The Discourse

This episode of the Discourse focuses on the unending security challenges in Nigeria.

Authorities in Nigeria may be running out of time to secure the release of the hostages in northwestern Kaduna state, as the kidnapping gangs have vowed to kill the captives if their demands are not met.

My guests will tell us why the Army is finding it difficult to take out the bandits and their activities, which are gaining momentum.

This first part of the programme explores the legacy and life of the late Gambian pro-democracy activist Solo Sandeng, who recently was given a state funeral. Solo while alive called for the reform of the electoral system in the Gambia, during the then administration of former president Yahyah Jammeh.

In this interview on West Africa Democracy Radio Dakar, I spoke with Essa Njie, a political science lecturer at the University of The Gambia and Madi Tango a Banjul-based human rights activist.

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In a major step forward in the practical implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Economic Commission for Africa has launched an online trading platform that will facilitate trading between buyers and suppliers when the agreement starts next year.

Known as the African Trade Exchange (Atex), the business-to-business e-commerce platform will not only improve cross-border trade but also provide businesses with quality products from verified African suppliers in an efficient way at reduced average trading costs based on AfCFTA rules.

The call for a reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Nigeria Police Force has heightened, seeing young Nigerians hitting the streets to reiterate the calls. In recent days, More Nigerians are coming to join in the protest, while those in the diaspora have been showing massive support. These include Nigeria’s top UFC Champion Israel Adesanya.

Today’s podcast takes a look at the origin of the #endsars campaign and the expected outcome of the years-long campaign.

The call for a reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Nigeria Police Force has heightened, seeing young Nigerians hitting the streets to reiterate the calls.

SARS unit of the Nigerian Police force is one of the 14 units under the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID). The unit is charged with the prevention and investigation of armed robbery, one of the most serious crimes committed on Nigerian soil.

The recent hike in the fuel pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol from N138.62 to N151.56 by the Nigerian government, has been eliciting reactions from across boards.

Recall the country’s Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), said the new product price adjustment will take effect from September 2, 2020. It however did not state the Expected Open Market Price of the commodity.

Nigeria’s economy which has been heavily battered by the outbreak of the coronavirus prompting months-long lockdown, has seen inflation nearing 13% and unemployment rate at 23%.

Amnesty International has called for an end to the incessant attack on the media and journalists in Nigeria.

The human rights organisation made the call while condemning the verbal attack on a Daily Trust reporter, Eyo Charles, in Calabar,  South-south Nigeria by a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode.

A statement released on Amnesty International called for the pattern of attacks on media and Journalists seeking accountability on behalf of the people must end.

A military coup on Tuesday led to the resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita after several months of protests by Malians over his government.

The Centre for Democracy and Development CDD, in a statement by its Director, Idayat Hassan, noted that the respect for the rights of all detained officials, including President Ibrahim Boubacar Kéita, is a non-negotiable pathway to resolve the political situation in Mali.

Former Nigerian President and special envoy of ECOWAS, Goodluck Jonathan is in Mali for the second time in continuation of efforts to resolving the socio-political crisis that has rocked the landlocked country.

The former Nigerian President attended the swearing-in of the new members of the Constitutional Court and met various actors in the crisis that the country is going through.

Liken to the case of The Gambia, where former President Yahyah Jammeh's refusal to quit, saw the ECOWAS force step in...this may be the last chance for stakeholders in Mali to resolve the long-standing political impasse.

Former Nigerian President and special envoy of ECOWAS, Goodluck Jonathan is in Mali for the second time in continuation of efforts to resolving the socio-political crisis that has rocked the landlocked country.

The former Nigerian President attended the swearing-in of the new members of the Constitutional Court and met various actors in the crisis that the country is going through.

Liken to the case of The Gambia, where former President Yahyah Jammeh's refusal to quit, saw the ECOWAS force step in...this may be the last chance for stakeholders in Mali to resolve the long-standing political impasse. 

One of Africa’s largest supermarket chains, Shoprite, has begun a formal process to exit Nigeria.

In a trading update published on Monday, the South African-based company said the decision was made after “approaches from various potential investors, and in line with its re-evaluation of the Group’s operating model in Nigeria.”

The company said when it reports its results for the year, its business in Nigeria “may be classified as a discontinued operation.”

The company’s Nigerian business posted a -6.3% decline in sales for the year ending June 2020, according to its Monday update.

Recently, a viral video of a group of doctors in the United States of America, where  Dr. Stella Immanuel, is at the centre of a controversy over unproven and potentially dangerous claims that an anti-malaria drug can treat Covid-19.

However, The Guild of Medical Directors is a body of owners of private hospitals in Nigeria and collectively responsible for the management of about 70% of the healthcare needs of Nigerians, explained why they felt Dr. Stella's claims were dangerous and unproven.

The crisis in Mali seems unending as Leaders of the June 5 movement say they will not negotiate with the government of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

The opposition coalition has reaffirmed its commitment to removing President Keita and his regime.

However, the Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) appointed former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan as an envoy to try and resolve the crisis that has rocked the country since last year.

Will there be a resolve like other political crises across Africa? Will Ibrahim Boubarkar Keita take an easy bow?  Ghana-based International relations expert, MichaelNketsiah takes a look at the crisis.

THE findings of the over 200 scientists that the coronavirus could be airborne have generated lots of reactions from the scientific quarters. What then will be the case if the virus could travel longer in the air? Does that mean the human to human transmission goes beyond just droplets?

South Africa took some of the most drastic measures in the world to curtail the spread of the novel coronavirus, but one has generated fierce debate like no other: a ban on the sale, and even transport, of alcohol.

However, drinkers say their rights are being impinged on and bottle shop owners and liquor companies that are going broke. On the other: a public health system that is unburdened by thousands of monthly hospitalizations resulting from accidents and violence attributed to drunkenness.

I spoke with South Africans on why this craze for alcohol.

The political scenario in Ghana is heating up as the country prepares for its general elections come December 2020.

The contenders? Incumbent President Nana Akufo-Ado has been in power since January 7 2017. A former Attorney General and Minister of foreign affairs under John Kufour led administration. His ruling party New Patriotic Party nominated him for re-election.

Ghana-based political analyst, Richard Akuoko tells it all!

The Dubai Police Force, United Arab Emirates (UAE) released details of the alleged fraud committed by, Raymond Igbalode better known as Hushpuppi.

The security agency said they have been tracking Hushpuppi and his gang for about four months. THE arrest was dubbed “Fox Hunt 2.”

The outbreak of the global pandemic has left holes in the pockets of many, including Nigerian celebrities.

With a desperate move made recently by a Nigerian artiste, breaking government Covid19 laws clearly indicates how critical the situation could be.

Eighty-seven Sierra Leonean women, plus two fellow nationals suspected of being the ringleaders, were arrested in Dakar after a nearly three-week undercover operation.

The women had arrived in Senegal by road via Guinea, a trip of more than 1,300 kilometres (800 miles), and had paid the traffickers between 350,000 and 400,000 CFA francs ($600-700 / 525 to 600 euros) each.

The gang planned to send them in smaller groups to clients in the Middle East with the help of local contacts.

In this episode, media entrepreneur Gloria Orji-Emodi (@FabulosGloria) speaks about the loss and gains of the COVID 19 pandemic as well as how Nigerian celebrities are struggling to stay afloat. 

For the past 20 years the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has been battling the introduction of a single currency for the subregion known as ECO.

However, pre-colonial masters like France have been interfering knowing that once the likes of Senegal, Ivory Coast and other francophone countries adopt the eco, this may affect the long hold and influence on these countries.

To this end, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has cautioned his counterparts in the West African region against possible dangers brought by the regional common currency, Eco.

Will this decision truly deviate from the Community Act on consistent attainment of convergence and what is responsible for the French ministers approving a bill to reform the CFA Franc?

The rate of depression among Africans is growing by the day, with a double in increase following the outbreak of the covid19 global pandemic, heralding preventative measures like economic shutdown, restriction of movement and social gatherings.

Depression according to health experts oftentimes lead to suicide.

As the covid19 pandemic sweeps through the globe, there are fears that the African continent may be left behind in the post covid era. The reasons are not far fetched, extreme poverty, under-development, poor monetary and fiscal structures and unstable democracies.

What does the future hold for the African continent as it embraces the new reality?

Here is Dr. Cosmas Anyakudo, he’s with the Centre for Commercial Law and Financial Regulations, University of Reading in the UK.

Following the demolition of a building purportedly owned by the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana on the 19th of June, we decided to find out the true story behind the demolition.