Month: August 2024

 The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Mr Ian Cameron, is of the view that the dire first-quarter (1 April to 30 June 2024) crime statistics point to the need to urgently capacitate the detective and crime intelligence services as a tool to reverse the scourge of crime in South Africa. Today, the Minister of Police released statistics that revealed a worrying general upwards trajectory of crime. The statistics […]

 Formally launching the ECOWAS GENDER Programs, covering Obstetrics Fistula, Girls of Excellence Scholarship, Agricultural Fishery, Arts and Crafts, and Food Processing, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Madam Gbeme-Horace Kollie, pledged Liberia’s commitment to ensuring that the anticipated gains of the programs, are achieved. She stressed national ownership alongside a broader collaboration with key stakeholders, noting that the empowerment dividends for beneficiaries, who are underprivileged girls, will be […]

 President Wavel Ramkalawan of Seychelles will participate in the Ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, scheduled from September 4 to 6, 2024. The summit will gather African leaders to engage in high-level discussions aimed at enhancing strategic communication and coordination, reinforcing the foundation for the continued development of China-Africa relations. The 2024 forum, themed "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared […]

 Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany released the Thirteenth Episode of their first-ever TV program – ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ on their social media handles. ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ is a pan African TV program that is conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation to feature African Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent experts from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create […]

 The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in line with its ambition to become a leading sports hub under Saudi Vision 2030, will gather the most influential leaders of the football industry for the third edition of World Football Summit Asia (Asia.WorldFootballSummit.com); Approximately 1,400 decision-makers joined WFS Asia 2023, the first-ever industry event of its kind in Saudi Arabia, with expectations for this edition to build upon the initial success and make the […]

 Verdant (www.Verdant-Cap.com) has raised ZAR 40 million for Us Plus Limited (“UsPlus”) as a senior unsecured note through UsPlus’ JSE-listed social bond. The investment comes from an Africa-focused fund headquartered in Europe and was matched by an equal investment through local funding on the JSE making ZAR 80 million in total through the bond issuance.  Furthermore, in parallel UsPlus drew down ZAR 60 million for a bilateral facility previously arranged […]

 Technology and service provider SLB – through its OneSubsea subsidiary – was recently awarded a contract by multinational energy corporation TotalEnergies for the supply of subsea production systems for the Kaminho deepwater project in Block 20/11, offshore Angola. The contract, which was granted to OneSubsea last month, involves a 13-well subsea production system for the 70, 000 parrel per day project which expects first production in 2028.  In an effort […]

 1. PREAMBLE  We, the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria, held our Second Plenary Meeting for the year 2024 at the Nezer Towers and Suites, Afowa/Afasho-Uzairue, in Auchi Diocese, Edo State, 22 - 30 August. Having prayerfully reflected on issues affecting the Church and the Nigerian State, we issue this Communiqué:  2. YEAR OF PRAYER: REDISCOVERING THE HUMAN AND CHRISTIAN VALUES   The year 2024 is dedicated to prayer, in preparation for the […]