Kenya’s PRESIDENT WILLIAM RUTO gets the red-carpet treatment in Washington DC. Why has he become the first African leader IN MORE THAN FIFTEEN YEARS to receive the privilege of a state visit to the US?

We’re in conversation with Nigerian investigative journalist, DAVID HUNDEYIN about why he fled his country fearing for his life and (CAN LOSE about) the lamentable state of journalism on the continent. David’s new book, Breaking Point, is published by Abibiman.

Africa is already the continent with the largest number of Christians. By mid-century it’s reckoned that almost half the global flock will live in sub-Saharan Africa. How will African spirituality affect Christianity? We ask eminent BISHOP TREVOR MWAMBA.

DONU reflects on the 57th anniversary of THE Biafran declaration of independence. And it’s personal, her dad was Biafra’s ambassador to the UK.

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Africa is the world’s youngest continent with a median age of 19. So why does it have the oldest leaders on the planet? And they tend to stick around. Cameroon’s President Biya – in his 90s – is the world’s oldest leader and has been at the top for 42 years and there are plenty of others in their 70s and 80s. We ask independent researcher, DR JOSEPH ADEBAYO why Africa is a continent for old men.

ZEINAB BADAWI tells us about Africa’s often overlooked ancient civilisations that she has covered in her best-selling book An African History of Africa. She reminds us that all human beings originate in Africa and until relatively recently (8-12000 years ago), everyone of us was dark skinned. President of SOAS, Zeinab also reveals her love of Italian opera and confesses her guilty pleasure.

Is South Africa selling off the family silver? PATRICK updates us on the prospective take-over of Anglo American by BHP.

And DONU explains why there’s so much interest in the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in Nigeria.

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In France, singer, AYA NAKAMURA faces a virulent campaign against the way she sings, the way she dresses, and her language. We ask art curator and film maker, RABI YANSANE what have so many French people got against the most listened to Francophone pop superstar?

Migration, particularly from Africa, is being portrayed as a modern day scourge by many western politicians.Yet as DR NICK WESTCOTT of SOAS explains, many Africans who’ve settled abroad are contributing successfully to their new communities and are becoming increasingly influential. Just like AYA NAKAMURA, who was born in Mali.

PATRICK SMITH, in Accra, updates us on a rather relaxed approach Ghanaian candidates are taking to December elections.

And DONU KOGBARA taps into the BOBRISKY affair. Has Nigeria’s celebrity cross-dresser been unfairly penalised for spraying, or ‘naira abuse? And is BOBRISKY’s tough prison sentence softening Nigerian attitudes to LGBQT matters?

QUESTION: Is ‘spraying’ practiced anywhere else on the continent? The practice of plastering cash on dancers at parties or events to show approval. Let me know.

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