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Ben Shemang is a journalist based in Abuja, Nigeria.
Fact Checking
Portfolio
Illegal organ traffickers prey on world’s poor in Nigeria, other countries
Illegal organ trafficking is a growing issue in Africa, with Nigeria, Kenya, and other countries being significantly affected. The trade, driven by poverty and lack of regulation, is worth over $1 billion annually. Vulnerable populations are targeted, with organs flowing to wealthier recipients. The trade involves organized networks, including medical professionals and local criminal groups. Human rights lawyer Frank Tietie and researcher Willis Okumu highlight the complexities and ethical concerns surrounding the trade. The United Nations and World Health Organization emphasize the need for better regulation and increased legal transplant capacity.
Why Nigeria's 'Baby Factories' Continue to Thrive
Child traffickers in Nigeria abduct girls and young women, impregnate them, and sell their babies to childless couples. These 'baby factories' are illegal facilities posing as private clinics, prevalent in southeastern states. Despite police efforts to shut them down, new ones continue to emerge due to high demand for babies, driven by poverty and cultural stigma. Activists and officials highlight the socio-economic conditions and moral decadence contributing to the issue. Legal frameworks exist to combat this practice, with ongoing arrests and advocacy for victims' rights.
ECOWAS: Inhaling Hot Pepper and the Formation of Russiophone?
The article explores the emergence of 'Russiophone' West African countries, focusing on Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, which have military regimes and strained relations with ECOWAS and France. These countries are forming closer ties with Russia, leading to potential geopolitical and economic shifts in the region. The article discusses the implications of these alliances, including economic sanctions, border closures, and potential water conflicts. It also examines the broader impact on regional stability, democracy, and economic policies, highlighting the complex dynamics between former colonial powers and new alliances.
Nigeria: How Tinubu's Government is Fighting Corruption
The article discusses the efforts of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu's administration to combat corruption, comparing it to the previous administration of Muhammadu Buhari. Citizens express mixed feelings about the effectiveness of these efforts, with some seeing no significant action and others noting some progress. Key figures mentioned include Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information. The article highlights the ongoing challenges and public expectations for the government to address corruption effectively.
Nigeria invests in the global lithium market
Nigeria is experiencing a surge in lithium mining, attracting both local and foreign, particularly Chinese, operators. The government has mandated that companies must add local value and benefit communities before extracting and exporting raw lithium. This initiative aims to create jobs and develop the mining sector, which currently contributes less than 1% to the GDP. Environmental concerns are raised due to illegal mining, with calls for stricter regulations. The Chinese company Ganfeng Lithium Industry Ltd. is building a lithium processing plant in Nasarawa, exemplifying the type of investment the government seeks.
Nigeria Aims to Tap Into the Global Lithium Market
Nigeria is shifting its economic focus from oil to mining, particularly targeting the booming global lithium market. The government has implemented stricter regulations to ensure that lithium mining includes local processing and benefits local communities. This move aims to create jobs and prevent environmental degradation. The Chinese company Ganfeng Lithium Industry Ltd. is already building a lithium processing plant in Nasarawa state. The Nigerian government is also investing in the National Integrated Mineral Exploration Project to gather data and promote sustainable mining practices. However, there are concerns about illegal mining and its environmental impact.
Nigeria wants to better regulate lithium exploitation
Nigeria is experiencing a lithium rush, with both local and foreign companies, particularly Chinese, seeking to exploit and illegally export the mineral. The Nigerian government has implemented measures to curb illegal mining and ensure environmental protection, including a ban on exporting unprocessed minerals. Safinatu Mohamed Sani, a geology consultant, advocates for sustainable mining practices, while Dele Anyoleke, president of the Association of Miners, criticizes the government's lack of enforcement. The government aims to prevent environmental disasters similar to those in the Niger Delta by mandating local processing of minerals.
Nigeria taps into the global lithium market
Nigeria is tightening its mining regulations to ensure that lithium, a key mineral for rechargeable batteries and electric vehicles, is processed locally rather than exported raw. The government aims to create jobs and protect the environment, with new licensing requirements for mining companies. Ganfeng Lithium Industry Ltd., a Chinese company, is already building a processing plant in Nasarawa state. The government is also investing in data generation for the mining sector to diversify the economy away from oil. Environmental experts stress the need for sustainable mining practices to prevent degradation.
Germany: Over 12,000 Nigerians Face Deportation
Germany is intensifying actions against illegal immigration, targeting over 12,000 Nigerians for deportation. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu supports the return of migrants, with plans to expand migration centers. Opinions in Nigeria vary, with some seeing migration as an opportunity for better living conditions, while others believe in building the country from within. Nigerian lawyer Jubith Ibi criticizes the Nigerian government for failing its citizens, while sociologist Celestine Odogu supports Germany's decision to repatriate illegal immigrants. The German government also proposes budget cuts affecting local refugee and migrant care.
When Nigerian Generals Bow To God In Thanksgiving
High-ranking Nigerian military officials, including General Christopher Gwabin Musa and Major General Nuhu Angbazo, attended a thanksgiving service at ECWA Good News Church in Abuja to celebrate survival from past dangers, including a 2006 plane crash and a recent car accident. The congregation, comprising Christians and Muslims, celebrated various miracles, including the birth of a child to Corporal Stephen Ogunfowashe's family. General Angbazo also acknowledged Captain Detimbir Chia, who discovered the 2006 crash site as a boy and was later sponsored to join the Nigerian Defence Academy by the Army.
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