Latest Stories from Derrick
Over 70 arrested in Nigeria for organising gay wedding
In a country where conservatism often clashes with diversity, Nigeria’s LBGTQ+ community continues to face immense challenges. This past weekend, 76 young people who organised a same-sex wedding were arrested in the north-east. On Saturday last week, a day meant to be a celebration of love and unity, the lives of 76 young people took a dark turn in Nigeria’s Gombe state. The authorities apprehended them for organizing a same-sex wedding,...
Understanding the lag in Ethiopia’s university entrance rates
Ethiopia is currently facing a significant challenge in its education system - abysmally low university entrance exam pass rates. Only 3% of high school students manage to pass leading to a growing crisis in the country's educational landscape. In the Ethiopian education system, high school students must pass the country’s University Entrance Exam, locally known as the Ethiopian Higher Education Entrance Certificate Examination (EHEECE), to gain admission to universities. The...
Climate change has displaced 43.1m children in six years
Just last week, UNICEF published a harrowing report highlighting the impacts of surging global temperatures and increasingly frequent extreme weather events on the victims most vulnerable to these unforgiving conditions between 2016 and 2021. Already vulnerable youth have become unwitting victims of a crisis they did not cause. This is according to UNICEF, which just last week published a harrowing report highlighting that climate change has displaced...
UN gravely concerned over rising child deaths in Sudan
The United Nations has sounded a distressing alarm over the escalating child mortality rates in Sudan, a tragic consequence of the relentless conflict that has gripped the nation for months. This week, during the UN's briefing in Geneva, UNHCR announced a harrowing set of statistics that reveals the devastating toll the war is taking on Sudan's youngest and most vulnerable population, with malnutrition and disease rampant among children. Since April, Sudan...
Africa’s first Climate Summit 2023 resolutions, criticisms, and challenges
The just concluded Africa Climate Summit, a significant gathering of leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders, unfolded for 3 days against the backdrop of pressing environmental challenges. Governments, organisations, and heads of African states deliberated on crucial resolutions to address climate change, carbon credits, and various environmental issues, amid a backdrop of criticism from young activists. The inaugural Africa Climate Summit, which concluded on Wednesday at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in...
Mercy Corps and partners are transforming the lives of young girls
In the arid and semi-arid landscapes of Northern Kenya, where challenges like drought, poverty, and limited access to education disproportionately affect young girls, Mercy Corps and partners has taken a bold step towards transforming lives through its Girls Improving Resilience through Livelihoods (GIRL) program. I recently visited Northern Kenya, a region with a vast and unforgiving terrain where traditional gender roles, limited access to education, and economic disparities pose significant...
Migrant boat capsize leaves near 70 dead
Close to 70 young people are feared dead after a boat carrying mostly Senegalese migrants capsized off the coast of Cape Verde in the Atlantic Ocean. The migration path across the Atlantic stands out as one of the globe's most perilous routes. The reasons behind the youths' risky voyage to Europe are complex, rooted in a quest for a brighter future and a longing for opportunities that seem out of...
Morocco’s wildfires are destroying its forest cover
Morocco, known for its rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes, is facing wildfires that are wreaking havoc on its forest cover. The wildfires in Morocco have inflicted severe damage on its forest cover, leading to the loss of countless hectares of pristine woodland. Forests are not only vital carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but they also support diverse flora and fauna, protect watersheds, and provide a livelihood for...
Niger’s coup garners support from students
In a surprising turn of events, Niger witnessed a coup led by a group of military officers, which has surprisingly gained widespread support from students who have taken to the streets in solidarity. The coup, which took place late July, has thrown the country into a state of uncertainty, with many hoping for a change in leadership and an end to corruption and political instability. Led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani,...
South Africa leads in global unemployment crisis
A South Africa report by the UN reveals a disconcerting national unemployment rate that persistently hovers above 30%. Gen Z in particular have an unemployment rate exceeding 60%. South Africa is grappling with a deep-rooted unemployment crisis. The United Nations recently released a report that paints a somber picture, revealing that more than half of South African Gen Zers are not employed. One leading factor is a struggling economy, marked by...
