April/May 2023

A Captivating Debut on Self-Discovery Book Review: Maame by Jessica George

Peace Yetunde OnafuyeApril 28, 2023

Maame, a novel by Jessica George, is an intense yet uplifting journey towards self-discovery. The novel carefully explores what it means to find one’s true self and how to deal with grief.

April/May 2023GhanaReading

‘I Love an Underdog Story’ Celeste Mohammed’s First Draft

Celeste MohammedApril 28, 2023

Trinidadian author, Celeste Mohammed, started writing Pleasantview to meet the demands of her MFA program.

April/May 2023First DraftInterviews

Beyond the Polls Was 25 February A Proxy Referendum on Nationhood?

David Momoh-AbrahamApril 27, 2023

No presidential election has ever been overturned by Nigeria’s courts, but many strongly believe that 2023 may be the exception. Beyond the winner-takes-all royal rumble that may now ensue before an electoral tribunal, there is the larger existential question that hangs over the fate of the nation.

April/May 2023Nigeria

First Marathon Olympic Champion Sifan Hassan Won the London Marathon on Her First Attempt

Sinmiloluwa SowandeApril 26, 2023

Hassan came into the London Marathon as an underdog. She had never run a marathon, never raced on asphalt, and had never drunk fluids while completing a road race. Hassan trained for the marathon while observing the month-long fast of Ramadan, which restricted her from running lengthy distances as she was unable to eat or drink during the day.

AfricaApril/May 2023

Resisting Linguistic Genocide How Colonization Shaped Language in Guinea-Bissau

Jamila PereiraApril 26, 2023

Colonization was an enterprise that not only administratively dominated the colonized territories by having exploited its resources illegitimately and illegally. In Guinea-Bissau as in other formerly colonized regions, colonization was, above all, also an act of cultural alienation of the natives, who saw their traditions belittled and ridiculed, their history suspended, and their languages the preserve of the most uneducated.

AfricaApril/May 2023Guinea-Bissau

Hot Outside Africa in the Face of a Worsening Climate Crisis

Hillary EssienApril 25, 2023

While the details of the loss and damage fund are deliberated upon, Africa continues to be battered by the effects of a rapidly warming planet. The aftermath of extreme weather events like Cyclone Freddy of 2023 on African lives and property is a real-time instance of loss and damage.

AfricaApril/May 2023Nigeria

‘Let the Data Guide You’ Zainab Usman’s First Draft

Zainab UsmanApril 21, 2023

Nigerian author, Zainab Usman, believes the task of economic diversification is Nigeria’s foremost development challenge.

April/May 2023Best of 2023: First DraftFirst DraftInterviewsNigeriavol7-no2

The Many Sins of INEC How the 2023 Elections Exposed INEC’s Incompetence

Chike IbewuikeApril 20, 2023

During the 2023 elections, INEC had all the tools it needed to pass its own self-designed test to deliver this year’s elections credibly through technology. However, the electoral commission’s many failures have meant great losses to its credibility.

2023 ElectionsApril/May 2023Nigeria

Beyond Charity Rethinking Hunger Relief in Nigeria

Ayoola OladipupoApril 20, 2023

Abundant research shows that investing in adequate nutrition is one of the best value-for-money development actions, but food security is neither seen as a catalyst for economic development nor a right Nigerians are entitled to.

April/May 2023Nigeria

Re/claiming the Utility and Novelty of Mobile Phones and Social Media Lessons from Pastoralists in East and West Africa

Alexis TeyieApril 18, 2023

While we may be accustomed to or overwhelmed by the rapid pace of digital development, recognize that cell phones are often the very first connection pastoral communities have with a modern information and communication tool. The way pastoralists have largely approached the rather belated entry of mobile technology and social media with excitement, grace and inventiveness is another example of their remarkable flexibility and adaptability.

AfricaApril/May 2023Nigeria