Youth involvement is crucial in ending open defecation in Nigeria, with community vanguards like Abdullahi Yinusa playing a significant role. Trained by RUWASSA and UNICEF, these youths promote safe Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) practices. WASHCOMs are instrumental in influencing communities to adopt safe hygiene behaviors, contributing to Nigeria's goal of ending open defecation by 2025. The Nigerian government has declared a state of emergency in the WASH sector and launched the 'Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet' campaign. The progress in communities like Yammawar Kafawa, which has achieved open defecation-free status, serves as an inspiration for other regions.

Joycee Awojoodu, a young African entrepreneur, launched ORÍKÌ, a luxury botanically-based product line and spa clinic in Lagos, Nigeria. Born in Washington D.C., Awojoodu moved to Nigeria to create a global African brand. She previously worked in the power sector and was part of the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Program. ORÍKÌ has faced challenges in brand awareness and staffing but has benefited from mentorship programs. Awojoodu is optimistic about Nigeria's entrepreneurial landscape despite economic challenges. ORÍKÌ aims for a global presence, with plans for international stores and e-commerce.

The World Bank Africa Region is organizing its first-ever knowledge festival, Africa Knowledge Fest, to disseminate high-quality information about development work in Africa and counter negative media portrayals. Scheduled for February 22, the event will be held simultaneously at the World Bank headquarters and regional offices worldwide. Albert Zeufack, World Bank’s chief economist for Africa, emphasizes the importance of widely spreading accurate knowledge about the continent.

In Yammawar Kafawa, Kano state, Nigeria, young people like Abdulahi Yinusa and Shafiyu Abdullahi are playing a crucial role in ending open defecation through their involvement in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Committees (WASHCOM). Supported by the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) and UNICEF, these youth volunteers are raising awareness about safe WASH practices and helping their community maintain an open defecation free status. Nigeria, with a significant youth population, aims to end open defecation by 2025. The success in Yammawar Kafawa, where no cases of diarrhea have been reported since the initiative began, serves as an inspiration for other communities. UNICEF continues to involve young people as stakeholders, recognizing their contributions as change agents and supporting the development of economic opportunities in sanitation.

The Solution Journalism Network (SoJo) is extending its training programs to Africa, led by Carolyn Robinson, a seasoned journalist with extensive experience in media training. Robinson's career includes work with CNN, the United Nations, and as an assistant professor of journalism. She discovered SoJo while seeking online materials and has since integrated solution journalism into her workshops, receiving positive feedback. SoJo's approach emphasizes covering solutions as well as problems, and Robinson highlights the impact of SoJo stories, such as the Minneapolis Star Tribune's series on de-radicalization and the El Paso Times' focus on Hispanic health issues. Challenges for reporters include time constraints, which can be managed through effective time management. SoJo is distinct from PR and advocacy, aiming to inform and empower the public. Upcoming SoJo workshops are planned for Lagos and Kampala, with further expansion in Africa anticipated. The Solutions Story Tracker, a database of solution-focused stories, supports journalists worldwide.

Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo, Togo's former prime minister, has been appointed as the new president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). He was selected over seven other candidates and will lead the U.N. agency in making investment decisions to address rural livelihoods and development issues in developing countries. IFAD's role is crucial in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of ending poverty and hunger, facilitating more investment in rural areas to meet food security demands, and reducing migration and conflicts.

Successful African NGOs emphasize the importance of intentional communication strategies that focus on the 'why' behind their efforts, understanding their audience, generating local content, involving the entire organization in communication tasks, and utilizing cost-effective methods. Ushahidi, One Acre Fund, and Ubuntu Education Fund share insights on how they have effectively amplified their messages and engaged their target audiences, highlighting the significance of storytelling, audience engagement, and resourcefulness in their communication strategies.

Promoting breast-feeding can significantly contribute to combating climate change by reducing the need for industrial processes associated with the global dairy industry and infant formula production. David Clark, a nutrition specialist at UNICEF, highlights that breast-feeding not only improves newborn and infant health but also supports the Sustainable Development Goals by minimizing the depletion of natural resources.

The article reflects on the evolution of media from the days of Henry Townsend's first Nigerian newspaper to the current state where technology has significantly altered journalism. It discusses the shift in roles and titles within the media industry, the impact of technology like VR and data journalism, and the trend towards decentralized media and the need for journalists to adapt. The article also touches on the importance of investigative journalism, as emphasized by President Buhari, and the potential for collaboration as seen in the Panama Papers case.

Ntokozo Zakwe, at the age of 19, faced discouragement from a nurse when seeking information about safe sex at a health facility in South Africa. This experience highlights the barriers girls and young women in the region encounter, including discrimination and lack of support, when trying to access sexual reproductive health information.