News
German Academic Exchange Service Opens in Accra for West Africa
German Academic Exchange Service Opens in Accra for West Africa
By: Michael Mike
Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is expanding its international network in West Africa by opening a
regional office in Accra, the capital of Ghana.
According to a statement, the DAAD regional office in Accra, has recently started work. It was initially responsible for Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria, as it is
strengthening its network in an important region for Germany and Europe.
“By 2050, the share of African countries in the global population will rise to an
estimated 25 per cent. The number of students and doctoral candidates in
West Africa will also increase in the medium term. The universities and scientific institutions in Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria are already important partners for German universities and their importance will continue to grow. With the new regional office, we are strengthening these links in a region that is important for Germany and Europe.” explained DAAD President Prof.
Joybrato Mukherjee on site in Accra.
He added that: “As the DAAD, we are also deliberately expanding the network of German foreign science policy in West Africa, also with a view to the neighbouring Sahel zone and the associated challenging
geopolitical situation. Science diplomacy and the science cooperation area
are making resilient and important contributions to German security in these
crisis-ridden times. Science is a ‘hard currency’ in foreign and security policy,
and we are delighted to be able to expand our presence in West Africa with
the support of the Federal Foreign Office.”
,” said Mukherjee.
DAAD in Ghana
Since establishing its presence in Ghana in 2000, the German Academic
Exchange Service (DAAD) has actively supported the remarkable growth of
academic exchange and collaboration with Germany. Germany is now the
third most popular study destination for Ghanaian students and the number
of DAAD’s scholarships for Ghanaians have increased more than tenfold in the
last 25 years. Over the past decade, institutional collaborations between
DAAD Germany and Ghana have nearly tripled and the flourishing network of
students, researchers, and alumni between the two countries stands as a testament to this success.
The new regional office – one of only two in sub-Saharan Africa – demonstrates the continuing growth of West African countries as partners of Germany and the DAAD.
They offer great potential for academic exchange and scientific cooperation with Germany: an estimated 2.5 million young people are currently studying in Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria. The number of
exchanges with Germany has also risen continuously in recent years. Around
13,500 students from the three countries are currently enrolled at universities
in Germany.
In addition, German universities are showing a growing interest in cooperation, with around 130 partnerships already in place with Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria.
Until now, however, German universities have lacked a central contact point on site for the establishment and expansion of networks and collaborations. The new regional office in Accra enables the DAAD to advise students and researchers locally, to present Germany as an attractive centre
of science in the region and to facilitate access to knowledge and contacts in
the countries for German universities.
Students and researchers interested in making inquiries, attending information events, or booking individual consultations can contact the DAAD Regional Office in Ghana.
German Academic Exchange Service Opens in Accra for West Africa
News
Dignitaries Gather In Borno For APC Deputy National Chairman’s Children’s Wedding
Dignitaries Gather In Borno For APC Deputy National Chairman’s Children’s Wedding
By: Our Reporter
Prominent Nigerians on Saturday converged in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to attend the wedding ceremony of three children of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Chairman (North), Hon. Dr. Ali Bukar Dalori.
Gatekeepers News reports that there was heavy traffic in parts of Maiduguri as dignitaries from all works of life made frantic effort to access the residence of Dalori and the Al-Ansar Mosque, the two main venues of the wedding ceremony.

Among those in attendance were top government officials, party leaders, traditiona rulers, business moguls, and religious leaders from within and outside Borno State. The ceremony attracted a large crowd, reflecting Dr. Dalori’s political influence and wide network across the country.
Leading the array of dignitaries is the National Chairman of the APC Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, othe members of National Woking Committee of the APC and large numbers of States Chairmen of the party .
Also in attendance were the Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, his Deputy, Hon Umar Kadafur , three Senators from the state- Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Senator Mohammed Ndume Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan and members of the House of Representatives from Borno State

Others are the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen, Abubakar Kyari, Speaker, Deputy Speaker and members of Borno State House of Assembly , former Nigeria Ambassador to China, Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda, Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Alh. Ibrahim Bunu, Ibrahim , Former Deputy Governors of Borno State- Ali Jatau and Adamu Dibal .
The Deputy National Chairman of the APC was full of gratitude to his guests who left their various confort zones to attend wedding of his children- Usman, Falmata and Aisha .
” I’m immensely grateful our National Chairman of APC Professor Nentawe, our amiable Governor of Borno State Prof Babagana Zulum, the Deputy Governor Umar Kadafur and the too many important personalities who came from far and near to honour my invitation, may Allah (SAW) bless you all ” Dalori said .
The wedding rites were conducted in accordance with Islamic injunctions, featuring special prayers for the couples, their families,. The atmosphere was marked by joy, unity, and cultural splendour, as guests exchanged pleasantries and goodwill messages with the host and his family

Security operatives were deployed in large numbers around the venues to maintain law and order and ensure the smooth flow of activities. Traffic control officers were also on ground to manage the influx of vehicles and guests, while emergency and protocol teams worked tirelessly to coordinate movements and logistics.
The wedding ceremony came to a successful end with a reception that featured traditional music, refreshments, and continued interactions among guests, bringing together leaders and citizens in a rare atmosphere of celebration and solidarity.
Dignitaries Gather In Borno For APC Deputy National Chairman’s Children’s Wedding
News
JUST IN: Boko Haram terrorists demand N423m ransom to release Borno ex-LGA vice chairman
JUST IN: Boko Haram terrorists demand N423m ransom to release Borno ex-LGA vice chairman
By: Our Reporter
A new video has emerged showing two men, allegedly abducted by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Borno State, pleading for help.
One of the victims, Hon. Hassan Biu Miringa, a former Vice Chairman of Biu Local Government Area, is seen in the video appealing for rescue.
The two men were taken hostage on December 17, 2025, while traveling from Miringa to Maiduguri.
In the video, the abductees said the terrorists are demanding a ransom of $150,000 per person, totaling $300,000, for their release.
‘We were abducted on our way from Miringa to Maiduguri around 2:30. Alhamdulillah, we are alive,’ one of the victims said. ‘We are calling on the government and individuals to come to our rescue.’
The victims specifically appealed to Deputy Governor Umar Usman Kadafur, Hon. Mukhtar Betara Aliyu, Hon. Sule Ali Rimi, Hon. Yakubu Gambo Kimba, and Alhaji Musa Dogo Biu to intervene and help secure their freedom.
‘We are pleading with them to come to our rescue. We are their sons,” the victim said. ‘They said we must provide $150,000 each. For the two of us, it is $300,000. We want to be reunited with our families.’
JUST IN: Boko Haram terrorists demand N423m ransom to release Borno ex-LGA vice chairman
News
Nigerian Solidarity Groups Mourn Cubans Killed in Venezuela, Condemn U.S. Actions
Nigerian Solidarity Groups Mourn Cubans Killed in Venezuela, Condemn U.S. Actions
By: Michael Mike
The Nigeria Movement of Solidarity with Cuba (NMSC) has expressed deep condolences to the government and people of Cuba following the killing of 32 Cuban internationalists in Venezuela.
In a press statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, the pro-people coalition, which includes labour unions, civil society organisations and intellectuals, alleged that the Cuban nationals were killed during an attack in Caracas on January 3, 2026, while protecting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, his wife, Cilia Flores, and what it described as the sovereignty of Venezuela.
The group said the Cubans chose to resist despite being overwhelmed, describing their actions as a demonstration of courage, honour and commitment to international solidarity.
NMSC drew parallels between the incident and past historical events where Cuban nationals were involved in overseas struggles, including the 1983 U.S.-led invasion of Grenada and Cuba’s military support for African liberation movements in Angola, Namibia and South Africa during the fight against apartheid.
According to the organisation, thousands of Cuban youths lost their lives in Africa while contributing to the dismantling of apartheid systems backed by Western powers. The group noted that Cuba’s internationalism has not been limited to armed conflicts, citing the country’s long-standing medical outreach to developing nations, including Nigeria.
The statement also recalled Cuba’s response during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it dispatched medical teams to dozens of countries and received hundreds of stranded cruise ship passengers at a time many nations had closed their borders.
NMSC extended its sympathy to the families of those killed in Venezuela and called on the United States government to respect international law, halt what it described as foreign military interventions, and lift sanctions imposed on Cuba, Venezuela and other countries.
The group further aligned itself with repeated resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly calling for the end to the decades-long U.S. embargo against Cuba, insisting that global peace and development require cooperation rather than conflict.
The statement was signed by veteran labour activist and writer, Owei Lakemfa, on behalf of the Nigeria Movement of Solidarity with Cuba
Nigerian Solidarity Groups Mourn Cubans Killed in Venezuela, Condemn U.S. Actions
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