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A story about Covid-19 has won this year's BBC Hausa short story contest for women.

Rai da Cuta (Life & Sickness) by Maryam Umar, a 20-year-old law student at Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, tells the story of Azima, whose husband returns from a trip exhibiting all the symptoms of Covid-19.

Although his wife is heavily pregnant, he refuses to isolate himself and remains in denial of the disease. Azima locks him in a room but soon finds out she has already contracted Covid-19. This leads to the loss of her baby and a long battle for her life.

The first runner-up in this year’s competition is Numfashin Siyasata (My Political Life) by Surayya Zakari Yahaya. This is the story of a young woman who ventures into politics to save the people of her village from underdevelopment. But she is turned down by the people she is keen on helping simply because she is a woman. Her determination to represent her conservative people leads to the death of her parents and she almost loses her own life.

The story that came third is Farar Kafa, which loosely translates as The One Who Brings Bad Luck by Rufaida Umar Ibrahim. This is the story of Ramatu, who was tagged "the bringer of bad luck" after her husband experiences losses shortly after their marriage. His business crumbles due to poor financial decisions and his small shop burns to the ground. He divorces her because he believes she is the cause of his bad luck. Her second husband dies just a week after their wedding, causing more trouble for Ramatu.

In its fifth year, the contest was introduced to give female writers a platform to tell and share their stories. Hausa service editor Aliyu Tanko said: “I’m thrilled that this year’s awards were won by very young writers which shows how our primary targets have embraced this competition.”

Head judge Bilkisu Salisu Ahmed Funtua said: “To me all the writers are winners. We see a sharp change in the themes and writing styles from what is typically seen in Hausa women’s writing. But Maryam Umar’s Rai da Cuta is outstanding. This writer was able to incorporate wit and humour in what could have easily been the saddest story.”

“I’ve always loved books," said Maryam Umar. "As a little girl I would hide to read books. Growing up, I would assemble my friends and tell them about a book I read, but in actuality it’s a story that I made up in my head. Then I found the internet - the easiest way to deliver my message. That’s how I began writing.”

Head of BBC West Africa Oluwatoyosi Ogunseye said: “We are pleased to be supporting this competition. It is so important to provide female Hausa writers with this platform to tell their stories. This year’s winner highlights a story that everyone can relate to in these unprecedented times.”

That's all from BBC Africa Live for now, there'll be an automated service until Monday morning.

Keep up-to-date with what's happening across the continent by listening to the Africa Today podcast, or check the BBC News website.

A reminder of today's wise words:

Quote Message: Don’t think there are no crocodiles just because the water is calm." from Sent by Naphiri in Chileka, Malawi

Don’t think there are no crocodiles just because the water is calm."

Click here to send us your African proverbs.

And we leave you with this photo from the Central African Republic where teams battled it out in a canoe race on Tuesday - one of our favourite shots from the past week:

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Nichola Mandil/BBCCopyright: Nichola Mandil/BBC

Prominent writer and scholar Prof Taban Lo Liyong's latest publication finds parallels between ancient Greece and his home of South Sudan.

After Troy is a book-length poem about two classical Greek texts, Homer’s Odyssey and Aeschylus’s Oresteia. Professor Lo Liyong says Homer's story of the fall of Troy and the long quest to get home is a story that always resonated with him.

The new book focuses on the homecoming from the Trojan war of two hero-kings, Odysseus and Agamemnon.

The philosophical enquiry into retribution and justice is connected to South Sudan in some ways. The author says the ancient Greek story that pre-dates the written word is a fable that "reflects a modern South Sudan". He added:

Quote Message: After Troy is because South Sudan had two wars, the Greeks had one and ours still dragging its feet on. But at least the Greeks brought theirs to an end after 20 years. Ours is also going to come to an end, but we hope that it comes to an end quickly."

After Troy is because South Sudan had two wars, the Greeks had one and ours still dragging its feet on. But at least the Greeks brought theirs to an end after 20 years. Ours is also going to come to an end, but we hope that it comes to an end quickly."

Although he has written and published over 30 books, After Troy is the first book Prof Lo Liyong has launched in his country. It is printed and distributed both in South Africa and in South Sudan.

The 84-year-old says there are still some books that he hopes to finish revising and to publish. Some of the books are in the Acholi language and his mother tongue of Kuku.

"We are not going to surrender, we are not going to sit idly while our people are being killed left and right," a spokesperson for the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) has told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme.

Getachew Reda added that his movement "intentionally withdrew from Mekelle", Tigray's regional capital, instead of it being fought over.

Last week, Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said the conflict had reached its "final phase" when Mekelle was taken by federal troops.

The federal government has said that the fighting is over - but this is disputed by the TPLF.

Listen to the interview with Mr Getachew:

Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu has ordered the immediate withdrawal of the lawsuit challenging the legality of the panels of enquiry looking into abuses by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (Sars).

A statement by police spokesperson Frank Mbah on Friday says the order follows the outcome of investigations into the role played by the Force Legal Section in launching the lawsuit.

Police did not say in their statement what they had found in investigating their own legal department that prompted them to drop the lawsuit.

According to the statement, the police force remains committed to the course of justice at all times and will not allow anybody to constitute a "brick wall" to the ongoing police reforms.

Mr Adamu had ordered an investigation after news of the lawsuit trended on social media on Thursday.

The police were said to be challenging the panels because state governments do not have the legal power to carry out such investigations into police conduct.

Panels of inquiry have been set up in a number of states across Nigeria following nationwide protests against police brutality in October.

The protests called for the disbandment of the elite police unit known as Sars. Despite the unit being dissolved, protests continued for days as demonstrators asked for broader police reforms and better governance.

Rights groups have long accused the Nigerian police of extortion, illegal detention and even extra-judicial killings.

A vaccine against coronavirus will be rolled out "free for all Algerians" starting in "a month's time", says a senior health official in the north African country.

Prof Kamel Sanhadji, president of the National Agency for Health Security, told a regional radio station in the eastern province of Setif that having the vaccine will not be mandatory.

It is not known which vaccine Algeria has opted for but the health official said that his country would not acquire a vaccine "unless it is approved by the World Health Organization".

Prof Sanhadji pointed out that Algeria has "the means and capacity to acquire all vaccines including those that require lower temperature storage".

He added that international flights from and to the country "would not resume until the vaccination had started".

A health passport will then be required for all passengers to prove they have taken the vaccine.

Zed Pikaron/Kptal TeamCopyright: Zed Pikaron/Kptal Team

In a country where desert dominates the landscape, Niger's popular music scene has lacked development as well. So, it was great to hear from Barakina on This Is Africa, a man with big ambitions for his country – and the continent.

"I've been passionate about music for as long as I can remember. I live and breathe music morning, noon and evening.

"In the music scene in Niger we have our great artists who inspired us but sadly they didn't build a music industry so that’s what we need to do now. We are putting together a little team and we have a small label which is growing."

A trap-influenced rapper and producer, Barakina has been busy, putting out two albums in two years.

"At the moment I would say the music scene is doing well because there is the young generation which understands professionalism and I think in a short time you’ll hear about the music of Niger everywhere. With work and courage, and lots and lots of effort, we can lift this music out of obscurity."

Work ethic was a theme Barakina returned to several times in his interview with This is Africa, possibly because of the obstacles facing modern musicians in his country.

"In Niger, before I got on the scene, I saw the difficulties our big brothers had because it's a society which is 90% religious, so it is a society that blocks you. I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy environment."

Anger at those putting up the barriers is evident in Barakina's music. The language can be abrasive, to the point and sometimes offensive. The track which made his name, Allah Ya Isa, translates roughly as 'curses on you' and is a polemic on bad governance.

"I took my courage in both hands and spoke out on the reality of the country. Everything that wasn’t working. And people really appreciated it.

"Life isn't easy. The proof comes in crying. I believe Africa is trapped, and for Africa to get out of the trap, Africans have to love each other. We are the foundation of humanity and we still haven't reached the position we deserve."

Barakina's call to arms stretches far beyond the deserts of Niger.

"My message to all Africans is to stand up and fight hard, hard, hard."

The full interview will be broadcast on This Is Africa this Saturday, on BBC World Service radio, and partner stations across Africa.

Nigeria’s police says it’s investigating its own legal department.

The move comes after a lawsuit was filed by police lawyers challenging the legality of the panels of enquiry looking into abuse by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, or Sars.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, ordered the investigation after news of the lawsuit trended on social media on Thursday.

In a statement, a spokesperson said Mr Adamu disapproved of the move and was committed to the judicial panels and the reform of the police.

Panels of enquiry have been set up across Nigeria following nationwide protests against police brutality in October.

The protests called for the disbandment of the elite police unit known as Sars.

Despite the unit being dissolved protests continued for a further nine days, as demonstrators asked for broader police reforms.

Rights group have long accused the Nigerian police of extortion, illegal detention and even extra-judicial killings.

AFPCopyright: AFP

The former president of Ivory Coast, Laurent Gbagbo, has been issued an Ivorian passport, enabling him to return home from exile.

He has been living in Belgium since he was acquitted last year of war crimes charges at the International Criminal Court.

Mr Gbagbo, who was given regular and diplomatic passports, says he will return to Ivory Coast this month.

It is not clear what he will do once he gets home, but he has been a vocal critic of President Alassane Ouattara, who was recently elected for a controversial third term, sparking political violence.

Kennedy Gondwe/BBCCopyright: Kennedy Gondwe/BBC

Zambia's former 400m World Champion Samuel Matete says the country is "not doing enough to develop athletics".

Matete, who won gold at the 1991 World Championships in Japan, says it is sad that from the time he last won a medal before he retired, there has not been an athlete who has won anything at a major event.

The legend, who won 10 medals in his career – six gold and four silver – is contesting to become president of the Zambia Athletics Association and runs an athletics academy in his name.

"We are talking about the global level. We are not talking about where you go to South Africa and compete with three countries and win a medal. No. Those are developmental medals," he said.

"Ever since I left the podium, we have only seen one medal which is through Sydney [Siame] at the Africa Championships. So we are not doing enough. We have not done anything about athletics that we can talk about."

Mozambique could receive six million doses of coronavirus vaccines for its population of 30 million, its health minister has told parliament.

Armindo Tiago said Mozambique was part of the global initiative, Covax, which will allow the fast and equitable distribution of vaccines by the World Health Organization.

Mr Tiago said officials would first need to identify which citizens were most in need.

The WHO's distribution mechanism will ensure that each country receives doses to vaccinate up to 20% of its population.