Chika Oduah

Nigerian Government Accuses Local Shiites of Plotting Violent Revolution

Nigerian Shiite Muslims fear further repression after being accused by the government of plotting to forcefully turn the country into an Islamic state

Nigerian Trafficking Survivors Lack Support, Report Shows

Human Rights Watch calls on Nigerian authorities to make it easier for survivors of trafficking to access resources for help; the government calls the report a figment of the imagination

China Invests $16 Billion in Nigeria's Oil Sector

Nigeria remains a key target for China as investment in the nation’s oil hits $16 billion

Nigeria's Prisons Set to Undergo Long-Awaited Reforms

President approves reforms to relieve prison crowding and better rehabilitate convicted offenders 

Nigeria on Track to Becoming Polio-Free 

After overcoming local suspicions about a vaccine, Nigeria is finally marking three years without new polio cases

Nigerian Wives, Mothers of Detainees Say Their Men Are Not Boko Haram

Women in Borno state are appealing to Nigerian government to free their husbands, sons who have been detained for years on suspicion of being members of violent militant group

Nigerian Wives, Mothers of Detainees Say Their Men Are Not Boko Haram

More than a thousand women in the northeastern Nigerian state of Borno are urging the government to free their husbands and sons who have been detained for years on suspicion of being members of the extremist group, Boko Haram. The women say they have not received any information about the whereabouts of their loved ones. Chika Oduah reports from Maiduguri in Borno State.

Congo's Catholic Leaders Keep Up Fight for Democracy

The Roman Catholic Church in the DRC has been on the forefront of the pro-democracy movement for decades. Responding to pressure from the church, President Kabila announced that he will not be seeking a third term. The church is now urging the government to ensure free and fair elections. But some church members face grave risks for their activism. Chika Oduah reports from Kinshasa.

DRC's Catholic Activists Keep Up Fight for Democracy

Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been on the forefront of the pro-democracy movement for decades

Congo's Music Artists Get Political

In the face of repression, DRC musicians say they are ready to make the jump to politics and social activism

Congolese Music Artists Prepare to Get Political

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, rappers are getting involved in politics - including one well-known rap artist who hopes to fix the country's problems by running for a seat in parliament. Chika Oduah reports for VOA from Kinshasa.

Some Congolese Artists Focus on Preserving Traditional Dance

The Democratic Republic of Congo is known across the continent for its high-energy dance culture. The contemporary local pop dances that feature winding waist movements and stiff leg kicks have become famous. But some dance artists are focused on older styles of dance. Ballet Grand Danseurs is a Kinshasa-based group formed in 2011 to preserve the traditional dances of the Congo’s ethnic groups. Chika Oduah has this story from Kinshasa.

Analysts: Africa Visits by Merkel and May Present Opportunities

But British prime minister's dance-floor diplomacy didn't overshadow her larger mission in Africa, which was to forge business ties for a post-Brexit Britain

In DRC, Youth Activists Mobilize for Post-Kabila Era

Half of Congo’s 80 million people are younger than 18; election for new president set for December 23

Nigerian Family: Voice Recording Is of Last Kidnapped Dapchi Girl

Nigerian government says it is still assessing alleged Boko Haram 'proof of life' audio recording

Battling Boko Haram with Schools

Nigerian Activist Uses Education to Counter Impact of Boko Haram Violence

Wives of Boko Haram Terrorists Seek A New Start

The wives of slain Boko Haram militants are often left to fend for themselves after their husbands are killed or arrested by Nigerian security forces. A local nongovernmental organization in Nigeria is helping these women become financially independent. Chika Oduah has the story from Maiduguri.

Boko Haram Wives Seek New Start as They Struggle with Stigma

Future Prowess Islamic Foundation School not only teaches business and artisanal skills to the women, but a local nongovernmental organization also runs a school for some of their children

VOA Interview: Mother of Boko Haram Leader Speaks Out

In her first media interview, mother of Abubakar Shekau tells VOA she doesn’t know if her son is alive