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Beyond the Benue Valley: The Timeless Mystique and Pride of the Idoma In the lush heart of central Nigeria lives a community whose identity is worn like a badge of honour, woven in fiery red, grounded in deep black, and guarded by an unspoken reverence for their ancestors in Africa.
Cultural beliefs often survive through simple, everyday conversations. A child hears a warning from an older relative, remembers it and may eventually repeat it to someone else. Over time, the words become familiar, even when their original meaning is no longer clear. People may continue such practices because they believe in them, respect their elders or simply feel comfortable following familiar household traditions.
Thirty-nine years ago today, on 15 October 1987, Burkina Faso’s young president, Thomas Sankara, was shot dead during a coup in Ouagadougou. He was 37, and twelve of his comrades died with him. Today the country is led by another young army captain who often invokes his name: Ibrahim Traoré. The question many Africans now ask is whether Traoré is carrying Sankara’s torch or borrowing his image.
These writers, though distinct in voice and era, share a common thread, a commitment to telling African stories on African terms. Their works are not just literature, they are living archives of culture, struggle, and identity, inviting readers across the world to see Africa not as a single story, but as a continent of many voices.
Manhyia Palace stands as the enduring soul of the Ashanti people, where history, power, and tradition meet. From exile to restoration, it tells a story of resilience and identity. More than a palace, it is a living symbol of leadership, culture, and unity, holding firm in a world that constantly tries to forget its roots.
Fort Jesus in Mombasa, Kenya is a 16th century fortress built by the Portuguese to control Indian Ocean trade. Fought over for centuries by global powers, it reflects a blend of African, Arab, and European influence. Today, it stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserving the layered history of conquest, culture, and resilience.
Before 1897, the Benin Kingdom was a thriving empire known for its rich culture, strong governance, and iconic bronze artworks. Everything changed with the Benin Expedition of 1897, when British forces invaded, destroyed the city, and exiled Ovonramwen Nogbaisi. The looting of the Benin Bronzes remains at the center of global debates today.
The Ogunde Living History Museum in Ososa, Ogun State preserves the life and legacy of Chief Dr. Hubert Adedeji Ogunde, Nigeria’s theatre pioneer. It’s a living cultural shrine filled with his personal spaces and artistic treasures — from costumes and instruments to early film relics. More than a museum, it is a heartbeat of Yoruba artistic identity.
Glover Memorial Hall is one of Lagos’ oldest civic buildings, built in 1887 to honour Governor John Hawley Glover. Over time, the Victorian-style hall evolved from a colonial memorial into a cultural and intellectual centre where theatre, music, and political discussions flourished, quietly shaping Lagos’ early artistic life and nationalist consciousness.
Rising above Dugbe in Ibadan, Cocoa House is West Africa’s first skyscraper, built in 1965 from cocoa revenue under Obafemi Awolowo’s leadership. Once the headquarters of the Western Nigeria Marketing Board, it symbolizes agricultural wealth, visionary governance, and regional pride. Cocoa House stands today as a bold reminder that Nigeria once built greatness from the soil.
Although many African governments have criminalized FGM, enforcement remains uneven. In some areas, the practice continues quietly, protected by silence and tradition. This reality underscores a critical truth: laws alone are not enough without sustained community engagement and social change. The way forward in Africa lies in education, open dialogue, and empowerment. Communities must be equipped with accurate information about the medical and human consequences of FGM. Girls must be supported through education and economic opportunities, reducing their vulnerability to harmful practices. Traditional and religious leaders play a crucial role in challenging long-held misconceptions, while governments must strengthen enforcement and provide support systems for survivors. Ending FGM is not an attack on African culture; it is a defense of African girls and women. Every girl deserves to grow into womanhood whole, with her body and dignity intact.
In recent years, Kobafest (Kogi Book and Art Festival) has emerged as one of Kogi State’s most promising cultural initiatives a festival that celebrates literature, arts, tradition, and creative expression. Organized by the Awareness Literary Society, Kobafest is more than just a cultural gathering: it has become a platform for empowerment, cultural pride, and socio-economic stimulation in the state.
Mary Slessor’s Sacred Shelter in Calabar is more than a building, it is a moral landmark. From its quiet rooms, a fearless woman challenged brutal customs, defended twins, and reshaped community life. The house endures as proof that courage can live humbly, and that compassion, once rooted, outlives its messenger.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Nigeria was under military rule, like many other African countries at the time. The government kept a close watch on public speech. Newspapers were monitored, protests were restricted, and criticism of those in power often led to arrest. It was during this period that Fela Anikulapo Kuti became widely known. Fela was born in 1938 in Abeokuta, western Nigeria. He came from a politically active family. His mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, was a well-known activist, while his father was a school principal. Fela studied music in London and later returned to Nigeria, where he developed Afrobeat, a style that combined jazz, highlife, funk, and traditional African rhythms and his songs talked about what many people were already experiencing but could not say openly.
Assin Manso Slave River in Ghana marks a haunting chapter of the transatlantic slave trade. Once a collection point for enslaved Africans, the river bore witness to family separations and unimaginable suffering. Today, it serves as a place of remembrance, reflection, and spiritual connection, preserving the stories of resilience, ancestral prayers, and the enduring spirit of those who endured its waters.