Anicet Ekane, a well-known voice on Cameroon’s left-wing opposition scene, has died in custody five weeks after being detained, according to statements from his legal team and political movement.
The 74-year-old activist had been part of an opposition alliance that backed Issa Tchiroma Bakary in the October presidential race.
Tchiroma Bakary maintains that he legitimately won the vote, although official results declared 92-year-old President Paul Biya the victor. He has since taken refuge in The Gambia.
Officials have not provided a formal explanation for Ekane’s passing. His party alleges that he was deprived of essential medication, a claim authorities have rejected.
A representative of Ekane’s African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (Manidem) said he died early Monday at a military health centre, after his condition deteriorated sharply over the weekend.
“We have no clarification… His wife had been called to come, and when she found herself there, she was just presented the corpse of her husband,” he said.
He noted that the family later transported the body to a mortuary.
A defence ministry spokesperson, Capt Cyrille Serge Atonfack, stated that Ekane died from illness but offered no additional information.
“The deceased, who suffered from various chronic pathologies, had been interned at the Military Medical Centre of the National Gendarmerie,” he said, adding that the politician had been well taken care of by doctors since his arrest on 24 October.
Ekane’s legal representatives say he had been accused of offenses including hostility towards the state, encouraging public unrest, and calling for insurrection.
“He was never presented before a judge or charged with any misdemeanour,” said one of his lawyers, Hippolyte Meli, in a statement on social media, describing the detention of the Manidem party leader as “illegal”.
Speculation about Ekane’s fate had been building in recent weeks, prompting party supporters to insist on confirmation of his status, demanding to see him “dead or alive”.
News of his death has deeply shaken the country, drawing crowds of mourners to Manidem headquarters in Douala while others voiced outrage online.
The party reports that security personnel have now surrounded its offices.
Ekane had earlier thrown his support behind opposition figure Maurice Kamto ahead of the election. Kamto — who previously spent months in detention after contesting the 2018 results — saw his presidential bid dismissed by both Elecam and the Constitutional Council, which ruled the party had nominated more than one contender.
Following this, Ekane and several other political actors formed the Union for Change Coalition, ultimately selecting former government spokesperson Tchiroma Bakary as their candidate.
Authorities say a formal inquiry has been opened to uncover the exact circumstances surrounding Ekane’s death.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday brushed aside U.S. President Donald Trump’s remark about potentially removing Pretoria from next year’s G20 gathering, stressing once again that the country retains its original standing within the forum.
The United States skipped the leaders’ meeting hosted in Johannesburg on November 22–23, during which Trump revived long-debunked accusations that the nation’s Black-led administration targets its white minority.
Trump asserted last Wednesday that South Africa would be denied participation in the Florida summit next year, alleging that Pretoria refused to pass the G20 chairmanship to a senior diplomat present at the closing session. Officials in Pretoria maintain that the rotating leadership was formally transferred to a representative from the U.S. embassy.
“South Africa is and will remain a full, active and constructive member of the G20,” Ramaphosa said in a state of the nation address on Sunday.
He further pushed back on Trump’s recurring allegations, labelling them “blatant misinformation” and rejecting claims that South Africa was perpetrating “genocide against Afrikaners” or seizing land from white residents.
Ramaphosa added that, despite tensions at the political level, American companies and civic organisations still took part enthusiastically in the G20-linked programmes that took place in Johannesburg in November.
“We value those constructive ties and will continue to work within the G20 framework,” he said, signalling Pretoria’s intention to sustain engagement.
Gunmen attacked a church in Kogi State, abducting a pastor and his wife. The incident took place during Sunday service at the newly established Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area.
The community was thrown into panic after armed bandits launched the assault while worship was ongoing.
A local source said the gunfire forced congregants to flee for safety. The pastor, popularly called Orlando, was kidnapped along with his wife and several others.
Residents described the attack as frightening, noting that the bandits arrived without warning and left many in shock. The exact number of abducted persons has not yet been confirmed.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Government said on Sunday that it has intensified surveillance and launched a manhunt for the attackers.
The number of church members taken by the gunmen is still unclear.
However, the state government, through the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, said security agencies were working to secure the release of the victims.
“The authorities of Yagba West Local Government Council are working hard with the security agencies to ensure those kidnapped are rescued alive. The perpetrators, too, already know that Kogi will do everything possible to secure every one of its citizens abducted.
”The Governor of the State, His Excellency Alh Ahmed Usman Ododo, is coordinating activities, and we will keep the press updated on the operations.
”We urge the citizens to be security-conscious and also report suspicious movements and faces to security agencies. When you see something, say something.
”Worship Centres in the outskirts should also reconsider worshipping in crime-prone areas for now until the situation gets better.”
Emergency teams across multiple countries in South and Southeast Asia are pushing ahead with search and relief missions as the death toll from widespread flooding continues to grow.
Severe storms that struck the region last week have resulted in at least 334 deaths in Sri Lanka, 502 in Indonesia, and 170 in Thailand, according to official reports.
In Sri Lanka, search teams are looking for about 370 people after a powerful cyclone swept through the island, unleashing torrents of rain that swamped homes, farmland, and major routes while also causing landslides in elevated areas.
Close to a million residents have been affected by the intense rainfall, with nearly 200,000 forced to leave their homes for temporary shelters, according to the national disaster authority.
On Monday, residents along the Kelani river near Colombo were seen retrieving whatever they could from waterlogged houses.
Transport networks have slowly begun recovering, with both rail and air travel back in service after last week’s disruptions, though schools remain shut, officials said.
Cyclone Ditwah was the “largest and most challenging” natural disaster in Sri Lanka’s history, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.
The system also triggered heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu in southern India over the weekend, where authorities confirmed that three people died in incidents linked to the downpours.
The weather disturbance, now positioned roughly 50 km (30 miles) from Chennai, has weakened into a “deep depression” and is expected to diminish further within the next 12 hours, meteorologists said on Monday.
Across Southeast Asia, nearly 700 people have lost their lives after two cyclones swept through the region. Indonesian responders are still trying to locate at least 508 missing people, based on government data.
Cleanup efforts were underway over the weekend as residents began clearing debris, fallen trees, and thick mud from major roads.
More than 28,000 houses have been damaged, and about 1.4 million people have been affected by this unusual tropical weather event.
The country’s president, Prabowo Subianto, described the situation as catastrophic and promised full reconstruction efforts during a visit to three heavily impacted provinces on Monday, where close to 300,000 people have been displaced.
In Thailand, flooding across eight southern provinces has touched roughly three million residents, prompting large-scale deployment of military personnel to move hospital patients and reach communities isolated by rising water.
Hat Yai, the hardest-hit urban centre, recorded 335 mm (13 inches) of rainfall on 21 November — its heaviest single-day total in three centuries — followed by continual rain in the days after.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnivirakul expects residents to be able to return home within seven days, a government spokesperson said on Monday.
Compensation payments are scheduled to commence on Monday, starting with 239m baht (£5.6m) allocated for 26,000 affected individuals, the spokesperson added.
In Malaysia, at least three deaths have been recorded, and officials remain on high alert as the country braces for potential second and third waves of flooding while 11,600 people remain in emergency shelters.
The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) has released the shortlist for its 2025 recruitment exercise, marking a crucial turning point for applicants seeking positions in the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Fire Service (FFS), and Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
According to the CDCFIB Secretary, Major General A.M. Jibril (Rtd.), candidates can now confirm their status on the official recruitment portal, following a rigorous selection process that reviewed more than 1.8 million applications submitted between July 14 and August 11, 2025.
With the Computer-Based Test (CBT) phase concluded and physical screenings scheduled for December 8–12, 2025, applicants are expected to act quickly.
Shortlisted candidates must log into the portal from December 1 to 3, 2025, to verify their status and choose a screening venue and date.
The board emphasises that all communication will occur strictly through the official website, warning applicants to disregard emails, SMS messages or third-party platforms claiming to provide shortcuts or privileged information.
How to Check Your Shortlist Status
Accessing the shortlist is a straightforward process, but the board stresses that candidates must only use the official portal at https://recruitment.cdcfib.gov.ng to avoid scams. Applicants are required to: • Visit the CDCFIB recruitment website and ensure the URL is correct and secure.
• Log in using their National Identification Number (NIN) and the password they created during registration. Those who forget their password should use the recovery option instead of registering a new account.
• Navigate to the “Application Status” or “Shortlisted Candidates” section on their dashboard, where their eligibility and CBT performance details will be displayed
• Revisit the portal frequently within the window, as names may be uploaded in batches.
Applicants who fail to confirm their screening date and venue by December 3 risk missing out on the exercise entirely.
What Comes Next
Once shortlisted candidates confirm their screening details, they are expected to appear for physical screening and document verification at their chosen state centres from December 8 to 12.
Screening will be conducted simultaneously across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with centres designated according to agency and state of origin.
The screening will involve: • Verification of educational qualifications, age documents, and certificates of state of origin. • Biometric and identity confirmation. • Physical assessments, including height and chest measurements, grooming checks, and basic fitness observations. Successful candidates will then proceed to subsequent stages such as medical assessments and final training.
How to Prepare for the Physical Screening
Candidates should begin preparations immediately, focusing on accurate documentation, physical readiness, and proper organisation to avoid disqualification.
Essential Documents to Bring Present both originals and photocopies of the following: • O’Level certificate (WAEC/NECO/NABTEB) with required credit • Birth certificate or age declaration • Certificate of state or local government of origin • NIN slip or National ID card • Printed invitation/screening slip from the portal • Application acknowledgment slip (if applicable) • Recent passport photographs (at least four) • Any additional certificate required for your cadre (e.g., trade test, driver’s licence)
Physical Readiness The screening includes height checks, biometric verification, grooming checks, and basic fitness observations.
What to Wear • Simple, neat clothing (plain shirt and trousers) • Closed shoes • Bring light sportswear for fitness checks • Keep appearance clean—avoid heavy makeup, flashy dressing or long nails
Items to Bring Alone • Clear document folder • Pen and small notebook • Water and light snacks • Power bank • Face towel
Additional Practical Tips • Locate your screening center a day before • Arrive at least one hour early • Follow all instructions calmly—misconduct leads to disqualification • Do not engage anyone claiming to “help” with the process
Advice and Pitfalls to Avoid
The CDCFIB has reiterated that the recruitment is free, and no payment is required at any stage. Applicants are urged to steer clear of individuals offering “assistance” in exchange for money; such actions may lead to disqualification.
Other cautionary points include: • Do not present laminated certificates, as they may be rejected. • Tattoos and unusual body markings may disqualify candidates in some agencies. • Attend only the venue and date selected on the portal; showing up elsewhere leads to automatic exclusion. • Maintain calm and orderly conduct throughout the process, as aggressive behaviour attracts penalties. • Ensure all documents match the details submitted during the online application.
As the process moves into its most decisive phase, candidates are encouraged to stay informed through the official CDCFIB portal and to avoid misinformation circulating online.
With proper preparation and adherence to guidelines, shortlisted applicants stand a strong chance of progressing toward a career in Nigeria’s paramilitary services.
Thanksgiving, widely observed across the United States, Canada, and a few other countries, is traditionally a moment dedicated to gathering with loved ones, sharing meals, to acknowledge the harvest and reflect on the blessings of the year.
Although rooted in North American history, the essence of Thanksgiving has become universal. Many Nigerians, both at home and in the diaspora, embrace similar practices that centre on appreciation, connection, and community.
Globally, Thanksgiving is recognized on varying dates in October and November, depending on the country. To this day, many nations celebrate their own versions of harvest festivals during the autumn season.
How Thanksgiving came to be
Thanksgiving, as celebrated in the United States and Canada, traces back to early settlers who held feasts to express gratitude for the harvest season. In the United States, it falls on the fourth Thursday of November, which this year is November 28.
Canada observes it earlier on the second Monday of October because its harvest season ends sooner due to the northern climate. One of the most cherished traditions is the moment where each person at the table shares what they are thankful for.
This simple ritual captures the heart of Thanksgiving: pausing to acknowledge the good in one’s life, family, health, friendships, provisions, and even small everyday blessings. It is a collective act of reflection and appreciation.
Thanksgiving Traditions
The Feast
A shared meal lies at the centre of Thanksgiving across different cultures. Diaspora families and community groups combine North American Thanksgiving staples (turkey, stuffing) with Nigerian favourites (jollof rice, pounded yam, soups, grilled meat). This culinary blending helps preserve Nigerian identity while joining local holiday rituals.
Giving Back
Thanksgiving is also known as a season of generosity. Nigerians also embrace the spirit of generosity associated with the season.
In North America, many people volunteer at shelters or donate food baskets, and Nigerian communities participate actively in these traditions.
Some take it even further by holding their own acts of giving church-led donations, visits to orphanages back home, contributions to community funds, or sending financial support to relatives. These practices reinforce the belief that gratitude must be expressed through kindness.
A Holiday with Complexity
Despite the joyful spirit, Thanksgiving also carries a more complicated history. For many Native Americans, the holiday symbolizes colonization, displacement, and cultural loss.
At the same time, Nigerians in the diaspora are increasingly aware of the complex history behind Thanksgiving, especially its impact on Indigenous communities. This awareness deepens conversations about gratitude, privilege, and community support, echoing similar discussions in Nigeria around inequality and social responsibility.
President Bola Tinubu has authorized the formation of Nigeria’s delegation to the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group, as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation in addressing the country’s security challenges.
The group’s composition was agreed upon during a recent visit to Washington, DC, by a high-level Nigerian team led by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
According to a statement on Thursday, the NSA is expected to head the Nigerian delegation, supported by a multi-stakeholder team of senior officials from relevant government agencies.
Other members of the Joint Working Group include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Bernard Doro; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed; and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
“Ms. Idayat Hassan of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and Paul Alabi of the Embassy of Nigeria in the US will serve as the secretariat,” the statement added.
“President Tinubu urged members of the JWG to work assiduously with their US counterparts to ensure smooth operationalisation of all agreements across sectors,” said Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
Nigeria’s security situation drew international attention when former US President Donald Trump raised concerns about Christian genocide in Nigeria, threatening to deploy the US military to the country “guns-a-blazing.”
However, the Federal Government dismissed the claim, stating that it was actively taking measures to address security issues in Nigeria.
President Tinubu emphasized that the safety of Nigerians is a top priority for his administration and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to religious freedom and tolerance.
On November 21, the US House Subcommittee on Africa examined Nigeria’s redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
During the session, various speakers testified before the subcommittee, offering differing perspectives on the killings in Nigeria.
From recurring school abductions to widespread closures and communities trapped in fear, Northern Nigeria continues to grapple with the devastating intersection of insecurity and children’s access to basic education.
Over the past decade, hundreds of schools across Kaduna, Zamfara, Niger, Katsina, and Borno have shut down, creating what experts describe as a “vicious cycle of closures,” where criminal attacks halt learning and government responses unintentionally leave children even more vulnerable.
Today’s discussion sheds light on the depth of this crisis from policy failures to the emotional and human toll on families. Yet, it also highlights pathways toward progress, including stronger Safe Schools implementation, community-led intelligence efforts, rebuilding trust in education, and prioritising trauma recovery.
Nigeria has been facing tough economic challenges, but the Dangote Refinery has become a major source of relief by cutting the country’s fuel import bill by more than ₦10 billion every year.
This information was shared by Sunday Esan, Senior General Manager of Corporate Communications at Dangote Industries, during the 2025 Media Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Lagos.
The event, themed “Unlocking Opportunities for Businesses in a Challenging Economy: The Role of the Media/Roadmaps to Energy Security in Nigeria,” highlighted how the refinery has strengthened Nigeria’s energy independence almost two years after it began full operations.
Esan explained that the refinery has significantly reduced what Nigeria spends on fuel imports. Fuel import costs dropped from $2.6 billion in the first quarter of 2024 to $1.2 billion in the same period of 2025. This 54 percent reduction is directly tied to local refining.
There are also plans to expand the refinery’s capacity from 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels per day. This expansion is drawing global buyers, including Saudi Aramco and American companies interested in jet fuel.
With debates around energy security continuing, Esan encouraged the media to visit the refinery to better understand what he called a “national asset” and to counter misinformation.
Turning From Imports To Local Refining
Before the refinery began operating fully in early 2024, Nigeria relied heavily on imported petrol and diesel, even though it is one of the world’s major crude oil producers.
The country imported nearly 90 percent of its refined fuel, which drained foreign exchange, weakened the naira, and caused recurring fuel scarcity.
There were long queues, panic buying, and regular disruptions. In 2023, imports from Malta alone rose sharply to more than $2.1 billion after years of almost no imports from that route, amid concerns that some of the imported fuel was of poor quality.
Since the refinery began producing at scale, the situation has changed dramatically. By mid-2025, petrol imports had fallen by 54 percent compared to the previous year, and seaborne clean product imports dropped 39 percent within the first seven months.
Nigeria now has a stable local supply chain, producing more than 45 million liters of petrol and 25 million liters of diesel every day, which is more than enough to meet national demand.
As a result, the country has cut its annual import bill by as much as $3.8 billion and is now in a position to become a net exporter of fuel, something that has not happened in decades.
How Nigeria Is Able To Save
The savings come from replacing imported fuel with locally refined products. The 650,000 barrels-per-day facility refines Nigerian crude into petrol, diesel, and jet fuel, reducing the need for imports that previously consumed as much as 40 percent of Nigeria’s foreign reserves. In just the first quarter of 2025, this shift led to a $1.4 billion reduction in spending on imported fuel.
Several factors support these savings, including the refinery’s highly efficient single-train design, its fleet of 4,000 compressed natural gas trucks for distribution, and strategic price reductions such as a ₦30 per liter fuel price cut in August 2025.
As production moves toward 700,000 barrels per day by the end of the year, these savings will continue to grow. Experts like Jide Pratt from TradeGrid point out that although maintenance downtime can pose temporary risks, the overall impact is reduced dependence on imports and less pressure on foreign exchange.
Countries Nigeria used to Import From
Nigeria’s fuel imports have traditionally come from a wide range of countries, especially in Europe. Malta was the largest source in 2023 with over $2.1 billion worth of shipments, followed by the Netherlands and Belgium, which act as major entry points for refined products coming from the Middle East and Asia.
Other import sources included the United States and some West African countries like Ghana, though in smaller amounts. This complex network added to transparency problems and put significant pressure on Nigeria’s foreign exchange.
Malta alone exported $818 million worth of petrol to Nigeria in 2024 before exports dropped sharply by 60 percent.
The situation is now changing. Instead of relying heavily on imports, Nigeria is beginning to export refined products from the Dangote Refinery.
In 2025, gasoline shipments went to the United States, Oman, Singapore, and Malaysia, totaling around 90,000 barrels per day in June.
Countries in West and Central Africa, including Ghana, now buy diesel and jet fuel from Nigeria. The refinery has also met European standards, opening additional export markets.
Interest from companies such as Saudi Aramco reflects the high quality of its products. Between June and July, more than one million tons of premium motor spirit were exported within the region.
These exports help Nigeria earn foreign exchange and shift from being a long-time buyer to a supplier in the international market.
Impact on Nigeria’s Economy
The effects of the Dangote Refinery extend far beyond fuel savings. By preventing the loss of more than ₦10 billion each year, the refinery helps stabilize the naira and supports the economy during a period of high inflation.
This saved amount could fund thousands of schools, hospitals, or development projects. The reduced demand for dollars has supported exchange rate stability and contributed to improved GDP growth forecasts, rising from 3.34 percent to 4.13 percent by 2030.
The refinery has also generated thousands of jobs. The fleet of CNG trucks alone employs 24,000 people, while refinery operations create jobs in engineering, logistics, manufacturing, and fuel retailing.
Energy security has improved significantly, ending frequent fuel shortages and protecting Nigeria from global supply disruptions. According to OPEC’s January 2025 report, Nigeria’s import dependence has dropped sharply. Maritime exports grew 12 percent to ₦42.87 trillion in the first half of 2025, helped by refined product shipments. Local refining has also pushed companies like Oando and TotalEnergies to adjust their strategies to the new reality.
Long-term projects, including the recent Honeywell partnership to expand capacity, promise cheaper fuel, more investment, and stronger industrial growth.
Esan described the refinery as a national landmark that is boosting growth, creating jobs, and establishing Nigeria as a major energy player in the region.
The Federal High Court in Lagos has declared that the Federal Government, the 36 states, and the Federal Capital Territory are legally obligated to provide free, compulsory, and universal basic education for all children of primary and junior secondary school age.
Justice Daniel Osiagor delivered the judgement on 9 October 2025 in a case brought by human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and Hauwa Mustapha, acting on their own behalf and representing the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond. The Federal Government, the states, and the FCT were named as respondents.
In the certified true copy of the judgement, the court ruled that Section 11(2) of the Universal Basic Education Act imposes a binding duty on all respondents to ensure free basic education within their jurisdictions.
“Any state that elects to participate must comply strictly with Section 11(2) by contributing 50 per cent counterpart funds before drawing from the Universal Basic Education Fund,” Justice Osiagor stated.
He further noted that states’ failure to access the federal block grant “does not per se amount to illegality,” explaining that the provision is directory and conditional rather than mandatory.
The court also recognized the applicants’ locus standi, adopting a liberal stance toward public interest litigation. Justice Osiagor held that cases concerning fundamental social rights do not require proof of personal injury.
“The applicants demonstrated a genuine concern for the enforcement of children’s educational rights, supported by evidence of unaccessed federal grants… Accordingly, I hold that the applicants have sufficient interest and thus possess locus standi,” he said.
Regarding whether the right to basic education is enforceable, the court dismissed the respondents’ claim that the right remains non-justiciable under Chapter II of the Constitution.
Justice Osiagor stated that the enactment of the UBE Act converted the right into an enforceable statutory entitlement. “Once parliament has enacted a law imposing obligations, those obligations become enforceable,” he said, citing Indian jurisprudence and Nigeria’s constitutional development.
The court concluded that Sections 2(1) and 11(2) of the UBE Act place binding responsibilities on the Federal Government, the states, and the FCT to guarantee free and compulsory basic education.
However, Justice Osiagor clarified that the law does not criminalize a state’s refusal or failure to provide the required 50 per cent counterpart funding or to access the N68bn Universal Basic Education Fund.
While he ruled in favor of the applicants on the first two issues, he decided on the third issue that failing to draw from the fund is not illegal.
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