Précis

Every week, I share a run-through of events that shaped politics and society, here and elsewhere. Enjoy!

A popular Nigerian sitcom is coming back to the silver screens, 33 years after. In Sokoto, Northwest Nigeria, two Muslim groups are at loggerheads with a Catholic bishop for criticising President Buhari. Egypt’s Cassbana is raising bars with making credit accessible to the financially underserved in the North African nation.

Here is the serving for the week:

The Credit Push

There is no gainsaying Africa needs credit, data and tech to enhance business opportunities and development on the continent. For this all-important drive, fintech brand Cassbana has completed a US$1 million pre-seed funding round. That is more money to prosecute helping small businesses gain access to credit from financial institutions. With artificial intelligence, the startup is bridging credit gaps and advising lenders on making financing options available to SMEs in the country without worries. Since opening its shop last year, 20 service providers have subscribed to Cassbana’s services and the brand has big plans on expanding to Upper Egypt and the North Africa region. Supporting SMEs with such innovative service as credit scoring offers confidence to lenders on the continent. Progress.

MSF’s Threats

How do you describe a person or group that is uncomfortable with opposing views? Intolerant, maybe. Sokoto-based Muslim Solidarity Forum (MSF) and Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) have opted to tow this path to ‘make sense’ of the jarring Christmas 2020 essay Bishop Matthew Kukah wrote on the state of affairs in the nation. While the former asked the cleric to apologise for insulting Muslims or “quickly and quietly” leave Sokoto, the latter said Kukah incited violence in the controversial essay. As shocking as these reactions seem, I am impressed with the response of the Presidency. The Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and liberty to reside anywhere in the country. Both groups need to revisit Surat al-Mumtahana, 8 in the Holy Qur’an. Wisdom.

The Comeback

Have you been able to catch the trailer detailing the return of ‘The Village Headmaster’? The long-standing TV drama series is making a comeback, 33 years after, thanks to WAP Productions and NTA. Perhaps avid followers (and those who got to read about it) will have a swell time when the series airs on April 4. The series, a brainchild of late ace producer and former Nigerian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Olusegun Olusola, will feature surviving actors and new faces, including Dejumo Lewis, Ibidun Allison, 9ice, Jide Kosoko among others. Reviving the series is a decent attempt at sustaining a legacy of promoting “inter-ethnic harmony and intervention in public affairs”. Kudos!