Social entreprenure . kingsley Bangwell, inspiring the Nigerian youth

 A glance at the political landscape in Nigeria confirms that young people are not encouraged to participate in decision making.This is an age long problem as Nigeria has a sad history of poor governance occasioned by widespread corruption by both the military and civilian rulers.To some people this seems like a huge and insurmountable problem but for Kingsley Bangwell,it is not. Although, Bangwell believes that disengaging youths from public life and decision making spells doom for a nation,he also believes that there is a solution.In search for a lasting solution,kingsley founded young star foundation.Young stars Foundation is a  youth organizations operating in Abuja, Nigeria and  Ghana. From a weekly youth club in a local barber shop in 1995, Youngstars Foundation has grown to emerge as one of the foremost youth platform that is building young people and strengthening youth organizations across Africa..
 young star foundation has succeded in engaging the  Nigerian youth in the democratic process in addition to keeping them abreast with the political tales of the land scape and equiping them to become informed citizens

Kingsley has gained international recognition for his leadership and innovation. Beginning from a weekly youth club in a barber’s shop in 1995 to the present, YFI continues to reach out to rural and urban youth in Nigeria with the message of self-actualization, and strong participation in democracy and political discourse.

Entertainment Express; 9ice goes back to school

After dishing out  numerous hit tracks and carting home prestigious awards, 9nice has decided to go back and pursue his career as a lawyer.It should be recalled that the konga sou crooner attended Abule Okuta Primary School and CMS Grammar School, and dropped out from his Law course at the Lagos State University to concentrate on music.Now he is proving that it is  never too late to go back to school.9ice is currently studying  Public Safety and Common Law at Capella University. 

Invention innovation; Adebola Omololu and his Bamboo Tablet

 Until recently,Africa used to be a continent where not much was  known by the rest of the world about what goes on in technology invention and innovation.However this has changed as inventions after invention has shown that Africa's emergence in the technological scene is not a fluke. A Nigerian is in the news again  for inventing a bamboo tab specially designed to solve problems associated with people living in the emerging markets.The sleeky phone is sure to give established  brand a run for their money and popularity too as it boast some unique features .Some of the phones unique features includes

 i.- Female Edition –  The female edition would be able to help women track their menstruation cycles and also enable parents to track their teenage daughters’ menstrual period as well. It also comes with a feature that can help women to monitor their fertility period. One other interesting feature is colour management that helps women know the perfect outfit for them. 

ii.Long lasting battery life.The tablet is developed to provide a long lasting battery life and it allows about 44-hours talk-time on 2G networks, 25-hours on 3G networks and about 1048 hours stand-by time. This therefore gives the device an edge in a country with poor electricity supply.

iii. TV on the go.

iv Bamboo books ,movies and news.

Destination Africa.Serengeti National Park Tanzania

.  If you ever dream about an exotic tropical  holiday or you're intrested in having the beauty of nature around you,then look no futher..Serengeti National Park Tanzania is what you have been searching for.Your stay in 

the Serengeti is definetly going to be an unforgetable experience with Giraffes walking next to you,driving through the lions’ area and having them a jump away from your car,watching the wildebeest migration,walking with Maasai,watching the sun set...the lits is indeed endless.And did I mention balloning in the serengeti? Its an amazing experience!Here are some pictures to whet your appetite

African in diaspora.Meet Zuriel the 10-year-old who enjoys interviewing presidents, business tycoons

  Zuriel Elise Oduwole is a 10 year old girl, but not just your regular 10-year-old.While other girls her age are occupied with thoughts of their favorite cartoon characters,Miss Zuriel is strutting the turf reserved exclusively for accomplished and seasoned TV personalities.

 . At the tender age of 10, Zuriel possesses an amazing talent that has made her rub shoulders with''kings''. She has successfully interviewed world renowed celebs including tennis super stars Venus and Serena Williams,business moguls like Africa’s richest person, Aliko Dangote and eight African presidents and ex Presidents some of which includes current president of Tanzania, Mauritius, ex-Presidents Jerry John Rawlings and John Kufuor of Ghana and President Joyce Banda of Malawi, who is one of Africa’s only two female national leaders, and most recently, she interviewed President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria. Currently, she is being globally celebrated as the youngest person ever to be interviewed by Forbes Magazine. Zuriel who lives with her family in  America hopes to retire at 19!

 Zuriel with the president of south sudan.

 Zuriel with the president of nigeria

Mauritius...the real Gods own country

   Are you ready to be blown away by breath taking beauty? Then, pack your stuff and book a flight to Port  Louis, capital of Mauritius. A little advice for you though. Travel heavy because the beauty of this city would  enchant you and you would spend more time than planned.

   Port Louis is the capital and also the economic centre-point of one of Africa’s paradise island, Mauritius. It is the largest city of the island with approximately 200,000 inhabitants.

  There are plenty of tourist attractions in and around Port Louis. Some of them are cultural sites like the vibrant Central Market, while others are of a natural bent, such as the Royal Botanical Gardens of Pamplemousses. The Domaine Les Pailles, a combination of the two, is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon in the Port Louis area and shouldn't be missed.

  Then there are the beaches of Mauritius. Certainly the highlight of any trip to the island, Mauritius boasts a large number of spots with squeaky white sand and inviting blue sea. You can choose from bustling destinations like Grand Baie, where there is great dining, nightlife and shopping to go with the amazing beach and variety of water sports. Tourists looking for peace and quiet should try the long stretch of sand at Flic en Flac Beach. Both of these attractions are just minutes from Port Louis and easily reached by bus or car.

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Destination Africa;Lemuria Golf Course.Seychelles.

Seychelles is a beautiful island country and it is increasingly becoming popular with those hunting for a luxury holiday destination. Golf enthusiast can also have some fun in this tiny African island nation at the breath taking Lemuria Golf Course. Although the 18-hole golf course is somewhat small, it is amazingly breathe taking. With immaculate terraced greens and views over three glorious beaches you’ll enjoy your game to the full. Each of the holes are celestial just like the atmosphere. And hole 15? It has to be seen as words can’t describe its celestial aura. This golf course also presents a lot of nerve cracking challenges; the first 12 holes play through narrow palm-lined fairways. The remaining six holes rise up into the island's hills providing panoramic views across the course, the island and other islands in the distance, while the fairways get narrower and the challenge harder. Many golfers have hailed Lémuria Golf Course as a golfers paradise and the most beautiful of its kind in the world – and with truly magnificent scenery spanning views of three spectacular beaches, it’s not hard to see why
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Project rebuild Africa;Hope city Ghana

An ambitious real estate project tagged hope city is to be built in Ghana. HOPE is an acronym for Home, Office, People and Environment. Envisaged as  a technology park, the project is to be built at Prampram, Greater Accra Region, Ghana. The project is expected to be completed in three years and is estimated to cost over $US9.5 billion Hope city, the brainchild of Ghanaian entrepreneur Roland Agambire will be developed in a large expanse of land measuring about 1.5million square meters. HOPE City will host a cluster of buildings and facilities including an ICT Park. The cluster of buildings are  going to be made up of six towers of different sizes including a 270meter high building which will be the highest in Africa. The towers have been designed as a vertical city linked together by bridges at different heights. Upon completion, the vertical city will have over 50,000 workers in the field of information and communications technology who will be engaged in the design and manufacturing of software and hardware for local consumption and export. The city will have apartments to house 25,000 inhabitants. The project would also be home to a university, schools, a hospital, and sporting amenities.

           

News;South African firm invest billions of dollars in the U S of A

Sasol,a South African energy firm has announced its intention to invest over $13 billion in the United States. Touted as one of the biggest investment of a non US firm in the state of Louisiana,the company hopes to build the first commercial US based plant that turns natural gas into liquid fuel,lubricant,and other chemical. The company's investment also includes a separate $6 billion ethane cracker and derivatives plant. Upon completion,the facility would produce an estimated 96,000 barrels per day and create over 1,200 permanent jobs in the following years.This will make the U.S. more energy independent.Critcs observe tha the project should have been sited in Africa.What do you think?  

Invention...innovation...Marishane Ludwick takes the water out of bathing.

In some African community and other temperate regions across the globe bathing can be a bother.This is particular true for folks living in rural areas where there is no electricity which means that hot water can be a luxury.some years ago during winter in a small rural village some where in the heart of Africa,two young boys shivering in the chilling cold wondered why a substitute for water wasn't available one said to the other 'why doesn't somebody invent something that you can just put on your skin and you don't have to bathe with water'Then he thought to himself why cant I do it...so it was that Marishane set out to produce this 'something'.He surfed the web in pursuit of a magic formula,few months later, DryBath was born. DryBath is a clear gel applied to skin that does the work of water and soap.The product differs from regular anti-bacterial hand washes as it has no heavy alcohol smell and creates an odorless, biodegradable cleansing film with moisturizers. Having obtained patent,the product is now manufactured commercially.The invention, which won Marishane the 2011 Global Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award,is used across Africa and beyond.It has been particularly helpful in areas with no regular access to water.

Destination Africa:Mount. Kilimanjaro

Mountain Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa at 5,895 metres, and one of the world's largest free standing mountains accessible to walkers. Covered in snow for most of the day, Mount Kilimanjaro is the most visited site in Tanzania, with an estimated fourty thousands of foreigners and locals each year,one wonders what attracts this visitors.For one thing, Climbing Kilimanjaro is easy and requires no technical climbing or mountaineering experience.For another the scenery is breath taking and picturesque Kilimanjaro has five common routes to its highest summit: Marangu Route; Machame Route; Rongai Route; Lemosho Route; and Mweka Route. Machame and Lemosho routes are popular and scenic. Marangu is the easiest and busiest.

Entrepreneur watch......Kenya Vava Angwenyi of the Vava coffee fame

Africa is a land blessed with abundant natural resources but unlike Europe and America,the continent is not known for adding value to its raw material. Kenya Vava Angwenyi identified this anomaly in the African business circle and made a firm resolve to add value to a raw material from her country.It was this firm resolve that gave birth to the Vava coffee brand.Vava Angwenyi a former African in the diaspora has dedicated her time and energy to building her brand despite huge challenges and lack of support. After completing her first and second degrees in Europe and America,she decided to return home to set up her business and help African cocoa farmers climb up the economic ladder.To achieve her dreams,Vava approached investors but they all pulled out even before the enterprise kicked off.But this did not deter her.Vava coffee is built on a unique model.she sources her raw materials from peasant cocoa farmers and ensures that they are adequately rewarded.In other not to be kicked out of the market by established brand,Vava designed packaging that tells stories of cocoa farmers to appeal to customers who have an interest in ethical business practice. The packaging also has notes on when and how to drink the various coffe varieties .Vava's coffee is sold at local supermarket in Kenya,Kenyan airports and local specialty store.the company also sells to NGOs and cooperate firms. Vava's effort has not gone without recognition-In 2011,her product was among the top 12 finalist at the BBC world challenge competition

Inventor:Richard Turere of the lion light fame

    Lions are king of the jungle everywhere they live.In recent times ,the Masai community of Africa suffered a lot from the menace of this jungle kings...the lions frequently attacked cattle which left the villagers at an economic loss.What where they to do?That was the question on everyone's lips until Richard Turere entered the picture.As a cattle farmer  himself,Richard was deeply concerned.First he tried using fire.It failed.Next he tried using scarecrows.That failed too.his eureka moment came when he realized that the lions stayed away when he walked around with a flashlight.Richard designed his ''Lion light'' with a few simple wires and bulbs.This worked perfectly!Soon every farmer  was using lion light  to protect their cattle from lions and their crops from elephants.Paula kahumbu of the national geographic explorer noticed his invention and thought it was worth sharing.As a leader of Natgeo Big Cat Initiative,an agency that protects lion Paula saw that Richards invention could help save cats since the villagers need not slay them in a quest to protect their cattle.    Since his invention,thirteen year  old Richard has come a long way recently,he addressed the TED conference in the U S of A.He now attends a prestigious high school.As for the future,Richard hopes to be a pilot and he e set to achieve his dreams

                                                                    Richards plan

                                               Richard addressing the TED conference

                                                                             lions light

African in diaspora:Theodore Afoke making a name through broadcasting

   John Afoke Theodore-Edevu is a very witty, intelligent, ebullient and multi-talented young man.  He is presently living and studying in North Cyprus, where he anchors/host, presents &  produce the  TV Show: "Theodore TV show"
He arrived in Cyprus on the 14th of October, 2012. Upon his arrival, so many foreigners were busy looking for jobs but John decided to do something different: he was going to create employment for himself.  He was mocked by others for that decision, however, in just five months, John had broken several records in Cyprus:  He is the first African to work with a satellite TV station in Cyprus.   .
John has recently had the opportunity to interview the wife of the Turkish prime minister, wives of  Ambassadors as well as, ministers and other top government officials.   His program ratings increases on a daily bases and he has over 1 million viewers around the world.
  You may as well type "Theodore's TV Show" on YouTube to see his official videos if you are not in Europe or you can't get the satellite station with your decoder.
And how has John been able to adapt himself to the language and culture of his new environment?  "I have been praised for my ability to learn and speak the Turkish Language, very well, in just five months, even with my busy schedule," said John in a recent interview with Yxpress magazine
As a young man working to help break down barriers and gradually eradicate racial discrimination, he is the first foreigner to gain fame in broadcasting  in Cyprus, John is indeed on his way to success and  he is doing a great job of rebranding Nigeria

Entrepreneur profile:Chinedu Echeruo

   Chinedu Echeruo  is a young Nigerian investor. A serial entrepreneur, Chinedu grew up in Eastern Nigeria. He had his secondary Education in kings college Lagos before he proceeded to Syracuse university and then Harvard Business school in the US of A. When Chinedu arrived Gods own country, he found out that New-York City with its High rising building, very huge population and  heterogeneous neighborhood could be difficult to get around  especially for strangers. This prompted him to create hopspot.com in 2005 exactly  ten years after moving around New - York where he worked. 

Hotstop is an online city transit guide offering door to door subway and bus direction and maps for over 140 cities around the world using its website or apps for iphone and Andriod.  

His creation has attracted lots of encomium and cash too. In 2007, he was named black Enterprise  magazine 2007 small Business innovator of the year. In July 2013 Apple confirmed a purchase of Hopstop.com application with a purported  $ 1.1billion. 

No longer the C.E.O of Hopstop, the investment banker, founder of Tripology, and  former J.P Morgan chase staff is now a partner and head of principal constant capital a west -Africa based investment bank and private equity firm.

Welcome to the goodlife:Iyanya grabs Zinox 350 000USD

  Yesterday, technology met art in a very exciting way as Zinox , Nigeria's major computer manufacturer signed one of Nigeria's top singers Iyanya. as the company's brand ambassador.The 350 000USD deal gives Zinox computer all rights to install the singers music,pictures music and more on its multi media application. Iyanya is certainly living the good life.Hard work pays

In the news:Fifi Ejundu bags lifetime achievement award from African Achievers.

     Celebrity entrepreneur and Fashion Icon Princes Fifi Ejundu received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the African Achievers Award at the African Arts and Fashion Banquet which held at The Dochester on Sunday, 4 August 2013.The  African Achievers Award recognizes Africans who contributes positively to African development.Those  awarded are selected in the following categories,community  development,leadership,arts and culture,entrepreneurship and others.Fifi was given the awarded for her contribution to promoting African art and fashion.This category of the award is given once in five years .

Destination Africa... Virunga mountain

     Africa is a beautiful place.With breath taking scenery and natural unspoilt vegetation,Africa is indeed the place to visit. One choice destination to drop by in Africa is the Virunga Mountains.The Virunga Mountains are a chain of volcanoes in East Africa.Is this place worth visiting? Let the pictures speak

Destination Africa : Eko Atlantic city

     Have you heard about Eko Atlantic city? Well it is a work in progress.Upon completion, the city will habour about 400,000 residents.The city which is being built on reclaimed land is touted as the next generation of luxury property in the world...something akin to Dubai as it will  satisfy needs for financial,commercial residential and tourist accommodation with state of the art high tech infrastructure in line with modern standard.Here are pictures of what the city will look like