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Explosions Rock Kyiv as City Endures Missile Assault

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Early Sunday, a missile barrage targeted the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, injuring at least three individuals and igniting multiple fires, according to the city’s mayor. This attack occurred just two days after a Russian strike in President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown resulted in the deaths of 18 people.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that emergency services were dispatched to two districts within Kyiv, while the Ukrainian air force confirmed that missiles had penetrated the northern Chernihiv region.

“Explosions have been reported in the capital, and air defense systems are currently engaged,” Klitschko stated on Telegram. He urged residents to seek shelter, warning, “The missile assault on Kyiv persists.”

So far, three injuries have been recorded, with fires erupting in non-residential structures and damage inflicted on eight vehicles.

This onslaught coincides with U.S. President Donald Trump advocating for a partial ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, over three years into Moscow’s extensive invasion, while also seeking to mend relations with the Kremlin.

Poland’s military announced that it, along with allied forces, had taken to the skies in response to Russian strikes near the western Ukrainian border, with ground-based air defense systems on high alert.

“Due to the heightened activity of long-range Russian aviation targeting locations within western Ukraine, Polish and allied aircraft operations in our airspace have commenced,” stated its operational command on X. “These measures are intended to ensure security in regions bordering the threatened zones.”

On Sunday, Russia’s defense ministry claimed that its air defense units had intercepted and destroyed 11 Ukrainian drones.

**Zelensky Critiques U.S. Response**

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On Saturday, President Zelensky criticized the U.S. embassy for what he termed a “weak” statement that failed to hold Russia accountable for the recent deadly missile strike on his hometown of Kryvyi Rig.

The missile impacted a residential area near a children’s playground in central Ukraine, resulting in the tragic deaths of nine children, aged between three and 17. In a heartfelt social media post, Zelensky called out the U.S. embassy for its reluctance to name Russia as the aggressor.

“Regrettably, the American embassy’s response is surprisingly disappointing: such a powerful nation, yet such a feeble reaction,” Zelensky remarked. “They hesitate to even mention ‘Russian’ when discussing the missile that claimed the lives of children.”

Zelensky’s remarks followed a post by U.S. Ambassador Bridget Brink on X, expressing horror over the missile strike near a playground and restaurant. In his evening address, Zelensky emphasized, “It is both incorrect and perilous to remain silent about the fact that it is Russia perpetrating these crimes against children with ballistic missiles. This only emboldens the perpetrators in Moscow to continue their aggression and disregard diplomatic solutions.”

The president, who hails from Kryvyi Rig, where the pre-war population was approximately 600,000, conveyed his condolences and called for a three-day mourning period on April 7, 8, and 9.

“This is nothing short of a mass murder of civilians,” stated Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the Kryvyi Rig military administration.

Images shared by rescue services depicted several victims, with one body found near a playground swing. In response, Russia’s defense ministry claimed it executed a “precision strike” against a meeting of military commanders and Western instructors in the area. The Ukrainian army’s General Staff countered that Moscow was attempting to obscure its heinous actions and disseminating false information, labeling Russia’s actions as “war crimes.”

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While Trump continues to encourage both sides to pursue a ceasefire, his administration has struggled to mediate a mutually acceptable agreement. Zelensky remarked that the missile attack underscored Russia’s lack of interest in halting its full-scale invasion.

The Ukrainian president reported “significant progress” following discussions with British and French military leaders in Kyiv on Friday. They explored plans for a “reassurance” force from London and Paris to be deployed to Ukraine if a resolution to the conflict is achieved.

Zelensky shared on social media that the meeting with British Chief of the Defence Staff Tony Radakin and French counterpart Thierry Burkhard yielded “the initial details on how the security contingent of partners can be deployed.” This initiative represents one of the latest efforts by European leaders to coordinate a response after Trump initiated direct negotiations with the Kremlin, sidelining them.

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Middle Belt demands halt to relocation of Kaduna Polytechnic, Television campus 

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3 hours ago

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April 12, 2025

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By Amos Tauna, Kaduna

The Middle Belt Forum, Kaduna state chapter, has called on the federal Ministry of education, Kaduna state government, and the presidency to reverse the planned decision of relocating  Kaduna Polytechnic’s Television campus.

The forum stated that it publicly declared it’s solidarity with the Eagle’s Brain Human Rights Organization and the host communities of Kaduna Polytechnic’s Television Campus in opposing its planned relocation.

Yusuf Solomon Danbaki, Public Relations Officer (PRO), Kaduna State Middle Belt Chapter, in a statement on Saturday said that the relocation of the Kaduna Polytechnic’s Television campus threatens to undermine education, economic stability, and social equity in Chikun Local Government Area.

According to him, “The Television Campus sustains thousands of livelihoods through businesses such as food vendors, transporters, rental services, and SMEs. Relocation would cripple these enterprises, plunging families into poverty and destabilizing the local economy.

He noted that the campus has been a beacon of hope for low-income students, rural youth, women, and first-generation learners, stressing that moving it to a distant location would exclude vulnerable groups from affordable education, exacerbating inequality.

 

“As the only federal institution in Chikun LGA, the campus symbolizes inclusion and development. Its removal would further marginalize the Middle Belt region and violate the rights of host communities,” the forum explained.

The spokesman explained that the relocation disregards the campus’s foundational purpose, destabilizing the socio-economic and cultural fabric of neighborhoods like Unguwan Yelwa, Gbagyi-Villa, and Sabon Tasha.

Danbaki stated, “This relocation is not just an administrative decision, it is an assault on the aspirations of our people. The Television Campus is a lifeline for education and economic dignity. We stand with Eagle’s Brain Human Rights Organization and the affected communities to resist this injustice. Should the authorities fail to act, we will mobilize all lawful means, including litigation and peaceful mass action, to defend our collective future.”

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He urged Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State to urgently do something to halt the relocation and engage stakeholders in transparent dialogue and also called on the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman to uphold the campus’s federal mandate and ensure equitable access to education.

The spokesman appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene to protect the interests of Chikun LGA’s marginalized communities.

 

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NBA Trains Sokoto Judges, Khadis Of Shariah Courts On ICT Compliance

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3 hours ago

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April 12, 2025

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BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto

The Nigeria Bar Association, (NBA) Sokoto State branch also known as Caliphate Bar, Saturday began Information Communication Technology (ICT) training for Judges of High Court Justice and Khadis of the Shariah Court of Appeal.

Addressing participating Judges and Khadis in her opening remarks, the Sokoto State NBA chairman, Barrister Rashidat Muhammad said the NBA will continue to partner Sokoto judiciary to ensure that it get peoples commendation and appreciation.

On why the knowledge and application of ICT has become very imperative in the 21st century, Barrister Rashidat said adoption of ICT in the dispensation of legal proceedings will safe cost, reduce insecurity, waste of time, and other precious resources.

“”Judges and Khadis in Sokoto State are computer literate, but there is the need to improve on what was known before. And the NBA under my leadership will give the necessary support to the judiciary to ensure that they sustain  their successes””, the NBA chairman reiterated.

Giving his support to the ICT compliance  stand for Judges and Khadis, a law Professor from Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Ibrahim Abdullahi who is also the state chairman Continues Legal Education Committee, commended the foresight of NBA Sokoto chapter saying the training was very apt considering the security, social, political and economic problems facing the nation.

Professor Ibrahim also noted that the application of ICT in proceedings will further help to improve job performance, protect  data and share knowledge.

On his part, another Professor of Commercial Law and ICT, from  Ibrahim Shehu Bakori who is the sponsor of the  training said they have to move wit the pace of time to remain relevant in the ever changing world.

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Before declaring the ICT training for Judges and Khadis open, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Muhammad Saidu Sifawa represented by
Justice Abubakar Adamu said, the ICT training ought to be for all judges and Khadis not only the newly appointed ones.

“”ICT has become necessary for every Judges and Khadis to embrace as it help fasten legal proceedings. This was why in 2020 the State Chief Judge  ordered a state practice direction allowing judges and Khadis to conduct proceedings virtually  and no any other order has been given to the contrary hence it still stands.

“”We have now moved from the analogue era hence the need to either embrace the ICT or in no distance time you become obsolete, adding the only way to distinguish yourself from the 15th century judges to the 21st century one is to constantly upgrade yourselves”””.

PICTURE CAPTION: Cross section of Judges and Khadis in Sokoto at the one day ICT compliance training organized by the NBA, Sokoto State branch.

PHOTO BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto

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160 communities face gully erosion threat in Anambra– Official

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10 hours ago

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April 12, 2025

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The Managing Director of Anambra State Erosion, Watershed and Climate Change Agency (ANSEWCCA), Prof. Philip Phil-Eze, has said no fewer than 160 communities in the state were at the risk of gully erosion menace.

Phil-Eze said this at a one day sensitisation workshop on the use of “Local Knowledge to Combat Erosion” in Awka on Friday.

The workshop was organised by Environment Development Initiative for Africa (EDIA), a non-governmental organization on environmental sustainability in collaboration with ANSEWCCA

Phil-Ez who presented a paper titled “Expanding Interventions in the Control of Soil Erosion in Anambra State Through Local Action” said the state was one of the most degraded and erosion-ravaged landscapes in Africa.

He said soil erosion was as a result of a number of factors including natural and man made, and called for pragmatic local remedial measures and approaches towards preventing the menace by nipping it in the bud.

According to him, 160 communities out of the 179 communities in the state are facing erosion hazards.

“Natural causes of erosion menace include intensity of rainfall, flood/runoff, lithology (loose soil type), topography and scarce vegetation cover.

“Man-made causes include the culture of negligence, cutting down trees, indiscriminate waste disposal, lack of harvesting rainwater, sand mining, modern roofing styles and interlock tiles, inadequate knowledge of the environment, lack of involvement of the local communities in erosion control.

“Others are poor termination of drainage channels, wrongly terminated or diverted channels by contractors during construction, land use patterns in buildings and developments without plans to accommodate erosion and unhealthy farming practice,” he said.

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Phil-Eze warned residents to desist from unhealthy environmental practices which had the potential to exacerbate the menace.

The Director of Research and Publication for EDIA, Prof. Emma Ezenwaji, said the objective of the exercise was to encourage positive behavioral attitude towards environmental sustainability.

He said the capacity building workshop was timely and critical considering the fact that Anambra was a serious concern in terms of erosion, flooding and other environmental hazards.

According to him, this event is engaging, interactive and participatory to ensure effective transfer of needed knowledge and skills.

Commissioner for Environment, Dr Felix Odimegwu, commended the organisers of the programme which he described as ‘a timely intervention’.

Odimegwu who was represented by Mr Tochukwu Obodogha, the Permanent Secretary, said prevention was the best approach in erosion control.

According to him, the administration of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo prioritises environmental sustainability, and the ministry would continue to encourage environmental best practices in the state. (NAN)

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