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Louisa Uchum Egbunike

Louisa Uchum Egbunike

Dr Louisa Uchum Egbunike is a lecturer in English at Manchester Metropolitan University. Her research centres on African literature in which she specialises in Igbo fiction and culture.

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‘The Mechanics of Storytelling at Any Length Aren’t Different’ Wole Talabi's First Draft

February 3, 2023

2023 Election Updates Daily Briefings from The Republic

February 3, 2023

How Do We Vote?

February 2, 2023

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Wole Talabi’s debut novel is a Yoruba mythology

Wole Talabi’s debut novel is a Yoruba mythology thriller with heart #OnSite⚡

Engineer, editor and author of Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon, Wole Talabi, believes the mechanics of storytelling at any length aren’t different. However, ‘the main difference between writing a short story and writing a novel is the time commitment needed to finish a novel and the number of story threads that need to be maintained and brought together to make a complete whole.’

In our latest First Draft Interview Wole Talabi discusses the last thing he read that he disagreed with; his growing optimism about humanity’s ability to respond practically to the global challenge of climate change; the books in conversation with his forthcoming debut novel; and what readers should be expecting when they read his debut novel, Shigidi.

According to Talabi: ‘Readers should expect a modern-day story that reimagines Yoruba mythology and interweaves it with many other global myths, legends. Expect a story that spans centuries and crosses continents— from Lagos to London, Ethiopia to Singapore and many more. Expect a robbery at the British museum. Expect gods, monsters, demons, magicians, giants, all jostling for power and belief.’

Read the full interview at the link in our bio.
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📝: Wole Talabi
📷: Onyinye Dike

Nigeria’s History of Accidental Presidents #OnSi

Nigeria’s History of Accidental Presidents #OnSite⚡

How much do you know about the history of Nigeria’s political leaders? How does this shape the way you think about the state of Nigeria today?

In this online essay, associate editor at The Republic, Chukwudi Ukonne, links the history of Nigeria’s political leaders to the country’s current state of development. ⁠ Ukonne explains that in its formative years, Nigeria was ruled by a succession of unprepared, sometimes reluctant leaders. Three of Nigeria’s first heads of state came to power as a direct result of their predecessor's demise (Aguiyi-Ironsi, Yakubu Gowon and Olusegun Obasanjo); two became national leaders only after succumbing to external pressure (Tafawa Balewa and Shehu Shagari), while the other two benefited from coups planned by others (Murtala Mohammed and Muhammadu Buhari).⁠

According to Ukonne: ‘After falling out of favour with the cabal of coup plotters who put him in power, Major General Gowon was toppled in July 1975 in a bloodless coup executed while Gowon attended a summit of African leaders at Kampala, Uganda. He was succeeded by the firebrand General Murtala Mohammed, who was nominated to be head of state by the group of middle-ranking army officers who masterminded Gowon’s overthrow. Like his predecessors, Murtala was ill-prepared for the vagaries that came with leading Africa’s most populous and culturally diverse nation. The question of the legacy he left behind during his brief stint in office remains a subject of contention among Nigerians.’

Read the full essay at the link in our bio.
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📝: Chukwudi Ukonne, Associate Editor
📷: General Murtala Mohammed/ Daily Advent. com

Today in 1976, Murtala Mohammed declared Abuja as

Today in 1976, Murtala Mohammed declared Abuja as Nigeria's new capital. #RxHistory⏳
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On 03 February 1976, former military president of Nigeria, Major-General Murtala Mohammed, established Abuja as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria.
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The need for a new capital arose when the existing capital, Lagos, became congested and had limited space for expansion. In 1975, a committee known as the 'Aguda Panel' was created to scout the country for possible locations for a new federal capital. Abuja was recommended to the government for its sparse population, central location, and ethnic and religious tolerance.
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The acceptance of the recommendation led to the enactment of the Federal Capital Territory Act in 1976. Formed with land taken from three states—including Niger and Nassawara, the FCT was to be a symbol of Nigeria’s aspirations for unity and prosperity. Abuja officially became the capital of the country 16 years later, in 1991, following years of construction and city planning.

Read more on African history at the link in our bio.
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📝: Wemimo Ogunmoyela and Chiamaka Dike.
📷: 1) Abuja City Gate. Flickr
2) Major General Murtala Mohammed. Flickr.

How Do We Vote? #RxVote✅ #Elections101👩🏾‍🏫

On Election day, Voters will show up at the unit where they registered at the stipulated time with their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC). Accreditation will begin using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which is a device introduced by INEC in 2021, aimed at stopping election fraud.

The BVAS is able to perform dual identification of voters on election day through fingerprints and facial recognition. The system was put in place to stop people without valid PVCs from voting, and dissuade those who are ineligible to vote from attempting to vote.

The voter is then given a ballot paper and directed to a cubicle to make their choice by thumb/fingerprinting against their preferred party/candidate on the ballot paper in secret. When this is done, the voter will roll the ballot paper with the printed side inwards and flatten it before dropping it into the ballot box in the full view of all present.

Read more at the link in our bio.
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Do you have any questions regarding the 2023 elections? If so, now is your chance to get some answers, courtesy of The Republic.

Please leave any questions you have in the comments below and our editors will answer them ahead of the 2023 elections.

Remember, there are no ‘dumb questions’!

Why Peter Obi's Chatham House Speech Was Dissatisf

Why Peter Obi's Chatham House Speech Was Dissatisfying #OnSite⚡

Did you watch Peter Obi's Chatham House speech? Do you think he laid out his plans clearly?

In our latest online essay, associate editor at The Republic, Chukwudi Ukonne, breaks down Obi's 16 January speech at Chatham House. Dissatisfied, he questions Obi's stance on the economy, climate change and security as it ‘can be inferred from Obi’s address that he favours socio-political intervention over a militaristic one as a means to tackling insecurity.’

According to Ukonne: ‘Peter Obi’s performance at Chatham house has no doubt bolstered his reputation within the international community. For Nigerians who have followed his campaign and are familiar with his rhetoric, we only experienced a reinforcement of what we have already known about Obi. He has campaigned with a degree of intellectual vigour and respect for civility that is not often associated with modern politics in Nigeria. He performed several times better at Chatham House than any other presidential aspirant, but for Obi to truly prove that he is “not just another politician”, he must back up ambitious ideas with realistic strategies.’

Read the full essay at the link in bio.
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📝 : Chukwudi Ukonne, Associate Editor
🎨 : Onyinye Dike

Today in 1971, Major-General Idi Amin declared him

Today in 1971, Major-General Idi Amin declared himself president of Uganda. #RxHistory⏳
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On 2 February 1971, Major-General Idi Amin declared himself president of Uganda. Amin, who was previously the head of the Ugandan army, seized power through a military coup while then-Ugandan-president, Milton Obote, was out of the country.
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After he took power, Amin launched a genocidal program to purge Uganda of people belonging to its Lango and Acholi ethnic groups. In 1972, he gave a presidential decree ordering all South Asians to leave Uganda, and around 60,000 Indians and Pakistanis fled, thrusting Uganda into economic instability.
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Amin’s rule was characterized by widespread human rights abuses, political repression, ethnic persecution, extrajudicial killings, and corruption. Although an estimated 300,000 Ugandans were killed during his regime, he was not held responsible for any of his crimes. He fled Uganda and was forced into exile in Saudi Arabia, after an alliance of Tanzanian forces and political exiles opposed to his rule invaded and captured the Ugandan capital, Kampala, in 1979.
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Amin died in Saudi Arabia on 16 August 2003. According to Quartz Africa, Amin’s actions have been suppressed in recent years by a Ugandan government keen to promote political amnesia. He was one of 20th century’s most notorious dictators, sometimes known colloquially as the 'Butcher of Uganda'.

Read more on African history at the link in our bio.
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📝: Wemimo Ogunmoyela and Chiamaka Dike.
📷: Major-General Idi Amin / AP

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