awoniyi270514

Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

Government-backed African Advisory Centre opens in Dortmund

The African Network of Germany (TANG) has opened a new office in Dortmund. The organisation implements projects to support its objectives, among which is the promotion of the integration of Africans in German society. TANG, founded in 2013, also facilitates the engagement of diaspora Africans in the development of their countries of origin. The Dortmund office, which formally opened for …

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Can Siemens save Nigeria’s chaotic power sector?

The Nigerian government has agreed to a deal with the German energy company in an attempt to fix the country’s unreliable electricity grid. But will the agreement bring succour to Nigerians who have been suffering under inadequate power supply for decades? Ineke Mules of DW (Deutsche Welle) reports Nigeria has signed a six-year power deal with German energy giant Siemens, which …

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Algeria – new champions of African football!

Algeria scored early to beat Senegal to lift their second African Cup of Nations at the grand final of the continental football festival. Baghdad Bounedjah’s early goal propelled Algeria to a first Africa Cup of Nations title in 29 years after a fiery 1-0 victory over Sadio Mane’s Senegal in Friday’s (July 20) final in Cairo. Bounedjah gave Algeria a …

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Berlin commemorates African resistance to German colonialism

A two-meter-high tablet reminding of German colonial history has been unveiled in Berlin on Monday. The memorial plaque, situated in the Wilhelmstraße in the Central District of the city, commemorates the “Dibobe-Petition”. A petition, submitted by Cameroon-born Martin Quane a Dibobe to the Imperial Ministry of the Colonies in June 1919, which is considered one of the most important documents …

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Nigerians celebrate their culture in grand style in Berlin and Munich

A celebration of Nigerian cultural wealth was held in two of Germany’s biggest cities last Saturday (22 July). In Berlin, Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany, HE Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, hosted German officials, members of the diplomatic corps and other guests at the 1st Annual Nigerian Cultural Day. The event featured speeches, an art exhibition, a fashion show, a literary fair and …

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Corruption getting worse in Africa – new global report  

According to a newly-published survey by Transparency International, most Africans think corruption is getting worse in their countries. The Global Corruption Barometer (GCB) – Africa, released by the Berlin-based anti-corruption organisation, reveals that 53 per cent of citizens surveyed in 35 African countries think corruption is getting worse while 23 per cent say the problem is getting better. More than …

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Sea-Watch captain hopes for better EU rules on rescued migrants, but analysts doubt

Sea-Watch rescue ship’s captain, Carola Rackete, has expressed the hope that the new EU commission would work to let boat-rescued migrants enter Europe. Rackete, who is under investigation in Italy for docking her boat in the Italian port of Lampedusa without permission in early July, said: “I sincerely hope that the European Commission now, after the new election of the …

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Outstanding African projects win awards in Berlin

Many organisations and individuals working on African issues presented their work to the public at the Fair for Bridge Builders (Messe der Brückenbauer), part of the activities celebrating the Kenako Afrika-Festival in Berlin (3-14 July). The fair is a platform for committed people from Germany and the African diaspora to exhibit their projects for the development of Africa and present …

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European commission gets first-ever woman president

Germany’s defence minister, Dr Ursula von der Leyen, secured a narrow majority win in the European Parliament on Tuesday to replace incumbent Jean-Claude Juncker as president of the European Commission. She received 383 out of 747 possible votes, just nine more than the minimum for her election. Ms von der Leyen will be the first German to lead the EU …

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Nigerian Diaspora Italy elects new executive committee

The Italian chapter of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) has elected a new executive committee. The event, part of the annual general meeting of the body, took place on Saturday (13 July) in the city of Perugia. Dr Lawrence Akuwudike Ibekwe was re-elected Chairman for a new two-year term, a sort of approval seal for its leadership of the …

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Half of Germans view Islam as a threat, says new study

Around 50 percent of Germans are wary of Islam, a new study by Bertelsmann Foundation has found. In a study on religious diversity conducted by the highly influential NGO, one-third of the respondents see Islam as “enriching” German society. At the same time, half of participants said they view it as a “threat.” The pollsters blame the media for this …

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Number of foreigners in Germany exceeds 10 million for the first time

According to the Federal Statistical Office, the population of Germany rose slightly by 227,000 in 2018. At the end of last year, 83 million people lived in Germany 10.1 million of who were foreigners, that is, inhabitants without German passport, the new report revealed. The proportion of foreigners in the total population increased from 11.7 percent to 12.2 percent in …

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Why Black people are not recognised in Germany, by Moctar Kamara

The 12-day Kenako Afrika-Festival, featuring live music concerts, bazaar, children’s workshop, culinary, fashion shows and more, ended on 14 July in Berlin. While the annual event celebrates Africa’s colourful, multi-facetted and rich cultures, it also takes a serious look at issues affecting the continent and its diaspora. The 2019 festival, under the motto ‘Africa in Global Context’, featured podium discussions …

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German government appoints Sylvie Nantcha member of federal commission on migration

The Federal Government has appointed Dr Sylvie Nantcha as a member of a technical commission on migration. The task of the 24-member commission is to identify “the root causes of flight and irregular migration” and it has until the end of next year to make concrete recommendations for action on how to tackle the issues. Flight and migration are among …

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Photo exhibition on German colonialism in Cameroon holding in Berlin

A photo exhibition on German colonial occupation of Cameroon opened is currently holding at the Mitte Museum in the Tiergarten Rathaus in Berlin. The images, from the Federal Archive of the German government, show the different stages of German presence in the African country and they remind of the German colonial history in the continent.   The exhibition titled “Was …

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Noel Yengong showcases Africa at Europe’s biggest men’s fashion exhibition

Noel Yengong, aka Manlikeclix, and other African models represented Africa at the 2019 Pitti Uomo, Europe’s biggest men’s fashion exhibition, recently. Pitti Uomo is a 3-day event at which the biggest fashion brands, designers, influencers and partners from all over the globe gather to showcase their new collections and styles.   Manlikeclix, who was born in Cameroon and came to …

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Young Ghanaian innovator shows Africa’s future lies in its talented youth

Self-taught coder develops model for diagnosing breast cancer; looks to solve some of the continent’s biggest challenges and inspires youth across the continent as Africa Code Week Youth Ambassador for 2019. “It takes a village to raise a child”: as the Fourth Industrial Revolution sweeps across Africa and more of its youth develop coding and other digital skills, there may …

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