World
FULL LIST: World Bank debars 17 Nigerian companies, individuals over sharp practices
The World Bank has debarred nine Nigerian individuals and firms from executing any contract with it for engaging in corrupt, fraudulent and collusive practices.
In addition to the debarments, eight Nigerian companies debarred by the African Development Bank (AfDB) were also recognised by World Bank under the cross-debarment policy.
Cross-debarment is the recognition of debarment decisions by signatories to the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions on the same terms as the initial decision.
This is contained in its recent report titled ‘Sanctions System Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2021’.
This report covers the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) — from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 — and was prepared by the offices of the World Bank Group’s (WBG) sanctions system.
“In the fiscal year 2021, the World Bank Group sanctioned 57 firms and individuals, of which 54 were debarred with conditional release, making them ineligible to participate in projects and operations financed by institutions of the World Bank Group. In addition, three firms were sanctioned with conditional non-debarment, leaving them eligible to participate in World Bank Group-financed operations after meeting certain agreed-upon conditions,” the report reads.
“The institution also recognised 92 cross-debarments from other multilateral development banks (MDBs), while 45 World Bank Group debarments were eligible for recognition by other MDB,” the report adds.
They are Sangtech International Services Limited, Sangar & Associates (Nigeria) Limited, Mashad Integrated And Investment Co Limited, and Medniza Global Merchants Limited — all banned for two years.
Others include ALG Global Concept Nigeria Limited, Abuharaira Labaran Gero, Qualitrends Global Solutions Nigeria Limited, and Maxicare Company Nigeria Limited.
These firms are ineligible to participate in projects and operations financed by institutions of the World Bank for three years.
Speaking on the report, David Malpass, World Bank president, said; “The World Bank Group is firmly committed to placing governance, anti-corruption, and transparency front and centre in our work.
A stable, respected rule of law is essential to good development outcomes. An important piece of our anti-corruption efforts is the World Bank Group’s sanctions system.”
He said that since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Bank Group has deployed more than $157 billion in critical assistance to developing countries.
“Yet, for these resources to have the needed development impact on the hundreds of millions of people who live in extreme poverty, we must ensure that resources are used efficiently, effectively, and for their intended purposes,” he said.
“And that means remaining vigilant to the scourge of corruption and ensuring that we promote the highest integrity and transparency standards in public finance.”
Below is a list of Nigerian firms and individuals debarred by the World Bank:
FIRM/INDIVIDUAL NAME GROUNDS OF DEBARMENT LENGTH OF DEBARMENT
Mr. Elie Abou Ghazaleh Collusive Practices 6 months
Mr. Fadi Abou Ghazaleh Collusive Practices 6 months
Abou Ghazaleh Contracting
Nigeria Limited Collusive Practices 6 months
Swansea Tools Resources Fraudulent Practices 2 years, 10 months
Juckon Construction and Allied
Services Nigeria Limited Corrupt Practices 3 years
Ms. Okafor Glory Fraudulent Practices 4 years
A.G. Vision Construction Nigeria
Ltd Fraudulent Practices; Collusive Practices 4 years, 3 months
Unique Concept Enterprises Fraudulent Practices 5 years
Asbeco Nigeria Ltd. Corupt Practices 5 years
Sangtech International Services Limited Cross Debarment: AfDB 2 years
Sangar & Associates (Nigeria) Limited Cross Debarment: AfDB 2 years
Mashad Integrated And Investment Co. Limited Cross Debarment: AfDB 2 years
Medniza Global Merchants Limited Cross Debarment: AfDB 2 years
ALG GLOBAL CONCEPT Nigeria Limited Cross Debarment: AfDB 3 years
Abuharaira Labaran Gero Cross Debarment: AfDB 3 years
Qualitrends Global Solutions Nigeria Limited Cross Debarment: AfDB 3 years
MAXICARE COMPANY NIGERIA LIMITED Cross Debarment: AfDB 3 years
World
One-year-old Ghanaian Ace Liam becomes world’s youngest male artist
Ace Liam, the one-year-old Ghanaian toddler, has secured the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the youngest male artist.
Chantelle Eghan, Liam’s mother, who is also an artist, took to Instagram on Wednesday to announce her son’s feat.
“It’s official!!! @ace_liam_paints my 1 year old son is officially the Guinness world record holder as the YOUNGEST MALE ARTIST in the world. He achieved this feat at the age of 1 year 152 days old,” she wrote.
“Many thanks to everyone who supported us on this journey, your prayers and support brought us this far. The journey was not easy but it was definitely worth it!!!”
GWR also lauded Liam’s artistic prowess, adding that he used his hands and body to manipulate acrylic paint across canvases.
“The youngest artist (male) is Ace-Liam Nana Sam Ankrah (Ghana, b. 16 July 2022), who was 1 year and 152 days old, as verified in Accra, Ghana, on 15 December 2023,” it wrote.
“Ace-Liam’s paintings use a technique which is done by manoeuvring acrylic paint across a canvas using the hands and body to create unique and abstract artworks.
“Since his first artwork entitled “The Crawl”, he has completed another 20 paintings (and counting) and has also participated in his first group exhibition.”
Dante Lamb was the previous record holder. The American achieved the feat in 2003 at the age of three.
World
TikTok users sue U.S. government over impending ban
About eight TikTok users have taken the U.S. federal government to task, alleging that a statute by President Joe Biden encroaches upon their sacrosanct First Amendment liberties.
This marks the second legal challenge against the government in response to apprehensions surrounding TikTok’s Beijing-centric corporate parentage.
The lawsuit claims the law is too broad and would kill off a big part of American life, which is communication through TikTok. The users suing the government come from different backgrounds, like a Texas rancher and a Tennessee cookie business owner, according to reports by Forbes.
This legal battle comes after ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company in China, filed its lawsuit, saying the law might violate free speech. ByteDance also says the time given to sell TikTok is impossible to meet.
The lawsuit highlights just how big TikTok is in the U.S., with about 170 million Americans using it to watch and share videos.
One important quote from the lawsuit shows that despite their differences, TikTok users feel strongly about the app: “Although they come from different places, professions, walks of life, and political persuasions, (American TikTok users) are united in their view that TikTok provides them a unique and irreplaceable means to express themselves and form community.”
The legal battle started when President Biden signed a law saying TikTok had to find a new owner or get banned. This was part of a big money package to help countries like Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
The law gave TikTok 270 days to sell, with a chance for an extra 90 days if they made progress. TikTok says it’s not possible to sell the app in that short time, and they think the law is too harsh.
Before the law was passed, TikTok fans went to Washington D.C., to try and save the app. They used hashtags like “#KeepTikTok” and contacted politicians to support them. Lawmakers had been worried about TikTok for a while because they thought it could be a security risk and that ByteDance might be sharing user data with China. TikTok says it’s not doing that.
In 2022, Congress banned TikTok on federal devices, and some states did the same. Montana even tried to ban TikTok statewide, but the courts stopped it, saying it was unfair and targeted China.
As the legal battle heats up, it shows how much is at stake for TikTok and its users – it’s not just about an app, but about free speech, privacy, and international relations.
World
Chad’s interim military president beats prime minister to win election
Mahamat Déby, Chad’s transitional president, has been declared winner of the country’s presidential poll.
The Chadian National Election Management Agency said on Thursday that Déby won the May 6 election with over 61 percent of the votes cast, to beat Succès Masra, the incumbent prime minister and main opponent, who was said to have received 18.5 percent.
The victory allows Déby, the incumbent, to hold onto the presidency, and eliminates the chance of a runoff which would have happened had no candidate received more than 50 percent of the votes.
Déby’s victory also means his family will continue its 34-year dynasty.
Before the election results were announced, Masra announced himself winner in a Facebook broadcast.
The prime minister called on his supporters and security forces to oppose what he said was an attempt by Déby to “steal the victory from the people”.
“A small number of individuals believe they can make people believe that the election was won by the same system that has been ruling Chad for decades,” he said.
“To all Chadians who voted for change, who voted for me, I say: mobilise. Do it calmly, with a spirit of peace.”
Meanwhile, in a victory speech, the president promised to serve all Chadians — “those who voted for me and those who made other choices”.
Provisional results were expected by May 21 and the outcome by June 5.
The results of Monday’s election still have to be confirmed by the country’s Constitutional Council.
The election marks the end of the political transition in the country — from military rule to democracy.
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