6th March, 2022
By Qudus Olowo
It is no longer news seeing Africans, especially Nigerians expanding and residing almost everywhere in the world; Europe, Asia, America, and host of other foreign continents. They are not just mere occupants, migrants, or foreigners in another man’s land but a blessing to the human capital of those continents.
Nigerians have spread their tentacles around the world, through their arts, businesses, entrepreneurship, and other endeavours that have been successfully established in both their home and receiving countries. Prominently among these great Nigerians who have blossomed and made waves at home and overseas is Kehinde Thomas.
Kehinde Thomas is a Nigerian-American business leader, former athlete, and philanthropist. He was born in October 28, 1968 at Kabba, Kogi State. Kehinde Thomas grew up facing several challenges from losing his father at a young age of seven. This taught him to adapt quickly and motivated him to strive hard in order to secure a better future for him and his family.
After the bustle and hustle in the Kabba metropolis in Nigeria, Kehinde Thomas with his huge dreams made the decision to move out of the country and pursue his goals. He departed Nigeria to America in order to expand his opportunities. Though, it was a tough moment while leaving the country to another foreign country to begin a new life. He is married to a successful medical business owner, who later turned a financial services broker. They have 2 children, one is an international model and the other pursuing a professional career as an athlete and firefighter and upon his stay in the U.S, he became an athlete and pursued a career in NFL in Pittsburgh Steelers.
Beyond the athletic moments he had with the Steelers, he had learned the importance of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. Though, his athletic career ended earlier, but those lessons acquired still stayed with him. Apart from his athletic legacy, he is a mogul in the business world, who had mentored several young professionals and created opportunities for others to succeed. He had made different philanthropic acts such as supporting education and youth development. He believes that investing in the next generation is the key to sustainable growth and progress.
The name ‘David Oyelowo’ also has left an indelible mark in the global world, specifically on Hollywood with his superb acting prowess. Oyelowo was born to a Nigerian parents, and he got his breakthrough role around 2013 when he portrayed Martin Luther King Jr. in the biographical drama ‘Selma.’ His performance earned several prominent awards and nominations. Oyelowo has also appeared in popular movies like “Interstellar” and “A United Kingdom.” He also has a production company which he employs to promote and enhance diversity in storytelling, producing films that depict and showcase African talents and experiences. His works undoubtedly has inspired a new generation of Nigerian actors.
The prominent visual artist, Kehinde Wiley is also a Nigerian whose vibrant paintings have redefined the world with his method of using his art as a representation of Black Identity. The great artist was born to a Nigerian father, this had made him draw inspiration from African and European art traditions. Wiley’s bold and colorful depictions of everyday people in regal questions historical narratives and celebrate Black Culture.
He is popular for his portrait of Barrack Obama, the first African American president, for the National Portrait Gallery which solidified his status as a pioneering artist. The works of Wiley have been exhibited worldwide and they have inspired numerous of new generation of artists and art enthusiasts.
In the tech industry, Tope Awotona who was born in Lagos, Nigeria has empowered the tech industry with Calendly, a scheduling software revolutionizing the way people connect. Awotona with his innovation had identified a gap in the market and proffered a solution which had streamlined communication and increased productivity. The growth of ‘Calendly’ has grown rapidly, and is currently valued at $3 billion. This have made Awotona one of the most successful Nigerian entrepreneurs in the US. He has been featured in Forbes 30 under 30, and his feats have served as a testament to the potentials of African entrepreneurs in the global tech landscape.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a proud Nigerian, has taken the world by storm with her provocative writings. Her experiences growing up in Nigeria and later moving to the US for college shaped her unique perspective, tackling thorny issues like identity, culture, and social justice. Her novels, like “Half of a Yellow Sun” and “Americanah,” have resonated globally, offering a fresh take on the African experience. Adichie’s TEDx talk, “We Should All Be Feminists,” went viral, sparking crucial conversations on equality. Influencers like Oprah, Beyoncé, and Hillary Clinton sing her praises, cementing her status as a leading literary voice. What’s striking about Adichie is how she challenges stereotypes, promoting understanding and empowering women and girls through her work. She is also regarded as one of the prominent contemporary writer in Africa, and the world in general
From Kehinde Thomas, to David Oyelowo and to other prominent Nigerian figures who are making waves in the global scene have placed the country’s name in the globe. These great individuals have use their innovations and entrepreneurship power to mold the world and reshape the narratives of foreigners about Nigeria, as a country. This is a great achievement to the country as a whole, and with these great people existence, which serves as a source of inspiration and motivation to the younger and coming generations, it is obvious that Nigerians will keep winning anywhere they find themselves in the world.
