International
Curfew revoked, life returns to normal in Sierra Leone

Curfew revoked, life returns to normal in Sierra Leone
By Bodunrin Kayode
The Government of Sierra Leone has revoked the curfew which was imposed on the country recently due to violent demonstrations by some angry sections.
A release from the office of the inspector General of Police, William Sellu recently stated that “following the declaration of a nationwide curfew by the Vice President of Sierra Leone, the general public was notified that the curfew which came in force on the 10th August has been revoked.”
It can be recalled that the curfew was speedily enforced from 3pm on the 10th of August when hundreds of young people demonstrated in certain sections of the country over what they described as excruciating economic conditions forced on them by the government.
They called on the civilian Government of President Julius Mada-Bio to resign because it had become unpopular in their opinion and unable to settle the carry over of fiscal burdens forced on it by the covid 19 scourge.
The Government quickly adjusted the timing of the shut down in the following day to start from 7am and that applied for both the 11th to 12th August 2022.
However on the 13th of August, the curfew was lifted completely in those areas which were affected and people were free to go around without necessarily being essential workers who were the only once allowed to move during the calming of the street violence.
Reports monitored from Sierra Leone indicated that properties worth millions of Leones were destroyed in some parts of the Eastern area of the capital, Makeni, Magburaka, kamakwie and surrounding.
There was tension in some parts of the western area but it remained basically peaceful especially Murray town, Wilkinson road, Lumley and beyond because people went about their normal lives unhindered.
While the blood letting was going on in some parts, some allegedly inciting videos were making the rounds in the social media calling out some sections of the country to protest and hold the streets in a military fashion till the President resigns.
One of the audio with a male voice who called himself Adebayo was saying that the military was badly divided with tribal bigots adding that it was time to remain alert because “anything could happen on the very night of the 12 of August when the killings continued” which was the day it went viral.
Similar audios from one Salone cashbox kept on inciting the people of the country with an anticipitation that the military should take over political power again in the Country.
“We know that there are some people in the military playing the tribal card at this time of our democracy. So my people be prepared because anything can happen before tomorrow morning.
“Just be well informed that whatever happens will be for the good of everyone. For some of us we believe that if the government is not ready to protect the constitution and the people, then the military will do just that.
” I urge you all to come out and embrace the change which we are all anticipating because we will not continue to suffer under this Government.” Said the male voice who called himself cash box in the audio which was circulated in the major cities.
Response on the “boys scout” accusation by a lady wearing military fatigue
Indeed many videos of gory pictures of the killings that took place within 48 hours even of uniformed personnel during those days before the imposition of the curfew but the military refused to respond to the call to sack the government.
Rather a lady dressed in army uniform appeared in one of the videos appealing to Sierra Leoneans to be careful how quick they respond to incitements.
“My.name is Turuge and I joined the Army at a tender age of 12 in 1991. Most of you may not understand what we went through during the civil war which is why you are involved in this violence.
” Some of you are calling soldiers boys scout because we refused to seize power. I agree you can call us any name you like but we will not take over this government because you say so. It’s not right.
“The government of President Mada-Bio is a democratically elected government and nobody will push us to do the wrong thing again.
“My people I am talking with pains in my heart and I want you to understand that war is not good eventhough I am a soldier. I fought in the war front and I saw many of our compatriots pay the supreme sacrifice while many others lost their limbs.
” Please stop calling on the military simply because you don’t know the implications. I beg you please do not take us back to that route again and stop inciting us to take over it’s not popular anymore” she said in an emotional krio voice.
National wide broadcast
As a response to the violent protests, President Julius Mada-Bio addressed the nation and promised to get to the root of the violence which took the life of an unspecified number of civilians and 4 policemen.
Speaking as the commander in Chief of Armed forces, he said no stone will be turned to get to the bottom of what happened to the country.
He resultantly ruffled feathers at the top brass level where sitting Defense Chief Lt General Sullay Sesay was replaced by a new Chief Lt General Peter Lavahun.
Seven other top brasses were moved around to tighten up the defense flank while he promised to protect every citizen of his country.
The President said that he has enough Intelligence details to establish that what happened on the 10th of August in those selected areas was an insurrection sponsored by some unnamed politicians adding that anyone nabbed would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
President Julius Mada-Bio was a military head of State from 16th January to 29th March 1996 in a junta called the national provincial ruling council (NPRC) which overthrew captain Valentine Straser.
His second coming as President of the Republic of Sierra Leone in 2018 was as a civilian and Brigadier General (Rt) and has been stabilizing the polity as the flag bearer of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) since then.
The country has gone through some litany of woes which includes, a decade long civil war followed by the scourge of Ebola and covid 19 lock down which practically crippled the economy and sent millions to their early grave.
International
UK Reaffirms Commitment Towards Economic Growth, Sustainable Development Across Nigeria

UK Reaffirms Commitment Towards Economic Growth, Sustainable Development Across Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting inclusive economic growth and sustainable development across Nigeria as the country
navigates rising energy costs and the growing urgency of the climate crisis,
The British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Jonny Baxter made the commitment on Wednesday at his residence in Lagos in a statement at the second edition of W.O.M.A.N by Alitheia, a high-level forum for Women in Manufacturing, Agribusiness, and Nutrition and key stakeholders, hosted by Alitheia Capital, a pioneer in gender-lens impact investing private equity firm, in collaboration with Manufacturing Africa, a UK government programme focused on attracting Foreign Direct Investment into the manufacturing sector.

Themed “Scaling Sustainable Manufacturing & Energy Transition for Women-led SMEs in Africa,” this year’s edition brought together a dynamic mix of industry leaders, women entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and energy solution providers to explore the pivotal role of women-led businesses in Africa’s sustainable industrial transformation.
The discussions, according to a statement by the British High Commission in Nigeria. addressed the acute pressures SMEs face amid surging fuel prices and electricity tariffs – conditions that have made sustainable energy adoption both an environmental and economic imperative. Insights from Alitheia’s own portfolio reveals that adopting renewable energy can cut operational costs by as much as 60%, underscoring the financial viability of clean energy for scaling women-led businesses.
Participants examined practical pathways for women entrepreneurs to access clean energy solutions, scale sustainable manufacturing practices, and contribute meaningfully to Africa’s green economy.
In his remarks, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Mr. Jonny Baxter stated: “We are proud to collaborate with Alitheia Capital on W.O.M.A.N. (Women in Manufacturing, Agribusiness, and Nutrition) to drive Africa’s green industrial future. We recognise the indispensable role of women in this transition and are committed to expanding access to capital and capability to ensure sustainable growth. This event reflects our shared vision for inclusive and transformative development, and we are committed to supporting this journey through targeted investments and strategic private partnerships.”
Also speaking, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Alitheia Capital, Tokunboh Ishmael said: “We are no longer just talking about sustainability as a nice-to-have. It’s an economic imperative, especially for women entrepreneurs at the heart of Nigeria’s industrial transformation and through W.O.M.A.N by Alitheia, we’re not only spotlighting solutions—we’re scaling them. In our own portfolio, we’ve seen up to a 60% reduction in energy costs among businesses that have adopted clean energy. This is proof that green transition is not only possible but profitable.”
The event also featured keynote addresses and panel discussions with industry leaders including Yemisi Iranloye (CEO, Psaltry), Affiong Williams (CEO, ReelFruit), Temilola Adepetun (Managing Director, SKLD), James Fabola (CFO, Arnergy Solar), Bukola Badmos (Executive Director & CFO, Starsight Energy), and Sarah Ogbewey, (Head, Strategic Partnerships, Renewable Energy & Mobility, Sterling Bank).

Alitheia Capital also launched Nzinga, its SME capacity-building platform designed to equip entrepreneurs with tools for scaling their businesses sustainably. In parallel, Manufacturing Africa unveiled its Green Business Building (GBB) accelerator, which will drive the growth of green businesses through strategic support on core business problems, leading to the development of an ecosystem for green manufacturing and green jobs in Nigeria.
The day closed with an ESG knowledge session, exhibitions from green energy and manufacturing solution providers, and a resounding call to action: expand access to capital, strengthen ecosystems, and enable policy that supports inclusive green industrialization.
UK Reaffirms Commitment Towards Economic Growth, Sustainable Development Across Nigeria
International
French Government Calls for Collaboration to Protect Oceans for Plastic Threat

French Government Calls for Collaboration to Protect Oceans for Plastic Threat
By: Michael Mike
The French government wants Nigeria, the rest of Africa and the global community to mobilise resources, policies and collaboration to protect the oceans from the dangers of plastic waste.
The French Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria,
Jean-François Hasperue, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja during a plastic waste awareness programme at the French Institute.
Hasperue said the call for a united front to tackle the challenge became necessary because plastic waste has become one of the most pressing environmental crises facing the globe, with oceans bearing the brunt of the escalating threat.
The envoy explained that from floating debris to microplastics embedded in marine organisms, the evidence of damage on the oceans has been overwhelming.
He said: ‘’Our panellists were explaining that the microplastics that are eaten by fish in the lagoon of Lagos might be eaten by people in Asia because fish have been taken by foreign boats and sold everywhere in the world. So yes, it’s a global issue that we need to address. And there is one specific issue, of course, we decided to address within the UN conference in Nice, is the one of biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions.
“Because it has been for too many years, a gap in which we have not been able to raise cooperation among countries to save these biggest parts of the oceans. And I expect that we will announce that we have reached the 60 signatories for ratification by the end of this week. So the BBNG will be able to be implemented starting the 1st of January 2026.”
According to Mr Hasperue, the French government is raising awareness in Nigeria particularly in Nigerian universities as part of global strategy to build capacity of students and also to rally support for empowering global local communities.
He said: “We are part of a global strategy of France, because of course we would like to act at different level. We act first globally, and that’s why we decided to welcome the UN Conference on Ocean, which is actually happening in Nice from the June 9th to the 13th this very week. And that’s why in the wake of this global conference, we wanted here in Nigeria and in Abuja to organise at our level a debate, but not only a debate here, but activities all over the month of June.
“And we had not less than 11 activities happening in six different states in Nigeria, first of all to raise awareness in Nigeria, but also to rally support for empowering global local communities.”
Hasperue underscored the importance of the UN Ocean Conference to addressing the dangers of plastic waste on oceans, noting that awareness creation remains very critical to ending the menace.
He added that: “We have to take into consideration that plastic, although it has been a solution at some point of history, that it has been now so massive, so huge, that it has become a problem. So now we have to better think how to better produce plastic, how to make sure that plastic is better recycled, and how we make sure that it will less affect all life all over the world.
They are part of a global strategy by France to not only act at the global level, but also at the level of the communities. So we have a double approach, top down, but also a bottom up, to make sure that we create the link between what we are doing on the global stage to raise awareness, but that it has a translation down to the local communities. In every country we are working with the governments and civil society organisations.”
The Deputy French Ambassor to Nigeria stressed that the French government is helping Nigerian universities with recycling plastic and micro plants as well as funding of projects in the universities.
He said: “We have a fund of 750,000, 100,000 euros now, which is about helping universities in recycling plastic. So within this project, we have two micro plants that will be given to Nile University and UNILAG to recycle plastic within the universities. We are also funding a project in five different universities.”
Similarly, Sebastien Bede, the Attaché for Scientific and Higher Education Cooperation at the French Embassy, pointed out that the French government has been cooperating with Nigerian partners to develop projects and implement solutions to plastic waste.
‘’So we have this project we call the French Embassy Fund to actually develop and implement solutions to tackle plastic pollution in Nigerian university campuses. And the idea is threefold. First, as previously the Deputy Ambassador said, to equip two universities here in Nigeria, UNILAG, Nile University in Abuja, with microplants to recycle plastic.
This comes with capacity building, with Plastic Odyssey, to train the staff and develop integrated solutions, which goes from collecting the plastic on the campus, sort it out, clean it, grind it, and then the final product. So we have the input and the output. So there’s been a collective reflection on what is the need here in Nigeria on the campuses.
About 17 Nigerian university students were awarded for their efforts in turning plastic waste to viable economic ventures.
French Government Calls for Collaboration to Protect Oceans for Plastic Threat
International
OP-ED: “A RESCUE PLAN FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT”

OP-ED: “A RESCUE PLAN FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT”
By: Michael Mike
This month, leaders will gather in Sevilla, Spain, on a rescue mission: to help fix how the world invests in sustainable development.
The stakes could not be higher. A decade after the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals and many global commitments to finance them, two-thirds of the targets are lagging. And the world is falling short by over $4 trillion annually in the resources developing countries need to deliver on these promises by 2030.
Meanwhile, the global economy is slowing, trade tensions are rising, aid budgets are being slashed while military spending soars, and international cooperation is under unprecedented strain.
The global development crisis is not abstract. It is measured in families going to bed hungry, children going unvaccinated, girls being forced to drop out of school and entire communities deprived of basic services.
We must correct course. That begins at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Sevilla, where an ambitious, globally supported plan to invest in the Sustainable Development Goals must be adopted.
That plan should include three essential elements.
First, Sevilla must help accelerate the flow of resources to the countries who need it most. Fast.
Countries must be in the driver’s seat, mobilizing domestic resources by strengthening revenue collection and addressing tax evasion, money laundering and illicit financial flows through international cooperation. This would provide much-needed resources to prioritize spending on areas with the greatest impact such as education, healthcare, jobs, social protection, food security, and renewable energy.
At the same time, national development banks, regional and Multilateral Development Banks need to come together to finance major investments.
To support this, the lending capacity of these banks needs to triple so developing countries can better access capital on affordable terms with longer timelines.
This increased access should include re-channeling of unconditional reserve assets — or Special Drawing Rights — to developing countries, preferably through Multilateral Development Banks to multiply their impact.
Private investment is also essential. Resources can be unlocked by making it easier for private finance to support bankable development projects and by promoting solutions that mitigate currency risks and combine public and private finance more effectively.
Throughout, donors must keep their development promises.
Second, we must fix the global debt system. It is unfair and broken.
The current borrowing system is unsustainable, and developing countries have little confidence in it. It’s easy to see why. Debt service is a steamroller crushing development gains, to the tune of more than $1.4 trillion a year. Many governments are forced to spend more on debt payments than on essentials like health and education combined.
Sevilla must result in concrete steps to reduce borrowing costs, facilitate timely debt restructuring for countries burdened by unsustainable debt, and prevent debt crises from unfolding in the first place.
In advance of the conference, a number of countries put forward proposals to ease the debt burden on developing countries. This includes making it easier to pause debt service in times of emergency; establishing a single debt registry to strengthen transparency; and improving how the IMF, World Bank and credit-ratings agencies assess risks in developing countries.
Finally, Sevilla must raise the voice and influence of developing countries in the international financial system so it better serves their needs.
International financial institutions must reform their governance structures to enable greater voice and participation of developing countries in the management of the institutions they depend on.
The world also needs a fairer global tax system, one shaped by all governments — not just the wealthiest and most powerful.
The creation of a “borrowers club” for countries to coordinate their approaches and learn from one another is another promising step toward addressing power imbalances.
The meeting in Sevilla is not about charity. It’s about justice, and building a future in which countries can thrive, build, trade, and prosper together. In our increasingly interconnected world, a future of haves and have-nots is a recipe for even greater global insecurity that will keep weighing down progress for all.
With renewed global commitment and action, Sevilla can spark new momentum to restore a measure of faith in international cooperation and deliver on sustainable development for people and planet.
In Sevilla, leaders must act together to make this rescue mission a success.
OP-ED: “A RESCUE PLAN FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT”
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