Metro

Families gather to identify deceased after deadly protest in Sierra Leone

Published

2 years ago

August 23, 2022

Following the deadly protest in Sierra Leone, the families of the deceased in protests against the spiraling cost of living are at a morgue to identify their loved ones.

The families gathered in small groups in Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown on Monday outside the Connaught Hospital, where officials said the remains of 31 people were waiting to be identified.

One of the families, Hawa Kamara said she had come from Makeni, around 200 kilometres (120 miles) northeast of the capital, “to identify the corpse of my brother who… was killed on his way home by a bullet.

“We just want the government to hand over his corpse to us for a dignified burial in his hometown,” she said.

Another family of a deceased, Desmond Samai said he, too, had lost his 34-year-old brother.

“We took the body home for burial but were advised to take the corpse to the mortuary at Connaught Hospital and report to police. Since then we haven’t been allowed to bury him.”

Earlier in the month, demonstrations descended into clashes between security forces and youth demanding the president’s resignation, because of “economic hardship” in protests in parts of Freetown and other areas in the Northern part of the country.

At least 10 people including security personnel were killed during clashes between the protestors and security forces.

President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio blamed opposition parties for the week-long protest that rocked the West African country.

Metro

EU launches initiative to reintegrate over 417,661 out-of-school children in Nigeria

Published

11 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The European Union (EU) has launched an initiative to reintegrate over 417,661 out-of-school children in Nigeria, particularly in the northwestern parts of the country.

Mrs. Tobi Ransomed, who is the consortium lead, disclosed this during the launching of the “Accelerating Basic Education and Livelihood Opportunities for Children and Youth in North West Nigeria Program” (ABEP), held in Dutse, the capital of Jigawa State, on Thursday.

While declaring the event open, Ransomed noted that the high rate of out-of-school children in the region required a holistic approach from all relevant stakeholders to ensure these children reached their potential.

Speaking further, she said the ABEP three-year pilot program would be implemented through Save the Children International, PLAN, and Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAG) across twelve local government areas in Kano, Jigawa, and Sokoto States.

“Data from Save the Children International (SCI), has shown that 10% of the world’s out-of-school children are in Nigeria, with over 10 million primary school-age children not in school. Approximately 25% of girls and 10% of boys in the country have been victims of sexual violence,” she stated.

“The program aims to increase access to safe, quality, and inclusive alternative and accelerated education programs for 324,000 young girls and boys, as well as 32,400 persons with disabilities, supporting their transition into formal or non-formal education.

“This project plans to increase access to livelihood opportunities, vocational education, and green job opportunities for 60,000 youths and 6,000 persons with disabilities, with 20,000 beneficiaries in each participating state.

“The overall objective is to contribute to the empowerment of the poorest, underserved, and most marginalized population groups, including women, girls, and youth, by providing access to quality, inclusive, gender-sensitive, and conflict-sensitive education in northwestern Nigeria with a special focus on Kano, Jigawa, and Sokoto States,” she stated.

Metro

World Bank pledges $3b to support Zambia’s development goals

Published

1 day ago

November 14, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The World Bank Group has pledged to avail Zambia with approximately $3 billion to support the country’s development goals under the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2029, with nearly half of the funds already disbursed.

World Bank Country Manager, Achim Fock, who made this known at the CPF launch at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka on Wednesday, outlined the global lender’s focus areas, which included enhancing jobs, human capital, and climate resilience.

Fock highlighted that $200 million had been approved to strengthen Zambia’s social protection programs, including the Refugee and Host Community Project.

He also expressed optimism for upcoming approvals, including the Climate and Economic Resilience Financing and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector.

Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, who also spoke at the event, noted that 2.3 million Zambian households have so far benefited from social protection interventions such as the Cash for Work Programme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives amid crises like the recent drought.

Musokotwane further reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives during times of crises such as the recent drought.

“More than two thirds of the Zambian population was affected by the drought. It was the government’s view that the first priority was to save lives,” Musokotwane stated.