Five killed, three injured as bandits attack church meeting in Kajuru community in Kaduna

By: Zagazola Makama

At least five persons have been confirmed dead and three others injured following a deadly attack by armed bandits on members of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) during a meeting at Kampani Village in Maro, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Sources from the Kaduna State Police Command told Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred on Friday, July 11, at about 3:30 p.m., when a group of armed bandits stormed the church premises during a gathering of worshippers.

The sources said a Good Samaritan alerted security agencies about the attack at approximately 9:20 p.m., prompting a swift response.

A combined team of police operatives and sister security agencies was immediately deployed to the village, where it was confirmed that five worshippers had been shot and fatally wounded.

The victims were identified as: Victor Haruna, Dogara Jatau, Luka Yari, Jesse Dalami and Bawu John. They were rushed to the hospital, where doctors certified them dead.

Three others Samuel Aliyu, Philip Dominic, and Jacob Hussaini, sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment at a nearby medical facility.

Efforts are ongoing in collaboration with other security agencies to track and apprehend the perpetrators.

Five killed, three injured as bandits attack church meeting in Kajuru community in Kaduna

Egyptian Ambassador Calls for Scaling Up of Trade, Investment Relations with Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Mohamed Fouad has said scaling up the trade and investment relations remains the priority of both governments of Egypt and Nigeria.

Speaking at the Commemoration of the 73rd Anniversary of the National Day of the Arab Republic of Egypt at the weekend in Abuja, the envoy said historical ties that link Egypt to Nigeria date back centuries ago with Cairo’s leading Al-Azhar AlShareef University established few centuries ago “The Borno Pavillion” dedicated to students arriving from Northern Nigeria.

He noted that generations of Nigerians sought knowledge at the esteemed University of Al Azhar, and as of today, hundreds of Nigerian students are enrolled in Egyptian universities, fostering a new generation of leaders who will contribute to the Nigerian society, and will undoubtedly strengthen the ties between our two nations.

He said: “We are proud of the growing people-to-people exchange between Egypt and Nigeria, that has significantly intensified over the last few years through tourism, business, and education, constituting a solid foundation for our bilateral relations.”

The envoy said: “Scaling up our trade and investment relations is a priority for our two governments. In that regard, we are proud of the numerous Egyptian companies that have been active in Nigeria for years, in areas such as construction, energy, and communications, contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth and creating employment opportunities.”

He noted that: “From security, countering-terrorism, to energy, communications, trade, and infrastructure, to agriculture, health care and education, our two countries are proceeding with determination on the path to forge a modern and forward-looking partnership anchored in our common values and shared objectives. “

The envoy added that: “Our respective compatriots in Egypt and in Nigeria play a crucial role in advancing the various facets of our partnership. They will continue to serve as the engine advancing our common objectives.”

He said: “Egypt, today, is a nation on the move. Under the “New Republic” Vision of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, we are embarking on an ambitious journey of comprehensive development and modernization across all sectors.

“We are building new cities, investing in sustainable energy, expanding our industrial base, and prioritizing education and healthcare, all with the aim of creating a prosperous and inclusive future for all Egyptians. Our economy is diversifying, our infrastructure is rapidly evolving, and our commitment to regional stability and global cooperation remains steadfast.”

He added that: Today at a time of profound uncertainty, Egypt and Nigeria are cognizant of the imperative of redefining and further developing their bilateral relations to meet emerging common challenges and priorities.

“Against this backdrop, the third round of our bilateral political consultations convened for the first time at the level of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Cairo last January. Our two Ministers of Foreign Affairs H.E Dr. Badr Abd-Elatty, and H.E Youssef Tuggar discussed numerous regional and bilateral issues of mutual interest. The two Ministers also signed a joint statement elevating our bilateral relations to the level of comprehensive partnership.”
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Climate Resilience: Amina Mohammed Calls for Global Unity for Sustainable Future for All

By: Michael Mike

The need for Africa to unite in solidarity to forge a climate resilient, equitable and a sustainable future for all in the continent was emphasised at the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) 2025 co-convened by the United Nations in Nigeria and Sterling One Foundation

Speaking at the Summit, which held on 10 – 11 July 2025 in Lagos, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General. Amina Mohammed in a video message, said: “Africa is stepping up with vision, leadership and courageous solutions. Now it is the turn of the international community to rise to the occasion. Let us unite in solidarity to forge a climate resilient equitable and a sustainable future for all.”

She explained that Africa required a renewed surge of global solidarity from governments, development banks, the private sector and philanthropic organisations to unlock the finance, the technology, and the partnerships essential for transformative change across the continent.

She disclosed that: “Our UN Resident Coordinators and Country Teams are diligently collaborating with governments and the private sector to support nationally led initiatives that would translate plans and action, and ambition to the tangible impact on the ground.”

On the progress so far made in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), she noted that: “As we stand, five years away from the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals, it is imperative to recognize that our progress is faltering and in many instances regressing, rising debt, declining investment, dwindling aid, and the escalating impacts of climate change are hindering the very nations that have contributed the least to these crises.”

The UN Deputy Secretary-General said 3 billion people reside in countries that allocate more resources to interest payments than to vital sectors like health and education. This, she said, was an untenable situation.

She recalled that during the recent 4th International Conference on financing for development, world leaders came together to adopt the Seville Commitment which delineates three urgent priorities: first, catalysing large scale investment for sustainable development, second, addressing the intertwined debt and development crisis and third, reforming the international financial architecture to better serve the most vulnerable among us central to this commitment must be robust climate action.

Mohammed on climate change and energy access, said that Africa was already grappling with the dire consequences of the climate crisis, yet it was also a continent rich in innovation, resilience and visionary leadership.

She explained that: “The Mission 300 initiative aimed at connecting 300 million people to affordable reliable and clean electricity exemplifies how climate action can align with sustainable development, moreover, through nationally determined contributions.”

She further emphasised that “African nations are crafting blueprints for a just transition integrating climate objectives with energy, food systems, job creation and inclusive economic growth, however, the ambitious goals we set must be met with commensurate support.”

Climate Resilience: Amina Mohammed Calls for Global Unity for Sustainable Future for All