Metro

Sudanese army loses control of second largest city to paramilitary forces

Published

7 months ago

October 26, 2023

The Sudanese Army has lost control of the second largest city in the country, Nyala, to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary after a fierce battle.

The RSF announced on its Telegram channel on Thursday that it had seized control of Nyala from the army after months of fighting.

Nyala, which is the capital of South Darfur state, is a strategic city connecting Sudan with Central African Republic (CAR), had been in the control of the army loyal to Gen. Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, who has been at war with his erstwhile deputy, Gen. Abdulrahim Daglo.

Residents of the city, who spoke to the BBC, said the fighting between the army and the RSF led to the killings of thousands, while over 670,000 people had been forced to flee their homes.

According to local media, the fierce fighting led to the city’s hospitals being destroyed, while bodies were seen strewn on the streets.

The media also reported that high-ranking army generals, including the head of the military in Nyala, were killed in the battle.

Gen. Daglo himself was said to have led the battle to capture Nyala, with eyewitnesses reporting that RSF fighters had been looting and storming civilian houses since they seized the city.

A medical charity that provides treatment to victims of war, EMERGENCY also reported that its Sudanese staff members were taken from a paediatric centre in Nyala and arrested by the RSF.

In June, the RSF captured Um-Dafog, a small town on the border with CAR which is believed to be a key area for their supply chain.

Metro

Nigerian govt to open student loan application portal May 24

Published

57 mins ago

May 17, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

The Nigerian government has announced that the portal for the long awaited student loan scheme will open on May 24, 2024, under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund).

The announcement which was made in a statement on Thursday by the media lead for the NELFund, Nasir Ayantogo, stated that once the portal is opened, eligible student will have the opportunity of applying for educational loans.

Ayantogo said the opening of the application portal marked a significant milestone in the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to fostering accessible and inclusive education for all Nigerian students.

The portal, according Ayantogo, provides a user-friendly interface for students to submit their loan applications conveniently.

“Through the portal, students can now access loans to pursue their academic aspirations without financial constraints.

“We encourage all eligible students to take advantage of this opportunity to invest in their future and contribute to the growth and development of our nation.

“Students can access the portal on www.nelf.gov.ng to begin application,” the statement said.

President Bola Tinubu had, on June 12, 2023, signed the Access to Higher Education Act, 2023, into law to enable indigent students to access interest-free loans for their educational pursuits in any Nigerian tertiary institution.

The Act, popularly known as the Students Loan Law, also established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund to process all loan requests, grants, disbursement, and recovery.

While signing the Act into law, Tinubu had said:

“This is not an exclusive programme. It is catering to all of our young people. Young Nigerians are gifted in different areas.

“This is not only for those who want to be doctors, lawyers, and accountants. It is also for those who aspire to use their skilled and trained hands to build our nation.

“In accordance with this, I have instructed NELFund to explore all opportunities to inculcate skill-development programmes because not everybody wants to go through a full university education,” he had said.

Tinubu had said that he based his decision on the need for the scheme to accommodate those who may not want to pursue a university education, noting that skill acquisition is as essential as obtaining undergraduate and graduate academic qualifications.

Metro

Church in Kasama warns government against misusing Cyber Security Act

Published

20 hours ago

May 16, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

In Kasama District of Northern Province, the Church has issued a caution to the government regarding the use of the Cyber Security Act to intimidate, harass, or oppress citizens and political parties.

Reverend Joseph Nkonde, Chairperson of the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) for Kasama District, restated the importance of fair implementation of the law to prevent discontent among citizens.

Speaking to Zambia Monitor in Kasama, Nkonde stressed the necessity for the government to focus on the positive aspects of the law and refine problematic clauses to achieve the desired Act.

“In this age of information, today’s Zambia is vastly different from yesterday’s. Citizens now utilise cyberspace to access and disseminate information,” he said.

Nkonde highlighted that Cyber Security also pertained to media freedoms, which are crucial for democracy and the well-being of Zambians.

He cautioned the government against intimidating journalists or their media houses using laws like the Cyber Security Act, as it could impede their performance.

“It’s important to note that many people, especially in rural areas, are unfamiliar with or unaware of the Cyber Security Act. The government can use the media to educate them about its advantages and disadvantages,” Nkonde advised.

Regarding media freedom, Nkonde acknowledged government’s efforts to implement policies aimed at protecting journalists but stressed the need for further action to ensure their security.

He urged Parliament to consider enacting laws that safeguard journalists and, ultimately, ordinary citizens who rely on the disseminated information.

“I also want to caution ordinary Zambians against misusing social media and posting content that may sow division or prompt government action that could be perceived as harmful,” Nkonde added.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.