India wants African Union to join G20

Photo Credit: Daily Trust

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Sunday for the African Union to be made a G20 member, while also pitching his country as the solution to supply chain woes ahead of the bloc’s summit in New Delhi next month.

The Group of 20 major economies consists of 19 countries and the European Union (EU), making up about 85 per cent of global GDP and two-thirds of the world’s population – but South Africa is the only member from the continent.

In December, US President Joe Biden said he wanted the African Union to join the G20 as a permanent member, adding that it had been a long time in coming, but it’s going to come.

On Sunday, current G20 host Modi also called for including the pan-African bloc, which collectively had a $3 trillion GDP last year.

I won’t spill blood to retain my seat

Photo Credits: Daily Trust

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has vowed not spill blood of any citizen to retain his office.

Diri, who is seeking reelection is one of the major candidates of the November 11 governorship election in the state.

Speaking at Ogbolomabiri Community of Nembe local government area after assessing the security situation in neighbouring Bassambiri Community on Saturday, he said his administration would do everything humanly possible to restore peace and order in the Nembe communities.

Men of the police Strategic Weapons and Tactical (SWAT) team had on August 12 invaded Bassambiri community on the orders of the Acting Inspector General of Police to arrest some suspected hoodlums in the community and restore peace after last February uprising in the community.

Former Taraba PDP chairman Bala Kona is dead

Photo Credit: Channels Television

A former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State, Victor Bala Kona, is dead.

He died in the early hours of Sunday in Abuja after a brief illness.

A press statement from the media aide to Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State, Emmanuel Bello confirming the Bala Kona’s death, described his passage as a painful one.

We didn’t only lose a political icon but a father and a consummate family man. Hon. Victor Bala Kona’s place in our history is one that is assured and would be respected at all times. His death came at a time his wealth of experience and knowledge would be most needed.

Wike asks well-wishers to stop placing congratulatory billboards in his honour

Photo Credit: The Cable

Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), has asked well-wishers to stop placing congratulatory billboards in his honour.

Adverts have been placed on billboards to congratulate the former Rivers governor on his appointment as FCT minister.

In a statement on Sunday, Anthony Ogunleye, director of press in the office of the minister, said while Wike deeply appreciates the warm wishes and support of the citizens, however, he strongly requests that such billboards and advertisements be discontinued forthwith.

The attention of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has been drawn to lamp post billboards, full scale billboards and other adverts congratulating him on his appointment as minister, Ogunleye said.

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