Pope Francis on Sunday made a “pressing appeal” against a “spiral of violence” after Iran’s unprecedented missile and drone attack on Israel, warning of a potential regional conflagration. Also, the United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called Sunday for “calm heads to prevail” “I make a pressing appeal for an end to any action which could fuel a spiral of violence that risks dragging the Middle East into an even greater conflict,” the Argentinian pontiff declared following his traditional Sunday prayer in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican. “I am praying and following with concern, but also pain, the news that has come in recent hours about the worsening situation in Israel due to Iran’s intervention,” the pope told worshippers. “No one should threaten the existence of others. All countries must, however, side with peace and help Israelis and Palestinians to live in two states, side by side and in security,” he said. “That is their right,” Francis insisted as he once again repeat

  Nigeria has become the first country in the world to validate a new meningitis vaccine (called Men5CV) recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) in a historic move. According to WHO, this is especially important for countries like Nigeria where multiple serogroups are prevalent. The new vaccine uses the same technology as the meningitis A conjugate vaccine (MenAfriVac®), which wiped out meningococcal A epidemics in Nigeria. The vaccine and emergency vaccination activities are funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which funds the global meningitis vaccine stockpile and supports lower-income countries with routine vaccination against meningitis. WHO stated that the revolutionary new vaccine offers a powerful shield against the five major strains of the meningococcal bacteria (A, C, W, Y and X) in a single shot. All five strains cause meningitis and blood poisoning. This, it noted, provides broader protection than the current vaccine used in much of Africa, which is only effect

  Police authorities in Anambra State have recovered three more bodies from a boat accident involving a movie cast. Nollywood star Junior Pope Odonwodo was part of the crew that drowned in the boat mishap two days back. While some crew members were yet to be found following the boat tragedy, the spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command Tochukwu Ikenga said three more bodies of members of the movie cast have been recovered. “Marine Police of Anambra State Command has recovered bodies of the three remaining victims of the unfortunate boat accident involving a movie cast,” he said in a Friday statement. “Two of the bodies were recovered yesterday 11th April, 2024 while the last was washed in by the tide this morning.” The bodies have been deposited at a morgue in Asaba, Delta State while authorities of the guild of actors have also been informed about the recovery. The spokesman quoted the state’s police commissioner Aderemi Adeoye as advising water commuters to be safety consciou

  Palestinians assembled for morning prayers on the first day of the Eid al-Fitr holiday amid the ruins of Gaza, which has been devastated by more than six months of war since Hamas's October 7 attacks. The Israeli military said it struck several targets on the first day of the Eid al-Adha holiday, with a jet hitting a rocket launch site and troops killing a “terrorist cell” in close quarters fighting. An AFP photographer witnessed the aftermath of the the bombing of the home in Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. Family members clutched the bodies of dead children at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in nearby Deir el-Balah. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army. Israel said 468 aid trucks — a record since the war began — were allowed into Gaza on the eve of the holiday which marks the end of the Muslim fasting month and is traditionally celebrated with family gatherings. But with the United Nations warning the besieged territory is on the verge of famine, there was l

Jacob Zuma A South African court on Tuesday granted former President Jacob Zuma to run in May’s general elections, overruling an earlier decision by electoral authorities excluding him over a previous conviction. The electoral court ruled in favour of Zuma, 81, who is fronting uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), a new opposition party that has become a dark horse in the election race. “The decision of the Electoral Commission… is set aside,” the electoral court wrote in its ruling seen by AFP. It did not provide an explanation of how the verdict was reached. South Africa is to hold general elections on May 29 in what is expected to be the most competitive vote since the advent of democracy in 1994. Zuma’s ability to run could be a key factor in the elections’ outcome. Banking on Zuma’s popularity, MK is expected to cut well into the vote share of the already embattled ruling African National Congress (ANC) — the ex-president’s former political home. This could precipitate the ANC towards

  The federal government has fixed formulas to receive $1.05 billion syndicated loan backed by oil towards the end of May 2024. The loan is part of the $3.3 billion “pre-export finance facility” facilitated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd and arranged by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in January 2024. The government has pledged 164.25 million barrels of crude oil at 90,000 barrels per day from 2024 to repay the loan. Commenting on the loan on Monday, Denys Denya, senior executive vice president for finance, administration and banking at Afreximbank, said: “The verification of the crude availability has happened so we expect in the next month to finalize the release of the balance. Based on future production, you get the money now.” He said the facility has participation from commercial banks and oil traders, most of which have already secured internal approvals.

Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, acknowledged travel content creator, Pelumi Nubi, at the Government House, following her arrival in Lagos from London by road on Sunday afternoon. On that account, The governor has  appointed Pelumi Nubi as Lagos Brand Ambassador with a new car, house, and custom - made plate number. Taking to her X handle (formerly Twitter) to announce the development after meeting with the Governor Sanwo-Olu, Pelumi wrote: “Just another great start and a new beginning Congratulations to me guys as I become a Lagos state ambassador Alongside a new car gift from His excellence @jidesanwoolu A new home in Lagos and also a customized plate number God is Good” It would be recalled that the content creator had earlier announced that she would be driving from London to Lagos some months ago. During her journey, she had suffered an accident, which momentarily put a stop to her trip, before she continued. Lagos State Commissioner of Tourism, Arts, and Cultu