The Congress of African Journalists (CAJ) International Magazine has just released its February 2024 edition. It was a hard time for Michael Adeboboye, Chairman, Board of Trustees / President Congress of African Journalists, CAJ, who lost his mother last week, but his dedication to journalism got him to complete the publishing, while his mourning tears are not yet dried.
The Cover story notes that editors-in-chief of nine international media platforms, in three continents, both online and print –have agreed to launch a cooperation protocol for the simultaneous publication of articles in Arabic and English. Alia Mundi Magazine’, dedicated to promotion of the idea of cultural diversity, “Online Literary Magazine Enheduana”; have recently joined (Middle East Business), (Life), UAE, (Sindh Courier), Pakistan, and (The AsiaN) in Arabic, South Korea, (Nos Khabar), UAE, the international (Congress of African Journalists) Magazine (CAJ) , Nigeria, The Voice from Cameroon, Firstnews.com from Ghana, and the World Organization of Writers (WOW) from Russia.
Ashraf Aboul-Yazid, the AsiaN, stated that the protocol will not only expand the scope of reception but will also represent a new Silk Road of media, with its rich stations through opinion columns and various fields of journalistic writing. The writers of the nine platforms hail from more than fifty countries. The protocol will be a living table for dialogue and a vision of new ideas, discussing common concerns and proposing new solutions.
In “Pen Icons” corner, CAJ International Magazine portrays “Hani Nadeem”; A Journalist and Poet for all Seasons. Hani Nadeem is the editor-in-chief of Nos Khabar media network, published in Arabic from Dubai, UAE. Recently he collected his journalism ideas in a multi-volume anthology, published in Arabic.
The Syrian poet and writer Hani Nadeem, who has been working in print journalism and documentary films since the early 1990s, has published 20 books between poetry, journalism, and theater. Regarding one of his most recent books, the poet Hani Nadeem wrote, “Finally, my book, “The Tent of the Lord,” was published, which is a poetry book that brings together the texts that were said in lamentation for fathers from the Arab world and the world, both ancient and modern. The book is a summary of many years’ work. I hope I succeeded in collecting the most beautiful and strangest... It is a book about the love of poor, good fathers.”
Oseni Yusuf Salami, Nigeria, writes on the Evolving Landscape of Political Participation in Africa: From The Ballot Box To The Streets, mentioning that the political landscape of Africa is in flux. The old ways of doing things are no longer tenable. A new generation is demanding its voice to be heard, and they are using a diverse toolkit of tactics to make themselves heard. The future of Africa will depend on how governments and institutions respond to this challenge. Will they embrace this new wave of participation, or will they try to stifle it? Only time will tell. This is just a starting point, of course. There is much more to be said about the evolving landscape of political participation in Africa. I encourage us all to continue exploring and to engage in communities advocacy to help shape the future of democracy on the continent.
Alice Chisanga writes that an agreement was reached through a project implemented by TRALARD with support from World Bank to help transform landscapes and the source of Villagers in Chipoya Village Raise Bar High in Fish Farming livelihood, in Zambia.
From South Africa, ANC January 8 Statement: Make or Break Moment for The Ruling Party, as Donald Tlaka writes. President Ramaphosa spoke at length and harshly against those who seek to break and divide the liberation movement. He's saying these while the former president Jacob Zuma and his new party Umkhondo WeSizwe are crisscrossing the country to garner support to unseat the ANC. This was the most important January 8 statement of the Anc because it could be the last statement with ANC in power. They will be launching their manifesto in the coming weeks which will be guiding the volunteers as they will be going into different communities to convince the citizens to give the ANC yet another chance.
On April 4-6, 2024, the first Congress of the World Writers Organization will be held in Abuja, the capital of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, under the slogan: “We are people of one planet.” During the three working days of the Congress, the VII World Literary Festival “WOW-LIFFT”, the World Cultural and Educational Forum “Modern Problems of Humanitarian Modernization”, the celebration of the XXV UNESCO World Poetry Day and the innovative business forum “Eurasia + Africa” will be held on its margins.
The host party is the Pan-African Writers Association "PAWA", headed by the Gold Laureate of the VI Open Eurasian Literary Festival of LiffT Festivals, Dr. Wale Okediran. CAJ shal be attending the events to be held in the Writers’ Village in Abuja.
A spotlight was given on Dr. Kay Morris , a Grammy considered G o s p e l R e c o r d i n g A r t i s t e , s i n g e r / s o n g w r i t e r / m u s i c Darranger/producer and a Gospel Hall and Wall of Fame inductee. She is also a fashion designer, youth mentor, women empowerment speaker, Professional Christian Life Coach/Teacher, and Global Humanitarian. She is also the President/Founder of Kay Morris Foundation and the CEO of Beauty For Ashes Global Coaching Services/ Destined To Reign Academy. She is Jamaican by birth and started singing at the tender age of 4; her music ministry spans approximately 60 years. She holds a Bachelor of Divinity Degree, Doctor of Divinity Degree, and a Doctor of Humanities Degree.
From Ghana, Nutifafa Dela Ahiawor gives a portrait of sister Gifty Dela Ahiawor (nee Gifty Gasper), has been installed as the 23rd Noble Lady for Court 63 of the Noble Order of the Ladies of Marshall on in 23 December, 2023.Ahiawor who is an educationist joined the Noble Order of the Ladies of Marshall on October 17, 2009 at court 63, Dansoman, Accra, Ghana. In her maiden speech, Noble Lady Sis. Gifty Dela Ahiawor said: "I believe with the commitment and dedication of all sisters, we shall progressively make Court 63 of the Ladies of Marshall vibrant and the best."
Brenda Kaaria, highlights Kenya’s Tech Boom as M-PESA and Digital Natives Are Reshaping the Nation: “the story of Kenya's tech boom is one of immense potential. The government, recognizing the windfall, has invested in digital infrastructure and launched initiatives like Ajira Digital, training youth in digital skills. Tech hubs and co-working spaces are popping up across the country, fostering innovation and collaboration. Inside Gambia’s Groundnut Trading Season:Farmers Complaint of Lack of Funds at Buying Centers, a report written by Kebba Ansu Manneh. Sabiiti Daniel takes us to Rwanda’s Akagera National Park Recovery from Years of Poaching.
Poetry section takes us to Asia, with two poets from Azerbaijan; Elmaya Cabbarova and Oruj Dadashi Elman, along with Nasir Aijaz, a poet from Sindh, Pakistan, who wrote “Dreams of Revolution and Freedom”:
What is the significance of dreams seen after sleep?
Dreams should be those that do not let you sleep.
I also keep seeing such dreams, like an old saying,
Dreams of economic, social revolution and national
unity that have not allowed me to sleep all my life.
But despite not realizing it in seven decades,
I have not stopped seeing such dreams.
Some of them are lying under the bed in my place, on
which I sleep with my head every day,
Some of them are kept in the small cupboard next to it,
And some of them are lying between the pages of books.
Every night by opening the closet, laying my head on
the bed or opening a book,
I go back to the world of these dreams.
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