The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Africa

  • Bridging funding gap to Africa’s female founders

    Bridging funding gap to Africa’s female founders

    Worried by the existing yawning gap in funding to female tech founders, Africa Female Founders Collective (AFFC), at the weekend, launched its operations to create more opportunities for female founders or female-led businesses in the entrepreneurial landscape to receive adequate funding in the African ecosystem.

    Founded by Ibijoke Faborode, Founder and CEO of ElectHer, AFFC not only views the role of women in the business space as critical, but it also sees women in leadership as vital to a thriving economy and society. However, limited access to funding, among other factors, ensured that women in business do not fully showcase their potential.

    Funding to female founders still needs to be more significant compared to what male founders attract every year.

    A data insight firm, Africa: The Big Deal, noted in its report that startups with a solo male founder or an all-male founding team continued to attract 85 per cent of all funding. When gender-diverse founding teams are taken into account, 98 per cent of all funding was raised by a solo male founder or a founding team with at least a man.

    There are different reasons given for the gap in funding. Founder of Caring Africa, Blessing Adesiyan, who collaborated with Ibijoke for a ‘Night With Nigerian Female Founders’ which also doubled as AFFC’s first outing, said although more women are in the market space, they lag when it comes to showing up where investors can find them. This is because of the realities of many women’s primary role as caregivers. Hence, while the men are seen as providers, the women have to stay back and take care of the home and other obligations.

    She believes that for women to take their rightful place in the business space, the issue of caring needed to be addressed. “Women should have support at home, which gives time to pursue their goals and objectives,” Adesiyan said.

    Ibijoke said female founders stood a better chance with investors when they are part of a collective. It is in the collective that they find support, mentorship and other women who keep them accountable and inspire them to achieve more.

    Women-led businesses that are succeeding possess some attributes. Founder, Moobi Baby, Omotade Alalade, said two of those attributes are structure and the ability to keep numbers, which are critical when pitching to investors or meeting debt finance institutions for funding. Most female founders do not keep their business properly. Alalade said it is not just important to keep records and know the numbers; record keeping must start from the first day the business started.

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    Managing Director, CrossBoundry Advisory, Efe Braimah identified other attributes of successful female founders to include being intentional about showing up in the same rooms as investors to build both trust and likeability, showing competence and selecting a strong team.

    “Your structure is critical and if your numbers line up, investors will like you,” Braimah said.

    Senior Vice President, Business Development, FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited, Jumoke Olaniyan, highlighted the multiple funding sources available including the financial market where founders could access different levels of funding that aligned with their growth needs.

    “Investors are looking for new opportunities and where to put money,” Olaniyan said.

  • Nigeria ranks fourth in Africa’s defence budgets for 2024

    Nigeria ranks fourth in Africa’s defence budgets for 2024

    GlobalFirepower has released the list of defence spending budgets across 145 countries in the world.

    In Africa, Algeria has the highest defence budget rankings for 2024, holding the 22nd position globally.

    Morocco and Egypt closely follow, securing the 29th and 35th positions on the global scale.

    Nigeria occupies the 56th position in the world and 4th in Africa.

    The United States, China, Russia and India, unsurprisingly, have the largest militaries.

    The United States has the highest military spending of any nation.

    The US military spending includes all of the Department of Defense’s regular activities, war spending, the nuclear weapon program, international military assistance, and other Pentagon-related spending.

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    Global Firepower is an annually-updated, statistics-based website tracking defense-related information of 145 nations, which tracks the annual defence spending budgets of each participant in the GFP.

    This includes funds allocated by governments to cover various aspects of a standing fighting force namely procurement, maintenance/support, and pensions. 

    Here is a list of Africa’s defence budgets 2024

    1. Algeria ($21.6 billion)

    2. Morocco ($12B)

    3. Egypt ($9.4B)

    4. Nigeria ($4B)

    5. Libya ($3.4B)

    6. South Africa  ($2.7B)

    7. Kenya ($2.2B)

    8. Tanzania ($1.9B)

    9. Botswana ($1.64B)

    10. Angola ($1.62B)

  • Foreign ministers seek quality education in Africa

    Foreign ministers seek quality education in Africa

    THE 44th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU) began yesterday  at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital.

    The session began with a call for increased efforts to ensure continental stability and quality education in Africa.

     The two-day meeting, comprising foreign ministers from AU member states, is being held under the AU’s theme of the year for 2024: “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa.”

    Addressing the executive council meeting, the Chairperson of the AU Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat underscored the need to exert concerted efforts towards ensuring continental peace and security.

     He added that socio-economic development and sustainable financing of the AU will also strengthening the global multilateral system.

    Recalling the positive achievements and gaps marked in the first-decade implementation of the AU’s 50-year continental development blueprint, Agenda 2063.

    Faki underscored the need to exert collective efforts towards realising the major aspirations of the AU as the pan-African bloc embarked on the second decade of its continental blueprint.

     “The resurgence of military coups, pre- and post-electoral violence, and humanitarian crises linked to war and the effects of climate change are all very serious sources of concern for us.

     “They seriously threaten to obliterate the signs of the emergence of Africa, of which we are proud,“ Faki told the African foreign ministers.

     Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs Taye Atske Selassie said the AU theme of the year “resonates deeply with the expectation of people across our continent for progress and development.”

     He stressed the urgent need to build a resilient education system in Africa towards availing increased access to education and promoting quality inclusive education.

     Selassie further underscored the importance of AU’s participation in G20 as well as Ethiopia’s recent membership into the BRICS mechanism to advance Africa’s position on the global stage.

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    Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) noted the crucial impetus to enhance investment in education, promote Africa’s global competitiveness in education.

    He said that creating a competitive education system with emphasis on digital transformation and innovation, as well as boosting science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics in Africa in line with the job market.

    “Education is a basic human right and a key enabler for achieving our collective socioeconomic objectives. When we fail to provide accessible and inclusive education, we deny people this right,” he said.

    Dhoihir Dhoulkamal, minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Comoros and the chairperson of the AU Executive Council for 2023, called for strengthening continental socioeconomic integration, and togetherness against terrorism and extremism.

    Noting that the current global uncertainties and their impact on Africa, Dhoulkamal called for promoting Africa’s unity in responding to global uncertainties and towards creating continental resilience against the adverse effects of climate change.

    The AU Executive Council meeting will be followed by the 37th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of the Heads of State and Government, which is slated to be held from Feb. 17 to 18.

  • • Oil, gas reserves represent over 30% of Africa’s capacity

    • Oil, gas reserves represent over 30% of Africa’s capacity

    Nigeria’s oil and gas reserves, estimated at base of 36.97 billion barrels of oil (BBO) and 208.83 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of gas accounts for 30 percent and 34 percent respectively out of the 125 billion barrels of oil and 620 TCF of natural gas reserves as well as other natural resource potentials in the African oil and gas reserves.

    This figure not only positions the country as a gas rich nation, but also places her as the leader on the African continent in reserves. But notwithstanding this, maximising the position to an advantage has not been optimal, thus depriving the country of getting full value in terms of revenue from the commodities.

    Hope of a turnaround in fortune for the sector however came to light yesterday as the The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) said it is taking strategic measures to address some challenges confronting the country’s petroleum industry in order to boost production and meet the potentials of the country’s production capacity.

    The NUPRC’s Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe, an engineer, while presenting a keynote address in Lagos at the 8th Annual Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) annual Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC) with the theme: “The Next Steps: Accelerating African Content,” said that although the actual national production currently averaged 1.33 million barrels of oil per day and 256,000 barrels of condensate per day, the national technical production potential currently stood at 2.26 mbpd and the current OPEC quota of 1.5 mbpd, yet, there are greater prospects for the industry once the challenges are surmounted.

    He listed the steps being taken to overcome the hiccups to include improved transparency in hydrocarbon measurement and accounting; collaborative work programme administration with the Exploration and Production (E & P) companies and acceleration of field developments (FDPs) through timely approvals and ensuring speedy execution.

    Others, he listed to include production optimisation by ensuring wells are tested periodically and produced at optimal rates; identifying candidate wells for workover and interventions and adoption of enhanced oil recovery processes and technologies, among others.

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    Africa, he emphasised, is richly endowed with resources, but there is an urgent need for stakeholders in the sector to re-examine their strategies and respond through deliberate policies and programmes that suit the regional circumstances given the evolving global energy landscape.

    Aside from hydrocarbon resources, Nigeria, the CCE maintained, is blessed with potentials for green and blue hydrogen, solar, wind, biomass and critical minerals for development of clean energy technologies as well as growing population predominated by young people. For instance, Nigeria, with a coastline along the Gulf of Guinea, market size of more than 200 million people projected to reach between 390 million and 440 million people in 2050, represents hope for Africa.

    “Interestingly, about 70 percent of the Nigerian population are under 30, and 42 percent are under the age of 15, representing a huge economic asset. Indeed, Nigeria’s potentials are derived from its human, natural and material resources which must be mobilised to propel her on a path of economic growth and development and for her sustainable energy future,” he said.

    The NUPRC boss therefore urged the African Petroleum Regulatory Agencies to come together to discuss their common challenges with a view to achieving common objectives.

    He said that there was need to establish the African Petroleum Regulatory Forum (AFRIPERF) to work collaboratively in shaping the regulatory landscape of the continent as well as have a unified voice for stronger and more influential representation on the global stage.

    The Chairman, PETAN, Nicholas Odinuwe noted that the theme signified collective determination to propel African content to new heights, break barriers, and creating opportunities for the talented content creators.

    “We firmly believe that the time has come for Africa to take center stage, to showcase its rich cultural heritage, and to tell its stories to the world,” he added.

  • Africa’s descent to fiercer neo-colonialism

    Africa’s descent to fiercer neo-colonialism

    • By Oluwole Ogundele

    It is time to begin the exercise of re-shaping the envisioning of Africa within the confines of our interdependent world defined by greed and all kinds of oppression. Africa, given its huge natural resources, has always been a rape victim. It all started by Europe in the mid-15th century. Other parts of the world like the US, Japan, and China later joined in cheaply harvesting Africa’s commonwealth. The fierce economic exploitation and mental subjugation of Africans are now subtly christened, modern globalisation.

    Indeed, we cannot forget in a hurry, the critical role Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana played between 1952 and 1966 (both as Prime Minister and President). A non-violent, Marxist political scientist, and uncommon politician of the upper crust essence, Nkrumah was one of the most charismatic leaders ever produced by mother Africa.

    He and a few leaders struggled to engineer a new Africa, based on modern science and technology critically enshrined in the continent’s rich indigenous epistemologies and/or knowledge systems. Nkrumah believed that such a step would pave the way for socio-economic and political development on a sustainable scale. He knew that sustainable economic development in post-colonial Africa would remain a wild goose chase, without returning (in a creative manner), to the ontology of African values and pan-Africanism. By this token, Nkrumah appreciated the fact, that political independence was/is not necessarily synonymous with economic freedom and by extension, progress. This phenomenal pan-Africanist of Akan extraction saw what his colleagues did not see. Succinctly put, Kwame Nkrumah knew that neo-colonialism was real. The Organisation of African Unity (OAU) founded in May 1963 at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia was principally Kwame’s political baby.  This continental body was later changed to African Union (AU) on July 9, 2002, under the direction of Thabo Mbeki of South Africa.

    If truth be told, this metamorphosis was a mere cosmetic exercise. African leaders, generally speaking, lack the capacity to network or cooperate. There is no will power to protect Africa and its citizens from the turbulent waves of the ocean of modern globalisation.  Consequently, the expanded concept of the Berlin Conference (1884 to 1885) continues to dominate global politics. From 14 European countries and the US in the beginning, to Japan and China among other Asian geo-polities today, Africa remains a mere farm land. In other words, the West and Asia are busy establishing a much stronger imperial presence in Africa-a conquered continent in several senses. The future of Africa is bleak except the leaders and the led, wake up from their unwarranted slumber. No foreign aid is value-free. Indeed, foreign aid is bait to steal Africa’s dignity and return the continent to full-scale colonialism/imperialism.  It is a method of under-developing Africa despite its abundant material resources.

    Unfortunately, most African political leaders are too greedy and materialistic to worry about the devastating effects of the imminent, large-scale global imperialism. They do not care a hoot about sustainable economic development, tied to the apron strings of collectivisation and/or mechanisation of agriculture. Most (if not all) African countries are still practising raw material economies, at the expense of local industrialisation. We are mere suppliers of raw materials to Europe, the US, China, and Japan among others. Nigeria is very notorious in this regard. African leaders are satisfied as figureheads in such Bretton Woods Institutions as the IMF and World Bank. Africans have no voice, largely because of their negligible numbers and a gross lack of patriotism. The concept of global economic integration is a ruse in a myriad of ways.

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    African leaders (with a few exceptions) see official foreign trips as leisure opportunities with their girlfriends and cronies. The poisonous policies being forced down their throats by the above global bodies do not matter to them (African leaders). They are busy feeding fat on the wealth of their countries. As far as they are concerned, the ordinary peoples of Africa can go to hell. This scenario is most disheartening!

    The mind-set of the AU leadership is not different from that of their predecessors who poorly managed the OAU. The bottom-line is that Africa has failed to grow up, after several decades of independence (albeit on paper).  No individual African country can successfully confront the monster-imperialism/neo-colonialism.

    It is against this background, that the discourse on the recent exit of Niger, Mali, and Burkina-Faso from ECOWAS (a sub-regional body founded in 1975 with 15 member countries), gains its importance. Without mincing words, ECOWAS should not begin to shrink. We need a much stronger sub-regional body now than hitherto. ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary comes up in 2025, while we are experiencing a thoroughly divided super family. This is a minus for the entirety of Africa. It is on record, that West Africa has more than 350 million people and a GDP of $720 billion. This landscape is a huge market, with several age-long socio-cultural affiliations or inter-connections especially between Nigeria and Niger. Even the struggle to crush the menace of Boko Haram insurgency and banditry may suffer a major set-back.

    The age-old equilibrium is being disturbed, due largely to monumental/insane corruption among African leaders. The peoples of West Africa and Africa as a whole are experiencing serious economic hardships, leading to the emergence of military coups. The issue of poor governance should not be glossed over by the AU and ECOWAS leadership, if we truly need sustainable peace and progress in the continent. They have to enlarge and enrich the box of their legal operations, in order to enable them to curb some of the excesses of their colleagues across the land.  Anything outside that amounts to gross hypocrisy and self-preservation -a reflection of callous/bad leadership.  African leaders should try to rise above economic/financial corruption, ethnic/religious bigotry, and cronyism. These aberrations are an open invitation to political instability and conflicts.  West African leaders must pay sufficient attention to the all-important issues of security and welfare. Imposing sanctions on member states whenever there are coup attempts, is not a solution to the myriad of challenges confronting the sub-region. There will be no sustainable peace in the face of injustice especially on a monumental scale. The scramble for Africa will continue unabated, so long as the leaders do not embrace the philosophy of pan-Africanism and unalloyed patriotism.

    This is the time to begin to strengthen the morphology and content of the grammar of African politics, within the broader context of modern globalisation. Our oppressors and economic exploiters are happy that unity remains a mirage in Africa. Again, the divide-and-rule game will continue except African leaders are able to liberate themselves, from the shackles of insane materialism and a gross lack of the spirit of “otherness”. If truth be told, the West African landscape has lost its roof by the exit of the above three countries. It means that both sides of the divide will have a more debilitating/crippling disease to grapple with, in the long run. Certainly, rain will soon start beating Africa harder than hitherto, except the leadership of the troubled sub-regional body, is able to quickly bury its pride and adopt much more sophisticated diplomatic measures.

    • Prof Ogundele is of Dept. of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Ibadan.
  • ‘Absence of good governance hurts Africa’s growth’

    ‘Absence of good governance hurts Africa’s growth’

    Founder of SPPG School and Chair of FixPolitics, Oby Ezekwesili, has linked under-development in Africa to absence of good governance and quality political leadership.

    She spoke at the inaugural Fix Politics Movement’s virtual conference.

    Speaking on: “Power, Performance and Legitimacy: Renewing Global Democratic Momentum,” she said the central thesis of Fix Politics research is that absence of good governance is an obstacle to Nigeria’s development.

    “The failure of the country’s variant of Politics and Public Leadership subverts public good and places their personal and narrow interest above the wellbeing of citizens,” Ezekwesili told participants.

    “In light of the above, whether it is 2020 or 2060, nothing about Nigeria can change without a transformation of its politics

    ‘‘Our democracy is coming out of deficit as African politicians have not delivered on the contract between them and the people,” she said.

    Explaining how nations grow, Ezekwesili said the Trinity of Growth and Development showed Nigerians and Africa need politics that lead to good governance.

    She said sound policies, strong institutions and efficient priority of investment in public goods and services are crucial for private sector emergence and growth.

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    On the way out, she said we should raise the influence of the electorate and make votes of the low class expensive.

    This will happen by raising productivity, improving political literacy and welfare.

    For middle class voters, she said data and evidence should be used to highlight the cost of indifference to them.

    She said that contents for such campaign should be delivered to diverse social networks through technology.

    Ezekwesili called for establishment of unconventional school of politics policy and governance with valued-base politicians on a large scale.

    She said there was need for Nigerians trained on customized curriculum on ethical politics, policy and governance to offer dominant political culture that subordinates personal interests.

    She advocated the need to mobilise Nigerians to demand a new constitution, political, electoral and economic restructuring of the country.

  • Oborodudu secures Africa Games slot

    Oborodudu secures Africa Games slot

    Japan 2020 Olympic silver medalist Blessing Oborodudu booked a slot in next month’s Africa Games in Accra, Ghana.

    Blessing wasted no time dispatching her 68kg opponent Tokere Appah of Bayelsa in a pin fall dominant fashion.

    Ebi Biogos of Bayelsa and Hannah Reuben of the Nigerian Army also came out victorious in the 72kg and 76kg respectively.

    In the male freestyle, Soso Tamarau of Delta and Ashton Mutuwa of Plateau caused an upset in the 97kg and 125kg. 

    The new American-based sensation Ashton Mutuwa upset National champion Progress Benson of Rivers to secure the African Games qualification and Olympic Qualifiers.

    Similarly, Harrison Isrsal of Bayelsa dented the hopes of Jackson Oluwafemi of Ondo who is a national champion in the 86kg.

    Earlier, in the 65kg Stephen Simon of Bayelsa defeated former national champion Amas Daniel of Bayelsa while Braveman Pere in the 74kg secured qualification to the Games in Accra,  Ghana.

    In the 57kg Enozumini Simon of Edo joined the winning parade by cementing his slot at the African Games.

    An elated president of the Wrestling Federation,  Dr. Daniel Igali who spoke to journalists at the end of the National trials in Yenagoa, applauded the efforts of all the wrestlers for their doggedness and zeal to win.

    Igali who showered praises on the Technical and officials  for hosting a successful event said that despite what he saw, there is still much room for improvement.

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    He singled out once again adequate preparation for the nation’s athletes going for the African Games.

    In a concluding remarks, Igali expressed the Wrestling Federation’s deep appreciation to the government of Bayelsa State for the warmth reception and hosting of the National Trials. 

    “I want to thank the Bayelsa State Government for the support to host this trials for the African Games and Olympic Qualifiers, having said that, I think it was a well contested tournament

    “There were a couple of young athletes I saw here that got me very excited, every weight class was well contested for that gives me a lot of joy

    “However, our performance would be determined by how we prepare because I don’t think our athletes are prepared well enough to start thinking of gold so we need to start camping immediately.” Igali stated.

    Meanwhile, the African Games is scheduled in the capital city of Accra, Ghana between 8th and 24th March 2024 while the first Olympic Qualifiers for the year runs between  12th  and  20th March in  Alexander, Egypt.

  • South Africa’s move to reshape global peace

    South Africa’s move to reshape global peace

    • By Samuel Akpobome Orovwuje

    “Whatever is currently happening to humanity, it is happening to all of us. No matter how hidden the cruelty, no matter how far off the screams of pain and terror, we live in one world.” – Alice Walker

    The world is currently facing a multitude of crises particularly the increased fragility and dysfunction in the international system and lately the geopolitical instability and conflict between Israel and Palestine.

    The pivotal of works of Hans Morgenthau’s Politics Among Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace (Morgenthau 1956) and Hedley Bull’s The Anarchical Society: A Study of Order in World Politics (Bull 2012) brings to question  the state-centric and anarchic nature of international politics and the growing moral concerns about the role of the United Nations in international peace and security and the broader issues of  the United State of America’s double standard in  the crisis between Israel and Palestine and their preparedness in instigating proxy wars in the Middle East.

    The Palestinian – Israeli question is a moving and deadly monster poised to threaten the peaceful coexistence of the world. As a long as America and other superpowers continue to deny the existence of native Palestinians in Gaza, the violence will fester and the current ineffective security arrangements will elude the world.

    The superpowers and their allies’ parochial interest and narrow agenda will continue to jeopardize global peace and security. This is even as they lie to the rest of the world about their democratic credentials of promoting peaceful coexistence and the common good. Furthermore, America’s rogue interventions and hypocrisy if not checked by other powers like South Africa through legal means, will eventually sink both belligerent  parties. Nations must tap into the unfluctuating button of no victor, no vanquished philosophy and rapprochement in dealing with vengeance on the people of Palestine.

    International power brokers must rethink their resolve to protect the interest of the international community. Mere political brinkmanship is no longer currency in the pursuit of international diplomacy and struggle for power. World leaders irrespective of their political persuasions should rethink the strategy for global peace and security. Israel must review her tragic sense of entitlement, which hinders the two-state solution.  On the other hand, Hamas/ Palestine must checkmate their aggressive tendencies in pursuit of their political interest in Gaza. 

    Interestingly, the South African government under the leadership of Cyril Ramaphosa has shown authentic leadership in international relations. It is no longer news that the South African government instituted a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against the Israeli Government. They reasoned the Israeli government’s continued attack on Gaza amount to genocide.  The full determination of the case remains to be seen in the nearest future.

    Pointedly, the 1948 United Nations Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and article 6 of  the 1998 Rome statute of the  International Criminal Court  defines genocide  as acts committed with intent to destroy, either in part or in whole, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, including: killing members of the group, causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group, deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about a groups physical destruction, in whole or in part, imposing measures to prevent births and forcibly transferring children.

    Sadly, the UN and its legal institutions over the years is not respectful of international law, international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Therefore, the principle of selective morality and double-standard has been a major challenge in the international system. While Israel’s national survival is a moral principle to pursue, nevertheless, ethical and moral judgment of the political leaders on both sides of the divide must understand the political consequences of their actions within the framework of international humanitarian law and international criminal law respectively.

     Going forward, the challenge of the ICJ ruling would be on how to enforce it and the respectability of court judgement. A case in point is that of Nicaragua vs the United States in 1986 where the USA would not respect the decision of the court. With the benefit of hindsight, Israel and its most powerful supporters would dispute and ultimately ignore the final decisions of the court. That will be in the realm of grave infractions against human rights and due process in international relations.

     Particularly worrying is the human pain suffered by children and the elderly in Gaza and other threats that prowl on the horizon, such as the possibility of further escalation of terrorism, profound humanitarian breaches and health emergencies due to lack of access to civilian population in need and the humanitarian dilemma therein.

    The horrifying scenes smack of irresponsibility on the part of the West often mouthing human rights and democracy. Besides the humanitarian concerns, the United Nations and other western powers’ inability to broker a definite cease-fire and pronouncing a two-state solution over the years remain problematic in international conflict resolution mechanisms. 

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    Furthermore, the lack of political will to resolve this age-long war puts a scar on the United Nations, and the USA in particular.  The Israel – Palestine war will continue to divide the world and fuel global terrorism if not checked. Therefore, world leaders should adopt a restraint – based policy regime that reverses the slide toward the current crisis and long-drawn-out conflict.

    All efforts must be rooted in international human rights, international humanitarian law and above all, international criminal law. Political commitment and efforts on both sides to build a cooperative muscle to put behind the historical past with a view to having peaceful trajectory to a two- state solution would be a sweet -smelling savor in reshaping peace and security.

    While there are sceptics on both sides, it is the responsibility of   both leaders to demonstrate to their people that peaceful and inclusive coexistence is possible within the framework of international law and they must come to terms that the west is exploiting them to sustain their war industry. The United Nations and the global north must depoliticize diplomacy and sustain strategic channels of communication and make them regular features of crisis management framework in Gaza and elsewhere in the world.

    The commitment necessary for conflict resolution by the United Nation Security Council with no clear- cut resolution mechanisms for ceasefire and the political will to bring forth the two-state solution is provokingly worrisome.

    One of the challenges of our time is the question of selective international morality and double standard by the established institutions of western liberal democracies. The culture of cruelty and savage capitalism is gradually pulling the world apart particularly the acts of violence against minorities across the globe.

    All things considered, clear people-to-people channels of communication should be explored to address the misinformation, disinformation and misunderstanding of the conflict between Palestine- Israeli actors.  Small to medium powers should support the cause of South Africa. The world has seen enough of selective morality and double standard. Therefore, the world needs to build a community of inclusive coexistence through the promotion of global peace recovery and solidarity. 

    •Orovwuje, founder Humanitarian Care for Displaced Persons, writes from Lagos.

  • Call for African unity and identity reconstruction

    Call for African unity and identity reconstruction

    Sir: Gideon Adeyemi’s revolutionary journey across various African states, advocating for the dismantling of colonial boundaries, serves as a powerful inspiration. Africa’s separation originates from the Berlin Conference, where European powers convened to arbitrarily partition the continent. This colonial endeavour disrupted the natural evolution of states in Africa, imposing artificial boundaries that disregarded ethnic, cultural, and historical affinities among various communities. The consequences of this division continue to reverberate across the continent.

    Colonial boundaries have significantly impeded trade in Africa. The expansionist agenda of colonialists forced ethnic groups with shared historical and cultural ties to be divided along these partitions. As a result, nations that would have naturally engaged in trade and collaboration found themselves separated, hindering economic development and fostering a sense of fragmentation.

    The damage caused by colonial partitioning extends to social and identity realms. Communities with shared historical origins now find themselves constrained within different national identities. During the post-independence era, African countries faced challenges in integrating regions with similar historical backgrounds, leading to confusion and conflicts over cultural and historical affiliations.

    Colonial borders have been a source of territorial conflicts in Africa. Examples such as the Bakassi-Peninsula border conflict between Nigeria and Cameroon, the South Sudan-Uganda conflict, and the Somalia-Ethiopia territorial disputes illustrate the deep-seated issues arising from arbitrary boundary demarcations. These conflicts often lead to humanitarian crises and hinder collective progress.

    The political landscape in post-colonial Africa was shaped by the merger of diverse ethnic groups with different orientations and cultures. This forced integration has often led to power struggles, internal conflicts, and challenges in nation-building. The institutionalisation of these divisions during colonialism laid the groundwork for post-colonial xenophobia and internal hostility.

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    The roots of xenophobia and internal hostility in post-colonial Africa can be traced back to the institutionalisation of divisions during colonial rule. Communities that once shared commonalities were forced into different national identities, breeding mistrust and animosity. The legacy of these divisions continues to manifest in contemporary society, hindering social cohesion.

    To address the repercussions of colonial partitioning, there is an urgent need for African nations to renegotiate their shattered identities. This involves acknowledging shared historical and cultural ties across borders and fostering a sense of unity and collaboration. Reconstructing a collective African identity requires visionary leaders committed to transcending colonial legacies.

    Unfortunately, some individuals within African societies are more inclined to defend the colonial legacy than to dismantle it. This resistance poses a significant challenge to efforts aimed at renegotiating a unified African identity. Overcoming this resistance requires comprehensive educational initiatives, fostering awareness of the detrimental impacts of colonialism on collective progress.

    In present-day Africa, what is needed most is a complete detachment from colonial exploiters. It is crucial to recognise that colonial boundaries are arbitrary delineations that do not define the true essence of African identity. Visionary leadership is paramount in steering the continent towards unity, economic collaboration, and the reconstruction of a collective identity that transcends artificial colonial divisions.

    Breaking the colonial partitions that continue to hinder Africa’s progress requires a multifaceted approach. Understanding the historical roots, acknowledging the social, economic, and political consequences, and actively working towards renegotiating a unified African identity are essential steps. Visionary leaders must lead the charge in dismantling the remnants of colonialism, fostering a sense of unity, and paving the way for a prosperous and united Africa.

    • Matthew Alugbin, PhD,  Edo State University, Uzairue, Edo State.
  • Of uneven distribution of scarce resources in Africa

    Of uneven distribution of scarce resources in Africa

    Sir: Africa, a land of vibrant cultures, diverse landscapes, and rich resources, has long grappled with the challenge of unevenly distributed scarce resources, posing a significant threat to the continent’s stability and development. Despite its vast wealth in natural resources, including minerals, fertile land, and a burgeoning youthful population, Africa continues to face acute disparities in resource allocation, hindering its progress on multiple fronts.

    A paradox often observed in Africa is the coexistence of immense resource wealth in certain regions juxtaposed with pervasive poverty and underdevelopment in others. The continent hosts an abundance of natural resources, from oil in Nigeria to diamonds in Botswana, yet the benefits of these riches often fail to reach the broader population due to systemic issues like corruption, mismanagement, and skewed economic policies.

    The uneven distribution of resources in Africa has far-reaching consequences on socio-economic development. Access to basic necessities like clean water, healthcare, education, and infrastructure remains a challenge for millions. Rural communities are particularly affected, lacking adequate infrastructure and basic services, while urban centres witness disproportionate growth leading to overcrowding and strained resources.

    Resource scarcity and competition have been catalysts for conflicts across the continent. From conflicts over control of valuable minerals like coltan in the Democratic Republic of Congo to water disputes between countries, uneven resource distribution often fuels tensions, exacerbates existing conflicts, and impedes peace-building efforts.

    Healthcare and education are critical components of human development. However, the uneven allocation of resources leads to disparities in access. Remote regions suffer from inadequate healthcare facilities, leading to higher mortality rates from preventable diseases. Education systems are also affected, with rural areas having fewer schools and limited access to quality education compared to urban counterparts.

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    The exploitation of resources in certain areas without proper regulation contributes to environmental degradation. Deforestation, pollution, and land degradation resulting from mining activities not only affect the local ecosystems but also impact the livelihoods of communities relying on these resources for sustenance.

    Addressing the issue of unevenly distributed scarce resources in Africa requires concerted efforts on multiple fronts. Initiatives focusing on good governance, transparency, and accountable leadership are crucial in combating corruption and ensuring equitable resource allocation. Investing in infrastructure development that connects remote areas to urban centres can help bridge the gap.

    Moreover, fostering regional cooperation and diplomacy to manage shared resources effectively is imperative. Implementing sustainable resource management practices and promoting inclusive economic policies that benefit all strata of society are pivotal in mitigating disparities.

    The unequal distribution of scarce resources in Africa stands as a significant impediment to the continent’s growth and stability. It not only perpetuates poverty and inequality but also fuels conflicts and hampers overall development. Addressing this challenge demands collaborative efforts from governments, international organizations, and local communities to ensure fair and sustainable resource allocation, ultimately paving the way for a more prosperous and equitable future for the continent and its people.

    • Aisha Ali Abubakar, Borno State University, Maiduguri.