Bird Story Agency The road from Enugu to a landfill site out of town was eerily quiet early on the Sunday morning a team of young scientists from the University of Nigeria readied to go sample collecting. A lone tuk-tuk chugged along a well-laid avenue lined with willow trees; there was almost no traffic at the circle where a statue of Lady Justice, her sword suggesting a tough version of the law, stood, alabaster and gold in the morning light. Closer to the landfill site, at two-hour drive away in Awka, in Anambra State the traffic became denser, the road…
Author: Development Reporting
Introduction The global economic vista in 2025 presents a compelling narrative of resilience and life-changing, with Ghana emerging as an unexpected success story. The Ghanaian cedi has achieved what many considered improbable—becoming the world’s best-performing currency after appreciating nearly 50% against the US dollar within just six months. This extraordinary turnaround is not a product of chance but the culmination of deliberate policy reforms, disciplined fiscal management, and strategic international partnerships. For Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy yet struggling with persistent inflation, currency instability, and sluggish growth, Ghana’s resurgence offers more than just inspiration—it provides a tangible blueprint for sustainable economic…
By Magdalene Ukuedojor (NAN) Eric James Ochigbo is all smiles as he strides into his office; as a journalist, his work hours are spent investigating reports, attending events and meeting deadlines. This radiance is not from breaking a big news story or catching up with a long sought-after news source, but purely of rest and bonding. Ochigbo, after a 14 working day paternity leave, can bounce back to work happy, rested and fulfilled. “I had my first baby, a baby girl, in December,” he said. “Luckily for me, paternity leave was approved by the Federal Government the month before, without…
The European Union (EU) has allocated the sum of €500,000 to address the escalating malnutrition crisis in Northern Nigeria. This funding, according to a statement from the EU on Friday, will provide critical emergency aid to vulnerable children and mothers suffering from severe malnutrition in nine states: Adamawa, Benue, Borno, Katsina, Niger, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara. While the EU explained that over 30,000 children urgently in need of treatment will benefit directly from the intervention, it noted that the support will be implemented through the Nigeria Red Cross Society, which is set to assist about 170,000 households at risk…
Introduction Africa is a continent of immense natural wealth, yet it remains the most energy-poor region in the world. Despite possessing vast reserves of solar, hydro, wind, and geothermal energy, over 600 million Africans—nearly half the continent’s population—lack access to electricity. Even in urban centres like Lagos and Johannesburg, businesses and households rely heavily on expensive, polluting diesel generators due to unreliable grid power. A recent report by the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), State of Africa’s Infrastructure Report 2025, reveals a troubling trend: off-grid and self-generated electricity in Lagos State alone has surpassed Nigeria’s entire grid-connected capacity. This phenomenon is…
A decorated journalist and DevReporting’s editorial advisor, Dapo Olorunyomi, has described the conferment of Nigeria’s National Honour on him by President Bola Tinubu as “a helpful affirmation of the interface between journalism and the project of democracy”. Mr Olorunyomi, in a terse remark shared with this newspaper, however noted that many others deserving of such honour remain faceless and unrewarded. Speaking at the joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday as part of activities to mark the nation’s Democracy Day, President Tinubu said Mr Olorunyomi’s honour is in recognition of his many sacrifices in defence of civil rule and press…
Three decades on, what else can a two-star, if you like, a two-scar champion of Nigeria’s renowned June 12 presidential election do as a patriot elected to stay put in Nigeria other than uphold the cause infinitely? Yours sincerely lost a thriving journalism career to June 12 following the proscription of Concord Press and therefore on Abacha hangs my unpaid gratuity till date. Short of flying from frying pan to fire, subsequently I joined the nation’s premier civil rights group, Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), keeping me almost permanently on the precipice of jail. If not for the courage of the…
For the second year in a row, a Nigerian PhD student Ugochukwu Madu has been awarded the Departmental Certificate of Recognition by the School of Journalism and Mass Communication in University of Iowa, United States of America. Madu received the 2025 certificate during the SJMC-BCS Joint Spring Graduation Ceremony in May, in honour of his university-wide First-Generation Student Achievement Award, solidifying his place as one of the university’s most accomplished international scholars. The certificate is one of the institution’s most competitive recognitions for students who are the first in their families to pursue a college degree. It honours an undergraduate…
By Adejumo Kabir The conflict between crop farmers and herders has, over the past two decades, been a recurring issue, resulting in significant loss of life, displacement, and economic instability. What started with sticks has now snowballed into unending violence that involves use of AK-47s and military-grade firearms, causing killings and the displacement of more than two million people in various parts of Nigeria. Beyond climate change and resource competition, there is unseen cooperation between jihadi groups and criminal elements, exploiting farmers-herders crisis for their own gain. This infiltration has exposed a key gap in Nigeria’s approach to resolving the…
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Nigeria, has debunked rumours circulating on social media that the English Language paper in the ongoing 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates has been cancelled. WAEC has described the report as “false and misleading,” clarifying that the examination held on Wednesday, 28 May, remains valid and has not been annulled. According to the earlier circulated press release dated Friday, 30 May, “the English Language paper written on Wednesday, May 28, in the ongoing WASSCE for school candidates, 2025 has been cancelled, and a new date for the conduct of…