GENIUS MAGAZINE AFRICA 8TH EDITION

Focus on Africa






GENIUS
GENIUS
GENIUS



Magazine
Inside 8th


I will be Reborn an African
African Highest Award
Winner Artiste

COVID-19: Innovation Ground
for a better future

Films & Stars Across
Africa


Meet
Meet
Meet
Lupita Nyong’o














AFRICAN
AFRICAN
AFRICAN





HIGHEST AWARDS
HIGHEST AWARDS
HIGHEST AWARDS
WINNER
WINNER
WINNER
ACTOR
ACTOR
ACTOR 977-4-87424-666-0





...Genius Magazine brings your interest
to the beauty of Africa...

Editorial



Ogar Phil Blaize

Chief Editor




Patty Ogar

Advertising Manager



Jenny Oxman
Phil Blaize
Content Developer
A man of Passion for
writings, opportunity
for creativity and innovations
Genius magazine is currently a bi-monthly
Designer release online magazine that provides content
to bring your interest to the beauty of Africa.
Genius Media Our vision as online media, we target to

creating contents that recognize Africa
Publisher change makers from various countries within

the continent.
In support of the female gender equality
Agenda, 70% of African change makers in our
publications favours recognition of women in
their various successful career fields.
Contents: Genius Magazine is seeking partnership with

Africa Corporations to establish partnership to
The African Actor: Highest Award Winner
launch AFRICA GENIUS AWARD (AGA) By
I will be Reborn an African 2023 to publicly recognize the outstanding
Most Influential Gospel Artiste in Africa change makers in Africa every 3 years...

COVID-19: Innovation ground for In Genius magazine we believed, Africa is a
better future rich continent in terms of Leadership, Culture,
The African Woman Influence Lifestyles and Entertainment.
Currently, Genius magazine is free distribution

Meet the African Fashion King via electronic copy.
And our publication usually reach an average
African Highest Award Winning Artiste of 40,000+ readers per edition release via
online platform.
Films & Stars Across
Africa
1

Films &
Stars
Stars
Stars



Nominated
as the highest
searched
and streamed



















JACKIE APPIAH
JACKIE APPIAH
JACKIE APPIAH
Ghanian

jackieappiah















ackie Appiah born December 5, 1983 is a Appiah was already known to Nollywood
Canadian-born Ghanaian actress. For her through her many successful Ghanaian films
Jwork as an actress, she has received several including Beyoncé - The President Daughter,
awards and nominations, including the awards Princess Tyra, Passion of the Soul, Pretty Queen,
for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 2010 The Prince's Bride, The King is Mine and The
Africa Movie Academy Awards; and Best Actress Perfect Picture. Her notable Nollywood films
in a Supporting Role at the Africa Movie include Black Soul and Bitter Blessing, alongside
Academy Awards in 2007. Nollywood actor Ramsey Noah and My Last
Wedding, alongside Nollywood actor Emeka Ike.
Appiah's appearance on screen became regular
when she was invited by Edward Seddoh Junior,
the writer of Things We Do For Love , where she
played the role of Enyonam Blagogee. She later
took part in Tentacles, Games People Play, Sun-
city and many other TV series.

2

Films &
CHARLIZE
CHARLIZE
Stars
Stars
Stars CHARLIZE
THERON
THERON
THERON

South African

charlizeafrica

























C harlize Theron is a


South African and
American actress and producer
who has received various awards and She is the
nominations, including one Academy recipient of several
Awards, and one Golden Globe accolades, including an Academy
Awards. Additionally, Charlize Theron Award, a Golden Globe Award, and an
has been nominated for two Academy American Cinematheque Award. Time
Awards, three British Academy Film magazine named her one of the 100 most
Awards, and one Primetime Emmy influential people in the world in 2016. As of
Award. 2019, she is one of the world's highest-paid
Since the early 2000s, Theron has ventured actresses.
into film production with her company
Denver and Delilah Productions. She has
produced numerous films, in many of which
she had a starring role, including The Burning
Plain (2008), Dark Places (2015), and Long
Shot (2019). Theron became an American Charlize Theron was born
citizen in 2007, while retaining her South 7 August 1975), a South Africa Actress
African citizenship.
she has starred in over 60 movies and
television series both locally and
internationally, 3

Films &
Stars
Stars
Stars







































ichard Eyimofe Evans Mofe-Damijo
(popularly known as RMD, born 6 July 1961)
Ris a Nigerian actor and former Commissioner
for Culture and Tourism in Delta State. In 2005 he
won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best
Actor in a Leading Role. He received a Lifetime
Achievement Award at the 12th Africa Movie
Academy Awards in 2016.

Richard started his acting career by performing in
the drama club in his high school. Later, he started
RICHARD
RICHARD
RICHARD reporting for Concord Newspapers, Metro
Magazine and The Guardian.
EYIMOFE
EYIMOFE
EYIMOFE In his 30s, he published and sold Nigeria's first all-
Nigerian gloss magazine for men titled Mister. Mofe also
featured in a television soap opera called Ripples
after he graduated from school. Also, he wrote and
produced his first film, Out of Bounds.

Mofe-Damijo has starred in over 60 movies and
television series both locally and internationally.
4

H e convinces her that they had been planted

there, probably by one of his friends, and
they belatedly arrive at the party. A
disagreement arises between the two pairs of
parents about which group should enter the dining
room first; eventually, the Onwukas, being the
richer family, get the first entrance.


He dinner has its share of embarrassing incidents,
including Tinuade Coker having hired a local Yoruba
chef to cook an alternative to the fancy menu set by
Obianuju Onwuka. When Sola gives his best man's
speech, he accidentally shows video footage from
the stag night instead of the video prepared by
Dozie for the occasion, and the humiliated Dunni
leaves the room after having witnessed what looks
like Dozie being unfaithful to her. She is met outside
the room by one of Dozie's old girlfriends, Rosie,
who claims that she had sex with Dozie earlier that
day - in reality, Rosie had tried to seduce him but
failed. Dunni disappears from the venue in a taxi.

Dozie, his elder brother Nonso, and the two sets of
parents set out to look for Dunni but are held up at
gunpoint by a thief who has managed to get into
the room with the wedding gifts. The tense
A s their big day arrives, a couple's lavish other, with Dozie's mother confessing to her
situation causes the couples to open up to each
wedding plans turn into a nightmare of
husband how unhappy she has been about his

guests. exes, fighting parents and uninvited affairs with younger women, and Dunni's father
The film takes place during the day and evening admitting that his company has lost all its money.
of the wedding between Dunni Coker (Adesua The couples reconcile, and Nonso manages to
Etomi), a 24-year-old art gallery owner who is the overpower the thief and take his gun. Dozie goes
only daughter of Engineer Bamidele and Mrs. off in a car with Sola to find Dunni, and convinces
her that he has in fact not broken their mutual
Tinuade Coker, and the IT entrepreneur Dozie
Onwuka (Banky Wellington) who comes from a promise of chastity. They return to the wedding
very wealthy family. His mother, Lady Obianuju party to dance the rest of the night away.
Onwuka, considers her son to be marrying The film was produced by ELFIKE Film Collective.
beneath himself. Directed by Kemi Adetiba. In August 2017, the film
was made available on Netflix.

During the wedding ceremony, guests and family
are cheerful, with the exception of Obianuju ...Rated by Genius Magazine as the most
Onwuka who pointedly refuses to pay any streamed and demanding film of the year, 2020 in
attention, to the embarrassment of Felix. the Afri-wood industries...
Afterwards, while the cars are going from the
ceremony to the party, Dunni finds a pair of Films
Stars
Stars
women's underpants in the pocket of Dozie's &
dress jacket, and is upset. Stars 5

Films & Lionheart tells the story of Adaeze Obiagu
Stars
Stars
Stars (portrayed by Nnaji), who wants to substitute for
her father, Chief Ernest Obiagu (Pete Edochie),
when he can no longer run his company due to
health issues.

Her father, however, asks his brother Godswill
(Nkem Owoh) to take his place, and Godswill and
Adaeze have to work hard together to save the
company from debt and to not lose it to the
businessman Igwe Pascal (Kanayo O. Kanayo).
The movie was produced by Chinny Onwugbenu
for MPM Premium in association with The
Entertainment Network. Netflix acquired the
worldwide distribution rights to the movie on
September 7, 2018, a day before its premiere at the
2018 Toronto International Film Festival.


A trailer for the film was released on 24 August
2018. On 4 January 2019, the film was available to
stream worldwide on Netflix.


.Rated by Genius Magazine as the second most
streamed and demanding film of the year, 2020
in the Afri-wood industries...



Lionheart is a 2018 Nigerian drama film produced Directed by: Genevieve Nnaji
by Chinny Onwugbenu and directed by Genevieve Produced by: Chinny Onwugbenu
Nnaji. It stars Pete Edochie, Genevieve Nnaji, and Written bY: Genevieve Nnaji, Chinny
Nkem Owoh. It was acquired by Netflix on 7 Onwugbenu, C. J. Obasi, Ishaya
September 2018, making it the first Netflix original Bako, Emil Garuba
film produced in Nigeria. Lionheart premiered at
the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival in Starring: Genevieve Nnaji, Nkem
Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The movie was Nnaji's Owoh, Pete Edochie, Onyeka
directorial debut as well as Peter Okoye's and Onwenu, Kanayo O. Kanayo
Chibuzor Azubuike's (also known as Phyno) acting
debut. The film was released worldwide on 4 Distributed by: Netflix, MPM
January 2019 on Netflix. Premium
It was selected as the Nigerian entry for the Best Release date: 7 September 2018
International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Running time: 95 minutes
Awards. It was the first time that Nigeria had
submitted a film for the Best International Feature Country: Nigeria
Film Oscar. However, on 4 November 2019, the Language: English (most), Igbo (10
Academy disqualified the film, as the majority of mins.)
the film's dialogue is in English and only about ten
minutes of the film is in Igbo.
6

Films &
Stars
Stars
Stars



Directed by: Kemi Adetiba
Produced by: Kemi Adetiba, Kene
Okwuosa, Remi Adetiba

Written by: Kemi Adetiba

Starring: Sola Sobowale, Adesua
Etomi, Reminisce, Toni Tones, Jide
Kosoko, Illbliss

Distributed by: FilmOne Distributions
Release date: 20 October 2018
Running time: 169 minutes

Country: Nigeria
Language: English, Yoruba, Igbo,
Hausa











K ing of Boys is a 2018 Nigerian political businesswoman and philanthropist with and a

promising political future. She is drawn into a
thriller film written, co-produced and
directed by Kemi Adetiba. It is the second
movie directed by Kemi Adetiba following the struggle for power which in turn threatens
everything around her as a result of her growing
release of The Wedding Party. political ambitions. To come out of this on top,
she is caught up in a game of trust, not knowing
It reunites Adetiba with Adesua Etomi and Sola whom really to look up to, and this leads to her
Sobowale, after they worked together in her ruthlessness.
directorial debut, The Wedding Party. The
movie is focused on power tussle and stars
rappers Illbliss and Reminisce in their movie
debut roles. Other casts include Paul Sambo,
Osas Ajibade, Toni Tones, Sani Muazu, Demola
Adedoyin and Akin Lewis.

King of Boys tells the story of Alhaja Eniola
Salami (played by Sola Sobowale), a
7

f
A RICAN
A RICAN
A RICAN

ashion



KING!
KING!
KING!







O luwatosin Ogundadegbe is a creative


director, stylist, fashion consultant and
fashion writer who has built one of the most
enviable fashion styling portfolios in Nigeria
from styling celebrities and working on
editorials for fashion brands and magazines.


6 years ago, Oluwatosin began his career in
the fashion industry and has successfully built
one of the most enviable fashion styling
portfolios in Nigeria from styling celebrities.


The Philosophy graduate got his big fashion
break when he worked on his first style shoot
in 2010 which was titled "Under
Construction" which got tremendous
attention and served as a catalyst for his
career. He has since advanced to styling
some of the biggest fashion editorials in
Nigeria, serving as a curator for GTB Fashion
Weekend, and styling high profile clients
like Adesua Etomi, Rita Dominic, Joseph
Benjamin and Waje.
Meet
Meet
His ability to transform the most intricate Meet
designs into wearable art makes him stand
out as well as his bold play on colors and
unexpected fusion of styles. Oluwatosin

Ogundadegbe



8

WOMAN
WOMAN
WOMAN D ear African Woman!
THE


This is my letter to you
Have anyone ever told you, your brightness

POET radiate more like the sun?
Your exquisite beauty is undefined and
@rankedking uncreated?
Have anyone ever told you, you're the
essence of human existence?
The one access to the salvation of men?
African Woman!
I am telling you now
That.....
Your brightness radiate more like the sun
Your exquisite beauty is undefined and
uncreated
You're the essence of human existence
You're the access to the salvation of the
human race.
Mama Africa!
The queen of civilization and inspiration to all
human race
Though they say, your place is in the kitchen!
Education is not for you!
Leadership is not for you!
But that's all a lie...
A lie that have corrupted your children for
generations!
But you have birthed king's, princes across
continents.
You're the bringer of light and salvation to
humanity.
Nothing in the universe could have made
sense without your being
You're a woman who could do anything
possible to make him win
Always standing tall to defend, protect him
from falling
It's time, you rise from behind and take the
staff of leadership...
Without you nothing in the world could have
made sense...


You made this world complete...
No man can boast of his existence without the
mix of your blood in him
9 African Woman!

You're indeed mother of the earth! The land fill of gold and green fields.
The apple of the eye of the Mama Africa! My heart bleeds when
creator! Voice of the ignorant against you're hurt and deprived Of your
your place in the arena of place as the
leadership. mother earth!
Is just a noise from the crowd
My peace is taken away with tears of
Is not every dog that bark that blood running from eyes down my
should distract your attention. Stand cheeks without season.
up and earn your place among men
as a queen Because they cannot be a When I turn around and could not
king without a queen. feel your presence among men.
Mama! I am tasty of your milk of love
African Woman! You're the symbol of and care.
true beauty of life and all mankind My strength grows weak
African Woman! Your place in the without a sight of you around me.
universe is undisputable and can Mama Africa!
never be taken away or replaced. We're crying, come and take your
place among men.
It's through you King's, Doctors, Only you knows when a child is
business empires have been born! hungry because of your caring and
African Woman empathetic heart of love.
African Woman!
Your place cannot be taken or Riiiiiii......ssssssse Riiiiiii....ssssse
replaced among men. Your seat is Riiiiiii.....ssssse
beside the king
And not in the kitchen! Children is in need of your care, love.
We know the fight for peace is not by
If it weren't you. Empires across destroying the life of another...
continent wouldn't have been born We don't establish peace by been
African Woman! Rise like an eagle cruel and unfair to one another.
and lead the world! You're the
mother of empathy, Love and peace. We’re people Of no difference of
race, religion, culture, skin colour,
Rise and take your place beside the social class or lifestyle.
king. You're the mother of all kings.
A child will always need the care and Peace and Love to all nation because
love of the mother. the United we stand,
African Woman! You're a true the divided we fall.
epitome of the beauty of life in
essence. The place of the Empress
cannot be underestimated.


African Woman! The world needs
you in your right place To fix our
broken hearts and
bones!
African Woman, rise and lead us to 10

COVID-19:
COVID-19:
COVID-19:




INNOVATION GROUND Now, they are producing the face shields in
only 90 seconds using die-cutting (cutting
FOR BETTER chosen shapes from low-strength materials),
as opposed to 3D-printing them which takes
FUTURE up to 90 minutes.
This pandemic could very well see innovation
going from Africa to the rest of the world.
Another example is Fablab Rwanda, a space
he coronavirus has rebooted every aspect of for members to turn innovative ideas into
life as we know it. Across Africa, home-
Tgrown ideas and small-scale technological products specifically in the hardware and
electronics domain based in Kigali, and is now
innovations are coming to the fore to help combat working on producing low-cost ventilators in
it. Rwanda.
A team from the University of the Witwatersrand A manufacturer of industrial robots,
(Wits) is hard at work, not in the comfort of their YASKAWA, in South Africa, for many years, has
homes, but at an innovation lab, designing the been looking into a crystal ball believing
first two prototypes of a face shield. robots would come handy at such a time.
Letlotlo Phohole and Moses Mogotlane, the two "Future-oriented solutions won't merely be
members of the team, are working on paper and an option, but an absolute necessity," they
transparent face shield models, with a Perspex say.
headband, and they are doing all of this at a Robotics and automation technology are
Transnet-sponsored innovation space hosted at already playing a pivotal role in the health
Wits; together in thought, but apart in (social) sector, from the use of automated laboratory
distance. tests to autonomous disinfectors utilized in
Their work would use 3D-printers and a laser-cut hospitals, but they're about to extend further
solution, in coming up with the very first version into other industries faster than anyone could
of a face shield developed by Wits. have anticipated.
in the midst of this crisis Africa is fast turning to
home-grown solutions as to tackle a global The global Japanese manufacturer's southern
problem like this.
African branch has already installed over
2,500 robots in the automotive,
Truely we have seen Covid-19 as an innovation manufacturing and packaging industries.
ground for a better future of our planet. Decades ago, YASKAWA proposed the
These face shields were initially designed for innovative concept of an unmanned factory
health workers at Netcare Hospitals, made from a termed 'Mechatronics'.
flat pack consisting of two pieces that can rapidly
be assembled.
11

12


Since then, the concept has evolved into 'i- The lockdown regulations have also grounded
Mechatronics', featuring further advancements the construction sector.
and implementation of automation through the Siphelele Mngaza, the Founder and CEO of
management of digital data. Hannah Properties in South Africa, had to
"The fast-moving consumer goods and food curtail operations, resulting in many clients
markets, however, should see an increase and pulling out of contracts. However,a this has
acceptance in the usage of robots and automation made him rethink his building strategy,
technologies… And this is where robotics could especially in crowded areas.
come in to reduce contact and cross- "Social distancing and self-quarantine is
contamination," says Kurt Rosenberg, Managing almost impossible because shacks can [heat]
Director of YASKAWA Southern Africa. up to about 50 degrees in summer and be
Covid-19 is birthing a new era of health-focused really cold in winter with no electricity and no
robots and tech to be used in all spheres of life. water," he says. The key then is how to build
Rosenberg believes a robot-powered workforce is better cities suitable for everyone.
the way to the future, both locally and He emphasizes the importance of having
internationally. smoother surfaces, greener buildings that
And there are more such examples of blue sky incorporate plants, better ventilation and
thinking. access to natural light. "[Post the pandemic] I
envision healthier buildings that behave like
In South Africa, construction company Profica has plants," says Mngaza.
partnered with 'temporary infrastructure On the other side of the spectrum, businesses
specialists' Chattels to construct temporary Covid- operating in the digital space have seen a
19 triage and testing facilities. boom at this time. Twenty-eight-year-old
"Covid-19 is an introduction to a world hygiene entrepreneur Cleo Johnson has taken full
awareness program that many have not been advantage of this. She is the founder of
practicing or have partially practiced. The sanitizer Nuecleo, a hospitality and marketing
tunnel was created with health risks involved consultancy in South Africa. With clients
especially for hypersensitive individuals and to also based in Africa and overseas, she has been
accommodate the disabled and parents with able to put together post-corona marketing
prams, providing a ramp and sprayers that release plans remotely.
5-10ml of sanitizer per person," says Thuli Mabebo, "The big thing is, 'what is your business going
one of the directors of Akim. to look like post corona?' Because it is not
Communications solutions provider, Liquid going to be the same," she tells FORBES
Telecom, is also coming up with digital solutions for AFRICA. She remains optimistic.
Africa during the pandemic. It has provided "As a business owner, taking care of yourself
solutions for remote learning at Kibabii virtual mentally is extremely important as it also
school in Kenya, established Covid-19 toll-free gives you clarity on a way forward. There is
helplines in Zimbabwe, and provided better time now to refine your business, your growth
connectivity across the East African Community. strategy and how you can scale your
Due to this pandemic case across the globe, only business."
businesses deemed essential services could Those that grab the opportunities or gaps in
operate during the lockdown across different this pandemic stand a better chance of
countries of Africa. As a result, many businesses are surviving because if a small business does not
relying on digital platforms to survive if they can receive any revenue within 30 days, it may die,
afford it, and if lucky, with a client base still says Modau.
consuming their products. "Right now, it's a game of survival, not
necessarily growth," he adds.

MEET



LUPITA
LUPITA
LUPITA




NYONG’O
NYONG’O
NYONG’O
(Kenya)











African Highest Awards

Winner Actor

upita Nyong’o was Born in 1983 in
Mexico City, Mexico. Her parents,
LDorothy and Peter Anyang' Nyong'o,
Lupita Nyong’o is an international
filmmaker and actress known for her Academy were in political exile at the time of her birth,
Award-winning role as Patsey in ‘12 Years a but were able to return to their homeland of
Slave’ and as Nakia in ‘Black Panther’. Kenya during their daughter's childhood. Her
she currently has a record of over 66 father later became part of the country's
received awards and 114 senate while her mother, who worked in
nominations. family planning, took a leadership position
with the Africa Cancer Foundation.


Having taken to drama and obtaining the lead
role in a production of Romeo and Juliet,
Nyong'o also returned to Mexico during her
teens to learn Spanish. She went to college in

the United States, studying at Hampshire
College in Amherst, Massachusetts, and
earning her degree in film in 2003. Upon her
return to Kenya during school summer
13 vacation, Nyong'o discovered that filming for

the drama The Constant Gardener was
Powered By: Genius Magazine Africa
happening in her area.

yong'o made her Broadway debut as a
he joined the set as a production assistant teen orphan in the critically
and met Ralph Fiennes, who told her to Nacclaimed play Eclipsed (2015),
Sbecome an actor only if it was something where she earned a Theatre World Award for
she couldn't imagine doing without. Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway
Debut Performance. In addition, she was
Nyong'o honed her craft as a filmmaker by
nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress in
directing, editing and producing the 2009
a Play and a Distinguished Performance Award
documentary In My Genes, which followed the
at the Drama League Award for her
stories of several Kenyans who are living with
performance.
albinism. And she became a star of Kenyan
television in Shuga, an MTV/UNICEF-backed The following year, she starred in Star Wars:

series that looked at sexual relationships among The Force Awakens and the Off-Broadway play
youth in Nairobi, aiming to promote HIV Eclipsed. The actress also featured
awareness and safe sex via storytelling.
prominently in the box office-shattering
Nyong'o returned to the States and, pursuing
superhero flick Black Panther in 2018.
her interest in acting, earned a master's degree
from the Yale School of Drama in 2012, having

performed in works like The Winter's Tale with Nyong'o was also nominated for several
the school's Repertory Theatre. awards including a Golden Globe Award for
Best Supporting Actress, a BAFTA Award for

She started acting as a teen in Kenya and went on Best Actress in a Supporting Role and a Screen
to work behind the scenes of the film The Actors Guild Awards for Best Supporting
Constant Gardener. She directed and produced Actress, which she won.
the albinism documentary In My Genes and
starred in the TV series Shuga. Nyong'o went on Lupita Nyong’o is an international filmmaker
to earn acclaim for her role as Patsey in 12 Years and actress known for her Academy Award-
a Slave (2013), for which she won the 2014 winning role as Patsey in ‘12 Years a Slave’ and
as Nakia in ‘Black Panther’ she currently has a
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress
record of over 66 received awards and 114
where she became the first Mexican and Kenyan
nominations.
actress to win the award.
In our 8th edition of Genius Magazine, Among

Nyong'o has become a majestic fashion icon, others she rated the highest votes of 68% from
with red-carpet appearances and pics in our followers as currently the highest award
publications like InStyle and W. She also twice winning actress in Africa
graced the cover of Vogue in a short span of
time, appearing on the publication's July 2014
and October 2015 issues.

14

Mitchell Elegbe is the
MD/CEO of Interswitch,
and the brain behind
FACE
FACE
FACE the InterswitchSPAK
Quiz competition for
science students
secondary education.
of The program

has given out over
N60million to beneficiaries
a GENIUS
a GENIUS
a GENIUS since its launch in 2017.




MITCHELL



ELEGBE














































15

M itchell Elegbe is the MD/CEO company but faced the challenge of finding a

of Interswitch, an integrated
CEO to run the company because of finance.
payment and transaction
company in Nigeria. He is a graduate of One of his His innovative idea of
InterswitchSPAK has created an innovation
Electrical Engineering from the University of opportunity in the area of science and
Benin. He was formerly with Schlumberger Technology by participants for Africa. this
Wireline and Testing, and Telnet, an ICT programme gives top winners with a
engineering and consulting company until university scholarship opportunity worth
2002, when he started Interswitch Group N12.5Million per season. InterswitchSPAk

where he is currently the Group Managing was launched in 2017.
Director and Chief Executive Officer. In 2012, Mitchell has won several awards including the
he was awarded the West Africa Business CNBC/Forbes All African Business Leader
Leader Award at the All African Business (AABLA) for West Africa, Ernst and Young
Leaders Awards (AABLA) organized by CNBC Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the
Africa. He is an Ernst and Young Entrepreneur Harvard Business School Association (Nigeria)
of the Year Award recipient and he won the Leadership Award in the General

Harvard Business School Association (Nigeria) Management Category.
Leadership Award in the General
Management Category in 2015. He is a Bishop
Desmond Tutu fellow of the African
Leadership Institute.
His first encounter with an ATM was in
Scotland (then no ATM existed in Nigeria)
where the machine seized his card. He

developed an idea to create a system
infrastructure that would enable electronic
payments in Nigeria while working on a
project to implement SWIFT. On his return to
Nigeria, he was reemployed by Telnet. He
pitched the idea of the transaction switch to

his boss successfully and was authorized to
execute it, but the process did not go
according to plan. He started off by selling the
software for switching but most players he
sold to were not interested and this led him to
creating Interswitch so as to meet his targets.
With the assistance of Accenture, Mitchell
and his team were able to establish the

16

SINACH
SINACH
SINACH





Osinachi Kalu


Most Influential Gospel Artiste

AFRICA
AFRICA




sinachi Kalu popularly known by her stage
name as Sinach is a famous and multi award-
Owinning Nigerian gospel singer, songwriter,
recording artiste, stage performer and a
philanthropist. She was born on 30th March 1977 in
Lagos State in the western part of Nigeria. She is
currently 43 years old. She is originally from Ebonyi
State in the south eastern part of Nigeria. She is the
second child in a family of seven children.


In her teenage years, Sinach became a born-again
Christian. She began singing at a very tender age and
joined the choir of her local church Christ Embassy in
Lagos, Nigeria. The general Overseer of Christ
Embassy, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome discovered her
singing talent and made her senior worship leader at
Believers Love World.


Sinach completed her primary and secondary school
education in Lagos, Nigeria and obtained both her
First School Leaving Certificate and West African
Senior School Certificate.

After completing her primary and secondary school
education, Sinach, proceeded to University of Port
Harcourt in Rivers State, Nigeria and graduated with
a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics.











17

he is known globally for several gospel Oyakhilome and Pastor Enoch Adeboye as one
hits songs which include WayMaker, I of the top 100 most influential Christians in
SKnow Who I Am, Great Are you Lord, Nigeria.
Rejoice, He did it Again, Precious Jesus, The
Name of Jesus, This Is my Season, Awesome As a songwriter she has written over 200 songs
God, For This, I stand Amazed, Simply Devoted, and has won several awards. In 2008, her hit
Jesus is Alive and many more. song “This Is Your Season” won her the award
for Best Song of the Year. Many of her songs are
On 28th June 2014, Sinach got married to sung by several churches and people all over
Pastor Joseph Ogbu, a Pastor of Believers Love the world. One of her most popular songs is “I
World Ministries a.k.a Christ Embassy Church. Know Who I Am”.
The Marriage was held at Christ Embassy Now in 2020, during Genius Magazine Online
Church in Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. Sinach is survey for the most influential gospel artiste,
currently signed to Love World Music label. her vote rate 68% among others as the current
Most influential gospel artiste.
In May 2011, Sinach won the award for Best
Gospel Artiste of the Year at the Nigeria inach has performed in several countries
Entertainment Awards. In 2012, she won the including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South
West Africa Best Female Vocalist and Best Hit SAfrica, United States of America, Antigua,
Single at the Love World Awards. In 2013, Barbuda, Trinidad, Tobago, Grenada, Uganda,
Sinach won the Best Gospel Artiste of the Year Barbados and the United Kingdom.
at the NIPUGA Awards.

In 2013, she won the award for Best Female
Gospel Artiste of the Year, Best Song of the Year
and Best Female Vocal at the Nigeria Gospel
Music Awards. In 2016, she won the Best
Gospel Artiste at the AFRIMMA Awards.


In 2016, she was the first recipient of the LIMA
Song Writer of the Decade Award, recognizing
her outstanding and undeniable contribution
to gospel music in the past decade, with her
songs being sung in many countries, translated Sinach is currently one of
to many languages, on all continents of the the richest and most
world. influential female gospel
artiste in Africa with an

In 2016, she received the African Achievers estimated net worth of
Award for Global Excellence, putting her in a $4 million.
prestigious list of Africans most successful
gospel artistes. Also in 2016 for the second
time in a row, she won the West Africa Artist of
the Year at the Groove Awards in Kenya and
was listed by YNaija alongside with Pastor Chris



18

19



Ogar Phil Blaize, is
an innovative writer, I WILL BE
editor, the chief pioneer
of Child’s Rights REBORN AN
Initiative Program(CRIP) ,
Africa.
A Non-profit Organization AFRICAN
to provide educational
knowledge to correct
abuse of rights of Phil Blaize
child to education, @rankedking
career & lifestyle
choices in African
countries. He
believes African’s
biggest problem
is mind
imprisonment.









I will LOVE TO be reborn an


African, well, this is a continent with
enormous rich of culture and lifestyles that’s boundless.

The beliefs of the society almost made me to hate Africa because
of the perspective that was injected into me through history and
behavior but when I came to realized the truth, I rewrite the story and
re-programmed my mind to see this beautiful continent in a different and

more positive perspective.
And what’s this truth?
The truth is Africans is the most blessed of all human race in culture, natural resources,
beauty, places and lifestyles.

But we simply need to do simple thing to discover the value of what we have got, rebrand our
reasoning.
Whatever I may contribute for the growth of the continent, I feel it will not be enough.
Africa has one of the greatest leadership assets that could reshape the world but it’s our

perspective that have imprison our minds from exploring this part of us.

My experience as a child who grew in a low Despite of increase in the formal education
income background family, a family quite with around the world, I believed Africa is still drown
high level of religious lifestyle. It was nice to grow with ignorance that have plague the black race
up in this type of environment because we today because we have been hardwired to
believe this is the only right atmosphere to build accept certain knowledge without questioning.

the right moral standards. But what I never feel Our curiosity to explore as kids are silenced to
comfortable about is some area of life which I prevent us from asking certain questions which
was so restricted to express my thoughts, may open us to knowing what the society thinks

curiosity and choices which wasn't friendly but I we shouldn't know.
have to endure to just free myself from their I see the need that we need to be taught on how
guidance so I can touch the sky. to think, rather than what to think because when
I grew up with a lot of unanswered questions in we are taught on what to think, our creativity is
my mind, even till now there are questions that imprisoned but when we are taught on how to

remain unsaid inside me. I have seen it that our think, we have the room for an endless creative
minds have been highjacked with half truth. minds.”
That was quite a fight for me, though I am an Africa is a continent with wealth of endless

introvert, with attitude of more of listening, creativity, we just need the right persons with the
thinking and observing, rather than talking and power to support the minds who are driven to
challenging an instruction. I will not say a word create change in the continent.
even if the instruction is not convenient for me to This continent is a beautiful place with beautiful
handle for the sake of peace but I am kind of a kid people, our biggest problem we need to tackle to

who is always curious to know WHY within me. reshape the future is our angle of reasoning,
The way we are built, You are out in a condition to believing, and perspective about life in general.
see some set of persons in the society as the We need to incorporate logic to whatever belief

immoral folks and the fallen angels, you have to system we build into our kids.
keep yourself away from them to avoid been You have to choose to be who you want to be and
influenced. Well bad company corrupt good don’t define yourself by what the world thinks
manners but how can we fix the world from you are.
destruction when good men stay and do nothing, We must break out of the prison of mind

I believed, staying away from evil doesn't make enslavement and start thinking free.
the evil disappear.
As kids with curious minds to know, we must be I will like you to take this from me, no life can ever

allowed to explore under proper and fair survive meaningfully without either Science or
guidance and ask relevant questions that will Religion and religion is far beyond the level of
give us the opportunity to deliberately make believing or art of worship.
right choices that will benefit the society we are,
for the good of all irrespective of races, religion, 20

class or educational qualifications.

WIZKID



The African Music
Legendary as the Highest
award winning artiste


Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, known professionally as
Wizkid, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He
began recording music at the age of 11 and
managed to release a collaborative album with the
Glorious Five, a group he and a couple of his church
friends formed.


Wizkid signed a record deal with Empire Mates
Entertainment (E.M.E) in 2009. He rose to
prominence after releasing "Holla at Your Boy", the
lead single from his debut studio album Superstar
(2011). "Tease Me/Bad Guys", "Don't Dull", "Love
My Baby", "Pakurumo" and "Oluwa Lo Ni" were also
released as singles from the Superstar album. In
February 2014, Wizkid became the first Nigerian
musician to have over one million followers on
Twitter. Ayo, his self-titled second studio album,
was released in September 2014. It was supported
by six singles: "Jaiye Jaiye", "On Top Your Matter",
"One Question", "Joy", "Bombay" and "Show You
the Money". Wizkid left E.M.E after his contract
expired.

In 2016, Wizkid achieved international recognition
following his collaboration with Drake on the global
hit, "One Dance", which reached number one in 15
countries, including the United States, the United
Kingdom, Canada and Australia. He signed a multi-
album deal with RCA Records in March 2017. His
third studio album Sounds from the Other Side was
released on 14 July 2017. It serves as his major label
debut and was primarily a Caribbean-influenced
record. SFTOS was supported by five singles:
"Daddy Yo", "Sweet Love", "Come Closer", "African
Bad Gyal" and "Naughty Ride".


Wizkid became the first Afrobeats artist to appear
in the 2018 Guinness World Records for his
contribution to "One Dance".


21

W izkid is the only Nigerian musician who made

the number one spot on the iTunes World
Chart.

On April 5, 2016, Wizkid became Nigeria's first artist to
emerge on Billboard's following his guest feature on
Drake's afrobeat-infused "One Dance" single, reached
number 21 and in May 12, 2016, the song reached
number-one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, a position it
kept for 10 non-consecutive weeks. The single went on to
become an international smash hit, topping the charts in
15 different countries, including the United Kingdom,
Canada, Australia, France and Germany.

Wizkid is also the first Nigerian (if not African), to bag an
international award from The American Society of
Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). The award
was given to Wizkid in recognition of his role in the writing
of Drake's chart-topping hit single "One Dance".


Wizkid is the first Afro-pop artiste to appear in the
Guinness Book of World Records. This is as a result of his
contribution to Drake's smash hit, 'One Dance', which
topped several charts worldwide. Although the song is
technically Drake's single, Wizkid has songwriting credits
for the One Dance which has the Guinness World Record
as the most played song on Spotify with over 1 billion
streams.

Wizkid has gotten quite a number of local and
International recognition records and considerec as
womb opener in African music industry that gave Genius
Magazine Africa the background to accord to him the
African Music legendary of the highest Award recognition
and winning artiste up to date.





“ Wizkid had received a total of 43 awards from 157

nominations which came from his native Nigeria, Africa
and the rest of the World. Wizkid's hit collaboration 'One
Dance' with Drake and Kyla last year earned him three
Billboard awards.
Youngest African Artiste to get a Grammy nomination 22
”

A desua Etomi-Wellington, also known as Films &

Stars
Stars
Adesua Etomi (born 22 February 1987), is
a Nigerian actress. In 2014, she starred in
her first feature film Knocking On Heaven's Stars
Door. She won the Best Actress in a Drama
award at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice
Awards for her role in the 2015 romantic drama
film Falling.

Tolulope Adesua Etomi was born in Owerri, Imo
State, on 22 February. Several major sources
cite her birth year as 1987. Her father is a soldier
of Esan descent and her mother is an engineer
of Yoruba descent. She is the youngest of three
siblings. Etomi attended Corona School in
Victoria Island, Lagos, where she joined the
drama club at the age of seven. Thereafter, she
attended Queen's College, Lagos before moving
to the United Kingdom at the age of 13. Etomi
later obtained a diploma in "physical theatre,
musical theatre and performing arts" from City
College Coventry in 2004. After completing
these courses in 2006 with triple distinctions,
she studied drama and performance at the
University of Wolverhampton, graduating with
first-class honours.

Etomi's film credits include The Arbitration, The
Wedding Party, and Falling. Her performance in
Falling earned her the 2016 Africa Magic
Viewers Choice Award for Best Actress in a
Drama. Other notable films she has appeared in
include A Soldier's Story (2015), Out of Luck
(2015), and Couple of Days (2016). Etomi played
Shiela in the fourth and fifth seasons of Shuga, a
television soap opera about HIV/AIDS
ADESUA
prevention. Etomi began starring as Amaka ADESUA
Obiora, an undercover police officer, in Yemisi ADESUA
Wada's crime series LasGidi Cops, which
debuted in June 2016 on television. She was ETOMI-WELLINGTON
also featured on Vogue's list of 14 global
superstars.
Since 2009, She has starred in over 19 films,
added to her portfolio of over 4 awards and 18
nominations in the local and international level.
Now in 2020, Genius magazine has accord to
her as one of the Top African Films and Stars
publication. 23

Films &
Stars
Stars
Stars











S ophie SOPHIE
SOPHIE
SOPHIE
Rammal is a
Nigerian
actress and RAMMAL
model from Efik
(Nigerian) and
Lebanese origin. Her
parents are Efik in
Cross River State,
Nigeria, and Lebanese.
She was born and grew up
in Lagos and had a lively
childhood.
Sophie Alakija has featured in
several Nollywood movies and
starred alongside Nollywood top
actors and actresses. Sophie
Rammal was born into an Islamic
family on February 7th. Her specific
birth year is not disclosed.
Sophie Rammal is a popular model
and also a renowned actress in the
Nollywood movie industry. She has
always wanted to be an actress right
from her childhood. She has
displayed talent and professionalism
in the movies she has featured
which include, "Drawing Strands",
"Getting over him", and "Small
Chops". She also featured in a
popular television series
"Assistant madams". In "Getting
over him" Sophie featured
alongside the likes of Desmond
Elliot, Majid Michel, Deyemi
Okanlawon, Olive Emodi, and
Matilda Obaseki.level.
24

The BullHorn
The BullHorn
The BullHorn

of S ahle-Work Zewde



was Born: 21
AFRICA
AFRICA
AFRICA an Ethiopian politician
February 1950, is
who is the current
President of Ethiopia and
the first woman to hold
the office. A career
diplomat, she was elected
president unanimously by
members of the Federal
Parliamentary Assembly
on 25 October 2018.


Sahle-Work was only the
second woman to be
appointed an ambassador
in Ethiopia's history
The BULL is usually (Ambassador Yodit Emiru was
related, in its solar the first woman to hold an
sense, to the ambassadorship).
masculine, strength,
the SUN, and A veteran in the Ethiopian foreign
KINGLY power. service, Sahle-Work served as
Horns are seen Ambassador to Senegal, with
as the sun-bow, accreditation to Mali, Cape Verde, Guinea-
shooting its ray-
Bissau, Gambia and Guinea, from 1989 to
arrows. Is a God 1993. From 1993 to 2002, she was
to a great many Ambassador to Djibouti and Permanent
ancient cultures.
Representative to the Intergovernmental
Authority on Development (IGAD). She later
served as Ambassador to France, Permanent
SAHLE-WORK
SAHLE-WORK
SAHLE-WORK Representative to the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural
ZEWDE
ZEWDE
ZEWDE Organization (UNESCO) and was
accredited to Tunisia and
Morocco from 2002 to
2006.
25

ewde attended university in France. After
graduating, she served as Ethiopia's Although her role is largely ceremonial (with
Zambassador to France, Djibouti, Senegal and most executive power lying with the Prime
the Intergovernmental Authority on Minister), Sahle-Work's election made her
Development (IGAD), a regional trade bloc in East Ethiopia's first female head of state since
Africa. Empress Zewditu. As of 2019, she is Africa's
only serving female head of state.
Sahle-Work subsequently held other high level
positions including Permanent Representative of On 25 March 2020, Sahle-Work announced
Ethiopia to the African Union and the United on Twitter that she has pardoned more than
Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) 4,000 prisoners in a move to curb the spread
and Director-General for African Affairs in the of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia. She
also pardoned more than 1,500 prisoners on
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia.
2 April 2020.

The election of Sahle-Work Zewde as
Until 2011, Sahle-Work served as Special
Representative of United Nations Secretary- Ethiopia's first female president has been
enthusiastically greeted in Ethiopia and
General Ban Ki-moon and Head of the United
Nations Integrated Peace-building Office in the beyond, raising hopes among advocates for
Central African Republic (BINUCA). gender equality in the conservative country.
in the march Issue edition of Forbes
In 2011, Ban appointed Sahle-Work as Director- Magazine Africa, Zewde, was listed as one of
General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi
(UNON). Under Sahle-Work, the Nairobi office Africa’s ‘50 Most Powerful Women in
became a more important UN hub for East and AFRICA.
Central Africa, according to the 2012 Africa
Yearbook. Now, 2020, Genius magazine Africa has
described her as the Bull horn of Africa, a
woman with exceptional influence, power
In June 2018, Secretary-General António Guterres
appointed Sahle-Work as his Special and authority and strong passion for
Representative to the African Union and Head of building a better and greater future in
the United Nations Office to the African Union Africa.
She’s the icon of an African woman...
(UNOAU) at the level of Under-Secretary-General
of the United Nations. She was the first woman to
hold the post. We have tagged her “THE BULLHORN OF
AFRICAN CONTINENT”


Sahle-Work was appointed as President of
Ethiopia on 25 October 2018, the first woman to
serve in the role and the fourth president since
the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary
Democratic Front (EPRDF) coalition was elected in
the newly-established Federal Democratic
Republic of Ethiopia in 1995. She replaced Mulatu
Teshome, who resigned in unclear circumstances,
and Sahle-Work is expected to serve two six-year
terms.
26

LEARN INSIDE
LEARN INSIDE
All quotes contained LEARN INSIDE
here is strictly GENIUS MAGAZINE, AFRICA
accredited to the writer
and shall by no means WITH
be copyrighted without
PHIL BLAIZE
PHIL BLAIZE
due permission or PHIL BLAIZE
accreditation to the
original author







So much ignorance have beclouds humanity
because we have been hardwired to accept
certain knowledge without questioning.


Pay more attention to criticism than appraisal
because it makes you get better at what you
do.


What gives life a meaning is knowing that
your days are numbered.


We never destroy our demons, we are The world today is plagued with undefined
enlightened to live above them.
ignorance because our brains have all
been hardwired and drown with altered
The greatest meaning to life is your history and half truths to accept certain
relevance to humanity, everything else are knowledge without questioning.
just side attractions in the game of life.

The most dangerous person in the room is
Whatever CHANGE you desire to see in the the one who talk less but do more of
world must begin from within you because if listening, thinking and observing
you have not convince yourself, expect to everything.
convince no one.

Its matters who mock or criticize you
Science and Religion, none of these can because not every dog that barks should
exist without the other because both command your attention if you desire to
designed and sustains this life.
lead the world.

The greatest fear of humanity is CHANGE The most frustrating part of life is striving to
but we neglect the fact that it’s part of the live your life impressing everyone.
energy that keeps nature in balance.
27

CRIP
CRIP
CRIP




CHILD’S RIGHTS INITIATIVE

PROGRAMME
AFRICA
AFRICA
AFRICA


What we do is simply bringing the right
education to parents on Child's Rights to
right choices that will make the world a
better place.


Encouraging Parents to Inculcate the
unbiased way of reasoning into children
for the greater good of humanity.



OUR CAUSE FOCUS ON




* CRIP-AFRICA TV Talk Show Programme.
* Teen's Award Programme (TAP).
* Scholarship Scheme Opportunity.




Support Our Cause by

DONATION






TARGET FUND-RAISING: $2,000,000




Contact:
[email protected]
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