From Dadaab to Mogadishu, and back again? A Somali refugee’s journey

From Dadaab to Mogadishu, and back again? A Somali refugee’s journey

‘I’ve been caught three times in explosions and gun battles already, and I worry that one day my luck might run out.’

Abdirahman Ahmed Aden

Freelance journalist and filmmaker

The aftermath of a suicide car bomber’s attack on a convoy of vehicles heading to the president's residence in Mogadishu, Somalia, 25 September 2021. (Feisal Omar/REUTERS)

MOGADISHU


I can’t take this city anymore – I need to get out. I’ve spent 10 months trying to build a better future for myself, and now I admit defeat.

Nearly all my life I’ve lived as a Somali refugee in Dadaab, a sprawling complex of camps stuck in an arid corner of northeastern Kenya – dependent on humanitarian handouts.

Lassa fever: why there’s a call to declare a health emergency in Nigeria

Alarmed by a rapid spread of Lassa fever, the Nigerian Academy of Science is calling on government to declare a health emergency. Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP via Getty Images
Lassa fever: why there’s a call to declare a health emergency in Nigeria

February 13, 2020 8
AuthorDoyin Odubanjo
Executive Secretary, Nigerian Academy of Science

The Nigerian Academy of Science has called for the current outbreak of Lassa fever in Africa’s most populous nation to be declared a national health emergency because of its severity. Adejuwon Soyinka asked Dr Doyin Odubanjo to unpack the background.

How serious is the current Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria?

What Netflix’s involvement in Nigeria’s massive film industry really means

What Netflix’s involvement in Nigeria’s massive film industry really means
Alessandro Jedlowski
Nigerian actress, Genevieve Nnaji in her film, ‘Lionheart’. Netflix



Global streaming service Netflix set its eyes a few years ago on Nigeria’s film industry, better known as Nollywood. Distribution of Nigerian movies on Netflix started around 2015. At the time the American giant bought the rights of blockbusters such as Kunle Afolayan’s October 1st, Biyi Bandele’s Fifty and several others, after they had already been distributed in Nigerian cinemas.

During the Toronto International Film Festival 2018, Netflix announcedthe acquisition of worldwide exclusive distribution rights for Nollywood star Genevieve Nnaji’s debut film as director, the comedy Lionheart. The film marked the first Netflix original film from Nigeria. Many saw this as the beginning of a new era in the relationship between one of the world largest streaming platforms and Africa’s most prolific film industry.

BOKO HARAM EVOLVES BUT REMAINS A SUBSTANTIAL THREAT IN NIGERIA

BOKO HARAM EVOLVES BUT REMAINS A SUBSTANTIAL THREAT IN NIGERIA
Boko Haram has evolved from a group focused on economic and social development in Nigeria into a transnational terrorist organization, which has targeted the UN, kidnapped nearly 300 female students, and launched suicide attacks to terrorize security forces and intimidate the local population.
At its peak in 2014-2015, Boko Haram controlled territory roughly the size of Belgium, but sustained counter-terrorism operations have significantly reduced its control.
In 2015, Boko Haram pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. Shortly after, there was a major split with Abu Musab al-Barnawi appointed leader of the so-called Islamic State-West Africa (ISWAP), while Abubakar Shekau continues to lead the other faction of Boko Haram.
To combat Boko Haram, Nigeria needs to adopt a multi-dimensional strategy that incorporates counter-terrorism operations, humanitarian support and economic development.

Destination Europe: Frustration

Destination Europe: Frustration
In Niger, fewer jobs and growing instability are the hidden costs of EU migration policy

Eric Reidy/IRINric Reidy

As the EU sets new policies and makes deals with African nations to deter hundreds of thousands of migrants from seeking new lives on the continent, what does it mean for sub-Saharan Africans following dreams northwards and the countries they transit through? From returnees in Sierra Leone and refugees resettled in France to smugglers in Niger and migrants in detention centres in Libya, IRIN explores their choices and challenges in this multi-part special report, Destination Europe.

Nigeria can tackle its energy issues

With real focus and diverse policies, Nigeria can tackle its energy issues
Nnaemeka Vincent Emodi
Nigeria has abundant energy resources but about 40% of the population don’t have access to electricity. Shutterstock/i_am_zews

Nigeria is experiencing a remarkable paradox. The country has abundant energy resources – and yet many of its residents can’t access sufficient energy. About 40% of Nigeria’s population don’t have access to electricityand around 70% of households rely on firewood for their most basic needs, like cooking. This is dangerous. Annually, 93 000 Nigerians die from smoke inhalation.

Ξέσπασμα χολέρας στη Νιγηρία

Ξέσπασμα χολέρας στη Νιγηρία: Δεκατέσσερις νεκροί - 179 κρούσματα


Δεκατέσσερις άνθρωποι πέθαναν εξαιτίας ενός ξεσπάσματος χολέρας στη βορειοανατολική Νιγηρία, οι περισσότεροι από τους οποίους ζούσαν σε καταυλισμό εκτοπισμένων λόγω της βίας της Μπόκο Χαράμ,...αναφέρει ανακοίνωση του υπουργείου Υγείας της Πολιτείας Μπόρνο η οποία εστάλη χθες στο Γαλλικό Πρακτορείο.

Nigeria won’t end kidnapping without making risks

Nigeria won’t end kidnapping without making risks outweigh rewardsJ
Chukwuma Al Okoli
Lecturer/Resident Researcher Department of Political Science, Federal University Lafia

Nigerian militants patrol the oil rich Niger delta region, the birth place of commercial kidnapping in the country. EPA/Stringer

Nigeria rejected British offer to rescue seized Chibok schoolgirls

Αrt2621 Τριτη 7 Μαρτίου 2017
Nigeria rejected British offer to rescue seized Chibok schoolgirls
RAF mission detected Boko Haram kidnappers but action was refused
A video released on YouTube last year showing some of the kidnapped girls. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
Katie McQue

British armed forces offered to attempt to rescue nearly 300 Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, but were rebuffed by Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria’s president at the time, the Observer has learned.