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African Giant of the Week

Celebrating Africa's most influential leaders, innovators, and changemakers who are shaping the continent's future.

AFRICAN GIANT OF THE WEEK: GRACE OFURE, FROM OKRIKA SELLER TO REAL ESTATE AND WEALTH CREATION POWERHOUSE
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By Abiodun Victoria Ojima • • 84 views

AFRICAN GIANT OF THE WEEK: GRACE OFURE, FROM OKRIKA SELLER TO REAL ESTATE AND WEALTH CREATION POWERHOUSE

Grace Ofure Ibhakhomu is one of Nigeria's most inspiring business leaders, proving that humble beginnings do not have to determine how far a person can go. From selling second-hand clothes, popularly known as okrika, in open markets to becoming a major name in real estate and wealth creation, her journey is one built on determination, learning and strategic thinking.

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AFRICAN GIANT OF THE WEEK: DR. GABRIEL OGBECHIE, THE ENTREPRENEUR WHO BUILT AN INDIGENOUS ENERGY GIANT
African Giant

AFRICAN GIANT OF THE WEEK: DR. GABRIEL OGBECHIE, THE ENTREPRENEUR WHO BUILT AN INDIGENOUS ENERGY GIANT

Dr. Gabriel Ifeanyi Ogbechie, OON, is one of Nigeria’s notable entrepreneurs whose journey from a young production engineer to the founder of one of the country’s leading indigenous downstream oil and gas companies reflects determination, calculated risk-taking and long-term vision. Born on May 28, 1966, Gabriel Ogbechie studied Production Engineering at the University of Benin. He began his professional career as a factory engineer before moving to PricewaterhouseCoopers and later joining Ascon Oil, where he headed the Sales and Operations Unit. His experience in the oil and gas industry eventually gave him the confidence to pursue a business of his own. .

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African Giant of the Week: Dr. Nizar Chaari, the Man Who Turned the Microphone into a Movement
African Giant

African Giant of the Week: Dr. Nizar Chaari, the Man Who Turned the Microphone into a Movement

Every origin story has a room. For Dr. Nizar Chaari, it was a small studio at Radio Sfax in Tunisia, where he began his media career in 1993. He was a young broadcaster with a microphone and a growing understanding of the power of listening, conversation and giving people a voice. He did not know it then, but that studio would become the starting point for a journey that would eventually take him from Tunisian broadcasting into youth leadership across Africa.

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AFRICAN GIANT OF THE WEEK: HAFSAT K. ABDULLAHI
African Giant

AFRICAN GIANT OF THE WEEK: HAFSAT K. ABDULLAHI

Hafsat Abdullahi, popularly known as Havfy, is a Nigerian spoken word artist, writer, actor, voice actor and youth advocate who has built a reputation for using poetry to address social issues affecting women, girls and young people. Through her performances, she has become one of Africa's most recognisable spoken word artists, using her platform to promote education, gender equality, peacebuilding and social justice. Born and raised in northern Nigeria, Havfy's upbringing played a significant role in shaping her work. Growing up in a community where opportunities for girls were limited, she witnessed issues such as gender inequality, child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM) and barriers to education. These experiences inspired her to begin writing poetry that challenges harmful social norms and advocates for the rights of women and girls. She has often cited Nigerian poet Niyi Osundare as one of the people who inspired her journey into poetry.

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African Giant Of The Week:Sandra Aceng
African Giant

African Giant Of The Week:Sandra Aceng

Sandra Aceng is a Ugandan gender and ICT researcher, policy analyst, writer, Wikimedian, and digital rights advocate whose work has become instrumental in shaping conversations around technology, gender equality, and human rights across Africa and beyond. Through years of research, advocacy, and policy engagement, she has established herself as one of the continent's leading voices championing a safer, more inclusive digital ecosystem where women can thrive without fear of discrimination, harassment, or violence

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AFRICAN GIANT OF THE WEEK: BUKAYO SAKA
African Giant

AFRICAN GIANT OF THE WEEK: BUKAYO SAKA

Born on September 5, 2001, in London to Nigerian parents of Yoruba descent, Saka grew up in a family that valued discipline, education, and hard work. He joined the youth academy of Arsenal F.C. at the age of seven and progressed through the club's ranks before making his senior debut in 2018. Since breaking into Arsenal's first team, Saka has become one of the club's most influential players. His versatility allows him to play in multiple attacking positions, while his pace, creativity, technical ability, and decision-making have made him one of the standout performers in the English Premier League. He has played a key role in Arsenal's return as one of England's top football clubs and has earned several individual honours, including England Men's Player of the Year on multiple occasions.

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African giant of the week: Maha Jouini
African Giant

African giant of the week: Maha Jouini

Maha Jouini is a Tunisian AI thought leader, researcher, and Pan-African advocate working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, ethics, public policy, and human development. Her work is dedicated to ensuring that AI serves people, strengthens institutions, and advances social justice across Africa and the Global South. Driven by both professional expertise and personal experience, Maha is the Founder of CHIFAA, a survivor-led initiative developing responsible AI solutions for women affected by breast and cervical cancer across North Africa.

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AFRICAN GIANT OF THE WEEK: DR. AWELE VIVIEN ELUMELU
African Giant

AFRICAN GIANT OF THE WEEK: DR. AWELE VIVIEN ELUMELU

This week, TalkAfricaNG celebrates Dr. Awele Vivien Elumelu as our African Giant of the Week. Her journey reminds us that true leadership is measured not only by professional success but by the lives transformed through service, innovation, and purposeful impact. Quote of the Week: "Leadership is about creating opportunities for others to thrive and building systems that improve lives for generations."

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AFRICAN GIANT GIANT OF THE WEEK: ADEWALE AYUBA A.K.A MR JOHNSON
African Giant

AFRICAN GIANT GIANT OF THE WEEK: ADEWALE AYUBA A.K.A MR JOHNSON

For decades, Ayuba has stood as one of the strongest custodians of indigenous African music. At different moments when global sounds threatened to overshadow local genres, he chose evolution over compromise. Instead of abandoning his roots, he continuously reinvented his sound, refined his delivery, and embraced modern production while preserving the unmistakable identity of Fuji music. That rare ability to evolve without losing authenticity has allowed him to remain relevant across generations. Even today's younger audience, many of whom proudly refer to him as the "Koloba Koloba" crooner following the success of his 2021 hit, are discovering the same brilliance that older generations have celebrated for decades. It is proof that genuine artistry never grows old.

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AFRICAN GIANT OF THE WEEK: MARYAM HASSAN BUKAR
African Giant

AFRICAN GIANT OF THE WEEK: MARYAM HASSAN BUKAR

This week, we celebrate a woman whose words have crossed borders, touched hearts, and become a powerful force for peace and social change across Africa and beyond: Maryam Hassan Bukar, popularly known as Alhanislam. Born on December 25, 1996, in Borno State, Nigeria, Maryam Hassan Bukar is a spoken word poet, storyteller, social entrepreneur, digital creator, and advocate whose work has consistently amplified the voices of women, young people, and communities affected by conflict. Growing up in Northern Nigeria, a region that has witnessed the devastating effects of violence and insecurity, she turned her experiences into powerful poetry that speaks of resilience, hope, justice, and peace.

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AFRICAN GIANT OF THE WEEK: DR. TONY OKPANACHI
African Giant

AFRICAN GIANT OF THE WEEK: DR. TONY OKPANACHI

Born in Nigeria, Dr. Okpanachi built a career spanning decades in banking, economics, and development finance. His experience across different African markets gave him a deep understanding of the challenges facing small businesses and the critical role finance plays in transforming lives. This understanding would later shape his approach to leadership and economic empowerment. As the pioneer Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Dr. Okpanachi has overseen initiatives that have expanded access to finance for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. Under his leadership, the bank has supported hundreds of thousands of businesses through partner financial institutions, helping entrepreneurs secure the capital needed to grow, employ more people, and strengthen local economies.

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AFRICAN GIANT OF THE WEEK: YASMINE FOFANA
African Giant

AFRICAN GIANT OF THE WEEK: YASMINE FOFANA

Yasmine Fofana is one of Africa's leading voices in culinary storytelling and tourism. Widely recognized as CĂ´te d'Ivoire's first food content creator and food blogger, she has spent more than a decade promoting African cuisine, documenting local food cultures, and creating opportunities for African chefs, restaurants, and hospitality businesses to thrive. Born and raised in CĂ´te d'Ivoire, Fofana developed a passion for food and storytelling that would eventually shape her career. At a time when food blogging was still relatively unknown in many African countries, she launched Journal d'une Foodie, becoming the first culinary content creator from CĂ´te d'Ivoire. Through the platform, she shared restaurant experiences, local recipes, food traditions, and stories that celebrated the richness and diversity of African cuisine.

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