EUROPE

After years of planning and a little over 12 months of building and refurbishment work, The Africa Centre – an establishment that celebrates contemporary African culture and heritage – is finally ready to welcome its patrons and supporters to its new home in Southwark, London on 9 June. “It will continue to act as a bold and transformative bridge between …

Every year, the member states of the European Union celebrate Europe Day. This day commemorates the signing of Robert Schumann’s declaration of 9 May 1950, which is considered the birth certificate of what is now the European Union. Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, Member of the European Parliament, writes on how she commemorated the Day in Germany this year and why the …

Members of the European Parliament voted on Thursday 5 May 2022 in Strasbourg to support women and girls, victims of the war in Ukraine. According to intelligence reports, the Russian army is increasingly using rape, sexual harassment and torture as weapons of war against civilians in Ukraine. 90% of Ukrainian refugees are women and girls. Dr. Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, MEP, Greens/EFA …

Text of the television address of the Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Olaf Scholz on the anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe, 8 May 2022 in which he addresses the fears of Germans on ongoing war in Ukraine ———- Dear fellow citizens! 77 years ago today, the Second World War ended in …

According to German press reports, Chancellor Olaf Scholz will address the nation again in a televised speech on Sunday (8 May). He’s expected to talk about the war in Ukraine and the end of the Second World War. On 8 May 1945, 77 years ago, Germany was liberated from the Nazi regime by Allied troops. The speech is to be …

“Please do not buy or consume these products. They are illegal and, because of the child-friendly packaging, they can pose a risk of accidental consumption."

Here’s the speech delivered by Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, member of the European Parliament, at a public demonstration against the war in Ukraine, which took place in the southeastern German city of Erlangen on Saturday, 26 March. The Malian-born European parliamentarian makes a strong case for African students displaced by the war who are currently seeking refuge in the EU ——– …

Black founders in Europe disproportionately lack access to the networks and capital needed to grow their businesses. In 2020, with less than 0.5% of venture capital (VC) funding going to Black-led startups

"There is still a feeling that everything that's local is primitive"

The wife of Nigeria’s vice president visited Vienna, Austria, recently mainly to attend an event commemorating the International Women’s Day. Oluyemi Ogundele* reports on the august visit —— The three-day visit of the wife of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo ended on a higher note. The official visit started on Friday, the 11th …

Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, Member of the European Parliament representing Germany on the platform of the Greens, writes on the reports of discrimination against Africans fleeing the war in Ukraine and she makes specific demands from the European Union on the situation of African students displaced by the conflict —— On behalf of ARDI, the European Parliament’s Anti-Racism and Diversity Intergroup, …

A top official of the UN has criticised the discrimination of Africans and other third country nationals escaping the war in Ukraine. “I am alarmed about verified credible reports of discrimination, violence and xenophobia against third country nationals attempting to flee the conflict in Ukraine,” said António Vitorino, the Director General of the UN’s International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in …

“We note with horror that because of the colour of their skin, some European countries bordering the Ukraine refuse Africans entry into their countries,” ARDI, the European Parliament Anti-Racism and Diversity Intergroup, said in a letter to Dr Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission. ARDI was reacting to widespread reports from Africans attempting to flee the war …

Following a meeting in Brussels on Thursday, the interior ministers of European Union’s member states unanimously agreed to provide temporary protection to people fleeing the war in Ukraine. Under the scheme, called the “Temporary Protection Directive”, refugees will have the right to live and work in the European Union for at least one year, a period that can be extended …

The African Union has released a statement on the reported ill treatment of Africans trying to leave Ukraine. In it, the pan-African organisation called on all countries to respect international law and show the same empathy and support to all people fleeing war notwithstanding their racial identity———- The current Chair of the African Union (AU.int) and President of the Republic …

The Federal Government of Nigeria has called on Ukraine and Poland to treat Nigerians and other Africans stranded in Ukraine with dignity. While efforts to begin talks between Russia and Ukraine were underway, “paramount on our minds is the safety and human rights of some four thousand Nigerian citizens and many others from friendly African nations today stranded in Ukraine,” …

The Nigeria has announced that it would evacuate its citizens in Ukraine following the invasion of the country by Russia. According to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, the Nigerian government is planning for special flight operations to evacuate its citizens from Ukraine in view of the war going on the country . Onyeama, in an interview with the NTA, …

Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier has been re-elected for a second term as the President of Germany. The Federal Assembly confirmed the 66-year-old Social Democrat in Berlin on Sunday with a large majority. He will thus remain Germany’s head of state for another five years. After his re-election, Steinmeier gave a combative speech in which he emphasised the strength of democracy, condemned …

Nigerians from across Europe will gather on 11-13 November in the city of Aberdeen, Scotland, for the 2021 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE). NIDOE is the European zone of the NIDO Worldwide, the body recognised by the Nigerian government as representing Nigerians living outside of their home country. The other zones of NIDO …

The founder and CEO of African Women in Europe, Joy Wanjiru Zenz, will be honoured with the Global African Award on 14 November. The Kenyan-born, Germany-based entrepreneur will be bestowed with the honour at the annual Global African Award (GAA) Gala Dinner to be held at the Southern Sun Elangeni, Durban, in South Africa. Ms Zenz, who is also the …