My name is Tomi Adetayo. I have two passions; teaching and photography. My project tells the story of people just like me, on a mission to achieve their dreams.

Combining my passion for photography with the skills I have gained from teaching (including communications and human relations), I took a bold step and initiated the 1000 faces project. Through this project – capturing close up shots of everyday people of diverse ages and walks of life and spending time to get to know them – each person has shared their unique experiences and stories with me. I love that just a twenty-minute session of photography can become an hour of sharing goals, aspirations, hopes and dreams.

25KINGS

As an amateur portrait photographer my goal is to show the world the potential for ordinary, everyday people to do extraordinary things. With the current situation in London and an increase in black youth violence, I embarked on a journey, sharing moments with 25 black men living in London who are making an impact in their communities. Through photography and short interviews, I capture 25 everyday men, their thoughts on the current situation in London, their desires, achievements and so much more. Visit the website on www.a1000faces.com/kings to learn more about these impactful black men.

The Efik Leadership Foundation invites you to The International Youth day which will be taking place at The faculty of Arts auditorium, University of Calabar on Monday the 12th of August at 10am

This is an event you cannot afford to miss,  For more information contact Elizabeth on 08139255872 or Edet on 08063840682

LIFE AT 50, BY TONY TOKUNBO ETEKA FERNANDEZ 

The greatest blessing that sits before me is the gift of the present moment.

At 50, I am simply overwhelmed with tears, stories and emotions.

Deep in my heart, I have felt and faced the journey of many deep roads, many challenges and countless situations.

Deep in my thoughts, I have embraced the spirit of resilience and the art to overcome, and so beneath that calm face, there are many untold stories and encounters that have shaped my being to persevere, look beyond the surface and to think outside the box.

Many untold stories while living in Northern Nigeria,

Many untold stories while living in Western Nigeria,

Many untold stories while living in South South Nigeria,

Many untold stories while living in London

Many untold stories while living in Berkshire,

Many untold stories while living in Oxfordshire,

Many untold stories while living in Yorkshire

Many untold journeys in 31 Countries around the world

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY   many untold stories planted in the seeds of MY NEXT BOOK

The greatest blessings that sits before me is the gift of the present moment,

I KNOW THIS BECAUSE THE GREATEST PRAYER LIES WITHIN THE SPIRIT OF GRATITUDE

I KNOW THIS BECAUSE THERE WERE TIMES WHEN I CAME CLOSE TO DEATH

I KNOW THIS BECAUSE EVERY SPLIT SECOND IS A BLESSING

And so at 50, who am I to question the mysteries that unfold in our journey,

Who am I to question when failure knocks repeatedly at our doors, especially when there are many other doors hidden within the passage of life

Who am I to question faith, when the spirit of unseen blessings lies within our very eyes.

Today, I am blessed at 50,

Blessed by the will of God,

Blessed from a good family,

Blessed with good friends.

But I would also be a BIG FOOL, not to believe I am totally loved by many.

And so, I   would like to take this opportunity, not only to thank you for all your birthday wishes, but also to let you know that I LOVE YOU TOO and I simply cannot wait to continue the journey of Life with you

YOU ARE THE VERY REASON  THAT ADDS MORE SPARK AND DETAIL TO THE COLOURFUL SHADES OF LIFE  and I am also looking forward to celebrating my 50^th BIRTHDAY every single day for the rest of the month , and also to celebrate it with family members, IN ANTALYA, TURKEY, LATER THIS MONTH

THE HARD WORK CONTINUES, BUT THE PARTY HAS JUST BEGUN.

I LOVE YOU

Tony Tokunbo Eteka Fernandez

❤️❤️ Who God has blessed no man can curse ‼️Kenneth Chibuogwu Gbandi is “The Most Impactful Nigerian in Diaspora man of the year Award 2019 @ 4th Ghana Nigeria Achievers Award 2019. The Flights refuse to connect, the arithmetic refused to add up and network (Glo network refused to connect to MTN network) so finally I got stranded in Abuja waiting to catch my flight to Ghana for the 4th Ghana Nigeria Achievers Award. But while still stranded at the airport, I got the good news that I was nominated and conferred with “The Most Impactful Nigerian in Diaspora man of the year Award 2019. This is following the Leadership /Community Service Award 2019 by Nigerian Community Germany (Bayern, Germany e.V) last Saturday; Excellent Award for Outstanding services to Humanity 2019 by Ifybella Kidney Org. the UK last month; African Women In Europe Male Role Model of the Year 2017; Diaspora Man of the Year for 2016 (The Voice Achievers Award) Almere, The Netherlands just to mention a few in last two years or so. When you are covered by the author and finisher of every faith your zone is highly restricted zone for the pull him down, Groups. Thank you Barry Ndu and the Ghana Nigeria Achievers Award 2019 team! And all the Award committee Teams worldwide that over the years considered my services to the Diaspora and to humanity worth recognition. This Award is dedicated to Tanja, Fabian, and Nelly for having to put up with my frequent on the road and dedication to the Diaspora cause. Thank you special ones who have been with me thick and tin all these years. All Glory to the most high God.

On the 15th and 16th if you are in Nairobi and the vicinity, make a date with us, first at West Wood Hotel and Friday evening let’s meet at the museum of kenya

Bio: Abimbola Gbemi Alao 

Abimbola is a researcher at Lapin Yliopisto– University of Lapland, Finland. Her research explores the influence of psychosocial intervention for dementia. Abimbola taught creative writing and storytelling at Marjon Plymouth University from 2007-2018. She is currently a visiting lecturer at the Peninsular Medical School, University of Plymouth, where she teaches ’StoryWeavers for Dementia’, a module in Medical Humanities. Abimbola is an award-winning author and performance storyteller. She is also a children’s book translator and her work includes Yoruba translation of the classics: ‘Hansel and Gretel’, ‘The Little Red Hen and the Grain of Wheat’ and several other books published by Mantra Lingua.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR WESTSIDE YOUNG LEADERS ACADEMY

                  For more information, email wylacademy@gmail.com

Dear Family and Friends,

I am pleased to inform you that we shall be organizing THE BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATIONS AT THE UK HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT FOR THE 7TH YEAR IN A ROW on FRIDAY THE 25TH OF OCTOBER 2019 AT 1PM ON THE DOT –

OUR KEY SPEAKERS AND PERFORMING ARTISTS HAVE NOW BEEN CONFIRMED

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT TODAY 

MORE COPIES OF OUR NEW BOOKLET ON THE JOURNEY OF ORGANIZING BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATIONS AT THE UK HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT FOR 6 YEARS IN A ROW IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MP SHARMA  ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR JUST 3 POUNDS PLUS FREE DELIVERY IN THE UK.
GET A COPY FOR YOURSELF OR FOR A FRIEND TODAY (FOR JUST 3 POUNDS) AS A WAY OF SUPPORTING OUR JOURNEY PF PRGANIZING THIS ANNUAL INITIATIVE 

DONATIONS CAN BE MADE VIA PAYPAL TO afripoet@hotmail.com

Kashif Jones-Laguda has been around for over three solid decades in the entertainment industry. His dexterity with the turntable has earned him endearing names such as DJ KASHIF DA FLASH and the FAMOUS TURNTABLIST. His versatility in the business of music mixing has won him numerous accolades including the ‘Best Deejay Award’ at the Fame Music Awards (FMA ’95) in Nigeria, ‘National Deejay Championship (NDJC ’95) and MMV Deejay Championship, Nigeria. He also won the ‘Best Deejay’ in the UK (NYAA 2009) and ‘BEFFTA ENTERTAIMENT ICON 2016’ (UK)

Kashif has managed to turn his hobby into a thriving enterprise and the industry in which he operates clearly acknowledges his immense contribution to its growth.

He is the founder of the NIGERIAN CARNIVAL, UK – the most popular outdoor event amongst Nigerians and Africans living in the UK and the organiser of the OLD SCHOOL NATION Experience in London, Scotland, Leicester and Republic Of Ireland ‘an Every Other Month’ old school event, organised eight times in a year. He’s also co-convener of an organisation campaigning against gun and knife crime ‘LONDON AGAINST GUN & KNIFE.

For his contribution towards humanity, he has been awarded with  ‘OUTSTANDING MALE EVENT CO-ORDINATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD 2011’ by YHA UK. He also has in his kitty ‘DSRA’ ‘OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO AFRICAN ENTERTAINMENT IN THE UK 2018’, BEFTTA ‘ENTERTAINMENT ICON AWARDS 2016’, ‘ARTS AND CULTURE CHAMPION AWARD 2012’ by Life Changers awards UK and also ‘COMMITMENT TO YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH CORPORATE BRIDGE BUILDING 2010’ by Britafrique UK.

For a guaranteed experience of bliss, book the Famous Turntablist for you next event. Call him on: 07495751615 or email: famousturntablist@yahoo.co.uk

DR Karen King-Aribisala invites you to the launching of her book: OUR WIFE AND OTHER STORIES.

This great event takes places at The Afe Babalola Hall, The University of Lagos on Wednesday the 24^th of July at 10.am on the dot. Do not miss it

You are all very welcome!!

ABOUT DR KAREN ARIBISALA

Professor Karen King-Aribisala was educated in Guyana, Barbados, England, Nigeria, Wales and Italy. She is a professor of English in the Department of English, University of Lagos. She is a writer of fiction and has published several short stories and poems in journals such as Wasafiri, Presence Africaine, Moving Worlds and The Griot; her work has been anthologized.

She is the recipient of several local and international awards, grants fellowships and Artists Residencies, among them a James Mitchener Fellowship and Scholarship; British Council Awards; Ford Foundation Grant; Residencies at The MacDowell Colony, USA; The Camargo Foundation, France; The Djerassi Foundation, USA; Yaddo, USA; she represented Nigeria at ROMAPOESIA, in Italy as a poet; and in India at a Women’s Writing Seminar.

She is the author of novels, among them The Hangman’s Game and Kicking Tongues; short story collections: Our Wife and Other Stories; and poems. She is the winner of the  Commonwealth Prize for Literature: Best First Book (African Region 1990/91); winner of the Commonwealth Prize for Literature: Best Book(African Region 2008); long listed for the IMPAC Literary Dublin Prize and shortlisted for the Guyana Prize for Literature.