Global Voices Online » Nigeria

Nigeria: On the Sovereign Wealth Fund

Elia Varela Serra — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:30:22 +0000

Solomonsydelle of Nigerian Curiosity writes about the country's Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), which is “a state-owned investment fund composed of financial assets such as stocks, bonds, property or other financial instruments.” And she wonders: “Will the SWF be maintained and its funds used in a means that advances Nigeria's interests or will it be used in a way that proves detrimental in the future?”

Nigeria: Much ado about nudity

Elia Varela Serra — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:26:06 +0000

Fadekemi at ConnectAfrica comments on a recent bill proposal to prohibit and punish nudity in Nigeria, among other offences: “Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation […] faced with so many issues ranging from the Niger-Delta crisis to the high rate of infant mortality. According to Senator Eme Ufot Ekaette who is the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women and Children, indecent dressing has been listed amongst one of the many ills/issues plaguing the Nigerian society.”

Nigeria: Football coaching scams

Elia Varela Serra — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:49:02 +0000

Foreign Policy's Passport Blog comments on the recent BBC story about Nigerian fake talent spotter scam, in which “conmen pose as sports agents and dupe young, would-be soccer players out of thousands of dollars”.

Africa: Summer Reflections (Thoughts from Mothers)

Paula Odhiambo — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 09:16:42 +0000

At what age should we begin to encourage compassion and giving in children? Isabella was shocked when one day, her daughter came home from camp and announced that she (Isabella) was a grandmother.

Obviously there was something I was missing, she could not have been pregnant and given birth while away at camp!! I could not guess how.

Well, it did not take too long for Isabella to find out what this grandmother business was about: together with a friend, her daughter had adopted a child. “His name is Miguel from the Democratic Republic and I am sure it must be the Congo”. When she did, she decided to support her daughter. “I was 6 years older than she is now when I had such dreams and there was not a soul to encourage me,” she says.

Ashe.Selah ponders talking about sex with her children, and gets candid about her own experiences.

We escaped to tell the truth another day. And tell it we must, especially with all of our talks about honesty and how Mama and Daddy aren’t perfect. But this scene took my mind back to those days. Outta Mama’s house, on my own in college. Boy, was I a trip. Couldn’t seem to spell abstinence. It was like I was on Soul Train at the scramble board arranging letters — the “i” was missing. My approach to sexuality was both dangerous and unhealthy - to my physical and emotional well-being.

And, in closing, with joy in my heart, I announce: It’s another girl (with a ’fro?) for The Girl With A ’Fro! And, as she warns, it may take a while before we get another post from her…

I probably will have time to blog, but I’d much rather just sit and gaze at my daughter, inhale her beautiful heavenly baby scent and just marvel at the goodness of God in creating us the way He has :)

May God bless our mothers – their arms hold the future generation; their words counsel them; their eyes watch over them; their prayers keep them in check; their God protects and seals them!

Africa: Technology events in Africa

Ndesanjo Macha — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:09:32 +0000

A list of technology events taking place in Africa from White Africa: “I’m starting to compile a list of interesting technology events happening around the continent. If this ends up being useful, I’ll create a page to keep it updated. Let me know if you like it, or if there is someone already keeping a calender of sorts.”

Nigeria: The Nigeria Entertainment Awards

Ndesanjo Macha — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 16:19:00 +0000

Ladybrille writes about the Nigeria Entertainment Awards: “The Nigeria Entertainment Awards [NEA], established only three years ago and held in New York City, each year, is one such event that is highly anticipated. The event which showcases the contributions of Nigerian Artists to the world, struggled, in its infancy, to gain footing. But, it appears experience and determination has paid off.”

Nigeria: Are Nigerians abroad more “human”?

Ndesanjo Macha — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 16:03:59 +0000

Adeola discusses the treatment of Nigerians at home and abroad: “Why do the foreign embassies respect Nigerians living abroad but disrespect Nigerians at home? Why are they more relaxed with their visa application rules with the same Nigerians abroad than at home? Are Nigerians abroad more human than Nigerians at home?”

Africa: Managing democracy in Africa

Ndesanjo Macha — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 12:54:59 +0000

OCI discusses democracy and politics in Africa: “Managing democracy in Africa is an uphill task and will remain a mirage unless there is a genuine effort by African leaders to go beyond selfishness and dishonesty to make policies that are people oriented; until then Democracy will remain a Mirage in Many African countries not only in Nigeria.

Nigeria: MTN is robbing their subscribers

Ndesanjo Macha — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:37:36 +0000

Yomi rants against MTN, the mobile telephony company in Nigeria: “This rant will be brief and pointed. Subscribers to MTN’s unlimited data plan pay N13,500 monthly to connect to the internet 24-7. Subscribers are required to pay this fee on or before the 8th every month. However, by some rogue inspiration, MTN keeps these lines suspended till a week after the 8th. A week!!”

Nigeria: The Nollywood Convention

Ndesanjo Macha — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:48:08 +0000

Ladybrille writes about the Nigerian movie industry: “The Nollywood Convention, produced by the Nollywood Foundation Inc., a non-profit headquartered in Los Angeles, California which attracts A-list Nollywood celebrities like the aforementioned, directors, producers and key industry players in Hollywood and Bollywood is also receiving a makeover.”

Nigeria: Abacha did not loot Nigeria

Ndesanjo Macha — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:42:51 +0000

Did Abacha loot Nigeria?: “How I wish I wielded some supernatural power! How I would have dealt with these three men - Mohammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida, and Abdulsalami Abubakar! Thanks to those three, I learnt something new today: Contrary to what Nigerians have been told and read in the media, the late General Sani Abacha did not loot the treasury after all! The allegations against Abacha are baseless, and nothing but rumors!”

Nigeria: French embassy is useless

Ndesanjo Macha — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:31:01 +0000

A Nigerian blogger thinks the French embassy in Nigeria is useless: “What are the roles of the foreign embassies in Nigeria? Why do the semi-literates in these embassies deny Nigerian professionals and others the basic right to acquire entry visas that will allow them visit many countries in Europe and other places? A recent case at the French embassy in Nigeria is still causing a source of agitation in my mind and here I will narrate the story.”

Africa: Learning by Ear

Ndesanjo Macha — Tue, 27 May 2008 12:42:00 +0000

A new multimedia distance learning programme for Africa in English, Kiswahili, French, Hausa, Portuguese and Amharic: ‘The Learning by Ear program examines the challenges that young Africans face and engages listeners in an informative and entertaining way. The programming is a lively mix of in-depth reports, radio dramas and feature stories that will provide listeners with an opportunity to get the necessary skills to succeed in Africa today and to discover a whole new world of knowledge. The target audience is girls and boys from 12 to 20 years of age.'

Nigeria/South Africa: Nigeria vs South Africa

Ndesanjo Macha — Sun, 25 May 2008 12:33:13 +0000

Nanja Boy writes examines the fate of Nigerians in the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa: “Lest we have forgotten, Nigerians economy now harbors the best of their businesses. For goodness sake, the lists of Nigerian-based multinational companies wholly owed or controlled by South Africa people or government is far greater than the hundreds of Nigeria migrants residing in that country. Nigerians are not destroying any of MTN’s installation even when their services are poor and genuine reasons to rampage are evident.”

Nigeria: Boycott The British Airways

Ndesanjo Macha — Wed, 14 May 2008 19:38:38 +0000

A campaign for Nigerians to boycott the British Airways: “Boycott British Airways. We can do with one “less” airline. Nigerians are very respectful and hardworking people and they deserve to be respected. British Airways does not respect Nigerians.”