Sample HBS/MBA Essay for African Students - Part 5
October 30, 2007 | Leave a Comment
What are your six most substantial accomplishments and why do you view them as such? (1200-word limit)
Hankali Foundation
Encouraged by the positive impact of Hankali Foundation on hundreds of children in Nigeria, I developed a new method for attracting and sustaining donors for a not-for-profit organization dedicated to charitable and educational activities for orphaned Nigerian children. To achieve this goal, I created a website for the foundation so that it can attract new members and consequently generate more donations from people all over the globe.
Because of this strategy, the foundation has been able to attract many new members and its subscription has soared. I also set-up a scholarship program within the foundation so that Hankali can provide basic education and related services to the orphans in addition to housing them.
I consider this a great accomplishment for me because it gave me an opportunity to effect positive changes in the community and help the neediest people in my country - orphaned children whose fate without organizations like Hankali would have been confined to a life of penury. I believe that leaders should be drivers of change in the society. My goal is to comfort the afflicted in the community and I want HBS to be my partner.
Note: Please note that portions of the essay have been edited for privacy reasons. This is the first in a series of 6 essays.
Adieu Lucky Dube
October 29, 2007 | 3 Comments
Lucky Philip Dube (pronounced doo-bay) (August 3, 1964 – October 18, 2007) was a South African reggae musician. He recorded 22 albums in Zulu, English and Afrikaans in a 25-year period and was South Africa’s biggest selling reggae artist. Dube was murdered, after dropping his son and daughter at their uncle’s house in Johannesburg, by several apparent carjackers in the Johannesburg suburb of Rosettenville on the evening of 18 October 2007.
Early life
Lucky Dube was born in Ermelo, then in the Eastern Transvaal, now Mpumalanga, on 3 August 1964. His parents separated before his birth and he was raised by his mother, Sarah, who named him because she considered his birth fortunate after a number of failed pregnancies. [6] Along with his two siblings, Thandi and Patrick, Dube spent much of his childhood with his grandmother, while his mother relocated to work. In a 1999 interview he described his grandmother as “his greatest love” who “multiplied many things to bring up this responsible individual that I am today.”
Beginning of his musical career
As a child Dube worked as a gardener but, realizing that he wasn’t earning enough to feed his family, he began to attend school. There he joined a choir and, with some friends, formed his first musical ensemble, called The Skyway Band. While at school he discovered the Rastafari movement. At the age of 18 Dube joined his cousin’s band, The Love Brothers, playing Zulu pop music known as mbaqanga. The band signed with Teal Record Company, under Richard Siluma (Teal was later incorporated into Gallo Record Company). Though Dube was still at school, the band recorded material in Johannesburg during his school holidays. The resultant album was released under the name Lucky Dube and the Supersoul. The second album was released soon afterwards, and this time Dube wrote some of the lyrics in addition to singing. Around this time he also began to learn English.
Moving into reggae
On the release of his fifth Mbaqanga album, Dave Segal (who became Dube’s sound engineer) encouraged him to drop the “Supersoul” element of the name. All subsequent albums were recorded as Lucky Dube. At this time Dube began to note fans were responding positively to some reggae songs he played during live concerts. Drawing inspiration from Jimmy Cliff and Peter Tosh, he felt the socio-political messages associated with Jamaican reggae were relevant to a South African audience in an institutionally racist society.
He decided to try the new musical genre and in 1984, released the mini album Rastas Never Die. The record sold poorly - around 4000 units - in comparison to the 30000 units his mbaqanga records would sell. Keen to suppress anti-apartheid activism, the apartheid regime banned the album in 1985. However, he was not discouraged and continued to perform the reggae tracks live and wrote and produced a second reggae album. Think About The Children (1985). It achieved platinum sales status and established Dube as a popular reggae artist in South Africa, in addition to attracting attention outside his homeland.
Commercial and critical success
Dube continued to release commercially successful albums. In 1989 he won four OKTV Awards for Prisoner, won another for Captured Live the following year and yet another two for House Of Exile the year after. His 1993 album, Victims sold over one million copies worldwide. In 1995 he earned a worldwide recording contract with Motown. His album Trinity was the first release on Tabu Records after Motown’s acquisition of the label.
In 1996 he released a compilation album, Serious Reggae Business, which led to him being named the “Best Selling African Recording Artist” at the World Music Awards and the “International Artist Of The Year” at the Ghana Music Awards. His next three albums each won South African Music Awards.[11] His most recent album, Respect, earned a European release through a deal with Warner Music. Dube toured internationally, sharing stages with artists such as Sinéad O’Connor, Peter Gabriel and Sting. He appeared at the 1991 Reggae Sunsplash (uniquely that year, was invited back on stage for a 25 minute long encore) and the 2005 Live 8 event in Johannesburg.
In addition to performing music Dube was a sometime actor, appearing in the feature films Voice In The Dark, Getting Lucky and Lucky Strikes Back.
Death
On October 18, 2007, Lucky Dube was killed in the Johannesburg suburb of Rosettenville shortly after dropping two of his seven children off at their uncle’s house. Police reports suggest he was shot dead by carjackers. He is survived by his wife, Zanele, and his seven children. Five men have been arrested in connection with the murder. May his soul rest in peace.
Frankie Fredericks
October 27, 2007 | 1 Comment
Frank (”Frankie”) Fredericks (born October 2, 1967) is a Namibian former athlete, the first and so far only Olympic medalist of his country.
Born in Windhoek, Frankie Fredericks was awarded a scholarship at Brigham Young University in the U.S. in 1987. In 1991, after his country had become independent of South Africa, Fredericks could participate in international competition. At the World Championships that year, Fredericks won a silver medal in the 200m, finishing behind Michael Johnson, and placed 5th in the 100 m.
The following year, at the Barcelona 1992 Summer Olympics, Fredericks became Namibia’s first Olympic medalist when he finished second in both the 100m and 200m. In 1993, in Stuttgart, he became the nation’s first World Champion, winning the 200m.
In the 1994 Commonwealth Games, he won gold in the 200m and bronze in the 100m.
In the 1995 World Championships 100m, after crossing the line he immediately went to help his friend Linford Christie who pulled a muscle in the race and signalled for help. This act of kindness endeared him to many (particularly British) athletics fans.
For the 1996 Summer Olympics, Fredericks was among the title favourites for both the 100m and 200m. He reached both finals, and again finished second in both. In the 100m, he was beaten by Donovan Bailey, who set a new World Record, and in the 200m he was beaten by Michael Johnson, who also set a new World Record.
In the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Frankie once again missed out on the chance of gold in the 100m; he was beaten by Ato Boldon of Trinidad and Tobago.
Suffering from injuries, Fredericks had to withdraw from the 1999 and 2001 World Championships and the 2000 Summer Olympics. In the 200m final at the 2004 Summer Olympics he finished 4th.
By the end of 2004’s outdoor season, Fredericks resigned his active career.
He has run the 100m under 10 seconds 27 times, number four on the all-time list behind Trinidadian Ato Boldon, Jamaica’s Asafa Powell, and American Maurice Greene.
Bishop Desmond Tutu
October 27, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Desmond Mpilo Tutu was born in Klerksdorp, Transvaal on 7 October, 1931. Tutu’s family moved to Johannesburg when he was 12 years old. Although he wanted to become a physician, his family could not afford the training, and he followed his father’s footsteps into teaching. Tutu studied at the Pretoria Bantu Normal College from 1951 through 1953, and went on to teach at Johannesburg Bantu High School, where he remained until 1957. He resigned following the passage of the Bantu Education Act, in protest of the poor educational prospects for African South Africans. He continued his studies, this time in theology, and in 1960 was ordained as an Anglican priest. He became chaplain at the University of Fort Hare, a hotbed of dissent and one of the few quality universities for African students in the southern part of Africa.
Tutu left his post as chaplain and travelled to King’s College London, (1962–1966), where he received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Theology. He returned to Southern Africa and from 1967 until 1972 used his lectures to highlight the circumstances of the African population. He wrote a letter to Prime Minister Vorster, in which he described the situation in South Africa as a “powder barrel that can explode at any time.” The letter was never answered. From 1970 to 1972, Tutu lectured at the National University of Lesotho .
In 1972 Tutu returned to the UK, where he was appointed vice-director of the Theological Education Fund of the World Council of Churches, at Bromley in Kent. He returned to South Africa in 1975 and was appointed Anglican Dean of Johannesburg—the first African person to hold that position.
In 1987 Tutu was awarded the Pacem in Terris Award. It was named after a 1963 encyclical letter by Pope John XXIII that calls upon all people of good will to secure peace among all nations. Pacem in Terris is Latin for ‘Peace on Earth.’
In 2000, Tutu received an honorary doctor of laws degree from the University of Alberta. He was also the inaugural speaker at the first annual University of Alberta Visiting Lectureship in Human Rights in November of 1998.
In 2000 Tutu spoke at Hamilton College and received a L.H.D. from Bates College. In 2005, Tutu received an honorary degree from the University of North Florida, one of the many universities in North America and Europe where he has taught. He visited a school at that time, Twin Lakes Academy Elementary School, and spoke to a class of 3rd graders about his work.
In 2005, Tutu was named a Doctor of Humane Letters at Fordham University in The Bronx. He was also awarded Honorary Patronage of the University Philosophical Society by John Hume, another Honorary Patron of the Society and fellow Nobel laureate. He was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by Berea College prior to delivering the commencement address.
In 2006, Tutu was named a Doctor of Public Service at the College of William and Mary in Virginia, where he was also the commencement speaker. He was awarded the Light of Truth award along with Belgian artist Hergé (posthumously for Tintin) by the Dalai Lama for his contribution towards public understanding of Tibet.
Phuthuma Nhleko
October 27, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Phuthuma Nhleko has come a long way from his first job, a little over two decades ago, as a civil engineer trainee for the Ohio Department of Transportation, in the US.
Nhleko is the CEO of the MTN Group, which is an Africa-focused holding group involved primarily in the operation of GSM cellular telephone networks.
The group, which employs 6 000 people, reported turnover of R29bn for the year ended March 2005.
Nhleko is also chairman and one of the founding members of Worldwide African Investment Holdings, an investment holding company with interests in the petroleum, telecommunications and IT industries. He helped build the company to a book value of investments of about R3.5bn.
He was previously a senior member of the Standard Corporate & Merchant Bank corporate finance team. He also practised as a civil engineer and project manager for the Urban Foundation, and was a senior road engineer for the ministry of works in Swaziland.
Nhleko is a director of Johnnic Holdings, Nedbank Group and Old Mutual SA.
The people he has noted as having had the most influence on his career in the past 15 years are Standard Bank CEO Jacko Maree and Old Mutual SA MD Roddy Sparks.
Nhleko’s academic qualifications include a BSc in civil engineering from Ohio State University and an MBA in finance from Atlanta University. He was appointed to the new Board of Directors of the GSM Association (GSMA), the global trade association for mobile phone operators. The new board will serve a two-year term from January 2007.
African Banker Awards Winners Press Release.
October 24, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Ecobank, the Bank of the Year and Cecilia Ibru, the Banker of the Year take top honours at glittering African Banker Awards in Washington D.C.
Washington, DC – (October 19, 2007) – Africa’s top bankers, finance ministers, governors of central banks and industry leaders gathered at the Grand Hyatt in Washington DC to honour the continent’s best bankers during the first ever awards presented by the London based African Banker magazine, part of the IC Publications stable.
A total of 15 awards was presented at the glittering ceremony, which was co-hosted by Business in Africa Events.
A distinguished panel of judges selected winners from 11 categories, including the Best Bank of the Year, the Banker of the Year, Best Micro Bank, Best Gender Sensitive Bank and others.
The winners came from north, south, west and central Africa even if Nigerian banks were the big winners on the night. A full listing of winners can be found at the end of this release.
Christian Udechukwu of Business in Africa Events said, “We are thrilled to honor these exemplary individuals and businesses who truly embody African excellence in the global marketplace. The honorees and winners of the African Banker Awards are a shining example to their peers and the global finance community.”
Afif Ben Yedder, publisher of African Banker magazine, which is part of the London-based IC Publications, added: “I am delighted to join tonight with such an esteemed group of business leaders as we celebrate each other’s success and honour the contributions of the nominees and winners to the financial sector. I’m also delighted to have had three women honoured at this event: Dr (Mrs) Cecelia Ibru, Oceanic Bank, Nigeria, Linah Mohohlo, Central Governor of Botswana and Evelyn Oputu, CEO of Bank of Industry. Tonight we recognized world class leaders and businessmen working in Africa.”
The African Banker Awards attracted prominent African financial experts, including Nigerian Central Bank Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo CFR and Jean Louis Ekra, President AfriExim Bank. The event was also attended by many other notable African finance ministers, central bank governors, chief executives of commercial banks and other African and US business heads to honor the outstanding achievements of their peers.
As widely expected, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, Nigeria’s Central Bank governor who has overseen the most thoroughgoing reforms in the country’s banker sector, won the Best Central Banker award.
Dr Trevor Manuel, South Africa’s finance minister won the Best Finance Minister Award.
Excitement mounted prior to the announcement of the winners of two of the most coveted awards – the Banker of the Year and the Best Bank of the Year as the quality of the nominations had been exceptional.
Amid deafening cheering, the Best Banker award went to Cecilia Ibru, Managing Director of Nigeria’s Oceanic bank. She said: “The suspense was almost unendurable. This award, from African Banker, means everything to me. It is wonderful to know that your hard work is appreciated. I will never forget this night and will always cherish this award.”
Ecobank’s Managing Director, Arnold Ekpe went up to collect the Best Bank award amid equally thunderous applause. Ecobank, Africa’s first truly multinational bank now has subsidiaries in 19 countries and is technologically one of the most advanced in the emerging markets.
“This is a great night for all Ecobank staff,” he said. “It is a great night for African banking. This is just the beginning of a great leap forward for the continent’s financial sector.”
Afif Ben Yedder, the founder publisher of IC Publications which publishes African Banker and also African Business and New African, the continent’s foremost periodicals, said that when he started his company 45 years ago, there “was not a single indigenous bank on the continent. Your success here is the result of the pioneering work done by the generation before you. But you have succeeded beyond all expectations.”
Anver Versi, editor of African Banker told the audience that today, Africa’s political heroes and heroines had been replaced by business champions. “This lays a heavy burden of expectation on your shoulders but we are confident your shoulders are broad enough to bear this weight and you will not let Africa down.”
There was also considerable excitement when UBA of Nigeria beat global stars such as JP Morgan and Standard Bank to win a new category – Best Emerging Global Bank in Africa.
Ben Yedder publisher of African Business formally announced the first African Business Awards 2008, to honour Africa’s top business people and companies. The event will be held in Maputo, Mozambique, to coincide with the African Development Bank Annual meeting next year.
AFRICAN BANKER AWARDS 2007 WINNERS
- Micro- Finance Bank of the year
Banque Tunisienne de Solidarité
2. Deal of the Year
Standard Bank
Special recognition for outstanding achievement:
Arab African International Bank, Egypt
3. Best Issuing House of the year
IBTC Chartered Bank
4. Investment Bank of the year
JP Morgan
5. Most Innovative Bank of the year
Access Bank
Special recognition for outstanding achievement:
Guaranty Trust Bank
6. Development Bank of the year
Bank of Industry
7. Award for Gender Sensitivity
Swazi Bank
8. Social Responsible Bank of the Year
Zenith Bank
Special recognition for outstanding achievement:
Intercontinental Bank Plc
Fidelity Bank Plc
9. Emerging Global Bank in Africa
United Bank of Africa (UBA) Plc
10. Finance Minister of the Year
Dr Trevor Manuel -Hon. Finance Minister, Republic of South Africa
11. Banking Regulator of the Year
Linah Mohohlo - Governor, Central Bank of Botswana
12. Central Bank Governor
Prof. Chukwuma Soludo CFR - Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria
13. Lifetime Achievement
Othman Benjelloun - President, BMCE Bank, Morocco
14. Banker of the Year
Dr Cecilia Ibru - Managing Director, Oceanic Bank
15. Bank of the Year
Ecobank Transnational Plc
Special recognition for outstanding achievement:
State Bank Mauritius
For more information please visit African Banker Magazine.
Vision For Change - Annual Fund Raising Event.
October 23, 2007 | 1 Comment
The Executive Board of the Egbe Omo Obokun of Ijesaland, Inc. Washington/Baltimore metropolitan area cordially invites you to its Annual Vision for Change fundraising dinner (see attachment). The event will take place on November 17, 2007 at the Mirage Hall, 9980 Liberty Road, Randallstown, Maryland, 21133.
This fundraising dinner event will raise $100,000 for various educational, community development, and health care projects in Ijesaland. The special guest of honor is Her Excellency, Chief (Mrs.) Erelu Olusola Obada, the Deputy Governor of Osun State and about 400 guests are expected to attend including prominent Ijesa and Yoruba descendants living in the USA, U.K, Canada, and Nigeria.
Dinner tickets are on sale—$30 per person, $50 per couple, or $300 for ten people. Entertainment features include live music by Folly Peperempe, comedy, free door prizes, dance, etc. Business advertisements and congratulatory messages in the program book are being taken. Deadline to submit material is October 26. To place your advert, contact Dr Oyebanjo Lajubutu (443.655.1001), or Mr. Adetayo (301-728-1291).
Additional information are available in the PDF files attached below. You can also find more information at www.ijesa.org .
- Vision For Change Event Flyer.
- Vision for Change Sponsorship Pack.
- Mission & Vision of the Organization.
- Letter of Invitation.
Miss Africa United States 2007
October 21, 2007 | 1 Comment
About the Event:
The Miss Africa USA Scholarship Pageant is produced annually by The Shrine of Africa LLC, a global production company registered in the State of Georgia.
The pageant was started in 2005 by the founder and Executive producer Lady Kate Njeuma, who strongly believes in globalizing the African experience especially in America where our common history has created an inevitable bond.
The pageant production is a team effort by members of the African community, organizations and concerned Americans who share the mission and vision. The Miss Africa pageant is an annual production, preliminaries are held across the USA and finals are held in Georgia.
Mission:
The mission of the Miss Africa USA Pageant is to reduce illiteracy in Africa especially the girl child, who is more disadvantaged, supporting charitable projects for children in America and promoting the African cultural heritage.
Vision:
The vision of the Miss Africa USA Scholarship pageant is to empower the African Queen as an ambassador for disadvantaged and underprivileged young children in Africa by supporting these children through school in various programs including:
Back to School Program: school supplies will be given to children who have very poor access to education due to poverty or loss of parents.
‘Sponsor a child’ : a scholarship program where school children will be awarded scholarships to help pay school fees so they too can gain an education.
Miss Africa will act as a goodwill ambassador for Africa by fostering friendships with Americans and promoting the African culture in the diaspora, including guest appearances at events, keynote speaker at conferences and more.
The Miss Africa Pageant looks to educate friends of Africa through experience and help raise awareness on burning issues concerning the continent of Africa.
The Team:
Executive Producer:
Lady Kate Njeuma: originally from Cameroon, a community leader, entrepreneur and professional nurse. Lady Kate is the Executive Producer of The Shrine of Africa, a global event production company.
Productions include the pageant, film, fund raiser events, artist promotions.
Learn more about Lady Kate by visiting the following sites
www.missafricaunitedstates.com
www.shrineofafrica.com
www.myspace.com/missafricausapageant
www.theshrineofafrica.blogspot.com
Executive Assistant:
Ms Carmen Greaves:
- Provides direct personal assistance to Lady Kate Njeuma.
- Communicates with all delegates and provides updates as necessary.
- Involved in the planning of the pageant. Ms Carmen has been working with the pageant for the last 2 years. Ms Carmen is originally from Sierra Leone
Production Manager:
Mr. Kyle Haggerty:
- Mr. Haggerty brings in a wide experience from Productions such as Miss USA New York, Virginia and New Jerseywhere is has been working as production manager.
- He is responsible for Choreographing the delegates on stage
- And manages the entire production. Mr. Haggerty’s recent Production involved working with Paris Hilton. He is from
Virginia Maryland.
Program Director:
- Dr. Emelia Orubele
- Dr. Orubele has been with the pageant since it was started in 2005.
- She has helped to shape the mission and vision of the pageant.
- She has hosted the pageant for the last 2years.
- As program Director she is responsible for planning the 4 days stay of the delegates when the arrive to Georgia for the pageant.
- Dr. Orubele is a leader in the Nigerian community, very involved with The Nigerian Women’s Alliance of Georgia, the Nigerian American Chamberof commerce and she is also an entrepreneur.
Director of Operations:
Mr. Harold Greaves:
- Mr. Greaves has a strong background in management and has the responsibility of making sure that everyone involved in the pageant
- Is under contract if necessary and oversees the entire production and post production.
Back Stage Manager:
Mrs. Mary Mwambay:
- Very experienced in managing people, Mrs Mary has the role of managing everyone backstage to ensure the production flows smoothly. She is from the Democratic Republic of Congo and she works for Friendship Force International s a Program Co-ordinator.
Press and Marketing:
Mr. Isaac Njeuma:
- Mr. Isaac is responsible for communicating with the Press and managing logistics with the Press team as well as developing marketing strategy for the pageant from year to year. The Press are invited to cover this event for broadcast thru any media. Press members are allowed to cover the pageant but must first get approval and must have a press pass for the event. Press teams are encouraged to help support the pageant by sponsoring, cover the pageant or the pageant winner in an editorial, radio or TV show. Full access and recognition will be granted to the Press, upon fulfillment of the above conditions.
The Grand Finals/Event:
Throughout the year, the team runs preliminaries in different States across America, conducts interviews with potential delegates and finally a decision is made on who is selected for the finals to represent the different countries. The finalists are then invited to Georgia for a four day event which culminates to the Miss Africa Grand Finals on the Sat.
This is a major competition showcasing African culture, self expression thru talent, delegates are interviewed about Africa and also a grand showcase of African fashion. The winner is expected to be very savvy, knowledgeable, possess beauty of the face and body, and demonstrating leadership qualities. Talent scouts are also invited to scout for talent during the event.
The delegates arrive on Nov. 1st 2007 and have to comply to a tight schedule from registration, to rehearsals, visits to places of interest and finally pageant night is Saturday Nov. 3rd 2007.
The Friday night Nov. 2nd is a night of meet and greet where the delegates actually meet members of the public in a Welcome party.
Events:
Friday Nov. 2nd Time 10pm
Welcome Bash
Queens International Lounge
6889 Peachtree Industrial Blvd
Norcross Ga 30071
Saturday Nov. 3rd 2007
Time: 7PM
MISS AFRICA GRAND FINALS
The Ashok International Center
5900 Brook Hollow Pkwy
Norcross Ga 30071
Online Voting starts Sept 15th thru the website. Click on 2007 delegates and vote.
This process does not affect the actual pageant results but the winner will be awarded a special prize as voting helps to promote the pageant.
Judges are specially selected from the entertainment and fashion industry and they must be role models who also share the mission and vision of The Miss Africa USA Scholarship Pageant.
Tickets are on sale thru the website www.missafricaunitedstates.com
For more information, please contact us: 678 663 5892 or 678 663 5893
Email: missafrica2006@aol.com
Ken Ofori-Atta.
October 21, 2007 | Leave a Comment
“Yale SOM has been a mantra for me — of excellence, dare-to-do, can-do, and a restlessness to change my world. It gave me the courage to return to Ghana after a career on Wall Street to participate in national rebuilding. My classmates and alumni were most encouraging as I contemplated this contrarian decision to leverage my skills at home - instead of settling for a job in New York. Yale SOM has been life changing in my search to move from success to significance in my society with a values-based orientation.”
Ken is the executive chairman and co-founder of Databank Financial Services Limited (Ghana), a full service non-bank financial institution established in 1990, in Ghana. Databank Brokerage, a subsidiary, is the leading stockbrokerage firm in Ghana, with the most successful mutual fund product. Databank’s services include corporate finance, asset management and equity research. The company has since acquired substantial interest in an insurance company in Ghana and a commercial bank in The Gambia. Ken is a director of a number of public listed companies including Enterprise Insurance Company Limited, and he is the chairman of The Trust Bank of The Gambia.
He is the first African fellow of the Aspen Institute’s Henry Crown Leadership programme and has been honored as a Global Leader of Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum of Davos. He is a member of the president of Ghana’s Investor’s Advisory Council and also a member of Technoserve International.
Ken was the first African to testify in the U.S. Congress to support the Africa Growth & Opportunities Act (AGOA).
Ken went to Achimota School in Ghana, he has a BA in economics from Columbia University (’84) and an MBA from the Yale School of Management (’88). Prior to founding Databank, Ken had worked at Morgan Stanley and Salomon Brothers in New York.
Ken is married to Dr. Angela Lamensdorf Ofori-Atta, a clinical psychologist and deputy minister of Manpower Development and Employment in Ghana. They have three children.
Story Culled from Yale School of Management Alumni website.
Emeka Anyaoku
October 21, 2007 | 1 Comment
Chief Emeka Anyaoku, GCVO, CON (born January 18, 1933) was the third Commonwealth Secretary-General. He is a Nigerian of Igbo descent. Born in Obosi, he attended the University College of Ibadan, then a college of the University of London, from which he obtained an honours degree in Classics.
In 1959, Emeka Anyaoku joined the Commonwealth Development Corporation. Following Nigeria’s independence, he joined Nigeria’s diplomatic service and in 1963 was posted to its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.
In 1966, he joined the Commonwealth Secretariat as Assistant Director of International Affairs. In 1977, Commonwealth governments elected him Deputy Secretary-General.
In 1983, Nigeria’s civilian government appointed Chief Anyaoku to become Nigeria’s Foreign Minister. After the overthrow of the Government by the military later that year, he returned to his position as Deputy Secretary-General with the support of the new government in Nigeria and the endorsement of all Commonwealth Governments.
At the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting at Kuala Lumpur in 1989, Chief Anyaoku was elected the third Commonwealth Secretary-General. He was re-elected at the 1993 Limassol CHOGM for a second five-year term, beginning in July 1995.
Aside from his international career, Chief Anyaoku continues to fulfil the duties of his office as Ichie Adazie of Obosi, a traditional Ndichie chieftainship. In 1990, the heads of all 19 communities of the Idemili Clan in his home state of Anambra accorded Chief Anyaoku a unique honour by investing him with the title of Ugwumba Idemili. His wife, Bunmi, is also a chief - Ugoma Obosi and Idemili - in her own right, with a long involvement in welfare work in Nigeria and through Commonwealth organisations.
Anyaoku is currently President of the World Wide Fund for Nature.
