In class we have been doing some research on Africa and some of its most important people. Here are some interesting facts that I found:
Nigeria:
- According to the World Fact Book, Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, is composed of more than 250 ethnic groups.
- The Government is trying to reform a petroleum-based economy, but still struggles with corruption and mismanagement, and institutionalizing a democracy.
- Further expansion and modernization of the fixed-line telephone network is needed.
- Territorial and offshore waters in the Niger Delta and Gulf of Guinea have a high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships.
- Nigeria is a transit point for heroin and cocaine intended for European, East Asian, and North American markets.
Chinua Achebe:
"TIME Magazine Heroes List Honors Professor Chinua Achebe, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Mandela." NVS. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2014.
- Inducted into the responsibilities of a traditional chief in Ogidi, his hometown (Soyinka).
- He has to live abroad because of his decreased mobility from a motor accident, but is still regularly consulted from Ogidi (Soyinka).
- Time magazine reads that Achebe had a career as the first director of external broadcasting in Nigeria.
- Professor Chinua Achebe was named one of the world's greatest heroes in the last 60 years.
- He is considered a person who has "changed the world."
"TIME Magazine Heroes List Honors Professor Chinua Achebe, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Mandela." NVS. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2014.
Fela Kuti:
"Partisan Records." Knitting Factory Records. N.p., 05 Feb. 2013. Web. 25 Apr. 2014.
- Considered Africa's musical genius because of his genre of music called Afrobeat.
- In each of his songs he brought up revolt in hopes to regain Africa's identity.
- Kuti was married to 27 fellow singers and dancers and he had no regrets about his use of marijuana.
- He stood up for prostitutes, or "sexual workers" he called them, and believed they deserve respect and legal protection.
- KFR states that his is music confronts every aspect of the world socially, politically, and culturally.
"Partisan Records." Knitting Factory Records. N.p., 05 Feb. 2013. Web. 25 Apr. 2014.
Wole Soyinka:
"Wole Soyinka - Biographical". Nobelprize.org. Nobel Media AB 2013. Web. 29 Apr 2014.
- The official site of Nobel Prizes tells us that Wole won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986.
- In 1967, Soyinka was accused of conspiring with Biafra rebels and was a political prisoner for 22 months.
- He has written about 20 pieces including drama, poetry, and novels.
- He was influenced by an Irish writer, but mainly connects with African theatre.
- He bases his writing off the myths of his own tribe in Nigeria.
"Wole Soyinka - Biographical". Nobelprize.org. Nobel Media AB 2013. Web. 29 Apr 2014.