As we wrap up the week, here are the top stories from Africa. Protests against bad governance have erupted in Nigeria under the #EndBadGovernance banner.
Veteran singer and songwriter Onyeka Onwenu has passed away at the age of 72, Eliud Kipchoge is aiming for a record third Olympic gold in Paris, and Jacob Zuma has been expelled from the ANC.
Check out all the top stories below:
#ENDBADGOVERNANCE: PROTESTS BEGIN IN NIGERIA
As reported last week, protests are now underway in Nigeria, with thousands taking to the streets to express frustration over the country’s economic conditions, under the tag #EndBadGovernance.
The organizers are demanding several changes, including a reversal of the fuel price hike, restoration of affordable electricity tariffs, reduction of import duties, and reversal of recent increases in tertiary education fees. They are also calling for full transparency and accountability in governance, disclosure and reduction of public officials’ salaries and allowances, and the establishment of an emergency fund to support SMEs.
The protest, which started today and is set to continue until August 10, has drawn claims from the State Security Service (SSS) that it aims to undermine the government and create chaos, while the Nigerian Army has pledged to take proactive steps to maintain order.
VETERAN SINGER, SONGWRITER ONYEKA ONWENU DIES AT 72
Veteran Nigerian singer, songwriter, and actress, Ms Onyeka Onwenu has passed away at the age of 72.
According to reports, the legendary singer passed away on Tuesday night following her performance at an event in Banana Island, Lagos.
Onwenu reportedly collapsed after performing at the birthday celebration of Stella Okoli, the owner of Emzor Pharmaceuticals, and she was later confirmed dead at a hospital in Victoria Island.
Born in 1952 in Obosi, Anambra State, Nigeria, Onyeka Onwenu started her music career in the 1980s, releasing her first album, “For the Love of You,” in 1981, followed by many albums and singles, including the popular song “One Love.”
Onwenu has acted in various Nollywood films and received multiple awards for her significant contributions to music and film, earning recognition as a pioneer of Nigerian music.
Tributes from celebrities, politicians, and fans have been pouring in.
NEW RAILWAY TO CONNECT MOZAMBIQUE, ZIMBABWE, AND BOTSWANA
Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Mozambique have signed a historic agreement to develop the Techobanine deep-water port in Mozambique’s Matutuine District and the Limpopo railway line.
This deal was signed during a tripartite summit in Maputo by Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana, and Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique.
This deal will see the construction of a deep-water port of over 13,000 hectares and a 1200 km-long railway line connecting Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Mozambique.
The project, estimated at $1.5 billion, is expected to boost cargo handling capacity in the three countries, with the African Development Bank providing $3 to $4 million for a feasibility study.
HEAVY RAINFALL & FLOODS TO HIT SOME PARTS OF AFRICA
Heavy rainfall leading to floods is expected in parts of central, eastern, and western Sudan; central and southern South Sudan; Eritrea; northern and northeastern Ethiopia; Djibouti; northern Uganda; and western Kenya, according to the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Center (ICPAC).
These countries in the Horn of Africa are set to experience unusual weather patterns in the coming week.
“Communities in the areas at risk are advised to exercise caution during this period,” ICPAC said.
Meanwhile, below-average rainfall is anticipated in parts of eastern and western South Sudan, southwestern Sudan, and some areas in central and western Ethiopia.
The agency warned of increased heat stress and high temperatures above 32 degrees Celsius in northern Sudan, northeastern Ethiopia, and coastal areas of Eritrea, Djibouti, and Sudan.
MTN NIGERIA SUFFERS R5.7BN LOSS AMID ECONOMIC CRISIS
MTN Nigeria reported a significant after-tax loss of ₦ billion in the first half of 2024, primarily due to tough economic conditions in the country.
On Wednesday, the company announced a loss after tax of ₦519.1 billion for the six months ending in June 2024, compared to a restated loss of 85.6 billion naira from the previous year.
Most of the losses stem from the increased costs of USD obligations, including leases and financing, due to the naira’s depreciation from ₦907 in December 2023 to ₦1,505 in June 2024, which has worsened currency volatility.
LAGOS PLANS TO TAX FREELANCERS, INFLUENCERS TO GENERATE N200BN ANNUALLY
The Lagos state government plans to tax freelancers and influencers to generate N200 billion each year.
Through this initiative, the Lagos State government seeks to expand its income tax base by including freelancers, influencers, and others involved in the digital economy.
Additionally, this initiative is part of a larger plan to increase the state’s internal revenue to N5 trillion, which will be addressed at the upcoming ‘EKO Revenue Plus Summit’ on September 25 and 26, 2024.
A central part of this plan is to implement a global digital citizen tax management system in Lagos State, focusing on remote workers, freelancers, gig workers, influencers, and those in the shared economy.
The government plans to raise N200 billion each year from around two million people in Lagos’s digital economy, which is valued at $20 to $25 billion and makes up about 10% of the state’s GDP.
KIPCHOGE EYES RECORD 3RD OLYMPIC GOLD IN PARIS
Eliud Kipchoge will look to win his third straight Olympic gold medal
Athletics Kenya announced the six-person marathon team for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, including Eliud Kipchoge.
Eliud Kipchoge and Peres Jepchirchir will be on a mission to defend their gold medals in the upcoming marathon.
Kipchoge heads the men’s team with London Marathon winner Alexander Munyao and Tokyo Marathon champion Benson Kipruto, while Jepchirchir is joined by two-time Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri and former world record holder Brigid Kosgei.
Kipchoge’s longstanding rival, Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele, will return to Paris 2024 to join the same men’s marathon.
Saturday 10 August
- Event: Men’s Marathon
- Time: 8:00 AM CEST
- Event: Men’s 5000m Final
- Time: 9:47 PM
Saturday 11 August
- Event: Women’s Marathon
- Time: 8:00 AM CEST
JACOB ZUMA EXPELLED FROM ANC
Former South African president Jacob Zuma was expelled by the African National Congress on Monday after forming the uMkhonto WeSizwe Party, which contested the recent elections.
Despite leading the MK Party, now South Africa’s official opposition, and denouncing the ANC, Zuma insists he is still an ANC member.
His expulsion followed a disciplinary hearing last week after his membership had already been suspended by the ANC in January.
The ANC says Zuma compromised the integrity of the movement by leading the MK Party, which now holds 85 seats in South Africa’s parliament.
“Former president Jacob Zuma has actively impugned the integrity of the ANC and campaigned to dislodge the ANC from power, while claiming that he had not severed his membership,” the ANC said in a statement Monday.
GUNMEN KILL 5 AT NIGERIA SECURITY CHECKPOINT
Nigerian police announced Tuesday that they are searching for a group of gunmen who reportedly shot at a security checkpoint in Imo state, killing five people, including four police officers, late Monday.
During the shooting at the checkpoint in Irete, a trader was also killed, this is according to Henry Okoye, a police spokesman in Imo, who spoke to Xinhua on Tuesday.
Police blamed the banned Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network, a militant group in southeastern Nigeria, for orchestrating the attack.
CONGO: AT LEAST 40 DEAD IN BOAT CAPSIZING
At least 40 people died when a boat capsized on the Congo River near Kindu in the DRC on Sunday evening, according to local reports.
40 bodies were found after a boat carrying around 50 passengers capsized under unclear circumstances.
On Tuesday, Governor Mussa Kabwankubi announced three days of mourning and vowed to investigate the tragedy.
KANO TO HOLD LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS NOVEMBER 30
The Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KASIEC) has confirmed that local government elections are scheduled for November 30, 2024.
Professor Sani Malunfashi announced this news in Kano on Wednesday and additionally stated that all candidates must complete mandatory drug tests before being approved to run.
The electoral body has provided a timeline for the elections:
- November 15, 2024: Notification of the election will be issued.
- October 1 to October 11, 2024: Nomination forms will be available.
- October 18, 2024: Submission of nomination forms is due.
- October 18 to October 20, 2024: Screening of candidates will take place.
- October 24, 2024: The list of eligible candidates will be released.
“We plan to release the results of the winners by December 10, 2024. This announcement is made under Section 103, Subsections 3 and 1 of the Electoral Act and the powers conferred on the Commission under Paragraph 3(4) of Part II, Third Schedule, Section 3(1) of the Kano Local Government Law 2004,” Malumfashi said.
GHANA TO OPEN 6 NEW UNIVERSITIES THIS YEAR
Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, announced plans to expand the tertiary school system with six universities set to open by the end of the year. He added that some construction is complete, and the bills are in parliament for the select committee on education to review.
He made this announcement on Tuesday, July 30th, during an address on the state of education in Ghana at the Conference Center.
“When this is done, we can get the ACT that will establish them. We will begin with the University of Engineering and Applied sciences at Adrokie in Ahafo, University of Engineering, Agricultural Science at Bunso, University of Health, Agricultural and Life Sciences at Kintampo, University of Mampong in Ashanti region and then the Local Governance and Leadership University and then the University for Sports Development is also coming”.
TEMS POSTPONES RELEASE OF MUSIC VIDEO AMID #ENDBADGOVERNANCE PROTESTS
Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems has postponed her music video release scheduled for August 2, 2024, to honor the protests in Nigeria.
Thousands of people continue their strike under the hashtag #EndBadGovernance, expressing frustration over the country’s economic conditions.
In a tweet on her X page, the singer prayed for the safety of the protesters.
”Out of respect for the on going protest at home, I have decided to postpone the release of Burning music video. Praying for the safety of those outside at this time. May the voice of the people be heard” Tems wrote.
Out of respect for the on going protest at home🇳🇬, I have decided to postpone the release of Burning music video. Praying for the safety of those outside at this time.
May the voice of the people be heard🕊️💖— TEMS (@temsbaby) August 1, 2024
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