Latest news with #WestAfrica
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Teachers pay dispute shuts schools for months in Nigerian capital
A strike by elementary school teachers in Nigeria's capital is dragging into its fourth month, as workers demand to be paid the minimum wage enacted almost a year ago but yet to be implemented. Affecting more than 400 schools in Abuja, the prolonged closure has left over 50,000 pupils without lessons, according to the teachers' union, in a country where more than 20 million children are already out of school. The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the capital says it will not call off its strike until the 70,000 naira ($45) national minimum wage is implemented and outstanding salaries and entitlements are settled. President Bola Tinubu signed the new wage into law in July 2024, more than doubling the west African country's previous minimum wage of 30,000 naira. The move was meant to soften the effects of rampant inflation that has followed the government's economic reforms over the past two years. Yet implementation has lagged nationwide as local governments have been left to institute the wage hikes. "We went on two warning strikes and we are currently on the third," union leader Abdullahi Mohammed Shafas told AFP. "Despite arguments and promises, the government has not been able to fulfil any till now." Critics have blamed Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, which includes Abuja, for the impasse. Wike says he has approved the new wages, accusing the local government councils of failing to pay. - 'Sitting at home' - Elisha Goni, a teacher at a public elementary school in Abuja's Garki neighbourhood, said he hardly scrapes by on his 120,000 naira salary -- which would also be bumped up if the new minimum wage is applied. "I can barely cater for myself, not to talk of my family, from the little I am earning," said Goni who lives 50 kilometres (30 miles) from his workplace to evade the expensive rent in the city centre. "Teachers cannot be lecturing on empty stomachs." At a Local Education Authority (LEA) primary school, the gate creaks in the wind as an AFP reporter entered while a security guard dozed off in his wooden chair -- his new routine since the classrooms went quiet early this year. "I used to be busy controlling students from roaming around the gate, helping teachers, watching the kids," the 54-year-old, who gave his name as Abdu, said. "Now, I just sleep after breakfast till lunch. There is nothing else to do." For many pupils, the disruption means more than boredom. Blessing, 10, should have been preparing for her final exam to enter junior secondary school. But instead she sat under the scorching sun, scooping ground chillies into small plastic bags at her mother's roadside milling shop. Her mother Mary, who only gave her first name, said she was considering enrolling Blessing in a nearby private school, "even though it is poorly rated". "At least she won't just be sitting at home," Mary muttered, her eyes fixed on the busy roadside. Nigerian television footage has shown small protests by placard-waving pupils in uniform, chanting that they want to return to school. One of the placards read: "You call us leaders of tomorrow while stopping our school for nine weeks." The strike comes as a further blow to an already creaky education system that sees millions of children fail to attend regularly, while adults contend with Nigeria's worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation. su-nro/sn/sbk
Al Arabiya
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Togo Rocked by Protests Over Reforms That Could Extend President Gnassingbé's Rule
Protesters and security forces clashed for a second straight day on Friday in Togo's capital, Lomé, over recent constitutional reforms that could cement President Faure Gnassingbé's long hold on power. Videos emerged showing apparent abuses by security forces. Police fired tear gas in several neighborhoods of Lomé and reportedly used batons to beat protesters, severely injuring some, according to footage that appears to be from the scene. Some videos showed what seem to be security units entering homes and assaulting residents with whips and clubs, while groups of men in plain clothes, believed to be auxiliary forces or self-defense units, patrolled parts of the capital with weapons in hand. 'We strongly condemn the violence with which unarmed protesters have been met,' Professor David Dosseh, spokesman for a coalition of a dozen civil society groups, told The Associated Press. Internet access across the West African nation has been restricted, with social media platforms functioning intermittently. Civil society groups and social media influencers had called for protests on June 26, 27, and 28 after the government's clampdown on protests earlier this month. Faure Gnassingbé, who has ruled since 2005 after the death of his father, was sworn in in May as President of the Council of Ministers. The powerful role has no official term limits, and he is eligible to be re-elected by Parliament indefinitely. Gnassingbé's former job as national president–a position that is now mostly ceremonial–was given to politician Jean-Lucien Kwassi Savi de Tove after the announcement. Opposition politicians have denounced the move as a constitutional coup. Demonstrations are rare in Togo because they have been banned in the country since 2022 following a deadly attack at Lomé's main market. But the latest change in government structure has been widely criticized in a region threatened by rampant coups and other threats to democracy.
Associated Press
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Togo rocked by protests over reforms that could extend President Gnassingbé's rule
Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] LOME, Togo (AP) — Protesters and security forces clashed for a second straight day on Friday in Togo's capital Lomé over recent constitutional reforms that could cement President Faure Gnassingbé's long hold on power. Videos emerged showing apparent abuses by security forces. Police fired tear gas in several neighborhoods of Lomé and reportedly used batons to beat protesters, severely injuring some, according to footage that appears to be from the scene. Some videos showed what seem to be security units entering homes and assaulting residents with whips and clubs, while groups of men in plain clothes, believed to be auxiliary forces or self-defense units, patrolled parts of the capital with weapons in hand. 'We strongly condemn the violence with which unarmed protesters have been met,' Professor David Dosseh, spokesman for a coalition of a dozen civil society groups, told The Associated Press. Internet access across the West African nation has been restricted, with social media platforms functioning intermittently. Civil society groups and social media influencers had called for protests on June 26, 27 and 28, after the government's clampdown on protests early this month. Faure Gnassingbé, who has ruled since 2005 after the death of his father, was sworn in in May as President of the Council of Ministers . The powerful role has no official term limits and he is eligible to be re-elected by Parliament indefinitely. Gnassingbe's former job as national president, a position that is now mostly ceremonial, was given to politician Jean-Lucien Kwassi Savi de Tove after the announcement. Opposition politicians have denounced the move as a 'constitutional coup.' Demonstrations are rare in Togo because they have been banned in the country since 2022 following a deadly attack at Lome's main market. But the latest change in government structure has been widely criticized in a region threatened by rampant coups and other threats to democracy.
Russia Today
19 hours ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Sierra Leone to host Russian fishing fleet under new deal
Sierra Leone's government is prepared to grant Russian fishing operators an annual catch quota of 40,000 tons, along with investment incentives aimed at boosting bilateral cooperation in the sector, the Russian Federal Agency for Fisheries (Rosrybolovstvo) has announced. The agency said the move was discussed during the inaugural session of the Russian-Sierra Leone Fisheries Commission held in Freetown, the capital of the West African country. 'The country [Sierra Leone] is interested in attracting up to 20 vessels to work in its exclusive economic zone,' Rosrybolovstvo wrote on its official Telegram channel. According to the statement, scientists from the two countries previously conducted marine biology research to assess the biomass and distribution of small pelagic fish species as part of the Great African Expedition launched by Rosrybolovstvo last August. The two sides are expected to launch detailed negotiations on operations in Sierra Leonean waters once research data is processed and interest by fishing companies in specific fish stocks and other marine resources is evaluated. Rosrybolovstvo added that the African country is also seeking cooperation with Moscow on port development, fleet modernization, and investment in coastal refrigeration and oversight systems. Russia's engagement in Africa has intensified in recent years, with several nations seeking joint projects with Moscow in defense, energy, education, and trade. The Kremlin has declared strengthening ties with the continent a top foreign-policy priority. In January, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed plans for new embassies to be established in several African nations, including Sierra Leone. For now, the Consulate General in Freetown remains Russia's primary diplomatic representation in the country. A series of agreements have been signed in recent weeks between Russia and African countries, including peaceful nuclear energy cooperation deals with Burkina Faso and Mali covering infrastructure development and joint projects in healthcare and agriculture. On Wednesday, TASS quoted Sierra Leonean ambassador to Russia Mohamed Yongawo as saying that his country seeks cooperation with Russian IT firms such as Yandex, particularly in the fields of education and healthcare. He reportedly made the remarks during a plenary session at the XVI International IT Forum in the central Russian city of Khanty-Mansiysk.
Zawya
19 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria: Gombe govt flags off 2025 farming season, rolls out subsidised fertilisers
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, on Thursday, flagged off the 2025 farming season with the sales and distribution of the subsidised fertilisers. Inuwa Yahaya announced the procurement of 10,000 tonnes of the input to be sold to farmers at a subsidised rate, in a major step aimed at strengthening agricultural productivity in the state. He said that the quantity represents over twice the volume distributed during the 2024 wet season, which he said is part of a sustained efforts to scale up support for farmers and reinforce the position of Gombe in Nigeria's food security drive. The Governor also stressed that the intervention is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope agenda, which recognises agriculture as a vital pillar for inclusive economic development. He noted that over 80% of the population in Gombe state are engaged in farming, and that over the past six years, his government has consistently subsidized farm inputs to support farmers. 'For the 2025 wet farming season, we have procured 10,000 metric tons (200,000 bags) of NPK 20:10:10 fertiliser at the cost of N44,000 per bag but will be sold to farmers at a subsidised rate of N27,000. 'This gesture underscores our commitment to making agriculture affordable, accessible, and productive. 'As we are all aware, timely access to agricultural inputs is crucial to enhancing agricultural productivity. In this regard, today's flag-off of the sales of fertilisers to the farmers testifies to our commitment to ensuring timely and affordable access to agricultural inputs for farmers,' he said. Inuwa pointed out several initiatives undertaken to revamp the agricultural landscape in Gombe State which include strategic partnerships with the Federal Government, the World Bank, and the African Development Bank through various projects such as the Sasakawa African Association, NG-CARES, L-PRES, RAAMP, and ACReSAL– all of which have improved productivity and enhanced food security. He also cited the ongoing Agro-Livestock Development Zone project comprising an international livestock and grains market, commercial abattoir, and an inland dry port, along with the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park, where Premier Seeds Nigeria Limited has commenced operations with a seed-processing facility as part of ongoing efforts to actualizing his administration's desire of positioning Gombe as regional centre of agro-based commerce in the North-east subregion. The Governor directed the Ministry of Agriculture, security agencies, and civil society organizations to monitor the distribution process and ensure the fertilizer reaches the intended beneficiaries up to unit level. He said, 'I would like to assure you that we shall ensure that the fertiliser reaches the grassroots by strengthening the fertiliser sales monitoring system. 'I have directed the Ministry of Agriculture, security agencies, and civil society organizations to closely monitor the sales and distribution to the farmers so as to prevent against diversion and ensure that the fertilizer reaches the correct beneficiaries.' He urged farmers to make good use of these inputs and to remain vigilant against natural hazards by adhering to weather advisories for the 2025 farming season. The Governor also called for peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders, emphasising the need to respect grazing reserves and farmlands, while reiterating his administration's support for the Farmers/Herders Prevention and Settlement of Disputes Committees and security agencies to prevent conflict and maintain peace across the state. However, the Governor has again warned traditional rulers against involvement in cases of encroachment on cattle routes and grazing reserves, which is fueling the crisis between farmers and herders in the state, vowing that anyone found culpable in the reports of the Farmers/Herders Prevention and Dispute Settlement Committees will face stringent punishment based on the recommendations of the committees. In a goodwill message, the Acting State Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Absalom Akwaras Lansibol, commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his vision and commitment to agricultural growth. He said, 'The Governor's steadfast commitment to agricultural transformation in Gombe is inspiring. Today marks another milestone in our effort to secure livelihoods and ensure food security. I encourage continued collaboration for the success of this fertiliser distribution exercise.' He reaffirmed the Federal Government's support for the initiatives of Governor Inuwa Yahaya in the agricultural sector, urging all stakeholders to align with the transformative vision for national agricultural prosperity. Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives, Dr. Barnabas M. Malle, expressed gratitude to the Governor for sustaining his support to farmers despite the economic challenges, stating that the Governor's resilience has made it possible for the government to procure farm inputs and distribute same to farmers at a lower rate at a time when many doubted it could happen.
