ECHOES

From email scams to oil spills and charlatan Pentecostal preachers, it's clear that Nigeria has something of an image problem. While the outside world's perception of Africa's most populous country hasn't always been overwhelmingly positive, there's plenty more to this nation than its unsavory associations. With its vibrant culture, sense of humor and adaptability, Nigeria has become the "Giant of Africa" in more ways than just population size. In honor of Nigeria's Independence Day on October 1, here are 10 of the many reasons why the  destination  one in five Africans call home stands out from the rest. You may be inspired to add Nigeria to your  travel  list: Traditional weddings In Nigeria, if you've reached your 30th birthday and are still unhitched, the elders will harass you down the aisle, which is why barely a week goes by without someone staging a traditional wedding ceremony somewhere. Weddings are a sacred part of cultur...

In November 2017, when Robert Mugabe resigned, after decades in power, the word spread through Harare rapidly by text, social media and from the shouts of celebration. People poured onto the streets in spontaneous joy and celebration. They high-fived the soldiers in armored cars that had helped force Mugabe out in an apparent coup, they climbed on top of vehicles, and cheered in front of the presidential office. Just days before you couldn’t even stand there. The sentiment was clear -- in the capital at least --  that people wanted him out and hoped for a better future. Mugabe’s legacy is complicated. In the eyes of many he turned from a liberation icon, likened to Nelson Mandela, into a despot who helped destroy Zimbabwe’s economy. Already today you see that contrast in reactions. African leaders and liberation movements will praise Mugabe for the icon that he is. Many may gloss over the impact that he had on his people. Even his successor, Emmerson M...

The Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun has resigned. ADEOSUN Vanguard authoritatively gathered that she resigned her appoint on Friday. However, Kemi Adeosun     Vanguard gathered that officials of the Presidential Villa who were shocked by the news were also calling the minister’s aides for confirmation. Also reports have it that President Muhammadu Buhari decided on Kemi Adeosun’s fate some few weeks ago. Two sources close to the government told SaharaReporters on Friday that the UK-born Minister had resigned, but it has now emerged that it was the President who indeed “told Adeosun to go”. Although no official statement has been released on the issue, but reliable sources confirmed her resignation on Friday. The 51-year-old former minister is reported to have resigned following pressure arising from her questionable NYSC discharge certificate. In November 2015, Adeosun was appointed Nigeria’s Minister of Finance by President Muhammadu Buhari. Kemi was born in 1967 in London, ...