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Eritrea: His Holiness Abune Basilios Gives Benediction

Source: APO


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His Holiness Abune Basilios, the 6th Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church, gave a benediction in connection with Christmas.

His Holiness Abune Basilios provided a comprehensive explanation of the spiritual meaning of the holiday. He extended his warm Christmas greetings to the Eritrean people at home and abroad, as well as to members of the Defense Forces.

Abune Basilios also called on the faithful to extend their support to families of martyrs and to lend a hand to disadvantaged fellow nationals.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

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Eritrea: Conference on Eradication of Harmful Practices

Source: APO


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A conference aimed at eradicating harmful practices in general, and underage marriage and female genital mutilation in particular, was conducted in Mendefera, Southern Region, on 5 January.

The objective of the conference was to enhance the role of religious leaders and influential members of society in the effort.

Mr. Qaleab Tesfaselasie, Director General of Social Services in the region, noting that the prevalence of underage marriage and female genital mutilation has not been totally eradicated in the region, called on religious leaders to strengthen their participation in the eradication of harmful practices by using the influence and responsibility they have.

Mr. Gebrehiwet Teklu, head of the Attorney General’s Office in the region, provided an extensive briefing on Eritrea’s civil and criminal laws.

Indicating that marriages under 18 years of age and female genital mutilation are punishable under Eritrea’s Criminal Law Articles 615 and 537 respectively, he elaborated on the legal implications.

Dr. Amanuel Mihreteab, head of the Ministry of Health branch in the region, on his part urged the public to abandon wrong beliefs and strengthen participation in the effort to eradicate harmful practices.

The participants, on their part, expressed readiness to play their due role in the effort and called on the concerned institutions to conduct relentless public awareness-raising activities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

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Eritrea: Meeting to Enhance Public Awareness

Source: APO


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The Southern Red Sea Region branch of the National Union of Eritrean Women held a meeting with the public and Government workers in the port city of Assab on 3 January, aimed at enhancing organizational capacity and awareness among its members.

At the meeting, Ms. Sa’adia Ibrahim, head of the union branch, reported that the union, beyond ensuring the rights of women, has conducted commendable activities in the eradication of harmful practices, enhancing female participation in education, and organizing vocational training programs with a view to enabling women to become self-supporting and productive members of society.

Ms. Sa’adia went on to say that encouraging female students to properly pursue their education and become competitive students is one of the priority activities of the union branch. She also called on parents to support their children.

In related news, the Assab sub-zone administration conducted an activity assessment meeting of 2025. At the meeting, reports were presented on achievements registered and challenges encountered. The meeting was attended by representatives from the three administrative areas of the sub-zone.

Mr. Berhane Kidane, acting administrator of the sub-zone, said that 80% of the 2025 plan of action has been implemented.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

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Kenya Engineer Releases Volume 54, Issue 1 (January–February 2026), Now in Circulation

Source: APO

Kenya Engineer Magazine (www.KenyaEngineer.co.ke) has released the January–February 2026 issue, marking the first issue of Volume 54 and reaffirming the publication’s long-standing role as a trusted platform for engineering insight in Kenya, East Africa, and beyond.

For more than five decades, Kenya Engineer has documented the evolution of engineering practice, industry, and policy across the region. The latest issue is published at a time when engineering is increasingly central to energy transition, industrial growth, infrastructure development, and sustainability, and it continues the magazine’s commitment to professionally grounded, context-driven content.

Focus of the January–February 2026 Issue

The new issue brings together analysis, interviews, and features examining key developments shaping the engineering and industrial landscape, including:

  • Power and energy sector developments and their implications for industry
  • Grid stability, transmission, and infrastructure readiness
  • Manufacturing and industrialisation in Kenya and across Africa
  • Engineering leadership, policy alignment, and skills development
  • Emerging trends in sustainability and electric mobility

Rather than reporting events in isolation, the issue places emphasis on context, relevance, and long-term implications, offering insight that remains valuable to professionals, institutions, and decision-makers beyond the news cycle.

A Trusted Platform for the Engineering Ecosystem

Kenya Engineer continues to serve a diverse readership that includes practicing engineers, technical managers, utilities, manufacturers, EPC firms, regulators, policymakers, and academic institutions. Its positioning as a credible, independent platform has made it a reference point for industry dialogue and professional reflection across the region.

As engineering challenges grow more complex and interconnected, the publication remains focused on supporting informed discussion that links engineering practice, industry needs, and development priorities.

Availability

The January–February 2026 issue is now in circulation and is available in both print and digital formats, ensuring accessibility for readers locally and internationally. In addition to individual copies, annual print subscriptions covering six issues are also available for professionals, firms, and institutions that rely on Kenya Engineer as a reference publication.

Digital download link –  https://apo-opa.co/3N0wueV

Print copy order  –  https://apo-opa.co/3Yrurmw

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Kenya Engineer.

For further information:
www.KenyaEngineer.co.ke
info@kenyaengineer.co.ke
admin@kenyaengineer.co.ke

About Kenya Engineer:
Kenya Engineer is a professional engineering magazine serving East Africa and beyond. It provides news, analysis, and features across power, infrastructure, manufacturing, automation, sustainability, and emerging technologies, with a focus on engineering-led development. The publication has served the engineering community for over 50 years.

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Nigeria has a high poverty rate – what this has to do with ethnic conflicts

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Tolu Olarewaju, Economist and Lecturer in Management, Keele University; University of Lancashire

Nigeria has endured decades of violent insurgencies and ranks 6th on the 2025 Global Terrorism Index. Numerous people have been killed and millions displaced. The number of casualties from terrorist attacks in 2025 can be seen in both the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data and the Council on Foreign Relations’ Nigeria Security Tracker. Most of the casualties are in places with high poverty levels, as the Nigerian Poverty Map shows.

Tolu Olarewaju, who has researched ethnic poverty, unpacks why regions of violence and poverty overlap in Nigeria.

What is the state of poverty in Nigeria?

Poverty in Nigeria comes in various forms: a lack of income and productive resources to sustain livelihoods; hunger and malnutrition; illness and death; and limited access to education and other basic services. It includes inadequate housing and unsafe environments. It is also seen in a lack of participation in decision-making and civil, social and cultural life.

Nigeria currently has a population of 237 million people and over 133 million Nigerians are living in this kind of poverty. It is higher in rural areas, where 72% of people are poor, compared to 42% of people in urban areas. The current poverty in Nigeria is the result of two key factors:

  • history – particularly the slave trade and British colonial rule, which put the economic gain of the British Empire ahead of the development of the local population

  • corruption and poor governance practices.

My work shows that when initiatives are introduced to reduce poverty in Nigeria, they are often hijacked by corrupt individuals.

There have been numerous government efforts to combat poverty in Nigeria. The current administration launched the “Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer” programme in October 2023 to cushion the effects of its fuel subsidy removal, which had raised the cost of living and caused inflation. The programme hasn’t made much impact on the level of poverty in the country.

The failures of successive Nigerian governments to reduce poverty stem from multiple factors. They include corruption, poor targeting of programmes, limited funding, weak legislative oversight, political interference, and the absence of a flexible, people-centred approach.

Meanwhile, poverty is the common thread across the places experiencing terrorism in Nigeria. Poor people are more likely to be recruited into terrorist groups, and their targets are likely to be poor people like themselves.

What is ethnic poverty?

Ethnic poverty occurs when there is systemic poverty for an ethnic group. An ethnic group is a social group that shares a common and distinctive history, culture, religion, language, or the like.

My work on ethnic poverty also shows that it can lead to conflicts that are easily labelled as ethnic, religious or tribal.

Ethnic poverty disparities, uneven development and radical ideologies will make any country susceptible to violent insurgencies. This has occurred, for example, in Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Ethiopia.

Ethnic poverty can increase hatred and violence, but economic growth could create a “win-win solution” if wealth can be shared equitably.

Nigeria is a multinational state where more than 250 ethnic groups live, speaking over 500 distinct languages. The three largest ethnic groups are the Hausa in the north, the Yoruba in the west, and the Igbo in the east. The country is prone to violent insurgencies where armed groups who suffer from ethnic poverty try to overthrow the government.

How does ethnic poverty play out in Nigeria?

Poverty in Nigeria is intertwined with ethnicity. Inequalities in wealth and education persist between ethnic groups and regions. For example, 65% of the poor and less educated live in the north, where the Hausa and Fulani ethnic groups are predominant. Poverty levels across states also vary. The incidence of multidimensional poverty ranges from a low of 27% in Ondo (in the south) to a high of 91% in Sokoto (in the north).

What are the solutions to ethnic poverty?

There is no single solution, but several that will mature over time. The Nigerian government should:

  • Hold transparent discussions and elections to decide if a regional system of government that focuses on local problems will be better than the current centrally planned government.

  • Devise a strategy that combats corruption and focuses on ethnic groups with higher poverty rates.

  • Expand education and vocational training to promote peace and tolerance, and employable skills linked to local markets.

  • Deliver entrepreneurship training and financial literacy programmes to foster self-reliance and community-based economic growth.

  • Offer incentives for responsible industrial development and local enterprise investment in areas of high ethnic poverty.

  • Implement policies that promote balanced urban–rural economic growth and integrate ethnic populations economically into the national story.

  • Invest in transport, digital and communication infrastructure in remote areas to improve access to education, security and markets.

  • Promote inclusive national narratives that celebrate ethnic diversity.

Together, these measures can create a more equitable social contract that gives every ethnic group a stake in national progress. By being transparent and accountable, the government can rebuild trust.

Sustained investment in people, infrastructure and local economies will help break the cycle of inter-generational ethnic poverty. Over time, these efforts can strengthen unity and share prosperity across Nigeria.

– Nigeria has a high poverty rate – what this has to do with ethnic conflicts
– https://theconversation.com/nigeria-has-a-high-poverty-rate-what-this-has-to-do-with-ethnic-conflicts-270649

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Appointment of the Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles National Youth Council

Source: APO


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The Office of the President has today announced the appointment of Mr. Michel Raymond Pierre as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC), with effect from 1 January 2026.

Mr. Pierre brings extensive experience in youth development, governance, stakeholder engagement, and programme management. He has worked closely with national and regional partners on youth empowerment initiatives and has demonstrated strong leadership in managing complex programmes, mobilising resources, and strengthening institutional frameworks. His background includes hands-on involvement in youth policy implementation, grants and programme management, and collaboration with civil society organisations.

Following his transfer from employment as a youth worker, Mr. Pierre served at the Citizens Engagement Platform (CEPS) from 2014 to 2021, initially as Events and Programmes Manager, and subsequently, from 2017, as Chief Executive Officer.

At the time of his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of SNYC, Mr. Pierre was serving as Grants Coordinator at the Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (SEYCCAT).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

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President Dr. Patrick Herminie Holds Talks with Island Conservation Society on the Future of Seychelles’ Islands, Including Assumption Island

Source: APO


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President of the Republic, Dr. Patrick Herminie, today received a courtesy call at State House from representatives of the Island Conservation Society (ICS), as the organisation celebrates 25 years of dedicated conservation work in Seychelles.

The delegation, led by the Chairman of the Society, Mr. Adrian Skerrett, reflected on a quarter-century of achievement, tracing ICS’s journey from its early beginnings to its current standing as a trusted national partner in environmental stewardship. The meeting was held in the presence of the Minister for Environment, Climate, Energy and Natural Resources, Ms. Marie-May Jérémie.

Discussions centred on ICS’s ongoing conservation programmes, including island restoration, biodiversity protection and community engagement initiatives. The delegation also briefed the President on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) undertaken for Assumption Island, underscoring the value of rigorous scientific analysis and careful assessment in informing sustainable development decisions.

The meeting further noted the establishment of an Inter-Sectoral Environmental Task Force by the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Energy and Natural Resources, tasked with coordinating urgent environmental actions for Assumption Island and addressing related matters concerning Aldabra. The Task Force will be chaired by Minister Jérémie, with Dr. Nirmal Shah, Special Advisor in the President’s Office, serving as Deputy Chair. Its mandate includes undertaking comprehensive biodiversity assessment and strengthening biosecurity planning and measures.

Minister Jérémie noted that the Islands Development Company, the Seychelles Islands Foundation, the Planning Authority, the Principal Secretary for Lands, the Biosecurity authorities, and other relevant agencies and partners — including ICD — will also be invited to participate in the task force.

Funding challenges affecting conservation efforts across different islands were also discussed, alongside the need to attract and retain qualified conservation professionals to support research and long-term environmental monitoring.

ICS currently employs 40 staff members, the majority of whom are engaged in conservation and monitoring activities across the outer islands. A significant proportion of these staff are expatriates. The organisation is governed by a Board of Trustees who volunteer their time and expertise.

Despite its achievements, ICS continues to face challenges related to the shortage of qualified personnel and its reliance on external expertise to sustain conservation work on the islands.

President Herminie congratulated the Island Conservation Society on its 25th anniversary, commending its professionalism, consistency and enduring commitment to safeguarding Seychelles’ natural heritage. He then reaffirmed Government’s commitment to continued collaboration with civil society organisations in advancing the country’s environmental protection and sustainability agenda.

Founded in 2001, the Island Conservation Society (ICS) spearheads island conservation in Seychelles through science, education, and community engagement. The organisation focuses on the conservation and restoration of island ecosystems, the sustainable development of islands, and raising awareness of their vulnerability and critical role in global biodiversity. ICS currently operates programmes on eight islands, implementing key initiatives such as invasive species eradication, species reintroductions, and support for national conservation policies.

Other members of the ICS delegation included Mr. Pat Mathiot, Member of Council and Board of Trustees, Mr. Norman Weber, Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Jean-Paul D’Offay, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Greg Berke, Director of Science and Conservation, and Ms. Emma Mederic, Senior Science and Conservation Officer

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

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Cabo Verde reconhecido pelo sucesso da Cooperação Sul-Sul com a China e a FAO

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

Baixar .tipo

No âmbito da visita oficial de seis dias à República Popular da China, o Ministro da Agricultura e Ambiente, Gilberto Silva, tem vindo a desenvolver uma intensa agenda de trabalho, com destaque para o fortalecimento da cooperação internacional no setor agroalimentar.

Durante a sua visita, Gilberto Silva destacou os resultados alcançados no âmbito do Projeto de Cooperação Sul-Sul China–FAO–Cabo Verde, cujo ponto alto foi o encontro, em Pequim, com o Vice-Ministro da Agricultura da China, HUANG Sanyuan.

Na ocasião, Cabo Verde foi reconhecido pelas autoridades chinesas pelos resultados muito positivos do projeto, com a implementação, desde setembro de 2023, e avanços significativos, no reforço das capacidades técnicas, na transferência de conhecimento e na adaptação da agricultura às mudanças climáticas. A China reafirmou o seu compromisso em aprofundar esta parceria estratégica, considerando o projeto uma base sólida para o desenvolvimento agrícola de médio e longo prazo.

O Ministro manifestou grande satisfação com os resultados alcançados, sublinhando o impacto concreto da cooperação no fortalecimento do setor agroalimentar, na segurança alimentar e no desenvolvimento sustentável do país, destacando, ainda, o potencial do projeto para gerar benefícios duradouros para Cabo Verde.

No âmbito desta visita, Gilberto Silva realizou encontros institucionais, incluindo uma visita ao Centro de Cooperação Internacional do Ministério da Agricultura e Assuntos Rurais e à empresa CMEC Group – China Machinery Engineering Corporation, que demonstrou interesse em cooperar com Cabo Verde na identificação de soluções e equipamentos agrícolas adequados à realidade nacional.

Esta visita, que abrange as cidades de Pequim, Hunan e Xangai, reforça o compromisso de Cabo Verde em consolidar parcerias estratégicas e promover uma agricultura mais moderna, resiliente e sustentável.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Governo de Cabo Verde.

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Emirates SkyCargo charts flightpath into 2026, following a milestone year

Source: APO

Emirates SkyCargo (www.Emirates.com) wraps the year with a clear roadmap to success in 2026, following significant investment in enhancing its fleet and network, forging new strategic partnerships, reshaping the digital landscape and launching all-new products over the last 12 months. As the cargo arm of the world’s largest international airline, Emirates SkyCargo is on track to seamlessly connect the globe, keeping goods flowing quickly, reliably and efficiently.

Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo, “In 2025, we built the runway for what comes next. We strengthened the core pillars of our business by expanding our network and innovating with our product portfolio and operations to deliver what our customers need today – and tomorrow. 2026 is set to be a pivotal year for our fleet expansion, with the expected delivery of up to 10 Boeing 777Fs by December, fuelling our next era of growth. This influx of capacity unlocks opportunities for network and scheduling expansions, offer more flexibility to scale our solutions and enable us to deliver even greater value across our global network.”

STRONGER FLEET, WIDER NETWORK, BIGGER IMPACT

At the start of the year, the first of Emirates SkyCargo’s Boeing 777Fs were delivered with another two in the following months, allowing the airline to retire older aircraft and deliver on its commitment to operate one of the youngest fleets in the sky. The fleet currently stands at 11 Boeing 777Fs and 5 wet-leased Boeing 747s. The first Emirates’ passenger aircraft entered the conversion programme, with the view to start operations as a fully-fledged freighter in 2026. By the end of next year, Emirates SkyCargo aims to operate a fleet of at least 21 freighters, adding significantly more cargo capacity to current operations. 

Delivering on its long-term vision to add more freighter destinations to its network, in 2025 the airline launched freighter services to eight new destinations: Copenhagen, Narita, Bangkok, Mumbai, Beirut, Conakry, Phnom Penh (KTI) and Hanoi, while high-volume destinations such as Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Johannesburg were better served with additional weekly frequencies. The recently launched Hanoi was swiftly bolstered to a four-weekly service, to cater to the demand. As of year’s end, Emirates SkyCargo reaches 42 global destinations across six continents with freighter services. 

Throughout 2025, Emirates SkyCargo strengthened its network of over 180 global interline partners, inking new agreements to expand its global footprint. In February, the airline signed with Africa-based Astral Aviation and then in April, with Southeast Asia’s Teleport, to create seamless connectivity into primary, secondary and tertiary airports in two regions that are burgeoning with trade opportunities. The airline continues to reinforce its existing strategic partnerships with global airlines such as Air Canada, United and Virgin Atlantic, to reach every corner of the globe.  

FUTURE-FIT OPERATIONS

Even as Emirates SkyCargo draws up plans for its all-new facility at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), it continued to invest in its current operations to deliver peak performance. The airline upgraded its on-road fleet by taking delivery of 40 Euro 6 trucks from MAN Trucks, bringing the latest low-emissions and driver-centric technology to the region. By Q1 2026, the fleet will be bolstered with the delivery of five hydrogen-powered trucks, marking a key milestone in the company’s gradual transition to alternate fuel vehicles.  

Exploring next-gen cargo delivery solutions, Emirates SkyCargo and LODD Autonomous (http://apo-opa.co/4pjXXFz) will collaborate on the development and feasibility of VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) aircraft for first and last mile delivery throughout 2026.    

The rise in digital bookings – coupled with the decline in manual bookings – continued to grow throughout the year, as more customers opted for seamless and efficient processes. By December 2025, almost 80% of all shipments on Emirates SkyCargo are booked digitally, driven predominately by eSkyCargo, and followed by the third-party digital marketplaces where the airline is present and direct customer API integrations. Digitising other critical cargo processes, Emirates SkyCargo become the first carrier in the region to adopt PayCargo’s solution, introducing instant payments via credit card or direct debit, as opposed to the traditional and inefficient cash transactions. Looking ahead to 2026, the airline will explore further enhancements to its digital toolbelt, such as adding new features and products that refine the customer journey. 

SOLVING TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGES WITH NEW PRODUCTS

Emirates SkyCargo remained airline of choice for all types of shipments – from moving over 14,600 beloved family pets to transporting the first ever prototype of the Koenigsegg supercar to Mille Miglia in the UAE. 

2025 saw the landmark launch of Emirates Courier Express (http://apo-opa.co/4jt51i0), the airline’s door-to-door delivery solution, that sets new benchmarks in cross-border delivery. Within months, the solution had already scaled to launch in Australia and Germany, with a roadmap of upcoming launches into the world’s largest economies throughout 2026. To date, the solution has delivered over 50,000 packages with an average delivery time across its network of 3 days, and an average of 1 day between the UK and UAE. 

Harnessing the technical expertise of its team, Emirates SkyCargo launched the Aerospace and Engineering (http://apo-opa.co/3NcKEJJ) vertical, featuring an optimised AOG (http://apo-opa.co/4jyC3xm) service and an all-new Aircraft Engines (http://apo-opa.co/4qFzwUe) offering, meticulously balancing speed and security into specialised solutions. Emirates SkyCargo has recorded a 100% increase in the movement of individual engines, compared to the same time period last year, with demand continuing to grow – something the airline will be better placed to serve with the future aircraft deliveries. Earning its stripes, the airline transported Arab Satellite 813 from Al Ain to Shanghai, showcasing the new vertical’s precision, care and reliability. 

Fresh (http://apo-opa.co/4qFI51p), dedicated to the movement of food, flowers and other perishables and the airline’s biggest vertical by tonnage, grew by 10% uplifting an additional 25,700 tonnes in comparison to 2024 – the equivalent of 275 million apples. As the UAE’s Comprehensive Economic Agreements (CEPAs) come into effect, the airline will continue to keep perishables moving from farm to table in as little as 24 hours. 

With the burgeoning global demand for critical and personalised patient treatments such as clinical trials or cell and gene therapies, Emirates SkyCargo recorded a 54% increase in volume on Vital (http://apo-opa.co/4qEI91c), the airline’s dedicated white glove service for the most sensitive pharmaceutical shipments. Emirates SkyCargo continues to invest in its infrastructure, technology and processes to reinforce its reputation as an undisputed market leader in the life sciences and healthcare vertical, moving 2,000 tonnes of pharma every week.  

The increased volume of mobile phones and other personal electronic devices being manufactured in Vietnam and India drove a 30% uptick in the airline’s Secure (https://apo-opa.co/4qDTXRt) solution. Emirates SkyCargo met the demand with a mixture of freighter services and SEA-AIR (http://apo-opa.co/4qFI65t). 

Emirates SkyCargo continues to set benchmarks for excellence in global logistics. In 2026, the airline will build on this strong foundation to deliver on its long-term strategy which includes doubling its current capacity, adding 20 new freighter destinations to its network and shaping the future of the industry with smart, digital-first products and services.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Emirates Group.

Contact:
Emirates Public Relations
pr@emirates.com

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