AFRICA

The World Health Summit 2019 was recently concluded in Berlin, Germany. It once again highlighted the enormous opportunities awaiting Africa if it could tap into the potential of the Digital Age. Our Contributing Editor and global health enthusiast, Dr Michael Nnaji, was at the event and he reports.

In the past several weeks, the Nigerian media space has been filled with reports of a plan by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to change the constitution to enable President Muhammadu Buhari run for a third term.

The shortlist was preceded by a call for nomination and the eventual winners would be decided via a voting process.

Zimbabwean journalist and writer Tinashe L. Chimedza writes rejoinder to President Mnangagwa’s open letter to the international community published on Monday (19 November) calling for the removal of Western sanctions on his country. Chimedza blames his country’s ruling elite of being largely responsible for the sorry state of affairs, two years after the exit of then President Robert Mugabe. Two …

It is two years this week since President Robert Gabriel Mugabe stepped down as leader of Zimbabwe with the hope that things will get better for the southern African nation. Quite to the contrary, Zimbabweans have seen their fortunes worsened. Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe, has now gone on the publicity offensive by writing an open letter to the international …

The 2019 top performers on visa openness rank among the top countries for foreign direct investment in Africa, and benefit from strong levels of growth, including in tourism.

The retired professor of virology, who died after being admitted to the University College Hospital Ibadan, was an elder statesman who was courted by the media for his views on issues of national significance.

The Presidency said media reports of a soured relationship are originating from the minds and mouths of mischief makers, who are desperate for entertaining stories from the Aso Rock Villa with which to titillate the public.

The Kaduna Division of the Court of Appeal has nullified the election of the spokesman of the Senate, Senator Dayo Adeyeye.   The Appellate Court subsequently upheld the tribunal judgment which declared Biodun Olujimi, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, as winner of the Ekiti South Senatorial election held on February 23.   The Independent National Electoral Commission had …

‘Debates on Africa, in Africa, with academics and scholars from Africa’ is how Cologne-based journalist Tina Adomako describes the 2019 conference of the African Studies Association of Africa, which she attended in Nairobi, Kenya, on 24-26 October. Ms Adomako reports from the gathering of scholars who, among others, discussed issues around reclaiming African studies from the European perspective and decolonizing …

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on Thursday, told the Federal High Court, Abuja, that he was ready to face trial if his safety would be guaranteed by the court. Kanu told the presiding judge, Justice Binta Nyako, through his counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who had applied to restore the IPOB leader’s bail so that he …

The dream of Nigerians living outside their homeland to participate at national elections seems to be edging closer to realisation.

“We are still consulting, the coast is not clear yet, but we want to see how to first address the rising tension and suspicion in the country and we feel it’s necessary to send the signal that Ndigbo will remain in Nigeria to get their due."

The main opposition party in Togo has selected its leader, Jean Pierre Fabre, as a candidate for the presidential election scheduled for early 2020. His confirmation was held at a congress by his National Alliance for Change party on Saturday in Lomé. “I accept to be the standard-bearer to achieve an alternative with you and real change”, he said. For …

While 60% of the working age population in Africa are employed, many of the jobs are lacking in dignity, decent pay, security and social protection.  Young people are more affected by this as they constitute the majority  of the population, and also have fewer opportunities for jobs with dignity. 

Contacted, Adetola Olubajo, President of the Nigerian Union South Africa, said that the national secretariat had been informed about the incident.

The Chairman of the South East Governors Forum, David Umahi, said they had resolved to meet with Buhari following fears that the airport could be abandoned.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Friday kicked off UberBOAT – the pilot phase of Uber’s boat service in Nigeria’s commercial capital Lagos. The launch took place at the Lagos State Waterways Authority complex’s Five Cowries Jetty in Falomo. Speaking during a media parley, the governor said his government was committed to building infrastructure that supports multi-modal transportation, which includes water transport. …

The Ethiopian Prime Minister, who was awarded the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, is surely a reformer, but he predominantly garners recognition beyond his country’s borders. Despite the Nobel committee’s well-meaning intentions, it’s the wrong choice, argues German journalist and head of Deutsche Welle’s Amharic desk, Ludger Schadomsky. Despite a number of somewhat questionable recipients — such as former US …

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has issued a directive temporarily barring all members of the cabinet and heads of government agencies from travelling abroad. The new directive was announced Friday evening by Willie Bassey, the director of information in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. “Sequel to the presentation of the 2020 Appropriation Bill by Mr …