🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Nigeria's ambassador-designate to Algeria, Mohammed Mahmud Lele, dies at 50
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
Nigeria's ambassador-designate to Algeria, Mohammed Mahmud Lele, has died at the age of 50. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced his death, stating he passed away in Ankara, Türkiye, in the early hours of April 19, 2026, after a protracted illness. Lele, a career diplomat, was the Director in charge of the Middle East and Gulf Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and had recently been appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as ambassador-designate to Algeria, following Senate confirmation. Born in Gamawa, Bauchi State, in 1976, he studied Economics at Bayero University, Kano, and served in Nigerian missions in Berlin, Lomé, and Riyadh. The ministry described him as a dedicated officer known for his intellectual depth, strategic insight, and commitment to Nigeria’s foreign policy. Permanent Secretary Dunoma Umar Ahmed received his remains in Abuja, calling him a hardworking and humble officer. Lele was buried on Wednesday in Kano according to Islamic rites. The ministry extended condolences to his family, associates, and the government and people of Bauchi State.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
A Christian lawyer, identified as Valentina on TikTok, shared her experiences and lessons learned from wearing a hijab throughout her time at law school. In a series of TikTok posts on April 6, 2026, Valentina discussed how the experience challenged her assumptions and fostered a deeper respect for Muslim women. She noted that hijabis are diverse individuals with varied personalities and interests, contrary to her previous perception. Valentina also highlighted the positive reception she received from Muslim women, who expressed happiness and support despite her being a Christian. Furthermore, she gained a new spiritual understanding of the hijab, viewing it as sacred and a form of divine protection, rather than a tool of oppression.
Must ReadThe Nigerian Senate has called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure the release of 416 women, children, and elderly persons held captive by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State since March 30, 2026. This call follows renewed insurgent attacks on military formations and fresh threats from the terrorists against any forceful rescue attempt. The resolution stemmed from a motion sponsored by Senator Tahir Monguno and co-sponsored by Senators Ali Ndume and Kaka Lawan, highlighting recent coordinated attacks on military formations in Monguno and Benisheikh. Senator Ndume warned that insurgents have threatened to disperse the abducted victims if urgent action is not taken. The Senate condemned the continued attacks, observed a minute of silence for fallen soldiers, and urged the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs to conduct a comprehensive operational and logistical audit of affected military formations. Lawmakers also called for strengthened adherence to rules of engagement and international humanitarian law, thorough investigation of harm to civilians, and encouraged local communities to support security agencies. This development follows a video released by a Boko Haram faction showing the abducted victims in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area, and warning against rescue attempts, threatening to disperse victims if demands are not met within 72 hours. The victims were abducted after an attack on a military base in Ngoshe in early March.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, received a donation of protective gear from the United States-based organization Signal 63 Ministries, facilitated by the Fundamental Baptist Ministry International. The consignment was presented at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. Mr. Bill Graham of Signal 63 Ministries and Rev. and Mrs. Philemon Sidi of the Fundamental Baptist Ministry International facilitated the donation. Disu commended their efforts, stating the donation is a critical intervention to enhance the safety and operational confidence of frontline personnel. He reaffirmed his administration's commitment to equipping officers for effective service delivery, emphasizing that the well-being of personnel is non-negotiable and a cornerstone of building a more resilient and professional police force.
Must ReadA new report by climate rights groups, including Greenpeace, the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, and GroundWork, indicates that South Africa risks up to 32,000 premature deaths between 2026 and 2050 if the phase-out of coal plants is delayed. This delay is attributed to the government’s updated decommissioning dates, which allow some of the 14 coal-fired power plants to operate until 2050. Coal currently supplies 80 percent of South Africa’s power and employs over 90,000 people, making decommissioning a contentious issue. The report projects that Gauteng province, despite having no state-owned coal plants, could experience 15,000 deaths due to transboundary pollution. Cynthia Moyo, a climate campaigner at Greenpeace, highlighted that pollution travels and does not remain localized. The delay is also expected to impact children's health, potentially causing 41,000 pre-term births, 17,000 new cases of childhood asthma, and 370 deaths among children under five. Residents of Middelburg in Mpumalanga shared experiences of air pollution effects, including early-onset asthma and skin diseases. The report estimates the economic cost of the delay at 721 billion rand $38 billion, accounting for lost working days and increased strain on the public healthcare system. South Africa, the continent’s most industrialized nation, signed a Just Energy Transition Partnership JETP deal in 2021 to transition from coal, but this process has faced internal government disputes.