Carnal power and the postcolonial state

Achille Mbembe argues that obscenity is an essential characteristic of domination within postcolonial regimes. But what about contemporary African society? Professor Wale Adebanwi draws on examples from Central, Southern and West Africa to reflect on Mbembe’s concept of the “carnality of power”, exploring how political power can carnalise social relations and make sense of subordination

Youth Service in Comparative Perspective

Youth Service in Comparative Perspectiv

Globally Oriented Citizenship and International Voluntary Service

This Discussion Paper explores Nigeria’s human development aid to Africa, Caribbean and Pacific countries under its international volunteer programme called the Technical Aid Corps (TAC). It critically examines the relationship between participation in international civic service and civic nationalism. Using a combination of empirical and analytical methods, the author is able to provide insights into the impact of two decades of Nigeria’s aid diplomacy within the context of South-South solidarity and into the inculcation of values linked to globally oriented citizenship in TAC volunteers. The findings of this study are of value to those interested in emerging African development cooperation in the global South and the expanding notions of citizenship beyond borders. Scholars, development actors and policymakers will find this study refreshingly different and highly informative

Hegemony and Spatial Politics: The Press and the Struggle for Lagos in Colonial Nigeria

Hegemonic and counter-hegemonic politics are inherent in most human groupings, particularly where such politics are geared toward the appropriation of space. Against this backdrop, the paper attempts to explain how an elite and counter-elite dichotomy in a social formation arose in the struggle for power. Contentious micro-politics in Lagos, the capital city in colonial Nigeria, with the attendant pull and push of elite bargaining for power and prominence, is examined, particularly as the dual claims to consent and dissent were reflected in the nationalist newspapers of the era. Résumé La pratique d\'une politique de type hégémonique et contre-hégémonique est inhérente à la plupart des groupements humains, particulièrement lorsque ces politiques portent sur l\'appropriation de l\'espace. C\'est dans ce contexte que cette contribution se propose d\'expliquer la manière dont la dichotomie élite/contre-élite au sein d\'une formation sociale conduit à une lutte pour le pouvoir. La pratique d\'une forme de micro-politique controversée à Lagos, la capitale du Nigeria colonial, ainsi que les manœuvres de l\'élite intéressée par le pouvoir sont examinées, particulièrement au moment où les manifestations de contentement et de frustration étaient véhiculées dans les journaux nationalistes de l\'époque. Africa Development/Afrique et développement Vol.XXIX, No 4, 2004: 75-9