1,000 CHURCHES DESTROYED! Fear of more Muslim attacks on Christianity escalate during Nigerian election

The upcoming presidential election in Nigeria raises fears of increased violence against Christians, with historical context provided on the destruction of churches and previous sectarian violence. Boko Haram's attacks are highlighted, and both presidential candidates, Goodluck Jonathan and Mohammadu Buhari, are urged to prevent postelection violence. The article underscores the severity of the situation and the need for a peaceful transition to address the threat posed by Boko Haram.

Morocco: Creating IT opportunities for self-starting youth

Soufian El-Kherchi, a young Moroccan entrepreneur, founded UNOVADEV, an IT services company, after gaining experience during an internship. Despite initial challenges with bureaucratic procedures, his company quickly grew, employing a dozen people and generating significant profits. El-Kherchi emphasizes the importance of IT skills and perseverance for young entrepreneurs. The Young Entrepreneur Foundation supports similar initiatives, promoting entrepreneurship among youth in rural areas to combat rising unemployment.

Towards African cities without slums

Millions of Africans live in slums, exacerbated by rapid urban growth. Africa's housing ministers, meeting in Rabat, Morocco, in 2011, outlined policies to address this under the 'cities without slums' initiative. Despite skepticism from slum dwellers, the ministers set broad goals including improved urban planning and reduced rural-to-urban migration. UN-Habitat estimates 200 million people in sub-Saharan Africa lived in slums in 2010. Poor sanitation and overcrowding contribute to disease and low life expectancy. Climate change and urbanization pose additional challenges. Some countries, like Morocco, have made significant progress in reducing slum populations through effective urban development strategies. Key to success includes efficient land management, equitable access to resources, and improved social conditions.