ACIA is an indigenous awards association for Africans
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African Culture Initiatives
2100, Parklake Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA 30345, USA.
Oba Ogunwusi Adeyeye Enitan Ojaja II Ooni of Ife
Young and Vibrant Paramount Ruler of one of the greatest African Empire of Ile-Ife in Nigeria. He is "an astute entrepreneur driven by turning impossibilities to ‘possibilities. He is also a Chartered Accountant with International Business reputation and also a great Philanthropist.
HRH Prince Kum'a Ndumbe III
Besides being an internationally experienced scholar and professor,he is also a poet and writer and has published over 30 non-scientific works, mostly theatre plays and short stories in Duala, German and French. Between 1981 and 1991, He was President of the Cameroonian Writers' Association (APEC), Vice-President of the Central African Writers' Association (1985-1991) and since 2002 Board Member of the Association of Authors' Rights in Yaoundé. In 2003, one of his poems - an hommage to the late Pan-African scholar Cheikh Anta Diop - was put into music by the internationally successful Afropean band "Les Nubians"
Dr Omawumi Evelyn Urhobo
President/CEO Morgan Smart Development Foundation dedicated to the economic empowerment of women and youths in Nigeria and presently working in the Niger Delta Region an area which in spite of producing the wealth of the country is basking in abject poverty and environmental degradation with mostly the women being at the receiving end, through capacity building, enterprise development, skill acquisition and Micro finance support.
Olu Jacobs
He is so far one of the most decorated and acclaimed African actors who name and works have been written in sand of time even in the international movie world. Uncle Olu as he is popularly called amongst film practitioners is a product of the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and has featured in several British Television show and series.
Antar Laniyan
Antar is a prolific Nigerian Actor, Director and Film maker, the graduate of Theater Arts from the prestigious University of Ibadan is known for his enigmatic roles in several ward winning movies in Nigeria. He played a major role in one of Africa’s most celebrated epic movies, SANGO.
AWILO LONGOMBA
Awilo is arguably one of the biggest artistes to come out of Congo in Africa, his music and dance style is well recognized across the world, he has won several awards with his indigenous music style across Europe and in America. His Super-Man tour was successful throughout 2008 and 2009 and by popular votes had a historic win at the International Reggae and World Music Awards with over 120 countries voting in.
Yinka Ayefele
Yinka is a renowned Indigenous gospel artiste who has carved a niche for himself with over 15 years in the Nigerian music scene, the onetime journalist and broadcaster has been and still celebrated as one of the most successful gospel artiste in Nigeria who has also taken his trade excellence outside the shore of the country winning several awards and accolades.
Chief Adesina Adewale (Wale Saranda)
is the Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.) and managing director of Western Quarry (Nigeria) Limited. He is a highly respected business tycoon with long years of experience in the industry. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.) of Western Wheel Nigeria Limited. He is also the Group managing director of western group and he is a graduate of University of Lagos. Chief Wale Saranda as he is popularly called is a great son Yewa,a philanthropist,cultural ambassador an African extraordinaire based on the many chieftaincy titles from Ilaro and yewa land.
Frank Osodi Richard
Nigerian fashion mogul and the Proprietor of the house of Bunor Creazioni. Frank a former professional model has won for himself several awards in his years as a fashion designer, most notable among them are International designer of the year 1991-1992, fashion person of the year 2003. Frank is also the brain behind the highly successful annual international fashion show BLACK, BOLD AND JAZZY, later refered this days as Red Bold and Jazzy. Frank captures and expresses the sentiments of a generation and expands his horizon to make an impact on the african society and the diaspora at large by creating a harmony between fashion and life. Frank Osodi is beyond doubt one of the most talented in the fashion society today. With the roots of his talent stemming from fashion to model management, fashion consultant to media and events, and make up.
Michelle Obama
She is an American lawyer and writer. She is married to the 44th and current President of the United States Of America, Barack Obama, and is the first African-American First Lady of the United States. Raised on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, Obama is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School. As First Lady, she has become a fashion icon, a role model for women, and an advocate for poverty awareness, nutrition, physical activity, and healthy eating.
Francis Duru
A full movie practitioner and can arguably be named one of Nigeria’s foremost actors whose contributions to today’s Nollywood cannot be over-emphasized. He has won several accolades for his enormous contributions to movie making in Nigeria.
Dr. Chief Osawaru Igbinedion Esama of Benin Kingdom
Esama traditionally means the "godfather of the people". He is a successful businessman with a business empire that includes an international property portfolio and a private TV and radio station. He owns a private bank, oil refinery, diamond, gold, marble mines over Africa, a private university (Igbinedion University, the first private university in Nigeria)
• Cardinal (Sir) James Omolaja Odunmbaku. J.P. FPA
He is an astute preacher with sense of honour and humility. He is also a distinguished personality with uncommon sense of qualities. An Evangelist, astute politician, activist, community leader, and successful businessman. His qualities stood him out amongst his contemporaries, as he made his impact felt in all facet of human endeavours. He has helped a teeming number of Nigerians, both young, old, poor, widows, widower, destitutes and many deprived Nigerians within the reach of his territorial influence.
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar
Nigerian politician, businessman and philanthropist, who served as the second elected Vice-President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007. He is arguably one of the most influential Politicians in Africa.
Ambrose Somide
Nigerian TV/radio presenter,born in Abeokuta Ogun State, South West, Nigeria. He's a graduate of Urban and Regional Planning from University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria . Currently, he's the director of Radio Service at DAAR Communications Plc. He conceptualized the initiative behind Faaji fm 106.5 in Lagos Nigeria. Olutayo is well known as Co-presenter of Mini Jojo a Yoruba program that handles topical issues.
ARA
Ara is Nigeria's first female talking drummer of repute. She started singing and drumming at the very tender age of five and decided to get serious with music about 20 years ago. In the late 80's she recorded her first work in honour of her hero Nelson Mandela and featured on stage for the first time shortly after. She appeared on the Ondo-State Radio vision Corporation, OSRC as a star talent. In the late 1990s, she got her break as an Afro-beat artiste from Femi Lasode's Even Ezra Studios in Lagos. Ara has taken her music across the world. She has played in Ghana, the United Kingdom, France, Canada and various states in the United States of America. She has performed before the Queen of England. She has also performed alongside big names in the global entertainment industry including, Wyclef Jean, Wesley Snipes and the legendary Stevie Wonder for whom she also featured on his album "A time to love" on the track "If Your Love Cannot Be Moved". She played four different percussions on the track.She is also a songwriter and producer. These multifaceted talents will again come through in her upcoming album.
NURTW President ALHAJI Najeem Usman Yasin
He is the President of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). This cool-headed man is an Islamic Scholar. He is the Chairman of Ansar-Udeen Society in Northern Nigeria. He is a member of International Transport Association in London and holds a chieftaincy title as Makama Gusau.
Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede
He is the current boss of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Lagos state chapter. A philanthropist an entrepreneur. Since his inception as the Transport union boss in Lagos he has brought a lot of progress in the way people view members of the union with his modern methods of inclusion for every member in Lagos state.
Oba Hammed Adekunle Makama Oyelude The Olowu of Kuta
Former aide of the ex-Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, he is also the chairman Supreme Council of Owu Obas. It must be stated here that there are 37 Owu towns and communities spread across all Yoruba states including Kwara. He is also a Philanthropist and is working on uniting all Owu people both home and abroad.
Adenike Davies Okundaye
Finding that the traditional methods of weaving and dying that had been her original inspiration were fading in Nigeria, Davies-Okundaye set about launching a revival of this aspect of Nigerian culture, building art centres offering free courses for young Nigerians to learn traditional arts and crafts. Nike's painting is permanently featured at The Smithsonian Museum as of 2012, and her work is also part of the collection of The Gallery of African Art and The British Library, in London
Kate Henshaw
She completed her primary and secondary school in Lagos and Calabar, she spent 1 year at the University of Calabar.. she was reading remedial studies, her majored was in Medical Microbiology at the School of Medical Lab Science, LUTH Lagos University Teaching Hospital) in Lagos. She also worked at the Bauchi State General hospital. In 1993 She join the auditioned for a movie role, where she played the lead role in When the Sun Sets. This was her first appearance in a major Nigeria movie. She won an African Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for the film Stronger than Pain In 2008. She also is also the “The Face of Onga” presently, she is also one of the judges in Nigeria’s Got Talent. She has features in in more than 300 hundreds home video.
Alexander A.A.A.A. Ajifolajifaola
Popularly known as 9ice is Nigerian Musician, entertainer and politician. With a unique style of music and lyrics which is mostly delivered in his mother tongue, Yoruba, 9ice is still one force to reckon with in the Nigeria Music scene with several awards and accolades to his name both home and abroad. . 9ice was later named as a Special Adviser to the Oyo state Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi in pursuit of his political ambitions.
Gbenga Adeyinka
No doubt, Ace comedian, He went by the title CFR, and now GCON (Grand Comedian of Nigeria) has made Nigerians proud both at home and in the Diaspora. Gbenga is very popular with his shine shine bobo ‘Star Game Show’. He is known to use different languages to bring his comedy home and he is arguably the only comedian who has taken comedy to the 36 states of the country. He is known to compeer major ceremonies and shows in dramatic ways. He started anchoring Television programs on AIT, Galaxy TV, MBI and African Magic on DSTV and on other television shows. His greatest selling point is his ability to speak the language of a particular tribe if he has to talk about that tribe. This made people from all parts of the country to identify with the brand, Gbenga Adeyinka.
Officer Leonard Ekure
Bio: LOADING SOON
Feyikemi Niyi Olayinka
shot into limelight with her role as Asake in Oleku, a film produced by Tunde Kelani's Main Frame. She is however not only an actress; she is also a co-presenter of a television programme, “Owuro Lawa” on LTV 8, Ikeja, Lagos. A cultural ambassador from Ibadan Oyo state. She has a CD that advocates mothers to teach their children their mother tongue.
Taiwo Ajai Lycett
with over 30 years experience in movie and stage production in Nigeria, the graduate of Cosmetology from Christine Shaw School of Beauty Science can be best described as one of the mothers of film making in Nigeria. She is an Officer of the Order of the Niger and honoree of the British-African Theater.
Sam Dede
He is a Nigerian Actor, Politician and Lecturer, prior to his venturing into politics, Sam Dede was a force to reckon with in the Nigerian film industry having featured in a multiple of awards winning movies. He currently sits at the helms of affairs at the River State Tourism Agency as the Director-General.
CSP Abba Kyari
Superintendent of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, currently serving at the Lagos State Police Command, in the capacity of the Officer-In-Charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, an outfit reputed for combating violent crimes ranging from armed robbery, car theft, kidnapping, gang clashes, sea piracy and terrorism. Kyari, a Kanuri by tribe, is a native of Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State. He performed excellently, most notable, was the arrest of a notorious armed robber, known as Ingili, who have held Numan Town hostage for many years. During his deployment from the RRS, the Commander, Hakeem Odumusu, in a letter to Inspector General of Police recommended that He, should be deployed fully to the Lagos State Police Command, for having served the state with distinction and high dedication. Subsequently, Kyari got demobilized into a conventional police, in 2010 when he attained the rank of a Superintendent of Police and was transferred to the Lagos State Police Command. He was posted to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja, as the second officer-in-charge and later, he became the officer in-charge, a position he held till date.
Chief Ibrahim Egungbohun
Popularly known as Ibrahim Dende is a successful Clearing and forwarding agent in Nigeria, he is also known as a foremost hotelier in Nigeria. He is the Chairman of IBD IMPEX Limited. He is a respected socialite and philanthropist.
Monalisa Chinda
This beautiful and gorgeous Nigerian actress and screen diva is also a writer and is involved in several charitable works in Nigeria and across its shores. She has featured in several award winning movies and has won several recognition awards for her works in the Nigeria film Industry.
Dr. Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef
A quintessential gentleman, a versatile politician and an erudite scholar from the royal Awori family of Ejigbo, in Oshodi, Isolo. his yarning for further knowledge made him enroll at the Lagos State University, (LASU), where he graduated with a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) in 2012. In 2015, He was back at his alma- mater, where he was awarded (Doctor of Philosophy in Law) at the Nigeria Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.He started his political career early in life, as an elected honourable member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Oshodi-Isolo constituency from (2003-2007). Because of his immense contributions on the floor of the House and to the State as a prominent Law maker, he was appointed a Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Political and Legislative Powers, a responsibility he discharged meritoriously from (2007- 2011). In recognition of his past sterling performance and contributions to the development of Lagos State Dr. Abdul Lateef was appointed by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode as Honourable Commissioner for Home Affairs in 2015.
Olubunmi Adenugba
T & T fashions was born to an amazingly close-knit family in ile ife, Nigeria. Although she has always had a flair for fashion and even won multiple beauty and fashion contests over the years, Bunmi considers herself blessed to have been raised along with her three siblings in a family where faith, education, and hard work were included in the foundational structure; thus, cementing her drive to succeed. Olubunmi started T & T Fashions in 2007. Since its establishment T & T Fashions has seen impressive revenue growth, continues to outpace all competition and has become a global business to be reckoned with. Ms. Adenugba believes strongly in “giving back” and has donated some pieces from the T & T Fashions archives to support fundraising activities towards causes in Africa. Ultimately, Bunmi Ojo Adenugba envisions a world in which T & T Fashions would not only be a fashion empire but also, a company that positively impacts the underprivileged and suppressed populations of Nigeria through philanthropy. Bunmi is married and blessed with four children.
Jesse King Buga
Popularly called BUGA is a renowned Nigerian Contemporary Highlife artiste who has carved a niche for himself with over 10 years of positive contributions to the upliftment of the African culture and heritage through his music. A mention of quality African rhythms will not be complete without his name been mentioned.