By Oluwatope Lawanson
The West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS), an independent civil society-led transnational democracy solidarity network, has urged  collaboration between Civil Societies and Creatives to drive social change in the region.

Dr Kojo Asante of WADEMOS made the call at the launch of ‘DemoCreatives’, in collaboration with Yiaga Africa, Centre for Democracy Development-Ghana (CDD- Ghana), Africtivistes and AWO Hub, held at Victoria Island in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ‘DemoCreatives’ is an innovative initiative to collaborate with creatives to promote democracy.

NAN also reports that WADEMOS mobilises, coordinates, and leverages the collective power of civil society and other pro-democracy actors, resources, and opportunities within the West African region to advance, defend, and reinvigorate democracy.

They also promote democratic norms and reforms in the sub-region.

Asante, who is also a Senior Research Officer at CDD-Ghana, emphasised the need for civil societies and creatives to join forces to bring about social change in West Africa.

According to him, the region is in dire need of a new narrative, as many citizens feel disillusioned and hopeless.

He believed that creatives have a crucial role to play in inspiring change but noted that many had shifted their focus from activism to business in recent years.

To bridge the gap between civil societies and creatives, Asante suggested leveraging artist expressions to confront social challenges.

He cited the popularity of afro-pop music in Nigeria as an example, noting that musicians have the influence to shape people’s thinking and encourage them to take action.

Asante, therefore, urged civil societies and creatives to work together to keep the civil space open and encourage people to speak out against oppression.

Obianuju Udeh, a renowned Nigerian Disc Jockey, popularly known as DJ Switch, in her virtual keynote address,  urged civil societies and creatives to come together, re-strategise, and make a meaningful impact.

According to her, it is imperative that both parties join forces in the fight for democracy and human rights.

She emphasised the power of art in reflecting society’s trials, struggles, and dreams, and its ability to nurture critical thinking and empathy.

DJ Switch highlighted the historical impact of art on social movements, citing examples such as the late king of Afro beat, Fela Anikulapo’s music and the role of literature in exposing injustice.

She encouraged civil societies to reimagine their funding strategies and collaborate with creatives to amplify their message and reach a wider audience.

“There is need for unity and strategic alliance between civil societies and creatives to combat the enemies of democracy and human rights.

“We need to spend money to get the big guns to be involved. Art is not a luxury, it is a necessity for a dying democracy,
” she said.

Also, Cynthia Mbamalu, Director of Programmes, Yiaga Africa, said that democratic practices, not just labels, remained essential for a functioning democracy.

According to her, Democreatives, is a movement that leverages art and creativity to promote democracy and good governance in West Africa.

“Expression, a fundamental human right, is crucial for democracy, and this partnership seeks to protect and promote free expression and press freedom.

“By working together, we hope to inspire hope and democracy in neighboring countries, leading to economic empowerment, inclusive growth, and development.

“With WADEMOS leading the charge, this collaboration brings together artists, musicians, creatives, and civil society partners to advance democratic development in Africa,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Vivian Ihechu

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) was at the 2024 Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

Video and some images at the symbolic stoning of the Devil at Jamrat in Mina, Saudi Arabia was sent in by Salisu Sani-Idris.

Sight and sound of the 2024 Eid-el Kabir festival across the country.

Compiled by NAN Photo Unit.

By Emmanuella Anokam

Filling stations in Abuja and its environs have unofficially increased the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) known as fuel as scarcity of the product bites harder.

A Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday reports that the fuel stations that had products were selling between N850 and N1,000 per litre, while the black marketers are selling at N1,300 and N1,400 per litre.

NAN reports that in spite of the adjustment, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) maintained its price of N617.

The development has caused long queues at NNPC Ltd. retail outlets at Zone 1, Mega station near Church Gate, Jahi and others along Kubwa express.

It would be recalled that long queues surfaced in the FCT following low distribution of fuel to different stations due to logistics.

NNPC Ltd. had said in a statement on Thursday that the cause of the scarcity, which they described as “tightness in fuel supply”, had been resolved.

However, along Karshi-Jukwoyi road, Fuel Smart, Mobil, NIPCO and many other independent marketers are selling the product in their fuelling stations between N850 and N1,000.

Conoil and TotalEnergies opposite NNPC Ltd. Towers sell at N660 but with long queues.

At Kubwa, majority of the fuelling stations are closed because of lack of the product.

Eterna and Ammasco at the Kubwa second gate, along the Kubwa-Zuba expressway are yet to be supplied with the product.

Only NIPCO fuelling station opposite the Eterna station has fuel but with long queue. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

By Josephine Obute

A leap year occurs once every four years to account for the extra time it takes for the Earth to complete its orbit around the Sun.

This adjustment is necessary to keep the calendar year synchronised with the astronomical year.

Individuals born on Feb. 29, also known as leap day, have a unique birthday that only comes around every four years.

They often refer to themselves as ‘special breeds’ or ‘special beings’ due to the rarity of their birthdate.

Some of these celebrants express joy and gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate their birthdays in a way that sets them apart from others.

For those born on Feb. 29, celebrating birthdays can be a mixture of joy and occasional challenges.

While some see their unique birthdate as a blessing, others see it as awkward when comparing their birthday celebrations to those who have annual birthdays.

Some Lagos residents, born Feb. 29, expressed their views about the day in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.

15-year-old Damilare Ijiwade, born Feb.29, 2009, described the day as “unique”.

“For this rare and special opportunity, my daddy has planned a little get-together for me with my friends because of the uniqueness of the celebration.

“I give thanks to God for the benefit of seeing another birthday after four years.

“I feel great because my birthday is a very peculiar one that is being celebrated every four years. There is no need for me to be worried about it. I only put my mind on the fourth year,” Ijiwade said.

According to Shadrach Akowonjo, a 24 -year-old Civil Engineer, born Feb. 29, 2000, he feels awkward when others talk about celebrating their birthdays every year.

“Though it’s not funny at all but all the same, I thank God, I will be visiting the orphanage.

“When others talk about birthday other years, I feel awkward but who am I to question God, that’s our faith, we accept it, ” he said.

For Favour Thompson, a student born Feb. 29, 2008, described Feb.29 as a day for ‘mysterious and special beings’.

“I feel and believe being born on such a date is a misery, I am glad and honoured having to celebrate this year.

“Though people always mocked me every year, but it’s our turn to demonstrate God’s grace in our lives,” he said.

Meanwhile, a priest, Rev. Father Clement Odiah, of the Seat of Wisdom Catholic College, Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State, said individuals born Feb.29 are called ‘leapling babies’.

“They didn’t choose to be born on that date, however, they found themselves to be born on such day.

“There are so many things in life that we just have to find a way round it, we can’t deny or push them away. It’s not that they sinned or did anything wrong.

“Having birthdays annually is an opportunity to thank God to celebrate birthday every year, some don’t have such an opportunity.

“Some break relationships or cause animosity for their birthdays not been celebrated. Tell them to calm down, if they have nothing to celebrate this year, another year will come. After all, some celebrate just once in four years, yet heaven hasn’t fallen,” he said.

Another Catholic Cleric, of Saints Gregory Major Seminary, Ogun, Rev. Fr. Paul Amenaghawon, said that those born Feb. 29 had the liberty to celebrate on other closer days.

“As long as those born on Feb. 29 increase in age every year, they can celebrate on either Feb. 28 or March 1, as they choose.

“What matters is that they remember they are increasing in age every year, regardless of having Feb. 29 or not,” he said.

Also speaking, Rev. Fr. Anthony Afariogun, Chaplain, Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Chaplaincy, Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo State, said celebrating once in four years is ‘divine’.

“Celebrating birthday once in four years is divine. They have opportunity of saving money for the next four years and prepare very well. It gives them also opportunity to reflect on their lives and see how to serve God better.

“Birthday is not a compulsory celebration, it’s a time of gratitude and appreciation. Time to look back and see what God has done in the past, present and future,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran