Welcome back to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast. In today’s episode, my guest is Gakuna Njima Castro. Gakuna is a Security Risk, International Affairs & Political Intelligence Analyst, Deal Sourcing Consultant
 
Our conversation covered; Intra-Africa Geopolitics, the conflict between Egypt and Ethiopia, and Sudan. We also touched on the potential security risk of private military groups to African nations. The new world order, and how Africa should make sure it doesn’t again end up on the dinner table. How African countries can win the fight against terrorism. And why Pan-Africanism doesn’t seem to move forward, and many other topics.

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In today’s episode of the Think BIG for Africa Podcast, my guest is an inspiring young Transformational Leader, Personal Development Coach, Social Media Strategist, and Reading Coach; Daniel Okafor.

Daniel is a young man after my heart. He is the founder of Phronesis Readers & Writers Club, a community of over 5000 members committed to raising visionary leaders in Africa through reading culture.

In this inspiring conversation, we discussed how reading changed everything in Daniels's life in a short space of time, and the founding of the Phronesis Readers and Writers Club. The various awards and recognitions including the JPI Leadership award, why many Africans don’t read, and why we need to encourage young Africans to read. We also touched on the various challenges in our environments. Daniel encourages young Africans to take a leap of faith, to take the journey of self-discovery.

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Let's Talk About These Important Issues!

Welcome back to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast. In today’s episode, my guest is a young Nigerian, graduate student Richard Nzekwu at King’s College London, studying International conflicts Studies. Richard worked with refugees after his first degree in International Relations. So, he has a keen interest in migration issues. He is also a keen traveler (including in Africa) and has a YouTube channel called RichPerspectives where he publishes videos from his many travels. 

In this conversation, we cover a lot of important and interesting topics about Africa including; the root causes of conflicts in Africa, Africa’s diversity and the urgent need for effective integration, and how to talk about Africa’s history and our colonial past. The possible impact of the recent Wagner Group mutiny In Russia on the African countries where the group is working. The work of foreign NGOs across Africa, possible manipulation of African youths on social media, and education (compulsory 12 years of schooling),  We also talked about  Richard’s YouTube channel @richperspectives, how to use videos to take power back, young people refer to listening rather than reading books. The nature of young activism, sustainability and environmental issues, tourism, and culture. Finally, Richard’s 5 books recommendation, and his 30 years' vision for Africa.

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Welcome back to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast. In today’s episode, my guest is Dr. Eileen C. Zuberi. Dr. Zuberi is a Chinese American who for several years has dedicated her life to working for African causes.

She is an active member of several African and African diaspora groups. • She is the Co-Founder & CEO of the African Youth Diaspora Organization (AYDO), a member of the Parliament of the State of African Diaspora (SOAD), an Advisor to, the AfCFTA Youth Advisory Council (ICOYACA), and many more. Very impressive!

Our conversation is a must-listen. Topics include the reasons she is working tirelessly for Africa, she explained her passion and motivations clearly. Africa’s domination, victimization, and colonial injustices (including Africans in the diaspora), Africa’s identity challenges, addressing the sufferings of the past, accountability in an “unfair” world, and the TAFFDS Afro-longevity Summit 2023.

This was a very interesting conversation, listen, share, and kindly subscribe to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast on your favorite podcast platform (Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, etc).

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In today’s episode of the Think BIG for Africa Podcast, my guest is a young final-year student of Chemical Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger state, Nigeria; Gracefield Tsado.

Gracefield is passionate about purpose and growth and she founded and built a platform GLEEFIELD, in 2020 with a vision to raise young people with clarity of identity and purpose, and apply such understanding, to transform society positively, in career, finance, family life, etc.

In this conversation we discussed GLEEFIELD;  from a reading hub into a platform for purpose and growth. Processes and systems, the magic of mentors, young people's desire to succeed (BLOW) without going through the developmental process, and the failures of the intellectual class.

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Welcome back to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast. The future of Africa is in the hands of its youths (even though they are not yet in control), and the greatest tools to build Africa are science and technology. My guest in today’s episode is Korede Adedoyin.

Korede is the Founder & Senior Operations Manager of the Vemoye Foundation. Working through NGOs on the ground Vemoye Foundation is helping communities get access to STEM education in Africa. Korede’s goal is to integrate STEM education into mainstream education in Africa.

In this conversation, we covered several topics related to her work; equality vs. equity, the challenges of such projects remotely, the need for African youths to study basic sciences vs. pure technology, and the value of representation, imagination, and critical thinking. How to encourage imagination and exploration within the boundaries of culture and tradition. The roles of Africans in the diaspora, the need, and the realism of Pan-Africanism. Finally, do not miss, Korede’s five (5) books recommendation.

This is a great episode. Please listen, share, and kindly subscribe to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast on your favorite podcast platform (Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, etc).

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Welcome back to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast. In today’s episode, my guest is an Agribusiness and Agroindustry Specialist; Oyewole Okewole. Oyewole is passionate about Food Security in Africa, and he helps medium-scale farmers implement Agri-Food Systems for better efficiency in their Agribusiness.
 
In our conversation, we discussed many issues that affect food security in Africa including conflicts, reliance on importation, energy issues, limited mechanization of agriculture in Africa, and education. The current state of affairs is not very good, but Oyewole expresses a lot of hope for the future.    
 
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Welcome back to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast. June 3, will be World Clubfoot Day. Clubfoot is a painful and very uncomfortable physical condition that hundreds of thousands of newborn babies annually suffer worldwide. In today’s episode, my guest is a Public Health Physician and Clubfoot Advocate; Dr. Ekene Isikaku

Dr. Isikaku opened my eyes to the difficulties of babies the suffer from Clubfoot and their families. She also told me the wonderful news that even though we don’t know exactly what causes Clubfoot, it has a cure. I’ve seen people with Clubfoot, and I assume that many others have seen, know people, or have family members with this curable condition.

So, listen, share with as many people as possible, and kindly subscribe to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast on your favorite podcast platform (Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, etc).

Enjoy! 

Welcome back to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast. In today’s episode, my guest is an ingenious entrepreneur; Tolulope Olukokun

Tolulope is the CEO of Thinkbikes Limited and the Founder and director of ThinkElectric Africa. An organization with the sole mission of accelerating Africa's transition to renewable energy and sustainable transportation.

In our conversation, we discussed his initiatives; ThinkElectricAfrica and ThinkBikes Ltd, and explored sustainable electric power to industrialize Africa. Tolulope has excellent advice for young Africa about reading and the rewards of solving problems.

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Returning to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast is one of my favorite guests; Able Ejiofor.  Able is an African Growth Strategist, and an Executive Director at Ideas Worth Billions. 
 
In this conversation, we discussed so many little but important topics as well as his takeaway from the recent 2023 Forbes Under 30 Summit in Botswana, education and reading, leadership, and responsibility. It was a very insightful conversation.
 
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Enjoy! 

Welcome to another episode of the Think BIG for Africa Podcast. Today, we have a mini panel of two (2) of my previous guests.

The panel members are; 

1. Ekene Banye (Host) 

2. Mika Chavala – Founder of the Swahili Nation

3. David Ownmi – Founder of SALT 

In this conversation, we discussed several interesting topics including; how young people can build Africa, the myth of eldership in African leadership, and how young Africans can gain and display leadership. The economic origin of identity politics and its effects. The drivers of human civilization and progress. What Africa can learn from India. The greatest African resource can transform the world and the importance for young Africans to engage in conversations to discuss ideas.

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Welcome back to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast. In today’s episode, my guest is a bold and very pragmatic faith-driven entrepreneur; Tracy Okoro Isaac. 

Our conversation covered; Building a purpose-driven career. how technology is changing education in Africa, solving the power (Energy) challenge in Nigeria will bring the biggest benefits. We also talked about the gospel of entrepreneurship, it’s time to disentangle Africa’s various entanglements, and Tracy encouraged young Africans to stay hungry and keep asking WHY and more

This conversation is a must-listen for any young Africa who wishes to live by purpose and create an impact in their community.

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Welcome to another episode of the Think BIG for Africa Podcast. This episode is the beginning of a new format of panel discussions about important issues surrounding Africa and its development.

Today, I’ve brought back three (3) former guests to discuss “The Most Important Issues Holding  Africa Back”. 

The panel members are; 

1. Ekene Banye (Host) - Nigerian based in the UK

2. Rev. Walter Mwambazi - Zambian

3. Namy Bak Sudjic – Ivorian based in the UK

4. Willem Gous – South African

Two of my guests started their familiarization by discussing one of the most important issues in Africa; Energy (electricity shortage).  Then, we got into the main issues of our discussions;

-       Leadership

-       Lack of unity (this got a little heated)

-       Belief Systems: Religion & Culture 

-       Education

-       Personal responsibility and hints of Entrepreneurship

Of course, there are many other important issues, but these are the ones we decided to tackle first. None of them were discussed exhaustively, but enough as a start and maybe with uncommon perspectives for further in-depth analysis in the future by others.

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Welcome to another episode of the Think BIG for Africa Podcast. This is another birthday (Big50) edition and my guest is a young Mathematician and Researcher; Kayode Oshinubi (Ph.D.). Kayode’s areas of research and expertise are Applied Mathematics, Biostatistics, Data Modeling, Disease Modeling, Disease Ecology, and Epidemiological Modeling.

In our conversation, we discussed Kayode’s interest and journey into the world of Mathematics, the need, and how to encourage young Africa to study Mathematics. We also discussed his current work/research in disease modeling, the problems with data in Africa, and his vision for Africa.

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The future of Africa will be what African youths make it. In today’s episode of the Think BIG for Africa Podcast, I was honored to speak with such a young African. 

Itofa Ivarahis a Child Right Expert, and the Founder of Church On The  Street International, he is a Nonprofit Management Consultant, also currently working on building Nigeria's first mobile food bank for Low-cost Schools. At a young age, Itofa has found his life’s purpose and he is using it for the benefit of his community.

In our conversation, Itofa shared the stories of his journey, and his passion for the education of young people, especially girls. The food program that will help the disadvantaged to go to school.

 
Listen, share, and kindly subscribe to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast on your favorite podcast platform (Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, etc).
 
 Enjoy! 

In today’s episode of the Think BIG for Africa Podcast, my guest is the very knowledgeable Gboyega Olokunbola. Gboyega is the MD/CEO of Habitat Group (Anti-counterfeiting Technology,-Brand Protection & Growth-Consumer Protection & Experience, Pioneering the first -ever African Food Restaurant Chain all over the world)

In our conversation, we discussed many different issues that affect Nigeria and Africa, including the recent currency note change in Nigeria, Waste Management, Energy; fossil fuel, renewables, Corruption, African Industrialization, and Counterfeiting and its effects on our economy and society.

 
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Health is Wealth. As a survivor of a life-changing health incident, most health issues mean a lot to me. In today’s episode of the Think BIG for Africa Podcast, my guest is the lovely Grace Gabriel Abasirim. Grace is a Dietitian, Renal Nutrition Coach, and Critical care Dietitian.

Many health issues are partially, if not totally the result of our dietary habits. So, to maintain good and better health, we need some guidance in our dietary choices. In our conversation, we discussed food (diet), nutrition, and exercise and how they impact our long-term health. 

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My guest in today’s episode of the Think BIG for Africa Podcast is a social activist and women's advocate; Esther Ijewere. Esther is also an author and the convener of Rubies Ink Initiative for Women and Children.

Her various works should be an inspiration for young ladies. Our conversation spans the breath of her award winner works; advocacy for women and children (violence and gender roles issues), columnist - spotlighted over a thousand women, editor of womenofrubies.com and host of #GettalkingwithEsther on Youtuber

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In today’s episode of the Think BIG for Africa Podcast, my guest is a dynamic African young leader from Tanzania, who wants to make a meaningful contribution to creating One Africa. Mika Chavala is the Founder Swahili Nation & One Africa. 

Mika is focused on his goals for African unity but is not afraid to face up and understand the long and challenging road ahead. We had a very interesting back-and-forth conversation, trying to dissect the challenges in uniting the most diverse (languages and cultures) continent on earth. We also discussed the real or assumed “victimization” of Africa by the world.

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On today’s episode of the Think BIG for Africa Podcast, I explored  a major tool for Africa's development with an educator; Dr. Henrietta Onwuegbuzie. She is an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, Director, of the Entrepreneurship Innovation Centre at Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University.

In our very lively conversation, we explored various issues surrounding teaching Entrepreneurship in the classroom and the traditional apprenticeship. Challenges to sustainable socio-economic development, the opportunities that the AfCFTA presents to entrepreneurs across Africa. We also touched on the effect of colonization on the trajectory of Africa’s development.

Listen, share, and kindly subscribe to the Think BIG for Africa Podcast on your favorite podcast platform (Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, etc).

Enjoy!