A total of 519,000 asylum applications were filed in European countries in the first half of this year, marking an increase of 28 per cent compared to the same period last year, according to the latest report of the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA). “As a result of the increase, many EU+ countries* are under pressure with processing applications …

One of Germany’s leading universities has announced that it would start charging foreign students from the so-called third countries tuition fees. Generally, public universities don’t charge tuition fees in Germany. The Technical University of Munich (TUM) in a statement on 5 September that it would reintroduce tuition fees for all students from non-European Union countries as from October 2023. “At …

People of African descent continue to face immense challenges to meaningful participation in public affairs in many countries due to systemic racism, marginalization and exclusion often rooted in the legacies of enslavement and colonialism, according to a UN Human Rights Office report issued Tuesday. The report finds that systemic racism continues to affect negatively people of African descent in all …

The urban landscape in Germany is changing as the number of people with foreign origin increases. A new report published by the Statistics Office North shows that the proportion of Hamburg residents with an immigrant background rose to 39.3 percent as of 31 December 2022. Compared to the previous year, the share of migrants increased by almost two percentage points. …

International airlines operating from the old Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport have been directed to relocate to the new Chinese-built Terminal 2. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) issued the order following the directive of the new Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. Keyamo, during a visit to the Lagos airport had directed FAAN …

600 health clinics across sub-Saharan Africa use solar-powered lights and energy systems to stay open for longer. Expectant mothers in rural Africa no longer give birth in darkness, thanks to off-grid solar energy provided by d.light ……… PALO ALTO, CA., USA, AND NAIROBI, KENYA – 21 August 2023 – 600 health clinics across sub-Saharan Africa are able to provide care …

The governing federal coalition has passed a bill to reform Germany’s citizenship law. The bill, which was approved by the cabinet on Wednesday, provides for the simplification of naturalisation. On the other hand, the government wants to make it more difficult for persons who cannot support themselves or who have already committed criminal offences in Germany to naturalise. Among the …

According to the federal government, 7,861 persons were deported from Germany in the period of January to June 2023, almost 27 per cent more than in the same period last year, the news agency epd has reported. Most of the deportees were taken to Austria under the Dublin rule that provides that the EU country which an asylum seeker first …

The European Union has given its final approval to a new post-Cotonou partnership between the EU and the African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) States. After two years of waiting, this important document has finally been signed. Dr. Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, member of the European Parliament and Vice-President of the Delegation for Relations between the European Union and the ACP countries, writes …

Nigeria’s new Minister of Interior, Bunmi Tunji-Ojo, has criticized the delays experienced by Nigerians to obtain their passports. According to him, Nigerians should not be made to wait endlessly before getting their passports. He has therefore directed the acting Comptroller General of the Immigration, Caroline Wuraola Adepoju, to ensure the reasons for the delays were addressed. Tunji-Ojo said this on …

The immediate past Nigerian ambassador to Germany, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has been sworn in as the country’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs. Alhaji Tuggar was one of the 45 ministers sworn into their various offices on Monday in Abuja, marking an end to the long wait of Nigerians for a new federal cabinet to be constituted since President Bola Ahmed …

Nigeria to establish a research centre on diaspora issues in its quest to more actively engage its citizens living outside their homeland The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has allocated N1billion for the establishment of a diaspora research centre at the University of Ibadan (UI). Sonny Echono, TETFund executive secretary, in a statement signed by Abdulmumin Oniyangi, said the centre …

During a recent trip to the DRC, on the invitation of His Greatness Dominique Khonde Mpolo, Universal Minister for Peace of Nations and Continents (CULPAC), members of the European Parliament’s Development Committee also had a meeting with Denis Kadima, President of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), in Kinshasa. Dr Pierrette Herzberger Fofana, German member of the European Parliament representing …

Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has assured Nigerian doctors abroad willing to return to the country that the Nigerian Army is ready to absorb them into its military hospitals. Lagbaja gave the assurance while receiving Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), and other members of the top management team of the Commission at …

A project to support recent migrants, including refugees and asylum seekers from Africa as well as Africans displaced by the war from Ukraine, has launched in Berlin. Implemented by GAIDI, a non-profit social organisation, YANA Berlin (for You are not alone in Berlin) assists the African migrants by providing them important information that facilitates their integration into society. The project, …

Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea declare support for Niger coup as the regional ECOWAS puts pressure on the military rulers of the country to return power to the democratically elected leadership In a dangerous turn of events, military-ruled Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea have declared their support for the coup in Niger. President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown on 26 July in …

Africa’s most populous nation will display its diverse cultures in Frankfurt on 5 August in the German city of Frankfurt am Main. The 2nd Nigerian-German Cultural Carnival Frankfurt (NGCCF), according to a spokesman of the organisers, promises to be a major event in the financial city. “This year’s will be bigger, merrier as last year’s, with many activities taking place,” …

The 23rd edition of the African Music Festival takes place from 4 – 6 August 2023 at the Schlossplatz in the south-western German town of Emmendingen. Under the motto “Tribute to Mama Africa”, Afrikaba Kulturkreis e.V. has once again put together an exciting festival programme. The various African-origin musical styles and cultures, including salsa, reggae and Afro world, will be …

Although the impact of the removal of subsidy and abrogation of the multiple exchange rate regime has been harsh, they offer Nigeria a big opportunity to fundamentally change its economic course, argues Femi Awoniyi, Editor/Publisher of The African Courier ————— Nigerians are hurting, now is time to take the bull by the horn! For eight-long years, economists and international financial …

Like almost every month, August 2023 also brings some important changes for people living in Germany. In addition to new laws, there will be a number of changes will come into force. These include an increase in the minimum wage in the cash-in-transit industry, the introduction of an innovative apprenticeship and the deadline for filing the 2021 tax return. Here …