The Power of Soft Skills: Key Takeaway From The International Project Management Day Conference 2025
The Power of Soft Skills is the key takeaway from the International Project Management Day Conference 2025. It brought together thought leaders, practitioners, and innovators to explore how project management continues to evolve as both a technical and human-centered craft.
By melody-Esther soyemi - Africa-Related, Nigeria
Creating Connections in Project Management
“The International Project Management Day Conference 2025 brought together thought leaders, practitioners, and innovators to explore how project management continues to evolve as both a technical and human-centered craft.”
On November 6, 2025, project management professionals around the world came together to celebrate International Project Management Day 2025, a global event dedicated to recognizing the discipline’s impact on organizational success and human collaboration. The conference program featured two thematic tracks that ran concurrently throughout the day, Track A focused on communication, self-awareness, and workplace civility, while Track B emphasized sustainable project management, certification pathways, and emerging professional standards.
Opening Keynote: Building Respectful Engagement
The conference opened with a powerful keynote titled “The 3-Pass Process: Building Respectful Engagement by Ted Lalonde.” Lalonde emphasized the growing importance of empathy, inclusivity, and trust in managing teams, especially in today’s hybrid and multicultural work environments. He also encouraged attendees to see respectful engagement not just as etiquette, but as a project management competency essential for achieving long-term results.
Practical Communication Skills to Build Civility in the Workplace
(Video source)
This session was led by Carroll Blair who highlighted one of the most discussed topics of the day: Practical Communication Skills to Build Civility in the Workplace. It explored how project managers can intentionally create psychologically safe spaces that foster honest dialogue and collaboration. She stressed that civility is more than politeness, it’s a measurable factor in reducing project risks and improving stakeholder relationships. She stated “ when talking about civility in the work place do we want to expect less from each other, do we want technology to do all of our human interactions, or do we want to be alone together.”
Real-world examples illustrated how communication breakdowns often lead to project delays, while open feedback channels help teams navigate uncertainty with shared purpose. The key takeaway is that effective project management starts with human connection.
Circling the Dragon: Diagnosing and Resolving Organizational Culture Issues
This session was conducted by Tim Lalonde, Circling the Dragon, He guided participants through the complexities of diagnosing and resolving organizational culture challenges. Using the metaphor of “the dragon,” the session addressed how unspoken issues such as misaligned values or fear-based communication can silently undermine team performance.
He called on project leaders to take on the role of culture stewards, combining data-driven insight with emotional intelligence to identify and address underlying tensions. A standout message was that projects do not fail because of technology they fail because of culture. By “circling the dragon,” leaders can face these invisible challenges head-on and transform organizational friction into collective growth.
African Perspective:
Across many African mostly Nigerian workplaces, project outcomes are often shaped more by culture than by technical capability. Hierarchical communication remains a major limitation, as employees frequently hesitate to speak openly or give feedback to senior leaders. This reluctance to express disagreement leads to unresolved issues that eventually harm or be harmful to projects. Soft skills are also underemphasized, with organizations focusing heavily on certifications while overlooking emotional intelligence, conflict management, and communication competence. Combined with limited psychological safety, these factors create environments where innovation is slow and teams operate cautiously.
Yet Africa also demonstrates remarkable strengths. The continent’s strong communal values naturally support collaboration and collective problem-solving. African professionals are highly adaptable and resilient,which increases their survival skills and often excels in uncertain or resource-constrained environments. A rapidly expanding youth workforce is embracing global project management standards with energy and curiosity, and the rise of PMI chapters and PM training hubs across African nations reflects a continent moving forward.
By applying the global conference themes locally, African and Nigerian organizations stand to benefit significantly. Emphasizing civility in communication will ease workplace tensions and improve teamwork. Addressing cultural issues head-on, rather than ignoring them, will reduce project failures caused by silence or misalignment. Prioritizing soft skills alongside technical training will produce project managers who can lead confidently across cultures and sectors. Above all, adopting respectful engagement as a leadership mindset will deepen trust, strengthen morale, and create workplaces where people feel empowered to contribute.
In this way, Africa and Nigeria can not only align with global project management standards but also position itself as a rising leader in innovation, collaboration, and modern project delivery.
Panel Discussions and Awards
The conference also featured thought-provoking panels on topics such as “What Soft Skills are Key for Today’s Project Managers” and “Everything You Wanted to Know About PM Certifications But Were Afraid to Ask.” These discussions reinforced that modern project management requires more than tools and frameworks; it requires resilience, adaptability, and emotional literacy.
The day concluded with prize draws and recognition ceremonies celebrating excellence in the field, including the Canadian PM of the Year, Project of the Year, and the Young PM of the Year Awards, as well as an announcement of the 2026 PM Paper Competition. These honors underscored the community’s ongoing commitment to innovation, mentorship, and professional growth.
A Shared Global Vision
The 2025 International Project Management Day Conference reminded attendees that while methodologies evolve, the heart of project management remains the same: people working together toward meaningful goals. From sustainable practices to civil communication and cultural awareness, the event captured the essence of leadership in the modern era: strategic, empathetic, and purpose-driven.
As the profession continues to adapt to an increasingly complex world, this year’s conference was both a celebration and a call to action: to lead not just with skill, but with humanity.
Key Takeaways from International Project Management Day Conference 2025
Respectful engagement is a project competency. Building trust and empathy within teams is no longer optional; it's a measurable skill that drives performance.
Civility creates stronger teams. Communication grounded in respect reduces conflict, improves morale, and increases project success rates.
Culture determines project outcomes. Technical expertise alone cannot save a project if organizational culture is broken. Leaders must “circle the dragon.”
Soft skills are the new hard skills. Emotional intelligence, adaptability, and feedback literacy define the next generation of project managers.
Global collaboration is the future. From sustainability to digital transformation, project managers must lead across cultures, disciplines, and time zones with empathy and purpose.
share this story
Democracy on Trial: A Canadian Court’s Wake-Up Call for Nigeria
On June 17, 2025, far from Abuja, a Federal Court in Ontario, Canada, delivered a ruling that should shake every Nigerian who still believes in democracy. The case was not about a coup, an insurgency, or a terrorist cell in the usual sense. It was about our politics—our political parties—and the shocking conclusion of a court with no partisan interest in our affairs: Nigeria’s two dominant parties, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), have, through systemic violence and democratic sabotage, operated in ways tantamount to terrorism under Canadian law.
Democracy on Trial: A Canadian Court’s Wake-Up Call for Nigeria
By Bolaji O. Akinyemi
On June 17, 2025, far from Abuja, a Federal Court in Ontario, Canada, delivered a ruling that should shake every Nigerian who still believes in democracy. The case was not about a coup, an insurgency, or a terrorist cell in the usual sense. It was about our politics—our political parties—and the shocking conclusion of a court with no partisan interest in our affairs: Nigeria’s two dominant parties, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), have, through systemic violence and democratic sabotage, operated in ways tantamount to terrorism under Canadian law.
The case arose from an asylum application by Douglas Egharevba, a Nigerian politician who once belonged to the PDP. He sought refuge in Canada, citing political persecution. But Madam Justice Phuong T.V. Ngo upheld earlier findings that both PDP and APC have histories of political violence so entrenched that mere membership in either is grounds for inadmissibility under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The evidence laid before the court was damning: ballot stuffing, voter intimidation, violent suppression of opposition, and a culture of impunity stretching from the PDP’s early years in 2003 and 2004, through the APC’s more recent reigns.
The judge rejected the lazy excuse that “this is just how politics works in Nigeria,” calling it “circular and paradoxical.” In other words: if corruption and violence are the rules of the game, then the game is not democracy.
Why Nigerians Must Pay Attention
This was not a judgment written by an opposition politician, an activist blogger, or an NGO desperate for donor funding. This was a neutral, foreign court assessing our democracy through cold, legal reasoning—and finding it diseased at its core.
We can dismiss it as foreign meddling. We can wave it off as ignorance of our “complex realities.” But to do so would be to miss the point entirely. This ruling is a mirror, held up from afar, reflecting the ugly truth many Nigerians already know but are too fatigued, fearful, or compromised to confront: since 1999, our political system has been managed, not by political parties in the true sense of the word, but by political cartels.
What a Political Party Is Meant to Be
The word party suggests a gathering where everyone present has a voice, a stake, and a role. In political science, a party is an organized group bound by an ideology—shared beliefs about how society should be governed. It has rules that bind both leaders and members. It educates its members. It disciplines those who betray its values. It exists to serve the nation, not the personal ambitions of a clique.
By this definition, no political party in Nigeria today qualifies as a true party. We have electoral machines, not ideological movements. We have platforms for power capture, not schools of democratic thought. We have cults of personality, not communities of purpose.
This is why elections feel like recycling—moving from PDP’s failures to APC’s failures and back again—because the rot is not in the logo or the colours, but in the structure and culture.
The Two Choices Before 2027
This Canadian ruling leaves Nigerians with two stark choices:
1. Revolution from Within: Citizens—especially youths—must enter these parties en masse and fight for internal democracy. Demand charters of principles. Demand transparent primaries. Demand that violence and vote buying attract swift expulsion. Demand that ideology—not godfatherism—determines who leads.
2. Look Beyond the Cartels: Support smaller, disciplined parties that stand on clear principles and refuse to rent themselves out to power brokers. Build movements around ideas, not personalities. Yes, it will be hard. Yes, they may lose at first. But democracy is not a one-election project—it’s a culture we must build brick by brick.
We Must Redefine “Party” Before We Can Rebuild Nigeria
Until we fix how parties are structured, Nigeria cannot be fixed. You cannot have a functional nation without functional political parties. The party is the factory where leaders are produced, tested, and refined. If the factory is broken, every product will be defective—no matter the packaging.
Our failure to build ideological parties is why the same recycled elite move from platform to platform without shame. It is why parties have no policies beyond slogans. It is why governance feels the same no matter who wins.
The Path Forward
We must:
Demand legislation that ties party registration to internal democratic standards.
Push INEC to audit party constitutions and enforce compliance.
Build civic education campaigns that teach citizens what a political party truly is and why it matters.
Organize—not just to vote—but to shape the platforms we vote for.
Conclusion: A Foreign Court Has Done What Our Own Will Not
That a Canadian court could declare our ruling parties as violent actors should embarrass our judiciary, our electoral bodies, and our political elite. But embarrassment alone will change nothing. The question is: Will Nigerians use this as a turning point?
2027 will not save us if we walk into it with the same mindset that brought us here. Whether we reform the APC and PDP from within, or build credible alternatives from without, one truth remains: until Nigerians reclaim the ideology and structure of the political party, democracy will remain an empty ritual, and our nation a mismanaged project.
We can keep dancing at this masquerade of democracy—or we can crash the party, rewrite the rules, and host a new one worthy of Nigeria’s future.
Dr. Bolaji O. Akinyemi is an Apostle and Nation Builder. He’s also President Voice of His Word Ministries and Convener Apostolic Round Table. BoT Chairman, Project Victory Call Initiative, AKA PVC Naija. He is a strategic Communicator and the C.E.O, Masterbuilder Communications.
Email:bolajiakinyemi66@gmail.com
Facebook:Bolaji Akinyemi.
X:Bolaji O Akinyemi
Instagram:bolajioakinyemi
Phone:+2348033041236
FOBALLY ARTWORLD AFRICA, LAGOS
9 Printmaking Grand Masters In Nigeria
EXHIBITION!
FOBALLY ARTWORLD AFRICA, LAGOS
presents
9 Printmaking Grand Masters In Nigeria
August 16- 31, 2025
10AM to 6PM Daily
T.A.L Board Visits Tom Adaba Legacy Center, Okene
Site Visit to Tom Adaba Legacy Center, Okene
By Glory Ize Isaiah
OKENE, KOGI STATE
Group Photo of Tom Adaba Legacy Team and Ita’i Weavers during the site visit on July 25, 2025. (Photo by DrQuest/Africa-Related)
Project/Facility Name: Tom Adaba Legacy Center, Okene, Home of Itai’ Our Cloth
Date of Visit: Friday, July 25, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: T.A.L Center G.R.A Okene, Kogi State
Board Members of the Tom Adaba Legacy Foundation conducted a site visit to Okene, Kogi State. The purpose of the visit was to carry out an inspection and engagement tour of the Tom Adaba Legacy Center, evaluate the operations of Itai’ Our Cloth, interact with the weavers and apprentices, identify challenges and opportunities for scale, and strengthen stakeholder relations with the Tom Adaba Legacy board, including its Executive director and accompanying executives.
Attendees
Mrs. Oyiza Adaba-Okereke - Board President/ED Tom Adaba Legacy and CEO - Itai Our Cloth
Mr. Maurice Okereke - Tom Adaba Legacy (Community Initiatives) /Founder, Words By MOE
Mrs. Rosemary Onubaiye - Country Director Ita’i Our Cloth
Members of the Tom Adaba Legacy Foundation
Weavers’ Coordinators
Community Weavers & Apprentices
Media Personnels
And other Staff
Visit Narrative & Key Highlights
The official site visitation commenced at 10:00 AM on Friday, July 25, 2025. The Board President and Executive Director of Tom Adaba Legacy Foundation arrived in the company of her husband and board members. The atmosphere at the facility was electrifying as the women weavers, visibly overjoyed, welcomed the team with songs and dances in their local dialect, a heartfelt expression of gratitude and excitement.
The Executive Director responded warmly, asking after each woman's welfare and inquiring about their families. Led by the Country Director and the Weavers’ Coordinators, the women took the E.D and her team on a guided tour of the center, showing the facility and ongoing work.
The weavers, excited by the presence of the leadership team, quickly resumed their craft while the Executive Director observed them at work. Demonstrating deep interest and solidarity, she sat beside them, learned the basics of weaving, and participated in the process, showing humility and respect for their skill.
Mrs. Adaba-Okereke later engaged in deep, sincere conversations with the young apprentices who are currently undergoing training in weaving. They expressed how learning this trade has shifted their perspectives on life, offering them not just a skill, but a path toward independence and self-determination. However, they also raised concerns: the tradition of weaving is slowly fading, with fewer young people interested in carrying it on. They voiced hope that more efforts would be made to preserve and promote the craft, particularly among youth.
In response to questions about their future aspirations, several young women expressed their desire to pursue higher education and use weaving as a means to support themselves and their families financially while in school.
A particularly emotional moment came during a conversation with an older woman who demonstrated the rare and laborious art of spinning cotton into yarn by hand, a nearly extinct skill in today’s world. The woman explained the intricate process and how the younger generation often lacks interest in learning it. Acknowledging this, the Executive Director stressed the need for machinery to support scaling operations, noting that such investment could provide technical jobs, increase production, and bring long-term sustainability. She emphasized that cotton processed locally, such as from the Tom Adaba Legacy Foundation Farms in Gwagwalada and Osara, can contribute significantly to national and continental development.
Mrs Oyiza Adaba-Okereke maintained that the Center remains committed to training more youths, particularly young girls, equipping them with both cultural knowledge and economic empowerment through weaving.
She was visibly moved by the work being done and expressed deep admiration for the weavers’ dedication. She commended the women for leveraging their skills, even in the absence of formal education, to support their families, educate their children, and preserve a vital part of the Ebira cultural identity.
The visit culminated in a display of beautifully woven cloths, showcasing the weavers’ incredible craftsmanship. The team was deeply impressed by the quality and intricacy of the works presented.
Finally, an open forum was held, giving the women a platform to share their struggles, celebrate their wins, and brainstorm collaboratively on how to take the organisation’s vision to the next level, strategies for market value, and how to make sure that in telling our unique African story, the culture is not lost in sharing.
Vision for Global Scale & Market Impact
The ED made it clear: This is not just about the cloth. This is about telling a generational story, celebrating the resilience and brilliance of Ebira women, and positioning their work on the global cultural and commercial map.
She emphasized that the goal is to scale the Itai Cloth brand globally, not just for decorative or tourist appeal, but as a luxury heritage product that commands attention, respect, and value in international markets. These woven pieces are wearable history, textile testimonies, and economic vehicles. She spoke about attracting new markets, partnering with international brands and diaspora communities, and using the craft as a tool to reclaim and project indigenous identity with pride.
“We are not just weaving. We are building a cultural economy. We want the world to wear our story. We want our women’s legacy to be seen on runways, in boardrooms, and on global stages. This culture has been ours for decades. It’s time the world saw it, valued it, and paid for it.”
This vision goes beyond production. It encompasses:
Exporting products under a globally recognized Ita’i Our Cloth label
Building brand collaborations that center African textile heritage
Creating digital storytelling platforms for each weaver's narrative
Generating revenue that flows directly into the hands of the creators
Facility Condition & Need for Support
The current facility structure is makeshift and temporary, lacking the solid infrastructure needed for a center of this scale and vision. Despite this, the women have continued to produce excellent work, an inspiring testament to their commitment and resilience.
However, the need for a permanent, well-equipped weaving hub was evident throughout the visit.
Support and partnerships are urgently needed, to provide machinery for cotton processing and weaving, improve infrastructure, fund training programs, enhance market access, and scale production sustainably. Strategic collaborations with private sector partners, government agencies, cultural institutions, and global allies will be critical in turning this bold vision into a living, thriving reality.
Key Observations
The weaving center is a powerful model for economic and cultural empowerment.
There’s an urgent need to introduce technology to certain aspects of cloth production (especially yarn spinning) to meet growing demand and ensure sustainability.
A gap remains in attracting young people into the weaving trade, this presents a risk to cultural continuity.
The community has strong emotional and cultural ties to the craft, and preserving it will require intentional efforts across education, policy, and entrepreneurship.
PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS : DRQuest/Africa-Related
6th Chinua Achebe International Conference and Exhibition!
As Director of the Institute of African Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, I am delighted to welcome scholars, artists, students, and guests from around the world to our newly upgraded home—a space now brimming with art, ideas, and the enduring legacy of Chinua Achebe.
Welcome to the 6th Chinua Achebe International Conference and Exhibition!
As Director of the Institute of African Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, I am delighted to welcome scholars, artists, students, and guests from around the world to our newly upgraded home—a space now brimming with art, ideas, and the enduring legacy of Chinua Achebe.
This year’s theme, Africa’s Democratisation Journey: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives, comes at a time when Africa’s democratic experiment faces profound challenges. Together, through conversations and a vibrant art exhibition, we honour Achebe’s legacy of critical thought and creative resistance.
Join us at the opening ceremony on Wednesday, 23rd July 2024.
Venue: Seminar Room 1, Institute of African Studies [New site, off UBA Gate on Greenhouse Road], University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Google Meet joining info: meet.google.com/nfn-viyg-nyh
Join by phone (US) +1 210-951-8557 PIN: 874 061 744#
Time: 10:00 am WAT
Keynote speakers: Rufai Oseni [ Arise TV, Lagos, Nigeria; Title: "African Democratic Journey: Pitfalls and Possibilities"] & Professor Ifeanyi C. Ezeonu [ Department of Sociology, Brock University, Canada; Title: "The Nigerian Economic Cul de Sac: Critical Reflections on Liberal Democracy and Its Challenges for the Next Generation"]
Special thanks to our Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oguejiofo Ujam, for his unwavering support; my co-convener, Prof. Raphael Njoku [Department of History, Idaho State University, Pocatello, USA.]; the Local Organising Committee led by Prof. Chima Korieh; our dedicated volunteers; and the staff and students of the Institute who made this vision a reality.
Please join us. Let’s make this gathering a spark for new ideas and a beacon of hope for Africa’s democratic future.
Professor Ozioma Onuzulike
Director, IAS-UNN
IG: @ozioma.onuzulike
#AchebeConference2025 #UNN #InstituteOfAfricanStudies #AfricaDemocracy #ChinuaAchebe #Nsukka
DRONE SECURITY TRAINING HELD IN IHIMA, KOGI STATE
On Saturday, July 19, 2025, Ihima town played host to a high-impact training on Drone Security, an emerging field that combines innovation with national development. It was made possible by Meterverse Technologies Ltd, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
By Glory Ize Isaiah & Rosemary O. Onubaiye
Photos by Africa-Related
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (in black) facilitated a high-impact training on Drone Security, that was organized by Meterverse Technologies Ltd and sponsored by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
Organized by Meterverse Technologies Ltd.
Sponsored by Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB)
Facilitated by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
Date: Saturday, July 19, 2025
Venue: Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Residence. Ihima, Kogi State, Nigeria
Introduction
On Saturday, July 19, 2025, Ihima town played host to a high-impact training on Drone Security, an emerging field that combines innovation with national development. The event was organized by Meterverse Technologies Ltd and sponsored by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB). It was notably facilitated and attracted to the region by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a prominent advocate for innovation-driven development in Kogi Central.
The training marked a significant step in building local capacity around the strategic application of drone technology in security operations, a theme that resonates with Nigeria’s growing commitment to indigenous tech solutions for surveillance, safety, and national infrastructure protection.
Opening and Accreditation
The event began with arrivals at 8:00 a.m., and accreditation commenced by 8:30 a.m., continuing until 10:00 a.m. when the formal proceedings officially began. The warm and anticipatory atmosphere set the tone for an impactful and educative session.
The official opening of the training was done by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of adopting cutting-edge security technology in safeguarding communities and critical infrastructure. Her address emphasized the potential for local talent to be harnessed in this area, especially among the youth of Kogi Central and surrounding regions.
Though representatives of Meterverse Technologies and NCDMB were present, they took a more reserved role, with minimal public speeches. The spotlight remained on the participants and the training process itself, underscoring a people-first approach to knowledge transfer.
Training Highlights
Participants were introduced to the fundamentals of drone technology, types of drones used in security operations, relevant regulations, and hands-on demonstrations. Topics covered included:
Introduction to Drone Types and Security Applications
Airspace Rules and Ethical Use of Drones
Real-time Demonstrations on Drone Control and Flight
The Role of Drones in Critical Infrastructure Surveillance
Career Opportunities in the Drone Security Sector
The session blended theoretical instruction with live practical demonstrations, offering participants a comprehensive understanding of drone operations, especially in the Nigerian context.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s initiative successfully trained and empowered 250 constituents with digital and technical skills across the following disciplines:
Drone Security and Environmental Sustainability/Remediation Initiatives – 80 beneficiaries
Advanced Welding and Fabrication Techniques – 50 beneficiaries
Renewable Energy Installation – 50 beneficiaries
Data Analytics and Digital Transformation – 70 beneficiaries
A key highlight was the distribution of 80 DJI Neo drones to individuals and departments from 10 tertiary institutions, including the University of Ilorin, Ahmadu Bello University, Federal Polytechnic Idah, and others.
Attendance and Representation
Africa-Related’s Representation and Contribution
Africa-Related, a media content and strategy production house, was present through its Country Director, Mrs. Rosemary Onubaiye, and representative Ms Glory Ize Isaiah. Africa-Related’s presence was centered on observation, documentation, and potential partnership development in future media-technology initiatives.
With bases in Abuja, Nigeria and New York City, USA, Africa-Related is known for crafting compelling African narratives across multiple platforms - including film, television, radio, publishing, and photography. The organization’s mission to amplify African perspectives through narrative-shaping content aligns deeply with initiatives such as this.
Africa-Related’s attendance demonstrates its broader commitment to community empowerment, youth engagement, and digital inclusion - particularly in exploring how drone technology can be utilized for media production, cultural preservation, and security awareness campaigns in rural and semi-urban communities.
Strategic Relevance to Africa-Related’s Mission
This training initiative aligns with Africa-Related’s core objectives in several critical ways:
1. Narrative & Content Innovation - The use of drones opens up expansive possibilities in visual storytelling and documentary filmmaking, especially in remote or difficult-to-access areas.
2. Youth-Focused Empowerment - The skills taught provide fertile ground for future training partnerships, fellowships, and mentoring programs that Africa-Related could support or amplify.
3. Tech-Creative Integration - Drone operations intersect with Africa-Related’s interest in merging technology and creativity, from environmental/agreicultural documentation to cultural archiving.
4. Community-Driven Media Campaigns - There’s strong potential to use drone-enabled content to produce campaigns around peace, infrastructure, culture, and environmental responsibility.
Recommendations & Next Steps
To extend the value of this engagement, the following are proposed:
Post-Training Debrief: Host an internal knowledge session to evaluate training insights and consider ways to incorporate drone visuals in future productions.
Pilot Projects: Design a community storytelling project using drones to capture environmental shifts, cultural landmarks, or human-interest stories.
Youth Media Bootcamps: Launch short training intensives focused on using drones for creative storytelling and advocacy.
Stakeholder Partnerships: Engage Meterverse Technologies and NCDMB for future collaborations in creative tech empowerment programs.
Conclusion
The Drone Security Training in Okene stands as a powerful example of how public-private collaboration can be used to equip Nigerian youth with relevant, forward-facing skills. With growing concerns about security and surveillance, the role of drone technology will only become more vital in the years to come.
The efforts of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Meterverse Technologies Ltd, and NCDMB in bringing this initiative to life are commendable. It is expected that this training will be a catalyst for more technologically driven capacity-building efforts across Kogi State and beyond.
Pitch Your Script – Next Narrative Africa Fund
The Next Narrative Africa Fund is a $40 million mission driven content and media fund to invest in commercially viable audio-visual content made on the Continent by African and African-diaspora storytellers.
The Next Narrative Africa Fund aims to change the narrative about Africa and people of African descent by telling African stories for global impact. It will also fuel the growth of the creative industries in Africa, empower artists by promoting business and intellectual property ownership, and contribute to sustainable livelihoods across Africa and its diaspora.
Powering Africa’s Next Narrative
The Next Narrative Africa Fund is a $40 million mission driven content and media fund to invest in commercially viable audio-visual content made on the Continent by African and African-diaspora storytellers.
The Next Narrative Africa Fund aims to change the narrative about Africa and people of African descent by
telling African stories for global impact. It will also fuel the growth of the creative industries in Africa, empower
artists by promoting business and intellectual property ownership, and contribute to sustainable livelihoods across Africa and its diaspora.
Goals of the Inaugural Development Grant
Submissions Process
1. Narrative Change
• NNA Fund is looking for projects that allow for new and different stories about and images of Africa to be seen by the world
• We want to defy and challenge stereotypes about Africa and Africans while we entertain
• We are looking for projects and filmmakers who have something interesting to say about the impact areas we identified and, as a result, the world and the time we are living in
• We are especially interested in projects that have applied a gender lens, whether that be confronting gender tropes/stereotypes or showcasing healthy masculinity.
Ultimately, we want to positively influence norms in ways that benefit young people around the world, but especially women and girls.
In short, we want to support the kinds of projects that the world
should see about Africa and Africans
Goals of the Submissions Process
2. Pipeline Building for Equity Fund
• NNA Fund is looking for projects that will potentially enter the commercial equity fund’s pipeline.
• We want stories and projects that can travel; stories that an audience around the world can relate to it while maintaining the authenticity of the storyteller(s) and the time and place in which the story is told.
• We want to select projects from a cohort of filmmakers and production companies that can be great ambassadors for the brand—we can depend on them to deliver and be great partners to the Fund now and in the future.
• We manage reputational risk by working with partners who align with our values.
In short, we want projects that will make money and win awards
Echoes of the Landfill: Turning Ghana’s Plastic Waste into Art
Echoes of the Landfill is not another art exhibition. It is a radical reclamation where plastic waste is reimagined as both medium and living testimony to our callous disregard for the environment.
ECHOES OF THE LANDFILL
Art from the Margins of Environment and Economy
Curatorial Statement by Beatrice Bee Arthur
Echoes of the Landfill is not another art exhibition. It is a radical reclamation where plastic waste is reimagined as both medium and living testimony to our callous disregard for the environment. A collaborative effort by the Museum of Science and Technology (MST) and ArtfullyYours, Bee Arthur Creative Productions for World Environment Day 2025, this exhibition convenes six Ghanaian eco-conscious artists—Obed Addo, Beatrice Bee Arthur, Essilfie Banton, Andrea Ghia, and Salim—who excavate the hidden politics within discarded plastic: narratives of colonial residues, neoliberal excess, and quiet acts of African resilience.
Landfills are the unmarked graves of globalisation. Here, Accra’s streets and shorelines become archives of abandonment—water sachets like shed skin, flip-flops as fossilised footprints, toy limbs tangled with fishing nets. These are not inert objects but silent accusers, materialising the violence of an economy that treats both people and land as disposable.
The artists in this exhibition do not recycle—they resurrect trash. Through sculpture, installation, painting, poetry, and photography, they force plastic to confess: as a relic of extractivism, a marker of climate injustice, and paradoxically, a medium for African futurity. Indigenous philosophies of circularity collide with the toxic immortality of synthetic materials, asking: What does it mean to "dispose" when there is no "away?"
Without institutional funding, this project embodies its own thesis: resourcefulness as resistance. The artists’ grassroots mobilisation mirrors the informal economies that already transform waste into worth across Africa. Echoes of the Landfill is thus both mirror and megaphone—refusing the neoliberal spectacle of sustainability to center community-led epistemologies.
This is NOT an exhibition about waste. It is an intervention in time. A demand to rewrite the lexicon of value: that a bag is not "single-use" but a generational artifact; that those who scavenge are archivists of the Anthropocene.
ARTISTS
Obed Addo
"My work is about dignity—finding it in discarded things, and in ourselves."
Beatrice Bee Arthur
"This exhibition is the toxic truth where plastics and capitalists lie."
Salim
"When I sculpt from trash, I think of ancestors. Would they forgive us?"
Andrea Ghia
"In painting about plastic pollution, I am confronting the ability of permanence to outlive memory."
Essilfie Banton
"Each artwork I make is a conversation with discarded materials. I want the viewer to see the soul of what we discard."
Nii Noi Candos
---“We are not just picking up plastic—we are picking up the pieces of a broken system. Every salvaged fragment is a challenge to the world that discarded it.”
Data Point: Ghana generates 1.1 million tons of plastic waste annually—less than 2% is recycled.
SHARE THIS STORY
Steps Toward Investment-led Strategy In U.S-Africa Relations
The Senior Bureau Official for the Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs, Ambassador Troy Fitrell and U.S. Ambassador to Cote D'Ivoire, Ambassador Jessica Davis Ba reviewed commercial diplomacy trip to West Africa and outlined the State Department’s new commercial diplomacy strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa.
Senior Bureau Official Troy Fitrell’s Commercial Diplomacy Trip to West Africa
Digital Press Briefing
The Senior Bureau Official for the Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs, Ambassador Troy Fitrell and U.S. Ambassador to Cote D'Ivoire, Ambassador Jessica Davis Ba. Ambassador Fitrell reviewed his commercial diplomacy trip to West Africa and outlined the State Department’s new commercial diplomacy strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa.
You can find the full transcript of the briefing here:
Ozioma Onuzulike's exceptional talent has been recognised on a global scale.
Ozioma Onuzulike's exceptional talent has been recognised on a global scale. He has been shortlisted as one of 29 Finalists representing 18 African countries for The Norval Sovereign African Art Prize (NSAAP) 2025, an annual award for contemporary artists from Africa and its diaspora sponsored by Schroders.
Image: Ozioma onuzulike, Embroidered Babariga Armour for Fubara (Power Series), 2024, earthenware and stoneware clays, glazes, recycled glasses and copper wire, 145x122x5cm.
Ozioma Onuzulike's exceptional talent has been recognised on a global scale. He has been shortlisted as one of 29 Finalists representing 18 African countries for The Norval Sovereign African Art Prize (NSAAP) 2025, an annual award for contemporary artists from Africa and its diaspora sponsored by Schroders. The shortlisted artworks, including Onuzulike's, will be presented to the public in a Finalist Exhibition at Norval Foundation, Cape Town, South Africa, from 4 February to 20 April 2025.
Onuzulike’s ceramic tapestry, titled Embroidered Babariga Armour for Fubara, is a masterpiece of intricate craftsmanship. It has been constructed from 3,189 handcrafted ceramic palm kernel shell beads woven together using copper wire to resemble a sumptuous West African elite gown called “Babariga” or “Agbada”. The clay shells were first bisque-fired, then selectively dipped into glazes before being inlaid with glass from crushed recycled bottles and re-fired to very high temperatures. His laborious studio processes made the shells resemble glass beads, historically used as tokens to buy enslaved Africans. However, beads are now considered prestige items and emblems of high social status in many regions of Africa. Created by Onuzulike at the height of the struggle for political power between the governor of the oil-rich Rivers State in Nigeria and his political godfather, this piece brings to mind both “agbada” dress (emblematic of the affluence of political figures) and the medieval plate-armour and speaks about political turmoil in Africa.
Ozioma Onuzulike is a professor of ceramic art and African art history in the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He is also the Director of the Institute of African Studies at the same university. He is considered a prominent voice in Africa's contemporary ceramic art practice.
To view Ozioma Onuzulike’s other works, you may follow him on Instagram @ozioma.onuzulike.
Peacebuilding Initiatives and Upcoming Events
"How Much Does a Human Life Cost." is a virtual talk story with artists from the Congo on Friday, October 25 at 5 pm Hawaii time.
To the Peace-building Community
Since two weeks ago, we added a new virtual talk story with artists from the Congo for this Friday, October 25 at 5 pm Hawaii time on "How Much Does a Human Life Cost."
Attached are a few fliers of upcoming events, but you can learn about more upcoming events in detail with links to register at https://manoa.hawaii.edu/peacebuilding/get-involved/events/.
Thursday, October 24 (via zoom): "Cross-Cultural Conversations, Envisioning Environmental Peacebuilding through the Protection of Bali's Cultural Landscape"
Friday, October 25 (via zoom): "Neurodivergent Strengths: No More Masking"
Friday, October 25 (via zoom): "How Much Does a Human Life Cost"
Tuesday, October 29 (via zoom): "Documentary & Panel, Beyond Bars: Prison Women Speak"
Wednesday, October 30 (in-person/via zoom): "Community Dialogues, Of Spaceships, Sorcerers & Small Gods: The Relevance of Fiction & Fantasy in Our Lives"
Thursday, October 31 (via zoom): "Cross-Cultural Conversations, Understanding Human Rights to Create a Culture of Peace in Our Daily Lives"
Thank you for being on this journey together.
Be well,
José Barzola (he/him/his)
Conflict and Peace Specialist
University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
The University of Hawai'i, Mānoa is located in the ahupuaʻa of Waikīkī, in the moku of Kona, on the mokupuni of Oʻahu, in the paeʻāina of Hawaiʻi. This Hōʻoia ʻĀina, this Land Acknowledgement, acknowledges Hawaiʻi as an indigenous space whose original people are today identified as Native Hawaiians.
COLONEL VICTOR BANJO – APRIL 01, 1930 to SEPTEMBER 22, 1967
Today marks the 57th anniversary of execution of Col. Victor Banjo, a brilliant and revolutionary soldier.
Today marks the 57th anniversary of execution of Col. Victor Banjo, a brilliant and revolutionary soldier.
Excerpts from the book: COLONEL VICTOR BANJO - A REVOLUTIONARY BETRAYED - by Niyi Aborisade. Please visit here for your copy and other books of interest on Nigeria Political History.
Col. Victor Adebukunola Banjo was born on April 01, 1930 to the family of Mr. James Herbert Banjo and Chief Mrs. Sabina Banjo. He was the third child of his parents. Both of his parents hailed from Ijebu-Ode in today’s Ogun State.
His parents were fairly educated. His father was an officer of the British Crown in Nigeria, who had a distinguished career as a Lay Magistrate with co-extensive record of service all over Nigeria and parts of Cameroon. He was a self-taught legal officer who distinguished himself by an unusual understanding of the fundamentals and basic principles of the English law. His mother was a product of Girls Seminary Lagos, a School founded by the Church Missionary Society (CMS). Through her training and upbringing at home and in School, Chief Mrs. Sabina Banjo became a deeply spiritual and prayerful mother who groomed her children in the ways of God to love people unconditionally and work selflessly to uplift the downtrodden.
Col. Banjo’s siblings are all distinguished individuals in their own rights. His sister, the first child of his parent is Professor Felicia Adetoun Ogunsheye (nee Banjo). She is the first female Professor in Nigeria. She is a Professor of Library Science. She will be 98 years old on December 05, 2024. Next to her is Dr. Ademola Banjo, who attended the University College Ibadan, Manchester University, UK and Harvard University in USA. He became the first Nigeria to obtain a doctorate degree in Metallurgical Engineering. Col. Banjo immediate younger brother was Professor Adesegun Banjo. He was the first Nigerian to earn a doctorate degree in Ultra Structure and Electro-Microscopy. He was a surgeon and Professor of Human Anatomy in USA before he became involved in the struggle for the actualization of mandate given to MKO Abiola after the June 12, 1993 General Election. He plotted an armed struggle against the Government of General Sanni Abacha, unfortunately his plan was thwarted by overzealous port officials in Benin Republic who detected shipment of ammunition for the armed struggle. He was arrested and detained and later released in 1999. He died in 2019 due to debilitating cancer of the blood.
Col. Banjo was married to Mrs. Taiwo Joyce Lucretia Marion George, a Creole from Sierra Leone, but of Yoruba extraction. His children made success of their various careers. His first child, Funto Banjo Oyelese became a Director of Education with Lagos State Ministry of Education. Second child, Ayodele Banjo is a Civil Engineer from then University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University. He is also a Chartered Accountant. His third child is Professor Olayinka Olusola Omigbodun. She is the first female Psychiatric Professor in Nigeria and the first female Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan. The fourth child is Adeyemi Banjo who was born in 1965 and was barely six month old when Col. Victor Banjo was taken into custody on the orders of the Military Head of State, General Aguiyi Ironsi. He barely recognized his father and could not have formed any impression about him beyond some snippets he must have formed from his mother and older siblings.
Col. Banjo attended CMS Grammar School. He joined the Army in November 1953 as a Warrant Officer II. He attended various Military Training Schools in Ghana and in the UK. While in England, he took London GCE A-Level examinations and passed with flying colours, a feat that positioned him for university admission into the University of London. Due to his brilliant performance, he was the 16th Nigerian to be commissioned as an officer, shortly after he joined the Army. In 1958, the Army sponsored him for a degree programme in UK. He obtained a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of London. General Olusegun Obasanjo, the former President of Nigeria described him as a brilliant officer and that he was the first Nigerian to be sponsored for a degree course by the Colonialists. He said, “For someone to be sponsored for a degree course in the Army at that time showed that he was more than the average person”. Up until 1960, there were about five graduates in the Nigerian Army and Major Adewale Ademoyega was the last graduate to be commissioned in 1961. The five graduates as of 1961 were Col. Odumegwu Ojukwu, Col. Victor Banjo, Major Olufemi Olutoye, Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna and Major Adewale Ademoyega.
After the failure of the January 15, 1966 coup, General Aguiyi Ironsi became the Head of State. Col. Banjo was never a party to the coup. According to Captain Ben Gbulie, Col. Banjo was unrestrained in the condemnation of the coup plotters and described them as being “blatantly destructive” and he boasted that he and his loyal colleagues in the Nigerian Army would crush the coup plotters. He was one of those who persuaded General Aguiyi Ironsi to take over the government when they had crushed the coup when it became apparent that the failed coup had taken many politicians, including the Prime Minister. He was the one who mobilized the troops and organized a meeting of loyal troops to cooperate with General Aguiyi Ironsi to preserve the established hierarchy of the Nigeria Army. He persuaded the Hausa officers to accept General Aguiyi Ironsi as the Head of State.
However, on January 17, 1966, barely three days when General Aguiyi Ironsi assumed office as Head of State and within such time, Col. Banjo was becoming too popular for some people’s liking and was arrested on flimsy excuse that he had his service pistol in his pocket while waiting to meet the head of State, which was contrary to the laid down regulation. They further alleged that he was among the January 15, 1966 coup plotters. He was actually waiting to see the Head of State when his comrades in the Army, Major PA. Anruwa and Lt. Col. GT Kurubo pretended to be admiring the latest weapon he was carrying. They both requested his permission for them to handle the sophisticated weapon, which he innocently handed over to them since he had no ulterior motive. He was then arrested on “account of planning a coup to topple General Aguiyi Ironsi in support of the January 15, 1966 coup plotters”.
To say the least, Col. Banjo was very surprised at the turn of event. He was initially detained in Lagos and later in the Eastern part of Nigeria. He was in the East until the outbreak of the civil war in 1967. He wrote to General Aguiyi Ironsi on June 01, 1966 proclaiming his innocence but this was to no avail.
On May 30, 1967, Col. Ojukwu declared the birth of the Republic of Biafra and this declaration was greeted with enthusiasm in the East as virtually everyone and groups in the East embraced it. The East had the most senior officers before the counter coup of July 1966 as many had been killed during the pogrom of July 29, 1966 in the North. Nevertheless, they still had higher numbers of senior military officers than the whole of Nigeria. It must however be said that Col. Ojukwu was not prepared in terms of weapons. Mere zeal and rhetoric were not synonymous with adequate weapons of war. On the day he declared secession, he had few weapons to face the mighty Nigerian Army.
Col. Banjo was released by the new Biafra Head of State; Col. Ojukwu and he Col. Banjo stayed with him in Enugu which was the capital city of the new Biafra. Col. Banjo later formed the 101st Brigade of the Biafra Army. A Brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically made up of three to six battalions and other elements. A Brigade can be made of up to 3,000 to 5,000 soldiers. He formed this Brigade from scratch and transformed it into a standard fighting force. His position of authority and influence did not go down well with some Biafra military officers, among who was Alexandra Madiebo whose 51st Brigade was under Banjo’s sphere of authority and command. Banjo command covered Nsukka and Nkalagu operational areas. This was one of the first issues Banjo had in Biafra, a non-Biafra with such a large command. He built the Brigade from the scratch and transformed the erstwhile rustic soldiers with crude weapons into a formidable and positively motivated fighting force. He was far ahead of his colleagues in military tactics, operations and strategy. Whilst his colleagues such as Major General Philip Effiong and Major General Alexandra Madiebo concentrated on the defensive position as was in the military textbook, Banjo decided to launch an attack and take the fight to the enemies, sharing the Israeli belief that offence was the best form of defence.
When Banjo was promoted to the rank of Brigadier by General Ojukwu, he made it clear that it would be wrong to use the name ‘Biafra Army’ in the Midwest because that will give an impression that the Biafra Army was an Army of occupation. He said that Biafra still needed the cooperation, even if tacit, of Midwest and South West to push through in confronting the Northern dominated Army in Lagos. He said all efforts must be made to present the Biafra Army as one of liberation, with clear mandate to relieve their people of the burden imposed by the Northern dominated Nigeria State and Army. This was the core of the gentleman agreement between Banjo and Ojukwu. This was what informed Banjo decision to code name the 101st Brigade, “The Liberation Army of Nigeria”. He reorganized the 101st Brigade and chose disciplined officers to execute his plans. He made Lt. Col. Emmanuel Ifeajuna, one of the coup plotters of January 15, 1966 his Chief of Staff. Banjo turned the 101st Brigade into a brutally efficient war machine, recording lightning–speed successes one after the other.
On August 09, 1967, Brigadier Banjo led his Liberation Army into Mid-West in an operation code named “Torch”. He split up his army on reaching Agbor, with the 12th Battalion under Lt. Col. Akhaga moving West and capturing Benin and Ore. The 13th Battalion under Lt. Col. Mike Ivonso took Auchi, Agenebode and Okene. The 18th Battalion under Major Chukwuka took over Warri, Sapele and Ughelli. Within 12 hours, the Liberation Army of Nigeria had completely taken over the Mid-West. David Ejoor, the Nigeria Military Governor was lucky to escape the ambush set up secretly by Ojukwu. The plan to abduct Ejoor was hatched without the knowledge of Banjo and this might have been responsible for his escape.
Immediately after the Liberation Army of Nigeria over ran the Mid-West, serious disagreement arose between Banjo and Ojukwu. First, Ojukwu was advised by senior Igbo Military officers to take power out of Banjo’s hand, they said, afterall, all the ammunition and soldiers were from Biafra. Secondly, Ojukwu rebuffed Banjo’s advice that new Governor of Mid-West should be from the non-Igbo Mid-Westerners like Lt. Col. David Ejoor, Samuel Ogbemudia or Col. Trimnell. This advice was predicated on the need to make the Mid-Westerners feel at home and not think that they are being ruled by Biafra. Ojukwu ignore this advice and appointed Albert Okonkwo, an Igbo Mid-Westerner as the Governor of Mid-West or Republic of Benin as Ojokwu preferred to name it.
Despite the disagreement between Ojukwu and Banjo as to who should be Governor of the Mid-West, Ojukwu ordered Banjo to proceed to take Lagos at all cost despite inadequate ammunition and personnel to confront the almighty army on the Federal side. Even though Banjo had some good officers in the persons of Lt. Col. Emmanuel Ifeajuna, Lt. Col. Adewale Ademoyega who had also been released from prison by Ojukwu to fight on his side, Lt. Col. Mike Ivonso, Major Chukwuka, Lt. Oyewole and Lt. Adeleke. Both Lt. Oyewole and Lt. Adeleke were also released by Ojukwu from prison to fight on his side. Both were later promoted to captain. Notwithstanding the sterling qualities of these officers, they were no match to the officers on the Federal side that were better armed with good weapons. Such officers were Brigadier Benjamin Adekunle, popularly known as the Black Scorpion and Commander of the dreaded 3rd Marine Commando and one of the major heroes of the civil war. There were Col. Obasanjo who was Ibadan Garrison Commander, Col. Murtala Muhammed, Lt. Col Alani Akinrinade and Lt. Col. Alabi Isama. These were better equipped officers that Ojukwu commanded Banjo to take on with inadequate soldiers and ammunitions, things that the Federal side had in abundance.
Ojukwu gave Banjo three conditions via a letter dated August 22, 1967. The conditions are: First, Banjo should not have anything to do with Military Administrator of the Mid-West territory during his sojourn there before the invasion of the West. Second, during the period of Biafran troops’ presence in all territories subdued, all political measures, statements, or decrees shall be subject to approval in writing by Ojukwu or his authority. Third, should the Biafra troops arrive and liberate Lagos, the government of the Republic of Biafra reserves the right to appoint a Military Administrator for the territory. The last conditions exposed the inordinate ambition of Ojukwu. It is possible he would have nominated an Igbo Military Governor over Lagos and by extension the West just as he did in Mid-West.
Banjo realizing the enormity of casualty that will arise in the heart of Yorubaland if he is to fight his ways to Lagos with little ammunitions and soldiers, took advantage of the visitation of Wole Soyinka and send him (Soyinka) to Obasanjo for Obasanjo to allow him a free passage to Lagos through Ibadan and that Soyinka should let the West understand that the he is not leading a Biafra army but an Army of Liberation made up of other ethnic groups. For obvious reason, Obasanjo refused this plea. Obasanjo told Soyinka to tell Banjo that he can use alternative routes like waterways or air to reach Lagos and that he, Banjo need not come through Ibadan as he will not yield his ground for anybody. It was this errand that almost caused Soyinka his life, but was lucky to have a kind-hearted man in person of General Gowon who rather put him in prison than executing him. He spent more than 24 months in prison until his release in 1969. If he had done same to Ojukwu, he will not live to tell the story and he would have been promptly labelled saboteur which was the in-thing in the Republic of Biafra then. If Soyinka had succeeded in his mission and convinced Obasanjo, the story of the civil war could have been a different one.
Of all the civil war battles, the battle at Ore was the fiercest. It was so deadly that it was named “Oleku, ija Ore” in Yoruba language or simply ‘Deadly Battle at Ore” or “Mother of All Battles at Ore”.
The battle to recapture Mid-West started with the coordinated efforts of Benjamin Adekunle’s 3rd Marine Commandos who took over the towns of Koko, Sapele, Warri, Ughelli, Orerokpe, Umutu and Itaga in the Mid-West. He was also assisted by Lt. Col. Alani Akinrinade and Alabi Isama. On September 20, 1967, Benin fell into the hand of troops led by Col. Murtala Muhammed and that ended the Biafra Government in Mid-West.
During the stalemate when Banjo, by necessity due to lack of adequate weapons and heavy bombardment from the Federal side halted his advance to Lagos, he was quickly labelled a saboteur. This was not true, Banjo simply refused to commit mass murder and waste the lives of his soldiers in the face of a great odd and impossible situation.
During the war, Ojukwu had some spies whose duties were to visit Commanders at war fronts and secretly interview them on the State of things. Anyone who expressed himself against the Commander-in-Chief on his poor management of the war and tactics was penned down as a saboteurs. Col. Achuzia was Ojukwu favourite spies. According to Phillip Effiong, it got to a stage when even advice must be carefully given, otherwise one will be labelled a saboteur. He said “Ojukwu spies were everywhere”. In his book The Cage Bird Sang No More, Phillip Effiong maintained that Ojukwu’s “Military appreciation was amateurish ….. he indulged in debates and seminars while the collapse of Biafra was starring us in the face. No saboteurs could have been more effective”. Ojukwu was responsible for the fall of Biafra, unfortunately he needed a scapegoat and found one in some of his officers including Banjo who stood taller above all other officers and who was too independent for him.
Ojukwu invited Banjo to a meeting Enugu, and when Ojukwu was told of his arrival, Banjo was promptly disarmed and arrested on account of planning a coup against the Commander-in-Chief. Lt. Col. Emmanuel Ifeajuna, Major Phillip Alale and Major Sam Agbam had all earlier been arrested but unknown to Banjo. Banjo defended himself against two allegations levied against him. Contrary to the lies in some quarters that Ojukwu obtained his confession. There was no confession anywhere because there was nothing to confess about and no confession statement was tendered at his trial. The two allegation are; one, violation of law and maintenance decree, a charge of insubordination for retreating from Ore and turning back from capturing Lagos and two, subversion as an intention to cause public disorder aiming at capturing power in Biafra. These allegations were a total surprised for Banjo. If truly he wanted to overthrow Ojukwu, he would not have honoured the invite or he would not have gone with just his escort. He would have gone with his troops that would have taken over and shot his way out. After his arrest, he was replaced by another Yoruba man in the person of Lt. Col. Adewale Ademoyega was also released by Ojukwu. He too was later arrested and detained in the same building with Banjo but not the same cell, where Banjo, Ifeajuna, Phillip Alale and Sam Agbam were detained. Ademoyega was never tried and he survived the war. He was briefly 'freed' after the war but the Federal forces put him right back in detention for his participation as part of the Liberation Army.
He was finally released along with twenty others during the 1974 Independence Day amnesty.
Ojukwu constituted a Special Military Tribunal headed by Godwin Nzegwu, a lawyer from Onitsha. He was a great lawyer of impeccable character and sense of duty who was committed to upholding the rule of law. Ojukwu had ordered the Tribunal in advance to condemn Banjo and others as he had already adjudged them guilty. Having listened to the defendants and in the absence of any documentary evidence to establish a case against them, not even the purported confession was tendered, Godwin Nzegwu refused to participate in the murdering of innocent souls. For failing to find them guilty as was ordered, he too was arrested by Ojukwu and detained till the end of the war.
Having removed Lawyer Godwin Nzegwu as the Chairman of the Special Military Tribunal and had him detained, Ojukwu looked for a judge that will do his bidding and he found one in the person of Justice George Ekemena with a strict order that the accused must be found guilt. And that was exactly what the Judge did. Col. Banjo presented his evidence as a litigant in person and also spoke for other accused, i.e. Lt. Col. Emmanuel Ifeajuna, Major Phillip Alale and Major Sam Agbam. Ojukwu Special Military Tribunal found all the accused persons guilty and they were condemned to death by firing squad. The trial was conducted and concluded on September 20, 1967. Just a day trial!
Lt. Col. Adewale Ademoyega in his Book Why We Struck, said he saw the heads of the four condemned men last on September 21, 1967 from his cell, while they were being led out. He said Lt. Col. Emmanuel Ifeajuna last words to him were: “Wale, we have been condemned to death and unless a miracle happens, we could be shot any time, please take care of my wife and children”.
The condemned men were shot on September 22, 1967 and were buried in unmarked graves. It was reported that Col. Banjo was shot several times because he was shouting that he was not dead yet, which made the executioners combined and directed all their fire-power at him. They eventually silenced the great soldier, a great ideologue and a revolutionary. He was just 37 years old when he was killed in his prime not on the battlefield but by a friend turned fiend.
Ojukwu was later pardoned by the Federal Government and had all his benefits paid to him as a Nigerian soldier. This made Col. Achuzia to berate him and condemned what he was paid by the Federal Government as blood money because many of those who fought for him were not compensated and Ojukwu did not fight for them to receive their benefits.
Col. Banjo was not dismissed from the Nigerian Army, and neither was his gratuity paid to his family to date. Ojukwu did not release or mention the place where Banjo was buried to date. The Federal Government ought to have declared Banjo dead instead of declaring him Missing in Action. The war ended 54 years ago and they knew that he had been executed by Ojukwu.
May the soul of Colonel Victor Adebukunola Banjo, Lt. Col. Emmanuel Ifeajuna, Major Phillip Alale and Major Sam Agbam rest in peace, amen.
Excerpts from the book: COLONEL VICTOR BANJO - A REVOLUTIONARY BETRAYED- by Niyi Aborisade. Please visit https://sunshinebookseller.com for your copy and other books of interest on Nigeria Political History.
COPIED.
African Consuls General Meet in New York
The meeting welcomed new members and discussed past and upcoming activities with focus on creating ways to engage their various communities.
Africa-Related, New York
The African Consuls General Group Recently Met at the Africa Union Permanent Observer Office in New York
Hosted by the Consulate General of the Kingdom of Morocco in New York under the leadership of Hon. Mohammed Benabdeljalil, the meeting welcomed new members and discussed past and upcoming activities with focus on creating ways to engage their various communities.
A presentation on the Society of Foreign Consuls in New York was delivered by the Consul General of Malaysia HE Amir Farid Abu Hassan.
Mr Simon Ibe of Global Patriot Newspapers and Mrs. Oyiza Adaba of Africa-Related Inc. both spoke on the need for the group to engage the African Diaspora media outlets in order to reach their nationals. Ice informed the group that the gap in how the media operates in the West and how it operates among people of African descent, is the basis for a webinar that will will be held on September 20th 2024 from 1.00 pm to 2.30 pm (EST), during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Week, and is part of the UN Summit of the Future..
Ms. Busi Matsiko, President of the newly instituted New York Chamber of Commerce also addressed the group, harping on the powerful location New York City offers, and on the economic viability of engaging with Wall Street and other financial institutions that encourage and support Diasporta Africans. She cited that six African designers participated in the the recently concluded New York Fashion Week.
The Media of the Future:
The Media of the Future: Bridging the gap between west and people of African descent.
Global Patriot Newspapers GPN is inviting you to a Dialogue on:
The Media of the Future: Bridging the gap between west and people of African descent.
Time: Sep 20, 2024 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Meeting Link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87435712414?pwd=OjVBNZ8jKOe2owdIbEGY2DDdPa95W.1
Meeting ID: 874 3571 2414
Passcode: guest
U.S. Department of State Daily Digest Bulletin
U.S. and Ghana Nuclear Firms Sign Landmark Commercial Agreement for Small Modular Reactor Project in Ghana.
U.S. and Ghana Nuclear Firms Sign Landmark Commercial Agreement for Small Modular Reactor Project in Ghana
08/29/2024
You are subscribed to Africa for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.
U.S. and Ghana Nuclear Firms Sign Landmark Commercial Agreement for Small Modular Reactor Project in Ghana
08/29/2024 09:02 AM EDT
Office of the Spokesperson
At the U.S.-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit in Nairobi, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Bonnie Jenkins, joined by U.S. Department of Energy Deputy Assistant Secretary Aleshia Duncan, Ghana Deputy Minister of Energy Collins Adomako-Mensah, and Ghana Ministry of Energy Chief Director Wilhelmina Asamoah, observed a significant milestone in civil nuclear cooperation between U.S. and Ghanaian nuclear industries — the signing of a commercial agreement between Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG) and Regnum Technology Group, the U.S. developer for a small modular reactor (SMR) project using NuScale Power technology.
This commercial agreement between NPG and Regnum represents a pivotal advancement in collaboration between U.S. and Ghanaian civil nuclear industries and is testament of the commitment by both nations to advancing clean and sustainable energy solutions. The SMR project is anticipated to be a cornerstone of Ghana’s efforts to enhance its energy infrastructure and lead the way on SMR deployments in the region. This initiative will help Ghana achieve its energy goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, setting a precedent for future energy projects in the region.
The NPG-Regnum agreement builds on existing U.S.-Ghana civil nuclear cooperation, including under the U.S. Foundational Infrastructure for the Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) Program that is helping Ghana to establish itself as a SMR Regional Hub and center of excellence. In addition to technical training, advisory services, and study tours, the FIRST Program is providing a NuScale Energy Exploration (E2) Center SMR control room simulator to serve as a regional training center for nuclear power technicians and operators and is establishing a welding certification program to support jobs and supply chain development for the region. Through this dedicated workforce development focus, Ghana will be positioned to establish a skilled nuclear workforce consistent with the highest international standards of nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation.
The United States is committed to supporting the use of innovative clean nuclear energy to power global decarbonization efforts and provide energy security to partners around the world.
share this story
Elections 2024: Day 1 Videos/Photos at the DNC
The Democratic National Convention (DNC) is ongoing in Chicago, where Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to accept the nomination for President of the United States. Here are some images and Briefings from Day 1
Monday, August 19, 2024
The Democratic National Convention (DNC) is ongoing in Chicago, where Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to accept the nomination for President of the United States. Here are some images and Briefings from Day 1
All photos and videos are courtesy of The Foreign Press Center.
BRIEFERS
Richard Gamble of Choose Chicago and Christy George of 2024 DNC Chicago Host Committee
Suzi LeVine, former United States Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein-
Patrick Iber, Editor of Dissent Magazine and Associate Professor of History, University of Wisconsin–Madison-
share this story
26th Harmattan Workshop Agbarha-Otor 2024
26th Harmattan Workshop Agbarha-Otor 2024
theme: Folklore, Folk Tales, Folk Art, Myth and Legends
CELEBRATING JAMES ENE HENSHAW @ 100
A physician by profession who, in his own words, ‘strayed’ into writing.' His plays capture the pulse and moments of African society. They speak of the tug between tradition and modernity, of the declining morality of a newly independent society, of the failure of becoming, in political and ethical terms, among the evolving elite.
James Ene Henshaw (1924 -2007) was one of the pioneer African dramatists.
By James Ene Henshaw Foundation
A physician by profession who, in his own words, ‘strayed’ into writing.' His plays capture the pulse and moments of African society. They speak of the tug between tradition and modernity, of the declining morality of a newly independent society, of the failure of becoming, in political and ethical terms, among the evolving elite.
Henshaw attended missionary schools, Sacred Heart School, Calabar and Christ the King College, Onitsha before going on to read Medicine at the National University of Ireland, Dublin and the University of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom where he qualified a chest physician. Back in Nigeria he went on to an illustrious career in Medicine serving as Senior Consultant-in-charge, Tuberculosis Control, Eastern Nigeria (1955-68), and finally as Director of Medical Services in the former South Eastern State of Nigeria. He served in various professional and public service positions and earned several honours including Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) and Knight of the Order of St. Gregory (KSG) from his Holiness Pope Paul V1.
His first, seminal, play THIS IS OUR CHANCE (1958) has since gone on to become one of the most popular works by an African writer, with several reprints and staged by professional companies, schools, colleges and universities across the continent. Henshaw remains the most popular, if not critical, playwright to have emerged from the African continent.
One thing for which Henshaw will be remembered is the fact that his was the first attempt to be regarded as authentic African drama to be performed by African people. As Henshaw himself recounted of THIS OUR CHANCE, he had set out, consciously, to write plays whose scenes take place in surroundings that are not far removed from Africa.
In his personal life, Henshaw was a devoted husband and father to eight children who kept his family very dear to his heart.
He died on 16th August 2007, just after working on his last project, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar into his native Efik language.
Alliance Française Accra Announces Environment Week:
The Alliance Française Accra (AFA) is proud to announce its inaugural Environment Week, taking place from Monday, June 3rd to Saturday, June 8th, 2024. This week-long initiative is a powerful statement of AFA's commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and aims to raise awareness about two critical environmental issues: Fast Fashion and Plastic Pollution.
A Week of Action for a Sustainable Future!
Accra, Ghana – 31st May 2024
The Alliance Française Accra (AFA) is proud to announce its inaugural Environment Week, taking place from Monday, June 3rd to Saturday, June 8th, 2024. This week-long initiative is a powerful statement of AFA's commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and aims to raise awareness about two critical environmental issues: Fast Fashion and Plastic Pollution.
The fashion industry casts a long shadow. According to a Business Insider analysis, it contributes a staggering 10% of global carbon emissions. This comes at a heavy cost to our water sources, rivers, and ecosystems, with 85% of all textiles ending up in landfills each year. Even the simple act of washing clothes releases a shocking 500,000 tons of microfibres into the ocean annually – the equivalent of 50 billion plastic bottles!
Plastic pollution is another major threat. Reports highlight the devastating impact of plastic on our environment, with millions of tons entering our oceans each year. This plastic harms marine life, pollutes our beaches, and disrupts entire ecosystems.
AFA Environment Week aims to tackle these challenges head-on. Throughout the week, a variety of engaging activities will be offered, including:
● Art Exhibitions: Powerful and evocative artwork by Bee Arthur and others will spark conversation about the environmental impact of fast fashion and plastic pollution.
● Panel Discussions: Renowned experts from Ghana's Ministries of Environment, Sanitation, Tourism, Youth & Sports, and Fisheries will come together for a thought-provoking discussion on tackling these issues. The discussion will be moderated by Richmond Quarcoo of Plastic Punch, a leading Ghanaian environmental organization.
● Solution-Based Presentations: Hear from inspiring artists, environmental activists, and organizations like Bee Arthur, Plastic Punch, Tei Huagie, OR Foundation, Revival Earth, and Little Big Esi as they share innovative solutions for a greener future.
● Community Old Clothes Drive: Help declutter your closet and support a sustainable future! Donate your gently used clothes for a good cause. (Open to AFA staff and students)
● Environment Fair: Discover a marketplace of eco-conscious vendors offering sustainable and recycled products, alongside beautiful, environmentally-friendly art.
● Arts & Environment Edutainment Night: Immerse yourself in a unique evening featuring poetry, spoken word performances, an impactful immersive theatre experience by the Alikoto group, and captivating acoustic music by Nene Narh.
● Beach Clean-Up: Join AFA for a community beach clean-up at the Regional Maritime University in Nungua. Together, we can make a tangible difference in protecting our coastline!
Key Dates:
● World Environment Day: Wednesday, June 5th – Join a special conference featuring the panel discussion and solution-based presentations.
● World Ocean Day: Saturday, June 8th – Conclude the week with a rewarding beach clean-up experience
Event Partners:
AFA is proud to partner with Plastic Punch, a leading Ghanaian organization tackling plastic pollution, Bee Arthur, a renowned artist who uses her work to raise awareness about fast fashion, and Travelwings, an online travel agency with over 25 years of experience in the Travel Industry.
Join the Movement!
AFA Environment Week is a call to action for everyone in Accra. Whether you're a passionate environmentalist or simply looking to learn more and make a positive impact, we invite you to join us for this exciting week. Let's work together to safeguard our planet and build a more sustainable future!
For more information and the full program lineup, please visit the Alliance Française Accra website or social media pages.