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The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has advised African leaders to reduce dependence on foreign aid and instead leverage domestic resources to attract investments and drive economic growth.

Speaking at the African Union meeting in Ethiopia, Okonjo-Iweala stressed that Africa must undergo a mindset shift, as the continent possesses vast untapped financial and natural resources capable of driving sustainable development.

"Africa needs to change its mindset about aid. We should start seeing it as a thing of the past," she stated.

She urged leaders to focus on two critical areas:

Attracting investments

Mobilizing domestic resources

Okonjo-Iweala highlighted that Africa has approximately $250 billion in pension funds, yet much of it is invested outside the continent instead of being directed toward local economies. She cited South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Morocco, Botswana, and Namibia as countries with the largest pension funds that could be better utilized for development.

Additionally, she called for the recapitalization of African multilateral development banks, including the African Finance Corporation, to expand their financial capacity. She noted that while these institutions hold a combined balance sheet of $70 billion, Africa’s annual infrastructure needs exceed $200 billion, making internal financial strengthening essential.

Okonjo-Iweala also emphasized the need for Africa to take control of its mineral wealth, particularly lithium, manganese, and copper, which are critical for electric vehicle battery production. She urged governments to develop local processing industries, create jobs, and promote intra-African trade rather than exporting raw materials without adding value. 

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has cautioned government appointees against issuing press statements without proper clearance.

He directed that henceforth, all appointees must obtain approval from the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) before releasing any information to the media.

Speaking during a Sunday service at the Uyo Archdiocesan Headquarters of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Itiam Etoi, Uyo, the governor emphasized that only the Commissioner for Information and the Chief Press Secretary are authorized to issue official statements.

"No government appointee has the right to issue a press statement without clearance from the SSG’s office. Only the Commissioner for Information and the Chief Press Secretary are permitted to speak on behalf of the government," Eno stated.

He urged government officials to promote peace and unity, cautioning against actions that could disrupt harmony in the state.

Clarifying the purpose of the newly constituted Executive Council, the governor stressed that it was not a war cabinet but a delivery team tasked with implementing the ARISE Agenda and fostering inclusivity.

Eno advised the new appointees to adopt the forgiving spirit of Joseph in the Egyptian cabinet, working together for the state's development.

"We must uphold the decency and decorum in Akwa Ibom. Let’s work together to deliver the dividends of democracy and sustain the peace we enjoy in the state," he added.

Meanwhile, the Methodist Archbishop of Uyo, Most Rev. John Ene Koko-Bassey, in his sermon on "Forgiveness," urged Christians to emulate Joseph’s resilience and embrace forgiveness as a path to unity and progress.

The cleric commended Governor Eno’s godly disposition and encouraged the people to support his efforts in fostering peace and unity across the state. 

The Federal Government (FG) has called on the United States to ensure a dignified and orderly deportation process for Nigerian immigrants facing repatriation.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the appeal in Abuja on Sunday after a meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr.

In a statement issued by her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze, Odumegwu-Ojukwu raised concerns over the possible suspension of the U.S. Drop Box Visa System and the impact of deportations on affected individuals and their families.

“With the new U.S. administration, we want commitments. If deportation must happen, it should be dignified,” she stated.

She revealed that 201 Nigerians are currently in U.S. immigration detention, with 85 already approved for deportation.

“Will they be given time to settle their affairs, or will they simply be bundled onto planes?” she asked, stressing the emotional and financial strain deportation imposes on families back home.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu urged the U.S. government to handle deportations humanely and to reconsider suspending the Drop Box Visa Policy, which facilitates visa renewal without in-person interviews.

She also requested an official U.S. statement to clarify the status of the policy, noting that over 14,000 Nigerian students are currently studying in the U.S., with their families concerned about possible visa restrictions.

On USAID operations in Nigeria, she acknowledged growing uncertainty but urged continued support for humanitarian and development projects.

In response, Ambassador Mills clarified that the Drop Box Visa System has not been suspended but is under review as part of the U.S. administration’s policy adjustments.

Regarding deportation, he confirmed that the repatriated individuals, including convicted criminals and immigration law violators, would be returned to Lagos, with no plans to consider alternative locations like Port Harcourt or Abuja.

Mills reaffirmed the U.S. government’s commitment to strengthening trade relations with Nigeria and continuing humanitarian efforts through USAID, despite challenges faced by some non-governmental organizations (NGOs). 

Kaoru Mitoma scored a superb opener as Brighton loosened Chelsea's grip on a place in the top four of the Premier League with their second victory over the Blues inside a week. The result means the Seagulls, who also knocked Enzo Maresca's side out of the FA Cup last Saturday, move up to eighth in the table, four points adrift of Manchester City in fifth.

City, Newcastle and Bournemouth, who all have a game in hand, have the opportunity to leapfrog Chelsea if they win on Saturday. Japan forward Mitoma set the hosts on their way, superbly controlling goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen's long pass forward with a delicate touch, before cutting inside Trevoh Chalobah and curling a low effort past Filip Jorgensen into the right corner of the Chelsea net. From that point on the result rarely looked in doubt as Brighton deservedly recorded their first home league win since 9 November.

Yankuba Minteh added their second before the break with a low close-range effort after some excellent work from the impressive attacking duo of Danny Welbeck and Georginio Rutter. While Chelsea controlled possession for long periods, they struggled to fashion many clear-cut opportunities against Fabian Hurzeler's side aside from an early Cole Palmer effort that flashed wide and an Enzo Fernandez header that was disallowed for a push on home defender Joel Veltman.

Gambia forward Minteh rounded off the scoring for Brighton just after the hour mark, with Chelsea, who looked shaky in defence all evening, exposed down their left as the winger drove a low effort past Jorgensen at his near post. 

President Bola Tinubu has felicitated with former Kaduna State Governor, on his 65th birthday, eulogising his resourcefulness and brilliance.

Tinubu in a statement on Sunday by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, described El-Rufai as an administrator, scholar, and politician.

The President commended El-Rufai for his “endeavours for democracy; his meritorious service to the nation, and mentorship of the younger generation.” He acknowledged Mallam El-Rufai’s “role in the dialogues leading up to the formation of the APC and his contributions to the success of the party in the three consecutive elections of 2015, 2019, and 2023.”

“President Tinubu wishes El-Rufai good health and strength for continuous service to the nation.”

At least 18 people died during a stampede at a railway station in India’s capital late Saturday when surging crowds scrambled to catch trains to the world’s largest religious gathering, officials and reports said. The Kumbh Mela attracts tens of millions of Hindu faithful every 12 years to the northern city of Prayagraj, and has a history of crowd-related disasters — including one last month, when at least 30 people died in another stampede at the holy confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers.

The rush at the train station in New Delhi appeared to break out Saturday as crowds struggled to board trains for the ongoing event, which will end on February 26. “I can confirm 15 deaths at the hospital. They don’t have any open injury. Most (likely died from) hypoxia or maybe some blunt injury but that would only be confirmed after an autopsy,” Dr Ritu Saxena, deputy medical superintendent of Lok Nayak Hospital in New Delhi told AFP.

“There are also 11 others who are injured. Most of them are stable and have orthopaedic injuries,” she said. Broadcaster NDTV reported three more dead from the stampede quoting an official of another hospital in the city. Those dead were mostly women and children. “I have been working as a coolie since 1981, but I never saw a crowd like this before,” the Times of India newspaper quoted a porter at the railway station as saying. “People started colliding and fell on the escalator and stairs” when platform for a special train departing for Prayagraj was suddenly shifted, the porter said.

Railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said a “high-level inquiry” had been ordered into the causes of the accident. Vaishnaw said additional special trains were being run from New Delhi to clear the rush of devotees. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “distressed” by the stampede. “My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured have a speedy recovery,” he wrote on X.