IT WAS A PLEASURE TO BE A GUEST ON CITY FM LAGOS 105.1 WITH EMMA AGAJI

It was a pleasure to be a GUEST on CITY FM 105.1 with Emma Agaji  in April 2019 , I was on air to discuss the journey of organizing The Black History Month Celebrations at The UK House of Parliament for six years in a row

ABOUT CITY FM

We are the lifestyle of Lagos … The CITY that never sleeps!
Listen Online: www.city1051fm.com

City 105.1fm, is primarily targeted at the upwardly mobile community resident in Lagos State… the slogan “the City never sleeps”, reiterates the round-the-clock activities of a typical Lagosian. Also, the other slogan, “the lifestyle of Lagos”, typifies the attitude & style of the Lagosian as mirrored by the On-Air talents and programme content.

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IT WAS A PLEASURE TO BE A GUEST ON CITY FM 103.5 LAGOS

GUEST ON CITY FM 103.5 LAGOS 

 

It was a pleasure to be a GUEST on CITY FM 103.5 with Emma Agaji  in April 2019 , I was on air to discuss the journey of organizing The Black History Month Celebrations at The UK House of Parliament for six years in a row

ABOUT CITY FM

We are the lifestyle of Lagos … The CITY that never sleeps!
Listen Online: www.city1051fm.com

City 105.1fm, is primarily targeted at the upwardly mobile community resident in Lagos State… the slogan “the City never sleeps”, reiterates the round-the-clock activities of a typical Lagosian. Also, the other slogan, “the lifestyle of Lagos”, typifies the attitude & style of the Lagosian as mirrored by the On-Air talents and programme content.

 

A PLEASURE TO BE ON NATIONAL TV IN LAGOS – TONY FERNANDEZ

A PROFOUND PLEASURE TO BE ON NATIONAL TELEVISION IN LAGOS , WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE INTERVIEWS

Dear Family and Friends
It was a pleasure to be a TV  guest on NTA 2 – NIGERIAN TELEVISION AUTHORITY  on Monday the 15^th of April on the #hangingouttv show with the amazing TV Host – Yetunde Aremu

I was on air to discuss the journey of organizing The Black History Month Celebrations for 6 years in a row as well as the upcoming initiatives in the next coming months

 

Special thanks to TV Host Yetunde Aremu as well NTA Producer/Director – Femi Davies Alagbala

 

We intend to engage more with NTA Nigeria

ALSO WATCH THIS SPACE AS I WIL BE A GUEST ON  RADIO ONE 103.5 LAGOS THIS WEDNESDAY THE 17^TH OF APRIL AT 10AM IN THE MORNING

 

MORE COPIES OF OUR NEW BOOKLET ON THE JOURNEY OF ORGANIZING BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATIONS AT THE UK HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT FOR 6 YEARS IN A ROW IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE UK MINISTER FOR EMPLOYMENT ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN LAGOS FOR JUST 1500 NAIRA PER COPY, IF INTERESTED, CONTACT ME ON WHATSAPP ON +447882809005
As we are currently in Lagos, we will continue to work in partnership to promote media platforms and initiatives in Nigeria

www.tonyfernandez.co.uk

 

 

ROLE MODEL OF THE WEEK, THE AMAZING GLENICE ALLISON, LIVING IN BIRMINGHAM, UK

I am proudly one of the longest serving “faces” in Avon UK. Being a part of the Avon PR process has opened my eyes to what the company is about, what they are trying to achieve and from my own experience knowing what my face can do for other women that look like me upon entering the industry. I started Avon when I saw a black woman in one of their adverts in 2009. I had heard of Avon, knew very little about the opportunity but thought to give them a call based on just taking a chance. I went for an advert opportunity in 2015 and it was then I had to really wonder if Avon were even prepared to have someone like me to be a face for them. The audition process was long but it was fun and in one of the final elements of the process, I had to stand in front of a camera and talk. There was a Scottish woman that looked at my shiny face and asked me if I had my makeup on me. When I looked on the table there wasn’t any shade of foundation for me. Long story short, I ran to get my makeup and on the way back to the room, went to the ladies and simply blotted my face with tissue paper. She declared that was “much better”. At this point, I wondered if I had walked into a parallel universe because I couldn’t figure out why a makeup company would not have my shade of foundation. I persisted with the process anyway and looking back on that video, I can remember feeling thrown by it all.

 

I didn’t get the advert (at the time) but what I did get was something called Beauty For a Purpose. I’ll be honest, I was working part time and didn’t even realise the scale of the project until I was on my way down to London for the photoshoot. On the journey down, I watched videos of the likes of women like Orenthia Ricketts-Palmer and her story and what Avon meant to her. It was amazing (and they had her shade of foundation too!) At the shoot, just meeting other UK reps that were achieving things, like I had never seen, was also an eye opener, the likes of Zoe Davies and Catherine Piggott was just incredible. And it made me want to achieve even more. But I was a lone voice. It wasn’t something that I was scared of but once the pictures were released, I soon found how lonely being that one woman could be. Whilst other reps were celebrated, I got attacked online, I got asked questions that would never have been asked to my colleagues. Did I have good days? HELL YEAH but my biggest support boost had to come from within. All of my main cheerleaders lived miles away. Avon HQ always listened and always supported in ways that took me by surprise for a corporate of their size if I’m honest and they have continued to listen where possible and included my voice to be heard where they see a good fit.

 

Are things much better?? Yes and No. Shooting on the recent #stand4her campaign, there were a number of representatives/ models – myself included that each had an envelope of Avon makeup. I was the only person that was asked if I had my makeup on me because they didn’t have any one of the Avon shades of Foundation for my skin. Luckily, 2015 (and the stories of legendary Supermodel (and aunty in my head) Iman taught me to carry my own makeup to these things. Now granted, they may not have known which shade would be better suited to my skin but there are at least 6 shades that they could’ve carried with them into the envelope to find out. For the unseeing eye, I could be seen as an “add-on” but I have been representing for so long that Avon and I have the receipts to prove that this isn’t exactly true. But considering the ever changing demographics in Britain, does diversity still matter?

 

In short, HELL YEAH!! But as I have alluded to in my previous blogs, diversity won’t matter if the products are no good or people are just seen as an add-on. Black consumers of make up are far more discerning in 2019 – we know our worth. The black and mixed-race population in the UK has doubled in the last ten years. The Institute of Practitioners in Advertising estimates that black women spend some £4.8 billion on products and treatments, with African Caribbean women spending six times more than their white counterparts on their hair. But even with such an impressive spend, ethnic groups remain drastically underserved and under-represented in the industry and at the beauty counter.

 

I am all over social media. I have a two Facebook pages called Avon Beauty and Cosmetic Diversity and Avon Beauty and Cosmetics which features the products that I use or the cosmetics that me or my customers wear. Both of my pages are fantastic and you will see me adding to my team of representatives or sending out callouts for new customers. These pages are for real Avonistas who recognise the diversity in business and beauty!! I am always looking for representatives and customers – there are opportunities for growth – an opportunity rarely taken up by black people, but my team is growing steadily. If you are interested in joining the team and gaining the benefits of being an Avon rep, then call me. If you want to shop with me, then ask as I may have the perfect products for you. My motto is to Join | Shop | Follow and I have been able to fit it around my children as the advert of us shows.

 

COPIES OF OUR BLACK HISTORY AT UK HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT BOOKLET NOW AVAILABLE IN LAGOS

DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS,

MORE COPIES OF OUR NEW BOOKLET ON THE JOURNEY OF ORGANIZING BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATIONS AT THE UK HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT FOR 6 YEARS IN A ROW IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE UK MINISTER FOR EMPLOYMENT ARE NOW AVAILABLE

IN LAGOS NIGERIA (FROM NEXT WEEK TUESDAY THE 9TH OF APRIL)FOR JUST 1500 NAIRA , IF YOU ARE IN LAGOS AND YOU ARE INTERESTED IN RESERVING A COPY, DO CONTACT ME ON WHATSAPP ON +447882809005

THE FIRST BATCH OF COPIES HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO COMMUNITIES HERE IN ENGLAND, NORTHERN IRELAND AND GERMANY

 

I AM ALSO AVAILABLE FOR TALKS/PRESENTATIONS ON THEMES RELATING TO WEST AFRICAN HISTORY AND BLACK HISTORY IN EUROPE, USA AND AFRICA,, TO FIND MORE ABOUT BOOKING, CONTACT ME ON +447882809005 OR SEND AN EMAIL TO

afripoet@gmail.com

 

MY OTHER SERVICES INCLUDE:
MC Hosting for Corporate functions, Business expos and Weddings (EUROPE AND AFRICA)
Social media promotion for Entrepreneurs, Start up businesses, social events and campaigns
Inspirational Talks for Educational Institutions, Community groups and Churches (EUROPE AND AFRICA)

 

CONTACT US TODAY ON +447882809005 TO MAKE A BOOKING, OR DROP US AN EMAIL : afripoet@gmail.com
www.tonyfernandez.co.uk

NIGERIAN GLOBAL DIASPORA SUMMIT TAKES PLACE IN AMSTERDAM FROM APRIL THE 25TH

++ Sights and Sounds of Amsterdam-Netherlands++: The Great Nigerian Global Diaspora Summit+ Nigerian Global Diaspora will assemble in Amsterdam from the 25th of April for NIDOE Global Summit 2019. The Diaspora summit this year which is themed “Mobilizing Diaspora Human Capital & Providing Policy Framework for a United Homeland Engagement-Post Diaspora Commission” is a follow-up to the Nigerian Global strategic development conference held in London, the UK in 2018. The summit will also provide an opportunity for a united European Agenda for the Diaspora Day 2019. For the Global Diaspora Hall of Fame Gala Dinner Nite, we will be joining other Nigerians in The Netherlands to celebrate the Kings Day, Making the Dutch Kings Birthday on the 27th of April, as we look forward to seeing all Nigerian Diaspora’s able to make it in The Netherlands @ the Dinner Night.

ROLE MODEL OF THE WEEK, SORIE KAMARA FROM SIERRA LEONE – LIVING IN FINLAND

In 1991 l started my musical group Ripsta Culture but by then it was called Sunny Theatre then later it was twisted to purely musically oriented movement sanitizing communities and our country as a whole on salent issues like health and sanitation, drug resistance, peace and development, anti-malaria , togetherness, love etc.

This group was named Ripsta Culture in 1999 and deeply involved in peace building, reconciliation, transitional justice for sustainable peace in Sierra Leone during and after the 11 years senseless and brutal war in Sierra Leone was officially declared over in 2002.

In 2002 the group was re-named Obi Phrase and the Ripsta Culture and had the opportunity to record our first song “Jonkey Nor Dae Wass ” which was addressing the wide spread use of nacotic drugs amongst the youthful populace in Sierra Leone which was an aftermath of the civil war as politicians were providing drugs and other intoxicants to the youth in fueling the war.

Our Obi Phrase and the Ripsta Culture group won the Sierra Leone Reggae King Award at the Brima Attouga Mini Stadium ORGANIZED by the Music Makers company of Sierra Leone with the song title ” Jonkey Nor Dae Wass “.

 

In 2008 l lead the GUITAR BETTER THAN GUN national musical tour in Sierra Leone with sponsorship from the Prince Claus Funds for Culture and Development in the Netherlands conscientizing the entire Sierra Leonean populace on peace and reconciliation with music.

 

1n 2009, l had an exclusive interview on BBC on peace in the West African sub-region on which two of my songs “Save Yenga” and ” No More War” were aired for eleven Months.

Later, these songs were also aired on the radio Mars in Slovenia.

In early 2010, l and my band performed for the ECOWAS PARLIAMENT DELEGATES IN Freetown on their request after having heard our peace-building initiative on BBC .

In 2011, l was toured with around the Mano River Union basin (Sierra Leone   Guinea,  Liberia and Ivory coast) on the Mano River Youth Peace Caravan by UN, ICCO, IBIS and West African Youth Network

I flew to Europe in 2011 and have performed around ten or more European countries.

I was ranked on the European Reggae Contest in 2013 – 19th position in Northern Europe

2014 – 11th position in Northern Europe

In 2013, l won the best song award in a musical contest in Finland called OURVISION ORGANIZED by Caisa Cultural centre.

Within 2002 – 2011, l lead a campaign caption “SAVE YENGA” in Sierra Leone calling for the neighbouring country to Guinea to give a portion of land they ceased from Sierra Leone. I stood firmly against foreign occupation, oppression and domination with the mentioned campaign which was also on the BBC.

Within 2014 -2016, l lead a campaign in Finland captioned “KICK EBOLA OUT OF AFRICA” in our bid to eradicate the killer virus from the shores of Africa in which l was able to galvanize 18 African and white lead organizations through which a container of medical, educational and domestic materials were shipped from Finland to Sierra Leone. Those donated items were distributed to hospitals,  schools and communities that were desparately in need of them as at then.

 

Having done that, we built a primary School for Ebola Orphans in Sierra Leone called Kiilan Koulu Primary School for Ebola Orphans with free education package for orphans and children at risk. Now we are planning the development of the said SCHOOL with an orphanage facility.

In 2013, l initiated and lead a team of Finnish philanthropists to start another School in my country called BIILNAS FINLAND SCHOOL FOR GIRLS in our bid to domesticate the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and empower basical the GIRL CHILD in my beloved country Sierra Leone.

I headed the Shain Foundation Sierra Leone chapter with its head quarters in the Netherlands for 5 years consecutively.

I co-founded the Sierra Leone Reggae Union in 2006 and happened to be its first National Coordinator .

I co-founded the African Council in Europe.

 

I am a bonfire member of the African Diaspora Policy Venter (ADPC) in the Netherlands.

I studied peace-building, conflict prevention and resolution in the Hague Academy for Local Governance.

I studied Business Management at the Milton Margai College of Education and Technology, Goderich Freetown.

I am a member of the Great Voice of the African Union in Finland.

I worked with the West African Network for Peace-building  (WANEP -SL)

I am a member of the Pan- African Union of Sierra Leone

 

I am the lead and lead vocalist of the Ripsta Culture organisation and band in Finland and sierra Leone.

I AM A PEACE AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST