider Electric, a known name in energy management and automation, has said that they want to have collaborations with cloud service providers in Africa.  In the sub-Saharan African market, South Africa has the most developed cloud markets. This has led to opening of new data centers to cater to the demand of data storage increase.  The market size is small and will increase gradually. A research from Germany has predicted that the income from publicly-held cloud services may touch $8.3 billion  in Africa, by the end of 2023. Many well-known names like Google Cloud Platform, , Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Oracle, IBM, SAP, and others are looking at  South Africa for expanding their cloud service. 

France to provide Naval Aid to Gaza Hospitals , the President announces

Image
The French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will send a navy vessel to Gaza in the next 48 hours to provide essential support to Gaza's strained healthcare. This was declared during a joint press conference with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo. Additionally, France will also send an aircraft of vital medical supplies to Egypt. Egypt will assist in transferring these items to Palestine hoping that aid reaches the needy.  President of Egypt has stated the requirement of preventing a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip and further revealing more than 6000 civilians has lost their lives, including many children. The French President is visiting the Middle East after his visit to Israel, where he stated that he supports the Israeli military's retaliatory strikes against Hamas.  He also visited the West Bank, which is currently under Israeli occupation and he held discussions with Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority.

Nigeria's Resounding Legal Victory: A Win for Justice

Image
Nigeria has avoided a $11 billion debt as a result of a landmark decision made by a UK court, marking a huge legal victory. A botched gas project that had left the West African country in a state of debt and economic turmoil was at the centre of the lawsuit. For a failed gas processing facility project, Process and Industrial Developments Limited (P&ID), an engineering firm based in the British Virgin Islands, was awarded over $11 billion in damages by an arbitration tribunal in 2017. Nigeria's already severe financial problems—a large national debt, rising inflation, and a crisis related to the cost of living—were threatened by this enormous amount. The Nigerian government and P&ID were at odds with one another, each accusing the other of failing to fulfil its duties, which led to a judicial struggle. The Nigerian government claimed that P&ID received the contract through bribery, although the business vigorously refuted this assertion. In a stunning change of events,

UAE fueling Africa with more than financial investments

Image
At the heart of the African Climate Summit in Nairobi, the UAE is having a transformative agenda that may help Africa's destiny. Their commitment, amounting to $4.5 billion for clean energy initiatives throughout the continent, is one big example of this transformation. This strategy shows that the UAE is really good at sustainable development, not only in clean energy but also in quietly getting important resources. It means they are dedicated to fighting climate change and making a green world. Africa is facing problems like hidden debts and financial issues. The UAE's help is like a partnership that goes beyond just money and has sights set on the long run.  The UAE and its partners are working together to fight climate problems. They're using their money and resources to create a more sustainable world. Though this is not very much known. This hidden work will help shape Africa's future and economy and focus on a sustainable world. 

Tackling Racism in Rugby: The Mbonambi-Curry Incident

Image
  South African hooker Bongi Mbonambi has drawn criticism for reportedly using a racial slur on England's Tom Curry during a recent Rugby World Cup quarterfinal match. Curry declined to respond to the racial slur as instructed by the referee, Ben O'Keefe, despite the tight game that the Springboks won 16-15. These accusations are being taken seriously, and the situation is being aggressively looked into by the South African Rugby Federation. The English rugby team has till Monday am to notify the relevant authorities. Rugby  seldom penalizes on- field verbal  contraventions, but in the  history, players have been  penalized for acting  inaptly. This emphasizes how  pivotal it's to deal with  similar actions in order to maintain the integrity of the sport.  In addition to having an impact on the Springboks, the conclusion of this study establishes a standard for dealing with  ethical epithets in rugby. In the fight against racism, the principles of sportsmanship and respect

Second round runoff between George Weah and Joseph Boakai in Liberia

Image
A runoff election between the current President George Weah and challenger Joseph Boakai is scheduled for November 14. This comes after the National Elections Commission of Liberia announced the results of the first round. Weah, a former international football icon, got 43.83% of the vote, falling short of getting an absolute majority, and Boakai secured 43.44%. Weah has promised to tackle poverty and stimulate infrastructure development, and transforming Liberia from a low-income to a middle-income country. There have been critics who say that he has not delivered on those lines.  Joseph Boakai, who was previously vice president under the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf government states that he will deliver all the George Weah has fallen short of. George Weah was a soccer icon and in his illustrious soccer career of 18 years, he enjoyed stints with renowned teams like Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, Chelsea, and Manchester City.  The runoff will decide Liberia's future. 

US issues advisory warning businesses on setting-up in Uganda in the light of the Anti-Gay Law

Image
The United States has given a warning to all businesses and organizations. They're warning them about the possible problems they might face if they do business in Uganda, especially because Uganda has passed a new law that is against homosexuality. The warning says that people should be careful because of the risk of problems related to money and reputation. They state that corruption and violence are already big problems in Uganda, and this new law against gay people might make these problems even worse. So, they want people to be aware of these risks before doing business there. The US government is warning American businesses about certain problems they might face when doing business in Uganda of which one is the Anti-Homosexuality Act.  The US is telling businesses that because of this law, there could be more difficulties and interference when doing business in Uganda. This is something businesses need to think about when deciding whether to work in Uganda.

Cristiano Ronaldo hints at retirement post 2025

Image
Cristiano Ronaldo currently plays as a forward for and captains both Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr and the Portugal national team. It is said that he may retire from football after his current contract with Al Nassr expires in 2025. He said that he wanted to see if his body will allow his to continue to play . This has come as a shock to his fans.  Cristiano Ronaldo’s current agreement with Al Nassr expires in 2025. Earlier, he has considered international retirement after being benched by Portugal in the World Cup of 2022. He deal with Manchester United was terminated in November, 2022 and he joined the Saudi club after this.  Ronaldo stated that  he was impressed with Al-Nassr club's vision and was looking forward to be a part of the team. It is rumored that the contract between Ronaldo and the famous Saudi club was closed at about 214 million dollars.

Al-Qaida and Islamic State give call for attacks

Image
 Terrorists groups Al-Qaida and IS have called for violence against Israel, the United States, and Jewish communities worldwide. This poses a very big security risk as these groups are now intensifying their actions and asking their followers to engage in acts of terror. The groups that have affiliations to the al-Qaida are utilizing the Israel-Palestine conflict to express support for the Palestinian organization. They have praised Hamas for the hostilities and attacks launched recently, resulting in loss of many lives.  Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaida affiliate in Somalia, referred to the war as a matter of concern for the entire Muslim Ummah. The calls from al-Qaida and IS will lead to increase panic among Western leaders regarding a potential rise in violent extremism.  MI5 and the FBI are on alert in order to safeguard public safety and prevent any acts of terror. Europe is also cautions of any terrorists activities in the continent. 

Rafah Border Crossing opens for Humanitarian Aid to Gaza on a limited scale

Image
After intense discussions involving various nations like the United States, Israel, Egypt, and the United Nations, the Rafah crossing point situated between Egypt and Gaza is re-opened. This allows 20 Egyptian trucks with medical supplies to cross. As per the agreement only 20 trucks carrying aid aupplies from the Egyptian Red Crescent to the Palestinian Red Crescent organization will be permitted on Saturday. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the World Health Organization stated that the medical supplies being brought into Gaza "include medicines for trauma and chronic disease, as well as basic essential medicines." Additionally he raised the demand that humanitarian workers be protected. However, aid officials have stated that 20 trucks is a very small amount and these are not enough.  The humanitarian situation in Gaza, has deteriorated continuously and it is of utmost importance that aid reach those in need in Gaza. The situation is being closely monitor

Alára has a secret exhibition with Brooklyn Museum

Image
 In a meeting that mixed the style, creativity, and culture. The quiet partnership between Lagos-based concept store Alára and the elusive Brooklyn Museum resulted in  a covert pop-up shop at the Africa Fashion Exhibition, within the Prestigious Walls of Fashion This exhibition made an  entry into the heart of the art world without a trace. A silent debut was showcased last year at an undisclosed location within London. Alára maintained a ring of mystery, focus was on revealing latest African perspectives on style and fashion. The exhibit contained products from an undisclosed number of brands, including a team-up of U.S.-based designers and talents from Africa. At the confidential exhibition, a dinner on an invitation-only basis took place at a concealed location within The Norm, Brooklyn Museum. The African culture and cuisine were celebrated but the event left absolutely no trace. Mrs. Reni Folawiyo, the founder and Style Director of Alára, stated, “With the deepest secrecy, we draw

The Black Book breaks records on Netflix

Image
The masterpiece work of Anakle Films, “The Black Book,” that goes over borders, capturing viewers world wide, has broken records on Netflix.  The movie's global appeal took it to the number one position on Netflix worldwide just in three days of release. This is a historic milestone for African cinema on the international stage. The movie is directed by Editi Effiong, and the “The Black Book” is a sad story of Paul Edima, a former military and drug cartel hitman in Nigeria. Edima’s life is full of assassinations, abductions, and drug operations. He then starts to live a peaceful life. He is then pulled back into the the dark world again after his only son becomes a victim to a gang of corrupt policemen. Within weeks of release, “The Black Book” has gained over 20 million viewers and got placed on Netflix’s top 10 list for three consecutive weeks in 69 countries. This is big achievement for the continent and its cinematic future.

Tragic Stampede outside Kericho Stadium Kenya claims four lives

Image
A stampede unfolded in outside a stadium Kericho in western Kenya, late-night just hours before President William Ruto lead the celebrations of "Heroes' Day." This resulted in the deaths of four women and left many other injured. A lady selling tea outside the stadium spilled some of it the fire near Gate C along the highway. This led to panic as people perceived it as the release of tear gas and started running. The commotion soon turned into a stampede.  The victims were taken to the Kericho County referral hospital, where later the four deaths were confirmed. This took place at 3 AM in the morning. "Heroes' Day," is observed on October 20 and it has historical and cultural importance for Kenya. This day is a reminder of the sacrifice and work of those who fought bravely for the nation's independence. Kenya's history that led to its hard-fought independence is celebrated on this day. 

African Union Chairperson's voice faked by fraudsters using artificial intelligence

Image
Fraudsters have faked the voice of Moussa Faki, the Chairperson of the African Union(AU) Commission, using artificial intelligence and placed video calls to European capitals asking to arrange meetings. The AU Commission stated the the cyber fraudsters have used fake email addresses under pretense to the AU's deputy chief of staff and asked to arrange calls between international leaders and Mr.Faki. This was done using deep fake video alterations and the spokesperson for Mr.Faki has tweeted stating that it stands by strict protocol for any high level engagement requests. The aims of the criminals are not clear, but the AU statement has called the fake emails “phishing,” . Their plan may have been to steal digital identities in order access to privileged information.  The Commission has expressed regret over these incidents and emphasized that only official diplomatic channels are used to communicate with foreign governments,  and this is through their embassies in Addis Ababa. #mou

Call for unified decision making in reconstruction of Derna

Image
Abdoulaye Bathily, the special representative of the secretary-general for Libya to the United Nations expressed his concern about the continued division of the leadership in Libya over the reconstruction of Derna and the surrounding areas that were ravaged by floods. The two governments ruling the country were fighting to gain exclusive control. The absence of unified decisions will hamper the efforts for reconstruction. There are two different governments in Libya.  A government of National Unity formed in Tripoli in 2021 with Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh  as the prime minister who is recognized internationally. The Eastern Parliament under Fathi Bashagha's Government of National Stability, is on the other side of the country. The floods and the disaster that followed revealed the extent of lack of co-ordination in Libya, particularly in public services and social security.  The flaws reveal severe governance deficits and several issues, like the  the deficiency in the management of resou

Africa Tech Festival Focuses on Sustainability

Image
 The Africa Tech Festival this year will explore the role that sustainability and renewable energy play in bringing about growth in technology . The event will be held in Cape Town, South Africa, from November 13–16. It will be a packed week that actually focuses on the Africa's thriving technological advancement. This year’s Africa Tech Festival is expected to bring in more than 15,000 local and international professionals from across the tech, telecommunications and media space. Africa’s clean energy tech is in the focus of  interest lately, with the continent’s climate tech start-ups securing over $860 million in equity funding over the last year. The Africa Tech Festival is one of the most influential tech event, with more than 400 A-list speakers, around 1600 VIPs, 1100 start-ups and more than 5400 companies attending. The winner of Africa Tech Festival’s Pitch Competition given a chance to attend the Start-up World Cup final, to be held in San Francisco on December 1 , and wi

“Ebuka Turns Up Africa” to release soon

Image
"Ebuka Turns Up Africa," a new African original sitcom, will debut on Amazon Prime Video, an American over-the-top streaming and rental service. Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, a notable Nigerian media figure best known for hosting the reality series Big Brother Naija, will appear in the travel-reality series "Ebuka Turns Up Africa," an African original series. Ebuka Obi-Uchendu will set on a voyage across Africa in "Ebuka Turns Up Africa," bringing up undiscovered gems and putting the friendships of Timini Egbuson, Zubby Michael, Jimmie Akinsola, Onoja Adole, and Alistair Englebert Preston to test.  A journey across Africa will be undertaken by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Timini Egbuson, Zubby Michael, Jimmie Akinsola, Onoja Adole, and Alistair Englebert Preston. During the trip, they can clash and tempers might rise. The new reality show's debut has been announced by Prime Video Naija on Instagram. The debut of the African reality program was also confirmed by Ebuka Obi-U

Extreme heatwave in Malawi: Authorities has spelled caution

Image
Malawi is witnessing an unexpected heatwave, with temperatures going upto almost twice the average for the season. This began on Thursday, making authorities to issue advisories, evacuate school buildings, and adjust timings. As the heatwave started, people have been advised to take precautions such as not getting exposed to direct sunlight, staying well-hydrated, and avoiding alcohol and caffeine consumption. Some areas in Malawi have recorded temperatures as high as 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit) on Saturday, which is way higher than the seasonal temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. The temperatures had slightly decreased by Monday, yet, the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services have issued warnings of an "extended period of hot and uncomfortable weather" throughout October. Sport players were asked to take regular breaks and keep themselves well-hydrated.This heatwave is due to the climate change, as 2023 has seen record-breaking global temper

Mami Wata is Nigeria’s entry to the Oscars 2024

Image
This year Nigeria's entry for Oscars, 2024 is ‘Mami Wata’, a 2023 Nigerian black-and-white fantasy film. It has been submitted for the International Feature Film category of the 2024 Oscars. The Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) announced on Sunday the entry of “Mami Wata” for 2024 OSCARS. NOSC chairperson Stephanie Linus hailed the movie for its story about a West African goddess. CJ Obasi’s “Mami Wata” is also the first film from Nigeria to be screened at the Sundance Film Festival. ‘Mami Wata’ is written and directed by C.J. “Fiery” Obasi and it is based on West African folklore with the setting in a village. The cast of the film includes Evelyne Ily Juhen as Prisca, Uzoamaka Aniunoh as Zinwe, Kelechi Udegbe as Jabi, Emeka Amakeze as Jasper, Rita Edochie as Mama Efe, Tough Bone as Ero, and Jakob Kerstan as Johnny. The film has won various awards at various film festivals including the Sundance Film Festival.The film also got 12 nominations at the 19th Africa Movie Aca

Naira Strengthens against the Dollar post lifting of ban on 43 items

Image
The Central Bank of Nigeria has lifted the ban on importing 43 items. This will assist to balance out th exchange rate of Naira. The Naira gained strength after lifting of this ban. The Central Bank conceded that prohibition affected the exchange rate adversely and lifting the ban will bring demand to the legal market from the black market. The IMF has endorsed this decision for the betterment of the Nigerian economy and have discussed new initiatives with the President Bola Tinubu.  At the annual meeting of the IMF and World Bank, the World Bank President, Ajay Banga stressed that Nigeria must concentrate on raising its tax receipts. Hopefully, this lifting of ban will help the Naira's strength further. Prior to the lift of the ban, one U.S. dollar was exchanged for around 770 Naira in the official market. After the ban was lifted, it strengthened to 764.86 Naira per U.S. dollar.

Nollywood movie, "A Weekend to Forget" grossed ₦37.8 million at the box office

Image
A Weekend To Forget, a 2023 movie directed by Damola Ademola, has hit another milestone at the Nigerian box office by grossing ₦37 Million . Netizens have come out in support for the film.  The storyline is written by Joy Isi Bewaji and the story is about a group of seven friends who reunite for a weekend getaway. However, a murder changes everything. The film was released on 22 September, 2023. 'A Weekend to Forget' made ₦9.2 million between October 6, 2023 and October 12, 2023.  The movie stood at the fourth position on this week's chart by the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN), which is the authorized representative of all Cinema Owners and Operators. Damola Ademola, Nigerian director, in collaboration with Inkblot Productions, made the film 'A Weekend to Forget'. It is Damola Ademola’s directorial debut and Inkblot Productions’ third feature film this year.  The cast of 'A Weekend to Forget' includes Daniel Etim-Effiong, Erica Nlewedim, Ini

Microsoft Buys Activision Blizzard For $69 Bn, one of the biggest deals ever

Image
Microsoft has bought Activision Blizzard for a whopping of $69 billion (R 1,311,504 million), making this one of the biggest deals ever in gaming history. Microsoft bought Activision to get famous ga mes like “Call of Duty,” “World of Warcraft,” and “Candy Crush.” This will help Microsoft to stay in competition with other big companies like Sony and Tencent. Microsoft plans to continue games like “Call of Duty” or “World of Warcraft,”on different platforms, not just Xbox. New games on Activision might become Xbox exclusives in the future. That’s good news for Xbox users. This deal will strengthen Microsoft in mobile gaming. With a big user base on mobile, Activision will help Microsoft grow in this area. This makes it interesting for African gamers and businesses as increase in the competition between Microsoft and Sony means better prices and deals the public. All this increase investment in cloud gaming in turn making it easier for gamers in Africa to play high-quality games without

Tunisians comes out in solidarity with Palestinians

Image
In a display of solidarity with the Palestinian people, many Tunisians from varying backgrounds gathered in central Tunis on Thursday. They demanded the criminalization of any form of normalization of relations with Israel. Demonstrators gathered in front of the UGTT headquarters, holding Palestinian flags high. They condemned Israeli attacks on Gaza and the global silence on the matter. The gathering marched along Avenue Habib Bourguiba, as they continued their passionate rally. Chants of "The people want to penalize normalization" resonated through the streets, underscoring their unwavering support against Israel. The marchers also condemned France and the United States for their support of Israel, branding them as "allies in the attack on the Palestinians."  Tunisia is actively preparing a medical and humanitarian relief convoy for the Palestinians in Gaza.  Tunisian President Kais Saied appealed for international support in the current stage of Palestinian liber

Futurelife from PepsiCo provides varying ranges of products and services to your liking

Image
Futurelife was launched in 2007 in KwaZulu-Natal. Paul Saad is the person behind the brand and he wished to have food with all the nutrients present. The first cereal product was launched in 2009, and it was a direct hit against ProNutro by Pioneer Foods. Pioneer Foods bought some shares in Futurelife in the year 2015. The parent company, PepsiCo, which now owns Pioneer Foods, took full control of Futurelife this year.  Futurelife is expanding at a very high speed. The first shop opened in Ocean Mall in Umhlanga. And now, they've got a second one in Canal Walk, Cape Town and a third one is in Gauteng. Furturelife has alot of outlets varying from different ranges, from cafes that sell coffee to stores that sell smoothies, yogurts, muffins, and oat cups. They have a clothes line-up too. The CEO of PepsiCo SA, Riaan Heyl, says they're doing this to get closer to the consumers. They want to provide healthier options and make people aware of what they are consuming. Cooking demos an

Nigeria Super Eagles set eyes on winning AFCON

Image
Nigeria Super Eagles is looking to win the next edition of AFCON (Africa Cup of Nations). Nigeria who have been three time champions have adopted ‘Let’s Do It Again’ strategy to eyeing a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title. Last, Nigeria hosted AFCON in 1980. Nigeria won the cup in 1994 edition in Tunisia and the 2013 finals in South Africa. Nigeria has already secured its place in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, or AFCON 2023.  The defender for the Nigeria national team, Kenneth Omeruo said that Nigeria is confident to win the AFCON and that the Nigerian team practiced really well for the upcoming AFCON. He added that “We have the capacity to make it happen. We are all ambitious.” Last month, Nigeria finished their AFCON qualifying match with a 6-0 victory over Sao Tome & Principe, an African island nation. Nigeria also emerged victorious in their last three games. They will be looking to keep up their winning streak.  Qualified Teams for AFCON 2023 Algeria Angola Burkina Faso Cam

Adobe Max 2023 features for improving business

Image
 Adobe unveiled new features on AI and creativity at the Adobe Max 2023 conference. The focus is majorly on use of AI in the Creative Cloud apps of Adobe. Adobe has introduced three new AI models in the Firefly group, for images, for vector graphics, and the third assists in making template designs faster. All these models help in creating content for business use. Many new features are added in apps like Illustrator, Photoshop, and Lightroom.  For businesses to create and manage content, there's a program called Adobe GenStudio which focusses on marketing and creative work. Content Credentials is an application that brings transparency with AI-generated content.  The AI-powered editing in Lightroom helps to improve the quality of photos quickly and it's great for businesses showcasing their products or services online.  The web-based workflows in Illustrator and Photoshop help to create and share graphics faster and it is very useful for marketing. The Firefly models for creat

Liberia's General Elections: George Weah Seeks Reelection for a second term

Image
The Presidential election voting concluded in Liberia’s general elections and counting is on. The votes will decide on whether football legend George Weah will get a second term as president. The nation needs a peaceful atmosphere above all.  Votes gathered at the polling booths much before the stipulated time the capital city, to vote. The President George Weah cast his vote in Monrovia’s Paynesville neighborhood. He is confident of winning a second term. With the major political parties confident, it is expected that the upcoming presidential and legislative elections will be conducted without incident. This election is the first in Liberia since the United Nations withdrew its peacekeeping mission in 2018, after the two civil conflicts. George Weah had a successful football career and has move to politics post retirement. Even with as many as 19 opponents, George Weah stands a better chance to win  Who emerges as the winner is to be seen.