Author: King Jaja

Looking across the landscape of churches in Nigeria, excluding the relatively new churches that have sprung up in the last decade or so, the vast majority of these churches, which are mostly denominational, have something of a common denominator. The common denominator is what I would refer to as an excessive fixation on the Old Testament, with wrong intent. What I mean is this: the reason for this fixation on the Old Testament, and this is evident in the focus of the teachings in these denominations, is that it most appeals to the underlying cultural beliefs here especially around generational…

Chelsea are reportedly considering a move to sign Victor Osimhen before the January transfer window, with the English Premier League club keen to secure the services of the Nigeria striker, The PUNCH  reports. The Stamford Bridge giants, who missed out on the Nigeria striker during the summer transfer window, are said to be closely monitoring his situation at Galatasaray, where he is currently playing on loan from Napoli. A source close to Football Insider revealed that Chelsea are eyeing a potential deal, thanks to a break clause in Osimhen’s loan agreement with the Turkish giants. Their interest in the player…

In this opinion piece, Urban Food Systems researcher Gareth Haysom calls for a different approach to respond to urban food insecurity and emphasises the role that local government can play through targeted strategies.The future of any young child conceived today in one of the under-serviced areas of a South African city demands that we act on food insecurity now, and act with urgency and initiative seldom seen in our governance structures. The environmental author Rob Nixon describes society’s encounter with climate change as “slow violence”, a “different kind of violence, a violence that is neither spectacular nor instantaneous, but rather incremental…

This article, co-written by Martin Magidi and Tavengwa Gwekwerere, explores how urban male youth in Zimbabwe have created economies of hustle and waithood through soccer betting to ensure alternative means of survival in a country facing rapid urban growth and endless economic challenges. Data were collected using a combination of ethnographic methods, including participant and non-participant observations, betting experimentation, and informal conversations. The findings show that urban male youth in Zimbabwean cities use a variety of skills in soccer betting to increase their chances of winning and earning a living through informal economic activities while waiting for employment opportunities. The…

As New York Fashion Week unfolds, several designers are taking inspiration from nature in a way that goes beyond the usual floral prints or botanical motifs often seen in spring collections. Labels such as Collina Strada, Libertine, Christian Siriano, Rachel Antonoff, and Susan Alexandra are showcasing an amplified connection to nature, highlighting flora, fauna, and the joy of natural surroundings in innovative and thought-provoking ways.Collina Strada’s Spring 2025 show, led by creative director Hillary Taymour, stands out for its explicit connection to the environment. Held outdoors at Marble Cemetery in the East Village, models walked through grass wearing prints inspired…

Chimpanzees, our closest living relatives, exhibit a complex and varied diet that reflects their diverse and adaptive nature. Their diet is crucial to their survival and well-being, influencing their behavior, social structures, and overall health. In the wild, particularly in regions like Kibale Forest National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, chimpanzees demonstrate fascinating dietary habits that can be observed during activities such as chimpanzee trekking. This writeup explores the intricate details of the chimpanzee diet, providing insights into their feeding behaviors and the implications for wildlife tracking and conservation.The Diverse Diet of ChimpanzeesChimpanzees are omnivorous, consuming a…

According to the 2024 Sustainable Development Report, progress in these nations has been uneven, with significant strides forward but formidable challenges remaining. The percentage of the global population with access to electricity has improved significantly in many developing regions. For example, East and South Asia have shown a notable increase in access, with countries like India achieving near-universal electrification. However, Sub-Saharan Africa continues to lag, with several countries still struggling to provide electricity to large portions of their populations. Access to clean cooking fuels and technologies, another critical aspect of SDG 7, remains a significant challenge in many developing countries. Despite improvements, a…

A report from Cambridge University Press reveals that Salaga was one of the leading slave markets in West Africa during the 1880s. The story of the enslaved people—their origins, who brought them to Salaga, who purchased them, and their fate—can be reconstructed from accounts by a wide range of travelers, both Black and white, including officials, soldiers, merchants, and missionaries of various nationalities, African and European. On the eve of European colonization, which eventually ended the internal slave trade, these accounts allow us to glimpse the scale and mechanisms of the trade, as well as the diverse attitudes towards slavery…

Each day, 12,000 girls are at risk of female genital mutilation, the UN says – subjecting them not only to immediate pain and violation of their rights, but to lifelong health complications and trauma. UN experts led by the special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, Reem Alsalem, described it this spring as “one of the most pernicious forms of violence” committed against them.The UN set a target of eradicating FGM by the end of this decade, and impressive advances have been made in some countries. But overall, progress has stalled or reversed. In 2016, 200 million girls and…

In late May, we were among the many people around the world mourning the death of Kenyan mountain climber Cheruiyot Kirui who died on Mount Everest while trying to summit without supplementary oxygen. Gitonga was especially moved, as he knew Cheruiyot personally and had earlier attempted to be the first black Kenyan to climb Mount Everest. Gitonga and Cheruiyot shared a love of exploring the outdoors and pushing boundaries. Another person seeking to push boundaries is Zoe Wanjiru, who was one of 13 women—including only two women from Africa—selected from 700 applicants to receive a 2024 scholarship from the AWE…