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Pulitzer Centre offers COP30 grants for Journalists

Fatimah QUADRI
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Pulitzer Centre offers COP30 grants for Journalists

THE Pulitzer Centre has announced a special grant opportunity for projects centered on COP 30, scheduled to take place in Brazil in November 2025.

Journalists, editors, and independent media outlets are encouraged to submit proposals addressing key environmental issues relevant to the upcoming conference.

The centre seeks to fund projects that explore the connection between the management of rainforest, ocean ecosystems, domestic and global climate policies and actions. The goal is for these reports to inform and inspire the climate community and the public ahead of the next COP discussions and negotiations.

The project proposals are expected to address the management of rainforests and ocean ecosystems in high-impact regions like the Amazon, Central Africa, and Southeast Asia. Proposals should explore the intersection of climate policies and systemic challenges affecting these ecosystems, focusing on issues like inadequate regulations, destructive supply chains, carbon trading schemes, and the role of scientific innovation in mitigating climate risks.

It should also emphasise the perspectives of local and marginalised communities, and may include cross-border investigations.

The Center values collaboration, innovation, and data-driven approaches, and encourages proposals with strong commitments from credible news outlets for wide-reaching distribution.

Click here to apply. Submission deadline is February 15, 2025.

Israel agrees to release 1,890 Palestinian prisoners in Gaza truce deal

Bankole ABE
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Israel agrees to release 1,890 Palestinian prisoners in Gaza truce deal

ISRAEL has agreed to release 1,890 Palestinian prisoners in the Gaza truce deal reached recently.

The truce is to take effect on the eve of Donald Trump‘s inauguration for another term as  President.

Mediator Egypt, said Saturday, January 18, that the prisoner’s release is in exchange for 33 Israeli hostages in the first phase of a Gaza truce.

The 42-day ceasefire is set to begin today, Sunday, at 0630 GMT, and as part of the deal, Israel will be freeing a significant number of Palestinian prisoners.

According to the plan, 737 prisoners will be released later today (Sunday).

Countries like Qatar, Egypt, and the USA all played a role in mediating the agreement. It’s also worth noting that militants in Gaza will be releasing 33 hostages as part of the deal.

The ICIR reported that after over a year of conflict, a ceasefire agreement that includes the release of hostages was reached between Israel and Gaza.

Sky News reported that the truce, announced by Qatari Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, is set to begin on Sunday, January 19.

This latest development followed prolonged negotiations in Doha, with the conflict leaving thousands dead, injured, or displaced in Gaza.

The Israel-Hamas war has taken a devastating toll, with over 50,000 lives lost and many more affected.

The ceasefire is a much-needed step towards peace, and it’s happening at a significant time – just before Trump’s inauguration for a second term.

The conflict has seen several airstrikes in Gaza, destroying infrastructure, homes, hospitals, and public facilities. Hospitals and humanitarian centres have reported severe shortages of essential supplies like water, electricity, and medical aid.

The

ICIR reported how Israel’s ground offensive, launched in response to Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the abduction of around 250 hostages.

Meanwhile, the ceasefire deal reportedly includes a six-week initial phase during which Israeli forces will gradually withdraw from central Gaza, enabling displaced Palestinians to return to northern parts of the territory.

Humanitarian aid is also set to increase significantly as part of the agreement, offering some relief to Gaza’s beleaguered population.

Also, the deal includes plans for a second phase, to begin on the 16th day of the truce, focusing on the release of remaining hostages, including male Israeli soldiers, a permanent ceasefire, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces.

Death toll hits 86 in Niger petrol tanker explosion

Bankole ABE
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THE death toll in the  fatal petrol tanker explosion at Dikko junction in Niger State has  risen to 86.

The number of injured has also increased to 55, all of whom are receiving treatment in the hospital.

The recovered corpses have been given a mass burial in Dikko, Niger State, as the community comes to terms with the tragic incidence.

This Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, in a statement released on Sunday, January 19 said the agency, alongside Gurara Local Government Area and brave, kind-hearted volunteers, conducted the mass burial between 5 pm and midnight.

“Eighty of them were buried in a mass grave at Dikko Primary Healthcare Centre premises, while five were taken by their relatives for burial in the town, and one died at Dikko Primary Healthcare Centre.”

As of Saturday, the total death toll from the incident was over 50.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Commander in Niger State, Kumar Tsukwam, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Minna on Saturday.

According to Tsukwam, a loaded petrol tanker fell at the scene of the incident and people gathered, scooping spilling fuel.

The FRSC boss said they were engulfed by the fire just as those who went to rescue them were also affected.

He added that despite the devastating situation, personnel from the FRSC and other agencies worked tirelessly to rescue those trapped in the wreckage.

The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Baba-Arah, said the explosion happened around 9:00 am on Saturday.

According to him, the incident happened when a tanker loaded with premium motor spirit, PMS, crashed, and an attempt was made to transfer its contents to another tanker.

Meanwhile, the Niger State government has expressed sadness over the incident.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Bologi Ibrahim, said Bago described the explosion as heartbreaking,painful,and disturbing.

He sympathised with the families of the victims and prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed.

The governor, however, warned the people to always be conscious of their safety.

He directed all the relevant ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to do what was necessary while advising the security agents to ensure security in the area.

We didn’t force ex-President Buhari to testify in Paris court, Presidency says

Fatimah QUADRI
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We didn’t force ex-President Buhari to testify in Paris court, Presidency says

THE Presidency has refuted reports claiming it had compelled former President Muhammadu Buhari or any Nigerian to testify in an arbitration in Paris.

On Saturday, January 18  a news platform (not The ICIR) reported that former President Buhari had been called to testify in a Paris court regarding an arbitration proceeding over the $6bn Mambilla power contract dispute.

According to the report, Buhari was “hauled before the court on Saturday for breaching the terms of a power generation and distribution contract awarded to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company of Nigeria by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003.”

In response, Bayo Onanuga, the presidential media aide issued a statement denying the claim, though he did not refute the existence of the case.

Onanuga described the proceeding as entirely confidential and emphasised that it should not have been reported in the media, as it remains private until the international arbitrators make a decision.

“The attention of the Presidency has been drawn to some fake news on social media about an arbitration proceeding in Paris to which the Nigerian government is a party.

The private proceeding, which should not have been reported in the media, is entirely confidential until the international arbitrators decide,” the statement reads in part.

The statement further noted that while respecting the confidentiality of the proceedings, President Tinubu had not forced anyone to testify for or against Nigeria.

Onabuga added that all Nigerians involved in the country’s defense were doing so voluntarily, out of patriotism and conviction, and that President Tinubu and the nation were grateful to them.

TikTok halts US operations amid Trump’s reinstatement push

Fatimah QUADRI
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TikTok halts US operations amid Trump’s reinstatement push

TIKTOK cut off access for US users late Saturday January 18, just before a national ban took effect. This comes as President-elect Donald Trump remains unable to act until his inauguration.

After prolonged legal battles, the US Supreme Court on Friday January 17 upheld a law requiring the popular video-sharing app to be banned for national security reasons unless its Chinese owners finalize a sale to non-Chinese buyers by Sunday.

TikTok, known for turning everyday users like teenage dancers and grandmothers sharing recipes into viral sensations, has gained widespread popularity.

Trump, who credited the app for helping him connect with younger voters and secure his November 2024 election win, revealed to NBC News on Saturday that he might grant a 90-day reprieve after returning to the Oval Office, following discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“I think that would be, certainly, an option that we look at. The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done because it’s appropriate. If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday,” Trump said.

The law permits a 90-day delay if the White House demonstrates progress toward a feasible agreement, but TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has firmly rejected any sale.

Outgoing President Joe Biden’s administration has deferred the issue to Trump, with White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre dismissing TikTok’s recent remarks as a “stunt” in a statement.

Following the court ruling, TikTok CEO Shou Chew expressed gratitude to Donald Trump, acknowledging his willingness to collaborate on a resolution and commending him for his deep understanding of the platform.

Under the law, Apple and Google must remove TikTok from their app stores, preventing new downloads, with potential fines of up to $5,000 per user who can still access the app. Additionally, Oracle, which manages TikTok’s servers, would be required to implement the ban.

With TikTok’s shutdown, US-based competitors like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts stand to gain. Meanwhile, thousands of concerned TikTok users have flocked to Xiaohongshu, a Chinese social media platform akin to Instagram. Dubbed “Red Note” by American users, it became the most downloaded app on the US Apple Store this week.

 

Brazil names Nigeria as BRICS partner country

Abdullahi MURITALA
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Brazil names Nigeria as BRICS partner country

Brazil has officially named Nigeria as one of its partner countries in the BRICS alliance, according to a statement released by the Brazilian Foreign Ministry on Friday.

This positions Nigeria as the ninth partner country within the BRICS framework, alongside Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Belarus. The partner-country category was introduced during the 16th BRICS summit held in Kazan in October 2024.

At the G-20 summit in New Delhi in September 2023, the Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, emphasised that the BRICS group was incomplete without Nigeria’s inclusion. In December 2024, Nigeria sought South Africa’s support to secure full membership in both the G-20 and BRICS.

The Brazilian Foreign Ministry welcomed Nigeria’s decision, stating, “With the world’s sixth-largest population—and the largest in Africa—Nigeria is one of the continent’s major economies. It shares convergent interests with other BRICS members and plays an active role in advancing South-South cooperation and reforming global governance—priorities under Brazil’s current presidency.”

Initially formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, BRICS has gradually expanded as more countries express interest in joining the alliance of prominent emerging economies.

During the October summit, reports confirmed Nigeria’s inclusion as a partner country.

Former spokesperson for the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Eche Abu-Obe, commended Nigeria’s acceptance into the BRICS alliance, highlighting the significance of the move.

Grief as Lagos Magistrate collapses, dies after returning from Jerusalem pilgrimage

Bankole ABE
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Grief as Lagos Magistrate collapses, dies after returning from Jerusalem pilgrimage

A LAGOS magistrate, Olasanmi Ogunkanmi, 58, has collapsed and died hours after returning from a holy pilgrimage in Jerusalem, Israel.

According to reports, the magistrate, who was also a pastor, slumped and died the night after returning from the three-week trip to the Holy Land.

Ogunkanmi had just returned with the first batch of Lagos pilgrims before his sudden death on January 1, 2025. The news of his death became public on Friday, January 17.

According to reports, the late magistrate who worked at Ikeja Magistrate Court returned home full of joy and satisfaction, only to pass away suddenly.

A staff member at Ikeja Magistrate was quoted as saying that he will be remembered as a kind and humble person who excelled in his role.

However, there are conflicting reports on the circumstances of his death; while some say he slumped and died, others claim he died peacefully in his sleep.

Meanwhile, the executive secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, NCPC, Stephen Adegbite, has visited the widow of the late magistrate at their Lagos home to offer condolences.

Adegbite expressed heartfelt sympathy with the young widow over the sudden, shocking demise of Ogunkanmi.

He said that it was not an accident that the late magistrate died the night he returned from performing the holy pilgrimage in Jerusalem and that the occurrence made his death providential

The late magistrate’s funeral is scheduled to take place in Lagos on February 7, 2025, with a service of songs slated to be held a day earlier.

Recall that in October 2024, the death of a retired judge of the High Court of Lagos State, Beatrice Adesuwa Oke-Lawal, was announced.

The news of her passing was contained in a press statement that said the court would not sit as a mark of honour for late deceased judge.

Ogun community urged to remain vigilant as gunmen kidnap retired AIG’s wife

Bankole ABE
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Ogun community urged to remain vigilant as gunmen kidnap retired AIG’s wife

THE Arepo community in Ogun State, southwest Nigeria, has urged residents to remain vigilant and prioritise security.

The Community Development Committee (CDC) of the area stated this in reaction to the abduction of the wife of a retired Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, from her residence in the Arepo community.

Odumosu was abducted on Friday, January 17, by heavily armed men who stormed her home, firing guns randomly.

According to a media report, the community in a circular released on Saturday, January 18, warned residents to be on high alert and report any suspicious activity to help prevent more security incidents.

The committee said authorities, including police from nearby areas and soldiers, are working together to rescue the kidnapped woman.

As a result, the CDC advised members of the community to be extra cautious and strengthen their security measures.

They also encouraged them to position their security personnel in strategic locations to prevent any potential security breaches.

It was widely reported on Friday that gunmen suspected to be kidnappers abducted the wife of Odumosu from her residence in the Arepo area of Ogun State.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, said the police command reacted swiftly to the abduction by deploying operatives to secure her release.

She said reports indicate that she was about to enter her home when four masked men attacked her, dragged her from her Lexus Jeep, and took her through swampy areas to an unknown location.

She added that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) has led a team of police officers to the scene, where they were searching the swampy bush area.

The Ogun police spokesperson said the DPO had also contacted the heads of the Warewa and Maaba communities to deploy local security forces to the riverine area.

The ICIR reports that the victim’s husband, Odumosu, is a retired assistant inspector general who served in the force for 32 years.

He was the commander of the Lagos anti-crime Rapid Response Squad and the special environmental unit of the Lagos police.

He later served as the Lagos State commissioner of police and retired from the force in 2022 following his attainment of the rank of AIG.

Let’s borrow more money to address infrastructure needs-works minister

Fatimah QUADRI
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Let’s borrow more money to address infrastructure needs-works minister

THE Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has stated that the N800bn allocated to his ministry in the 2025 budget proposal is insufficient to address Nigeria’s road infrastructure challenges.

According to him, borrowing funds to address the nation’s infrastructure needs would be a positive move for the country’s future.

Speaking on Friday January 17, 2025, during a budget defence session by the House committee on works, the former Ebonyi governor urged the committee to consider increasing the ministry’s allocation for the 2025 fiscal year.

“We plead with you to help us. N800bn cannot do anything for us. It cannot address our road needs and so we plead with you to help us,” Umahi said.

Umahi urged the committee to allocate sufficient funds to the ministry to allow for the completion of ongoing projects and the initiation of new ones across the country.

“When the nation is in recession, you have to borrow money and do infrastructure. That is how you come out of a recession. It is the infrastructure that is going to be a catalyst for economic activities and then this hunger we are talking about will be a thing of the past.

The food sellers will be there, those doing sharp sand, those doing gravel and so on. Support Mr. President and let’s borrow money and do this infrastructure so that Nigeria will be great again,” Umahi said.

Akin Alabi, the committee chairman, assured that he would invite the Minister of Finance and the head of the Budget Office to clarify the reason behind the ministry’s insufficient budget.
The ICIR reports that President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, presented Nigeria’s 2025 budget .
INEC had also requested for N126 billion instead of the N40 billion the government budgeted for it in the proposed budget, which was made known by the commission’s chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, while defending the 2024 budget implementation before the National Assembly on Friday, January 10, 2025.

US holds border drills ahead Trump’s ‘indoors’ inauguration

Fatimah QUADRI
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US holds border drills ahead Trump’s ‘indoors’ inauguration

The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials commenced conducting border drill exercises on Friday, January 17, 2025, at the US-Mexico border using barbed wires and concrete blocks ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.

According to CBP, vehicle crossings on the international bridge between Ciudad Juarez and El Paso, Texas, were temporarily halted for about 40 minutes during the training session.

Reports states that the CBP office in El Paso stated that the exercise, which started in 2019, were designed to equip agents for possible border incidents. Meanwhile, residents of Ciudad Juarez noted an increase in such drills as Trump’s Monday inauguration approaches, following his pledge to carry out the largest deportation of undocumented migrants in U.S. history.

Ciudad Juarez serves as a key entry point to the United States for migrants escaping poverty, violence, or political instability in their home countries. It is also an official location where migrants with appointments can submit asylum applications via the US government’s CBP One mobile app.

Earlier this week, reports stated that Tijuana, another Mexican border city, declared a state of emergency to allocate resources for managing the possible influx of deportees. Trump, who has often referred to the influx of migrants as an “invasion,” has pledged to declare a national emergency at the Mexico border after assuming office and to deport millions of undocumented individuals.

Presidential inauguration to hold indoors

Donald Trump announced that his presidential inauguration on Monday January 20, will be held indoors due to anticipated freezing temperatures, dampening plans for a grand ceremony to mark the start of his second term.

He made the announcement on his Truth Social account that due to an Arctic blast affecting the country, he had directed that his inauguration address, along with prayers and other speeches, be held in the  US Capitol Rotunda.

“There is an Arctic blast sweeping the country, therefore, I have ordered the inauguration address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, to be delivered in the United States Capitol Rotunda,” part of the statement reads.

The change in plans means Trump will forgo the traditional inauguration on the Capitol steps overlooking the National Mall, which usually draws a large crowd. Instead, the event will take place in the Rotunda, a decorative hall beneath the congressional dome that accommodates only a few hundred attendees.

With Washington expecting freezing temperatures and strong winds on Monday, this marks the first time since Ronald Reagan’s 1985 inauguration that an emergency weather measure has been implemented.

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