The Republic

🚨Order Now: Our Latest Issue: The Enduring Voice of Wole Soyinka     Our latest magazine issue, The Enduring Voice of Wole Soyinka, is now available!     On 13 July 2024, Wole Soyinka, the first Black Nobel laureate turned 90 years old. For more than 65 years, Soyinka has continued to leave his mark on the sand of time. In celebration of this important milestone and in recognition of his significant contribution to literary and political discourse in Nigeria and the broader African continent, The Republic’s latest issue critically examines Soyinka’s impact.     This issue features Republic editor, Wale Lawal, in conversation with Wole Soyinka; an extended personal essay from novelist, Sarah Ladipo Manyika, on what Wole Soyinka means to her; essayist, Richard Solomon, on the genocide in Gaza and how Wole Soyinka’s works can inform solidarity towards Palestine and global decolonization struggles; and much more!     In addition to the above, this issue features writing from Yinka Adetu, Oluwaseun Adetunji, Ancci, Carey Baraka, Fayssal Bensalah, Chinua Ezenwa-Ohaeto, Yomi Folaranmi, Olabanke Oyinkansola Goriola, Moboluwajidide Joseph, Hassan Kassim, Patrice Nganang, and Ibrahim Williams.     You can order this magazine alone here: https://lnkd.in/dt4smzz9 Save on a year of shipping and have the magazine delivered straight to you with our annual print + digital subscription here: https://lnkd.in/dFJ5Q3zc We will start shipping from 02 September 2024. Orders will close at 23:59 (WAT) on 30 November 2024. We ship worldwide! Support for this magazine came from the Open Society Foundations. All our cover interviews and essays are free to read with a Free Pass. Simply register at https://lnkd.in/deHVaAMS (It’s Free!) Already have an account? Log in. _______________ Illustrators: Dayo Baiyegunhi (Dayourthefuture), Sarah Kanu, Kevwe Ogini, Charles Owen, Damilola Mojid Junior Editor: Victoria Audu Associate Editor: Peace Yetunde Onafuye Senior Editor: Yusuf Omotayo Editor-in-Chief: Wale Lawal Issue Design: Damilola Mojid and Wale Lawal Cover art: ‘Kongi’s Harvest’, by diana ejaita, with oversight from Wale Lawal. #RepublicSoyinka #ReadRepublic

A New Era of Nigeria-India Relations? #OnSite⚡ The recent visit of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Nigeria prompts discussion on the opportunities and challenges of bilateral relations between the two countries. Read more about Nigeria-India Relations here: https://lnkd.in/e6VsgUPX ___________ 📝: Adeleke Ogunnoiki 📷: 1) India’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Abuja, 2024. MEA INDIA / FLICKR. 2) Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi warmly received by President of Nigeria, H.E. Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Palace in Abuja. MEA INDIA / FLICKR. 3) Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi signed the visitor's book. MEA INDIA / FLICKR. 4) Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi held discussions with President of Nigeria, H.E. Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja. MEA INDIA / FLICKR. Design by Dami Mojid 🔍: Chidinma Nebolisa, Ada Nnadi, Yusuf Omotayo, Wale Lawal; Editors

Today in 1931, Flora Nwapa was born. #RPUBLCHistory ⏳⁠ ⁠ On 13 January 1931, Florence Nwanzuruahu Nkiru Nwapa, popularly known as Flora Nwapa, was born. She is acknowledged for being the first African female novelist to be published in the English language. She was also one of the first African female publishers.⁠ Born in Oguta, in Imo State, Nigeria, Nwapa had her early education in Oguta, Port Harcourt, and Lagos. She earned a B.A degree at the University College Ibadan, Nigeria, and a diploma in education from Edinburgh University in the United Kingdom. Nwapa began her career as an author with the publication of Efuru in 1966, which earned her wide critical acclaim, and an official spot on the English curriculum for Nigerian schools. Beyond her work as a writer, Nwapa was an educator, teaching at colleges and universities around the world. In 1977, she founded Tana Press (later Flora Nwapa Books), through which she published several novels, short stories, and poetry throughout her lifetime. Nwapa is known for challenging unfair cultural practices against the African woman. Her novels combine traditional Igbo lore and myths with contemporary dilemmas to create complex characters struggling for independence in their societies. She showed women succeeding outside of the traditional woman’s role of mother and wife, while also reaffirming Igbo culture. Nwapa died of pneumonia in October 1993, at the age of 62. Read more about Flora Nwapa’s works here: https://lnkd.in/eUxS6Ga5 ___________ 📝: Etashe Okpola. 📷: 1) 1) Flora Nwapa in 1973. John Prieto.⁠ 2) Flora Nwapa. Dangerous Women Project.⁠ 3) Picture of Florence Nwapa. WIKIMEDIA COMMON.

Get The Republic delivered straight to your mailbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter. It’s free! Out 8 a.m., Mondays-Fridays. In today’s edition: Nigeria-India relations, Aké Festival, the ‘African mother’ trope and more.

Today in 2015, 143 Boko Haram fighters were killed. #RPUBLCHistory ⏳⁠ On 12 January 2015, the Cameroonian military successfully repelled an attack by Boko Haram, killing up to 143 insurgents and seizing large quantities of weaponry and ammunition. In 2014, Boko Haram militants conducted a number of attacks on villages located within northern Cameroon, killing tens and recruiting hundreds of youth into the group. In 2015, the terrorist group threatened to step up violence in Cameroon unless the country scrapped its constitution and embraced Islam. The intervention of the Cameroonian army, on 12 January, came days after the terrorist group had attacked a Cameroonian military camp in Kolofata, Cameroon. The death of the 143 Boko Haram fighters was described by the Cameroonian information minister, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, as the heaviest toll sustained by the criminal sect Boko Haram since it began launching its barbaric attacks. Bakary also said in a statement that in the five-hour fight, a Cameroonian soldier was killed and four others were wounded. An NPR report noted that it is impossible to corroborate the claims as the fighting occurred in a remote region. Despite this victory, Boko Haram attack in Cameroon continues unabated. Read more about Cameroon here: https://lnkd.in/eN6bw6EN ___________ 📝: Etashe Okpola. 📷: 1) Cameroonian forces after the fight in the town of Kolofata. 2015. Reuters. 2) Islamists crossing the Lake Chad. 2015. Marco F/LinkedIn. 3) A man injured in a suicide blast is transported at a hospital. 2015. Aminu Abubakar/AFP via Getty Images.

Today in 1948, Daniel Kimaiyo was born. #RPUBLCHistory⌛️ On 11 January 1948, Kenyan Champion runner, Daniel Kimaiyo was born. Throughout his career, Kimaiyo specialized in 400m hurdles. In 1978, became the first African to win the 400m hurdles title at the Commonwealth Games in 1978. He completed the track in 49.48 seconds after setting a lifetime best of 49.20 seconds in qualifying. In 1978 Commonwealth Games, Kimaiyo won two gold medals, setting a record in the 4×400 meters relay. He also secured a continental title at the 1978 All-Africa Games and earned a relay bronze for Kenya. In 1979, Kimaiyo continued his success by winning the 400 meters hurdles and contributing to Kenya's victory in the 4×400 meters relay at the African Championships in Athletics, while also claiming victory in the hurdles at the East and Central African Championships. He is considered a national hero in Kenya. Read more about Kenya here: https://lnkd.in/eTg4M7Xt ___________ 📝: Victoria Audu and Aderemi Ojo. 📷: 1) Daniel Kimaiyo at the 1978 Commonwealth Games. 1978. Associated Press. 2) Logo of Athletics Kenya. 2002. Athletics Kenya. 3) Kenyan Athletes in 1970s. 1979. KAAA.

Today in 1959, M’bilia Bel was born. #RPUBLCHistory ⏳⁠ On 10 January 1959, Congolese singer and songwriter, Marie-Claire Mboyo Moseka, popularly known as M’bilia Bel, was born. Bel started performing at her local church, inspired by her father’s history in music as a guitar player. At seventeen, she started performing as a backup singer for Abeti Masikini and later for Sam Mangwana. Bel gained fame in the 1980s as the lead vocalist for the legendary soukous band Orchestre Afrisa International led by Tabu Ley Rochereau. Her collaboration with Tabu Ley produced several successful albums and hit songs, making her one of the most celebrated African artists of that era. Some of her notable songs include ‘Nakei Nairobi’ and ‘Mobali na Ngai Wana.’ Bel is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Congolese Rumba’. Her music addresses themes of love, relationships, and social issues. Along with her vocal talent, Bel is recognized for her stage presence and ability to engage audiences with her energetic performances. She is regarded as one of the most influential figures in Congolese and African popular music. Read more about Congo here: https://lnkd.in/eFwXgam5 ___________ 📝: Victoria Audu. 📷: 1) M'bilia Bel performed live concert in Kinshasa. 2010. Edwin Alden 2) Marie-Claire Mboyo Moseka in 1976. Twitter/BBS 3) From left, Marie Claire Mboyo Moseka (Mbilia Bel), Pascal Sinamoyi Tabu Ley, and Kishila Ngoyi (Faya Tess). Twitter/Jabulani Radio.

Today in 2005, Sudan signed a peace agreement. #RPUBLCHistory ⏳⁠ On 09 January 2005, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (also known as the #Naivasha Agreement) was signed by Sudan's People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the government of Sudan, to end the second Sudanese Civil War. The second Sudanese Civil War (1983-2005) was a conflict between the central Sudanese government and the Sudan People's Liberation Army, which lasted for over 21 years and resulted in more than two million deaths. Over the long years of war, attempts were made by various external actors to bring the conflict to an end. But the immense complexities of the war and the lack of political will prevented its earlier resolution. The negotiations that led to the peace agreement dates back to 1993 when the Heads of State of the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD) became involved in the peace process. The agreement was concluded on 09 January 2005 and it comprises of six protocols: the machakos protocol, protocol on power sharing, protocol on wealth sharing, protocol on security arrangement, protocol on the resolution of conflict in the Abyei Area, and the protocol on the resolution in southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states. Its purpose was to develop democratic governance and achieve a comprehensive peace accord. Read more about Sudan here: https://lnkd.in/eHTK_RKW ___________ 📝: Etashe Okpola. 📷: 1) Sudan's First Vice President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha, left, and Sudan People's Liberation Movement leader John Garang share a joke before signing the comprehensive peace agreement. 2005. Photographer: Antony Njuguna/REUTERS. 2) Taha and Garang the signed peace agreement in Nairobi. 2005. BBC. 3) A Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLA) fighter in Rumbek. 2003. SIMON MAINA / AFP.

Today in 1970, Lt. Col. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu fled into exile. #RPUBLCHistory ⏳⁠ On 08 January 1970, the eastern region governor, Lt. Col. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, fled into exile and was replaced by his deputy, Lt. Col. Philip Effiong. The Nigerian Civil War, which broke out on 06 July 1967, was fought between the government of Nigeria and the secessionist state of Biafra. The war broke out after diplomatic efforts by both parties failed to reunite the country, leading to the declaration of eastern Nigeria as a sovereign state, on 30 May 1967, by Ojukwu. After nearly three years of war, as the Biafran state was on the point of collapse, Ojukwu left for Ivory Coast, where President Félix Houphouët-Boigny (1960-1993) – who had recognized Biafra on 14 May 1968 – granted him political asylum. The Ivory Coast was one of the four African countries that recognized Biafra. Others were Zambia, Gabon, and Tanzania. Ojukwu was replaced by his deputy, Lt. Col. Philip Effiong, who became acting president of Biafra and surrendered to General Yakubu Gowon on 13 January 1970. The formal surrender document was signed on 15 January 1970, in Lagos. Thus, there was a renunciation of secession. Read more about the Biafran War here: https://lnkd.in/evtcvFNC ___________ 📝: Etashe Okpola. 📷: 1) Odumegwu Ojukwu, the Biafran head of state, addressing a joint session of the consultative assembly and house at Owerri. 1968. Anthony Astrachan. 2) Ojukwu with his children while on exile in Ivory Coast. 1971. 3) Odumegwu Ojukwu and his 3rd wife, Stella Onyeabor in Côte d’Ivoire during their exile in 1971.

Today in 1927, the first transatlantic telephone call was made. #RPUBLCHistory ⏳⁠ On January 7 1927, the first transatlantic telephone call was made between the United States and the United Kingdom. The call was made by W.S. Gifford, the president of the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T), who spoke to Sir George Ashley, the chairman of the British General Post Office, from New York to London. The call was a major breakthrough in telecommunications, marking the first time that people on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean could communicate with each other in real-time. The call was made possible by the development of radio telephony, which allowed for the transmission of voice signals over long distances. The call was also a testament to the power of innovation and technological advancement. The development of transatlantic telephone communication required significant investment and collaboration between governments, companies, and individuals. It demonstrated the potential for technology to bridge geographical divides and bring people closer together. Read more about technology here: https://lnkd.in/eXmA5DJ2 ____________⁠ 📝: Aderemi Ojo. ⁠📷: 1) James M. Terrill on a telephone at a desk, Grubbs Vocational College. 1919. ACU Library. 2) Gifford sitting by a telephone. c.1919. Library of Congress. 3) Trinidad-born journalist and activist Claudia Jones at the offices of The West Indian Gazette. 1962. JSTOR.