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Mauritius is Africa’s Most Peaceful Country; Iceland ranks first globally

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Mauritius has been ranked in the top 20 of the world’s most peaceful countries in the 2018 Global Peace Index (GPI). In the 12th edition of the Index, Mauritius was ranked number 20 out of 163 countries. On the continent Botswana came second, and ranked 29 globally. Sierra Leone was ranked (35), Madagascar (38), Ghana (41), Namibia (43), Malawi (44), and Zambia (48) respectively on the Global Index.

Free from internal and external conflict, Mauritius and Botswana are indeed a model for peace and stability.

Of the five countries with the largest improvements in peace, four are from sub-Saharan Africa, including the Gambia and Liberia, which had the largest overall improvements in peacefulness.

According to the index, the single largest country improvement occurred in The Gambia, “where improvements in political instability, perceptions of criminality, and relations with neighbouring countries saw it improve 35 places in the rankings, moving up to76th”. “The election of the new president Adama Barrow lay behind the improvements in political stability and the Gambia’s relations with neighbouring countries”.

Liberia had the second largest overall improvement in peace of any country, moving up 27 places in the rankings.

Iceland was ranked as the world’s most peaceful country, a position it has held since 2008 joined at the top of the index by New Zealand, Austria, Portugal, and Denmark. Syria was ranked as the world’s least peaceful country, followed from the bottom by South Sudan, Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia.

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Namibia govt condemns tourists posing naked on Big Daddy Dune

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The Namibian authorities have frowned at tourists who posed naked at the Big Daddy Dune, the country’s top tourist attraction located in the Namibian desert.

Reports in the country’s media say locals were shocked to sight the tourists posing naked on the Dune during a safari and have demanded for action against them from authorities.

According to local media, actions that could be taken against the tourists include being blacklisted from entering any of Namibia’s parks.

A spokesperson from the country’s Tourism Ministry told local media that photos and a video from of the naked tourists have been widely shared, sparking sharp reactions.

Vice Chairperson of the Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations, Kenneth Nependa, who condemned the act, told journalists that the behaviour risked attracting tourists “who think anything goes in Namibia.”

“It is very sickening and it really creates a bad image for Namibia,” Nependa said, adding that the Big Daddy Dune was not just a relaxing place for tourists but for families too.

Though it is not clear who took the photos and the video of the three male tourists who were seen stark naked in the sandy dune, next to their clothes, authorities say a stern action will be taken against them.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Romeo Muyunda, described the behaviour as “extremely shocking,” saying it was public indecency punishable by Namibian law.

“We appeal to that section of tourists to summon the conscience so that they do the right things,” Muyunda said.

He appealed to Namibians to report violations of park regulations immediately for swift action.

The Big Daddy dune is one of the three largest dunes in Namibia’s enormous Namib-Naukluft National Park, one of the largest in the world and are popular with tourists who hike to the top to have a stunning view across the crests.

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Nollywood thrown into mourning as another veteran actor Zulu Adigwe passes on

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The Nigerian movie industry, popularly known as Nollywood, has once again been thrown into mourning with the death of veteran actor, Zulu Adigwe, who passed away on Tuesday night.

Adigwe’s death has brought the number Nigerian actors who have died in 2024 to seven, which has made Nigerians and movie practitioners wonder why the sudden rash of deaths in the industry.

Fondly called Pa Zulu, Adigwe earned fame for his paternal roles in Nollywood movies and came into limelight in the 1980s sitcom, “Basi and Company” where he acted the role of “Mr. B.”

Adigwe also featured in the 2019 blockbuster ‘Living in Bondage’ and ‘Breaking Free’ among hundreds of movies where he became know for often portraying wicked uncles as well as native doctors.

In just four months gone in 2024, the Nigerian movie industry has been hit with spate of deaths of prominent and budding actors.

The first death of the year was recorded on January 4 when veteran Yoruba actor, Deji Aderemi, popularly known as Olofa Ina, died at the age of 73, of cancer related complications.

A month later, veteran actress, Ethel Ekpe, also passed on February 7 after a long battle with cancer.

On March 1, budding Yoruba Nollywood actor, Tolani Quadri Oyebamiji, popularly known as Sisi Quadri also died at the age of 44.

The following day, the industry was again hit with the news of the passing of comic actor, John Okafor, who was better known as Mr Ibu, who died at the age of 62.

Three weeks after the demise of Mr. Ibu, another veteran actor, Amaechi Muonagor was also snatched by the cold hands of death on March 24, after battling kidney disease for a long time.

On April 7, another young Nollywood actress, Adejumoke Oreoluwa Aderounmu, popularly known for her role as ‘Esther’ in popular TV series, Jenifa’s Diary, died also passed on.

On Wednesday, April 10th, three days after the death of Adejumoke, the movie industry was once again, thrown into mourning with the untimely passing of Junior Pope Odonwodo who was popularly known as Junior Pope, who drowned while filming a scene on the River Niger in Delta State.

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