Metro

Over 800 schools shut, thousands of students out of school in Niger Republic

Published

2 years ago

November 1, 2022

Terrorist activities have led to the shutting down of 817 schools with a total of 72,421 students, including 34,464 girls, mainly in the Tillabéri region of the Niger republic.

The region is the so-called “three borders” area between Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) nearly 1,600 schoolchildren, some of whom had dropped out three years ago, are enrolled in three centers built near a site for displaced people in Ouallam.

“We are happy to be back in school,” said Fatima and Aïssa, two girls from Ngaba, a town near Mali, jubilantly, slates in hand.

Former French Secretary of State, Harlem Désir, who is also the Vice President (Europe) of the NGO International Rescue Committee (IRC), recently visited the site of the displaced people of Ouallam. Remarked that the state is very poor, “families tend to make their children work” or “to start early marriages of young girls.”

There have been reports of recruitment of young boys aged 15-17, mainly by the al-Qa’ida affiliated Groupe de soutien à l’islam et aux musulmans (GSIM), particularly in the Torodi area near Burkina Faso, in agreement with their parents.

UNICEF reports that since 2016, West and Central Africa has recorded more than 21,000 children verified by the United Nations (UN) as recruited and used by armed forces and non-state armed groups, and more than 2,200 children victims of sexual violence.

Related Topics:#NIGER REPUBLIC Featured Out of school children

Click to comment

Metro

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

Published

18 hours 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.

Metro

Chinese mining giant CNMC set for $1.6 billion investment in Zambia

Published

2 days ago

November 13, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A Chinese mining giant, China Nonferrous Metal Mining Company (CNMC), has announced the investment of over $1.6 billion in Zambia, following successful discussions with President Hakainde Hichilema at the State House on Tuesday.

CNMC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Wen Gang, who held the discussions with Hichilema along with the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Han Jing, confirmed the company’s commitment to furthering Zambia’s economic development.

“We are actively investing in critical sectors of Zambia’s economy,” Gang said after the meeting.

He noted that CNMC was currently pumping water from Shaft 28 at Luanshya Copper Mine, where 29.9 million cubic liters have been cleared as part of intensified dewatering efforts, adding that the company plans to inject an additional $200 million to develop a greenfield mine on the Copperbelt.

President Hichilema who welcomed CNMC’s commitment, highlighted the potential economic impact of the firm’s investment which will include job opportunities for Zambians.

“This $1.6billion investment, alongside advanced technology and expansion, will extend operations and create more jobs and opportunities for Zambians, especially in mining contracting and supply,” the President said.

He also expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government for their shared commitment to fostering growth and cooperation between the two countries.