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‘Writing Is a Journey’ Folashadé Soulé-Kohndou’s First Draft

July 1, 2022

Fire for Fire Zamfara State Government Wants to Issue Gun Licenses to its Residents to Protect Themselves from Bandits

June 30, 2022

The Road to 2023 2023 Election Updates

June 30, 2022

Much Ado About Nothing? Reviewing Nigeria’s Debt Situation

June 29, 2022

The Leading Vibe Tems Has Become the First Female Nigerian Artist to Win a BET Award

June 28, 2022

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‘Writing Is a Journey’ Folashadé Soulé-Kohndou’s First Draft

July 1, 2022

Fire for Fire Zamfara State Government Wants to Issue Gun Licenses to its Residents to Protect Themselves from Bandits

June 30, 2022

The Road to 2023 2023 Election Updates

June 30, 2022

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Today in 1962, Rwanda and Burundi became independe

Today in 1962, Rwanda and Burundi became independent countries. #RxHistory⏳

On 01 July 1962, Rwanda and Burundi declared independence from Belgium. From 1894 to 1918, the Kingdoms of Rwanda and Burundi were part of German East Africa. In 1918, Belgium took up the administration of both kingdoms and called the region Ruanda-Urundi.

During the colonial period, the Belgians colonial government became concerned with the differences between Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups. They favored the minority Tutsis over the Hutus and reinforced an ethnic divide that had already been brewing due to centuries of Tutsi monarchical rule.

This favoritism exacerbated the Tutsi hegemony, creating a legacy of tension that exploded into violence even before Rwanda gained its independence. The Rwandan Revolution (1959-1961) was a period of ethnic violence that led to the dismantling of the Tutsi monarchy and a Hutu-dominated republic. 33 years later, the Rwandan genocide (1994) saw the deaths of around 800,000 to 1 million Tutsis.
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📝: Ibukun Olokode and Ugonna Eronini
📷: Grégoire Kayibanda (centre), first elected president of Rwanda, with African and Belgian government representatives, Brussels, December 1961. AFP / Getty Images.

The Zamfara State government wants to issue gun li

The Zamfara State government wants to issue gun licenses to its residents. #RxNews📡

On Sunday, 26 June 2022, the governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, announced that residents of the state can now apply to own gun licenses to protect themselves from gunmen and kidnappers. In a statement by Zamfara’s commissioner for information, Ibrahim Dosara, the move was in response to the increasing cases of kidnappings, killings and violent attacks within the state.

The government intends to issue its first 500 gun licenses in phases. First, residents are to apply through their local traditional rulers (emirs), where they will be screened for good character and credibility. Their application will then be moved to the state commissioner of police for a second review. The inspector-general of police will carry out the final phase of screening and reviews before gun licenses can be issued.

Zamfara has recently been grappling with rising banditry attacks. Over 250 people have been killed this year from attacks in the state. Last Saturday, bandits attacked the Mada community in the Gusau Local Council. Promising to return, the bandits have caused thousands of residents from Mada to flee their homes.

Read more about the gun licenses by clicking the link in our bio.
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📝: Tomisin Awosika, Junior Editor
📷: The governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle. Daily Post NG.

Today in 1960, the Democratic Republic of the Cong

Today in 1960, the Democratic Republic of the Congo became independent. #RxHistory⏳

On 30 June 1960, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) declared independence from its former colonial ruler, Belgium.

In 1885, the area now known as the DRC was handed over by European powers to King Leopold II of Belgium and renamed the ‘Congo Free State’. Leopold acquired Congo as his private property under the guise of bringing civilization to the area.

However, under his rule, an estimated 10 million were tortured, mutilated and killed. Leopold ran Congo as a venture for personal profit and drained the country of its natural resources.

Read more about the DRC’s independence in today’s newsletter which goes out at 6 p.m. (WAT). Sign up at the link in our bio.
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📝: Ibukun Olokode and Ugonna Eronini
📷: Pro-independence Congolese crowds cheer Joseph Kasavubu, the Republic of the Congo’s first democratically elected president, at a rally celebrating independence from Belgium, in Kinshasa (then called Leopoldville), July 1960. Joseph Kasa-Vubu.

Should we be concerned about Nigeria’s debt situ

Should we be concerned about Nigeria’s debt situation? #OnSite⚡

Between 2015 and the first quarter of 2021, Nigeria’s total debt increased by 230 per cent from N12.6 trillion to N41.6 trillion. This debt reflects the Nigerian government’s domestic and external borrowings, and this increase has heightened concerns about Nigeria’s debt situation—but are these concerns justified?

In our latest online essay, economist from the Nigerian presidential office, Somkele Awa-Kalu calls for more caution and less alarmism in how we assess Nigeria’s debt situation. According to Awa-Kalu, the oil-led 2016 economic recession and the COVID-19 pandemic, were two external shocks that considerably reduced Nigerian revenues, drove up the fiscal deficit, and required significant borrowing by the government.

Awa-Kalu also highlights that there are positive sides to borrowing when debt is effectively utilized. He asks, ‘Despite the explanations of inadequate revenues to fund the budget and thus a need for increased debt, can we say that the proceeds have been put to good use?’ Yes, Awa-Kalu answers and writes, ‘because one of the main uses of these borrowings has been infrastructure development, which is important when trying to build a competitive economy. Nigeria needs to increase spending on infrastructure to over N30 trillion, over the next few decades to help close the infrastructure gap. For context, Nigeria is expected to spend N1.42 trillion on infrastructure in 2022. In a 2020 article, the McKinsey Global Institute stated that, “infrastructure has a socioeconomic rate of return of about 20%”. This essentially means that the investments made in roads, rail, power, and aviation could return 20 kobo in the long run, for every naira spent.’

Do you agree with Awa-Kalu? Are concerns about Nigeria’s rising debt justified or ‘much ado about nothing?’ Let us know in our comments. Learn more at the link in our bio.
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📝: Somkele Awa-Kalu

Today in 1976, Seychelles declared independence fr

Today in 1976, Seychelles declared independence from Britain. #RxHistory⏳

On 29 June 1976, Seychelles became an independent country. Seychelles came under British rule in 1814 when France formally withdrew its claim after a bloody war. Before that, Seychelles went through periods of Portuguese and French administration.

In 1970, Seychelles implemented a new constitution, universal adult suffrage, and a national assembly. Self-government was granted in 1975 and full independence the following year. Shortly after independence, Seychelles became a one-party state and remained one until 1991.

Did you know that the Seychelles comprises 115 islands, most of them uninhabited? Pirates mainly used the islands until the French took control in the 1750s. They were then named after Jean Moreau de Séchelles, Minister of Finance under Louis XV.

Read more about Seychelles’ independence in today’s newsletter which goes out at 6 p.m. (WAT). Sign up at the link in our bio.
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📝: Ibukun Olokode and Ugonna Eronini
📷: France Albert Rene took the oath of allegiance as the new prime minister together with the new president of Seychelles James Mancham on the day of Independence on June 29, 1976. Mahe Publications Ltd.

Tems has become the first female Nigerian artist t

Tems has become the first female Nigerian artist to win a BET award. #RxNews📡

On Sunday, 26 June, at the 22nd BET Awards held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as ‘Tems’, became the first female Nigerian artist to win a BET award. The singer, songwriter and producer won two awards: one under the Best Collaboration category, for the 2021 ‘Essence’ remix featuring Wizkid and Justin Bieber. She also won the award for the Best International Act.

The Black Entertainment Television or ‘BET’ Awards are awarded every year to celebrate Africans and African Americans that have been exceptional in music, acting, sports and other fields of entertainment. Accepting the Best International Act award, Tems dedicated her achievement to young women and artists. She said: ‘Where I am from, things like this don’t happen. This is a dream and as you are watching me, I want you to imagine yourself as me because you are meant to be here, too. And so, I am dedicating this to every single young woman, every artist, everybody that is striving and dares to dream.’

Tems is currently regarded as one of Nigeria’s mainstream afrobeats female artists. Her 2018 debut song ‘Mr Rebel’ in which she describes herself as ‘the leading vibe’ was self-produced. At the time, without access to a studio, Tems recorded with only her laptop and earphones.

Read more about Tems’ historic win at the link in our bio.
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📝: Tomisin Awosika, Junior Editor
📷: 1) Tems poses in the press room during the 2022 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Amy Sussman/Getty Images.

2) Tems (centre) accepts Best Collaboration presented by American Express for ‘Essence’ onstage during the 2022 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Kevin Winter/Getty Images.

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