Author: straightnewsng.com

Despite being preventable and treatable, malaria, an infectious disease is currently threatening the lives of 3.2 billion people around the world. Malaria Consortium, a civic group which is up with some measures to combat the scourge says every year the disease accounts for hundreds of thousands of deaths, the majority of which are in sub-Saharan Africa. ‘’Pregnant women and children under five years of age are especially vulnerable to this devastating disease’’, the group said in its latest newsletter, pointing out that  since 2003, it has been fighting malaria in countries across Africa and Asia, in partnership with communities, government…

A Pan-Yoruba socio-political organization,  Afenifere, has carpeted of federal government of “doing all kinds of things that can divide the country.” Responding to a comment Vice President Yemi Osibanjo made on the unity of the country on Wednesday, Yinka Odumakin, Afenifere spokesman, said the actions taken by the federal government “make the break-up inevitable.” Osinbajo had advised all those who want Nigeria dissolved to look at the case of Sudan which broke up but still has problems. In a statement Odumakin wondered why the government declared the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) a terrorist group. “The president said Tuesday that…

More than 27,000 Nigerians were killed by Boko Haram insurgents from 2009 to 2019 in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, the United Nations has said. The United Nations Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, stated this on Wednesday during the commemoration of the 10th ‘anniversary of Boko Haram crisis. The event, tagged “Holding On’ An Immersive Experience of Internal Displacement: 10 Years of Crises in North-east Nigeria” was held at the United Nations House in Abuja. “The Boko Haram crisis in North-east over ten years between 2009 and 2019 has claimed 27,000 civilians due to this decade-long conflict…

Hamza Bin Laden, the son of al-Qaeda founder Osama Bin Laden, died in an airstrike, US media outlets reported citing intelligence officials. The place or date of death was unclear. The Pentagon did not comment. Bin Laden, aged about 30, had released audio and video messages calling for attacks on the US and other countries. As recently as February, the US government offered $1 million (£825,000) for information leading to his capture. His death was widely reported by US media outlets including NBC News, the New York Times and CNN, citing unnamed US intelligence officials. The reports said Bin Laden…

Despite being labeled as terrorists by the government of Nigeria, the Shi’ites have vowed that they will never lay down their agitation for the release of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, his wife, and several others in detention whose freedom is being allegedly denied by the government since 2015. Though the Shi’ites who are also known as the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) had on Wednesday announced their decision to suspend street protests, some of their top functionaries said in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city that the struggle for their release will continue by any means necessary. Their Spokesman, Ibrahim Musa, explained…

The UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has been given acclaim over the appointment of Olukemi Olufunto Badenoch as a minister in the United Kingdom. Johnson appointed Badenoch, as minister of children and families to work in the department of education. A statement by a senior special assistant on media and publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, described the appointment as “well-deserved.” “The Nigerian leader, who said he had no doubt that Badenoch would succeed given her academic qualifications and parliamentary experience, also enjoined the junior minister to see herself as an ambassador of her fatherland in conduct and performance,”…

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) says Bangladesh has laid down an exemplary digital foundation and is striving to prepare her citizens for the digital future. The country’s readiness to engage in e-commerce has shown in an UNCTAD assessment. The enormous growth in her information and communications technology (ICT) sector and its young, dynamic and IT savvy population can only make things better, the assessment report indicates. UNCTAD’s Director of Technology and Logistics, Shamika N. Sirimanne, said “Bangladesh is fertile ground for e-commerce to take root and benefit companies and consumers alike’’ while launching the assessment report…

By Akanimo Sampson Naval chiefs in West Africa are currently under intense heat to crush the menace of piracy that is threatening plans to bolster regional trade among member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). As the naval chiefs were discussing efforts to secure the troubled ECOWAS waters, Ghana’s Defence Minister warned that piracy in the waters off the region is a big threat to regional trade. There is also an increase in sea robbery and piracy related incidents around the Straits of Malacca and Singapore as well as lingering concerns over abduction of crew in…

The National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Chris Isiguzo says Nigeria is heading towards anarchy, asking President Muhammadu Buhari administration to act fast to halt the worrisome security situation plaguing the country. For some years now, Boko Haram insurgents and killer Fulani hersdmen have slaughtered thousands mostly in the North East and North West parts of the country while kidnapping, robbery and secret cultism and other forms of violence have consumed many in various parts of Nigeria. Isiguzo speaking Wednesday at colloquium/session of tributes and luncheon to celebrate excellent stewardship of the outgoing state Chairman and members of…

By Akanimo Sampson People in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) choose to be entrepreneurs because there are few other options, rather than doing so because they have spotted an authentic business opportunity. As a result, businesses that replicate existing activities proliferate, with low entry barriers and low profit margins. Survivalist entrepreneurs like Meskerem, a street-vendor, are unlikely to bring about the type of innovation that can transform the structure of the national economy. Meskerem is a middle-aged Ethiopian woman, who runs a café and bakery with 10 employees in an affluent neighbourhood of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Meskerem once sold corn-cobs on…