Nigeria: "Fictitious" government agency scandal creates turmoil in public administration
via Lefaso.net6 min read
A scandal involving a "fictitious" government agency named the "Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council" has emerged in Nigeria. The alleged mastermind, Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, is accused of falsifying presidential documents to establish this structure, which operated between 2024 and 2025 with the stated mission of facilitating foreign investments in Nigeria. This "fake" public agency reportedly collaborated with several Nigerian institutions and secured a significant financial allocation of 1.3 billion nairas approximately 950,000 USD in the state budget. Matthew was also allegedly provided with offices and employees by federal services and managed to open two accounts at the Central Bank of Nigeria. Prior to his arrest, he reportedly sent an official letter to the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, requesting assistance in obtaining US visas for his associates to attend a summit. Matthew, who presented himself as the agency's director-general, denies all accusations, claiming the structure was legally created and alleging that some senior government officials attempted to extort bribes before trying to seize control of the agency's funds. These claims have been rejected by the presidency. The affair has caused significant upheaval, particularly as the Nigerian President's Chief of Staff and other officials are cited for having interacted with this "presidential council." While the Chief of Staff was the first to question the agency's activities in 2025, a l
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Kévin Ouédraogo, a civil administrator by training and a representative of an international organization promoting traditional medicine, is a passionate advocate for agroecology and the preservation of medicinal plants. For over 30 years, he has dedicated himself to this work, establishing an agroecology training center and a promotion center. His journey has taken him across Burkina Faso to learn from traditional knowledge holders, to Senegal to deepen his understanding of medicinal plants, and to Israel and Europe to study agroecological techniques. These experiences have solidified his belief that Africa's future involves reconnecting with its natural environment. Ouédraogo manages two agroecological sites, one in Komsilga and another in Néboun, where plants are observed, studied, multiplied, and protected. Many of these species are rare or endangered in their natural habitats. He highlights the African peach Sarcocephalus latifolius as a "living pharmacy" and emphasizes the importance of Moringa oleifera and Morinda citrifolia Noni for their medicinal and economic potential. He notes that a liter of Moringa oil produced in Burkina Faso can fetch around 80,000 CFA francs, illustrating the economic opportunities. Ouédraogo laments the increasing pressure on natural resources in Burkina Faso and recalls the environmental campaigns under Captain Thomas Sankara, whose efforts largely faded after 1987, leading to significant species loss. His center actively works to reconstitu
Must ReadForeign ministers from the three AES member states and Russia met to continue consultations initiated in Moscow in April 2025. The participants acknowledged the quality of political dialogue and progress on commitments from their first meeting. Diplomatically, AES and Russia agreed to enhance coordination within the UN and other international bodies, reaffirming their commitment to UN Charter principles and a more equitable world order. They highlighted ongoing military and security cooperation, with Moscow pledging continued support for AES member states' armies and the Confederation's unified force. Both parties condemned terrorist attacks in the confederal space and praised security forces' efforts. In their joint declaration, AES and Russia denounced external interference and destabilization efforts in the Sahel, expressing concern over unilateral coercive measures affecting economies, trade, health, and food security. Economic discussions focused on supporting integration through projects, utilizing the Confederal Bank for Investment and Development BCID-AES and Russian cooperation mechanisms. A memorandum of consultations was signed by Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré and Sergey Lavrov, establishing a permanent diplomatic consultation and coordination framework. They also adopted a consultation plan for 2026-2027 and agreed to hold the next session in Russia in 2027.
On July 7, 2026, the thoracic and vascular surgery team at Tengandogo University Hospital CHU successfully performed its first bronchial sleeve lobectomy. This complex procedure allowed for the preservation of a portion of the lung affected by a tumor in a patient. The operation was led by Dr. Moussa Bazongo, a thoracic and vascular surgeon, with support from Dr. Jiang Lei, a thoracic surgeon from the Chinese medical mission, and Dr. J. Maoro Bolivogui, a cardiovascular surgeon. The patient had a significant tumor in the left lower lobar bronchus, extending to the bronchial bifurcation. Typically, such cases might require a pneumonectomy, the removal of the entire lung, which significantly reduces respiratory capacity. However, the Tengandogo CHU team opted for an advanced reconstructive technique to preserve lung function. They removed the lower lobe of the lung, the tumor-affected area, and the bronchial bifurcation, then reconnected the upper lobar bronchus directly to the left main bronchus. This delicate reconstruction preserved a large part of the healthy lung. This national first highlights the coordinated efforts of surgeons, anesthesia-resuscitation teams, nurses, instrument technicians, and specialized doctors. It also demonstrates the effective cooperation between Tengandogo CHU and the Chinese medical mission, showcasing the progress of Burkina Faso's healthcare system in specialized surgery and the capability of national practitioners to perform highly technical