How Jimi Olaghere Conquers Sickle Cell and Is Giving Others Hope
What does it mean to truly overcome adversity, then use that triumph to empower others? For Jimi Olaghere, it was to turn the lifelong battle of sickle cell disease into a powerful platform for change and innovation. Today, as a father, entrepreneur, and global advocate, he is living proof that a personal cure can become a communal mission. Early Struggles and a Life of Limits Jimi Olaghere was born in Nigeria and later moved with his family to New Jersey at a young age. Jimi spent most of his early years in constant pain and frequent hospital trips. He experienced heart attacks, gallbladder removal, and spent up to 80% of his time bedridden for 35 years. Even something as simple as playing soccer meant needing to take frequent breaks. “Sickle cell was like a dream killer for me,” he recalled later. A Second Chance at Life via Gene Editing In 2019, he enrolled in a clinical trial using CRISPR-based gene editing (Casgevy); the world’s very first officially approved CRISPR therapy. Infused in September 2020, the treatment rolled back the clock by restoring fetal hemoglobin production, essentially putting an end to pain crises and eliminating emergency hospital visits. He is now …
Nneka Leiba: The Scientist behind Amazon’s Push for Safer, Smarter Product
When you click on the button “Add to Cart” on Amazon’s website, you are most likely thinking about convenience, price, or shipping speed. But behind the curtain, one woman is rewriting how those products impact human health and the planet. Her name is Nneka Leiba, a scientist, environmental health expert, and the force behind Amazon’s mission to make shopping safer, smarter, and more sustainable for its consumers. Nneka was born and grew up in Jamaica, and her root is connected to Nigeria. Based on her background, she is making use of a global perspective to cause significant changes in one of the largest retail ecosystems in the world. Growing up, from an island that achieves economic growth while being exposed to environmental vulnerability, she understood very early the interconnectedness of health and environment, and especially for communities vulnerable to climate change. As her own family home continues to grapple with record-breaking heat and raging storms, her mission is somewhat personal: reduce toxic exposures, empower smarter choices, and make sustainability something more than a buzzword. Leiba started her career in 2006 at the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a pioneering non-profit organisation renowned for championing consumer protection against toxic chemicals. Working for …
Breaking a 124-Year Barrier: Jason Jackson Becomes Islington’s First Nigerian Mayor
In a turn of events for historical representation and inclusion, Jason Jackson has been sworn in as the first Nigerian-born Mayor of the Islington borough, founded in 1900. His appointment marks an important milestone in the political history of the borough and offers new inspiration to immigrants and underrepresented communities across the UK. Jason Jackson was born in Nigeria’s Akwa Ibom State and grew up attending primary school and Holy Family College in Abak before relocating in his teenage years to the United Kingdom. His education continued in London, where he graduated in Business Law and Media Studies before undertaking a Master’s degree in Big Data in Culture and Society from King’s College London. Even during his student years, Jackson’s dedication to service was evident. As Students’ Union President at the London Metropolitan University, he paved the way for a professional career founded upon leadership and advocacy. He was voted in as a councillor in 2022 and became Chair of Islington’s Homes and Communities Committee after a year. His rapid political ascension was a result of his hard work and the people’s belief in his vision. Apart from his political duties, Mayor Jason Jackson wears many other hats. He is …
Opeyemi Bright: The Youngest Civic Mayor Redefining Leadership in Barking and Dagenham
At the young age of 29, Opeyemi Bright has left her imprint in the history books of Barking and Dagenham as the youngest Civic Mayor in the borough’s history. Her rise to this great office follows a deserving seven-year public service career marked by purpose, drive, and community engagement. Bright started her political career in 2018, being voted in as the youngest Labour councillor in the history of the borough. Since the age of 22 has continued to make significant contribution, driven by a clear vision for young people’s empowerment, social justice, and economic opportunity. A year after being elected on to the council, she was appointed Chair of the Audit and Standards Committee, an early sign of the confidence that her leadership commands. Opeyemi Bright was born in the United Kingdom to Nigerian parents and her upbringing has shaped into a very active practitioner of public service. Her mother, Dr. Councillor Afolasade Bright, was a one-time Civic Mayor of Hackney, whereas her father, Pastor Gbolahan Bright MBE, is a renowned leader of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. They instilled in her the values of discipline, integrity, and service. These are principles that she upholds even in office. Professionally, …
Favour Ofili: The Sprint Queen Breaking Records and Making History
Favour Ofili is one of Nigeria’s most exciting track sensations and finds a place in history as a record-breaking sprinter. She runs the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4×100 meters relay and has consistently proven that she can dominate the track. At the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, Ofili made her Olympic debut in the women’s 200m, making it to the preliminary and semi-final rounds with top-three finishes. She then placed an impressive 6th in the Olympic final which is quite an achievement for a first-time Olympian on the biggest stage in sport. Favour Ofili was born on the 31st of December 2002, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. She began her athletic career in 2014 as a secondary school student in Delta State. She was identified by her high school coach, Anne Otutu, who recognised her early potential and ensured that she honed her skills before moving to the United States to continue her education and athletic career. Ofili was already competing at the international level when she was 16, as a representative of Nigeria for the World Relays in Yokahama. She also participated in the 4x100m and 4x400m relays at the African U-18 Championship. Some of her early successes include …
Award-Winning Innovation: Engineer Oluwaseyi Ola Honoured for Mental Health Solutions
Engineer Oluwaseyi Oluwajuwon Ola, the Executive Officer of BossmanSwift LLC, has been nationally recognised with the Trailblazer Award for Cultural Mental Health Innovation. The award is for his innovative work on a digital platform that is transforming African immigrants and refugee youths in America’s access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment. His innovation, the Trusting Cultural Expansion for Coordinated Community Mental Health Intervention (TECCMEH), is unique in that it is culturally driven. As opposed to most other conventional digital tools that adopt generic solutions, TECCMEH had African youths lived experiences, languages, and cultural contexts at its centre. What is revolutionary in TECCMEH is how it bridges culture and technology. With a background in computer science and a passion for community well-being, Engineer Oluwaseyi Ola designed the platform not so much as a technology service in itself, but as an innovation in how mental healthcare is delivered especially to marginalised communities. The platform provides the opportunity for users to access essential services in Somali, Amharic, Oromo, French, and English languages, promoting dignity, comprehension, and trust in all interactions. Apart from the innovation itself, Engineer Oluwaseyi Ola’s mission also demonstrates increasing awareness of the necessity for culturally responsive care within …
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 …
