In a groundbreaking move for Nigeria’s aviation industry, Air Peace, the country’s leading airline and West Africa’s largest carrier, is set to make its debut at the prestigious ITB Berlin, the world’s largest international travel trade show. This marks the first time a Nigerian airline will participate as an exhibitor at the globally renowned event, which attracts over 10,000 exhibitors …
Read More »awoniyi270514
Hope Education Project Launches Pilot to Combat Human Trafficking in West Africa
The Hope Education Project (HEP) has announced the launch of a pioneering pilot project in Tamale, Northern Region, Ghana, aimed at preventing human trafficking through education and community empowerment. HEP will deliver trafficking awareness programming to three Junior High Schools in the following communities of Tamale: Gumbihini, Sagnarigu and New Gbolo. The HEP program aims to disrupt the flow of …
Read More »Nigeria to Automate Visa Application Process for Faster Approvals
Nigeria is set to introduce an automated system for processing short-stay visas, aiming to streamline approvals, boost tourism and attract business travellers. Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo recently announced that the new system would eliminate long wait times upon arrival at Nigerian airports. Under the new policy, travelers can apply online for short-stay visas, with approvals expected within 24 to 48 …
Read More »Berlin Airport Struggles with Baggage Delays
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is facing significant challenges with baggage handling, leading to growing frustration among passengers due to long waiting times and lost luggage. A recent survey by Allianz Direct found that 11.85% of travellers at BER experience baggage issues, ranking the airport among the top four in Germany for such incidents. On average, passengers wait approximately 2.73 days …
Read More »Conservatives’ victory signals shift in German politics
The German federal election has triggered significant political shifts, with potential implications for migration policies in Germany and across Europe. Approximately 60 million Germans were eligible to vote for a new Bundestag, and with voter turnout surpassing 82% on Sunday, participation reached its highest level in decades, underscoring the nation’s heightened political engagement. — The centre-right CDU/CSU, led by Friedrich …
Read More »Five Afro-Germans vying for seats in the Bundestag
There were four Afro-German members in the immediate past Bundestag. Germany is gearing up for early election on Sunday, 23 February 2025, and something exciting is happening — the rise of candidates with African roots who are set to challenge the status quo! These dynamic, forward-thinking politicians are bringing fresh perspectives, bold ideas and a vision for a more inclusive …
Read More »Bundestag Election: Why Your Vote Matters More Than Ever
On 23 February, German voters will choose a new government. Reducing immigration has emerged as the main issue in the current election campaign due to recent deadly terror acts that involved suspects with immigrant origins. Several parties have adopted the tough stances of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) on immigration in an attempt to tap into the perceived potential …
Read More »Germany: Nigerian association wins award for promoting inclusion
The Concerned Nigerians Kassel Germany e.V. has been awarded the prestigious Democracy Strengthener Award (“Demokratie-Verstärker”) by the city of Kassel in the category of “Peace and International Understanding.” This accolade, accompanied by a €1,000 prize, recognizes the association’s unwavering dedication to fostering diversity, tolerance and intercultural dialogue within the community. The Democracy Strengthener Award, under the patronage of Christoph Lübcke, …
Read More »What next for Kenyan politics after the Addis Ababa debacle?
Frankfurt-based Mickie Ojijo examines the political future of Kenya’s veteran opposition leader following his unexpected loss in the race for the Chairperson of the African Union Commission at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government last week. Mr Raila Odinga’s ambition to lead the African Union Commission has officially come to an end, and …
Read More »New leadership of African Union Commission elected
The African Union (AU) has elected Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Djibouti’s long-serving Foreign Minister, as the new Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC). The election took place during the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, held from 15 to 16 February 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Youssouf will be deputized by Selma Malika Haddadi, …
Read More »Colonial Victims: Cologne Exhibition Explores Overlooked World War II Narratives
An upcoming exhibition in Cologne is set to shed light on the often overlooked contributions and experiences of countries of the Global South during World War II. Titled “The Third World in the Second World War” (Die Dritte Welt Im Zweiten Weltkrieg), this expanded showcase will run from 8 March to 1 June 2025 at the NS Documentation Centre of …
Read More »Bundestag Election: Key Parties, Candidates and Policies
Germany is set to hold early federal elections on Sunday 23 February, following the collapse of the coalition government formed by the Social Democrats (SPD), Greens and Free Democrats (FDP) in November 2024. A total of 29 parties have qualified to compete in the election, though only nine will be on the ballot nationwide. These include the CDU/CSU, SPD, Greens, …
Read More »Africa mourns Namibia’s founding father and liberation icon
Namibia’s founding president and independence hero, Sam Nujoma, passed away on Saturday, 8 February, at the age of 95. Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba announced Nujoma’s passing, stating, “The foundations of the Republic of Namibia have been shaken… Our venerable leader, Dr. Nujoma, did not only blaze the trail to freedom – but he also inspired us to rise to our …
Read More »African tourism takes centre stage at ITB Berlin 2025
ITB Berlin, the world’s leading travel trade show, will once again bring together the global tourism industry from 4-6 March 2025. The 2025 event, taking place under the motto “The world of travel lives here”, is expected to attract more than 10,000 exhibitors from 190 countries. This year, African countries are expected to make a significant impact, showcasing the continent’s …
Read More »Opinion: Migration policy must not be dictated by fear or exclusion
With less than two weeks to the federal election, former Member of the European Parliament, Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, warns of the danger of deep polarisation of society as a result of the instrumentalisation of the issue of migration. The first Afro-German politician to represent Germany in the European Parliament makes a case for a debate on migration that respects the …
Read More »Nigeria: Atiku, Obi mobilise for 2027
Anthony Ekene Onwuka, a Germany-based lawyer and international project management expert, writes about Nigerian politics and the ongoing collaboration, strategy and mobilization efforts of two presidential candidates from the 2023 elections as they prepare for the 2027 race. —- During his time at the White House, former President Obama spent most of the time castigating Donald Trump as being “unqualified, …
Read More »Schengen 2025: What you should know
On 1 January 2025, Romania and Bulgaria officially joined the Schengen Area, the European Union’s border-free travel zone. This development means that passport checks at internal borders between these countries and other Schengen states have been eliminated, facilitating smoother travel across Europe. With this expansion, the Schengen Area now consists of 29 member states, reinforcing the principle of free movement …
Read More »Anti-Immigration Legislation: A Historic Turning Point in Germany
Former Member of the European Parliament, Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, writes about the recent support of the far-right AfD for CDU-backed bills in the federal parliament—a development that has drawn widespread condemnation of the conservative party. The Green politician warns that sacrificing a key consensus in German politics for electoral gains could undermine fundamental democratic principles —— Political alliance of the …
Read More »Nigerian scholar advocates socialist Pan-Africanism for continental transformation
In a compelling inaugural lecture delivered on 5 February 2025 at the University of Lagos, Professor Adelaja Odutola Odukoya, a distinguished scholar in Comparative Political Economy, passionately advocated for the adoption of socialist Pan-Africanism as a transformative pathway for Africa’s resurgence and Nigeria’s development. His lecture, provocatively titled “Armageddon?”, delved into the paradox of Africa’s abundant resources juxtaposed with its …
Read More »Germany, Nigeria to strengten ties on trade and youth skills development
Nigeria and Germany are deepening their economic collaboration through initiatives aimed at enhancing vocational training, fostering skilled migration and stimulating investment opportunities. A recent meeting in Abuja between Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, and a delegation from Germany’s IHK Giessen-Friedberg Chamber of Commerce and Industry underscored these efforts. Dr Oduwole highlighted the alignment between Germany’s …
Read More »