The Diaspora - African Magazine - 2nd Issue

THEDIASPORA AFRICAN MAGAZINE

NIGERIAN ENTERTAINMENT Musical industry has pushed the afrobeat music to global scale and they continue to make waves, p.50

SEPT 2020 DEC 2020

ISSUE 02

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Special Edit ion

WI T H DR. CLI FFORD EKE, P. 42

T OP B U SI N ESS

U.S. IMMIGRATION

SECT OR S US. business sectors that are trending upward in the past two decades, p. 20

The major policy change affecting some Afr ican countr ies, p.38

T H E M IS S U N IV ER S E Zo z i b i n i Tu n z i p. 8

20 20 Fashion Tr ending in Afr ica, p.14

I nsi ght s fr om

Afri can Business Owner s, Ent r epr eneur s, and Non-Pr ofi t Or gani zat i ons Under standing the str uggle and success of Afr ican businesses,

COR ON A -V I R U S SPR EA D

non- pr ofit or ganizations and the enter tainment industr y !

The global spr ead of the Cor onavir us is w or st than the Ebola outbr eak, p.39 Sept em ber - Decem ber 2020

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CONTENTS 20 20 Fashion Tr ending in Af r ica The latest 2020 African fashion is simply fabulous 6 ChaChasy Classic Beads 100% custom handmade women beads 8 Miss Univer se - Zozibini Tunzi M ost black women have lost confidence in their dark skin 28 The Incr edible Mat ch Red is one of the boldest primary colors of the spectrum 30 Raising Concer ns Over Black Nat ur al Hair In Public Places I t's extremely impolite to touch without permission 40 Mult i-Talent ed Thea Okosi Thea would create 10 to 15 different voices, so the dolls can take each voice, as well as name them and surprisingly she?ll remember their names 19 The Diaspor a Magazine Beaut y of t he Mont h Chimma Sandra - Beauty and Fashion

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS 36 Gossaye Tesfaye M y audience received my album Siyamish Yamegnal very well.

42 Chief Dr. Clif for d Eke - Pr esident Chima Medical Missions Int er nat ional I was motivated to study medicine, so I can one day give back to my community 24 Josh Ghaim - PhD - Pr esident Over 13 years as a Chief Technology Officer for Johnson and Johnson, and currently the President of my newly started companies 16 Almaz Negash - Founder Af r ican Diaspor a Net wor k The Kenyan I CT minister is our first minister from Africa 26 Yomi Adedeji - CEO Sof t com Limit ed Niger ia Connecting people and businesses with meaningful innovation in four specific areas 10 Ozie Nzer ibe - Young Niger ian-Amer ican Rapper, Act or, Model and Philant hr opist .

I wrote it when I was 11 years old, before we finally did the video with Ray J

ARTICLES 13

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TRADITIONAL AFRICAN RECIPES, CROPS or FOOD WITH MEDICINAL BENEFITS Scent leaf is one of many real home medicines accepted as antibiotics with antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiseptic properties CASSAVA LEAVES CONSUMED BY LIBERIANS BUT TRASHED BY NIGERIANS Cassava leaves constitute one of the widely consumed cuisines in Liberia

20 U.S. BUSINESS SECTORS TRENDING UP After critical study and analysis, some factors were observed to have greatly contributed towards the proliferation of the top five sectors 27

AFRICA THE FUTURE OF FINTECH SPACE IN THE WORLD There are huge breakthroughs in digital banking and the adoption of Fintech-based services by African consumers

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7 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

"Afri can Wom en t o be com for t abl e and pr oud of t heir bl ack sk in" Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa was crowned as the winner of the 2019 Miss Universe Competition on December 7th. This is an outstanding victory, since Tunzi is the pageant?s first black winner in eight years. This is an important feat for Africans, especially women. When Tunzi was crowned, she took a moment to speak about the importance of shifting antiquated beauty and to celebrate the ?Black Girl Magic?.

This is to remind African women to be comfortable and proud of their black skin. Zunzi, during her closing statement says, ?I grew up in a world where a woman who looks like me ? with my kind of skin and my kind of hair was never considered to be beautiful. I want children to look at me and see my face, and I want to see their faces reflect in mine?.

In this new era, it is a welcome relief to remind Africans that the vision of someone being beautiful and irresistible is no longer just being light-skinned. Most black women have lost confidence in their dark skin.

They resorting to bleaching because they believe the society mostly finds light-skinned women attractive and more socially acceptable. There are several situations and many negative stereotypes where people, especially women with dark skin, are perceived to be unattractive and dirty. This thought process is very damaging to the black community as a whole.

Therefore, Zozibini Tunzi?s victory as one of the most beautiful people in the universe inspires black women. Letting them know that they are beautiful just the way they are. Tunzi is an advocate for pure and natural beauty. She teaches Africans to accept themselves the way they are. She has shown African women that beauty can be anything, whether they have black or white skin.

M I SS UNI V ERSE ZOZIBINI TUNZI 2019 Winner

8 The Diaspora Magazine | Sept- Dec 20202020 - Dec 2020 8 The Diaspora - African- African Magazine | Sept 2020

FREWEINI MEBRAHTU 2019 CNN HERO Many Africans are now making a positive impact in all nooks and crannies of the world, including women.

Irrespective of the bad reputation some unfortunate people might have created for Africans, many have proven that there are kind hearts from Africa that deliver outstanding services to humanity still exist.

Freweini Mebrahtu is an Ethiopian woman and a chemical engineer who has been named by CNN as the 2019 Hero of the Year for working to change the cultural stigma around a woman?s period. Menstruation is considered a taboo in most rural areas of Ethiopia.

Freweini?s belief that no girl should miss school or drop out because of her

menstruation is resonating on a global scale. She just doesn?t believe in this but has since been working towards achieving a positive result by collaborating with the Dignity Period, a nonprofit organization.

She had already established the Mariam Seba Sanitary Products Factory, but she needed financial and logistical support to produce and distribute a high quantity of sanitary pads throughout Ethiopia. This brought about the birth of the Dignity Period.

Initially, one in ten girls miss school for reasons related to their period and missing school usually leads to these girls falling behind in their academic performance. Currently, the reverse is the case, since as most young girls have been educated, thanks to Freweini.

They are also being provided with free sanitary pads, thereby increasing their attendance by 24% in schools Freweini and her team has visited.

Freweini has dedicated her life to keeping girls in school. Nearly 800,000 girls and women have benefited from her work and more than 80% of the

9 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

pads she manufactures are sold to non-governmental organizations that distribute them for free.

Freweini?s acts of heroism further validate the fact that Africans are indeed making a huge positive impact in the world and they care about human welfare enough to devise strategies to improve living standard.

Freweini is a role model and an inspiration to many African women.

EXCLUSIVE WITH OZ IE N JERIBE AKA

ZMNY Young Niger ian Amer ican Rapper , Act or , Model and Phil ant hr opist

ZMNY's Latest Albums: -

Ridin - Making wave across the globe and in U.S.

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Vudu - Already creating a buzz before its release - coming soon

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E.t.c

ZMNY Featur ed: -

Little Fires Everywhere on Hulu starring Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon

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Stared on Beyoncé?s Black is Kin g

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Swagger show with Kevin Durant and O?Shea Jackson - coming soon

10 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

YOUNG, GIFTED, and HUMBLE

You h ave collabor at ed w it h som e Niger ian ar t ist s. How did you get acqu ain t ed w it h t h em an d h ow did you go abou t t h e pr ocess?

I have collaborated with two Nigerian artists. One time Fir s t Mus ic al Vid eo wit h Ray J with ReekadoBanks and two at 13 year s o l d , f eat ur ed in times with Olamide. My Ho l l ywo o d mo vies s er ies mum was the one that in Shamel es s et c . one way connects me with You began you r car eer at a them. I still listen to Nigerian ver y you n g age. Can you say music and keep tabs on the som et h in g abou t you r charts. However, my mum is exper ien ce t h en ? like one of those people that I started showing signs of my always know someone that musical abilities around age will be useful. She can get me six. I was performing at almost anything. relative?s weddings and parties. However, it was Wh at is you r son g t o ?DJ around age 11 when I took it Kh aled?all abou t ? seriously. I went to the studio I did the song to get DJ at that age and did my first Khaled's attention and it did. I song. had some friends of friends that know him, so they sent How w ou ld you descr ibe the video to him. We didn?t you r exper ien ce doin g a collaborate but he was like m u sic video w it h Ray J at ?OK, I like this kid?. t h e age of 13?

It was my first song. I wrote it Can you t ell u s a lit t le bit when I was 11 before we abou t t h e son g ?Alh aji?an d finally did the video when I h ow you cam e abou t it ? was 13. I wanted somebody It was one of the six Afrobeats to help it break through the songs that I have done in charts. When I looked at my general. All those were done list, I discovered that Ray J was in the studio, like the one I did the first name on my list. We with Reekado. I stayed there met at the studio, signed all for like days. I slept there. the contracts and jumped into Working on a row. I kept the project. He was very nice going. I needed not only to about it. We actually filmed break here but to break the video on my 13th Nigeria and everywhere. So, I birthday. worked on that. I was there all night. My mum was there Wh at did you f eel abou t waking me up every time I f am e an d h ow did you dozed off. I would wake up h an dle it at su ch a you n g and start work again. age?

When it came to performing You also did son gs su ch as on stages or in the presence ?Call m e?, " Pr om ise" an d of a crowd, I always would put ot h er s, Pr om ise w en t u p on a brave face. However, in t h e h ook , w h at can you say reality, I was frightened. I abou t it ? made sure nobody knew. I Promise is one of my more told myself that if I acted like I serious songs. It?s about the am cool, that I would be cool. less fortunate people. Just like Gradually, I became people that we neglect or comfortable with the disregard. The song advises publicity. When I get scared I people to not feel entitled would always joke around, because of what they have. then it fades.

11 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

The music video involved lots of shots and actors.

You also h ave a ch ar it able or gan izat ion . Cou ld t h at h ave in spir ed t h e son g Pr om ise??

Most definitely that?s always a part of it, because I am also a youth ambassador. That wasn?t what I initially made it for but it also ties it to everything I did. The last time I was in Nigeria, I bought some things and reached out to the less privileged.

Wh at in spir ed you t o do t h at at su ch a you n g age?

Yes. Honestly, it was just a last-minute thought. I was like let?s do this. I visited to do like a little tour. So I bought out some stores and I just started walking the streets and handing out things.

I believe af t er t h at t r ip you decided t o go in t o act in g.

Wh y?

Yes. Acting wasn?t my 100% passion. I was never aiming for it but it?s something I always wanted to do. So not only did I think that it will help boost my music, it was something that I was good at and also enjoyed doing.

You h ave a n ew son g com in g u p on t h e 26t h of t h is m on t h . Can you t ell m e abou t it ? ?Riding? is one of the songs. I am very proud of it. It?s my first song in 2020. ?Riding? is about a girl who I thought I was in love with, but it turns out she was not the right one.

I was actually in love with her sister. Again, just like I said before, not all of these stories are ties to me. It ties to some of my experiences but also some males and men that have the same experiences with girls.

Wh at in spir ed you t o do w h at you do, m u sically? like I said, I started at the young age of six. I always

loved rap. It touched me more and I don?t know why. In rap, you will get to encounter different kinds of emotions and you can just express yourself.

Wh er e do you see you r self t en year s f r om t oday?

I would like to see myself in more films, more series, diving deeper into acting. I want to do my music. I want to collaborate with more known artists. I want to be in this interview place called Genius. It?s a dream.

Wh at advice do you h ave f or you t h s w h o look at you an d assu m e you h ave got it all?

Honestly, looks can be deceiving. So, it?s not that I don?t have it all. I have a family that supports me 100%. I have music, acting, and others but it doesn?t mean that I am better than anybody. A lot of people think, that I am living the dream but I work hard like everybody else and I am still pushing my music like everybody else. I am always improving and working my way through.

Com in g f r om an Af r ican f am ily, you k n ow t h ey h ave t h is view if you ar e n ot a doct or , a law yer or som et h in g of t h at n at u r e t h at you ar e n ot goin g t h r ou gh t h e r igh t pat h . So h ow does you r m u m h an dle t h at ?

Right from when I was young, my parents have always been very accepting. They are always encouraging our dreams. They teach us to believe in our dreams and follow them no matter what.

My mum and dad were behind me 100%. They funded my first music video and everything. I am so grateful for them.

ZMNY

| con t in u es f r om p.11

Th er e is a n ot ion t h at if you ar e a r apper t h at you m u st h ave h ad a st r eet exper ien ce. How ever , I don't see you as som eon e w it h st r eet exper ien ce. So h ow do you st ill be cr eat ive in w r it in g you r son gs?

about all their work and projects and I am no different. There are times I feel like I haven't gone to where I needed to be in this amount of time and I wish I had done more. I keep wishing but I have realized that I got to stop looking at the past or wishing. All I can do is move forward and build my base in music, acting, and everything. At those moments that I am down, my mum always finds a way to bring back my confidence.

Even now a lot of people are thinking that you have to be hard from the streets or come from hardship to be a rapper. But now everybody has changed the game.

Not everybody has to be from that background. It doesn't make me any less of a rapper. I grew up comfortable. I write about real stuff, I write about sadness, love, etc. It doesn't have to be from any bad experience.

How did you com e abou t t h e n am e ZM NY? When I was little I was always obsessed with money. I search for money anywhere I can get it. Digging through the couch, cushions, finding it on the ground, even asking my parents for allowances. So, my dad gave me the nickname. "Z" is the second letter of my name Ozie. It started out as Zdollars, Zbang then ZMNY Official.

Wh at is you r view on t h e Niger ian m u sic in du st r y?

I think they are doing pretty well.

Afro-beats is breaking the chats even here in the US. I respect every one of them I get the chance to work with. So far I have only worked with two Nigerian artists. I am hoping to expand that when I get back over there.

Wh o do you t h in k is you r f avor it e Niger ian ar t ist ?

I love them all. I got no favorite but I would say that I do appreciate Olamide. I have already worked with him. He is calm-headed, humble and I want to do more stuff with him when I get back home because I love him. I also love Korede Bello and would love to work with him. His music has got vibes that I love.

Wh ich of you r son gs do you t h in k you ar e m or e pr ou d of an d w h y?

I am proud of all of them because, with each new song that comes up, I get a different feel. So in general, I have no favorites. I love all of them even in my

Wh at w ou ld you t ell you r f an base of w h o ZM NY is?

beginning ones cause that shows my growth.

Sw it ch in g back t o you r f ou n dat ion , you h elp t h e less-pr ivileged even w it h you r bu sy sch edu le. Wh y do you do t h at at a ver y you n g age?

A lot of people would assume it's my parents that are pushing, like thinking it's my mum trying to make me look good in public. However, in general, I grew up believing in helping the less fortunate and people that can't help themselves. It gives me a special type of warmth inside that I am helping other people.

You r m u m h as been in st r u m en t al in you r gr ow t h . How cr it ical is sh e t ow ar ds you r pr ogr ess an d su ccess in lif e?

She has been with me since day one of it.

She never for once doubted my ability, even in the times that I am doubting myself. She stayed with me and 100% fed my confidence. She would never leave my side.

At w h at poin t in lif e w ou ld you t h in k t h at ZM NY is n ow a su per st ar ?

You know everybody is self-conscious

12 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

I would want to let you guys know that I might be going back to "Ozie" anyway. Coming back to who I am, I am just a normal kid living his dreams and doing my music. I do positive music, acting, and others. I am humble. I don't think that I am better than anybody.

I am just doing my thing. I don't worry about anybody else.

Wh at advice do you h ave f or Af r ican m ot h er s in r egar d t o h ow t h ey pr escr ibe a car eer f or t h eir ch ildr en ?

I know any mother would want the best for their child. They want their child to strive and be very successful. But I just want to open their minds to the possibility that this is what they can make out of their life doing. So, I am going to tell them to stick with their child because you would rather help them thrive and be in his/her life than them pushing you away. I am lucky to have parents that were surprisingly supportive of what I wanted to do.

TRADITIONAL AFRICAN RECIPES, CROPS or FOOD WITH MEDICINAL BENEFITS The pr escr ipt ion of her bal medicines is st ill pr evail in Af r ica ncient Africans have effectively survived various illnesses and infectious diseases using natural herbal medicines or instantaneously derive medicinal contents from food crops or seeds they consumed.

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Africa countries are yet to be saturated with genetically modified organism (GMO) crops that allow them to still cultivate or organically grow these natural herbal crops. Many still prefer traditional healthcare methods because of its authenticity or affordability compared to English medicines.

The preferred choice and historical herbal treatment in Africa's traditional healthcare system is deeply rooted in medicinal plants, seeds or vegetables.

NCHANWU and UZIZA LEAVES WIDELY CONSUMED BY THE IGBO and THE YORUBA TRIBE IN NIGERIA

African healers prescribe medical plants to their patients and the efficacy of this pattern of medication is apparent.

Being aware of the nature of their environment, Africans do not wait for any signs, symptoms and subsequent diagnosis before they start taking these plants that are of medicinal value.

In addition, some herbal medicines have been approved by the Nigerian National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and these herbal medicines are prescribed in hospitals across Nigeria.

For example, Dr. Alladin?s Seven Keys Mixture is used in treating measles and chickenpox. The ingredients are from domestic herbal contents.

Scent leaf is one of many real home medicines accepted as antibiotics with antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic properties. It is locally known as nchanwu (Igbo), daidoya (Hausa and Efirn (Yoruba).

In Nigeria, this vegetable can be used for almost every meal. Some other countries in Africa add the stem to their desert

drink.

Scen t leaf is known for treating bad breath; the stick of this leaf serves as a chewing stick in some parts of Nigeria to kill bacteria in the mouth and prevent tooth decay. Scent leaf is also used as a pain relief especially for wounds; the juice of the vegetable is used on the surface of the wound and it eases the pain. This vegetable is used in Africa to treat stomach aches, lower blood sugar and fertility issues.

A mixture of scent leaf and bitter leaf is a potent medicine for treating malaria and fever in Nigeria. If scent leaf grows around your windowsill, protection against cough and cold is guaranteed that many indigenous believe. Scent leaf is also a mosquito repellent. The Igbos in Nigeria used it as strong protection against mosquitoes prior to the introduction of insecticide, hence the name ?nchu anwu? translated as ?mosquito repellent? in English.

13 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

Piper gu in een se locally called uziza found in West Africa is known in the region for its therapeutic properties.

The seed of this plant can be used for the treatment of stomach ache, infertility in women, low sperm count, leprosy, convulsion, loss of appetite and cough.

In Nigeria, especially in Igbo and Yoruba land, nursing mothers use piper guineense to enhance contraction of the uterine muscles and to cleanse the womb of the afterbirth remains.

These medicines in the form of food constitute the traditional African medicine which they utilize for preventive and curative measures. It is also an alternative treatment when foreign medication provides little or not apparent result.

2020 FASHION TRENDING IN AFRICA

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frican women are known for their stylish and colorful fashion sense. This can be traced back to history. From the start of time, African women adorn themselves with beautiful articles of clothing, cowries, beads, and colorful body-paintings.

However, in recent times, it has changed into a more modern concept that still looks breath-taking. The latest African fashion in 2020 is simply fabulous. It has fascinated and conquered the taste of numerous fashion designers. The clothes are conventionally decorated with fascinating embroidery and leather weaving, in addition to long fringes.

Women?s fashion outfits in the African style cannot be imagined without numerous accessories. They are usually the most significant details of the attire.

The lat est Af r ican f ashion in 2020 is simply f abulous!

Below are the trending styles for the year, of which some are a carry-over from the previous year, 2019.

Head Wr aps - The head wrap is becoming increasingly popular, thanks to the rise of Naturalistas (A group of African women who keep natural hair).

As more African women embrace the texture of kinky hair, attachments and hair relaxers are discarded, while head wraps are embraced.

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Of f Sh ou lder - This style almost never dies off. Off-shoulder dresses, blouses and jumpsuits are chic, sensual and very feminine.

Palazzo - Palazzo pants have come to stay for a very long time. Women really do love them because of their convenience and comfort. They also make a loud fashion statement. Palazzo pants come in different cuts, styles, and colors. One can rock them with block heels and sandals.

Side Slits- Side slits are in vogue. Feisty, sensual and very feminine. Generally, they are attention grabbers. Designers and tailors have incorporated this style into most wax print dresses and the effect is stunning.

Den im ? One can?t discuss the latest fashion trends without mentioning denim jeans. They are timeless pieces that will never go out of fashion. There are different styles of denim jeans African women do rock these days, especially combining it with the Ankara material.

At some point, people can?t help but imagine what fashion will be like 10 to 20 years from now based on how fast it changes. It will range from virtual collections to limitless creativity. Most people believe that virtual-reality will play a key role in future fashion. There is a good chances that clothing will increasingly become high-tech. One thing is certain, African women will not be left behind.

14 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

2020 AFRI CAN FASHI ON

15 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

EXCLUSIVE WITH ALM AZ NAGESH Th e Ken yan ICT m in ist er is ou r f ir st m in ist er f r om Af r ica.

Can you br ief ly t ell u s abou t t h e even t , t h e Af r ican Diaspor a In vest m en t Sym posiu m ?

The event is called The African Diaspora Investment Symposium aka ADIS20. It?s an organization that brings Africans, and friends of Africa together, to collaborate, and co-create. We wanted to bring Africans at the table to co-create and co-imagine possibilities for the continent.

We use the symposium as a way to bring that to life.

How did you com e abou t t h e idea an d h ow did you get t o st ar t ?

The idea came about 10 years ago. I think it?s out of frustration. I am in Silicon Valley. I have had an incredible career and had access to many organizations,

play, so I decided to play and see what it looks like.

If we create an organization, I called it the African Diaspora Network. It just came to me, nobody gave it to me. It was just an idea. That was the genesis on how I put in about 15 people together and asked them what they thought about the idea of starting up the organization. It?s coming to our 10th year. It was a very gradual growth and I am very grateful it has grown to what it is today.

Kn ow in g t h at t h e Af r ican gover n m en t is n ot doin g ver y m u ch in t er m s of su ppor t , do you t h in k w e in t h e diaspor a h ave a m ajor r ole t o play in t h at aspect ?

We do. It?s absolutely up to us to try to engage the African government. For many years. ADN has been quiet. We haven?t reached out to the government because first you have to create a platform that is sustainable and I am very happy to say, our first minister from Africa who will be speaking with us, is the

in

diaspora work together.

Af r ica does r eceive a lot of m on ey an n u ally t h r ou gh in f low r em it t an ce.

Based on r esear ch an d an alysis, it seem s t h at it goes t h r ou gh t w o ar eas, edu cat ion or im pr ovin g lives. Do you t h in k w e can diver t som e of t h ose f u n ds t o st ar t u ps or ven t u r e in t o som et h in g t h at can gen er at e m or e r even u e?

I am so glad you asked the question.

Remittance is good if you have a mum or a sister somewhere in the remote areas or wherever it is on the continent or even the city. The question is, are we creating a dependent society or a sustainable society?

To create a sustainable society, we must figure this out. Instead of steadily sending funds, we can create a business for those individuals so that they can sustain themselves. I am not saying that the remittances don?t make a difference, it does make a difference but it can also lead to dependence. What I will like to see happen is to scale part of this remittance to support startups in Africa.

We help these individuals without even knowing them.

Wh at advice do you h ave f or Af r ican s in t h e diaspor a?

and people were influenced. They all mean very well but wherever I go, I was the only Black or the only African. In 2007 ? 2009, there was a big movement on social entrepreneurship were people really wanted to do good in the continent but it was almost always out of feeling sorry for the continent. You know like, ?they don?t have clean water, let me provide them clean water for them?.

The question for me always was, where are the Africans? At some point, you know you have to start to complain or

Kenyan ICT minister. It is also very fitting that we have him in Silicon Valley because it?s all about technology, knowledge transfer, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship. I think we still have a long way to go and we can?t just wait for somebody else to do the things that we can do. I think we should just ask ourselves ?do I just want to send remittances or do I really want to also get involved with this government and start to be a part of this journey?? In my humble way, I would like to see Africans

16 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

I think Africans in the Diaspora are incredibly brilliant and I am just so proud of them. I am where I am simply because there was a historical African in the diaspora that suffered for us to be here in the United States to do the work I do.

So we have the historical and contemporary or new diaspora. I am the new diaspora and so are you, but there were the historical African Americans who have paved the way for us to be here. So, my suggestion is for the contemporary diaspora to make an effort to build the bridge to bring the Africans in diaspora and friends of Africa together and work together.

CASSAVA LEAVES CONSUM ED BY LIBERIANS BUT TRASHED BY NIGERIANS Cassava leaves ar e a w idely con su m ed cu isin e in Liber ia.

Introduced into Africa by Portuguese traders from Brazil in the 16th century, cassava is a popular staple food in Africa providing the basic diet for more than half a million people.

Over 40 African countries cultivate cassava, consolidating the fact that two-thirds of the world cassava production is in Africa. The commonly consumed part of the cassava is the root, which can be prepared in different ways. Interestingly, the cassava leaves constitute one of the widely consumed cuisines in Liberia. It is known to be the

traditional food of the Vai tribe in Liberia. It can be prepared using any method, but first they remove the liquid from the leaves by grinding or squeezing.

The delicacy is called cassava leaf soup locally known as Saka Saka or Pondu.

It is best enjoyed with rice, just like other Liberian soups. On the other hand, it is an anomaly to serve cassava leaves of any form as food in Nigeria.

They are rather sent to the shed where the goats or/and other livestock feed on them or disposed of entirely. That notwithstanding, Nigerians eat the root part of the cassava.

Cassava leaves have been proven to be rich in vitamin C, a strong antioxidant that helps in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and vitamin B. It is also rich in phosphorus, calcium,

17 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

iron, copper, zinc, and magnesium.

Africa is a continent that is saddled with the problem of large population growth and need the available resources to accommodate the ever-growing number.

The population is estimated to double by 2025. This necessitates the need for urgent measures to curb possible adverse outcomes. Africans should invest in research and development to start the quest of discovering herbal medicine and foods that could help alleviate hunger in the continent.

A full displace of I gbo attir e.

T he complete costume pr evail dur ing tr ading mar r iage cer emony

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The Di aspor a Magazi n e Beau t y of t he Mon t h

Chidimma, Sandra Beauty and Fashion

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U.S. BUSINESS SECTORS TRENDING UP driven by population growth and consumers' demand are the recipe of business growth key f act or s dr iving business sect or s upwar d

Many businesses have been established in various sectors that have contributed to job creation, improved living standards and contributed to the overall U.S economy or GDP. Thousands of businesses also have fallen under the water due to the dynamic and evolving business environments.

In order to understand the critical components that drive these sectors, it is necessary to review a decade worth of data and perform an in-depth analysis to shed light on the top five sectors that have been on the rise and five bottom sectors that have stagnated or declined in the past decade.

After critical study and analysis, some factors were observed to have greatly contributed towards the proliferation of the top five sectors. Grocery and related products, household appliances/electrical and electronic goods, motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts, computer and computer peripheral and software, drugs and druggists?sundries. From 1992 to present, we have seen an upward trend in population, tremendous online presence (e-commerce), increased consumer spending, technological innovation and revolution, and technological and

marketing innovations. These five factors will continue to drive these sectors, even during recession.

In 1992, the United States had a population as 256.9 million. In the same year, food and beverage stores recorded a total sales of 370.5 billion US dollars while for grocery stores, it was $337.4 billion. The population grew to 282.2 million in 2000 and continued to increase to 309.3 million in 2010. In the same vein, these sectors are not left behind. They have been experiencing continuous growth at the same pace. Food and beverage stores hit total sale of $444.8 billion in 2010 and grocery stores had $402.5 billion in the same year ?s sale. The figure kept increasing as the population increased. The global population is expected to reach 10 billion by the year 2050. This would put immense pressure on the food supply chain. Since the human population keeps increasing, these sectors will also be sustainable.

Since the inception of online primitive electronic data transactions in the 1960s and the first online retail transaction in 1994 according to the CSP.edu blog, there has been a massive growth in these business sectors. The presence of online

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stores has brought the market closer to the people, thereby increasing sales.

Prior to 1989, these sectors didn?t have the sales volume that they do today. Sales in food and beverages sector is estimated to have increased by 66.6 percent from 1992 to 2016. In 2018, retail e-commerce revenue from food and beverage sales amounted to almost 16.2 billion U.S. dollars. Global online food and beverage sales are estimated to increase by 80% over the next five years or by 2022.

It is axiomatic that an individual's disposable income is directly proportional to his spending; a higher disposable income equals a higher amount of consumer spending.

In 1992, Americans had $18,987 per capita disposable personal income and increased in subsequent years.

Between 1992 and present, these top sectors have witnessed visible growth as more resources are being pumped into these sectors.

In 2018, the US per capita disposable income reached $48,343 U.S. dollars leading to more sales, thereby driving these sectors to their peak.

Accelerated progress in technological advancement which is characterized by innovations has contributed to the rapid growth. Technologies are structured to serve the existing needs of the populace, making the products a necessity. Motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and supply business sector has been favorably affected. A total number of 276 m illion car s w er e sold in 2019 com par ed t o t h e 9 m illion car s sold in t h e year 2000. In the same year, supermarkets and other grocery (except convenience) stores annual sales were 397.2 billion dollars and in 2019 annual sales rose to 667.5 billion dollars in 2019.

population growth and other driving factors, while some sectors are registering massive growth.

years. In 1993, the sector had total revenue of $65.7b but in 2019, it went down to $12b with 7,434 businesses.

Technology innovation, the emergence of substitutes, change in consumer preference and recession have contributed to this trend.

Consumers tend to switch their preferences at one time or the other depending on the satisfaction they derive from the new product. This causes a decline in the business as half progress within a sector cannot lead to total growth.

Continuous advancement in technology has aided in contracting the growth of these sectors. The shift from the paper and pen pattern of communication towards digital and paperless communication in the United State is the primary cause of the decline in office supplies and stationary sector. As the US

The great recession which officially spanned from December 2007 to June 2009 crippled the growth of some sectors. It took time for the populace and economy to recover from the

Computer and computer peripheral and software is another business sector that has experienced considerable growth. In 2000, 168.84 million computers were in use in the US but in 2019, the figure rose to 261.24 million.

As new technologies are being developed, these sectors are expected to grow even more.

The advancement in technology has led to the amelioration of marketing schemes and methods resulting in significant changes in product promotion, packaging or even pricing. This has aided in bringing these sectors to the limelight. The discount and installment payment method available in purchasing household appliances and electrical and electronic goods, motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and supply and computer and computer peripheral and software accounts for the expansion of the sectors.

With these five contributing factors in place, it is safe to say that these sectors would continue to expand. The elements that fuel their growth have had a non-stop increase growth ride and the sectors would continue to advance in the same magnitude. These business sectors are under performing despite

continues working towards a paperless office system, the sector is estimated to decline at the rate of 2.5% by 2022. The world is converging through the Internet which allows for official communication and cost-effective services, thereby leading to the dwindling of the paper and paper products business.

Substitutes arise when one product can serve the same purpose as another. This leads to intensified competition within the sectors. This competition limits the business potential return, by placing a constraint on the price the firms in these sectors can charge to make a profit.

As the substitutes offer attractive price-performance, it becomes even U.S. BUSINESS SECTORS DIM INISHING OR more difficult for them to make a profit ANNUAL REVENUE WITHIN $7 - 27 Billion and no business can grow without AS OPPOSED TO SECTORS AT $250 t o $1.3 making a profit. The price competition TRILLION AS SHOWN IN GRAPH ON P.22 has led to the contraction of the Technological innovations and tremendous annualized rate of apparels sector from 5.7% to $11.8 billion for the last five shift in lifestyle continue to negatively impact these low performing sectors

recession.

This period was greeted by a high rate of unemployment which impacted consumer behaviors, as they cut back heavily on non-essential spending.

Anyone admiring to venture into business must consider the driving factors that have propelled growth of most business. It is extremely important to conduct an in-depth analysis and perform a stress test to have a more aggressive look at potential risks. It is also possible to quantify risks in the context of broader scenarios, by calculating the effect of more extreme one-off events, such as a cybersecurity attack, or the corona virus that put the economy on a stand still. In addition to continuous risks, like GDP or risks that are explicitly tied to strategic planning, capital allocation, and other business decisions.

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MOUTH DROPPING ROASTED GINGER BEEF WITH SPRING RICE Pr epar ed by

C hristina Okosi

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Jennifer Chibundu

In s pir ed Mo del "Stand Tall & Confident"

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH JOSH GHAIM Can you please t ell u s w h o you ar e?

My name is Josh Ghaim. I grew up in Eritrea and Sudan. I finished high school in Sudan and then I came to the US to go to college. I have a degree in Chemistry and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry. I have been in the industry. So, for the past 13 years I have been chief technology officer for J&J. But over the last 18 months and so, while working for Johnson & Johnson, we have been developing some ideas around new companies that I am setting up myself and now I am the President of a new company called Small World. I am also now the managing Partner and Founder of another company called Ignite.

How is you r exper ien ce w it h t h e ju st -con clu ded even t , t h e Af r ican Diaspor a In vest m en t Sym posiu m ?

It?s been incredible. I actually sit on the board of the African Diaspora Network.

So, we have been looking at this for the past two years to see how we can bring in the whole human capital of Africans in the diaspora, and there are a lot of them here in the Silicon Valley area. It is also important how we connect with the continent in terms of need for entrepreneurship to innovation. The symposium is an incredible opportunity to start connecting those two things. We have 35 entrepreneurs from Africa that are here to talk to people.

They went through a lot of different training the whole week but it?s a great opportunity for them to get connected and meet investors. They are people who can support them in their own development.

Do you f ocu s on Af r ican s in t h e diaspor a or Af r ican s an yw h er e you f in d t h em ? I tend to focus on Africans wherever I can find them. Even for Johnson & Johnson, I have been involved in an African Innovation Challenge that encourages more entrepreneurship and startups to be able to mentor and support them financially.

We have been doing that for the last three to four years now, which is very successful and its great support from Johnson & Johnson to do that. Even in the

symposium, Johnson & Johnson is well represented because of the importance of Africa and the possibilities to improve healthcare in Africa.

Josh Gh aim , Ph .D Former Chief Technol ogy Officer at Johnson&Johnson President Small World & Managing Partner Ignite

You m en t ion ed t h at an yw h er e you f in d Af r ican s t h at you do r each ou t t o t h em , so w h at ar e t h e ch allen ges you en cou n t er ?

I think the biggest challenge is not even on my part but more on people getting networks.

How do you find a person that can help you in the future? When I was chief technology officer at J & J I used to get a lot of people through LinkedIn sending me a note saying that they need a job.

Being able to assist them is something I am happy doing because most of them are educated and it?s easy to set up interviews for them. The reason I got involved with ADN is that I want it to be the center where people can trust and go to for assistance in the future.

Can you en ligh t en u s on you r h u m ble begin n in g?

I was born in Eritrea. My mum worked for the Swiss Red Cross for a while. My dad was a teacher but he ran an orphanage school in Eritrea. Then we moved to Sudan during the war between Eritrea and Ethiopia.

In Sudan, we actually lived in a refugee camp because both my parents were running the camp?s school and medical facilities. When I finished high school, my parents said it?s time to think about college and that?s what convinced them to give everything up and move to the US. Our whole family moved to the US together to Indianapolis, where I started college immediately. My parents make sure we stay connected with Eritrea and with a lot of things that are going on there. My dad actually has a letter written to all of us that says we need to do something about teachers in Eritrea

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because they are getting paid almost nothing, which for us here in the US its nothing, so why not help.

I think constantly being connected is always important and we are fortunate to be living here in the US. People m igh t associat e you r su ccess t o you r par en t s bein g act ively in volved in you r lif e. You r elder br ot h er also r u n s h is ow n com pan y, w ill you say t h e su ccess r u n s in t h e f am ily? Wh at m akes you r f am ily special?

Nothing. I have to say that the family network is very important. However, even for people that don?t have family support, I think that finding that African or Eritrean community to support is very important. I can tell you that even Indianapolis when a new Eritrean/ African comes there, the whole community is ready to help. I always tell people that although we have been lucky to have family members that are actually very supportive, I think it?s important whether it?s through the ADN community or through local communities to connect with other Africans. It?s very important to have that community network.

Th er e is a ph r ase t h at goes ?t h e f ir st place you st ay in Am er ica def in es w h o you ar e t h r ou gh ou t ? is t h at cor r ect ?

I think it depends on the community. I am sure it is correct to some extent. We moved to Indianapolis and my parents never left there. I started working for Colgate. I move around the world to Belgium and other places. Then I worked for Pfizer then J & Jin France.

So, for me, it?s always international travel. So, Indianapolis wasn?t a definition for me.

Kn ow in g w h at you gu ys do in ADN, h ow do you r each ou t t o t h ose w h o ar e vu ln er able an d n eed dir ect ion at t h eir ear ly st age in t h e U.S? Yeah, it?s interesting. In Indianapolis, there is a system already. There are lots of parents and elderly people. They always get to assist some new people in moving in. There is an Eritrean church in Indianapolis. For instance, every Sunday, everybody brings their food and they have lunch together.

I think that kind of community helps but I agree with you. For all the people that come to the US, if their friends are driving a taxi, that?s where they are likely headed too. However, I think it?s important regardless to know what your passion is. You might have to be an Uber or taxi driver, because you need to make ends meet in the short term. However, you should always plan because there are lots of opportunities here. I think ADN becomes a network that helps people.

A lot of Af r ican s ar e aspir in g t o com e t o t h e Un it ed St at es, k n ow in g h ow t h e syst em is r igh t n ow , do you t h in k it ?s st ill advisable t o com e h er e or m ak e a bet t er livin g back h om e?

I think it?s case by case. I don?t want to say nobody should come to the U.S. but at the same time, I think people have a misunderstanding of what the U.S. is like. It?s not an easy place. I think it?s okay to aspire to come to the U.S., especially when you have a family but I also want to make sure that people that have been very creative in creating good businesses and other things in Africa are also great. There are some countries in Africa that are doing

incredible things. So there is a balance.

It?s just a personal decision and personal preference.

Accor din g t o r epor t s, Af r ica as a con t in en t em it s a lot of m on ey on a year ly basis t h r ou gh In f low r em it t an ce, do you t h in k som e of t h e m on ey can be diver t ed t o en cou r agin g st ar t u ps?

Absolutely, it?s actually pretty sad when you think about it because actually there is a lot of money that goes in.

Actually one of the things we try to encourage in the ADN perspective is that through ADN membership there are possibilities for an investment, why not have African in diaspora invest in those entrepreneurs in Africa. There are incredible possibilities. So, I will love to see a lot of Africans in diaspora and friends of Africa to start investing small amounts that normally go as remittances which is a lot of money.

Do you t h in k w e ar e doin g en ou gh in su ppor t in g Af r ican s in Af r ica?

Oh no, we are not doing anything. I think there is a lot more that needs to be done. If you look at the U.S. and Europe, funds are created and I know a lot of people are trying to do that for Africa. For me, I think whether it?s a loan system or giving investments, it will go a long way. Although some of them will fail. However, when you look at the challenges they are trying to solve, there is a real need in the market. It?s also very important that when people are creating new things, that?s it's protected in Africa.

Af r ican s in t h e diaspor a ar e also con cer n ed f or t h r ee t h in gs, secu r it y, in f r ast r u ct u r e, an d elect r icit y.

We k n ow t h at n o cou n t r y w ill be f u lly developed w it h ou t t h ese t h r ee t h in gs. Kn ow in g t h at m ost Af r ican cou n t r ies lack t h ese, do you t h in k t h e gover n m en t is doin g en ou gh t o solve t h ese by cr eat in g a m or e en ablin g en vir on m en t ?

I think they need to do more but I believe there is a lot of progress that is being made. In the last two to three

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years I have been to South Africa, Rwanda, Nairobi, and Senegal, when I look at what is going on in those countries, it?s just incredible.

South Africa is a little more exceptional than others but I look at Rwanda, considering where they came from, it?s just an incredible country and their electricity supply, healthcare system and the ability for people to create businesses is becoming easier and easier. So, I think there is hope. As long as the leadership is capable people, I think it would be what Africa needs, and also the need to direct money to the right places to make sure every core need is being addressed.

A lot of progress is being made but a lot more needs to be done.

Kn ow in g t h at Af r ican s ar e h igh ly in t elligen t an d edu cat ed bu t t h e n ew s in West er n m edia t en ds t o f ocu s m or e on t h e n egat ive side, w h at w ou ld you like t o say in r egar ds t o t h at ?

Yes, bad news definitely travels fast. I would love to see the African media to be very much proactive because it?s hard to tell US paper or TV to be telling

only the positive stories but I think African media need to highlight more on other things that are happening in the continent.

EXCLUSIVE WITH YOM I ADEDEJI Can you t ell u s you r n am e an d a lit t le abou t w h at you do?

My name is Yomi Adedeji. I am the current CEO of Softcom Limited in Lagos, Nigeria. Our company is focused on connecting people and businesses with meaningful innovation in four specific areas. Our work is focused on how to get more people identified, so that they can get access to financial services. We primarily own a bank that allows people to bank on their mobile phones. You can start banking and send money, save, have access to money from your phones. We also connect young people to the skills they need to get jobs in the society. The last area is data. Data analytic and similar things, to be precise. In general, our effort is on how to connect people or businesses to the value needed for them to succeed. My company has been in existence for twelve years and we have have been collecting data for quite a long time.

Ever yon e k n ow s t h at dat a is ver y im por t an t an d it ?s also u sed by m an y com pan ies in decision m ak in g. So, h ow does you r com pan y get dat a an d h ow is it bein g u sed?

The quality of the decisions that come from a data-set is always a function of the validity of the data itself. Our work effort in that area began with building the tool for collecting data. We have a tool used to collect real-time data. It could be data about what is going on in our retail, what customers?are buying; the state of visibility, or to find competitor trends and things like that. This tool guarantees that all data collected is valid. Very recently, we are now extending our work to be more industry-focused and SME focused.

Fr om a com pet it ive st an dpoin t , do you t h in k t h at you r com pan y is doin g pr elim in ar y r esear ch f or com pan ies t h at cou ld even t u ally com e t o Af r ica?

I think our data or the type of insight we gain access to can be used by any company but our primary focus is to focus this in Africa and SMEs particularly, being able to put them in some pathway of progress. However, our focus isn?t just on international companies. Many of our customers are also international

Yomi Adedeji, CEO of Softcom Limited N iger ia. companies. Yes, we think these companies are coming to Africa.

Af r ica is u n der developed w h en it com es t o in f r ast r u ct u r es an d it seem s lik e it ?s n ot a pr ior it y f or t h e gover n m en t t o r edeem t h is sit u at ion .

How does you r f ir m su r vive in su ch an u n der developed societ y?

I think it comes with being an entrepreneur. I am sure in every single society, there are challenges entrepreneurs have to make for their businesses to succeed. We all hope things would get better, but the current situation is not stopping us.

Do you t h in k t h at Af r ican s in diaspor a ar e doin g en ou gh in t er m s of f in an cially su ppor t in g Af r ican st ar t u ps an d m aybe also su ppor t in g in t ellect u al an d t ech n ical sk ills?

I think that every African should look into Africa, especially Africans in the diaspora.

They should ensure that they don?t miss out on Africa?s current wave of development. I think there is a lot of work many people are doing in investing in Africa but there is an opportunity to do more. I think every African should try to find a startup to support. The fact that you can also change the lives of many people is something worthy to support. I just don?t think it is only about financial investments. Africans need a lot of human capital. If you see a startup, it doesn?t have to just be about money. It could also be about contributing from your own experiences here, from the knowledge and skills.

How is t h e gover n m en t su ppor t in g t h e gr ow t h of Af r ican st ar t u ps?

When I think about government, I think of an entity that defines two things: one is the rule of law which primarily defines

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the behavior of the society; two is tax, what amount of money they are going to collect from businesses that grow and I believe these two things should be done in a manner that will stimulate an enabling economic environment for entrepreneurs to do business.

There are some efforts ongoing by the different African governments.

They all have some meaningful effort in attempting to make their environment more open to business. There is still a lot more to do and the government should be an enabler for people to create.

Som e Af r ican s in diaspor a sh y aw ay f r om in vest in g in Af r ica. Bein g t h at it is u n der developed an d lack con sider able in f r ast r u ct u r es, h ow do you t h in k Af r ican s in diaspor a can h elp t u r n Af r ica in t o a m or e developed con t in en t ?

I think it is a hindrance but it shouldn?t be a limitation. Africans in Diaspora contributes a huge amount of money to the flow of value into Africa now. That?s a lot but beyond sending money back home, there are opportunities as well to contribute to community development, economic development, and business development. I personally believe that while it is the government?s responsibility to put in the basics of the society and as well our responsibility. If we are not seeing the growth we want to see, do we stop at just demanding action or do we start taking action ourselves?

How do you f eel w h en you h ear bad n ew s abou t Af r ican s k n ow in g t h at it af f ect s Af r ican bu sin esses f r om r each in g f or eign in vest or s?

It doesn?t make anyone of us happy.

There isn?t any way to excuse the things that go on or the things you hear about Nigerians and Africans. But I also understand that our society in itself has primarily created an environment that has led many people to some of these things and it doesn?t make things easier.

If you are trying to raise capital, trying to do business with Western people, their image of us is not a good representation.

However, I also know that there is a new wave on young Nigerians that are painting a good picture of our society. The few bad things that happen shouldn?t define who we are.

AFRICA THE FUTURE OF FINTECH SPACE IN THE WORLD

Jac k D o r sey, t h e f o u n d er , an d CEO o f Tw i t t er an d Sq u ar e h as sh o w n an i n t er est i n Af r i c a t ec h sp ac e

inancial technology is transforming the world around us. The continent of Africa remains the best example of an environment that thrives and benefits from the Fintech Industry.

F

China has emerged as a strong player through Opay and Palmplay. These two companies in Nigeria have jointly received over $210 million in funding, mainly from Chinese investors in barely a year.

In the inaugural edition of the Global Fintech Index City Rankings, four African cities are identified among the top 100 Fintech ecosystems globally.

The cities are Johannesburg, Lagos, Nairobi, and Kampala.

Jack Dorsey, the founder, and CEO of Twitter and Square is not left out. He is also interested in Africa, just like other major tech figures.

The rankings were compiled based on several factors, including the number of Fintech startups and hubs in the cities.

There are clear signs that major Western industry leaders think so too.

PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, and Stripe have strongly situated in African fintech startups.

There is also strong invested interest in the past few months from the East, as

On a tweet that he posted on November 27, 2019, he says, ?? Africa will define the future (especially the bitcoin one!). Not sure where yet, but I will be living here for 3-6 months mid-2020. Grateful I was able to experience a small part?.

Based on this statement, it is obvious that Jack Dorsey is investing the appropriate amount of time to begin to understand the complexity of the African market and also has great

27 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

intentions for Africa?s Fintech future.

Despite all of these activities, there is still plenty of room to accelerate the scale and expertise in the Fintech world.

There are huge breakthroughs in digital banking and the adoption of Fintech-based services by African consumers.

However, Fintech in Africa has not eliminated the traditional financial services.

To generalize, Fintech in Africa is an exciting and ever-changing space. There are lots of opportunities and lots of change. Africans in the diaspora are part of this trend.

After all, most are elites and would want to be a part of a smooth-sailing system that offers convenience and reliability.

Th e I ncredi bl e M atch

MELANIEBEAUTY PASSIONATE & COMPANION Black and Red comouflages black skin color!

A fruica B eauty Q ueen

Red is on e of th e boldest prim ary colors of th e spectrum . It h as a psych ological association w ith m an y m oods, from an gry to h appy!

28 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

2020 Run- Way Loss f i t t ed Af r i can Pr i nt

- Jennifer Chibundu

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R A I SI N G CON CER N S OV ER BLA CK N AT U R A L H A I R I N PU BLI C PLA CES It's extremely impolite to touch without permission

T

here are different natural hair types and textures among people of different racial constructs and ethnic origins.

It ranges from straight, wavy, to curly and kinky/Afro hair. In the western world, natural African hair has been treated with disdain and contempt.

It has often been viewed as less beautiful, when being compared to what is considered the standard of beauty and hair. It has been referred to as ?bushy; and ?nappy? which are negative connotations or even perceived to be racial discrimination.

There is also a poignant discriminatory issue when people from other races believe that African hair is untamed and needs to be tamed. This simply implies that Africans need to get their hair permanently straightened by applying chemical products or temporal solutions like the use of a hair straightening device called Flat Iron. This brings us to our reasoning why hair that grows naturally this way

should be changed to be accepted by others.

Many black women say that they have been pressured and embarrassed for decades to conform to American or European standards.

Most of the pressure comes from employers and school officials who believe that African hair or hairstyles are not professional enough. Some school?s dress code specify that having dreadlocks, twists, Mohawks, and cornrows violate their dress code. They refer to it as being unattractive, unclean and rascal-like.

Another issue is, touching a black woman?s hair without her permission is considered extremely impolite.

Even when you ask nicely, most black women don?t like it. Most believe that it is dehumanizing. A typical black woman takes her hair as a big deal. Their hair can even affect their mood. They spend a lot of time and money to make it look good.

The good news is natural hair

30 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

communities and groups have been developed for people with kinky and curly African hair.

These groups act as a support system for these people. They give natural hair advice, provide tips for maintaining and growing natural hair and also encourage each other during the journey.

The world is currently evolving for the best. There are many countries with state laws that prohibit discrimination based on hairstyles at places of work, school and even the society at large.

Even organizations have started addressing the issue.

They have implemented a policy to address under the Equal Employment Opportunity on permitted touch or attitude from non-black people. They have also been bold enough to include policies that prohibit discrimination or harassment associated with hair texture and style which is influenced by racial traits. Finally, the world is listening to Africans.

COM PLIM EN TARY SIGN ATU RE CU STOM BEAD ChaChasy Cust om & Aut hen t ic Bead

Beautiful African outfits and a complimentary beads play an integral role in enhancing the beauty of a woman's gorgeous outfit, hence, one cannot go without the other.

Fashion has shown beautiful African women cherish accessories, such as crafted authentic beads.

Purchase your quality beads and stand out on all occasions and events. An African attire is incomplete without quality beads.

- Amaka Njoku

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Fa s h io n Jennifer Chibundu Afr ica Ankar a Dr op- dow n

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Fa s h io n Cynthia Isibor Afr ica Kente Tube 33 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

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TOURISM DESTINATION OF AIT BEN HADDOU IN M OROCCO, NORTH AFRICA __ By Amaka N joku

Natural cultivating characteristics and welcoming attitude

Tourism remains the most important economic activity in most part of Africa.

National landscape, the diversity of rich cultures and the welcoming attitude of Africans. From a personal point of view, Africa is the most desirable destination for tourism.

The World Tourism Organization (WTO), has indicated that Africa could more than double the number of tourist arrivals from 50 million in 2010 to 134 million in 2030.

This can be attributed to the increased awareness and the tremendous waves of people tracing the real identity and their lineage through ancestry DNA test. Without a doubt, AIT BEN HADDOU remains an important location with rich

scenery. The desert, beautiful red stone mountains, beautiful painted towns, and coastal villages, made the Ait Ben Haddou a destination of choice.

AIT BEN HADDOU experience can be memorable and captivating to those visiting for the first time, due to its combined Arab historical artifacts, Africa crafts and ancient customs or tradition.

The cities in Morocco represents a mixture of wealth, community, culture and religion. This place is also famous for its beautiful palace which was built 10 centuries ago. It is surrounding by many palm trees.

There are so many places to visit in this beautiful country. The Ait Ben Haddou is a reddish/ golden stone

34 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

Adobe Kasbah ( fortress) is a very meticulous design that is intended to portray the beauty of the land. No wonder this place has captured the heart of some film makers. Films like Game of Thrones, Gladiator and Laurence of Arabia had some of their scenes shot there.

This tourist attraction has accommodations for those who want to experience the full serenity, coziness and comfort of this place.

However, tourist's should also keep in mind that there is no form of electricity in this fortress. Because its purpose is to give visitors the feeling of seclusion and internal peace. The tour bus comes out from 10 am to 2 pm. This place was designed by UNESCO as a world heritage site.

TOURISM DESTINATION OF NKHATA BAY M ALAWI, AFRICA It wort h check ing it out ! __ By Amaka N joku

Another African destination on our list is the Nkhata Bay, which is located about 40 kilometers southeast of Mzuzu. Nkhata Bay is a home for a popular Malawi's bustling craft market.

The local artisans who are very gifted with creativity and entrepreneurial skills proudly display their breathtaking work of art ranging from

decorative bowls, masks, native sets, necklaces and one of the country's most iconic product (Chiefs chair) which comes in different shapes and sizes.

The artisan finds pleasure in portraying their local lifestyle and activities of fishing, village scenes, farming and gathering of woods through their art work. Woods like

TheDiaspora Diaspora- African - AfricanMagazine Magazine| | Sept Sept2020 2020- Dec - Dec2020 2020 3535 The

pine ebony, ironwood, baobab trees and cichlids are part of the materials used in the production of their artifacts.

Nkhata Bay Craft market is a simple and modest place that holds fascinating treasures both large and small.

Gossaye Tesf aye Popul ar Et hiopian Ar t ist Performed at Oakland, California, United States of America

EXCLUSIVEWITH GOSSAYETESFAYE

36 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020 23 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

You r eleased a son g called Siyam ish Yam egn al. Can you sh ed m or e ligh t on it ?

It?s a great song and it was a hit, thank God. My audience received my album Siyamish Yamegnal very well. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my fans around the world. It is performing well on various digital platforms, like YouTube and on social media. Nowadays, People in Ethiopia are now familiar with YouTube and are able to access and enjoy my music better than before. This has helped it reach wider audiences.

Com par e you r self n ow t o w h er e you w er e 10 year s back m u sic-w ise?

Our profession is intertwined with age.

During our early years, we made songs that were more youthful, but with age, we start to critically think about the subject of our content and engage in inner dialogue about ideas that deserve to be put out to the public. We analyze our music better, the more we mature.

Wh at ?s you r opin ion abou t Af r ican m u sic?

African music, especially Afrobeats is growing really fast. We Ethiopians as Africans, have received Afrobeats well.

There are many young, talented, energetic artists who deserve praise.

Africa?s contributions are not just being felt in our continent, but also all around the world.

How do you get in spir at ion abou t com posin g you r son gs?

The first thing I do when I get an idea is to record it on my phone, whether it be in the shower, or while I am driving. I would also like to take the opportunity to mention artists like Muluken Melesse, Tewodros Tadesse, whose songs I grew up playing and are my inspirations. My work comes from the ideas I record whenever it comes to mind.

How h as gr ow in g u p in M er k at o sh aped you r lif e?

I believe being born in Merkato has influenced my life and my career. Many artists who were older used to live there.

Merkato was also a musical hub where CDs, well cassettes back then, were being sold. So I can say growing up listening to music and seeing those artists around me did shape my life. My friends during my elementary and high school days can be witnesses to this, if they are watching this.

Performing for them has greatly helped boost my confidence.

Wh at m ot ivat es you t o be per sist en t in you r car eer ?

In our profession, as is for any other, there are many ups and downs. For me, it was the love and passion I had for music that has helped beat them and reach where I am today.

You h ave r eleased a lot of son gs is t h er e an yt h in g you w ou ld lik e u s t o k n ow m or e abou t an y of t h em ?

One of the songs I released was a single with the great Mahmoud Ahmed titled ?Adera?, which means ?Trusted with responsibility? and I have been trusted with a responsibility to carry on the great musical works of our country and that keeps me motivated to keep going. More songs will come out which will help me connect with my fans. One of the songs from this album, Serk Addis will have a video clip released soon and I invite you all to check it out.

Wh ich of you r son gs do you con sider t op 3 on you r list of f avor it es?

Comparing one?s own music is like trying to compare your children. I can?t do it.

All my songs are my kids. All of them were well-received when they came out. So I can say all my works are in the top 3.

Wh at ar e you r t h ou gh t s t ow ar ds collabor at in g w it h ot h er Af r ican ar t ist s?

My works continue to be enjoyed in Ethiopia. I do have plans to collaborate and work with other African artists. I have a few songs that I worked on in various studios in New York, which I plan on releasing soon, God willing. After that, I will start working on projects that involve other African artists.

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Th e last t im e you w er e h er e w as 15 year s ago, w h at is t h e exper ien ce lik e visit in g t h e US again ?

It has been 15 years since I last performed in Oakland, and in the Bay Area. Coming back after 15 years with my album, Siyamish Yamegnal, the reception I had received was more than what I could have imagined. I want to thank my fans in Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, the whole Bay Area, and even my fans who drove all the way from L.A. and San Diego. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Wh at w ou ld you like t o say t o you r f an s?

God bless you all, thank you so much. My time in North America, with Ras Band, was highly successful. I would like to thank The Au Family?s Mekdem and Dagi for helping me connect with my fans here in California, for the great time I had along with my wife and son, Gabriel who is here in studying in San Francisco. For all my fans I love you, and I hope we will have a great time on the next one. I would also like to thank Stanley and Diaspora Magazine. Thank you all so much!

Immi gr at i on Bl owout t o Afri can Most Popul at ed Nat i on - Ni geri a What d o es t his mean t o Nig er ian Immig r ant in t he U.S?

The new Po l ic y c o ul d have d evas t ing s et bac k f o r Nig er ians The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed all other issues to the back burner of public discourse including the Trump administration?s restrictions on immigrants from Myanmar, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Sudan, and Tanzania that went into effect on Friday on February 22, 2020, in an expansion of its controversial travel ban policy.

such as those for foreign workers, tourists, and students. The proclamation also bars citizens of those countries, as well as Sudan and Tanzania, from participating in the diversity visa lottery under which 55,000 citizens of countries with low levels of immigration can come to the US annually.

Although some western media platforms questioned the motives and indicated that the Nigerian population in the United States is the most educated ethnicity, even more educated than the Americans.

As the Supreme Court affirmed that Trump has broad authority to restrict immigration where national security demands it. But it?s not clear whether any of these countries pose a direct threat to the US since many are dealing with various forms of domestic conflict, including home-grown terrorism.

However, the visa restriction order seems irrelevant as COVID-19 forcefully shutdown all borders across the globe.

Many Africans are waiting and hoping to see who will be elected into the Oval Office during the Nov 2020 US election.

Immigrants from Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Eritrea, and Nigeria can no longer obtain visas allowing them to migrate to the US permanently. But they will be able to come to the US on temporary visas,

Nigerian immigrants in the U.S. are on the verge of losing their family due to separation, as their relatives based in the banned countries would be unable to seek permanent residence with this policy in effect. One of the basic aims for legal immigration to the U.S. is family immigration.

With the expanded ban, Nigerians spouses can only visit their partners in the U.S. Living permanently with them

38 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

is now a luxury they cannot afford.

According to the Trump proclamation, Nigeria did not share information regarding public safety and terrorism.

Such information is a prerequisite for public safety and national security in the U.S. He stressed that the U.S. had assisted Nigeria in advancing her border management capabilities, yet it has resulted in no improvement in information sharing with the United States.

A committee has been established by President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria to address and update the requirements. If the issue is properly addressed and rectified, it may help in removing Nigerian from the list.

Working to improve on the economic relationship with Africa to counter Chinese and Russian influence and at the same time restricting immigrants from Nigeria - the most populous African country is a contradicting policy.

This ban, without doubt, would frustrate the economic ties between the U.S. and the Giant of Africa, Nigeria.

CORONAVIRUS Vs EBOLA Cor onavir us has a much lower f at alit y r at e t han Ebola but is mor e widespr ead and has had a sever e global economic impact t han Ebola

The Coronavirus outbreak originated in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province, China and has since spreads to across more than 160 countries in less than two months.

Its rapid spread dominated headlines across the globe, since it was first announced in December 2019. Scientists scramble to understand the virus?s origins, trajectory, and impact.

There is no officially published origin of the Corona Virus but a recent study provides more clues about the virus?s origins. It points to bats as the most likely hosts. In the study published on January 29, in the journal The Lancet, the research analyzed 10 genome sequences of the novel coronavirus obtained from nine patients with the virus. They found that all 10 of the genome sequences were extremely similar.

Coronavirus (CoV) is a large family of viruses that causes illness, ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases, such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). The Corona Virus is transmitted between animals and people. Common signs of the infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, and shortness of breath. In more severe cases, pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and death can occur. When comparing Corona Virus to Ebola Virus, there are very few similarities. The Ebola Virus formerly known as Ebola Hemorrhagic

fever is rare but severe. The Ebola Virus is transmitted to people from animals (wild), just like the CoronaVirus. Ebola virus is considered to be more severe and fatal than the Coronavirus. The fatality rate of the Ebola virus is around 50% but has little means of transmission as only close contact to bodily fluids, such as blood and sweat, can cause it to spread.

Global confirmed cases are 28,652 across ten countries and 11,325.

However, the Coronavirus has a much lower fatality rate than Ebola but widely spread and a more severe global economic impact than Ebora.

According to the World Economic Forum article published in March 17, 2020 on their website ?Apart from the tragic human consequences of the COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic, the economic uncertainty it has sparked will likely cost the global economy $1 trillion in 2020, the UN?s trade and development agency, UNCTAD, said on Monday.?

The Coronavirus has posed a severe challenge generally. Thousands of flights, trains, and long-distance buses have been canceled or disrupted. Just like the world, Ebola-affected West African countries faced the gruesome consequence of a disease outbreak.

The Ebola virus took a toll on the African economy. There was less trade, reduced tourism, decreased agricultural production, decreased mining activity, fewer investors, high fiscal impact and a

39 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

higher rate of unemployment that is just very similar to the current challenges the world is currently facing at this period.

Although the WHO declared the pandemic as a public health emergency of local concern in China, the fast spread to other countries led to the declaration of The World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020, has declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a global pandemic.

The novel coronavirus outbreak caused more than 676,439 deaths as of 31 July, while more than 17,594,541 cases have been confirmed and 10,333,166 recovered.

The ebola outbreak in 2014 started in a small village south-east of Guinea, West Africa, where a first case was identified in December 2013. The virus spread to other parts of the world, blowing up into a global epidemic within a few weeks. The WHO declared the outbreak as a global emergency on 08 August 2014.

The 2014 ebola outbreak ended in 2016, with 28,639 cases suspected, confirmed and 11,316 deaths making it the biggest ebola outbreak in history. The epidemic caused $2.2bn loss to GDP to the three African countries Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, according to the World Bank?s estimates. The US, UK, and Germany together donated approximately $3.6bn for response activities.

M ulti-Talented Thea Okosi Shy but Confident Abou t Th ea As a kid, Thea Okosi was very shy and would never initiate any form of friendship, unlike other kids. However, being shy doesn't prevent her from standing on her feet from anyone intending to bully her.

Thea loves to play by herself and her dolls she treats like her children and students - depending on her mood. Her passion for dolls enable her to collect all sorts of toys as a playmate. She remember each doll by their name she gave them.

As a young and talented child, Thea would create 10 to 15 different voices.

She is a natural ventriloquist, she throws her voice to each of her multiple dolls, choreography and direct scene using her dolls.

Thea?s shyness did not stop her from participating in her school activities.

When she was in kindergarten, Thea was given the name ?Th e go t o gir l? by her teachers, she wasn?t shy to answer questions in class, neither was she shy to save other kids when they didn?t know the answers.

In kindergarten, she won a speech competition, which shocked everyone that watched. Her confidence, highly focused and eloquent caught the attention of the entire audience, when she performed on stage.

We noticed Thea?s singing talent at 5 years old when she taught her dad, brother and I how to sing the Star- Spangled Banner.

Based on Thea's musical talent, a friend offered a scholarship for her first acting school at the Broadway Kids Academy, a musical theater program that trains kids to sing, dance, and act on a professional stage while performing only in the best plays of Disney and Broadway.

As Nigerian parents, we have the preconceived notion that education is the ultimate path to success. When Thea auditioned for the Disney play, The Jungle Book, she got the major role, and played Mowgli.

Since then has co-starred in other Broadway and Disney plays like Annie, Mulan, Aladdin, Frozen, and The Lion King. She is also in the Performance company program which has opened doors for her to travel with other kids to perform on stages, fares, and many other events.

When Thea is on stage performing, you can feel the joy in her, and she will always let you know that the stage is where she belongs. Her warm and joyful personality on stage has brought audience to notice her each time she performed and would always make sure they stopped by after the show to talk to her and some will drop bouquet of flowers. As a busy person, she tries to manage her time well between school, doing her homework, going to Broadway kids, and spending time with her mentor and vocal coach and Jazz singer, the great Gina Eckstine, the daughter of the late legendary Grammy Hall of Fame, American jazz and pop Bill Eckstine and model/actress Carolle Drake. School is very important to Thea.

Th ea wou l d crea t e 10 t o 15 d i fferen t voi ces so t h e d ol l s ca n t a k e ea ch voi ce, a s wel l a s n a m e t h em a n d su rpri si n gl y sh e?ll rem em ber t h ei r n a m es.

Thea loves math, science, reading books, and writing. Her hard work at school has continuously earned her straight A honor roll. She is always happy to hang out with her friends at school. She spends her spare time writing. She is working on two books called ?My very annoying sisters? and ?Jellyfish and Squid?. She also loves writing songs. She also playing basketball with her older brother, watching movies, traveling and staying in new hotels.

Her dream is to be on the big screen someday working with big movie and music producers.

40 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

WAYS THAT STARTUPS, SM ALL AND M EDIUM -SIZE BUSINESS AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS CAN BENEFIT FROM DATA ANALYSIS Dat a An alyt ic Can Low er Cost s, En h an ce Br an d Loyalt y an d Boost Pr of it s __ By St an ley Njok u

Sybest Con su lt an t , Sof t w ar e Developm en t an d Bu sin ess An alyst s is dedicated business that help startups, small and mid-sized business to operate more efficiently to reduce costs and increase profit margin.

We help businesses, government agencies, institutions and non-profit organizations to find the most optimal solutions to their challenges / activities or increase their profitability using advanced technology.

Whether your goal is faster deployment, IT flexibility, or you?re in need of a specialized skill set, Sybest Consultant can help add to your collective expertise pool. We offer full-service IT consulting in project management, business analysis and more.

We have a track records of solving complex and critical challenges confronting various industries in the business space.

Our cutting-technologies and ability to develop robust tools and systems made us desirable to business or organizations looking for solutions.

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Most startups fail to carry out their research before investing time and money for their business. The honeymoon period could last for a few months or a few years before reality kicks in.

This has led to large startups failing after a few years in operation. It is now obvious that for businesses to succeed and become competitive, certain approaches and the adaptation of digital solutions are inevitable. The proven concept of using data for strategic insights and sound decision-making has differentiated striving businesses from falling businesses.

Some business owners are in the middle of moving forward or going out of business. It is critical that businesses keep up the trend and build an intelligence-driven organization with Artificial Intelligent or AI-powered analytic and real-time insights to improve their business outcomes using analytical applications.

Business can accelerate performance by harnessing the power of data analytics to gain insight into everything from which search keywords drive customers to your business to which products are the top sellers. With an effective online marketing strategy, data analytics can lower costs, enhance brand loyalty and boost profits. At

41 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

this the modern era, data analysis benefits not just large companies but also small businesses who can use it to save time, money and gain a competitive advantage.

There are several ways in which businesses can benefit from the power of big data for insights and trends. Small business owners are saddled with many responsibilities. They cannot afford to employ third party data analysts or data consultants to carry out the strategic functions.

A flawless interpretation of data and subsequent implementation of the results would boost business performance.

With sound data analysis, a business owner can sharpen their mind and better position themselves to make a judicious choice, especially in the case of limited resources. Data analytical tools, like AI and machine learning algorithms, offer the business owners an unlimited platform to sample alternative solutions and to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion.

A detailed analysis would assist businesses to identify the problem and rectify it accordingly. Intel saves up to $656 million yearly using predictive analysis in the company?s sales department and other operations globally. The limited resources available in a small scale business also affect its marketing

budget.

This, therefore, implies the need for businesses to be more prudent in their marketing campaign structure. The use of data helps to streamline the target and reach a larger audience, developing large lead generation which would eventually become customers.

There is free software available for small businesses to explore to their advantage. Blendo, Wolfram Alpha, OpenRefine, RapidMiner, ClearStory Data, and Microsoft?s Power BI are available tools at the disposal of the businesses to convert data, analyze information, identify opportunities and make decisions, thereby cutting costs.

Also, outsourcing a freelance data scientist would be a relief to the business and save the cost of hiring a data scientist full-time.

The benefits that can be gained from data analysis and big data resolutions are overwhelming.

Even with limited resources, small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofit organizations can exist, improve, and succeed. All they need is to convert the available data to information and raw materials they can work with.

Exclusive Int er vi ew Wi t h Dr. Ek e As C.E.O OF Ch im a M edical M ission In t er n at ion al, w h at is it t h at you ar e t r yin g t o ach ieve?

Chima Medical Missions International was formed in 1997, when I finished my training as a surgeon. Having grown up in my town in Nigeria, we lacked doctors. I never saw one until I went to high school.

We had a nurse practitioner, Mr. Cyril Ekeanya that used to treat us whenever we got sick. I admired the way he was respected in the community. He provided medical care to those who could not afford it. This motivated me to study medicine, so one day, I could give back to my community. Hence, I therefore, formed this non-profit organization to provide medical care in Nigeria and other places across the globe.

How do you su ppor t you r m ission ? Is it based on ch ar it y don at ion s or per son al f u n din g?

It?s a combination. As a Christian, I give to the church (tithes) and also give to Chima Medical Missions. It?s a non-profit organization and people can donate even online at chimamedicalmisions.com.

There are some organizations, pharmaceutical companies that also give us products at discounts and medicines that we can take back for missions.

Wh at key valu es do you t r y t o im plem en t in you r n on -pr of it or gan izat ion ?

Our motto is ?To Share God?s Love?by providing service. In this case, the service I know best how to provide is medical service. We also try to build capacity wherever we go. Whenever we go on missions, we have local providers, doctors, nurses, social workers, etc. We work with them, share our skills and even learn from them. We do this so that when we are not around they can continue practicing what we have taught them.

So h ow w ou ld you m easu r e su ccess w it h in t h e f ield?

Our success is measured by the number of lives we are able to touch. In a typical medical mission trip, we will see about 5000 patients in a week. We do 70-100 different surgeries each week. One of my patients in Nigeria who was a widower had a huge hernia going down to his knee. He couldn?t get married nor get a job because of this condition. I operated on him. He started crying towards the end of the surgery. I thought he was in pain but alas, it was just tears of joy for getting a new chance at life. These kinds of success are priceless and it?s what we always hope for.

Bein g a on e-t im e pr esiden t of t h e Am er ican Can cer Societ y, can you t ell u s som et h in g abou t r ole?

Yes, I was the president of the American Cancer Society, California division in 2011/2012. How to prevent cancer was what drove me into getting involved and joining the organization. They are the number one authority when it comes to cancer. They funded about 48 Nobel Prize winners and they are also involved in advocacy. Because to solve cancer problems are not just based on medicine and research that we do, we have to implement public health measures, such as banning smoking in public places.

Smoking is the number one cause of preventable death worldwide. We even do advocacy on smoking by going to leaders or legislators to make them sign a commitment to ban tobacco. This is why people don?t smoke in restaurants or airplanes. These are all efforts made by the American Cancer Society.

You h ave r eceived cou n t less pr est igiou s aw ar ds. Can you t ell u s a lit t le bit abou t t h at an d w h ich of t h e

42 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

aw ar ds is dear er t o you ?

The American Cancer Society gave me the St. George National Awards which is the highest award that is offered in the organization. That meant a lot to me because I took a lot of time and effort into teaching and advocating for the American Cancer Society. Besides that, I also got awards from our people back home.

When your own people recognize you, it should mean a lot.

So look in g at t h e ser ies of aw ar ds t h at you h ave r eceived, cou n t less people ar e aspir in g t o get som e of t h ose. Wh at w ou ld you t ell t h em ?

Well, if you want an award, don?t work to get an award, just do what you know is right. The passion has to come first, then the awards will come. For me, I did what I did to help the less-privileged. I had a passion for it and enjoyed. As I am doing it, people recognized that I am making a difference in the world and then the awards came.

Based on you r belief s an d valu es, h ow do you r egar d ?volu n t eer ism ??

Well, volunteerism is one of the best things you can do in life, because we are all blessed in this country. Being alive and healthy is a blessing, we take it for granted. There are people who are less fortunate in all parts of the world, so if you can give your talent and time, that is the essence of our being. So I encourage everybody to do volunteerism.

People see you as a ver y h u m ble m an , do you t h in k t h is at t r ibu t e is based on you r Ch r ist ian valu es or ju st you r per son alit y?

I think it?s a combination. In my family, my dad was a Baptist minister and my mum was a school teacher and I observed her. In my belief, God owns the world and everything therein is his, but for his son to come into the world to suffer and die for us shows the greatest humility. This teaches us mere mortals to be very humble. If you are humble regardless of all you have, God takes the glory and he will surely elevate you.

you t h in k people f eel abou t t h at ?

Do you t h in k t h ey assu m e you ar e u sin g it t o gain polit ical poin t s or t h ey believe t h at you ar e doin g som et h in g you love?

I believe in the One Nigeria concept. Although we have to look at that politically to see if it?s working or not. The premise is that God has commanded us to love and has given us the talent to help, so whether it?s in Nigeria or the US. It doesn?t matter if its North, South or West, we are all human. We go to different parts of Nigeria on missions.

How do you select you r locat ion ?

For Chima Medical Missions, I go to Fou n der an d CEO of Ch im a M edical M ission s In ter n ation al my town Owerri and to my church.

When I go to different parts of At w h at poin t do you f eel t h at Nigeria, I do that with the Association of som eon e t ak es you r h u m ilit y an d Nigerian k in dn ess f or w eak n ess?

Physicians in America (ANPA). That?s the I don?t feel that way. People sometimes body of about 4000 Nigerians and the do take advantage but I like giving Caribbeans here in the U.S. We also have people the benefit of the doubt. God a board of directors and an executive has commanded me to love you board that decides locations. We always regardless of your looks or position. I try and move the locations around to would always trust you and work with accommodate different parts of Nigeria. you until you prove me wrong. There is

Clifford Eke, MD, FACS, FICS

always a long-lasting relationship with good people.

You in dicat ed ear lier t h at you h ave been t o Gu at em ala, Hon du r as, Niger ia, et c. Wh ich of t h ese m ission s do you con sider m or e m ot ivat in g an d w h y?

The most important is the Nigerian one. I am a member of the Nigerian Physicians Association and I am the chair of the medical missions. My goal is for medical mission in general to end. It sounds contradictory. I tell them that I don?t think we should be having medical missions regularly but because of the healthcare situation in Nigeria, we have to.

Our health care system in Nigeria is very bad, so this makes it necessary for people like me from the diaspora to offer assistance. If our health care system in Nigeria is good, then we won?t need to go regularly, so this makes me always go back there. Not just to give medical help but also to employ advocacy.

It ?s so in t er est in g t o see som eon e f r om East er n Niger ia r ecogn ized by t h e Em ir of Nor t h er n Niger ia, h ow do

Have you ever collabor at ed w it h Doct or s Wit h ou t Bor der ?

Not directly. I have donated to them.

Doctors Without Border is a wonderful organization. I have not done work with them directly but I do support them by donating funds. Each year, I do two or three missions plus other works I do. So, it?s hard to fit all of them in. By the time I am done with all that it will be difficult to collaborate with Doctors Without Borders. I am considering working with them and also with the American College of Surgeons.

Kn ow in g t h at you r job can be over w h elm in g an d ver y t im e-con su m in g, h ow do you cr eat e t im e t o spen d w it h you r f am ily?

That calls for time management and also to have an understanding of why it is necessary. I have been blessed. Ada my wife is a nurse. We have children and my wife currently finished her Masters of Social Work. I met her in 1996 and I shared with her my vision to go back home and help. She also shared the same vision as me. Somehow we manage to blend it. So having someone like that is very helpful.

She knows that when I am gone that I am gone. But when I am not traveling or at work, I don?t go anywhere else except staying with my family.

You also play soccer . How good ar e you ?

Oh, very good. I have played soccer ever since I can remember growing up in Nigeria. In secondary school, I became famous overnight, I scored a 90 degree angle goal during an inter-house sports competition.

When I came to the U.S. , I played on the school team and served as a co-captain. I wanted to be a professional soccer player and physician. I got my inspiration from a Brazilian player called Socrates who was a medical doctor and also played in the Brazilian national team.

Wh at advice do you h ave f or people aspir in g t o be like you ?

My advice is first to have a dream and believe in it. Secondly, you have to work hard on achieving that dream. Nothing comes easy. For me, becoming a physician is a miracle because people advised me to quit since it's believed that it is hard for foreign students to get into medical school. I believed, I worked hard and I was prepared. Opportunities presented and I took advantage of them.

Finally, it?s all about balance with the physical, mental and spiritual too.

In Am er ica t h ey h ave t h is pr econ ceived n ot ion abou t Niger ia or Af r ica becau se of t h e in ciden t t h at h appen ed r ecen t ly abou t som e gu ys cau gh t doin g som e bad st u f f , t h ose k in ds of n egat ive im ages t en d t o over sh adow w h o w e ar e lik e people w h o w or k h ar d, w h at m essage do h ave t o give ou t ?

That?s why I am grateful for people like you who are telling our story. This will help to change the narrative. However, the Western media tells the story of what sells and unfortunately, bad news travels fast. Nigerians are the most educated immigrants in the US. More Nigerians are educated than Americans. Many are doing well and they are good people but there are also bad people in U.S too. It all depends on how the story is told. Nigeria is very blessed and we work hard in everything we do in all areas of life. I hope our country realizes that.

43 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

IG : @ajuma_atai

A j uma A t ai Concep t s Email: ajumaahmed@gmail.com | Phone: +234 -703-552-5992 Wh o w e ar e A modern architecture and interior design firm located in Nigeria.

Wh at w e of f er Contemporary architectural and interior design and building services such as: -

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Architecture designs that are considerate of the interior design needs of the building We supervise construction We offer space management services We offer Interior design services We offer contemporary interior decoration services

Ou r Cu st om er s Contractors, building developers, homeowners, real estate companies who want to develop modern spaces that stand out.

Wh y Aju m a At ai Con cept s?

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Our involvement from the start to finish of a building project reduces the stress of working with multiple vendors Our contemporary designs help our clients express themselves and their personalities through their living space Our expert interior design and space management helps improve the physical, mental and emotional health of our clients Our modern design aesthetics are pleasing to the eyes and inviting

Wh y does t h e br an d exist To improve the physical, mental and emotional health of the people living in our spaces and that of the society at large.

What makes the brand unique We come in from the beginning of

44 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

a project until completion, i.e, We consider the interior design phase from the architectural phase of the project.

We bring your ideas into reality, by creating an architectural masterpiece unique to your personality.

CRAZY FRIES & SPICY Pr epar ed by HABANERO STING BUFFALO CHICKEN WINGS

C hristina Okosi Signature

CrazyfriesandSpicy HabaneroStingBuffaloWings There are some foods that make the stomach ?cheery?. When you get your hands on it, you don?t want to stop eating until your stomach cries for help. The finger foods that hit the spot for me is the ?Spicy Habanero Sting Buffalo Chicken Wings, and the Crazzy Fries.? My love for spicy food inspired me to create these finger-licking mouth-watering recipes. People who have an affinity for hot and spicy foods can relate to this. When you eat the hot and spicy, it triggers the release of endorphins in your body, the chemical that helps bring about feelings of euphoria. This gives you feelings of satisfaction. Chicken wings can be eaten as an appetizer or main dish.

Preparation Process: This mouth-watering meal can go with the chicken wings as a side dish or can be eaten by itself.

In a large skillet, heat three teaspoons of the oil over medium heat.

Add salt, pepper, onion, garlic, ginger, sauté for about two minutes.

Add the steak, and habanero pepper, carrots, tomatoes, and cabbage.

Stir for about four minutes and let it cool.

Then gently separate the steak from the vegetables.

Heat the vegetables for

45 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

about three to five more minutes, also bear in mind not to let the vegetables overcook.

Meanwhile, heat oven to 350 °F and transfer the steak to a baking pan, or grilling rack.

Grill steak for about 15 to 20 minutes and let it cool.

Concurrently, heat oven to 350 °F in a deep baking pan.

Add some of the French fries into the baking pan (This is all layering).

Next, add some of the vegetables and steak mixture into the baking pan, then add the cheddar cheese.

Keep layering with the remaining French fries, followed by the vegetable and steak mixture, lastly the cheese.

Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until it turns golden brown and let it cool.

Garnishes: Drizzle with cottage cheese, scallions, freshly chopped onion, some fresh tomatoes, avocado pears, sweet corn, sour cream.

Enjoy your delicious meal.

- Prep time: 30 minutes - Cook time: 1 hour - Makes six servings.

BRIDE PRICE AND DOWRY ACROSS CULTURAL LINES Dowry isatokengift tothebridegroomasasymbol totakel ifetimeresponsibil ity for their daughter.

T

he predominance of dowry and bride

clan, culture, or tribe.

never associated with any West African

price practices dates back to centuries

This also goes for the groom, he will gain

country.

of human existence as a way of

the respect of his in-laws and his people.

meeting the requirements of marriage.

Different cultures practice the use of bride

Dowry and bride price are two forms of

price or dowry, but in the case of most

alliance-building exchanges between

Americans, none at all.

couples and families. People tend to be confused when it comes to the difference between bride price and dowry. Dowry is a token gift to the bridegroom as a symbol to take lifetime responsibility for their daughter.

Europe and in some countries like India, Nepal, Pakistan, Australia, Sri Lanka, Greece, etc. Most of these countries have

The bride price is a confirmation of a

passed laws to ban the practice of dowry

traditional wedding ceremony, which

making it illegal because it puts a lot of

must be done before any other wedding

financial strain on the bride?s family, yet it

ceremony (white or court wedding). In

is still a legal affair in Britain.

other words, the bride price is a symbolic practice in most African cultures - it marks

However, the bride price is the money or

the beginning of a union between two

asset given by the groom to the bride?s

families.

family. It is the opposite of dowry.

This was mostly practiced during medieval

The complexity of societies that practices

During the initial process of marriage

bride price is typical in West African

introduction, the father or any male

countries like Nigeria, Sierra Leone,

member of the bride's family will present

Ghana, etc. In many cases, the money for

a list of items to the groom's family. Once

the bride price payment is used by the

the bride price amount and the items

male elders of the bride?s family. The bride

accepted by the bride's family, the bride

price and its ceremonies vary from one

automatically gains the status of a

culture to another. However, the practice

married woman among the people of her

of dowry during the marriage rites was

46 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

Understanding cultural systems, such as dowry and bride price can be very challenging given the complex nature of the societies in which they occur.

This brings a question to one?s mind, are these practices safe and deemed fit to continue existing, or should there be an alternative process to enable individuals in love to marry without the burden and high financial expectations in relation to dowry and bride price culture? Many believe that the dowry system paves the way for other crimes against women.

The Guer éwol peopl e of Ni ger Republi c Cul t ur e The Wodaabe (or Bororo) are a small subgroup of the Fulani ethnic group. They are traditionally nomadic cattle-herders and traders in the Sahel, with migrations stretching from southern Niger, through northern Nigeria, northeastern Cameroon, and the western region of the Central African Republic.

Men Beaut y Pageant To be picked by impr ess female judges - w ho may take them as lover s.

T

he Wodaabe are nomads who live in the Sahara desert in Niger in Africa.

They are a subgroup of the Fulani and share many things in common.

Wodaabe Fula tribe practice their ancestral annual courtship ritual competition known as the Guerewol festival. All participants of this festival are men and women who are eligible for marriage. The men are required to dress in elaborate ornaments, made-up faces with the traditional painting that transforms them to look like women. During the Guerewol festival, the men are gathered in a single line, holding hands, singing, jumping, and landing on their heels to gain attention from the single ladies.

This annual event is mostly in September when the fields are dry and the season of salt gathering. During this ceremony (men beauty contest), the men perform Yakee dance with

traditional Fula music and group singing, clapping of hands, stamping, ringing bells, and other activities like camel race - the women pick the winners.

To be considered among the winners, there are a set of criteria the women judges evaluates: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Tall an d at h let ic: Ostrich plumes and pompoms emphasize height Nar r ow f ace: Decorated with red ochre Wide eyes: Black eyeliner made from charred egret bones Facial sym m et r y: Enhanced with black, yellow and white patterns Aqu ilin e n ose: White clay arrow stripe to look more streamlined Lon g br aids an d cow r ie sh ells:

47 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020 47 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

7.

8.

Symbolise fertility and wealth Wh it e an d r egu lar t eet h : Bared and emphasized with black lipstick Good dan cer : Beaded necklaces and bodices jangle against the chest in time to the beat

During the ceremony, the men are to keep their eyes very wide open ( rotating from side to side) and constantly plaster a smile on their faces to show off their white teeth while the female judges pick the winners are lovers.

This festival can last up to a week allowing each woman to choose among the men. Some parts of Northern Nigeria and Cameron also practice a similar ceremony.

INSTITUTING SOLUTIONS INSTEAD OF COMPLAINING D en n i s K ay eb et a - d i scov er ed o p p o r t u n i t y i n t h e m i st o f en v i r o n m en t al ch al l en ge

Tell u s a lit t le in f or m at ion abou t you r self My name is Dennis Kayebeta. I was born and raised in Lusaka Zambia. I spent most of my time in Lusaka where I did both my primary and secondary education. Upon graduating high school, I enrolled at the Copperbelt University (CBU) in Kitwe, Zambia to study Mining Engineering. In my third at CBU, I received an inaugural scholarship to go study Electrical Power Systems Engineering at the African Leadership University (ALU), Mauritius campus in 2015. While at ALU I enrolled in an entrepreneurial leadership course, where I developed a passion for entrepreneurship.

My entrepreneurial passions are in agribusiness, recycling and education, for I believe these are sectors that require our attention and if innovative solutions are found they are Africa?s ticking time bombs.

How did you st ar t you r bu sin ess?

Walking through the streets of Lusaka, it became evident to me that there was a problem with tire waste. Thousands of tires were sitting in empty lots, backyards and river beds and people do not know what to do with them. An idle tire is a good breeding ground for disease causing pests. Where others saw waste, I saw an opportunity which I needed to tap into. I didn?t know what to make of the used tires but I knew I wanted to take action. I started researching ways to recycle tires. I was intrigued at the results I found. With the

help of my brother, we began to collect tires from kids in my community and began to prototype with different products, until we arrived at a product

motivations, I founded Green Africa; an innovative recycling company that re-purposes used tires in various household, hotel, school and office furniture.

Finally, starting this company was intended to send a message to my fellow youths who are waiting for opportunities to know at their door steps. Opportunities can be too lazy to knock, therefore, we need to create opportunities for ourselves.

Wh o pu r ch ases you r pr odu ct s an d w h y?

Over the few weeks of operations, we have acquired different clients ranging from individual to hotels, safaris and other general businesses. We are in the process of making formal contracts with formal markets.

we felt was market ready.

Wh at m ot ivat ed you ?

After pursuing my undergraduate degree in Electrical power systems engineering at the African Leadership University in Mauritius, I came back home (Lusaka, Zambia) hoping to find employment. However, the hardships of finding employment motivated me to think out of the box to come up with something meaningful to offer my community. In addition, the frustration of having to see our planet getting destroyed by our very own actions prompted me to venture into something that will be able to give back to the mother earth. With these core

48 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

Our clients buy our products for different reasons. One of the reasons is they love the idea of recycling and want to be associated with it. Another reason is the uniqueness our products bring to their setting. Finally, the use of African print fabric has been received positively because of the identity and story within the fabric.

How do you plan t o su st ain you r in ven t ion an d you r lon g-t er m goals?

We seek to constantly iterate our designs as we aim to create a global brand that is at the forefront of the Zambia?s recycling practices. In order to be sustainable and efficient, we are in the process of partnering with furniture stores across Lusaka Zambia to be our sales outlets.

49 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

NIGERIAN MUSICINDUSTRY HAVE PUSHEDTHE AFROBEAT MUSICTOGLOBAL SCALE ANDTHEY CONTINUE TOMAKE SCALE

F ela K uti Th e Fat h er of A f robeat

Davido

Wizkid

2Face Gone are the days when Nigerian musicians struggled to be identified internationally. They have pushed Afrobeat so far up, that it has made a big bang effect all across the globe and there is no going back.

From Lagos to Accra, Nairobi, Johannesburg, America, Dubai, and London, just to name a few places, Nigerian musicians have used Afrobeat music to create a new culture of entertainment and enjoyment. Be it a bar, night club, lounge, restaurant or even the comforts of one?s home, afrobeat music has the melody and beats to keep people gyrating consciously or unconsciously.

Most people have confessed to finding themselves immersed in a sonic groovy journey by the pulsating Afrobeats music.

Afrobeats was first introduced in Nigeria

by Fela Kuti back in the late 1960s.

Over the years, Afrobeat has evolved with various Afrobeats musicians to suit their individual styles. It is no longer one typical style of beats. It is now an amalgamation of unique beats.

It is a blend of African music with sounds of hip-hop, R&B, and dancehall music.

Some of the hottest names making waves in the Afrobeats scene includes Davido, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Dbanj, Psquare, 2face, Yemi Alade, Olamide, Burna Boy, and many others.

These stars with their unique style of songs have made Nigerian music a globally recognized sound of distinct vibes. This great feat could not have been achieved without their use of mega music beats, advanced digital cameras, powerful background and befitting selected scenes to shoot their music videos.

They make use of good professional

50 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

music directors and editors who help them bring the best out of their songs.

Their music has matched and even exceeded international standards. Davido was recently given a VIP recognition at an NBA basketball game penultimate week.

He has won many international awards, including a BET Award and a Channel O music Award.

Wizkid was signed by UK star Tinie Tempah?s Management Company. D?banj is also at the forefront of Afrobeats with his rapping abilities. He has attained huge international success with his hit song ?Oliver Twist? which made it to Top 10 UK charts.

We still expect more success from the Nigerian music industry, as artists are working tirelessly to make Afrobeat a world-wide musical explosion. Afrobeat has started making waves globally and the tides will never subside.

A n g eliq u e K id jo

Angelique Kidjo is known for her collaboration with internationally popular musicians and innovative blending of diverse musical styles.

Kidjo was born July 14, 1960. She is from Benin Republic in west Africa (of Nigerian decent).She started her career at the age of 6 with her mother ?s theater group. She studied music at the Berklee College of Music, Massachusetts. She finally moved to Paris, where she got married to musician Jean Herbrail.

The four-times Grammy award winner, (nine time nominee and one time BET) got her 4th Grammy award on January 26, 2020 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles . Kidjo recorded her first album in 1988. She?s very good in music diversity , mixing genres like hip hop ,jazz , samba, salsa , funk, gospel, makossa and Beninese traditional music. She is one of the most successful performers to emerge on the world music stage from the 1990?s to date. We cannot talk about the history of African music without including Angelique Kidjo. She is one of those pioneers that have taken African music internationally, singing about African beliefs ,emotions, experience and culture in her music.

Some of her songs includes Agolo, Afrika , wombo lombo , Batonga, we- we etc.

She is also an advocate of education and health care for women and children in 2002. United Nations Child Fund (UNICEF) name her one of its Goodwill ambassadors.

51 The Diaspora - African Magazine | Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

I SSUE SUBSCRI PTI ON n o w g et a f u l l year d el i ver y t o yo u r d o o r !

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Z am bi an Beau t y Photographed by Majust Graphix

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Bea u t i f u l , Yo u n g & Sm a r t

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