Connect with us

Foreign News

Alia Solicits UN Support for Return of IDPs

Published

on

Share

From David Torough, Makurdi

Benue state governor,  Hyacinth Alia, has solicited the support of the United Nations, to enable his administration fight insecurity in the state and to also resettle the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) back to their ancestral homes.

The governor made the request at the Benue State government House, Makurdi, on Wednesday,  when he hosted the UN delegation led by it’s Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr.

Mathias Schmale. 

Alia, while appreciating the United Nations for it’s efforts at resolving conflicts across the World through peaceful means said, insecurity remained a threat to the government and people of Benue state, with a call on the Organization to intervene through the provision of early warning signals and preventive measures that will aide the government in that regard.

While reiterating his administration’s determination to soon resettle the internally displaced persons back to their ancestral homes, the governor said, already, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), has been directed to put in place a resettlement plan that will be submitted to UN for support. 

The governor further requested the UN to make Benue State it’s hub, calling for more support from the Organization in the areas of healthcare delivery and training of medical personnel in the state; provision of modern agriculture inputs and machineries to enable Benue return on the map as the food basket of the nation, as well as the empowerment of women in the state with relevant skills that will enable them become self reliant. 

In his speech, leader of the delegation and the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Mathias Schmale, said they were in the state to partner with the government, to enable it achieve more for the people of the state. 

He charged the government to outline it’s development agenda for the United Nations to intervene, stating that since the organization was good at conflict resolutions, it could equally trace the root causes of the herder-farmer clashes and bring about lasting solutions, as well as provide immediate humanitarian needs for the IDPs, while also looking at ways of returning them to their ancestral homes.

Schmale equally urged the people of  the State, whom he said, have high expectations on governor Alia for a quick turnaround, to give the governor more time, emphasizing that the governor was not a supernatural being after all.

Highlights of the occasion was the presentation of the policy document of the Alia- led administration to the UN delegation and the decoration of the governor by the UN team.

Foreign News

CAF Sanctions Kenya Again over Crowd Trouble

Published

on

Share

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has sanctioned African Nations Championship (CHAN) co-host, Kenya, for the second time in as many weeks over security breaches.

In a statement made available on Monday evening, the continental governing body said that it has limited entry to the 48,000-seat Moi International Sports Centre.

It also said that, known as Kasarani Stadium, can accommodate 27,000 fans for Sunday’s Group A match between Kenya and Zambia.

CAF said only electronic ticket holders would be allowed into the stadium, with thermal tickets prohibited.

The governing body warned that Kenya’s matches could be relocated from Kasarani Stadium if organisers fail to prevent further breaches.

“We trust these measures will be applied swiftly to protect competition’s integrity, ensure fan safety, and uphold confidence in Kenya’s commitment to the tournament,” CAF said.

The sanctions follow incidents on Aug. 10 when Kenya defeated two-time winner Morocco 1-0 in spite of playing the entire second half with 10 men.

The win put Kenya top of Group A with seven points.

The debutants would reach the quarterfinals with at least a draw against winless Zambia.

Last week, Kenya’s football federation was fined nearly 20,000 U.S. dollars for security lapses during the team’s 1-0 win over DR Congo in the tournament opener on Aug. 3.

In the latest case, CAF cited major lapses, including stadium gates and restricted service areas being overrun by ticketless spectators and holders of government-distributed physical tickets.

It also accused security personnel of losing control at exit points and allowing breaches of the perimeter fence that enabled thousands of ticketless fans to enter.

CAF had expressed alarm over the use of tear gas and flash grenades, reports of live ammunition fired near spectators and staff, and violent incidents such as stone-throwing at security personnel.

It also cited unsafe vehicle movement in spectator areas, inadequate police response, and the lack of medical incident reports in spite of injuries being reported.

Organisers were further criticised for insufficient communication tools and the absence of CCTV coverage at critical entry points.

Continue Reading

Foreign News

Madonna Urges Pope Leo to Visit Gaza

Published

on

Share

Pop icon Madonna has made an appeal to Pope Leo XIV, urging him to visit the blockaded Gaza Strip amid a starvation crisis that has sparked international outrage.

“You are the only one of us that cannot be denied entry,” the U.S. singer wrote on social media platform X late on Monday.

“We need the humanitarian gates to be fully opened to save these innocent children.

“There is no more time,” she added.

Marking the 25th birthday of her son Rocco Ritchie on Monday, Madonna also announced plans to donate to humanitarian organisations working in Gaza.

“I feel the best gift I can give to him as a Mother is to ask everyone to do what they can to help save the innocent children caught in the crossfire in Gaza,” she wrote.

A United Nations (UN) agency said late last week that “acute malnutrition among children in Gaza has reached the highest levels.”

In July alone, nearly 12,000 children lower than five in age were identified as acutely malnourished, with another 2,500 found to suffer from severe acute malnutrition.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), this is the most life-threatening form.

Israel controls access roads to Gaza and has sealed off the coastal area.

Very little aid got into Gaza from March through May, when Israel began allowing in deliveries using a controversial private system that bypasses traditional UN agencies.

Under pressure from allies, Israel recently began permitting larger convoys into the territory, as aid airdrops take place overhead.

On Sunday, Irish rock band U2 issued a stinging critique of the Israeli government’s actions.

“We know Hamas are using starvation as a weapon in the war, but now so too is Israel and I feel revulsion for the moral failure,” frontman Bono wrote.

Continue Reading

Foreign News

Putin Bans Foreign-made Clothing for Russian Army From 2026

Published

on

Share

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Monday banning the procurement of foreign-made clothing and related gear for the country’s armed forces starting in 2026.

According to the decree, from Jan. 1, 2026, all uniforms and other clothing items for the Russian Armed Forces must be produced by Russian companies whose manufacturing facilities are located within the country.

By 2027, the requirement would extend to fabrics and knitted materials used in production, which must be domestically manufactured.

The measure aims to entirely exclude the purchase of foreign-made clothing and materials for the needs of the military, the decree said.

Military clothing and gear include uniforms, insignia, underwear, bedding, special clothing, footwear, equipment, and sanitary items.

Such supplies are procured through the Russian state defence order system.

Continue Reading

Advertisement

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

NEWS39 minutes ago

ASUP Issues 21 Days Ultimatum to FG Over Lingering Demands

Share The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to meet its...

NEWS44 minutes ago

Army Confirm Explosion, Fire at Barracks in Ogun

ShareThe Nigerian Army has confirmed a minor explosion and fire outbreak in the early hours of Thursday at Ilese Barracks,...

NEWS50 minutes ago

Nigeria Rescues 11 Stranded Miners From CAR

ShareThe National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigeria’s embassy in Bangui, has...

NEWS56 minutes ago

FIRS unveils 16 certified tech firms for e-invoicing rollout

ShareBy Tony Obiechina Abuja The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has unveiled 16 technology companies certified to assist taxpayers in...

NEWS58 minutes ago

AfDB Commits $40m to boost Africa’s green infrastructure

ShareBy Tony Obiechina Abuja The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has announced $40m in blended capital to the Alliance for...

NEWS1 hour ago

MESG Champions Catalytic Capital to Transform Nigeria’s Healthcare System

ShareBy Sheriff Aderibigbe On Thursday, 14th August 2025, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), through its Health Policy Commission, convened...

NEWS1 hour ago

Tinubu’s Record 40th International Trip in 26 Months Disturbing, Says ADC

ShareBy Mike Odiakose, Abuja Opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as...

NEWS1 hour ago

Ward-based development plan will ensure reform benefits reach the people – Bagudu

ShareBy Tony Obiechina Abuja Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu on Thursday explained that the Renewed Hope...

Tin Can Port Tin Can Port
NEWS1 hour ago

Cross River, NPA Partner to Revamp Calabar Port

ShareBy Ene Asuquo, Calabar Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has pledged his administration’s full collaboration with the Nigerian...

NEWS1 hour ago

Benue deputy speaker spends N80 million for free medical outreach on constituents

ShareFrom Attah Ede, Makurdi Deputy Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly and member representing Ado State Constituency, Chief Lami Danladi...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc