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Folorunsho Alakija was born on July 15, 1951, in Ikorodu, Lagos State, to Chief L.A. Ogbara’s family, which includes 51 siblings. At the age of seven, she began her educational journey in the United Kingdom, attending Dinorben School for Girls in Harfodunos Hall, Llangernyw, Wales. Following her primary education, she returned to Nigeria and enrolled at Muslim High School in Sagamu, Ogun State. Alakija later pursued secretarial studies at Pitman’s Central College in London, furthering her education abroad. Folorunsho Alakija embarked on her professional career in 1974 at Sijuade Enterprises in Lagos, rapidly ascending to the position of executive secretary. This formative experience afforded her invaluable insight into the business world’s complexities, laying the groundwork for her subsequent entrepreneurial pursuits. Her trajectory of success continued as she later joined the former First Bank of Nigeria, now First Bank of Nigeria Limited, where she held various roles, including the position of Deputy Manager. Alakija’s professional journey has been marked by her dedication, resilience, and vision, setting the stage for her future accomplishments.Her career at the First National Bank of Chicago (later FinBank, now First City Monument Bank) included roles as Executive Secretary to the Managing Director and Head of Corporate Affairs at the International Merchant Bank of Nigeria. Her entrepreneurial journey began with the establishment of Supreme Stitches, a tailoring company. Over 12 years in the banking sector, she honed her business acumen, paving the way for her successful entry into entrepreneurship. Supreme Stitches eventually evolved into The Rose of Sharon House of Fashion in 1996, marking her foray into the fashion industry and showcasing her adaptability and innovation.The Rose of Sharon House of Fashion specialized in producing customized designs on pre-made garments, including shirts, towels, bedsheets, uniforms, and tablecloths. As President and Trustee of the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN), she not only thrived in business but also played a significant role in promoting and endorsing Nigerian culture on a national platform. : In May 1993, Folorunsho Alakija took a bold step into the oil and gas industry by applying for an oil prospecting license (OPL). Her company, Famfa Limited, secured the license, leading to a joint venture with Star Deep Water Petroleum Limited.This venture marked her entry into a sector that would significantly enhance her wealth. Famfa Oil Limited, initially known as OPL 216, became her most lucrative enterprise. In September 1996, she formed a joint venture with Star Deep Water Petroleum Limited, appointing them as the technical adviser for the exploration of her license. She transferred 40% of her stake to Star Deep, which later sold 8% of those shares to Petrobras, a Brazilian company. Folorunsho Alakija, a woman with a remarkable history of achievements, became the Chancellor of Osun State University on March 9, 2016, making her the first female chancellor in Nigeria’s history. Recognized as the richest woman in Nigeria, she is also currently the second richest woman in Africa. Forbes acknowledged her as the 96th most powerful woman in the world in 2014, the second most powerful woman in Africa in 2015, and the 87th most powerful woman globally in the same year.: Folorunsho Alakija is married to Modupe Alakija, a lawyer, and their union has lasted for about 30 years. This enduring partnership, praised by many, has brought them four sons and several grandchildren.

Meet Taaooma, Apaokagi Adedoyin Maryam the vibrant Nigerian star born on 28 February 1999 to Mr. and Mrs. Aishat Apaokagi. As the youngest of five siblings, Taaooma’s life took an exciting turn when her parents relocated to Namibia. This move sparked a global perspective, as she thrived in her education, first at Amazing Kids Private School & Academy, and later at Concordia College in Windhoek, Namibia.Defying expectations, Taaooma’s academic journey took a surprising turn. She returned to Nigeria, where she pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Hospitality at Kwara State University, Ilorin. After graduating, she completed her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program, setting the stage for her future success. Taaooma’s comedic journey began in 2015, and since then, she’s been on a steady rise to stardom. With a consistent stream of hilarious skits, she’s built a formidable online presence. But it was her 2019 skit, “When Your Mum Drives You to School,” that catapulted her to viral fame, sending her popularity soaring and her online following multiplying.Suddenly, industry heavyweights like Falz and Mc Macaroni were fans, eagerly sharing, commenting, and endorsing her content. Today, Taaooma boasts an impressive social media empire, with over 1 million Instagram followers, 1.5 million Facebook fans, and a whopping 350,000 YouTube subscribers. As a result, she’s become a sought-after influencer, leveraging her massive online clout to promote top brands and inspire countless fans. Taaooma is a master of disguise, effortlessly playing multiple roles in her hilarious skits. She seamlessly transforms into four distinct characters: Taaoo (herself), Iya Taaoo (her lovable but fiery mother), Baba Taaoo (her witty father), and Tayo (her mischievous brother). But the pièce de résistance is Iya Taaoo’s infamous thunderous slap – a comedic highlight that never fails to leave audiences in stitches. Taaooma’s impressive career is punctuated by a slew of prestigious awards and nominations! In 2019, she took home the coveted Gage Award for Best Online Comedian of the Year and was honored as a Social Entrepreneur at the Nigeria 25 under 25 awards. The following year, she received nominations at the esteemed MAYA Awards Africa as Skit Maker of the Year and at The Future Awards Africa for Content Creation (Vloggers and YouTubers). These accolades solidify her position as a trailblazing force in the entertainment industry! she announces her engagement to Abula! The couple’s love story took a romantic turn when Abula popped the question in February 2020, in the picturesque landscapes of Namibia

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was born in 1977 into an Igbo family to Grace Ifeoma and James Nwoye Adichie, both esteemed academics. Her father, a professor of statistics, later became the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, while her mother worked as a registrar. Adichie spent her childhood in Nsukka, in the same house previously occupied by the renowned Nigerian author Chinua Achebe, whom she greatly admired.Adichie’s academic prowess shone from an early age, earning her numerous awards at the university school. She went on to pursue higher education at the University of Nigeria, initially studying medicine and pharmacy. Her intellectual talent and passion for learning laid the foundation for her future success as a celebrated author. : During her time at the University of Nigeria, Adichie honed her writing skills as editor of The Compass magazine, a student-run publication. In 1996, she secured a scholarship to study Communication at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and relocated to the United States at just 19 years old.Adichie spent two years at Drexel before transferring to Eastern Connecticut State University, where she studied Political Science and contributed to the university magazine, Campus Lantern. During this period, she lived with her sister Ijeoma, who was completing her medical residency nearby. Adichie graduated summa cum laude from Eastern University in 2001 and went on to earn her master’s degree in Creative Writing from Johns Hopkins University, further refining her writing talents. While pursuing her studies at Eastern University, Adichie began writing her debut novel, Purple Hibiscus (originally titled The Purple Flower). Published in October 2003, the book tells the poignant story of Kambili, a 15-year-old girl struggling to cope with her father’s abuse and the subsequent family dynamics. Through her protagonist’s journey, Adichie masterfully explores the complexities of domestic violence and the power of love and respectAdichie’s writing career continued to flourish during her tenure as a Hodder Fellow at Princeton University. It was during this period that she penned her second novel, “Half of a Yellow Sun,” published in 2006. Set against the backdrop of the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), also known as the Biafra War, the book follows the lives of three young individuals as they navigate the challenges of war and defend their beliefs. Through their stories, Adichie masterfully explores themes of political instability, religious fanaticism, and the human experience. In 2008, Adichie earned her master’s degree in African Studies from Yale University. Shortly thereafter, she published “The Thing around Your Neck,” a collection of short stories that delve into the lives of Nigerians living in the United States. This compilation offers a poignant exploration of the immigrant experience, identity, and the complexities of cultural heritage.She received a scholarship to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University (2011-2012). During this time, she wrote her third novel, Americanah (2013), exploring themes of identity, racism, and cultural heritage. She also delivered the “We Should All Be Feminists” TEDx Talk (2012), later published as a book (2014), emphasizing the importance of feminism and challenging dominant narratives. In her TED lecture “The Danger of a Single Story” (2014), Adichie advocated for diverse perspectives and stories to break down stereotypes and promote a more inclusive understanding of the world. Her book Dear Ijeawele (2017) offers guidance on raising feminist children, promoting gender equality and respect. Through her work, Adichie continues to champion inclusivity, diversity, and social justice. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Awards and Honors: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie lives with her Nigerian-American husband and their child in the Baltimore suburbs, balancing family life with her writing career.