BREAKING:
The Alliance of SAHEL States (AES) has introduced its national anthem, marking a significant milestone in the establishment of a borderless nation comprising Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali. This integration enables the free movement of people and businesses, supported by a single, unified army. The three heads of state simultaneously launched and sang the AES national anthem. As an African, do you think the AES embodies the future and the principles that Africans stand for?

Your thoughts on Africa time

The EU imposed sanctions on Russia for three years - yet Russia stood firm. It didn’t collapse. It adapted.

But here’s the twist: while Russia can survive without the EU, the EU and even the U.S. can’t thrive without Africa and Asia … or Russia.

Think about that.

They fear Russia, not because it’s weak, but because it’s too resilient.

And they know that Africa holds the keys to the future.

The balance of global power is shifting.

The Lagos State Government has announced plans to phase out annual rent payments in favour of more flexible monthly and quarterly options.

The move aims to ease the financial burden on residents, especially low-income earners who struggle with large upfront rental costs.

Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, who revealed the initiative during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing, said the initiative builds on the state’s ongoing efforts to make housing more affordable and accessible. He cited the earlier rent-to-own scheme, which allows beneficiaries to pay a five percent deposit and spread the remaining balance over 10 years, as a successful foundation for this new policy.

“That initiative was well-received, and its success encouraged us to explore new ways to reduce the pressure of yearly rent payments,” he said.

The commissioner stressed that the traditional annual rent model places an undue financial strain on many Lagosians. “We believe monthly or quarterly payment options will offer people more breathing room and reduce the stress of sourcing lump sums,” he noted.

He also confirmed that the government is engaging with landlords, property developers, and other stakeholders to address potential challenges, including enforcement and secure payment tracking.

“There are issues to resolve — landlord cooperation, payment monitoring, and enforcement mechanisms,” he said. “But discussions are ongoing, and we are listening to all sides.”

A pilot phase of the new rent structure is expected to roll out in select areas of the state.

“This is not just policy on paper. We are making real progress. We understand what this means for many families, and we are determined to make it happen,” Akinderu-Fatai concluded.

Abia State government to begin construction of 10,000 capacity modular refinery in May 2025. That they would partner with NNPC to be getting crude from them and refine to sell cheap for their people.

Meta has deleted 100 million Facebook pages. It also deleted 23 million accounts.

The Trump administration is weighing a bold shake-up of U.S. diplomacy, with a plan that could shut down 10 embassies and 17 consulates around the world. According to a leaked State Department memo, the proposed cuts would dramatically shrink America's global diplomatic presence—especially in Africa, which faces the heaviest hit.

Six African nations, including South Sudan, the Central African Republic, and Eritrea, are on the list for potential embassy closures. U.S. consulates in key cities like Douala, Cameroon, and Durban, South Africa, could also be shuttered. The move signals a significant shift in America’s engagement strategy on the international stage.