Leading African political and economic analysts have continued to propound various theories on ways of entrenching peace and social justice in troubled parts of the continent. In country after country, ethnic or religious groups and civil society organizations rise against the regional or central authorities claiming marginalization or total exclusion from the scheme of things. Sometimes, the authorities would show concern and appoint panels to look into such claims. In this first edition of News in Africa Online for the month of October 2017, we have considered the concept of peace and social justice weighty enough to throw our searchlight on it. See our political analysis on Echoes on Peace and Social Justice.
The first day of the month of October is the birthday of the Nigerian nation, Africa’s most populous country. The central government usually deems it right to address the citizens on the state of the nation’s affairs. This year is no exception. Contrary to expectation, the 2017 National Day broadcast by President Muhammadu Buhari, the third in the series, is the longest so far. Observers say the man wanted to convince the people that although he is aging, he is not a spent force, as some critics say. But beyond the rhetoric, the Nigerian leader’s address touched on some salient points trending in the polity. We deemed it fit to bring you the entire speech here.
The economy of any nation or regional group is as good as the component parts make of it. But the people have to have trust in the leading tool of trade, in this case, the currency in circulation. In all fairness, the majority of French-speaking people of West Africa used to show respect to their common currency, the CFA. However, as the wind of introspection blows stronger across the sub-region, questions about the essence, fitness and originality of the CFA begin to spring up. We have a fine report on this matter.
In Seychelles, something that ordinarily should pass for common caught the attention of our stringer. In the spirit of recycling waste products, technology has given vent to the slogan – from grass to grace. Seaweed can be transformed to fertilizer, to the delight of millions of farmers in Africa.
Ngugi Wa Thiongo is a house-hold name for African families that boast of having children who went to school. The renowned professor of Literature in English is in the race for the award of the 2017 Nobel Prize for Literature. It is likely that even as we are publishing this on our website, his name would have reverberated around the globe as the winner. But do not worry. Ngugi has won many awards and is still counting.His latest prize is the South Korean Literature Festival. Browse through our report here.
As usual, we have plenty of must-read reports on Politics, Media, Aviation, Business, Diaspora Matters, Food/Agriculture, Entertainment and Sports. Feel at home and let us hear from you.
Pat I. Chukwuelue
Editor-in-Chief
