Roots of Political Instability in Africa

Political instability in Africa can arise from a variety of factors, including:

1. Weak institutions and governance: A lack of strong institutions and ineffective governance can result in political instability. Weakness in state institutions such as the judiciary, the police, and the electoral commission can lead to corrupt practices and abuse of power.

2. Ethnic and religious divisions: Africa has a diverse mix of ethnic and religious groups which can sometimes lead to conflict. Political leaders often exploit these divisions to gain support or suppress opposing groups, which can result in violence and instability.

3. Economic factors: Economic hardship and inequality can fuel political instability. High levels of poverty and unemployment often create social tensions, which can lead to protests and political unrest.

4. Foreign intervention: Foreign intervention in African politics has at times destabilized regimes and created chaos in the African continent. Some interventions have been pursued with good intentions, while others have served the interests of outside countries at the expense of African stability.

5. Terrorism: The emergence of militant groups such as Boko Haram, Al-Shabaab, and ISIS in parts of Africa has led to political instability in some countries. These groups perpetrate violence against civilians and government forces, destabilizing communities and forcing people to flee their homes.

6. Historical tensions: Some countries in Africa have a history of colonialism, civil war, and political turmoil, which can create deep-seated tensions that continue to fuel political instability.

In conclusion, political instability in Africa is caused by a complex array of factors, and addressing these issues will require sustained efforts to strengthen governance institutions, address economic inequality and promote social cohesion. Efforts also need to be made to address the root causes of conflicts, adopt effective preventive measures, and ensure the participation of all stakeholders in the development and governance processes.

Why Bob Marley Never Received a Grammy

Bob Marley. Credit: https://www.udiscovermusic.com

Bob Marley is recognized worldwide as one of the most iconic musicians of all time, and his music has served as a source of inspiration for various generations. However, despite his immense talent, Bob Marley never won a Grammy award during his lifetime. While this has been a subject of debate for many fans and music enthusiasts, there are several reasons why the reggae legend may have been overlooked by the Grammy Awards committee.

1. Reggae music was not widely popular in the US: During Bob Marley's time, Reggae music was not as popular in the United States as it was in other parts of the world like the Caribbean, Jamaica, and Europe. Reggae music was often seen as a niche genre and was not widely played on mainstream radio stations. This made it difficult for Reggae artists such as Bob Marley to gain the same level of recognition in the highly competitive US music industry.

2. Lack of representation in Grammy categories: During the early years of the Grammy Awards, there were no specific categories for Reggae music. It was not until 1984 that the Best Reggae Album category was established. Prior to that, Reggae music was lumped in with other genres in the Best World Music or Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording categories. The lack of a specific category for Reggae music may have made it difficult for Bob Marley to earn a Grammy nomination.

3. Political views may have been a factor: Bob Marley was known for his strong political views and activism. He used his music as a platform to speak out against social injustice and inequality, which made him unpopular with some powerful interests and individuals. Some critics suggest that Bob Marley's views may have affected his chances of getting a Grammy nomination.

4. The Grammy Award nomination process is selective: The Grammy Awards are highly selective, and not all deserving artists win awards. Several factors are taken into consideration during the selection process, including an artist's record sales, accomplishments, and the industry's recognition. While Bob Marley had major success outside the US, his commercial success in the US was relatively limited during his lifetime.

In conclusion, Bob Marley's lack of Grammy recognition during his lifetime could be attributed to several factors such as the limited popularity of Reggae music in the US, lack of representation in Grammy categories, his political views, and the highly selective nature of the Grammy awards nomination process. However, Bob Marley's legacy has continued to transcend time, and his music remains a source of inspiration for many around the world

 

Rasta Controversies Stem from Discrimination

The Rastafari faith or movement has been controversial in some circles, mainly because of their unique beliefs and practices. Here are some reasons why the Rastafari movement can be considered controversial:

1. Use of marijuana: The Rastafari movement has long been associated with the use of marijuana, which they consider to be a sacrament and a means of achieving spiritual consciousness. However, the use of marijuana is illegal in many countries, which has led to the persecution of Rastafarians.

Answer: Rastas argue that there is no religion without controversies and that many nations are now legalizing the smoking of Marijuana at the moment. This means that the larger society is only beginning to see its relevance decades after Rastas had seen it. When a new culture emerges, it will always find opposition against mainstream culture.

2. Dreadlocks: Another controversial aspect of the Rastafari movement is the wearing of dreadlocks, which is considered a symbol of the movement. However, some people view dreadlocks as unprofessional or unkempt. This has led to Rastafarians being discriminated against in schools and workplaces.

Answer: Rasta is a belief. If you believe something to be right, you stand by it regardless of the persecution that comes with sticking to your beliefs.

3. Afrocentric beliefs: The Rastafari movement is a Pan-African movement that emphasizes African heritage and culture. Rastafarians believe that Africa is the birthplace of humanity and that Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie is a divine figure. This belief system challenges Eurocentric views and has led to clashes with mainstream culture.

Answer: Everywhere around the world, inter-religious clashes that leave behind huge devastation in their wake have always been witnessed. Clashes between Rastas and the enemies are isolated when compared to what happens between these mainstream religions.

4. Repatriation: The Rastafari movement promotes the repatriation of Africans to Africa, particularly Ethiopia, which is viewed as the spiritual homeland. This belief has been called unrealistic and impractical by some critics.

Answer: Often you hear other races telling black people to go back to Africa.  Many Rastas have moved back to Africa. Rita Marley has been living in Ghana for more than twenty years. Franky Paul, a Jamaican Reggae artist died in the Gambia. So, what makes it unrealistic?

5. Perceived anti-establishment views: Rastafarians have been viewed as anti-establishment because of their opposition to political and social institutions. They believe in living outside the mainstream and living a natural and simple life. This has led to clashes with police and governments, who often view Rastafarians as a threat.

Answer: the establishment has always discriminated against the black Diaspora. Take the case of Jim Crow laws in the US.

The founders of the main religion suffered opposition while he struggled to spread his beliefs. Jesus Christ was crucified and Prophet Mohammed had to flee from Mecca to Medina to escape persecution.

Ember Months in Nigeria

In Nigeria, what do “ember” months mean?  This refers to the last four months of the year, which all end with the five letters e-m-b-e-r.

The Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, was founded to minimize the high rates of highway crashes in Nigeria. The commission, in its survey, realized that the high level of deaths on our highways is disproportionately higher during the period. Every year, when the ember months come, the FRSC steps up its battle to minimize the level of road crashes by embarking on awareness, through media channels.

In Nigeria, many prefer to spend Christmas in ancestral homes. Thus, there is often a high level of migration. Such migrations are most common to the people of the southeastern region of Nigeria. The roads are busier, thereby escalating the possibility of vehicular accidents. Aside from that, the high levels of migration present a window for motorists, who move people for money. They drive at horrific speeds to make as many trips as possible. As is often said though, speed kills.

Highway activities have, however, failed to account for a small proportion of the strange level of deaths often recorded only during the ember months. At the end of the year, people just want a total Christmas, one that even deviates from what Christmas is supposed to be about. There will be business partners who will rat on their colleagues. There will be men or women who believe in money-making through rituals. They will kill their victims leaving bizarre remains of the victim, after wrenching the eyes, tongues, and private parts of their victims.

The ember month period is a perilous period of the year when wise people are considerate of all that is pertinent.

Could All of Us Be Polyandrous?

Recently, a video surfaced on social medai portraying Irigwe people as practicing polyandry, a marriage practice where a single woman marries more than one man simultaneously, sleeping with one husband today and sleeping with another tomorrow. The video is offensive to Irigwe people, not for any reason other than the fact that the video attaches Irigwe people to an identity that isn’t theirs plus the fact that they view such a practice with scorn.

The Irigwes are found in the southwestern part of Bassa in the north of Plateau State, Nigeria. A drive from Jos, the biggest city in Plateau State, to the heart of Irigweland would barley last for twenty five minutes. Thus, it isn’t a corner of the world that is so remote and vague to warrant the type of parody Lerin’s video sold. 

Lerin Nicodemus. credit: Gistreel.com

 

Before the coming of Christianity to Irigweland, there was a traditional marriage practice. If a woman marries her husband and later feels unsatisfied, the man comes back, one day, to discover that she is gone. On inquiry, close friends will mention a particular village she often talked about. The man sets out the next day to find his wife and restore his marriage. He finds the man in whose house his wife slept. The man hosts him in the conventional way you would host a guest and then sends him off with his wife. If the woman is determined to marry that strange man, she goes again. The husband repeats the process of restoring his marriage until she goes the third time, when he would have given up.  If she is still not satisfied she goes again, to a third man. This is what Walter Sangree, an American anthropologist, referred to as secondary and tertiary marriages in his deeply researched writings about Irigwe people. 

Could this marriage practice be what Lerin NIchodemous referred to as polyandry in her video?  If so, then we are all attached to polyandry, one way or the other. Take the case of a marriage practice, in some cultures, where a man can give his wife a double or triple divorce. When this happens, she must be married to two or three different men (as the case may be) at different times before meeting the criteria for remarrying her first husband.

There are practices that look strange in many other cultures. Take the case of a man who offers his wife for a night to a man that visits him. It is part of the hospitality to the visiting man, especially if he appears handsome.

The Irigwes are polygamists. A man can marry as much as four wives, if he so desires. Thus, they cannot be polygamous and polyandrous simultaneously.

Lerin looked and sounded so confident in her video that one would think she deeply researched on the topic before posting. As said in the preceding part of this writing, Irigwe land isn’t too far away. Thus, it is accessible. If Lerin looks around her, she is likely going to find Irigwe neigbours, as long as it is within the borders of Nigeria. She could also visit Irigweland and see things herself.   

Nigeria Now a Fully Capitalist Nation

President Bola Tinubu

In Jamaica, Rastas insist what they practice is not Rastafarianism. It is just Rasta, they say. They say the word “Rastafarianism” is an invention of journalism. They wouldn’t want to be associated with any word with the suffix “ism” since they are often associated exploitation. Examples of such exploitations are capitalism, colonialism, nepotism, etc. 

Today, Nigeria is now a fully a capitalist nation as against the mix economic setting we had and which is right for a nation in our circumstance.

In capitalism every service provided the people is aimed at making profits and one can rise to as high as his talent and hard work can take him. It is considered evil because it creates a situation where a few people have everything, while too many people have nothing, to quote Jimmy Cliff.

On the other side of the coin, you find the more humane Socialism. In Socialism, there is a limit to where investors can venture into. Government in such economic environments feel that certain basic services like water supply, electricity, cooking gas, etc, shouldn’t be left in the hands of people who are all out for profits. This is because a lot of poor people may find it difficult to afford such services, despite the services being fundamental to human existence. It was the reason why Nigeria practiced a mix of the two, allowing people like Aliyu Dan Gote to invest in certain areas of the economy but keeping water supply, electricity, gas, kerosene, diesel and other basic social services to itself.

But right now, Nigeria has withdrawn its intervention in many of these services, and life is now agonizing. Nigeria has not only handover electric power provision to capitalists; it has withdrawn, albeit slowly, the subsidy it was been paying in this area. In the area of water supply, the taps are dry and people have to resort to buying from mai ruwa with the health risk that such poses. Subsidies on all petroleum products have been totally withdrawn, leaving us totally in the hands of capitalists. This is the very decision of the authorities that feels like a red hot knife is drilling into our hearts. It is the aspect of government’s neutrality on social services that has inspired this writing.

Why did the Nigerian Government pull off support to this basic service? It is because it is eating up a huge chunk of the national budget, not just because the refined petroleum products are imported, but because it has provided a fertile ground for dishonesty to bloom in manner that is terrifying.

Nigeria is about the fifth oil-producing nation in the world. Sadly, the refined petroleum products used in Nigeria are imported, since the refineries in Nigeria are grounded and the government has been unable to breathe life into them again. So, the government goes to foreign nations to buy the products at prices ordinary people in those countries buy. There will be charges paid for shipment to Nigeria and more to serve as profits to importers. It is important to note that Nigerians aren’t paid equally as citizens in those nations. So, if a liter of oil in those countries is the equivalent of seven hundred naira, for instance, it will mean nothing to the citizens of those countries, but makes life horrible to us in Nigeria. It explains why Nigerians prefer to go and work abroad.

If Nigerians must be happy, its citizens must have to be paid as high as citizens in the countries from where Nigeria imports the petroleum products. It is either this, or the Nigerian government gets the refineries working optimally, seal the “porous’ borders and then bring back subsidy.

The refineries in Nigeria were the kitchen where the food that we grow is cooked and served to everyone. Since the kitchen doesn’t work anymore, daddy has to go and buy from restaurants. The cost is too high for him to bear, so he decided to let every child feed himself.

Minimum Wages in Some African Countries

 This is the minimum wage in some five  Countries as at 2021

Country	American Dollar Equivalent
Nigeria	$40.00
South Africa	$179.00
Ghana	$30.31
Ethiopia	$10.79
Egypt	$64.93
Kenya	$91.21