Headline
African Leaders Converge On Benin, Discuss Pathways To Functional Education On The Continent
… ‘African countries not making enough progress because leaders take instruction from Western countries’
African leaders, Thursday, converged on Benin City, the capital of Edo State, for the 2024 Democracy Day Dialogue, to discuss pertinent issues undermining functional education on the continent and propose solutions that will engender growth and development.
The event, which was held at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub and Soundstage, Airport Road, Benin City, was organized by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, a policy think-tank set up by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
Guests at the event include Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Mamman Tahir; former Vice President, Namadi Sambo; former President of Benin Republic, Boni Yayi; former President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, former Vice President of Zambia, Dr. Nevers-Sekwila Mumba; Deputy Governors of Bauchi and Bayelsa States, and other dignitaries from across Africa.
Opening the proceedings, Governor Godwin Obaseki said Africa is at a crossroads, adding that though the continent is blessed with a population of young people hungry for success.
He noted that the theme: Functional Education and Effective Political Leadership as a Panacea to Africa’s Growth and Development is apt because it captures the essence of moving ahead and places responsibility at the feet of political leaders in the African continent.
READ ALSO: Buhari Did Everything To Subjugate Igbos, Says Edwin Clark
He said: “I welcome you all to this great gathering which serves as a platform where African and local leaders have gathered to have an honest conversation on democracy and the undeniable role of education in fostering growth and development in Africa.”
Obaseki commended the former President for his actions in keeping Nigeria united following his rare decision to concede defeat after the 2015 general election.
“The leadership ability you showed at the critical moment in our democracy saved the nation as your actions have kept us as a united nation. If not for your decision and actions, we would not have the opportunity to celebrate Democracy Day. You will forever be praised in the annals of Nigeria’s history, as your actions demonstrate the vision of your Foundation.
“As African leaders, we are responsible for making the decision that will enable the youths to play their parts in developing Africa. The future is for Africa as the decision we make will not only affect the African continent but the world at large.”
READ ALSO: Jonathan Vists Benin Monarch, Says Only Quality Education Can Birth Good Leadership In Africa
On the state’s education reforms, he said: “People are coming to Edo State to understudy our educational reforms. Our efforts brought us to the attention of the world. We are now placed amongst countries recognized for education reforms.”
Former President Jonathan thanked the Edo State Government for accepting to host the Foundation as the event coincided with the State’s Education Week, adding, “I thank the keynote speakers for opening the eyes of African leaders, showing them the way to improve and develop the continent. I urge you to meet with leaders in the education sector across the country to discuss the paper.”
“I urge our leaders to put in their best in improving our educational system for the benefit of African children.”
Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Mamman Tahir, in his goodwill message, commended Governor Obaseki for working hard in making Edo an accelerator State for education reforms.
He noted that the figure of out-of-school children in Nigeria remains a challenge, but that the Federal Government has succeeded in returning 2 million children back to school.
READ ALSO: Cleric Bags Life Jail For Raping Minor In Ekiti
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, thanked the former President Jonathan for the sacrifice he made in keeping Nigeria united, as no other leader in Nigeria has beaten his record.
According to him: “Free and fair election is all Nigeria needs to correct the errors facing Nigeria as a nation.”
He said education remains the most fundamental ingredient needed to keep Nigeria on the path of development.
The Keynote Speaker and Chairman of the University Council at Cavendish University, Uganda, Prof. Olubayi Olubayi called on African leaders to ensure that all African children are educated.
He added that Africa is not making enough progress because the leaders do what other countries tell them to do, noting: “If Africa is to make any progress, what we must do is not what other countries tell us to do.
“As much as you educate all African children, you must set up special schools for the most gifted and talented children. If African countries are to rise, all villages, cities, towns, and local governments must have at least one special school for gifted and talented kids.”
Headline
Morocco Jails Student One Year Over Gen Z Protest
A student arrested during Morocco’s youth-led protests has been sentenced to one year in prison, his lawyer told AFP on Friday.
The case marks the first publicly known prison sentence linked to the kingdom’s Gen Z demonstrations, which have been held near-daily between late September and last week to demand social and political reforms.
The student was charged with “participating in an unauthorised and unarmed gathering” and “insulting the judicial police by providing false information”, lawyer Mohamed Nouini said.
“The ruling is unfair, and we will appeal,” he added, arguing that sit-ins did not require authorisation as per a Supreme Court precedent.
READ ALSO:Why Wike Is Always Attacking Peter Obi — Obidient Movement
The lawyer said his client was arrested on September 30, three days after the protests erupted in the North African country.
According to a report by news website Hespress, citing another lawyer, the student’s arrest was “an unfortunate coincidence” as he was in Casablanca for a family visit.
The other lawyer, Mohamed Lakhdar, told the judge the student had “not insulted” police nor provided false information, telling them he “was just a student”, according to the report.
Hundreds were arrested during the early days of the largely peaceful demonstrations.
READ ALSO:CAF Champions League: Replicate Ivory Coast Success In Morocco, Alli Charges Edo Queens
Some cities had seen spates of violence and acts of vandalism, while authorities have said three people were killed by police acting in “self-defence” during clashes in a village near Agadir.
The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) has said roughly 550 people are facing prosecution on suspicion of joining the protests, with some still in detention.
The organisers of the online-based movement behind the nationwide protests, the GenZ 212 youth collective, remain unknown.
READ ALSO:Ghana To Take More West African Deportees From US
The collective has called for “peaceful sit-ins” on Saturday and demanded the release of those arrested during the demonstrations.
The protest came after the deaths of eight pregnant women during Caesarean sections at a hospital in Agadir.
But protesters have also demanded reforms to the education system and a change of government.
AFP
Headline
Trump Refiles $15bn Defamation Lawsuit Against New York Times
US President Donald Trump has refiled a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, court documents show, weeks after it was thrown out by a federal judge.
Trump has intensified his long-established hostility toward the media since his return to the White House, and the suit is one of numerous attacks against news organizations he accuses of bias against him.
The Times’ complaint was thrown out in September because District Judge Steven Merryday took exception to its florid writing, repetitive and laudatory praise of Trump, and its excessive 85-page length.
The suit filed Thursday in Florida and seen by AFP runs to less than half the length, at 40 pages.
READ ALSO:Burkina Rejects US Deportees, Calls Trump’s Proposal Indecent
It takes aim at “false, defamatory, and malicious publications”, highlighting a book and two Times articles.
The lawsuit named the newspaper, three Times reporters and the publisher Penguin Random House as defendants.
It accuses them of making defamatory statements against Trump “with actual malice.”
“The statements in question wrongly defame and disparage President Trump’s hard-earned professional reputation, which he painstakingly built for decades” before entering the White House, the lawsuit says.
READ ALSO:Trump Gives Update On Israel, Hamas Peace Deal
The court was asked to grant compensatory damages of not less than $15 billion and additional punitive damages “in an amount to be determined upon trial.”
Trump’s attacks on media outlets have seen him restrict access, badmouth journalists critical of his administration, and bring lawsuits demanding huge amounts of compensation.
In July, Trump sued media magnate Rupert Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal for at least $10 billion after it reported on the existence of a book and a letter he allegedly sent to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Paramount settled Trump’s lawsuit over election coverage on CBS News’ flagship show “60 Minutes” for $16 million the same month. He had alleged that the program deceptively edited an interview with his 2024 election rival, Kamala Harris, in her favor.
AFP
Headline
Italian Journalist’s Car Bombed, No Casualties
A bomb destroyed the vehicle of a prominent Italian journalist overnight, without causing casualties, his investigative television news show announced Friday.
Sigfrido Ranucci’s car blew up in an explosion in Pomezia, near Rome, that also damaged the family’s other car and the house next door, according to Report, which broadcasts on RAI public television.
“The force of the explosion was so strong that it could have killed anyone passing by at the moment,” it said in a statement on X.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni strongly condemned what she called a “serious act of intimidation”.
READ ALSO:Italy Fines Six Oil Firms $1bn Fine For Restricting Competition
Inside Kwara Community, Ijara-Isin, Where Residents Have Own ‘Currency’
“The freedom and independence of information are non-negotiable values of our democracies, which we will continue to defend,” she wrote on X.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said he had ordered an increase in the journalist’s security “to the maximum”.
He called the attack a “cowardly and extremely serious act that represents an attack not only on the person but on the freedom of the press and the fundamental values of our democracy”.
READ ALSO:Dogs Attack, Kill Nigerian Woman In Italy
The Report show is known for its in-depth investigative reports.
According to the campaign group Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Italy ranks 49th in the world in terms of press freedom.
“Journalists who investigate organised crime and corruption are systematically threatened and sometimes subjected to physical violence for their investigative work,” it said in its latest update.
About 20 journalists currently live under permanent police protection after being the targets of intimidation and attacks, it added.
AFP
Politics5 days agoTinubu Under Fire Over Presidential Pardon For Drug Offenders
- News5 days ago
JUST IN: FG Enforces No-work-no-pay On Striking ASUU Members
- News5 days ago
UPDATED: Renowned Evangelist, Uma Ukpai, Is Dead
- Metro5 days ago
Police Bust Child Trafficking Syndicate In Rivers, Rescue Babies
- News5 days ago
Edo Gov Sacks Education Board Chair, Names Replacement
- News4 days ago
Edo Assembly Commission Questions Clerk Over Alleged Age Falsification
Business5 days agoNNPCL Raises Fuel Price
- News4 days ago
JUST IN: Okpebholo Assigns Portfolios To Commissioners, Makes Major Reshuffle
- News4 days ago
Better Days Ahead, New Bendel Insurance Coach Assures
- News2 days ago
Tragedy In The Sky As Pilot Dies Mid-air
