Metro

Liberia marks 175th Independence, 200 years of freed slaves: But is the nation really free?

Published

2 years ago

July 26, 2022

Liberia, the oldest independent post-colonial African country, on Tuesday, celebrated two major anniversaries, its 175th Independence and 200 years of the arrival of freed slaves to the nation from the United States.

Despite being the oldest African nation to have tasted self rule, the West African country has not fulfilled its potentials as over 80 percent of the population are still grappling with poverty, occasioned by what many call official corruption, unemployment and dwindling economy, as a result of years of war and tribal conflicts.

However, while expressing optimism for a better future, Information Minister Lederhood Rennie, said the celebrations of the anniversaries are necessary to build national pride and honor the work of those who established the nation.

Liberia has a long history with the United States as witnessed on its flag, constitution, form of government and many laws which are modeled on those of the US, thereby still being tied to the apron strings of the US.

Even the capital, Monrovia, is named in honor of America’s fifth president, James Monroe, who was in power when the freed slaves were repatriated to the tiny African country.

According to its history, the freed slaves went on to establish an oppressive regime that ruled the indigenous population with an iron fist from the time of their arrival until 1980, when indigenous soldiers led a military coup against President William Tolbert.

Tolbert, whose family migrated from South Carolina in the 1870s, was gruesomely murdered by the rebelling soldiers led by Samuel Doe, who himself was overthrown years later and killed by another rebel leader Charles Taylor.

The conflict was to later escalate into a full blown civil war which led to the killing of several hundreds of thousands which was only quelled with the emergence of Nobel Prize-winning President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Sirleaf was succeeded by former international soccer star-turned-politician, George Weah, who has been accused of not living up to key campaign promises of waging a war on corruption and ensuring justice for victims of the country’s brutal wars.

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Metro

‘Rights must go with responsibilities,’ traditional leader cautions on use of social media

Published

9 hours ago

May 8, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Mansa, Luapula Province: Annette Katema, the Head Woman of Chitumbi Village in Mansa District, voices concerns about the detrimental effects of irresponsible social media usage.

In a recent interview with Zambia Monitor, Katema argued that social media platforms were contributing to delinquency among the youth, particularly platforms like WhatsApp, TikTok, and Facebook.

“Children are being exposed to inappropriate content on WhatsApp, which is harmful to their upbringing. Social media platforms are fostering moral decay,” remarked Head Woman Chitumbi.

She stated that this trend undermined the cultural values that were essential for societal cohesion.

Katema expressed reservations about the prevalence of nudity and offensive language on social media, calling for stricter moderation.

She advocated for proactive measures to steer young people away from harmful online content, suggesting the revitalization of traditional recreational activities like playhouses and sports.

“Instead of solely relying on punitive measures, let’s invest in creating positive alternatives to counter the allure of social media,” Katema proposed.

She urged the youth to uphold traditional values alongside their digital rights, stating the importance of responsible behavior online.

“We should not lose respect in the name of digital rights because rights should go with responsibilities,” the traditional leader said.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.

Metro

President Tinubu finally returns to Nigeria amid speculations over his absence

Published

13 hours ago

May 8, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

After spending the last two weeks out of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has finally returned to the country.

Tinubu, who returned to Nigeria on Wednesday morning, had departed the country two weeks ago, on April 23, for The Netherlands for a three-day official visit, honouring an invitation from the Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte.

While in the European country, Tinubu participated in the Nigerian-Dutch Business and Investment Forum, which brought together heads of conglomerates and organisations in both countries.

After his engagements in The Netherlands, Tinubu, according to his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, proceeded to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to attend a World Economic Forum Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development which held between April 28–29.

However, after the summit, the president did not return to the country as he was said to have proceeded to London for a private visit which gave room to speculations over his health.

The Nigerian Presidency did not also help matters as there was no official statement on the President’s engagements, nor were they willing to douse the tension created by his absence, leading to Nigerians raising posers with the hashtag #WhereisTinubu.

In a tweet on Tuesday evening, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had revealed that Tinubu would be back in the country on Wednesday.

“President Bola Tinubu, along with his aides, will return to Nigeria tomorrow from Europe,” he had written.

The recent foreign trip was Tinubu’s 20th since assuming office on May 29, 2023, effectively logging 96 days abroad, which has made him one of Africa’s most globe-trotting leaders.

In his less than one year in office, President Tinubu has visited Paris, France (thrice); London, the United Kingdom (twice); Bissau, Guinea-Bissau (twice); Nairobi, Kenya; Porto Norvo, Benin Republic, New Delhi, India.

He has also taken a trip to Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; New York, the United States of America; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (twice); Berlin, Germany; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Dakar, Senegal; Doha, Qatar; and The Hague, The Netherlands.