Rachael Akidi Okwir
@rakidi.bsky.social
Journalist | News Junkie | Past: BBC Senior News Editor & Head of East Africa | Now: Senior Media Consultant & Strategist | All things Africa
Live Updates: Sean Combs Acquitted of Sex Trafficking but Found Guilty on Lesser Charges www.nytimes.com/live/2025/07...
Live Updates: Sean Combs Is Found Guilty of Transporting People for Prostitution
www.nytimes.com
July 2, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Live Updates: Sean Combs Acquitted of Sex Trafficking but Found Guilty on Lesser Charges www.nytimes.com/live/2025/07...
A London bound Air India plane has crashed in Ahmedabad killing all 242 people on board.
They included: 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, one Canadian and Seven Portuguese.
#AI171
They included: 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, one Canadian and Seven Portuguese.
#AI171
June 12, 2025 at 1:12 PM
A London bound Air India plane has crashed in Ahmedabad killing all 242 people on board.
They included: 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, one Canadian and Seven Portuguese.
#AI171
They included: 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, one Canadian and Seven Portuguese.
#AI171
“It’s a disgrace that 70% of the $650 million annual budget of African Union is funded by Europeans. When foreigners fund us, they are ‘developing partners’. Then tomorrow they are ‘colonizers & imperialists’. Seriously- either we have an AU and fund it, or we all go home”. - Mo Ibrahim
June 3, 2025 at 6:12 AM
“It’s a disgrace that 70% of the $650 million annual budget of African Union is funded by Europeans. When foreigners fund us, they are ‘developing partners’. Then tomorrow they are ‘colonizers & imperialists’. Seriously- either we have an AU and fund it, or we all go home”. - Mo Ibrahim
Nigeria is the world's most dangerous nation in which to give birth. One in 100 women die in labour or in the following days. In 2023, Nigeria accounted for well over a quarter - 29% - of all maternal deaths worldwide.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Nigeria maternal mortality: The world's worst country to give birth
Nigeria accounts for 29% of global maternal deaths - a lack of medics and poor facilities are partly to blame.
www.bbc.com
June 3, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Nigeria is the world's most dangerous nation in which to give birth. One in 100 women die in labour or in the following days. In 2023, Nigeria accounted for well over a quarter - 29% - of all maternal deaths worldwide.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
This always feels like yet another school boy summoned to the headteacher’s office to explain why he’s been misbehaving in class. But the headteacher is armed with only one side of the story. Why? 🧐(In my naive voice)
May 21, 2025 at 6:19 PM
This always feels like yet another school boy summoned to the headteacher’s office to explain why he’s been misbehaving in class. But the headteacher is armed with only one side of the story. Why? 🧐(In my naive voice)
The members of Kenya's security forces who shot dead anti-tax protesters at the country's parliament last June have been identified by the BBC. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Kenya parliament protests: BBC identifies the security forces who shot at anti-tax protesters
The BBC exposes the members of the security forces who fired on protesters at Kenya’s parliament last year.
www.bbc.com
April 28, 2025 at 6:14 AM
The members of Kenya's security forces who shot dead anti-tax protesters at the country's parliament last June have been identified by the BBC. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Trump halts aid to South Africa over its “discrimination” against Afrikaners and also its genocide case against America’s ally Israel over the Gaza war. Says the US will formulate a plan to resettle Afrikaner farmers and their families as refugees.
February 8, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Trump halts aid to South Africa over its “discrimination” against Afrikaners and also its genocide case against America’s ally Israel over the Gaza war. Says the US will formulate a plan to resettle Afrikaner farmers and their families as refugees.
Delighted to be part of this AI Journalism Lab Leadership Cohort.
💡🧑💻We are pleased to introduce the 23 media executives, strategists, and managers from across the globe who have been selected for the AI Journalism Lab: Leadership cohort with support from @Microsoft!
Let's get to know them ↓
www.journalism.cuny.edu/2025/01/23-n...
Let's get to know them ↓
www.journalism.cuny.edu/2025/01/23-n...
23 News Leaders Chosen for AI Journalism Lab: Leadership Cohort - Newmark J-School
This exceptional group of 23 journalists, strategists, and executives from across the globe will explore what newsroom leadership looks like in the age of artificial intelligence, and learn to navigat...
www.journalism.cuny.edu
January 12, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Delighted to be part of this AI Journalism Lab Leadership Cohort.
Reposted by Rachael Akidi Okwir
Kenya President William Ruto says he consulted Ugandan leader Yoweri Museveni before naming former rival and PM Raila Odinga Kenya's candidate to head the African Union Commission
"We met": Ruto highlights Museveni's role in picking Raila as AUC candidate
President William Ruto has explained the role that Uganda's president Yoweri Museveni played in naming Raila Odinga as Kenya's AUC chair candidate
www.tuko.co.ke
January 2, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Kenya President William Ruto says he consulted Ugandan leader Yoweri Museveni before naming former rival and PM Raila Odinga Kenya's candidate to head the African Union Commission
The Democratic Republic of Congo has filed criminal complaints in France and Belgium against subsidiaries of the tech giant Apple, accusing it of using conflict minerals. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Apple accused by DR Congo of using conflict minerals
The tech giant says it
www.bbc.co.uk
December 19, 2024 at 7:40 AM
The Democratic Republic of Congo has filed criminal complaints in France and Belgium against subsidiaries of the tech giant Apple, accusing it of using conflict minerals. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Ethiopian Airlines, one of Africa's largest and fastest-growing airlines, has announced the launch of Air Congo in partnership with the Democratic Republic of the Congo government. english.news.cn/20241219/507...
Ethiopian Airlines partners with DR Congo gov't to launch new carrier
english.news.cn
December 19, 2024 at 7:37 AM
Ethiopian Airlines, one of Africa's largest and fastest-growing airlines, has announced the launch of Air Congo in partnership with the Democratic Republic of the Congo government. english.news.cn/20241219/507...
Reposted by Rachael Akidi Okwir
"One of the great tragedies of mankind is that morality has been hijacked by religion. So now people assume that religion and morality have a necessary connection. But the basis of morality is really very simple and doesn't require religion at all."
-- Arthur C. Clarke, born #OTD 1917
-- Arthur C. Clarke, born #OTD 1917
December 16, 2024 at 11:09 AM
"One of the great tragedies of mankind is that morality has been hijacked by religion. So now people assume that religion and morality have a necessary connection. But the basis of morality is really very simple and doesn't require religion at all."
-- Arthur C. Clarke, born #OTD 1917
-- Arthur C. Clarke, born #OTD 1917
Chinese online retailer Temu has become the most downloaded app in Nigeria on both the Android and Apple app stores in just a few weeks since ads started promoting its availability in the country. www.semafor.com/article/12/1...
Chinese retailer Temu storms Nigeria | Semafor
Nigeria is Temu’s second bet in Africa after the company launched in South Africa earlier this year.
www.semafor.com
December 12, 2024 at 4:53 AM
Chinese online retailer Temu has become the most downloaded app in Nigeria on both the Android and Apple app stores in just a few weeks since ads started promoting its availability in the country. www.semafor.com/article/12/1...
Russian state media reporting that deposed Syrian leader Bashar al- Assad is in Moscow.
December 8, 2024 at 6:07 PM
Russian state media reporting that deposed Syrian leader Bashar al- Assad is in Moscow.
#Ghana’s former president John Mahama has won the presidential election. Ruling party candidate Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has conceded victory. Mahama previously served and lost elections after one term before returning to try again like Donald Trump.
December 8, 2024 at 5:29 PM
#Ghana’s former president John Mahama has won the presidential election. Ruling party candidate Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has conceded victory. Mahama previously served and lost elections after one term before returning to try again like Donald Trump.
At least 79 people have died from an unknown disease that is causing flu-like symptoms in south-western Democratic Republic of Congo, the health ministry says. The health ministry says the majority of people who have died are between the ages of 15 and 18.- BBC
December 5, 2024 at 3:55 AM
At least 79 people have died from an unknown disease that is causing flu-like symptoms in south-western Democratic Republic of Congo, the health ministry says. The health ministry says the majority of people who have died are between the ages of 15 and 18.- BBC
I moderated a powerful panel hosted by UNOCHA & the African Union on why investing in local actors—first responders in crises—is key to stronger humanitarian systems & empowered communities. Part of the #GHO2025 launch. #InvestInHumanity”
December 4, 2024 at 7:40 PM
I moderated a powerful panel hosted by UNOCHA & the African Union on why investing in local actors—first responders in crises—is key to stronger humanitarian systems & empowered communities. Part of the #GHO2025 launch. #InvestInHumanity”
It’s official! #Namibia has elected its first female president. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is from the governing Swapo party. The electoral commission said she won more than 57% of the votes cast. Her closest rival Panduleni Itula got 26%.
December 4, 2024 at 4:59 AM
It’s official! #Namibia has elected its first female president. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is from the governing Swapo party. The electoral commission said she won more than 57% of the votes cast. Her closest rival Panduleni Itula got 26%.
Reposted by Rachael Akidi Okwir
Flying from East to West Africa always includes a 10 hour layover. If it’s not there, they will cancel the flight to insert it. SMH
December 1, 2024 at 9:12 PM
Flying from East to West Africa always includes a 10 hour layover. If it’s not there, they will cancel the flight to insert it. SMH
Reposted by Rachael Akidi Okwir
Senegal's President Faye seeks withdrawal of French troops. His statement came Chad on Thursday ended a military agreement with France. Neighbouring countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have recently expelled French troops
Senegal's President Faye seeks withdrawal of French troops
Bassirou Diomaye Faye's statement comes ahead of Thiaroye massacre anniversary when French troops killed hundreds of African riflemen in 1944 - Anadolu Ajansı
www.aa.com.tr
November 29, 2024 at 10:49 PM
Senegal's President Faye seeks withdrawal of French troops. His statement came Chad on Thursday ended a military agreement with France. Neighbouring countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have recently expelled French troops
A coalition of Canada’s biggest news organizations is suing OpenAI, the maker of the artificial intelligence chatbot, ChatGPT, accusing the company of illegally using their content in the first case of its kind.
www.nytimes.com/2024/11/29/w...
Major Canadian News Outlets Sue OpenAI In New Copyright Case
A coalition of some of Canada’s biggest media companies is seeking billions of dollars in compensation for what they say is copyright infringement on their work through ChatGPT.
www.nytimes.com
November 30, 2024 at 4:35 AM
A coalition of Canada’s biggest news organizations is suing OpenAI, the maker of the artificial intelligence chatbot, ChatGPT, accusing the company of illegally using their content in the first case of its kind.
www.nytimes.com/2024/11/29/w...
Prince Yormie Johnson, Liberian warlord-turned-politician, who became infamous for the 1990 footage of him sipping beer while the-then president was tortured nearby, has died at the age of 72. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Prince Johnson: Liberia's notorious rebel-turned-senator dies at 72
Prince Johnson oversaw the torture and killing of the then-president but was later elected to the senate.
www.bbc.com
November 29, 2024 at 11:21 AM
Prince Yormie Johnson, Liberian warlord-turned-politician, who became infamous for the 1990 footage of him sipping beer while the-then president was tortured nearby, has died at the age of 72. www.bbc.com/news/article...
‘Pregnant’ for 15 months: Inside the 'miracle' fertility scam. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Nigeria's fertility scam: ‘Pregnant’ for 15 months
Women in Nigeria desperate to conceive are drawn into a disturbing scam involving trafficked babies.
www.bbc.com
November 25, 2024 at 11:12 AM
‘Pregnant’ for 15 months: Inside the 'miracle' fertility scam. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Once upon a time when we were “Gen-Z” in Bush House. Dear young people, time flies once you get to 30. So enjoy it while it lasts. Remember growing old is mandatory. 🤗
November 22, 2024 at 5:27 PM
Once upon a time when we were “Gen-Z” in Bush House. Dear young people, time flies once you get to 30. So enjoy it while it lasts. Remember growing old is mandatory. 🤗
Reposted by Rachael Akidi Okwir
Senegalese President Bassirou Faye's ruling Pastef party won a landslide in weekend snap polls, according to new official figures, securing 130 seats in the country's 165-seat Parliament. The remarkable thing is they didn’t have to steal the vote, as is the norm in places that shall remain unnamed
November 22, 2024 at 2:05 PM
Senegalese President Bassirou Faye's ruling Pastef party won a landslide in weekend snap polls, according to new official figures, securing 130 seats in the country's 165-seat Parliament. The remarkable thing is they didn’t have to steal the vote, as is the norm in places that shall remain unnamed