标签： Africa

A wave of national mourning has swept through Nigeria following the tragic death of 26-year-old vocalist Ifunanya Nwangene, who succumbed to a venomous snake bite in Abuja on Saturday. The emerging artist, who gained recognition through her appearance on The Voice Nigeria in 2021, was known for her remarkable vocal versatility across jazz, opera, classical, and soul genres.

Disturbing social media footage documented snake handlers extracting a cobra from her residence, with audible screams from bystanders confirming the lethal nature of the incident. According to close associates, Nwangene was asleep when the serpent attacked, awakening her abruptly. Subsequently, authorities discovered a second snake within the premises.

The medical response proved tragically inadequate. After initial treatment at a local clinic lacking antivenom supplies, Nwangene was transferred to a hospital that possessed only one of the two required antivenoms. Sam Ezugwu, music director of the Amemuso Choir where she performed, recounted the desperate search for the missing antivenom while the young artist struggled to breathe and communicated through hand gestures before her condition deteriorated.

This devastating incident has ignited fierce criticism of Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure, coming shortly after the controversial death of novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s infant son under similar circumstances. Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate has acknowledged systemic failures and announced the formation of a national task force focused on clinical governance and patient safety.

The World Health Organization classifies venomous snakebites as a neglected tropical disease, with sub-Saharan Africa experiencing approximately 30,000 fatalities annually from an estimated 435,000-580,000 bites requiring treatment. The crisis disproportionately affects rural communities with limited medical resources, though Nwangene’s death in an urban setting has highlighted the pervasiveness of the problem.

Experts identify antivenom scarcity, improper storage requirements, and high costs as primary obstacles to effective treatment, forcing many victims to seek traditional remedies rather than professional medical care.

Sharjah Municipality has launched an intensified inspection initiative targeting agricultural properties across the emirate to enforce regulatory compliance and prevent unauthorized land usage. This systematic campaign, operating under directives from Sharjah’s executive leadership, involves comprehensive field evaluations conducted by a specialized multi-agency committee.

The inspection team, led by Khalid bin Falah Al Suwaidi, Director of Customer Services at Sharjah Municipality, recently conducted thorough examinations of multiple farms in the Al Zubair district. The committee assessed adherence to land use regulations, documented compliance issues, and implemented appropriate administrative and legal measures where violations were identified.

Authorities emphasized that these inspections represent ongoing regulatory efforts rather than temporary measures. The campaign aims to preserve both public and private property rights while maintaining Sharjah’s urban and environmental aesthetics. Officials specifically commended responsible farm owners who utilize their lands for approved agricultural purposes and permitted animal husbandry, noting their significant contribution to local food security initiatives.

Al Suwaidi highlighted that properly managed farms demonstrate optimal investment practices by producing vegetables and agricultural products that supply local markets. These operations reflect owner commitment to supporting the emirate’s self-sufficiency goals and deserve formal recognition for their positive impact.

The committee identified several properties requiring corrective action to align with land grant purposes. In these instances, regulatory measures were implemented alongside advisory support to help owners address compliance issues. Municipal authorities confirmed that inspection tours will continue indefinitely, focusing on preventing unauthorized land use and promptly addressing violations.

The long-term objectives include promoting appropriate agricultural investment, eliminating detrimental practices, and enhancing Sharjah’s overall environmental and visual standards. This initiative forms part of broader efforts to organize farm usage across the emirate while supporting sustainable food production systems.

LAGOS, Nigeria — In the early hours of January 11, Victor Ahansu and his family received their only warning as bulldozers descended upon their Makoko home—the grinding sound of heavy machinery that would leave them homeless. The Ahansu family, including 5-month-old twins, now reside in a wooden canoe shielded from the elements by nothing more than a woven plastic sack, joining thousands displaced in Lagos’ ongoing mass evictions.

Makoko, one of Africa’s oldest and largest waterfront settlements established in the 19th century, represents a historic community where generations have lived in stilt houses above the lagoon. Known colloquially as the ‘Venice of Africa,’ this distinctive neighborhood has long captured the imagination of urban planners and nonprofit organizations while simultaneously drawing the attention of developers eyeing its valuable waterfront real estate.

According to local advocacy coalitions, the current demolition wave that began in late December has resulted in the destruction of over 3,000 homes and displacement of approximately 10,000 residents. While authorities cite safety concerns regarding proximity to electrical infrastructure, residents allege the demolitions extended far beyond the mandated 100-meter clearance zone without adequate warning or compensation.

The Lagos state government, through Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has defended the actions as necessary for urban development and risk mitigation in a rapidly growing megacity of approximately 20 million people. However, critics argue these evictions disproportionately target impoverished communities without providing resettlement alternatives as required by law.

The human impact is devastating. Basirat Kpetosi, a mother of five, described waking to bulldozers destroying the home she built just last year. ‘We sleep in the open,’ she recounted. ‘When it rained, it rained on my children and me.’

The situation highlights Lagos’ severe housing affordability crisis, where annual rents for a single room in shared accommodation can reach 700,000 naira ($500)—nearly ten times the city’s minimum wage of 77,000 naira ($55). This economic reality leaves displaced residents with virtually no viable alternatives.

Recent protests against the evictions were met with tear gas from police, underscoring the growing tensions around urban development strategies in one of Africa’s fastest-growing metropolises. The demolitions continue a pattern observed since 2023, with advocacy groups estimating hundreds of thousands have lost homes under the current administration.

Legal precedent exists for protecting residents’ rights. A 2017 Lagos High Court ruling viewed by AP specifically found that mass evictions without resettlement arrangements violate constitutional protections against cruel and degrading treatment, raising questions about the current operation’s legality.

In a speech that dramatically contradicted its intended purpose of calming tensions, Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has ignited national controversy by employing highly derogatory language against foreign migrants. Speaking at the historic Isandlwana battleground where Zulu warriors achieved a legendary victory against British forces 147 years ago, the monarch told supporters that all “kwerekwere”—a deeply offensive term for African migrants—must leave South Africa immediately, even those in relationships with South African citizens.

The 51-year-old king’s remarks came amid growing anti-immigrant sentiment in KwaZulu-Natal province, where approximately 2.4 million migrants constitute about 4% of South Africa’s population. While not explicitly advocating violence, the monarch insisted migrants must “pack their belongings” regardless of their family circumstances, drawing enthusiastic applause and laughter from his audience.

The comments represent a troubling continuity with the rhetoric of his late father, King Goodwill Zwelithini, who made similar statements in 2015 that were subsequently condemned by South Africa’s human rights commission. Critics were quick to highlight the irony of the current king’s position, noting that his own mother was from Eswatini and one of his wives also hails from the neighboring kingdom.

This resurgence of xenophobic discourse occurs against a backdrop of severe economic challenges, with unemployment hovering around 33%—among the highest rates globally. Political newcomers like uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), led by former President Jacob Zuma, have capitalized on this discontent by promoting populist policies advocating the expulsion of undocumented migrants.

The climate has fostered the emergence of vigilante groups such as Operation Dudula and March on March, which have gained notoriety for their aggressive campaigns against foreign nationals. Recently, these tensions manifested dramatically when protesters surrounded Addington Primary School in Durban, falsely claiming that 90% of students were children of migrants. Official statistics later revealed that foreign pupils constitute only 1.8% of South Africa’s public school population nationwide, and 37% in the specific school.

Human rights advocates have expressed grave concerns about the king’s statements. Dr. Vusumusi Sibanda, a specialist in African diaspora issues, described the language as “unfortunate” and “worrying,” noting that such rhetoric from influential figures encourages citizens to take the law into their own hands. Security analyst Lizette Lancaster similarly warned that the comments “fuel anti-migrant sentiment and should be strongly condemned.”

The monarch additionally revived his father’s campaign to remove “Natal” from the province’s name, advocating for simply “KwaZulu.” Cultural experts caution that such a move would represent a dangerous embrace of Zulu nationalism in a multicultural province, potentially reviving historical tensions that nearly derailed South Africa’s transition to democracy in the 1990s.

With no formal political power but influence over a fifth of South Africa’s population and control of significant communal lands, the Zulu monarchy’s stance on migration carries substantial weight. The king’s controversial comments mark a significant departure from his previous media coverage, which focused primarily on royal succession battles and personal matters, suggesting a new chapter in his public engagement with South Africa’s complex social landscape.