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Benin Today, Venice Tomorrow The Republic of Benin Will Debut at the 2024 Venice Biennale

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Today in 1980, Nigeria won its first African Cup o

Today in 1980, Nigeria won its first African Cup of Nations title. #RxHistory⏳

On 22 March 1980, Nigeria won the twelfth edition of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), hosted on home soil. The Green Eagles of Nigeria defeated Algeria three goals to nil, with two goals from Segun Odegbami and a goal from Muda Lawal, to win their first ever AFCON title.

The Green Eagles began the competition on a winning note, defeating their Tanzanian opponents by three goals to one. The team later defeated Morocco by a lone goal, which advanced them to the finals. Nigeria then defeated Algeria by three goals in the historic final match at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

The 1980 AFCON, hosted in Nigeria, was played in two venues; the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos State and the Liberty Stadium in Ibadan, Oyo State. Segun Odegbami of Nigeria and Khaled Labied of Morocco were the competition's top scorers, with three goals each.

Nigeria has participated in the AFCON finals six times since then and has won two more championships, in 1994 and 2013, respectively. With three AFCON titles under their belt, a record only three other African nations have exceeded, Nigeria still ranks amongst the competition's most successful teams thus far.

___________________
📝: Sinmi Sowande
📷: Nigeria captain Christian Chukwu (centre) with the African Cup of Nations, after his side's 3-0 win. Photo by Peter Robinson / EMPICS via Getty Images

The Glaring Igbophobia of the 2023 Elections #OnSi

The Glaring Igbophobia of the 2023 Elections #OnSite⚡

Did you know that there has been a visible rise in hate speech directed at Igbo people in the wake of the 2023 general elections? What do you think is the way forward?

In this online essay, writer, Ernest Nweke argues that since the inception of Nigeria, Igbo people have always been at the receiving end of ethnic resentment. The writer says this has led to growing Igbophobia.

According to Nweke, 'Igbophobia shares a lot in motivation, intent and practice, with other forms of ethnic and nationalist hate displayed around the world and throughout history. From xenophobia and anti-Semitism to racism, igbophobia in Nigeria has stayed true to every rule in the playbook of targeted national discrimination of a group. Just as (Ahmadu) Bello thought of the Igbos, many South Africans believe that Nigerians in South Africa are the reason they cannot get good jobs. In periods of social tension, these reservations lead to sporadic attacks and killings of Nigerians in South Africa, comparable to the Igbo pogroms that preceded the Nigerian civil war.'

Read the full essay at the link in our bio.

_______________________
📝: Ernest Nweke
🎨: Onyinye Dike

Today in 2013, Chinua Achebe died aged 82.⁠ #RxH

Today in 2013, Chinua Achebe died aged 82.⁠ #RxHistory⏳

On 21 March 2013, Nigerian novelist, poet, and professor, Albert Chinụalụmọgụ Achebe, died in Boston, Massachusetts, aged 82. Born on 16 November 1930, Achebe gained worldwide renown from 1958 for his first novel, ‘Things Fall Apart’. The book was a massive success and has become the most widely read book in African literature.⁠

When the Eastern region of Biafra broke away from Nigeria in 1967 at the start of the Nigerian Civil War, Achebe appealed to the world for intervention and aid as violence and starvation took its toll on the people in Biafra. He toured the US in 1969 with fellow Nigerian writers Gabriel Okara and Cyprian Ekwensi, giving lectures at universities to raise awareness.⁠

After the war, Achebe served in faculty positions at the University of Massachusetts, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the University of Connecticut. In 1990, after a car crash on his way to the airport in Lagos left him paralyzed from the waist down, he lived full time in the USA.⁠

A titled Igbo chief, Achebe was awarded over 20 honorary degrees, and won several awards throughout his career, including the Booker Prize for Fiction in 2007 and the 2010 Lillian Gish Prize. He also received Nigeria’s highest award for intellectual achievement, the Nigerian National Merit Award. He wrote over 20 books—novels, short stories, essays, and collections of poetry.

Read more on Achebe by clicking the link in our bio.

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📝: Ibukun Olokode
📷: 1) A portrait of Chinua Achebe. 22 October 1988. Nicaragua Archive Sensor / Roland Courier

2) Chinua Achebe at home near Lagos, Nigeria in 1966. Carlo Bavagnoli / Time & Life Pictures / Getty Images.

The Republic of Benin Will Debut at the 2024 Venic

The Republic of Benin Will Debut at the 2024 Venice Biennale #RxNews📡

On 13 March, the Republic of Benin announced that it will be debuting with a national pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale in Italy, which will hold from 20 April–24 November 2024.

In a statement, the president of the Republic of Benin, Patrice Talon, revealed that the pavilion will be curated by Azu Nwagbogu, founder and director of the Lagos-based African Artists’ Foundation. Nwabogu will be assisted by Yassine Lassissi, artistic director of La Galerie Nationale du Bénin, and architect Franck Houndégla. Playwright José Pliya, the general director of La Galerie Nationale, will commission the pavilion.

The exhibition is in line with Talon’s wider efforts to have relics looted from the Kingdom of Benin returned. Last year, Talon’s office organized ‘Art of Benin, yesterday and today, from restitution to revelation,’ an exhibition of recently-returned historical artefacts with work from contemporary Beninese artists which was described as ‘the very first episode of a soap opera that promises other sequences’.

With the addition of Benin, the number of African nations participating has now increased to twelve from seven in 2017; Ghana and Madagascar debuted in 2019 and Cameroon and Namibia had their debuts at the 59th Venice Biennale last year, with the first NFT art show and ‘The Lone Stone Men of the Desert’ respectively.

Read the full story at the link in our bio.

___________________

📝: Hillary Essien, Senior Associate Editor
🎨: Onyinye Dike

Today in 1956, Tunisia declared independence from

Today in 1956, Tunisia declared independence from France. #RxHistory⏳

On 20 March 1956, Tunisia declared its independence after two years of negotiations between French and Tunisian representatives. Tunisia had become a French protectorate after France invaded it in 1881.

French colonists did not confiscate land, convert mosques into churches, or change the official language. The traditional Tunisian monarchy and system of government remained during French occupation. However, French authority still ruled over Tunisia.

Habib Bourguiba, an important figure in Tunisia’s fight for independence, led the country after its independence until 1987. Bourguiba’s political party, the Constitutional Democratic Rally, controlled the country until the Tunisian revolution in 2011.

____________
📝: Ibukun Olokode
📷: Independence Day in Tunisia. 20 March 1956. Le Petit Journal.

3 Historical Fiction Novels by African Women 📚

3 Historical Fiction Novels by African Women 📚

One of the best things about African literature is how authors re-write historical events and personalities through fiction. This is a great way to share hidden and under-represented historical events to a wider audience.

The following recommendations include three historical fiction novels written by women from different parts of Africa.

Have you read any of these books? What books would you add to the list?

For more book recommendations from African authors, click the link in our bio.

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#ReadSomethingAfrican

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