The times are certainly exciting. There are millions of worthwhile things – events and issues concerning Africa and the world – any serious tabloid or website can talk about. The week about to end opened with heavy stuff on the world stage. There have been national and international skirmishes at various fronts, missile launching or tests, presentation of important awards, meetings and summits. But above all, there was also the opening of the annual global ritual – the UN General Assembly, the talk shop where world leaders converge every September to appoint accusing fingers at their perceived enemies.
However, this time around, some national leaders did not just take the UN General Assembly podium to rave and rant. They swore and threatened to rain down fire and brimstone if their perceived adversaries would not behave according to their specifications. Some leaders actually went to New York to while away the time and as some busy technocrats would say, catch up on sleep, even as they pretended to be listening to the speeches. For some Heads of State, the General Assembly afforded them the chance to be at the foremost global stage and at least show the naysayers who question their stamina and health conditions that they are very much alive. But whatever one likes to think, the UN General Assembly is a real talk-shop because if guys like North Korea’s Kim had been there, it would reduced the number of days and hours he would have spent manufacturing and testing more ballistic missiles.We have reports on some of the vital speeches made at the UN session.
We are particularly glad that our philosophy of reporting Africa from authentic African perspectives received a major boost this week. No less a news authority and leader in news reportage than the BBC itself spotted the essence of this stance when it chose a female Nigerian journalist operating in a remote area in the North of the country for its highly coveted award. The BBC cited her ability to tell captivating stories about Africa from purely the vantage position of someone who resides in, operates in and understands the continent thoroughly. We agree completely that stars can be made from this phenomenon. We have the report. This emboldens us to remain on our chosen track.
As usual, we have reports on various sectors including Politics, Health, Education, Environment, Business, Economy, Development, Entertainment and Sports. For obvious reasons, our Sporting news deals mostly on the road to the 2018 World Cup as it concerns African countries. The preparations and the hype are very much exciting. But already certain hopes have been dashed. We have a situation update on African teams. Our three-stanza report on the sporting arena is meant to fill the blanks in your mind before the contest re-opens in the first week of next month.
Happy browsing.
Pat I. Chukwuelue
Editor-in-Chief
