Headline

COVID-19: Creative Industry Professionals Launch “MaskUp Africa” Campaign,

Published

6 years ago

June 10, 2020

Editor

Professionals in the Creative Industry across the continent have united to launch the “Mask Up Africa” campaign.

The project is led by the Africa Film Academy, the curators of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAAs ) and Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe Foundation, in partnership with Joyce Banda Foundation International and many other creative collaborators.

According to Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, the initiative was inspired by a famous quote of Rwanda President, H. E Paul Kegame who said: “African story has been written by others; we need to own our own problems and solutions, and write our story.

She noted that the Mask Up campaign is a response to the present reality and aimed at helping Africa cope with the pandemic “As COVID-19 continues to ravage the world most African countries have been compelled to ease their lockdowns due to economic pressure. We are now in the community transmission phase and that is why most African governments have made it mandatory for everyone to wear masks before leaving home.

“But the fact is that 422 million Africans live below the poverty line of $1 per day-cannot afford a mask-and that is why this campaign is important especially as statistics has shown that wearing of masks do curb the spread of the virus”.

She stated “The objective of the campaign is to raise funds for the procurement and distribution of 52 million masks across Africa with basic donations of at least USD$1 as the unit cost of a mask is about 50cents or N200 or CFA500 as well as raise awareness on the importance of wearing masks to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Adding that clusters of tailors have begun to come together across the Continent as work begins on the production of the masks. “One million masks per country will be produced. This we believe is a way to empower SMES and help build our various internal economies as we invest in small businesses which are the backbone of any country”.

Apart from Osigwe Anyiam Osigwe Foundation, Joyce Banda Foundation international, the other partners include Charles Granvile Company, Femmes et Prisons d’Africa, Pan Africab Film & Arts Festival, AFC Pan African Consortium, Bodyworks Nigeria, The New Mind, Truliving Africa, BBB Media, Mambokadzi African Media & Entertainment, while many others have indicated interest in joining this collective to make the campaign a huge success.

She revealed that anyone can join the campaign simply by wearing a mask, making a 30 second video supporting the campaign and showcasing the importance of mask wearing.

That is not all, you can post picture of yourself wearing a mask on your social media page with the hashtag #MaskUpAfrica. Or you can source for and donate masks that will be distributed by the coalition.

She called on individuals and corporates to key into this campaign as we enter another but critical phase of the fight against Coronavirus.

Headline

UK Court Acquittal: Diezani Goes Spiritual, Says God Will Always Be God

Published

3 days ago

June 18, 2026

Eric

Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has reacted to her acquittal by a London court after bribery charges brought against her were dismissed.

The Southwark Crown Court in London, United Kingdom, on Wednesday acquitted the former minister of all charges, including five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.

Reacting to the judgment, Alison-Madueke expressed relief and said she and her family had endured years of emotional distress over the case.

Speaking to News Central, she said she has remained in the United Kingdom since the legal proceedings began 11 years ago.

She said: “I’m just thankful to God, it’s been arduous, almost 11 years. It’s been traumatic not just for me but for my family, friends, my 93-year-old mother in Port Harcourt and for my son.

“It has been a hard journey, but I tell you this, God will always do as He will. God will be God and God is not a man that He should lie; when He promises you something, He will see it through.

“For almost 11 years I have been here. I did my job to the best of my ability.”

Headline

I Never Saw Report that Led to Natasha’s Suspension, Says Ireti Kingibe

Published

3 days ago

June 18, 2026

Eric

The lawmaker representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), at the Senate, Ireti Kingibe, says she did not see any report that led to the suspension of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Kingibe made this disclosure on Wednesday when she featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.

She said she was at a retreat with Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, when she heard about the report.

“I never saw the report that led to Natasha’s suspension. I was at a retreat. I had earlier stated that I was there with three or four other senators who are members of the committee.

“We attended the Committee on Petitions and Public Complaints, signed the attendance register, and I later left for the tax reform retreat, which I considered more important at the time.

“It affects my constituents much more than disciplining a senator, and I figured that the other people who were not part of that committee would take care of it.

“I even complained to other Senators, specifically to Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe. I complained to him very bitterly that I had not seen that report. I didn’t see it then. I have not seen it till now,” she said.

Headline

UK Court Clears Ex-Petroleum Minister Alison-Madueke of All Corruption Charges

Published

4 days ago

June 17, 2026

Eric

Former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke was on Wednesday found not guilty by a London jury of six bribery charges, after ‌a rare corruption trial of a high-profile former energy official.

Alison-Madueke, minister for petroleum resources between 2010 and 2015 under then-president Goodluck Jonathan, stood trial charged with five counts of accepting bribes and a charge of conspiracy to commit bribery, which she denied.

Prosecutors ⁠alleged Alison-Madueke, 65, was given “a life of luxury” in London from oil and gas industry figures seeking lucrative contracts in Nigeria, which has long grappled with mismanagement and corruption.

But the former minister, who was also briefly president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, said she never took any bribes and had no real influence over the awarding of lucrative government contracts.

After a trial at London’s Southwark ‌Crown ⁠Court, Alison-Madueke was acquitted by a jury of all six charges she faced after more than 46 hours of deliberation.

The not guilty verdicts are a major blow to British authorities, which began their investigation into corruption allegations against Alison-Madueke ⁠more than a decade ago.

Alison-Madueke stood trial alongside oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, who was charged with one count of bribery relating to Alison-Madueke ⁠and a separate count of bribery of a foreign public official.

Alison-Madueke’s brother Doye Agama, 69, was charged with conspiracy to commit bribery ⁠with his sister relating to payments made to Agama’s church.

Both Ayinde and Agama denied the charges against them and were also acquitted by the jury.

Source: Reuters