Jan 9th, 2009 · Politician Richard Komi's journey to the New Hampshire state House began more than a decade ago in a refugee camp in the West African nation of Benin. He fled there from southern Nigeria after being targeted by the Nigerian government for political activism on behalf of his tribal people.
Jan 8th, 2009 · Police in Nigeria have been arresting scores of motorcycle taxi riders who have been trying to avoid a new law that requires them to wear helmets. Some riders have been substituting dried fruit shells and pots for helmets. The motorcyclists complain helmets are too expensive. Some passengers refuse to wear them fearing the helmets carry disease or black magic.
Dec 2nd, 2008 · Days of fighting between Muslims and Christians in the Nigerian city of Jos have left an estimated 400 people dead. Constance Okokwu, Washington bureau chief for the Nigerian newspaper This Day, says the religious strife dates back to the creation of the West African country. Okokwu joins Roxanne Lawson, the Director of Africa Policy for the Washington based group, TransAfrica, to discuss the roots of the violence and what it means for Nigeria and the region.
Nov 7th, 2008 · Benjamin Ola Akande came to America from Nigeria in his teens to pursue an education. On election night, he wrote a letter to his American-born daughters, reflecting on the the historic moment from the perspective of an African immigrant.
Sep 30th, 2008 · On today's Africa update, we recap the Clinton Global Initiative. Plus, South Africa swears in a new president and Nigerians make a bid to buy an English soccer team. For analysis, Farai Chideya talks with Bill Fletcher, Senior Scholar with the Institute for Policy Studies.
Jul 31st, 2008 · Nigeria moves to center stage, as the Africa Rising Music and Fashion Festival prepares for its Washington debut. The festival was started as a way to reflect Africa's social, political and economical culture. Journalist Nduka Obaigbena, founder of the festival, and Nigerian fashion icon Fati Mohammed Asibelua discuss Africa Rising.
Jul 22nd, 2008 · Nigeria is one of the top producers of oil in the world and a major supplier of oil to the United States. The book, Curse of the Black Gold, traces Nigeria's 50-year history of oil interests, featuring pictures by photojournalist Ed Kashi. Farai Chideya talks with Kashi and Omoyele Sowore about oil exploitation in Nigeria.
Jul 10th, 2008 · The G8 Summit, an annual gathering of the world's leading industrial nations, wrapped up Wednesday. Climate change was a priority on the agenda, but the leaders also concentrated on challenges confronting African nations. NPR correspondent Anthony Kuhn, and Constance Ikokwu, of Nigeria's This Day Newspaper, discuss highlights from the summit.