Cynthia Okonkwo

Philippine Court Sentences 17 Militants to Life Imprisonment for 2001 Resort Kidnappings

Philippine Court Sentences 17 Militants to Life Imprisonment for 2001 Resort Kidnappings

Cynthia Okonkwo October 21, 2024

The Philippine Department of Justice said on Monday, October 21, that 17 members of a militant group with ties to the Islamic State were given life sentences for their roles in the kidnapping of Filipino and foreign nationals in Malaysia about 25 years ago. The Islamist extremist group Abu Sayyaf kidnapped 21 guests from a vacation resort on the Malaysian islandofSipadan in April 2000 and held them at gunpoint. In the jungles of Jolo, a secluded regionaround 955 kilometres (515 miles) south of Manila, the hostages—who included citizens of the Philippines, Finland, France, Germany, Lebanon, Malaysia, and South Africawere held captive for months. After millions of dollars were paid in ransom, theywere finally released.According to a 157-page court ruling seen by AFP, the 17 convicted were found guilty on October 16 of 21 counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom, and each count carried a life sentence. The Department of Justice said in a statement,“This conviction is a reflection of the unwavering efforts...

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Nigeria Faces $3 Billion Annual Loss from Imported Ankara Fabrics, Says Minister.Nigeria loses almost $3 billion annually to foreign producers of ankara, a popular wax print in West and Central Africa, according to Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy. Speaking at last week’s Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND) 2024 in Algiers, Musawa made this claim.Musawa emphasised the need to strengthen Africa’s fashion and textile sector in a statement issued by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Nneka Anibeze. She noted that textiles like adire, kente, bogolan, and ankara symbolise Africa’s history, pride, and identity.”Despite this heritage, it is deeply ironic that many of the fabrics we cherish, such as ankara, are predominantly produced outside Africa,” Musawa stated. “Nearly 90 percent of the ankara consumed on our continent is imported, leading to an annual loss of approximately $3 billion to foreign manufacturers. We must change this.” In order to recover Africa’s fashion narrative, the minister underlined the significance of boosting local production capacities.”We must reclaim our fashion narrative by strengthening local production capacities and ensuring that the benefits of this vibrant industry remain within our borders,” she stated.Musawa called for action to solve structural issues that impede local production, pointing out that the fashion business in Africa is expected to reach $15.5 billion by 2025. “Fashion is far more than a form of expression,” she said, highlighting the fashion industry’s economic potential. It is a major force in the economy. The estimated worth of the global fashion sector is $2.5 trillion. The fashion industry in Nigeria alone generates over $6.1 billion in GDP, while the textile industry in South Africa employs more than 140,000 people, indicating the industry’s potential to create jobs.She also underlined that fashion investments have the potential to create millions of employment, particularly for young people and women.”By expanding local production, we will not only add value within our borders but also position Africa as a global hub for fashion,” Musawa stated.Under the Design Nexus and Destination 2030 initiative, the minister also described the government’s efforts to support the sector, including the creation of manufacturing hubs and training programs for artisans. Musawa claims that the goal of these initiatives is to elevate Nigeria’s creative economy, arts, and culture to a position of international prominence.

Cynthia Okonkwo October 21, 2024
EFCC presents 15th Witness in Fayose’s 6.9 billion naira Fraud Trial

EFCC presents 15th Witness in Fayose’s 6.9 billion naira Fraud Trial

Cynthia Okonkwo October 17, 2024

On Thursday, Ayodele Fayose, the former governor of Ekiti state, was the fifteenth witness called by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in his money laundering trial. The prosecution, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), conducted the witness, Mr Joseph Machleb, through an examination The non-English-speaking witness informed the court during his chief examination on Thursday that he was a resident of Akure, Ondo State. He stated in court that he is a mechanic for Samchase Nigeria Ltd., a construction company. He replied in the affirmative when asked if he was aware of a business named JJ Technical Services Ltd. He informed the court that he and his older brother had jointly incorporated the business. When quizzed on whether the company was involved in buying property, he said, “I...

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Gov. Idris Expresses Sympathy to Jigawa Counterpart and Locals Following the Explosion of a Tanker.

Gov. Idris Expresses Sympathy to Jigawa Counterpart and Locals Following the Explosion of a Tanker.

Cynthia Okonkwo October 17, 2024

Dr. Nasir Idris, the governor of Kebbi State, expressed his sympathies to Alhaji Umar Namadi, the governor of Jigawa State, about the tanker explosion that resulted in the loss of over a hundred lives.  Governor Idris, who saw the occurrence with deep sadness, characterised it as an inevitable natural calamity and expressed the nation's sorrow over the terrible deed that was predetermined by God. In a condolence message to Jigawa State Governor Alhaji Abdullahi Idris Zuru, Special Advisor on Communication and Strategy, Governor Idris cautioned state citizens to find comfort in the knowledge that "Allah gives and he takes." However, he advised the state and federal governments' statutory regulatory agencies responsible for public awareness and enlightenment campaigns to intensify the campaign on the need for people to avoid involvement in uncoordinated rescue missions whenever accidents of such magnitude occurred. Governor Idris emphasised that the government, the entire people of Kebbi State, and the entire nation have joined in mourning the loss of lives at a time when Nigeria needs their contribution to the development of the country.

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