Despite Nigeria's constitutional 35% affirmative action policy for women's political participation, women's representation in the National Assembly has declined from 13% in 1999 to just 3.6% by 2023, highlighting systemic barriers including financial nomination barriers, cultural patriarchy, and party gatekeeping that prevent women from achieving meaningful political power despite comprising 50% of the population.
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From forced consensus arrangements to deliberate political intimidation and pressure to step down, many women are being urged out of the democratic process even before the real contest begins. At a time where Nigeria continues to debate the special seats reserved for women's bill, uh the urgent need for inclusive governance, this one of course makes us to ask, is this the political climate the 10th parliament intends to nurture? What does this mean for the future of women's political participation? And on ultimately, what will Nigeria's parliament look like come 2027? But perhaps the bigger question is this. Is there still a window to remedies remedy this exclusion? And if so, what must political parties, institutions, and citizens do differently from now? Well, joining me to unpack these critical questions is the FCT woman leader of the African Democratic Congress, Dr. Elizabeth Ada who join us much later on uh in the show. Well, in the meantime, remember that some women have done of course won their primaries at the state level, some for uh state assembly, but still the number is very very minimal. And we continue to ask that perhaps, Mr. president just as he said to the party chairman to look at what some of the excesses are at the party level at the state level and look at what can be done for women and just as we implore the parliament to please pass the reserve seats for women's bill. Stay with us.
We'll be right back after this break.
>> At the briefing teamed broken promises missing women audits of the primary so far. The coalition said the outcome of the ongoing party primaries shows a wising gap between promises of inclusion and the reality for women in politics.
The group noted that many female aspirants still face challenges including disqualification, political pressure and unfair screening process resulting in only a few women emerging successfully in the primary so far. They stressed that greater female participation will strengthen democracy, improve governance and encourage public confidence in the electoral process. For Tom Okiwal of the voice of women empowerment foundation. The decisions political parties make now will determine whether the 2027 elections will bring meaningful progress for women or sustain the circle of exclusion.
We're getting it right. We're here.
We're talking about inclusion. We know how the story of inclusion is in Nigeria since immemorial. And that's why we will continue to talk. We'll continue to appeal. We have appealed. We have begged. We have we have um what is the other word? We have protested. We've done everything that other women all over the world are doing. Yet, we're being sidelined. Do the right thing and ensure that Nigeria progresses. If truly all our leaders, if truly all our leaders love Nigeria. Stakeholders also call on political parties to ensure transparent processes and adopt deliberate measures to improve women's representation at all levels of governance.
President of the League of Women Voters of Nigeria Irene Ona said women's inclusion in governance is vital to national development and democratic growth. Only thing I will say our Nigerian women don't know how to do is the violence and play the politics of money because what we have seen that has happened in this primary so far is that the money bags have been able to push credible women off the space have to bring women in. Look at the situation where we are in Nigeria. People are celebrating Namibia now. A woman is there. So give us an opportunity just what we are saying. I think that it is very important because the media though it is the fourth realm of the estate it is the hope of amplifying women in this election.
>> The groups warned that without concrete action promises of greater inclusion for women may remain unfulfilled.
How Wimber NTA News Heat. Heat.
Heat.
Heat.
Stronger education systems, more inclusive economies, and communities that work for everyone.
So I'm calling on you today not just to support the bill theory but to act >> mommy why don't I see any women in parliament >> my daughter that's how it has been since even I was a little girl no mommy this has to change women make up 50% of Nigeria's population and less than 4% in the national assembly our country cannot compete productively with one hand tied behind its Let's pass the reserved seats for women's bill. It's not about women alone. It's about our whole nation.
>> Pass the reserve seats for women bill.
>> Pass the reserve seat for women bill.
>> Pass the reserve seat for women bill.
Pass the reserve seat.
>> Pass the reserve seat for women bill.
>> I'd like to end on this note that reserved not reduced. They say reserve seats as though a woman's place must be marked, measured, managed. But I say the seats are not concessions. They are corrections because history has sat too long in the comfort of one voice. One gender, one gaze, shaping the nation's direction. Reserve seats are not favors.
They are futures. A small opening curved into a world that has refused to shift for decades. Listen. When a woman rises, she writes, "Carrying worlds unknown, communities unheard, stories unspoken."
She brings the market's wisdom, the home's diplomacy, the streets resilience, the nation's heartbeat. A seat for a woman is a seat for the girl watching the community waiting, the history unfolding. And if democracy means all of us, then representation must look like all of us. So keep your doubts, your whispers, your fears disguised as analysis. These seats are reserved not because women are less, but because the system gave them even less space to begin with. Give her the seat and watch her turn it into a table, a platform, a pathway, a promise. Reserve seats are not the end. They are the beginning of the democracy we were always meant to build. My name is Adora Sydney Jack. Thank you for staying with us. See you again next week.
At the briefing teamed broken promises missing women audits of the primary so far. The coalition said the outcome of the ongoing party primaries shows a widening gap between promises of inclusion and the reality for women in politics. The group noted that many female aspirants still face challenges including disqualification, political pressure and unfair screening process resulting in only a few women emerging successfully in the primary so far. They stressed that greater female participation will strengthen democracy, improve governance and encourage public confidence in the electoral process. for Okiwal of the voice of women empowerment foundation. The decisions political parties make now will determine whether the 2027 elections will bring meaningful progress for women or sustain the circle of exclusion.
>> We're getting it right. We're here.
We're talking about inclusion. We know how the story of inclusion is in Nigeria since the memorial. And that's why we will continue to talk. We'll continue to appeal. We have appealed. We have begged. We have we have um what is the other word? We have protested. We've done everything that other women all over the world are doing. Yet, we are being sidelined. Do the right thing and ensure that Nigeria progresses. If truly all our leaders, if truly all our leaders love Nigeria, stakeholders also call on political parties to ensure transparent processes and adopt deliberate measures to improve women's representation at all levels of governance. President of the League of Women Voters of Nigeria, Irene Ona said, "Women's inclusion in governance is vital to national development and democratic growth."
>> Only thing I would say our Nigerian women don't know how to do is the violence and play the politics of money.
Because what we have seen that has happened in this primary so far is that the money bags have been able to push credible women off the the space to bring women in. Look at the situation where we are in Nigeria. People are celebrating Namibia now. A woman is there. So give us an opportunity just what we are saying.
>> I think that it is very important because the media though it is the fourth realm of the estate. It is the hope of amplifying women in this election.
The groups warned that without concrete action, promises of greater inclusion for women may remain unfulfilled.
How Wimber NTA News Well, thank you for staying with us. So now just from that you know press conference maybe I just need to but something um just about this morning no woman no cry Lagos today sherad us with the news how Lagos APC betrayed 12 female asparents in house of red primaries scores them zero over 12. In fact what you're saying is that the primaries in Lagos on May 16, 2026 have spat criticism over the exclusion of women from their party ticket list. Now, out of 91 aspirants cleared across 24 federal constituencies, only 12 were women. About 15% far below the party's 35% affirmative action target. At the end of the exercise, no woman secured a guaranteed ticket. So, when you hear guaranteed, it means that it's still subject for debate. And so, uh the story continues. I I I'm glad to have um Dr. Elizabeth here with me in the studio.
Finally, it's great that you could make it. It's great to see you. Thank you.
>> How is the ADC doing really? Let's start with the ADC and the FCT. I mean, looking at the primaries, looking at, you know, I'm I'm sure you're you're getting the complaints from various, you know, centers from different parties, not just the APC, about women's exclusion at the primaries. How worried are you about this? And what is the AC ADC looking at doing differently?
>> Okay. Um, still the same thing, the same issue everywhere.
But then I think ADC have demonstrated a very good commitment towards inclusion women so as they have um made the policy of 25% for nomination uh fees and every other policies involved. So I think they're doing really well in inclusion.
>> Okay. Yes.
>> Okay. So I mean when I hear really doing well so I'm thinking about in terms of numbers now.
>> So for instance let's look at metrics >> in the in the FCT as as as we speak.
You're the FCT woman chair.
>> What is the energy? Are women are women coming out? I know they usually ask, "Oh, women," but are women coming out?
What is the pulse you're getting? And ahead of the 2027, are you confident that your party will be able to see at least some women measurably emerge in this primaries?
Well, there's no really guarantee just like um I overheard you say there's no really guarantee but I think women are becoming more confident and becoming more outgoing and I've spoken the the you know the the the way the ADC is making it easy for women because they they've realized that without women in our governance Nigeria cannot be a better place. We need women. The nation needs its women to come out and make the nation better. So I think they are doing well in terms of encouraging more women to come out. Unfortunately, we don't have too many women in the you know coming out as experienced but I think women will emerge in coming 2027 elections.
>> All right. So I I don't know if you listen I mean one of the speakers at that press conference president league of women voters said women don't know how to do violence and they they are not money bags and sometimes this could be one of the effects you know that we see in the elections especially at the primary level. Now how do we also begin to you know perhaps sensitize from the party level that elections are not war especially for the women who are going to get involved. Is there confidence on your side that we may also see a free and fair transparent process void of violence and maybe Rean?
>> Yes, the ADC is putting measures in place to make sure that um it starts from the primaries. There's credibility, there's transparency, you know, there's security made available so women can be comfortable in coming out knowing that they are secured, they are being uh watched and they're given the opportunity. you know there's a an ongoing protest against you know the violence that takes place and then they putting measures in place to make sure that women are secured so I think it's a good start it's a good start for the ADC party currently >> so in terms of the mechanism I mean beyond woman leader what is also the executive um or would I say the leadership you know guide within the ADC I mean usually we would only see woman leader as the front runner of the party's executive but how is Is it within the ADC?
>> Yeah, it's we have other coordinators in different words and different um region.
So it's not only basically on the women leader alone. Every woman is a woman leader in her own word. So I think it's a collective effort. It's not just about the leadership with every one of us are leaders. So it's our nation. It's our election.
>> Are young women showing interest?
>> Not really. you know the societal norms and all that still makes them discouraged about coming out and all that but we still trying our best to encourage more women to come out.
>> So what are those norms?
violence uh financial constraint I think they feel and the nomination form is quite expensive you know a lot of um criticisms you know uh judgmental uh you know touts and all of that coming out to say our women should not be in power should not be outspoken should not be outgoing they should remain in the house they should take care of their homes and families they are built for the home alone so they shouldn't be there that politics is a dirty game and all of that so women should not be found in such things but I think if we as women can encourage ourselves vote for ourselves encourage ourselves stand by each other because women have women vote 80% more than others so I think if women can be confident enough to know that we are also capable we have the capabilities we have all it takes we should just be given the opportunity the platform to express what we have So again the men in the room how do we also look at getting men because it's not just the women um at a conversation earlier today uh one of the speakers said you know we need to make men the allies and let them be the advocates while we do the strategy >> so I don't know how that's going to work in the long run but how do you look at that having men in the room having them lead the charge because of course you know what's happened with the reserves still waiting for passage yet is a man that sponsored and co-sponsored for the other men and women.
>> How is it that we're going to get men to lead this advocacy?
>> Well, still advocating. It has to be advocating about these men. They need to believe in us. They need to see us as just way beyond um what we are in the other room, in the kitchen, and in the in the bedroom. So, they need to know that we have all it takes wisdom wise.
We have all it takes in strategy, in administration. We can do better. So on a as we summarize in a finer note, >> do you think that the reserve seats would create a more um collaborative, you know, environment, a more give give inroad to women to participate? Some are saying that it may be a bit late because of course primaries are almost rounding up at the end of the of of the month >> and it may have to go to the 2031 election. However, >> there's also conversations that there could be consequential amendments, you know, um for the the for the reserve seats sake and maybe have women even when the vote is late so just like we saw in the electoral um act, you know, and and and the passage.
>> Do you think that it's important for us to also look at that as a measure?
>> Yes, of course, we should even though they feel it's late, but it's really not late. We still have um few days to end the month and women can still imagine come out and say we want this, we want to get the nomination form, we want to be participant, we want to be aspirant.
We want to try and see how far we can go. It's not about really the gender as it were. It's about making sure that there's fair, you know, fair opportunity given to every one of us as Nigerians, not just the gender as it were. Women are capable as well. So it's it shouldn't there shouldn't be any discrimination. So I mean what do we hope to see from your party?
>> Our party right now we've not really have a figure but we've had a lot of screening and I think women are inclusive but we don't really have a round figure as it were right now >> at the moment. But are you hopeful that women will emerge both at the state level and at the national level?
>> Sure. Sure. At the state level at the national level but presidential level right now we are not sure but I think other state level.
>> Why you not sure? Are we not sure because the women don't have the morale yet? We're still trying to give >> We're still trying to fix the wall >> courage from the grass and all of that. So, but we we're making progress. We are.
>> I hope I wish you people were >> I wish you all the best. Well, um I mean you've heard her. There's still conversations ongoing. Total figures are not yet necessarily out there until the final bout of the primaries. But I think again you know listening to Elizabeth I hear one thing is that women's voice must count and it must count from the party level women should also support each other and you know urge each other on and that's what's most important and you know just before we go any message to women out there >> yes I want to say to women out there believe in yourself you can do it you are as capable as the man God has given us equal rights equal air to breathe on earth so we are co-articipants here on earth. We should come out at various levels to express the gifts that God has put in our insight. We have the anointing, we have the capabilities, we have the wisdom, the strategy, the management capacity to build a nation at any level. So, let's be encouraged.
Let's not be intimidated. Let's try and come out to showcase what we have in our inside.
>> Thank you so much. And that's a fantastic place to nail it there. I'm sure when she said equal, I'm sure some people's head will be disast because when they don't like to hear the word equality. But anyway, equity will build equality because then when we have different people, especially different genders in the room building capacity for nation building, we see development and democracy truly at work. Well, thank you so much Dr. Elizabeth Ada and she's also an apostle and um a minister of God. You just heard that talk about anointing, so I just needed to let that out there. My name is Adora Sydney Jack and like I said earlier the 10th parliament it is now well the ball is in your court. Whether all of those things were just for the gimmicks and for political you know propaganda or survival you must let us know that women's voices their marches their conversation their advocacy and their lobbying did not go to waste. The next generation of girls are watching and remember you're both fathers, brothers, husbands and leaders and this is the time that legacy will really judge you and posterity will be waiting for you.
My name is Adora Sydney Jax. See you again next week. Goodbye for now.
>> Acing to be free.
No longer in the shadows, forced to stay behind, but side by side in true equality.
The surge in the use of plastics and plastic products has increased.
and at the moment unavoidable in our daily routine. It is a global phenomenon and the growing demand has become indispensable as they are found in a high proportion among households items.
In today's Nigeria, a huge chunk of plastics are produced and used. Legos, for instance, is rated as one of the highest producers of plastics. And a greater part of it ends up as waste and environmental pollution. From littering the roads, blocking the drainage to emitting toxic gases when exposed to heat. Certain reasons are attributed to this.
>> Recyclers is a social enterprise. They do recycling. They they they turn bottles to other reusable items and and they have a way of trying to monetize anything recyclables. All of these things that get towards making people see the need why they should their approach towards recyclables towards bottles towards pure sed towards cotton should be different. It's it it's not just it's a waste. It's not a waste.
It's not waste but it's asset. It's values meeting need is providing solution and we need to see how we can use it to actually touch lives. Looking beyond the waste, some creative minds are taking advantage of the environmental challenge to create wealth and jobs while combating its menace.
>> Recycling business is a very lucrative business.
>> Yeah. So that's why we also do much of advocacy talk to people a lot and make them see the need why they change their mindset and have a healthy approach towards recyclables and towards what they call waste. not really a waste, it's something of value, something that have asset and we recycling actually deliver the original intent of meeting needs and providing solution to people.
>> Why do some Nigerians take recycling as an alternative to making ends meet despite its challenges?
>> I see this business as is business that they have profit and you can make money on it and you know if you get it right thank you cure loss.
>> This is fashioning money. So I have to accept it whether it is from the dump or not. I know I will see something out of it.
>> Some of us that see the need why we should begin to place value on these things. Helping life where now the drainages are always blocked because of these bottles. There I think there was a report that said very soon you go and you get into the ocean. You want to buy catch fish and you end up catching plastics. You end up having more plastics in the ocean than fishes itself. Maybe one day we go and buy fish. One day we just divide the fish into two. I will see microplastics in the ter belly of the fish. Why? Because of plastics in the ocean.
>> As tedious as it is, women are not left out. They are seen engaging themselves in every aspect of it, thereby finding fulfillment in their role as helpmates.
>> Let me call myself the housewife because we need to support our husband. If you are expecting your husband to give you money for Maggi or S, you are insulting yourself. Even the peace will not be in the house. The only thing is support each other.
>> The first day I went to the dump site.
The I left my money. Even the goods I bought, I left them there.
Reason I said I cannot cope in this kind of a business. I can't do it.
When I go back home because my husband said, "Why are the material you want?" I said, "Please, you didn't tell me this.
This is the kind of business you ask me to come and be. I cannot do it. It's better I go back to the office I'm working. I cannot cope with the business please. My husband laughed at me that it's okay. For how long will you be building people? Come on. Stop working in a company. Come and build your life after work for yourself.
>> No matter what you take as a genuine job, be passionate. Get fulfilled and dignified.
Even as messy as a job may be, look beyond people's opinion. Be proud of what you do. As it is said, there is always We are saying this peacefully. Please go to your your country. 30 June is the deadline. But it's not like you must leave on the 30th of June.
>> Don't leave on the 30th of June. Leave now because the 30th of June I can't control people of South Africa.
The dust is not settling on the situation in South Africa involving foreigners as that incident in a part of Janburg shows in that clip. I'll play the full clip in the course of the program. Welcome to Global Matters. I am Shalah Jisi.
It's the third straight edition of the program in which we're looking at the issues with regards to xenophobia in South Africa. This is even as the you know South African authorities have condemned what occurred and just a couple of days you know ago on Thursday last week actually the South African cabinet minister said that uh what what we're actually seeing are doctorred footages doctorred clips of uh the situation in that country.
Interesting. Well, the fact is that um some community activists are threatening non South Africans to leave their country as that clip shows. Now, let me play the full clip and my guest and I will get into this conversation around what's happening in South Africa and non South Africans.
>> Where So, what are you doing here? Because we've been calling for you guys to leave the country. Why are you still here?
>> No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. My brother, no, no, no, no. Please, please respect what we are saying and don't don't try and and oppose what we are doing. Don't listen to the government.
Don't listen to the police. Don't listen to anyone. Just listen to us. We are saying this peacefully. Please go to your to your country. 30 June is the deadline. But it's not like you must leave on the 30th of June.
>> Yes.
>> Don't leave on the 30th of June. Leave now because the 30th of June I can't control people of South Africa.
>> All right. Let's do the right thing.
>> Respect our country. Respect us.
>> What What were you doing here?
>> No. No. I have a business here. So I'll go to school here.
going to be something.
>> So, who's this?
>> This is a boy. I know he's >> Yeah. So, why is he running away?
>> I don't know.
>> Why are you running away?
>> I'm scared.
>> Why?
>> I'm scared. Did did you do do you do you know we started do you know we started this thing in in January and we've been asking you guys to leave the country because we want to sort out our things in town. Why are you still staying in town?
>> Because we've been begging for 6 months.
We've been begging you guys to to leave South Africa. Why are you still here?
And then when you see us you are running. So you are running where where are you coming from?
>> Uganda.
>> Uganda. So as you were running you were running to Uganda.
>> Where were you running?
>> The fight is not about you.
>> The fight is about correcting the systems and fixing our country. So we don't want to have a problem with you.
Just please go.
>> Yes ma'am. Yes.
And what are you doing in town?
>> Uh just cooking food. Phones. Cooking food. No, you can't leave your country to come and cook food here. It's not right. Constitutionally you can't do that. Constitution doesn't allow that.
Only South Africans must cook food.
Please go home.
Now I'm coming back on Tuesday again.
Please.
>> So those are two non-s South Africans there being quizzed by a community activist. He was asking the other one like uh you heard there when he was apprehended and brought down was asking him that as he as he was running off that was he running back to Uganda.
Hilarious serious issues. Chris is executive director of the global advocacy for African affairs. So Chris uh Chris before we get into uh that the issue around that clip, let me play you one other clip. It's of a Nigerian who stood up to some persons who harassed him at a public facility also in Johannesburg.
>> I'm not going out. No, please. I'm paying tax in this country. For which country?
>> This country for 21 years.
>> My business registration is is 202 paying taxes. Yeah. So why are you telling me not to be here?
>> Why?
>> Why are you telling me? I'm a South African. You got I got my ID with me. I can't walk out.
>> I can't walk out. Do your work.
>> Yeah, I can't.
>> I can't.
>> Hello.
>> Hello.
>> Hello. South Africa about 100 and something in Nigeria. 100.
>> They using our hospital. You don't talk rubbish.
They using it for >> Yeah.
>> Sorry. Sorry.
>> What kind of stupid wicked people are killing people in the hospital? It's very bad. This is bad. You are killing people. No country in this world they do that kind of doing. It's wickedness.
Maybe you are from Mozambi or Zimbabwe.
You come here. You have four of You come here and claim South Africa killing people. You think you're fighting for right. That is not your right. You're just stupid. It's not you, right?
>> Can you please calm down?
>> Touch me now. I will finish you here now.
>> I'm serious. Touch me.
>> Touch me. Seriously, >> no. What they doing is bad.
a Nigerian there standing up to some South Africans who came around him and were asking him to get out of a public facility. So we can see the the divergent perspectives. Some are quite calm when they are encountered by some activists who say get out of our country and some are standing up for their rights. the two gentlemen you saw in the first video, a Ugandan and um a someone from the DRC that was the first person who was approached who was approached and as we can see it's becoming something quite interesting. This is the third time we're bringing this issue to the program consecutively. We did that the previous week, we did that last week and we're doing the same thing again is because it's so important. AIT African independent television what's the philosophy uh to look at Africa to ensure that we uh look at the things that bonded us together as Africans as those two flags show and you see the presidents of the two countries sir Raaposa and president Bolatinu they are all smiles this was at a summit in 2024 but I don't know whether those smiles are still are still there at the moment because things are very very very interesting between the two countries let me bring Chris into the conversation immediately so that we and start looking at the issues. Chris, you run the global advocacy for African affairs. What's your take about what's happening in Africa in South Africa to non-S South Africans who are Africans?
>> Thank you very much. Um is what is happening in South Africa is actually very unfortunate. Um surprisingly is not new. Xenop xenophobia in South Africa dates back to 1994 and uh I think 2008 would about the climax when about 62 people you know lost their lives uh majority of whom are you know immigrants. So but what is actually surprising is the it was what looks like the inability of the South African government to actually do something about what is going on. I mean this is sheer criminality.
This is lawlessness. This is a pointer to a state that is about to fail. And I believe the government is is benefiting from the government of South Africa is benefiting from you because >> why why did you say I will tell you >> why' you say that? Why I will tell you?
You see the South African government has failed the citizens and the citizens are making out their angers to the wrong persons. They are talking about their jobs being taken away. They are talking about insecurity in the country. They are talking about people enjoying what they are supposed to enjoy in in South Africa. Why do you blame the people for all of that? I mean presently South Africa in South Africa unemployment is about 43% over 43%. Is that uh in citizens the reasons why unemployment is that high?
>> You mean immigrants and >> I mean sorry immigrants are they the the the reasons why such unemployment figure is so high.
>> Yeah. But but the South Africans are saying look you this non-immigrants rather you this immigrants you're taking our jobs and the accusation against >> against hold on a second against non um non nationals is that when they come in probably a job that could be done for let's say 40 rand per hour an immigrant will say okay give me 10 give me 15 I'll get it done unemployment everywhere in the world is a symptom of a struggle ling economy. It has nothing to I mean um it's on record that United States of America has the highest number of immigrant particularly um from Africans. I mean nobody has blamed immigrants for unemployment is a fair symptom of a struggling economy and the fact that the government is not doing what it's supposed to do. The figures are not adding up. It is not the the duty of immigrants to make South African I mean South Africa work. South Africa is suffering. Uh there's a problem of insecurity. There's a problem of unemployment as as they keep I mean touting all all over the place. These are the problems that they should confront their government with and leave the I mean the poor immigrants alone.
And to even make matter worse is it reminds all of us how I mean how people can forget so easily South Africa is one country that enjoyed a comprehensive solidarity from every part of Africa. I mean especially Nigeria and the Ghana that all of a sudden became their enemy right now. I mean and it's unfortunate that most of the younger ones that are doing all these things have launched us with history and I believe South Africa should actually intervene to let the world know that they are in charge. The government is not doing well and that was why I said they are the biggest beneficiary of what is going on in South Africa because their people are exonerating them from the problem that they created in the system and they taking the anger to the very wrong persons. So I mean people should sit up.
South Africa should sit up. It is a sheer lawlessness that is going on in South Africa. I mean criminality. What people looting people's goods and services killing people on on ptop on challenge. This is sheer criminality.
And the South African government seems to be it seems to not to I mean to do what they supposed to do as a gun.
Somebody is in charge. Somebody should brace up to his responsibility. is actually so so annoying that I mean we are seeing all these things in a place like South Africa a place that I mean erasing every every legacy that Nelson Mandela has put in place a place that is supposed to supposed to stand I mean as as an example in Africa that is where we are seeing all this mess going I mean going on and everything South Africa must the leadership and the government of South Africa must sit up this is really getting out of hand And I think the governments across Africa are actually not doing enough.
>> But but if you recall, Ghana not only signified his intention to bring over three of it citizens back home a couple of days ago. Nigeria had done so earlier. It got about 130 persons who said look want to come back to Nigeria. Ghana went further by reporting the matter to the African Union Commission on Human Rights.
Nigeria has not gone that you know to that level but Nigeria has summoned the South Africa acting South African high commissioner to Nigeria and when you know what summons means in in you know diplomatic uh palance it means we're not happy what's happening do you think president Tunibu and um his newly appointed nominated um ambassador to South Africa Femi Fani Kyote do you think Mr. Fika can get there and you know try and resolve all of this or is it that we'll continue to have a situation where look all of you like that man said he said I am not just a South African he said I am a South Afric I'm a Niger I'm not just a a Nigerian I mean Nigerian with South African you know citizenship there's nothing you can do to me that was what that man said how are we going to resolve all of this >> you see like I said during my intro this problems you know transcends Tinubu it transcends against the government. I mean since but but we saw him and Raaposa smiling >> coziline we'll be that picture old summit >> we've been having these issues right from 1994 2008 2015 2018 even 2019 and it's it's been going on so and I think this should go beyond um the newly posted ambassador I mean there's what is called retaliatory diplomacy >> reciprocity >> yes and it compasses just mentioned one of you he can pass the reciprocity you just mentioned you can you can you can respond economically >> t for t you can respond in so many way >> our senator said so but the president said look we will send the delegation >> it has gotten to you see rather >> it has actually gotten to that stage where retaliatory diplomacy has to be activated >> because it does seems that there's no end in sight the South African government is not doing enough.
>> As a matter of fact, like I keep saying, they are the biggest beneficiary of what is happen happening in South Africa. And there are also the place of some of the politicians in in in in South Africa who are pandering around populist sentiments. These people should be called to order. Countries should begin to look countries should begin to respond in like terms. That's the only language that I feel South Africa can understand at this stage. You have South African citizens in so many in so many other countries in Africa even and no country can actually survive alone.
Somebody made and one of the senators the other time I was listening to one of the saying something about like um um Ram Fosa having an interest in DSTV and all those things. Look they should activate retaliatory diplomacy.
>> But what many do not know one interesting thing let me let me just say this. I was listening to um a trending video um this morning shared by um the second richest man here Mr. Rabu um the um >> Abu Samad Rabi >> Abu Sam Rabid that from some few months ago he was at the airport >> last year.
>> Yes. And then he unaware he was unaware that his visa had expired by just one day and then he was delayed for about four hours and then he while sitting and waiting for the whole thing to be resolved he was seeing about three international flights arrived at at the airport and all of them was getting free seamless undisturbed entry into South Afric but but do we do we does Mr. Abdul Samad Rabio's visa expiry scenario does that mean the South African should wave it and allow him get South Africa if his visa had expired a day before will he get an entry in Europe if his visa had expired a day before he arrived >> the point I'm making yeah is that Africa must do better you see there is a protocol >> sorry when you say better if Mr. Samad gets to Johannesburg which is the entry point for international flights.
>> His visa expired yesterday. He got it today. Should they allow South Africa?
>> Here is my point Sha. This has nothing >> so that we do not just >> this has nothing to do with me s I'm talking about a larger problem in Africa.
>> Africa there is a protocol on free um free movement of people on the table that has never been ratified.
>> That's the point.
>> Good. So these are the part of the problems we are having around here and I think I think AU should do more. Our leaders must do more. Should you just you visit Europe you see what happened in Europe you know from one country to another. In fact I was so embarrassed one one day I was I was moving from France to to Vienna my very first time and I stopped at the airport and I was looking at the immigration. I forgot myself completely only for someone to tap my back and say look we are in Europe. Didn't you just arrive from Paris? And I was so that was when I realized so you woke up.
>> Yes. That was I realized what I was doing.
>> Why did you sleep off?
>> Because I'm coming from a place where such thing never happens. So we should begin to see put our house in order. The the issue of the second richest man in Africa. Okay. Suffering. I mean this is a man that has invested in almost all parts of Africa.
>> But my but my point when we raised the issue of Mr. Labuse, sorry sir. My point when I raise the issue of Mr. Rabio who said this just yesterday at the African CEO's forum holding a kegali you you work with the Rwans they have a policy on visa on arrival and all of that so probably are we are we going to be pushing towards asking South Africa look visa on arrival and remember South Africa introduced this policy when Ramaposa and President Tonobu met u in 2024 they had the national commission a lot of goodies came out from that and you know they spoke about it So I'm thinking we should not use what happened to Mr. Samad. If your visa has expired, should you be allowed entry into another country?
>> We don't waste so much.
>> No, no. I'm stressing so we don't ride on on on nationalistic sentiment.
>> Yeah, absolutely. You're correct. Nobody should allow you entry if you don't have the proper documentation. It is the standard everywhere in the world. But my point is that our leaders have got to do more. There are a lot of work on the tables of our leaders and this is part of the problems we are also suffering in South Africa. I just mentioned to you that part of the of the of the trade agreement on the table um African continental free trade agreement is this been lying follow that has not been that has not been ratified that has not been ratified so our leader should begin to wake up what is happening in in South Africa look I call it criminality that is what it is how do you wake up >> and that's exactly what Raosa has called it his predecessors >> rama is playing he's playing to the gallery he should wake up and do Raot is not doing is not doing a lot. People wake up in the morning. We just watch that video. People taking laws into their hand. I mean this is a sign of a failing state going to loot people's property going taking laws into their hands to night in 2008 60 something people were killed up to today they've not gotten justice. This has been a >> of of that 60 something people were killed 28 were actually South Africans.
>> Yes I said majority were immigrants.
>> I I said that. So but they need to get justice and because nobody has we are not aware that anybody has been punished that is why these things keep repeating.
So so this is 2026 we are talking about since 1994 this is 2026. So this trans is beyond the the ambassador you just mentioned that is in South Africa. This is government. This is countries must sit up and agree that look if this must if this should continue so so so things and part of my recommendation like I said must be retaliatory diplomacy which encompasses a lot of things they call a >> with the look on Mr. Fikaya's face in that clip which my production colleague put up there. I know he may not be going there to bite immediately in Pritoria but Mr. Fa I'm sure will be going there to tell you know the South African Foreign Ministry International Corporation as it's called that look you need to get something done South African authority so that you can simmer on all of this your parting shot on this we've been talking about this in the last 3 weeks your parting shot and my hope is that next week's edition we will have moved on to something else but because it's a center you know point of African independent television's philosophy to look at Africa that's why we've been on it your your closing shot >> this is this is this is a stand on a the African solidarity that been that even our forefathers have been preaching for for years. I mean this got to stop. It is it is one thing it is one crime too many and the this is not insurmountable.
The government of South Africa must wake up like I said the Nigerian government should uh not wake up.
>> No no no no it's happening in South Africa.
>> No but like you said >> yes >> I also mentioned and we all know Nigeria summoned the >> acting high commissioner.
Is that how it should end?
>> The duty of every government first is to protect lives and property. South Africa is not doing that. People are dying.
People are lo losing their livelihood first. The responsibility is on the doorstep of South Africa to do something when they keep when they keep failing.
There are other countries whose citizens are victims can retaliate in several ways and I've just made made few suggestions here. So the first of all South Africa must as a matter of priority wake up. This is this is not politic. This is a very dirty politics and the people that have been you know you know shoulder the people that have been covered the some of the I've had some of the you know politicians in South Africa and public public servants in South Africa you know supporting this calling people to attack people and all those things those people must be arrested >> those people must be shown they I mean you should stop scapegoating the innocent people who have come to end livelihood innocently obeying your laws paying their taxes Go and go to the where where the problem escape. Go to your leader. Those are the people causing problem. They're not giving you jobs. They're not giving you security.
They are not doing anything for you. And you escape got the wrong people. You are fighting the wrong people.
>> And the and the foreigners who are also engaged in criminal activities should be made to answer questions of >> there is criminality everywhere. Where wherever there is criminality, the law must take its course. But you don't just met out things that are people has no business on innocent people. So that's just my face criminality. bring them to book and everything. But first and most importantly, the South African government must sit up.
>> Chris Syamu, the executive director of the global advocacy for African affairs.
Your thoughts on this issue of um the xenophobic issues in South Africa. Thank you for coming on the program.
>> Thank you, Shannon.
>> And I appreciate you for watching as well. It's something we've been trending on because of its importance. Africans must unite. So that that those are the kind of songs we've heard some of uh those who have done albums and all of that tell us that we need to unite let the unity flow. I am Shalaja I thank you for watching this edition of global matters. Have a lovely evening.
Heat. Heat.
I can't tint my hair because in our society when You tint your hair, it gives another meaning as if you are not responsible.
>> No, I can't tint my hair. Reason being the fact of my family, they won't agree to it.
>> I can I don't care. Their opinion, not mine. As long as I like it.
>> For me, it don't make sense.
Thinking of just leave your head the way it is, black, brown. Like the red-headed agama lizard, also known as rainbow lizard, human hairs often come in different colors as a result of hair dyeing, which is becoming a common practice among adults and teenagers in Nigeria. To individuals tinting or dying their hair, there is really no difference between changing the color of their hair and dying a fabric. It could be for aesthetics, to have a new look, or as a result of one's line of trade or profession.
>> I'm an artist. Personally, I don't see it as anything because most times you don't judge a book by its cover. So for me, for a kind of person like me, I feel >> if it's something that makes you happy, just do it.
>> Aba Yu Ibraim goes as far as testing the dice first without considering its effect.
>> I have to test for before I apply it to any customer because this thing we are doing is something that when I apply is easily to break air. So when it break I don't want maybe disagreement between me and my customer.
>> Hair dyes come in three major varieties permanent semi-permanent or temporary and natural. Chemicals used in these products particularly the permanent dyes could lead to grave health consequences according to a hair restoration specialist Dr. Dioanjo.
>> Dyes by them by their nature have chemicals. I mean, that's why they're able to change the the natural color of of of someone's hair. Those uh chemicals could include ammonia, you know, perhaps one of the more common ones. There are other more dangerous chemicals. Ammonia is a very corrosive chemicals and if not used properly by people who are trained, they could cause damage and the damage could be permanent.
So the advice we would normally give people is look better to go to a salon with qualified personnel, people who understand the implications or the side effects and the of some of the products they they apply to your scalp. You know, if you don't use it, you know, according to what the manufacturers intended, there could be uh uh hair loss and uh and damage. So those are the kind of you know things that we would typically advise people to watch out for. I mean it's it these products you know it's not just hair loss there are other wider health issues involved as well. I mean some of these products have been known to cause bladder cancer of the bladder. So this is quite serious. It's not just about how you look anymore. It's about life and death. When next you are dyeing your hair, you might want to take a second look at the ingredients used to ensure they are safe. I see the one of >> it's also white. How come? Do they all come in white?
>> No, it's not. Mostly of them comes in white.
>> Okay. So, is this white?
>> This one is crazy color.
>> Color something white. Not pop. The color is pop of actually down. Yes.
>> Sharpen. Maybe something maybe wine.
Something wine.
>> You sure don't want to put your life in danger.
At least 24 killed in two separate attacks along Honduras's coast.
US raises Cuba's threat level amid mother indictment of Ra Castro, escalating tensions.
and India African summit postponed over rising cases of Ebola virus outbreak in diar.
This is a word news on AIT. I am a dim welcome.
At least 24 people including six police officers have been killed in two separate gun attacks along the Honduras coast deepening concerns about organized violence and insecurity in the Central American country. Police said the attacks targeted both civilians and security officers within hours of each other.
The first attack occurred at a ranch in Trujillo where gunmen opened fire on workers, killing at least 10 people.
Authorities say the area has long been affected by land disputes and agrarian conflicts linked to valuable natural resources. In the second incident, heavily armed asalants attacked police officers traveling near the municipality of Omar close to the border. Six officers, including a senior commander, were killed during the ambush. Police said the officers had been assigned to an anti-gang operation before the attack occurred. Investigators believe organized criminal groups may have targeted the security team as violence linked to gangs and trafficking networks continue to plague the region.
Authorities also warn that the death toll from the ranch attack could rise because relatives removed some victim's body before forensic teams arrived.
Security officials of deployed investigators, prosecutors and forensic specialists took both crime scenes.
Honduras remain one of the most violent countries in Latin America despite repeated security crackdowns. Officials say both the national police and the armed forces will reinforce operations in the affected areas as investigations continue.
The United States and Iran remain divided over key issues and ongoing negotiations despite both sides reporting limited signs of progress after fresh diplomatic contacts.
Discussions continue to focus on Thran's uranium stockpile and control of the Strait of Ammon, issues that have become major stumbling blocks in efforts to ease tensions.
>> US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there were encouraging developments in the talks, although no agreement had yet been reached between Washington and Thran. US President Donald Trump insisted that Washington ultimately expects Iran's highlyenriched uranium stockpile to be handed over, arguing the material could be used for weapons production, despite Iran's insistence that its nuclear program remains peaceful. Iranian officials, however, maintain that the country will not surrender control over its enrichment program or strategic waterways. Senior Iranian sources say negotiations had narrowed differences but confirmed that uranium enrichment and sovereignty over the strait of Humus remains unresolved.
Iran's leadership has also reportedly ruled out transferring uranium stock piles abroad following directives from Supreme Leader Mushtava Kamei. Thrron has meanwhile repeated the demands for sanctions relief. Compensation for war damage, access to frozen assets and withdrawal of American troops from the region. Regional mediation efforts are continuing as Pakistan attempts to keep communication channels open between both sides. Analysts say the uncertainty surrounding the negotiations is contributing to economic instability as President Trump also faces growing domestic scrutiny ahead of upcoming midterm elections.
>> Republican leaders in in the US House of Representatives appro can the plan vote on legislation aimed at limiting military actions against Iran without congressional approval. The move came only days after the Senate advanced a similar measure in the rare bipartisan rebuke of President Donald Trump.
>> The House resolution sought to require the president to obtain authorization from Congress before continuing military operations tied to the conflict with Iran. Lawmakers had been expected to vote shortly before departing Washington for the Memorial Day recess. Democrats claimed Republican leadership withdrew the measure because support for it had grown stronger than expected.
Representative Gregory Mick says supporters believe they had enough votes to pass the resolution due to possible Republican defections and absences within the narrowly divided chamber.
Congressional critics of the war effort argue the constitution gives lawmakers, not the president, the authority to declare war. They have raised concerns that the United States may be drifting into a prolonged conflict without a clearly defined strategy or public debate. The White House and most Republicans insist Trump acted within his powers as commanderin-chief by authorizing limited military operations against what officials describe as imminent threats. Supporters also argue the actions were necessary to protect American interests and regional security.
The cancelled House vote followed a Senate procedural vote earlier this week in which four Republicans joined most Democrats in advancing a separate war powers resolution. The growing divide signals rising debate within Congress over presidential authority and the scope of US involvement in the escalating Iran conflict.
President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will deploy an additional 5,000 troops to Poland, reinforcing Washington's military presence in Eastern Europe. The decision marks a significant shift after earlier suggestions that American troop numbers in Europe could be reduced.
Trump linked the deployment directly to his relationship with Poland's newly elected conservative president Karum Noki. In a social media statement, he praised Narooi's election victory and described Poland as a trusted ally deserving stronger military cooperation.
The announcement came shortly after Vice President JD Vance confirmed that a planned troop deployment had been delayed during a brother review of America's military commitment across Europe. The White House had previously hedged NATO members to take greater responsibility for continental defense.
Trump had openly supported Naroki during Poland's election campaign and hosted him at the White House before the votes.
Naroki eventually defeated the candidate backed by Polish Prime Minister Donatusk and his pro-European coalition. The American president later met Naroki again in Washington where both leaders discussed expanding defense cooperation.
Trump indicated at the time that Poland could receive additional American military support because of its strategic importance with NATO. The latest troop deployment is expected to strengthen NATO's eastern flank amid continuous tensions involving Russia and European security. Analysts said the move also signals Trump preference for working closely with nationalist conservative governments across Europe.
Demonstrators gathered outside the newly expanded American diplomatic mission in Greenland as tensions continue over President Donald Trump's submissions for greater US influence on the Arctic Island. Protesters waved Greenlandic flags and carried signs rejecting any attempt at American control.
The United States officially opened a larger consulate in downtown Nuke, replacing a smaller office previously located on the outskirts of the city.
American officials described the new facility as an important step towards strengthening diplomatic engagement in Greenland. Several Greenlandic political leaders including Prime Minister Frederick Nielsen declined invitations to attend the opening ceremony. Their absence reflected growing discomfort within Greenland over Washington's increasing focus on the strategically important territory. Crowds outside the consulate chanted slogans insisting Greenland belongs to its own people and is not for sale. The protest followed renewed debate after the White House earlier explored options for expanding US control over the island, including discussions involving possible military measures before talks shifted toward diplomacy. Greenland's government recently stated progress had been made in discussions with the United States while reaffirming the territo's rights to determine its own future. Officials have repeatedly stressed that the semi autonomous Danish territory will never agree to annexation.
American diplomats attempted to ease tensions during the opening ceremony by emphasizing partnership and cooperation with Greenland.
US Ambassador Kenneth Harry said Washington would continue supporting Greenland regardless of whatever future it people ultimately choose for themselves.
The United States has imposed sanctions on nine individuals accused of supporting Ebola and obstructing efforts aimed at stabilizing Lebanon. The sanctions target members of parliament, security officials, and individuals Washington says helped strengthen his bowler's political and military influence. According to the US Treasury Department, the measures are intended to disrupt networks accused of undermining Lebanese sovereignty and blocking attempts to determ. American officials say those sanctions include Ezola lawmakers, senior movement figures and officials linked to Lebanese security institutions. Among those named are Lebanese parliamentarian Nisamini Fadlaha and his executive council member Muhammad Abdel, Iranian diplomat Muhammad Resani was also sanctioned alongside security figures connected to the Amal movement. The United States additionally accused some Lebanese security officials of sharing intelligence with Ezola over the past year. Washington also announced the reward of up to $10 million for information capable of disrupting the group's financial operations worldwide.
Isbola rejected the sanctions describing them as an attempt to intermediate Lebanese institutions and supporters ahead of renewed regional negotiations.
The group said the measures would not alter its political direction or strategic decisions.
International criticism is mounting after Israeli national security minister Itama Beng released a video mocking Gaza flirtilad activist stained by Israeli forces. The footage showed activists pinned to the ground and restrained after the aid vessel was intercepted and international waters.
>> Several Western governments condemned the treatment of the activists with some countries across Europe summoning Israeli ambassadors in protest. Britain, France, Italy, and Spain all criticized the video while Poland's foreign minister called for Ben Giver to be barred from entering the country. The activists had attempted to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza before Israeli naval forces intercepted the vessel earlier on Wednesday. Israel later deported all detainees, although some activists alleged they suffered beatings, taser attacks, and other forms of abuse. While in custody, Israeli rights group Adala said lawyers documented reports of injuries, prolonged stress positions, and sexual humiliation during the detention.
Israeli prison authorities have denied the accusations, insisting all detainees were treated lawfully and received proper medical care. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also distanced himself from Ben Giver's conduct, saying the minister's behavior did not reflect Israel's values. Human rights officials at the United Nations have called for accountability if abuse claims are proven. Organizers of the flotilla insist their mission was aimed at delivering urgently needed humanitarian supplies to Gaza despite Israel's ongoing blockade of the territory.
This is the world news on AIT. We'll take a break. When we come back, we'll bring you more stories.
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>> Welcome back. A federal immigration authorities in Miami have arrested Adis Lassus Morera, the sister of the top executive linked to Cuba's powerful military run conglomerate Gasa. The arrest followed the decision by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to revoke a permanent residency status over alleged ties to Avana's communist leadership. Immigration and custom enforcement said agents detained Morera after determining her continued presence in the United States conflicted with Washington's foreign policy goals towards Cuba. officials stated she entered the country as a legal permanent resident in January 2023, but now faces deportation proceedings. Rubio accused her of benefiting from and supporting the Cuban government while living in Florida and managing real estate assets connected to the regime. He also repeated long-standing claims that Gza controls a vast portion of Cuba's economy and profits heavily from sectors including tourism and banking construction remittances from Cuba's abroad. The US government alleges the conglomerate diverts money meant for ordinary Cubans while enriching state connected and light elites and military officials. Rubio said profits generated through GASA rarely reached the Cuban people despite the company's influence over much of the island's financial activity. Authorities confirmed Morera remains in ice custody pending removal proceedings, although no criminal charges have been announced against her.
The United States has intensified pressure on Cuba after Secretary of State declared that Avana poses a national security threat to America. The remarks followed the indictment of former Cuban leader Ru Castro over the 1996 shooting down of two civilian aircraft carrying US nationals. Rubio said Washington still preferred diplomacy but warned that peaceful engagement with Cuba remain unlikely under the current leadership. He also accused Avana of supporting terrorism across the region. Allegations strongly rejected by Cuban officials. Uh foreign minister Vonu Rodriguez accused the United States of spreading falsehood and attempting to provoke aggression against the island. Avana insists he has never posed a threat to the United States and condemned Washington's growing political pressure. The dispute comes as Cuban struggles through severe fuel shortages, blackouts, and worsening food scarcity linked partly to long-standing American sanctions. Rabio confirmed the United States had nevertheless offered humanitarian aid worth $100 million to assist Cuban civilians. President Donald Trump suggested his administration could achieve major political change in Cuba after decades of failed American policy.
He described the country as a failed state and argued that Cubanameans wanted to help rebuild the country.
Thousands of mourers gathered in San Diego to honor three men killed while trying to stop a deadly attack at the city's largest mosque earlier this week.
The emotional funeral ceremony drew community leaders, police officers, and worshippers from across the United States.
The Islamic federal prayer known as Jamaz was held beneath a white canopy as the bodies of Amin Abdullah Mansour Kazir and Nadir Aad rested side by side.
Many in attendance described the victims as heroes who acted courageously to protect others during the shooting.
Police say the attack began Monday morning when two teenage suspects opened fire at the Islamic Center of San Diego during school hours. Abdullah, who worked as a mosque security guard, reportedly exchanged gunfire with the attackers and uses radio to order an immediate lockdown. Authorities credited those actions with giving students and teachers enough time to hide safely inside classrooms and closets. Aad and Kziha rushed towards the danger after hearing the shooting, but all three men later died from their injuries.
Community members said the tragedy is deepening fears among Muslims in the United States at a time of I think concern over Islamophobia and targeted violence. Several moners broke down in tears as speakers praised the victims for sacrificing themselves to protect innocent lives. Police later found the teenage suspects dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshots wounds after they fled the mosque. Family members of the victims said they have drawn strength from knowing the men died defending children, worshippers and the wider community from greater bloodshed.
The planned execution of Tennessee that image Tony Caratus was halted after prison staff failed to establish the medical lines required for a lateral injection and state officials said the procedure could not continue because a backup introvenous access point could not be secured under execution protocols. The Tennessee's Department of Corrections explained that medical personnel successfully inserted a primary IV line but could not locate a second suitable vein. Officials also attempted to place a central line as permitted on the protocol, but that effort failed before the execution was ultimately called off. And following the failed procedure, Tennessee's governor Boli granted characters a temporary lasting one lasting one year. The postponement delays the execution of the inmates convicted for the 1994 kidnapping and mothers of three people in whose bodies were later buried in a cemetery. Carrot's case has drawn national scrutiny from civil rights group and anti-death penalty advocates who argue serious flaws undermine the fairness of his trial. The American Civil Liberties Union maintained that the characters was denied adequate legal representation and that no fiscal evidence directly connected him to the killings. Advocates have also questioned the reability of witness testimony presented during the trial saying some informants later withdrew or contradicted their statement.
Goldman Sach has agreed to pay $50 million to settle a shareholder lawsuit tied to its involvement with Malaysia's scandal reading a sovereign wealth fund.
The statement settlement resolves uh claims that the bank misled investors about its role in transaction linked to one of the world's largest financial corruption cases.
Lawyers representing shareholders disclosed the settlement amount in a filing submitted to federal court in Manhattan. The investors led by Swedish pension fund soon fondon described the agreement as a significant outcome for shareholders affected by the scandal.
The case centered on accusations that Goldman Sachs portrayed its risk management practices falsely while arranging billions of dollars in bond sales for IMDb.
Shareholders have argued that the bank profited heavily from the deals while concealing seros warning signs surrounding the Malaysian investment fund. Authorities in the United States and Malaysia have alleged that roughly $4.5 billion was siphoned from IMDb through offshore accounts and share companies connected to finance.
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Rajiv Rosak established a fund to support economic development projects before the scandal erupted internationally.
Goldman Sachs helped raise $6.5 billion for the fund and reportedly collected hundreds of millions in fees from the bond offerings. Investors claimed the bank's share value later suffered when markets realized the institution had allegedly facilitated and benefited from fraudulent activities tied to IMDb.
The settlement adds to billions already paid by Goodman to resolve global investigations into the scandal. In 2020, the bank agreed to major penalties and admissions involving a Malaysian subsidiary while several former bankers face criminal prosecutions connected to the looting of the fund.
>> Brazu's government is preparing to widen spending restrictions across federal ministries as official work to remain within the country's fiscal limits for the year. Finance Minister Darro Duran said that tougher controls are expected to be announced alongside the government's latest budget review. The current spending block stands at 1.6 billion, equivalent to roughly $320 million, but officials now expect additional restraint to be imposed. The government is scheduled to present it updated revenue and expect report on Friday afternoon. Drian said the administration does not expect to trigger a formal spending freeze despite tightening budget controls. He explained the revenues remain broadly in line with expectations allowing the government to continue pursuing gradual fiscal adjustments without emergency measures.
The minister described the restrictions as necessary sacrifices aimed at controlling rising public expenditures and preserving economic stability. He suggested the government is willing to make difficult internal cuts as part of brother's strategy to strengthen fiscal discipline. Brazil is targeting a primary surplus equivalent to 0.25% of gross domestic product this year with some room allowed on either side of that goal. Earlier projections estimated the country could finish the year close to balance with only a modest surplus expected.
The planned India African fareum summit in New Delhi has been postponed following concerns over the western Ebola outbreak are spreading across parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo. India authorities and the African Union said the delay was necessary to protect public health and ensure full participation from African leaders.
The outbreak has now expanded into South Ku province, an area controlled by the M23 rebel group, raising fears that the disease could spread further through eastern Congo. The World Health Organization says the latest Ebola outbreak has already caused at least 139 suspected deaths and around 600 suspected infections. Health officials warned that conflict and instability in eastern Congo are severely complicating containment efforts. The outbreak is the 17th recorded in the country and experts say the presence of armed groups and weak medical infrastructures are limiting access to affected communities.
Tensions escalated further after angry residents attacked an Ebola treatment facility in it province following the death of a popular local footballer suspected to have contracted the disease. Protesters reportedly set fire to parts of the hospital after authorities refused to release the body for traditional burial rights due to infection risk. Uganda has since tightened border measures by suspending public transport and preparing to halt flights linked to Congo.
Authorities in Campala confirmed that one Ebola related death traced to Congo had already occurred although a second suspected case later tested negative.
International concerns is also growing over shortage of medical supplies and emergency funding. The United States has introduced enhanced health screening for travelers arriving from affected countries while aid workers say foreign funding courts are weakening frontline response efforts across the region.
>> That's the world news on AIT. I'm a demo. Thank you for staying with us.
Recall that some years ago we never had mobile phones. Surprisingly, we survived and went about our normal daily routines across the globe today. The use of mobile phone as armor, shield, lifesaver, a handed defense against our own fears, anxieties, loneliness, and mortality has become do without.
>> This is the 21st century, man. And this is the lifeblood of of the 21st century.
You know, I'm a business person and uh you got to make money. So, how do you how do you your clients get across to you if you don't have a phone?
>> I've done without my phone several times. I can I can I can Why would I call when there was no phone or was I once I copy?
>> I can do without my phone if I if I if I decided that well I have something to I just want to show down >> without your phone.
>> I can't do without my phone and I can actually do without my phone.
Sorry. Because I sell online so it is not possible for me not to always be online. reaction cuz my customers can just chat me up.
>> Yeah, of course. Uh I've had situations where I have to, you know, drop my phone or be without the phone for probably two three days. I'm not I'm not really internet uh crazy.
>> The addiction by some to continuously glue to it, tap to read, swipe and repeat the process all over calls for concern. Why is it so addictive? My phone is always with me because I'm always expecting calls, opportunities, and greater things as well. I log in my phone to check the latest information online. So, I can't do without my phone.
Without my phone, I'm empty.
>> My phone actually represent a person to me and I I really love questioning it a lot. It gives me vibe. It gives me uh it is um it makes me feel less knowing less.
>> I'm a kind of introvert.
I don't go out. So the only thing that keeps me busy and keeps me going is my phone. Yeah, I'm always in my phone 24/7.
>> The fact that some view this device as a means to an end does not say it all.
There are those who believe that it's indiscriminate use and addiction is necessary.
>> My phone, no it's always by my side.
When I'm not with it, it seems I am out of the world. I don't know what is happening again. phone has become part of us where our it's my office everything I do is my phone you don't know what will happen at any given moment so you feel your phone supposed to be with you at every point in time when you are not with it you are out of time you are out of the world you don't know what is happening information zero >> I can't do without a day but I'm a businessman like now my customer they may need a true that is very okay for me. So they may tell me that okay I should send this to WhatsApp or to Facebook. I'll snap it and I'll send it to them.
>> No matter how advantageous this single handy device is, there are numerous and devastating health effects associated with it. Some of which are deadly and physically defective.
>> A lot of accident has occur because of this phone. When the vehicle is coming or the is coming, they don't even aware is because of this phone. As a result, a lot of life has been lost. It has caused a lot of damages to the hair because some people they always put it on the high volume when they are using it. As a result, there is a lot Tensions mount in Nasarawa state following allegations of electoral fraud in APC governorship primary.
Awareness on hypertension, other non-communicable diseases takes center stage in Abuja as federal ministry of health commemorates 2026 World Hypertension Day and women rights advocates distribute sermon guide to imams to promote right of women and girls in Islam. This is Auja Report on AIT. I am a Cheddar Majakodi. Welcome. We begin the news from uh political matters and uh tensions is mounting in Nasarawa state following allegation of electoral fraud in the APC governorship primary. The campaign organization of retired inspector general of police Muhammad Adamu is accusing top government officials of trying to hijack the process. Nasarawa state is one of the APC states where the outgoing governor has openly declared support for a preferred candidate.
>> I should carry it.
>> 21. The retired inspector general of police Muhammad Abu Bakr Admu recorded a decisive and overwhelming victory across the states where election was peacefully and successfully conducted.
>> Hussein is calling on the APC electoral committee to protect the integrity of the vote. He wants the panel to uphold the authentic results from coalition centers and resist outside pressure. The campaign team specifically alleges that certain state government officials interfered with election materials and seiz result sheets in key local government areas. He warned that these actions threatens to completely undermine the credibility of the primary. The committee must resist every form of pressure, intimidation or attempt to manipulate the democratic process. Our campaign organization strongly condemns the reported hijacking and interference with election result sheets by certain officials of national state government in some local government areas.
>> Meanwhile, the campaign organization is urging party loyalists and the public to remain calm. They insist the electoral committee must be allowed to conduct the exercise strictly according to party guidelines. National state governor Ablah in an interview with journalists maintain the process was peaceful and credible.
>> Today's election is now proving all the lies being told about us. You can see at the background the huge number of the people who are purely for Wada. You can see on the other side those people they say they are for the former IG. They are all people from goodi. They are living in peace with one another. He insists that the primary will be decided by members of the party. Shaka AIT News Lafia.
>> Sistering with election matters ahead of the 2027 general elections. Governor Omar Bago has been affirmed as the sole candidate for the governorship election.
The declaration was made by the chairman of the APC electoral committee and returning officer Dandame Abubakar at the party secretariat in Mina.
support of the motion. The motion to adopt Bago as an unopposed candidate was moved by the senator representing Niger East Sani Musa and seconded by the deputy speaker of the Niger state house of Assembly Afiniki Da do hereby move that his excellency the former governor Muhamad Babu be adopted as the consensus and sole candidate for the governorship primaries of APC Niger that our performing governor His Excellency Muhammad UG be adopted as the consensus candidate for the Ninja APC governorship primaries. I saw second.
>> Bagu appreciated APC members in the state for adopting him as the sole candidate of the party saying it is a demonstration of love and the bond that exists between him and the people. He also revealed that missionary for reconciliation has been set up and he will lead the team to reconcile all agreed members to ensure a stronger party going into the 2027 general elections. A lot will have to be done to pacify to talk to the other people who lost and the machinery for reconciliation has been set up and the elders are already working on it. I will lead that team will talk to people. So Niger state is very much very very uh calm and APC is in charge and by the grace of God will deliver.
>> The move to reconcile agree party members is a result of the just concluded primaries where about four aspirants have so far resigned from the party citing injustices met out to them in the name of consensus arrangements.
Zakari AIT News Mina.
>> We now move to security matters. The Armed Forces of Nigeria says it remains fully committed to supporting constitutional governance, protecting democratic institutions, and working collaboratively with all levels of government to safeguard the nation. In a statement signed by the director of defense media operations, Major General Michael Lonoja, the defense headquarters said the clarification it issued was solely to provide intelligence-based context regarding the security situation in the southwest in order to prevent misinformation and public panic. The defense headquarters was reacting to what it described at as a mischievous and misleading publication that misinterpreted comments credited to the military authorities regarding the classification of terrorists and criminal element operating in the southwest of the country. The statement stressed that at no time did the defense headquarters undermine the authority of any democratically elected leader to seek to diminish the gravity of the heinous crimes committed against innocent citizens by terrorist elements. According to the statement, the recent kidnapping incident in New York State was perpetrated by terrorists linked to the JAS group who has been dislodged from other parts of the country due to ongoing highintensity military operations nationwide. The statement added that troops remain actively deployed across the affected areas in collaboration with other security agencies and local stakeholders. It further assured Nigerians that the armed forces of Nigeria remains resolute in dismantling all criminal and terrorist network threatening the peace and stability of the unity of the nation.
The Nigerian Air Force says it remains committed to transparency and accountability in its civil arm uh mitigation strategies aimed at protecting civilian populations. The chief of civil military relations of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshall Edwards Gab Gabwet made the commitment during a visit to the executive secretary of the National Human Rights Commission. Tony Ojuko at the commission's headquarters in Abuja >> said the Nigerian Air Force has developed a new response approach to addressing civil harm mitigation concerns in affected communities. that the Nigerian Air Force embibe what he frames as smart air power which also leads to what he has framed as purposeful leality. Uh we shall continue to to ensure that our operations are in line with international best practice that factors in the civilian environment and every other infrastructure that supports the civilian environment. The executive secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Tony Duku, commended the Nigerian Air Force for it civil harm mitigation measures urging the service to ensure that it operations among civilian populations align with global best practices.
>> As important as the the war against terrorists is, it is a very important war. Nobody, nobody can deny that.
As a country, we need that war to be fought with all seriousness.
We commend the Nigerian efforts and the Nigerian military for the gallant efforts they're making.
However, our stand is as important as the counter insurgency efforts are, they must still be fought with respect to human rights.
Both senior government officials stressed that transparency, accountability, respect for human rights and the protection of civilian populations remain critical to achieving success in the fight against insurgency.
Hans Akuri News Abuja. We now take you to Nasarawa state where Abdullah Zuberu a professor of accounting and taxation at the state university kei has called for comprehensive uh comprehensive tax education to help Nigerians better understand the importance of taxation and encourage voluntary compliance.
Speaking during the university's 61st inaugural lecture in Kefi, Zoe said poor public understanding of taxation is one of the major reasons for tax compliance in the country despite several reforms.
Dawn explained that citizens are more willing to pay taxes when they understand how the system works and can see visible results through improved infrastructure, healthcare, education, and security.
Everybody should be aware of what to pay, how to pay and when to pay it. That is just a simple thing. And if that is not on ground, the system of payment of tax will be coercive instead of voluntary compliance now becomes cohive because you people have to be forced to pay. The professor also warned that Nigeria's heavy reliance on oil and gas revenue exposes the country to economic shocks and revenue shortfalls.
>> But there is a social contract between the government and the government. So that if there is a dashboard to show collections periodically by the government and what such collections are tied to everybody free normal isn't it?
So we don't have any problem. It therefore proposed an ambitious tax reforms framework focused on transparency, accountability, stakeholders inclusion, institutional coordination, rule of law and adaptable learning to strengthen the nation's tax system and support long-term development shaka news.
>> If you're just joining us, this is Abuja report on AIT reaching you live from our hill studios here in Aokuro. Here's a reminder of our top stories.
Tensions mount in Nasarawa state following allegations of electoral fraud in APC governorship primary.
Awareness on hypertention other non-communicable diseases takes center stage in Abuja as federal ministry of health commemorates 2026 World Hypertension Day.
Women rights advocates distribute salon guide to imams to promote rights of women and girls in Islam.
Now to some health matters. Awareness on hypertension and non-communicable diseases took center stage in Abuja as the federal ministry of health and social welfare alongside stakeholders organized a road walk to commemorate World Hypertension Day 2026. Health experts say despite the growing prevalence of hypertension in Nigeria, only a small percentage of the population knows their status and under goes regular medical checkups. Our health correspondent Oinkqua about one in every three Nigerians is living with hypertension, making it one of the country's leading public health concerns. Statistics show that between 17 and 35% of people living with hypertension are aware of their condition. Even among those receiving treatment, only about 15% maintain regular blood pressure monitoring and control. Experts say a poor level of awareness and management has continued to contribute to rising cases of complications and death linked to the disease. To address the challenge and encourage early detection, the federal ministry of health and social welfare in collaboration with partners organized an awareness road walk in Abuja as part of activities marking world hypertension day 2026.
>> What we are doing is to ensure that uh the community is mobilized to take their own health on their own hands. So we want people to go for screening for hypertension and even diabetes at the nearest healthcare facilities to them. So today as we work we are trying to raise awareness. We're trying to tell our children that look hypertention is there. It has a lot of serious complications and we can prevent them and then what do we need to do?
Check our blood pressure regularly.
Stakeholders at the event described hypertension as a silent killer that should never be ignored stressing the importance of routine medical checks and early treatment.
>> We have multis sectoral focal points in the various line ministry department and agency. This is to ensure robust coordination to address NCD. If we're able to spend even 10 15 minutes of work daily instead of living very sedentary lives and changing our lifestyle, it also contributes to um controlling hypertension in uh in many people. They also warned that hypertension affects people across all age groups and urged Nigerians to adopt healthier lifestyles through proper diets, regular exercise, reduce salt intake and avoidance of harmful habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
Oimp Wealth AIT News Abuja.
>> Nigeria has officially unveiled the net zero investment plan, a road map designed to turn the country's climate promises into real investment and practical solutions. The plan developed under the NDC partnership with technical support from GIS and funding from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action and Nature Conservation identifies key sectors where billions of dollars will be needed to cut emission while Boston economic growth. Our climate correspondent in Colio Modu tell us more.
For years, communities across Nigeria have felt the harsh realities of climate change. Now, the federal government says it is taking a major step towards securing a safer climate future for Nigerians.
Speakers here describe the plan as a living document that will guide investments into projects that help Nigeria adapt to climate risks while reducing carbon emissions. We have also committed to a future where renewable energy accounts for over 50% of our electric generation mix. We are targeting 95% reduction in fitive emissions from our oil and gas sector by 2050 attracting a cost for e-mobility where 30% of our vehicles will run on electricity in the coming decades. The integration of a national a national climate investments into medium and long-term planning framework is essential for mobilizing the scale of finance required to achieve our net zero ambition. Minister of budget and economic planning Abuakar Bagu stressed that achieving net zero emissions by60 will require strong partnerships between government, investors and communities.
we have those must have heavy absorptive capacity. So Nigeria uh is able to achieve or to demonstrate to the world where balance can be created.
>> Through this partnership, Germany aims to support Nigeria in strengthening policy frameworks, mobilizing investment and building the capacities needed for a secure, affordable and climate compatible energy system.
The strategy also aligns with Nigeria's commitments positioning the country as a potential climate leader on the continent.
The success of the netzero investment plan unveiled at this gathering today no doubt will depend on transparent uh financing, private sector investment participation and of course policies that ensure that communities benefit from the transition.
AIT News Abuja.
>> A guide promoting the right of women and girls in line with the Holy Quran has been distributed to imams to help educate worshippers and mocks especially across northern Nigeria. The sermon guide known as the Kotba booklet was de developed by the women rights advancement and protection alternative uh to raise awareness on the rights of women and girls in Islam. Speaking at a stakeholders engagement in Abuja, the secretary general of RW WPA Satu Sheru Ma Di said it is the work of more than a decade on research, consultations and advocacy, noting the booklet was designed to help imams educate Muslim communities on women's right as outlined in the Holy Quran while discouraging harmful cultural practices against women and girls.
This book is supposed to serve the purposes of the rights of women in Islam irrespective of their location especially in Nigeria all over Nigeria.
>> Secondly, if women are protected, if their rights rather are recognized, awarded and respected, then we will have a healthy female population.
>> Violence against women and violence against humanity is totally prohibited in Islam. There is nothing like beating in Islam. There is nothing like denial of food. There is nothing like denial of education. There's nothing like denial of economic adventures to women in Islam.
>> Holders at the event said mosques remain influential platforms for promoting justice, fairness, and protection for women and girls. They added that empowering women and protecting their rights are important to national development.
This book is trying to uh draw attention of all koffus to live in harmony to live peacefully.
Everyone, every father, every husband, every uh uncle, every daughter, every son must have to queue in and benefit in the embedded lessons in the book.
sponsor. The initiative will help bridge the gap between faith, culture, and women's rights while promoting safer and more inclusive communities. The highlight of the event was the presentation of the Kotba salmon booklet to imams for use in mocks and community engagements.
The chief of the Nava staff, Vice Admiral Ed Abbas, says Nigerans should be proud that the Navy, which began as a modest coastal policing force, has transformed into a formidable instrument for national power, regional stability, and bluewater prestige at 70. He stated this during the Jumat prayers held in Abuja as part of the activities marking the 70th anniversary celebration of the Nigerian Navy. The Nava chief said the service remains grateful to Almighty God for the journey so far despite the challenges they have continued to test this institutional institution's potential to celebrate platinum anniversary in any field whether be it someone a human being attaining the age of 70 or an entity It calls for celebration and we are doing this in grand style. We've just started first and foremost we are giving all glory and praises to almighty Allah for bringing the Navy thus far.
Our staff assured Nigerants that the service would continue to pro prioritize its constitutional mandate of defending Niger's maritime territory against external aggression.
>> They should expect a navy that will be able to carry out its constitutional mandate and I want them to be proud of their navy. It is their own navy.
The Jumat prayers were attended by dignitaries and officers of the Niger Navy who offered prayers for peace, unity and prosperity in Nigeria.
And that's Abuja report on AIT. I am I major. Thanks for staying with us.
Heat. Hey, heat. Hey, heat.
Catfish. The act of growing a diverse group of rare fin fish is popular in Nigeria.
The production of the fish for commercial purpose is a major practice by farmers as it accounts for over 80% of the country's aquaculture output with a booming domestic market as well as a strong export sales of smoked fish.
In cat feed production, feed constitute the most important cost as Nigeria still imports feed with only a few producing locally. Dizu very expensive. NEPA when they will bring their NEPA bill per per month. They are bringing 70,000 raw materials is no go area. Where are we going to get the money? Its production in recent time is becoming difficult for some smallcale farmers due to the hike in the cost of feed as a result of scarcity of raw materials and depreciation of naira against the dollar making it difficult for farmers to cope.
>> Feeds is nothing to write home about. So expensive everything has gone so high that the business is becoming so tiresome. But then as many of us that had the vision the love of it is there we will not go back after having spent so much on a cycle at the end of the day you want to sell for in somebody will come and said you want to buy a kilo for 800 NRA 815 NRA this is something you have set spent so much on if you sell it for that rate you are definitely not going to come back into the business if care is not taken.
>> The feed now is being imported and the exchange rate is affecting the importation of the the the products. The cost of fish has increased. Before now, we could buy this one for 500, but now it's 1,00 1,12 for each. So, it's apparently very high. It should be noted that some production plants and fish processing plants are practically shutting down due to scarcity of raw materials. This meal which employ over 30 young Nigerians is empty when AIT crew visited as no worker was seen.
>> There's no two ways about it. They are closing. So the people that are surviving now, people that are getting other funds from other uh businesses to agument what they are doing.
And it's because of the passion. That's why some people are still afloat. But I want to assure you, it's not as if it's I'm giving any negative prophecy. But if these things persist, a lot other farmers will go down.
>> For this catfish seller, most Nigerians instead of patronizing locally produced catfish, many prefer to buy other imported fish at exorbitant prices. In fact, catfish is very very less than titles with it. We don't even see people buying it. They say they don't want catfish because it is our product here.
We need to patrononize our Nigeria.
Whatever you do here, let's patonize it from there. You be able to grow up fish and titus fish can be brought to us here to be buying frozen. We don't know their source. We don't know whether they died and they package it. The frozen it are brought to us. People rush at them.
>> As Nigeria struggles to bridge the fish gap which is over 1.9 million tons and cost over $1.2 billion annually on importation.
Finding lasting solution to defeat.
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>> The multitude, the political figures, >> the state and non-state actors. There is a serious threat to democracy >> and our government seem to be incapable of protecting the scheming.
>> This is not a period we should say by our go every part of this country is >> the intrigues.
>> There can be no one person that is bigger than the >> deaf moves and the momentous declaration.
>> We didn't get any protection.
>> I'm not particularly I can't see anybody.
>> We track and capture them all.
>> I don't believe it but for that reason I apologize. Follow in-depth analysis and no holds barred interviews.
>> Armed forces of the country is well capable. They need the political will.
>> Are they just waking up from sleep? Is there complex?
>> Feel the pulse of happenings in the political arena on AIT Democracy Today.
Widely acclaimed authority on politics.
Monday to Friday, 700 p.m. Nigerian time.
Heat. Heat.
catfish. The act of growing a diverse group of rare fin fish is popular in Nigeria.
The production of the fish for commercial purpose is a major practice by farmers as Hello there. Let's begin on a note of enlightenment. But before then, apologies for starting a bit behind sh logistics sometimes. Never never mind.
We're here now. And what is your understanding of nominal participation of women in politics and governance? H well to us as a team on democracy today nominal participation of women represents a sort of systemic exclusion where women are included on paper to fulfill diversity checklists but are denied actual decision making power, financial backing and winnable party tickets.
Africa's largest democracy is selecting its future leaders soon. Now, the halls serving as venues for primaries are loud. Really loud. The energy is high in party secretariants, but take a deep look. In a nation of over 200 million people, half of the population is missing from the high table inside the halls. Few women are seen. In 1999, Nigeria returned to democratic rule, sparking hope for an egalitarian society. Instead, 27 years later, the trajectory reveals a grim reality.
Rather than breaking the glass ceiling, the walls are closing in. The political fortunes of Nigerian women are not just stagnating, they are actively reversing.
Now, when female representation in parliament hovers at a dismal single digit, it is not a women's issue. It is a democratic crisis. Can a nation truly prosper? Or can we talk about free participation and inclusivity when its largest demographic, including youths, is relegated to the sidelines of power?
Since Nigeria's return to democracy in 1999, women's political fortunes have followed a tragic bell curve trajectory, experiencing slow growth that peaked between 2007 and 2011, followed by a steep systemic decline. Now despite a constitutional 35% national gender policy goal, neither the legislature nor the executive cabinet has ever achieved up to par. This comprehensive data tracks the decline we are talking about across national assembly. National Assembly representation between 1999 and 2023 uh you know during the elections.
Now the Senate seats won out of 109. The house of representative seats won out of 360. Now the total legislative seats out of 469 and the percentage of federal legislature between 1999 and date till today is you have 13% 2.8 you have 3.6% you have 3.7% and on and on and on. Now, if you look at this data in the executive cabinet, the representation fluctuates heavily based on presidential discretion rather than party or structural mandates, hitting a high watermark under the Jonathan administration before dripping again. Now, look at the federal cabinet appointments with selected milestones in the executive cabinet. The representation as I mentioned fluctuates heavily based on presidential discretion rather than structural mandates and then of course as I mentioned it hit a high watermark under the Jonathan administration before dipping again in 1999.
Now initial ministerial appointments between 2007 uh with the Yoda cabinets and the ministers in 2011 the Jonathan cabinet 31.0% 0% the historical peak.
Now, President Good Luck Jonathan appointed 13 women to his 42 member cabinet, placing women in powerful portfolios like Ministry of Finance, you have Kong Wala and Ministry of Petroleum Resources, you had Dani Alis Madre. In 2015, the Bhari cabinet had 16.7% women out of 36 initial ministers. Now, in 2019, again, the Bhari cabinet had 16.3%.
Now in 2023, President Tribu's cabinet had 14.6% to as compared to 16.7%.
Now, President Tibu initially appointed seven men out of 46 ministers in 2023.
That's 15.2%. Now, following structural adjustments and subsequent cabinet reshuffles, women make up roughly well 14.6% 6% to 16.7% of the cabinet falling short of the administration's 35% campaign promise. Now, the 2023 cycle represents a near total wipe out returning women's legislative power directly back to the dismal baseline of 1999 of 3.6% versus 3.4%.
And while total political awareness and number of female aspirants have grown, structural party gatekeeping, high financial nomination barriers, and deep-seated patriarchy have effectively choked out women at the primaries.
Tonight on Democracy Today, as the party primaries heat up across the country, we part the curtain on the tokenism plaguing Nigerian politics. We shall dissect the structural barriers, the late night caucuses, and the financial hurdles driving the decline of women in governance since 1999.
My guests are ready that will dissect the mechanics behind these vanishing numbers. I will be joined by three powerful voices on the front lines of gender advocacy. The first is a fierce institutional watchdog, a leading voice in civil society who has spent several decades demanding legislative reforms as a gender activist. I'm talking about Na Obi. The next is a politician um who understands what happens behind closed doors and party caucuses. I'm talking about Ma. And finally is a politician who sees the presidency as a not an exclusive preserve of male politicians. Talking about Ruby Chin. I will also be joined hopefully by Dr. Ada ado a a house of representative aspirant you know on the platform of the newly created ND registered NDC rather Nigeria this is democracy today on AIT I am enaku a before the conversation look at this the national working committee of Nigeria's ruling all progressives congress APC has officially drawn the battle lines confirming that the APC's president primary election will hold nationwide tomorrow, Saturday, May 23, 2026. Now, in a historic shift to a grassroots democracy, the APC is bypassing delegates completely.
Instead, they're deploying a direct primary voting system across 8,89 words across the country. Every single registered APC member has the power to shape the 2027 presidential ticket.
While various state party orans previously pushed for a consensus endorsement of the incumbent president, tomorrow's ballot represents a clear choice as president Tinubu faces a lone relatively unknown but seeming resilient challenger in the person of Stanio Cifo, a businessman and an APC chieftain from a door state who successfully passed the party's rigorous screening process to force a live and interesting contest.
The APC's national secretariat waved the formal screening process for president Tinubu which his lone challenger was fully screened and cleared. According to the official guidelines released by the APC's national secretariat Philix Moa all colleated results from the 774 local government areas must be presented to the national election committee in Abuja on Sunday May 24. The party has appointed former Senate President Anaim to chair the APC's presidential primary election committee. He will work alongside veteran political figures like former Senate President Kent Namarani and former speaker of the House of Representatives Yakub Dara. The APC presidential primaries marks the final phase of the party's nationwide primary cycle directly following the just concluded legislative and governorship primaries. The high stakes governorship primary elections across the country spanned 28 states where thousands of delegates and party faithful voted to choose the standard bears for the upcoming elections. It was an intense succession battle to stripping consensus agreements and the affirmation of many incumbent governors. And as the APC gears up for his presidential primary this Saturday, the opposition camp is a volcano of activities in Nigeria's once people's democratic party the PDP. The race is some sort of a confusing maze of factional timetables with dates splitting between May 26 and May 30. The powerful group is pushing to position former president Good Luck Jonathan as a consensus savior even though the camp aligned to Yson Wiki has set dates for its own primary election. Both the Labour Party and the newly prominent Niger Democratic Congress NDC have separately fixed Friday May 29 for their primaries as the plot thickens to the NDC which has already screened Peter Albi for his primary election. The road to the January 2027 presidential election is expanding into a multi-party chess game as the African Democratic Congress ADC has settled his presidential primary for Monday May 26 where three heavyweight political figures Atiko Rotimichi uh Muhammad Hayatin are on the strip stakes for the single ticket to be followed by a special national convention on May 27th Children's Day.
You remember to formally ratify the candidate. Two candidates are currently parading the political arena as a presidential standard bearers of a falized but one solid social democratic party the SDP and the 2023 candidate at deo.
Well that's all on the presidential candidates for now. This is democracy today on AIT.
Be back in just a moment.
Get ready for a bold new chapter in political discuss this month of May. The conversations that matter most are politics and power brings context and clarity to issues and events in governance, democracy and development.
On people, politics and power, we feature people who shape the events and define the issues. A lot of the agencies are still struggling with implementation of freedom of information.
>> The government should come. We need Nigeria to work.
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and development on people, politics and power. We feature people who shape the events and define the issues.
>> A lot of the agencies are still struggling with implementation of freedom of information.
>> The government should come. We need Nigeria to work.
>> We examine the interplay and interaction of politics with power and their impact on policies and the people. is about getting the system to deliver the kind of electoral outcome that people will be happy with.
>> People, politics and power with Imoney Amare.
>> Will performing agencies be held to account or will the numbers fade after the headlines?
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This is Democracy Today on AIT.
Remember, we're discussing women and party primaries. Seats offered, voice denied. Is that what it is? We will find out on this program. My guests are already here. I am being joined by the former country director of action Nigeria and the current director uh general of the NAB center for development and OB. Thanks for joining the program tonight.
>> Thank you for having me.
>> And I also have the presidential candidates of the YPP political party.
Sorry, the presidential aspirants of the YP, the young uh uh young progressives party. Absolutely. uh talking about um uh Ruby Chin, she's right here in the studio. Thanks for joining us on the program tonight.
>> And of course, Dr. Adashier Ado, she's also an aspirant on the platform of the NDC, the House of Representatives.
Thanks for joining the program tonight.
>> Southwest coordinator movement.
>> Oh, that's that's good to know. And you know when you say that any blessed are you amongst women that's in order for our cult they are powerful fierce women on the front lines of these things we're talking about but let me begin with you it's been uh well since 1999 Nigeria's democracy became full-fledged and um Nigeria ranks among one of the countries across the world where women's voices are not as heard as much as you know it wants to be heard of 35% affirmative action and all of that it has not come to reality as yet. Now there's been a dwindling you know participation of women and you know the voices of women in the front lines of the polity in the country. What is possibly responsible for this even now? Um I I I want to thank you uh for having me and also thank you for the brief that you gave very very detailed you know down to 1960 and and thereabout to see to look at the dep the percentages which you poured out here so I don't need to overflog it we need to know that when even when we started that women fought for uh the the the um independence that Nigeria has today the big names like Gambbo Sawaba >> who were barely educated I would say because they were in standard six >> you know uh Gambos Sawaba Fumlay Ransom Kouti and Margu those three great women but we have come a long way from that you have the likes of um you know professor late professor Jad Shahandi and so many other giant women and many retired judges and so on that you can say today that is not like when we had few women who were educated. Now we have millions of women who are educated. But why are we not finding them, you know, on the ballot box? And that is why that some other clients have done taken deliberate steps to be able to bring that because you you when we talk about the special seats you know when we talk of that if you look at the the from 1999 to now the time we had the highest was during Jonathan's uh time where we had 27 you know members of the house of representative and also we had nine senators that was the highest that we have had you know so when you look at that and coming to now so we something is wrong that is widdling when in 2019 after the election and we saw the very few women that emerged we decided you know um women you know so many members of the network went to court to get a judgment on 35% affirmative action because Nigeria signed into CEDO that's the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against the Beijing platform which says 35% affirmative action and when you are looking at affirmative action we are looking at this as a corrective measure just like the federal character commission to bring in diversity Nigeria you know Nigerian women are about 50%.
So what is missing there is that you are missing the voices of your 50%. It shows that you know something is wrong. One hand cannot clap and so on the table table doesn't have one leg. So it cannot clap >> women are the other half country. what we were bringing and that's why the special seat bill trying to see and we are not saying because in in in the seventh assembly we had you know um they were saying okay can you give us one/ird of the seat let it be allocated to women and what killed the bill was who wants to lose their seat can you vote vote for it and many of them said we are not willing to do that and so we said then create extra you know additional seats that does not take this from which brought about the specialist for women just thought I'll come back to you Dr. Ad Fashia uh are political parties really serious including your own party now are they really serious about you know uh keeping the promise made to women in order not about not freezing their voices about freezing them out of the you know executive leather of things in the polity as we speak are they serious about it >> yes I would say they are serious I spoke we the national leader Dixon spoke with some of us in the okay movement We went to see him some days ago to talk about our what we intend to do in the party and um he said something he say is very passionate about women and he has girls so he's he has a source for women however we found out that despite the fact that forms have been um the prices of expression of interest has been reduced by half nomination reduced by have women do not still get into this political space. Now it's not because women don't have capacity.
Women are competent. They are capable because right from when they are young, women are multitasking. They take care of their family, their children, their husband and they still go to work. So it's it's inherent in them. I found out that we still have ingrained in the mentality of both men and women that women are not as um I don't what the word to use women are sort of being underestimated in terms of their capabilities and mental capabilities.
It's ingrained when I mean it's ingrained it's in their subconscious.
So I think that one is more of the problem which is why some women still look down on themselves that can they do it their male counterparts look down on them can they do it we have a cultural problem even though it's not obvious but people say okay it's they don't discriminate against women but just look at what happened in most of the primaries you will hear the women saying that they are pushed aside some people say okay you are a woman because you paid paid half of the the prices of the form. We we the men we paid full. So there's a lot there's still a lot going on in the mentality of our men and even the women that see themselves as not capable. Now that does not rule out the financial part. Women have a lot of financial when it comes to campaign in terms of funds release and all that.
They are still getting the short end of the stick. So it is not just enough. I'm not just talking about my party alone.
It's not just enough though my party is saying that okay they've made the it obvious for women. I'm an aspirant obviously I'm a woman but even at that I still see that many women have not come out. So it's and I realize it's not I just want to for the record it's not because women don't have capacity. Women have capacity. Women are competent and credible. In fact, women are in the better position for governance because they have been practicing administration.
>> I'm really convinced about that.
Governance and family are not really, you know, at par on the same level.
>> Yeah, there is higher in fact there's higher because the politics happen in the family.
>> If you can manage your children, manage your husband, manage your home and be successful in it, you you are managing a a nation. What is politics? People assume politics is our way of life. It's governance. So if a woman can manage this then there is no difference. The difference is that we have not yet accepted in our culture that women have capacity. Check out I watch she was saying look at the the pedigree of these women. You see that most of these women they are usually 10 times better than their counterparts before they are appreciated.
>> All right. Dr. Adashay, a member of the Nigerian Democratic Congress and the House of Representative Aspirant.
>> Southwest coordinator of the UK movement.
>> Good to know. Thank you for coming on the program. I understand you have another engagement and you need to be running. Thank you very much. I'm going to have to invite you back on the program in the coming days.
>> I'm coming I'm coming from Lagos.
>> All right. It's all right. Thank you very much for coming.
>> All right. Um Madame Ruby, you are a presidential aspirant and um to begin with it is interesting to know that Nigeria has a female presidential aspirant this time around. The last time Nigerians, you know, had a female presidential aspirant was uh when Sarah Jubil, you know, contested. We had 20.
>> We had several >> quite interesting. The most prominent one I meant to say. All right. Now looking at the historic gender bill, it sort of did not make it up to the level it was expected. What could do you think you know caused it to well not to aspire to the height it should have gone as you also expected at the national assembly >> at this time? All right. Uh thank you very much for having me. Uh basically just like two points they've you know mentioned it cuts ac across the party structure.
It cut across finances and it also cuts across cultural lines which she mentioned. You know there are several of these things that that serve as a deterrent for women who want to push in.
You you mentioned something about uh 2019. No prior to that time I think by 2020 uh two which was the last election we had a couple of women. In fact, Enoch called a meeting of all presidential aspirants and we're over 20.
>> We're over 20. Yeah, we're over 20 then.
Somewhere as as many as five in one party, four, three, just like that, >> you know, but because of the outcome, many can't even imagine. I I'm still on the same platform with some of them and you're asking why are you not there? No, no, no. I can't even attempt it. I can't even try. There are so many things.
Number one, there's a major intimidation that happens, you know, in you know, within the party politics. People just feel that, oh, you are a woman. You know, there's just that thing to say you're a woman. No, like one of the points she mentioned, you're I'm paying full for the form and then you're paying half. Automatically that's like they feel you are disabled, you know, in some form. So these are some of the major reasons why women are not really you know coming out. And then of course finances too you know is one very major thing that is you know pushing most women back. And of course when you talk about the cultural aspect some people till now no matter what you tell them they just can't get it off their mind you know to to believe that women are meant for the other room as they say.
>> Let's see how that pans out. But I mean, how do you explain for instance how that Nigeria lacks behind Sagal and Rwanda these countries use quotas you know to achieve 40% women inclusion in governance and political activities participation rather?
>> Yeah. I think before proposing the gender bills, we looked around. We didn't have to go outside the outside of the continent to see what is going on in the places like Seneagal, you know, Kenya and the couple of other places where the gender quot, you know, imputing it into their constitution by constitutional amendment, they're able to allow more women to come. when they started in Rwanda you know it was like okay give women this percentage which was put in the their you know constitution but that was to jumpst start their participation to increase their own interests so that they will start participating and that's what many of them after the first second term they threw away the the special seats okay >> and went on for full you know participation in politics and they won their elections and that's what we're talking about in the in the seventh assembly. It was because there was a competition but we said okay in the ninth assembly you know we thought the additional seats which we talked about uh that we have one extra seat >> okay >> wherever they are contesting and to put that what we having currently or let me say the proposal that went which was uh proposed by uh the the honorable Benjamin Carlo and also fully supported by the speaker of the house of representative and also you you have senator Senator Monguno who moved the the bill for gender equality you know uh in the ninth assembly still proposing the same bill and they have been going on and so you know we saw a lot of interest coming from the from the national assembly we have never had it like you have zonal you know uh hearings on the bills which included the women's bill and also the national you know uh public hearing here in Abuja which also included you you know hearing the voices of women we've never heard that and then we also you know the house of representatives that supported by the speaker speaker inaugurated a big committee you know an advocacy committee and then we provide pro provided a gender seat right at the um front of the chambers of the house of representatives and we it was like every day we became an information you know environment for them to ask questions about the bill and so on. I think in terms of moving to the level we have moved on to, we have never come disclosed. But have they voted?
They have not voted. And I think we're calling on all women of the country to know your your your representative. Ask them what they are doing about the women's bill because the bill it was supposed to be 37, you know, additional seats for Senate.
>> Yes.
>> And then 37 additional seats for um the House of Assembly. House House of Representatives, but you can see that the percentage did not match. And when we were, you know, at the constitutional the joint constitutional conference that they were doing harmonizing, you know, uh that brought it to a gentleman from the Senate and said if you want 37 for the Senate, then you need to increase the number for the House of Representatives.
>> And all of this begin from the party, >> you know. So, which would have been more ideal. But when that did not the the the House of Representatives said they were not ready for more. They then brought down the number to six I don't know how we are going to configure that that six six geopolitic you know you know Senate additional seats from six geopolitical zones. I don't know how that is possible >> even the you know the uh aspirations even begin from the political parties.
Madame Ruby, do you think that the so-called um you know free nomination forms offered by some political parties for women are some sort of ploy to further mask exclusion in the long run for women?
>> I think so. I I I I very much think so.
Reason being that uh uh if you really look at it, most of these political parties are not down with women. Let's just call a spade a spade. Most of them are not willing to give their tickets to women, you know, for reasons best known to them. Go through the internet. Just go through all the parties. We have 18 political parties. Okay. I think it's numbering 21 now. Is it 21? 22.
>> 22.
>> 22. How many females are there in any of these parties? I think for now it's just YPP myself that is a woman coming out for you know the seat of the pres of the president. How are you sure you are going to get it? If this is the status quo you see and then you still threw your hand in >> the thing is there has to be there has to be a barrier break breaking you know I don't know how to put it >> political parties need to now think outside the box look at it it's it's it's there is no equity anywhere equity in the sense that these women the same women they they number more than 50% we are saying 50% they are more if you really check it they are more than 50% of the voters us. So if you are to say, okay, let's have a women uh uh uh protest and then women are not voting, count how many men are going to be out there to vote. So I think the main problem begins from the political parties. They are not willing to get women into the ballot boxes for reasons that we we we really can't tell.
Does the culture of you know late night meetings deliberately sort of disadvantage women by any chance due to uh you know social the so-called social double standards >> you know in even in mentioning that you know when we are looking at what we are you know the cases of women when you talk of late nights you know motherhood has no timing women you know if you if you look at what women do And that add to the capacity which you know our sister was talking about earlier that many women for the first how many months after a baby is born you don't sleep. Many men will be tired they will go to sleep but a woman does not sleep. And so you cannot qualify what people do at different stages in their lives.
>> Okay?
>> You know when you are getting older of course you have more free time you know in terms of meetings >> when children have grown up. The children are growing up also you have meetings for when children also have the understanding of what you are doing.
What do you want to do for the country?
What kind of sacrifices for for some of us we have been is like while having the children they have been in need into you know we have comrades all over the house and all all of that. So when you know you know the the issue of tokenism >> is not I think uh Kofanan made a lot of mentions. He said there is not the greatest thing you can do is the empowerment of women because when you empower a woman you empower the entire community.
>> Just one thought m because another woman is right on on zoom right now. I'm talking about a pro-democracy campaigner. Thanks for joining the program tonight. Uh you see is is the mandatory uh or rather let me let me ask you this first. What role has religious uh leaders and traditional leaders alike in the country played? right in redefining the uh perception that leadership roles and you know participation in politics and governance is exclusively an exclusive preserve of men. Has there been any you know positive intervention by these institutions at all?
>> Okay. Thank you for having me and thank you for sending the uh link the zoom link very late. I was actually sleeping when you called me and it takes me time to wake up from my sleep actually. Okay.
I actually think that the major problem we have is the states in the leadership. There's no political will to ensure the inclusion of women and other disadvantaged groups with disability. There's no political will.
And when I watched the last week when I watched um APC guy talking about the nobody dash power and I feel very sad because uh women are asking for voters to have bridge the historical exclusion of this important sector of the society. They over half members of the society family to address the issue of exclusion, historical exclusion. And you will come and be talking about nobody that is power. And because nobody is interested in governance is not interested in the wellbeing of the society, interested in a governance that works. I think they interested apart from they want to go and be doing corion and the courtism there interested in the governor that works governors that works. We have examples when women make great changes during passenger government even Jonathan they brought sanity and they due process to governance and make governance work and also paid our overboarding debts make sure they those debt were paid. They did great things Jonathan government and you can see under Jonathan government that have the 27 women representing women community in the federal house of representatives.
But now we have lost all those things because there are people in government now are not interested in governance.
They are not interested in development.
They are not interested in a society that works. Only interest is to see money, more money, more money and like nobody is carrying money beyond here. We are going to go empty as we came. That's one thing they do not understand.
>> All right. But if you interested in the Nigerian government that works, >> okay, >> you would have you would have ensured that women are included even with the B region and the traditional ruling institutions that you have mentioned.
They are suffering under the the bad under the yoke of these bad governments.
Nobody respects them anymore. They said when they want to go and regulations, they carry money. They suddenly remember them to carry money. So after leaving elections they they will cry for them and them.
>> Give me give give me give give me a moment >> remembers them. That's why >> just a moment I know that >> the leadership of current administration look into their face.
>> I know that you are a live cannon when it comes to this issue. So you have to hold on a bit. Let's get back to the studio. I'll come back to you in just a moment. Uh, Madame Ruby, >> yeah, >> you are contesting for the office of the commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the world's most populous black nation.
>> Remember that this is a country that has never had a female governor, uh, female senate president, female speaker. Yes, at one point, but it was shortlived. Is it just to break the glass or your aspiration is genuinely seeking that office so that you know as you mentioned earlier to break the jinx and then actually get into leadership and change the status quo?
>> Yes, thank you very much for that question because it gives me a very good room to express myself to Nigerians and let them let them know it's time for the woman. Like we said, it's woman o'lock.
You know, my my message has been anywhere you see a woman in a ballot on the ballot, be it APC, PDP, whatever party, YPP, please vote the woman.
Reason being that women are lifegivers.
We cannot overflow that women bring they bring real life to any place.
>> All right.
>> When you talk about a nation that has excluded the women, check what is happening in Nigeria. Nigeria is in a mess right now. How can you imagine four women alone in the entire place representing women representing whatever community? These men are not saying anything. The truth is that the men have failed us. And if we would just I don't want to use the word give the women a chance. If we are if I am in the ballot I am winning.
>> All right.
>> That is the truth. I'm not here to make name. If I want to make name I have other means of making my name. But if I'm if if if I'm coming out I've cited issues which I know I have capacity to solve and not just me backed up with so many other women that want to be on that ballot to get into into government. And by the time we do, I know that the the the the change is going to really happen.
>> It's definitely getting more interesting. Madame, I know you like the the atmosphere of the participation of women in political spheres, but look at this now. Do you think a mandatory constitutional uh quarter system like you know for is the only emergency fix right for women representation in Nigeria's polity and governance? as we move along in our democracy.
>> You know the the special seats bill has a sunset clause and that is that it will be open for about 16 years and then you review when there is something going on that is wrong. You do some shock interventions to be able to jumpstart and create a normaly and so the bill is meant to create that to bring that shock. You don't have affirmative action. For example, we won, I think it was 2022 that uh okay, it was uh 2020 after going through what we had in 2019. We decided to go to court on affirmative action and we won against the federal government.
But the thing is that women have not we have not been suing the federal government and I think it's about time suing enough.
>> We we are we have not even started suing and we need to start that. It's important to build the women agency because they are taking us for granted.
You can't create, we don't want to create a society where you start treating men differently. The Petraala nature of our society subjugates women.
Whether is the Muslim religion or the Christian religion, they subjugate women because it's convenient when you talk of power. But a woman who is able to nurture life, you know, into the environment because we are saying this is look at chok >> many of them are still in captivity. Who is talking about them? Who will talk for women? In 14 houses of assembly, there's not a single woman and they have women committee and the chair by men and men by men. What we have is male parliament.
So when there are issues of gender responsive public service, who is who will table it?
>> We're going to have to have this discussion again because our time has already been spent. Ma, I know you have been waiting, but unfortunately today is not the day we have enough time for you.
Many thanks indeed for joining the program tonight. In just a few seconds, where do we go from here?
Um actually considering the court judgment yesterday we actually we try to reach out to the chair of the Labor party asking women to come and take forms and register and update their register they have submitted and contest and win elections.
We are no longer keeping quiet like a said we are taking over the space. Thank you. Have a great night rest.
>> Pas joined us via Zoom. Thank you very much for joining the program tonight.
You are going to have to come back in the studio this time around. The last two two encounters we had it was on Zoom. You have to come to the studio next time around. Thank you very much.
And of course, Naob is the uh well, he's from NOB Center for Development. I'm still waiting for my invitation to come say hello to that place. And of course, Madame Ruby Cha is the YPP presidential aspirant for the 2027 presidential election. Many thanks for joining the program tonight.
>> Thank you.
>> I'm looking forward to seeing you ladies one more time.
>> Yeah, thank you.
>> That's our show for today. Don't forget you can follow us on all social media handles. You can also find me on all social media handles. I'll see you again tomorrow. I am Enaku.
Bye for now.
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The issues as they break the multitude, the political figures, >> the state and non-state actors is a serious threat to democracy >> and our government seem to be incapable of protecting >> the scheming.
>> This is not a period we should go. Every part of this country is >> the intrigues.
>> There can be no one person that is bigger than the party.
>> Deft moves and the momentous declaration. They didn't get any protection.
>> I'm not particularly I can't see anybody.
>> We track and capture them all.
>> I don't believe it but for that reason politics >> follow in-depth analysis and no holds barred interviews.
>> Armed forces of the country is well capable. They need the political will.
>> Are they just waking up from sleep? Is there complacency?
>> Feel the pulse of happenings in the political arena on AIT Democracy Today.
widely acclaimed authority on politics.
Monday to Friday, 700 p.m. Nigerian time.
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Catfish. The act of growing a diverse group of rafin fish is popular in Nigeria.
The production of the fish for commercial purpose is a major practice by farmers as it accounts for over 80% of the country's aquaculture output with a booming domestic market as well as a strong export sales of smoked fish.
In cat feed production, feed constitute the most important cost as Nigeria still imports feed with only a few producing locally. Du very expensive. NEPA when they will bring their NEPA bill per per month they are bringing 70,000 raw materials is no go area. Where are we going to get the money? Its production in recent time is becoming difficult for some smallcale farmers due to the hike in the cost of feed as a result of scarcity of raw materials and depreciation of naira against the dollar making it difficult for farmers to cope.
>> Feeds is nothing to write home about. So expensive everything has gone so high that the business is becoming so tiresome. But then as many of us that had the vision the love of it is there we will not go back after having spent so much on a cycle at the end of the day you want to sell for in somebody will come and said you want to buy a kilo for 800 NRA 815 NRA this is something you have set spent so much on if you sell it for that rate you are definitely not going to come back into the business if care is not taken.
>> The feed now is being imported and the exchange rate is affecting the importation of the the the products. The cost of fish has increased. Before now, we could buy this one for 500, but now it's 1,00 1,12 for each. So, it's apparently very high. It should be noted that some production plants and fish processing plants are practically shutting down due to scarcity of raw materials. This meal which employ over 30 young Nigerians is empty when AIT crew visited as no worker was seen.
>> There's no two ways about it. They are closing. So the people that are surviving now, people that are getting other funds from other uh businesses to agument what they are doing.
And it's because of the passion. That's why some people are still afloat.
better.
Labour Party screens President Senatorial Aspirants for the 2027 general elections.
OA police command dismisses reports of rescue of the abducted students and teachers.
An international trade union confederation ITU Africa task African leaders to end xenophobia attack and xenophobia seeks migrant workers integration.
And in business, Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, NPCL, warns against monopoly as dispute over fuel import licenses deepens.
And in sports, England world coach Thomas Tuchelle reveals 2026 FIFA World Cup squad leaves out big names.
Hello there, thanks for joining us. This is the news on AIT. I'm Hadisa Aldu.
With me is En Maru Obe.
>> Thanks for joining us. We begin the bulletin with the All Progressives Congress APC's governorship primaries across the states which went as expected with most of the sitting governors getting elected and some getting affirmation vote. Here is a compilation of the results that have been released.
In the northern part of Nigeria, Governor Abu Kifas of Taraba state has commended the coordinated and peaceful conduct of the All Progressive Congress governorship primary election on the state. Governor Keifas who is seeking another term in office cast his vote for the exercise in his hometown in Wukari local government area.
>> The people are feeling the effect of governance and they want continuity. And in Benway state, Governor Heisen Alia has been declared winner of the just concluded governorship primary election in the state. Chairman of the APC governorship primary election, Professor Muhammad Isa, who announced the result, Governor Alia pulled 367,786 votes to defeat other contestants. Uh while I first of all congratulate those who competed with me uh I want them to have a feel that uh there's no vanquish there's no victor. We're all APC members and we are all working for the progress of the people of Beno state.
I invite them to continue to join forces with me so that we would move the state forward from where we are today. While the Cano State chapter of the All Progressive Congress APC has unanimously affirmed Governor Aba as the party's sole and consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 election at the ceremony attended by National Party officials and representative of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Governor Yusi his return in 2027 will bring more meaningful development to Cano deep.
>> This is a destiny I will never ever forget in my life. I want to assure all of you that I will do everything within my capacity to move canon state forward and carry everyone along in the collective pursuit of the development of our idea state. The Niger state governor Omar Bago has been affirmed as the sole candidate for the governorship election. The declaration was made by the chairman of the APC electoral committee and returning officer Anlami Abuakaru at the party's state secretariat in Mina. A lot will have to be done to pacify to talk to the other people who lost and the machinery for reconciliation has been set up and the elders already working on it. I'll lead that team will talk to people. So Niger state is very much very very uh calm and APC is in charge and by the grace of God will deliver. Meanwhile, in the southern part of the country, Governor Sharif Abori of Delta State has emerged as the All Progressive Congress APC governorship candidate for the 2027 general election. He was commended the party's direct primary elections, stressing that the APC remain united in the state.
>> We have over 400,000 registered members of this party. So when they come and show love for the party and the candidate when they choose that candidate on the day of election they stand to defend that candidate >> and the all progressive congress in cross river state has seen a strong signal ahead of the 2027 general elections with the unanimous affirmation of Governor Basi O2 as the party's sole governorship candidate. The endorsement coming from delegates and stakeholders across the 18 local government area underscores a growing cohesion within the ruling party as national officials commend the administration's performance and political strain in the state.
>> We've laid some solid foundations for the future in terms of proper economic sustainability and independence. We believe that what they will see in the second term is manifesting and completing some of those projects which we had started.
>> While stakeholders and members of the ruling all progressive congress APC in Inugu state say the scale of project and development witness under Governor Peter's administration is the reason he stood along as a party's sole governorship aspirant for 2027. The governor was on Friday declared winner of the APC governorship primaries held across the 260 ws in the state.
>> The road ahead is not easy but it is a road we are ready to walk.
The presidential primaries of the All Progressives Congress APC will hold in 8,89 words of Nigeria and will be by direct mode. According to the statements by the National Secretary of the Party, Tar Judin Abola, results for each word comprised in each of the 774 local government will be collected by the local government collision officer. The organization of conduct of the direct primary in each of the 36 states and the FCT will be the responsibility of the state coordinator and coalition officer who shall also collate results of all the local governments in the state and present same to the presidential primary election committee. Former Senate President Pas Aim is the chairman of the presidential primary election committee.
Members of the committee are former Senate President Ken Namani, Victor Doma Eba, Otumba, Grace Lao Yukbon. Other members are former speaker of the House of Representatives Yakobara Idris and Sanos Musa. According to the National Publicity Secretary of APC, Felix Moa, the decisions were approved by the party's National Working Committee in accordance with the constitution of the party and the electoral act.
The Labour Party has expressed strong confidence in retaining its uh status as Nigeria's political thought force ahead of the 2027 general elections despite the controversies within his ranks.
Speaking to journalists during the screening of presidential and senatorial aspirants at the party's national secretariat in Abuja. The national chairman Usman said the party remains resilient and focused in building a broader political movement. Oier McB now now reports >> rose to national prominence in 2023 elections largely driven by a wave of grassroots support associated with his presidential candidate Peter Obi but with Peter Obi no longer at the forefront of the party questions have emerged about his staying power leaders however say the movement has grown beyond any single individual >> many of the support groups uh key persons in the obedient movement who believe in Labor Party. They believe in mama papa picking. They believe in the ideology of the Labor Party. And what is that ideology? Social justice, equal opportunities. So when you believe in that, it's not easy for you to leave the Labor Party for another political party.
>> Among those screamed with former minister of information, Labara Marco, who is seeking a senatorial seat, and Peter Agada, a former leader within the obedient movement. when I go to the national assembly it will offer me an opportunity you know to also contribute to national discussion and how Nigerian can return to peace and I'm calling on all politicians across board we must excuse politics of violence my team I call them hurricane and then you have a lot of obedience who like me did not move they didn't shift they stayed in the labor party some of them went into other places we're bringing them back so our movement is going to pick up again >> agada's prom minist drew particular attention. He is now positioning himself for a possible presidential run on the Labor Party platform. Oi Ehim AIT News Abuja.
The Action Democratic Congress ADC has concluded its primary elections across the three central districts of Delta State with party members describing the exercise as peaceful and transparent.
The primaries conducted through the direct voting system produced candidates for the 2027 general elections while party faithful expressed confidence in the party's chances at the polls. We have the details.
>> Across the three senatorial districts of the state which include Delta, North and Central, the Action Democratic Congress ADC conducted its primaries. The process was adjudged to be peaceful by party members. I have just concluded the primaries and everything was successful.
There was no anything of violence or fighting. It was done peacefully.
>> Tire of the youth, women and the people of data central for a good change for a vibrant young, active and proactive senator. The direct primary elections adopted by the party in the state saw the emergence of the senatorial candidate Benjamin Aru Japo unopposed at Ulu Muan Aba in Ugi South local government area.
>> Very happy, very joyful that bring a sense of unity to the party. Primary was peaceful and um we receive report from all local government jubilating shanting um as a consensus candidate. you know, we've seen videos posted on uh to us. Um it's absolutely no issue at all. Was peace very peaceful and I'm very glad the ADC have chosen me as a candidate.
>> Party members however hopeful that the party will clinch power in 2027 general elections ait news.
The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed an appeal challenging the validity of the Social Democratic Party SDP governorship primaries conducted for the forthcoming AKT state election. The appeal was filed by an SDP member fire to Babat who sought to nullify the primary election and questioned the legitimacy of the party leadership that organized the exercise.
In his judgment, a five member panel of the apex court led by justice John Okuru ruled that Babatundi lacked the legal standing to institute the case because he was not recognized as an aspirant in the primary election as defined by the electoral act. Delivering the lead judgment, justice explained that merely purchasing nomination and expression of interest forms did not automatically confer aspirant status on the appalant.
According to the courts, an individual must also undergo screening and clearance by the appropriate parties organs before being regarded as a legitimate aspirant qualified to challenge a primary election. Just further stated that once the trial court discovered it lacked jurisdiction, it ought not to have proceeded to consider other issues raised in the matter.
As a former governor of Kaduna state, Malam Naser Arafi is yet to perfect his bail conditions for his release. His party, the African Democratic Congress, ADC's leaders have been denied access to him. The opposition through its national publicity secretary Balaji Abdullah in a statement accused the independent corrupt practices and other related offenses commission ICPC of obstructing access to the detained El Rufi after a delegation comprising the party's national secretary Rahul Arbalah national publicity secretary the spokesperson and secretary of the ADC policy and manifest committee Salu Lukeman were not allowed at the commission's headquarters in Abuja. Baji explained that while they were at the premises waiting a response to the party's request, the atmosphere suddenly became noticeably tense after no fewer than three truckloads of armed police officers arrived at the facility, which created the unmistakable impression that the authorities feared the me presence of opposition leaders at the commission is capable of triggering public outrage.
While the ICPC has publicly denied these allegations and insisted that access protocols were followed, the ADC noted that the continued refusal to allow leaders of his political party to see him only deepens suspicions and raises further questions about the true nature of his detention. He therefore demanded that the ICPC immediately grant unrestricted access to El Rufi by his family, doctors, lawyers, and leaders of his political party, stressing that anything short of it will only reinforce public perception that state institutions have been weaponized against opposition voices.
The Aostate Police Command has debunked reports claiming that the abducted students, pupils, and teachers in Uria local government area have been released. The command said the victims remain in captivity as joint security teams continue intensive operations to secure their safe rescue and arrested perpetrators. Authorities urge residents to remain calm and verify information before sharing it, warning that fake news only fuels panic and diverse resources from the ongoing rescue effort. The command assure the public that verified updates will be communicated as developments unfold and advise anyone seeking information to contact the police public relations officer or the command's control room through the provided emergency lines.
And in a move aimed at strengthening Nigeria's social protection system, the European Union in collaboration with Action Aid Nigeria has launched the EU support for strengthening social protection in Nigerian project known as ASPIN. The initiative is designed to improve transparency, coordination and public trust in Nigeria's social protection framework, particularly for the poor and vulnerable population. The country director of Action Aid Nigeria described the initiative as a renewed commitment to millions of Nigerians living in poverty and exclusion, noting that the project seeks to rebuild public trust in the National Social Register while strengthening accountability within the social protection system.
>> Not just putting it and then we cannot account for it, but we actually implement it. It will go a long way in reaching the level of poverty and inequality that we see today. Beyond the 133 million persons that are living in poverty and except we have an active social protection program that can deal with those issues, we will keep having those reoccurrence of the East Spain project will deepen and depend on sustained collaboration between government development partners and local communities in ensuring that social protection interventions truly reach those most they need.
>> Building effective social protection system is one of the most powerful tools we have to eradicate poverty and also reduce inequality. Against this backdrop, the launch of this project comes at a defining moment in Nigeria development journey. It aligns seamlessly with the national priorities of strengthening social protection systems, expanding inclusion and building resilient communities.
The three-year EU funded project will be implemented across Abia Benway O and Sokoto state as well as the federal capital territory in partnership with the OKA women and children development organization.
Awareness on hypertension and other non-communicable diseases took center stage in Abuja as the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare alongside stakeholders organized a roadwork to commemorate World Hypertension Day.
Health experts say despite the growing prevalence of hypertension in Nigeria, only a small percentage of the population knows their status or underos regular medical checks. Obin Perth now reports.
According to data, about one in every three Nigerians is living with hypertension, making it one of the country's leading public health concerns. Statistics show that between 17 and 35% of people living with hypertension are aware of their condition. Even among those receiving treatment, only about 15% maintain regular blood pressure monitoring and control. To address the challenge and encourage early detection, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with partners organized an awareness road walk in Abuja as part of activities marking World Hypertension Day 2026.
>> What we are doing is to ensure that uh the community is mobilized to take their own health on their own hands. So today as we work we are trying to raise awareness. We're trying to tell Nigerians that look hypertention is there it has a lot of serious complications and we can prevent them.
>> Stakeholders at the event and described hypertension as a silent killer that should never be ignored stressing the importance of routine medical checks and early treatment.
>> We have multis sectoral focal points in the various line ministry department and agency. This is to ensure robust coordination to address NCD. If we're able to spend even 10 15 minutes of work daily instead of living very sedentary lives and changing our lifestyle >> that hypertension affects people across all age groups and urge Nigerians to adopt healthier lifestyles through proper diets, regular exercise, reduce salt intake and avoidance of harmful habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
Oimp Wealth AIT News Abuja.
>> Let's now take you to Cross River State where it has become one of the first Nigerian states in Nigeria to roll out Lena Capa, a groundbreaking twice yearly HIV prevention injection considered a major advancement in global efforts to end new HIV infections. Health authorities say the long acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis prep is expected to transform HIV prevention by improving compliance reducing stigma and expanding access to vulnerable populations at a high risk of infection.
The twice yearly HIV prevention injection leak cap was officially launched at the general hospital in Calaba with government officials, global health partners and HIV response stakeholders in attendance. Governor Basu represented by the state commissioner for health Dr. Henry Aayuk described the rollout as a major public health milestone and a reflection of the state's government's commitment to innovative healthcare delivery. He said cross river state selection among only eight states underscores growing confidence in the state HIV response structure.
>> We're not discriminating.
We have an anti you know stigma no policy in the state. So whatever is good for every member of the population is also good for the HIV population.
Stakeholders at the event called for sustained awareness campaigns, proper monitoring and responsible implementation to ensure the success of the pilot phase.
>> The game changer crossed have always been at the forefront of innovation in HIV response. From our work in question to our community outreaches, we have demonstrated that when we bring services closer, closer to people, we save lives.
>> It's been discovered that the company can give up 9% coverage in migration against HIV.
>> Health officials say the outcome of the pilot program in Crossover state and other selector states would shape Nigeria's next phase of HIV prevention strategy in MSTO. EIT News Calabar >> talking health a trending documentary online sweet poison has exposed the health and environmental consequences of excessive consumption of sugar sweetened beverages of Nigerians attracting the attention of public health abates across the country speaking at a media briefing in Lagos the abacase renewed calls for government's regulation of the food and beverage industry through a stronger tax framework in the interests of public health across Nigeria. At every occasion, sugar sweetened drinks have become woven into everyday lives or people. A trend driven deeper through aggressive marketing by the food and beverage industries. Behind this, according to some public health experts at Kappa, lies a disturbing reality of steady rise in uncommunicable diseases which the sweet poison documentary has brought to the four.
Sweet poison speaks to um the narrative of how the sugary drinks beverages deceive Nigeria to connecting the medical impacts of the use of these drinks and the need for government to act.
>> Sugar consumption should be regulated.
By time you are taking a lot of sugar can make you to become a diabetic patient. You have to decide whether you want to spend the rest of your life managing your health or your children being unwell.
>> It also reflects on the environmental dangers of plastic waste generated from the consumption of sugar sweetened drinks.
>> Packaging of food with plastic apart from the impact on environment. The chemicals that are found in these plastics are targeted at women and children. Kappa believes that a higher excise tax tied to the retail price of sugar drinks alongside proper air marking of revenue for health promotion and nutrition programs is not just sensible fiscal policy but a necessary public health intervention.
Moa News Lagos It's been 3 years since President Bolatinu was sworn in as an Andron leader. He promised to fix the economy, address rising insecurity, create jobs, and fight for the interests of citizens both home and abroad. Has President Tinu seeks reelection in 2027?
Has he delivered on his promises? And does his performance so far merit a second term? ARC News begins a special May 29 review countdown service where we interrogate the Tinu administration's deliverables across various sectors of national life. Join us on the ARC News from May 18, 2026.
Three years into the president Bolad Sinu's admin administration, questions are mounting over the transparency of Nigeria's anti-corruption war. While the government promised accountability, critics argue high-profile probes have gone completely silent due to political shielding. Is this a truly impartial fight or selective enforcement? Our correspondent Kenno Kolico reviews Tenebu's anti-corruption pledge in 2023 and how that has panned out.
>> The fight against corruption has been a selling point for Nigerian politicians, many of whom are challenged by credibility crisis themselves.
Throughout the country's history, including the period of military interrel, the dominant reason for interventions has been public sector corruption.
It was certainly no surprise that President Batinu also sang the same tune.
>> The problem though is that few believe the president could deliver on this.
culture to destroy corruption.
>> Few months into his administration, a major financial scandal broke out in the humanitarian affairs and poverty education ministry. It became the first test of President Tinu's avowed commitment against corruption.
The two principal actors involved, the then minister of humanitarian affairs, Beta Edu, and the national coordinator and chief executive officer of the National Social Investment Program Agency were suspended in January 2024.
The president then ordered an investigation by the EFCC. 2 years after the outcome and report of the investigation is unknown. The individuals also are actively back in the political arena.
So what did President Boladobu's anti-corruption war achieve? On paper, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC insists its enforcement output has risen sharply over the last 3 years. Data from the commission shows 3,175 convictions secured in 2023, peaking at an all-time high of 4,111 in 2024.
According to the House Committee on Financial Crimes, another 3,175 convictions were logged as of October 2025.
Financially, the recoveries follow a similar upward trajectory. Assets moved from over 156 billion naira and 46 million in 2023 to more than $364 billion naira and $214 million in 2024.
By September 2025, total recoveries hit 566 billion naira, $411 million, and over 1,500 forfeited properties. Yet, public perception tells a completely different story. The case of former Delta State Governor Ean Yokoa is a prime example driving public skepticism.
The EFCC questioned AOA in 2024 over the alleged diversion of state funds.
But nearly two years later, Nigerians are still asking, has he been cleared or is the case been suppressed? If the investigation is active, why the prolonged silence? Similar transparency concerns shroud the $18 billion reportedly spent on rehabilitating four state-owned refineries under the NNPC Limited. The sluggish pace of high-profile accountability leaves citizens questioning whether the anti-graft campaign is sincere or merely selective even with the ongoing high-profile prosecution of Nasio Erui and the conviction and 75 years sentence of former minister of power Saliman lead director of the center for social justice believes there is a lack of consistency in the fight against corruption. The expectation is that these cases should have been investigated.
Those who primacial evidence has been established against ar before and prosecuted and some of them jailed or whatever is the punishment.
Internationally the outlook is equally stagnant on transparency international's corruption perceptions index. Nigeria scored 25 out of 100 in 2023 ranking 145th globally. It saw a marginal crawl to 26 out of 100 in 2024, maintaining that exact same score through 2025.
This flatlining score raises a fundamental question. Do rising conviction numbers actually translate to real public confidence or do they just mask deeper institutional stagnation?
Economic analyst Umar Jakobu speaks. As we are looking at that data, you see when your recoveries are high, what that means is the your preventive mechanisms are weak, the stealing is so bad, is so high, that is why you have an increase in your recoveries, if you understand what I'm saying. Also, if you're having a lot of convictions in court, it means your preventive mechanisms.
>> The EFCC, however, pushes back against these structural criticisms. The commission maintains that it operates professionally, strictly guided by evidence, due process and the rule of law, entirely independent of political bias.
>> As Nigeria navigates this complex terrain, analysts emphasize that the true tests of the anti-corruption war will not be judged by the number of investigations opened, but by how transparently, consistently, and impassionately they are concluded.
News.
>> Amid the unfolding political developments in River State, Governor Simai Fubara has reassured residents that his administration remains committed to delivering on every promise and completing all ongoing projects across the state. The governor gave the assurance after inspecting the airport road bypass.
are they after withdrawing from the River State governorship race, Governor Simnalai Fubar is back to work and ready to concentrate his energy on delivering good governance and the promises he made to the people. In keeping with one of those promises, the governor on this wet Friday is inquiry local government area to inspect work on the airport Ibo road bypass. The project is designed to curb community blockades that have repeatedly disrupted operations at the Potak International Airport. The governor says the bypass project is a direct response to persistent protests particularly from community residents whose demonstrations including a major airport blockade over a year ago became a national embarrassment. The purpose of the bypass is uh so that the community can have this at their own way, their own entrance while the airport will remain only for a activity once these roads are completed. Moving on, the river state governor used the occasion to assure that his administration will concentrate its efforts to deliver on all the promises made to the people despite the political development that saw him withdraw from the governorship race. One thing that we have promised everyone is every good work that we have started by the special grace of God will continue and complete them. So uh we're in high spirit and like we always say rivers first.
>> Governor Simalai Fubara also called on the people to remain peaceful and unite to build a better and more prosperous river state ait news.
You're watching the news on AIT.
Business news is next.
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Welcome to business report. I am Amaka Okoro. Now the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited NPC has raised concerns over what it describes as attempt by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to dominate the country's petrol market amid an ongoing legal disput over fuel import licenses.
According to court documents, NPC argued that restricting full import licenses to auto marketers could expose Nigeria to supply shortages, price instability, and threats to national energy security. The state oil company insist that the petroleum industry act permits full importation where necessary to maintain market stability. The dispute follows a lawsuit filed by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery challenging the issuance of import licenses to NNPC and other fuel marketers. Dangote maintains that continued fuel imports undermine local refining efforts despite the refinaries production capacity. Meanwhile, industry stakeholders and fuel marketers have also opposed the move, warning that limiting import licenses could weaken competition in the downstream sector and disrupt the nation's fuel supply chain.
Now the federal government says Nigeria is ready for business and committed to strengthen economic ties with Poland as both countries move to deepen cooperation in key sectors including defense, agriculture and digital economy. Vice President Kashim Chhatima stated this during a courtesy visit by Poland's deputy prime minister and Minister of Digital Affairs Dr. Kristoff Guacoski to the presidential villa in Abuja. Vice President Kashim Sachima says the administration of President Bola Amed Tinubu has continued to unlock the vast potential of the Nigerian economy through reforms aimed at attracting investment and promoting strategic international partnerships.
>> We are open for business. Since assuming office few years ago, President Bolgo has unleashed the full potentials of the Nigerian economy.
We have liberalized the foreign exchange market.
We have withdrew all the subsidies on petroleum products. We have harmonized our tax code such that companies coming into Nigeria will not be overt taxed.
And most importantly, repartration of puppies is equally guaranteed.
On his part, Poland's deputy prime minister and minister of digital affairs express his country's readiness to expand cooperation with Nigeria, particularly in technology and innovationdriven sectors.
>> A prior Nigeria force to promote stability and development in the region.
despite numerous security and economic challenges. Now Poland and views Nigeria as a country which enormous economic, demographic and technological potential as well a natural partner for developing longterm cooperation. Pency, the vice president, distinguished senator Hashima, I just hosted the deputy prime minister and the minister of digital affairs of the republic of Poland to a very warm and constructive discussions focusing on areas of collaboration between our two countries with particular emphasis on digital economy. Our job now is to take this discussion further.
>> Meeting highlights growing bilateral interest between Nigeria and Poland as both countries explore ways to leverage their strengths to boost innovation, security, and economic development.
And now to stock report. The Nigeria exchange market rebounded from the previous day's losses, extending the last trading day of the week on a positive note. This is after recording three days of negative outings. The all share index appreciated by 0.15% to close at 249,540.75 basis points. The volume of shares traded is 610 million corresponding to a market value of 24.7 billion naira. The market capitalization now stands at 159.9 trillion naira. Leading the gainers table we have aluminium extrusion industry which gained 10% to close at 90 kbo followed by ali brrisco which gained 9.93% to close at 14 naira 60 kabble. D communications is also in the list of gainers and gained 9.47% to close at 2 naira 80 kabble. On the decliners list, we have Transnationwide Express, which declined by 9.92% to close at 5 Naira 72 Cabo among others.
The top three most active traded stocks for the day were Fidelity Bank, Access Holdings, and Mutual Benefits Assurance. In the oil market, prices gained for West Texas intimidating Brent crude as they both traded in the positive territory. And that's business report. I am Amaka Okoro. The news continues.
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African leaders must end aphroia and xenophobia to help the world's youngest continent grow its economy and governance. This was the consensus at the opening of a 3-day regional workshop on strengthening coordination and pair exchange on migrant resource centers organized by the African regional organization of the international trade union confederation ITU Africa in partnership with the ILO in Abuja >> for Hakima a Kenyan based in South Africa Paddyi a migrant worker in Denmark to Omar, a Kenyan migrant in Qatar. The stories are the same. They push for more integrated Africa and how to ensure workers migrating or returning have access to upto-date information at migrant resource centers, MRC's established either by the government or trade unions.
But I wouldn't want to call it xenophobia per se. um I would rather call it afrophobia because it's a African brother fighting uh against an African brother >> because of the aparttheite um system you didn't have other Africans coming into the country so they had no idea so the assumption I remember when I first moved there and then it was the idea if you're black you speak one of the local languages if you're white you speak should ensure the people who are supposed to be moving to those destinations are actually language and culturally ready.
>> I may come with skills at a domestic worker that are not even recognized.
What about skills recognition? And how do we move away from looking at skills as a hard part? What about soft skills that migrants bring collectively?
Because yes, I may be an economist, but I may be good at many other things that I do. With the growing number of Africans migrating across borders in search of greener pastures, the African trade union migration network at the international labor organization have called for the strengthening of migrant resource centers to improve access to information, fair recruitment, guidance, counseling for pre-eparture, repatriation and protection services for migrant workers and their families. We need to integrate more. We need to provide social protection for our people. In other words, these things that make migration a zero some game where people feel I must do it in act of desperation h and that other people are benefiting on the strength of that. M >> allows that portability of skills, portability of competencies to move around the continent as well as the African Union instruments and tools that are there to ensure that those with skills, those with experience, those with certificates in different occupations can be able to move around the continent.
>> One of the challenges is that migration is a top secret. People who decide to migrate here hide the secret. But we are trying to let them know that no to migrate better and have better working condition and decent working condition and decent life when you migrate you need to assess the migrant resource center.
>> The workshop brought together migration stakeholders from across Africa. Abulu Ou >> the 41-year-old speaker of the K state house of assembly Salu Yakubu Dan Ladi from Quaran Senatorial District has emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress APC's governorship primary election in the state announcing the result in Ilari chairman of the APC governorship primary election committee and returning officer Musulio Oanikuro declared Danladi winner after he pulled 94,99 90 votes to defeat 14 other aspirants.
According to the results, Abdul Fata Yahaya Seriki came second with 41,700 votes as Danadi secure the party's governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 general election.
Ambassador Yahaya Abdu Fatai 41,700 Honorable Yakubu Danlad Salu 94,000.
Hi, Senator Luciluan hereby pronounced right honorable as the winner in his acceptance speech. Dadi pledged continuity and sustenance of the developmental policies of incumbent governor Abdul Rahman Abdul Razak.
>> By his grace is all what we know. We are part and parcel of this administration as a speaker for almost seven years today. um inside of all the policies of Malan Abdraman Abdrazak and all I need to say is legacy continues >> has continued to generate reactions across the state following a dramatic twist within the ruling party.
>> Let's now take you to Cano State where the government has called for stronger multis sectoral collaboration to tackle malnutrition and improve food security across the state. The goal was made during the state committee on food and nutrition review meeting held in >> across many rural communities in Cano states. Access to adequate nutrition remains a major challenge for vulnerable families. Health experts say rising poverty, poor feeding practices and limited access to health care are worsening cases of malnutrition among women and children. The review meeting organized by the Cano State Ministry of Planning and Budget in collaboration with UNICEF and support by the United State government is a main strategies for addressing the growing crisis.
>> The wellbeing of women, children and population depends largely on the quality of policies.
>> Cano State Commissioner for Health Dr. Abu Bakar Yufu disclosed that more than 51% of children in Cano suffer from stunting warning that the state risk long-term social and economic consequences without urgent intervention.
>> So it means more than 50% of our future is at risk. So if we have poverty level of over 60% it means people cannot adequately feed. If they cannot adequately feed then there will be malnutrition.
>> UNICEF nutrition manager Dr. current scene described the nutrition situation as alarming.
>> The data doesn't really look good. We have more than half of our children under 5 years of age who are chronically malnourished. They are stunted and uh that shows that the levels of malnutrition in Cano amongst children is extremely high. Stakeholders at the meeting stressed that tackling nutrition requires sustained investment in healthcare, agriculture, accountability and food systems to protect vulnerable populations and improve child survival.
Maj Moses News Kaduna >> to other parts of the world now. At least 24 people, including six police officers, have been killed in two separate gun attacks along the Honduran coast, deepening concerns about organized violence and insecurity in this Central American country. Police said the attacks targeted both civilians and security officers within hours of each other.
The first attack occurred at a ranch in Trujillo where gunmen opened fire on workers, killing at least 10 people.
Authorities say the area has long been affected by land disputes and agrarian conflicts linked to valuable natural resources. In a second incident, heavily armed asalants attacked police officers traveling near the municipality of Omar close to the border. Six officers, including a senior commander, were killed during the ambush. Police said the officers had been assigned to an anti-gag operation before the attack occurred. Investigators believe organized criminal groups may have targeted the security team as violence linked to gangs and trafficking networks continue to plague the region.
Authorities also warn that the death toll from the ranch attack could rise because relatives removed some victim's body before forensic teams arrived.
Security officials have since deployed investigators, prosecutors and forensic specialists took both crime scenes.
Honduras remain one of the most violent countries in Latin America despite repeated security crackdowns. Officials say both the national police and the armed forces will reinforce operations in the affected areas as investigations continue.
You're still watching the news on it.
Coming up next is sports truck.
Welcome to sport track. Ruthless Thomas Tuchelle has left a number of highprofile names out of his England squad for the World Cup while striker Eve Antony has earned a shock recall.
Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Trent Alexander Arnold and Harry Maguire are the eye-catching names to have missed out on selection after Tuchel confirmed his 26 m squad for this summer's tournament in North America. Tuchelle personally called around 50 players on Thursday and Friday to inform them that they had not made his World Cup 26 mile squad. Foden and Palmer were the biggest names to miss out below par club seasons with Manchester City and Chelsea respectively plus a huge amount of competition in that area of the field. Real m Real Madrid right back Alexander Anald is another bold omission albeit a more predictable one having not won a cup since last summer and Pep Guardiola says Manchester City needs new energy as it brought an end to his 10-year reign as manager. The club confirmed the 55year-old's final game in Chart will be against Aston Villa on Sunday at Etihad Stadium. Gadola has led City to 17 major trophies, including six Premier League titles on a Champions League victory since he arrived a decade ago. In honor of his impact, City's newly developed north stand will be named after him and fully open to the first time in the club's final game of the season against Europa League winners Villa. A statue will also be built for Guardiola and position on the approach to the stand. Gadola will leave having led City to the FA Cup and League Cup in his final campaign. He confirmed he will take a break from coaching but that he will be begin a global ambassador role with the City Football Group.
A lot for watching.
There's Pedestrian bridges are visibly safety infrastructure constructed along highways in major cities in Nigeria.
These bridges are obviously meant to prevent avoidable deaths occasioned by pedestrians crossing the highways. The pedestrian bridge is a gerder foot bridge designed to link two points at heights above the ground. But some Nigerians, especially the oceans, prefer to dash across the busy road than to use the provided bridges.
>> The pedestrian bridge are just facilities put in place just like the zebra crossing to protect the interest of the exposed road users like the pedestrians.
It's a it's as a result of what has been happening to pedestrians where people are being killed in the are being knocked down in the course of crossing from one side of the road to the other. Why would some people prefer to engage in this suicidal act, fear of heights, insecurity, impatience among others were reasons advanced by respondents while other respondents gave their reasons. I used to talk to the federal government that they should they should do the um overhead bridge even for this side because many used to be happen here and the federal government hear our voice and they are doing the bridge for the people to use it. So I don't know why they are not using it even there's one woman now he put the baby on the in the back and starting going to to to cross the road. Some of the old men and women they find it difficult to climb the step and the staircase crossing to the other side. So they believe by crossing through the road that will be more faster. though is faster but is dangerous >> because the government did not put on an enforcement agent to look after the thing because they use a mighty money to build such a um pedestrian bridge >> to sensitization whereby we try to um tell people the reason why they should have it. I think that will work maybe because um we don't really have so um so we don't have knowledge about it. If that's the reason why we are not using the bridge, the sides of refuge dump.
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