OUR FILM DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR, 2021 IS MR DESMOND OVBIAGELE

Desmond Ovbiagele worked in investment banking for over a decade before exiting to pursue a passion for movie production. He wrote, produced and co-directed his debut feature film, Render to Caesar, which was selected to screen in official competition at FESPACO, Africa’s largest film festival, in 2015, as well as at the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles. It also received awards for Best Screenplay at the Nollywood Movies Awards and Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards respectively, in addition to the award for Best International Feature Film at the Nile Diaspora International Film Festival in Kampala, Uganda. The Milkmaid, which he also wrote, produced and directed, is his second feature film, winning five Africa Movie Academy Awards in December 2020, including for Best Film.
In December 2020, the Nigerian Official Selection Committee announced The Milkmaid as the country’s official selection for the
93rd Academy Awards in the category of Best International Feature Film.

FILMOGRAPHY

Render to Caesar (2014)
The Milkmaid (2020)

OUR POP ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2021 IS THE AMAZING ROGER OKEWOLE BASED IN NEW JERSEY, USA –

INFORMATION ABOUT ROGER CAN BE FOUND BELOW

I am Roger Okewole and 9ja Pop Art is a peek into my imagination!

INSPIRATIONS: More than Dali, Rembrandt, Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Picasso, Roy Lichtenstein is my main artistic inspiration. I couldn’t have been older than eight when Mom was showing me Lichtenstein’s works in World Book Encyclopedia.

BEGINNINGS: My parents bought a few of those thick coffee table art books with photos of the great paintings by Old Masters, alongside Greek and Roman sculptures. I was studying anatomy and perspective from those books from a very early age. My folks also bought me every age-appropriate comic book they could find, which truly unlocked my imagination.

I first exhibited in a gallery when I was about 11 years old. I was designing costumes and banners for carnivals in Nigeria when I was in my early teens. I was 16 when I got my first graphics job with an advertising agency in Lagos.

I worked as a graphic artist while at college in Nigeria and the USA. I did all this without a single day in art school. My folks insisted I follow the “responsible eldest son” path and I got a Civil Engineering degree and an MBA.

Then things changed…After about a 10-year hiatus spent climbing the corporate ladder, I formed 9ja Pop Art to bring my artistic side back to life.

MEDIA: I mostly use pencils, inks, watercolor pencils and computer graphics; I like to mix it up and my creative impulses tend to go in very different directions. The only thing I never do is photobashing

I hope you enjoy the ride as much as I have!!!

My art business has been designated as a “Trusted Art Seller” with The Art Storefronts Organization, which means you can shop with confidence, and know that I stand behind the quality and value of my products.

OUR FEMALE JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR, 2021 IS DENISE DENNIS BASED IN PORT-HARCOURT, NIGERIA

INFORMATION ABOUT HER CAN BE FOUND BELOW

Denise Dennis, an award winning broadcast journalist with over six years of active experience, is currently an On-Air Personality (OAP) working with the nation’s number 1 News, Talk and Sports radio station, Nigeria Info 92.3 FM, in the beautiful city of Port Harcourt.

She is currently the host of the “Chat Station” show that airs from 1.00 to 5.00a.m. on week days and the “Sunday Night Cafe” show that airs from 9.00p.m to 12.00 Midnight.

Denise is a public speaker, a quintessential Master of Ceremonies, an understanding, incisive and compassionate “Agony Aunt,” a voice-over artiste and remarkably sonorous Music Minister.

As a result of her understanding of the tumultuous experiences of adults, and the attendant unanswered questions with regard to life, love, sexuality, emotions, faith, and relationships, including marriage, she has often provided reasonable answers and guidance to her clients. She birthed “Project RAW,” an acronym for “REAL ADULT WORRIES”….(A Safe Haven for Real and Mature Conversations) in the month of May 2019, a forum at which she speaks uncensored on such matters. She has successfully hosted two editions, one each in the months of June and October 2019 respectively and a “Valentines day” edition “LOVE IN THE GARDEN CITY WITH DENISE DENNIS UNCENSORED in the month of February 2020 in the city of Port Harcourt.

OUR MALE JOURNALIST FOR THE YEAR 2021 IS STEVE MULINDWA FROM UGANDA

INFORMATION ABOUT STEVE CAN BE FOUND BELOW

Steve Mulindwa is from Uganda, East Africa.He has over 20 years experience working as a qualified journalist and broadcaster and has interviewed numerous famous personalities including Ex Presidents, Politicians, Business tycoons, musicians and community leaders. He has also worked for several radio stations, magazines and constituted authorities.Steve is also a founding member of several African initiatives making a difference to peoples life. He has a passion for people, politics and community development

OUR MALE PROFESSOR OF THE YEAR 2021 IS Professor Rotimi Ayodele Kayode JAIYESIMI

INFORMATION ABOUT HIM CAN BE FOUND BELOW

Professor Rotimi Jaiyesimi graduated from the University of Ibadan Medical School in 1978. He came to the British Isles in 1985 in pursuit of further professional development. He has worked in Nigeria, Ireland, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. He was appointed Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the UK in 1994. He is a Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons and of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Professor Jaiyesimi holds a Masters degree in Business Administration and a Mastersdegree in Medical Law.

He is currently the Associate Medical Director for Patient Safety at BTUH, Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sunderland and the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan. A member of the Institute of Directors (IoD), he is Chairman of the Board of Management at Brighthope Specialist Hospitals, Lagos, Nigeria and the Secretary of the Medical Association of Nigerians Across Great Britain (MANSAG).

He is passionate about the safety of patients, developing the younger generation by teaching and leading by example. As Visiting Professor to the University OF Ibadan Law Faculty, he had delivered lectures to postgraduate students and staff on the legal issues in clinical practice and on the sustainable development goals. He has been a member of faculty of many training missions to Abuja, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Sagamu and Tanzania. He is a public speaker and has appeared in print and visual media.

Professor Jaiyesimi is keen to see the sharing of knowledge between Nigerian health care professionals in the diaspora and colleagues in Nigeria. This is to reverse the brain drain and to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and skills. He was the Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Medical Excellence (PRIME) and the Presidential Initiative on DiasporanEngagement (PRIDE) between April 2016 and October 2017. He made contributions to the Federal Republic of Nigeria National Policy on Diaspora Matters in December 2016 and was a participant at the multi-stakeholder Validation Seminar on the National Policy on Diaspora Matters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja in December 2016.

OUR FEMALE PROFESSOR OF THE YEAR 2021 IS PROFESSOR ROSE- MARGARET EKENG -ITUA

INFORMATION ABOUT HER CAN BE FOUND BELOW

Rose-Margaret Ekeng-Itua is an innovative Engineering Professor based in the Silicon Valley Area in California, USA with over 10 years of experience in Higher Education globally. Before moving to the USA she was the Chair of Engineering and Senior Lecturer at the University of West London, London, UK .She graduated from the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria with a B.Eng. (Hons) in Electrical/Electronic Engineering majoring in Telecommunications. She gained an MSc. in Mobile and Satellite Communication from the University of Surrey, Guildford, UK and her Doctorate in Cybernetic Intelligence for Mobile Devices at the University of Reading, UK .

She has been internationally recognized by UNESCO, BBC, the IEEE for her contributions towards youth empowerment and campaigning for equity for African Americans and Females in STEM education and Career.

She has research interests in the Internet of Things, Wireless Sensor Networks, Sustainable Energy and Appropriate Technologies for Emerging Economies and bridging gender and race divides in STEM education and careers. Rose-Margaret has implemented various initiatives to encourage social entrepreneurship amongst African Youths and to encourage African girls to pursue STEM education/careers.

OUR ENTREPRENEUR OF 2021 (ELDERLY CATEGORY) IS ELIZABETH SAMA OBILEYE

BRIEF INFORMATION ABOUT HER CAN BE FOUND BELOW

Elizabeth Sama Obileye was born in 1951 to Dr. Sama Ekpo Sama and Ms Ayi Ekpe, both of Calabar, Nigeria. Taken to Ibadan where she attended St Teresa’s College, Ibadan and had her first degree in French from University of Ibadan. She then trained to become a Translator/Interpreter in CIAL, Spain; Sorbonne 3, France and the Polytechnic of Central London (now University of Westminster) UK. She obtained MSc in Organisational Behaviour from Birkbeck College, University of London while working with the World Health Organization as head of English Translation Section for 17.5 years, with a brief period as the Administrator, in the Reproductive Health Division when WHO/AFRO was moved to Zimbabwe during the civil conflicts in Congo-Brazzaville.

She has been involved in a number of projects in village health posts and she mentored children in difficult circumstances to take positive control over their destiny in both Congo-Brazzaville and Zimbabwe, using Sports, in particular, football. Through this process she helped to stimulate youth sports in Harare, Zimbabwe. Elizabeth Sama Obileye is a mother and grandmother.

OUR POET OF 2021 (ELDERLEY CATEGORY) IS THE AMAZING MRS EULINDA ANTONETTE CLARKE, ORIGINALLY FROM BARBADOS (BASED IN BRISTOL)

INFORMATION ABOUT HER CAN BE FOUND BELOW

I am from Barbados and am a retired SRN, Midwifery Sister, Senior Psychiatric Charge Nurse, Health Visitor, and Social worker.  I came to England in 1960 to work in the NHS at the invitation of Enoch Powel who was then the minister of Health and responsible for recruiting girls to be trained as student nurses in England.

I graduated with BA honors in Anthropology from the University of Bristol in June this year (2018)  and am now studying for a Masters degree in Black Humanities.

I am a widow and mother of three children and seven grandchildren. I am an actress with Breathing Fire a Black Women’s Playback theatre company.

written by Mrs. Eulinda Antonette Clarke Akalanne

OUR MALE ENTREPRENEUR OF 2021 IS OSCAR BIMPONG

Oscar is an experienced and engaging keynote speaker who drives change in the minds of his audience. He makes sure you get returns on your investment. One of his competitive advantages is to develop bespoke messages tailored to your audience.

His flagship message is on his upcoming book and that is MINDSET REVOLUTION. That is Re-engineering the mind from prison to purpose. Other customised messages include:

1. Having a Purpose Driven Life.
2. How to unleash your inner potential
3. How to Break Barriers to Succeed
4. identifying and maximising your true potential.
5. Driving change through leadership

Oscar also undertakes coaching with individuals and small groups by removing roadblocks that are holding them back from maximising their full potential. His coaching lessons are done online or via face to face. He has a well developed and thought-provoking training program full of transformational exercises and workload that drives a mindset change.

Oscar Bimpong also made it to the 2019 top hundred speakers in Ghana compile by the Speakers Bureau Africa (SBA)

He is the founder and CEO of Train2inspire Consultancy UK 🇬🇧, an organisation he started in 2013. He is an Author, Transformational Speaker, Lecturer, Corporate Trainer and a Business Consultant. Oscar is a visionary leader. His vision is to impact lives positively across the globe and transform businesses.

Oscar has engaged the youth in Europe and Africa in transformational speaking, coached and trained uncountable business executives from CEOs to the shop floor assistant and has consulted for many corporate institutions. He has over a decade experience in the business of coaching, training and development and the business consulting market.

He is BBC trained in Radio Operations and Media works and he has won five awards in the last five years in the UK as a result of his contribution to education through his media works, inspirational messages and strategic consulting solutions to small and medium enterprises as well as corporate institutions across the globe.

As a Media Persona, Oscar is a former TV and Radio talk show host. Currently, we have launched our online TV dubbed T2i TV to help us propagate our vision of bringing our training and development agenda to individuals and close to our corporate clients and to educate our viewers with emphasis on the youth of Africa precisely Ghana.

OUR FEMALE BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR FOR 2021 IS SHERILL FULLER BASED IN GHANA CONGRATULATIONS TO SHERILL FULLER

INFORMATION ABOUT HER CAN BE FOUND BELOW

Sherill Fuller is a serial go getter, forward thinking visionary and mother of two.

This award winning mompreneur and qualified Social Worker/ mentor is a prime example of what it means to overcome and achieve.

As a former young woman and mother in Birmingham England; Sherill experienced first hand the obstacles that can come with wanting to start your own business or achieving a Career Goal.

This dynamic woman has not only been shortlisted to Audition for the BBC Hit TV Show The Apprentice Series 10, and was listed on the Mumpreneur 100 of Top Business Moms; she has been recognised for her commitment in supporting others into enterprise. Sherill has made it her mission and her career to provide mentorship, assisting individuals to increase income, and connect others with relevant contacts and offer actionable information in one to one or group settings.

This mompreneur on a mission delivers Keynote speeches at a range of events that know she will provide the inspiration and motivation them.

Sherill newest campaign is called “Sherill Talks Africa” on YouTube which focuses on encouraging the wider Diaspora and Returnees to visit and invest in the motherland. In the current climate it is essential that the wider community opens their mindset and looks at bringing skills home and investing to assist to build the continent and enable wealth to be built internationally amongst the community as a whole.

This can be done by visiting, investing, buying land or creating business the list goes on. This assists to boost the economy by creating jobs and creating alternative wealth strategies. Many people in the UK and beyond are finding it hard to get onto the property ladder or looking at ways to create their pension fund, but many are overlooking the great opportunities in the motherland.

There are other nationalities investing fully and it’s time for the community as a whole to get involved in my opinion and bring our skills home and build Mamma Africa Together.

 Awards & Nomination

I Am Inspirational Award Miss Nubian Foundation Community Champion Award Lift Effects Star Award Top 100 Women making impact locally & globally Global Woman in Business Recognition Award AUGP Golden Award for Human Excellence Excellence contribution as Teacher Trainer In the Global Mission of The United Nations Nominated for Midlands Business & Community Charity Awards (Networker Gem-Going The Extra Mile) Nominated & Finalist Mentor of The Year -Whole Life Activation Winner (Community Leader Of The Year) International Achievers Awards & Phenomenal Business Awards