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    ILO opens the 2023 Global Media Competition on Labour Migration

    ILO opens the 2023 Global Media Competition on Labour Migration

    Call for Applications (Study in France): French Government Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme 2024 for Masters & Ph.D

    Call for Applications (Study in France): French Government Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme 2024 for Masters & Ph.D

    Call for Applications (fully funded) – 2024 Early Childhood Reporting Institute for Journalists worldwide

    Call for Applications (fully funded) – 2024 Early Childhood Reporting Institute for Journalists worldwide

    Call for Application (fully Funded): United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2024 for Young Africans

    Call for Application (fully Funded): United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2024 for Young Africans

    Call for Application (Fully Funded): The Catholic Relief Services International Development Fellows Program 2024

    Call for Application: FSDH Female Founders Growth Programme 2023 for female-led tech start-ups.

    Call for Application: FSDH Female Founders Growth Programme 2023 for female-led tech start-ups.

    Call for Applications: The British Council Film Lab Africa Accelerator Program 2023

    Call for Applications: The British Council Film Lab Africa Accelerator Program 2023

    Call for Application: Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) Empowerment Fund Bursary Programme 2024

    Call for Application: Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) Empowerment Fund Bursary Programme 2024

    Call for Application: National Treasury Internship Programme 2024 for Young South African graduates.

    Call for Application: National Treasury Internship Programme 2024 for Young South African graduates.

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    How a Nigerian couple made world history in para-table tennis

    How a Nigerian couple made world history in para-table tennis

    The Young Tennis Sensation’s Triumph at the US Open and Beyond

    The Young Tennis Sensation’s Triumph at the US Open and Beyond

    Former Nigerian U17 Goalkeeper graduates with a First Class degree in Psychology from the University of East London.

    Former Nigerian U17 Goalkeeper graduates with a First Class degree in Psychology from the University of East London.

    Meet the First Visually Impaired person to Earn PhD at the University of Ibadan

    Meet the First Visually Impaired person to Earn PhD at the University of Ibadan

    Josiah Johnson, the 13-Year-Old Without Legs, wins place on school’s basketball team and is now star player

    Josiah Johnson, the 13-Year-Old Without Legs, wins place on school’s basketball team and is now star player

    Child Prodigies – Alana, Aniyah & Adina Williams enter honors college at age 13, 14, & 15

    Child Prodigies – Alana, Aniyah & Adina Williams enter honors college at age 13, 14, & 15

    Miona Short: Pioneering Astrophysics Graduate at University of Wisconsin-Madison Ventures into Beauty Entrepreneurship

    Miona Short: Pioneering Astrophysics Graduate at University of Wisconsin-Madison Ventures into Beauty Entrepreneurship

    Nigerian Trailblazers: Introducing the Makinde Sisters, who are all Pilots, following their dad’s footsteps

    Nigerian Trailblazers: Introducing the Makinde Sisters, who are all Pilots, following their dad’s footsteps

    Meet Anita Bennett: The 14-Year-Old Black Girl Who Earned Three College Degrees Before Finishing High School

    Meet Anita Bennett: The 14-Year-Old Black Girl Who Earned Three College Degrees Before Finishing High School

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      How a Nigerian couple made world history in para-table tennis

      How a Nigerian couple made world history in para-table tennis

      The Young Tennis Sensation’s Triumph at the US Open and Beyond

      The Young Tennis Sensation’s Triumph at the US Open and Beyond

      Former Nigerian U17 Goalkeeper graduates with a First Class degree in Psychology from the University of East London.

      Former Nigerian U17 Goalkeeper graduates with a First Class degree in Psychology from the University of East London.

      Meet the First Visually Impaired person to Earn PhD at the University of Ibadan

      Meet the First Visually Impaired person to Earn PhD at the University of Ibadan

      Josiah Johnson, the 13-Year-Old Without Legs, wins place on school’s basketball team and is now star player

      Josiah Johnson, the 13-Year-Old Without Legs, wins place on school’s basketball team and is now star player

      Child Prodigies – Alana, Aniyah & Adina Williams enter honors college at age 13, 14, & 15

      Child Prodigies – Alana, Aniyah & Adina Williams enter honors college at age 13, 14, & 15

      Miona Short: Pioneering Astrophysics Graduate at University of Wisconsin-Madison Ventures into Beauty Entrepreneurship

      Miona Short: Pioneering Astrophysics Graduate at University of Wisconsin-Madison Ventures into Beauty Entrepreneurship

      Nigerian Trailblazers: Introducing the Makinde Sisters, who are all Pilots, following their dad’s footsteps

      Nigerian Trailblazers: Introducing the Makinde Sisters, who are all Pilots, following their dad’s footsteps

      Meet Anita Bennett: The 14-Year-Old Black Girl Who Earned Three College Degrees Before Finishing High School

      Meet Anita Bennett: The 14-Year-Old Black Girl Who Earned Three College Degrees Before Finishing High School

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        ILO opens the 2023 Global Media Competition on Labour Migration

        ILO opens the 2023 Global Media Competition on Labour Migration

        Call for Applications (Study in France): French Government Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme 2024 for Masters & Ph.D

        Call for Applications (Study in France): French Government Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme 2024 for Masters & Ph.D

        Call for Applications (fully funded) – 2024 Early Childhood Reporting Institute for Journalists worldwide

        Call for Applications (fully funded) – 2024 Early Childhood Reporting Institute for Journalists worldwide

        Call for Application (fully Funded): United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2024 for Young Africans

        Call for Application (fully Funded): United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2024 for Young Africans

        Call for Application (Fully Funded): The Catholic Relief Services International Development Fellows Program 2024

        Call for Application: FSDH Female Founders Growth Programme 2023 for female-led tech start-ups.

        Call for Application: FSDH Female Founders Growth Programme 2023 for female-led tech start-ups.

        Call for Applications: The British Council Film Lab Africa Accelerator Program 2023

        Call for Applications: The British Council Film Lab Africa Accelerator Program 2023

        Call for Application: Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) Empowerment Fund Bursary Programme 2024

        Call for Application: Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) Empowerment Fund Bursary Programme 2024

        Call for Application: National Treasury Internship Programme 2024 for Young South African graduates.

        Call for Application: National Treasury Internship Programme 2024 for Young South African graduates.

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        • Central Africa
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        How a Nigerian couple made world history in para-table tennis

        How a Nigerian couple made world history in para-table tennis

        The Young Tennis Sensation’s Triumph at the US Open and Beyond

        The Young Tennis Sensation’s Triumph at the US Open and Beyond

        Former Nigerian U17 Goalkeeper graduates with a First Class degree in Psychology from the University of East London.

        Former Nigerian U17 Goalkeeper graduates with a First Class degree in Psychology from the University of East London.

        Meet the First Visually Impaired person to Earn PhD at the University of Ibadan

        Meet the First Visually Impaired person to Earn PhD at the University of Ibadan

        Josiah Johnson, the 13-Year-Old Without Legs, wins place on school’s basketball team and is now star player

        Josiah Johnson, the 13-Year-Old Without Legs, wins place on school’s basketball team and is now star player

        Child Prodigies – Alana, Aniyah & Adina Williams enter honors college at age 13, 14, & 15

        Child Prodigies – Alana, Aniyah & Adina Williams enter honors college at age 13, 14, & 15

        Miona Short: Pioneering Astrophysics Graduate at University of Wisconsin-Madison Ventures into Beauty Entrepreneurship

        Miona Short: Pioneering Astrophysics Graduate at University of Wisconsin-Madison Ventures into Beauty Entrepreneurship

        Nigerian Trailblazers: Introducing the Makinde Sisters, who are all Pilots, following their dad’s footsteps

        Nigerian Trailblazers: Introducing the Makinde Sisters, who are all Pilots, following their dad’s footsteps

        Meet Anita Bennett: The 14-Year-Old Black Girl Who Earned Three College Degrees Before Finishing High School

        Meet Anita Bennett: The 14-Year-Old Black Girl Who Earned Three College Degrees Before Finishing High School

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        • Yes We Can
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          How a Nigerian couple made world history in para-table tennis

          How a Nigerian couple made world history in para-table tennis

          The Young Tennis Sensation’s Triumph at the US Open and Beyond

          The Young Tennis Sensation’s Triumph at the US Open and Beyond

          Former Nigerian U17 Goalkeeper graduates with a First Class degree in Psychology from the University of East London.

          Former Nigerian U17 Goalkeeper graduates with a First Class degree in Psychology from the University of East London.

          Meet the First Visually Impaired person to Earn PhD at the University of Ibadan

          Meet the First Visually Impaired person to Earn PhD at the University of Ibadan

          Josiah Johnson, the 13-Year-Old Without Legs, wins place on school’s basketball team and is now star player

          Josiah Johnson, the 13-Year-Old Without Legs, wins place on school’s basketball team and is now star player

          Child Prodigies – Alana, Aniyah & Adina Williams enter honors college at age 13, 14, & 15

          Child Prodigies – Alana, Aniyah & Adina Williams enter honors college at age 13, 14, & 15

          Miona Short: Pioneering Astrophysics Graduate at University of Wisconsin-Madison Ventures into Beauty Entrepreneurship

          Miona Short: Pioneering Astrophysics Graduate at University of Wisconsin-Madison Ventures into Beauty Entrepreneurship

          Nigerian Trailblazers: Introducing the Makinde Sisters, who are all Pilots, following their dad’s footsteps

          Nigerian Trailblazers: Introducing the Makinde Sisters, who are all Pilots, following their dad’s footsteps

          Meet Anita Bennett: The 14-Year-Old Black Girl Who Earned Three College Degrees Before Finishing High School

          Meet Anita Bennett: The 14-Year-Old Black Girl Who Earned Three College Degrees Before Finishing High School

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          Trailblazing Journey: The First Black Woman to Earn a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas and Make NASA History

          October 2, 2023
          in Education, Great Stories, Nigeria, Sheroes of Africa, Stories/Country, Success Stories, West Africa, Women in Leadership
          Reading Time: 3 mins read
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          From Nigeria to NASA, Wendy Okolo has made history as the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington. She is also a research engineer at NASA Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, where she works on cutting-edge technologies for aircraft safety and efficiency.

          Okolo was born and raised in Nigeria, where she attended Queen’s College, an all-girls school in Lagos. She loved math and science from an early age, and moved to the United States at 17 to study aerospace engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington.

          She excelled in her undergraduate studies, becoming the president of the Society of Women Engineers at the university, and interning for Lockheed Martin, working on NASA’s Orion spacecraft. She also won several scholarships and awards for her academic achievements.

          She decided to pursue her Ph.D. at the same university, where she conducted research on aircraft formation flight, which is a technique that can save fuel and reduce emissions by flying multiple planes close together. She graduated at 26, becoming the first Black woman to obtain a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from the university.

          She then joined NASA Ames as a research engineer in the Intelligent Systems Division, where she leads and participates in various projects, such as enhancing the performance and control of the Joint Strike Fighter F-35C aircraft, developing a system that can detect and prevent aircraft failures, and creating a virtual reality platform that can simulate different flight scenarios.

          Okolo has been recognized for her innovative work with many awards, including the Black Engineer of the Year Award for Most Promising Engineer in U.S. Government, the NASA Ames Early Career Researcher Award, the Women in Aerospace Award for Initiative, Inspiration and Impact, and the NASA Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal.

          Okolo is also passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion in STEM fields, especially for women and girls of color. She is the Special Emphasis Programs Manager for Women at NASA Ames, where she organizes events and programs that support women’s empowerment and professional development. She also mentors students and young professionals who aspire to pursue careers in STEM.

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          Okolo says her sisters are her heroes, and they taught her the sciences with their day-to-day realities. She also credits her parents for supporting her dreams and encouraging her to pursue her passions. She hopes to inspire others to follow their own paths and overcome any challenges they may face.

          “I always say that you’re not too young or too old to do anything,” Okolo said in an interview with The Cable. “You’re not too African or too female or anything to do anything.”

          In other news , we want to share with you the amazing story of Nkechinyere Chidi-Ogbolu, a 22-year-old Nigerian lady who has just earned her PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of California in the US.

          Nkechinyere is one of the youngest PhD holders in the country and a shining example of academic excellence. She started her academic journey at 14, when she left her home country and moved to Washington, D.C., where she enrolled in Howard University for her Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. She graduated with honors at the age of 18 and received scholarships to pursue her Master’s and PhD degrees in Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering.

          Nkechinyere’s remarkable achievement has inspired many people around the world, especially young women who aspire to pursue careers in science and engineering. She hopes to use her knowledge and skills to solve some of the pressing health challenges facing humanity, such as cancer, diabetes, and infectious diseases. Read more about Nkechinyere Chidi-Ogbolu here.

          Nkechinyere and Wendy is a true role model for all of us who want to make a positive impact in the world through our talents and passions. We congratulate them on their phenomenal achievement and wish them all the best in her future endeavors.

          We at Rising Africa firmly believe that Africans have the capacity to build a successful future for their continent. Join us as we recognise African achievement and create a better future for the continent.

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