Two Years On: Remembering Ijeoma Uche-Okeke
Video Interview with Ijeoma Loren Uche-Okeke. Up until her passing on September 1, 2022, she was the Chief Executive Officer of the Asele Institute, a cultural institution founded by her late father, master artist and scholar, Uche Okeke, in Nimo, Anambra state, Nigeria in 1958.
INTERVIEW by africa-related
Ijeoma Loren Uche-Okeke
1972-1922
Up until her passing on September 1, 2022, Ijeoma Loren Uche-Okeke was the Chief Executive Officer of the Asele Institute, a cultural institution founded by her late father, master artist and scholar, Uche Okeke, in Nimo, Anambra state, Nigeria in 1958.
In this interview conducted in January 2022 for the biographical documentary DELA: The Making of El Anatsui directed by Oyiza Adaba, Ijeoma spoke of Uche Okeke's distinguished legacy as the father of Nigeria's modernist art movement, as well as their relationship.
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Q&A With WORDS BY MOE On New Album BiG TIME!
INTERVIEW with WORDS BY MOE BY Africa-Related
Words By MOE
est. 1999
“Words are still powerful, and the right word at the right time is still very valuable”
This week, we share the work of Words By MOE, a self-styled inspirational writer and Spoken Word artist whose writings are reminiscent of scribes of old. His mastery of language, expert use of words, not to mention captivating delivery; have resulted in his 23-track debut album, titled BiG TIME!
Words play a central theme on the album, touching on various subject matters from life to faith and love. The sound is crisp and fresh, backed by multiple genres of music - from Hip Hop, Reggae to traditional African flute and drums. BiG Time delivers an array of richly blended sounds that drive home the lyrically-endowed artist's thought-provoking messages.
The album was jointly produced in New York and Jos, Nigeria by Africa-Related and Deep Waters Studios. It includes some collaborative work like ‘Bringing Back The Mic', a tribute to the late Gospel Hip Hop icon B-Elect featuring Minista Busta.
“The purpose is to encourage, build up and inspire others on this journey of Life.”
Q: You have two back-to-back projects coming up in August and September 2024. Could you speak to them individually on the inspiration and purpose behind Big Time Album and book, Spiritually Intact vol 1?
A: Honestly, this whole thing with the music is my wife’s idea.. so projects wise she’s the visionary. As for inspiration, all I do is write, and the motivation behind my expression stems from my love for the Word of Truth. The purpose is to encourage, build up and inspire others on this journey of Life.
Q: Which of the tracks in Big Time stands out to you the most and why?
A: The title track, Big Time.. It’s a piece that makes plain what’s required on our part to recognize what is past, so that we can realize our future; in order to be able to truly put things in perspective as far as priorities go, in our lives.
Q: The album contains 23 tracks backed by various music genres. Could you elaborate on your musical influences?
A: While I do appreciate a variety of musical sounds, I grew up influenced mainly by the ‘boom bap’, there’s something about that baseline that just got me as a kid, listening to a lot of hip hop, plus all the color, the styles and creativity, it was amazing at the time, not to mention ‘fresh’.
Q: SI volume one shows the beginnings of your writing? How would you say it has since evolved?
A: Honestly, I'm not so sure how much evolution there’s been, other than a sense of refinement perhaps and maybe more directness when it comes to elaborating on a particular subject. Both of which I attribute to maturity, as a student of the WORD.
Q: What is the importance of words, as a means of expression in today's world?
A: Still very important, as far as communicating goes; even though the way we relate these days is slightly different from last century. Words are still powerful, and the right word at the right time is still very valuable.
Q: You have been writing since 1999, and only just sharing your materials with the world. What would you attribute to this gap?
A: Time and chance, situation and circumstance. Up till now, I suppose I was okay sharing with a few people, until my wife decided it was time to share with the rest of the world.
Q: Your faith plays a key role in your overall outlook. How have you managed to sustain that since 1995, and what would you say to anyone who has lost faith.
A: Honestly, it’s the grace of The Almighty, abiding in the WORD, and learning a whole lot about Love. I might not be in a position to console a person who’s turned away, but I do believe that He doesn’t turn us away from coming to Him. So no matter what, never give up.
Q: What are thoughts to share about your connection to these two countries - Nigeria and the United States?
A: Just grateful for the opportunity to experience what life is like in different cultural contexts. Very interesting indeed, despite challenges on both sides.
Q: What future plans for your writing?
A: Same as always, just keep writing.
Q: What influences have shaped your writings over the years.
A: The Scriptures primarily, but also C.S. Lewis, Martin Luther King Jr., Frederick Douglass, J. B. Phillips… to name a few.
Q: You did some collaborative work on this album, and your love for Hip Hop is evident with the track Bringing Back The Mic (BBTM), which is a tribute to the iconic artist B-Elect. Could you speak on this?
A: Actually BBTM was written as a tribute to B on Jan 25, 2011. So when I was called upon to contribute to His memorial earlier this year, the piece instantly came to mind; thus the input.
Q: Your work was featured in the biographical documentary DELA:The Making of El Anatsui. What did you take out of working on that project?
A: Knowledge is what I took out, and gained a lot of it. I was fortunate to have a behind the scenes perspective and learn a thing or two about film making, which is no light task, plus the amount of patience, foresight and dedication required. So grateful for the exposure and experience.
Q: Do you have any closing thoughts?
A: None other than expressing my gratitude to GOD for making all this possible.
Thank you for your time.
Previous work by the artist
“I might not be in a position to console a person who’s turned away, but I do believe that He doesn’t turn us away from coming to Him. So no matter what, never give up.”
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Collaborators include Charles “DCharlie” Dapwadta, Uchenna “Minista Busta” Ohagwu, Inya, Raymond Noel “RayN” Ehusani, Esther Nyam, Suberu Mathew, Alex Raphael. Deep-Waters Production, Africa-Related Inc., Maurice E. Okereke, Oyiza Adaba, @akatah Isaac and Bonx muralist André Trenier @andre.trenier.
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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Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation
Bruce Onobrakpeya was born on August 30th 1932, in Agbarha-Otor in what is today known as the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. He is reputed to be Africa's greatest printmaker and one of the finest in the world.
Bruce Onobrakpeya
Birthday of the month of August
Bruce Onobrakpeya was born on August 30th 1932, in Agbarha-Otor in what is today known as the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. He is reputed to be Africa's greatest printmaker and one of the finest in the world.
Bruce Onobrakpeya would have very few rivals in innovative and experimentalist print making in our time. Not only is he a great draughtsman, master printmaker - in the professional sense of the word, he is also noted for his paintings and mixed media installation art. Since 1966, he has discovered, innovated and perfected several techniques both in printmaking and relief sculpture. In addition to his experiments in mixed media and his reputation as a book illustrator, art teacher, author and folklorist, he is also one of the pioneers of modem Nigerian art and a leading member of the Zaria Art Society (renamed by the Emir of Zaria, to The Zaria Art Ambassadors). This important and now famous Zaria group, has been credited with laying the theoretical foundations for contemporary Nigerian art, in the late 1950s. According to the critic Olu Oguibe in 1991 “Onobrakpeya has not only proved himself an artist of unassailable worth, he has also strode the expanses of internationalism, exhibiting and executing commissions all over Africa, Europe and America and several parts of the World”
Onobrakpeya is a gifted teacher and mentor of several generations of successful artists. In 1999, for instance, he initiated The Harmattan Workshop Series, with a vision to empower artists. This annual retreat and gathering for artists now in its 13th edition, has become a new Mecca for visual artists. It is the longest running non-formal education for visual artists in West Africa. The workshop has been described as lofty, noble and life transforming because it brings in artists from all over the world to share their experiences in an atmosphere of brotherhood and camaraderie. This is perhaps his greatest legacy and contribution to the contemporary arts of Africa.
Bruce Onobrakpeya is not without honour, he was jointly designated by UNESCO and the Federal government of the Republic of Nigeria with the honour of “LIVING HUMAN TREASURE” a befitting tribute to a man whose whole life has been ruled by one passion: The Celebration of the arts of our motherland, and by extension our humanity as a people.
'DELA' Interview: Remembering Tam Fiofori
'DELA' Interview: Remembering Tam Fiofori - Filmmaker Visionary Historian Critic This interview was conducted in June 2021 for the biographical documentary DELA: The Making of El Anatsui, directed by Oyiza Adaba.
By Oyiza Adaba
UNCLE TAM
1942-2024
Filmmaker Visionary Historian Critic
This interview was conducted in June 2021 for the biographical documentary DELA: The Making of El Anatsui, directed by Oyiza Adaba
The legendary Tam Fiofori, during his interview for ‘DELA’.
“I’ll be a bit rude and say that the Nigerian Elite is yet to be civilized in terms of the arts. We must be quite blunt. Look at our political leaders, our so called, big rich men. Go to their houses. How many artworks Do you see? How many books do you see?”
Rest In Peace
From all of us
Africa-Related & DELA! Team
“... we don’t have beauty in our society, and it manifests in the way we behave, because it’s become a dog-eat-dog society, a rat race where the drive is to acquire money and wealth.”
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“We must be a bit careful about The Western world defining and grading our creative people in all genres, from music to literature to the arts. EL ANATSUI is one of Africa’s greatest artists, that’s the way I’ll describe him. In terms of contemporary art. He is very outstanding. He’s a huge figure, and he’s a great credit to art from Africa.”
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REMINDER! The centenary celebration of James Ene Henshaw (1924 -2007)
The centenary celebration of James Ene Henshaw (1924 -2007) will kick off with a seminar themed, ‘This Is Our Chance Revisited’, on August 29, 2024, from 12:00PM (WAT). The seminar is organized by the James Ene Henshaw Foundation.
Seminar Invitation by JEHF
“Beautiful. This Is Our Chance still remains my favourite novel from junior school”
The centenary celebration of James Ene Henshaw (1924 -2007) will kick off with a seminar themed, ‘This Is Our Chance Revisited’, on August 29, 2024, 12:00PM (WAT). The seminar is organized by the James Ene Henshaw Foundation.
The seminar will begin with Mallam Denja Abdullahi giving a brief introductory address and Peter Olorunnisomo summarising the play.
Dr. John Yesiebo of the University of Port Harcourt will speak on ‘Maintaining Tradition in the Onslaught of Modernity’. Director of Arojah Theatre, Abuja, Mr. Jerry Adesewo will speak on ‘Tribal Enmity – The Role of Theatre in Nation-building’. Dr Wale Okediran, Secretary-General of Pan-African Writers Association, will speak on ‘Damba and the Challenge of Leadership’; Dr Ekua Ekumah of the University of Ghana, Legon, on ‘The Role of Women in This Is Our Chance‘.
Prof. Liwhu Betiang of the University of Calabar on ‘Reflection – Why Henshaw is Important in the History of Nigerian Drama’. After a 30-minute break for comments and questions, Prof. Effiong Johnson of the University of Uyo will dwell on ‘Musings on the Plays of James Ene Henshaw’, with Dr. Patrick Jude Otteh of Jos Repertory Theatre making critical remarks to bring This Is Our Chance seminar to an end.
THE COLLECTED PLAYS OF JAMES ENE HENSHAW
THE COLLECTED PLAYS OF JAMES ENE HENSHAW. A collection of the major plays by the renowned playwright:
- This is Our Chance
- Jewels of the Shrine
- A Man of Character
- Medicine for Love
- Children of the Goddess
- Magic in the Blood
- Companion for a Chief
- Dinner for Promotion
- Enough Is Enough
Available Here:
- JEHF @ £20 (UK)
- Allrange Professional Bookstores, Lagos +2348034544428 N18,000 (Nig)
Scenes from THIS IS OUR CHANCE, Cultural Centre, Calabar, Dec. 2013. Photos by JEHF
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Black Public Media 2024 Open Call to offer $175,000 in funding for Black stories
NEW YORK (August 20, 2024) — Black Public Media (BPM)
has issued its 2024 open call for projects that center Black culture, characters, communities and concerns. A total of $175,000 will be awarded this year to U.S. documentary projects currently in pre-production, production or post-production, and intended for public media distribution. The 2024 submission portal (
https://blackpublicmedia.org/for-media-makers/bpm-open-call/
) goes live on Tuesday, September 3, and closes on Monday, September 30 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Since its inception, BPM has invested more than $17 million toward iconic documentaries and emerging media projects about the global Black experience.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BLACK PUBLIC MEDIA ISSUES OPEN CALL FOR BLACK STORIES
BPM to award a total of $175,000 in current round of funding
NEW YORK (August 20, 2024) — Black Public Media (BPM) has issued its 2024 open call for projects that center Black culture, characters, communities and concerns. A total of $175,000 will be awarded this year to U.S. documentary projects currently in pre-production, production or post-production, and intended for public media distribution. The 2024 submission portal (https://blackpublicmedia.org/for-media-makers/bpm-open-call/) goes live on Tuesday, September 3, and closes on Monday, September 30 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Since its inception, BPM has invested more than $17 million toward iconic documentaries and emerging media projects about the global Black experience.
This year BPM — a Harlem-based national media arts nonprofit that trains talented storytellers and funds and distributes their works — welcomes feature-length documentary projects in a range of formats, styles, subject matter and genres, including those that target specific viewers such as children and teen audiences. The projects should be compelling, nuanced stories that add the point of view, experiences and concerns of the Black communities to the larger public discourse.
Applicants must be the producer or director of the project with at least three years of professional producing and/or directing experience (or must have a senior producer attached to the project). The applicant must be able to complete the project within 18 months. Additional requirements can be found at: https://blackpublicmedia.org/for-media-makers/bpm-open-call/.
This fall, a panel of media professionals across the industry will evaluate the proposals in a two-tier review process that assesses the project idea and story, production readiness, production team, project budget and work sample. And in December, BPM will announce the five applicants who will receive a $5,000 stipend, an invitation to its talent development program and the opportunity to participate in PitchBLACK, the largest pitch competition for independent filmmakers and creative technologists developing new projects about the global Black experience. One of these projects will win a $150,000 PitchBLACK Award for a broadcast-length or feature project.
“Each year we are amazed to see the myriad, layered stories which are bubbling up from all corners of this country from such gifted creatives,” said BPM Executive Director Leslie Fields-Cruz. “We look forward to helping these makers bring their important work to American viewers.”
Prospective applicants may register to attend BPM’s virtual information session on Tuesday, August 27, at 6 p.m. EST at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_j6eYTqC9Q_qyHMWGIr0v7A.
BPM’s 2024 Open Call is supported by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Netflix, the MacArthur Foundation, the Tarver Walls Foundation, Paramount+, the New York Community Trust, the Jerome Foundation, the Tides Foundation, Acton Family Giving and Gimlet.
For more information on Black Public Media, visit www.blackpublicmedia.org, or follow it on X (@BLKPublicMedia),
Facebook (@BlackPublicMedia), Instagram (@blackpublicmedia) or TikTok (@black-public-media).
ABOUT BLACK PUBLIC MEDIA:
Black Public Media (BPM) supports the development of visionary content creators and distributes stories about the global Black experience to inspire a more equitable and inclusive future. For 45 years, BPM has addressed the needs of unserved and underserved audiences. BPM-supported programs have won five Emmys, 10 Peabodys, three Anthem Awards, 14 Emmy nominations and an Oscar nomination. BPM continues to address historical, contemporary, and systemic challenges that traditionally impede the development and distribution of Black stories. For more information, visit blackpublicmedia.org and follow BPM on Instagram and Facebook and @BLKPublicMedia on X.
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For interview and media inquiries, contact:
Cheryl L. Duncan
Cheryl Duncan & Company Inc.
201-552-9239 (O)
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Elections 2024: Day 1 Videos/Photos at the DNC
The Democratic National Convention (DNC) is ongoing in Chicago, where Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to accept the nomination for President of the United States. Here are some images and Briefings from Day 1
Monday, August 19, 2024
The Democratic National Convention (DNC) is ongoing in Chicago, where Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to accept the nomination for President of the United States. Here are some images and Briefings from Day 1
All photos and videos are courtesy of The Foreign Press Center.
BRIEFERS
Richard Gamble of Choose Chicago and Christy George of 2024 DNC Chicago Host Committee
Suzi LeVine, former United States Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein-
Patrick Iber, Editor of Dissent Magazine and Associate Professor of History, University of Wisconsin–Madison-
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AUG. 21: Jazz saxophonist Godwin Louis To Perform New Album at the Newark Public Library
Grammy-nominated saxophonist Godwin Louis heads to Newark for the next installment of the WBGO After Work Jazz Series, part of the powerhouse jazz station’s 45th anniversary celebration. Louis will perform two concerts on Wednesday, August 21 — at 4:45 p.m. and at 6:15 p.m. — in the courtyard of the Newark Main Library.
Grammy-nominated jazz saxophonist Godwin Louis is headed to Newark for his album release celebration on Wednesday, August 21, for two concerts that are part of the WBGO After Work Jazz Series.
Louis’s sophomore album Psalms and Proverbs on Blue Room Music, a jazzy deep dive into religious traditions across the world, is being released globally on Friday, August 23. The concerts, which are made possible with the support of Audible and the Newark Public Library (where they will be held), will take place at 4:45 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.
Born in Harlem of Haitian heritage and raised in the Port-au-Prince and Bridgeport, Connecticut, Louis was a saxophone protégé. Then came his meteoric rise to stages across the globe, with studies or performances with the likes of Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Al Foster, Billy Preston, Patti LaBelle, Toni Braxton, Prince, Babyface, Madonna, Barry Harris, Howard Shore, Mulatu Astatke, Wynton Marsalis and more. In addition to being a top performer, he is also an assistant professor at the Berklee College of Music and at the forefront of bringing music education to Haiti and Africa as a music ambassador and humanitarian.
GODWIN LOUIS TO HEADLINE WBGO AFTER WORK JAZZ SERIES CONCERT
The August 21 event celebrates the international release of the Grammy nominee’s sophomore album, Psalms and Proverbs, on Blue Room Music
NEW YORK (August 12, 2024) — Grammy-nominated saxophonist Godwin Louis heads to Newark for the next installment of the WBGO After Work Jazz Series, part of the powerhouse jazz station’s 45th anniversary celebration. Louis will perform two concerts on Wednesday, August 21 — at 4:45 p.m. and at 6:15 p.m. — in the courtyard of the Newark Main Library. The appearance also marks the release of Louis’ sophomore album, Psalms and Proverbs, an exploration of the universality and joy of sacred music available internationally on August 23 on the Blue Room Music label. The concerts are made possible with the support of Audible and the Newark Public Library.
Born into a musical family in Harlem of Haitian heritage and raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Louis has gone on to grace stages across the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa. A favorite in New York, Boston and beyond, Louis is a composer-arranger-virtuoso soloist who began as a saxophone prodigy at nine, becoming a Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Saxophone competition finalist. A graduate of Berklee College of Music and the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance, Louis has studied and performed with the likes of Herbie Hancock, Clark Terry, Ron Carter, Al Foster, Toni Braxton, Prince, Babyface, Madonna, Wynton Marsalis and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, among many others. He is a 2024 Grammy nominee (for arrangements on singer Cécile McLorin Salvant's Mélusine) and a professor at Berklee College of Music.
He is also a humanitarian and businessman, having founded Experience Ayiti, a nonprofit educational, multidisciplinary arts organization in Haiti and The Godwin Louis Rooftop Club in Togo, which is dedicated to performances and educational programs that promote music education in Africa.
Band Group photo. Photo credit Blue Room Music
In Psalms and Proverbs, Louis draws on religious musical traditions around the world, including his Haitian roots — Haiti being where European, African and Native traditions converged to create the roots of jazz. The album showcases Godwin’s unique originality, deeply rooted in spirituals and gospel hymns, blending sophisticated harmonies, memorable melodies and infectious grooves. His music embodies the diverse sounds of the Afro-diaspora, incorporating elements from West Africa, Haiti, the Americas and Europe. The result is a harmonious tapestry that spans continents.
Performing will be Louis (saxophone); Philip Dizack (trumpet); Axel Tosca Laugart (piano); Johnny Mercier (organ); Savannah Harris (drums); and Or Baréquette (bass).“I’m looking forward to being a part of WBGO’s After Work Jazz Series and bringing praise to the people of Newark,” said Louis. “Let’s have church.”
Psalms and Proverbs is produced by Louis, Calvaire and Chan Jung.
The event at the Newark Public Library (5 Washington Street, Newark, NJ 07102) is free and open to the public with registration via Eventbrite. In the event of inclement weather, the event will happen indoors, in the Library.
6Psalms and Proverbs can be preordered now at https://orcd.co/godwinlouis or on August 23 at Spotify, iTunes, Tidal, Deezer, Amazon and more. For more information on Louis, visit https://www.godwinlouis.com.
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For interview and media inquiries, contact:
Cheryl L. Duncan, Cheryl Duncan & Company Inc., 201-552-9239 (O), cheryl@cdcprnews.com
Central Park Zoo: A History In New York Conservatory
An opportunity for a self-tour of the iconic Central Park Zoo to capture images deepens a chance to increase visibility to the importance of wildlife, conservation, and the natural world.
By Oyiza Adaba, New York
An opportunity for a self-tour of the iconic Central Park Zoo to capture images deepens a chance to increase visibility to the importance of wildlife, conservation, and the natural world.
Images at Central Park Zoo
The Arsenal Building on 5th Ave and 64 Street was where a premier global organization based in New York City, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) briefed members of the foreign press. The briefing centered on their current strategies to contribute to regional and global conservation.
WCS manages the world’s largest field-conservation effort in more than 50 countries with a portfolio of Nature’s Strongholds covering more than 16 million hectares. Topics discussed include work to declare the Hudson Canyon, 100 miles off the coast of New York a National Marine Sanctuary; legislation in the U,S. Congress that would lead to more funding of conservation projects around the world; and WCS’s role in advancing 30x30.
Globally recognized days for conservation include World Wildlife Day in March and Environmental / Earth Awareness Month in April.
PHOTOS BY AFRICA-RELATED
Press Release - Nigerian Center Announces Collaboration with AfricanAncestry.com
WASHINGTON DC, August 12, 2024 – The Nigerian Center is pleased to announce a new
partnership with African Ancestry (AfricanAncestry.com), the pioneers of single lineage genetic ancestry tracing for people of African descent. This collaboration offers language classes specifically designed for African Ancestry testers, fostering a deeper connection to cultural roots and heritages in Africa.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nigerian Center Announces Collaboration with AfricanAncestry.com to Connect African Americans to Their Nigerian Ancestry Through Language Classes
WASHINGTON DC, August 12, 2024 – The Nigerian Center is pleased to announce a new partnership with African Ancestry (AfricanAncestry.com), the pioneers of single lineage genetic ancestry tracing for people of African descent. This collaboration offers language classes specifically designed for African Ancestry testers, fostering a deeper connection to cultural roots and heritages in Africa.
Starting fall 2024 the Nigerian Center will provide a variety of language classes, including Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa languages exclusively for African Ancestry customers. The classes are tailored to meet the needs and interests of members who have traced their ancestry to Nigeria using the MatriClan DNA Test Kit and/or the PatriClan DNA Test Kit.
"We are thrilled to partner with African Ancestry to offer these language classes, especially as we see a growing number of Americans with Nigerian ancestry and a rising curiosity about Nigerian culture in America. This collaboration is not just about learning a new language; it's about reconnecting with one's heritage and strengthening cultural identity. We believe that understanding the language of your ancestors can provide a profound sense of empowerment." Gbenga Ogunjimi, Executive Director, Nigerian Center.
“We continually seek out ways to deepen and enhance connections to Africa through testing, education, and experiences,” said Dr. Gina Paige, president and co-founder of AfricanAncestry.com. “This unprecedented partnership underscores that commitment through the expertise and offerings of the Nigerian Center,” said Dr. Paige.
The language classes will be open for registration starting August 2024.
To arrange an interview or learn more, please contact Adejumoke Ojo at info@nigeriancenter.org or call 202-330-0352. For more information about the Nigerian Center language program, please visit www.nigeriancenter.org/languageclasses
About Nigerian Center:
The Nigerian Center Inc. (501c3) is the first immigrant and cultural center for the Nigerian diaspora in the United States. The Nigerian Center's mission is to offer financial inclusion and social justice opportunities for members of the African immigrant community. We educate, empower, uplift, and assist all immigrant families in acclimating to life in the United States through policy advocacy, cultural, legal aid services, entrepreneurship, and homeownership opportunities. The Nigerian Center is dedicated to promoting and preserving Nigerian culture and providing access to all things Nigerian in the United States.
About African Ancestry:
Founded in 2003 by Dr. Rick Kittles and Dr. Gina Paige, African Ancestry is the world leader in tracing maternal and paternal lineages of African descent. With the industry’s largest and most comprehensive database of indigenous African DNA samples, African Ancestry determines specific countries and ethnic groups of origin with an unrivaled level of detail, accuracy, and confidence. African Ancestry is committed to providing a unique service to the black community by working daily to improve the cultural, emotional, physical, spiritual, and economic wellbeing.
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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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Studio Visit with Yifat Bezalel
Oyiza Adaba stops by artist Yifat Bezalel’s studio in Manhattan during her residency program in New York.
By Oyiza Adaba, New York
Oyiza Adaba visits artist from Israel Yifat Bezalel, at her Manhattan studio during her residency program in New York. The soft-spoken Bezalel is trained as a classical and academic artist, and over the years she has established her unique technique. In her work process she superimposes semi transparent pencil layers of figurative and realistic images creating surreal realms. Her works have often been described as having an ethereal quality to them.
Yifat Bezalel, a classically trained artist with her unique technique of superimposing semi transparent pencil layers. (Photo: Africa-Related)
PHOTOS BY AFRICA-RELATED
PHOTOS: THE DAILY NEWS BUILDING, New York
Oyiza Adaba captures a glimpse of the ground floor of the historic Daily News Building in midtown Manhattan.
By Oyiza Adaba, New York
The Daily News Building, also known as The News Building, is a skyscraper at 220 East 42nd Street in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. The original building was designed by architects Raymond Hood and John Mead Howells in the Art Deco style, and was erected between 1928 and 1930.Wikipedia. Oyiza Adaba captures a glimpse of the ground floor of the historic Daily News Building in midtown Manhattan.
FACTSHEET
Address: 220 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017
Floors: 36
Architects: Raymond Hood, John Mead Howells
Height: 476′
Opened: July 23, 1930
Source: Wikipedia
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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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SUDAN'S TWO WARLORDS: The Worst Displacement And Humanitarian Crisis Yet
Amidst the ongoing war in the Middle East and Ukraine, the rise of anti-government protests, mass migration and general global tensions, there is a "forgotten" war that is yet to garner as much media coverage. Two strategic events took place in the U.S. this week, to bring the much needed attention to the ongoing war in Sudan.
By Oyiza Adaba, New York
Amidst the ongoing war in the Middle East and Ukraine, the rise of anti-government protests, mass migration and general global tensions, there is a "forgotten" war that is yet to garner as much media coverage. Two strategic events took place in the U.S. this week, to bring the much needed attention to the ongoing war in Sudan
Stock Photo: Tom Rogers @tomtookaphoto
Rival factions fighting in Sudan's two-year war that started on 15 April 2023, have brought the central African country to its knees in one of the worst displacement and humanitarian crises ever seen. The Sudanese Armed Forces under Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces under the Janjaweed leader, Hemedti are complicit in causing mass migration that has triggered famine in some parts of the country.
Screenshot: Washington Post Live
On July 30th, U.S. media giant, Washington Post hosted a live conversation on Sudan's current situation. The forum enabled top diplomats and humanitarian experts to come together and proffer solutions to a crisis, "forgotten". At this gathering, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, together with top global experts like Comfort Ero, President & CEO, International Crisis Group, participated in the discussion.
World Vision CEO, Edgar Sandoval Sr. has described it as "the largest humanitarian and hunger crisis in the world", because the warring factions continue to block humanitarian aid, have weaponized food and play the blame game with each other.
In a separate development on July 31, 2024, the Sudanese American Physicians Association (SAPA) held a press briefing with members of the foreign press, to drive home some hard-hitting, first-hand facts about the ongoing conflict.
Dr. Yasir Elamin, a Sudanese/American is an assistant professor in the Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, at the University of Texas MD Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, and president of SAPA. He and his colleagues conducts regular medical missions to the region, with his last trip being June 2024. His words paint a grim and desperate picture.
“The health care system in Sudan has been devastated. Almost 70 percent of healthcare facilities are damaged or non-operational, often targeted in attacks. Tragically, at least 30 healthcare professionals have lost their lives since the conflict began. Access to aid and information is frequently obstructed, compounding the crisis.”
Ms. Razan Zaroug, a planning, monitoring & evaluation specialist with the Sudanese American Physicians Association based in Sudan reiterated Elamin’s points, highlighting the immediate danger for the mission's ground team which creates strategic and operational plans, monitors and evaluates implementation and impact.
With the backdrop of a potentially expanded war or a negotiated peace, 4 million Sudanese children are acutely malnourished, parts of the country are on the brink of famine and up to 25.6 million people are facing food insecurity.
According to the U.S Department of State, the total U.S. humanitarian assistance for the Sudan emergency response was nearly $710 million in Fiscal Year 2023.
In January 2024, The United States. brought sanctions on funding sources fueling the conflict. Clearly, more needs to be done. How Sudan continues to fall under the world's radar in the shadow of other topical news items like the Middle East and Ukraine, is best summed by Amb. Greenfield…
“It’s Africa and people don’t pay as much attention to Africa as they pay to other parts of the world.”
Inside CONSUMER REPORTS America
How well are you protected as a consumer, given the vast array of products we consume everyday? In this special report, Oyiza Adaba, examines Consumer Reports America, an 87 year-old non-profit institution that has been championing consumer rights - from food to flying cars.
By Oyiza Adaba, New York
How well are you protected as a consumer, given the vast array of products you consume everyday? In this special report, Oyiza Adaba, examines Consumer Reports America, an 87 year-old non-profit institution that has been championing consumer rights - from food to flying cars.
Copies of yearly consumer reports by over an 87-year period. (Photo: Africa-Related)
Yonkers, New York is approximately 30 minutes from Midtown Manhattan. It is the hometown of Denzel Washington and Consumer Reports, an 87-year old independent non-profit organization in the United States that has a long history of working to advance truth, transparency, and fairness in the marketplace. With its independent, evidence-based research and testing, Consumer Reports empowers and informs consumers, incentivizes corporations to act responsibly, and helps policymakers prioritize the rights and interests of consumers in order to shape a consumer-driven marketplace.
This exclusive opportunity was for Foreign Press members to be briefed by Marta L. Tellado, President & CEO, Consumer Reports, and discussed consumer behaviors and how Consumer Reports informs consumer decisions. Ms. Tellado who has led America’s foremost consumer organization since 2014 and also explained how Consumer Reports is working to ensure a consumer-first approach to AI and the advocacy programs that help consumers can feel transparency, accuracy, and fairness
Other briefers were Lilian Kayizzi, Vice President of Research, Testing and Insights, Consumer Reports, who explained the depth of research by the organization. Jake Fisher, a Senior Director, Auto Test Center, gave insights to the Connecticut Testing 327-acre site, which is the largest independent automotive test site devoted to consumer interests.
The Briefers
The TOUR
Visiting journalists got an opportunity to tour CR’s consumer product and service testing center that houses over 60 state-of-the-art labs with over 130 researchers, scientists, engineers, and testing experts. In the coming fiscal year, CR expects to spend more than $30 million to test, rate, and review 9,000+ products and services. The tour included the following stops:
Auto Demonstration: A first-hand look at what drivers can and cannot see behind the wheel in some of America's most popular SUVs and trucks. Being 5.1, I proved the perfect candidate for this demo
Robotic Vacuum Lab: How well robotic vacuums perform at simple tasks like cleaning carpets and floors, and the data the machines collect about your home.
Rec Lab: Bike helmets are supposed to protect your head, but we'll show you how not all are created equal. Plus, experience the CR-invented machine that tests how long treadmills are supposed to last.
Inside the Rec Lab at Consumer Reports with the testing team. (Photo by Africa-Related)
My colleagues and I spent some time quizzing the team at the video doorbell lab where CR uncovered that popular video doorbells could be hacked by a young child.
In an era where fake products have flooded global trade, the agency continues to operate alongside global counterparts across various exchange platforms to ensure uniformity of vision.. The question now is, how does your country's consumer protection agency function? Do they live up to their name and objective of 'protecting the consumer'?
Video Report: By Africa-Related
PHOTOS BY AFRICA-RELATED
RELATED STORIES: Consumer Reports Part II: Rec Lab Team - A Candid Conversation
The #endbadgovernance Protest in New York
The #endbadgovernance protest in front of Nigeria House on 2nd Avenue New York, where only a handful of protesters showed up. They however made their demands clear under the watchful eye of the NYPD.
New York, NY
August 1, 2024
The #endbadgovernance
protest in front of Nigeria House on 2nd Avenue New York, where only a handful of protesters showed up. They however made their demands clear under the watchful eye of the NYPD. Their demands include a review of the country's 1999 constitution.
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CARIBBEAN FIESTA 2024 IN LAGOS
The long-anticipated Caribbean Tropical Fiesta 2024 hosted by Nigerian West Indian Association took place on Saturday the 20th of July at the Whitesands School in Lekki Lagos, Nigeria. The venue was colorful and the ambiance was nothing short of breathtaking.
By Patricia Igho - Lagos, Nigeria
The long-anticipated Caribbean Tropical Fiesta 2024 hosted by Nigerian West Indian Association took place on Saturday the 20th of July at the Whitesands School in Lekki Lagos, Nigeria. The venue was colorful and the ambiance was nothing short of breathtaking.
The bustling scenes took me down memory lane sometime in the early 1990s, when we would have yearly carnivals with different zones in Lagos, competing to win 'best costume' etc. Back then we had super talented 'aunties' who would make the glamorous costumes from scratch.
These gatherings organised by Caribbean wives of Nigerian men living in Nigeria, formed some of the most memorable times in my life. We would dance to calypso music all the way from our different zones at Tafawa Balewa Square on Lagos Island. Big brands like Coca-cola were consistent with their sponsorship.
Carnival as we knew it, came to an abrupt end in ‘92 due to some political issues in Nigeria I'd rather not revisit. It is a sad time when a culture is allowed to diminish or die.
Mini fiestas however continued to hold at every opportunity during private meetings and gatherings of friends and family, weddings, funerals, birthdays, and who can forget the bazaars organised by our special ‘Aunties’. The aroma of delicious snacks and food filling the air. Many Island cultures are represented here in Lagos. Escovitch fish was my personal favorite.
Fast forward to 2024. After three decades and much deliberation, the Nigerian West Indian Association is considering bringing back the Carnival. A lot has happened in that time, some families have relocated, a lot of 'aunties' have lost their husbands and moved back to their Caribbean home countries. That's not to say that there's a scarcity of able hands. The next generation of children and grandchildren are getting the idea for continuation. This is not a culture we would like to be forgotten.
The fiesta was an opportunity for people to have a taste of West Indian culture. The venue was decorated with real colorful flowers. There were stalls all across the hall, with displays of food, clothing and spices to name a few. The venue buzzed with activities, dance, games, a raffle draw, as the sound of Soca music filled the air. I took note of a few veterans of Lagos, as they beamed with nostalgia.
The full day event slowly wound down as evening came. It was a success and plans are underway for another event later in the year.
Recommended Read
The NigerWives of Nigeria by Pat Oyelola is a book that documents the history, activities, experiences and lives of a group of foreign women who are married to Nigerian men and came together under the umbrella of their association, Nigerwives. Nigerwives was formed as an association to facilitate the smooth integration of foreign wives of Nigerians into Nigerian society, to provide friendship and support for one another, and to establish or assist in social projects that would benefit the Nigerian community.
Patricia Igho is of Nigeria/St. Vincent & The Grenadines parentage, and lives in Lagos.
Photos by Uzo Agafie
