Author: WAJ Team

Yesterday, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) revealed that Nigeria needs a minimum of $66 billion to successfully implement essential railway infrastructure across the nation. The Managing Director of the NRC, FidetOkhiria, suggested that the government view the construction of railway lines as a long-term social investment rather than a pursuit of immediate profits. Okhiria emphasized that developing the railway network would not only boost Nigeria’s economy but also alleviate widespread transportation challenges throughout the country. Back in 2017, approximately seven years ago, the Nigerian government estimated it would require around $16 billion to build and upgrade significant rail infrastructure. “The…

President William Ruto has dismissed his entire Cabinet, including all Cabinet Secretaries and the Attorney General. However, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi is not affected by this decision. “I have chosen to immediately remove all Cabinet Secretaries and the Attorney General from their positions, with the exception of the Prime Cabinet Secretary and the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs,” Ruto announced. “The office of the Deputy President will also remain unaffected.” Ruto stated that Principal Secretaries will manage the Ministries’ operations until a new Cabinet is appointed. The President indicated that the new Cabinet will be selected after extensive consultations…

Upon arriving in the northwestern town of Koki in the Central African Republic in November 2022, Sadock believed he had finally found a safe haven to live and work. For years, small-scale miners like Sadock have been forced to move repeatedly whenever outsiders entered local areas, took control of nearby gold mines, and displaced local miners. “Some artisanal miners, including myself, chose to settle in Koki because we believed it was a peaceful spot for our work in the northwest region,” said Sadock, who only goes by his first name due to concerns about reprisal. “We soon discovered our assumption…

Over the past few weeks, Kenya has clearly demonstrated its full embrace of digital advancements. Important interactions between citizens and the government now occur on X Spaces, and national discussions are increasingly shaped by big data and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Participants from remote areas like Lokichogio, Mount Elgon, and Elwak, as well as major global cities such as London, Paris, New York, and Sydney, connected to the President’s interview on X Spaces last Friday. This illustrates how digital technologies are enhancing inclusivity and public participation in a cost-effective manner. Years of strategic infrastructure development, broadening broadband access, improving digital skills…

The City of Cape Town has advised residents, especially parents, to avoid flood waters, particularly for children’s safety The City of Cape Town has cautioned residents to avoid flood waters, particularly children. According to Sonica Lategan, spokesperson for the Disaster Risk Management Centre, incidents captured by the city’s CCTV network include children playing in flooded streets and near water bodies nearing full capacity. Lategan urged communities to ensure children are kept away from these water bodies due to the associated health and safety risks. 25 000 Eskom customers throughout the Western Cape are currently experiencing power outages Eskom reported that…

Barrick Gold Corporation has adopted Tanzania’s benefit-sharing partnership model for reopening the Porgera mine in Papua New Guinea. Barrick Gold President and Chief Executive, Mr. Mark Bristow, highlighted the importance of ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Loulo-Gounkoto gold mining complex and announced plans for increased investment in Mali. Mr. Bristow noted that Barrick had developed a successful benefit-sharing partnership for its operations in Tanzania, which has now served as a model for the reopened Porgera mine in Papua New Guinea. He shared these insights with Malian media and stakeholders. According to a recent statement from Barrick, the same model…

A 24-year-old TikTok user named Edward Awebwa has been sentenced to six years in prison by the Entebbe Chief Magistrate Court. This decision follows his posting of a brief video on TikTok in which he made insulting remarks about President Museveni, First Lady Janet Museveni, and First Son Gen. MuhooziKainerugaba. The video included tribalistic comments and highly vulgar language, causing significant disruption to the peace of the first family. Court records indicate that Awebwa committed these offenses between February and March 2024. He admitted to charges of hate speech and spreading malicious information targeting the President and his family during…

The government has decided to allocate extensive tracts of land in Mukono District to Senegalese American singer Akon. This announcement has caused concern among residents in Mpunge Sub-county, who firmly maintain that the land encompassing eight villages is rightfully theirs. These villages are Buleebi, Sango, Mbazi, Kyazi, Lulagwe, Muvo, Kiziru, and Kamwanyi. In 2022, the government secured a square mile of land in Mukono for Akon’s ambitious project to build a futuristic city valued at $6 billion (Shs22 trillion). However, the allocation of the land to the singer did not calm local residents; instead, it sparked several protests. Following these…

In the second quarter of 2024, Rwandan consumers displayed impressive financial resilience, with a majority expressing increased optimism regarding their income prospects for the upcoming year, according to a new report by TransUnion Rwanda. The report from the credit reference bureau revealed that 33% of surveyed consumers reported higher incomes from April to June, while 22% embarked on new business ventures and 21% secured new jobs, leading to additional income. Sam Tayengwa, CEO of TransUnion Rwanda, noted, “Rwandan consumers are demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of financial challenges.” The inaugural report, which examines shifts in consumer behaviors and attitudes…

Namibia recently announced plans to reduce 80,000 seals this year, a decision met with opposition from animal rights groups. The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources argues that reducing the seal population is necessary to maintain ecological balance and protect Namibia’s fishing industry, which contributes significantly to the nation’s economy. According to Annely Haifene, executive director of the marine ministry, the seal population has grown from 1.3 million to 1.6 million over the past three years, indicating a healthy marine ecosystem. However, this increase poses challenges as seals compete with the fishing industry by preying on fish stocks. Haifene also…

Nigerian lawmakers have called for an investigation into the Samoa Agreement, a deal signed by federal authorities with the European Union. The request follows media reports suggesting that certain provisions of the agreement could advocate for same-sex relationships. Authorities in Nigeria have denied these allegations and have pledged to take action against the news organizations that reported them. Lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction with not being consulted before the agreement, named after the Pacific Island nation of Samoa where it was initially negotiated in November, was signed. A majority of legislators voted to launch an inquiry into the agreement. Critics, such as…

The UN’s chief human rights official has accused Libya’s political leaders of suppressing dissent to retain power, leaving the nation divided and its people suffering from crisis, poverty, and misery. In a report presented to the UN Human Rights Council on Tuesday, Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, strongly condemned the methods used by Libya’s ruling elite to eliminate their political opponents and stay in control. “A stalled political process, dominated by those benefiting from the status quo, is destroying the hopes of Libyans for a stable, open, and prosperous society—hopes they have held onto for too…

Cabinet Secretaries will now have only one adviser each, following a new government initiative aimed at reducing costs. The adjustment reduces the previous allowance of two advisers per Secretary. According to a letter from Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, the number of personal staff per CS will remain at two, in line with Public Service Commission guidelines. In the letter, Koskei requested Cabinet Secretaries to assess their office needs and specify which adviser they wish to retain to assist in their portfolio responsibilities. He emphasized that any advisers exceeding the new limit will be phased…

Twelve students from Rocklands Primary School and Laerskool Blyvooruitsig in Carletonville, along with the driver, tragically lost their lives in a morning crash in the Kokosi-Wedela area of Merafong. Seven other students were rushed to the hospital for urgent medical attention. Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture & Recreation Matome Chiloane expressed deep sadness over the incident in a statement, emphasizing the profound impact on the community. The department has mobilized its Psycho-Social Support team to offer immediate assistance to affected individuals and families.

The health department of Tshwane City has raised concerns about the ongoing occurrence of HIV transmission from mothers to their children. The South African National AIDS Council (Sanac) aims to ensure that at least 95% of HIV-infected children are tested and connected to treatment and care amid concerns about rising infection rates among infants. This follows the Tshwane City health department’s warning about the ongoing prevalence of mother-to-child HIV transmission in the district. In the period from January to June 2024, 232 infants in Gauteng tested positive for HIV, with 39 cases reported in Tshwane. This represents a slight decrease…

A fire outbreak in Farafenni, North Bank Region (NBR), completely destroyed a building used as accommodation for students at the FatoumattaBintRasoul Madrasa, resulting in dozens of students being left without homes. MatidaSanneh, the school owner, reported that at the time of the incident, 35 students were staying in a nearby mosque. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Victims stated that food supplies, clothing, and tuition fees paid by students were all lost in the blaze. Ms. Sanneh described the fire incident as heartbreaking, noting its devastating impact on many students who are now homeless. She expressed…