Celebrating Ndi-Igbo

Nkiru was born in Lagos in 1981. She studied architecture at the Barlett School of Architecture, University College London , where she received the undergraduate Dissertation Prize (2004). After working on the Dalston action plan, she continued her studies at the renowned Rice School of Architecture in Texas. She has been awarded the Margaret Everson-Fossi Travel Fellowship for excellence in design (2008), the Mary Ellen Hale Lovett Travel Fellowship (2007) and the Deans Visionary Project Award (2007). Nkiru's work speculates on the future of public space in cities, her future histories addresses issues of hyper density, congestion and scale in the growing megapolis. In 2009 her work was exhibited at the Anderson Hall, 'Mega Infrastructures: Strategies for Superbia' exhibition in Texas and at the d3 Gallery in Brooklyn, New York. LINK: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nkiru/show

One to watch Chima Anya is half Igbo and half Romanian. By day, Chima is a medical doctor but as a hip-hop MC his credentials are stellar. Having already shared stages with hiphop legends KRS 1, Amp Fiddler, Flava Flav and having already received support from Mary Anne Hobbes (Radio 1) "A Dope ass MC", Huw Stephen's (Radio 1) "I'm sure we will be playing more of this man" Ras Kwame (1Xtra) "Futuristic hiphop- we are looking for the doctor to come and save hip-hop", DJ 279 (Choice FM) "Hope yet for UK hiphop", Shortee Blitz (Kiss FM), Chima is surely making a name for himself. His Debut album "New Day" reflects the change that is needed to effect some balance the uk hiphop scene. Entirely produced by Astrosnare, the two hooked up having ascended to the top of the hiphop scene in Oxford making it a natural alliance. The first double AA side single saw Chima enlisting some fellow UK hiphop Luminaries Soweto Kinch and Jehst in joini...

Chioma Isiadinso is a 12 year admissions veteran who served on Harvard Business School’s Admissions Board and as former Director of Admissions at Carnegie Mellon University School of Public Policy and Management. She is the founder and CEO of EXPARTUS, a global admissions consultancy. Mrs. Isiadinso has been interviewed by the New York Times, the Financial Times, Business Day, The Guardian and on CNBC. She is the author of The Best Business Schools’ Admissions Secrets and she writes an admissions blog: www.mbaadmissionsecrets.com . She earned her Master of Education degree from the University of Pittsburgh and graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges with Honors degree in Psychology.

One to watch Jonathan Chiedozie Obika (born 12 September 1990) is an English footballer who plays for Tottenham Hotspur as a striker. Born in Enfield, London, Obika is a product of the Tottenham Hotspur youth system and was the top scorer for the academy side in the 2007–08 season. He made his first team debut in the UEFA Cup on 27 November 2008 against NEC Nijmegen. He also played against Ukrainian side FC Shakhtar Donetsk in the same competition. He signed a more secure contract with the club in January 2009. Obika grew up in Edmonton and attended The Bishop Stopford's School in Enfield.He is also the cousin of singer and former Fame Academy contestant, Lemar.

Nkemdilim Amelia Izuako is a puisne Judge and in 2008 was appointed as the first female judge in the High Court of Solomon Islands . Nkem who sees herself as an advocate for women’s rights and development assisted in mentoring legal professionals in Solomon Islands and helped to develop their potential to hold high judicial office. Outside the courtroom, Justice Izuako worked to assist social development by mobilising local women to form the Honiara Women’s Initiative, which undertakes micro-projects for the economic and social empowerment of women and girls. Before moving to Solomon Islands, Justice Izuako worked for more than two decades in the Nigerian judiciary, including working with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to put together a Judicial Ethics Training Manual for the Nigerian judiciary. She also served previously in The Gambia for the CFTC from January 2004 to February 2006, serving as a judge of the High Court and Court of Appeal. In March 2009, she was appointe...

Amaka is a very talented fashion designer and CEO of fashion label MAKI-OH . Maki Oh design ethos is to challenge prevailing notions of beauty. It aspires to initiate a continuous recognition and appreciation for self and individuality through fashion. Aroused by a strong sense of identity and African culture, the brand creates alluring conversational pieces that fuse traditional techniques with detailed construction. The essence of the label stretches beyond physical beauty to a textured, layered and three dimensional aesthetic, embodying the philosophies of preservation, strength, movement and complex simplicity. The seduction of Maki Oh is in its unison of emotion, intuition, sex and fashion. Amaka is surely one to watch.

Over the past 11 years, Henri Oguike has become one of the most celebrated and exciting contemporary choreographers in Britain. Born in West Glamorgan, Nigerian/Welsh choreographer Henri Oguike studied music, drama and dance at Swansea College. He went on to train at the London Contemporary Dance School and danced with 4D, its postgraduate performance group. In 1994, he became a founder member of the Richard Alston Dance Company and danced with the Company until 1998. Later the same year, a snapped achilles tendon almost saw him bring his career to an end. On finding his focus, he formed Henri Oguike Dance Company in 1999 which quickly made an impact, picking up the Time Out Live Award for the ‘Most Outstanding New Company’ in 2001. Henri Oguike Dance Company is a contemporary dance company based in London. Henri Oguike Dance Company tours extensively across the UK and abroad and delivers a comprehensive schedule of education/outreach projects. The Company has performed at major festiv...