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African ministers allege apartheid in COVID-19 vaccine diplomacy, distribution

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African Ministers of Tourism have accused the western world of “apartheid” in its Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine diplomacy and distribution.

The ministers adopted the position at the on-going 64th Conference of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) – Conference for Africa, and second edition of UNWTO Global Tourism Investment Forum.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed is leading the Nigeria delegation to the event holding in Sal Island, Cape Verde.

Speaking with NAN after a closed-door meeting of the ministers, Mohammed said, “It has now become the position of CAF of UNWTO that vaccines nationalism is hampering African tourism and as such those who are in possession of these vaccines should look more into equitable distribution.

“The issue of vaccines diplomacy was also addressed and it was the consensus of the African ministers that it is another form of apartheid.

“This is because, it is discriminatory if you don’t give us enough vaccines in Africa and you said we cannot enter Europe, whereas you open the gate to others.”

According to the minister, many African countries have been denied access to COVID-19 vaccines which are aimed at achieving WHO’s prescribed 70 per cent health immunity for their populations w.

He gave the example of Nigeria where less than five million people have so far been vaccinated from a population of over 120 million.

The minister said it was unfair for a country to have excess vaccines and yet refuse to “make them available for those who do not have enough.”

“What we are witnessing in Africa today is that while we are struggling to vaccinate even five per cent of our population, other parts of the world are even thinking of the third booster dose.

“More discriminatory and painful is the fact that most African countries, despite the low number of infected people have been put on the red list.

“Nigeria, for instance, has been put on the amber list by the UK which is quite vexing in the sense that the first two million doses of vaccine that was administered in the country was developed in the UK.

“The implication of this is that even after I have taken the two doses of the vaccine, if I want to travel to the UK today, I will have to undergo 10-days mandatory isolation.

“But if the Dutch and the French who have taken the same two doses want to travel to the UK, they will not undergo any isolation,’’ he said.

The minister said the conference also adopted the complaints on the unfair issuance of travel advisory by the western world anytime there was a problem in Africa.

“At the slightest struck of any catastrophe in Africa, they start issuing travel advisory warning people, especially tourists, against going to Africa.

“But when there is a similar or even more severe occurrence in the western world, such travel advisory is not issued,’’ he said.

Mohammed disclosed that the conference agreed to set up a high level committee to present the positon of the ministers to the AU for further action.

He said the committee would be led by Mr Siandou Pofana, the Ivorian Minister of Tourism and Leisure who emerged as the UNWTO-CAF President, and the Secretary-General of UNWTO, Mr Zurab Pololikasvili. (NAN)

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IPOB’s lawyer accuses Anambra govt of violating citizens’ rights, wants all arrested charged to court

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The counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has called on the Anambra State Government to either charge to court or release individuals allegedly detained for the past five weeks without trial.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Ejiofor criticized what he described as “violations of citizens’ rights,” emphasizing that the detainees have not been presented before any court or formally charged with a crime.

“Today, March 15, 2025, marks five full weeks since several citizens of Anambra State were arbitrarily arrested and detained in a private facility controlled by the state government. Shockingly, they have not been charged with any offense or brought before any court of law. This is a flagrant violation of their fundamental rights,” Ejiofor stated.

He expressed concern that the detainees were not held by the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), or the military, but instead in an undisclosed facility, without any official explanation from the government.

Ejiofor, who has previously supported the government’s security efforts, urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to ensure the rule of law is upheld.

“I have always championed active citizen participation in combating insecurity and have publicly urged the government to act against criminal elements. However, this must be done legally and transparently,” he said.

While commending the efforts of the state’s Agụnechemba security outfit, Ejiofor insisted that professionalism and adherence to due process are crucial.

He reaffirmed his support for lawful measures to combat crime but warned that arbitrary detentions could erode public trust in the government’s security strategy.

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Osun Amotekun recruits accuse Adeleke’s govt of nepotism

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The Osun State Amotekun Corps has denied allegations of nepotism in its ongoing recruitment of 1,000 cadets, following claims by some dismissed recruits that they were removed in favor of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members.

Some affected candidates, seen outside the NYSC camp venue in Osogbo, alleged they were removed due to their affiliation with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking on behalf of the group, a dismissed cadet, Usman, claimed that they had been in camp since Sunday before being replaced by PDP members, some of whom, he alleged, were unfit for training.

However, Amotekun’s Board Chairman, retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Wale Abass, dismissed the allegations as baseless. He explained that those removed from the training camp either failed to meet the required standards or did not follow the proper recruitment process.

“The 1,000 cadets invited for training went through a rigorous selection process. They submitted applications online, underwent document verification, and passed physical fitness tests before being invited to camp,” Abass stated.

He further revealed that some unqualified individuals managed to gain access to the camp, while some selected candidates failed to meet the reporting deadline. Those with health issues were also disqualified.

Abass reaffirmed that the Amotekun Corps remains committed to fairness and impartiality in its recruitment process. He described the allegations as an attempt to create confusion and undermine the security outfit’s credibility.

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Opposition no longer safe with recruitment of Osun PDP members into Amotekun – APM

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The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Osun State has raised concerns over the alleged recruitment of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the state’s Amotekun Corps, claiming it threatens the safety of opposition members.

In a statement issued on Friday, APM Chairman, Mr. Adewale Adebayo, criticized the recruitment process, alleging that non-PDP applicants were deliberately screened out. He warned that Amotekun, originally created to enhance security, was being turned into a political tool.

“We are disturbed by the protest by well-meaning Osun residents who applied but were deliberately excluded because they are not PDP members,” Adebayo stated.

He further alleged that over 1,000 PDP members had been recruited into the corps, describing it as an attempt to silence opposition voices. According to him, the recruitment exercise was merely a formality to cover up a pre-arranged selection process favoring ruling party members.

APM has called for the resignation of the Corps Commandant and Field Commandant of Amotekun, demanding an apology to the affected applicants and the people of the state. The party insisted that the security outfit must remain apolitical to maintain public trust.

Neither the Osun State Government nor the leadership of Amotekun has responded to the allegations as of the time of this report.

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