Digital Dumping and the Global ‘E-Cycling’ Scam

Gbemisola Olujobi / Truthdig Nov 11, 2009 The port of Lagos in Nigeria receives about 400,000 used computers every month, out of which only one in four is useful The rest end up in landfills, garbage dumps and, in a curious twist, as resources for scammers. Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )

Nollywood Rising

Gbemisola Olujobi / Truthdig Aug 27, 2009 The Nigerian movie industry, known as Nollywood (a play on Hollywood in the manner of Bollywood), has grown from an accidental discovery into a mega-industry of over 2,000 titles and $200M annually. The Nigerian movie industry has grown from an accidental discovery into a mega-industry of over 2,000 titles and $200M annually. Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )

Nigerian Sect Leader Killed in Police Custody

Staff / Truthdig Jul 31, 2009 According to Nigerian officials, Boko Haram leader Mohammed Yusuf was shot dead hours after his capture on Thursday -- one of hundreds killed over five days of fighting between members of the Islamic group and local police forces. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Two Men Who Stood Under the Plunderers’ Knives

Amy Goodman / Truthdig Jun 10, 2009 Ken Saro-Wiwa and Alberto Pizango never met, but they are united by a passion for the preservation of their people and their land, and by the fervor with which they were targeted by their respective governments. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Austrian Artist Becomes Nigerian Ancestor

Gbemisola Olujobi / Truthdig May 22, 2009 How did an Austrian girl who was born into a Christian family end up as high priestess of a Yoruba goddess in Nigeria? Suzanne Wenger’s life demonstrates that people are just people after all, that is, when they put aside race, values, beliefs and the other things that divide us. Dig deeper ( 9 Min. Read )

Nigeria’s War on Gayness

Staff / Truthdig Mar 11, 2009 Not only would a proposed Nigerian law mean prison for gay people who live together, but also anyone who "aids and abets" them. A giant step beyond outlawing gay sex, the law would give police the power to arrest suspected cohabiting gays as well as human rights workers who deal with gay rights. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

What Will ‘Brother Barack’ Do for Africa?

Gbemisola Olujobi / Truthdig Dec 27, 2008 As the dust settles from the feverish dances that greeted Barack Obama’s victory in the American elections, Africans wonder what “our son and brother” will be able to do for Africa in the face of daunting challenges in the United States and other parts of the world. Dig deeper ( 9 Min. Read )

Powell Busts a Move

Staff / Truthdig Oct 15, 2008 Former Secretary of State and current dance sensation Colin Powell graced the stage of a London hip-hop concert "in celebration of African culture." The song he sang and danced to? A Nigerian hit about people spending money gleaned from U.S. Internet scam victims. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Jimmy Carter: Guess Who I?m For

Staff / Truthdig Apr 4, 2008 The former president and superdelegate wouldn't tell a Nigerian reporter which of the Democratic candidates he intends to support, but he offered a pretty good hint: "Don't forget that [Barack] Obama won in my state of Georgia. My town, which is home to 625 people, is for Obama. My children and their spouses are pro-Obama. My grandchildren are also pro-Obama." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Talking Empty Heads

Staff / Truthdig Sep 28, 2007 Surely TV news pundits are influential in shaping public opinion, but do they really know anything? The Onion satirizes expert opinion by asking about the situation in Nigeria, as opposed to, say, Hillary's neckline. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Nigeria: New Government or Puppet Succession?

Gbemisola Olujobi / Truthdig Jun 7, 2007 In some ways, the ascension of Nigeria's new President Umaru Yar'Adua to his country's top post can be seen in a hopeful light, however his ties to his predecessor may make him more of a representative for the old guard than a fresh new face in Nigerian politics. Dig deeper ( 14 Min. Read )

Meet Nigeria’s New President

Staff / Truthdig Apr 24, 2007 Amid challenges from European Union observers and other candidates' camps, People's Democratic Party member Umaru Yar'Adua was declared the winner of Nigeria's controversial presidential election. Yar'Adua is said to have pulled in 70 percent of the votes, but his party is suspected of rigging the election. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )