Bill Maher calls out media for ignoring killing of Christians in Nigeria

 

Comedian and television host Bill Maher, known for his acerbic wit, is calling out the media for its silence on the ongoing persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

“If you don’t know what’s going on in Nigeria, your media sources suck. You are in a bubble. And, again, I’m not a Christian, but they are systematically killing the Christians in Nigeria,” Maher said on his show “Real Time with Bill Maher” on September 27.

“They’ve killed over 100,000 since 2009. They’ve burned 18,000 churches,” Maher said. “This is so much more of a genocide attempt than what is going on in Gaza. They are literally attempting to wipe out the Christian population of an entire country. Where are the kids protesting this?”

Maher famously hosted the show “Politically Incorrect” and has said he is not beholden to any party or ideology. He often provides scathing sociopolitical commentary on his television show and podcast.

By Susie Pinto, News Nation

Nigeria Handed World Cup Lifeline After South Africa Docked Points

Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been revived after football’s governing body sanctioned South Africa for fielding an ineligible player.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee ruled that South Africa’s 2–0 victory over Lesotho in March be forfeited, after midfielder Teboho Mokoena played despite being suspended for accumulating two yellow cards. The decision awards Lesotho a 3–0 win and deducts three points from South Africa.

Alongside the points loss, the South African Football Association (SAFA) was fined 10,000 Swiss francs ($13,000), while Mokoena received a formal warning.

The ruling has blown Group C of the CAF World Cup qualifiers wide open. South Africa, who had been leading, now dropped to second level on points with Benin but behind on goal difference. Nigeria and Rwanda trail by just three points, setting up a tense finale to the qualifying rounds next month.

Only group winners will qualify automatically for the tournament in North and Central America.

SAFA confirmed it will appeal the decision, calling it “deeply disappointing” and “unprecedented.” South Africa’s Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, described the affair as “embarrassing” and promised an investigation into the administrative failure that led to the sanction.

Nigeria, meanwhile, have been handed a golden opportunity. Wins in their remaining fixtures could send the Super Eagles top of the group and back on course for World Cup qualification.

Benin will face Rwanda and Nigeria between 10 and 14 October, while South Africa must travel to Zimbabwe before hosting Rwanda. With just three points separating the top four sides, Group C has become one of the most unpredictable races in African football.

By Aymen Alami, MWN

Dangote’s meeting with the oil union in Nigeria on day one hits a brick wall

A delegation from the union held a meeting with the Dangote Refinery; however, the negotiation, which was put together by the government around 4. PM on Monday was reportedly unfruitful.

Mohammed Dingyadi, the Minister of Labor and Employment, and Nkiruka Onyejeocha, the Minister of State for Labor and Employment, were part of the nine-hour-long dialogue, which lasted until early Tuesday morning.

Despite the lengthy negotiations, the Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN were unable to reach a mutual agreement, as seen in the Punch.

After the meeting, the labor minister revealed that the delegations from both parties would meet again at 2:00 PM on Tuesday to break the stalemate.

Following reports of widespread dissatisfaction, the Federal Government called both sides to the bargaining table, concerned about the dispute's possible effects on the country's economy and energy security.

Dangote’s dispute with PENGASSAN

The Dangote Refinery is currently locked in a major dispute with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over the firing of hundreds of workers.

The union claims that more than 800 Nigerians were fired after joining PENGASSAN and replaced with expats, accusing management of violating labor rights and discriminating against local employees.

In retaliation, the union requested a suspension in crude oil and gas delivery to the $20 billion refinery, causing severe disruptions in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector.

They followed up with a nationwide strike that has drawn the solidarity of other union groups in the downstream sector.

Currently, major oil institutions in Nigeria, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), have been shut down owing to PENGASSAN’s strike.

Dangote Group denies the allegations, maintaining that the dismissals were part of a reorganization to combat sabotage in particular refinery facilities, and condemning the supply disruption as "economic sabotage."

By Chinedu Okafor, Business Insider Africa

Nigeria and South Africa set to exit dirty-money list in October

Nigeria and South Africa could be removed from the Financial Action Task Force’s “grey list” as early as next month, a potential boost for two of Africa’s largest economies, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The FATF, a Paris-based global watchdog on money laundering and terrorist financing, placed both countries under heightened monitoring in February 2023 for shortcomings in tackling illicit financial flows.

Assessors conducted on-site inspections in recent weeks, and feedback on their action plans, as well as those of Burkina Faso and Mozambique, noted significant progress, sources told Bloomberg.

Business Insider Africa earlier reported that the FATF has already determined South African authorities have met “all or nearly all” of the required actions, according to FATF President Elisa de Anda Madrazo.

All four nations are expected to be cleared on Oct. 24, the final day of the FATF’s plenary meeting in Paris, though no final decision has been taken.

Potential market boost if listing is lifted

Although being placed on the grey list does not carry immediate penalties, it can severely damage a country’s economy and reputation.

A 2021 International Monetary Fund (IMF) report found that grey listing can cut capital inflows by as much as 7.6% of a country’s GDP.

South Africa’s Treasury said it will comment after the FATF’s decision is made public next month. Mozambique has completed all 26 actions needed to be delisted, said Luís Abel Cezerilo, who is coordinating the country’s removal.

That decision would come just as TotalEnergies SE prepares to restart its $20 billion natural gas export project.

By Adekunle Agbetiloye, Business Insider Africa

Nigeria joins global deal to cut cost of HIV prevention drug

The Nigerian government has joined global leaders in announcing a historic price reduction for a revolutionary HIV prevention drug, lenacapavir, at the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The announcement was made on Thursday during the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2025 Annual Meeting in New York, held on the sidelines of UNGA.

Under the deal, the cost of lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injection proven to be up to 100 per cent effective in preventing HIV infection, will drop from $28,000 to just $40 per person annually.

The breakthrough is expected to make the medicine accessible to millions across Nigeria and in more than 100 low- and middle-income countries.

Nigeria’s stance

Delivering Nigeria’s statement at the event, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Temitope Ilori, described the development as a major step forward.

Ms Ilori noted that the agreement represents a turning point in expanding access to lifesaving innovation.

“Today marks a milestone in our fight against HIV , in Nigeria and globally. Through this landmark access agreement, we are unlocking affordable access to lenacapavir, a transformational new HIV prevention option that offers longer protection, greater convenience, and renewed hope to millions at risk,” she said.

She stressed that the deal ensures the innovation does not remain a privilege for the few but instead delivers equity and long-lasting impact.

HIV, lenacapavir

HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, weakening its ability to fight infections and diseases. Without treatment, it can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

Common early symptoms include fever, fatigue, rash, sore throat and weight loss, though many people may remain asymptomatic for years. According to health experts, timely prevention and treatment are key to halting transmission.

The World Health Organisation (WHO), said HIV remains a major global public health issue.

By the end of 2024, an estimated 40.8 million people were living with HIV globally, with about 65 per cent in the WHO African Region.

Globally, 630,000 people died from HIV-related causes same here, while 1.3 million people contracted HIV, including 120,000 children.

Access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) continues to expand, with 31.6 million people receiving treatment in 2024, up from 30.3 million in 2023.

In Nigeria, the burden remains significant. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HIV prevalence among people aged 15–49 was estimated at 1.3 per cent in 2023.

The same year, there were about 30,000 HIV-related deaths among people aged 15 and above. Meanwhile, an estimated 1,690,291 people aged 15 and above were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).

In July 2025, WHO issued new guidelines recommending injectable lenacapavir, administered twice a year, as an additional pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option for people at substantial risk of HIV infection.

Global collaboration

The price reduction was achieved through strong collaboration with UNITAID, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Wits RHI, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. (DRL), and the Gates Foundation.

The Gates Foundation earlier announced a new partnership with Indian manufacturer Hetero Labs to drive down the cost of lenacapavir and expand access.

Nigeria’s participation, officials added, highlights its leadership role at the UNGA in shaping global health solutions, while reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthen health systems, expand prevention, and accelerate progress toward ending HIV as a public health threat by 2030.

By Fortune Eromonsele, Premium Times