Africa Business News

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, has ordered full-scale investigations into the circumstances surrounding the attack and reported an attempt on the life of the Governor of Benue State.The police spokesman, CP Frank Mba says the IGP who condemned the incident, has equally directed the Commissioner of Police of Benue State Command to take adequate measures towards strengthening and improving security in the State, particularly around the governor.CP Mba further revealed that the IGP has also specifically directed the commissioner to carry out painstaking investigations into the incident and ensure the arrest and prosecution of persons indicted in the course of the investigations.The IGP has assured the people of Benue State and the country at large that the Force will continue to do its best in stabilizing the security situation in the country.

The Federal Government says the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery in Rivers State will not significantly add to the nation’s burden.The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr Timipre Sylva, doused the concerns that the project would worsen the nation’s debt profile.He stated that the government does not intend to borrow all the funds to rehabilitate the refinery which he said would be functional in 18 months.Sylva disclosed that a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Ltd and others would contribute the money to be used for the project.

President Muhammadu Buhari described the attack on Benue State Governor as an unacceptable, warning, however, that the incident should not be politicised. Buhari welcomed the deployment of a high-level team of crack investigators to the state from the Police headquarters in Abuja, calling on the officers to fish out the perpetrators of the attack and bring them to justice.President Buhari says the unfortunate incident must not be politicized, reiterating that an attack on one Nigerian is an attack on all Nigerians.The Nigerian leader, therefore, directed the Police to undertake a thorough investigation into the incident involving the governor and into all such incidents affecting individuals and communities in the state.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says both pressure and diplomatic options are on the table for dealing with North Korea hours after a senior North Korean diplomat rejected any talks until Washington changed its policies.Blinken told a joint briefing with South Korean officials in Seoul that the administration of President Joe Biden would complete its review of North Korea policy in the next few weeks in close consultation with its allies.He says President Biden plans to complete a North Korea policy review in the weeks ahead in close cooperation and consultation with the Republic of Korea, with Japan and with other key partners, including resuming pressure options and the potential for future diplomacy.He declined to elaborate when asked what approach the United States would take after the review.

World Health Organisation released guidelines to provide new and updated recommendations on the use of point-of-care testing in children under 18 months of age and point-of-care tests to monitor treatment in people living with HIV; the treatment monitoring algorithm; and timing of antiretroviral therapy among people living with HIV who are being treated for tuberculosis.The new recommendations outline key new actions that countries can take to improve the delivery of HIV testing, treatment, and care services by providing greater options for differentiated approaches.Dr Meg Doherty, Director of the WHO Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes says these recommendations make it clear that there is evidence that integrated delivery of a people-centred HIV, TB, NCDs, mental health and sexual and reproductive health services will be needed to reach our goals of ending AIDS as a public health issue by 2030.

South African Presidency spokesperson Khusela Diko has been allowed more time to respond to the Special Investigating Unit as it continues looking into personal protective equipment corruption.This was revealed by Deputy Minister in the Presidency Thembi Siweya during a question-and-answer session in the National Assembly.Siweya says the presidency deemed it appropriate to grant Ms Diko an extension until March 25 2021 so that she can respond to the allegations.Siweya has also promised to return to the Parliament to provide an update on the matter.

Deputy President David Mabuza clashed with the Freedom Front Plus after they were left highly unsatisfied with DD’s response to one of their questions in Parliament.Ramaphosa’s right-hand man found time to explain why he was out of the limelight in 2020, claiming he has a comorbidity that makes him vulnerable to COVID-19. His long-term absence aside, questions have been raised about his lack of accountability in the past year.Mabuza continued to play with a straight bat throughout and churned out a relatively generic response to the controversy. He claims that accountability remains high within the executive, despite claims to the contrary.

Madagascar health minister has announced that they will wait and see how the Covid-19 AstraZeneca jab vaccination roll-out fares elsewhere before procuring any itself.Jean Louis Rakotovao on national television says several countries have decided to suspend the use of vaccines because of the side effects.The minsters say It would be too hasty to make a decision now. The risks and benefits should be assessed first.Madagascar has chosen not to join the Covax vaccine sharing, despite being listed as eligible by the World Health Organization.

The High Court in Kenya has dismissed an application to decriminalise female genital mutilation for adult women.Judges ruled that the practise violated the right to health, dignity and in some instances the right to life.The ruling says the court holds that one cannot choose harm on themselves.The judges also said that the person behind the case had failed to prove that there was public participation or insufficient public participation.Dr Tatu Kamau says women should be able to undergo the traditional practice in the hospital, without fearing arrest.

A bill that seeks to create an Armed Forces Commission stirred controversy in the Senate as the lawmakers It all started when the Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe presented the lead debate of a bill for the Establishment of the Armed Forces Commission 2021 for second reading.The lawmakers were sharply divided over the bill as those against it argued that it will cause more disunity in the country.Senator Abaribe however noted that the constitution mandates the National Assembly to set up the commission.The lawmaker noted that the bill seeks to among other things, address the lopsided appointment of heads of security agencies by the president.