Africa
For killing some Kenyan protesters, Timi Frank seeks ICC sanctions against Army, Police
**Charges President Ruto to apologise over anti-people law
The International Criminal Court (ICC), should as matter of urgency investigate and prosecute heads of security agencies responsible for the killing of innocent protesters in Kenya, former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank has charged
He also called on President William Ruto to urgently apologize to the people of Kenyan for attempting to make a legislation that was manifestly anti-people before he was forced to beat a retreat by the angered youths.
Frank who disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, said the action constituted a crime against humanity.
He said he is standing solidly behind the youths of Kenyan for rising up to oppose dictatorial tendencies on the part of the government of Kenya in a democratic setting even though President Ruto is his personal friend.
He further called on the international community especially the United States, United Kingdom, European Union to place a visa ban on the heads of the security agencies that would be indicted by the ICC after wholistic investigations.
“Those who issued orders to security agencies to shoot at and kill innocent and peaceful protesters must be urgently fished out and prosecuted according to international law,” Frank said.
According to him, the right to protest is enshrined in several international treaties and declarations, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
He insisted that recognising this right inevitably imposes an obligation on the state including the government and armed forces of Kenya to facilitate protest, including by ensuring protesters are safe and not to kill them.
Frank said: “Protest is a public demonstration of disapproval and it not a criminal action, therefore to kill lawful citizens for protesting is a crime against humanity which must be condemned by all with attendant sanction on perpetrators to serve as a deterrent.
“We stand with the Kenyan protesters and we mourn those who have paid the supreme price. However, we urgently demand the International Criminal Court to go after those that killed protesters.”
He lamented that “majority of Kenyans including the youths now being massacred voted massively to elect Ruto to office because of the trust and confidence that they had in him and people believed he was going to be a people’s president and that is what we expect him to be.
“So apologising to the youths and by extension Kenyans is not a sign of weakness but an action that will further endear him to the people and bring the much needed stability and peace in Kenya.”
He called on Ruto to listen to and prioritise the wishes of Kenyans because they were the ones that voted him into power.
In a similar manner, he called on the youths of Nigeria to wake up the spirit of Occupy Nigeria in 2012 and the #ENDSARS Protests to curb the excesses of the present administration through legitimate protests.
“Let Nigerians wake up and pay the sacrifice that Kenyans have paid because that is the only way we can have a better country,” he said
Africa
Senator Natasha Urges African Leaders to Invest in Energy Innovation for Continent’s Growth
The senator representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has called on African leaders to make financing energy innovation a top priority in order to secure the continent’s long-term growth and self-sufficiency in the energy sector.
Speaking at the ongoing African Energy Week conference in Cape Town, the Senator emphasized the importance of increasing local investment in energy technologies, which she sees as key to breaking Africa’s dependence on foreign imports and expertise. Her comments align with the International Energy Agency’s goal of doubling Africa’s energy investment to $200 billion annually by 2030—an investment that will help meet the continent’s climate targets while addressing its growing energy needs.
“Africa must take charge of its own energy destiny. The only way we can transform from being a continent that is exploited to one that leads in energy production is by driving innovation from within,” said Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. “We need to prioritize research and development that produces technologies made on African soil. That way, we can keep the money that would have been spent on importing foreign equipment and experts within our own economies.”
The Senator’s remarks came during a panel discussion at the high-profile event, which is bringing together energy leaders, policymakers, and investors from across the continent to discuss the future of Africa’s energy sector. This year’s theme, “Financing Technical Innovation for Africa’s Energy Future,” highlights the need for investment in sustainable energy solutions, local manufacturing, and infrastructure development to support the continent’s rapid population growth and rising energy demand.
The call for greater local innovation in the energy sector is closely tied to the formation of the **Africa Energy Bank**, an initiative spearheaded by the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO). The bank, which is set to launch in mid-2025, is designed to help reduce Africa’s reliance on foreign financing for energy projects, promote regional energy integration, and empower local economies by supporting homegrown energy businesses.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan applauded the establishment of the Africa Energy Bank, which she believes will play a critical role in financing African energy projects and encouraging the development of local technologies and expertise.
“This is a huge step in the right direction for Africa,” she said. “The Africa Energy Bank will help us take control of our resources and our energy future. By investing in energy innovation within the continent, we can create jobs, foster economic growth, and reduce our reliance on external funds and expertise.”
As part of her broader advocacy for energy independence, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has long pushed for policies that promote local content in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. She reiterated the importance of strengthening African economies by focusing on local capacity building, technology development, and reducing the continent’s dependency on foreign investors.
“The future of Africa’s energy industry lies in local production and innovation,” she said. “We must stop seeing ourselves as merely consumers of technology, and instead, become the producers. Our research and development must focus on creating technologies tailored to the African context, ensuring we meet our energy needs sustainably.”
The African Energy Week conference has brought together policymakers, energy companies, and investors to address the continent’s energy challenges and explore solutions for transitioning to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources. One of the key goals of this year’s event is to increase investment in renewable energy technologies, as well as in oil and gas projects that can meet both Africa’s energy needs and its climate goals.
With global attention on Africa’s energy sector, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s call for increased investment in local innovation resonates strongly, especially as the continent faces the dual challenges of expanding energy access while also addressing climate change. The proposed Africa Energy Bank is seen as a critical part of this strategy, helping Africa to finance its own energy future while empowering its communities and industries.
As discussions continue at the African Energy Week, the focus remains on how Africa can unlock its full energy potential, reduce reliance on foreign funding, and create an energy infrastructure that benefits all Africans. With the establishment of the Africa Energy Bank and a growing commitment to energy innovation, the continent is poised for a transformative shift in its energy landscape.
Africa
Africa awaits investiture of Prof. Zamani as President Pan African Psychology Union
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
AFRICA is set to celebrate the investiture of Prof. Andrew Ezadueyan Zamani, a Nigerian, as new President of the Pan African Psychology Union as the body celebrates its 10th anniversary slated for next week in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Zamani is succeeding the Union’s founding President, Prof. Saths Cooper of South Africa and will be entering the exalted office with a wealth of experience from the academia and professional practice.
A statement from the Chairman, Nigerian Psychological Association FCT chapter, Mr Victor Adejoh, and made available to newsmen, eulogised the versatility of the expert in the practice of Psychology.
Adejoh, enthused by the elevation of his compatriot, Prof. Zamani, to the exalted office noted that the experience of the erudite Professor in related learned societies made him “nicely fit for this role.”
Prof. Zamani, he revealed, rejuvenated the once comatose Nigerian Psychological Association, led it for more than six years and emplaced its structure of growth and progress.
Adejoh hinted that this was after the Professor had served at various times as Treasurer and Assistant Secretary General of the Association adding that he served the association in different capacities.
“He has served the Association in several capacities, including Chairman, NPA League of Fellows; Chairman President – Elect, Search Committee; Chairman, NPA Fellowship Award Committee.
“In 2002, he convened the Association of Practicing Psychologists of Nigeria and used it as a platform to canvass for the gazetting of Psychology as a civil service profession in Nigeria, a feat that was finally clinched by the Nigerian Psychological Association.
“Today, Nigerian Psychologists have a scheme of service and career path in the polity”, Adejoh explained.
As the Pan African Psychology Union is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary in Johannesburg, South Africa between the 8-11th October, 2024, the body is set to roll out its drums to welcome the new President, Prof. Andrew Zamani.
Like his predecessor, Saths Cooper, Zamani is highly respected and recommended as a team player and transformational leader. He hopes to leverage his contacts all over Africa to lead the Union to the next level. (Ends)
Africa
Rwanda visit inspires Peter Obi to advocate for effective leadership in Africa
Former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, has shared insights from his recent visit to Kigali, Rwanda, where he engaged in various discussions aimed at addressing Africa’s challenges, particularly in areas like productivity, leadership, and development.
Obi who made disclosure while writing on his X handle explained that his trip over the weekend involved several planned and spontaneous meetings with influential figures in the development sector.
He noted that the discussions spanned personal topics to critical issues like sports and food insecurity. A recurring theme in the conversations was the need for African countries, including Nigeria, to shift from a consumption-based economy to one driven by productivity.
Reflecting on his conversation with former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, Obi highlighted Ethiopia’s efforts to boost productivity after realizing that their output was significantly lower than that of China.
“They found that the Chinese produce 6-7 times more than Ethiopians, and they decided to take action. Today, Ethiopia’s average production is 60-70% of what the Chinese can do,” Desalegn recounted during their discussion.
One of the key moments of Obi’s visit was a meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, a leader he greatly admires. Obi described Kagame as a model of effective leadership, committed to the prudent management of scarce resources and dedicated service to his people. Their conversation touched on the pressing needs for Africa to move forward and the importance of visionary leadership.
Obi also spoke at the Sherrie Silver Foundation’s “The Silver Gala,” where he observed the potential for Africa’s youth to drive the continent’s growth through innovation and entrepreneurship. “I saw a continent on the rise if only we could have the right leadership and invest in the entrepreneurial, innovative energy of our youths,” he said.
His time in Kigali reinforced his belief in a brighter future for both Nigeria and Africa. Obi remains optimistic that with the right leadership, Africa’s potential
-
Crime1 year ago
Police nabs Killer of Varsity Lecturer in Niger
-
News10 months ago
FCT-IRS tells socialite Aisha Achimugu not to forget to file her annual returns
-
Appointment1 year ago
Tinubu names El-Rufai, Tope Fasua, others in New appointments
-
News From Kogi12 months ago
INEC cancells election in 67 polling units in Ogori-Magongo in Kogi
-
News From Kogi1 year ago
Echocho Challenges Tribunal Judgment ordering rerun in 94 polling units
-
News1 year ago
IPOB: Simon Ekpa gives reason for seperatists clamour for Biafra
-
Metro8 months ago
‘Listing Simon Ekpa among wanted persons by Nigeria military is rascality, intimidation’
-
News10 months ago
Kingmakers of Igu/ Koton-Karfe dare Bello, urge him to reverse deposition of Ohimege-Igu