0:08 – Nigeria holds its general elections in two weeks during which voters will elect the President, National Assembly and a number of governors. Incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari is seeking re-election among some other 70 candidates also running. For more we speak with Dr. Horace Campbell, Professor of African American Studies and Political Science at Syracuse University on the upcoming elections and its global impact. Dr. Campbell just returned from University of Ghana where he spent two years as the Distinguished Kwame Nkrumah Chair of African studies. His project of research was Saving Lake Chad. This research took him to Nigeria six times, and he also visited Northern Nigeria and the countries of Lake Chad, Niger and Chad.
1:34 – In February UpFront presents “The UnSung Heroes” celebrating Black History Month bringing you our personal picks of people who’ve shaped black history but haven’t gotten the widespread recognition they deserve. Today we highlight musician Fela Kuti, with Michael Veal, Professor of the Music and African American Studies Depts. at Yale and author of Fela, the Life and Times of an African Musical Icon.
1:50 – Last week, Friday January 18, we heard from General Manager Joe Cokes and board member Andrea Prichett that the historic, culturally iconic Ashby Berkeley Flea Market was temporarily closing with the hopes that the shutdown will not become permanent. All that may be changing. We speak with Cocavulu Lumakanda with the Vendor’s Association for an update. He says vendors were not notified about the closure, and they are planning to continue the Berkeley Flea Market.