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 68 Journalists Killed in 2024 – UNESCO Report According to a report by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), at least 68 journalists lost their lives in the line of duty in 2024, marking the second consecutive year that conflict zones have proven particularly deadly for media workers. The report reveals that over 60% of these fatalities occurred in countries embroiled in conflict, the highest percentage in more than a decade. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay condemned the violence, stressing that “reliable information is vital in conflict situations,” and called for stronger protections for journalists in line with international law. The report also highlights that 42 of the killed journalists were working in conflict zones, with Palestine being the deadliest, recording 18 journalist deaths. Other countries like Ukraine, Colombia, Iraq, Lebanon, Myanmar, and Sudan also saw significant fatalities, illustrating the increased dangers in unstable reg...

 World Bank Set to Approve $500m Loan to Nigeria Today The World Bank Group's Board is scheduled to meet today (Friday) to decide on a $500 million loan for Nigeria, aimed at enhancing rural access and agricultural marketing in the country. The loan is intended for the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project—Scale Up, which seeks to connect rural communities with broader markets, improving access to agricultural markets, schools, hospitals, and fostering social cohesion among rural populations. The loan project, expected to be approved on December 13, 2024, is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria's rural infrastructure and promote food security. States that wish to participate must have a functional Roads Fund and Roads Agency, with provisions for administrative costs in their state budgets. Additionally, the project will encourage greater female representation in the transport sector. This would mark the 10th World Bank loan under President Bola Tinubu’s admin...

 Benue: University Lecturer Arrested for Allegedly Hiring Assassins to Kill ASUU Chairman’s Wife – Police The Benue State Police Command has arrested Ichor Tersagh Smart, a lecturer at Joseph Sawuaan Tarka University Makurdi (JOSTUM), for his alleged role in the attempted murder of Mrs. Susan Anyagh, the wife of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) chairman at the same institution. In a statement released to the press on Friday by Police Public Relations Officer, SP Anene Sewuese Catherine, the police explained that on December 7, they received a report that Mrs. Anyagh had been kidnapped along Otukpo road, Makurdi, and taken hostage in her car, which was being driven to an unknown location. The PPRO stated that upon receiving the report, Benue State Commissioner of Police, CP Steve H. Yabanet, immediately ordered patrol officers and checkpoints to ensure the victim’s rescue and the arrest of the perpetrators. At around 1:00 PM, another report was received stating that t...

 NMDPRA Launches Crackdown on Illegal LPG Retail Outlets in Akwa Ibom The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has initiated a crackdown on illegal LPG retail outlets in Akwa Ibom State. State Coordinator Ikechukwu Eseka announced the move during a courtesy visit from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) State Commandant Bakshar Hussaini on Thursday. Eseka revealed that the enforcement focuses on illegal LPG decanting, filling stations, and refilling plants, emphasizing the dangers of using gas improperly, as some operators are using gas not intended for specific purposes. He warned that individuals and businesses without NMDPRA licenses are prohibited from handling gas and called for the registration and renewal of LPG licenses. Additionally, he highlighted ongoing efforts to regulate the use of storage tanks exceeding 500 liters, urging relevant individuals and organizations to register with the NMDPRA. Eseka also mentioned the...

 Bauchi Lecturers Launch Two-Week Warning Strike Over Minimum Wage Issues Lecturers in Bauchi State-owned polytechnics, colleges, and monotechnics, represented by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of academic and non-academic staff, have declared a two-week warning strike in protest of the government's failure to meet their demands regarding the new minimum wage. The union had previously issued a 21-day ultimatum on November 19, requesting the government implement the new national minimum wage act in accordance with their salary structure. JAC Chairman Abubakar Ahmed made this announcement during a press briefing on Thursday, emphasizing the government's lack of commitment to addressing their concerns. While acknowledging the meager salaries paid to their members for November 2024, Abubakar stated that the payment still fell short of expectations. He reiterated the demand for full implementation of the new salary structure for higher institutions, as approved by the National Sal...

 Niger suspends BBC for 'spreading false news' Niger has suspended the BBC for three months over the broadcaster's coverage of a terrorist attack earlier this week, TRT Afrika reported. “BBC broadcasts false information aimed at destabilising social calm and undermining the troops' morale,” communications minister Raliou Sidi Mohamed said in letters to radio stations that rebroadcast BBC content. Mohamed asked the stations to suspend BBC's programmes “with immediate effect.” The BBC has not publicly commented on the suspension. BBC programmes, including those in Hausa, the most-spoken language in Niger, are broadcast in the West African country through local radio partners to reach a large audience across the region. The British broadcaster had reported on Wednesday that gunmen had killed more than 90 Nigerien soldiers and more than 40 civilians in two villages near the border with Burkina Faso. Niger said the report was false. RFI suspended too The French broadcast...

 UN 'warmly welcomes' Türkiye-led Ethiopia, Somalia pact The UN hailed a Türkiye-mediated pact between Somalia and Ethiopia to end differences. "We warmly welcome the announcement of the Ankara declaration between Ethiopia and Somalia under the leadership of Türkiye," UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said during a news conference in response to Anadolu's question about the recently signed deal. Describing it as a "positive move" in the spirit of "friendship" and "mutual respect," Dujarric said: "We look forward to the start of the technical negotiations on that front, and very much hope for a full positive outcome to the process." "We also express our appreciation to the efforts by Türkiye for bringing these two countries together, the leaders of these two countries together and in their support for the implementation of the agreement," he said. Dujarric conveyed the UN's readiness to "assist and support ...