There was a recent feud on Twitter over the use of the description, ‘Sub-Saharan Africa’ by Cable News Network (CNN).

Mark Zuckerberg makes first-ever visit to Sub-Saharan Africa: https://t.co/SExJd6CiGo pic.twitter.com/aY6d6bbYJt

— CNN Africa (@CNNAfrica) August 30, 2016

Some persons did not see anything wrong with the use of that description, and they have a point.

Geographically, Nigeria is one of the countries that lies south of the Sahara Desert. However, Nigeria is one out of a list of over 50 countries which fall within Sub-Saharan Africa.

So to have a major news outlet neglect to mention the name of the actual country does sound a bit off. After all, it is said that God is in the detail.

This is why Nigerians lashed out at CNN for the omission of their beloved nation. As many tweeters expressed, Africa is a continent; Nigeria is a nation.

More troubling is the notion that the use of the term Sub-Saharan Africa is a deliberate attempt by the Western world (and their media houses) to propagate an agenda of inferiority of the African race.

A number of African authors have balked against its use, referring to it as stereotypical labeling and a reminder of the West’s colonization over Africa.

Next time, CNN, kindly just mention Nigeria. It would spare you the censure. Even Mark Zuckerberg took time to mention the state in Nigeria he was visiting.

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA = 18 Characters.

NIGERIA = 7 Characters.

Seriously? ?

— Your Buddie (@Social_Buddie) August 30, 2016

Baba if na Boko Haram na Nigeria but for tech advancement na sub saharan africa!

— Shobanjo Adebayo (@keduski) August 30, 2016

it shows you've incompetent reporters, the name of the country is Nigeria pls.

— Jaiye Jegede..✍ (@Usherhigh) August 30, 2016

you too you're Sub Saharan CNN.

— Muscle Memory (@sheOnMyBiscuit) August 30, 2016

 

Which countries? sub-saharan Africa is NOT a country!

— Stephen Tio Kauma (@TioKauma) August 30, 2016

The fact that you're a tier of CNN @CNNAfrica In Africa makes this very insulting. Mark Zuckerberg's in Nigeria- NIGERIA is greater than CNN

— Albinito So' (@albinito) August 30, 2016

https://twitter.com/chimm_amanda/status/771020303766065152