As I sat on my favourite seat, waiting for the bus to fill up, I had tears in my eyes- my mind, a large box; enshrouding the tumultuous battle my emotions were raging. I sought to find the strength not to cry in front of strangers, to calm myself down and not allow the sour thoughts in my head, cloud my reasoning.

Sangaya is a system of informal education predominant in the northern part of Nigeria (but its presence stretches across sub-Saharan Africa). Without standard structures to serve as classes, in the early days students usually are cramped in Zaures (the reception like structure that links to the inner house); where the number of students increases, groups especially within the same study level can be made and shifted to sit under trees.

THE SANGAYA SYSTEM

Last year petroleum subsidy in Nigeria cost the federal government $4 billion. According to the finance minister that amount equals 60% of total government capital expenditure. This year it will probably cost the government more to maintain oil subsidy.

What is a subsidy?

A subsidy is a form of assistance given by government to a business or economic sector. In Nigeria’s case it is utilized for price support – to keep the price of petroleum products at a particular level to benefit the public.

How does it affect the Nigerian economy?

Since the alleged murder of the former member of the white supremacist Herstigte Nasionale Party, Eugene Terre’Blanche, on 3rd April, 2010, racial tensions in South Africa have reportedly been mounting up with fears that it could lead to civil war.

Karim Dellali was born in 1966 in Thenia, Algeria. He worked as a computer manager and played guitar in his spare time. In 1997, after a hard beginning in the music industry Karim met Yazid Fantazi in a pub in Hackney and together they formed a group called Fatazia. Fatazia is now made up of eight multicultural musicians who play a mix of western and North African music. This group is popular in London, Algeria and Amsterdam and is best known for its album Mul Sheshe released in October 2005.

On April 1st, 1953, Chief Anthony Enahoro, a backbencher in the Central House of Representatives, as it was called then - introduced a Private Members'
Bills demanding self-government for Nigeria by 1956.

Enahoro's, historic motion was developed and later realised on the 1st of October,1960, with collected efforts and cooperation of our early nationalists and founding fathers of Nigeria. They included the late: Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, Dr Nnamdi Azikwe, the Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Dr M.I.Okpara, all who are of distant memories.

Despite positive developments in information communcation technology in most parts of Sudan, the rural areas of Southern Sudan still lark behind. The telecommunications industry in Sudan has been established for about sixty five years with only the major towns of Juba, Wau and Malakal enjoying the benefits of telecommunications through the telephone line and the Sudanese Television service providers.

Information Shortage

Like most things I write, this is long overdue; and I can only thank the events of the 5th of February 2010, for sending shock waves down the nerves in my brain.
The African story and the Nigerian one in particular, is one analyzed and told with nostalgic pity and the wishes of better things that could have been. The minutest of our behavioral traits, reveal that our sub-conscious still clings to the dictates and blind followership of the colonial era.

Back in the 60s, and through to the 70s, it would have been fair to describe Nigeria as the ‘Giant of Africa’. The country was blessed with human, economical and natural resources that were the envy of many all over the world. In the 60s and 70s, Western investors and multi-nationals flocked into the country in search of the ‘bounty’ that is oil.

Africa’s bond market has experienced resurgence in the last decade. This is largely due to a decade of economic growth due to reforms, better macroeconomic management and fiscal stability.

The fourteen countries that make up the CFA zones in west and central Africa in addition to Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria amongst others have all issued government and corporate bonds in the past decade. These bonds will be primarily used to fund infrastructure projects across the continent.

Many of us whose parents came to live in the UK in the 1950s and 60s will have heard stories from them of how they were welcomed by those dreadful notices on windows and doors; ‘No dogs, No blacks, No Irish’.
The level of racism and discrimination experienced by black people, many of who were invited by the British government to come over and work, became the catalyst for the first wave of race legislation passed through by Parliament.

After months of silence and speculations of his death, Nigerian President Umaru Yar’Adua spoke to the BBC in a telephone interview. Yar’Adua stated that he is still receiving medical treatment, presumable at the King Faisal Hospital in Saudi Arabia where he was reported to have been admitted since he was last seen in November, and will be returning to office as soon as he is discharged.

Brain-Damaged?

When the famous Liverpool FC slogan- ‘You Never Walk Alone’- was coined, they probably didn’t have the befuddling issues we have today…

I live in Lagos, and that says so many things. Now huge vehicular traffic top the lists of unsavoury every day events, that is not mentioning the always ever present blackout, or rightly put: zero power. This is not to say that Lagos or Nigeria is not a great place to live in, (you can make lots of money and have so much fun) the people are funny, friendly, industrous and one of the best people to hang out with in the world - don’t think about the internet scammers, a minority becoming our collective ulcer.

Could you please provide a bit of background about your career?

I have never served in any Nigeria embassy outside Nigeria. This is my first call as an Ambassador. You know,this is a political appointment. It is a prividge and honour to serve my country in this disposition. We went through a lot of screening by the members of the Nigeria National Assembly. Later,we had induction training programmes to prepare us all fully for the task ahead and most especially focusing on the mission and programmes of the federal government.

Nigerians are living in dangerous times, there is a very bleak and gloomy atmosphere hanging in the air. Fear of a great magnitude is stalking the land, hapless citizens of this potentially great nation are just drifting along, hungry, angry, and scared. This situation is not a figment of anybody’s imagination; it is real, very tangible and extremely persistent-welcome to Nigeria, the famed “Giant of Africa”.

No Discrimination against Women in Kidnapping

It was at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) conference held in London in July 2008 that the Nigeria chief marshals of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Osita Chidoka made a remark in his opening speech:

“There are an estimated 161 deaths per 10,000 vehicles for accident in Nigeria...”

However, despite all efforts, the figure is still and is mostly due to the bad state of the roads, negligence and the low-maintenance culture that is prominent in the country.

In an attempt to end the recession caused by the dot com bust the Federal Reserve kept interest rate arbitrarily low (1%) for about one year this caused an unprecedented increase in spending and consumption primarily in America. It also created excess demand for commodities, food etc. So much that oil was about $147 per barrel before the global economy came down to earth.

The last 6 months of this year had been draining, both emotionally, financially and definitely physically especially the last 2 months of my wife’s pregnancy. Those who have been following this write up will be quick to guess that the physical exhaustion angle of the pregnancy has to do with doing more than half of the house chores, including sweeping the house every morning before going to the office – ‘my wife said the doctor said not to bend anymore’, so am left with no options.

South Africa was in full spirit watching one of theirs win Gold at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin, Germany. Caster Semenya was strides away from her co-runners, winning the 800 meters in an impressive time of 1:55:45. The stadium and everyone at home were mesmerized at the 18 year. Unfortunately for her, her extraordinary victor caused much speculation on her gender casting doubt, an instigation started on by the media

Trade unions in South Africa are very influential and part of policy making. They are part of the African National Congress, ANC, the ruling party of South Africa. There is perhaps, no other country in Africa where trade unions wield so much influence.

By Nwakego Linda Eyisi

It is common knowledge nowadays that we are in a global recession. This article will attempt to address why we are in a global recession and how it will affect Africa.

Why are we in a global recession?

Whatever stance one has taken on the credibility of TB Joshua, the famous (or infamous?) pastor of The Synagogue Church of All Nation’s in Lagos, Nigeria – one fact remains indisputable, his is an incredible journey surrounded in mystery and being written in history.

It is now almost six months plus since the Federal Road Safety Commission came out with crash helmet law for all motorcycle and moped riders in Nigeria. The law requires all private and “okada” [commercial motorbikes] riders and their passengers to put on crash helmet while riding.

How do you tell the difference between a genuine business opportunity and a dodgy or completely bogus scheme? A huge challenge today is that with modern digital technology the ability to produce truly top class forged documents is in everybody’s hands. This applies to both paper based and electronic documents. You can no longer rely on what you see either in person or electronically.

Seven Seconds! That’s how long it takes to make a first impression – if you count to seven now I’m sure you’ll agree there isn’t much time for small talk; boasting of credentials or the making of impressive proposals in seven seconds. If you’re really fast you might be able to squeeze in a quick handshake before the impression is made (and, unless yours is of the wet-fish variety, you may have scored a few points in the mind of your new client/acquaintance)…

My kid brother who was about to write a Government exams was having a last minute revision; he asked the questions and read the answers aloud..."WHEN WAS THE AFRICAN UNION FORMED AND STATE ITS OBJECTIVES?". He stated the date and outlined about five to six objectives; while he continued, I was pondering over the objectives vis-à-vis the current state of affairs on the African continent.

1- TO ACCELERATE POLITICAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC INTERGRATION OF THE CONTINENT.

May 29th 2009 was the so-called Democracy Day for Nigeria. I spent the day not only attending the “State of the Nation Summit” held at the London Metropolitan University, but filming for the pioneering online investigative journalism website Sahara Reporters.

There is this popular saying amongst the Yoruba speaking people of Western Nigeria: 'A man whose wife is pregnant is also a pregnant husband'. I have never given this saying a second thought until recently.
Right now, I am one of the pregnant husbands, and my pregnancy is big, time consuming and expensive!

A response article to Babazanna Abdulkarim's 'Africa: Between Rights and Privilege'

Like an artist once sang"...so much, so much love...Africa has so much love to share. Pure blackness, oneness rare, so much love to care, and let them know they’re missing out" (Mama Africa, Akon).
Despite all the turmoil and ‘deteriorating system of governance’, there is still so much to rejoice about this wonderful continent.

Between Riches...

Africa as a continent is endowed with immense natural and human resources, with great, rich heritage; politically democracy which is presumed to be better than a lot of other forms of government and governance have been in its political setting for long. However, despite this, today Africa is stricken by diseases AIDS and Malaria and our system of governance is deteriorating with corruption taking a centre stage and socio-economic status dwindling.

On March 4th, 2009, a warrant was issued for the arrest of the Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
While the ICC said there was insufficient evidence to charge Al-Bashir with genocide, there were enough grounds to charge him with war crimes and crimes against humanity.