Do you really want to be like
Chinua Achebe? A literary lion who refused to conform to the ideals of society
Disruptive Innovation
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Founder | Creative Director Adebowale Folorunsho Founder | Editorial & Brand Director Michael Ikotun Editor-in-Chief Divine Muragijimana Communications, Legal Advisor Ony Nwaohuocha Managing Editor Shakira Atitebi Senior Editor - US Sophia Egbelo Lolade Siyonbola Fashion Editor Eunice Omole Web Master Lekan Ikotun Digital Content Manager Jamiu Folarin Music Editor Jacob Balfour Contributing Writers Mora McLean Faith Abiodun Olu W. Onemola Mariama Keita Fatimah Sesay Titilayo Arasi Binta Hassan Suzanne Brume Esther Nsiah Yvonne Orji Dominique Tolbert Nana Brenyah Nekpen Osuan Photo Production Mambu Bayoh Yinka Ajakaiye Events Coordinator Adey Haliu Nigeria Bureau Biodun Folorunsho Adesola Dapo Akinwunmi O. Francis
Divine Muragijimana
Special Thanks Chocolate Photography Isseu Diouf ND Strupler Applause Africa is published by APPLAUSE AFRICA COMMUNICATIONS LLC 1379 St. Marks Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11233, USA +1 415 871 7615, +1 347 613 5876 Nigeria Bureau: Ekwo Awolo House, 43 Osolo Way, Isolo, Lagos, Nigeria +234 805 520 4740, +234 704 223 0151 Email: info@applauseafrica.com Website: www.applauseafrica.com
Spring 2013
AFRICAN ECONOMIC FORUMS HARVARD | COLUMBIA | MIT | NYU
Africa
inMotion
Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iwela Dr. Djibril Diallo Shared Interest Kuramo Group Diamond Bank The Whitaker Group Do you really want to be like
Chinua Achebe? A literary lion who refused to conform to the ideals of society
Distruptive Innovation Bebenoir. David Tlale. Mara Group. Korto Momolu. DJ Universe. MUI The PR Company ACCRA[dot]ALT. Guinée Espoir. Liberty and Justice. Sytris Book Shop & Cafe
They’ve Got Next - Mui The PR Company And Dj Universe /p42
In keeping with the theme of the business issue, and tradition, we introducing our readers to 2 young individuals. currently making waves. World meet Ijeoma of MUI The PR Company and Lanre Jacobs aka DJ Universe. These 2 very smart people have contrived ways to make money from their creativity, and they are sharing the secrets to their success with our readers.
COVER 1 of 2: MUI THE PR COMPANY AND DJ UNIVERSE Photo Credit: Yinka Ajakaye COVER 2 OF 2: DR DJBRIL DIALLO Photo Credit: Mambu Bayoh
AA MAKING AFRICA’S
CULTURE POP! Applause Africa COM
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC’S NEW COUNCIL TO PICK NEW LEADER
On March 24, CAR’s president François Bozizé fled the country leaving it in the hands of rebels after several failed attempts at signing an agreement. After seizing power, rebel group leader Michel Djotodia then suspended the constitution and dissolved the parliament. The self-appointed leader later issued a presidential order setting up the council to lead a transitional government until elections can be held within 18 months.
TONY ELUMELU FOUNDATION LAUNCHES AFRICAN IMPACT FUND WITH ROCKEFELLER
The Rockefeller Foundation and the Tony Elumelu Foundation launched the Impact Economy Innovations Fund (IEIF) at the Impact Investment Forum in Cape Town, South Africa. “Impact Investing is a critical tool in driving our agenda of promoting entrepreneurship for lasting economic and social development in Africa. We want to see more deals of this nature and our commitment to support this new fund is just the beginning,” said Dr. Wiebe Boer, CEO of the Tony Elumelu Foundation. The Tony Elumelu Foundation is a not-for-profit dedicated to the promotion and celebration of entrepreneurship and excellence in business leadership in Africa.
BRICS AND AFRICA SUMMIT IN SOUTH AFRICA On March 26, Brazil, Russian, India, China and South Africa commonly known as BRICS convened in South Africa for their 5th annual summit. Several Heads of African States, and representatives from NEPAD and the African Union attended the summit. The attendants held talks on the highly anticipated BRICS development bank that is expected to promote investment between the member states. With a theme focused on Africa, discussions were held on the infrastructure in Africa and its role in the development of the continent.
KONY 2012, ONE YEAR LATER.
KONY 2012, a short film created by Invisible Children was released a year ago. The viral video with over 100 million views resulted in a resolution by the United States Senate and contributed to the decision to send troops by the African Union. A year later, Kony is still at large, despite being heavily hunted by joint forces; but his nefarious activities have been greatly thwarted. The United States also recently posted a 5 million US dollar reward for information leading to the
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arrest of Lord’s Resistance Army chief Joseph Kony, and a similar bounty for three other rebel leaders. In related news, in an unexpected move, Rwandan-born Congolese military chief, Bosco Ntaganda, also known as the terminator, turned himself in at the US Embassy in Kigali Rwanda. Ntaganda has been on the ICC’s watch list with an arrest warrant.
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PRAYING FOR MADIBA
Mandela, the 94-year-old antiapartheid South African leader, was in the hospital again and treated for fluid buildup in the lungs. He was released on April 6th. The government in a statement said, “Let us continue to keep President Mandela and his family in our prayers as he continues to receive treatment from home”. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate will now receive home based high care. It was the third health scare in four months. Viva Mandela!
SOUTH SUDAN RESUMES OIL PRODUCTION
South Sudan has restarted oil production after agreeing with Sudan to resume cross-border flows last month, an oil official said, ending a row over transit fees which brought the African neighbors close to war. South Sudan halted crude production in early 2012, cutting off most of its revenue after accusing Khartoum of theft in a row over export fees.
MOBILE SOCIAL ONLINE TABLET PRINT
applause
INITIATIVES
AA
CONNECT
Dominique Tolbert
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Mora McLean
AA
EMPOWER
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CHANGE AGENTS
Shakira Atitebi
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Yinka Ajakaiye
Sophia Egbelo
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Sophia Egbelo
SPECIAL REPORTS
By Sophia Egbelo
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ND Strupler
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applause
5
reasons to invest in South Africa
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THE GOOD DOER
Fatima Sesay
MAMBU BAYOH
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/
Disclaimer: Parts of this article were supplemented by Dr Osotimehin’s statement at the 20th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union.
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Improving access to electricity, building rural roads, and providing water and sanitation, particularly in increasingly crowded urban area are essential for a better Africa... I am leaving you with a sense of responsibility that it’s not just to listen to me, but to take away something, about how you are going to change things on this continent
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Nekpen Osuan
Nekpen Osuan is an Analyst at the New York City Department of Education’s Division of Finance. Prior to that, she served as Deputy Data Director for OFA-Florida, part of President Obama’s Re-election Campaign. Nekpen earned her Bachelors from Baylor University and her Masters from Columbia University. In her free time, she enjoying following politics, traveling, and volunteering. Share and follow: @NOsuan
$32bn
IN 2011, THE TELECOMS INDUSTRY ACCOUNTED FOR 4.5% OF SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN GDP AND CONTRIBUTED $32BN TO ITS ECONOMIES.
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/ $400bn
AFRICA’S CONSUMER INDUSTRIES ARE EXPECTED TO GROW BY $400BN BY 2020.
62%
IN 2012, 30 MILLION AFRICAN MIGRANTS SENT CLOSE TO $60 BILLION IN REMITTANCES TO 120 MILLION RECIPIENTS.
/ $1bn
EAST AFRICA’S ADVERTISING MARKET IS WORTH AROUND $1BN. KENYA ACCOUNTS FOR MORE THAN HALF OF THIS.
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ND Strupler
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Sophia Egbelo
Yinka Ajakaiye
Young, Fearless Ijeoma Genevieve Mbamalu and Lanre Jacobs On The idea of Super Lux
People naturally trust me to tell their stories and that is something that is a gift; it is about being personable and being able to engage people.
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Ony Nwaohuocha
2
Ony is the Founder and principle attorney of Ony Nwaohuocha Law | Ony Law, an innovative law firm dedicated to helping social entrepreneurs impact Africa. Connect with her at www.onylaw.com.
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TREASURE ISLANDS
Titilayo Arasi
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Divine Muragijimana
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By Sarita Dan - Africa Travel Association
AA
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4
1
GHANA
6 3
GAMBIA
5 2
CHAD
TOGO
SENEGAL
Kunle Afolayan and Tunde Kelani
Mr. Adewunmi Ogunsanya, Chairman MultiChoice Nigeria; Mr. John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria; Mr. Olu Jacobs and wife Joke Silver and Mrs. Biola Alabi, Managing Director, M-Net Africa
Mayo Okunola, GM, DStv and Victor Olaotan
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Mrs. Busola Adeogun-Philips, Mr. Walter Drenth, and Mrs. Thobi Duma
Theo Lawson and Yeni Kuti
John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria and Mr. Joseph Hunder, former Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria
Fred Amata and Jackie Appiah
Mrs. Biola Alabi, Managing Director, M-Net Africa and Chief Erelu Dosunmu Abiola
Uti Nwachukwu and Friend
Majid Michel and Kareen Ugo
JJ Okocha and wife
Bishop Great Ameye and wife Liz Ameye
Wangi.Mba-Uzoukwu, Regional Manager, M-Net Nigeria, Mrs. Biola Alabi, Managing Director, M-Net Africa and husband Mr. Alabi
Isseu Diouf
AA
Eddie Bergman, Sayid Abdullave, Eduardo Martinez, president The UPS Foundation, Dr Charles Robbins, Peter Klein, Claire FriedLander Foundation reciveing the , Steve Kess, vice president for Global Professional Relations, Henry Schein Inc., and Ali
Eddie Bergman, singer Carol Woods receiving the MCW Leadership Award, Eric Perlmutter,and NYC Mayoral candidate William Thompson
Keith Drayer and Dr Marion Bergman present the MCW Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously to the family of Dr Mitchell
Obiagel Ezkwesili [Nigeria’s former Minister of Education and former Vice President of the World Bank group for Africa] and Ali Velshi
MCW staff and volunteers
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EVENTS
Dr. Pamela Newman, President and CEO of The Newman Team, accepts the MCW Community Partnership Award on behalf of AON, with John Catsimatidis, Steve Paladino and Stanley Bergman
The Bergmans: Sima, Sharon, Eddie and MarionSima, Sharon Bergman, Eddie Bergman and Dr Marion Bergman
Dr.Yaw Nyarko ,Director of NYU’s Africa House and Javid Hakakian
Ali Velshi and Michael Ikotun [Editorial Director, Applause Africa]
Khalid, Jacqueline and Jean-Baptiste
Yvonne Orji
Eunice Omole
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NYFW Spring/Summer 2013 Collection
Champion Hamilton
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Freshlyground Reviewed by Banning Eyre
EXIT
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ARKANSAS NIGERIA
Economic Development Forum and International Awards Ceremony United for Change: Working Together to Improve Health, Agriculture, Education, and Youth Development.