Africando represents a cross-cultural collaboration between top-ranked, New York-based, Latin musicians and African vocalists. While lyrics are sung in Yoruba, Wolof, Mandigo and French, the group’s sizzling-hot dance rhythms blend classic mambo, Cuban son and mandigo traditions. Africando was initially drawn together by producers Ibrahima Sylba and Boncana Maiga. The group’s debut album, Trovodor, released in 1993, featured the vocals of West Senegalese singers Pape Seck, Medoune Diallo and Nicolas Manheim. Although Seck passed away shortly after the album’s release, the band continued to grow. By the time that they recorded their second album, Tierra Tradicional, released in 1995, the group’s vocals were shared by Tabu Ley Rochereau of Zaire, Bambino Diabete of Guinea, Gnonnas Pedro of Benin and original vocalist, Diallo. Africando’s third album, Gombo Salsa, released in 1997, featured a guest appearance by Roger Eugene of Tabou Combo. Their fourth album, Balboa, released in 1998, focused on the pre-World War II, sexteto tipico music of Cuba. Musicians in Africando include Hector Zarzuela (horns), Chino and Pablo Nunezon (timbales), Dave Rimelis (fiddle), Pape Pepin (conga), Hector “Bamberiot” Zarzuela and Ite Herez (trumpets). Mandali was issued in fall 2000.

Thompson Olusegun EWATA

This great Role model holds a Ph.D. (English) with specialisation in corpus linguistics. His academic areas of interest include: corpus linguistics, vague communication and discourse analysis. He’s currently with the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State.

He is passionate about people and making a difference to Life

He’s married with two lovely girls and a boy.

Tony Tokunbo Eteka Fernandez will be organizing Black History Month Celebrations at The UK House of Parliament for the 5^th Year in a row on Friday the 27tth of October at 2pm on the dot to 4pm at The Jubilee Room, The UK House of Parliament

Over the years the event has been sponsored by MP Alo0k Sharma – THE MP FOR READING WEST, who is also The UK Minister for Housing

There will be some amazing Key Speakers at this years Black History Month Celebrations at Parliament

They include

MR DEAN OKAI – OWNER AT SUTIS DIRECT AND FOUNDER OF THE SOLUTION ROOM

MR NICHOLAS WALKER – LECTURER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF READING

MR PHILIP AKODA  – 21 YEAR OLD SOFTWARE DEVELOPER AND THE YOUNGEST EVER SPEAKER AT OUR BLACK HISTORY EVENT AT PARLIAMENT

MR ABBEY KING –  PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR AND COMMUNITY ADVOCATE

LADY ESTHER STANFORD – XOSEI –   INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED JURISCONSULT, POLICY ANALYST & BROADCASTER

THERE WILL ALSO BE LIVE JAZZ PERFORMANCES BY AN AMAZING SAXOPHONIST FROM UGANDA  – GODFREY NGOBI  

THIS IS AN INVITE ONLY EVENT, FOR MORE INFO, CONTACT TONY ON 07882809005

Events like these are also a way of showcasing Our History , Our Stories, Our culture and the real life experiences of great people making a difference to life each day. In the last four  years the event has attracted the likes of Role Models, Celebrities, Community leaders and MPs from Conservative, Labour and The Scotish National party.

WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE UPDATES ON INFORMATION REGARDING OUR SPECIAL GUEST OF HONOUR AND KEY SPEAKER 

INFORMATION ABOUT TONY CAN BE FOUND BELOW

Tony Tokunbo Eteka  Fernandez is an International Award Winner, Published Author & Poet, Events Consultant , MC and Youth Empowerment Consultant   . He is also The CEO of AFRICA4U and The Founder of Africans in The Diaspora Online Network.

On Saturday the 20th of May 2017, Tony was named “An Ambassador for Peace” for The Universal Peace Federation and An Ambassador for Peace Award was presented to him at The Universal Peace Federation Headquarters in London. He has  won over 15 Awards

Tony has also organised The Black History Month Celebrations at The UK House of Parliament for four years in a row (2013,2014 ,2015 and 2016 ).

The annual events he has organised at the UK House of Parliament over the last several years have attracted the attendance and the admiration from Members of Parliament of Labour, Conservative and Scotish National party, as well as Councillors, Community leaders and Role models from at least 21 Countries.   Tony has a flair for bringing people together from different cultural backgrounds to celebrate their stories and connect collectively

People also see him as a Cultural and Social entrepreneur, which means he is skilled in working with many different communities, bringing people together in successful focused events. Tony has organised many cultural events …involving both BME and mainstream communities. He is skilled in hosting events that reinforce community cohesion and bringing different kinds of people together. He has organised events in The UK, The U.S.A, Holland, Germany, Romania , Nigeria  and Malta. Tony  has visited over  20 European Countries. 

In February 2017, Tony  made history , by organizing The first ever awards for African Migrants in The History of Malta in conjunction with The African Media  Association, Malta.  The event was well attended, not only by Role models from African communities, but also Role models from Malta, Spain, Serbia, Norway, Holland,  the UK and other nationalities

He continues to promote the true life and success stories of Africans in Europe and Africans around the world and has organised several small scale literary and awards initiatives aimed at empowering young people and aspiring Role models

Today he also manages a social media online network group of over 5.800 Members and has worked with various community groups from Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Malta and many other countries

Tony has also been a Keynote Speaker for several International initiatives and network summits, some of which include The International Symposium for Cultural diplomacy in the The Commonwealth  organised by The Universal Peace Federation (Part of the United Nations) in conjunction with The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy, Berlin, Germany

He has also spent time as an International broadcaster and was The Producer and Presenter for AFRICA4U International Radio Talk Show at Reading4u Radio Station for nearly three years.

Countries that Tony has visited 

Most parts of England, Many parts of Nigeria, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, U.S.A, Canada, Jamaica, Tunisia, Morocco, France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Holland, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Poland, Hungary, Latvia, Czech Republic, Portugal, Bulgaria, Romania and Malta

Tony has interviewed high profile Members of Parliament, Distinguished celebrities and some of Africas best musicians including Ivonne Chaka Chaka and Kanda Bongoman.

He has also been a guest on BBC Radio on numerous occasions to discuss the community cohesion events he organises at UK House of Parliament and also to recite some of his published work in memory of Nelson Mandela,  50 Years Anniversary of The race relations act and major community issues. Tony has also a Guest on popular Radio stations in Nigeria and The States

In the last few years he has been very passionate about Youth empowerment, Community cohesion and Cultural intelligence.

Tony was born in South London and has lived in several parts of England and West, East &Northern  Nigeria . He started writing at the tender age of nine, a habit he expressed with creative enthusiasm. Tony writes Poetry, short stories and proverbs on personal development. He is currently working on his 4th book which will also be his first novel. He is also very passionate about Youth Empowerment, Community development and African History

He completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at The University of Lagos, Nigeria in English and World Literature. He later went on to attain a teaching qualification at The Frances King International Training Institute, South Kensington London, it was here he studied Teaching English as a Foreign Language. He also studied Web Design at The City University in London.

He published his first book in June 1999 called “The Beauty in the Dark” (A Collection of Poetry which received critical acclamation in many circles around the world). .Tony’s aim in life is to inspire the young generation and to encourage the youth to make the very best of their dreams and aspirations,. He published a 2nd book in June 2009 called ” The Sound of Running Water” – A Family gift book of proverbs and quotations on Personal Development and Positive Thinking .

In December 2009, he published his 3rd book called “One Moment of Peace”.- A collection of Poetry inspired by personal experiences and spiritual growth.

Besides the fact that the Artist has won International  awards, he is mostly inspired by Life experience, People, Places and the will to be The Change he wants to see in society

. He was Resident Poet at the 5th London Poetry Festival in 2009 and has been a guest on BBC Radio on very many occassions including The famous Anne Diamond Show. He has also been a guest on a few SKY TV stations and several International Radio Stations around The World in The UK, U.S.A, Germany and Nigeria

TONY IS A MULTIPLE INTERNATIONAL AWARD WINNER – A LIST OF THE AWARDS HE HAS WON CAN BE FOUND BELOW

AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE AWARD , UNIVERSAL PEACE FEDERATION – MAY 2017

MOST OUTSTANDING MAN OF THE YEAR 2016  by THE HIGHFLYER ENTREPRENEURS ONLINE AWARD- This award has been given to me for mentorship, leadership and advancing the cause of entrepreneurship worldwide.

GHANA NIGERIA ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 2016, HELD AT THE BRITISH COUNCIL, ACCRA, GHANA –  AWARD FOR POSITIVELY AFFECTING THE LIVES OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND CONSTANTLY PROJECTING THE GOOD IMAGE OF NIGERIANS IN THE DIASPORA

PEACE AMBASSADOR AWARD FOR GOODWILL, LEADERSHIP and promoting CULTURAL DIVERSITY among African Communities 2016 –   TRUE AFRICAN HERITAGE AWARDS 2016

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2016-  GATHERING OF GREAT MINDS AND ACHIEVERS BAOBAB AWARDS – LONDON

AFRICAN DIASPORA LIVING LEGEND AWARD FOR DIASPORA ENGAGEMENT – HAMBURG, GERMANY – 2016

INSPIRATIONAL MAN OF THE YEAR 2016 – MR AND MISS BLACK BEAUTY CHRIST COLLEGE UK SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANT 2016 INSPIRATIONAL AWARDS – LONDON

BEFFTA AWARD WINNER 2014- SPECIAL HONORARY AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP

BRONZE AWARD WINNER- NIGERIAN MC OF THE YEAR 2014 HELD IN THE UK

AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE – PRESENTED BY AFRICAN WALKFRONT NETWORK- HELD IN LAGOS

NIGERIAN EUROPEAN AWARDS RADIO PRESENTER OF THE YEAR – HELD IN ROME

SPECIAL TRIBUTE AWARD FOR CHAMPIONING BLACK AND MINORITY ETHNIC VISIONS- PRESENTED BY EBONY BUSINESS RECOGNITION AWARDS

MALE BUSINESS COACH OF THE YEAR 2014- PRESENTED BY EBONY BUSINESS RECOGNITION AWARDS

BEST MALE PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR- LEADERSHIP AND MIND AMBASSADORS AWARDS

SPECIAL AWARDS FOR PEOPLE AND LITERARY DEVELOPMENT PRESENTED BY MARKETING MINISTERS UK

WINNER OF THE ANNE SHINE AWARDS PRESENTED BY ANNE SHINE LTD- CEREMONY TOOK PLACE AT THE NOVOTEL HOTEL IN HEATHROW

TRUE AFRICAN HERITAGE TAH PRESENTS.

AFRICANS UNITES IN PEACE AND UNITY

This year we will be celebrating NIGERIA as one of its largest city LAGOS is 50 years this year. It will be a celebration of Culture, Tradition and Unity.

Next year we will celebrate another Country or City.

The True African Awards is a yearly event organized by True African Heritage in United Kingdom, in recognition and celebration of Africans whose outstanding achievement and contribution in various field of life has brought pride to the African community at home and abroad. A colourful day showcasing different African Cultures like Traditional foods, Different Music, Poems, Arts, African wear and many more.

The Dinner Ceremony And Award for this year will be coming up on 7 October 2017 at Links 353 Rotherhithe New Rd, Old Kent Road London SE16 3HF

Come and celebrate Nigerians on the day.

TO SPONSOR TAH WITH ANYTHING CALL:
-Ambassador Kaizt Kenee 07943199191, -Ambassador Nabila Bangura 07534985001
-Ambassador Tokunbo Omoluwabi (Esoe Remo) 07940419171

Together We Are One!

Yours Sincerely
TAHA Committee

Come and celebrate Nigerians on the day.

TO SPONSOR TAH WITH ANYTHING CALL:
-Ambassador Kaizt Kenee 07943199191, -Ambassador Nabila Bangura 07534985001
-Ambassador Tokunbo Omoluwabi (Esoe Remo) 07940419171

Together We Are One!

Yours Sincerely
TAHA Committee

Awilo Longomba was born in Kinshasa (formally, Léopoldville). His father was from the Mongo region of the Ecuador and his mother was also from the Ecuador region of Ngombe and Congo Brazzaville. His father, Vicky Longomba, was the famous lead singer and founder of “Tout puissant OK Jazz” during the golden age of Congolese rumba, had a big influence on our artist. Since childhood, Awilo spent every waking moment in the music scenes attending his father’s rehearsals. Very quickly his passion for music grew, and instead of going to classes, he started drumming for various groups of Kinshasa, including “l’orchestre de Lita Bembo. He joined the orchestra “Viva La Musica” led by the great Papa Wemba as a drummer, and Awilo had his real first taste of live performance on his first international tour in Europe and to Japan in 1985 and 1986.

As the fever he caught during his tour grew stronger, he decided to pursue his artistic carrier and moved to France. His reputation as one of the best drummers in France spread very quickly. This allowed him to collaborate on numerous records and toured worldwide with several African artists such as Tshala Muana, Oliver Ngoma, Kanda Bongo Man just to name a few.

But Awilo’s ambition didn’t stop there. In 1992 he decided to leave “Viva La Musica” and formed his own group “La Nouvelle Génération” of which he became the leader. This new band became very popular in Europe and produced several albums.

In 1995, the career of Awilo, the singer, took off and he left “La Nouvelle Génération”. He released his first solo album “Moto Pamba” in which he was the composer, the lead singer and of course the drummer. The Techno-Soukous star was born. His success couldn’t be ignored! He finally put the drums down and decided to concentrate on his singing and started touring in East Africa and in Europe. This first CD landed him the “Best Central Africa Artist Awards” at the KORA AWARDS 1996 and 1997 (All Africa Music Awards, held in Sun City, South Africa)

Since then, it has been non-stop for Awilo. His second round in the studio validated his popularity. He released “Coupé Bibamba”, in 1998 with the collaboration of Jocelyne Bérouard. The controversial title cut “Coupé Bibamba” that denounces poverty in Africa with catchy song lines: Comment tu t’appelles? Je m’appelle… Coupé Coupé Bibamba! The title hits the number 1 spot on the African and European charts very quick and stayed for several weeks. Several titles from the same CD followed.

In July 2000, Awilo released his third CD “Kafou Kafou” this CD sent him back to the KORA 2001 where Awilo was recognized for his outstanding contribution to African music and received “Judges Special Awards” during the KORA 2001.

Awilo is the MOST WANTED Congolese artists on the African continent and Europe. He has toured in African counties such as Nigeria, Cameroon, Uganda, Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Togo, Zambia, Gabon, Mali etc…). Awilo also has toured in Europe (Switzerland, Belgium, Great Britain etc…) as well as the United States.

His talent received notoriety when Sony music requested a remix funk version of his “Coupé bibamba” with James D-Train to be included in the compilation “Tribute to the Funk” released in June 2003 and became a summer hit. The remix will also be included in “African Dance Floor” compilation. Awilo also performed at Zenith concert hall in Paris with other American artists (Jocelyn Brown, Anita Ward, Imagination…) who were part of the compilation.

Awilo has once again demonstrated his talent by producing his latest CD “Mondongo”. It is an electrifying blend of kompas, rumba, R&B and soukouss… with the collaboration of other great African artists such as Lokua Kanza, “Mondongo” is a guaranteed success!.

Henry Amadiegwu

Henry is the founder and Executive Chair of African Child and Youth Empowerment Foundation (AFRICYEF), www.africyef.org, a UK based charity actively involved in supporting poor African children and youths acquire basic education. AFRICYEF currently supports more than 500 African pupils back to school, providing them with books, writing materials and school uniforms. The charity provides computers and laptops to both schools and students in Africa, grants scholarships to less-privileged and indigent African children and also supports the Future Leaders Orphanage in Nigeria.

Henry is a seasoned Head of IT/Global IT Manager, Change and Transformation professional with over 17 years’ experience in a wide range of sectors and industries including banking, education, retail, concierge, leisure, charity, FinTech, logistics and transport.

He has been active in community development, particularly in Nigeria, London and Essex; actively involved in nurturing and mentoring young people, volunteered at the London 2012 Olympics. Henry served as children teacher in the church and also a member of Barking and Dagenham Residents Urban Development Forum (RUDF).

Henry is passionate about young people and education and he holds a BSc degree in Computer Science and Mathematics and an MBA in Business Management. He also supports many other charities and is a co-founder of Inspiring Women Network.

Henry is happily married and blessed with 3 brilliant children.

DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS,

WELCOME TO THE MONTH OF AUGUST,

WE ARE THANKFUL FOR BEING ABLE TO ATTRACT NEW CLIENTS IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS,
WE WILL ALWAYS GO THE EXTRA MILE TO ADD VALUE TO OUR SERVICES
AS A NEW SEASON OF AUGUST UNFOLDS, THINGS CAN ONLY GET BETTER
CONTACT ME TODAY, IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ANY OF OUR SERVICES BELOW,

ADIRE is an indigo dyed fabric which is an inherited cultural root and Heritage that has been passed from generations, and maintained in the presence.

It is a Bestowed heritage for the perquisite of the generations of the south western People of the West African country Nigeria. An ancient textile which has significantly retained its relevance from inception up till date

ADIRE is Culture and culture refers fully to the cumulative deposit of knowledge, experience, beliefs, values, art, moral and law.

Culture is the way and life of a people that is able to generate for them assets and wealth through the application of their given skill, a means by which many switch their skills into entrepreneurship tools of which they have found extremely enjoyable.

ADIRE heritage festival is a brand initiative of Iroko Event International. Iroko is a brand which came to play has a body which addictively Foster and promote the African culture to the Africans and non-African People in Diaspora.

ADIRE from its inception is a Festival that actively encourage the essence of unity, Self-love and loyalty to one’s Origin. It discovers and identifies with talent and interests while expanding awarness and employment opportunities among Nigerian youths and women, and also generating income for the Nigerian Nation through Tourism.

It Links indigenous entrepreneurs to funding and Growth enhancement support from the UK and Members of British African Alliance while attracting Diasporan investors .

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EVENT

1. Exhibition
2. Fashion show
3. Bazaar
4. Talking Drum
5. Concert
6. Awards
7. Kids play houses
8. Black doll (children and family)
9. Seminar (also see www.irokoevents.com)

EVENT VENUE

FREEDOM PARK LAGOS

1, Hospital Road, Old Prison Ground, Broad Street Lagos State.

EVENT DATE

The ADIRE Heritage Festival is set to hold from the 7th-9th September, 2017

THIS MAN OF OSAYE

there was a certain man of Osaye
who loved to dance,
and dance he would
to the forest of eni’karo:
this man of Osaye

he so loved to dance
that one day he met erhimwin’otor
beyond the far post
of aguedion:
this man of Osaye

there the spirits
danced with him
there the winds swayed
to his swift feet

this man of Osaye

and birds vomited
rhythmic shadows
as the grounds bent
to the gaily steps
of him who joined
the winds at will

this man of Osaye

the man danced and danced
and became the dance
and the spirit,
who once taken
stayed like breezing breath

this man of Osaye

he had drank from winds
and smoky pathways
where he sweetly left again
to farming lands
as he continued to roar dust
and unseen steps
from his warring feet
then unknown

this man of Osaye

and who says
when we pour libations,
only the ancestors lick their mouths
in anticipation
-of dying deities
and beggarly elements?

he had died
by the dance of the spirits:
this man of Osaye
he had drank
from the libation spot
where the dead
drum for the living
to openly dance
in the swinging automatics
of incomplete cowries
and fated ends:
this man of Osaye

he had become
a thundering lion
to only followed
the spirits’ dance away:
this man of Osaye

and at the hunter’s
aiming shout,
the dance became
a predator-god
who wears
the spirit’s mask
with this man of Osaye

and he lurched
at the threshing floor
from the willing hand
of the palm-wine’s blood:
this man of Osaye
when he sank
like shadow’s thread
in sweat’s pretense
of tricky coutre-passing
through same holes
of broken shells
and whiskers pulled:
this man of Osaye

for he had come
face to face
with the drying milk
from many mortal breasts
still in his dance of spirits

this man of Osaye

-Kenneth Christie-Atiti.
©2017.