Nigeria News Digest: July 19, 2023

President Bola Tinubu declared that West African nations are prepared to combat terrorism with a funded strategy, following a review of regional security challenges, including missions to address political transitions in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.

A court has approved the trial of two hackers, Abayomi Oluwasesan and Onifade Adeniyi, accused of stealing $87.8 million from Afriq Arbitrage Company through unauthorized access and fraud.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service and partners introduced the VAT Direct Initiative to simplify tax remittance in the informal sector, aiming to enhance tax collection through a unified technology system.

Violent clashes erupted in Kenya as police confronted protesters during opposition-led demonstrations, despite authorities deeming the gatherings illegal, while the constitution guarantees the right to peaceful protest.

Extreme weather events like heatwaves pose growing health risks, necessitating urgent climate action to strengthen preparedness and resilience, especially in urbanizing populations and aging communities.

A culvert on the Shao-Malete Road near Kwara State University collapsed due to heavy rainfall, disrupting access to the campus and prompting an inspection by the state's Works Ministry.

NAPTIP reported 47 convictions of suspected traffickers in 2023, along with 22,000 rescued victims and 260 ongoing cases, marking progress in its 20-year fight against human trafficking.

The Hadejia Emirate Council revoked Alhaji Abubakar Hussaini Abubakar's title due to alleged drug trafficking, after he refused to appear before an investigative panel despite an NDLEA complaint.

Public relations has emerged as a powerful tool for addressing societal challenges, as seen in global campaigns like COVID-19 vaccination efforts and the Paris Agreement, demonstrating its potential for driving transformative change.