Politics and economics are intertwined in certain ways. While politics is about who gets what, where and when, economics is about sharing the resources that may or may not be readily available. We are not speaking in parable. We have two reports under Economy column. Both have to do with Nigeria. While the country’s leader flew up north last week, the Number Two Man traveled down south to Ogun state. The two men were pursuing the same thing – supporting the establishment of industries to provide jobs for the country’s teeming youths. Be sure to follow the reports.
Opposition politicians will always make a good study. In Nigeria, the political party, PDP, which lost power at the center after 16 years on the saddle, has spent the last two years whining and complaining about everything. In the process, it lost verve and groove and was virtually disintegrating. But another election in 2019 is advancing. The party has picked itself up and elected new leadership. We have a fair analysis of what transpired at the PDP Convention in Abuja. It is a must-read.
May be, NASA – the main opposition party in Kenya, wants to borrow a leaf from the PDP. NASA leader, Raila Odinga badly wants to attain presidential power but each election year, he falls short. He had planned to get his supporters to inaugurate him as president this week. Now, he has made a U-turn although the last may not have been heard from him.
And talking about presidential elections, Liberia seems to have come back on track. When people were awaiting the clinical finish in the run-off between the ex-soccer star, George Weah, and Vice-President Joseph Boakai, one bad loser threw a spanner to the works by talking about re-run of the contest, thereby derailing the electoral train. But the Supreme Court has quashed the thought of a re-run. Liberians will vote in a run-off at a date to be announced soon. Browse through our report.
Many Africans are excited about the idea of knocking out visa requirements for travel within the continent. Kenya has upped the ante with its plan to begin issuing visas to bona-fide Africans at the points of entry. When President Kenyatta muted the idea last month, observers said he was politicking. Now, the Foreign Ministry is set to actualize it. Four or five African nations have already embraced the policy which will certainly promote tourism and integration in the continent.
If Diplomacy were to be a book, it would have been written in Africa. Yes, one of the continent’s best known diplomats, Kofi Annan, understands all the nitty-gritty about diplomacy and international relations. We will leave the issue at that and ask you to browse our Personality Profile corner for this week.
Cuban medical practitioners may be fine professionals. Nobody will take anything away from their competence and prowess. But Ugandans do not want them to be imported into their country as an official policy. You will understand why when you browse through our report.
Morocco does not respond to just any issue in international affairs. The anti-climax from President Donald Trump on the status of Jerusalem is like a bombshell. Many Arabs have dubbed it a slap on the face of Islam. Morocco has formulated its thought properly on the issue. See the royal statement from Rabat.
The late Nigerian ace music maestro, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, continues to pull crowds even in death. Our Entertainment corner is well painted with stuff from Fela’s folks. Explore it. We have all these and more in our one-stop shop. Enjoy!
Pat I. Chukwuelue
Editor-in-Chief
