Month: April 2022

African Food

‘It feels like I’m home’: Wandebo African Store in St. John’s servicing new Canadians and curious locals

By Andrew Waterman | Saltwire

As a boy growing up in Nigeria, Olusola Adeyemi dreamed of one day owning a store.

But he never imagined it would be on Ropewalk Lane.

“I’ve tried so many businesses, but this idea came in 2020,” he said.

Olusola, his wife, Bolanle, and their five children were living in Toronto when the government-mandated closure of businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic left him without work.

Continue reading “‘It feels like I’m home’: Wandebo African Store in St. John’s servicing new Canadians and curious locals” →
African Food

Sam Osemene’s place is not just an African market, it is a meeting place for African immigrants in Austin, Texas.

By Ebimo Amungo

Sam Osemene and his team must be doing something right. A steady stream of Uber Eats and Door Dash delivery drivers strolled into his restaurant to pick up orders for clients just as plates of an assortment of African dishes were being served to dine-in clients.

Seated on different tables were a potpourri of African immigrants that included Congolese, Cameroonians, Ghanaians, Nigerians and Liberians eating and chatting over beer about their work and life in Austin, Texas.

Continue reading “Sam Osemene’s place is not just an African market, it is a meeting place for African immigrants in Austin, Texas.” →
Uncategorized

Nigerian-Americans Serving in the Biden Administration recognised for their excellence

By Ebimo Amungo

The professionals among the Nigerian community in America recently organised an event where a number Nigerian-Americans in the Biden Administration were recognized for their excellence.

News of the event was brought to light in a tweet by Dr. Ngozi Okonji-Iweala, the Director-General of World Trade Organisation.

Continue reading “Nigerian-Americans Serving in the Biden Administration recognised for their excellence” →
Uncategorized

Family fled violence of Sudan’s civil war only to have sons gunned down in Armory Square

By Rylee Kirk | syracuse.com

Syracuse, N.Y. — Mary and Peter Lual decided to leave Sudan in 2000 to escape a years-long civil war. They took their two boys — Akok, 7, and Lual, 5 ― and made the treacherous trip to Egypt. The family lived in a refugee camp there for five years before moving to the United States.

Mary and Peter Lual made a new life in Syracuse, working three jobs and buying a home in Eastwood. They joined a church and Peter became a deacon. Their family grew to six children.

On Friday night, the couple’s lives were shattered when Akok and Lual were shot on a crowded street in Armory Square along with three other young men.

Continue reading “Family fled violence of Sudan’s civil war only to have sons gunned down in Armory Square” →
Uncategorized

Abimbola Aina|Nigerian-Canadian bodybuilder says dream of pro career made possible by support of community in Regina

By Victoria Idowu | CBC News

When Abimbola Aina came to Regina from a small town in Ogun state in Nigeria, he had little more than a body and a dream.

“My goal was to become a great bodybuilder, but it would not have happened if I was not in a great country like Canada,” Aina said.

“Coming to Canada changed my life.”

Continue reading “Abimbola Aina|Nigerian-Canadian bodybuilder says dream of pro career made possible by support of community in Regina” →
Asylum

A Congolese banker embraces care-giving in New Hampshire

By Gloria B. Anderson and Julie Zimmer | manchesterinklink.com

Mentoring developmentally disabled youth in New Hampshire may not seem like a logical career step for a former bank manager from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

But for Bienfait, a Congolese immigrant – he declines to use his last name for reasons of personal safety — the job is highly satisfying. 

Now residing in Manchester, Bienfait, an applicant for asylum, considers himself blessed to have a job with Sevita, formerly known as the Mentor Network, a nationwide company that provides services to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  

Continue reading “A Congolese banker embraces care-giving in New Hampshire” →
Uncategorized

Patrick Lyoya escaped violence and persecution in Congo only to die in Michigan

By Niraj Warikoo | Detroit Free Press

When the Lyoya family arrived in the U.S. in 2014 after facing years of war and persecution in Africa, the refugees thought they had finally made it.

They had escaped earlier from conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo and were living in Malawi when they won asylum to live in the U.S., part of a growing number of refugees from Congo in Michigan.

Continue reading “Patrick Lyoya escaped violence and persecution in Congo only to die in Michigan” →
Immigration

U.S. Offers Protection to People Who Fled War in Cameroon

By Miriam Jordan | The New York Post

The Biden administration announced on Friday that it would offer temporary protected status to nationals of Cameroon, shielding them from deportation and enabling them to obtain work permits, amid escalating armed conflict that has spawned a humanitarian crisis in the African country.

Some 40,000 nationals of Cameroon, many of whom sought safe haven in the United States in recent years, are expected to be eligible. The largest communities of people from Cameroon are in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area and California.

Continue reading “U.S. Offers Protection to People Who Fled War in Cameroon” →
African Food

At The Green Place in Brooklyn, Fufu is the favorite food of Americans

By Ebimo Amungo

Jollof rice may be the rage but at The Green Place, fufu is the food that is ordered the most by Americans.


Joy Green, owner of this Nigerian restaurant on Rockaway Avenue in Brooklyn, New York, gave this insight with a laud guffaw.


“They also order a lot of okra soup” she added laughing.

Continue reading “At The Green Place in Brooklyn, Fufu is the favorite food of Americans” →
Music

Kay’s ‘Love Nwantiti’ Sets New Record In The U.S

By Bella Ogechukwu | naijaonpoint.com.ng

Raving Nigerian musician and sensational songwriter, Chukwuka Ekweani, popular known as CKay has attained another milestone in his musical career.

The multiple award winning singer officially joins Wizkid as the highest awarded Nigerian acts to sell over 2 million units in the United States Of America. CKay’s smash hit single, ‘Love Nwantiti’ has now sold over 2 million units in the US.

Continue reading “Kay’s ‘Love Nwantiti’ Sets New Record In The U.S” →
Uncategorized

Dikembe Mutombo looks to expand Spire’s global reach

By JOE SCALZO | CRAINS

When Dikembe Mutombo was growing up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), basketball courts were about as common as ski lodges.

The closest basketball court to his house was 90 minutes away… by bus.

“I tell my kids, ‘You’re lucky. You wake up and walk to school five minutes away and there are 10 basketball courts on campus,’” said Mutombo, an 18-year NBA veteran and a member of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall Inducted fame in 2015.

Continue reading “Dikembe Mutombo looks to expand Spire’s global reach” →
Sports

New York Giants sign Nigerian offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka from NFL international pathway program

By PAT LEONARD | NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Maybe one day, Roy Mbaeteka can be the Giants’ Jordan Mailata.

The Giants signed Mbaeteka, a 6-9, 320-pound Nigerian offensive tackle, out of the NFL’s international pathway program on Friday, the team announced.

He has no high school or college football experience. The team says former star Giants pass rusher Osi Umenyiora has mentored Mbaeteka, 22, and first saw him at a camp in Nigeria in May 2021.

Continue reading “New York Giants sign Nigerian offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka from NFL international pathway program” →
Military

In Africa, U.S.-Trained Militaries Are Ousting Civilian Governments in Coups

By Michael M. Phillips | Wall Street Journal

A flurry of military coups across Africa has disrupted the U.S. strategy of enlisting local armies to counter Islamist extremists and other security threats. The U.S. has trained thousands of African soldiers, from infantrymen rehearsing counterterrorism raids on the edge of the Sahara to senior commanders attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The programs are a linchpin of U.S. policy on the continent, intended to help African allies professionalize their armed forces to fight armed opponents both foreign and domestic.

But U.S. commanders have watched with dismay over the past year as military leaders in several African allies—including officers with extensive American schooling—have overthrown civilian governments and seized power for themselves, triggering laws that forbid the U.S. government from providing them with weapons or training.

Continue reading “In Africa, U.S.-Trained Militaries Are Ousting Civilian Governments in Coups” →
Uncategorized

Famous Ghanaian Economist and author, George Ayittey dead

By MyNewsGH

Ghanaian author, lecturer and top Economist who founded the Free Africa Foundation in the United States, George Ayittey has passed on at the age of 77, MyNewsGh.com reports.

A private funeral was held for him on 8th April 2022 at Everly-Wheately Funeral Home 1500 West Bradock Rd in the United States where he lived for most of his life as an academic.

Continue reading “Famous Ghanaian Economist and author, George Ayittey dead” →
African Food

Spice Kitchen wants to change the world with its stellar Nigerian food


By Tim Carman | The Washington Post

Thin strips of beef, dusted with a formidable West African spice blend, are scattered atop a waxy sheet of “The American Times,” a faux newspaper whose motto is “All the News That Changes the World.” The slogan, an obvious riff on the Gray Lady’s 19th-century retort to yellow journalism, seems custom-made for Olumide Shokunbi and Spice Kitchen.


Shokunbi earned his stripes in the restaurant business at Chipotle Mexican Grill, rising to the level of general manager at a store in his native Bowie, Md. The chain left its mark on him, not so much with its approach to customization but with its big-tent philosophy.

Continue reading “Spice Kitchen wants to change the world with its stellar Nigerian food” →
Sports

Onwuzurike named Athlete of the week in US

By Monica Iheakam | The Sun

Nigeria’s Udodi Onwuzurike has earned his first Track Athlete of the week award after his phenomenal performance at the Stanford Invitational last weekend at Cobb Track and Angell Field in USA.

The World U20 champion,last weekend, broke Stanford Univeeity’s  freshman records in both the 100 and 200 meters races  in his collegiate debut running 10.14 in the 100m prelims and topping it  that with a 10.07 in the final, which is No. 2 in America this year.

Continue reading “Onwuzurike named Athlete of the week in US” →
Conferences

Conference on Current Business Issues in African countries ends at Wagner College, New York.

By Ebimo Amungo

A conference on Current Business Issues in African countries has ended in New York. Hosted by Nicolais School of Business at Wagner College, the conference examined the impact of Covid 19 on Supply Chains, Climate Change, Sustainable Development, and Entrepreneurship in Africa.

Participants, at the conference, which ran between the 7th and 8th of April, 2022, were drawn from all over Africa, America and the New York Metropolitan area. The conference was held in a hybrid format with both on-campus and online participation.

Continue reading “Conference on Current Business Issues in African countries ends at Wagner College, New York.” →
Uncategorized

Congolese community mourning the loss of Nzengeli Mfwamba

By Marley Capper | WCIA

URBANA, Ill.- The Congolese community of Champaign County is mourning the loss of a loved family member and friend. His name is Nzengeli Mfwamba. Authorities believe he was stabbed to death by his daughter’s boyfriend, 23-year-old Dominic Fortune.

The stabbing occurred at Peppermill Lane and Brookfield Drive just after midnight. His family said that Mfwamba was getting off work.

Continue reading “Congolese community mourning the loss of Nzengeli Mfwamba” →
Uncategorized

South-African company, My Plastic, wants to make Rogers, Minnesota, its North American headquarters

By Sue Webber | Hometown Source

A new industrial company from South Africa is proposing to locate its North American headquarters in Rogers.

“This is an exciting opportunity, a new venture proposing to come to town,” Jason Ziemer, Rogers City Planner/Community Development coordinator, said at the March 22 Rogers City Council meeting.

MyPlas, a company that recycles plastics and turns them into new materials, plans to lease half of the 400,000-square-foot industrial building formerly occupied by Archway.

Continue reading “South-African company, My Plastic, wants to make Rogers, Minnesota, its North American headquarters” →
Education

Canada sees “70% surge” in students from South Africa

By Pie News

An immigration consultant in South Africa has claimed that students in the country are “increasingly” looking to go to Canada for higher education – with work permits being a key incentive. Studies showed a 70% surge in students heading to Canada to study at various institutions

Nicholas Avramis, who is based in Cape Town, said in a recent interview that studies showed a 70% surge in students heading to Canada to study at various institutions.

Continue reading “Canada sees “70% surge” in students from South Africa” →
Uncategorized

Tope Awotona | Nigeria-Born Techpreneur Who Is One Of America’s Wealthiest Immigrants

By Amy Feldman | Forbes

Tope Awotona, the 40-year-old founder and chief executive of Calendly, leans back in his chair and lets loose a loud guffaw.

“You call it on message, I call it the truth,” he says, slapping his hands on the table. The truth, as Awotona has it, is that everyone needs Calendly, his scheduling software, to lead better, more productive, happier work lives.

Nine years ago, Awotona started Calendly, pouring his life savings of $200,000 into it and later quitting his job selling software for EMC. Today, the company has 10 million users and counts Lyft, Ancestry.com, Indiana University and La-Z-Boy among its customers.

Continue reading “Tope Awotona | Nigeria-Born Techpreneur Who Is One Of America’s Wealthiest Immigrants” →
Awards

Nigerian Professor wins Distinguished Scholar Award in U.S.

By Premium Times

A Nigerian professor, Chris Ogbondah, has won the Distinguished Scholar Award for the 2021-2022 academic year at the University of Northern Iowa in the United States of America. The award is given annually to the lecturer in the university who is most accomplished in scholarly and creative activity.

A letter dated March 11, 2022, which was signed by Gabriela Olivares, Associate Dean, Graduate College of the university, and addressed to Professor Ogbondah said: “The Graduate College is pleased to inform you that the faculty committee for the 2021-2022 Distinguished Scholar Award has selected you as the recipient from a group of excellent nominees.

Continue reading “Nigerian Professor wins Distinguished Scholar Award in U.S.” →
Awards

Nigerian-American Professor Tolu Oyesanya Wins Prestigious American Award in Nursing

by Victor Duru | Legit

History has been made in the US as a Nigerian-American professor emerged the recipient of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) Deborah L. Wilkerson Early Career Award for 2022.

Professor Tolulope Oyesanya was named the recipient of the prestigious award in a tweet by Duke University School of Nursing.

Continue reading “Nigerian-American Professor Tolu Oyesanya Wins Prestigious American Award in Nursing” →
Education

Nigerians studying in Canada hit record high

By Bunmi Bailey | Businessday

Nigerian students are heading to Canada in record numbers despite Nigeria’s economic downturn, according to new data from the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

According to the IRCC data, the number of new study permits for Nigeria increased by 30.3 percent to 13,745 from 10,550 in 2020, making it the ninth most popular source country for international students. This is the highest in 22 years.

Continue reading “Nigerians studying in Canada hit record high” →
Military

Why 40 African armies met at a Fort Benning summit — and why some didn’t

By Davis Winkie | Army Times

COLUMBUS, Ga. — It was a rare sight, especially on American soil. Seated around nested U-shaped tables in the heart of the city’s renovated ironworks were senior military officials representing nearly three-quarters of Africa’s 54 UN-recognized countries.

They were there last week for the African Land Forces Summit, a week-long, U.S.-brokered annual conference that brings together army officials from across the continent and other countries that maintain a presence in Africa.

Continue reading “Why 40 African armies met at a Fort Benning summit — and why some didn’t” →
Obituary

Tony Eghan remembered as educator, athlete and proud Ghanaian-Nova Scotian

Members of Nova Scotia’s Ghanaian community are celebrating the life of a leader.

Tony Eghan was born in Ghana and lived much of his life in Nova Scotia. He died in March. Long before Eghan moved to Nova Scotia, he’d made a mark in Africa. In 1978, he coached Ghana’s Black Stars to win the Africa Cup of Nations.

Continue reading “Tony Eghan remembered as educator, athlete and proud Ghanaian-Nova Scotian” →
Uncategorized

Bola Ibidapo | Daughter of Nigerian Immigrants Helping Under-Represented Students See the World

By Rashaad Jorden | Skift

Studying abroad doesn’t have to be a pipe dream for young Hispanic and African Americans. Bola Ibidapo’s Too Fly Foundation is on a mission to help young people overcome the barriers they face in their communities that prevent them from traveling the globe.

When Bola Ibidapo learned her friend Brandon Miller was raising money to help young students obtain passports, she immediately told Miller she was eager to provide assistance.

Continue reading “Bola Ibidapo | Daughter of Nigerian Immigrants Helping Under-Represented Students See the World” →
People

America’s first Somali mayor Deqa Dhalac hopes to inspire immigrants, youths and women

By Brooke Anderson | The New Arab

When Deqa Dhalac became mayor of South Portland, Maine at the end of last year, making her what is believed to be America’s first Somali American mayor, it was after many years of working to make a difference, starting with her upbringing in her country of origin.

She was raised in an educated family that encouraged her to learn languages, history and politics, skills that would be useful after she left for a new life in the United States in 1990, just prior to the civil war.

Continue reading “America’s first Somali mayor Deqa Dhalac hopes to inspire immigrants, youths and women” →
Enterpreneurship

Kenyan-born fashion designer finds inspiration at home


By Tina Locurto | York Dispatch

If it’s a type of fabric, bet that Victoria Kageni-Woodard has it. The self-starter fashion designer based in York County has piles upon piles of colorful, patterned textiles she uses to create clothing designs of her wildest dreams.

Kageni-Woodard, born in Kenya, always felt a passion for sewing and design. With encouragement from her parents, Kageni-Woodard moved to the United States in 1991 and honed her skills at the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Continue reading “Kenyan-born fashion designer finds inspiration at home” →
Immigration

African refugees see racial bias as US welcomes Ukrainians

By PHILIP MARCELO | AP

Wilfred Tebah doesn’t begrudge the U.S. for swiftly granting humanitarian protections to Ukrainians escaping Russia’s devastating invasion of their homeland. But the 27-year-old, who fled Cameroon during its ongoing conflict, can’t help but wonder what would happen if the millions fleeing that Eastern Europe nation were a different hue.

As the U.S. prepares to welcome tens of thousands of Ukrainians fleeing war, the country continues to deport scores of African and Caribbean refugees back to unstable and violent homelands where they’ve faced rape, torture, arbitrary arrest and other abuses.

Continue reading “African refugees see racial bias as US welcomes Ukrainians” →