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A Beacon Of Hope in Nigeria’s Electoral Landscape: Obo Effanga’s Story

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A Beacon Of Hope in Nigeria's Electoral Landscape: Obo Effanga's Story

Obo Effanga, a paragon of integrity and a champion of democracy, has been a stalwart defender of free and fair elections in Nigeria long before his appointment as Resident Electoral Commissioner for Rivers State in 2017. With a career spanning over two decades, Effanga stands as a beacon of integrity and impartiality in Nigeria’s electoral landscape, inspiring hope in a country where the electoral process is often marred by controversy and malpractice.

As a trained journalist, lawyer, and governance expert, Effanga’s expertise extends far beyond election management. He holds a National Diploma in Mass Communications from The Polytechnic Calabar (1988), an LL.B (Hons) from the University of Calabar (1994), and a Master of Arts (MA) in Human Rights from the University of Sussex (2011).

Effanga’s impressive resume includes conducting several high-profile elections, such as the 2019 general election in Rivers State, the 2023 general election in Edo State, and the off-cycle Governorship Election in Bayelsa State in 2023. He has also supported off-cycle elections in many other states in Nigeria since 2017 and observed the presidential election in Venezuela in 2018.

Beyond his work in election management, Effanga is dedicated to community service. He has served as the President of the Nigerian Alumni Association of the International Fellowships Program of Ford Foundation, Vice Chair of the Efik Leadership Foundation, Past President of the Lagos Achievers Lions Club, and former national president (District President) of the Leo Club Programme in Nigeria. Effanga’s contributions to democracy and community service have been recognized with several awards, including:

— Columnist of the Year, Nigeria Media Merit Award (2004)

— Ford Foundation Scholar (2010/2011)

— Melvin Jones Fellow (MJF) from Lions Clubs International (2018)

He has also worked at ActionAid Nigeria for 11 years, including serving as management staff and Governance Programme Manager for more than six years. Additionally, he has worked as senior programme staff in other national NGOs in Nigeria.

As a newspaper columnist, Effanga has written for different national newspapers, spanning more than 15 years, and has been a member of the editorial board of NewAge newspaper. He has also written many editorial commentaries, essays, and poems, and has published two books: ‘To The Sun At Sundown’ and ‘Déjà Vu Nigeria’.

When asked about withstanding pressure from politicians, Effanga remains resolute: “I have zero tolerance for such and have not even bothered.” His commitment to neutrality and impartiality is unwavering, making him an exemplary figure in Nigeria’s electoral landscape.

As Effanga continues to serve as a guardian of democracy, his legacy as a champion of free and fair elections will endure, inspiring future generations of electoral umpires and cementing his place as an icon in Nigeria’s democratic journey. His remarkable journey serves as a shining example of the transformative impact of unwavering dedication, unshakeable integrity, and selfless service to humanity, leaving an indelible mark on Nigeria’s democratic fabric.

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Court, Congress Pile Pressure on DHS Over Minnesota Operations

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US Congress to Review Relations with South Africa, Sudan

Court, Congress Pile Pressure on DHS Over Minnesota Operations

 

US House Democrats have threatened to begin impeachment proceedings against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over her handling of the immigration crackdown in Minnesota, unless President Donald Trump removes her from office.

 

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned that Democrats could proceed “the easy way or the hard way,” describing the actions of Noem’s department as “disgusting.”

 

The crisis follows the fatal shooting of US citizen Alex Pretti by a federal agent, which has triggered backlash in Minneapolis and led to the planned departure of Border Patrol Chief Gregory Borvino and some agents from the city.

 

Trump has deployed his “border tsar,” Tom Homan, to take charge of on-the-ground operations, while a Minnesota judge has ordered acting ICE director Todd Lyons to appear in court over alleged violations of court orders.

 

Trump has distanced himself from claims by senior adviser Stephen Miller that Pretti was a “would-be assassin,” saying he did not believe the victim was acting as one.

 

Video footage shows Pretti holding a phone while filming agents, not a gun, although police say he was a legal firearm owner.

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UN Raises Alarm Over ‘Spare No-One’ Rhetoric by South Sudan Army Chief

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Trafficking: Libya Deports 700 Sudanese Migrants

UN Raises Alarm Over ‘Spare No-One’ Rhetoric by South Sudan Army Chief

 

The United Nations has expressed concern after South Sudan’s Deputy Army Chief, Gen. Johnson Oluny, was heard urging troops to “spare no-one,” including children and the elderly, ahead of military operations in opposition-held areas of Jonglei State.

 

In a video posted on Facebook, Oluny, addressing members of his Agwelek militia, called for total destruction during the deployment.

 

The UN Mission in South Sudan condemned the remarks, describing them as “utterly abhorrent,” and warned that inflammatory rhetoric targeting civilians must stop immediately.

 

South Sudan’s government, however, said the statement did not amount to an official order, insisting it remains committed to protecting civilians.

 

Minister of Information Ateny Wek Ateny said civilians were being warned only to avoid being caught in crossfire.

 

The development comes amid escalating fighting in Jonglei, where forces loyal to suspended Vice-President Riek Machar have seized several areas.

 

The military has ordered civilians, UN personnel and aid workers to evacuate three counties—Nyirol, Uror and Akobo—ahead of an imminent operation.

 

The UN says more than 180,000 people have been displaced by the renewed violence.

 

Meanwhile, tensions remain high as opposition forces threaten to advance towards the capital, Juba, a claim dismissed by the army.

 

South Sudan has been unstable since a 2018 peace deal ended a five-year civil war that killed nearly 400,000 people, but lingering political rivalry and ethnic tensions continue to threaten fragile peace.

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Diplomacy

Rwanda sues UK over scrapped migrant deal payments

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Rwanda sues UK over scrapped migrant deal payments

 

The Rwandan government has initiated arbitration proceedings against the United Kingdom, seeking payments it says are owed under the now-abandoned asylum partnership agreement between both countries.

 

Rwanda has filed the case at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, arguing that the UK failed to honour financial commitments contained in the deal signed under the former Conservative government.

 

The agreement, designed to relocate some asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda, was scrapped in 2024 by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, with the Home Office saying about £220m in future payments would no longer be made.

 

UK authorities insist the policy was costly and ineffective, pledging to defend the case to protect taxpayers’ funds.

 

Rwanda, however, says the arbitration concerns unmet treaty obligations and is seeking a legal determination of both parties’ rights under international law.

 

The PCA lists the case as pending, with no timetable yet announced for hearings or a ruling.

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