WHO Member States Reach Consensus on Global Pandemic Agreement Draft

World Health Organisation (WHO) member states have finalised a draft global pandemic agreement to be submitted to the World Health Assembly in May for adoption. The WHO announced the consensus after more than three years of intensive negotiations to improve how the world prepares for and responds to future health threats. "In reaching consensus on the Pandemic Agreement, not only…

Onyekachi Eke

Ghana’s Finance Minister Appointed New ECOWAS Bank Chairman

The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has appointed Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson as its new Chairman of the Board of Governors. The announcement came during the bank's 23rd Ordinary Session held on April 14 in Banjul, The Gambia. Dr. Forson, who currently serves as Ghana's Minister of Finance, succeeds Seedy Keita, the Gambian Minister of Finance and Economic…

Onyekachi Eke

HEALTH ALERT: NAFDAC Discovers Counterfeit Malaria Medication

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public health warning regarding counterfeit antimalarial medication circulating in Nigeria. Regulators have identified a batch of falsified Artemether/Lumefantrine tablets being sold under the brand name "Aflotin 20/120." The genuine manufacturer, Ajanta Pharma Limited of Mumbai, India, reported the presence of these counterfeit drugs to NAFDAC. According…

Onyekachi Eke

Benue Killings: This Father-Governor is not Fathering

Activist Betty Abah writes: "The governor has gone further to ban any form of protests even in the face of daily mass murder of his citizens, an ugly trend to which he is responding lamely in protecting lives and or fishing out the killers."   From the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu to Bishop Mathew Kuka, Catholic priests have always been…

AkweyaTV

Rivers Magistrate “Voluntarily Retires” Over Quasi-Military Administration

A Chief Magistrate with the Rivers State Judiciary, Ejike King George, Esq., has declared that he cannot work with the current quasi-military situation in the state and has voluntarily retired. He made this known in a letter dated April 11, 2025, and addressed to the Chief Judge of Rivers State. The letter, which was titled "Voluntary Retirement From Service," stated…

Hope Williams
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Why We Worry for Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso– CDD Director

Recent political developments in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have reignited concerns about the fragility of democracy in West Africa, says Dr Dauda Garuba, the Director of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD). Speaking in a chat with AkweyaTV, Dr Garuba said the wave of military coups and authoritarian shifts in these nations should serve as a stark warning to democrats across the continent and beyond. The implications stretch far beyond the affected countries, touching the very foundation of democratic governance in Africa. A Troubling Trend of Coups The resurgence of military takeovers in Mali (2020, 2021), Guinea (2021), Burkina Faso (2022), and Niger (2023) signals a disturbing regression from democratic governance. Military juntas in these nations have cited corruption, insecurity, and poor governance as justification for their actions. However, the question remains: are these coups truly about reform, or are they simply a return to the dark era of military rule? In the interview with AkweyaTV, the head of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Dr. Dauda Garba, expressed concern over the trend, stating, "We are seeing the military guys trying to make attempts to come back. Apart from Guinea, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger where we have experienced recent coups, we have also seen attempts by countries in the region to manipulate constitutional changes to extend their rule." Eroding Democratic Norms Asked about the most alarming consequences of these coups, Dr Garuba pointed to the erosion of democratic norms. He disclosed that in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, civil liberties have been curtailed, press freedoms restricted, and opposition voices silenced. Reports from civil society organisations indicate a rise in forced recruitment of civilians into military operations and suppression of dissent. Garuba noted that the shrinking civic space and increasing authoritarianism in these countries should concern all proponents of democracy. "Even the worst democracy is better than the best military regime," he emphasised. "People must understand that fixing a country takes time, and what we are witnessing is a false impression that military rule provides instant solutions." Watch the full conversation here.. Additionally, he said, the withdrawal of these nations from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and their alignment with Russia and other non-Western allies suggest a strategic geopolitical shift. This could further isolate them from crucial democratic institutions and economic support structures. Dr. Garba remarked on the consequences, stating, "What we are seeing is that freedom has been frozen in these countries. The same citizens who celebrated the military takeovers are now facing severe repression. Freedom of speech has been curtailed, and governance structures are being dismantled." As the fight for democracy continues, one thing remains clear: "A system built on transparency, accountability, and the rule of law is the only sustainable path forward for Africa’s future," Garuba concluded.

AkweyaTV

Nigerian Air Force Officer to Launch Novel on Youth Radicalisation

Squadron Leader Dr. Alexander Ochogwu, a Nigerian Air Force officer, peace and…

Folusho Oluwole

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Nigerian Journalist Aims for Longest Interviewing Marathon Record

An Abuja-based journalist, Livinus Chibuike Victor, is set to make history by…

Hope Williams

NITDA Warns of Fake Google Play Store Website Spreading Malware

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has issued an urgent warning…

Onyekachi Eke

Regional Cybersecurity Training Programme Seeks 150 Young African Participants

The Give1Project, Concordia University, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have…

Onyekachi Eke

NBC Bans Eedris Abdulkareem’s “Tell Your Papa” from Airwaves

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has prohibited Nigerian radio and television stations…

Onyekachi Eke

ANA Congratulates Prof. Yusuf Ali on Emirate Title

The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has extended its congratulations to Professor…

Onyekachi Eke

Political Drama “Tenants of the House” Returns to Cinemas Across Nigeria, Ghana

"Tenants of the House," the film adaptation of Wale Okediran's acclaimed political…

Onyekachi Eke

Davido To Appear Before US Court Over Alleged Intellectual Theft

Nigerian Afrobeats singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has been summoned…

Hope Williams

Gospel Artist Buchi Reveals Past as Cultist on Campus

Renowned Nigerian gospel reggae artist, poet, and author Buchi Atuonwu has shared…

AkweyaTV
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