Dr Sam Amadi, a University teacher and former chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, has alleged that corrupt leaders in the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, are exploiting politicians aspiring for different positions.

Amadi made the allegation in an X post on Wednesday while congratulating the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on his clearance.

According to him, the terrible leaders in the opposition party will not “make it a great vehicle of change”.

He wrote, “Congrats to @PeterObi and Seriaki Dickson, two great leaders. But NDC has a lot of terrible people in leadership that will not make it a great vehicle of change.

“These corrupt guys are just exploiting aspirants and behaving no different from rotten leaders of the discredited parties.

“These guys either shape up or move out if they want Nigerians to take the party seriously.”

Photo caption: NiMet DG/Nigeria’s Permanent Representative at WMO, Prof. Charles Anosike with Koh Li-Ni, DG Meteorological Services of Singapore, on the Sidelines of Ecosperity Week 2026 on Thursday.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Meteorological Service of Singapore (MSS), have commenced discussions to enter partnership aimed at accelerating the evaluation and integration of Artificial Intelligence models into meteorological operations.

The initiative began during a meeting between Professor Charles Anosike, Director General of NiMet who is also Nigeria’s Permanent Representative at the World Meteorogical Organization (WMO) and Koh Li-Na, the Director-General o MSS.

The meeting took place on Thursday, May 21, 2026, on the sidelines of Ecosperity Week 2026 in Singapore and seeks to strengthen meteorological research for more efficient service delivery across sectors, particularly in the areas of Artificial Intelligence on Meteorology and aviation research.

While acknowledging the similarities in tropical weather patterns and the administration of meteorological science in both Nigeria and Singapore, especially their significant influence on the aviation industry, the meeting explored opportunities for collaboration between MSS and NiMet in accelerating the evaluation and integration of Artificial Intelligence models into meteorological operations.

The initiative is expected to ensure that weather forecasts are not only more accurate but also delivered faster, with improved downscaling capabilities. This will translate into greater socioeconomic support for sectors such as aviation, agriculture, marine services, health, and disaster risk reduction, among others.

NiMet and MSS are both ISO-certified for services provided to the aviation industry. In recognition of the successful joint aviation research collaboration between MSS and Singapore’s civil aviation authorities, the meeting also explored opportunities to replicate similar initiatives in Nigeria to improve provider-user co-developed solutions within the aviation sector.

Other areas of discussion included cost-recovery models and related legal frameworks, the use of AI to enhance manpower productivity, and the role of Quality Management Systems (QMS) in promoting operational efficiency and a healthy work environment.

Nigeria and Singapore are both members of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). While Nigeria hosts the WMO Office for North, Central, and West Africa, Singapore hosts the WMO Regional Office for Asia and the South-West Pacific.

Both Permanent Representatives emphasized that global partnerships, cross-border cooperation, and mutual learning in meteorology are essential for improved capacity building, forecasting accuracy, and the delivery of life-saving early warning systems.

Muslims in Bamako have been prevented from travelling home to meet their families for this year’s Eid celebration as terrorists have cut off Milan capital from the rest of the country.

Originally from the central city of Mopti, Alpha Amadou, 40, has had to give up his usual journey home for the major holiday, known locally as Tabaski.

“For the first time in 30 years living in Bamako, I’ll be celebrating Eid here this year,” he told AFP.

Since late April, fighters from Al-Qaeda’s Sahel branch have imposed a road blockade on the main routes into Bamako, torching dozens of buses and freight trucks.

Though the blockade is only partial, images of charred vehicles have deterred many transport services from operating and travellers from heading back to their villages.

In Mali, Tabaski goes far beyond religion. It is a major social tradition, one of the few times when families, often scattered by work for months, come together.

But in Bamako’s bus stations, the usual pre-holiday rush has given way to an eerie calm. Alongside insecurity, fuel shortages have also hit the transport sector.

“Not only do we lack diesel to keep running, but we’ve also lost buses in recent incidents. It’s a huge economic blow,” said the owner of a local travel agency, speaking anonymously.

“Normally, we could transport more than 50,000 people from Bamako to other regions in a week for Tabaski. This year, we’re not planning any trips,” added a manager at another transport company.

For Wara Bagayoko, the ritual has always been the same: pack up the family car and head to Segou in central Mali to celebrate together.

But this time, he will stay behind, as even private cars have become targets.

“It will be the first time in 30 years I won’t celebrate in my village. The road is too dangerous,” he said.

“Before, about 20 of us would travel together on motorbikes to Sikasso (in the south) to celebrate,” added Oumar Diarra. “This year, we’ll stay in Bamako.”

A few minibuses still slip into the city, taking backroads or travelling with a military escort.

• Sheep in short supply –

The disruption to transport is also choking the livestock trade, which is essential for the traditional Tabaski sacrifice.