Celebrating Ndi-Igbo

One to Watch Ijeoma Emesowum returns for her fifth season at the Shaw Festival as Sarah Undershaft in Major Barbara and Vernon in Guys and Dolls. Last season, she appeared in Ragtime and A Man and Some Woman. Previous Shaw credits include Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Admirable Crichton, The Women, Serious Money, Born Yesterday, Half an Hour and The Devil’s Disciple. After making the jump to Toronto in May 2008, Ijeoma began the quest to enrich herself. She began with the help of b currents rAiz’n ensemble, then with Canadian Stage Company’s GYM and by getting out in the big city, whose skyscrapers and huge crowds continue to amaze this small town girl. Ijeoma has also been part of the annual reading of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, hosted by the Shaw Festival. Other theatre credits include a workshop of Lisa Codrington’s The Aftermath (New Groundswell Festival, Nightwood Theatre); Binti’s Journey (Theatre Direct); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Canadian Stage Company); The N...

Francisca Okeke is a Professor of Physics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She recently received the L’Oreal-UNESCO for Women in Science Award for her significant contributions to the understanding of daily variations of the ion currents in the upper atmosphere which may further our understanding of climate change. In a statement, UNESCO said Okeke has made the study of the ionosphere her lifetime work. The ionosphere lies between 50km and 1000km above the earth surface. “A very thick layer of charged particles, the ionosphere produces changes in the magnetic field on earth’s surface that affect the planet in a host of ways. Her research could lead to a better understanding of climate change and help pinpoint sources of dramatic phenomena like tsunamis and earthquakes” She was also the Dean in the faculty of Physical Sciences at her University, from 2008 to 2010. On YouTube

Chinwe is currently researching autonomous self-adapting industrial in-house built robots, and how they can be used to facilitate mass customization. Robots, she hopes, will learn from their own experiences without being restricted to pre-conceived routines. In other words robots will use their experiences to think for themselves. Chinwe Ozoegwu received her BEng in Electrical and Electronics (4.62/5 GPA) from Moscow Power Engineering Institute, an MSc in Electronics and Information Technology (with Distinction) from Sheffield Hallam University and is currently pursuing a PhD in Industrial Automation and Robotics in Sheffield Hallam University, UK. In line with her stellar academic credentials, Chinwe secured a Bilateral Education agreement between Nigeria and Russia including free tuition, maintenance, insurance, book and travel allowances from the Russian and Nigerian governments, at Tver State Technical University and Moscow Power Engineering Institute. She is also currentl...

Nicholas Okoye (@NickyOkoye) is presently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Anabel Group Inc, the group includes Anabel Mobile Limited, Nigeria’s pioneer tier one Manufacturer of Smart Mobile Devices, online portals and data platforms, Anabel Capital, Advisor and capacity building Consultant to the Central Bank of Nigeria. Anabel Technology specializes in developing applications that allow groups, associations and corporations to share work reports off site and integrate solutions from anywhere in the World. Nicholas Okoye is the founding Group Executive Director and the first Leader of the pioneer Executive team that set up the Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (Transcorp), Nigeria’s first home grown conglomerate, involved in Oil, Gas, Hospitality and Agriculture. At Transcorp, Nicholas was responsible for rising over $1 billion USD in less than twelve months which was recorded and still is, one of Nigeria’s most successful capital raising exercises till date. In 2...

Ikenna Azuike (33) is an ex City lawyer turned internet personality and entrepreneur. After turning his back on a successful career as a lawyer in London, New York and Singapore, Ikenna took the surprising step of becoming a youtube video blogger focussed on Africa and an internet entrepreneur with a niche in sustainability. Four years on, Ikenna’s youtube show What’s Up Africa has a following of thousands. His foundation and company Strawberry Earth has also become a well established name in the sustainability field in the Netherlands. Ikenna’s digital life is devoted to finding the latest creative and innovative trends being embraced by young Africans as well as by young people interested in living more sustainable lifestyles. He shares the results of his search through What’s Up Africa and Strawberry Earth. In a nutshell What’s Up Africa is a youtube video blog launched in March 2011. The show features satirical news, comedy sketches, music and general creativity from t...

In 2008, Enyinne ( @enyinneo ), a former Hedge Fund Operations Analyst, decided to leave the world of Wall Street behind and pursue a path of entrepreneurship. She started Heritage1960, a blogzine and an online retail destination offering a curated view of global African fashion, lifestyle, and design.  Named after the year 17 African countries won their independence, Heritage1960 celebrates freedom, individuality and unique style inspired by the continent. Born in the US, Enyinne grew up in Kuwait and has lived and studied in Philadelphia. She has a Masters Degree in Global Fashion Management and worked as a US Business Development Manager at London-based trend forecasting company Worth Global Style Network (WGSN).  H1960MUSE is Enyinne’s Tumblr moodboard, “a collection of people, places and things that inspire” her. She is one to watch.

Emmanuel Ohuabunwa is an incredibly intelligent 22-year-old Nigerian, who in May 2012, emerged the best graduating student of John Hopkins University in the United States. Ohuabunwa made history when he obtained a Grade Point Average of 3.98 out of a possible 4.0 to earn a degree in Neurosciences; he also holds the highest honours conferred during the May 24, 2012 graduation ceremony. Ohuabunwa, who hails from Abia State, was born in Okota in Lagos State. He was 13 years old when, with his family, Ohuabunwa left the hustle, bustle and familiarity of Lagos, Nigeria for Houston, Texas. An outstanding young mind, Emmanuel recently joined the Phi Beta Kappa community, a prestigious honor group that features membership of 17 US Presidents, 37 US Supreme Court Justices and 136 Nobel Prize winners. Emmanuel Ohuabunwa is currently furthering his studies at the Yale University School of Medicine.