Oyiza Adaba Inducted into the Directors' Guild of Nigeria (DGN)
Lagos, Nigeria. Oyiza Adaba (Director: The Making of El Anatsui), Inducted into the Directors' Guild of Nigeria (DGN) on July 17, 2025
Africa-Related Lagos, Nigeria
Oyiza Adaba (Director: The Making of El Anatsui), Inducted into the Directors' Guild of Nigeria (DGN) on July 17, 2025.
New DGN inductee, Oyiza Adaba on the red carpet
PHOTOS By Africa-Related
Oyiza Adaba Bags 2025 'Bronx Recognizes Its Own' (BRIO) Award
For over 35 years, BCA’s BRIO Award has recognized artists from a wide range of creative disciplines who demonstrate proficiency, knowledge, and intense practice in their chosen art form. Award-winning Director Oyiza Adaba was selected in recognition of her contribution to the borough's creative spirit.
Africa-Related, New York
Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA) selected 42 recipients for the 2025 Bronx Recognizes Its Own (BRIO) Award.
For over 35 years, BCA’s BRIO Award has recognized artists from a wide range of creative disciplines who demonstrate proficiency, knowledge, and intense practice in their chosen art form.
A celebration ceremony of all BRIO winners' outstanding achievements was held on Thursday, June 12th the Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, to honor the 42 recipients of the award this year. Each awardee also received a sum of $5000 to support their work.
Among the awardees is Oyiza Adaba, an award-winning Nigerian producer and journalist and Bronx resident, whose 30-year career has been focused on bridging the media gap with deeply impacting news and television and film productions. Her feature documentary "DELA: The Making of El Anatsui" (2023) is highly praised globally for bringing African art and culture to international audiences.
Oyiza Adaba is recognized for her role in documentary filmmaking and dedication to the borough’s creative history.
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Biden-Harris: Last-Minute Call To Protect Black Immigrants
On December 17, 2024, the Nigerian Center joined Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and other leaders for a press conference on Capitol Hill, urging the Biden-Harris Administration to take urgent action to protect African immigrant communities during the lame-duck session.
Photo credits: @thornbaires
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“The U.S. Is All In on Africa’s Future” – Now Is the Time to Deliver for Black Immigrant Communities
On December 17, 2024, the Nigerian Center joined Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and other leaders for a press conference on Capitol Hill, urging the Biden-Harris Administration to take urgent action to protect immigrant communities during the lame-duck session.
The press conference followed a letter to the administration, signed by Rep. Clarke and over 40 members of Congress, calling for executive actions to extend TPS, clear processing backlogs, and protect vulnerable communities. Nigerian Center Executive Director Gbenga Ogunjimi highlighted President Biden’s promise that “the U.S. is all in on Africa’s future” during his recent visit to the continent.
“Earlier this month, President Biden made a bold commitment to the future of U.S.-Africa relations during his visit to the continent. He declared, and I quote, ‘The U.S. is all in on Africa’s future.’ Today, we are here to hold this administration to that promise. Granting immigration protections would align with the U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa, affirming a commitment to human rights, economic opportunity, and global solidarity. Temporary Protected Status would offer a lifeline to vulnerable populations fleeing armed conflicts and humanitarian crises,” said Gbenga Ogunjimi.
Read the full press release [here] View the event photos [here]
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A statement on TNC Instagram account reads:
“Regardless of the outcome, we are proud of the relentless efforts and progress we've made with this administration and we look forward to continuing our advocacy with the incoming Trump administration. This campaign has been a two-year journey, and it has been a privilege to mobilize our community around a policy shift that once seemed unthinkable.”
If you or someone you know needs immigration assistance, please call The Nigerian Center immigration assistance hotline at 1-800-395-9272.
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United Nations Women's Guild Annual Bazaar
Highlights from United Nations Women's Guild Annual Bazaar
by Oyiza Adaba
UN Women’s Guild Bazaar 2024
Highlights
United Nations Women's Guild Holiday Bazaar
Date: December 5, 2024.
Time: 2.30pm
Venue: UN HQ Lobby, New York
Women and artisans from around the world gathered to showcase and sell their products at this annual bazaar. There were outstanding raffle draw prizes including @kenyaairways tickets, apparels from @itaiourcloth and exclusive designs from @nubaarts. The Hansol Music Group provided the entertainment.
UN Women’s Guild Event Organizers
Event Flyer
All proceeds benefit women and children around the world.
Photos by Africa-Related
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U.S. Department of State Daily Digest Bulletin
U.S. and Ghana Nuclear Firms Sign Landmark Commercial Agreement for Small Modular Reactor Project in Ghana.
U.S. and Ghana Nuclear Firms Sign Landmark Commercial Agreement for Small Modular Reactor Project in Ghana
08/29/2024
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U.S. and Ghana Nuclear Firms Sign Landmark Commercial Agreement for Small Modular Reactor Project in Ghana
08/29/2024 09:02 AM EDT
Office of the Spokesperson
At the U.S.-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit in Nairobi, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Bonnie Jenkins, joined by U.S. Department of Energy Deputy Assistant Secretary Aleshia Duncan, Ghana Deputy Minister of Energy Collins Adomako-Mensah, and Ghana Ministry of Energy Chief Director Wilhelmina Asamoah, observed a significant milestone in civil nuclear cooperation between U.S. and Ghanaian nuclear industries — the signing of a commercial agreement between Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG) and Regnum Technology Group, the U.S. developer for a small modular reactor (SMR) project using NuScale Power technology.
This commercial agreement between NPG and Regnum represents a pivotal advancement in collaboration between U.S. and Ghanaian civil nuclear industries and is testament of the commitment by both nations to advancing clean and sustainable energy solutions. The SMR project is anticipated to be a cornerstone of Ghana’s efforts to enhance its energy infrastructure and lead the way on SMR deployments in the region. This initiative will help Ghana achieve its energy goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, setting a precedent for future energy projects in the region.
The NPG-Regnum agreement builds on existing U.S.-Ghana civil nuclear cooperation, including under the U.S. Foundational Infrastructure for the Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) Program that is helping Ghana to establish itself as a SMR Regional Hub and center of excellence. In addition to technical training, advisory services, and study tours, the FIRST Program is providing a NuScale Energy Exploration (E2) Center SMR control room simulator to serve as a regional training center for nuclear power technicians and operators and is establishing a welding certification program to support jobs and supply chain development for the region. Through this dedicated workforce development focus, Ghana will be positioned to establish a skilled nuclear workforce consistent with the highest international standards of nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation.
The United States is committed to supporting the use of innovative clean nuclear energy to power global decarbonization efforts and provide energy security to partners around the world.
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Tom Adaba Legacy Champions ROOTS RUNWAY
A flagship project that is aimed at reviving cotton farming in Nigeria and globally promoting the ancient Ebira weaving tradition, has been announced.
Press Release:
Tom Adaba Legacy Champions ROOTS RUNWAY - A Community-Driven Initiative
A flagship project that is aimed at reviving cotton farming in Nigeria and globally promoting the ancient Ebira weaving tradition, has been announced.
ABUJA, FCT, NIGERIA, August 9, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Tom Adaba Legacy - an Abuja-based non-profit foundation with education at its core, in partnership with Ita'i Our Cloth , Africa-Related Inc is proud to introduce its upcoming community-engaging project entitled Roots Runway. The aim is to grace global runways with designs made from locally produced cotton, woven by the popular Ebira Weavers in Okene, Nigeria, central Nigeria.
“What we have in mind is to raise standards, particularly in areas that have been forgotten. To bring back the good old ones, and raise them to greater heights and international standards.”
Roots Runway was launched on the eve of veteran broadcaster and Chief Patron, Tom Adaba's 83rd Birthday on July 2, 2024. It applies a multi-pronged approach to reviving the local cotton production and processing in Nigeria while serving to bridge historical disconnects through farming and fashion. It works by forming clusters of local farmers and weavers, creating jobs for youth, training in the cotton production process, revisiting ancient and creating new designs; and engaging artistic communities to use locally produced yarn for designs that will ultimately feature in prestigious global museums, runways, art fairs, etc.
Tom Adaba Legacy Board President, award-winning filmmaker Mrs. Oyiza Adaba-Okereke spoke at the hybrid launch, outlining plans to incorporate sub themes about environment, agro-waste, history, education and community development in the project. She said they will form partnerships in agriculture, design & construction and technology.
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Laolu Senbanjo: Celebrated By Rolling Stone Africa
NEW YORK CITY weather is notoriously unpredictable. One moment, it’s a biting cold with residents huddling under layers of clothing; the next, a swelter-ing heat forces them to retreat into air-conditioned havens. For Laolu Senbanjo, the city’s erratic climate has a peculiar irony. Here’s a Nigerian man, used to the scorching unforgiving sun of his homeland, lamenting on the New York heat. But after spending years away from Nigeria, this paradoxical gripe was a testament to how deeply he had integrated into his new environment.
With his roots in Yoruba heritage, Laolu Senbanjo transforms every surface into a bold canvas, making waves from the streets of New York to the global stage and redefining what it means to be an African artist.
BY NICOLE ASINUGO
Excerpts from Rolling Stone Africa
NEW YORK CITY weather is notoriously unpredictable. One moment, it’s a biting cold with residents huddling under layers of clothing; the next, a swelter-ing heat forces them to retreat into air-conditioned havens. For Laolu Senbanjo, the city’s erratic climate has a peculiar irony. Here’s a Nigerian man, used to the scorching unforgiving sun of his homeland, lamenting on the New York heat. But after spending years away from Nigeria, this paradoxical gripe was a testament to how deeply he had integrated into his new environment.
Laolu Senbanjo, popularly known as Laolu NYC, is an artist whose work is unmistakable, character-ized by its striking and intricate attention to detail. His art transcends traditional canvases, finding expression on everything from sneakers to bottles, walls, and even bodies. “Everything is my canvas,” he proclaims, a mantra perfectly encapsulating his artistic philosophy. His work, a fusion of ancient African traditions with modern pop culture, tells stories of his Yoruba heritage, spirituality, and the human experience.
““New York is a place where you can reinvent yourself... I was just another face in the crowd, but I felt seen in a way I hadn’t before.””
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CUTTING THE STORY SHORT: The Steady Rising of Ihunmehai Isaac
From a struggling accounting student to working on an Emmy-nominated project, Ihunmehai Isaac’s story is that of difficult struggles, dogged determination and rewarding triumphs.
OYIZA ADABA Africa-Related, NEW YORK
Contributor: Fortune Ehiwayas
From a struggling accounting student to working on an Emmy-nominated project, Ihunmehai Isaac’s story is that of difficult struggles, dogged determination and rewarding triumphs.
Ihunmehai Isaac: video editor determined to make a difference/Photo by Yolanda Hoskey
Ihunmehai Cynthia Isaac is a dynamic African storyteller from Edo State, Nigeria, whose profile as a video editor in the U.S. film industry is on a gradual rise.
Having studied accounting in Nigeria, Ihums, as she is popularly known, had grown increasingly conscious of her artistic side.
“I told myself that the only way to survive in a world as competitive as this is to change my career path to what I like.”
From taking simple snapshots, she started applying for work in television and radio stations in Nigeria. She eventually landed a professional course at the School of Media and Communication Pan-Atlantic University, which is a part of the prestigious Lagos Business School.
Her desire to tell authentic stories led her to study film and acquire specific industry-related skills. In 2018, she migrated to the United States to obtain a Master's degree in Media Management from The New School in New York.
During her studies, she co-hosted a podcast titled The Grad Life Uncut, where graduate students from different schools were interviewed about their different experiences in the graduate school ecosystem.
Ms. Isaac has participated in several projects including Shalini Kantayya's educational documentary, which was post-produced by The Dakoit Team entitled ‘Coded Bias’. This received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Science and Tech Documentaries in September 2022. Others projects are ‘Freestlyed’, ‘Donut Kid’, a stand-up special called ‘The Ghost of Academic Future’, and ‘TikTok Boom’, a documentary on the impact of social media in today’s world and a special project achieved by passion and “very long hours”.
The role of the video editor is crucial to any production. While Wikipedia describes film or video editing as the process of ‘manipulation and arrangement of video shot used to structure and present all video’, Ihunmehai describes the job of a video editor as “demanding but tremendously gratifying”.
Ihunmehai Isaac/Photo by Yolanda Hoskey
Ihunmehai Isaac/Photo by Yolanda Hoskey
"Just picture a crowd of people viewing a movie you edited and laughing or reacting to it with the kind of emotion you expected. Observing that, having people respond favorably to your work, in my opinion, is simply the highest compliment you can receive."
As she continues to take on bigger projects, Ihunmehai Isaac's primary objective is to create narratives with strong emotional undertones that inspire and educate; treating subjects like life, love, education, women, mental health, social issues and entertainment. Her unique difference is to always have an underlying purpose, which is to add value.
IHUNMEHAI ISAAC on the SET of ‘Donut Kid’ and music video for kofo wonder iN NEW YORK
