Meet Olusegun Obasanjo
Olusegun Matthew Okikiola Arema Obasanjo was born in 1936 and is Nigerian of Yoruba descent.
A career soldier, Obansanjo became Nigeria military head of state between 1976 and 1979. He handed over to a controversial democratic civilian rule in 1979, thus becoming the first military ruler to willingly hand over power when military rulership was still in fashion in Africa.
Meet Emmanuel Adebayor
Born in Togo to Nigerian parents, Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor began his career playing football for Togolese club de Lomé. After being spotted playing football on the beach, Adebayor started his European career playing for French club Metz. After a trial, Adebayor joined the club in 1999 and played at the under-17 level for two years before joining the second team.
Meet Alek Wek
Style bible Elle magazine took a leap of faith when they featured a dark-skinned, Sudanese model called Alek Wek, on the cover of their November 1997 issue. However, the result was a phenomenon with thousands of readers writing letters of support, thrilled to see different standards of beauty in the fashion industry. Oprah later commented to Alek on her show, "If you'd been on the cover of a magazine when I was growing up, I would have had a different concept of who I was."
Meet Russell Simmons
Forbes Magazine recently named Russell Simmons one of "Hollywood's Most Influential Celebrities."
USA Today named Russell Simmons one of the "Top 25 Most Influential People of the Past 25 Years," calling him a "hip-hop pioneer" for his groundbreaking vision that has influenced music, fashion, finance, the jewelry industry, television and film, as well as the face of modern philanthropy.
Meet Desmond Tutu
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu, a Nobel Peace Laureate, is one of the greatest living moral icons of our time who was a key role player in the fight against apartheid in South Africa. He was also the first black South African Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa and primate of the Anglican Church of South Africa.
Meet Winnie Madikizela Mandela
n 1993 she was elected president of the ANC Women’s league, a position she held until 2003. In 2009, she was returned to Parliament and remains an MP today. She has never remarried.
Winnie stood by her husband Nelson when he was released from prison in 1990. They were separated from 1992 and later divorced in 1996.
Meet Idrissa Akuna "Idris" Elba
Golden Globe award-winning actor, DJ, recording artist and producer, Idris Elba was born in September 1972, and brought up in East Ham, East London.
