A Literary Hub Most Anticipated Book of 2022 An exuberant, opinionated, stereotype-busting portrait of contemporary Africa in all its splendid diversity, by one of its leading new writers.So often, Africa has been depicted simplistically as a uniform land of famines and safaris, poverty and strife, stripped of all nuance. In this bold and insightful book, Dipo Faloyin offers a much-needed corrective, weaving a vibrant tapestry of stories that bring to life Africa’s rich diversity, communities, and histories.Starting with an immersive description of the lively and complex urban life of Lagos, Faloyin unearths surprising truths about many African countries’ colonial heritage and tells the story of the continent’s struggles with democracy through seven dictatorships. With biting wit, he takes on the phenomenon of the white savior complex and brings to light the damage caused by charity campaigns of the past decades, revisiting such cultural touchstones as the KONY 2012 film. Entering into the rivalries that energize the continent, Faloyin engages in the heated debate over which West African country makes the best jollof rice and describes the strange, incongruent beauty of the African Cup of Nations. With an eye toward the future promise of the continent, he explores the youth-led cultural and political movements that are defining and reimagining Africa on their own terms.The stories Faloyin shares are by turns joyful and enraging; proud and optimistic for the future even while they unequivocally confront the obstacles systematically set in place by former colonial powers. Brimming with humor and wit, filled with political insights, and, above all, infused with a deep love for the region, Africa Is Not a Country celebrates the energy and particularity of the continent’s different cultures and communities, treating Africa with the respect it deserves. Read more

'Siollun's books are gripping' - Financial Times'An essential book you'll want to re-read many times - there is no more eloquent and informed guide than Max Siollun' - Sathnam Sanghera, author of Empireland Much is known about what Europeans did in Africa, yet very little is known about Africa's history before its colonisation. In this surprising exploration, Max Siollun uncovers societies that were not part of a backward 'Dark Continent', but which instead had rich lore to rival the ancient Greeks and Romans. Pre-colonial West Africa had a mesmerising cast of revolutionaries, intellectuals, innovators, and villainous assassins. These include the family that overthrew three different 1000-year-old empires, the royal court official who engineered the death of four kings, and the young enslaved boy who became the first Black bishop in history, befriending Queen Victoria along the way. This story of a dynamic and artistic people is a vital read for those who want to discover a forgotten era of West Africa.Max Siollun is a historian and author. He has written four acclaimed books on Nigeria’s history, most recently What Britain Did to Nigeria: A Short History of Conquest and Rule, which was shortlisted in BBC History Magazine’s Books of the Year. He has written for the New York Times, Guardian, Independent and Foreign Policy. Read more

Nigeria is a country with a rich and diverse history, culture, and heritage. From the pre-colonial era to the present day, Nigeria has experienced significant social, economic, and political changes that have shaped its development and identity. In "The History of Nigeria", you will explore the key events and themes that have shaped Nigeria's past, present, and future prospects.This comprehensive book covers the pre-colonial era, the arrival of Europeans, resistance and rebellion against colonialism, independence and nation-building, military rule, economic development and petroleum wealth, regionalism and ethnic politics, and the transition to democracy in the fourth republic. It also explores contemporary issues, including Nigeria's political system, religion, culture, population, the role of women, and the Nigerian diaspora.With engaging and informative writing, "The History of Nigeria" provides a detailed and comprehensive overview of Nigeria's past, present, and future prospects. It highlights the challenges and opportunities facing the country, and it provides insights into the culture, sports, education, healthcare, and economy of Nigeria.Whether you are a student, scholar, or general reader interested in Nigeria's history and culture, "The History of Nigeria" is an essential read. It will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the country and its people, and it will inspire you to learn more about this fascinating and dynamic African nation. Buy this book now and discover the rich and diverse history of Nigeria! Read more

A Literary Hub Most Anticipated Book of 2022 An exuberant, opinionated, stereotype-busting portrait of contemporary Africa in all its splendid diversity, by one of its leading new writers.So often, Africa has been depicted simplistically as a uniform land of famines and safaris, poverty and strife, stripped of all nuance. In this bold and insightful book, Dipo Faloyin offers a much-needed corrective, weaving a vibrant tapestry of stories that bring to life Africa’s rich diversity, communities, and histories.Starting with an immersive description of the lively and complex urban life of Lagos, Faloyin unearths surprising truths about many African countries’ colonial heritage and tells the story of the continent’s struggles with democracy through seven dictatorships. With biting wit, he takes on the phenomenon of the white savior complex and brings to light the damage caused by charity campaigns of the past decades, revisiting such cultural touchstones as the KONY 2012 film. Entering into the rivalries that energize the continent, Faloyin engages in the heated debate over which West African country makes the best jollof rice and describes the strange, incongruent beauty of the African Cup of Nations. With an eye toward the future promise of the continent, he explores the youth-led cultural and political movements that are defining and reimagining Africa on their own terms.The stories Faloyin shares are by turns joyful and enraging; proud and optimistic for the future even while they unequivocally confront the obstacles systematically set in place by former colonial powers. Brimming with humor and wit, filled with political insights, and, above all, infused with a deep love for the region, Africa Is Not a Country celebrates the energy and particularity of the continent’s different cultures and communities, treating Africa with the respect it deserves. Read more

From the legendary author of Things Fall Apart comes a longawaited memoir about coming of age with a fragile new nation, then watching it torn asunder in a tragic civil warThe defining experience of Chinua Achebe’s life was the Nigerian civil war, also known as the Biafran War, of 1967–1970. The conflict was infamous for its savage impact on the Biafran people, Chinua Achebe’s people, many of whom were starved to death after the Nigerian government blockaded their borders. By then, Chinua Achebe was already a world-renowned novelist, with a young family to protect. He took the Biafran side in the conflict and served his government as a roving cultural ambassador, from which vantage he absorbed the war’s full horror. Immediately after, Achebe took refuge in an academic post in the United States, and for more than forty years he has maintained a considered silence on the events of those terrible years, addressing them only obliquely through his poetry. Now, decades in the making, comes a towering reckoning with one of modern Africa’s most fateful events, from a writer whose words and courage have left an enduring stamp on world literature. Achebe masterfully relates his experience, bothas he lived it and how he has come to understand it. He begins his story with Nigeria’s birth pangs and the story of his own upbringing as a man and as a writer so that we might come to understand the country’s promise, which turned to horror when the hot winds of hatred began to stir. To read There Was a Country is to be powerfully reminded that artists have a particular obligation, especially during a time of war. All writers, Achebe argues, should be committed writers—they should speak for their history, their beliefs, and their people. Marrying history and memoir, poetry and prose, There Was a Country is a distillation of vivid firsthand observation and forty years of research and reflection. Wise, humane, and authoritative, it will stand as definitive and reinforce Achebe’s place as one of the most vital literary and moral voices of our age. Read more

Igbo Amaka," an Igbo cookbook, also tells the story of the Igbo girl and the hurdles she must overcome to be celebrated and recognized as a full-fledged woman by Igbo standards.Adeola, an award-winning historian and storyteller, tells the story of Amaka, an Igbo girl with a passion for cooking and a life filled with intriguing challenges.Igbo history and culture set standards for what is considered 'wife material.' As Amaka strives to meet these expectations, she must confront social pressures and make wise choices, including honing her business skills and choosing the right partner. This Igbo book explores the history of the Igbo people, highlighting cultural traditions that have endured for centuries. It also shares well-known and popular food recipes from Igboland.There are over 50 million Igbos from Nigeria, an ethnic group reputed as one of the three majority groups from Nigeria. Read more

Olokun is a prominent gure in Yoruba mythology, revered as the goddess of thesea and a symbol of wealth, depth, and mystery. She is often depicted as apowerful entity governing the vast and unfathomable waters, embodying both thenurturing and destructive forces of the ocean. As the personication of the sea,Olokun is not only associated with physical waters but also represents the depthsof the subconscious, the unknown, and the spiritual realms. Her narratives areinterwoven into the fabric of Yoruba culture, illustrating the profound relationshipbetween the people and the marine environment. This connection emphasizes theocean’s cultural signicance as a source of life, sustenance, and spiritualenlightenment.The folklore surrounding Olokun reveals a tapestry of stories that illustrate hercharacter and inuence. Many tales depict her as a benevolent deity who providesfor her followers, granting them prosperity and abundance through the resourcesof the sea. However, she is also portrayed as a formidable force, capable ofunleashing storms and oods, serving as a reminder of the ocean's power andunpredictability. This duality of Olokun’s nature reects broader themes in Africanmythology, where deities often embody contrasting characteristics. Suchnarratives not only enrich the cultural heritage of the Yoruba but also serve ascautionary tales about respecting nature and understanding its complexities.In Yoruba culture, maritime traditions are deeply intertwined with the worship ofOlokun. Rituals and offerings to her often involve the community coming together tohonor the sea and its bounties. These practices serve not only as spiritualengagements but also as vital components of social cohesion and cultural identity.The symbolism of water in African religions is profound, representing purication,renewal, and the cycle of life. Olokun’s inuence extends beyond individual worship;it fosters a communal connection to the sea, reinforcing the importance ofenvironmental stewardship and respect for aquatic ecosystems.Olokun's impact on art and literature is also noteworthy, as she inspires countlessartistic expressions that capture her essence and signicance. From traditionalsculptures to contemporary visual arts, representations of Olokun often reect therichness of Yoruba aesthetics and the cultural reverence for the sea. Literature, too,has been shaped by her stories, with writers drawing upon her symbolism toexplore themes of identity, resilience, and the interplay between humanity andnature. This artistic engagement with Olokun serves to keep her legacy alive,allowing new generations to connect with their cultural roots and the environment.The modern relevance of Olokun is increasingly acknowledged, especially indiscussions about ocean conservation and environmental sustainability. Associeties grapple with ecological challenges, the teachings and values associatedwith Olokun resonate with contemporary movements advocating for the protectionof marine life and habitats. Furthermore, her representation as a female deitychallenges traditional gender roles within mythology and highlights the importanceof women's contributions to spiritual and environmental leadership. The study ofOlokun not only enriches our understanding of Yoruba spirituality but alsoencourages a broader appreciation for the interconnectedness of culture, ecology,and social justice in today’s world. Read more

An uncompromising look at Nigeria’s crisis of democracy by a renowned essayist and criticIn this groundbreaking work, the essayist and critic Adewale Maja-Pearce delivers a mordant verdict on Nigeria’s crisis of democracy. A mosaic of ethnic and religious groups, the most populous country in Africa was fabricated by British colonizers at the turn of the twentieth century. In the years since its independence in 1960, Nigeria spent an unbroken quarter century as a military dictatorship. Yet the blessings of today’s democracy are unclear to many, especially among the more than half of the population living in extreme poverty. Buffeted by unemployment, saddled with debt, menaced by bandits and Islamic fundamentalists, Nigeria faces the threat of disintegration.Maja-Pearce shows that recent mobilizations against police brutality, sexism, and homophobia reveal a powerful undercurrent of discontent, especially among the country’s youth. If Nigeria has a future, he shows here, it is in the hands of young people unwilling to go on as before. Read more

Designated by UNESCO one of the world’s Intangible cultural heritage of humanity, Odu Ifa is a collection of Ifa verses capturing ancient African Wisdom of the Ifa Orisa Wisdom Tradition. It is broken down into 256 Chapters or Books filled with proverbs, stories, history, verses , etc covering every aspect of life. The oldest rememberences of this oldest tradition is from Ikedu, the ancient name of Ife. Ife is considered the capital of the Ancient Yoruba people and the hub of the Ifa tradition.Easily numbering more than 16,000 verses in antiquity, this volume of work is a small sampling of verses for beginners, devotees, students, and Awo Ifa to add to their repertoire. Offering close to 300 verses, there is, at minimum, a verse for each chapter. Enjoy this compact and affordable volume for contemplation and study. Read more

Are you fascinated by the powerful Orisha deities and want to learn more about the spiritual traditions of West Africa? Do you want to discover the rituals, wisdom, and history that make the Orisha a fundamental part of the Yoruba religion?This book will take you on a compelling journey to discover the goddesses and gods of the Yoruba tradition, revealing their central role in African spirituality. Legend has it that Olodumare, the supreme creator, sent the Orisha to teach humanity how to live successfully on Earth. In more recent times, the Orisha crossed the Atlantic via the slave route, and today we find them in the practices of Hoodoo, New Orleans Voodoo and Santeria, keeping these ancient traditions alive.With this comprehensive guide, you will deepen your understanding through chapters devoted to:✅ An overview of Yoruba culture✅ The beliefs and traditions that characterize it✅ The origins of the Orisha✅ The symbols and colors associated with the Orisha✅ The worship of the Orisha through prayers and sacrifices✅ The distinction between “White” and “Black” Orisha✅ How to praise and invoke Orisha and establish a bond with them✅ How to get divine answers using the Diloggun system✅ The differences between Hoodoo and Voodoo✅ The various systems of divination✅ The festivals dedicated to Orisha✅ The Santeria And much more...Orisha are mediators between Earth and Heaven, and by tapping into their strengths it is possible to empower your life, including through divinations, spells and rituals, which will positively and significantly influence your life.In this book you will find the complete path to worship the Orisha to begin a journey of inner transformation. If you would like to find out more about these fascinating practices and get answers to all your questions,''Orishas'' by Marie Grace Betancourt is the book for you.Scroll up and click “Add to Cart” to get your copy today! Read more

Nigeria’s Nollywood has rapidly grown into one of the world’s largest film industries, radically altering media environments across Africa and in the diaspora; it has also become one of African culture’s most powerful and consequential expressions, powerfully shaping how Africans see themselves and are seen by others. With this book, Jonathan Haynes provides an accessible and authoritative introduction to this vast industry and its film culture. Haynes describes the major Nigerian film genres and how they relate to Nigerian society—its values, desires, anxieties, and social tensions—as the country and its movies have developed together over the turbulent past two decades. As he shows, Nollywood is a form of popular culture; it produces a flood of stories, repeating the ones that mean the most to its broad audience. He interprets these generic stories and the cast of mythic figures within them: the long-suffering wives, the business tricksters, the Bible-wielding pastors, the kings in their traditional regalia, the glamorous young professionals, the emigrants stranded in New York or London, and all the rest. Based on more than twenty years of research, Haynes’s survey of Nollywood’s history and genres is unprecedented in scope, while his book also vividly describes landmark films, leading directors, and the complex character of this major branch of world cinema. Read more

As the "Giant of Africa" Nigeria is home to about twenty percent of the population of Sub-Saharan Africa, serves as Africa's largest producer of oil and natural gas, comprises Africa's largest economy, and represents the cultural center of African literature, film, and music. Yet the country is plagued by problems that keep it from realizing its potential as a world power. Boko Haram, a radical Islamist insurrection centered in the northeast of the country, is an ongoing security challenge, as is the continuous unrest in the Niger Delta, the heartland of Nigeria's petroleum wealth. There is also persistent violence associated with land and water use, ethnicity, and religion.In Nigeria: What Everyone Needs to Know®, John Campbell and Matthew Page provide a rich contemporary overview of this crucial African country. Delving into Nigeria's recent history, politics, and culture, this volume tackles essential questions related to widening inequality, the historic 2015 presidential election, the persistent security threat of Boko Haram, rampant government corruption, human rights concerns, and the continual conflicts that arise in a country that is roughly half Christian and half Muslim.With its continent-wide influence in a host of areas, Nigeria's success as a democracy is in the fundamental interest of its African neighbors, the United States, and the international community. This book will provide interested readers with an accessible, one-of-a-kind overview of the country. Read more

This is a complete, beginner-friendly Nigerian cookbook for some of the most popular Nigerian foods.This is a cookbook with step-by-step picture-accompany recipes that anyone could follow with ease!As a chef living in Nigeria, Chidiebere has tried his hands on hundreds of Nigerian foods and in this book, has shared some of recipes that are most popular in Nigeria.Nigerian rice recipesNigerian soup recipesSwallow recipesLocal Nigerian food recipesBreakfast recipesYam recipesSmall chops/snacksNigerian drinksDecoration tipsBy using image pointers to showcase ingredients used in this Nigerian cookbook and dedicating six pages to foodstuff and ingredients, this chef from Nigeria has laid to rest the challenge of identifying Nigerian foodstuff and ingredients, forever.For most people in Europe and America, identifying Nigerian food ingredients has always been a chore, using over 100 picture, this Nigerian cookery book has solved that problem, forever.Some Nigerian food recipes in this cookbook include:Jollof Rice, Fried rice, Tomato Stew, Banga Rice, Coconut Rice, Egusi Soup, Ogbono Soup, Ofada Sauce, Bitter leaf soup, Nsala Soup, Miyan Kuka, Moi Moi, Pepper soup, Porridge yam, Meat Pies, Yamarita, Atama Soup, Oha Soup, Edikaikong Soup, Okro Soup,... and several othersYou will also find recipes for Nigerian locally made snacks and drinks.By using step by step picture-accompanying recipes, this Nigerian cookbook shows you how to make all the foods listed above and several others.Whether you are Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba or one of the other ethnic groups from Nigeria, this is the right cookbook for you.Chidiebere Anegbu is a Nigerian celebrity chef, food blogger and writer. As an author of some of the most popular Nigerian cookery books and evergreen food blogger, you are certainly getting the best Nigerian Cookbook in the market. Read more

Most accounts of Nigeria's colonisation were written by British officials, presenting it as a noble civilising mission to rid Africans of barbaric superstition and corrupt tribal leadership. Thanks to this skewed writing of history, many Nigerians today still have Empire nostalgia and view the colonial period through rose-tinted glasses.Max Siollun offers a bold rethink: an unromanticised history, arguing compellingly that colonialism had few benevolent intentions, but many unjust outcomes. It may have ended slavery and human sacrifice, but it was accompanied by extreme violence; ethnic and religious identity were cynically exploited to maintain control, while the forceful remoulding of longstanding legal and social practices permanently altered the culture and internal politics of indigenous communities. The aftershocks of this colonial meddling are still being felt decades after independence. Popular narratives often suggest that the economic and political turmoil are homegrown, but the reality is that Britain created many of Nigeria's crises, and has left them behind for Nigerians to resolve.This is a definitive, head-on confrontation with Nigeria's experience under British rule, showing how it forever changed the country--perhaps cataclysmically. Read more

The first African to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, as well as a political activist of prodigious energies, Wole Soyinka now follows his modern classic Ake: The Years of Childhood with an equally important chronicle of his turbulent life as an adult in (and in exile from) his beloved, beleaguered homeland.In the tough, humane, and lyrical language that has typified his plays and novels, Soyinka captures the indomitable spirit of Nigeria itself by bringing to life the friends and family who bolstered and inspired him, and by describing the pioneering theater works that defied censure and tradition. Soyinka not only recounts his exile and the terrible reign of General Sani Abacha, but shares vivid memories and playful anecdotes–including his improbable friendship with a prominent Nigerian businessman and the time he smuggled a frozen wildcat into America so that his students could experience a proper Nigerian barbecue.More than a major figure in the world of literature, Wole Soyinka is a courageous voice for human rights, democracy, and freedom. You Must Set Forth at Dawn is an intimate chronicle of his thrilling public life, a meditation on justice and tyranny, and a mesmerizing testament to a ravaged yet hopeful land. Read more

This book examines the political and economic philosophy of Chief Jeremiah Oyeniyi Obafemi Awolowo and his concepts of democratic socialism (Liberal Democratic Socialism). It studies how Chief Awolowo and his political parties, first the Action Group (AG) 1951-1966 and later the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) 1978-1983, acted in various Nigerian political settings. Chief Awolowo was a principled man, who by a Spartan self-discipline and understanding of himself, his accomplishments, failures and successes, was a fearless leader. He has set an example of leadership for a new generation of Nigerian politicians. He was not only a brilliant politician, but a highly cerebral thinker, statesman, dedicated manager, brilliant political economist, a Social Democrat, and a committed federalist. From all accounts, Chief Awolowo knew the worst and the best, laughter and sorrow, vilification and veneration, tribulations and triumphs, poverty and prosperity, failures and successes in life. Read more

Are the tribes of Israel really "lost" or were they hidden on purpose as prophesied in Psalms 83? The Bible indicates that there would be a multi national conspiracy to hide Israel and wipe out the memory of who they really are. If this is true, then history as we know it has been hijacked, and it is only through searching that we will find the truth. In this book, you'll be forced to ask and answer the following questions: Why does a 1747 English map show the Kingdom of Juda marked as "The Slave Coast" in west Africa?Why do slave ledgers show slaves being registered with Hebrew names fresh off of the ships?Why did slaves sing songs in Hebrew and call out to Yah for help?Why did Christ mention the worldwide enslavement of Israel as a sign of the end of the age?Are we witnessing "the times of the Gentiles" and are they coming to an end?If you’re ready to start this eye opening adventure through scripture then add this book to your cart right now because you can't afford not to read it. ISRAEL IS STILL A NATION TO GOD AND ALWAYS WILL BE!“Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name: If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever. Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.” – Jeremiah 31:35-37 Read more

Moral issues have always been a topic of concern in most human discussions. The importance of morality to the Yorùbá people of Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. There are disturbing evidences of serious moral decadence in the contemporary Yorùbá society. There is a negative change in the people’s attitude towards the observance and preservation of their moral values. This book examines the Yorùbá moral philosophy in the past, present and possibly uses this to determine what the future would likely be. The book advances reasons why the moral state of the Yorùbá society has deteriorated to the present level. It is hoped that this book will go a long way to free the Yorùbá society of ‘bad eggs’ in terms of moral behavior, this will help the society to advance in the area of moral uprightness. Furthermore, the book will enhance the understanding of the posture of the Yorùbá people vis-à-vis society’s moral philosophy. It will promote cultural awareness in the global societies. The book will help to realize why it is very important to resuscitate different kinds of anti-graft bodies which the Federal Government of Nigeria is now embarking on. Read more

Book DescriptionReawakening the Yoruba Nation: Pathway to Freedom is a powerful and thought-provoking manifesto that calls for a return to sovereignty and self-determination for the Yoruba people. More than just a historical account, this book is a rallying cry, a blueprint, and a bold reawakening rooted in culture, truth, and justice.Rich in research and historical depth, the book traces the enduring legacy of the Yoruba civilisation, from the ancient kingdoms of Oduduwa and the mighty Oyo Empire to the sophisticated governance systems that predated colonial rule. It celebrates a heritage of resilience, wisdom, and order, reminding us that Yoruba history is defined by greatness, not submission.The book goes beyond the past, examining the betrayals, colonial manipulations, and post-independence marginalisation that have suppressed Yoruba advancement. From the unjust amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914 to the sacrifices of figures like Lisabi and Chief Obafemi Awolowo, this is a compelling study of leadership, resistance, and the price of lost autonomy.But it doesn’t stop there.Reawakening the Yoruba Nation confronts the pressing issues of today, worsening insecurity, economic exploitation, cultural erosion, and the political sidelining of the Yoruba people. It boldly questions:Why do a people so rich in intellect and resources remain politically and economically trapped?How has internal corruption among elites hindered the dream of self-determination?What role does religion play in either uniting or dividing the Yoruba cause?The book offers answers grounded in deep cultural knowledge, historical wisdom, and strategic action. The author outlines a path forward that includes economic empowerment, political consciousness, cultural revitalisation, and ultimately, the creation of a sovereign Yoruba state.This is not wishful thinking. It is a meticulously crafted argument, complete with legal, historical, and practical frameworks, for why Yoruba sovereignty is not just possible, but inevitable.A call to action for the youth. A challenge to the leaders. A vision for generations to come.This book is for every Yoruba son and daughter ready to reclaim their future. Read more

The World Today Series: Africa provides students with vital information on all countries on the African continent through a thorough and expert overview of political and economic histories, current events, and emerging trends. Each country is examined through the following sections: Basic Facts; Land and People; The Past: Political and Economic History; The Present: Contemporary Issues; and The Future. In addition to country chapters, the book features extended essays on Africa’s Historical Background and the Colonial Period. The combination of factual accuracy and up-to-date detail along with its informed projections make this an outstanding resource for researchers, practitioners in international development, media professionals, government officials, potential investors and students. The content is thorough yet perfect for a one-semester introductory course or general library reference. Available in both print and e-book formats and priced low to fit student and library budgets. Read more