Nigeria News (Standard)
AFRIMA Delegation Begins Stakeholder Engagement in Casablanca Ahead of 10th Music Awards
AFRIMA President Mike Dada leads six-day visit to assess venues, meet Moroccan officials and creative industry leaders
AFRIMA President Mike Dada leads six-day visit to assess venues, meet Moroccan officials and creative industry leaders
The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) has commenced a six-day strategic engagement in Casablanca, Morocco, as part of preparations for the 10th edition of the continent’s leading music awards. The delegation, led by AFRIMA President and Executive Producer Mike Dada, arrived in Morocco’s economic capital on Friday, June 21, to meet with key government officials, corporate partners, media houses and stakeholders in the creative sector.
During the visit, which runs from June 21 to June 26, the AFRIMA team will evaluate hospitality facilities, transportation systems and major event venues across Casablanca. This assessment forms part of AFRIMA’s broader continental stakeholder engagement programme designed to strengthen partnerships and determine the city’s readiness to host future editions of the prestigious awards.
The Casablanca engagement follows previous Road to 10th Edition activations held earlier this year in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. According to organisers, one of the main highlights will be a Creative and Media Soirée at the Marriott Hotel on Tuesday, June 23. The event aims to foster pan-African collaboration among Morocco’s music industry professionals and provide a platform for cultural exchange across the continent.
Speaking ahead of the engagements, AFRIMA Director of Brand Communications and Sponsorship Matlou Tsotetsi said the visit underscores AFRIMA’s commitment to building stronger pan-African partnerships through music. “Casablanca remains one of Africa’s most important cultural hubs,” Tsotetsi stated. She added that engaging directly with Moroccan stakeholders is critical for promoting unity in Africa’s creative industries.
The delegation is also scheduled to participate in ongoing music festivals and entertainment events across North Africa as part of efforts to experience Casablanca’s vibrant creative ecosystem. Partners supporting the visit include Big Time Morocco, Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMIC), WeCasablanca, Royal Air Maroc and AFRIMA Ambassador for Morocco Ahmed Soultan. Further updates on preparations for the landmark 10th edition are expected after conclusion of facility inspections and meetings with Moroccan authorities.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Lagos State Inaugurates Transport Union Task Force to Tackle Waste Dumping at Bus Parks
Commissioner Osiyemi warns NURTW, RTEAN members must clean up own garages before policing others
Commissioner Osiyemi warns NURTW, RTEAN members must clean up own garages before policing others
Lagos State Government on Saturday inaugurated a Special Task Force empowering transport union members to enforce sanitation at bus stops, garages, and major roads across the city. The move, announced at a ceremony in Alausa, Ikeja, sees members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) drafted as street-level ‘waste police’ to monitor indiscriminate dumping in transport corridors.
Commissioner for Transportation Oluwaseun Osiyemi said the initiative aims to curb a surge in refuse dumping along roadsides and inside parks, with Lagos generating an estimated 13,000 tonnes of waste daily. “We cannot fold our arms while people carry waste from their homes and dump it on roads, medians, and public spaces,” Osiyemi stated at the inauguration. He told union leaders that enforcement must begin within their own premises: “Before you can enforce discipline outside, your own garages and bus stops must be in order.”
The task force was launched amid criticism that many transport union parks themselves are hotspots for poor sanitation, shanties, and indiscriminate trading. Stakeholders have questioned whether unions previously accused of tolerating dirty garages can effectively police littering by commuters and traders. The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), represented by Managing Director Muyiwa Gbadegesin, backed the plan but noted that the real challenge remains large-scale collection gaps and illegal dumping by private sector operators.
Despite clearing over 418,000 tonnes of waste in May and addressing 173 identified black spots, LAWMA continues to face complaints from residents about uncollected household waste and blocked drains. Critics argue that while union-led patrols could deter petty littering around bus stops through spot fines and visible enforcement, they do not address systemic failures in contracted waste evacuation or alleged illegal dumping by licensed operators.
The Lagos government maintains that the task force will focus on changing behaviour at high-traffic sites such as bus parks and lay-bys. However, observers say real progress requires LAWMA to improve oversight of private contractors responsible for residential waste collection. As at now, there is no announced plan to expand union involvement beyond street-level monitoring.
Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/lagos-transport-unions-waste-task-force-2026062215180852665
Nigeria News (Standard)
Flood and Windstorm Destroy Farms, Shops in Ebonyi State Communities
Residents count losses as severe weather damages livelihoods across multiple LGAs; local authorities yet to respond
Residents count losses as severe weather damages livelihoods across multiple LGAs; local authorities yet to respond
Severe flood and windstorm have wreaked havoc on farms and shops in several communities across Ebonyi State, South-East Nigeria, causing significant destruction to livelihoods. The incidents, which occurred recently, left many residents counting their losses as agricultural produce and commercial properties were swept away or damaged.
According to affected residents, the heavy downpour led to widespread flooding, while strong winds toppled structures and uprooted crops in parts of the state. Farmers reported that their farmlands, stocked with crops at various stages of maturity, were submerged, resulting in substantial financial setbacks. Shop owners also lamented that goods worth millions of naira were destroyed as roofs were blown off and water inundated business premises.
The disaster comes at a time when many in Ebonyi rely heavily on agriculture and petty trading for survival. With the destruction of farmlands and shops, concerns are mounting over food security and economic hardship in the affected areas. Residents say such natural disasters have become more frequent during the rainy season, intensifying pressure on already vulnerable households.
As at press time, local government authorities had not issued an official statement or announced relief measures for those impacted by the flood and windstorm. Many residents appealed for urgent intervention from both state government and relevant agencies to mitigate their losses and prevent further hardship. “We need support to rebuild our farms and restart our businesses,” one affected farmer said.
The full extent of the damage is yet to be assessed, but community leaders are urging prompt action to avert a deeper humanitarian crisis. Stakeholders have called on government at all levels to implement long-term solutions, including improved drainage systems and disaster preparedness programmes, to protect lives and property from recurring extreme weather events.
Nigeria News (Standard)
NUJ Honours SSS DG Yusuf Bichi with ‘Man of the Year’ Award in Abuja
Recognition highlights SSS Director-General’s leadership; journalists commend agency’s efforts on national security
Recognition highlights SSS Director-General’s leadership; journalists commend agency’s efforts on national security
The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has honoured Yusuf Bichi, Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), with its ‘Man of the Year’ award during a ceremony held on Monday in Abuja. The award recognises Bichi’s role at the helm of the SSS and his contributions to national security.
The NUJ presented the accolade as part of its annual awards programme, acknowledging outstanding public officials and institutions. The event, which brought together journalists and stakeholders from across Nigeria, featured remarks commending Bichi’s stewardship and the SSS’s collaboration with the media.
According to NUJ officials, Bichi was selected for his demonstrated commitment to strengthening internal security operations and fostering a relationship between the SSS and Nigerian media practitioners. The union noted that such engagement remains critical in addressing misinformation and supporting national stability.
While receiving the honour, Bichi expressed appreciation for the recognition, stating that it would motivate the agency to continue prioritising professionalism and intelligence-led operations. The NUJ leadership also called on other security agencies to emulate efforts aimed at building public trust through openness and regular engagement with journalists.
The NUJ is expected to continue its annual tradition of recognising individuals who contribute significantly to Nigeria’s development. Observers say this year’s award reflects growing attention on security sector accountability and media-government relations.
Lagos State Inaugurates Transport Union Task Force to Tackle Waste Dumping at Bus Parks
Flood and Windstorm Destroy Farms, Shops in Ebonyi State Communities
NUJ Honours SSS DG Yusuf Bichi with ‘Man of the Year’ Award in Abuja
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