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A joke from “My Oga At The Top”
Sometime over the past 2 weeks, a viral video swept the globe which intruiged Nigerians, people of Nigerian heritage and affiliation worldwide. The head of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC) was interviewed live on a local T.V station(Channel T.V) and was doing great until he was asked the almighty rocket-science typed question of his career ” What is the website of NSCDC?” He cleared his throat, tried to blag his way, and eventually came up with an anomalous domain name for his organization http://www.nscdc…; pause…interviewers waiting for the final piece of the domain jigsaw(sorry rocket science typed) puzzle…And then came the almighty howler…”That`s all(pronouced “daz all” which signifies the end). The whole Nigerian world errupted in laughter! Laughter not just at the almighty blunder, laughter not just at the “my oga at the top” statement made in a meant-to-be-professional T.V interview, but laughter at the hierachial system. Laughter at the fact that someone can actually hold an office and not have a clue about the smallest, seemingly insignificant piece of information pertaining to his office. We now have memes all over youtube, facebook pages, tshirts, mugs, websites and loads more relating to “my oga at the top” blunder. Nigerians worldwide are having a laugh on this…A proclamation the jocular nature of the bureacratic system, as well as a dire need for organization from the top to the bottom. Please enjoy the videos attached. The first is the orginal interview, while the second is a “Remix”.
Viva Africa, Viva Nigeria!
Original interview
Remix by DJ Ziggy
Happy Independence day to Ghana and Ghanians Worldwide
Today marks Ghana`s 56th year Independence anniversary and this event is being celebrated in Ghana, as well as the diaspora. Ghana`s rich cultural heritage is known worldwide from the Kente cloth, to Azonto which is the latest dance phenomenon worldwide. There are a couple of shows, carnivals and special performances being held at different locations to commemorate this occasion. You can follow us on twitter for the latest updates on shows in the U.K, and other locations worldwide.
Afrocentricity Unleashed salutes all our Ghanian brothers and sisters worldwide, and wish you all a happy independence day.
Twitter @afrounleashed
Super Eagles of Nigeria Wins The AFCON 2013 Tournament
19 years since their last win, the Super Eagles of Nigeria finally won the much coveted African Cup of Nations trophy last night for the third time. A magnificent strike by Sunday Mba at the 40th minute gave the Super Eagles an edge which was maintained till the end of the 94 minute. The blow of the whistle signified a new era in Nigerian football as football fanatics nationally and internationally went completely buck wild. WE CONGRATULATE THE SUPER EAGLES OF NIGERIA ON THIS PHENOMENAL VICTORY!!!
Enjoy some captured pictures from the day! 
AFCON 2013 FINALS: THE EAGLES VS THE STALLIONS!!!
Nigeria plays Burkina Faso in the finals of the African Cup of Nations which is the most prestigious football tournament in Africa (similar to UEFA European Football Championship). This tournament is a FIFA recognized tournament which is spearheaded by CAF (Confederation of African Football).AFCON was conceived in 1957 as a continental tournament and was first hosted in Khartoum, Sudan This year sees the likes of South Africa, Zambia, Ghana, Mali , Tunisia , Angola , Nigeria , Algeria , Burkina Faso , Morocco , Niger , Togo , Cape Verde, Congo and Ethiopia divided into 4 different groups A to D(for detailed group stages information,see our blog via http://wp.me/p1WMk8-rP). Today`s final is between Nigeria and Burkina Faso. Check out some known facts about these two teams below:
- The Nigerian Super eagles have won this prestigious tournament twice with the first won in 1980(also as the host),and the last won in 1994.
- Burkina Faso has never been in an African Cup of Nations final
- The last time Nigeria was in the finals was in 2000 when they were beaten by Cameroon in a penalty shoot out.
- If Nigeria wins tonight`s final against Burkina Faso, their coach Stephen Keshi will be the second(after Mahmoud El-Gohary of Egypt) African national coach to lift the trophy as a player and coach.
- Burkina Faso held Nigeria to a 1-1 draw during the group stages.
- Nigeria and Burkina Faso would be playing each other twice in one tournament
Who will be the final winner of this year`s African Cup of Nations 2013? Will it be Nigeria redeeming her football image on the world football stage or will it be Burkina Faso making a grand entrance like Zambia did last year?
THE COUNTDOWN TO THIS YEAR`S AFCON 2013 FINALS BEGINS NOW………………
African Cup of Nations 2013 South Africa – Fixtures,Updated Results, and Table
This year`s African Cup of Nations(AFCON 2013) is being held in South Africa. As part of our continued commitment towards providing you with entertainment information, we will regularly update fixtures, group tables, goals and any other relevant information regarding this tournament.
***Please note that results, fixtures and group tables will be constantly updated throughout this tournament*** Enjoy
Saturday 19 January 2013
South Africa 0 v Cape Verde Islands 0
(National Stadium 18:00)
Angola 0 v Morocco 0
Sunday 20 January 2013
Ghana 2 v DR Congo 2
Agyemang-Badu 40′ Mputu 53′
Asamoah 50′ Mbokani 68′ (pen.)
(Nelson Mandela Bay 17:00)
Mali 1 v Niger 0
Keita 84′
(Nelson Mandela Bay 20:00)
Monday 21 January 2013
Zambia 1 v Ethiopia 1
Mbesuma 45+3′ Adane 65′
(Mbombela Stadium 17:00)
Nigeria 1 v Burkina Faso 1
Emenike 23′
(Mbombela Stadium 20:00)
Tuesday 22 January 2013
Ivory Coast 2 v Togo 1
Y. Touré 8′
Gervinho 88′ J. Ayité 45+2′
(Royal Bafokeng Stadium 17:00)
Tunisia 1 v Algeria 0
Msakni 90+1′
(Royal Bafokeng Stadium 20:00)
Wednesday 23 January 2013
South Africa 2 v Angola 0
Sangweni 30′
Majoro 62′
(Moses Mabhida Stadium 17:00)
Morocco 1 v Cape Verde Islands 1
(Moses Mabhida Stadium 20:00)
Thursday 24 January 2013
Ghana 1 v Mali 0
Mubarak 38′ (pen.)
(Nelson Mandela Bay 17:00)
Niger 0 v DR Congo 0
(Nelson Mandela Bay 20:00)
Friday 25 January 2013
Zambia 1 v Nigeria 1
Mweene 85′ (pen.) Emenike 57′
(Mbombela Stadium 17:00)
Burkina Faso 4 v Ethiopia 0
Al. Traoré 34′, 74′
D. Koné 79′
Pitroipa 90+5′
(Mbombela Stadium 20:00)
Saturday 26 January 2013
Ivory Coast 3 v Tunisia 0
Gervinho 21′
Toure 87′
Konan 90′
(Royal Bafokeng Stadium 17:00)
Algeria 0 v Togo 2
Adebayor 31′
Wome 90+3′
(Royal Bafokeng Stadium 20:00)
Sunday 27 January 2013
Morocco 2 v South Africa 2
El Adoua 10′ Mahlangu 71′
Hafidi 82′ !! Sangweni 86′
(Moses Mabhida Stadium 19:00)
Cape Verde Islands 2 v Angola 1
F. Varela 81′ Nando 33′
Heldon 90+1
(Nelson Mandela Bay 19:00)
Monday 28 January 2013
Niger 0 v Ghana 3
Gyan 6′
Atsu 23′
Boye 49′
(Nelson Mandela Bay 19:00)
DR Congo 1 v Mali 1
Mbokani 3′ (pen.) Mah. Samassa 15′
(Moses Mabhida Stadium 19:00)
Tuesday 29 January 2013
Burkina Faso 0 v Zambia 0
(Mbombela Stadium 19:00)
Ethiopia 0 v Nigeria 2
Moses 79′ (pen.), 90′ (pen.)
(Royal Bafokeng Stadium 19:00)
Wednesday 30 January 2013
Algeria 0 v Ivory Coast 2
Adebayor 31′
Wome 90+3′
(Royal Bafokeng Stadium 19:00)
Togo 1 v Tunisia 1
Gakpé 13′ Mouelhi 30′ (pen.)
(Mbombela Stadium 19:00)
Saturday 02 February 2013
Ghana 2 v Cape Verde 0
Wakoso 54′(pen), 90+5′
(Nelson Mandela Bay 17:00)
South Africa 1 v Mali 1(added extra time)
Rabtie 31′ Keita 58′
Penalties
Tshabalala 1 Diabate 1
Furman 0 Tamboura 0
Mahlangu 0 Traore 0
Majoro 0 Ma 1
(Moses Mabhida Stadium 20:30)
Sunday 03 February 2013
Ivory Coast 1 v Nigeria 2
Tiote 50′ Emenike 50′
Mba 78′
(Royal Bafokeng Stadium 17:00)
Burkina Faso 1 v Togo 0(added extra time)
Pitroipa 105′
(Mbombela Stadium 20:30)
Wednesday 06 February 2013
Mali 0 v Nigeria 4
Echejile 25
Ideye 30
Sissoko (o.g)44
Musa 60
(Moses Mabhida Stadium 17:00)
Burkina Faso 1 v Ghana 1
Bancé 60′ Mubarak 13′ (pen.)
Penalties
B. Koné Vorsah
H. Traoré
Paul Koulibaly Atsu
Bance Afful
Clottey
Agyemang-Badu
Mah. Samassa 21′
(Mbombela Stadium 20:30)
Saturday 09 February 2013
Mali 3 v Ghana 1
Mah. Samassa 21′ Asamoah 82′
Keita 8′
S. Diarra 90+4′
(Nelson Mandela Bay 20:00)
Sunday 10 February 2013
Nigeria v Burkina Faso
(National Stadium 20:00)
GROUP A
Team W D L GF GA GD Pts
South Africa 1 2 0 4 2 2 5
Cape Verde 1 2 0 3 2 1 5
Morocco 0 3 0 3 3 0 3
Angola 0 1 2 1 4 −3 1
GROUP B
Team W D L GF GA GD Pts
Ghana 2 1 0 6 2 4 7
Mali 1 1 1 2 2 0 4
Congo DR 0 3 0 3 3 0 3
Niger 0 1 2 0 4 -4 1
GROUP C
Team W D L GF GA GD Pts
Burkina Faso 1 2 0 5 1 4 5
Zambia 1 2 0 4 2 2 5
Nigeria 0 3 0 2 2 0 3
Ethiopia 0 1 2 1 7 -6 1
GROUP D
Team W D L GF GA GD Pts
Côte d’Ivoire 2 1 0 7 3 4 7
Togo 1 1 1 4 3 1 4
Tunisia 1 1 1 2 4 -2 4
Algeria 0 1 2 2 5 -3 1
Black, White And Grey
Some people are on the black side 
Some people on the white
Others in the grey
Some people in the black
Try to cross over to the white
While avoiding the grey
The grey being a better option
Over the black
Most people on the white side will rather stay there
While avoiding the grey
The grey being a better option
Over the black
People in the grey
Hope one day they will end up in the white
While praying they never end up in the black
Whichever side life places you in
Hope and Faith makes the difference
Hope that you will stay in the white
Hope that you will not slip from the white to the grey
Hope that you will not end up in the black from the white
Hope that you will cross from the grey to the white
Hope that you will not slip into the black from the grey
Faith that you will jump from the black to the white
Faith that you will move from the black, towards the white, after the grey
Keep your hope alive!
Interview With Award-Wining African Fashion Designer Zekaryas Solomon
Zekaryas Solomon
Zekaryas Solomon is an Eritrean-born fashion designer. Having studied Architecture, Design and Art, he spent a few years working within his discipline whilst developing a strong passion for fashion design. This passion led to him studying at the London College of Fashion. Zekaryas Solomon draws his inspiration from his Eritrean heritage; hence the modification of traditional attires into more modern and trendy styles.
We consider Zekaryas Solomon`s designs as highly conceptual, futuristical and artistically-sartorial fashion lines made up of individually tailored, Prêt-a-Porte garments for men and women. Every piece of garment is characterized by simplicity, originality, and above all, VERSATILITY.
Afrocentricity unleashed caught up with Zekaryas Solomon.Enjoy the interview
Afrocentricity Unleashed: Firstly, I would like to say it is a great pleasure to have you here and thanks for squeezing us into your already busy schedule.
Zekaryas Solomon: Thank you so much for your interest, and affording me the chance to explain about myself.
Afrocentricity Unleashed: Could you please tell our readers who Zekaryas Solomon is?
Zekaryas Solomon: I am a guy who was born in Eritrea and spent most of my formative years growing up in Germany. I have a very strong perfectionist professional side, tempered with a very soft fun-loving humorous nature which stands me in good stead for the demands of my chosen profession.
Afrocentricity Unleashed: What was growing up like?
Zekaryas Solomon:To be honest, it was quite tough growing up in Germany, coming from Eritrea.The culture and language were so different that it was quite a challenge; then again I was really lucky to be given the chance to have an excellent education, and to study architecture in a country known for its excellence in this field.
Afrocentricity Unleashed: How did you get into the fashion industry considering your background was in architecture?
Zekaryas Solomon: It certainly wasn’t the normal route that most aspiring designers would have taken. I had always had a love for fashion and so I decided to take a short course in menswear pattern cutting, just to make sure that if I applied for the degree course, it was going to be the route I wanted to follow.
I enjoyed it so much that I applied at the London College of Fashion with mainly my architecture portfolio and some fashion sketches. One of the questions in the interview was: “Mr Solomon, you are an architect, why do you want to study fashion since there are so many fashion designers out there?” My answer was “Yes I am an architect with a passion for fashion; I want to bring both backgrounds (i.e. architectural & traditional backgrounds) together to create modern and futuristic garments”. I believe I explained my concepts and vision so well that they understood, given my limited experience with pattern cutting and garment technology.
Afrocentricity Unleashed:: How has the road been from then leading up to now?
Zekaryas Solomon:It’s been a whirlwind…fast! A bit like driving a Ferrari in pole position(Laughs). After graduating in 2010, I have produced three bespoke collections and am working on my fourth, with a ready to wear collection as well.
Afrocentricity Unleashed:: Your designs are very unique and I have to say I absolutely love the baggy-styled pants. What inspires these (and other) designs?
Zekaryas Solomon: My designs, especially the baggy trousers are a marriage of my traditional and professional backgrounds. The design is similar to traditional Eritrean wedding attire, which I have re-constructed with a modern architectural cut and details like military style buttons.
Afrocentricity Unleashed: We recently met at the Beffta 2012 awards where you bagged the Best Male Designer of the year award for the second year running. How did that feel for you?
Zekaryas Solomon: It was certainly an honour to be nominated and win twice as it showed me that people are aware of what I am doing, which is not easy in the very competitive world of fashion. When they announced that I was the ‘winner’ at the just concluded Beffta awards 2012, my knees were so weak and shaky that I had to call on the strong side of me to get up and graciously receive the award. Once up on stage, when I saw how many people there were, it really hit home and I genuinely felt fabulous.I could not have imagined being selected as one of Africa’s Top 10 designers, then winning two best menswear designers awards within two weeks. These honours have certainly inspired me and helped with me realising my future plans.
Afrocentricity Unleashed:: So there was a second award, right?
Zekaryas Solomon: Yes just two weeks after winning the BEFFTA award, I was nominated for Menswear Designer of the Year 2012 for Fashion Finest. I really couldn’t believe it when I won again. I am really so grateful to my family, friend, clients and fans for believing in me and for all their support. And last but most definitely not least to God for his guiding hand.
Afrocentricity Unleashed: Where can our readers view your range of designs?
Zekaryas Solomon: For now everyone can find my designs
www.zekaryassolomon.com
http://www.notjustalable.com/zekaryas_solomon
We are working on the new website to be launched in 2013, which will incorporate an online shop, and some new exciting sections. You can keep up to date in the meantime with my facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/zekaryas.solomon
Twitter @zekaryassolomon
Afrocentricity Unleashed: What advice do you have for aspiring fashion designers?
Zekaryas Solomon: The only thing I would love to say is believe in yourself have passion, and be prepared for all kinds of challenges.
Afrocentricity Unleashed: Do you have anything to say to our readers, your fans and clients out there?
Zekaryas Solomon: Oh yes, I want to say again and again THANK YOU for believing in me and giving me the strength to succeed with my everyday challenges. I would not be here where I am today without everyone’s support. God bless you all.
Afrocentricity Unleashed : Zekaryas Solomon, Afrocentricity Unleashed is very grateful to you for honouring this interview. We wish you the very best in your endeavours, and look forward to having you back here in the future
Zekaryas Solomon: Likewise I feel honoured to be asked for an interview and delighted that you wanted to share a little about me with your readers.
LOOK OUT FOR ZEKARYAS SOLOMON’S 2012/13 FASHION COLLECTION UNDER OUR REVIEW CENTRE VERY SOON!
Twitter @afrounleashed
A Retrospective Review of Afrocentricity Unleashed – 2012
Afrocentricity unleashed would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to all our followers, readers, friends, fans, retweeters, colleagues, commenters, critics and everyone who has connected with us at one point or the other in 2012.
The road to perfection is not without its “speed-breakers”, “sleeping policemen”, “potholes” and other kinds of inhibitions and inhibitors; but it also comes with its essential lessons which are learnt along this path.
Please keep your support coming since we simply CANNOT thrive without it. Our agenda, mission and vision statements have not changed i.e showing Africa, Africans, Afrocarribeans and people of African heritage in a good light, celebrating diversity in different endeavours of art, as well as being constructive critics of anything African veering off mark! We earnestly look forward to evolving more next year with newer and more exciting articles, reviews, interviews, blogs and news at your disposal.
Enjoy the slide show below showing a statistical analysis of our achievement in 2012
Many thanks to all and sundry, and do have a prosperous and productive 2013!
See you there
Dee Ajayi
On behalf of Afrocentricity Unleashed.
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 3,600 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 6 years to get that many views.
Click here to see the complete report.
Twitter @afrounleashed
Interview with Jim Corbett, Author of Not While I Have Ammo.
As lovers of history and historic events, we caught up with Jim Corbett the author of “Not while I have ammo”.
This novel is based on the Irish Civil War between the 15th and the 20th July 1922, when the Republican-held Strand Barracks in Limerick (on what is now Clancy’s Strand in Ireland) came under constant ferocious attacks from Free State troops. The barracks was attacked repeatedly with armoured cars, and a nonstop bombardment of sniper, machine gun and mortar fire. All attempts to capture the barracks were resisted fiercely by the brave men inside, until the Free State turned an 18-pounder Artillery Gun on the barracks which signalled the beginning of the end of the military assault. The Commanding Officer in charge of the Strand Barracks was called Captain Cornelius McNamara of 'A' Company, 2nd Battalion, Mid-Limerick Brigade, but was known to his men as Connie Mackey. Connie was one of a golden generation of unselfish Irishmen with high ideals who were prepared to risk and endure everything for the sake of their country and countrymen.
Jim Corbett is the grandson of Captain Cornelius McNamara.
Enjoy the interview
AU: Can I start by saying thank you very much for honouring our invitation to this interview Jim?
Jim Corbett: It’s my pleasure
AU: For the benefit of our readers, who is Jim Corbett?
Jim Corbett: I was born and raised in Limerick City, Ireland and came to London in 1988. As a young child I developed a spinal condition called Transverse Mylitis, which left me walking with a cane. This condition slowly deteriorated and left me in a wheelchair several years ago. Despite this I have never let my health problems hinder or stop me achieving I really wanted to do. I love sport especially football and rugby, I am fan of Arsenal in football and in rugby I support London Irish based in Reading and my home town rugby team Munster, which is based in Limerick City.
AU: How was life in Ireland while growing up?
Jim Corbett: Life was very pleasant for me, Limerick City is a small City of about 60,000 people, located in the South West of Ireland. Although it is a small City it is steeped in history with a wide range of historical buildings dating back to the 13th Century.
AU: Tell us about your debut novel which talks about the heroic act of Cornelius McNamara aka Connie Mackey
Jim Corbett: It is a historical biography of my Grandfather, Captain Connie Mackey, set in the turbulent times of the Irish War of Independence and Irish Civil War
AU: When was this novel released?
Jim Corbett: The book was launched in the Strand Hotel in Limerick on March 14 2008, the hotel overlooks the Strand Barracks, where the main story of the book is based.
AU: What inspired you to write this novel?
Jim Corbett: I did not know anything about my grandfather, and so I embarked on a quest to find out more about him. The more information I found out about him, the more I wanted to share his exploits with people. I intended to only share this with my family, but then found I had so much information I should write a book. The history books of that period had overlooked him, and I felt that his story needed to be told. That was my main inspiration to write.
AU: What are some of the more memorable parts of this book to you?
Jim Corbett: While the barracks was under siege, Captain Mackey was telephoning his superiors to advise he was going to surrender the besieged barracks. Unknown to him, he was already in the crosshairs of a sniper who shot at him but missed his head by a hair`s breath, but smashing the telephone handset out of his hand. Captain Mackey turned the bullet from the sniper`s gun into a broach with his fiancées name and the date he was shot. (picture inset).
When my grandfather was leaving Ireland he promised his fiancée he would stay faithful, but when he arrived in New York he met the love of his life. Because he was a man of principle he kept his work and did not persue the other lady, but married his fiancée when he returned to Ireland. When she died shortly a few years after giving birth to my mother, he then married the other lady.
AU: What has the response to this historic eye-opener been like over the past few years in Ireland and the world in general?
Jim Corbett: The response has been fantastic, several historical books published since then have mentioned him and a student in University Limerick has done a thesis on the book. The most remarkable story for me was when the eminent Greek Lawyer Failos Krainidots, a keen student of Irish history, was so impressed with the book which he picked up in a Dublin bookshop that he travelled with his family 123 miles to Limerick to the places mentioned in it.
AU: What is your relationship to Connie Mackey?
Jim Corbett: Unfortunately he died 12 years before I was born, so I never got a chance to see him. The book was an opportunity for me to see what he was like as a man and the high principles he stood up for. After finding all about him, I was with a great sense of pride I was able to share this book with people, so they could see what he was like.
AU: How can people get a hold of your novel i.e. websites, stores, and the like?
Jim Corbett: You can order it direct through my website http://www.conniemackey.com
AU: Do you have a personal website through which people can read a bit more about Connie`s story?
Jim Corbett: http://www.conniemackey.com
AU: Do you have any twitter accounts, facebook or any social media links where fans can connect with you and possibly ask some questions that we might not have touched on here?
Jim Corbett: You can contact me direct on http://www.conniemackey.com
AU: Will there be a follow up to “Not while I have ammo” or is this the work completed?
Jim Corbett: That work is complete, but I am currently working on some comedy scripts at the moment.
AU: Jim, it has been a pleasure having you on our sofa. We look forward to having you on when your next work is complete.
Jim Corbett: Many thanks.
Check out some other pictures below.
The sniper`s bullet
Twitter @afrounleashed
