On Saturday 19 February, Special Assistant to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Development Policy, Ibrahim Lawal Ahmed discussed “The Need and Difficulty of Public Service in Africa” as Future Africa Forum’s Guest Speaker. This article written by
Ibrahim Lawal Ahmed expands on the same discussion.
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Vital Kamerhe: 20-Year Sentence, A Dead Judge And a Waltz With the Law
When does corruption start? Does it start with the first call to an offshore bank, the first transfer of illicit funds or does it start some time before – during a sleepless night – and in the depths of the mind where no law reaches?
Through My Eyes: Zambia’s Democratic Elections
Zambia is currently experiencing what could be one of its biggest defining moments since the re-introduction of political pluralism in 1990. This is because to many Zambians this change of government feels like freedom, hope and an opportunity for them to raise their standards of living after what felt like decades of suffering under the administration of the Patriotic Front led by former president Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
Uganda’s Museveni Settles into Sixth Term with 7 Billion Shillings Inauguration
The issue in question is not the legitimacy of the election results. Why would a struggling economy with nearly 70 trillion Uganda Shillings (UGX) (21 billion U.S dollars) in debt spend 7 billion UGX (2 million dollars) to inaugurate the same president? Doesn’t every penny count?
Future Africa Fellowship: Re-Enacting the 2016/17 Gambian Electoral Crisis
Takunda Ushe reviews the re-enactment of the 2016/17 Gambian electoral crisis through a simulated Commission of Inquiry at the Future Africa Fellowship. He highlights the complexity of “the will of the people”, as a prevailing factor in the actions of political players.
Bring Back Our Boys – A Call to Action
Nteranya Sanginga and Tetsekela Michelle discuss the case of terrorism in Nigeria and the overwhelming need to effectively address the underlying socio-economic shortcomings that continue to motivate young men to opt into armed banditry and insurgency in Nigeria. How do we bring our boys back?
In Ethiopia, Nigeria and Uganda, A Leadership Deficit Is On Full Display
Faith Abiodun discusses the case of political instability in Ethiopia which is at war within its own borders, Uganda which is experiencing its worst unrest in years, and Nigeria where a dishonorable campaign of retaliation against innocent citizens is being implemented.
Street Protests Are Dangerous, But Are They Effective?
Faith Abiodun analyses the effectiveness of street protests in a year that has been weighed down by the scourge of Covid-19. The year 2020 has been marked by an endless global stream of protests. How do we ensure that street protests in Africa are effective and safe?
Three Reasons Young Brilliant (and Ethical) Africans Are Not Involved in Politics and How to Change That
Faith Abiodun makes an assessment of the reasons that drive political apathy in young aspiring leaders. But more importantly, he takes a deep dive into how to change the status quo through mainstreaming civic education and credible sharing of on-the-job experiences with young people.
5 Reasons (Almost) No One Votes for a Political Newbie
Of all the interesting incidents that accompany elections, there is always the emergence of new players into the political spectrum. However, most citizens tend to treat unfamiliar faces in politics with a very healthy dose of skepticism. Why so?
Yes, President Masisi, Kabila Must Go!
Hardly ever, even in the face of extreme crisis, has an African president called out another president, purportedly to maintain respect for sovereignty or to avoid the semblance of hypocrisy. But Botswana’s 18-day old President Mokgweetsi Masisi bucked the trend by calling out Joseph Kabila of DRC.
Government: The Making of Pseudo-Service for Lucrative Pursuits
Nteranya Arnold Sanginga argues that some leaders in the past have taken advantage of their roles for personal gains in many African nations. Why is it that some African leaders have been inclined towards pseudo-service and how do we stop them going forward? Are youth leaders the answer?