When I served in the mandatory one-year national youth service in a little village close to the city of Jos in 2005, the state still deserved its motto, “The Home of Peace and Tourism”, even though there was always a shadow of violence looming in every corner and conversation.

Someone asked us recently if the Reload is a magazine. No it’s not.  It’s the Reload, plain and simple. Keeping true to our mission to cover youth-related issues in as many places in Naija as possible (yes people, Nigeria is much more than Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt), we have put together yet another packed issue.

This collection of images from across Africa but mostly in Nigeria and Ghana, it is an attempt to celebrate Africa: the colour and spirit of the people of this wonderful continent.  It is also an opportunity to look at Africa beyond the gloomy lenses . . .

Maybe you have finally decided to accept the fact that your girl is dating you purely for your money, or that your couch bum boyfriend who is writing his masterpiece will never be economically self-sufficient. Perhaps you have quit sniffing glue, or cut down from a bottle of whisky a day to just three glasses.