As usual, it is my delight that another intellectually stimulating, as well as gratifying scholarships - through the medium of the African Renaissance- focused on contradicting the immanent variables, forces and factors that condition Africa to be under-developed hits the public space again. Truly, the immanent contradictions of development that besieges Africa are both numerous and of nuance character, hence the multi-dimensional versatility of the diagnosed topics in this Edition. The Edition begins with further interrogating the federal paradigm’s functionality on the throes of efficient local administrations in place from the Nigerian experience as the prism for other African federal systems. Following the first topic of currency are discourses attentive to the advancement of e-education, the question of nationalism and ethnicity and an insightful interrogation of good governance and service delivery during the Jacob Zuma administration. Ghana’s youths, migration and labour issues is revisited in this Edition and also the question of foreign aid’s value to the continent. One paper makes sound contribution to the school violence and teacher development quagmire in Africa. Because of its topicality, the issue of Ogoni Land’s environmental security occupies its rightful space in this Edition. Also, Africa’s preparedness for the emerging norm of virtual warfare paradigm is diagnosed against the backdrop of the continent’s readiness to also be a force in that regard. The paper on the linkages between party politics and student unionism in South Africa is interesting to read. This chapter underscores the need to understand how African universities can be a potent training ground for the continent’s future political class that can deliver development. Zuma’s foreign policy drives and music’s potency as mechanisms to eradicate Xenophobia equally gets their deserved attention in this Edition. The last three topics dwell on national integration, indigenous knowledge in environmental conservation and Africa’s socio-political interplay and cultural reality from Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart.

As this Edition’s scholarship composition aligns with the vision of the African Renaissance journal, I extend my profound appreciation to all involved in seeing to its publication. In particular, special appreciation I extend to the contributors and the Reviewers of the papers. Kudos to the administrative facilitators too that enabled this Edition’s publication.

Professor Victor Ojakorotu

Department of Politics and International Relations

North West University,

Mafikeng, South Africa.