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Nigerian Filmmaker Appointed Honorary Fellow At Oxford Varsity

Published

3 years ago

July 22, 2022

A Nigerian film director and producer, Mishael Maro, has been conferred an Honorary Fellowship of the James Currey Society at the African Studies Centre at the University of Oxford.

Maro, who will be an Academic Visitor at the African Studies Centre, University of Oxford, for the 2022-2023 Academic year, will be returning to the United Kingdom to focus his research on creating films from the past, with a general focus on James Currey and his works.

The James Currey Writing and Publishing Scholars are selected on the basis of academic achievement, leadership, and dedication to their writing and arts.

The scholarship is named in honour of British publisher, James Currey and his contributions to African scholarship and literature.

This year, over 120 applications were received.

Maro, on his part, was invited by the Society for a joint research project on film and publishing.

He was selected as one of the participants of James Currey Writing and Publishing Workshop Class of 2022, where he got an opportunity to meet, work and learn from experienced researchers and writers.

Maro, who spoke during a workshop, mentioned that he developed an interest in neo-colonialism and theories of imperialism, and wishes to focus mostly on cultural imperialism, hegemony, the role and impact of colonies, especially in West Africa, to improve ethnographic research, and develop values promoting cultural revitalisation and rationalisation.

He said, “After completing my degree and travelling round the world, I invested in arts, and also recently released the film titled ‘Abused,’ amongst others.”

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Putin Says Will Speak With Trump On Phone Today

Published

23 hours ago

July 3, 2025

Editor

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he would speak with US counterpart Donald Trump on the phone Thursday, their first publicly announced call in over two weeks.

The two have been in regular contact since Trump took office in January and have discussed issues like the Ukraine conflict and economic cooperation.

Putin did not say what the two would discuss in Thursday’s call.

“I will talk to the US president today,” the Russian leader told the media during a visit to an exhibition centre in Moscow.

Trump confirmed the call on Truth Social, saying it would start at 10.00am (1400 GMT).

The two leaders have praised each other in recent weeks, despite Moscow’s ongoing assault on Ukraine.

Putin said last week that he had “great respect” for Trump and that US ties were improving. Trump said Putin’s statements were “very nice”.

AFP

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NAFDAC Warns Against Use Of Excess Hydroquinone In Cosmetics

Published

2 days ago

July 2, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned users of bleaching creams to refrain from using products containing excessive hydroquinone to safeguard their health.

NAFDAC Bauchi State Coordinator, Mr Hamis Yahaya, advised in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi on Tuesday.

Hydroquinone is a skin-lightening agent used to treat hyperpigmentation, such as melasma and age spots.

Yahaya said that the approved quantity of the chemical substance in cosmetics was only two per cent.

According to him, NAFDAC conducts checks on market products to ensure public health and safety.

“The black colour provides natural protection against harmful radiation due to melanin content.

“Applying creams with hydroquinone contents more than two per cent is harmful. Mixing creams by non-experts is wrong.

“Hydroquinone affects the health of the users gradually, including causing cancer,” he said.

Yahaya urged the media to raise awareness about the dangers of cosmetics that could endanger consumer lives.

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AU Helicopter Crashes In Somali Capital – State Media

Published

2 days ago

July 2, 2025

Editor

An African Union helicopter crashed Wednesday at the airport in the Somali capital Mogadishu with eight people onboard, state media said.

The aircraft was part of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), tasked with fighting the Al-Shabaab militant group.

The state media agency Sonna said the AUSSOM helicopter, carrying eight people, “crashed during landing at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde Airport this morning after departing Balidoogle”.

“The fire has been contained, and authorities are assessing the situation,” it said in a post on X.

Sonna quoted the country’s civil aviation authorities as saying that “flight operations remain normal”.

There were no further details given, but unverified clips and images shared online showed a plume of black smoke over the city.

The AUSSOM mission faces funding difficulties, even as fears of an Al-Shabaab resurgence are stoked by attacks in the Horn of Africa nation.