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Mayoral Game Changer —Why Nigerians Are Embracing John Whitmire for Houston’s Next Mayor

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There are substantial reasons why this community is channeling its entire support to Sen. Whitmire. Mayor Brown’s endorsement may have triggered a wave of support and interest in the candidate by Africans and African Americans. Yet, there might be more reasons.

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The last time major African communities, dominated by Nigerians, united to support a mayoral candidate was during the electioneering campaign that ushered in the first African-American mayor of Houston, Dr. Lee Patrick Brown. Mayor Brown was re-elected twice to serve a maximum of three terms from 1998 to 2004. In each reelection bid, Africans campaigned vigorously on his behalf.   

Electioneering candidates for Houston elections can always count on the Nigerian community when it comes to grassroots poll support. The likes of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, outgoing mayor Sylvester Turner, Congressman Al Green, former Mayor Brown, and a long list of others have enjoyed such unprecedented support from the Nigerian community.  

Nigerians in Houston celebrating the Nigeria Independence Day. The Nigerians in Houston (NIH) for John Whitmire are rallying Nigerians and other African communities to galvanize city-wide support for Sen. Whitmire.

Consequently, in the upcoming mayoral race, some African community leaders are rallying decisive support for Houston’s Mayoral Candidate, John Whitmire. Led by business owners and community advocates, including Tony Nwadei, Ike Anya, Sylvan Odobulu, and Suzani Asmelash Grant, a group called Nigerians in Houston (NIH) for John Whitmire has concluded strategies for a grassroots vote-mobilization for the candidate. For weeks, they met day and night through both face-to-face collaborative meetings and Zoom. Now they are ready to hit the campaign ground and it appears they are not kidding.

There are substantial reasons why this community is channeling its entire support to Sen. Whitmire. Mayor Brown’s endorsement may have triggered a wave of support and interest in the candidate by Africans and African Americans. Yet, there might be more reasons.

Predominantly successful entrepreneurs, these prominent Nigerian community leaders, and influencers have always rallied financial and field support for candidates with vested interests in collaborating with the populace for development opportunities. Unfortunately, the community remains the least to be considered in significant matters of the government. An International Guardian’s previous editorial cited how most of those leaders visit the African communities to attend events and take photos with excited guests whereas significant matters of governance are totally snubbed. For instance, Mayor Turner just concluded a controversial trip to Africa where he spent only one day in Nigeria – Africa’s most populous country and the United States’ most viable trade partner in the continent. To make it unacceptably ridiculous, no Nigerian made his long list of delegates.

Consequently, in August 2022, Mayor Turner hosted the City’s first-ever Houston-Africa Energy Summit, featuring African Heads of State, African Ministers, Houston-based energy CEOs, and business leaders from the African continent and the Greater Houston Area. Unfortunately, and more disappointedly, Nigeria, Africa’s largest crude oil producer was not represented at this event.

 

 

“That was ridiculous,” said John Oladapo Awoola, an oil and gas entrepreneur based in Houston and Lagos. I actually read about that event on the Internet, and I tell you that these folks are taking us for granted. How can this City host such a conference without fairly engaging those that matter?”, he said. He continued, “It boils down to aligning ourselves with leaders that respect our interests, not those that would come here to party with us.”

Nigeria remained the leading oil producer in Africa as of 2022. Oil production amounted to roughly 69 million metric tons in the country. Libya, Algeria, and Angola followed, each with an above 50 million metric tons output. In the same year, the overall production of oil in Africa, including crude oil, shale oil, oil sands, and NGLs, reached 332.3 million metric tons, 3.76 percent less than in 2021. Therefore, any meaningful city leadership must be familiar with these trends.

“We are looking for something very different this time,” said a Houston-based Nigerian healthcare worker, Ephraim who identified himself as a Whitmire supporter. “We are sick and tired of our politicians coming here to take photos with us. I have lots of photos taken with the Jackson-Lees, the Turners, Garcias, and so on. Honestly, I am now realizing that those are completely unimportant. We need those who would take us seriously. If you go to Bellaire and Sharpstown, you see how they pay much attention to the Asian communities – then when you come to Bissonnette, all you see is crime and prostitution. We want solutions. What drove me away from Jackson Lee to Sen. Whitmire was Whitmire’s position on fighting crime. You won’t understand until you come to the Bissonnet area where we have our businesses,” he said.

 

Mayor Brown’s endorsement may have triggered a wave of support and interest in the candidate by Africans and African Americans. Yet, there might be more reasons.

Africans in Houston, especially in the Southwest are concerned about an alarming crime rate. Not just crime – they are also dealing with street prostitution, which has persisted for years unchallenged. As chair of the Texas Senate Criminal Justice Committee, who has championed strong, anti-crime measures, Sen. Whitmire has vowed to increase the number of police officers on the street and strengthen Houston’s Community Policing Program while keeping violent criminals behind bars and illegal guns off the streets.

The consistent governance lapses and the scorn of the African community, in general, are what inspired the Nigerians in Houston (NIH) for John Whitmire. The purpose according to handlers, is to rally around Nigerians and other African communities to galvanize city-wide support for Sen. Whitmire. They are raising funds, they are gathering volunteers to walk the streets, and they have vowed to carry their campaign beyond the electoral finishing lines.

The last time there was a major collaboration between the City of Houston and the African community was during Mayor Brown’s regime. He was not interested in coming to social events and taking photos but focused on economic empowerment and development possibilities. Nigerians and members of other African countries were appointed to key city government positions and parastatals. In addition, Mayor Brown’s trip to Africa was economically lucrative. He didn’t go for sightseeing. He took business folks who invested in the continent. 

This might explain why his endorsement of Sen. Whitmire inspired a population of African and African-American voters into action. Brown in his own words, stated, “As Houston’s first African-American police chief and mayor, I am proud to endorse Senator John Sen. Whitmire to be Houston’s next mayor… He was always someone I could count on to help, whether it was during my campaigns or during my tenure in office. Sen. Whitmire has always fought for public safety and equality. I will be voting for Senator Sen. Whitmire for mayor, and I ask all Houstonians to join me.”

Whitmire, who served as a State Representative for 10 years and State Senator for 40, has vowed to promote the growth of minority and women-owned businesses, ensure that historically forgotten neighborhoods receive desired services, protect the laws and ordinances that encourage diversity and equity, and create strategies to facilitate an open dialogue with people from all parts of our city to truly understand their concerns.

The Nigerians in Houston (NIH) for Sen. Whitmire, armed with a constructive message about how this candidate will make a difference, not just in Houston but also in the African community, has taken their gospel to the streets to woo voters. They are rallying community leaders and influencers not just to vote for their candidate but also to work the polls. “We did it for Mayor Brown, and it worked for our businesses and families, and we are ready to do it for Sen. Whitmire,” said Thankgod, a Nigerian entrepreneur who owns a real estate company.

Currently, it appears all fingers point to Sen. Whitmire as Houston’s next mayor. In the latest poll conducted by the Hobby School Survey of the University of Houston, the race will be close, with about one-third of likely voters opting to vote for state Sen. Whitmire whereas another third expecting to vote for U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. However, in the event of a runoff in December, the gap widens dramatically, with Sen. Whitmire holding an 18-point lead in a one-to-one matchup.

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21st Igbofest Houston to Celebrate Igbo Heritage and Culture at Discovery Green

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The 21st Annual Igbofest Houston returns on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Discovery Green, welcoming the community to a celebration of Igbo culture, tradition, and heritage. This year’s festival will run from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm and promises a vibrant display of traditional Igbo music, dance, art, and culinary delights, set against the iconic Houston skyline.

With nearly two decades of fostering cultural unity and understanding, Igbofest Houston remains a beloved community gathering that brings the spirit of Nigeria’s Igbo people to life in the heart of Texas. This year’s festival is set to feature performances from both local and international acts, including traditional dancers, masquerades, live Afrobeat artists, and captivating cultural presentations.

Highlights of the event include:

  • Masquerade Dance Performance: Traditional Igbo masquerades (known as Mmanwu) will grace the festival with their unique dance and colorful costumes, symbolizing ancestral spirits.
  • West African Cuisine: Attendees can sample an array of authentic Nigerian dishes, from suya and plantain to the renowned jollof rice.
  • Market Square: The vendor area will showcase traditional crafts, clothing, and artwork from artisans and vendors, providing guests with a taste of Nigerian fashion and artistry.
  • Children’s Village: A family-friendly area with activities for children, including face painting, games, and Igbo language lessons, ensuring everyone can engage with the culture.

The festival is free and open to the public, inviting Houstonians of all backgrounds to join in this cultural experience. Organized by Ndi Ichie Cultural Club, Igbofest Houston serves as a bridge between communities, offering a platform for cultural education, awareness, and mutual respect.

“We are thrilled to welcome everyone back for the 21st annual celebration of Igbofest Houston,” said Dr. Chris Ulasi, Cultural Director of Ndi Ichie Cultural Club. “This year’s event reflects our commitment to preserving Igbo heritage and fostering connections within the diverse landscape of Houston.”

Igbofest Houston is an annual festival dedicated to promoting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Igbo people of Nigeria. For over 20 years, it has celebrated the diverse expressions of Igbo traditions, contributing to Houston’s vibrant multicultural community. For more information, visit www.igbofesthouston.org or follow us on social media @igbofesthouston

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“You don’t win a championship by accident” – Hakeem Olajuwon

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How he responded to critics who diminished Houston’s back-to-back titles in the ’90s

Hakeem Olajuwon’s Houston Rockets winning back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995 is a great milestone that forged “The Dream’s” name as a legend of the sport. However, many downplay the Rockets’ achievement, noting that they only won those chips because Michael Jordan was out during those years. Naturally, Hakeem himself doesn’t see it that way.

No accidents; pure excellence

The center legend clapped back at these claims by breaking down his team’s achievements during those years.

“You don’t win a championship by accident,” Olajuwon said , per Chron. “We had the best record in the league. Some people try to say, ‘Oh, [Michael] Jordan was out those two years; that’s why you won.’ That really doesn’t matter to us; we don’t have to prove anything.”

Hakeem’s claims are only partly true. In the 1993-94 season, the Rockets etched a 58-24 record for second place in the West. The Seattle SuperSonics, meanwhile, were the best team in the league but were upset in the first round by the Atlanta Hawks.

The following year, Houston had a 47-35 record and finished sixth in the West. This made their back-to-back title runs more impressive and showed how different playoff basketball is. The 1994–95 Rockets are, to date, the lowest-seeded team in league history to win an NBA championship.

MJ gave Hakeem and Co. respect

Even during the Chicago Bulls ‘ first and second three-peats, the Rockets were not necessarily contenders all the time, but they were still a pretty good team. It was always a hot duel whenever the two squads faced off in the regular season. Sometimes, the Bulls won, and sometimes, the Rockets snatched the victory.

“Even when Chicago was winning championships, and we had a more average team,” Olajuwon continued. “We were beating Chicago. We were good against Chicago. That is something we can always refer back to. We never played in the playoffs, but we played in the regular season.”

“He gave us all the respect, and that’s what’s important to me,” the legendary big man said of Jordan. “We were the champion. It’s not an easy task to win, and we got it done.”

It would’ve been a treat if Houston had faced Chicago in the NBA Finals. Some critics believe the Rockets would’ve annihilated the Bulls, given that they had no matchup for Hakeem, the only guy MJ feared .

Whatever the case may be, we should never doubt Houston’s back-to-back titles. It wasn’t their fault that Jordan was away during those years. When their ticket to the NBA Finals came, the Rockets’ took the opportunity and etched their names in NBA history. No one can take that away from them.

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Commissioner Dexter L. McCoy speaks about the African-American Memorial Event

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Commissioner Dexter L. McCoy met with Professor Jamien Graves from the School of Communications at Texas Southern University to discuss the upcoming groundbreaking ceremony for the African-American Memorial. The ceremony is set to take place on Saturday, August 24 at Bates Allen Park in Kendleton, Texas.

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