Moussa Faki Mahamat was re-elected the chairperson of the African Union Commission on Saturday during the two-day virtual summit of the organisation. The Chadian diplomat won the support of 51 of 55 member states in a secret ballot to win a second term as AU executive head at the 34th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and …

The Central Bank of Nigeria has reacted to criticisms trailing its declaration that  the use of cryptocurrencies in Nigeria contravenes existing laws. The apex bank had issued a statement on Friday warning banks and other financial institutions to desist from transacting cryptocurrencies and dealing with entities who do same. According to the CBN in a new statement on Sunday, cryptocurrencies …

As part of its “National Action Plan on Integration”, the Federal Government wants to promote diversity in the media. The package of measures adopted by the federal cabinet on Wednesday (3 February) includes, as one of its core projects, training “for differentiated and factual reporting on the topic of migration and integration”. Other projects are intended to ensure that more …

For the second time, Berlin is awarding prizes to entrepreneurs with a migration background operating in the city, which is also a federal state. The prize Vielfalt unternimmt – Berlin würdigt migrantische Unternehmen, first awarded in 2019, gives public recognition to the achievements of minority entrepreneurs who are contributing greatly to the economic development of the city. There are three …

President Joe Biden’s first foreign policy speech on 4 February was high on ideals but low on priorities for Africa and the developing world. It reminded me of the idealistic vision of Jimmy Carter when he came to power in 1976. Carter’s rhetoric was loaded with idealism of a world cooperating for global peace, without appreciating the limits of American …

Following a directive banning cryptocurrency trading by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerians have expressed strong displeasure of the decision of the federal government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. In a circular dated 5th February 2021, the CBN notified banks and other financial institutions against doing business in Crypto and other digital assets. According to Wikipedia, a …

  Two-time Unified World Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua has stepped up the fighting talk and warned Tyson Fury he relishes going to war in the ring as the pair moves closer to a heavyweight mega-fight. ”I’d rather die in battle, so I can go to the heavens where the warriors lie than go to battle and try to hide and …

Former Nigeria’s minister of finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is set to become the first African, woman to lead the seat of 164-member World Trade Organisation. Coast is clear for her to emerge for the top job as the United States government under the administration of President Joe Biden endorsed her on Friday, in what was expressed as a ‘strong support’, according …

In an exclusive interview with our Moscow correspondent Kester Kenn Klomegah, a member of the newly created Public Council under the Secretariat of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum, Armen Khachatryan, argues that the first Summit held in October 2019 ultimately seeks to inject a new dynamism into Russia-Africa relations. According to Mr Khachatryan, who is also Deputy Chief Executive Officer and …

The United States Mission in Nigeria  has called for application from qualified Nigerians wishing to teach Hausa or Yoruba languages and cultures to American students in US universities and colleges. The FLTA program allows foreign teachers to teach foreign languages and culture to American students in universities and colleges while also refining their teaching skills, increasing their English language proficiency …

Germany’s governing grand coalition has agreed on further aid to families and businesses because of the corona pandemic. The decision was made by the coalition committee of CDU/CSU and SPD on Wednesday (3 February), after a meeting in the office of the chancellor in Berlin. The meeting, at which the new CDU leader Armin Laschet also took part for the …

The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE) presented its Leadership Service Award 2020 to His Excellency Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic Nigeria to Germany, on Monday, 1 February 2021. The award is in recognition of the envoy’s “excellent and outstanding personal achievements and leadership” and his “immense contributions to National Development”. While presenting the award at …

The Ambassador of the Federal Republic Nigeria to Germany, His Excellency Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has called on Nigerians seeking consular services to desist from patronising touts. They should rather communicate directly with officials of the embassy, he charged. The envoy issued the advice at a meeting with the representatives of the Nigerian community in his office on Monday (1 February). …

Like at the beginning of every month, new legal changes enter into effect in February 2021. For example, the deadline for tax returns changes and paying for online shopping will become safer. Here’s an overview of the new laws and regulations: —- Submission deadline for tax return extended Some of us are already starting to gather the receipts and information …

Norwegian parliamentarian Petter Eide has nominated Black Lives Matter movement for the Nobel Peace Prize 2021. According to him, the movement had forced countries other than the US to face up to racism within their own societies. “Black Lives Matter has become a very important worldwide movement to fight racial injustice. They have had a tremendous achievement in raising global …

To slow down the spread of particularly contagious coronavirus mutations, the federal government has drastically restricted entry from Portugal, Ireland, Great Britain, South Africa and Brazil into Germany beginning from Saturday (30 January). According to the new ordinance passed by the federal cabinet, airlines, rail, bus and shipping companies are in principle no longer allowed to transport passengers from these …

The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday in New York, a UN statement said. “I was fortunate and grateful to get the first dose of my COVID-19 vaccine today,” Guterres said after getting his shot. “We must get to work to make sure the vaccine is available to everyone, everywhere. Our world …

At the conference of Germany’s federal and state governments on 19 January, it was decided that it’s compulsory to wear medical or FFP2 masks on public transport (bus, train, tram) and while shopping. Lufthansa has also announced its adoption of the new regulation aboard its flights from 1 February. What are medical and FFP2 masks? Where can I get them? …

German carrier Lufthansa has announced that its onboard mask policy will become stricter from 1 February. The airline will no longer permit what it calls “everyday masks”. “We are adapting the policy to wear face masks while travelling. From 1 February 2021, only the following types of face masks will be permitted on flights to and from Germany: FFP2, KN95 …

An international organisation has called on European governments and private collectors to return African artefacts taken from Africa during the colonial period to their rightful owners. “In recent months demands for the repatriation of the remains and the definitive restitution of the treasures have continued, as well as the attempts by some former colonizers to hinder this inevitable step of …