Widely known as CBN (which denotes central bank of Nigeria), this name came to the fact that he, Chief Francis Diele, worked with the central bank of Nigeria.

He once worked at the head office in Abuja as the deputy director of human resources, before subsequently being transferred to Portharcourt (Ph) as the branch controller. There he worked until his death.

Called ‘a father’, ‘an angel’ ‘a friend’, ‘a rock’, and a man fiercely loved by all, he stood tall and sure, whose strength and values were inestimable.

A father to all, Chief was seen as the only one who people felt they could count on whose legacies and foot prints will never be departed from.

He left a big hole in people’s hearts. God used him to be a vessel to a source of joy and inspiration - not just to his people’s class but to all who came across him. He was strong through to the very end.

Although the world is full of pains, God has used him here on earth to be a pillar of strength. In him a king was seen by all.

This, by many, is not end, but a time to soar with the angles and praise the Lord. He will be seen again, by his followers, once their own race is accomplished here on earth.

Chief Diele, Chimezie Okwudiri Francis was a man of honour, who will watch over all so they can feel his presence always.

Losing him now just doesn’t seem fair.

On behalf of 2018 class (PH.D) Esut Nigeria.

by Emeka Alex Akwaeze

Rep John Lewis, a leader in the civil rights movement and later US congressman, has died.

One of the ‘Big Six’ Civil Rights leaders, which included Martin Luther King Jr, he helped organise the historic 1963 March on Washington.

As a congressman he was a Georgia Democrat, and represented an area which covered most of its capital Atlanta.

In December 2019 Lewis announced that he had been diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

"I have been in some kind of fight - for freedom, equality, basic human rights - for nearly my entire life," he said in a statement released at the time. "I have never faced a fight quite like the one I have now."

During the civil rights movement, Lewis was one of the founders of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and then became its chairman from 1963 to 1966. He co-organised and spoke at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, the rally at which Dr King delivered his historic I Have a Dream speech. Lewis was the last surviving speaker from the march.

Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi confirmed Lewis's death in a statement posted on her website and on social media writing that Lewis ‘was a titan of the civil rights movement whose goodness, faith and bravery transformed our nation’, and that as a congressman he was ‘revered and beloved on both sides of the aisle and both sides of the Capitol’.

"Every day of John Lewis's life was dedicated to bringing freedom and justice to all," she said. "As he declared 57 years ago during the March on Washington, standing in the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial: 'Our minds, souls, and hearts cannot rest until freedom and justice exist for all the people.'

"How fitting it is that even in the last weeks of his battle with cancer, John summoned the strength to visit the peaceful protests where the newest generation of Americans had poured into the streets to take up the unfinished work of racial justice."

Upon news of his death, civil rights group the NAACP tweeted that they were "deeply saddened. His life-long mission for justice, equality and freedom left a permanent impression on our nation and world," the organisation said. "The NAACP extends our sincerest condolences to his family, and we send prayers of comfort and strength to all."

In a statement, former President Barack Obama said he had spoken with Lewis after a virtual town hall with a group of activists following the death of George Floyd. Obama said Lewis could not have been prouder of their efforts - "a new generation standing up for freedom and equality".

"Not many of us get to live to see our own legacy play out in such a meaningful, remarkable way. John Lewis did," he said. "And thanks to him, we now all have our marching orders — to keep believing in the possibility of remaking this country we love until it lives up to its full promise."

Former presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren tweeted that Lewis "was a true American hero and the moral compass of our nation".

Lewis's death comes on the same day as the death of fellow civil rights leader C T Vivian at the age of 95. Vivian helped organise the Freedom Rides - a protest to integrate buses in the south - and later went on to lead the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).

He was 80.

Working in the media industry is one of the most exciting journeys in my lifes endeavors. When I look back on how it all started I am ever filled with joy with gratitude to God almighty and give great thanks to the management and Staff of The Phoenix Newspaper whom have allowed God to use them in this journey so far.

Having been in the photographic industry from a young age up until University level in both my first and second degree. I then realized that media is the pathway to go, considering the facts that God was helping me, I was not a burden to my parents whom have a slim source of income considering how many of us are in the family, with great consideration to African culture, hence the need to struggle at a very young age in order to survive.

Being determined to be well educated I had no other choice than hard work with focus to God almighty. It was in these journeys that I found my way out of the county for a better education, where I was privileged to complete my second degree with the University of East London; it was during my study period here that I encountered The Phoenix Newspaper UK.

I showed interest in their line of business and I was given a little assignment which kept my feet unstable at that time, because I assumed I could but with no knowledge struggled. All the same I was later made to understand that I could do better, this great encouragement was the pitching ground for me today in the print media industry.

After my return to Nigeria at the end of my program I continued with The Phoenix Newspaper as a correspondent from where I began to develop my writing skills and subsequently took part in the launch of the sister paper called Phoenix Nigeria, which attracted the Ooni of Ile Ife to the United Kingdom for the launch, and Rev Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi, who facilitated the event.

The launch of Phoenix Nigeria, which coincided with the seventh anniversary of The Phoenix Newspaper saw great dignitaries from all walks of life both within and outside the UK, with representatives of the Queen in attendance.

The journey has been full of excitement with an increase in readership globally, and this time around the management of the Phoenix Newspaper have deemed it wise to rename the magazine as Phoenix Africa, the reason being that it would then be a platform where all breaking news and the good things in Africa will be showcased for the world to see and discover the beauty of the African continent.  

We look with much expectation that a new dawn is birthed in the media industry, which is set to roll out all that the world need to discover in Africa. The Phoenix, known for positive information will continue as a channel for positivity. Our African teams are set to continue work come January 2021.             

BY: Emeka Alex Akwaeze

By: Emeka Alex Akwaeze

With the prevailing circumstance in which the most Nigerian youths find themselves, it becomes necessary for both the private and public sector partner together into finding lasting solution to lack of unemployment opportunity and waste of untapped talents, it is in this light that the founder, of face of made in Nigeria, Mr. Rikki Chinedu Nwajiofor explains the difference his foundation is out to make by providing the enabling environment for Nigerian youth to showcase their talents and also the discovery of wasted talent littering round the streets.

He noted that the entertainment industry in Nigeria has contributed immensely in ameliorating the menace of unemployment and has given a considerable sense of direction to the teeming talented Youth of Nigeria. It has contributed immeasurably to the growth of our nation’s GDP.

Unfortunately, these highly condensed and untapped talents are being wasted daily as some of these talented youth take to social ills and misdemeanors, sequel to joblessness and unavailability of “Entertainment Hubs” that are ready to extract these talents, sieve and showcase them. An idle mind is the devil’s workshop, they say. When these youth are idle and unengaged, they take to the negative way of life, along which some of them lose their lives.

There is no gainsaying in the fact that no government in the world can provide employment for every one of its citizens. What a people-oriented government does, aside from providing sufficient employment opportunities as much as it can, is to provide support and an enabling environment for private sectors and entrepreneurs to thrive.

Suffice it to say that, aside white collar jobs, citizens can fend for themselves through their given talents and skills. So many talents and skills abound, however, there is a goldmine in the entertainment-oriented talents. The entertainment industry is a goldmine and has the capacity of meaningfully engaging millions of people, especially the Youth.

In line with the above thought, Face of Made in Nigeria has embarked on a Talent Hunt across the Nation. It intends to go round the country on Talent Hunt in the fields of Creative Arts and Entrepreneurship, to fish out those talented Youth who are languishing in waste, because they have no means of reaching out to some record labels or production houses that would help to nurture and shoot them to limelight, and those aspiring to be Entrepreneurs but have no one to mentor them.

The Search and Development of Young Entrepreneurs, Actors, Artistes, Comedians and Dancers, is our aim. When we discover the talented Youth, we intend to have training sessions where the “Music Stars”, “Nollywood Veterans”, “Renowned Comedians”, “Professional Dancers” and some “Entrepreneur Technocrats” would train, mentor and groom them to stardom and into financial independence. This will be done in collaboration with the African Youth Entertainment Hub and National Youth Council Of Nigeria.

This project will reduce the rate of Youth’s engagement in criminal acts such as banditry, kidnapping, thuggery, drug abuse, rape and other social vices and crimes as the Youth will be meaningfully engaged, giving no room to be used as the “devil’s workshop”. When the Youth are meaningfully engaged, their minds will be too occupied to tilt towards crime and other vices. When the Youth are idle and unemployed or unengaged, they take to the negative way of life along which some of them lose their lives

It will curb the menace of illegal migration and “brain-drain” syndrome. Some highly talented Youth have lost their lives in the Mediterranean Sea because they believed that their talents would have been well harnessed, and greener pastures found, if they crossed over to Europe or other developed countries. Some are still on their way to that point of no-return-journey, even amidst all warnings. Yes, according to some of them, “it is better to die trying to crossover than to languish in nothingness and idleness in Nigeria.” Thus, this Nation-wide talent hunt will give these Youth a hope and a future.

It will engage the young ladies and will serve as a means of sensitization and re-orientation against prostitution and related vices. It will give the young ladies the encouragement to be more creative and toe the path of Entrepreneurship as against being dependent, which makes them vulnerable. This project will save the young ladies from the assaults they meet while trying to find a connection that will showcase them in the entertainment industry. Often times, in their zeal to join the entertainment industry, most of them are abused and an undue advantage is often taken over them. In this project, they will have an equal fair playing ground to showcase their talents and get shot to limelight.

As the Youth are empowered and groomed into financial independence, the economy of our dear nation will grow stronger and better, invariably.

“We beckon on well-meaning Nigerians, both at home and in diaspora, to be part of this patriotic vision and life-saving project! We need your voice, support and encouragement! Be part of this epoch making salvation of the Nigerian Youth and save the Youth from perishing in the Mediterranean Sea and wallowing aimlessly in the streets. If the Youth see opportunities of getting themselves positively engaged here in Nigeria, nothing will instill the ugly desire of crossing the desert and Mediterranean Sea, in their minds.”

Paraphrasing Kofi Annan, the 7^th Secretary General of United Nation, “Young people should be at the forefront of global change and innovation. Empowered, they can be key agents for development and peace. If, however, they are left on society’s margins, all of us will be impoverished. Let us ensure that all young people have every opportunity to participate fully in the lives of their societies”.

Just a mere 27 months after the untimely death of our Great Mother of Africa, Winnie Madikizela Mandela, who transitioned on 2 April 2018, her youngest daughter, Zindzi Mandela, made so much in her image, was laid to rest right next to her mother in Johannesburg, South Africa on 17 July 2020.

Zindzi’s death will, of a surety, be felt by her family, the people of South Africa, and the world at large for years to come.

I was so blessed to have met Zindzi when she was a young woman, and what amazing times we had over the years.

No matter whether eating some of the best food in the world prepared by none other than Mama Winnie, falling out laughing on the veranda in Orlando West at some anecdote that Mama Winnie told us, anxiously awaiting results of medical tests, flying across the world, walking the plains of the Holy Land, or hearing her strong and kind laughter on the Thursday before she transitioned as she thanked me for the 1000th time for taking such good care of her mom and reminding me of how much my beloved BFF loved me, followed by a kind and loving text assuring me of how much she loved me and signed “your daughter Zindzi,” Zin always showed care and love and respect for those who shared the walk of life with her.

And as much as I ascribe to the reality that we never really die as long as we are held in the hearts and spirits of those who remain, I AM going to miss Zin for all that she was, for all that she is, and for all the hope and promise she was in the process of giving to the legacy of her Great Mother and for the benefit of our nation -- really and truly she is gone way too soon.

When I consider the fire in her belly, the passion in her heart for justice, fairness and well-being for others, the power in her soul, I am reminded of so many strong, courageous Black warrior women, who were created for and destined for unravelling the status quo as was she.

Great women like The Dahomey Amazons: The All-Female Warriors of Benin in West Africa; Sojourner Truth, the African American warrior who spoke out and stood against racial and sexual inequalities; Harriet Tubman, an African American abolitionist who risked her life time and time again to free more than 300 enslaved men, women and children, and was a Union spy during the American Civil War; Seh-Dong-Hong-Beh one of the great leaders of the Mino.

In 1890, King Behanzin used his female Mino fighters alongside the male soldiers to battle the French forces during the First Franco-Dahomean War, wherein the French army lost many battles because of the female warrior’s skill in battle.

Queen Mother Yaa Asantewaa of the Edweso tribe of the Asante, who fought and beat the British; Queen Nanny, a Jamaican national hero, a well-known leader of the Jamaican Maroons in the 18th century.

Amanirenas, one of the greatest queen mothers, who ruled over the Meroitic Kingdom of Kush in northeast Africa and led her army against the Roman Emperor Augustus and won.

Carlota Lukumí, a Yoruba captured and taken to Cuba to work on a sugar plantation who in 1843, along with another enslaved woman named Fermina, led an organized rebellion at the Triumvarato sugar plantation and won.

I think of Queen Nzinga Mbande, a highly intelligent and powerful 17th-century ruler of the Ndongo and Matamba Kingdoms (modern-day Angola), who around the turn of the 17th century fearlessly and cleverly fought for the freedom of her kingdoms against the Portuguese.

I think of Muhumusa, a feared leader of the East African Nyabingi priestesses who was influential in Rwanda and Uganda and in 1911, she proclaimed “she would drive out the Europeans” and “that the bullets of the Wazungu would turn to water against her.”

I think of my BFF, Nomzamo Winifred (Winnie) Zanyiwe Madikizela Mandela her intelligence, beauty, fearlessness, and courage that kept a freedom movement alive with her capacity to inspire millions to be free.

And now added to the annuals of Great Warrior Women is Zindziswa (Zindzi) Mandela, who possessed the fearlessness to battle against apartheid, the fortitude to resist against injustices, and the fervor to defy inequality.

So big is Zindzi’s life, so powerful her own voice that I hesitate to speak of her in the past tense, for I know while the body expires, when we are in God, our spirit never dies, rather we merely transition to a higher plane.

Zindzi was a fortress of passion and energy. She was charming, eloquent, very funny, often making fun of the past hurts and troubles she and her family endured, when she allowed herself to think about them at all, and she was very, very brave.

Zindzi was a strong, bold and valiant activist for righteousness, the courageous defender of the weak, an unafraid protector of the downtrodden, and an audacious voice for the forgotten, no matter the cost.

A survivor, who endured unutterable trauma and indescribable horrors at the hands of the heinous apartheid system.

Often branded a terrorist, a troublemaker, names called to deflect from the malevolent behaviours of the oppressor who in truth and fact were the real terrorists, killers and looters, but no matter what the enemy called her, Zindzi rose to the challenges and contended against the oppressors, heroically.

In her beloved and cherished role as mother, she was deeply divided with the tasks of balancing the responsibility of caring for herself, giving to her children, and fighting for her nation and its freedom.

Zindzi fought for the needs of millions of other children, not born of her body, but born in and of her spirit.

Having seen and heard firsthand of unspeakable things done to her mother, that no child should have to endure, memories etched permanently in her spirit, although needing care for her tattered heart, Zindzi always found a way to prevail.

Even though scarred from the pain of her past and bearing a responsibility to right the wrongs, almost too heavy for a mere mortal to bear, Zindzi carried her load with dignity and grace.

Amazingly, she had compassion for others, even those who disappointed her, optimistically trusting that maybe they just did not understand the miles of bad road she had traversed.

No matter the cost, Zindzi lived in the framing of a sublime truth uttered eons ago by Galileo: “I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.”

How blessed we have been, even for too short a time, to have been graced by Zindzi’s use of good sense, kindness, forbearance, amazing reason, and sharp intellect.

Truly, she has left a path of positive action, courage, fortitude and loving care for us to follow allowing us the material of her life’s living to forge a bridge of justice, peace and well- being for our people.

“For the righteous will never be moved; they will be remembered forever… Their righteousness endures forever.”

VIVA ZINDZI VIVA!

“For the righteous will never be moved; they will be remembered forever. They are not afraid of evil tidings; their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord. Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. They have distributed freely; they have given to the poor; their righteousness endures forever…”.

He’s one of the world’s greatest singer/rappers, yet, despite being best known for making great, popular music, Akon is decided to ‘sharing’ his power.

Away from regularly filling dancefloors and stadiums, the Senegalese-American superstar is dedicating his life to bringing solar energy to people living in rural Africa.

And, under his Akon Lighting Africa initiative, he recently teamed up with Shell to create an innovative football pitch in Nigeria that allowed the local community to play football at night.

The singer has recently opened a Solar Academy as part of his effort to bring electricity to 600 million people in rural communities across Africa.

Located in Bamako, in Mali, the academy’s aim is to help engineers produce solar power.
The organisation states that the continent averages 320 days of sunshine a year.

He said: “I think with people you have to motivate people to want to do better, motivate them to want to believe that they can do it themselves, and more than anything you have to be in a position to empower them so they can do it themselves.”

Growing up in a town without electricity, Akon has also spoken about how he finds charity in Africa problematic; “From the time I was born to now, I’ve seen a number of charity organisations come into Africa just to constantly give,” he says. “There hasn’t been any structure building, no environmental development – none of that.