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Drone attack on hospital kills 67 in Sudan

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A drone attack on one of the last functioning hospitals in El-Fasher in Sudan’s Darfur region has killed 67 people and injured dozens, local activists and a medical source said on Saturday.

“Thirty-seven of those injured in the drone strike yesterday died today, bringing the number of victims up to 67,” the source told AFP, requesting anonymity for fear of retaliation.

He added that a number of those injured were still being treated but could not give an exact figure.

The bombing of the Saudi Hospital late Friday had “led to the destruction” of the hospital’s emergency building, the source said.

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AFP could not independently verify which of Sudan’s warring sides had launched the attack.

Since April 2023, the Sudanese army has been at war with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who have seized nearly the entire vast western region of Darfur.

Since May, they have besieged El-Fasher, the state capital of North Darfur, but have not managed to claim the city where army-aligned militias have repeatedly pushed them back.

Last week, the RSF issued an ultimatum demanding army forces and allies leave the city by Wednesday afternoon in advance of an expected offensive.

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Local activists have reported intermittent fighting since, including repeated artillery fire from the RSF on the famine-hit Abu Shouk displacement camp.

On Friday morning alone, heavy shelling killed eight people in the camp, according to civil society group the Darfur General Coordination of Camps for the Displaced and Refugees.

The United Nations has voiced alarm, calling on both parties to ensure the protection of the city’s civilian population — some two million people.

“The people of El-Fasher have suffered so much already,” Seif Magango, spokesman of the UN rights office, said Wednesday.

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– RSF drones –

According to the medical source, the Saudi Hospital’s emergency building had been hit by an RSF drone “a few weeks ago”.

Between December 9 and January 14, Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab observed three advanced drones at the RSF-controlled Nyala Airport, some 200 kilometres (124 miles) south.

In its report, it said the Chinese-made drones have “significant electronic surveillance and warfare capabilities and can be equipped with air-to-ground munitions”, but could not verify which countries had purchased them.

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The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly accused of funnelling weapons, including drones, to the RSF.

United Nations experts determined in December 2023 that the allegations were “credible,” but Abu Dhabi has issued repeated denials in the face of mounting international criticism.

In December, it assured the Joe Biden administration that it was “not now transferring any weapons” to the RSF.

But on Friday, two US lawmakers said the UAE had violated its promises to Washington and “is continuing to provide weapons” to the RSF — who the United States concluded earlier this month had committed “genocide” in Darfur.

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– Army gains –

The RSF’s latest attempt to consolidate its hold on war-ravaged Darfur — a vast region about the size of France, home to a quarter of Sudan’s population — comes as the army claims significant victories elsewhere.

Some 850 kilometres east, army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on Saturday toured the Jaili oil refinery, the country’s largest, a day after his forces reclaimed it.

In a statement, his ruling Transitional Sovereignty Council said Burhan “pledged to rebuild what the militia had destroyed” and rehabilitate a key economic resource.

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The military on Friday also broke a paramilitary siege on its Khartoum headquarters, which the RSF had encircled since the war began in April 2023.

Earlier this month, the army successfully wrested control of key state capital, Wad Madani, just south of Khartoum, from the RSF.

Since the war began, both the army and the RSF have been accused of war crimes, including targeting civilians and indiscriminately shelling residential areas.

Before leaving office on Monday, the Biden administration sanctioned Burhan, accusing the army of attacking schools, markets and hospitals and using food deprivation as a weapon of war.

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Across the country, up to 80 percent of healthcare facilities have been forced out of service, according to official figures.

In El-Fasher, where ambulances and hospital buildings have been routinely targeted, medical charity Doctors Without Borders said this month the Saudi Hospital was “the only public hospital with surgical capacity still standing.”

The war has so far killed tens of thousands, uprooted more than 12 million and brought millions to the brink of mass starvation.

In the area around El-Fasher, famine has already taken hold in three displacement camps — Zamzam, Abu Shouk and Al-Salam — and is expected to expand to five more areas, including the city itself, by May, according to a UN-backed assessment.

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Just in: FG begins recruitment into Federal Civil Service

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The Federal Government has begun hiring for various positions within the Federal Civil Service.

The Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) announced on January 26, 2025, that Nigerians interested in these roles can apply through the commission’s official website.

Applicants are required to submit their applications for only one position.

Those applying should upload several documents, including their CV, academic certificates, NYSC certificate, birth certificate, and passport photo.

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People with disabilities should also mention the nature of their condition in their applications.

The application portal is open until March 10, 2025, for interested candidates.

The statement read:

“The Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) is receiving applications for various vacancies in the Federal Civil Service.

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“The vacancy announcement is published on the Commission’s website: www.fedcivilservice.gov.ng and in the Sun, Daily Trust and The Nation newspaper of Monday 27th January 2025.

“Eligible applicants are to apply for only one position via the application link: https://recruitment.fedcivilservice.gov.ng.

“Applicants who are physically challenged should state the nature of their disability.

“Applicants are to upload the following documents as applicable:

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i. Curriculum Vitae

ii. Ph.D/Master’s Degree Certificate

iii. Degree/HND/NCE Certificate

iv. WAEC/NECO/NABTEB Certificate

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v. Primary School Certificate

vi. NYSC discharge/exemption/exclusion certificate

vii. Birth Certificate/Declaration of Age

viii. Local Government Identification

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ix. Recent Passport photograph

“All applications are to be submitted on or before Monday, 10th March, 2025.

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Just in: Ex-President Buhari opens up on his health status

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Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari has opened up about his health since leaving office on May 29, 2023.

Buhari confirmed that his health is better now since he left office in 2023.

While in office as President, Buhari was plagued by illness which led to him being flown abroad for medical attention.

He handed over to Bola Tinubu after serving his two terms as President.

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Speaking at an All Progressives Congress, APC, stakeholders’ meeting at the Katsina State Government House, Buhari suggested that the complexities of being the President of Nigeria affected his health.

“Those outside the corridors of power do not understand the complexities and difficulties facing Nigeria.

“My health has improved since leaving office. People who visited me told me I look better than before.”

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Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Fed Constituency Communities rejoice as Rep Agbo attracts 21 class rooms, ICT Halls+Photos

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Community and educational leaders in Amalla, Udenu local government area and other communities in Igbo-Eze North council area have made accolades on their House of Representatives member, Rt. Hon Dennis Nnamdi AGBO, for attracting and completing the construction and reconstructions of various classroom blocks in their secondary schools.

Commissioning the facilities by the Governor of Enugu state who was represented by the state Commission for Education, Prof. Ndubueze Mbah, different community leaders and school Principals paid tributes to both Governor Peter Mbah and Rep Agbo for their giant strides in the provision of educational infrastructure such as the state government’s ongoing constriction of 260 Smart Schools across the state, and Rep Agbo’s continued provision of educational facilities in Igbo-Eze North/ Udenu Federal constituency.

The facilities included a seven-classroom block with two offices at Umuegali Amalla in Udenu LGA, six-classroom block at Community Secondary School Imufu; four-classroom block at Comprehensive Secondary School Ekposhi, an Examination Hall and ICT building at Community High School Uda.

Expressing appreciations to Rep Agbo for attracting the projects, community leaders such as Prince Emeka Eze of Amalla in Udenu LGA; Chief Abel Idoko of Ekposhi Enugu-Ezike, HRH Igwe Remigus Attah of Imufu and Ichie Peter Ugwuja of Udah in Igbo-Eze North LGA, described Agbo as a good representative with integrity and track record of excellence.

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They also made accolades on Governor Peter Mbah who Chief Idoko said his governance has been characterized by “business unusual and disruptive innovations in all sectors.” Ichie Ugwuja recalled that Rep Dennis AGBO had earlier remodeled college buildings, the old dormitory and laboratory blocks in Udah Community High School, in addition to other community development projects.

Rep Agbo in his different speeches gave commendation to Governor Peter Mbah, stating that the governor is a worthy partner whose hard work propels him to seek budgetary provisions for his constituency and the state – “the Governor is working, so we work”.

Agbo said, “We’re taking after the Governor. Education is the enabling factor for the future because if you educate a child, you empower him. All we are doing is to contribute our own quota to elevate that initiative, bringing resources from the center, from the federal government, which is where we operate, to support what the Governor is doing.

“Education is the key in human capital development. Imagine a remodeled secondary School in Udah, and a Smart School next door, the confidence it will engineer in children in the next five years is unimaginable. I thank my constituents who are wonderful people. They support me and I’m working hard for them.”

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The Governor’s representative and the state Commissioner for Education, Prof Ndubueze Mbah said that there is a democratic synergy between the state government’s effective governance and effective representation by the House of Representative member.

“The people who are enjoying these democratic endeavors are the people that Honourable represents and the citizens of Enugu state in general, who are led by our Governor. It has been a richly rewarding experience and I’ll provide the governor a full brief on my excursion here,” Prof Mbah said.

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