Latest news with #Enugu
BBC News
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Meet di grandpa dem wey dey run car wash for Enugu Nigeria
Emeka Ede, now 70 years old bin enta car wash business wen e fin work many years ago but e no see and e decide to join di group of car wash for Enugu, Southeastern Nigeria. "I be 70 years now and 42 years for car wash and e make me to dey strong, if I no work for one day, two days, I no go get myself." Dis na true life tori of one old man wit im oda colleagues about how dem dey live dia life for many years. For dis car wash wey dey along Nkpokiti road for Enugu Nigeria, na old men dey work for dia and dem dey enjoy wetin dem dey do. BBC News Pidgin enta Enugu to meet and speak to dis men to know wetin dey build and fuel dia energy for di car wash business despite dia age. Dis group of older men wey dey ova 70 and 80 years come togeda to form Ochomma association of car wash. Dem say dem dey do di car wash business to keep fit and make money to fit feed dia families. I sidon for hours wit dis men to see how dem dey operate, how dem dey get customers and run dia jobs evri day. E dey surprising to find say dis men stand for long sake of say dem gatz hustle for customers wey dem go wash dia car. All thru our stay wit dem, dem no quarrel and nobodi abuse di oda - but dem gada dey work togeda and help each oda. Mr Emeka tok say im don spend 42 years for car wash business inside Enugu wia e join im oda mates to dey wash vehicles evriday. "We get law say if you see motor wey dey come, first to rush go be di one to wash di motor. And we no dey allow all dose small boys to come here," Mr Emeka tell me. E say di work dey make am fit and im dey take am as exercise for im bodi. Anoda memba of di carwash team na Mr Ferdinand Okoye wey be 81 years old. E surprise me to see pesin of im age to dey do di car wash business but e say im like am. "For this business ehn, pipo don tell me say how I like to dey wash car for dis age. I tell dem say well, I like am," Mr Okoye tok. For Mr Okoye, e fit wash up to three to four cars in one day and dat go fit put food for im table for di day. E dey sweet Mr Okoye for belle say di work dey make am fit and di only reason im no go come work any day na if e no well. "You know say na part of exercise wey we dey do. Na im make me like dis work." Dis car wash get about ova 20 old men wey dey work for dia, and according to dem, na means to make dia daily bread and also keep dia bodi fit.
The Guardian
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘We must unite': Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's rallying cry at Nigerian literature festival
As Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie took to the stage in a hall in the south-eastern Nigerian city of Enugu, dressed in a vibrant burnt orange African-print outfit, her hair styled in an elegant afro, the audience clapped and ululated in appreciation. 'It's always a homecoming when I return to the south-east,' the novelist, who was born in the city, began. 'But it no longer feels like home – the calm, the warmth, the essence seems to have faded,' she added, in an allusion to the violence associated with an armed separatist movement in the region – where 90% of people are from the Igbo ethnic group – and a recent rise in ritual killings. Adichie was making the keynote speech at the closing ceremony of the inaugural Things Fall Apart festival, which celebrates the 67th anniversary of the release of the seminal novel by Chinua Achebe. Organised by the Enugu-based Centre for Memories, the festival marks a significant expansion of the annual Things Fall Apart Day, now in its fifth year. Set in the fictional Igbo village of Umuofia, the book explored how colonialism and cultural misunderstandings fissured traditional African societies. It was written as a counter to Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, which portrayed Africa as a dark place. Iheanyi Igboko, the centre's executive director, explained the festival's significance. 'Things Fall Apart is not just a book,' he said. 'It is a mirror, a declaration of identity, and a provocation. It represents the Igbo worldview and African traditions – and still challenges us today.' Adichie's presence was part of her book tour for her new novel Dream Count – her first in over a decade – which tells the story of four women grappling with questions around love and identity. Her speech focused on the preservation of the Igbo language, culture and identity – just as Achebe did with Things Fall Apart almost seven decades ago. Between 1967 and 1970, a brutal civil war fought between the government and the secessionist state of Biafra killed an estimated 1 million people, mostly in the south-east. Over the last decade, a separatist movement citing continued political and economic marginalisation in the region has turned increasingly violent. In the past four years more than 700 people have been killed either for defying the separatists' weekly stay-at-home order every Monday or from clashes between the separatists and Nigerian security forces. 'Let us wake up,' Adichie said. 'We often speak of political marginalisation. While that exists, we must pause that conversation until we have cleaned our own house. We must unite. Unity doesn't mean the absence of differences – it is the decision to come together despite them.' Adichie also lamented what she called a growing disregard for human life and the erosion of community values among Igbos. 'Today, we hear grotesquely inhumane stories of people murdered in ritual practices for money,' she said. 'It is important to note that the victims of this recent upsurge of barbarism are mostly women … In Igbo culture, nothing is more sacred than life itself [as] Things Fall Apart teaches us … we are participating in our own destruction.' The week-long festival, which began on 29 June, brought Achebe's fictional world to life. Highlights included a reimagined Umuofia village, theatrical performances, dramatic readings, and a stunning appearance by the Ajofia masquerade – one of the novel's powerful symbolic figures. The Things Fall Apart village had depictions of a shrine, huts, a yam barn, a waterfall, and men on guard at the entrance in traditional warrior attire holding spears, as in Umuofia in the book. Visitors were given palm wine in cups made from coconut shells as the Ijele Renaissance theatre group re-enacted a playground scene where the protagonist, Okonkwo, gained fame by defeating Amalinze the Cat in a fierce wrestling bout. James Ngwu Eze, an organiser, emphasised Enugu's symbolic relevance to the book and the festival. 'Achebe spent many productive years in the city and taught at the University of Nigeria Nsukka,' he said. 'Enugu is also the cultural and political capital of Igboland and Things Fall Apart was set in the Igbo culture.' Present in the audience were dozens of writers, artists, students, actors, and scholars including the Nollywood veteran Nkem Owoh, who featured in a 13-part screen adaptation of Things Fall Apart in 1987. For many in attendance, especially the younger people, the festival was an awakening. Janeth Sule, a banker, described it as 'a reminder to preserve culture and tell our stories'. John Tochukwu, an artist who crafted festival items such as lanterns and plates from coconut shells, said Achebe 'helped us see who we are – not as people of darkness, but of dignity and tradition'.
BBC News
05-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Wetin di new US tax mean for money wey pipo for abroad dey send to family and friends back home
Di One Big Beautiful Act wey don dey signed into law by di U.S. President Donald Trump dey impose a 1% tax on certain types of cross-border money transfers. Dis go cause worry among African migrants and dia families wey dey rely on cash wey dem dey send give dem from obodoyinbo. For 2024, at least $12 billion bin flow from di United States to African families through remittances. But dis newly approved 1% tax on informal money transfers fit comot millions from dat stream. Di US President Trump budget mega-bill become law afta e pass a final vote for di House of Representatives and afta Congress bin debate di package for days, as members of both di House and Senate also work overnights for di Capitol. Join Pidgin WhatsApp Channel for similar tori dem. However, while di final tax rate dey far lower dan di 3.5% wey dem first propose, di law dey target specific remittance channels. E also apply to transfers wey dem dey make through cash, money orders, or cashier cheques, wit exemptions for transactions wey dem dey send through bank accounts or U.S.-issued debit and credit cards. 'Dis na tax on progress' A Nigerian-born professor wey base for Minnesota, wey no wan make we mention im name, tell di BBC say di tax go directly affect how e dey send money to relatives for Enugu. "I dey build a retirement home for my village and dis require me to send money evritime for di project. I also send money to support my mama back home," e tok. Dis week alone, e don send $700 for building materials. "E fit look like just $7 on evri $700 wey we send, but dis na tax on progress, care, and support. Di emotional cost dey bigger dan di financial one." Though e prefer to use banks, e admit say cash apps dey faster, especially during emergencies. "No be evrione wey we support back home get a bank account. Many dey rely on pickup centres or cash agents. Dis law be like say e blind to dat reality." Di law dey scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026 as part of a broader effort to boost federal revenues. Di tax dey aimed to tightening oversight of informal cross-border transfers, a category wey include many of di ways African migrants dey send money home. But for millions of African families, dis informal channels no just common, dem dey essential. For Yasmine Atim, a 22-year-old Ugandan computer science student for Texas, di tax go force her to retink how she dey send money to her younger siblings for Central Uganda. "I no dey work full-time, but I try to send $100, $150, or $200 wen I fit," she tok. "Even if na just $1, dat na di money my brother fit use to get a textbook or transport to school." Yasmine dey use a mix of cash apps. "I try to set up a wire transfer once, but my bank no allow international transactions from a student account." For her, remittances no be just about money but about to stay emotionally connected to home. "Sometimes, di only way I fit show up for my family na to send dat money. E dey hurt to tink say di govment want a piece of dat. I fit try make I no send big amounts to reduce di number of transactions wey dem go tax. But dat no go make sense. Family need help wen dem need am." Wetin e mean for Africa Di final text of di law tok say, "we hereby impose on any remittance transfer a tax wey equal 1% of di amount of such transfer. Na di sender go pay di tax." While exemptions exist for transfers through U.S. financial institutions or dose wey dey funded by U.S.-issued debit or credit cards, many African migrants still dey depend on informal channels. Wit foreign aid to Africa wey dey reduce, remittances don become a lifeline. According to World Bank data, remittance flows into Africa bin pass $92 billion (€81 billion) for 2024, wit at least $12 billion wey dey come from di United States. Di U.S. remain di biggest origin kontri for global remittances wey dey account for ova $656 billion for2023 alone. Top African Remittance Recipients (2024) Kontri Remittances ($) Egypt 22.7 Billion Nigeria 19.8 Billion Morocco 12.0 Billion Kenya 4.8 Billion Ghana 4.6 Billion Senegal 3.0 Billion Zimbabwe 3.0 Billion Zambia 2.8 Billion Uganda 1.49 Billion DR Congo 1.3 Billion Source: World Bank, 2024 According to di Africa Finance Corporation 2025 State of Africa Infrastructure Report, remittances don consistently pass foreign direct investment, portfolio flows, and official development assistance. Dis make am di most stable and dependable source of external finance from Africa. "Remittances dey more dan money," di professor for Minnesota tok. "Dem be infrastructure, education, medical care, food, and dignity. To tax am na like to tax veri engine of development for many African homes."
BBC News
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Gentleman Mike Ejeagha wey sing 'Gwo gwo gwo ngwo' don die
Nigeria highlife music legend, Mike Ejeagha, don die at di age of 95. Di ogbonge musician, wey dem sabi as 'Gentleman Mike Ejeagha,' bin popular for many years sake of im high-quality music wey im bin take tell different kain of . Im son, Emmanuel Ejeagha, tell BBC News say im papa die for 82 Division Hospital for Enugu, around 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 6, 2025. Mike Ejeagha die afta one long sickness, wey im family bin no tok im name. Ejeagha blow for Nigeria music for di 1980s sake of how im music style take dey unique. For 2024, Nigerian skit maker Brain Jotter, bring di ogbonge highlife singer Ejeagha back into di limelight again wen e make popular one line, 'Gwo gwo gwo ngwo' from di singer song, "Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche," na song for Mike Ejeagha 1983 album. Di dance to di song go viral and bin make pipo remember di ogbonge singer. Celebrating di legend Pipo from different levels of society dey celebrate di late music legend for im unforgettable work, even as dem dey condole im family. Di Enugu State Govnor, Peter Mbah describe di late Ejeagha as "easy personality" wey im fans "cut across boundaries." Im talent show for how im take simple folktales and turn dem into songs wey you no go fit forget, and wey pipo from different cultures fit understand. Atiku Abubakar, former Nigeria Vice President post for social media X say: "E dey heartwarming to note say thanks to Brain Jotter, highlife maestro Mike Ejeagha bin get im 'Gwo gwo gwo ngwo' encore dance before di curtain drop down. Rest in music, Gentleman Mike Ejeagha."
BBC News
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Who be Nigerian actress Angela Okorie wey dey di centre of Nollywood drama?
Celebrity life dey come wit fame, influence, money and constant public drama wey dey make dia life different from ordinary pesin. Nollywood actress Angela Okorie don dey di centre of di ongoing gbas-gbos between am, Mercy Johnson and Regina Daniels wey dey trend ontop social media. Angela recently make one post ontop social media say she don forgive Mercy Johnson, wey she bin get beef wit but Regina Daniel respond say "we no dey forgive for dis side". Na dis make Angela fire back. She verbally insult Regina Daniels claiming Regina marry her husband, Nigeria politician Ned Nwoko for money. Regina deny her claim and respond say na Angela dey beg her husband make im support am financially for her next project. Afta days of staying quiet, Mercy Johnson don tok say she go speak up for hersef and clear di air about di allegations against her. Who be Angela Okorie Angela Okorie na ogbonge musician and actress for Nollywood wey start her career as a model, bifor she break into stardom for 2009 wit her first feem 'Holy Serpent' and she don feature for several movies including 'Heart of a Widow' and 'Secret Code.' She don win several awards for di Nigeria movie industry. Angela win di 'Best Supporting Actress' category for di 2015 edition of di City People Entertainment Awards. Angela come from Enugu State, southeast Nigeria, but dem born am for Cotonou, Benin Republic, bifor she relocate to Nigeria wia she bin start to model for cosmetic brand for 2005 until she find her real passion wey be acting for 2009. Di actress get one pikin from her previous marriage wit Chukwuma Orizu. Di two dey togada for ten years bifor Angela announce her divorce ontop Instagram in 2015. She claim say her ex-husband no wan make she dey work as actress but di two still maintain dia relationship and dem still dey co-parent dia son. Beef for Nigerian entertainment industry Beef for Nigerian entertainment industry no be new tin. From music to movies, drama between celebrities don become almost as popular as di work dem dey produce. Weda na about ego, competition, betrayal, or just plain misunderstanding, beef dey always make headlines, and sometimes e dey even boost careers. For Nollywood, beef fit spark between actors, directors, producers, or even influencers. Many times, na ova who dey inside big role, who dey earn more endorsement deals, or who dey get more attention from di media. Oda times, na about personal issues wey dem bring into public space. E fit also be old friendship wey turn to enmity or comments wey pesin make for interview wey go di wrong way. Music is even dey more notorious. From di days of 2Baba vs Blackface, to more recent beef between new cats for di music industry, Nigerian entertainment industry don see im fair share of ego battles. But shey na all beef dey bad? Some pipo believe say e dey create healthy competition. Wen two top entertainers dey compete, dem dey often drop dia best work. Di fan and di industry benefit in dat manner. But beef fit lead to division as fans dey pick sides and engage in toxic trolling online.
