News
Breaking: Rebel troops arrest Mali’s President, Prime Minister
Rebel troops seized Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse in a dramatic escalation Tuesday of a months-long crisis.
Neighbouring states in West Africa, along with France, the European Union and the African Union, condemned the sudden mutiny and warned against any unconstitutional change of power in the fragile country.
The UN Security Council will hold emergency talks on the crisis on Wednesday, diplomats in New York said.
“We can tell you that the president and the prime minister are under our control” after they were “arrested” at Keita’s residence in the capital Bamako, a rebel leader, who requested anonymity, told AFP.
Boubou Doucoure, who works as Cisse’s director of communications, confirmed that the pair had been detained and had been driven in armoured vehicles to an army base in the town of Kati, about 15 kilometres (nine miles) away.
Mutineering troops had seized the base hours earlier before taking control of the surrounding streets and driving in convoy to the capital Bamako, according to an AFP journalist.
A 2012 putsch that opened the way to Keita’s presidency began in the Kati base — and fears quickly grew of another coup attempt in the notoriously unstable country.
Jubilant crowds in the city centre, which had gathered to demand Keita’s resignation, cheered the rebels as they made their way to the 75-year-old’s official residence.
As the day unfolded, the West Africa bloc ECOWAS, the United States and France released separate statements voicing deep concern about the turn of the events and urged against regime change.
French President Emmanuel Macron had also discussed the crisis with his counterparts in Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Senegal and expressed his “full support for the ongoing mediation efforts of West African states”.
His office had added that he “condemned the attempted mutiny under way”.
The AU said in a statement that it “forcefully condemns” the arrest of Malian political leaders, while the EU denounced what it called an “attempted coup.”
The United States’ envoy to the region, J. Peter Pham, joined the calls for restraint and echoed its opposition to any “extraconstitutional” change.
‘Shifts in mood’
Keita and Cisse’s sudden detention came on the heels of an apparently conciliatory message from the government in Bamako — which had urged the soldiers to engage in dialogue.
“The observed shifts in mood reflect a certain frustration that may have legitimate causes,” Cisse’s office said in a statement, without offering further details.
It added that the government was open to “fraternal dialogue in order to remove all misunderstandings”.
The drama coincided with opposition plans to resume protests against Keita.
Mali has been in the grip of a deep political impasse since June, with the 75-year-old president facing increasingly strident demands for his resignation.
So called after the date of its first protest, the June 5 Movement has been channeling deep anger over a dire economy, perceived government corruption and a brutal jihadist conflict.
But its anti-Keita campaign veered into crisis last month when at least 11 people were killed during clashes with security forces, over three days of unrest following a protest.
Rising tensions
Mali’s allies and neighbours are anxious to avoid the country sliding into chaos.
Swathes of its territory are already outside of the control of the government, which is struggling to contain a jihadist insurgency which first emerged in 2012 and has claimed thousands of lives.
The failure to end that conflict contributed to frustrations with Keita’s rule in Mali.
Tensions were also revived in April, when the government held a long-delayed parliamentary election whose results are still disputed.
ECOWAS on July 27 suggested the formation of a unity government while sticking by Keita, but the compromise was bluntly rejected by the June 5 Movement.
The coalition on Monday vowed to press ahead with its campaign to force Keita to step down.
It declared it would stage daily protests that would culminate in a mass rally in Bamako on Friday.
Credit: AFP


News
Oyo College of Nursing matriculates 147 students as Governor Makinde urge students to uphold ethics
The Oyo State College of Nursing and Midwifery, on Friday, held its second matriculation ceremony, with the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, as the special guest of honour.
The event was held at the main auditorium of the College at Eleyele, Ibadan.
Speaking at the event, Governor Makinde represented by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Soliu Abdulwaheed Adelabu said the future of healthcare in Nigeria has taken a significant step forward with the intake of 147 new students of nursing program.
“This matriculation ceremony, marking the college’s second for the national diploma program, is a significant milestone for these aspiring nurses as they began their journey to become healthcare professionals”, he said.
He congratulated the matriculants, encouraged them to embrace every lesson with an open mind, and shun examination malpractices.
Governor Makinde emphasized the importance of resilience in the nursing profession, urging them to uphold the college’s high standards of virtue and ethical conduct.
The Governor further reiterated his administration’s committment to the education system in Oyo state, especially the nursing education.
He commended the Provost and the college’s staff for their dedication to fostering excellence, noting the significant progress made by them to elevate the college to its new heights.
In her speech, the Provost of the College, Dr. Gbonjubola Owolabi also extended her congratulations to the students, urging them adhere to the college’s rules, and strive to be ambassadors for the institution.
She said, “Let me remind you, our matriculation students, that you are now ambassadors of this great institution. Let excellence be your watchword, and may you go on to make remarkable contributions to the Nursing profession and society at large.”
She encouraged the students to prioritize their studies and dedicate themselves to achieving their academic goals.
The Provost said the Oyo state College of Nursing and Midwifery stands as a beacon of academic excellence, committed to producing highly skilled and compassionate nurses who will make a difference in the world.
She also said, “our curriculum is designed to equip you with the necessary theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and ethical grounding essential for success in the nursing profession.”
Dr. Owolabi praised Governor Seyi Makinde for his unwavering supports and commitment to the development of the institution. 
She pointed at the avalanche of approvals and infrastructural advancements granted to the college under Makinde’s administration.
The Director, Nursing Services, Dr. Arinade Oyebode enjoined the students to get acquainted with the ethics of Nursing profession.
She also encouraged them to study hard, while they put God first in their academic activities.
A Professor of Nursing from the University of Ibadan, Prof. Chizoma Ndikom encouraged the students to prioritize their studies and dedicate themselves to achieving their academic goals.
The event was filled with excitement and anticipation as a new student, Islamiat Lawal was rewarded by the Commissioner, the Provost, and other guests for her adherence to punctuality.
Reprieve came the way of Senator of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has been restrained from receiving petition to recall Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in the 10th Senate, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
This followed an interim injunction granted on Thursday by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, capital of Kogi State on Thursday.
The Court also restricted INEC staff, agents, privies or assigns from accepting or acting on any petition containing fictitious signatures of purported members of Kogi Central Senatorial District and conducting any referendum upon such pending the determination of the Motion on Notice to the same effect.
Court’s interim order paper made available to journalists in Lokoja on Friday, indicated that the order was granted following an Ex-parte application for interim injunction supported by an Affidavit of Extreme Urgency together with other court processes sworn to by Anebe Jacob Ogirima for himself and four others who are registered voters and constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District of Kogi state.
Counsel to Senator Natasha, Smart Nwachimere, Esq of West-Idahosa, SAN & Co. moved the application in Court.
The case has been adjourned to May 6, 2025, for a report of service and further mention.
Reacting to the development, a pressure group, Action Collective, praised the judiciary for granting the order.
The group’s coordinator, Dr. Onimisi Ibrahim, said in his reaction that, “the order will further expose impunity of some sponsored individuals behind the failed plot to recall Senator Natasha.”
A popular businesswoman with strong interest in oil and gas, Aisha Achimugu has denied being investigated or arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, describing rumours milling around as baseless.
Her media aide, David Abakpa refuted the claim on Friday, saying his principal Dr. Aisha Achimugu, who serves as the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FELAK Concept Group, is not under investigation by the EFCC.
Abakpa described the rumour of arrest as unfounded and misleading, insisting that Dr. Achimugu who is a businesswoman has no issues with the EFCC or any other anti-graft agency, demanding that elements behind the falsehood should provide evidence.
According to Abakpa, the EFCC is a professional agency that does not act on social media speculations before conducting its investigations.
He criticized what he described as a “sponsored media campaign” aimed at tarnishing Dr. Achimugu’s reputation, asserting that such claims hold no merit.
“It is unfortunate that certain unverified online platforms are being used to spread falsehoods against a patriotic Nigerian and global icon, Dr. Aisha Achimugu, who has been earning international recognition for Nigeria,” the statement read.
He further pointed out that the EFCC does not disclose arrest plans prematurely, making it suspicious that anonymous sources allegedly linked to the agency would leak such information to an online media outlet.
Abakpa also noted that no one under an EFCC watchlist could leave the country without being intercepted at the airport, rendering the claim that Dr. Achimugu fled to evade arrest baseless.
“The media campaign against her is empty and has already failed. Falsehood can never prevail over truth. The sponsors of this fake news lack the coordination to tarnish the image of an award-winning entrepreneur,” he added.
Highlighting her national recognition, Abakpa emphasized that Dr. Achimugu’s OFR (Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic) honor is a testament to her contributions to Nigeria’s economy through legitimate business ventures.
“Dr. Aisha Achimugu is a hardworking businesswoman who constantly travels across the globe for business engagements. The claim that she left the country to escape arrest is laughable,” he concluded.
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