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Timothy Obiezu

Produced by Timothy Obiezu

May 15, 2024
Nigerian lawmakers, activists divided over drug abuse penalties

Human rights activists criticize new bid put forward by lawmakers to punish drug trafficking with death penalty
May 08, 2024
VOA Corruption Series: Nigerian banks responsible for 70% of financial crimes, antigraft agency says

Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, says the banking sector is responsible for 70 percent of financial crimes in the West African nation. The reports by the agency were in reaction to official statistics that show an ongoing trend of fraud. For VOA, reporter Timothy Obiezu has more from Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.
May 07, 2024
Nigerian coalition warns against possible defense pacts with US, France

ABUJA, NIGERIA — The warning notice, signed by five civil society groups and a former chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission, came in an open letter Friday to Nigeria’s president and the National Assembly.
May 07, 2024
VOA Corruption Series: Nigeria to use state police to combat militants

Nigeria is considering the introduction of state police across the country’s 36 states as part of measures to tackle militant attacks, mass kidnappings and banditry activities that are wracking the country. The state police are an addition to the more than 300,000-member strong national police force who have been overwhelmed by the violence. Nigerians are cautiously welcoming the move, as Timothy Obiezu reports from Abuja.
May 03, 2024
Nigeria arrests alleged mastermind of Abuja-Kaduna train attack

Ten people died in the terrorist attack and dozens were kidnapped
May 02, 2024
VOA Series: Nigerians skeptical about proposed state police amid insecurity

Nigeria is considering the introduction of state police across the country’s 36 states as part of measures to tackle militant attacks, mass kidnappings and banditry activities that wracked the country. The state police are an addition to the more than 300,000-member strong national police force who have been overwhelmed by the violence. Nigerians cautiously welcome the move, as Timothy Obiezu reports from Abuja.
April 17, 2024
Nigeria’s Tinubu says country will no longer pay ransom to armed gangs

ABUJA — Nigeria will no longer pay ransom to armed gangs that have plagued the country with kidnapping and extortion, President Bola Tinubu said in an opinion piece published earlier this week.
April 15, 2024
Nigerians Spotlight Ongoing Mass Abductions, Remember Chibok Girls

Several Nigerian activists say raids and mass abductions continue in the West African nation, despite attempts by organizations such as Bring Back Our Girls, BBOG, to address the matter. BBOG is known for its advocacy for the return of a hundred schoolgirls who were abducted by the Islamist terror Boko Haram group ten years ago. For more, reporter Timothy Obiezu filed this report from Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.
March 22, 2024
Nigeria's Nollywood Movie Industry Beating Out Hollywood

The Nigerian film industry, often referred to as Nollywood, is the second largest producer of movies in the world, and is making strides both in terms of art and in popularity at the box office. Timothy Obiezu reports from Abuja.
February 22, 2024
Nigeria is Seeking New Opportunities for Mining Industry

After years of focus on oil and gas, Nigerian authorities are taking a new look at the mining industry as part of their drive to diversify the economy. But the country is still reeling from environmental damage caused by old mining operations, and the illegal mining that continues. Timothy Obiezu reports.
February 16, 2024
Nigerian Authorities Look to Divest From Oil Drilling

After years of focus on oil and gas, Nigerian authorities are taking a new look at the mining industry as part of their drive to diversify the economy. But the country is still reeling from environmental damage caused by old mining operations, and the illegal mining that continues. Timothy Obiezu reports.
February 09, 2024
Junta-Led Member States Leave ECOWAS Bloc

Junta-led Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso's decision to quit West African regional bloc ECOWAS was hasty and did not take into account the conditions for withdrawal, ECOWAS President Omar Touray said. The bloc's Mediation and Security Council met in Nigeria's capital Abuja to discuss both the states’ departure and the matter of Senegal, where a 10-month election delay has sparked opposition challenges. Reporter Timothy Obiezu files on the outcome of the summit.
February 09, 2024
Russia’s Growing Influence in Nigeria

The Washington-based research group, Africa Center for Strategic Studies, says Russia’s growing influence in Africa is likely to have serious consequences for future governance. Moscow is primarily expanding its ties with African nations through investments and trade, but Russia also relies on the deployment of mercenaries, disinformation and election interference to grow its influence on the continent. VOA’s Timothy Obiezu reports from Abuja, Nigeria.
January 11, 2024
Sexual Violence Survivors in Nigeria Call for Tougher Laws

Nigerian lawmakers in December sought to review the country’s existing laws of violence against women
December 21, 2023
Nigerian Activists Praise Pope Allowing Same-Sex Blessings, Religious Groups Critical

ABUJA — Nigerian activist Promise Ohiri woke up to cheering news on Tuesday. Pope Francis had given Catholic priests permission to give blessings to same-sex couples in a landmark declaration.
December 14, 2023
COP28 Fossil Fuels Deal Receives Mixed Reception in Nigeria

The West African nation depends on crude oil sales for most of its budget
October 26, 2023
Nigeria’s Supreme Court Upholds Tinubu’s Presidency

Nigeria’s Supreme Court Thursday rejected an opposition appeal that challenged a prior verdict upholding the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the February elections. For updates, reporter Timothy Obiezu filed this report.
October 17, 2023
Nigerians Speak on Israel, Hamas Conflict

Nigerians have joined global calls for a ceasefire and peace in the Middle East, where conflict broke out in the Gaza territory after Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7. Israeli authorities say the conflict has led to the death of over 1,400 people on its territory, including foreign nationals from South Africa, Tanzanian, the United States, France and Russia. Palestinian officials say nearly 3,000 residents of Gaza have died in Israel's bombardment. For more, VOA reporter Timothy Obiezu took to the streets of Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, to speak to residents.
September 01, 2023
Democracy Failing in Africa Due to Poor Governance, Experts Say

The assessment follows another coup, this time in Gabon
July 30, 2023
Nigeria Commemorates World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

Nigerian human rights groups recently completed a weeklong campaign focused on commemorating World Day Against Trafficking in Persons – a reaction to reports by the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime that documents the West African nation as one with poor conviction rates for human traffickers and a major African source, transit and destination for perpetrators. For more, reporter Timothy Obiezu produced this report from Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.

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