Meet Ozak Esu, The Only African That Makes The Top 50 Female Engineers In U.K. List!!

Dr. Ozak says the energy problem in Nigeria and around much of Africa inspired her to study Electrical engineering. Photo Credit: Engineering Because

Nigerian-born Dr. Ozak Esu has made the 2017 Telegraph list of the “Top 50 Women Under 35” in Engineering in the United Kingdom.
The list is compiled annually by Telegraph in collaboration with the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) to boost women’s participation in engineering; 50 awardees are selected from a list of more than 500 nominees.
Twenty-seven-year-old Dr. Esu, who shared photos of herself at the award ceremony on her Instagram page, left Nigeria for the U.K. in 2008 to study for a first degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Loughborough University.
By 2011, she graduated with first class honors and was awarded a research studentship for a Ph.D. at the university.
The energy problems in Nigeria and throughout much of Africa inspired her choice for studying Electrical Engineering. For her research work, she focused on optimizing the performance of wind turbines for cleaner eco-friendly energy.

“My research investigated the instrumentation of low-cost electronics for vibration-based condition monitoring of wind turbine blades. The motivation for my research was to contribute toward reducing operations and maintenance costs associated with wind turbines,” Dr. Esu says.

Photo Credit: Instagram

Notwithstanding her excellent academic performance and multiple employment offers, Dr. Esu says she found it quite difficult to secure a visa and work permit in the U.K.
“There was an endless supply of vacancies via the E&T Jobs website, Gradcracker, Student Ladder, and graduate recruitment fairs, etc., but it was daunting.
“I was an international student and required a work permit and visa sponsorship. Most of the engineering companies I was interested in joining, although listed by UKBA [U.K. Border Agency] as registered visa sponsors, were unwilling to sponsor international students. I presume to avoid the hassle and costs associated,” she says.
Dr. Esu now works for a leading consultancy firm in Birmingham, U.K., and her job involves designing electrical services, such as lighting, electrical power, fire detection, CCTV, and security systems, for workplaces, schools, retail, and residential buildings.

Photo Credit: Instagram

“My role involves concept to final stage design, calculations (by hand and via software), liaising and meeting with architects, clients, contractors, and manufacturers [and] coordinating electrical services with other services within a building, and regular site visits,” Dr. Esu says.
She believes in giving back to the community so in her spare time she mentors pupils, especially young girls who want to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
“I am a STEM Ambassador and have been actively promoting STEM careers in schools through STEMNET for five years.
“I am also a volunteer GCSE mathematics tutor with the Access Project in Birmingham, helping to support pupils toward achieving higher grades, with the hope of leading on to a STEM career,” Dr. Esu adds.

Credit: How Africa

Meet The First Ever 12 Year Old South Africa’s Female Traditional Ruler- She’s Got Mystical Powers

She is a 12-year-old schoolgirl who aspires to become a doctor. But Masalanabo Modjadji is no ordinary pre-teen – she is South Africa’s only female traditional ruler, with claims of mystical  rainmaking powers.

 

 

Queen Modjadji is the hereditary ruler of the Balobedu, a tribe in South Africa’s northern province, Limpopo.

She will be formally crowned when she turns 18, having ascended to the throne as a 3-month-old infant when her mother, the previous queen, died in 2005.
Until her coronation, Masalanabo is not making public statements. However, she agreed to a rare meeting in the suburb outside Joburg, where she lives during term time with her guardian Mathole Motshekga, who speaks on her behalf.

“She knows that this is her position by birth, so she doesn’t have to hurry,” said Motshekga, describing her as the “earthly representative of the rain goddess”.
“She wants to be well-prepared because the world is modern and her subjects are going to be educated people, so she wants to be educated so that she matches with the times.”
Masalanabo will sit on the dynasty’s throne in her ancestral village of Modjadjiskloof in the fertile valley of Molototsi, 400km north of Joburg.
The monarchy, which originated in what is today south-eastern Zimbabwe, has been ruled by women for more than 200 years.
Her mother was the first queen able to read and write. She could speak English, was computer literate and drove a car.

Last year, after a long campaign and a succession dispute, the Balobedu queen was officially recognised under South African law. This means the royal family will qualify – when the queen turns 18 – for government money under the 1996 constitution which was designed to involve tribal rulers in the newly democratic South Africa.
“For the first time in the history of South Africa, we have a legally accepted queenship,” said Motshekga, who is an ANC lawmaker and from the Balobedu tribe.
He said Masalanabo had friends and was on social media but that she was also preparing for how to balance her royal duties with the realities of everyday life.
When not at school or playing with her friends, she spends time with Motshekga’s wife, Angie Motshekga, who is the country’s basic education minister and is Masalanabo’s custodian mother.
“They discuss everything from politics to traditions,” he said.
Traditionally the Modjadji conduct rainmaking rituals during the southern hemisphere’s spring.
The ceremonies – which are restricted to the members of the royal family, with the queen leading the rain prayers – are held at five shrines over five weekends.
On the final day, if all goes to plan, the first rains of the season fall – It was a welcome news in South Africa, which has suffered a series of severe droughts recently.

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According To Survey, These 7 African Ethnic Groups Are On The Verge Of Extinction Due To Land-Grabbing & Assimilation!

The Sengwer of Kenya
Since the beginning of the European partition of Africa in the 1800s, the Sengwer in Kenya have suffered the same fate as other indigenous African cultures: forced assimilation. To date, there are only 60,000 Sengwer people still alive.
Many have had to abandon their traditions, move into towns and assimilate. There are only 5,000 people living in their traditional ancestral homeland in Embobut Forest in Marakwet. The Sengwer used the forest for collecting honey, hunting and gathering fruits and roots as well as collecting plants and herbs of medicinal value. Unfortunately, these forest lands have been converted into tea zones.

The Himba of Namibia and Angola

According to the most recent estimates, the Himba people have a population of about 50,000. This semi-nomadic group raises mostly goats, sheep and cattle. In fact, they measure wealth based on the number of cattle a man may have. The Himba women are famous for their red otjize paste used to retain moisture in the hair and skin due to the intense arid conditions of their homeland. For centuries, the ethnic group made their home in the northern region of the Namibia and along the Kunene River in Angola.
Over the past few years, European nations like Norway have launched mobile schools for Himba children because they saw the Himba as tourist attractions. These assimilation schools were used to teach the Himba European languages — like English —and dress.  Since 2010, Namibia took them over and converted them into permanent schools. Himba leaders were outraged over the treatment of their children because these schools were used to forcibly assimilate Himban children into modern society.
In addition, there has been a 4-year tug-of-war over the construction of a dam in the Kunene River in the Baynes Mountains. The Himba have staged marches and ousted corrupt chiefs who would sell their traditional settlements.

Akie People
The Akie people from the western Arusha region in Tanzania number around 5,268 and have been on the verge of extinction for decades. The Akie are similar to other hunter-gatherer groups in Kenya and Tanzania in that they are often called the derogatory term Dorobo or Wandorobo.
Their way of life is constantly under threat because their lands are being encroached upon. The shrinking hunting grounds are also caused by poaching by non-African hunters.
As their numbers decrease, so do the number of native Akie speakers. There are only a few elders who can fluently speak the native language.

Kisankasa People
The Kisankasa are an ethnic and linguistic group based in the Arusha and Mara regions of north Tanzania. According to estimates in 1987, the Kisankasa people number around 4,670. However, since those estimates, the Kisankasa have made a small comeback to 10,000 people. Just like the Akie, they are rare hunter-gathers.

Ik People
The Ik people number around 10,000 and have made their home in the mountains of northeastern Uganda near the border with Kenya. Over the years, the Ugandan ethnic group has been removed from ancestral lands to create the Kidepo Valley National Park. The 10,000 that remain perpetually suffer from famine.

El Molo People
 
The northeastern Kenyan-based El Molo people have been driven to extinction because of ethnic mixing. According to anthropologists, the modern El Molo are believed to have no unmixed members left. The last recorded estimates from 1994 state that there were only eight original El Molo natives living. After two decades, that number may be closer to zero. However, the Wildize organization believes that there are only 300 people left and the “pure” El Molo may number only 40.
As of 2009, there were 2,840 El Molo residents living near Lake Turkana. The El Molo have thrived off of fishing in the lake’s waters. Unfortunately, the lake has been severely polluted because of external factors and has made natives sick.

Mursi People
 
Ethiopia’s Mursi or Mun people are farmers living in the Omo zone, which consists of the Omo River and valley.  According to 2007 census estimates, there are 7,500 Mursi still living. For the past few years, the Mursi have come under attack because of Ethiopia’s plan to create a national park on their land. The Omo National Park was created in 2005 and has essentially stolen land from the Mursi without compensation. Now, the Mursi are “illegal squatters” on their own land.

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7 Facts About The Life Of Benjamin Franklin Randolph: A Black Senator Who Was Assassinated During Reconstruction!!

His Early Life 

Benjamin F. Randolph (1820 – October 16, 1868) was born free in Kentucky and moved to Ohio where he would go on to start his career. As a free Black man, Randolph was able to earn an education at Oberlin College in 1854 -1857 while other Black people were not allowed to read. While there, he learned the classics. Randolph went on to become one of the first Black senators in American history. In addition to his life in politics, he was a minister and educator in the Black community.

Life as a Soldier

By 1863, Randolph served in the 26th Regiment Infantry U.S. Colored Troops at Rikers Island.  Randolph was a Chaplin responsible for healing the wounded. The 26th fought in the Battle of John’s Island, the Battle of Honey Hill, and the Battle of Tulifinny. These battles took place in South Carolina where Randolph would go into politics.

Reconstruction in South Carolina 
After the Civil War, the south was decimated for the better, making way for prospective Black politicians to lead the charge for racial progress and equality. Sherman’s army wrecked havoc through the western and middle parts of the state. According to the New York Times, in 1865 nearly every plantation on or near the coast had either been deserted, or confiscated and passed into the hands of Northern strangers. The state was a political mess. South Carolina democrats called on the Red Shirts to encourage white terror towards free Black people. So South Carolina, like many southern states, required the military to keep order.

 

White Violence Toward Black People White terror was a constant problem that Radical Republicans did not solve. The KKK dressed in white and the Red Shirts, who dressed in red, prevented free Blacks from voting, lynched people, terrorized homes and committed many other acts against freed people. These terrorists groups wanted to restore democrats to power and ultimately, they did. By 1880, white supremacist democratic leaders regained control of the state. Democrats Benjamin Tillman and Ellison D. Smith were proud to be associated with the Red Shirts, and through the constant state of terror, the Black Codes and segregation were instated.

Randolph, Education and the Freedman’s Bureau 
After the war, Randolph stayed in South Carolina and worked with the Freedmen’s Bureau. He was an assistant superintendent for education in Charleston. When he applied for job Randolph wrote:

“I am desirous of obtaining a position among the freedmen where my qualifications and experience will admit of the most usefulness. I don’t ask position or money. But I ask a place where I can be most useful to my race. My learning and long experience as a teacher North, and my faithful service as Chaplain demand that I seek such a place. If you should obtain for me some responsible position in the Freedmen’s Bureau…you would never regret it.”

Education was very important to him. Immediately, he began to set up schools on former plantations to teach the newly freed people. He recruited teachers and built and visited schools in Charleston, Columbia, Camden, Darlington, Cheraw, and Marion, SC. By 1867, Randolph created the Charleston Advocate as a resource for Freedmen. At the same time, he began to get back involved with the church.

Randolph in the Senate
In the 1867 senate of South Carolina, Black delegates dominated the state’s political scene, to the dismay of white supremacists and democrats. Many of these white supremacists supporting the racist ideologies of the South Carolina’s democrats had no wealth or land. According to the University of South Carolina School of Law, Randolph was elected both to the state senate by Orangeburg County and chair of the State Central Committee of the Republican Party by the party’s membership. As chairman of this committee, he actively represented the party across the state. When Randolph was elected into the senate, he authored laws granting white and Black men the right to vote regardless of their land ownership. He also created laws for public education

 

Political Weakness and Self-Destruction  In retrospect, Reconstruction was a bureaucratic disaster. The real reason it failed to work in the south was largely contributed to racist propaganda and extreme terror. The political ad above reveals the racial tensions of the times. Democrats were interested in keeping white supremacy at all cost. If it meant abandoning good legislation, they did it. If it meant widening the economic chasm that existed after Reconstruction, they allowed it to happen. In South Carolina, President Rutherford B. Hayes ordered the removal of the Union Army from the state on April 3, 1877. Hayes’ weak leadership led to the undoing of all the good work Reconstruction Republicans accomplished. This “political compromise” happened all across the south.

Randolph and His Legacy
Randolph traveled across the state to ramp up recruitment and support fellow Republicans. On Oct. 16, 1868, Randolph was changing trains when he was shot by three white men in Abbeville, South Carolina. In hearings held to investigate the violence, several witnesses identified William K. Talbert, John Wesley Talbert, and Joshua Logan as the gunmen.  W.K. Talbert later testified to a congressional committee that he and the other two men were in fact the assassins. After Randolph was murdered, another Black politician, James Martin, was assassinated in just a matter of days.
The Black politicians in South Carolina were replaced with five years of rule by white Democrats. By 1880, voting was restricted and lynching and segregation ruined the idea that Black people could be treated as equal citizens in the United States.

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Courtesy: How Africa

Smart Nigerian Artist Uses String To Create Portraits of Reggae Music Legend, Bob Marley

Nigerian artist Omotoyosi Ogunlende is working on a portrait of reggae music legend, Bob Marley, by running a thread through a grid of patterned nails hammered on to a board.
“Basically what I did, or how I started this was I had… I took my board, from my board I had my picture of Bob Marley the legend, I traced it on the board. After tracing on the board, I nailed, after nailing then I coloured the background in three colours, you have the green, the yellow and the red which signifies the reggae colour or the Jamaican colour or the rastafarian colour, however anybody chooses to address it. After nailing, colour background, after colouring the background then the stringing which actually brings out the actual picture of Bob Marley that we have here,” he said.
Ogunlende studied fine art and sculpture at Yaba College of Technology, but started using string as a medium when he attended an art conference in South Africa last year.
He has worked on 20 pieces since.
“I ran into the stringing, not that it was actually there for display, I ran into stringing, I saw a young chap stringing on the wall, different colours all aligned together and I was like wow,” said Ogunlende.
String art is not new in Nigeria, but Ogunlende says he is the only one doing portraits. He says his most popular pieces include notable Nigerian authors, Wole Soyinka and Chimamanda Adichie.
Depending on the size, a portrait costs anything from 260 US dollars upwards, and can take him between two to three weeks to complete.
“Since I started, the acceptance has been remarkable for me though, and based on the fact that I love what I do, I enjoy what I do, I have done some for free, I have done some for money and so far so good. It has paid off, really I am happy so far and I know there is a future for string art,” says Ogunlende.
Ogunlende also teaches string art, which is also known as thread art to children over school holidays.
He is also working on ways to incorporate string into metal works and sculptures.

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The Most Technologically Advanced African Countries- Check Them Out

Some African Countries are far ahead in technology more than the others. The technology advancements in these African locations has brought some level of revolution to them and at the same time could be linked to the various perpetration of the social vices experienced in these countries.
Starting from the least to the top, see tech-savvy African countries..

10. Zimbabwe

A country located in the Southern Africa, Zimbabwe has experienced a significant rise in it’s annual GDP since now 2012. Technologically , the country is not experiencing a revolution in tech, but it is strong enough to be regarded amongst the top ten technologically advance countries in Africa. With Stability in the government of Zimbabwe, improvement should come in the coming years. One of the main advantages of Zimbabwe is that the country has a lot of Human resources.  In the three main cities of Zimbabwe, Harare,Bulawayo and Victoria Falls, wifi and Hi-Tech equipment have been developed with the help of South African companies ,and now the country has a high rate of Internet connection. With the growing tourism , the investments are likely to continue.
9. Uganda 

Uganda, a country that is mistly remembered with the mention of Amin Dad, the old dictator that confronted the Israelis, should perhaps also be remembered amont the top countries in Africa with an advancing technology. According to a study conducted by Martin Prosperity Institute of the US, Uganda is one of the three African countries that has been ranked amont the countries with advanced technological and innovation capabilities in Africa. In the report, Uganda is second to South Africa and followed by Madagascar. Across the globe, Uganda is among the 82 countries of the world that has advanced technological and innovation capabilities.

8. Angola
The science and technology industry in Angola remains limited but there is increasing awareness hence the country is getting on the right track when it comes to information and technology development . There may not have been a lot of ground breaking and jaw chattering inventions coming from the Angola but it is expected that with sustained growth and development , the country would come up to be a tech giant in Africa.


7.Botswana
Botswana is one of the most stable and successful economies in the whole of Africa. Technology is fast becoming a measure of international development and Botswana not willing to be left behind. The Botswana’s Innovation Hub backed by the government is designed to throw start-ups, global corporations ,research and health organizations under one massive green roof to facilitate the growth of technology in the country.

6. Rwanda

Rwanda is a country ravaged by civil war and genocide in the past and right now, it is aiming to become a regional hub for African information technology. In this regard, the country has launched the proposed 4G LTE broadband network which would provide new opportunities to deliver better services accross the country. The country is engaging rapidly with all kinds of technology at once and perhaps we’d soon be able to see mind-blowing inventions.
5. Ghana

With a much more stable and growing economy , Ghana is poised to have one of the best environments that supports advancement in technology. Quite a lot of technological innovations has emanated from the West African country of 25 millions people. Using compressed gas to generate electricity invented by Mr. Freddie Green is one of the out of the box thoughts that became real in the country. An affordable video conferencing system was also developed by a Ghanaian. The country is being looked upon as the next “great” African country.

4. Kenya
Kenya is definitely among the top 4 African countries to be envied when it comes to technology. The country is seeing a lot of startup companies with revolutionary ideas especially in the IT sector and all things being equal, this is bound to continue with a lot of start-ups that may eventually form International platforms for further technology growth. Some of the inventions from Kenya include: charging shoe developed by Anthony Mutual, alarm-fitted television created by a 44-year-old man who resides in Nairobi. The alarm can be set off with a simple jostle of movement and can sound for up to eight hours , a charcoal stove, a solar-powered refrigerator which allows medications including vaccinations and valuable perishables to reach remote areas of rural cities where there is no hope of finding electricity, Moses Gichanga’s drone which flies for up to two hours at a time. Other similar inventions powered by Kenya’s raw talent include :Tamper Proof voting Machine , Solar-Powered refrigerator , Underwater pets housings , SMS car immobiliser.

3. Nigeria
The most populous African country has not been left out in technology and innovative developments across Africa. Coming as the third is Nigeria. it is a technology giant with lots of potentials in the industry. It is home to the likes of Iroko Partners .a There are also a lot of achievements in mobile and web apps development in the country. Though the internet penetration is still low and stands at roughly 38% , Nigeria is a country with a lot of potentials producing the most talented people when given the opportunity.
2. Egypt

It was said that the civilization started in Egypt. This country has for long been associated with inventions and innovations. From the Egyptian Pyramid to the use of calendar and written language. The Northern African Country has not relented in spearheading science and technology in Africa. Egypt has some of the best universities in Africa that support development in technology. Egypt has gone this far because the government embraces technology with an attitude spread across all Industries. Despite the recent civil unrest in the country, Egypt is still a technological force to reckon with and is one of the most technologically advanced countries in Africa.
1. South Africa

If you are waiting to see the country that occupies the number 1 spot on our list, your guess was right. South Africa , a country that cannot easily be compared with most other countries across Africa, also tops African countries in the current Global Innovation Index(GII), ranking number 53 out of 143 countries compared globally. With South African Universities constituting most of the best Universities in Africa, the country is bound to keep producing some of the most amazing inventions that are globally recognized. The list of discoveries that are worth mentioning are quite enormous. Linux Ubuntu developed by Mark Shuttleworth, Multichoice (DSTV) is a South African company with a global influence, PayPal which was co-founded by a South Africa, CAT scan, SASOL technology that  converts coal into oil , just to mention a few of South African innovations.
 

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 Credit: How Africa

Top 9 African Countries With The Most Tech Hubs Ranked!!

Africa is known as the motherland, the birth of mankind, where it all began. Yet for many years it has also been called the “dark continent” due to the rate of development of many countries.
This perception is changing quickly, with hundreds of technology innovation hubs, who are creating cutting-edge technology products and services, popping up all over the continent, making the rest of the world sit up and take notice.
So first of all, what is a tech hub?  A tech hub is an area of IT landscape by which people, sometimes from all over the world, come together and breed innovations. Hubs do not only host developers or coders but instead an array of people looking to take advantage of the ICT sector which is taking over world markets.

These Hubs have certain characteristics which set them apart. First of all, they are communal, bringing in people from all over to create a community. Hubs need to be self-organizing and adaptive, as it is a type of community were members need to put their heads together to ensure success, they do not run like a traditional business. Thirdly they need to enable innovators, hubs are not themselves creators or implementers of innovations (or projects, startups, apps, etc.). Instead, hubs see themselves as enablers of innovators and entrepreneurs. In short tech hubs are breeding grounds providing innovators with the best possible platform to make their ideas a reality.
In an African context, tech hubs are driving innovation on the continent. With an ever growing number of hubs, a GSMA study revealed the number of tech hubs on the continent at 314 in 93 cities across 42 countries. Although the numbers from their study may have increased, it still provides a good base to see which African countries are leading the innovation race.
Here are the 9 African countries with the most tech hubs:

9) Senegal: This West African country has a total of 10 active tech hubs which sees it come in at number 9 on this list of African countries with the most tech hubs.
8) Uganda: Uganda is a landlocked East African country. With a total of 12 active tech hubs, Uganda is eighth on this list.
7) Tunisia: Located in North Africa, Tunisia comes in at number 7 on this list with a total of 15 active tech hubs.
6) Ghana: West African country Ghana has a total of 16 active tech hubs. These 16 hubs see the country ranked as number 6 on this list.
5) Morroco: Morocco, a North African country bordering the Atlantic Ocean the Mediterranean Sea Sea, has 21 active tech hubs in the country. These active hubs give Morocco the rating of number 5 in this list of African countries with the most tech hubs.
4) Nigeria: West African giants Nigeria has a total of 23 tech hubs. This total puts Nigeria in at number 4 on this list of African countries with the most tech hubs.
3) Kenya: East African country, Kenya, is known as one of the most innovative countries in Africa. With a total of 27 active tech hubs, Kenya is number 3 on this list.
2) Egypt: Located in North African, Egypt has a total of 28 active tech hubs which sees the country come in at number 2 on this list of African countries with the most tech hubs.
1)South Africa: Located at the Southern tip of the continent, South Africa is ranked as number 1 on this list. With a total of 54 active tech hubs, South Africa is leading the ICT revolution on the African continent.

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Another Popular African Footballer Dies In Car Crash!!

South African side Ntuthuko Radebe, 22, who played in Eupen, Belgium last season, died in a car accident in his hometown of South Africa, confirmed the football club.
A statement has been published to this effect, on the website of the Belgian club: “KAS Eupen received bad news from South Africa in the late afternoon.

“Ntuthuko Radebe, who played for KAS Eupen for five years, died in his country of origin in a car accident at the age of 22 years. This message shook the whole community of KAS Eupen and deeply saddened us. The team, coaches, supervisors, all employees and fans of KAS Eupen have lost a good friend in the person of Ntuthuko Radebe.

The club added, “His kindness, his camaraderie, his loyalty, his commitment and his humor, he deserved a great appreciation. Nuthuko Radebe will remain in the heart of the whole KAS family ".
Arriving in Eupen in 2012 with the first vintage of the Aspire Academy, the South African player played 43 matches during his five seasons spent in the colors of Eupen. At the end of the contract at the end of the 2016-2017 season, he planned to pursue his career at home in South Africa.

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Some African Presidents Made Horrible Decisions, But These 10 Are The Most Murderous Of All- See Their Kills

Some past African leaders made horrible decisions, others were just bad presidents, a few were really bloodthirsty extremists, whilst a couple were warmongers. All of these guys are a mix who in the last 130 years have been the architects of the most horrific genocides, systematic murders, blockades, brutal wars, and policy reforms history has ever recorded. Here are the ten most murderous African presidents of all time

1. MENGISTU HAILE MARIAM (400,000 – 1.5 MILLION DEATHS)

As president of Ethiopia and colonel of  “the Derg” (communist militia) Mengitsu systematically killed those against him in the “Red Terror” campaign.
Mengistu Haile Mariam is (as in still alive) a politician who presided over Ethiopia from 1974 to 1991. The way he got into power was by smothering the previous president Haile Selassie although he has denied those rumors. His biggest claim to fame is the Ethiopian Red Terror which was a campaign of repression led by the Derg (communist militia in Ethiopia). In his introductory speech Mengitsu yelled, “Death to counterrevolutionaries! Death to the EPRP!” Then he took three bottles filled with blood and threw them to the ground.
It was an auspicious beginning to say the least. Thousands were killed and found dead on the streets in the years that followed.

2. YAKUBU GOWON (1.1 MILLION DEATHS)

1 million civilians on the wrong side of a blockade caused by a war of secession in Nigeria and 100,000 soldiers who died in that war.
It starts as many sad stories do with precious beautiful oil. It had been found in the Niger delta where tensions were already high between the Eastern region (led by Ojukwu) and the rest of the country (governed by Yakubu). A dummy agreement was signed between them called the “Aburi Accord”, but it meant nothing to either leader. Yakubu started to put pressure on the region, and tested how much sway he had in the area versus Ojukwu. Well Ojukwu being no slouch declared secession from the rest of Nigeria and became the “Republic of Biafra”. This began a war that caused the deaths of 100,000 soldiers, and much worse, a blockade on the region which starved 1 million civilians.

3. IDI AMIN (25000-30000 DEATHS)

The 3rd President of Uganda was responsible for about 250,000 deaths which were a result of his regime of terror marked by torture, extra-judicial executions, corruption and ethnic persecution. He held power from 1972 to 1979 when he fled the country due to the defeat against Tanzania which he attacked one year earlier. He found refuge in Libya and then in Saudi Arabia where he died in 2003.

 4. Sani Abacha (100 000-200 000 deaths)

A report on corruption, published in July 1997 by the Berlin-based organisation Transparency International listed Nigeria as the most corrupt nation in the world. Abacha took office in during a military coup occurred in November 1993, following the annulment of presidential elections in June that year.General Sani Abacha, the Armed Forces Chief of Staff, took power. He annulled the organs of state, banned political parties and dismantled the democratic structures.International pressure forced General Abacha to announce a three-year timetable for the transition to democracy in October 1995, but the plans were plagued by repeated delays.Local elections held in March 1997 were five months later than planned

AHMED SÉKOU TOURÉ (100 000-150 00 DEATHS)

was a Guinean political leader; head of the PDG, he was elected as the first President of Guinea, serving from 1958 to his death in 1984. Touré was one of the primary Guinean nationalists involved in gaining independence of the country from France
In 1960, he declared his Democratic Party Of Guinea (PDG) to be the only legal party in the state and ruled from then on as a virtual dictator. He was nominally re-elected to numerous seven year terms but Guinea had no other political parties, and he imprisoned, killed or exiled his strongest opposition leaders.

6. CHARLES TAYLOR (100 000-150 000 DEATHS)

 
The former President of Liberia who was elected in 1997 (allegedly by terrorizing the population) has been connected with gross human rights violations, war crimes and crimes against the humanity in the civil war in the neighboring Sierra Leone as well as at home during the Second Liberian Civil War that lasted from 1999 to 2003. He is currently being trialled for his involvement in the Sierra Leone civil war at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.

7.HISSENE HABRE (80 000-100 000 DEATHS)

 Many say Hissene Habre did not do much but he is still considered a Dictator. He rose to power when Libya Invaded Chad. Habre’s troops defeated the Libyan troops and sent them packing in 1981. However many human rights groups hold Habre responsible for the killing of thousands of people. These killing include massacres against Hajerai and Zaghawa. The Humans rights watch charged him with torturing thousands of people and killing tens of thousands during his rule.

8. MACIUS NGUEMA (50 000- 70 000 DEATHS)

 He is a son of a real witch doctor. Nguema was the first President of Guinea. During his reign he did some of the weirdest crimes against humanity, which include stalking his mistresses former lovers and killing the intellectuals of his country. During his reign a third of the population of Guinea fled the country to escape his brutality. He ordered the killing of entire villages and households, It is also reported that during his time in office the county did not even have a development plan nor proper accounting for government funds.

9. OMAR AL-BHASIR (30 000 – 40 000 DEATHS)

He is a more recent case of Dictatorship. He became famous in March 2009 when he was issued a warrant for arrest. He has been charged with 7 crimes against humanity. He planned and commited genocide against several ethnic groups such as Masalit and Zaghwa killing tens of thousand of people. He is regarded by many as one of the most murderous dictators ever.

10.PAUL BIYA (20 000- 30 000 DEATHS)

 Paul biya hails from Cameroon and he was born in February 13, 1933. Politics was always in Biya’s blood, he has managed to be [president for several terms. He has been president of Cameroon from November 1982. Biya has many Critics for his lack of public experiences, but Biya wields his sleeping powers like a tyrant. He rules with his authoritarian fist that lets him push any policy that he deems essentially necessary. He is one of the best Known examples of Authoritarianism. He has been associated with numerous kidnappings, corruption and murders of people who oppose him.

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7-Year-Old Black Entrepreneur is Running Her Own Food Truck

Kyleigh McGee, a 7-year old African American girl from Little Rock, Arkansas is running and operating her very own food truck. The second grader told ABC News that she started out with a lemonade stand, but decided last year to expand her business to be more mobile and serve more refreshments such as fresh pineapple juice and snow cones.
Her mother, who is helping her run the business, says that Kyleigh is very mature and dedicated, and that the business is teaching her daughter valuable lessons such as how to save and count money. Kyleigh says her favorite part of running her own business, is “being the boss and serving people food.”
Getting support from the community
Naturally, people are amazed and very impressed at what Kyleigh has been able to accomplish at such a young age. “Everyone is so excited, I have gotten so many phone calls, so many messages,” her mom said. “It happened so fast… the response we’ve gotten, I don’t think I was expecting that.”
And it’s not that people are just supporting her because she’s a cute little girl; They really like her products!
Her lemonade is a top seller, and according to her mom, “Everybody has been going crazy about the pineapple snow cones with pineapple juice at the bottom.” In addition, she is also serving hot dogs, nachos, frito chili pies, and more.
Not just for the summer
Initially, Kyleigh and her mom planed to run the business during the summer months while Kyleigh was out of school, but their food truck has become so popular that they are actually booked to serve treats and refreshment at various events until December. So, when school starts up again, Kyleigh plans to balance out going to school and continuing to run the business simultaneously.
So what’s next?
For now, Kyleigh says she wants to leave her options open about what her future career will be, but she is very open to the idea of owning her own restaurant one day.
“I just tell her whatever you decide to do you have my support, 100 percent,” her mom says.

 

Woman Opens First Ever Black-Owned Grocery Store in Compton, USA

 36-year old Kia Patterson is the owner of the first ever Black-owned grocery story in Compton, California.

 She is an independent owner of a Grocery Outlet franchise, and the whole city is celebrating her success. But she didn’t do it just for the money; she says wants to provide fresh and better food choices at affordable prices for people who live in predominately Black and low income neighborhoods.
How she got into the business
Kia had already worked for another grocery chain for 17 years when she was recruited by Grocery Outlet to help them with their goal of expanding their chain by adding 100 stores in Southern California.
When the opportunity was presented to her, she started the training process, gathered her investments, and set up a business plan. The next thing she knew, she was the owner of her own grocery store.
Not just any kind of food
Kia’s goal is to bring more organic food options to people at more affordable prices. This was important to her because she has seen first-hand the health issues that plague African Americans, and how difficult it is for people who live in low income communities to get access to fresh produce at prices they can afford to pay.
She told the Los Angeles Sentinel, “The prices of our organic groceries are much cheaper than most grocery stores. The major American brands are also 40 to 60 percent cheaper. You can come here and get quality food for great prices.”
Giving back
Kia strongly believes in supporting her community. She gives back through the Magic Johnson Foundation by helping with fundraisers for different schools in the Compton area, and she has also partnered with El Camino Compton Center by helping them launch a low-cost food pantry for college students.
She comments, “I’m definitely involved in the community. That’s important to me because I lived in Lynwood, right next to Compton, so I grew up spending a lot of time in Compton.”
Kia’s Grocery Outlet store is located at 2175 W Rosecrans Avenue, Compton, CA 90222 and is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day.

For more details, follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/comptongroceryoutlet/

Nigerian pilot, Ademilola Odujinrin, makes history, becomes first African to fly solo round the world

Nigerian pilot, Ademola “Lola” Odujinrin,

A Nigerian pilot, Ademola “Lola” Odujinrin, who works for Air Djibouti has become the first African pilot in history to fly solo around the world.
Odujinrin completed the final leg of his historic journey Wednesday afternoon, landing safely at Washington Dulles International Airport.

The pilot has completed the entire circumnavigation in a Cirrus SR22, stopping in more than 15 countries on five continents, returning to Washington DC, where his journey began back in September.
The flight is part of Project Transcend, a foundation which aims to inspire young people to achieve their goals, regardless of their personal circumstances.
Ademilola said after the historic feat, “Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of one day flying around the world. We have a responsibility to lead by example and follow our dreams. I want African children to think: ‘I can do this too!’
“I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Air Djibouti’s Chairman, Aboubaker Omar Hadi, and Cardiff Aviation’s Chairman, Bruce Dickinson, who have supported me throughout this journey. Without them, this would not have been possible.”

The Ambassador of Djibouti to the United States, His Excellency, Mr. Mohamed Siad Doualeh; Senior Director of Strategic Planning for Djibouti Ports & Free Zones Authority, Mr. Dawit Michael Gebre-ab; and Chief Operating Officer of Air Djibouti, Mr. Moussa Houssein were part of a high-level delegation that received the historic aviator on the tarmac at Dulles Airport.
Other distinguished guests included the CEO Africa World Press, which plans to publish a book on the journey.
The Nigerian has logged over 4,000 hours as a commercial Boeing 737 pilot since earning his pilot licence six years ago.
The Chairman of Air Djibouti, Aboubaker Omar Hadi, said, “By supporting initiatives like Lola’s flight around the world, Air Djibouti hopes to inspire a new generation of pilots in Africa and help to pave the way for the aviation industry to thrive in the region.

“The benefits will be felt within the region, as this will encourage more intra-African trade and sustainable economic development.
“With the commencement of the Single African Air Transport Market set for June 2017, air travel in the continent is positioned to grow rapidly and become a key contributor to the region’s economic and social development.”


Congrats to him. What do you think?

7 Shocking Harmful Traditional Practices In Africa

Some African tribes have really dangerous traditional practices. The real issue is that most times children and women fall victim of these weird practices. Thanks to civilization, some of these traditional practices are losing grounds Here are some dangerous traditional practices in Africa.

1. Efidan tradition

“Efidan” is one of the types of harmful traditional incision. Efidan translates as cutting. This tradition is still used in the rural areas of Nigeria. For the tribes, cutting is a part of adolescent traditions. Parents usually cut their children when they reach puberty. For women, scars needed to decorate their body and be more sexually appeal to men. For men, scars and cuttings serve the same purpose, and through them, they show that they are ready to take responsibility for a family.

The problem is that cuttings are made by people who knows nothing about medicine or by children themselves, which leads to the blood loss and even death. Moreover, instruments for cutting are not sterilized properly which can lead to the variety of diseases, HIV and AIDS. The Anti Child Abuse Society of Africa stands for stopping Efidan or at least monitoring it by local authorities.

2 Nutrition violence

 

Sometimes children do not desire to eat food, but parents want them to eat – what should they do in this case? Some parents in the Gwaris, Yorubas and Hausas found a violent solution to this problem. If a child does not want to swallow watery food, then the parents or caregivers put the kid`s head between legs, close the nostrils and provide food to the mouth when the kid opens it. If the kids are crying during this procedure, then it`s a good sign for a parent to feed them. Nevertheless, these cultural practices of delivering food may lead to choking, chemical pneumonitis and aspiration pneumonia.

3 Forced marriage

 

Child marriage is a very common cultural practices in some Nigerian tribes. The main victims of early marriage are young girls. The marriage age for them is considered to be around 12 years old. Still, some girls enter the puberty period in the house of the husband. Sometimes they can be married to a man much older, then they are. The violence occurs when a girl refuses to marry or have sex with a husband. They have to suffer from the pregnancy in the young age and suffer from obstructive labor. Young girls can be bought directly from the parents. Many of the children are given free to marriage for future economic and political benefits.

4 Children`s labor

 

Occupational violence is a part of harmful traditional practices in Igboland. Children under age of 12 have to work on the farms against their will. They can work regardless climatic conditions. This practice is common in the forest and farm regions of Nigeria. Still, parents send their children to work as they believe it will help them to secure a job position in the future. Therefore, children do not go to school and have to work without proper protection. Public organizations and UN attorneys investigate cases of forced children labor in Nigeria.

5. Blood vengeance

 

UN Study on Violence in Africa provides facts of blood vengeance in some tribes. This tradition is based on the religion basis. If one member of the family harms a member of another family, then the whole family can pay a death price for the actions of one member. These cultural practices stand against law in Nigeria. Still, it does not stop these traditions. Families still have grudges and they prefer to solve their problems not in the courts. Therefore, Nigeria suffers from brutal murders in rural areas of the country.

6 Female Genital Mutilation

 

This practice is also known as female circumcision. It`s one of the cultural practices, where a female child has to go through the procedure of partial or total removal of the female genitalia for non-medical reasons. Some cultures in Africa see this tradition as a part of becoming a woman. Therefore, young girls undergo the procedure during the puberty period. Female Genital Mutilation is believed to be made to ensure women`s virginity. Some tribe cultures see external female organs as an unclean. Therefore, they believe that they clean they girls with mutilation of the organs.

7 Virginity test

 

It`s one of the old cultural traditions in Africa. Virgin girls in tribes are defined as clean and pure. Girls who did not save their virginity up to the marriage can be treated horribly. Virginity tests in Africa tribes can have various forms. According to the traditions, a girl can be defined as virgin if she has an intact hymen, innocent eyes, the tightness of muscles behind the knees and “tight breasts”. Some tribes also examine male virginity. According to some traditional tests, a boy defines as a virgin if he has a thick foreskin and can urinate over one-meter-high fence with no hands.

What do you think?