WOMENS HISTORY MONTH – CELEBRATING GERMAN BASED DR ESTHER SAMSON UKARIA

Pretty faces and charming smiles often captivate people, but they forget there is more to them than meets the eyes.

​Dr Esther Samson Ukaria (hc) is a Nigerian German, born and raised in Kano, Nigeria, a city renowned for its monuments, crafts, and cultural diversity.

I love New York cheesecake, good cuisine, and just exploring new cities and organizing creative events.

My reputation for professionalism, humour, brilliant mind, and commitment to helping others often stand out among those who know me.

My stubborn part can sometimes get the best of me, but I am a quick learner and quick to apologize for my mistakes.

​I hold 1st Class Hons. International Relations & Strategic Studies from Igbinedion University (2019), and IHK-Commercial Administration from Robert-Schuman Berufs Kollege, Essen Germany (2015), Personal Development Certified Coach from the Empowerment Academy (2021) in the U.S.A. Business Management Certification from European Business University Luxembourg (2022)

​Having started my career as a trainee at the Stanbic IBTC bank in Nigeria, I moved to Nordrhein-Westfalen in Germany. I have acquired skills from different international companies over the years. Through it, I have developed conceptual skills, empowered my clients and my community during difficult times, and developed feasible solutions for various problems.

Moreover, I have always been passionate about philanthropy and writing heart- warming stories about life struggles. I would have chosen this career if I had won a lottery in secondary school. Nonetheless, in 2015 this dream became a reality. The House of Mercy Network Foundation was born. Our feeding program has impacted over 8,000 lives in Kogi, Nigeria and over 100 in Tamil Nadu, India.

Also, we have implemented renovation and training projects there. In 2022, we will launch a new project to provide a mother and child sunshine package to pregnant mothers.

This project aims to reduce the high poverty rate among expectant mothers in that area.

Through my role as an ambassador at the European Business University in Luxembourg, students can study accredited impacted courses on a scholarship.

In recognition of these achievements, I was awarded an honorary degree in humanity from the Faith Fuller Seminary affiliated with the Evangel Christian University of America U.S.A on December 5th, 2021. In addition to writing seven books, I’ve graced many stages and shared my word of wisdom with others.

WOMEN HISTORY MONTH – CELEBRATING BRADFORD BASED TOMIWA DADA, FOUNDER OF BABES OF THE MOST HIGH

Tomiwa Dada is a multifaceted entrepreneur and leader. She is the founder of Babes of the Most High and the convener of the Made Women Conference, both initiatives aimed at empowering women in various aspects of life, including business, leadership, and personal development. Her annual Made Women Conference brings women together to discuss business, leadership, and personal development, with a focus on mentorship and skill-building across various industries.

In addition to her work in women’s empowerment, Tomiwa is the CEO of The Ayaba Collections, a fashion business for which she has been recognized, including being nominated for ‘Fashionpreneur’ of the year at the FOYA Africa Founder Awards and The Entrepreneur Africa Award for Fashion Business. She is known for her passion for inspiring women to step into leadership roles and break barriers in their respective fields. She recently received an award of excellence for her exceptional leadership role at the Babes of the Most High Made Women Conference, 2024. 

She is also the co-founder of the Temitope Tomiwa Dada Foundation (Tetod Foundation) along side her husband Tope Dada, which focuses on community development and charity work, further solidifying her commitment to creating positive societal change. 

The vision propelling Tomiwa Dada stems from her deep desire to uplift and transform women’s lives by integrating faith with practical skills. Central to her work is the belief that women can thrive spiritually, emotionally, and professionally if they are empowered with the right tools, networks, and guidance. Through platforms like Babes of the Most High, Tomiwa encourages women to embrace their spirituality while building resilience and leadership in their careers and personal lives.

Tomiwa Dada is currently pursuing a certification in project management and she is happily married to her dear husband Tope Dada and blessed with three great generations.

#bradford #bradford2025 #nigeria #faith #womenempowerment #annualconference #awardwinner

WOMEN HISTORY MONTH – CELEBRATING MERCIA JENSEN, BIRMINGHAM BASED CANCER AMBASSADOR AND BIRMINGHAM REPRESENTATIVE FOR AFRICA4U

Mercia Jensen lives in Birmingham, West Midlands. She is a graduate of The City University, Birmingham where she studies Paediatrics. She also studied sociology at The Open University and Psychology at The University of East London. She is very passionate about making a positive difference in many communities.

Mercia is a Cancer Ambassador.  She is also The Birmingham Representative for our UK Based AFRICA4U ASSOCIATION

WOMEN HISTORY MONTH – CELEBRATING KAREN OKRA, HULL BASED COMMUNITY ACTIVIST AND EQUALITY ADVOCATE

Karen Okra Community Activist, Cultural Leader, Equality Advocate.

Karen Okra is a community activist and cultural leader with extensive experience in arts, heritage, and community engagement. She played a key role in Hull’s successful bid for UK City of Culture 2017 as a candidate on the Derry~Londonderry Panel, and later served as a Director of both the Hull 2017 City of Culture Board and the Freedom Festival Arts Trust.

Her work focuses on promoting racial and gender equality, with a strong commitment to advancing awareness of Black History and Black achievement. Karen actively addresses challenges faced by Black and minority ethnic communities through education, advocacy, and inclusive programming.

She has a particular interest in the history of Trans Atlantic slave trade and Diaspora Studies and collaborates with the Wilberforce Institute for the Study of Slavery and Emancipation (WISE), the University of Hull, and Hull Museums to support learning and community engagement initiatives.

Karen is an Honorary Fellow of the Wilberforce Institute and a member of the Wilberforce House Advisory Group. Her work is grounded in connecting people, places, and shared histories to create a more inclusive and accessible future

ROLE MODEL OF THE WEEK, WILLIAM CLINE BAILEY – CONTEMPORARY JAZZ MUSICIAN AND SONG WRITER OF SIERRA LEONEAN PARENTAGE

William Cline Bailey is a British contemporary Jazz musician, songwriter and drummer. He was born in Islington,London of Sierra Leonean parentage .After being engaged in studio work over a number of years , he released his first single entitled  “Solitude” in 2020 which received extensive airplay on JazzFM , Durham on Air, Feferity Radio and Premier Radio .

Since then he has released 3 EP’s and 3 Albums William Cline Bailey is known for his work in contemporary Jazz and blending Jazz with other genres of music . He is heavily influenced by artists like Herbie Hancock and Grover Washington Jr

He has created his own unique brand of groove- oriented contemporary Jazz which is gathering huge interest in Yorkshire and Northeast England . He has had a number of live performances in Scarborough, North Yorkshire  and was part of a group of musicians involved in CLAFRO JAZOP 5- An annual event to encourage cultural cohesion and provide music facilities in Hull .

William Cline Bailey is also a radio show host. He presents a weekly broadcast The Jazz sessions on Radio Scarborough which now has listeners worldwide . The essence of the broadcast is to dispel the myth and misconceptions about Jazz music. The broadcast also aims to popularise the Jazz genre especially in the UK.William Cline Bailey is also the founder of ClineBailey Productions – A  Jazz music production and entertainment company. For further information about William Cline Bailey  please visit his website .www.clinebailey.productions

HULL BASED SAXOPHONIST -ABIDEMI SAX WILL BE PERFORMING AT OUR AFRICA4U AWARDS FOR AFRICANS IN EAST YORKSHIRE TAKING PLACE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HULL ON THE 21ST OF APRIL

We are pleased to inform you that Abidemi Amosu (Abidemi Sax)  shall be performing at our AFRICA4U AWARDS FOR AFRICANS IN EAST YORKSHIRE TAKES PLACE AT MARY SEACOLE LECTURE THEATRE, UNIVERSITY OF HULL ON TUESDAY 21ST OF APRIL 2026

INFORMATION ABOUT Abidemi Amosu (Abidemi Sax) CAN BE FOUND BELOW

Abidemi Amosu (Abidemi Sax) 

Abidemi Amosu, professionally known as Abidemi Sax, is a contemporary saxophonist, musicologist, and performer known for his expressive sound and distinctive blend of cultural heritage, spirituality, and modern musical influences. With decades of experience, he has developed a unique artistic voice that resonates with diverse audiences across the United Kingdom and beyond.

He holds a National Certificate in Education (NCE) in Music from Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, a Bachelor’s degree in Music from the University of Ibadan, and a Master of Music degree from the University of Hull, United Kingdom. His academic background, combined with extensive performance experience, has shaped his versatility across genres including jazz, gospel, and Afro-influenced contemporary music.

Abidemi Sax has performed at a wide range of events and venues, earning recognition for his rich tone, stage presence, and ability to communicate emotion through music. His performances are often described as engaging, soulful, and deeply reflective.

As a recording artist and composer, his works include Temi, Smile, Selenkejo, Ife Osupa, and Trust in God. These compositions reflect a fusion of personal storytelling, cultural identity, and innovative sound, positioning him as a creative force within the contemporary music space.

Beyond performance, Abidemi is passionate about musical development, collaboration, and using music as a tool for cultural expression and inspiration. His growing body of work continues to attract media attention and appreciation for its authenticity and artistic depth.

Artist Name: Abidemi Sax
Location: United Kingdom

THE AMAZING HEKIMA FROM TANZANIA WILL BE PERFORMING AT OUR AFRICA4U AWARDS FOR AFRICANS IN EAST YORKSHIRE TAKING PLACE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HULL ON THE 21ST OF APRIL

We are pleased to inform you that Hekima from Tanzania shall be performing at our AFRICA4U AWARDS FOR AFRICANS IN EAST YORKSHIRE TAKES PLACE AT MARY SEACOLE LECTURE THEATRE, UNIVERSITY OF HULL ON TUESDAY 21ST OF APRIL 2026

INFORMATION ABOUT HEKIMA CAN BE FOUND BELOW

Hekima
Hekima is a Tanzanian musician, songwriter, and community development worker
based in Kingston Upon Hull, UK. His musical roots run deep in the heritage of the
Ngoni tribe, originally from Southern Africa before settling in Northern Tanzania—a
culture renowned for its rich musical traditions.
He was the founder and lead singer of “Hekima and the Bongoflava”, a band that
enjoyed a successful run and released a well-received debut album titled “Sonrise”,
which was also showcased on BBC Radio Humberside.
Hekima musical style blends the tribal sounds of his childhood with influences from
reggae and hip hop, drawing inspiration from artists such as Bob Marley, Fela Kuti,
and KRS-One.
In recent years, Hekima stepped back from performing to focus on honing his craft
and dedicating himself to community development work. Now, he is ready to return
to the stage as a solo artist, performing with his acoustic guitar and the occasional
djembe drum, bringing a raw, soulful energy to every performance.
His future aspirations include forming a new band to showcase his evolved sound
and make an even greater impact through music and message.

AFRICA4U IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WILBERFORCE INSTITUTE FOR STUDY OF SLAVERY AND EMANCIPATION WILL BE ORGANISING AFRICA4U AWARDS FOR AFRICANS IN EAST YORKSHIRE AT UNIVERSITY OF HULL – TUESDAY 21ST OF APRIL

AFRICA4U AWARDS FOR AFRICANS IN EAST YORKSHIRE TAKES PLACE AT MARY SEACOLE LECTURE THEATRE, UNIVERSITY OF HULL ON TUESDAY 21ST OF APRIL

AFRICA4U AND FRIENDS CIC will be organising THE VERY FIRST EVER Africa4u Awards for Africans in EAST YORKSHIRE taking place at The MARY SEACOLE LECTURE THEATRE, WILBERFORCE BUILDING, THE UNIVERSITY OF HULL, HULL , EAST YORKSHIRE

WE WILL BE WELCOMING ALL OUR ATTENDEES FROM 4.30P.M ON THE DOT AS YOU GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO NETWORK WITH COMMUNITY ACHIEVERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS

COME AND BE PART OF THIS AMAZING EVENT

Iit will be an amazing evening of Award Recognitions (AS WE HONOUR COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS IN HULL), inspirational talks, Netwroking, performances and collaborations

GET YOUR FREE TICKETS USING THE LINK BELOW

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/africa4-awards-for-africans-in-east-yorkshire-at-university-of-hull-tickets-1985098220214?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Working together for fairer care at the end of life for ethnic minority communities – Attention: African Community of Bradford

Attention: African Community of Bradford

Attention: African Community of Bradford

Working together for fairer care at the end of life for ethnic minority communities

Attention: African Community of Bradford

What are we trying to do?

We are doing a research study to develop ways to tackle unfairness such as racism in the care provided at the end of life faced by ethnic minority communities.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for people who have experience of supporting someone at the end of life, live in, and are from the Bradford Black-African communities and have an interest in addressing unfairness at the end of life.

What does it involve?

You can take part in a series of four, relaxed and friendly workshops with other members of your community. We will talk about what and who matters most at the end of life, experiences of unfair treatment and how to improve things.

You will be paid £20 per hour for attending the workshops. Travel costs will be covered up to £10 per visit each way.

ROLE MODEL OF THE WEEK, SAIDU KOROMA -CHAIR OF SIERRA LEONE ASSOCIATION HULL

Saidu has lived in Hull for decades and has played a key role in building relationships and initiatives between Hull and Freetown. He has campaigned tirelessly, alongside his 13-year-old daughter Sarah Koroma, to raise funds and resources to support a school breakfast club in Freetown.

Saidu is very passionate about this work and has a strong personal connection to Wilberforce School in Freetown. He is keen to see the school develop a meaningful partnership with Hull. The school is currently in need of repairs, which Saidu believes could become a collaborative project bringing together communities from both Freetown and Hull.