World Bids Pope Francis Farewell

US President Donald Trump, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, former US President Joe Biden and Britain’s Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer were among Foreign leaders and delegations from 164 countries, who joined an estimated 400,000 mourners who lined the streets of Rome and gathered inside St Peter’s Square for the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday.

Among other world leaders at the funeral were Britain’s Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Estonia’s President Alar Karis, Finland’s Alexander Stubb, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Argentina’s President Javier Milei, Poland President Andrzej Duda, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Hungary President Tamas Sulyok, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Jordan King Abdullah II and Queen Rania, Latvia President Edgars Rinkevics, Moldova President Maia Sandu, Ecuador President Daniel Noboa, Croatia President Zoran Milanovic, UK’s Prince William, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia, and Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit.

Pope Francis was laid to rest in Rome’s Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, near an icon of the Madonna, following his funeral in the Vatican.

Francis’ funeral and interment come after his body lay in state in St. Peter’s Basilica for the three days.

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    Army: Terrorists, Criminals Using Military Uniforms to Commit Atrocities

    Army: Terrorists, Criminals Using Military Uniforms to Commit Atrocities

    Linus Aleke in Abuja 

    The Nigerian Army has stated that terrorists and other criminal elements are using military uniforms illegally to commit atrocities across the nation. 

    The military also seeks the support of citizens and the media in leading a coordinated campaign against the illegal use of its uniforms. 

    The Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (Nigerian Army), Major General Gold Chibuisi, said the illegal use of military uniforms is a crime against the state and attracts a jail term if found guilty.

    Responding to questions during the maiden edition of the Defence Correspondents’ Association of Nigeria (DECAN) Roundtable with the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (Nigerian Army), General Chibuisi stressed that the Nigerian Army will continue to sanction soldiers found guilty of violating citizens’ rights in enforcing compliance with the law.

    According to him, “In most of our briefings, we always touch on the issue of uniforms because it keeps recurring. It is against the law to wear Armed Forces or other security agencies’ uniforms if you’re not a member. Whether you like it or not, if you’re not in the military, you shouldn’t wear military uniforms. If you like the dressing style of the Inspector-General of Police, you can’t just dress like that and claim it’s your preference. If you admire the military uniform, join the military. Please help us with sensitisation, starting from home. People need to understand that it’s wrong, against the law, and punishable by a jail term.

    “The other part is what our troops do when they see someone dressed in a military uniform. They are supposed to ask the person to remove it, apprehend them, and hand them over to the police for prosecution. Alleged brutality and other issues that follow are not justified. We’re conducting sensitisation for the troops, and I believe incidents of such unpleasant phenomena will continue to decrease. Those found guilty with evidence face stern sanctions, and we’ll continue to enforce this. However, as I said, there are two sides to the issue: one is to avoid wearing military uniforms altogether, sparing the military the temptation to violate your rights, since it’s against the law.”

    Stating that Nigeria is not America, Chibuisi said: “I’m not sure what the law says there, but I can tell you authoritatively that we don’t face the same security challenges. Currently, many criminals use military uniforms to commit crimes. If people continue dressing like that, how can you differentiate between a genuine soldier and a criminal? By reducing the number of people who shouldn’t wear military uniforms, we’ll more easily apprehend those using them illegally. Those deliberately using military uniforms as impostors or criminals can be held accountable for challenging state authority.”

    For those who admire military uniforms, he advised them to consider joining the service or choose other clothing options, noting that there are many designers who can meet their fashion needs.

    The President of the Defence Correspondents’ Association of Nigeria (DECAN), Ismail Musa, said the military partnership with the media is crucial for defeating terrorism, combating crime and securing the nation’s peace and stability. 

    Musa stated that the roundtable discussion is a clear demonstration of their shared commitment to responsible journalism and nation-building. 

    According to him, “This gathering is not merely for speeches; it is a rallying point — a call to action. We must translate our discussions into tangible actions that foster a safer, more secure Nigeria.”

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    Linus Aleke in Abuja  The Nigerian Army has stated that terrorists and other criminal elements are using military uniforms illegally to commit atrocities across the nation.  The military also seeks

    Nigeria Moves to Unlock AfCFTA Potential, Launches Maiden Hackathon with N20m Grand Prize

    Nigeria Moves to Unlock AfCFTA Potential, Launches Maiden Hackathon with N20m Grand Prize

    James Emejo in Abuja

    The Nigeria the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Coordination Office, has endorsed the launch of the first-ever AfCFTA Hackathon in in the country with N20 million grand prize.

    The bold move seeks to deepen the implementation and unlock the full potential of the landmark trade agreement in Nigeria.

    The Coordination Office is under the leadership of the National Coordinator, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo.

    The hackathon initiative, led by Cherith-Code Concept Limited, an international trade consortium, is supported by a coalition of partners, including Ascend Studios Foundation, Amazon Web Services, GFA Technologies, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and Real Sources Africa, a Kenya-based company.

    The annual, high-impact project will focus on unpacking the opportunities presented by the newly adopted AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol (DTP).

    Senior Trade Expert and Lead at the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Mr. Olusegun Olutayo, im a statement, said the hackathon is an innovative, tech-driven challenge specifically designed with Nigeria’s enterprising youth in mind.

    He said the programme aligns with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.

    Olutayo, who also serves as Director of the Nigerian AfCFTA-Hackathon Project, further emphasised that the initiative will expand opportunities under the AfCFTA framework, empowering Nigerian innovators to explore and dominate the continental market through digital trade.

    He said the platform will serve as a hub for developing competitive, practical, and innovative solutions to power digital trade across Africa.

    Held as a flagship event at the Science of Trade (SOT) Conference 2025, hosted by Ascend Studios Foundation, the maiden AfCFTA Hackathon is set to take place from May 1–3, 2025, in Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial and tech innovation hub.

    Convener of the SOT Conference, Dr. Inya Lawal, expressed enthusiasm about the hackathon’s transformative potential and the partnership with the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office.

    The Chief Operating Officer (COO), Cherith-Code Concept,

    Dr. Inya Lawal, said the event marked a pivotal shift in how Africa approaches digital trade. It sparks practical innovations that shape the continent’s economic future.

    Described as the first-of-its-kind on the continent, the hackathon seeks to drive the implementation of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, positioning the country as a trailblazer in Africa’s evolving digital trade environment.

    The Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Wamkele Mene, is expected to attend the SOT Conference 2025 as a special guest.

    He will deliver a keynote address, serve on the hackathon jury panel, and offer mentorship and strategic policy guidance during the event.

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    James Emejo in Abuja The Nigeria the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Coordination Office, has endorsed the launch of the first-ever AfCFTA Hackathon in in the country with N20

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