Listen to Radiophonics

On this page you’ll find recordings of the original Radiophonics stories from Nigeria, as well as the broadcasts from Inspiration FM (Lagos) in which the same stories were used to stimulate public debate with radio audiences. There are some technical deficiencies in the live broadcasts, which reflect the original conditions, but the audio file podcasts each contain a ‘clean’ version of the story.

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Stories from the radio series 'Under the Sun'

The African Astronaut by Shola Mosuro

Aniete enters a schools essay competition and wins first prize. But when her family and neighbours read the winning essay, controversy breaks out. Her father discovers his daughter’s innermost dreams, and finds that he is a part of them.

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Dancing gods by Chidi Ukwu

Okoye is trusted to carry the revered Ekpo mask at special festivals in his village. He finds it increasingly difficult to distinguish between the awesome power of the spirit-mask and the ordinariness of his person. When finally he kills an innocent boy, Okoye discovers that power turned against him.

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my in-laws by Bunmi Julius-Adeoye

When businessman Victor dies suddenly, his wife comes under suspicion and is forced to observe traditional rites to clear her name. But things don’t run so smoothly for Victor’s family when they try to lay claim to his property – someone is going to get left out in the cold.

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The system by Tiro Amina Maikori

Very few are surprised when Oga Sani, the manager of the Ministry of Fates is arrested on accusations of money laundering. But shock is in store when colleagues discover those responsible for bringing him to book.

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home at last by Chiaka Ukachukwu Obasi

A teenage boy born outside wedlock loses the only human being he has really cared for him and the search for his biological father begins. His journey takes him back to find his real parents and confront the past.

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see-saw selection by Richard Ugbede Ali

When Faruk and Adanma fall for each other, love blossoms across cultural and religious barriers – should the  star-crossed lovers give in to their parents demand that they separate? Impossible choices and disaster loom, but there is a twist in the tale!

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a paddle and the high seas by Mike Ekunno

A deep war chest oiled by looted government funds has been Chief Brown Igirigi’s paddle against the rough seas of Niger Delta politics. Up against a judiciary out to reclaim its integrity, how does he fare with rigged elections?

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blood of innocents by Ifeanyi Ajaegbo

A convicted war criminal is haunted by Nigeria’s turbulent past and his own role in tribal violence. From his prison cell, he relives his crimes in the company of the ghosts that have become his only companions.

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death of innocence by Justeena Cheta Iroegbu

At seventeen, Uche has mastery of the gun. Yet he is not a soldier, but immersed in a life of violent crime. His childhood fantasy was to be a pilot, but the course of his destiny changed the day his innocence died.

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Listen to entire Radio shows

Under the Sun: Programme One

This radio programme features the story ‘The African Astronaut’ written by Radiophonics participant Shola Mosuro followed by interview with the writer and studio discussion with guest speaker, VSO volunteer from Uganda and Assistant Programs Manager for an NGO - Communication For Change, Andrew Ewoku. Recorded 21 March 2009, Lagos, Nigeria.

Download audio file of Episode 1 - The African Astronaut  (31 minutes)

Under the Sun: Programme Two

This radio programme features the story ‘Dancing Gods’ written by Radiophonics participant Chidi Ukwu followed by interview with the writer and studio discussion with guest speaker, a trained lawyer and human rights activist, Barrister Dede Kadiri. Recorded 28 March 2009, Lagos, Nigeria.

Download audio file of Episode 2 - Dancing Gods (29 mins)

Under the Sun: Programme Three

This radio programme features the story ‘My In-Laws’ written by Radiophonics participant Bunmi Julius-Adeoye followed by interview with the writer. Recorded 04 April 2009, Lagos, Nigeria.

Download audio file of Episode 3 - My In-laws (29 mins)

Under the Sun: Programme Four

This radio programme features the story ‘The System’ written by Radiophonics participant Tiro Amina Maikori followed by interview with the writer and studio discussion with guest speaker, Chief Operating Officer of an NGO - Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability and Professionalism (LEAP) in Africa, Ngozi Obigwe. Recorded 11 April 2009, Lagos, Nigeria.

Download audio file of Episode 4 - The System (27 mins)

Under the Sun: Programme Five

This radio programme features the story ‘Home at Last’ written by Radiophonics participant Chiaka Ukachukwu Obasi followed by interview with the writer and studio discussion with guest speaker, Programme Officer for an NGO- Journalists Against Aids (JAAIDS), Ogechi Onuoha. Recorded 18 April 2009, Lagos, Nigeria.

Download audio file of Episode 5 - Home at last (30 mins)

Under the Sun: Programme Six

This radio programme features the story ‘A Paddle and the High Seas’ written by Radiophonics participant Mike Ekunno followed by interview with the writer and studio discussion with guest speaker, Senior Programme Coordinator of Youth Department for LEAP Africa, Oje Ivagba. Recorded 25 April 2009, Lagos, Nigeria.

Download audio file of Episode 6 - A paddle and the high seas (29 mins)

Under the Sun: Programme Seven

This radio programme features the story ‘See-Saw Selection’ written by Radiophonics participant Richard Ugbede Ali followed by interview with the writer and studio discussion with guest speaker, Programme Officer for Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHC), Gbenga Soloki. Recorded 2 May 2009, Lagos, Nigeria.
Download audio file of Episode 7 - See-Saw Selection (33mins)

Under the Sun: Programme Eight

This radio programme features the story ‘Blood of Innocents’ written by Radiophonics participant Ifeanyi Ajaegbo followed by interview with the writer. Recorded 9 May 2009, Lagos, Nigeria.

Download audio file of Episode 8 - Blood of Innocents (26 mins)

Under the Sun: Programme nine

This radio programme features the story ‘Death of Innocence’ written by Radiophonics participant Justeena Cheta Iroegbu followed by interview with the writer and studio discussion with guest speaker, co-ordinator of youth organizations and projects including the General Action Against the violation of Human and Children’s Rights, Francis Anyaegbu. Recorded 14 March 2009, Lagos, Nigeria.
Download audio file of Episode 9 - Death of Innocence (31 mins)