Metro

Gabon’s military junta swears in Gen. Nguema as ‘transitional’ Head of State

Published

1 year ago

September 4, 2023

The military junta in Gabon has sworn in Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema as the transitional Head of State, six days after he led a coup to overthrow President Ali Bongo whose family had ruled the Central African country for more than five decades.

Nguema, who was the head of the Elite Republican Guards and a cousin of Bongo’s, had last Wednesday led a group of senior soldiers to announce the ouster of the President after the country’s electoral body had announced him winner of the presidential election which was rife with irregularities and lack of transparency.

The new Gabonese strongman was sworn in as the Head of State on Monday September 4 after he took the oath of office in the presidential palace in the country’s capital, Libreville.

According to media reports, the ceremony was witnessed by government officials, as well as military and local leaders, while thousands of civilians gathered outside the palace to cheer on the new leader.

Shortly after taking the oath of office, Gen. Nguema, who addressed the country in a national broadcast, reiterated that the military had seized power without bloodshed and promised to return power to the people by organizing free, transparent and credible elections.

“With the new government, made up of experienced people, we’re going to give everyone a chance to hope,” he announced.

On Saturday, the coup leaders had unanimously designated Nguema as head of the transitional committee which automatically means he would become the interim head of state.

Bongo had served two terms of seven years since coming to power in 2009 after the death of his father who ruled the country for 41 years. Prior to the last disputed election, he had changed the constitution to give himself a third term of five years, a development many of his opponents had kicked against, amid widespread discontent with his family’s reign.

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Metro

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

Published

18 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

2 days 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.