Africa — the land of golden sunsets, endless savannas, and untold riches beneath its soil. From the shimmering diamonds of South Africa to the vast oil fields of Nigeria and the fertile farmlands of the Nile Valley, Africa stands as one of the richest continents on Earth. Yet, amid this natural abundance, millions of its people live in poverty.
This is the great paradox of Africa — a continent overflowing with resources but shackled by economic hardship, corruption, and historical exploitation.
“How can it be that Africa is the richest continent on Earth, yet our gold is mined by the Boers? How can it be that Africa is the richest continent in the world, and our diamonds are produced in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, but their prices are determined in Antwerp, Belgium? How can it be that Africa produces cocoa in Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana, yet chocolate is made in Switzerland and Belgium — countries that do not grow a single cocoa tree? How can it be that tea is produced in Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya, but when it reaches the United Kingdom, it is branded as ‘English tea’? How can it be that coltan is mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo, yet not a single African country manufactures mobile phones? How can it be?”
“It can only be because we have allowed our minds to be captured. It can only be because we have allowed ourselves to be spiritually confused. It can only be because we have allowed ourselves to remain slaves of others,” said Prof. P.L.O. Lumumba.
How can a land so rich make its people so poor? The answer lies not in the lack of wealth, but in how that wealth is managed, distributed, and controlled.
Africa holds the world’s wealth — gold, oil, diamonds, cobalt, lithium — everything modern economies depend on. Yet, the continent remains trapped in poverty. This is not by accident but by design. They know that if Africa ever rises, they fall.
They will do whatever it takes to keep Africa on its knees — flooding it with debt while stripping its land bare, exporting its riches, and leaving its people with nothing.
— Fatima Danjuma, Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri
Network Connectivity Crisis in Bularafa: The Lingering Impact of Boko Haram Attack
By Fatima Danjuma
In the quiet villages of northeastern Nigeria, the hum of mobile phones and the glow of screens once connected Bularafa to the wider world. That connection vanished almost overnight. Following a brutal Boko Haram attack, the village was left not only grappling with fear and loss but also plunged into digital silence. No calls, no messages, no internet. Bularafa’s residents found themselves cut off, isolated, and struggling to navigate a world that had suddenly become unreachable.
Bularafa, a village in Gulani Local Government area in Yobe State northeastern Nigeria, has faced significant challenges following a brutal attack by Boko Haram. These assaults have not only resulted in loss of property and displacement but have also severely disrupted the region’s communication infrastructure which has left Bularafa cut off from the world.
In early 2014, Bularafa was targeted by Boko Haram militants who launched coordinated assaults on the village. The attackers set fire to homes, markets, and communication towers, crippling the local infrastructure. The destruction of these critical facilities left residents without access to mobile networks and the internet, isolating them from the outside world.
The destruction of communication infrastructure in Bularafa has had far-reaching consequences. Without reliable mobile and internet services, residents are unable to access essential services, including healthcare information, educational resources, and government updates. This communication blackout has hindered relief efforts and delayed the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need.
The attack on Bularafa is part of a larger pattern of Boko Haram’s strategy to disrupt communication networks across northeastern Nigeria. Similar attacks have been reported in neighboring villages, leading to widespread communication breakdowns. These disruptions not only affect daily life but also impede efforts to coordinate security responses and recovery initiatives.
It has been Years now of the disruption of communication networks in Bularafa and it’s still a disturbing issue for inhabitants and guests. Over the years, Inhabitants had to walk for some miles to climb a mountain known as the Garganjuwa, where they can assess the internet and also make phone calls. But for now, inhabitants have to all meet within the Kofan Hakimi( Hakimi’s gate way) to assess the network of Bumsa Village, a neighbouring community’s network that reaches that part.
Inhabitants have been battling on with the network connectivity for all these years. They have complained but the issue has still not been solved. These people are still living in network connectivity blackouts, hoping that soon, their demands will be met, hoping that their network connectivity will be restored and will be able to connect with the outside world.
In response to the crisis, we would like the local and national authorities, along with international partners, to initiate efforts to rebuild the damaged infrastructure. Repair teams should be sent to restore power lines and communication towers, and mobile network providers should explore alternative solutions to re-establish connectivity.
Fatima Danjuma, Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri.