Month: May 2019

World Wrestling Entertainment champion, Kofi Kingston, visits Ghana

World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) champion, Kofi Kingston, has returned to Ghana for the first time in 26 years with a message to inspire the youth and Ghanaians to have big dreams and work toward them.

The champion has paid a courtesy call on President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House.

Continue reading “World Wrestling Entertainment champion, Kofi Kingston, visits Ghana”

There Are Few Resources to Help African Migrants at the Mexican Border

The number of Eritreans and Cameroonians detained in Mexico has been steadily increasing over the past five years. But they haven’t tapped into many of the resources available to Central American and Mexican migrants for a variety of reasons, including language and other cultural barriers. They also encounter unique hurdles when navigating the asylum process in the United States.

By Maya Srikrishnan

Continue reading “There Are Few Resources to Help African Migrants at the Mexican Border”

Masai Ujiri got Toronto Raptors to the NBA Finals while also focusing on Africa

Creating opportunities for more African players like Pascal Siakam and Serge Ibaka has become his passion.

By William Rhoden


Toronto Raptors team president Masai Ujiri takes pains to keep himself out of the limelight. This was an easy task a decade ago when Ujiri was early in his career as a globe-trotting scout and aspiring front-office executive.

Continue reading “Masai Ujiri got Toronto Raptors to the NBA Finals while also focusing on Africa”

New Wave of Middle-Class Emigration Deepens Nigeria’s Skill Shortage

  • Canada is an increasingly preferred destination of emigrants
  • Number of Nigerians overstaying U.S. visitor visas quadruples

By Tope Alake

A new wave of emigration among Nigeria’s middle class is robbing the oil-rich West African nation of skills and putting local recruitment under pressure.

Continue reading “New Wave of Middle-Class Emigration Deepens Nigeria’s Skill Shortage”

Ghanaian government is making headway in efforts to reverse US visa restrictions

By Magdalene Teiko Larnyoh

Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States of America, Dr Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah, says the government is making some progress in its quest to reverse visa restrictions imposed on the country by the United States government.

Continue reading “Ghanaian government is making headway in efforts to reverse US visa restrictions”

Nigerian sends Canada’s only NBA team to its first final in history

By Francis Akhalbey

On Sunday, the Toronto Raptors made history when they beat the Milwaukee Bucks 100 – 94 to qualify for its first ever NBA playoff finals in its history.

Continue reading “Nigerian sends Canada’s only NBA team to its first final in history”

The Future of Africa’s diaspora is in Africa

By Akinyi Ochieng and Gregory Thwaites

With over 30 million Africans living outside of their home countries, migration will play a big role in shaping Africa’s future. While the vibrant and growing diaspora communities in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom and France are gaining in visibility, it is communities of Africans within Africa that will have the most transformative impact on the region’s future.

Continue reading “The Future of Africa’s diaspora is in Africa”

Egyptian-Canadian produces “Free Trip to Egypt” to allay fears of a Muslim country

By Karris Golden

Tarek Mounib knows he scares people. In the eyes of some, he is the embodiment of terror. Some fear his religion, which is Islam. Some also fear his ethnicity: He was born and raised in Canada by parents who emigrated from Egypt to Canada. Growing up in 1970s Halifax, Nova Scotia, Mounib’s was the only Muslim family in the neighborhood.

Continue reading “Egyptian-Canadian produces “Free Trip to Egypt” to allay fears of a Muslim country”

642 Ghanaians deported from the United States

By Priscilla Aklorbortu

A report on the activities of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in the 2018 fiscal year shows that 642 Ghanaians were deported from the United States between 2016 and 2018.

Continue reading “642 Ghanaians deported from the United States”

200 African Americans to get Ghanaian citizenship

By Salomey Appiah-Adje

Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is set to grant Ghanaian citizenship to more than 200 members African-Americans residing in the country. The the ceremonies marking the conferment of citizenship will take place this month.

Read more from source

Kenya rapper, King Kaka, to Feature Selena Gomez in His Upcoming Movie

By Amina Wako

American singer, actress and producer Selena Marie Gomez will feature in the latest movie by Kenyan rapper King Kaka.

King Kaka met Selena about a week ago at the Cannes Film Festival becoming the first Kenyan artiste to grace the festival in its 72 years of existence.

Continue reading “Kenya rapper, King Kaka, to Feature Selena Gomez in His Upcoming Movie”

‘Call me American’ Portland resident who escaped war-torn Somalia shares story

Abdi Nor Iftin will discuss his new memoir, “Call Me American,” Tuesday, June 4, at 5:30 p.m. at the Southwest Harbor Public Library.

Iftin lives in Portland where he works as an interpreter for other Somalis in Maine. He was recently accepted to the University of Southern Maine, where he plans to study political science.

“Call Me American” is the true story of Iftin’s survival of in war-ravaged Mogadishu, Somalia, and his journey to America.

Continue reading “‘Call me American’ Portland resident who escaped war-torn Somalia shares story”

Netflix acquires Senegalese Cannes Film Festival’s ‘Grand Prix’ winner

Netflix has signaled that Africa holds massive untapped potential for their expansion — and even Thierry Fremaux recognizes the continent is about to have a filmmaking explosion.

By Tambay Obenson


 Netflix has acquired worldwide rights (excluding China, Benelux, Switzerland, Russia, France) to French-Senegalese filmmaker Mati Diop’s feature debut, the award winning “Atlantics,” which premiered at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, where it was awarded the Grand Prix.

Continue reading “Netflix acquires Senegalese Cannes Film Festival’s ‘Grand Prix’ winner”

Raptors’ revelation: Cameroonian Pascal Siakam ‘has the spirit our game needs’

BY Marc J. Spears

Cameroon born Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam, who was recently named a finalist for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award, is focused on helping his team make its first Finals appearance in franchise history.

Continue reading “Raptors’ revelation: Cameroonian Pascal Siakam ‘has the spirit our game needs’”

Nigeria Begins Registration of its Citizens in United States

By Dipo Olowookere

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), an agency that registers Nigerians on a national database, has commenced the registration of Nigerians living in the United States of America (USA).

The registration is part of the agencies commitment to include Nigerians in Diaspora into the National Identity Database. At the moment, the scheme covers those living in Nigeria, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

Continue reading “Nigeria Begins Registration of its Citizens in United States”

Kenyan activist appointed to Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation ‘Goalkeepers Advisory Board’

Kenyan Scheaffer Okore is appointed to a ten member board that includes two Nigerians, Blessing Omakwu-Soremekun, Angel Adelaja and a Moroccan, Radia Cheikh Lahlou

By John Wanjohi

Continue reading “Kenyan activist appointed to Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation ‘Goalkeepers Advisory Board’”

Meet the Ethiopian-American Economic Hitman from Wall Street to Poverty Street in the no man’s land

How a little-known Wall Street sovereign fund manager ended up as a CEO of the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency to give development and transparency a whole different meaning.

By Teshome Debalke

Continue reading “Meet the Ethiopian-American Economic Hitman from Wall Street to Poverty Street in the no man’s land”

Minnesota Legislature elects Mike Kenyanya to university Board of Regents

Kenyan-American Mike Kenyanya, 22, was elected to a six-year term on the University of Minnesota Board of Regents

By Cynthia Simba

Newly elected regent Mike Kenyanya has a lot to look forward to. Upon completion of his bachelor’s degree, Kenyanya has been awarded one of Minnesota’s highest seats in public education.

Continue reading “Minnesota Legislature elects Mike Kenyanya to university Board of Regents”

DanceAfrica celebrates Rwandan rebirth/renewal in New York

By Zita Allen

Abdel Salaam, artistic director of BAM’S DanceAfrica, has announced that when the 42-year-old festival, founded by the late Baba Chuck Davis, returns to the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Memorial Day weekend (May 24 – 27) it will highlight a dramatic international story of rebirth, reconciliation and transformation in the African nation of Rwanda.

Continue reading “DanceAfrica celebrates Rwandan rebirth/renewal in New York”

All-girls robotics team from Ghana wins World Robofest Championship in the U.S.

By Ismail Akwei

An all-girls robotics team from Ghana has won the senior division of the World Robofest Championship in the United States. They won the topmost position by beating teams from the United States, Mexico, Egypt, South Korea and dozens of others.

Continue reading “All-girls robotics team from Ghana wins World Robofest Championship in the U.S.”

Yale University honors Nigerian Chimamanda Adichie, Zimbabwean Strive Masiyiwa, and Kenyan Elephant activist, Cynthia Moss with doctorates

Yale University presented honorary degrees to 11 individuals who have achieved distinction in their fields at its 318th graduation ceremony recenty. Among the honorees were Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie, Zimbabwean owner of Econet Wireless, Strive MAsiyiwa and Cynthia Moss, an American who has dedicated her life to the welfare of Kenya’s Amboseli elephants.

Continue reading “Yale University honors Nigerian Chimamanda Adichie, Zimbabwean Strive Masiyiwa, and Kenyan Elephant activist, Cynthia Moss with doctorates”

4 Nigerians among 166 Recipients of Canada’s Vanier Graduate Scholarships

By BellaNaija.com

 Four Nigerians, Effoduh Okechukwu JakeOnu Charles; Onifade Temitope; and Taiwo Bello are among 166 recipients of the 2019 Vanier Scholarships for student pursuing doctoral studies in Canada.

The Canadian government announced the award, valued at $50,000 per year, to graduate students who demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement.

Continue reading “4 Nigerians among 166 Recipients of Canada’s Vanier Graduate Scholarships”

The 26th New York African Film Festival opens at Lincoln Center May 30 – June 4

By Wilson Morales

The 26th New York African Film Festival(NYAFF) kicks off at BAM Film on Thursday, May 23, and runs through Monday, May 27, as a part of BAM’s popular dance and music festival.

The popular festival includes 68 films of multiple genres from 31 countries across the diaspora, and is presented by FLC and African Film Festival, Inc. (AFF).

Continue reading “The 26th New York African Film Festival opens at Lincoln Center May 30 – June 4”

Ethiopian-American Liya Kebede joins Naomi Campbell to strut at ‘Arise Fashion Week’ in Lagos

Last Month, thousands of international fashion fans, creatives, models, and influencers gathered in Lagos, Nigeria to celebrate Africa’s greatest fashion design talents at the annual Arise Fashion Week.

High-profile guest, supermodels Naomi CampbellLiya Kebede, and Alton Mason were spotted hitting the runway in looks by Nigerian designer Bridget Awosika and 2019 LVMH finalist, Kenneth Ize.

Continue reading “Ethiopian-American Liya Kebede joins Naomi Campbell to strut at ‘Arise Fashion Week’ in Lagos”

Volunteers in Lincoln help ease the way for South Sudanese in Massachusetts

By Heather Beasley Doyle

In May 2001, Lincoln resident Susan Winship organized a presentation introducing a group of South Sudanese refugees to fellow Massachusetts residents. The arrival of “the lost boys of Sudan,” as the 150 young men were known (five women were also part of the group) — thousands of young men who had fled their homeland on foot a decade and a half earlier during the country’s second civil war–had been widely covered in the media.

Continue reading “Volunteers in Lincoln help ease the way for South Sudanese in Massachusetts”

Asylum Claims Triple in Canada Over the Past Two Years

The number of people seeking asylum in Canada more than tripled over a two-year period and reached a monthly peak in August 2017 when thousands crossed illegally from the US, Statistics Canada said on Friday.

Continue reading “Asylum Claims Triple in Canada Over the Past Two Years”

Nigerian, American duo get Princeton’s backing for their venture capital fund

By Janet Lorin, Bloomberg

One morning in May 2018, two venture capitalists rented a Zipcar in Midtown Manhattan. They picked a 300-Class Mercedes on special for $15 an hour, perfect for the occasion and their tight budget. On a pilgrimage to suburban New Jersey, Aaron Holiday and Nnamdi Okike were heading to the audience of a lifetime.

Continue reading “Nigerian, American duo get Princeton’s backing for their venture capital fund”

Sudanese American Graduates With 5 Siblings in Attendance

By Voice of America

Five siblings gathered in Storm Lake this weekend to watch their youngest brother graduate from high school, decades after their parents emigrated from war-torn Sudan to the United States.

Continue reading “Sudanese American Graduates With 5 Siblings in Attendance”

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, ranked among Fortune Magazine’s annual list of the world’s greatest leaders

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote has been rated one of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders in 2019. The Nigerian is the only billionaire and philanthropist from the continent on the list, clinching 11th position among several other top world leaders.

Continue reading “Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, ranked among Fortune Magazine’s annual list of the world’s greatest leaders”