awoniyi270514

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South Sudan’s rival leaders sign power-sharing agreement to end war

The parties to the South Sudan conflict have signed an agreement on the outstanding issues on governance and security geared towards restoring peace in Africa’s youngest nation. South Sudan’s warring parties have reached a power-sharing deal to end a civil war that has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions in the world’s youngest country. President Salva Kiir …

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Majority of Germans consider racism a big problem, poll finds

More than half of Germans surveyed in a monthly poll classify racism as a major social ill. At the same time, those polled say social issues are more important than asylum and refugee matters. Jefferson Chase (Berlin) reports.  German society is still struggling with racism. That’s one of the major conclusions from the Infratest-Dimap “Germany Trend” poll for August, which was …

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Ecobank reaches out to Nigerians in Diaspora

With its sponsorship of and active participation in the recently-concluded Nigeria-Austria Business Forum and the Nigerian Cultural Festival 2018 in Vienna, Austria, Ecobank Nigeria Plc seek to consolidate its leadership position in Diaspora banking services. A member of Ecobank, the leading independent pan-African bank, headquartered in Lomé, Togo, Ecobank Nigeria has been active in Diaspora banking activities in the West African region for …

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Campaign to Promote Safe Migration in Nigeria II commences

A new phase of the campaign to raise public awareness on the dangers and risks of irregular migration in Nigeria by the Migration Enlightenment Project Nigeria (MEPN) has commenced. Round of dialogue with multipliers such as journalists, youth groups, women associations, students, artists and religious and traditional leaders, to hold in Abuja, Enugu, Lagos and Benin-City. Despite last October’s CNN …

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9 African Festivals to end the Summer in Germany

The annual summer season of African music and culture in Germany has been in full swing since April. Here are 9 Top Festivals, holding from now until the end of summer, promising an unforgettable experience:  —————————————— 1st Gnaoua Festival Berlin 16 – 18 August / Berlin, Werkstatt der Kulturen Concerts | Exhibitions | Talk | Workshop | Master Class | …

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Buhari elected chair of ECOWAS as bloc commits to increased integration

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has been elected to preside over the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community West African States (ECOWAS). He replaced Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé. The leadership of the bloc revolves annually among heads of state of the member countries. Buhari was chosen to lead the regional political bloc at the end …

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DR Congo opposition leader Bemba returns home for presidential bid

Congolese opposition leader Jean-Pierre Bemba returned home on Wednesday after a decade in prison in The Hague for a presidential run expected to pose a stiff challenge to President Joseph Kabila or his successor in December’s election. Bemba, whose war crimes convictions at the International Criminal Court (ICC) were quashed on appeal in May, touched down at Kinshasa’s N’Djili airport …

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Cologne’s African Film Festival focuses on migration

The 16th Africa Film Festival Cologne holds from the 13th to the 23rd of September. This year’s focus is on intra-African migration and the festival presents 25 films which address the subject, chosen by FilmInitiativ, organizers of the festival, for good reasons. Sixty-eight million people worldwide are refugees, most of them in their neighbouring countries. This applies to Africa, too, …

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Diaspora Nigerians parley in London on increased role in national development

Nigerians across the globe gathered in London on 26-28 July to deliberate on the state of affairs in their home country and how to better contribute to its development. The Nigerian Diaspora Global Development Conference 2018, the first of its kind, brought together government officials and business leaders from Nigeria and the country’s nationals living abroad. Under the theme “Supporting …

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Government approves 10-year validity period for Nigerian passports

The Federal Government has approved a 10-year validity period for Nigerian passports. The Comptroller-General of Nigerian Immigration Service, Muhammed Babandede, made this known during an interview with Channels TV on Thursday. He said the validity was extended with a view to reduce the stress Nigerians go through every five years to renew their passports. “One of the reforms President Buhari has approved is that …

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Zimbabweans vote in first post-Mugabe elections

Zimbabweans vote on Monday in the first election since the removal of former President Robert Mugabe, a watershed moment they hope will spark a recovery in its failed economy. More than five million have registered to vote, in the first poll since 1980 without Mugabe on the ballot, to choose their next president and members of parliament. Twenty-three candidates, 19 …

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Nigeria’s ruling party hit by wave of defections by federal parliamentarians

In a high political drama on Tuesday, 14 Senators and 37 members of the Federal House of Representatives unexpectedly decamped from the ruling Alliance for Progressive Congress (APC) to two opposition parties. In the Senate, 13 of the decampees pitched their tent with the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and one moved to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In …

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Ethiopian and Eritrean leaders get medal for making peace

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrea’s President Isaias Afwerki have been awarded the United Arab Emirates’ highest honour. The two leaders were on Tuesday presented with the Zayed Award, “for their vision, courage and statesmanship to end war and bring about peace between the two countries”. The two men are in the UAE after their dramatic steps towards reconciliation …

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South Africa hosts the 10th Summit of the BRICS bloc

The leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa have a series of ambitious plans as South Africa hosts the 10th summit of the BRICS bloc in Johannesburg. Martina Schwikowski reports. South Africa’s government is hosting the tenth BRICS annual summit in Johannesburg on July 25-27, 2018. The Summit will be held under the theme: “BRICS in Africa: Collaboration for conclusive Growth …

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Mesut Ozil receives widespread support as German federation denies racism

Mesut Ozil’s decision to immediately retire from the German national team has caused shockwaves not only in the German media but across European football after the Arsenal star accused the German Football Association (DFB) of racism and treating him as “a German when we win, and an immigrant when we lose”. Ozil, who is considered one of the greatest midfielder’s …

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