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WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH: Honoring Antoinette-Rita Opeyemi Okoiye, Established Lawyer, Gifted Author and Poet

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In Celebration of Women’s History Month, Miss Africa USA Organization continues to honor outstanding young women leaders in a series of weekly inspirational journals highlighting their achievements. HONOR GOES TO:  MISS ANTOINETTE-RITA OPEYEMI OKOIYE   Successful and Established Lawyer,  A  Gifted Author and Poet Her Accolades trickle down from Her Majesty the Queen of England to Number 10 Downing Street, London and of course the Nigerian Presidency. Her Next Book to be launched this year is the Autobiography of  Late Chief Stella Obansanjo, wife of Former President of Nigeria, H E Olusegun Obasanjo. Read, Share  and Get Inspired by this Young Unstoppable Leader. Antoinette-Rita Opeyemi Okoiye, 24, was born in London, England, UK. Her parents are of Nigerian heritage. Antoinette-Rita is an author of 2 books, a poet of over 700 poems, Trainee Barrister trained in England and Wales and a Civil and Commercial Law Mediator. She is also a Freeman of the Corporation of the City of London and is currently  working at a commercial-litigation and international arbitration law firm called Schiffer Odom Hicks & Johnson PLLC in Houston, Texas, USA. Antoinette-Rita completed her LL.B in Law (Law Degree) at The London School of Economics in 2012, she was Called to the Bar in 2014, and, she completed her LL.M Master in Law at The University of Chicago Law School in 2014. As an author, she has written two books: her first book, Purple & Blue – Inspirational Poems was released in 2008 before her 18th birthday and her second book, The Blue Ocean – Peace, Power, Prosperity (Volume 1) was released in 2010. The Former President of Nigeria, His Excellency Chief Olusegun Obasanjo wrote the foreword to The Blue Ocean. As part of Antoinette-Rita’s work, on 17 October 2011, Antoinette-Rita held a book launch of her second publication, The Blue Ocean, at The International Hotel in Canary Wharf, London where His Excellency, Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, attended as Chief Launcher and His Excellency, Dr. Dalhatu Tafida, Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK attended as Special Guest of Honor. Pictures of Antoinette-Rita’s book launch can be viewed online from her website: www.harmony-creation.com Other guests included: (1) The Right Honourable Mayor of Waltham Forest, Councillor Geoff Walker (2) His Excellency Ambassador Dozie Nwanna (Nigerian Deputy High Commissioner to the UK) (3) His Excellency Paul Akaro (South Sudan High Commissioner to the UK) (4) His Excellency Nkwelle Ekaney (Cameroon High Commissioner to the UK) (5) His Excellency Edward Turay (Sierra Leone High Commissioner to the UK) (6) Mr. Richard Taylor OBE and others. Antoinette-Rita was also invited to 10 Downing Street to meet Mr. Prime Minister David Cameron on her actual 21st  birthday in September 2011 because of her achievements in poetry. Antoinette-Rita’s current book is based on the life and legacy of the Former First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Mrs. Stella Obasanjo. President Obasanjo endorsed Antoinette-Rita to write the book on his wife and it will be launched in October 2015 to mark 10 years since Chief Mrs. Stella Obasanjo’s passing in 2005. As a result of Antoinette-Rita’s success in poetry, music and academic attainment, Her Royal Majesty, The Queen of England, Elizabeth II, has written two letters to Antoinette-Rita, acknowledging and praising her achievements. Antoinette-Rita has received other letters from members of the Royal Family such as: The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. In Nigeria, Antoinette-Rita piloted the use of poetry, creative writing, reading and music workshops and seminars as development methods for students, especially for those from SS1 to SS3 with support of the teaching fraternity in Ogun State, Nigeria with three Secondary Schools in Aiyetoro, Ogun State: (1) Alaye High School (2) Community High School (3) Comprehensive High School  with over 400 students. The response to the series of workshops was very encouraging. The teachers, principals and students recommended that the workshop should be delivered at other educational institutions. As a result, Antoinette-Rita has received approval from the Ministry of Education of Ogun State, Nigeria and from the Director of Education Support Services of Ogun State, Nigeria in which she is permitted to go around all Secondary Schools in Ogun State to implement the workshops. The vision is to promote a reading culture, a love for poetry, a passion for writing and inspire the children to become writers and authors themselves, thus developing the creative, artistic and publishing sector of their economy and their community. As part of Antoinette-Rita’s writing, her article, ‘Has the European Court of Human Rights developed a coherent and convincing approach to the issue of offensive expression?’ , was included in BPP Law School’s Human Rights Journal 2013 in London, England, UK. Antoinette-Rita’s story is very important and inspirational because of her mother who is a single parent and has polio. Antoinette-Rita has touched many peoples’ hearts because of her ability to look after her mother from a very young age and she continues to look after her mother. Antoinette-Rita never allowed her circumstances to hinder her professional goals and academic achievements. In fact, she has always maintained her obligations at home with her academic and professional aspirations. Antoinette-Rita applauds and thanks her mother for her mother’s determination, strength, encouragement, dedication and focus on her daughter. Antoinette-Rita calls her mother “a diamond” and from Antoinette-Rita’s Facebook page, you will see why! Antoinette-Rita’s mother’s smile certainly is always radiant! Antoinette-Rita’s mother has a charity organization for people with disabilities based in the United Kingdom and West Africa. To get in touch with Antoinette-Rita or to purchase her books, you may email her via: antoinette.rita@hotmail.co.uk     Antoinette-Rita’s website is: www.harmony-creation.com

African Award winners

MISS AFRICA USA PAGEANT SALUTES LUPITA NYONGO

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 Miss Africa USA Pageant Organization Salutes Lupita Nyongo for winning the OSCAR AWARDS  for her role in the Movie 12 Years A Slave.  She won Best Supporting Actress.  This is History and Victory for African Women all over the World.   We are proud of Lupita for her excellence and determination that beats all imagination.  Today she has uplifted all women of African descent.  She has inspired millions of young African girls around the world.   LUPITA NYONGO, MISS AFRICA USA PAGEANT (BY ASSOCIATED PRESS) After a whirlwind of awards season attention for Lupita Nyong’o ended with a best supporting actress award at Sunday’s Oscars, the “12 Years a Slave” star honored the character that put her on stage. “Thank you to the academy for this incredible recognition. It doesn’t escape me for one moment that so much joy in my life is due to so much pain in someone else’s,” she said, referring to Patsey, the tortured slave she played in director Steve McQueen’s wrenching 19th-century drama. She credited McQueen for bringing attention to a dark chapter in American history and the victims of slavery. “I’m certain the dead are standing about you and watching,” she said, a sentiment she expanded on backstage. “I think he’s really honored a people that really have been unsung for a really long time in doing this film,” she said. Nyong’o, who has talked about learning as a child to accept her dark-skinned beauty, said she hoped her success would inspire other youngsters. “When I look down at this golden statue, may it remind me and every child, no matter where you’re from, your dreams are valid,” she said. Nyong’o had been considered a front-runner in a category that included Sally Hawkins, “Blue Jasmine”; Jennifer Lawrence, “American Hustle”; Julia Roberts, “August: Osage County”; and June Squibb, “Nebraska.” Among other awards, Nyong’o claimed a Spirit Award on Saturday, the day she turned 31. But she appeared shocked when her name was called Sunday. She bent over in her seat, then rose, still looking stunned, as the audience erupted with cheers and a standing ovation. “No, no, no,” she said backstage, when asked if she could have imagined receiving the honor. “I’m a little dazed. I can’t believe this is in my hands. I can’t believe this is real life.” Unlike supporting actor winner Jared Leto, who passed his Oscar for “Dallas Buyers Club” around to a roomful of reporters, Nyong’o cradled her trophy close to her elegant, ice-blue Prada gown. She referred to it as her “young man” at one point. Nyong’o, who was born in Mexico and is of Kenyan descent, was honored for her film debut. Her parents are prominent in their own right: Her father, Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, was an advocate for democratic reform in 20th-century Kenya and is now a senator, while her mother, Dorothy Nyong’o, is the director of the Africa Cancer Foundation. She has said her parents are taking her fame in stride, but acknowledged a special moment with her father Sunday. “I saw him after I got this young man, and he hugged me and he said, ‘Thank you,’” she said. The 86th Academy Awards aired on ABC from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres.

African Award winners, african beauty

2013 TOP MODEL IS MISS CAMEROON LARISSA NGANGOUM

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 MISS CAMEROON LARISSA NGANGOUM IS Miss Africa USA TOP MODEL 2013. Miss Larissa who is a full time Pharmacy Student, has the looks and attitude for the Runway. She represented Cameroon with Pride and Ran on the Platform of Raising Awareness on the dangers of Female Genital Mutilation also known as FGM. She plans to continue her fight against FGM and to continue representing Cameroon on the International Stage.

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