AFRIC TRENDS

  AFRIC TRENDS  The NDLEA announced that US-trained filmmaker Emeka Emmanuel Mbadiwe was arrested on December 27, 2024, in his Lekki hotel room for involvement in drug trafficking Mbadiwe's partner, Uzoekwe Ugochukwu James, was also apprehended the same day at a warehouse in Ajao Estate, Ikeja, where he was collecting 33 parcels of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis The shipment, weighing 17.30 kilograms, had arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport from the United States, concealed in large wooden boxes On December 5, 2025, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced via X that its officers arrested a US-trained Hollywood and Nollywood filmmaker, Emeka Emmanuel Mbadiwe, who is also a motivational speaker. Mbadiwe was apprehended in his Lekki hotel room on Friday, December 27, 2024, following the earlier arrest of his partner, Uzoekwe Ugochukwu James, the same day. James was caught at a warehouse in Ajao Estate, Ikeja, where he had been sent by Mbadiwe t...

  AFRIC TRENDS  A female-led syndicate of thieves has been dismantled by the Kano State Police Command, and five suspects have been arrested.  The spokesperson of the command, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, January 2, 2024, said the gang is led by Shamsiyya Adamu, a 19-year-old resident of Brigade Quarters Kano.  According to the PPRO, Shamsiyya, the principal suspect, was arrested on December 21, 2024, following reports of stolen mobile phones in Unguwa Uku Quarters Kano.  The spokesperson further disclosed that 30 persons, including 29 females and 1 male, have lodged complaints against Shamsiyya, who confessed to stealing their mobile phones on various occasions in 2024  In the year 2024, the Kano State Police Command received numerous reports from residents of Kano Metropolis about a young lady who steals mobile phones from residential houses,” the statement read.  “The reports indicated that the suspect w...

  AFRIC TRENDS  Ayomide Adeleye, the young man who admitted to killing his friend and neighbor, Christianah Idowu, is not currently held in any correctional facility in Lagos State, as confirmed by FIJ.Initially arrested and remanded in September, rumors about his possible release began circulating in December, alarming friends and family about the status of the murder case against him. FIJ’s earlier investigation into these claims revealed that insiders in the police force had also heard similar reports; however, information was limited by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).A police insider commented. The police transferred him to Ikoyi Prison, but the judiciary is slow in addressing the case. The remand warrant doesn’t expire, so it’s puzzling how he managed to secure his release for a murder charge.”Further inquiries revealed to FIJ that there were two individuals named ‘Ayomide Adeleye’ in NCoS custody, but neither was...

  AFRIC TRENDS  The boy was found alive after spending five days in Matusadona Game Park, a wildlife sanctuary known for its large populations of lions and elephants. This was disclosed on X by Mashonaland West MP Mutsa Murombedzi who described the park as “perilous.” According to her, the boy wandered 23 kilometres from his home into the dangerous park, prompting a frantic search by the local community and park rangers. She noted that the park, located in northern Zimbabwe, is home to about 40 lions and is known for having one of the highest lion population densities in Africa. Despite the threats posed by predators and harsh conditions, Tinotenda survived by relying on his knowledge of the wild. She added that the boy ate wild fruits and used a stick to dig small wells in dry riverbeds for drinking water, a survival technique common in the drought-prone region. She explained that the local Nyaminyami community began the search by beating drums daily to help guide the boy bac...

  AFRIC TRENDS  Real Reason Amorim axed Rashford from squad as Manchester United star eyes January exit Michael Michael uwem•  14:48 - 04.01.2025 Manchester United star Marcus Rashford is set to miss his sixth match in a row, and the reason for his reported falling out with head coach Ruben Amorim has been revealed Marcus Rashford’s future at Manchester United has been thrown into uncertainty after being dropped from four matchday squads by manager Ruben Amorim. While Rashford has publicly hinted at a desire for a "new challenge," the real reason behind his exclusion has now been revealed, sparking speculation about a possible January transfer. Amorim drops Rashford after breaking pre-game rules The catalyst for Rashford’s absence reportedly traces back to a disagreement over a pre-match rule enforced by Amorim. Ruben Amorim Ruben Amorim Ruben Amorim's Man Utd could face an understrength Newcastle in their final match of 2024 (Credit: Imago) Reports suggest that the Manch...

  AFRIC TRENDS  A screenshot from the Hankook Ilbo YouTube channel shows what appears to be the pilot reaching for the panel moments before the Jeju Air crash at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province, Sunday. Captured from YouTube By KTimes A heart-wrenching video showing the final moments of the pilot during the Jeju Air crash has surfaced online, evoking both sorrow and admiration for the pilot's efforts in the face of what ultimately became a major aviation tragedy. The footage captures what appears to be the pilot extending his hand toward the cockpit's overhead panel moments before the aircraft collided with a localizer structure, a critical navigation aid. A post titled "The Pilot's Last Moments" circulated widely online, with the author saying, "Until the very last second, his hand reached out to the cockpit panel. I believe he did his utmost." The accompanying video shows a shadowy figure, presumed to be the pilot, reaching for the ...

  AFRIC TRENDS The Lagos State Government has announced a temporary disruption in water supply to several key areas, including Mainland, Ikeja, Surulere, Lagos Island, Ketu Alapere, Mobolaji Bank Anthony, Oregun, Aromire, Allen Avenue, and other regions. This disruption follows a significant leak in a water pipe located opposite Maryland Mall, reported on January 2, 2025. As a result, production has been suspended at two major waterworks, Iju and Adiyan 1, which supply about 40% of the state. The announcement was made by Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, via a tweet in response to a concern raised by an X user, @WilsonObasa. The tweet highlighted the ongoing water leakage, which was confirmed by Wahab, who assured residents that the government was aware of the issue and had taken immediate action to address it. We are indeed aware of the leakage opposite the mall at Maryland. In light of that, we have had to temporarily halt production from ...

AFRIC TRENDS  Your eyes are the window to your soul, so take care of them. Even if you eat a healthy diet, you may also use vitamins and supplements to boost your overall health. The top vitamins for eye health are probably already in the foods you regularly eat -- like broccoli, salmon and carrots -- but you might also use supplements to fill any existing gaps. Remember, before taking anything, you should speak with your doctor. Your eye doctor can also provide insight into your eye health during your regular exam, so ensure you have that on the calendar. Whether you have vision problems or spend your days staring at a computer screen, here are the best vitamins and supplements for healthy eyes and where you can find them in food. Plus, there are some bad habits for your eyes to avoid. The best vitamins and supplements for eye health Vitamin bowls In addition to a balanced diet, here are the best vitamins and supplements for your eyes. Luckily, you can get most of these added supp...

  AFRIC TRENDS  FirstBank, the oldest bank in Nigeria and part of FBN Holdings’ entities has exited close to 100 senior staff members in what our sources describe as a major organizational shakeup. According to a reliable source with direct knowledge of the matter, some of the bank’s top executives were asked to leave as part of its repositioning plan for 2025. The exits appear to be part of a concerted effort by the holding company of the board, led by Femi Otedola, to introduce fresh blood into several leadership positions in the bank, the source further explained. RelatedStories Major developments in the Nigerian transportation sector in 2024  Major developments in the Nigerian transportation sector in 2024   January 1, 2025 Company tax Tax Reform Bills will boost production in Nigeria – Presidency counters Bauchi governor   January 1, 2025   What we know Our sources indicate that the board of FirstBank approved the exit of about 100 senior exe...

AFRIC TRENDS    In December 2024, the crypto industry experienced over 25 hacks, resulting in approximately $24.69 million in losses, a 71% decline compared to November, according to blockchain security firm Peckshield. This marks a significant reduction in monthly losses, with December becoming one of the least damaging months of the year. The report was shared by Peckshield Alerts via their X page revealing details of the hacks that occurred in the last month of 2024. The most substantial single incident was the LastPass hack, which accounted for $12.38 million in losses. Other notable victims included Yeti Finance, GemPad, and FEG, each losing around $2.2 million, as well as another entity identified as “Victim,” which suffered $1.3 million in damages. Industry Trends and Stolen Funds  PeckShield’s analysis shows that stolen funds were moved through various platforms. For example, over 550 Ethereum (ETH), along with substantial amounts of USDC and Bitcoin, were transfe...

  AFRIC TRENDS  Some countries offer fast-track citizenship to foreign nationals who marry their citizens, with some processes taking just one or two years. Marriage can provide a quick route to a new passport and dual citizenship, typically requiring proof of a genuine relationship and sometimes involving specific cultural expectations. Here’s a guide to five countries where marrying a local could rapidly change your nationality and identity in 2025. Spain  Marrying a Spanish citizen can make it easier and quicker to obtain Spanish citizenship. While you don’t automatically gain citizenship by marriage, it is one of the fastest paths available. Key requirements for citizenship by marriage  To apply for Spanish citizenship, you must marry a Spanish national and live together in Spain for at least one year. You will need to meet several requirements, including passing the DELE A2 language exam and the CCSE culture exam. Additionally, you must provide a valid passport,...

  AFRIC TRENDS  The Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC, has noted that it was only by the Grace of God that Nigerians survived the passing year. For this reason, the Council called on the government to pay more attention to the fight against insecurity and corruption, reinvigorating the economy, ensuring food security and providing social amenities in the coming year. While noting that the challenges ahead were enormous, IPAC also called on citizens to hold government at various levels accountable. The Council called on citizens to unite to deepen the country’s democracy and build a better nation the present and future generations can be proud of, adding that the opportunities and dividends of democracy are enormous. IPAC challenged citizens to remain prayerful and patriotic, adding that it “was only by the grace of God that Nigerians survived the socio-economic hardship of 2024.” In a statement by Yusuf Dantalle, its national Chairman, IPAC said the economic challenges were u...

  AFRIC TRENDS  _MOTIVATIONAL_ _QUOTES OF THE WEEK_  Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts"  INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES OF THE WEEK_  Positive thinking helps you frame your mindset and change your life.  _WORD OF WISDOM_  We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future

  AFRIC TRENDS  Asia’s tourism sector is roaring back to life, with countries competing fiercely to attract millions of travelers and tap into the surging global demand for unique experiences. Among the top players,  Japan stands head and shoulders above the rest , setting new benchmarks in visitor numbers, revenue, and overall performance. While countries like Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, Laos, and India have made commendable strides, they struggle to match Japan’s all-encompassing dominance. So, what’s Japan’s secret? Beyond its stunning temples, cherry blossoms, and cutting-edge cities, Japan’s success lies in a perfect storm of factors. A  weaker yen has made it an even more attractive destination  for international travelers, offering more value for every dollar spent. Combine this with a seamless travel experience, exceptional hospitality, and world-class marketing, and it’s no wonder Japan is ou...