In under a fortnight, Uar Bernard’s life could change forever. The Nigerian will travel to Pittsburgh with a handful of peers from the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) for this year’s NFL Draft on 23-25 April. The 21-year-old works part-time as a personal trainer to help support his family, but getting picked by an NFL team could lead to him earning an annual salary in excess of $2m. It would be a long way from his days growing up with four sisters and three brothers in Unguwa Uku, a village of roughly 2,500 inhabitants in northern Nigeria. What sets Bernard…
Author: Montage Africa
A Chinese national has been sentenced to a year in prison for attempting to smuggle thousands of live queen garden ants out of Kenya. The court in Nairobi on Wednesday also fined Zhang Kequn 1m Kenyan shillings (£5,713; $7,737). Judge Irene Gichobi described Zhang as not “entirely honest” and lacking in remorse. Last month, he was charged with illegally dealing in wildlife species after being arrested at Nairobi’s main airport while attempting to travel to China with more than 2,000 ants in his luggage. Kenyan authorities have warned of a growing demand for the ants in Europe and Asia, where…
By Africanews A new theatre production in Zimbabwe is reigniting debate over proposed constitutional amendments that could extend presidential terms from five to seven years under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration. For decades, theatre in Zimbabwe has served as a powerful tool for political expression—often at significant personal risk to artists, with some productions banned and performers arrested. Now, as the government pushes for changes to the constitution, acclaimed actor and director Daves Guzha is once again turning to the stage to question authority. His latest play, Bodo, confronts the proposed amendments head-on, raising concerns about the extension of presidential tenure and…
The Nigerian authorities have dropped charges of financing terrorism against a former justice minister and his son. Abubakar Malami, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2023, now faces a revised charge sheet focused solely on the alleged illegal possession of firearms. The amended charge states that weapons and live cartridges were recovered from Malami’s residence in Birnin Kebbi, north-west Nigeria. Malami, 58, was seen as one of the most influential figures in the previous administration and is married to Buhari’s daughter. He and his son, Abdulaziz, both pleaded not guilty to the amended charge during a…
By Rédaction Africanews Iranian state media reported Wednesday that the commander of Iran’s joint military command warned that Iran would completely block exports and imports across the Persian Gulf region, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea if the United States did not lift its blockade on Iranian ports. “Iran will act with strength to defend its national sovereignty and its interests,” said Ali Abdollahi. He added that the U.S. blockade was “a prelude to violating the ceasefire.” Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz when Israel and the United States launched strikes against it more than a month…
Renowned African industrialist and philanthropist, Aliko Dangote, has been named among TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2026, reaffirming his standing as one of the most successful and iconic business leaders of his generation. Dangote joins global influential figures from multiple sectors, including political leaders such as U.S. President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, revered Pope Leo XIV, current head of Catholic Church as well as business and technology leaders including Google CEO Sundar Pichai and YouTube CEO Neal Mohan. The annual TIME100 list, published…
By Africanews with AFP The army on Wednesday buried officers and soldiers killed in attacks killed in recent Islamist militant attacks in the north east. The remains, including those of Brigadier General Omo Braimah, the most senior serviceman killed in the attacks, were interred at Maimalari Cantonment Cemetery in Maiduguri state with full military honours. “The best way to honour General Braimah [Brigadier General Oseni Braimah] and these fallen heroes is to finish the task they gave their lives for,” said General Christopher Gwabin Musa, Nigeria’s defence minister said in a speech. Musa also defended a recent airstrike on a…
By Sarah Miansoni with AFP Gabon authorities have arrested main opposition leader and vocal government critic Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, his political party said in a statement on Thursday. Bilie-By-Nze was detained at his home late on Wednesday, his Together For Gabon (EPG) party said, adding that it was carried out in “conditions that we consider arbitrary, brutal and manifestly contrary to the fundamental principles of the rule of law.” The party said the arrest is linked to a 2008 event for which the politician was at the head of the organising committee. The case relates to “a debt that the Gabonese…
South African police say have they arrested “wanted fugitive” French-born Beninese activist Kemi Seba while he was allegedly attempting to flee to Europe through Zimbabwe. Seba, whose real name is Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi, is wanted in Benin on charges of “inciting rebellion” after supporting last year’s foiled coup there. He was arrested on Monday alongside his 18-year-old son in a sting operation at a shopping centre in Pretoria. A “facilitator” who had allegedly been paid to help them illegally cross to Zimbabwe was also detained. Seba, 45, is known for opposing French influence in Africa, backing West Africa’s…
By Rédaction Africanews Nigerian airlines say they will suspend operations from April 20, 2026, citing the rising cost of aviation fuel and what they describe as exploitative pricing by fuel marketers. The decision, which could disrupt air travel nationwide, was communicated in a letter dated April 14 by the President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, Abdulmunaf Sarina, according to sources familiar with the matter. Fuel prices push airlines to the brink Industry operators say the cost of Jet A1 fuel has climbed to unsustainable levels, making it increasingly difficult to maintain daily operations. Fuel expenses account for a significant…