My name is Michelle Chinwendu Alozie. I was born on April 28, 1997, in La Jolla, California, but my roots are from Imo State, Nigeria, and I am proud of my Igbo heritage. I play football professionally for the Houston Dash and the Nigerian Super Falcons.

I’ve had the honour of representing my country at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the 2024 Olympic Games and recently the CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nation 2025. In 2023, I was named in the CAF Women’s Africa Best XI, and it was a moment that reminded me how far hard work and faith can take you.

I hold a degree in Molecular Biology from Yale University and also work as a cancer research technician at Texas Children’s Hospital. My life is a balance of sports and science, and though it’s demanding, I carry it with pride and love.

Thank you for cheering me on.

—Michelle Alozie

My name is Michelle Chinwendu Alozie. I was born on April 28, 1997, in La Jolla, California, but my roots are from Imo State, Nigeria, and I am proud of my Igbo heritage. I play football professionally for the Houston Dash and the Nigerian Super Falcons.

I’ve had the honour of representing my country at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the 2024 Olympic Games and recently the CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nation 2025. In 2023, I was named in the CAF Women’s Africa Best XI, and it was a moment that reminded me how far hard work and faith can take you.

I hold a degree in Molecular Biology from Yale University and also work as a cancer research technician at Texas Children’s Hospital. My life is a balance of sports and science, and though it’s demanding, I carry it with pride and love.

Thank you for cheering me on.

—Michelle Alozie

ATTACKS ON GOODLUCK E. JONATHAN WHILE IN OFFICE: Jonathan is training snipers - OBASANJO.
I will make your Govt ungovernable - ATIKU.
Jonathan is the most corrupt president in the history of Nigeria - DINO MELAYE.
One million man match protest against insecurity - ADEBOYE.
Jonathan govt stole a lot of money - PASTOR SULEIMAN.
Jonathan is a bad luck -Rev. Fr. EJIKE MBAKA.
Monkey and baboon will soaked in blood if Jonathan continues in 2015 - BUHARI
We will form a parallel Government, if Jonathan won - Rotimi Amaechi.
Jonathan is the sponsor of Boko Haram - Northern Elders.
Jonathan is a kindergarten president - EL RUFAI.
PDP and Jonathan have failed Nigeria - SOWORE.
Jonathan, bring back our girls - OBY EZEKWESILI.
The Government that failed to restore power in six months is a failure -Babatunde FASHOLA.
Finally we used Almajiris to vote out Jonathan -KWANKWASO.

Today Jonathan is getting more encomiums, promotion and recognition from the West.
And:

1. Atiku has been rewarded
2. Kwankwaso has been rewarded
3. Dino Melaye has been rewarded
4. Mbaka can't even talk again
5. Suleiman is quiet
6. Oby Ezekwesili has been shut up and banned.
7. Obasanjo has been shut down
8. El-Rufai has been sidelined
9. Northern Elders are crying
10. Adeboye can't talk again..
11. Sowore is receiving his own punishment.
LESSON:
Mind what you say or do because of selfish interests, because it must surely haunt you back. #contentmonitezation #fyp #contentcreator #goviralpost #california #canada #australia

A federal judge in California extended temporary protected status for 60,000 people from Central America and Asia, including people from Nepal, Honduras and Nicaragua. https://cnn.it/4fjefv1

In mid-November, police officer Bruce Pierson was dispatched to the scene of a person acting suspiciously near parked cars in Temecula, California, just outside the Promenade Mall.
When the officer arrived, he found a young woman named Franki. She was homeless and told Officer Pierson that she was just moving around between cars parked in the lot so she could find some shade. She also did not have any shoes on, and her feet were covered in dirt… and were calloused. She told the officer her last pair of shoes wore out 2 months ago.
Franki, who was 18, said she had been living on the streets since she was 12 years old, and last year, she had a miscarriage. Officer Pierson asked Frankie to come inside the mall with him, and he took her to the Payless Shoe Store and bought her a pair of shoes.
While doing that, another woman approached the officer and asked if it was ok if she, too, could buy her a pair of shoes. And she did.
Another shopper, Joshuah Rounds, stopped by the officer and gave him $10 to help pay for the shoes. He also took pictures of Officer Pierson with the woman and posted them on Facebook. They soon went viral, being shared more than 100,000 times in 48 hours.
Franki, who became extremely emotional while many were being so kind to her, walked out of the store with two pairs of shoes, some socks, a scarf, and a beanie.
The officer’s wife even packed up some sweaters, warm clothing, and a blanket for Frankie. And Officer Pierson even went one step further… he set Frankie up with an agency to try to get her back to her family in Colorado so they could all enjoy the holidays together… for the first time in six years.
This is one time when looking suspicious… really paid off.

Ashleigh Plumptre is a 25-year-old British-Nigerian footballer currently playing for Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia. Born in Leicester, England, on May 8, 1998, she has a unique dual heritage, with a Nigerian father and a British mother. This background significantly influenced her decision to play for the Nigerian national team, the Super Falcons, despite previously representing England at youth level .



Her football journey began at a young age with Asfordby Amateurs, followed by stints at Leicester City, Birmingham City, and Notts County in England. She also played college soccer in the United States for the University of Southern California Trojans. After her college career, she returned to England to play for Leicester City, contributing significantly to their promotion to the Women's Super League .



Plumptre's decision to represent Nigeria has been met with both support and curiosity. She has openly discussed her connection to her Nigerian heritage, emphasizing the importance of family and exploring her roots. Her performances for the Super Falcons, particularly during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, have solidified her status as a fan favorite. Her father, Tim Plumptre, and grandfather, Harry Dotun Plumptre, are of Yoruba descent, further strengthening her ties to Nigeria .



Beyond her impressive football career, Plumptre maintains a relatively private personal life. She has an estimated net worth of $5 million, a testament to her success both on and off the field. Her younger sister, Bayleigh Bisi Plumptre, also shares her Nigerian heritage and is a drummer. Ashleigh's story is one of talent, dedication, and a strong connection to her roots .

Ashleigh Plumptre is a 25-year-old British-Nigerian footballer currently playing for Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia. Born in Leicester, England, on May 8, 1998, she has a unique dual heritage, with a Nigerian father and a British mother. This background significantly influenced her decision to play for the Nigerian national team, the Super Falcons, despite previously representing England at youth level .



Her football journey began at a young age with Asfordby Amateurs, followed by stints at Leicester City, Birmingham City, and Notts County in England. She also played college soccer in the United States for the University of Southern California Trojans. After her college career, she returned to England to play for Leicester City, contributing significantly to their promotion to the Women's Super League .



Plumptre's decision to represent Nigeria has been met with both support and curiosity. She has openly discussed her connection to her Nigerian heritage, emphasizing the importance of family and exploring her roots. Her performances for the Super Falcons, particularly during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, have solidified her status as a fan favorite. Her father, Tim Plumptre, and grandfather, Harry Dotun Plumptre, are of Yoruba descent, further strengthening her ties to Nigeria .



Beyond her impressive football career, Plumptre maintains a relatively private personal life. She has an estimated net worth of $5 million, a testament to her success both on and off the field. Her younger sister, Bayleigh Bisi Plumptre, also shares her Nigerian heritage and is a drummer. Ashleigh's story is one of talent, dedication, and a strong connection to her roots .

A British-owned African grey parrot named Nigel went missing for four years and returned speaking Spanish. According to The Independent, Nigel disappeared from his home in Torrance, California in 2010. When he was finally reunited with his owner, Darren Chick, in 2014, his British accent was gone and he had picked up fluent Spanish instead.

Nigel was discovered by a dog groomer named Julia Sperling, who noticed the parrot speaking Spanish phrases like “¿Qué pasó?” and even barking like dogs. Sperling, originally from Panama, suspected the bird had learned Spanish during his time away. According to Animals Around the Globe, Nigel was eventually traced back to Chick through a microchip and old pet store records, thanks to the efforts of veterinarian Teresa Micco.

The story took another twist when it was revealed that Nigel had spent part of his missing years with a Guatemalan family, learning Spanish from the grandfather who had adopted him. In the end, Chick returned Nigel to that family, recognizing the bond they had formed.

UKPABI ASIKA THE GREAT!

By Emeka Obasi

No individual did more for the Igbo after the genocidal Civil War than Ajie Ukpabi Asika, a First Class Economist produced by the University of Ibadan, who was appointed Administrator of East Central State in 1967. Strangely, those who should praise him only remember that he did not support Biafra.

Asika and his wife, Chinyere, returned from the United States with chains of University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) degrees and settled down to work at the University of Ibadan. By 1966, they had moved to Tanzania and later Zambia.

It took another Economist, Dr. Adebayo Adedeji, to recommend Ajie to Gowon through Col. Olu Obasanjo. He was the only civilian among the twelve new governors. Had Gowon appointed a Federal officer to administer the East, perhaps everything Biafra would have been completely destroyed.

Asika behaved like a statesman. He welcomed and rehabilitated all those that were on the Biafran side and put their ingenuity to good use. Those who fuelled inventions through Research And Production (RAP) got a new agency, Project Development Agency (PRODA) headed by one of the brains behind Ogbunigwe, Gordian Ezekwe.

The ECS cabinet had an array of achievers, carefully selected. There was Ukwu I. Ukwu, with PhD, Cantab. Samuel Ikoku, Economist, politician and University lecturer, Charles Abangwu, former Deputy Speaker, Eastern Region House of Assembly, Magnus Adiele, another University teacher and Dan Ibekwe, lawyer, former Federal minister, also made it.

Flora Nwapa, novelist and University administrator, joined Philip Nnaemeka Agu, a lawyer, Martin Elechi a former District Officer (DO), Dan Njemanze, another lawyer, Osita Okeke, Zackhaeus  Dibiaezue, and Anthony Ofo - Mogboh, to move the new state to greater heights. They were supported by Chu Okongwu, Vincent Aniago and Innocent Nwoga, among others.

What many did not know was that before the war ended, Asika moved swiftly to secure Igbo investments across the nation. He was successful in the West, in Kano, in Ilorin but Port Harcourt gave him so much headache. Rivers State governor, Alfred Papapreye Diette - Spiff, hardened his heart and supported what became known as Abandoned Property.

It was sad that Spiff who attended St. Joseph's College, Sasse Buea, Western Cameroon, did not consider men like Prof.Theodore Okeahialam and his brother, Heron, who also passed out from the same school, before him.

Heron was the Engineer behind Radio Biafra, who made the world believe that the studio was in Enugu all through the war. Fact is, he moved the station round. At a time, signals came from a palm tree in Otulu, Ahiara, Mbaise. Prof. Okeahialam did not only head the Biafran Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre in Libreviile, Gabon, he pioneered inventions.

Biafran doctors produced Kwashiorkor Mixture for malnourished children, a formula later adopted by the World Health Organisation. F. Udekwu and David Nwafor used fresh coconut as intravenous fluids to treat wounded soldiers. Nelly Obiayo separated Siamese twins. Humphrey Anyanwu did well with surgery.

In 1974, Anyanwu and Nwafor had jobs at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu. They performed two major heart surgeries with Egyptian turned Briton, Bagdi Yacoub.

Asika did not like the unforgiving spirit of Spiff. The Amanyanabo of Bonny, William Dappa Pepple, was exiled, for following Gen. Emeka Ojukwu to one of the Peace Meetings in Addis Ababa, in 1968. The king lived in Enugu. Ojukwu was worried but relief came when Asika found a place for Pepple in Aba, nearer home. He died there in 1972. Today his son, Asimini Dappa People III, sits on the throne as Perekule XI, Amanyanabo of Bonny.

Asika had the most efficient Civil Service in the country, that applied IBM computers through the Eastern Data Processing Centre, manned by Dr. Ofia Nwali and supervised by Ukwu I. Ukwu. Scholarships to Europe, America and other parts of Nigeria were awarded and handled perfectly. 

In Sports, Asika was excellent. Enugu Rangers remain the first Nigerian team to become double champions. This was achieved in 1974. That foundation also makes the Flying Antelopes the only club to have won the Challenge Cup three times consecutively.

East Central State Academicals lifted the Manuwa/ Adebajo Cup in 1971. East Central State Spartans grabbed soccer gold at the First National Sports Festival, Lagos 1973 and retained it in 1975. Rangers had won the first league, the Amachree Cup, although informally, in 1971.

All the players and managers of these teams were Biafran combatants. Coach Dan Anyiam, was Brigade Major of the 60 Brigade that fought gallantly in Oguta. Skipper Godwin Achebe was at the School of Infantry. Godwin Ogbueze was a teenage commando, just like Dominic Nwobodo. Patrick Ekeji moved from the Air Force to Army Signals. Emma Okala and Christian Chukwu, fought as well. Nwabueze Nwankwo was tough in the Mid - West.

Today's leaders would have distanced themselves from Biafrans who painted Asika in bad light. Ajie welcomed them with open arms and was the one who coined the phrase, No Victor , No Vanquished. He visited fellow governors, to be sure that harm did not befall returnee Ndigbo.

I got chatting recently with multi talented Obi Asika, Ajie's son who has continued from where his father stopped. The Junior Asika is into music, soccer, administration, name it. He said : "No Victor, No Vanquished was actually a book written by Ajie. He also negotiated General Amnesty for Biafran soldiers and kept almost everyone out of prison. There is a road named after him in Kano, and another in Ilorin, for his work of rehabilitating the Igbo, securing their property and giving them a way back. I celebrate him every day."

Some of the Biafran officers who were in detention beyond Asika's tenure, were set free in August 1975 by Murtala Mohammed. They included 1966 coup plotters, Humphrey Chukwuma, who remained in Biafran detention through out the war and Ganiyu Adeleke, who commanded the Biafran School of Infantry after he was injured in battle. Peter Adomokai, Aide de Camp to David Ejoor was an Instructor at the School of Infantry. There was also the soldier, Peter Odili. Both men were not in detention.
Benneth Ochei was also set free alongside, Ojukwu's aide, Kanayo Esinulo, who was whisked away from the Lagos Airport, on his way to Frankfurt, by security operatives, on August 23, 1973.

Prof. Ken Post who once lectured at the University of Ibadan told Esinulo that Asika "was one of the most brilliant students I ever taught in all my teaching career." Ajie founded the ECS Writers Workshop and loved Arts and Entertainment. At the First National Festival of Ars and Culture, his state emerged tops. Nkpokiti dancers were also spectacular, globally.

Born in Barkin Ladi and moulded at St. Patrick's College, Calabar and Edo College, Benin, the Umuezearoli, Onitsha man explored the world and brought his experience home. Asika married Chinyere, whose dad was the super public servant, Nathan Ejiogu of Egbu, Owerri. Her sister, Kema Chikwe, became a Federal minister. South - East governors need to be schooled about what Ajie Anthony Ukpabi Asika( Dona Meche ) did for the Geo Political Zone.

PLEASE SHARE TO OTHER PLATFORMS: For our SE Leaders attention and information. May history and posterity honor for the sake of our children.
REV UKANWA ULU

Meet Nwando Achebe, Chinua Achebe's Daughter

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Nwando Achebe, is a Nigerian-American academic, academic administrator, feminist scholar and multi-award-winning historian. She is the Jack and Margaret Sweet Endowed Professor of History and the Associate Dean for Access, Faculty Development, and Strategic Implementation in the College of Social Science at Michigan State University. She is also founding editor-in-chief of the Journal of West African History. 19th Century, 20th Century, Cultural, Political, Religious, Social, Women & Gender.

Nwando Achebe was born in Enugu, eastern Nigeria to Nigerian writer, essayist and poet, Chinua Achebe and Christie Chinwe Achebe, a professor of education. She is the spouse of Folu Ogundimu, professor of journalism at Michigan State University and mother of a daughter, Chino. Her older brother, Chidi Chike Achebe is a physician-executive.

Achebe received her Ph.D. in African History from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2000. An oral historian by training, her areas of expertise are West African History, women, gender and sexuality histories. In 1996 and 1998, she served as a Ford Foundation and Fulbright-Hays Scholar-in-Residence at The Institute of African Studies and The Department of History and International Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Her first academic position was as an assistant professor of history at the College of William and Mary. She then moved to Michigan State University in 2005 as a tenured associate professor, Professor in 2010, and is presently the Jack and Margaret Sweet Endowed Professor.

Nwando Achebe has received grants from the Wenner Gren Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, Woodrow Wilson, Fulbright-Hays, Ford Foundation, the World Health Organization and the National Endowment for the Humanities. She is also the recipient of three book awards.

Ngugi wa Thiong'o, the renowned Kenyan author and academic, has passed away at the age of 87 in Atlanta, USA.

His daughter, Wanjiku Wa Ngugi, announced his passing on Facebook, stating that he lived a full life and fought a good fight. According to his family's wishes, details of his celebration of life will be announced soon.

Ngugi wa Thiong'o was a celebrated novelist, playwright, and scholar known for his works that explored themes of colonialism, cultural identity, and social justice. Some of his notable works include:

- Novels:
- Weep Not, Child (1964)
- The River Between (1965)
- A Grain of Wheat (1967)
- Petals of Blood (1977)
- Devil on the Cross (1980)

- Essays:
- Decolonising the Mind (1986)
- Moving the Center (1994)
- Penpoints Gunpoints and Dreams (1998)

He was a vocal advocate for the use of indigenous languages in literature and was known for his critique of neocolonialism.

Ngugi wa Thiong'o held academic positions at esteemed institutions such as Yale University, New York University, and the University of California, Irvine, where he was a Distinguished Professor of English and Comparative Literature.

Farewell to a Literary Giant: Honoring the Pen of Prof. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o

Here are Ngugi Wa Thiong'o's books, categorized by genre:

Novels
- Weep Not, Child (1964) - a powerful story about the effects of the Mau Mau war on ordinary Kenyans
- The River Between (1965) - explores the conflict between traditional and modern ways of life
- A Grain of Wheat (1967) - considered one of Thiong'o's greatest literary achievements
- Petals of Blood (1977) - a novel about corruption and capitalism in post-independence Kenya
- Devil on the Cross (1980) - written in Gikuyu while Thiong'o was in prison
- Matigari (1986) - a mythical story about a revolutionary in an unnamed country
- Wizard of the Crow (2004) - a magical realist narrative about Africa's place in the modern world
- The Perfect Nine (2018) - a novel exploring themes of identity and culture

Memoirs
- Dreams in a Time of War (2005) - a memoir about Thiong'o's childhood during the Mau Mau Uprising
- In the House of the Interpreter (2012) - a memoir about Thiong'o's experiences in prison
- Birth of a Dream Weaver (2016) - a memoir about Thiong'o's journey as a writer
- Wrestling with the Devil: A Prison Memoir (2018) - a memoir about Thiong'o's experiences in prison

Short Stories/Novellas
- The Upright Revolution (2016) - a short story exploring themes of power and identity
- Minutes of Glory and Other Stories (2019) - a collection of short stories

Plays
- The Black Hermit (1968) - a play about identity and culture
- The Trial of Dedan Kimathi (1976) - a play about Kenya's struggle for independence
- I Will Marry When I Want (1982) - a play about the legacies of colonialism

Non-Fiction Books
- Homecoming (1972) - essays about African culture and identity
- Decolonising the Mind (1981) - a collection of essays about language and culture
- Writers in Politics (1981) - essays about the role of writers in society
- Globalectics (2012) - essays about literature and culture
- The Language of Languages (2022) - a book about language and identity
- Decolonizing Language and Other Revolutionary Ideas (2025) - a book about language and culture.