Artists get ideas for their works from what they see and experience around them through the process of socialisation. Others say they get these images from their dreams and from visits by the ancestral spirits while meditating.

Our contributing editor, Frank Stenner, pays tribute to one of Nigeria’s musical giants, Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe, fifteen years after his demise —–      “In my life and my creations,       I have tried to follow my destiny       which is my music.       That is my journey.       I live with the gift of God.”       [from Osita Osadebe: “Ana Masi Ife Uwa” (“Sound Time” 2001)] Chief …

A 16-year-old refugee from Senegal was shot dead by the police in the western German city of Dortmund on 8 August. Mohamed Lamine Dramé, an unaccompanied minor was being catered for in a youth residential group. Days before his death, he had sought in-patient treatment due to psychological problems. On 8 August, a guardian called the police after Mouhamed had …

The German government has suspended its participation in the UN military mission in Mali until further notice, Deutsche Welle (DW) reported. Berlin took the decision on Friday after Malian authorities did not allow a German military plane access to the country’s airspace. “Again those in power in Mali have not allowed the UN MINUSMA mission access to its airspace. A …

Against the prediction of pundits, Kenya’s current deputy president, William Ruto, clinched the top job at the country’s general election albeit with the narrowest of margins. The self-styled ‘hustler’ won 7,176,141 votes (50.49%) to defeat veteran politician Raila Odinga (6,942,930 or 48.85%), to become Kenya’s fifth president since independence from the British in 1963. The 55-year-old Ruto, who calls himself …

A protest march will be held by the Black community in Cologne on Saturday (20 August) to express its anger at the police killing of Mohamed Lamin Dramé. The 16-year-old refugee from Senegal was shot dead by a policeman on 8 August in Dortmund during an operation. According to the protest organisers – Sonnenblumen Community Development Group e.V., N-Wort Stoppen, …

“The living situation in Nigeria is catastrophic, inflation is driving food prices to unaffordable levels, hunger is rampant. The security situation is worse than ever. Boko Haram terror, violence, attacks and kidnappings create a climate of constant fear”

If you are looking for an additional reason to spend the Christmas-New Year season in Ghana, here is one: Accra will host the biggest names and future stars in Afrobeats on 29-30 December. Afro Nation, which dubs itself as the world’s biggest Afrobeats festival, will move its giant stages from Portugal to the Black Star Square in Accra, where Ghana’s …

In November 2022, leading innovators, investors, and policymakers from around the world will gather in Cape Town, South Africa, for the 8th edition of the Africa Fintech Summit (AFTS). The summit will take place on 02-04 November 2022 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre(CTICC). With participants who represent over $4.5bn in private equity and venture capital funding, the AFTS …

The good news is that Algeria, Egypt, and Nigeria are already supplying a good bit of the gas that Europe has been using to supplement Russian supplies. Even better, they also have enough spare capacity that their plans for raising production within the next few years are realistic.

Russia's war of aggression caused a sudden grain blockade that threatens food security worldwide. Despite the signing of the grain agreement between Russia and Ukraine, mediated by Turkey and the US, concerns remain high.

An event celebrating the culture of Africa’s most populous country will hold in the German city of Potsdam on Saturday, 13 August. Organised for the first time by Deutsche und Immigranten e.V., ‘WAZOBIA Nigerian Day 2022’ will feature, among others, music and dance performances, a fashion show, culinary specialities of Nigeria, an exhibition of products from Nigeria and a children’s …

In a feature on the general elections in Kenya holding on 9 August, our senior contributing editor, Mickie Ojijo, analyses democracy in the east African country and explains why the system is not delivering the expected dividends to the people — As Kenya’s general election, scheduled for 9 August 2022, enters the homestretch, horse trading and amalgamations of political entities …

“He brought Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Magnus Lekara Kpakol and many others into government because he believes that Nigeria must engage its diaspora talents instead of hiring foreign experts.”

While rising costs of living have been globally observed, with inflation rates soaring to new highs in major economies, less-considered is the impact these costs have on migrants around the world who are often charged with financially supporting loved ones in their home countries. WorldRemit, a leading digital remittances company, conducted a multi-country study to determine the effects of the …

The founder of Afrobeat died on 2 August 1997. On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his death, The African Courier remembers Fela Anikulapo-Kuti – musician, crusader for social, economic and political justice, and Black emancipation. Our contributing editor, Robert Ajani*, discusses the life of the legend.  —————————————- The making of Fela Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, musician, Africanist, humanist and politician, …

Ruto has also faced accusations of grabbing land from a primary school and land meant for a sewage treatment plant in Nairobi.

New month, new regulations! There are again changes in regulations and laws taking effect in August. Here’s an overview of what will change in the new month: —— More transparent working conditionsThe EU directive on transparent and reliable working conditions comes into force on 1 August. This stipulates which information and documentation obligations employers must fulfil. According to the directive, …

The video of an Italian man kneeling over an African in broad daylight in the Italian city of Civitanova Marche, located in the Province of Macerata, which has been widely circulated on news websites and social media since Friday, is so saddening. The video, which shows how the victim, a 39-year-old Nigerian, Alika Ogorchukwu, was being beaten to death by …

The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa, and Madagascar (SECAM), the association of Catholic Bishops of Africa, Madagascar, and the Islands, has elected His Eminence Richard Kuuia Baawobr of Ghana as its new President. His Eminence Richard Kuuia Baawobr is now the highest-ranking member of the Roman Catholic Church in Africa. The election took place in Accra, Ghana, on Saturday …