Category: Africa

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Mercy Ships Celebrates a Year of Growth, Partnership, and Transformative Surgical Care

Source: APO

Mercy Ships (https://MercyShips.org/) concludes a momentous year across its two hospital ships, the Africa Mercy® and the Global Mercy™. Operating simultaneously in two countries for its second consecutive year, the organization expanded the medical impact of its programs, strengthened strategic partnerships, and deepened its commitment to building sustainable surgical capacity across the African continent.

This year, the ships welcomed more than 3,240 volunteers from over 75 nations and more than 2,120 national crew members. These surgeons, nurses, dentists, cooks, engineers, and many others contributed their skills to advance access to safe, free surgical care.

Among the many inspirational volunteers in 2025, Dr. Justina Seyi-Olajide (https://apo-opa.co/4sfpmLG) stands out as the first female African pediatric surgeon to serve with Mercy Ships. “Coming from a low- or middle-income country isn’t a reason to stay on the sidelines,” she said. “I should be part of the project. I want to be part of the change that’s happening.” As a practicing surgeon in Nigeria, she personally sees the urgent need for access to surgery in West Africa almost every day.

As the year concludes, Mercy Ships has cared for more than 2,850 surgical patients who received over 3,060 surgeries across both ships, restoring mobility, sight, dignity, and health to people who would otherwise have no access to essential care. From maxillofacial and orthopedic operations to cataract removal and women’s health procedures, patients received life-changing treatment grounded in compassion, excellence, and respect.

One of the most remarkable stories published this year was that of a blind mother and daughter (https://apo-opa.co/3LcbDEB) who, after years of relying solely on sound and touch, were finally able to look into each other’s eyes again. Both had been living with advanced cataracts that plunged them into darkness. Following cataract surgery on board, they were reunited with restored sight. These uplifting moments of answered prayers are at the very heart of Mercy Ships’ mission.

In addition to direct medical services, Mercy Ships also continued its long-term commitment to strengthening healthcare systems, namely, through education and training programs. This year, more than 838 healthcare professionals from 13 African nations benefitted from education and training programs (https://apo-opa.co/4azY5NK) totaling over 228,540 hours. One of its most impactful partnerships was with the Université Gamal Abdel Nasser de Conakry (https://apo-opa.co/3Y8VdzX) in Guinea, which further expanded access to essential oral healthcare by training local professionals to deliver over 15,290 dental procedures for more than 2,040 patients.Participants of these diverse educational programs hailed from Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan and Uganda, coming together to build a stronger surgical workforce for future generations.

Mercy Ships was also a strong advocate for healthcare initiatives proposed by the governments of its partner nations. This year, Sierra Leone introduced its National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anesthesia Plans (NSOAPs) at PASHeF (https://apo-opa.co/4jiBK9F), which is a platform dedicated to strengthening African health systems and advancing Africa’s leadership in its own health development. Both NSOAP and PASHeF process were made possible in part through Mercy Ship’s contribution.

Mercy Ships also worked closely with a range of partners on the ground to strengthen and extend its impact. Among these was the collaboration with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) (https://apo-opa.co/3YdbgNc), a group that provides vital aviation support to connect patients in remote communities to the hospital ships.

The Africa Mercy recently entered an extended Annual Maintenance Period (AMP) and is scheduled to return to Tamatave, Madagascar in May 2026 for a third consecutive field service. During this maintenance period, the ship will undergo drydocking and receive additional upgrades to hospital equipment and ship systems. This AMP is longer than usual to ensure that the ship can maximize surgical capacity for Madagascar and beyond.

In Sierra Leone, the Global Mercy will complete her current service in May of 2026 before entering annual maintenance, then continuing her mission in Ghana in August of 2026 for the organization’s fifth visit to the country. As Mercy Ships looks to 2026, the organization expresses deep appreciation for the continued support of the governments of Madagascar, Sierra Leone, and Ghana.

Mercy Ships also begins a new chapter in regard to its own leadership by welcoming a new CEO, Dr. Michelle White (https://apo-opa.co/4quhDHT). With her background in the medical sector and firsthand experience as a volunteer on board, Dr. White commands a deep understanding of both the organization’s operational needs and the realities faced by patients across Africa.

As the year concludes, Mercy Ships celebrates lives transformed, partnerships strengthened, and hope renewed across Africa. With unwavering commitment and many dedicated volunteers, crew, and supporters, the organization enters 2026 with a clear vision, ready to build upon the previous year’s momentum in bringing safe and free surgical care to those who need it most.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mercy Ships.

For more information about Mercy Ships, contact:
international.media@mercyships.org

About Mercy Ships:
Mercy Ships operates hospital ships that deliver free surgeries and other healthcare services to those with little access to safe medical care. An international faith-based organization, Mercy Ships has focused entirely on partnering with African nations for the past three decades. Working with in-country partners, Mercy Ships also provides training to local healthcare professionals and supports the construction of in-country medical infrastructure to leave a lasting impact.

Each year, more than 2,500 volunteer professionals from over 60 countries serve on board the world’s two largest non-governmental hospital ships, the Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy. Professionals such as surgeons, dentists, nurses, health trainers, cooks, and engineers dedicate their time and skills to accelerate access to safe surgical and anesthetic care. Mercy Ships was founded in 1978 and has offices in 16 countries as well as an Africa Service Centre in Dakar, Senegal.

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Le Ministère des Finances du Ghana et Afreximbank annoncent la résolution avec succès d’une facilité de 750 millions de dollars US

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Le Gouvernement de la République du Ghana, agissant par le biais du Ministère des Finances, et la Banque Africaine d’Import-Export (Afreximbank) (https://Afreximbank.com/) ont le plaisir d’annoncer le règlement satisfaisant, pour les deux parties, des questions concernant la facilité de crédit de 750 millions de dollars US  signée en 2022, ce qui leur permettra de poursuivre leur partenariat en faveur du programme de développement du Ghana.

Distribué par APO Group pour Afreximbank.

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Ministry of Finance Ghana and Afreximbank announce successful resolution of US$750 million facility

Source: APO

The Government of the Republic of Ghana, acting through the Ministry of Finance, and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (https://Afreximbank.com/) are pleased to announce successful resolution of the issues surrounding the US$750 million facility signed in 2022, to the satisfaction of both parties, enabling both parties to continue to partner for Ghana’s development agenda.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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TECNO déploie une expérience fan immersive à la Coupe d’Afrique des Nations (CAN) 2025 à travers des pop-up stores et des zones interactives au Maroc

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

À la suite de la cérémonie d’ouverture de la Coupe d’Afrique des Nations 2025, TECNO étend sa présence autour du tournoi au cœur des espaces publics marocains à travers une série de pop-up stores TECNO AI et de fan zones installés à Rabat et Casablanca. Pensés pour rapprocher l’innovation portée par l’intelligence artificielle des consommateurs, ces espaces permettent aux visiteurs de découvrir concrètement comment TECNO AI améliore l’usage quotidien du smartphone, de la photographie au gaming, en passant par la productivité et le divertissement. Au total, la marque active quatre espaces expérientiels, deux pop-up stores et deux fan zones, avec un dispositif en miroir dans les deux villes, assurant un déploiement parallèle dans les principaux centres urbains du Royaume.

La cérémonie d’ouverture a marqué le coup d’envoi de la campagne « Power Your Moment » de TECNO pour la CAN, en accueillant les clients, invités et partenaires conviés, alors que le tournoi débutait officiellement. Dès le même jour, la marque a ouvert ses espaces physiques au grand public, passant d’un moment symbolique de marque à une interaction concrète avec les consommateurs.

Cette approche permet à TECNO de rester connectée aux fans tout au long des différentes phases de la compétition, en offrant des occasions répétées de découvrir les fonctionnalités d’IA de TECNO dans des situations réelles, plutôt que de limiter l’expérience à un seul événement. Des performances spéciales, mêlant démonstrations de jonglage en direct, chants et danses africains,ont été présentées le 21 décembre et sont prévues à nouveau le 18 janvier, créant une ambiance vibrante qui allie technologie, culture et divertissement.

Déployés à Casablanca et à Rabat, à proximité du stade Mohammed V et du stade Prince Moulay Abdellah, les pop-up stores TECNO AI sont conçus comme des environnements immersifs et centrés sur le consommateur, à l’opposé d’un espace de vente traditionnel. Ouverts pour une durée limitée pendant la CAN 2025, ces lieux combinent découverte produit et démonstrations interactives de l’IA, permettant aux visiteurs de tester directement les fonctionnalités TECNO AI à travers différents points de contact.

Dès leur arrivée, les visiteurs sont accueillis dans un espace de réception proposant des cadeaux et des parcours guidés, tandis que des défis interactifs simples encouragent la participation et le partage sur les réseaux sociaux. En reliant interaction physique et engagement digital, les pop-up stores permettent de traduire des technologies d’IA avancées en bénéfices concrets, immédiatement compréhensibles et accessibles pour le public.
 

Au cœur de chaque pop-up store, l’AI Experience Area donne vie à TECNO AI à travers des usages pratiques du quotidien, présentés sur des écrans grand format et des stations interactives. Les visiteurs peuvent tester les fonctionnalités de TECNO AI en conditions réelles, découvrant comment l’IA améliore des moments clés tels que la prise de photos, la création de contenu ou la productivité quotidienne. En plaçant le consommateur au centre de l’expérience, l’activation positionne TECNO AI non pas comme une technologie abstraite, mais comme un outil intuitif, accessible et pensé pour rendre l’usage du smartphone plus intelligent, plus simple et plus créatif.
 

Une installation inspirée de l’univers de la mode propose un échange de tenues, avec des maillots représentant les 24 équipes nationales engagées dans la CAN 2025, offrant aux fans un moyen créatif d’exprimer leur soutien tout en participant à une expérience ludique. À proximité, l’installation « Champions Road » invite les visiteurs à interagir avec un tableau de confrontations à l’aide de marqueurs magnétiques, favorisant les pronostics et le partage de photos, prolongeant ainsi l’expérience au-delà de l’espace physique.

L’espace d’expérience produit offre une prise en main directe de la dernière gamme de smartphones et des appareils connectés de TECNO, avec l’accompagnement de représentants de la marque présents sur place. Un espace de personnalisation permet aux visiteurs de customiser leurs téléphones avec des autocollants arrière aux couleurs du tournoi, créant des souvenirs tangibles liés à l’expérience CAN. Des espaces photo répartis dans les pop-up stores proposaient de capturer des moments devant des décors brandés, tandis qu’un CSR Culture Wall mettait en lumière les initiatives communautaires de TECNO ainsi que son engagement de long terme en faveur du développement des jeunes et du football à la base à travers l’Afrique.

En complément des pop-up stores TECNO AI, des fan zones TECNO sont installées à Casablanca et à Rabat, respectivement à Anfa Park et à l’OLM Souissi, comme des espaces communautaires ouverts et accessibles les jours de match. Librement accessibles au public, sans obligation d’achat ni d’inscription, ces fan zones accueillent aussi bien les supporters de football que les passants, en mettant l’accent sur l’expérience partagée plutôt que sur la transaction. Les espaces proposent des zones de découverte produit, des services gratuits de prise et d’impression de photos, ainsi que des défis interactifs conçus pour encourager la participation. 

Des challenges footballistiques, incluant des démonstrations de jonglage et des exercices de jeu de tête, animent à la fois les pop-up stores et les fan zones, créant des moments d’interaction spontanée et d’engagement collectif.

Les mécaniques de cadeaux sont liées à de simples actions sur les réseaux sociaux, tandis que des activités photo de type “classification” encouragent les visiteurs à capturer et partager des moments en ligne sans pression compétitive, en privilégiant la participation et la visibilité communautaire.

En s’activant simultanément à Rabat et à Casablanca et en maintenant une présence continue tout au long des jours de match, avec une programmation spéciale à des dates clés, TECNO a installé une empreinte physique durable sur toute la période de la CAN. Plutôt que de limiter son engagement à la seule cérémonie d’ouverture, la marque a positionné ses pop-up stores et fan zones comme des points de contact permanents au rythme du tournoi, intégrant la technologie, le football et la culture urbaine dans la vie quotidienne du public pendant la CAN 2025 au Maroc.

Distribué par APO Group pour TECNO Mobile.

À propos de TECNO : 
TECNO est une marque technologique innovante, pilotée par l’intelligence artificielle et présente dans plus de 70 pays à travers cinq continents. Engagée dans la transformation de l’expérience numérique dans les marchés émergents, la marque allie design contemporain, technologies de pointe et intelligence artificielle. Aujourd’hui, TECNO propose un écosystème complet de produits alimentés par l’IA : smartphones, wearables, ordinateurs portables, tablettes, dispositifs gaming intelligents, système d’exploitation HiOS et solutions smart home. Guidée par sa philosophie “Stop At Nothing”, TECNO continue d’ouvrir la voie à l’adoption des technologies les plus avancées et encourage chacun à poursuivre sans relâche la meilleure version de soi-même.

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TECNO Brings Immersive Fan Experience to Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 with Pop-Up Stores and Interactive Zones Across Morocco

Source: APO

Following the opening of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, TECNO extends its tournament presence into public spaces across Morocco through a series of TECNO AI pop-up stores and fan zones in Rabat and Casablanca. Designed to bring AI-powered innovation closer to consumers, these spaces allow visitors to experience how TECNO AI enhances everyday smartphone usage, from photography and gaming to productivity and entertainment. In total, the brand activated four experiential venues, two pop-up stores and two fan zones, with one of each established in both cities, creating a parallel rollout across Morocco’s major urban centers.

The opening ceremony marked the starting point of TECNO’s AFCON “Power Your Moment” campaign, welcoming invited clients, guests, and partners as the tournament officially began. From the same day, the brand opened its physical spaces to the public, shifting from a symbolic brand moment to hands-on consumer engagement.

This approach enables TECNO to stay connected with fans throughout different stages of the competition, offering repeated opportunities to discover TECNO AI features in real-life scenarios rather than limiting interaction to a single event. Special performances featuring live juggling ball demonstrations alongside African song and dance were presented on December 21 and are scheduled to return on January 18, creating a vibrant environment that blended technology, culture, and entertainment.

TECNO AI Pop-Up Stores: An Immersive Fan-First Experience

The TECNO AI pop-up stores, deployed in Casablanca and Rabat and located near Mohammed V Stadium and Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium respectively, are designed as immersive, consumer-centric environments rather than conventional retail spaces. Open for a limited period during the AFCON 2025 tournament, each location combines product discovery with interactive AI demonstrations, allowing visitors to test TECNO AI features directly across multiple touchpoints.

Upon arrival, guests are welcomed in a reception area offering complimentary gifts and guided experiences, while simple interactive challenges encourage participation and social sharing. By connecting physical interaction with digital engagement, the pop-up stores translate advanced AI technology into clear, tangible benefits that consumers can immediately understand and enjoy.

At the heart of the TECNO AI pop-up store, the AI Experience Area brings TECNO AI to life through practical, real-world applications showcased on large-format screens and interactive stations. Visitors can test TECNO AI features hands-on, discovering how AI enhances everyday moments such as photography, content creation, and daily productivity. By placing consumers directly in control of the experience, the activation positions TECNO AI not as a distant technology, but as an intuitive, accessible tool designed to make daily smartphone use smarter, easier, and more creative.

A fashion-inspired clothing swap installation offers jerseys representing the 24 national teams competing in AFCON 2025, allowing fans to express tournament allegiances while engaging in a creative, participatory activity. Nearby, the Champions Road installation invites visitors to interact with a team matchup chart using magnetic team markers, encouraging predictions and photo sharing that extend the experience beyond the physical space.

The Product Experience Area provides hands-on access to TECNO’s latest smartphone lineup and connected devices, supported by on-site brand representatives. A customization station allows visitors to personalize their phones with tournament-themed back stickers, creating tangible mementos linked to the AFCON experience. Photo areas throughout the pop-up stores offer opportunities to capture moments against branded backdrops, while a CSR Culture Wall highlights TECNO’s community initiatives and long-term engagement in youth development and grassroots football across Africa.

TECNO Fan Zones: Bringing Fans Together Beyond the Stadium

Alongside the TECNO AI pop-up stores, TECNO’s fan zones are established in Casablanca and Rabat, located at Anfa Park and OLM Souissi respectively, as open-access community spaces operating throughout match days. Freely accessible to the public, without purchase or registration requirements, the fan zones welcome football supporters and passersby alike, emphasizing shared experience over transaction. These spaces feature relaxed product discovery areas, free photo-taking and printing services, and interactive challenges designed to encourage participation.

Skill-based football challenges, including juggling and heading activities, animate both the pop-up stores and fan zones, creating moments of spontaneous interaction and crowd engagement. Giveaway mechanics are tied to simple social media actions, while classification-style photo activities encourage visitors to capture and share moments online without competitive pressure, prioritizing participation and community visibility.

By activating simultaneously in Rabat and Casablanca and maintaining a presence across match days with special programming on key dates, TECNO establishes a sustained physical footprint throughout the AFCON period. Rather than limiting its engagement to the opening ceremony, the brand positions its pop-up stores and fan zones as ongoing touchpoints within the rhythm of the tournament, embedding technology, football, and urban culture into everyday public life during AFCON 2025 in Morocco.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of TECNO Mobile.

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Jokpeme Joseph Omode, Founder of Alexa News Network, Extends Heartfelt Christmas Greetings to Christians Worldwide with Message of Hope and Gratitude — Appreciates Partners, Readers, and Global Audience

Source: APO – Report:

On this joyous Christmas Day, Jokpeme Joseph Omode, the esteemed Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Alexa News Network (Alexa.ng), has shared a heartfelt message celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ while extending profound appreciation to the platform’s partners, contributors, and dedicated readers across the globe.

In a special Christmas statement released early this morning and disseminated through Alexa News Network’s official channels, Omode described the day as “the most glorious celebration of divine love, redemption, and renewed hope for humanity.”

“Merry Christmas to all Christians in Nigeria, Africa, and around the world!” the message began. “Today, December 25, we commemorate the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ – the Light of the World who brought peace, joy, and salvation to mankind. May the profound blessings of this holy day envelop your families, fill your hearts with unspeakable joy, and strengthen your faith in these challenging times.”

Omode reflected on the enduring significance of Christmas, emphasizing its message of love, forgiveness, and compassion in a world still grappling with economic difficulties, social divisions, and global conflicts.

“As we gather with loved ones to share meals, exchange gifts, and sing carols, let us remember the true essence of Christmas: selfless love and service to others,” he wrote. “In the spirit of the season, may we reach out to the less privileged, comfort the grieving, and foster unity in our communities. The birth of Christ reminds us that no darkness is too deep for God’s light to penetrate.”

Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Alexa News Network, Jokpeme Joseph Omode,  extended heartfelt greetings to Christians, partners, readers, journalists, contributors, and supporters of the platform both in Nigeria and across the globe. In his goodwill message, Omode described Christmas as a time that reminds humanity of compassion, unity, service to others, and the deeper values that strengthen society. Omode noted that while Christmas is celebrated in diverse ways around the world, its central message of peace and goodwill remains universal. He emphasized that the birth of Jesus Christ represents a message of sacrifice, humility, and love — virtues that continue to shape community values and inspire acts of kindness. According to him, this season provides an opportunity not only to celebrate faith but also to reflect on the importance of togetherness, tolerance, and mutual respect among people of different backgrounds.

He acknowledged that the past year has been one of major transformation for Alexa News Network, especially with its expanding digital footprint, stronger editorial presence, and increasing readership across regions. Omode expressed profound appreciation to partners, collaborators, industry stakeholders, and institutional supporters whose trust and strategic engagement have helped strengthen the platform’s mission as a reliable and forward-looking news organization.

He also celebrated the growing community of readers — both longstanding followers and new audiences — who continue to engage with Alexa News Network across its platforms. He described them as “the heartbeat of the organization,” noting that their loyalty, engagement, feedback, and trust have been instrumental in driving innovation, improving editorial quality, and sustaining the organization’s commitment to ethical journalism and credible reporting.

Speaking further, Omode reaffirmed the network’s dedication to providing balanced, global-minded, and digitally-driven journalism that speaks to contemporary realities. He emphasized that Alexa News Network remains committed to stories that empower communities, broaden perspectives, amplify diverse voices, and connect audiences to relevant social, economic, cultural, and developmental conversations shaping the world today.

He used the Christmas occasion to reflect on the role of the media in promoting peace and social harmony. According to him, responsible journalism plays a vital role in nation-building, strengthening democracy, and fostering civic awareness. He expressed optimism that through collaboration, innovation, and continued commitment to truth, media organizations like Alexa News Network will keep contributing positively to society.

Omode also extended his appreciation to the editorial team, correspondents, content contributors, and creative partners who work tirelessly behind the scenes to deliver timely stories, features, and special reports. He praised their professionalism, resilience, teamwork, and unwavering dedication to journalistic excellence, describing them as key drivers of the network’s growth story.

In his Christmas message, he encouraged Christians and all celebrants to use the season as a time for renewed hope and reflection. He called on families and communities to embrace the spirit of generosity, compassion toward the less privileged, and collective support for one another. He further emphasized that the world continues to face social and economic challenges, making empathy and community care more important than ever.

Omode highlighted that Alexa News Network will continue to strengthen partnerships and build new strategic alliances across the media ecosystem, technology sector, creative industry, and global information networks. He affirmed that collaboration remains essential in today’s fast-changing digital environment, where innovation, content diversity, and responsible information sharing are key to audience growth and trust.

He also reiterated the platform’s long-term vision of expanding its global digital reach, strengthening multimedia storytelling, and deepening engagement with diasporic and international audiences. According to him, as the world becomes increasingly interconnected, news organizations must evolve to remain relevant, inclusive, and forward-thinking.

Expressing his gratitude once again, Omode dedicated the success of Alexa News Network to its readers, partners, advertisers, collaborators, and supporters who believe in the mission and direction of the organization. He encouraged all stakeholders to continue walking with the network as it enters a new phase of growth and global relevance in the coming year.

He concluded by wishing Christians across Nigeria and the world a joyful and peaceful Christmas celebration, filled with love, unity, and renewed hope for the future. He also extended warm season’s greetings to non-Christian readers and supporters, appreciating their shared humanity, solidarity, and commitment to peaceful coexistence.

“On behalf of the entire Alexa News Network family,” Omode said, “I celebrate our readers, partners, contributors, and supporters this Christmas season. May it be a time of blessing, gratitude, and reflection. We look forward to the future with optimism and remain committed to telling impactful stories that inform, inspire, and connect people across the world.”

Omode expressed profound appreciation to partners, collaborators, industry stakeholders, and institutional supporters whose trust and strategic engagement have helped strengthen the platform’s mission as a reliable and forward-looking news organization. He also celebrated the growing community of readers — both longstanding followers and new audiences — who continue to engage with Alexa News Network across its platforms. He described them as “the heartbeat of the organization,” noting that their loyalty, engagement, feedback, and trust have been instrumental in driving innovation, improving editorial quality, and sustaining the organization’s commitment to ethical journalism and credible reporting.

The Founder took the opportunity to express deep gratitude to those who have supported Alexa News Network throughout 2025, a year of remarkable growth and impactful journalism for the independent digital media outfit.

“To our valued partners – advertisers, sponsors, collaborators, and stakeholders – I say a big thank you,” Omode stated. “Your unwavering belief in our vision of truthful, fearless, and people-centered journalism has been the backbone of our progress. Because of your support, we have been able to sustain operations, invest in cutting-edge technology, and deliver credible news to millions daily, even in the face of mounting challenges in the media industry.”

He extended special appreciation to readership of Alexa News Network: “To our ever-growing audience – the millions of readers who visit our website, use our mobile app, follow us on social media, and subscribe to our newsletters – thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your trust, engagement, shares, comments, and feedback are the lifeblood of Alexa News Network. You inspire us to uphold the highest standards of integrity and excellence. We do not take your loyalty for granted, and we remain committed to serving you with accurate, balanced, and timely reporting.”

Omode highlighted key achievements in 2025, including expanded investigative series on governance and corruption, enhanced multimedia storytelling, partnerships with global fact-checking networks, and the successful rollout of community outreach programs aimed at promoting media literacy among Nigerian youth.

“As we step into the final days of 2025 and look toward 2026, Alexa News Network pledges to continue shining the light on truth, amplifying marginalized voices, and contributing to national development through constructive journalism,” he assured.

Concluding on an inspirational note, Omode invoked the angelic proclamation: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests. May the peace of Christmas abide with you today and throughout the coming year.”

The Christmas message has generated widespread positive reactions online, with readers, fellow journalists, and public figures praising Omode’s thoughtful words and consistent leadership in ethical media practice. Alexa News Network has established itself as a leading independent digital news platform in Nigeria, renowned for its comprehensive coverage of politics, economy, entertainment, sports, health, and human-interest stories. The outlet continues to prioritize factual reporting and public interest journalism.

As families across Nigeria and the world celebrate Christmas today with church services, feasts, and festivities, Omode’s message stands as a unifying reminder of faith, gratitude, and shared humanity.

– on behalf of Alexa News Nigeria.

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Apongo was a rebel leader in Jamaica – a diary entry sheds light on his west African origins

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Devin Leigh, Lecturer, Global Studies, University of California, Berkeley

For over three centuries, between 1526 and 1866, at least 10.5 million Africans were forcibly trafficked to the Americas in the transatlantic slave trade. Over half of them (with known places of departure) left from a 3,000km stretch of the west African coast between what are today Senegal and Gabon.

Scholars trying to uncover the lives of these diasporic Africans are forced to work with historical records produced by their European and American enslavers. These writers mostly ignored Africans’ individual identities. They gave them western names and wrote about them as products belonging to a set of supposedly distinct “ethnic” brands.

Now, however, the curious biography of an 18th-century Jamaican rebel confounds this inherited language. The rebel in question is Apongo, also known as Wager. His biography is a 134-word handwritten passage in the diary of an 18th-century enslaver named Thomas Thistlewood.

As a historian of the Atlantic World in the 1700s, I use the life stories and archives of British enslavers to better understand these times.

My recent study uses Thistlewood’s biography of Apongo as a window into the origins of enslaved west Africans, particularly those from what are today the nations of Ghana and Benin.

Apongo’s story offers an opportunity to better understand the complexities of west African identity and to put a more human face on those enslaved.

Who was Apongo, aka Wager?

Like many enslaved Africans, Apongo had two names. Unfortunately, neither of them completely unlocks his backstory. “Apongo” is probably the rendering of his African name into English script according to how it sounded to his enslavers’ ears. “Wager” is a name Apongo was given by his white “master”. It had nothing to do with his African origins. In fact, it was the name of his enslaver’s ship.

Thistlewood was an English migrant to Jamaica who thought of himself as a gentleman scholar. According to one of his diary entries, Apongo led an extraordinary life defined by twists of fate. He was the prince of a west African state that paid tribute to a larger kingdom called “Dorme”. After subjugating the peoples around him, the king of Dorme seems to have sent Apongo on a diplomatic mission to Cape Coast Castle in what is today Ghana. At the time it was the headquarters of Great Britain’s trading operations on the African coast.

While there, Apongo was apparently surprised, enslaved, and trafficked to Jamaica. At the time, Jamaica was the British Empire’s most profitable colony. This was due to its sugar plantation complex based on racial slavery.

Once in Jamaica, Apongo reunited with the governor he had visited at Cape Coast. He tried to obtain his freedom but, after failing for a number of years, led and died in an uprising called Tacky’s Revolt.

Unfolding over 18 months from 1760 and named after another one of its leaders, Tacky’s Revolt left 60 Whites and over 500 Blacks dead. Another 500 Blacks were deported from the island. It was arguably the largest slave insurrection in the British Empire before the 19th century.

The mystery in the diary

To appreciate why Thistlewood’s diary entry is so valuable, we must know something about the lack of biographical information on enslaved Africans. Almost all came from societies with oral rather than literary traditions. They were then almost universally prohibited from learning to read and write by their European and American “masters”.

Enslavers almost never recorded enslaved people’s birth names. Instead, they gave them numbers for the transatlantic passage and westernised names after they arrived. Rather than recording the specific places they came from, they lumped them together into groups based on broad zones of provenance. For example, the British tended to call Africans who came from today’s Ghana “Coromatees”. Those from today’s Republic of Benin were known as “Popo”. So, despite being just one paragraph long, Thistlewood’s diary entry on Apongo is among the most detailed biographical sketches historians have of a diasporic African in the 1700s.

But it also contains a mystery. The word Thistlewood used to describe Apongo’s origins, “Dorme” or perhaps “Dome”, is unfamiliar. Since 1989, when historian Douglas Hall first wrote about Apongo, scholars have assumed it was a reference to Dahomey. This was a militarised west African kingdom in the southern part of today’s Benin.

Yet scholars never defended that assumption. Recently, it was called into question by historian Vincent Brown in Tacky’s Revolt, the first book-length study of the slave uprising Apongo helped lead. Enslaved people from what is today Ghana have a well-documented history of leading slave revolts in the Americas, particularly in British Jamaica. Brown suggested that it made more sense if “Dorme” referred to an unidentified state in that region.

Now, in my study, I have built on this work to make two related arguments. Uncovering three contemporary texts that use variant spellings of the word “Dorme” to refer to Dahomey, I argue that Thistlewood’s term was, indeed, a contemporary word for “Dahomey” in 18th-century Jamaica and that Dahomey was almost certainly the kingdom he had in mind. Moreover, I demonstrate that it was both possible and reasonable for a diplomatic mission to have taken place between Dahomey and Cape Coast in Apongo’s time. In fact, such a mission actually did take place in 1779, when King Kpengla of Dahomey sent one of his linguists to Cape Coast as an emissary.

But none of this resolves the central question. The evidence of “Coromantee” involvement in Tacky’s Revolt and other Jamaican slave rebellions – including the presence of Ghanaian names among rebels and the statements of historians at the time – is overwhelming. Additionally, although Africans from Dahomey made the trip to Cape Coast Castle during the 18th century, visitors from states in today’s Ghana were certainly much more common.

Ultimately, to argue that Apongo had origins in Dahomey, one must explain how a subject of that kingdom came to be a general in a rebellion largely characterised by Ghanaian leadership.

A question of origins

What are we to make of Apongo’s origins? One answer is that Thistlewood was wrong. Apongo was “Coromantee” and we should think of him as Ghanaian. Thistlewood merely associated him with Dahomey because that was the militarised African kingdom best known to Europeans at the time.

Another possibility is that Thistlewood was correct. Apongo was “Popo” and so we should write about him as Beninese. Thistlewood simply relayed a fact of Apongo’s life and was unconcerned with questions that now preoccupy us, such as how Apongo came to lead a rebellion that appears characterised by “Coromantee” leadership.

A third answer is that Apongo’s identity was more complex than this inherited “ethnic” language allows. Perhaps he was someone who traversed and was fluent in the cultural and political worlds of both Ghana and Benin. If that’s the case, then perhaps his story reminds us that at least these two adjacent regions were not as distinct as early-modern writers claimed and later colonial and national borders supposed.

The search for Apongo is just a small part of historians’ larger, ongoing, and collaborative work to recreate the lives of Africans taken in the transatlantic slave trade.

While asking these questions requires us to work with sources written by enslavers, we do so in the hope that we can ultimately see beyond them. Our reward is better understanding how Africans’ forgotten perspectives shaped the history of our world.

– Apongo was a rebel leader in Jamaica – a diary entry sheds light on his west African origins
– https://theconversation.com/apongo-was-a-rebel-leader-in-jamaica-a-diary-entry-sheds-light-on-his-west-african-origins-268014

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Looted African belongings must be returned: is it repatriation or restitution? The words we use matter

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Victoria Gibbon, Professor in Biological Anthropology, Division of Clinical Anatomy and Biological Anthropology, University of Cape Town

Museums and universities around the world hold vast collections of cultural artefacts, artworks, objectified belongings and even ancestral remains. Many were not freely given but taken during colonial times, through force, manipulation, theft or violence. For decades, they have sat in storerooms and display cases, classified into categories like anthropology, natural history or ethnology, separated from the people and communities to whom they once belonged.

In recent years, there has been growing recognition that these collections carry painful legacies.

Calls for their return have become part of a global conversation about decolonisation, justice and healing. In 2018 French president Emmanuel Macron produced a report which called for a new ethics of humanity, setting off a new willingness to return African artworks and material culture. But African calls for restitution were made at least five decades earlier following former president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Mobutu Sese Seko’s address to the UN.

In all these engagements, two words are often used: repatriation and restitution.

At first glance they may seem to mean the same thing, and both involve the return of something. But as South African scholars, working in the fields of history, museum studies and human biology, we argue that the difference between these terms is not just semantic. The choice of word reflects deeper politics of justice, recognition and repair.

In our recent article we explained how we see this difference, and why the work of restitution restores people’s power over their future, and gives them a sense of agency. We argue that, for its part, repatriation has come to represent something less concerned with community restoration and has more to do with an administrative and logistical exercise.

We argue that, unlike repatriation, restitution speaks directly to justice.

Repatriation: the language of return

The word repatriation comes from the Latin patria, meaning “fatherland”. Traditionally, it refers to the return of a person or their remains to their country of origin. Governments often use this term for the logistical and legal transfer of people, artworks, or ancestral remains across national borders.

In countries that were settled by colonisers, like the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, repatriation has become the dominant language. This is partly due to specific laws and frameworks. In the US, for example, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act requires museums to return human remains and cultural items to Indigenous communities in a proactive manner.

In New Zealand, the national museum Te Papa plays a central role in repatriating Māori and Moriori ancestral remains from overseas institutions before returning them to local communities. In Australia, the choice of repatriation by activists, communities and scholars also sought strategically to draw a connection with the return of the remains of fallen soldiers.

In these contexts, repatriation is often framed as a process of giving back. States or museums take the lead, and communities receive.

Some Indigenous scholars and activists have challenged this framing, pointing out its patriarchal and statist overtones. They have introduced the concept of “rematriation”, signalling a return to “Mother Earth” rooted in Indigenous feminist perspectives, spirituality and community balance.

In South Africa, too, the term repatriation has been used, especially when the state arranged for the return of remains from abroad, as in the case of the return of Sarah Baartman from France.

Baartman was a 19th century Khoe (Indigenous South African) woman put on display in freak shows in Europe. Her body was later dissected by scientists within the realm of racial science and made to enter the systems of collecting and exhibition at the Musée de l’Homme in Paris. After being turned into an international symbol of the oppression of black women, Baartman also became a focus of claims for return made by Khoe and other activists and social movements in South Africa.

Repatriation has also been used for the return of the remains of ex-combatants and other patriots.

But unease began to grow. Was this language adequate for the deep work of justice and healing that communities were calling for? Or was it more concerned with national prestige than with community restoration?

Restitution: politics of justice beyond the transaction

Restitution is about returning something to its rightful owner, not simply as a transfer of property, but as an act of recognition, repair and healing.

Restitution is not just an event, like handing over an artefact in a ceremony. It is a process, time-consuming, emotional, and often painful. It involves research into how items were acquired, conversations with descendant communities, and decisions about how to care for or honour what has been returned. It recognises that the belongings taken were not just curiosities or objects, but were tied to community, and to language, ceremony and identity.

Read more: Looting of African heritage: a powerful new book explores the damage done by colonial theft

In many cases, ancestral remains were classified and objectified as human remains and specimens, stripping them of their humanity. Restitution, by contrast, restores them as ancestors with dignity and agency.

Restitutionary work: healing and reconnection

Our research uses the phrase “restitutionary work” to describe the labour involved. This work goes far beyond diplomacy, logistics and transport. It includes:

  • Acknowledgment of injustice: Recognising that items were wrongly taken, whether through violence, coercion, or theft.

  • De-objectification: Treating ancestral remains and cultural belongings not as human remains and museum objects but as ancestors or cultural treasures.

  • Community involvement: Ensuring that descendant groups and local communities decide what happens after return, in conversation with museums and national governments.

  • Healing processes: Creating spaces for mourning, ceremony and closure.

  • New futures: Seeing restitution not just as recovering the past but as opening pathways for cultural renewal and social justice.

Read more: San and Khoe skeletons: how a South African university sought to restore dignity and redress the past

For example, South Africa’s land restitution programme has shown that restitution is not simply about restoring what once was. It is about creating conditions for justice today and possibilities for tomorrow.

Similarly, cultural restitution is less about putting things “back where they came from” and more about empowering communities to reconnect with their heritage in ways that matter today.

Why words matter

The distinction between repatriation and restitution is not academic nitpicking. Words shape power. If return is framed as repatriation, the emphasis is often on the giver, the returner, in the form of the state or museum, granting something back. If it is framed as restitution, the emphasis shifts to the claimant, to the community asserting rights and demanding justice.

Restitution is not about recovering a lost past. That past cannot be restored exactly as it was. Instead, it is about creating new futures built on justice, dignity and respect. For communities around the world still living with the legacies of colonial dispossession, that distinction matters deeply.

– Looted African belongings must be returned: is it repatriation or restitution? The words we use matter
– https://theconversation.com/looted-african-belongings-must-be-returned-is-it-repatriation-or-restitution-the-words-we-use-matter-268710

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Statement of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on the Tragic Loss of Senior Libyan Military Officials

Source: APO


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The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has learned with deep sorrow of the tragic accident that claimed the lives of the Chief of the General Staff of the Libyan Army, Lieutenant General Mohammed al-Haddad, and four of his accompanying officers while returning from an official trip from Ankara.

The Chairperson conveys his heartfelt condolences to the authorities and people of Libya, and the bereaved families of all those who lost their lives in this national tragedy. He further expresses his solidarity with the Libyan Armed Forces as they confront the profound impact of this loss.

In reflecting on this tragedy, H.E. Mr. Youssouf underscored that the passing of Lieutenant General al-Haddad and his colleagues represents a great loss not only to Libya but to the wider region. He also commends the Libyan authorities for their ongoing efforts to advance peace, stability, and security in the country and the region.

He affirmed the African Union’s support to the Government and the people of Libya, during this moment of grief and prayed for comfort, strength, and peace for all affected families.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

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Secretary-General Calls for Peaceful, Credible Elections in Central African Republic, Encourages All to Participate

Source: APO


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The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

Ahead of presidential, legislative, regional and municipal elections in the Central African Republic on 28 December, the Secretary-General calls on all Central Africans to participate in the electoral process and also calls on authorities to ensure that the polls are conducted in a peaceful, orderly, inclusive and credible manner.

The Secretary-General urges all stakeholders to refrain from actions that could incite violence or undermine the credibility of the process and underlines the importance of safeguarding the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the electoral period.

The Secretary-General notes that municipal elections, which have not been held in the Central African Republic since 1988, are a key provision of the 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic.  Their conduct represents an historic milestone in the peace process and a critical step towards consolidating the decentralization of State authority.

The Secretary-General acknowledges the continued support to national authorities provided by the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) for the organization and conduct of these elections, in coordination with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

He notes the efforts of the Central African authorities and all those involved in preparing these elections.  The Secretary-General reiterates the continued commitment of the United Nations to support the Central African Republic in its efforts to consolidate peace, stability and democratic governance.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Secretary-General.