USAfricaonline.com,
first African-owned U.S.-based professional newspaper to be published
on the internet, is listed among the world's hot sites by the
international newspaper, USAToday.
USAfrica has been cited by the New York Times as America's largest
African-owned multimedia company. 8303 SW Freeway, Suite 100,
Houston, Texas 77074. Phone:
713-270-5500. Cell direct: 832-45-CHIDO (24436)
CHIDO NWANGWU, recipient of the Journalism Excellence Award (1997), is the Founder and Publisher of the influential and respected USAfrica, USAfricaonline.com (first African-owned U.S.-based professional newspaper to be published on the Internet), the Chinua Achebe project www.Achebebooks.com, the ultra-glossy CLASS magazine, the exciting photos and events mega-site with the largest collection of contemporary images/events of continental Africans in America PhotoWorks.TV, The Black Business Journal , BBJonline.com, several blogs, and USAfrica The Newspaper which voted the Number One community newspaper in Houston (the 4th largest city in the U.S.) in the annual ranking by the readers and editors of the Houston Press in 2001.
The
flagship of American media, The New York Times of September
23, 2003, noted that USAfrica is America's largest African-owned
multimedia company. The New York Times' reporter Simon Romero
wrote that Chido "Nwangwu recently created a magazine called Class
for affluent Africans in the United States." To be sure, it's not
only for the affluent but the willing and deserving. CLASS is the
Africans-in-America's own Ebony and People and GQ - all rolled into
one unique product: an ultra-glossy magazine of African style, music,
living, fashion and our younger generation interests. He calls the
latter group 'generation Class.' CLASS is the magazine for
successful, pioneering, style-pacesseting and exemplary Africans in
America.
He appears as an analyst on the CNN, the Voice of America/WorldNet and the Black Entertainment Televsion (BET), as well a number of local U.S. tv and radio stations. Also, he was the only continental African publisher/reporter who traveled with and covered U.S. President Bill Clinton's historic visit to parts of Africa, March-April 2, 1998; and covered Clinton's visit to Nigeria in late August, 2000. He was the only Africa/African-American Publisher who reported from inside the joint seating of the U.S Congress during Liberia's president Dr. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf''s historic speech in March 2006.
Chido served on Houston Mayor Lee Brown's international business advisory board (Africa) and has been honored by the Washington-D.C.based National Immigration Forum for utilizing the media to fight authoritarianism and fostering freedom of expression in parts of African continent. He has served on the board of the Houston chapter of the NAACP, and was the first continental African to be admitted to the 100 Black Men of America, here in the U.S.
In 2005, he established one of the most vibrant Africa community e-groups/blogs/community calendars for sharing info/announcements of upcoming and special events, insight to significant dates, festivals, events, resolutions/communique and historic milestones involving (or relevant to) persons, organizations and groups of Nigerian descent Nigeria360, the blog for the Igbo pan-African heritage, called IgboEvents; an Anglican community blog, AnglicanAfrican, and more. They are all powered by the resources of USAfrica and USAfricaonline.com.
Nwangwu speaks at colleges and businesses on technology issues, especially how the unfolding the digital world and the Internet affect Africans, African-Americans and recent immigrants. He served as a panelist at the 2000 British Broadcasting Corporation/Public Radio International global technology forum in San Francisco, California.
He served on the editorial board of the Daily Times of Nigeria in the 1989 into early 1990s, 1988-1989 assistant editor of the Platform magazine, African and The World journal. He began his professional career as a very young man in the news, sports and programs production/camera/editing departments of the Nigerian Television Authority. Currently, he's working on a USAfrica television project. He continues to contribute to The Mail and Guardian of South Africa, Houston Chronicle, and numerous U.S.-based and Africa issues publications.
In recognition of his engaging and pioneering digital design work on USAfricaonline.com and other web sites, Chido was voted the #1 African-American web designer in 1997 by the Houston Association of Black Journalists. He has since conceptualized, designed and maintained through his company, USAfrica Digital Media, a number of web sites, including private corporations and such governmental sites as the Abia State of Nigeria first web site in 2001.
He is a director of the oil and gas consulting company, PetroGasWorks. He has consulted for the NNPC and a number of oil and gas corporations and a consulting participant at the annual Offshore Technology Conference, OTC, the world's largest event for the industry.
Nwangwu is author of the special report, Clinton's Africa, and is writing a book on the experiences of recent African immigrants in the U.S.
He has been profiled in the Houston Chronicle (8th highest
circulated newspaper in the U.S.), the Orlando Sentinel, Mail and
Guardian of South Africa, and a number of other publications. Some of
Chido Nwangwu's works, bio-data and context of his writings were
recently profiled in February, 2001 in a report in the Houston
Press by prolific essayist and reporter John
Suval.
He is the convener of the annual inter-denominational USAfrica Prayer
Breakfast, which holds at 9am prompt on the last Saturday of every
January, of every year, since 1999. He serves on the board of several
community building and international organizations including EVA
(Education as Vaccine against AIDS-based in Nigeria and the U.S). He
is an active new technologies analyst, television and multimedia
executive, cross-cultural business consultant and an artist.
|
LIVE EVENT: What
I saw as one of the 20,000 at the Obama 'Yes, We Can'
movement live in Houston.
By Chido Nwangwu
"Houston, I think we've achieved liftoff
here...." Before an enthusiastic 20,000 plus audience
(inside and around) the Toyota Center in Houston on Tuesday
Feb 19, 2008, Senator Barack Obama told Houstonians that his
break-away win When the impact and dynamics of the Obama movement is explained in textual formats or even on television, it brings only a part of the totality of its socio-political breadth and purpose-driven, evangelistic frenzy. Significantly, more than we have ever seen him before, he laid out more detailed, policy specific offerings to woo voters. Especially, he spoke about changing what he considers the prevailing "disease care" to real "healthcare" while challenging the youths of America to service. The Houston event is especially valuable too, for the fact that there was not teleprompter; minor recourse to his written notes and a direct policy points on such issues covering energy, education, AIDS, jobs in America, NAFTA, AIDS, use of America's armed forces, veterans care, war on terrorism, Iraq and others . Remarkably, I saw several 4 year-olds with their parents,
enthusiastic college students and young professionals,
hundreds of seniors over 60 years old chanting and throwing
their fists into the air in a revivalist fervor and finality
of resolve "Yes, We Can", and affirming their shared hopes
that the young, impressive candidate Obama will make a
difference in their lives, should he become President of the
United States. But he cautioned them that "The change we
seek is still months and miles away." So true, because a day
is a long time in political contention and
struggles. By Chido Nwangwu, USAfricaonline.com at the Feb
19, 2008 rally in Houston. For FULL report CLICK
here.
The 'Who Is Obama?' slanderous, malicious screed; a brief response Private initiative, free market forces, and more democratization are Keys to prosperity in Africa. By Chido Nwangwu THE BEST Why Chinua Achebe, the Eagle on the Iroko, is Africa's writer of the century. By Chido Nwangwu 
08-08-08 USAfrica
celebrates 15th Anniversary of Excellence, USAfrica
and USAfricaonline.com (characterized by The New York Times
as the largest and most influential African-owned, U.S-based
multimedia networks) will celebrate its 15 years of
community leadership, professional journalism excellence and
public insights during summer weekend of August 8 and 9,
2008, in Houston. The acclaimed 2007 'BEST OF AFRICA'
International Awards annual dinner in honor of African
professionals will hold. The events are being organized by
CLASS magazine, PhotoWorks.TV, Black Business Journal,
BBJonline.com, USAfrica and USAfricaonline.com. GET your
Tickets, now, for the invitation only event. E-mail:
USAfrica15@Gmail.com
and Class@Classmagazine.tv
Office: 713-270-5500. wireless: 832-45-CHIDO (24436)
USAfricaLOGISTICS: United Bank for Africa (UBA), one of Africa's largest banks, was hosted to a business dinner and mortgage information event in Houston, Texas, on March 28, 2007 at the Hilton Southwest, Hotel. E-mail for further info: ubausafrica@gmail.com. Office: 713-270-5500. Houston event/business roadshow was coordinated by USAfrica LOGISTICS, international special events management, corporate business facilitation and proprietary data-mining arm of USAfrica, serving African and American businesses/organizations. Chido Nwangwu is CEO, USAfrica. Wireless phone: 832-45-CHIDO (24436). DEMOCRACY WATCH: What Bush  Should
Tell Obasanjo....
By Chido Nwangwu (Founder and Publisher of
USAfricaonline.com): Today, March 29, 2006, at the White
House, where Bush also met a few days earlier with Liberia's
Sirleaf, new face of Africa; he welcomed Nigeria's President
retired General Olusegun Obasanjo, an old face of Africa, to
thank him for regional support of the U.S.,discuss
"strengthening democratic institutions, and the need to
bring Charles Taylor to justice." (Both presidents are seen
in this 2004 USAfrica news archive picture). The visit comes
against the current back ground
of the outrageous nonsense parroted by hangers-on and
political idol worshippers, the philistines of Nigeria's
politics who have since become the domestic and
international canvassers of the indecent baloney that:
Nigeria's constitution must be amended for one man, retired
General Olusegun Obasanjo, to govern for a 3rd 4-year term
(12 years!). This they, shamelessly, claim is for
Nigeria's survival. Worse, they add that without Obasanjo,
there will be no progress, criminality of the political
economy will abound and the polity will collapse. Good
heavens! The
sheer hubris that Nigeria can only move forward only by the
"divine" and eternal governance of a 74-year former dictator
Obasanjo is simply stupefying and immoral, to say the very
least. Hence, the enabled executors and
conductors of this folly on behalf of Obasanjo only remind
me of the infamous words of the 17th century French
monarch, Louis X1V (1638-1715) who reportedly said
"L'État, c'est moi" meaning "I am the
State." If only Obasanjo could drive us back to the 17th
century; only there was no Nigeria, at the time.
In comparison, while Liberia's Madam President Sirleaf represents the manifestation of the triumph of popular constitutional methods and emerging institutional democratic values in Africa, retired General Obasanjo's imperious, know-it-all, emerging project for a sit-tight presidency in Nigeria remind us all of the 1970s old Africa where constitution-tweaking soldiers (his colleagues) and power drunks funnily believed their country's sun rose and shone at their hideous and idiosyncratic say-so. We won't go back there; no; not now that we have the great Nelson Mandela as our icon, historical benchmark and reference point. Obasanjo makes it difficult for Obasanjo to be a statesman; no doubt, he's a regional leader. As a specialist on US. and Africa public policy and cultural issues, here are things I'll suggest President Bush tell President Obasanjo, in a short, sweet but realistic summary: Full commentary here PAN-AFRICAN GIANT: Zik of Africa: Statesman, Intellectual and Titan of  African
politics.
November 16, 2005 in what
could have been his 101st birthday, may I make this
toast to our father, the great and unmatched one. Here,
to:The Zik of Africa, master of crafty political game-plans, member of a thousand learned associations, eminent alumnus of Howard, Michigan State, Pennsylvania, and Lincoln Universities, founder of University of Nigeria, Nsukka (my alma mater), father of generations, inimitable wordsmith of euphonious diction and oratorical elegance, poet and politician, statesman and living legend, I thank for illuminating my mind, our collective mind. Even after 101 years, your lineage and works endure. On this your 101st birth date, I rise, again, to propose a toast that in another 101 years to come, that the son of my now 46 months old son Chido Nwangwu II, by His grace, Chido Nwangwu III, will also rise to toast to honor you, Zik of Africa, for the plenitude of roles and assorted inspirations you brought to all of us. They will rise to toast to Zik of Africa, as the man who saw tomorrow. Nna anyi Owelle, nwa Eze Chima, ndeewo!!! By Chido Nwangwu AchebeBooks.com: On the books, life and work of our Literary ...Achebe, the eagle on the iroko, our pathfinder, social conscience of millions...  USAfricaonline
LITERATURE: Achebe
on oral tradition, juxtapositioning of language
and linguistic
colonialism.
World-famous Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe has
said that Africans should not be overly concerned if the
long-established tradition of oral storytelling dies out.
Achebe, once described by Nelson Mandela as "the writer in
whose presence prison walls fell down," told the BBC that he
agreed that the art was dying out - but insisted it could be
revived "if we decide that the oral story is absolutely
necessary." "Oral storytelling was important when I was
writing - it may not be important when the next generation
is writing," he said. Achebe, who is very critical of
colonialism and its aftermath in Africa, explained that he
himself writes in English because he is a victim of
linguistic colonialism.
But he added that he felt it was important not to "lose sight of the need for our mother tongue." "I hope I have shown it is possible to show respect to English and Igbo together. Chinua Achebe added that "The situation may well develop in the future, in which the different languages of Africa will begin to reassert themselves," he added. "I have made provision for that myself, by writing certain kinds of material in Igbo. For instance, I will insist my poetry is translated back into Igbo while I'm still around." Literary giant Chinua Achebe returns "home" from U.S., to love and adulation of community As Chinua Achebe turned 70, Africa's preeeminent statesman Nelson Mandela, Toni Morrison, Wole Soyinka, Ali Mazrui, Leon Botstein (president of Bard College), Ojo Maduekwe, Emmanuel Obiechina, Ngugi wa Thinong'o, Micere Mugo, Michael Thelwell, Niyi Osundare, and an army of some of the world's leading writers and arts scholars joined to pay tribute to him at Bard College in New York. (Achebe is in pix with Morrison). The Nobel committee, again, chose a relatively less known (globally-speaking) Chinese novelist, Gao Xingjian, rather than Achebe for the Literature prize. Achebe was seen as a top favorite for the 2000 award. What the Swedish Nobel committee will not give, Achebe has, for well over 30 years, won in the hearts of millions in 53 languages. By Chido Nwangwu A Lott of Racism? Ignore all the right-wing blowhards' spin and funny talk about "what he meant to say" apologia, factually note what Republican majority leader Trent Lott refers to as "all these problems" are voting rights for Blacks and other minorities, equal access to public facilities, equality under the law, anti-racism and anti-segregation achievements and all the civilizational benchmarks of any reasonable, humane society. You know, somehow, those "problems" are headaches of the supremacists....Lest I forget, it was Mark Twain who, never met or hoped for a Trent Lott and members of the U.S Congress of the Lott variety wrote with profound insight: "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of congress; but I repeat myself." Hey, should I repeat myself; nah! Unless the Lotts of racism continue to ruin the promise of America; if they act and think that persons like me are children of a lesser God; if they continue to spit at the glory and blessings of a fruited plain known as God's own country. God bless America! By Chido Nwangwu
Nigeria,
a terrible beauty. By
Chido Nwangwu Africa
suffers the scourge of the virus.
This life and pain of Kgomotso Mahlangu, a
five-month-old AIDS patient (above) in a hospital in the
Kalafong township near Pretoria, South Africa, on October
26, 1999, brings a certain, frightening reality to the
sweeping and devastating destruction of human beings who
form the core of any definition of a country's future, its
national security, actual and potential economic development
and internal markets.
22 million Africans HIV-infected, ill with AIDS while African leaders ignore disaster-in-waiting Johnnie Cochran will soon learn that defending Abacha's loot is not as simple as his O.J Simpson's case. By Chido Nwangwu Should Africa debates begin and end at The New York Times and The Washington Post? No Nelson Mandela, Tribute to the world's political superstar and Lion of Africa In a special report a few hours after the history-making nomination, USAfricaonline.com Founder and Publisher Chido Nwangwu places Powell within the trajectory of history and into his unfolding clout and relevance in an essay titled 'Why Colin Powell brings gravitas, credibility and star power to Bush presidency.' AFRICA
AND THE U.S. ELECTIONSBeyond U.S. electoral shenanigans, rewards and dynamics of a democratic republic hold lessons for African politics. CONTINENTAL
AGENDABush's position on Africa is "ill-advised." The position stated by Republican presidential aspirant and Governor of Texas, George Bush where  he
said that "Africa will not be an area of priority" in his
presidency has been questioned by
USAfricaonline.com Publisher Chido
Nwangwu. He added that Bush's "pre-election position was
neither validated by the economic exchanges nor
geo-strategic interests of our two continents."
These views were
stated during an interview CNN's anchor Bernard Shaw and
senior analyst Jeff Greenfield had with Mr. Nwangwu on
Saturday November 18, 2000 during a special edition of
'Inside Politics 2000.' ELECTIONSFlawed elections, violence overshadow Mwanawasa's rise to presidency. The Economics of Elections in Nigeria Bushs-Guiliani
meddling in Houston
mayoral elections was needless
BUSINESS PROFILE Victor Ehiemua and The Pharmacy: 20 years of excellence. POLITICS Aspirant Charles Maduka brought his campaign, fundraiser for Nigeria's House of Representative seat to Houston and Richmond, on Friday April 19. Plus, his USAfricaonline.com interview. YOUTH Kelechi Nwankwo's quests on the path of academic excellence cause for joy At 39, Nigerians still face dishonest stereotypes such as Buckley's, and other self-inflicted wounds. 'Why is Bill Maher spreading racist nonsense about HIV/AIDS and Africa on ABC tv? National Summit on Africa, Congresswoman Jackson-Lee hold policy forum in Houston '100 Black Men are solutions-oriented' says Thomas Dortch, Jr., Richard Johnson and Nick Clayton II as they share perspectives with USAfrica's founder on the national organization. ARTSThe Life and Irreverent times of Afrobeat superstar, FELA  SOUTH
AFRICAWhy the revisionist forces of racist oppression in South Africa should not be allowed to intimidate Ron and Charlayne Gault.
EDUCATION Houston Coca-Cola's $10,000 in scholarships to Houston students expands educational opportunities. Wong is wrong on Blacks in Houston city jobs BUSINESSDr. Anaebonam's strategic vision for BREEJ is a model for business excellence and empowerment. BULLET
Versus BALLOTThe bloody stain of military coup, on Friday December 24, 1999, sullied the once unique history of democratic rule in the beautiful and historically democratic, French-speaking west African country of Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) by General Robert Guei. USAfricaonline report and commentary. Nigeria, Cry My Beloved Country |
APPRECIATION In my view, there's a compelling political trinity to Nelson Mandela: the man, the messiah and the mystique. Hence, it was during his 80th birthday on July 18, 1998 that I argued in various media outlets in Southern Africa and in the Voice of America and WorldNet television tribute to Mandela that those who expected him to turn their lives around by the break of dawn are awakening to a certain realization that the Messiah Mandela does not make milk through incantations! Yet, we must accept the fact that those who feel that President Mandela's government has failed to fulfil their yearnings and lofty expectations constitute a sizeable but smaller slice of millions of Black and Colored South Africans. I recall taking time out from the 100 year-old hotel in which we were lodged in Cape Town late March, 1998, (during our visit with U.S President Bill Clinton to parts of Africa) to go into the less-privileged, run-down quarters of the city to talk with a number of suffering Blacks. I also shared some time with some homeless teenagers ( five of them, aged between 8 and 19) and a few weary adults (in their 40s and 60s). I sought to know their assessment of President Mandela. Their refrain: Mandela needs to do more! They feel he is forgetting "us." They all said in many ways: "We thought his presidency was going to completely and quickly improve our lives. We're left out. We're not happy...." For FULL insight, click here COUNTERPOINT Tiger Woods is no Nelson Mandela! By Chido Nwangwu  Why
America should halt the
genocide in the Sudan. By Chido Nwangwu,
Founder and Publisher of USAfricaonline.com.
 SPECIAL
REPORT: Liberia's
president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf calls for "partnership"
rather than "patronage" relationship with U.S.
Charles Taylor's son arrested in Miami, Florida. Charles McArthur Emmanuel, son of former Liberian President Charles Taylor, has been arrested in Miami, days after his dad, the former warlord, was flown, handcuffed and surrounded by United Nations peacekeepers, to the special court for Sierra Leone on Wednesday, after nearly three years in exile, to face war crimes charges over his role in the country's 1991-2002 civil war. USAfricaonline.com will update this report as it develops. Related insight: Liberia's bloody mess and hopes of a battered nation. Liberia: Death by installment. By Chido Nwangwu, June 21, 1996. 50 Years of Achebe's THINGS FALL APART'': USAfrica honors Achebe by holding 2008 international symposium on 08-08-08 in Houston. The August 8 and 9, 2008 will include symposia and the special  USAfrica
harvest of Achebe's 1958 masterpiece and epic work, 'Things
Fall Apart.' The convener and chief host of the harvest of
the Achebe events is USAfrica's Founder, publisher of
AchebeBooks.com and mutlimedia executive Chido
Nwangwu. USAfrica (characterized by The New York Times
as the largest and most influential African-owned, U.S-based
multimedia networks) notes that "we'll portray both the
high-minded, intellectual cadences and the everyday person
and high-schoolers thoughts about the father of modern
African literature. Hence I set the thematic summary as the
USAfrica harvest of Achebe. Certianly, there will be
critical insights and reviews/performances in honor of the
great Achebe."
USAfrica is honoring Achebe as the main event of the 15th Anniversary of its pioneering multimedia leadership of the bi-continental interests of Africans and Americans. The acclaimed 2007 'BEST OF AFRICA' International Awards annual dinner in honor of African professionals will hold at the Marriot Hotel Westchase. The events require pre-event registration, USAfrica15@Gmail.com
deadline June 8, 2008. Registration is required, and
will include getting a copy of Prof. Chinua Achebe's 'Things
Fall Apart' - for all those who register before June 8,
2008. The events are being organized by USAfrica and
USAfricaonline.com, CLASS magazine, PhotoWorks.TV, Black
Business Journal, BBJonline.com and Achebebooks.com. E-mail:
USAfrica15@Gmail.com
Office: 713-270-5500. wireless: 832-45-CHIDO
(24436)
Osadebe (in picture, right) lived as one of Africa's longest and durable great talents. He played, sang and released melodious songs since 1956 until 2005. Osadebe who hailed from Umuekeke in Atani, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State was born in 1936. His family announced that he passed on Friday May 11, 2007 and burial is set for this week. Achebe, author of several landmark works told
Houston-based USAfrica and CLASSmagazine Publisher Chido
Nwangwu in an exclusive interview on Wednesday February 6,
2008 that "Osadebe was a priest who used words and
sounds. He lived like any of the greatest musicians
who are prominent in any culture; he lived as a great
musician who used music to reach people in order to improve
their lives and make them happy. He had message for people
to reflect upon. He
had deep message in his music as much as he provided
music for celebration and [to] be merry." DIPLOMACY
Walter
Carrington:
An African-American diplomat puts principles above self for
Nigeria 
On this day/week of the post-humous celebration of birthday, I believe that the existing global alliance of all humankind, representing the full tapestry of our ethnic/racial origins as Indians, Caucasians, Blacks, Jews, Asians, and a multitude of other backgrounds should, markedly, advance Dr. King's vision and efforts should do more by utilizing technological tools, networking personal discipline, boosting religious and communal re-orientation to fight all forms of discrimination and intolerance into the 21st century. Why? Martin Luther King's legacy, Jews and Black History Month DEMOCRACY DEBATE CNN International debate on Nigeria's democracy was livecast on February 19, 2002. It involved Nigeria's Information Minister Prof. Jerry Gana, Prof. Salih Booker and USAfricaonline.com Publisher Chido Nwangwu. Transcripts are available on the CNN International site. 
CNN International Interview Sept 17, 2002 with Nigeria's President Obasanjo and USAfricaonline.com Publisher Chido Nwangwu on Democracy and Security Issues The crises in Zimbabwe preceding and following its early March 2002 controversial presidential elections formed the theme of CNN International's livecast Q&A with Jim Clancy (hosted on March 19 by anchor Colleen McEdwards). USAfricaonline.com Publisher Chido Nwangwu contributed to the analyses of the decision by the Commonwealth which suspended Zimababwe for one year. On Q&A with Jim Clancy on March 14, 2002, Glenys Kinnock, senior member of the European parliament and Labour party spokesperson for development, Salih Booker, executive director of Washington DC-based Africa Action, Chido Nwangwu, founder and publisher of USAfricaonline.com and Mori Diane. executive vice president of AMEX International offered insight to the issues. A rush transcript appears on CNN's web site POLITICAL
MONEYNigeria's Presidential Election: Is it just for the Highest Bidder?  Coming
soon: Chimamanda
Ngozi Adichie author of the critically-acclaimed novel 'Half
of a Yellow Sun' speaks to USAfrica and CLASSmagazine on her
work, life....One of the world's most creative writers of this generation, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie author of the critically-acclaimed novel 'Half of a Yellow Sun' has been interviewed exclusively by CLASSmagazine and USAfricaonline.com Publisher Chido Nwangwu at the Harvard University. The award-winning novelist shares her thoughts on writing, inspiration, hopes, her 'permission' from the father of the modern African novel Chinua Achebe and the increasing presence and achievements of young African writers. The interview will also run in the
February 2008 special edition of the USAfrica-powered
CLASSmagazine.
 Steve
Jobs and Apple
represent the future of digital
living.
By Chido Nwangwu (written December 18, 2001)
Steve Jobs is truly the Technologist and Marketer of the new, digital age. The ultimate sales master. The choreographer of the most appealing and "loved" computers in the world. In some ways, he's almost intelligently magical in the articulation of his digital products. The man has truly converged art and digital technology. He's the antithesis of
the staid, beige Wintel-PC world. He's iMac-like; engaging,
daring, bold, colorful and full of techno-substance. In my
view, Steve Jobs' persuasive talents, consummate skills,
overall sense of business mission and the creative talents
at Apple are extending the frontiers of digital magic and
superior computing methods. With Apple, computing does not
really have the dry, cold formalism of a biege PC machine,
the impersonal architecture (translation: lacking in
personality) of the Windows-Intel machines and some of their
outdated methods of computing in a digital age. Are we Igbos or "Ibos"? The "Ibo" misspelling reflect, essentially, a post-colonial hangover of British and Euro-Caucusoid colonial miseducation, misrepresentations, incorrect spellings and (mis)pronounciation preference. It is/was just easier for the White man/woman to say 'Ibo' rather than 'Igbo.' We must remember the late psychiatrist, pan-African scholar and activist Franz Fanon's mytho-poetic and insightful words in his 1952 book, Black Skin White Masks, that "A man who has a language [consequently] possesses the world expressed and implied by that language." Should Igbos and other African nationalities, incrementally and foolishly give up the core of their communal and national identity on the discredited altars of Euro-Caucasoid racist supremacy and colonial predations? I have two modest answers: first is No; and second is No. By Chido Nwangwu Full Commentary appears here Nigerian stabbed to death in his bathroom in Houston. Bush-Kabila-Powell initiative on the Congo good signal for U.S-Africa relations. The world is facing the specter of an impending, but avoidable reality that one of Africa's largest countries could implode and dismember in a couple of months. If the Congo disintegrates, the entire central Africa region, its neighboring 8 countries and major parts of southern Africa region will face catastrophic human and geo-political complications. David Kilgour, Canada's secretary of state for Africa said recently that the Congo "is the center of gravity in Africa.... If things spin out of control here, who knows how many countries will be sucked into the whirlpool." To be sure, it will impact Uganda, the other Congo, Rwanda, Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe and in part, South Africa; since the Congo's 51 million long-embattled citizens made up of 20 significant ethnic groups will, more than likely, vote with their feet. By Chido Nwangwu EndGame in Kinshasa: U.S must boot Mobutu for own interest, future of Zaire and Africa. By Chido Nwangwu Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's burden mounts into 2000 with murder charges, trials CATHOLICISM on the BBC Amidst the challenges and crises facing the Catholic Church, especially, in the U.S.,Chido Nwangwu, Founder and Publisher of USAfrica The Newspaper, NigeriaCentral.com, The Black Business Journal and USAfricaonline.com, was on a BBC World Service panel on April 25 to discuss the issues facing the Catholic Church, including the topic of electing an African as Pope. He has written previously in April 1999 on Cardinal Arinze: "WILL ARINZE BE THE FIRST AFRICAN ELECTED POPE in recent history?" Pope John Paul, Abacha and Nigeria's Christians INTERVIEW "Why African Catholics are concerned about crises, sex abuse issues in our church" - a frank chat with ICCO's Mike Umeorah DEMOCRACY WATCH: Peter Obi takes charge as Governor of Anambra State of Nigeria; following court affirmation of his 2003 electoral victory. Businessman and financial expert Peter Obi, affirmed only a few days ago as governor-elect of Anambra State of Nigeria, has been sworn in March 17, 2006 at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, following the ruling by courts that he won the 2003 governorship elections. He belongs to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). His predecessor, Dr Chris Ngige, a constant target of the arrows of president Obasanjo and the local PDP in Anambra led by Chief Chris Uba (in pix, below), has congratulated Obi and called on the citizenry to support Obi. Obi's deputy is Mrs. Virginia Etiaba. It will be recalled that in October 2004, Professor Chinua Achebe, the author of the epic, literary masterpiece, 'Things Fall Apart' (written in 1958), social conscience of millions, cultural custodian and elevator, chronicler and essayist, took the extraordinary step of "declining to accept the high honor awarded me in the 2004 Honors List" by Nigeria's president, retired General Olusegun Obasanjo, in part for the politics of destabilization whcih Obasanjo and his agents had imposed on Achebe's home state of Anambra. According to the letter obtained by USAfricaonline.com, USAfrica The Newspaper and CLASS magazine (the first media networks to publish its content), Achebe pointed to "the silence, if not connivance, of the Presidency" in the destabilization of parts of Nigeria and state governments by political and business renegades. He wrote Obasanjo "For some time now I have watched events in Nigeria with alarm and dismay. I have watched particularly the chaos in my own state of Anambra where a small clique of renegades, openly boasting its connections in high places, seems determined to turn my homeland into a bankrupt and lawless fiefdom. I am appalled by the brazenness of this clique and the silence, if not connivance, of the Presidency." Somehow, technocrat Obi's own crown of thorns as Governor with a legislature dominated by the PDP is not too enviable. Yet his tenacity to fight for the sanctity of votes cast has since elevated his staure among millions. He has promised to do better for his long embattled but resourceful state of Anambra. By Chido Nwangwu and USAfrica reporters in Nigeria. The annual USAfrica Prayer Breakfast 2002 held successfully with insights and prayers from the clergy and families in attendance. Singers, Stacy Egbo and Saba (Elaine Peabody) performed at the event on Saturday, January 26, 2002 at the Holiday Inn, Sugarland/Houston, Texas. Keynote 2002 speaker , Dr. Simeon Agbolabori is the pastor at the Chapel of Restoration. The management and staff of USAfrica thank all who attended and supporteed the blessed event which holds on the last Saturday of January of every year. Mark your calendar for 2003. HUMAN
RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACYHow far, how deep will Nigeria's human rights commission go? Rtd. Gen. Babangida trip as emissary for Nigeria's Obasanjo to Sudan raises curiosity, questions about what next in power play? Odumegwu Emeka Ojukwu: "It was simply a choice between Biafra and enslavement." Biafra-Nigeria war and history to get fresh, critical look from a survivor 'Biafra: History Without Mercy' - a preliminary note SPORTS: Tiger Woods makes more history with another golf Masters win. He shot 12-under-par 276 and a final round 71 at Georgia's Augusta National Golf Club event and collected $1,008,000, on Sunday April 14, 2002. With it, the world's golf phenom added another green jacket to his array of championships and titles, placing him, in this instance, in the same respected Masters' league as Nicklaus (winner 1965 and 1966) and Nick Faldo (1989 and 1990). The three are the only men to win back-to-back Masters. At 26, Woods has since become the youngest golfer to win his seventh professional major championship. TRANSITION Joe Okigbo: The Death of a Good man and my Friend of a Lifetime. By Chido Nwangwu JFK Jr.: Death of a Good Son Murder of Nigeria's Attorney-General Ige is a major danger signal for its nascent democracy. General Tunde Idiagbon: A nationalist, an iron-surgeon departs Abiola's sudden death and the ghost of things to come Gen. Shehu Musa Yar'Adua's prison death and Nigeria politics Soni Egwuatu, Houston businessman, joins his ancestors Community, ACU mourn 5 students from Nigeria killed in March 31, 2002 one-car accident in Texas. A tragedy on early Easter Sunday March 31, 2002, is bringing sorrow and communal anguish to Nigerians in Texas, and thousands of miles to the primary addresses of the deceased in Lagos (Nigeria). 18 year-old Kolawole Oluwagbemiga Sami was identified as the driver of the 1994 Isuzu Rodeo SUV which had 1 other man and 3 women: Olutomi Ibukun Aruwajoye, 17, Toluwalope Olorunsola, 18, Abimbola Orija, 19, and Iyadunni Bakare, 18. While many Nigerians in Texas enjoyed their Easter celebrations and its message of redemption, the news of the death of the five Abilene Christian University (Texas) students from that country of almost 110 million persons in a one-car accident about four miles southwest of Weatherford, in the Parker County, in Texas raised the troubling questions, again: why now? why them? why did these promising youths die in such a sad and ghastly manner? why...? Log on for the USAfricaonline.com Special report by Chido Nwangwu The coup in Cote d'Ivoire and its implications for democracy in Africa. By Chido Nwangwu (Related commentary) Coup in Cote d'Ivoire has been in the waiting. By Tom Kamara Cheryl Mills' first class defense of Clinton and her detractors game
PetroGasWorksShell picks Leslie Mays as VP Global Diversity
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