Tag: Nigerians in America

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Nigerian-American, Bayo Ogunlesi at the heart of the American takeover of the Panama Canal.

By Ebimo Amungo

It has emerged that Nigerian-American, Bayo Ogunlesi, is at the heart of the takeover of two ports at the Panama Canal from Hong Kong-based Chinese Port operators. During his State of the Union address, President  Donald Trump announced that America was taking control of the Panama Canal. It turns out that American firms Blackrock and  Global Infrastructure Partners as well as Swiss-based Terminal Investment Limited have acquired ports at the Panama Canal for the sum of 22 billion dollars. Global Infrastructure Partners was founded by Nigerian-born Ogunlesi but was recently acquired by Blackrock.

Addressing a special joint session of the two chambers of the US Congress on Tuesday, the US president claimed he is making a successful diplomatic push to reclaim the Panama Canal, which he describes as a vital infrastructure project created by Americans for Americans.

Continue reading “Nigerian-American, Bayo Ogunlesi at the heart of the American takeover of the Panama Canal.” →
Uncategorized

Nigerian community forges solidarity amid decline in Black enrollment in Stanford University

By Tariq Lawal | Stanford Daily

Despite Stanford’s declining Black enrollment, Nigerian students and students of Nigerian descent stay connected with their heritage through the Stanford Nigerian Students Association (NAIJA), which allows them to celebrate their culture and address shared concerns.

The University has not fostered a sense of community and belonging among Nigerian students according to NAIJA member Christopher C. Emodi ’25, who citied long-running difficulties hosting events at the Center for African Studies (CAS) since 2023.

Continue reading “Nigerian community forges solidarity amid decline in Black enrollment in Stanford University” →
Sports

US-based fencer Akinbamiro chooses Nigeria

By Abiodun Adewale | Punch

American-based teenage fencer Peluola Akinbamiro has pledged her allegiance to Nigeria on the international stage, becoming the second fencer to pick the country after Folayemi Akinyosoye switched his allegiance from Great Britain to Nigeria last year.

The 13-year-old student from Fort Bend Fencing Academy in Houston expressed that her love for Nigeria inspired her decision to reach out to the Nigerian Fencing Federation, aiming to make her international debut for the country.

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Sports

Nigerian American Moro Ojomo joins Philadelphia Eagles to celebrate Super Bowl LIX victory

By Ebimo Amungo

The Philadelphia Eagles are the New NLF champions and Nigerian-born Moro Ojomo  was among those celebrating this feat. The Eagles shut out the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in a one-sided Super Bowl LIX Finals held in New Orleans where four Nigerians were on the roster of the two opposing teams.

Moro Ojomo was part of the Eagles defensive team that limited Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The defensive tackle celebrated his first Super Bowl victory with a Nigerian flag as his team lifted the Lombardi trophy

Continue reading “Nigerian American Moro Ojomo joins Philadelphia Eagles to celebrate Super Bowl LIX victory” →
Video

Afrobeats and Nollywood are cultural exports that have enhanced  the image of African immigrants

Afrobeats, Amamapiano, Nollywood are cultural exports from Africa that has gained acceptance around the world and engendered a drastic change in the image of Africa and African immigrants.  In this discussion,  we examine how starts like Burna Boy, Tems, Tyla, Diamond Platinum are ambassadors and economic agents for Africa and the African diaspora

Africans-in-America.tv
Politics

Yemi Mobolade | The Nigerian American who is the Mayor of Colorado Springs

By coloradosprings.gov

Blessing ‘Yemi’ Mobolade was sworn in as the 42nd Mayor of Colorado Springs on June 6, 2023. This is his first four-year term as mayor. He is the first Black man and immigrant to be elected mayor of Colorado Springs and one of the youngest.

Mobolade moved from Indiana to Colorado Springs in 2010, where he started a church as part of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. After identifying a need in downtown Colorado Springs for cultural gathering places, he became one of the first entrepreneurs to invest in downtown after the Great Recession when he co-founded The Wild Goose Meeting House in 2013.

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African Food

ChòpnBlọk Montrose brings West African cuisine to the heart of Houston, one dish and one cultural conversation at a time…

By Lisa Davidson | We-Heart

ChòpnBlọk Montrose continues to pull in the crowds, the fast-casual West African restaurant from Ope Amosu offering not only food and drink, but a vibrant community space for the neighbourhood.

Beginning life as a 670 square foot food stall in the Downtown culture, food, and recreation hub POST Houston in 2021, ChòpnBlọk Montrose is the concept’s first bricks-and-mortar location, the deliberate expansion strengthening Amosu’s mission to “make West African cuisine a vibrant part of everyday life, all within a city that is home to one of the largest communities of Nigerians in the country.”

Continue reading “ChòpnBlọk Montrose brings West African cuisine to the heart of Houston, one dish and one cultural conversation at a time…” →
Communities

Rockets host multiple events to celebrate Nigerian heritage in Houston

Story by Ben DuBose | Rockets Wire

The Rockets recently hosted a series of flagship events to celebrate Nigerian heritage.  Current head coach Ime Udoka is of Nigerian descent, while former center Hakeem Olajuwon — who led Houston to its only two NBA championships in 1994 and 1995 and is now a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame — was born and raised in Nigeria.

Olajuwon was also a two-time NBA Finals MVP and won Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the NBA’s 1993-94 season, which ended with Houston’s first title.

Continue reading “Rockets host multiple events to celebrate Nigerian heritage in Houston” →
Embassies & High Commissions

Nigerian Minister orders new passport printers to be deployed to Atlanta and New York Consulates

By Ebimo Amungo

Action has been taken by the Nigerian government to address perennial delays in the renewal and issuance of new passports to Nigerians living in America. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has directed the Nigerian Immigration Service to deploy new printers to the Atlanta and New York Consulates in the United States of America.

This directive followed a petition by Nigerians, who under the umbrella of the Organization for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN), had appealed to the Minister to address the persistent passport printing crisis at consulates.

Continue reading “Nigerian Minister orders new passport printers to be deployed to Atlanta and New York Consulates” →
Appointments

Nigerian-American Adebayo Ogunlesi joins OpenAI’s Board of Directors

By Ebimo Amungo

Nigerian-American private equity titan Adebayo “Bayo” Ogunlesi has joined the Board of Directors of Open AI. The company made the announcement recently in a release where it stated that Mr. Ogunlesi’s counsel will be invaluable as it navigates the global transformation of AI infrastructure, drive innovation, and foster economic growth.

OpenAI is one of the preeminent companies in America accelerating the growth and adoption of artificial intelligence with ChatGPT.

Continue reading “Nigerian-American Adebayo Ogunlesi joins OpenAI’s Board of Directors” →
Celebrity

Nigeria defender Michelle Alozie on life as a professional footballer and cancer researcher

By Courtney Hill | Olympics.com

Michelle Alozie is more than just a football player.

A morning of training with the Houston Dash is often followed by an afternoon spent at the lab, where the Nigerian works as a cancer research technician. Alozie’s first love was football, but when her boots aren’t laced up she is driven by the desire to help people, working specifically with young children.

Continue reading “Nigeria defender Michelle Alozie on life as a professional footballer and cancer researcher” →
Embassies & High Commissions

Nigerians decry delays in passport issuance and renewal at New York and Atlanta consulates

By Ebimo Amungo
Chronic delays in the issuance and renewal of passports to Nigerian immigrants in America have led to an effort to get the intervention of the Nigerian Minister of Interior.

Rallying under the aegis of the Organization for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN), frustrated Nigerians have called on the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to address the persistent passport printing crisis at Nigerian consulates in New York and Atlanta.

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Enterpreneurship

StorsPay, a Nigerian Decentralized Retail Investing Platform, Raises $320,000 and Gets Accepted into Techstars NYC Accelerator

By KODZILLA | Bit KE

StorsPay, a fintech startup by Nigerian, Sam Alonge, has secured a funding round of US$320,000 and selected to participate in the Techstars NYC accelerator. The accelerator supported by the JP Morgan Accelerator.

The fintech has developed a decentralized platform for retail lending infrastructure which aims to connect small businesses worldwide with retail investors seeking alternative asset investment opportunities.

Continue reading “StorsPay, a Nigerian Decentralized Retail Investing Platform, Raises $320,000 and Gets Accepted into Techstars NYC Accelerator” →
Arts

Nigerian Artist, Oluseyi Soyege, Wins Another Top U.S. Laurel

By The Independent

Nigerian artist, Oluseyi Soyege, has won another top laurel at the San Antonio Art League & Museum’s 93rd Annual Juried Art exhibition held in Texas, United States of America. 

Soyege’s fabric collage artwork titled “A Peek Into the Future” won one of the six awards given to artists selected out of the 552 works submitted by over 200 artists from San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, San Marcos, Corpus Christi and other cities in Texas. 

Continue reading “Nigerian Artist, Oluseyi Soyege, Wins Another Top U.S. Laurel” →
Enterpreneurship

ONE OF BIRMINGHAM’S BRIGHTEST ENTREPRENEURS, SHEGUN OTULANA, SOLD HIS COMPANY FOR $1.2 BILLION

By Darryl Robertson | Black Enterprise

One of Birmingham, Alabama’s most skillful entrepreneurs, Shegun Otulana, sold his company Therapy Brands for a hefty sum, $1.2 billion.

According to Otulana, over the next decade, he plans to create 40 new startups in Birmingham–with an aggregate value in the billions of dollars.”

Continue reading “ONE OF BIRMINGHAM’S BRIGHTEST ENTREPRENEURS, SHEGUN OTULANA, SOLD HIS COMPANY FOR $1.2 BILLION” →
Uncategorized

Nigerian-born Amanda Azubuike now Brigadier General in US Army

By Wale Odunsi | Daily Post

A senior officer in the United States Army, Amanda Azubuike, has been promoted to Brigadier General rank.

Amanda, whose father and mother hail from Nigeria and Zimbabwe, serves at a military base in Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Continue reading “Nigerian-born Amanda Azubuike now Brigadier General in US Army” →
Immigration

Why Nigeria is the only African country excluded from 2023 DV-Visa Lottery

By Biodun Busari | Vanguard

The United States has excluded Nigeria from its 2023 Diversity Immigrant Visa programme which is also known as the green card lottery.

Nigeria’s exclusion from the programme makes it eight years in a row that the US ignored the most populous African country in the world among immigrants entering via DVL.

Continue reading “Why Nigeria is the only African country excluded from 2023 DV-Visa Lottery” →
Giving Back

Dr. Phillip Ozuah| New York based Nigerian doctor donates 1M Dollars to University of Ibadan

By Ebimo Amungo

A Nigerian-born physician who is based in New York has donated one million dollars to his alma mata, the University of Ibadan in South West Nigeria. Dr. Philip Ozuah made the donation to the school during a fundraiser organised by the university.

Continue reading “Dr. Phillip Ozuah| New York based Nigerian doctor donates 1M Dollars to University of Ibadan” →
Uncategorized

United States Enters into Agreement with Nigeria to Repatriate Over $23 Million in Assets Stolen by Former Nigerian Dictator

From USJF

The United States, through the Department of Justice and FBI, forfeited approximately $23 million traceable to the corruption and money laundering of former Nigerian dictator Sani Abacha and his co-conspirators. This money will be returned to the Nigerian people through an agreement between the Governments of the United States and the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Nigeria) signed today in Abuja, Nigeria, by U.S. Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard. This repatriation will bring the total amount forfeited and returned by the Department of Justice in this case to approximately $334.7 million. 

Continue reading “United States Enters into Agreement with Nigeria to Repatriate Over $23 Million in Assets Stolen by Former Nigerian Dictator” →
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WITH BIGGER THAN AFRICA, TOYIN ADEKEYE UNIFIES PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENTS

By SHAIBU HUSSEINI | The Guardian Newspaper

Although he has been touring festivals worldwide screening his first feature documentary, Bigger Than Africa, Toyin Ibrahim Adekeye’s dream was to have the cultural documentary stream on a global platform so that more people will get to see the film outside festivalgoers.

That dream came through for the filmmaker and President of Motherland Productions in Los Angeles on May 13, 2022, when the documentary film about the journey of enslaved Africans through the lens of the Yoruba culture of West Africa debuted on the global streaming platform Netflix.

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Boubini Miyensinte Jones-Wonni | 22 year Old NIgerian is best graduating Medical Student in Howard University, gains scholarship to Harvard Medical School

By Ebimo Amungo

Boubini Miyensinte Jones-Wonni, a 22 year old Nigerian has not only become the youngest and best graduting student of Howard University she has also won a scholarship to Havard for her residency program in internal medicine

Jones-Wonni was born in Ido-ani, a town in Ondo state , Nigeria, on the 23rd of October 1999 to the family of Dr and Mrs Jones-Wonni. She hails from Arogbo Ese- Odo local government area of Ondo State.

Continue reading “Boubini Miyensinte Jones-Wonni | 22 year Old NIgerian is best graduating Medical Student in Howard University, gains scholarship to Harvard Medical School” →
Fashion

Common mistakes Nigerians make in America – Model Joseph Water

By Vanguard Newspaper

From his wealth of knowledge and experience, Nigerian-American model Babalola Otitoju Joseph better known as Joseph Water has offered nuggets of advice to young Nigerians hoping to migrate to America and follow in his footsteps.

The 28-year-old seasoned model advised: “Firstly, they need a great dose of self-belief and tenacity to follow their dreams. They need to also understand the nuances of modelling; it is way more than having a pretty face and being photogenic.

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Communities

Kenneth Anga elected Chairman of Ijaw National Congress in North America.

By Ebimo Amungo

Mr Kenneth Ibiene Anga, a longtime resident of Houston, Texas, has been elected Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress in North America. The Ijaw National Congress is the premier socio-cultural organization of the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in Nigeria. Mr Anga was elected by delegates from across America in an election that was held over zoom on Saturday 7th May 2022.

Mr. Anga would lead a new Executive Committee that is tasked with the responsibilities of directing the affairs of the organization in America and Canada for the next four years.

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Uncategorized

Nigeria remains home despite my long sojourn abroad –Itoro Bassey

By The Sun Newspaper

For writer Itoro Bassey, in spite of her many years sojourn in America, Nigeria remains the best place to be notwithstanding its numerous challenges.

Speaking at the inauguration of her book titled, “Faith” in Abuja recently, Bassey said: “Though, Nigeria is presently going through some economic and security challenges, I chose to come home to deal with the challenges and see how I can contribute my quota towards making the country great.” 

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Uncategorized

Drunk driver kills Nigerian 2 months after arrival in America

By Ebimo Amungo

Tributes from family and friends have been pouring in for a Nigerian, Patrick Ohanta, 45, who was hit and killed by a car driven by a drunk driver while standing by the side of a kerb in Pineville, Louisiana.

According to friends who knew him, Patrick Ohanta had arrive America only two months ago. He was an alumnus of the University of Ibadan and a keen footballer.

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Uncategorized

Floyd Mayweather set to visit Nigeria ahead of Dubai fight

By By Gowon Akpodonor

Former undisputed world super welterweight boxing champion, Floyd Mayweather, would visit Nigeria on Friday as part of his efforts at promoting the sport in Africa, the organisers of the trip have announced.

Mayweather, who will make his first ever visit to Africa when he arrives in Abuja ahead of his ring return at the Skies of Dubai on May 14.

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Uncategorized

Kenneth Anga and Sterling Ellis set to contest Chairmanship of Ijaw National Congress in North America

By Ebimo Amungo

Preparations are being concluded for the election of a new Executive Team to run the affairs the Ijaw National Congress in North America. The elections are due to hold on Saturday 7th May 2022.

The Ijaw National Congress is the premiere socio-cultural organization of the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in South-South region Nigeria.

Continue reading “Kenneth Anga and Sterling Ellis set to contest Chairmanship of Ijaw National Congress in North America” →
Uncategorized

Dr. Joyce Tolofari | Trained as an actress in Nigeria, now a trainer of nurses in America

By Ebimo Amungo

Dr. Joyce Tolofari can pass for an a-listed actress in Hollywood or even Nollywood, but she is not an actress, even though she trained to be one. Rather, she is a professor of nursing at the Austin Community College and an adjunct professor of nursing at the University of Texas in Arlington, Texas.

But despite these lofty achievements as a nurse and professor in America, Dr. Tolofari has fond memories of her time as a performer in Nigeria where she studied theater arts under the famed dramatist and academician, Ola Rotimi.

Continue reading “Dr. Joyce Tolofari | Trained as an actress in Nigeria, now a trainer of nurses in America” →
Sports

Houston Texans add John Metchie, NFL star with Nigerian heritage, to 2022 team roaster

By Vanguard

American National Football League Football frontrunner, the Houston Texans has continued assembling their impressive draft haul on Friday night, trading up to the No. 44 pick with the Cleveland Browns, and selecting Alabama wide receiver John Metchie III.

With the addition of Metchie, son of a Nigerian businessman who is currently the President General of Umueri community in Anambra state, the Texans now add a talented No. 2 wideout to pair with the recently extended Brandin Cooks and give second-year quarterback Davis Mills a legitimate deep threat in the passing game.

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Uncategorized

Black doctors say they face discrimination based on race

By Kate Brumback | The Associated Press

Dr. Dare Adewumi was thrilled when he was hired to lead the neurosurgery practice at an Atlanta-area hospital near where he grew up. But he says he quickly faced racial discrimination that ultimately led to his firing and has prevented him from getting permanent work elsewhere.

His lawyers and other advocates say he’s not alone, that Black doctors across the country commonly experience discrimination, ranging from microaggressions to career-threatening disciplinary actions.

Continue reading “Black doctors say they face discrimination based on race” →