West Africa Seeking €50 Mln From EU For Anti-Islamist Force

Presidents of Niger, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Burkina Faso at G5 Sahel

The countries of West Africa's Sahel region are requesting €50 million (US$56 million) from the European Union to help set up a multinational force to take on Islamist militant groups, Mali's military chief said on Saturday.

FOR THE RECORD: Africa Sahel States Agree To Set Up Joint Counter-Terror Force

More than 70 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack in Gao, Northern Mali, last month. AFP

Five countries in Africa’s Sahel region have agreed to set up a joint counter-terrorism force to tackle the jihadist threat.

Lassa Fever Kills 35, Infects 76, Says FG

Prof Isaac Adewole

The Federal Government has put the number of reported cases of Lassa Fever outbreak in eight states at 76 with 35 deaths already recorded and 14 cases confirmed by laboratories. The government, which said measures had been put in place to curtail further spread and reduce mortality among those affected, however, ruled out placing travel restrictions from and to areas currently affected.

₦2.8tr Needed To Revive Lake Chad — Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari said over US$14 billion (₦2.789trillion) is needed to revive the Lake Chad to help check the exodus of African youths to Europe for greener pastures. He said at least five million people from Central African Republic to the Lake Chad Basin countries (Chad, Niger, Nigeria and Benin), who risk their lives crossing the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean to Europe for greener pastures,  will be rehabilitated.