BIO –FRANK PAA KUMI

Frank Paa Kumi is a thought-leader on good governance, a leadership and personnel development coach, an entrepreneur, a pastor, and a social innovator. Under his inspiring leadership, the Passionate Africa Leadership Institute (PALI)–a professional leadership organisation–was founded in June 2005 and has made remarkable strides ever since its formation.

His indefatigable efforts and professional leadership experience has seen PALI rise from the level of a small community based youth-led NGO into a fully-fledged personnel development institute. PALI has the following operational models: PALI-Centre for Leadership and People Development with focus on human capital development, PALI-Centre for Natural Capital Governance and Social Accountability with focus on policy development and advocacy, and PALI-Youth Impact Projects aimed at achieving a comprehensive youth empowerment in the African region.

Frank is fast becoming one of Africa’s shining examples in challenging the deficit thinking within the region, through the relentless effort he invests in developing the capacities of other young teen leaders. He is the Convener of the Reshape Africa Initiative, an offspring of the flagship

PALI-Youth Impact Projects, with the primary aim of achieving behavioural change in the African Youth through a process of consistent re-orientation in the way they act and do things.

Frank is a fellow of the 2017 cohort of the British Council’s Prestigious African Leadership Fellowship–a pan-African event that brings together emerging leaders from twenty-one states in three different regions across the world. Frank has a background in Organizational Development.

He has also received professional training in Human Resources Management from the Central University, Accra and the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration. (GIMPA).

PALI and its antecedent vision care network are both initiatives of Frank Paa Kumi, established in June 2005. Frank has a strong passion to create platforms for African youth empowerment. His passion is driven by the desire to develop potentials of African youths in leadership, inculcate in them strong values, and sharpen their core competence skills for better positioning in the corporate world and become globally competitive.

PALI, today, is driving the social innovation wheel while playing a pivotal role in equipping the region’s most valuable assets (Human Capital), having found a niche to advance the course of participatory governance, youth empowerment, and community leadership.

Frank believes  that future leadership should be best inspired by true service, a personal resolve to improve the generational leadership script, hence make a real difference.

The Moon Smiles Tonight

the moon smiles
at me tonight
in whispering rays
of dauntless mosaic

she wears a full face
of coral beads dangling
as of fresh beginnings
where orphaned shadows
walk backwards
from nightly shades

the moon smiles tonight…
she laughs,
leaning on fossils
at webbed thresholds
where LIFE is but scattered
into a single FILE
and groping reigns
in perfumed carcasses

the moon smiles tonight…
she laughs,
with the night’s hidden mouth
of open oracles
whom she holds
in tender lights

not unlike
a laughing stock
at these new markets
where ‘ohiwo’s’ water
sells for quickened honey

the
moon
smiles
tonight…
she laughs.

-Kenneth Christie-Atiti.
©2017.

On the Music spotlight this week, we celebrate the musical legacy of the amazing Kanda Bongo Man, One of Africa,s greatest living musicians

On The 26th of July 2015, I had the pleasure of interviewing  Sir Kanda Bongo Man – The King of Kwasa Kwasa who has implemented structural changes to Congolese Soukous Music

Kanda Bongo Man was also honoured with our Africa4U OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD for his profound contribution to AFRICAN MUSIC INDUSTRY and the legacy he continues to create.

About Kanda Bongo Man

A very well-known vocalist, dancer and composer, Kanda was born in Democratic Republic of Congo. He grew up listening to the sounds of Grand Kalle, Franco and other great stars of that time and also enjoyed singing with his friends. When he was 18 years old he got the chance to sing in the Bella Mambo band alongside Soki Dianzenza. At one point Kanda and some other members left that band and formed Orchestre Bana Mambo in 1976. That band played for 2 years then Kanda decided to leave and live in Paris. While doing casual work to support himself he met a record producer and this resulted in his first album, Iyole. His next albums came in 1982 and 1985 entitled Djessy and Malingarespectively. Key musicians who played in Kanda’s band include Diblo Dibala, Rigo Star and Miguel Yamba. Kanda and Diblo worked as a team together on many compositions but they have now gone separate ways. Some of Kanda’s most popular songs being the now classics ‘Sai’, ‘Muchana’ and ‘Jesu Christo’.
Internationally Kanda Bongo Man is the king of the highly infectious guitar-led Congolese soukous music. He is also responsible for his own special dance brand, known as kwassa kwassa. He first performed in Britain at WOMAD in 1983 and has been on numerous prestigious stages in United States such as Central Park and Reggae on the River festival in California. Other countries to which Kanda has taken his dance formula are Australia, Canada and South Africa. His songs are popular all over Africa as well.

SOURCE-  AFRICAN MUSIC PROFILES

A new dawn in history unfolded, as chapter members from  The Nigerians in The Diaspora Organization Europe  (NIDO) met in the City of Dortmund for a memorable Nido Europe Summit on Friday the 26^th of May and Saturday the 27^th of May at The LENSING – CAREE CONFERENCE CENTRE, Silberstrasse 21  44137   Dortmund, Germany

Distinguished Key Speakers, Entrepreneurs , Politicians, Community Leaders and NIDO Chapter members travelled from far and wide to experience and participate in an inspirational thought provoking event  packed with presentations, workshops, new partnerships, networking, media interviews and the urgent need to  plan and implement sort term and long term initiatives for the social and economical development of business, trade and an enabling environment in Nigeria.

I was also in Dortmund, Germany to promote the summit but also to gather the thoughts of distinguished community leaders and NIDO Chapter members who travelled from far and wide.

One of the amazing NIDO Members I got to speak to was Mr Yemi Adelusola, A very experienced IT Consultant for The European commission and The Vice chair person for NIDO BELUX region

1. It is a pleasure to meet you here at THE NIDO EUROPE SUMMIT in Germany.  It feels great to be talking to my Senor from my childhood days in Federal Government College, Azare. It just simply shows that we live in a small world, sometimes more than we imagine . Can you tell our African Online audience of over 6,000 Members, a bit about yourself and your background?  

I work as a consultant to both the EU/UN on programme management anddeployment of Large scale IT systems

2. What has inspired you most about THE NIDO SUMMIT and what are three things you have been impressed with

I like the idea that the organisation is moving forward. Three lessons are:

1. You need the right people to fuel your vision

2. unification of purpose is required to get any desired result.

3. Change in Nigeria is inevitable

    3. What are your thoughts on the Vision of NIDO as an organization?

NIDO should embrace all other organisations in diaspora and act as a think tank/consultative forum for the government.

    4 .   If our online audience wants to know more about what you do, are there any social media Platform that people can check out?      

Security issues and Non disclosure agreements does not allow me to publicise my work.

NIDO will carry all  non NIDO Diaspora Group  along on Diaspora day and National Development:

Hon. Kenneth Gbandi,  The Chairman Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation  Europe addresses a large audience in Abuja on Monday the 6th of June  while  taking questions from journalists in Abuja in preparation for a critical meeting of NIDOWW, the NNVS and  The SGF as leading Diaspora Organisation to co- organize the Diaspora Day  2017.

According to him, it was an  exciting time to be part of the Nigerian Diaspora movement, Most importantly because,  more than ever before,  citizens in Nigeria as well as  our different arms of government; look up to Nigerians in the diaspora for innovative solutions to the myriads of challenges facing the nation.
Hon Gbandi  emphasized on the need at this stage of to rekindle  the Diaspora indomitable spirit through a holistic re-strategizing and repositioning of NIDOE to  present the organization and the Diaspora as a well ordered and dependable group, promoting national development, business, trade & investment opportunities, providing a professional resource pool from where the Diaspora and National developmental interests could be managed in a transparent but secure, respectful but fair manner to induce growth in the areas of economic, social, academic, political, entertainment and all areas where our people seek to position themselves.

Crucial Diaspora affairs and events like the Diaspora Commission, Diaspora Voting Rights and Diaspora Day are matters that concern all Nigerians outside Nigeria, therefore a strategic cooperation, networking and synergy with other Nigerian Diaspora Groups e.g., ANNID, NIDAN, CANUK is cardinal.  Together we are stronger and united.

Watch this space for more updates

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I presently school at Applied Technology Computer Institute {Aptech} Nigeria. I am constantly learning latest web and mobile technologies, I’m skilled in many areas of design and development, Some of my skills includes; Html5, Css3, Cms(WordPress), PHP, Responsive web, Java etc.

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Igniting Hope and Empowering Children and Youth of African Heritage to Compete in the 21st Century

Join us in commemorating the Day of the African Child by having your child or youth recite one or more stanza of the African Child poem and share using the hashtag #IAmAnAfricanChild

Register to attend the exhibition and listen to experts and professionals in various fields talk about and discuss how you can better equip your children as a parent to use their African Heritage as a competitive advantage for future success.

The event will feature African child poem recitation competition, exhibition, talks and Q & A

*Doors to the exhibition opens at 5:30PM

Register to attend ‘International Day of the African Child’ exhibition on 16th June and listen to Dr. Chris Imafidon(Britain’s brainiest family) speak on how you can better equip your children as a parent to use their African heritage as a competitive advantage for future success.

Synopsis 

Starr Blacks, real name Ralston Anthony Paige, was born on 16 May 1977 in Kingston Jamaica to Linette Morris and Winston Paige. After graduating from High School at the ageof 18 Starr Blacks moved to South Korea, on a school scholarship where he was trained as a Manager and Supervisor for a worldwide shoe company.

At age 19, he moved back home to Kingston Jamaica to live with his mother and siblings. As a teenager, friends nicknamed him “Blacks”; because of his complexion. This later became his stage name “Mr Blacks”;. It was not long before his friends noticed that he had a star born talent and changed his nickname to “Starr Blacks”.

Early Life

After returning home from his scholarship in South Korea, Starr Blacks worked as a youth journalist with the Sunday Herald. From 1995 to 1999 he had various jobs as a waiter/bartender at the Golden Dragon Restaurant, Countryside Club, Courtleigh Hotel, and Shamrock Party Service.

In the year 2000 Starr Blacks came to the United Kingdom to find a better life for his family.

The first few years were difficult for him and being away from his family made it harder.

However, with the love and support of his family and friends; Starr Blacks enrolled on a computer course and was later able to find work. This was the starting point in his life in the United Kingdom.

In his spare time Starr Blacks wrote songs and would have free style entertainment sessions with his friends. Not long after performing freestyle with friends, Starr Blacks turned to performances at local parties.

Career

From a young age, music has always been close to Starr Blacks' heart and at 23 years he started writing his own songs. In 2006 Starr Black's hard work for writing and performing his songs were paid off when he got a recording contract for a year with Street Vibes Records.

Getting a contract with Street Vibes Records inspired him to venture out on his own. His first major performance was on a London Tour alongside one of Jamaica's biggest reggae superstar, Busy Signal. Starr Blacks has also done performances in London, including Lewisham People Day, East London Carnival, Jamaica National Yearly Concert in Brixton and Luton Carnival. Despite his performances, getting a big break as a reggae artist in the UK has proved to be a hard challenge due to reggae music not being main stream in the UK at the time.

As the years went by Starr Blacks was faced with hard challenges to maintain his family. With not making enough money in the music industry, Starr Blacks was forced to make hard a decision and this lead him to taking a break from his music career in order to get a fulltime job to raise his family. Between 2012 and 2014 he started to focus again on his music. He started to make an appearance in the reggae scene collaborating with other artists such as Towa World Orda, Chris Militant, Fashionlinx, Real Askel, Tiny Neferty and Bravess Family.

In 2014 Starr Blacks got his big break signing up with Golden Platinum Empire Recording Label, and he has already been receiving positive feedbacks from the release of his first song with the company  “Prayer”

Look out for Starr Blacks because he has a lot more to come!!

In a dinner organized by the Nigerian Embassy in Moscow to host the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Gofrey Onyeama. The minister met with staff of the Nigerian Embassy and the leaders of the Diaspora community.

The chairman of the Russian chapter of Nigerians in Diaspora organization (NIDO Russia) who is also a member of the Board of trustees of NIDO Europe, Mr. Rex Essenowo, said that the visit of the Minister was long awaited. While discussing issues the Diaspora leader advised the Hon. Minister that Nigeria-Russia relations can be more fruitful if Nigeria appoints a Russian speaking Ambassador to the Russian Federation.  He stressed that such a person will understand the culture of friendship and mentality of the Russian people, which in turn will bring more benefits to both sides. Mr Essenowo also expressed the importance and benefits Nigeria stands to gain by establishing the Diaspora Commission, a bill that has suffered many fates and went through both houses of the National Assembly twice. He said a good response will foster wider cooperation with Russia in technological and infrastructural development, creating employment for citizens, and can as well double or even triple trade balance between their countries.

The minister visited Russia to meet his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov..
Several talks were held between Nigeria and Russia.

Also, on the 31st of May, in company of the African Diplomatic community and dignitaries and representatives from Russia and other countries, there was a joint celebration of the Africa Day which is started on the 25th of May.

The event took place at the banquet hall of the Russian ministry of External affairs.

A new dawn in history unfolded, as chapter members from  The Nigerians in The Diaspora Organization Europe  (NIDO) met in the City of Dortmund for a memorable Nido Europe Summit on Friday the 26^th of May and Saturday the 27^th of May at The LENSING – CAREE CONFERENCE CENTRE, Silberstrasse 21  44137   Dortmund, Germany

Distinguished Key Speakers, Entrepreneurs , Politicians, Community Leaders and NIDO Chapter members travelled from far and wide to experience and participate in an inspirational thought provoking event  packed with presentations, workshops, new partnerships, networking, media interviews and the urgent need to  plan and implement sort term and long term initiatives for the social and economical development of business, trade and an enabling environment in Nigeria.

I was also in Dortmund, Germany to promote the summit but also to gather the thoughts of distinguished community leaders and NIDO Chapter members who travelled from far and wide.

One of the amazing NIDO Members I got to speak to was The Chairman of Nigerians in The Diaspora Russia – Mr Rex Essenowo

Mr Essenowo is also a world peace and development advocate as well as an African diaspora consultant

TTF   It is a pleasure to meet you here for the very first time here at THE NIDO EUROPE SUMMIT in Germany.  Can you tell our African Online audience of over 6,000 Members, a bit about yourself and your background?  ?

Rex Essenowo: A Russian based Nigerian, I am Rex Essenowo, I am the Chairman of Nigerians in The Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Russia and a member of The BOT NIDO Europe.

I am very passionate about African development especially with reference to Nigeria

TTF : What has inspired you most about THE NIDO SUMMIT here in Dortmund and what are three most valuable lessons you have learnt over the last few  days ?

Rex  Essenowo :  The spirit and the urge about finding solutions to Africa,s challenges . I have learnt that there are no problems without solutions .

We can achieve a lot and we are together we are capable and equipped to merge different projects

TTF:   What are your thoughts on the Vision of Nigerians in the Diaspora Organisation EUROPE (NIDO) as an organization?

Rex Essenowo:   Our organisation is involved in empowering The Youth in Nigeria and changing the life of Nigerians for the better.

TTF: If our online audience wants to know more about what you do, are there any social media  Platforms or websites that people can check out?

Rex Essenowo I am on facebook, twitter and some other platforms