Akolisa Ufodike: Changing the Face of Public Policy and Administration in Canada
In the corridors of Canadian public administration, few figures embody excellence, resilience, and leadership like Professor Akolisa Udofike. This legend was born in Maiduguri to parents from Anambra State (Colonel Leonard and Ebele Ufodike). He has risen from the disciplined grounds of the Nigeria Defence Academy Kaduna where he studied Physics to become a pioneering academic, public servant, and policy strategist whose influence spans boardrooms, classrooms, and cabinet rooms. Now a dual-appointed Associate Professor at York University, Ufodike teaches across both the School of Administrative Studies and the School of Public Policy and Administration. His academic presence extends into York’s graduate program in Public Policy, Administration, and Law, where he leads the charge on public sector finance, grooming the next generation of policymakers and fiscal stewards. His achievement does not stop at academia. Prof Akolisa Ufodike holds an MBA from Cornell University, a PhD from Haskayne School of Business, and an alphabet soup of top-tier certifications: FCPA (Canada), CPA (U.S.), FCCA (UK), a Certified Fraud Examiner, and a Certified Director (ICD.D) through the Institute of Corporate Directors that speaks to both the breadth and depth of his financial and governance expertise. Before embracing academia, he clocked over 25 years as …
Uzo Aduba Breaks the Mold and Builds New Paths in Hollywood
Uzo Aduba, an award-winning actress celebrated for her remarkable versatility and depth, has continually defied convention while blazing new trails in Hollywood. Aduba was born on February 10, 1981, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Nigerian parents of Igbo heritage and was raised in the predominantly white town of Medfield. Embracing both her American environment and Nigerian cultural roots, she cultivated a strong sense of identity early in life. A 1999 graduate of Medfield High School, Aduba pursued classical voice at Boston University, where she also showcased her athletic abilities in track and field. Although her early passions spanned both music and sports, her dedication to the arts would ultimately steer her toward the stage and screen. Aduba’s early theatre career was marked by significant achievements. Her performance in Translations of Xhosa at the Olney Theatre Center in 2003 earned her a Helen Hayes Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Resident Play. She went on to appear in The Seven at New York Theatre Workshop in 2006 and again in 2008 at La Jolla Playhouse, playing the role of Amphiarus. In 2007, she made her Broadway debut as Toby in Coram Boy at the Imperial Theatre, followed by a role in 2011–12, Broadway revival of Godspell, where she performed “By My Side”. …
Wunmi Mosaku: Championing Black Stories with Depth and Dignity
Wunmi Mosaku is acting and articulating history, identity, and untold truths. With every role, she carries the weight of stories often left in the margins, transforming them into riveting centrepieces of modern cinema and television. Olawumi Mosaku was born on July 31, 1986 in Zaria, Nigeria. She was the daughter of Yoruba professors who valued intellect and culture. Her family’s move to Manchester, England, when she was just a year old, set her on a path of blending Nigerian culture with British upbringing. Her early years were filled with music, as she spent over a decade singing with the Manchester Girls’ Choir. She attended Trinity Church of England High School and Xaverian Sixth Form College for her secondary education. Though her father eventually returned to Nigeria and her mother built a business in the UK, Mosaku’s foundation remained solid, rooted in perseverance and art. She honed her craft at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), graduating in 2007 with a BA in Acting. Her professional stage debut followed that same year at the Arcola Theatre in a production of Pedro Calderón de la Barca’s The Great Theatre of the World. By 2008, she was already working under the direction of Rupert Goold in Rough …
Kwame Onwuachi: When Passion Meets Flavor in the Kitchen
Kwame Onwuachi, the James Beard Award-winning chef, has carved out a bold legacy in the culinary world by fusing personal history with a passion for flavor. Kwame was born on November 11, 1989 in Long Island, New York and raised in the Bronx. His path was shaped by hardship, resilience, and ultimately, a deep connection to his cultural roots. When he was ten years old, following behavioral struggles, Owuachi’s mother sent him to live with his grandfather in Nigeria. Though initially unhappy with the decision, he later credited the two-year experience with igniting his early love for African cuisine. Upon returning to the U.S., Onwuachi’s journey continued to be turbulent. He was expelled from multiple schools before graduating from Bronx Leadership Academy. A brief stint at the University of Bridgeport ended in expulsion due to drug dealing. His turning point came in 2010, when he moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to live with his mother. There, Kwame Onwuachi took a job cooking on a boat and feeding workers cleaning up the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The experience rekindled his love for cooking. Later that year, he returned to New York City, waited tables at Tom Colicchio’s Craft, and launched his …
Jerry Fisayo-Bambi: The Face of a New Era in Broadcast Journalism
Jerry Fisayo-Bambi is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most dynamic media professionals. As a journalist, producer, news anchor, and show host, his work has informed and inspired audiences across the globe. From the studios of Africanews and Euronews (DSTV 417 and 414), Jerry has become a trusted voice in the continent and beyond, currently residing in Lyon, France. He was born on December 8, 1987 in Lagos, Nigeria and his journey to international recognition is rooted in his passion for journalism and a strong ideological commitment to pan-Africanism. His love for travel, sports, and literature complements a career built on advocacy, ethics and excellence. Over the years, his work has consistently spotlighted socio-economic issues, innovation, and governance across Africa, earning him accolades and global recognition. Jerry Fisayo-Bambi graduated from the University of Lagos in 2011 with a Bachelor’s degree in Science Education (Mathematics) before pursuing a Higher National Diploma in Mass Communication/Media Studies at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism. He later completed a Master’s degree in Media Ethics and Social Change at the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom. This academic path speaks to his focus on storytelling as a force for transformation. His career began in Nigeria, …
Salwa Eid Naser: The Queen of 400m Charged Up to Reign Again
In the electrifying world of track and field, few athletes have made as loud and lasting an impact as Salwa Eid Naser. Truly, some names are whispered with reverence, etched in the memory of fans, feared by competitors, and forever engraved in the history books. Salwa Eid Naser is one of those names too. Salwa’s story began far from the roaring crowds and bright lights of international stadiums. Her journey, like many great champions, started in humble surroundings and an unshakable will to win. After switching allegiance to Bahrain, she rose rapidly through the ranks to become a global force in the 400 metres. Doha 2019: A Race for the Ages In a stunning performance at the 2019 World Athletics Championships, Salwa Eid Naser ran the 400m in 48.14 seconds, the third-fastest time ever recorded in the history of the event. She left the world speechless, dethroning the then-reigning Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo and announcing herself as the new face of women’s one-lap sprinting. She became the youngest-ever 400m world champion and the first woman representing an Asian nation to win gold in that category. At that moment, Naser didn’t just win a race; she made history at age …
Kelvin Amayo: Key to Rivers Hoopers’ Rise and BAL Season 5 Hopes
There’s something about Kelvin Amayo that makes you stop to watch. It’s not just the sharp crossovers or the clutch three-pointers. It’s the way he carries himself with the quiet confidence of someone who has been to places, seen things, and is still hungry for more. When Amayo steps into the court, you’re not just seeing a basketball player. You’re seeing a story, one of grit, passion, and homecoming. Born in Montreal, Amayo’s life has been anything but ordinary. He left home young, chasing a dream that would take him from the chilly courts of St. Benedict’s Prep in New Jersey to faraway gyms in Iran, Mali, and Libya. But for all the places he’s played, Nigeria has always felt like unfinished business. And now, back with Rivers Hoopers, he’s making it count. More Than Just a Jersey Number His return to Nigeria wasn’t just a transfer, it was a statement. After years of globe-trotting, he came home with one mission: elevate the game. And that’s exactly what he’s done. In 2024, Amayo rejoined Rivers Hoopers and immediately became the engine behind their most successful season so far. The team clinched third place at the BAL, the highest in franchise …
Quadri Aruna: Africa’s Table Tennis King at WTT Star Contender Chennai
In the fast-paced and highly competitive world of table tennis, Quadri Aruna has firmly established himself as a force to reckon with. The Nigerian star has spent years raising the flag of African table tennis on the global stage. Now, he found himself in another major battle as he competed against the best players in the world at the 2025 WTT Star Contender Chennai. As Africa’s highest-ranked player, Aruna has consistently proven his mettle, as he went into competition against the world’s best. His latest challenge came at the 2025 WTT Star Contender Chennai in India, a prestigious tournament featuring top-ranked table tennis stars. A Battle Among the Best The WTT Star Contender Chennai, held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, brought together some of the finest players from around the globe. With a prize pool of $275,000, the event attracted elite names like Japan’s world No. 3 Tomokazu Harimoto and Brazil’s world No. 5 Hugo Calderano. As a top seed in the tournament, Aruna had high expectations, with fans eager to see him dominate on the big stage once again. A Painful Exit in the Round of 32 Despite his reputation as Africa’s Table Tennis King, Aruna’s journey in …
Catharsis in Every Note: How “Lonely Without You” Tells Juliera’s Story
Music has long been a vessel for emotional release, a medium where pain and healing coexist. For Nigerian-born artist Opeyemi Juliet Simon, professionally known as Juliera, music isn’t just a passion, it’s a sanctuary. Juliera’s latest single, “Lonely Without You,” is more than just a song, it’s an intimate journey through love, loss, and self-discovery, beautifully wrapped in the soothing embrace of R&B. A Journey Through Pain and Healing Born and raised in Nigeria, she grew up with a deep appreciation for music, writing her first song at 16 years old. However, her artistic aspirations remained behind the scenes for years. She carved out a niche as a ghost songwriter on platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and SoundBetter, lending her lyrical talents to others while keeping her own voice in the shadows. Life, however, had other plans. A challenging divorce and the weight of an abusive marriage became a turning point. Instead of succumbing to the pain, Juliera found catharsis in music—an avenue to release, reflect, and reclaim her identity. “Lonely Without You” is a direct result of this journey, a song that embodies both heartbreak and empowerment. A Song That Speaks to the Soul “Lonely Without You” is a …
Fransax: The Gospel Sax Maestro
Some musicians play instruments, but Fransax wields his saxophone like a divine channel that connects his audience to celestial realms. Upon checking out his performances on his social platforms, I came to the conclusion that his music isn’t just sound but an experience, a journey into worship that stirs the soul and lifts the spirit. The Ogun state-born talent has become a force in gospel music, known for his ability to infuse African highlife, jazz, reggae, and contemporary worship into a seamless symphony of praise. Whether on the grand stages of Nigeria’s biggest churches or ministering to thousands in the United Kingdom, his saxophone has one mission—to inspire, heal, and bring people into the presence of God. More Than Just Music: A Ministry in Motion For Fransax, playing the saxophone is more than a skill, it’s a calling. His music carries an undeniable anointing, capable of turning any gathering into a spiritual encounter. He doesn’t just perform in churches, he brings the same depth of worship to weddings, engagements, and special occasions, proving that gospel music belongs everywhere. Fransax’s ability to blend different styles sets him apart. His smooth, jazzy worship invites reflection, while his energetic African highlife tunes spark …
