LAGOS-(MaraviPost)-Peter Okoye of former duo P-Square has changed birthday, a move that is seen as a step to further distance himself from his twin brother Paul.
The Nigerian singer known as Mr. P and one half of the iconic Afrobeats duo P-Square, has officially changed his birthday celebration from November 18 to November 30.
The twins, born on November 18, 1981, had traditionally celebrated together.
However, in a statement Peter has announced he will no longer accept messages or gifts on November 18, describing the change as a personal decision.
Peter (in a hat) Paul (in locks)
The move comes amid the final breakdown of P-Square.
The brothers permanently split in 2024, with Peter declaring the reunion “done and dusted” earlier this year.
This was after years of public feuds over management, finances, and family control.
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Pressure has mounted on the Anti Corruption Bureau to arrest former president Lazarus Chakwera for his alleged involvement in the questionable issuance of a Malawian diplomatic passport to a Nigerian businessman who is now facing international fraud charges.
The calls for Chakwera’s arrest come following the disclosure in an affidavit by former Immigration Director General Charles Kalumo that the decision to grant a diplomatic passport to Dozy Mmobuosi in 2023 did not come from him but the president.
In the affidavit, Kalumo says he acted under direct presidential instruction.
Several civil society organisations have since asked the ACB to arrest Chakwera as the case falls under the Corrupt Practices Act .
Records show that Mmobuosi was granted a Malawian diplomatic passport number MWD001402 after a high level meeting with Chakwera at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.
This comes barely months after Chakwera blocked law enforcers to search his resident in Lilongwe over alleged theft of State House dogs.
Geneva, Switzerland, 20 April 2026- /African Media Agency (AMA)/- On World Health Day 2026, under the theme “Together for health. Stand with science,” the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights individuals using science to improve lives in the African Region.
Dr Alice Guingané, a hepato-gastroenterologist and lecturer-researcher at Joseph Ki-Zerbo University in Ouagadougou, is actively engaged in clinical research and disease surveillance. She emphasises that supporting science saves lives.
What role does science play in your daily work? Science is at the heart of my daily work. As a physician and a lecturer-researcher at a university hospital, my role is threefold: to provide care, to teach, and to conduct research. Science guides how I think, make decisions, and act.
In clinical care, it enables me to analyse symptoms rigorously, distinguish facts from beliefs, and make evidence-based decisions. In teaching, I strive to make scientific knowledge accessible, including through awareness sessions with patients and communities. In research, I use epidemiological data to identify public health priorities, select effective interventions, and assess their impact in the field. Science also guides my values: respect for human dignity, responsibility, and commitment to the community.
What motivated you to engage in health research? Above all, the desire to find solutions to patients’ problems. I will never forget a nine-year-old boy who died of liver cancer linked to hepatitis B. Like many others, he arrived at the hospital too late, even though a vaccine exists from birth.
This reality pushed me to understand why pregnant women did not access care in time, and how to improve prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B. I oriented all my research around this issue, seeking solutions adapted to our context, training students, and conducting field projects.
Why is it essential that science be supported by society and local authorities? Society is at the heart of health research: without community participation, even free services may remain underused due to sociocultural barriers.
Local authorities also play a key role in guiding, regulating and financing research. Producing one’s own data means being able to define one’s health priorities. Science enables evidence-based decision-making, reduces mortality, improves quality of life, and drives innovation and national sovereignty.
How does your work contribute to strengthening disease surveillance in Burkina Faso? I am currently the principal investigator in Burkina Faso for a project on the triple elimination of HIV, syphilis, and mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B. This integrated approach, supported by WHO, allows resources to be pooled and data to be generated that are directly usable by decision-makers.
I also participate in the HEPSANET network, which aims to strengthen epidemiological data on viral hepatitis in Africa. These initiatives contribute to better surveillance of diseases and their complications, particularly liver cancer.
What is needed to strengthen public trust in science? Science must be accessible. It is essential to communicate research findings in clear and understandable ways and to create effective channels to reach communities, health professionals, and decision-makers.
Another major challenge is tackling misinformation. In our context, some traditional beliefs may conflict with modern medicine. Encouraging dialogue and the guided integration of different care practices is essential to strengthening trust.
As a woman scientist, what message do you have for young girls? I would encourage them not to hesitate to pursue research it is a deeply rewarding endeavour. It requires organization and balance with family life, but it is not a sprint—it is a long-term commitment. Believe in your abilities, keep your passion alive, and you will accomplish extraordinary things.
LOS ANGELES-(MaraviPost)-Brock Lesnar, the WWE superstar, has apparently retired from professional wrestling, bringing an end to a career spanning over two decades.
The emotional moment unfolded at WrestleMania 42, where Lesnar lost to Oba Femi in the opening match of Night 2 at Allegiant Stadium.
Lesnar’s retirement was symbolized by his decision to leave his gloves and boots in the center of the ring, a traditional gesture of farewell in combat sports.
The crowd erupted in a “Thank you, Lesnar!” chant as he departed, sharing an emotional moment with his longtime advocate, Paul Heyman.
The match itself was a poignant end to Lesnar’s illustrious career, with Femi securing the win with a powerbomb after kicking out of an F5.
Lesnar’s emotional response to the loss was evident, as he removed his gloves and boots, and hugged Heyman, visibly overcome with emotion.
Lesnar’s WWE debut was in 2000, and he went on to become one of the most dominant forces in the sport.
His retirement marks the end of an era, with fans and fellow wrestlers paying tribute to his legacy.
The news has sent shockwaves through the wrestling world, with many taking to social media to express their gratitude and admiration for Lesnar’s contributions to the sport.
Lesnar’s decision to retire comes after a career marked by incredible highs, including multiple championship wins and memorable matches.
His legacy will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come.
LAGOS-(MaraviPost)-Nigeria has taken a bold and controversial measure that is sending shockwaves through regional and international trade circles: a sweeping ban on the import of key goods from countries outside the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The directive, signed by Finance Minister Wale Edun, is part of an aggressive overhaul of the country’s 2026 fiscal policy—one that signals a decisive turn inward as Africa’s largest economy seeks to redraw the boundaries of its trade relationships.
At the heart of the crackdown is a list of 17 prohibited import categories.
The ban targets essential and widely consumed goods, including poultry, cement, pharmaceuticals, meat products, eggs, sugar, refined vegetable oil, beverages, and processed tomato products.
The federal import prohibition list, published by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, lays out the full scope of the restrictions.
But this is more than a routine policy update—it is a high-stakes economic gamble.
By shutting out goods from outside ECOWAS, Nigeria is betting heavily on its domestic industries and regional partners to fill the gap.
Officials argue the move will ignite local production, create jobs, and strengthen West African economic ties.
Critics, however, warn of immediate consequences: rising prices, strained supply chains, and potential shortages—especially in critical sectors like food and medicine.
For businesses that depend on foreign imports, the policy lands like a thunderclap.
For consumers, it raises urgent questions about affordability and access.
The government has yet to reveal how quickly the ban will be enforced or how strictly it will be policed, adding an air of uncertainty to an already tense economic landscape.
What is clear, however, is that Nigeria has drawn a line in the sand.
As the 2026 fiscal framework begins to unfold, the nation is stepping into a new era—one defined by protectionism, regional loyalty, and a risky bid for economic self-reliance.
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-What was meant to be a moment of hope for thousands of farmers has instead opened with frustration and anxiety, as the 2025–2026 tobacco selling season begins on a shaky note at the Kanengo Auction Floors in Lilongwe.
On the surface, the figures offer a glimmer of promise — with the highest price observed reaching $2.50 per kilogram.
But beneath that headline number lies a troubling reality: rows upon rows of tobacco bales remain unsold, stamped with the dreaded label “No Sale.”
For many farmers, that label carries heavy consequences.
“It is painful,” said Nixon Soko, a tobacco farmer from Kabudula. “When a bale is marked ‘No Sale,’ it means you must take it back and try again another day. For that day, everything has collapsed.”
The slow pace of buying and widespread rejection of tobacco leaf have cast a shadow over the opening day, leaving farmers questioning whether their months of hard work will pay off.
This unfolding crisis comes in full view of top government officials. Minister of Agriculture, Roza Mbilizi, has already toured the auction floors and is presiding over the official opening ceremony as guest of honour.
Yet even as speeches are delivered and formalities observed, the reality on the ground tells a more troubling story.
Farmers, already burdened by the rising cost of farm inputs, now face the added uncertainty of a market that appears hesitant to buy.
Many fear that if the trend continues, they could be pushed deeper into financial strain.
As the season begins, all eyes are on the auction floors.
For now, hope hangs in the balance — and for Malawi’s tobacco farmers, the stakes could not be higher.
According to figures released by the Tobacco Commission, projected production for 2026 stands at 170 million kilogrammes against a licensed volume of 197 million kilogrammes.
Eight buying companies have been licensed for this year’s season: JTI, Alliance One, Limbe Leaf, Hail & Cotton, Premium Tobacco, Associated Central African Limited, African Tobacco Services and Nyasa Manufacturing.
The 2025 season closed with 221 million kilogrammes sold and the average price at the end of the season was $2.45/kg, generating a total monetary value of $542 million.
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Lilongwe City Council Mayor Alex Peter Banda, has dismissed an apology from the Football Association of Malawi arguing that “It’s not enough to resolve the controversy surrounding a recent incident at Bingu National Stadium”
In a statement released on April 20, Banda said while he acknowledged the apology issued by FAM over the events of April 18 during the NBS Charity Shield medal presentation ceremony, the matter remains unresolved.
“An apology alone does not close this matter,” Banda said, insisting that those responsible for the alleged protocol breach must be identified.
FAM has attributed the incident to a “protocol oversight at the operational level” and accepted responsibility.
However, the mayor has backed a directive by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture demanding a detailed report within 48 hours outlining the sequence of events and naming those involved.
Banda said he would not accept what he described as a “sanitised or evasive account,” emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.
He has since invited FAM leadership to a meeting at Lilongwe City Council to review the report and agree on corrective measures, warning that the issue must be resolved in a manner that restores respect for public office.
On the role of NBS Bank, the event sponsor, Banda said his office is engaging the institution on various development initiatives and would not assign blame unless the report indicates otherwise.
The mayor also acknowledged support from Isaac Jomo Osman, president of the Malawi Local Government Association, who has called for respect toward local government leaders.
Banda warned that legal action could be pursued if the report reveals deliberate wrongdoing, stressing that he would not tolerate any recurrence of such incidents.
Despite the dispute, he assured residents that development programmes under his #ListeningLilongwe agenda would continue, urging the public to demand accountability while remaining focused on the city’s broader progress.
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-A dramatic twist has rocked an already controversial case, with former Immigration Director General Charles Kalumo directly implicating former president Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera in the questionable issuance of a Malawian diplomatic passport to a Nigerian businessman now facing international fraud charges.
In sworn court affidavits, Kalumo makes a bold and consequential claim: that the decision to grant a diplomatic passport to Dozy Mmobuosi in 2023 did not originate from him, but was instead ordered from the very top—by the President himself.
The revelation strikes at the heart of executive authority and accountability.
Mmobuosi, who presented himself as a tech entrepreneur, would later be indicted in the United States over an alleged large-scale securities fraud scheme.
Yet, according to court records, he was granted a Malawian diplomatic passport—number MWD001402—shortly after a high-level meeting with Chakwera at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, at a time when the country was grappling with the devastation of a cyclone disaster.
Kalumo’s account raises troubling questions: how did a foreign national, later accused of serious financial crimes abroad, secure one of Malawi’s most privileged travel documents? And who truly bears responsibility?
As Kalumo prepares to appear before the Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court, his defence is not merely procedural—it is explosive.
Through his lawyer, Chrispin Ndalama, Kalumo argues that he was acting under direct presidential instruction, effectively shifting the weight of responsibility to the former Head of State.
The defence insists that Kalumo cannot be held personally liable for actions carried out in execution of orders from a sitting president, invoking the principle of functional immunity.
But the legal challenge goes even deeper.
Ndalama is also questioning the very foundation of the case, arguing that the matter falls under the Corrupt Practices Act and should have been investigated and prosecuted by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), not the police.
This technical argument, if upheld, could destabilize the prosecution’s case before it fully takes off.
If the court accepts that Kalumo was merely executing presidential orders, the spotlight could shift dramatically—placing Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera at the center of a scandal that now stretches beyond administrative irregularities into potential abuse of office.
The case, once seen as a matter of bureaucratic misconduct, is fast evolving into a test of political accountability at the highest level.
With the court set to hear preliminary objections, the stakes could not be higher.
What unfolds next may not only determine Kalumo’s fate—but could also redefine the boundaries of power, responsibility, and immunity in Malawi’s governance system.
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The embattled Salima Sugar Company is reportedly facing a severe financial and operational crisis, following concerns over the procurement of wrong mill spare parts valued at approximately MK3 billion during President Lazarus Chakwera’s Malawi Congress Party (MCP) regime.
According to information gathered, the company is struggling to maintain the mill in readiness for the upcoming production season.
This is despite the significant investment in spare parts, raising questions about the effectiveness of the procurement process.
Sources further indicate that utility providers, including ESCOM and the Water Board, have suspended services due to outstanding payments, worsening the company’s operational challenges.
Investigations also suggest that conditions at the factory have deteriorated, with reports pointing to poor hygiene standards that may pose risks to both workers and the surrounding environment.
Additionally, there are growing concerns over broader financial mismanagement, with claims that over MK20 billion in public funds allocated to the project may have been misused over time.
These allegations include suspected procurement irregularities and inflated contracts, which have drawn public scrutiny.
This comes as previously reports exposed on mismanagement yet none has been held accountable.
There are also questions surrounding the tenure of the former Chief Executive Officer of Salima Sugar Wester Kosamu with some stakeholders calling for a thorough investigation into decisions made under previous leadership and any potential links to financial losses.
MCP regime used Salima Sugar as a cash cow to steal billions of tax payers money .
These are tax payers money stolen and those involved must be accountable to Malawians .
President Peter Mutharika’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government is yet to reinstitute Salima Sugar Company for productive state firm.
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