Business
Wazobia is not just a food Market, “It’s a movement” —Tunde Fasina
Wazobia African Market is trending. “It’s more than a grocery store. To me, it’s a movement. A movement for quality food; a movement for lower prices; a movement for community support and empowerment; and a movement to feed the masses,” said Mr. Tunde Fasina, the owner of the Wazobia chain.
One location is on 6203 Westheimer Road – sitting between State Highway 6 (SH 6) and Farm to Market Road 1464 (FM 1464). There is another one on 10828C Beechnut Street sitting right by Wilcrest. Yet all the Wazobia stores have a variety of things in common. The aisles are always braced against a lively throng of vibrant colors of assorted provisions and groceries. In addition, there is also the Wazobia African kitchen. It is a compartment where food is prepared and served to customers to eat or take out. The aroma of inviting freshly cooked food could be perceived from afar.
The stores are always busy. A justification of a loaded inventory of both wholesale and retail household foodstuff. A trip to the Westheimer branch confirmed the obvious. Customers can be seen pushing and shoving as they squeeze past one another trying to check out bargains. Then there is this long line in the eatery area. They are customers from all over waiting to pick up orders.
Over the years, the Wazobia African Market has remained the fastest growing and leading African Grocery store in the City of Houston. It was established on June 18, 2013, to encourage economic development and community building, and to provide authentic products from all African cultures. All Wazobia locations offer Authentic African products and affordable quality food that are often hard to find.
To the greater Houston, especially the African community, Wazobia represents more than just a successful food business. For example, on April 27th, 2019 when the Beechnut location was inaugurated, Houston’s Mayor, Sylvester Turner commended Mr. Fasina for his contributions and phenomenal support to the African community, especially in his role in assisting families impacted by Hurricane Harvey.
Tunde Fasina…. He told the Texas International Guardian News that his community and humanitarian activities are consistent with his organizational mission.
But Wazobia has been consistent with community support. For instance, during the City’s Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts, Wazobia provided free meals to over 200 families. Wazobia has also sponsored major events in the African community, including AfriFEST, Africa Fashion Week Houston, IgboFest, and the Nigeria Cultural Parade held in Downtown Houston. Furthermore, Wazobia is a committed sponsor for Africa Day held annually at City Hall.
By Fall 2019, the food entity officially incorporated a Scholarship program to benefit outstanding academically sound high school students on a need basis in the African community. Mr. Fasina told the Texas International Guardian News that his community and humanitarian activities are consistent with his organizational mission. “Of course, the aim of every business is to make a profit but we are a community-oriented business with a covenant to prioritize family welfare,” noted Mr. Fasina.
“Of course, the aim of every business is to make a profit but we are a community-oriented business with a covenant to prioritize family welfare”
Mr. Fasina continued, “You may have also heard about our annual Customer Appreciation event which attracts thousands of Houstonians. This is a family and community fun-filled event organized to appreciate Houston families, friends, and customers with tangible recreational events and prizes. We float free food, drinks, games, and a raffle draw. Besides big item prizes, there are various opportunities where participants or guests win big cash rewards.”
Again, Mr. Fasina noted, “This is just to say thank you Houston for being a part of our family. We strategically created this annual event to further appreciate our esteemed Houston and African family, friends, and especially our customers who troop in and out of our stores to shop.
This year for instance, on Saturday, June 18th, 2022, Wazobia celebrated this event and gave out a grand prize of one year’s worth of free groceries.
Mr. Fasina was right about the Customer Appreciation event. This year for instance, on Saturday, June 18th, 2022, Wazobia celebrated this event and gave out a grand prize of one year’s worth of free groceries. Last year, one Nkechi Igboekwu emerged as the first prize winner of a Hyundai Sonata at the same event.
Business
AfricanShowcase 2025 Set to Transform Barking Town Centre into a Celebration of African Culture and Commerce
Barking Town Centre will come alive with the sights, sounds, and flavors of Africa as AfricanShowcase 2025 arrives for a one-day festival spotlighting the continent’s vibrant culture, commerce, and creativity.
Set for Wednesday, August 13, this dynamic event will feature over 30 curated stalls offering authentic African wares—from handwoven textiles and artisan jewelry to gourmet delicacies and unique cultural artefacts. Designed as both a cultural festival and a business platform, AfricanShowcase connects the public, press, and buyers directly with African creators and entrepreneurs.
Festivalgoers can expect a packed lineup of live entertainment, including performances by drummers, dancers, poets, and singers from Gambia, Ghana, and Nigeria. A high-energy runway fashion show will highlight cutting-edge African designers, while interactive workshops will invite participants to try traditional Kente weaving and head wrap styling.
The event also boasts uplifting music by Afrobeats DJs and a local gospel choir, along with a lively cultural procession that will wind through Barking Town Centre.
Sponsored by LemFi, Abfoods, Mr. Fatai Abiola, and 1Accord Living Ltd, the showcase is proudly supported by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council and Town Centre Manager Lianne Douglas.
“AfricanShowcase is more than a market—it’s a celebration of Africa’s rich heritage, a platform for African businesses, and a joyful reminder of the beauty of cultural exchange,” said Ola Mustapha, Founder of Kiskirine Events Ltd.
Launched in Brent in 2003, AfricanShowcase has evolved into a signature event for celebrating African excellence in the UK, drawing crowds from across the capital. The 2025 edition promises a vibrant day of community, connection, and cultural pride.
Business
Global Entrepreneur, Dr. Emeka Agwu Pushes for Unity and Cross-Border Environmental Solutions
Dr. Emeka Agwu, Director of the EndHunger Initiatives and Global Voice Foundation for Community Development, has issued a powerful call to action, emphasizing the urgent need for unified, global efforts to address the rapidly worsening environmental crisis. In his remarks, Dr. Agwu highlighted that the world is experiencing an unprecedented ecological emergency marked by rising temperatures, increasing pollution, loss of biodiversity, and a surge in environment-related diseases—all contributing to high mortality rates and global instability.
Dr Emeka Agwu is being honored with a presentation at the prestigious Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, on April 23, 2025
According to Dr. Agwu, a multi-dimensional strategy is essential to effectively respond to these challenges. First, he called for stronger international cooperation, noting that global problems require global solutions. Second, he stressed the importance of fostering innovation in environmental protection technologies, enhancing energy efficiency, and overhauling environmental governance systems. Third, he advocated for the development of comprehensive policies and standards to guide the global transition to clean energy and ensure stringent control over carbon emissions.
Pastor Emeka Agwu with the Nigerian Ambassador to Beijing, and the Secretary of the organizing committee.
Furthermore, Dr. Agwu underscored the necessity of building a global green economy through collective efforts by governments, the private sector, civil society, and the general public. He emphasized that environmental awareness must be integrated into education systems, and that public campaigns and corporate accountability must be elevated to drive sustainable change.
With Professor Peter. Dr Emeka Agwu, also with other investors seeking collaboration for Chinese and Nigerian youths on innovative technology and AI with the New Chinese Youth Minister.
He also commended the recent establishment of the China-Nigeria Economic Coordination Center Office (CNCC), describing it as a pivotal step toward deepening bilateral collaboration in innovation and technology transfer. Dr. Agwu believes the CNCC will play a crucial role in enabling both nations to jointly develop adaptive strategies for climate resilience and sustainable development.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Agwu reminded stakeholders that the environmental crisis transcends national borders and ideological divides. “We are at a defining moment,” he said. “This is not just about protecting nature—it’s about safeguarding the future of humanity. The choices we make today will determine the world we leave behind for future generations.”
Just weeks after Amazon dialed back on DEI policies, the company quietly removed protections for both Black and LGBTQ+ employees, Advocate reports.
Policies, including “solidarity” pledges for Black employees and healthcare benefits for transgender workers, were removed from the company’s public website. As the company once stood in “solidarity” with its African American workers, the retail giant removed a section titled “Equity for Black people” that detailed support of “legislation to combat misconduct and racial bias in policing, efforts to protect and expand voting rights, and initiatives that provide better health and educational outcomes for Black people.”
Amazon also removed an outline of the gender-affirming care benefits provided to employees under its healthcare plan. The policy once said it was “based on the Standards of Care published by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH),” along with a pledge stating the company was “working at the U.S. federal and state level on legislation” to assist with building anti-discrimination protections for transgender people.
Another page, once titled “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” now reads “Inclusive Experiences and Technology.” Once promising to “advance DEI through technology,” Amazon replaced the verbiage with a vow to “advance the employee experience.”
The removal dismayed many employees who were concerned about what their healthcare would look like. While the company claims the benefits are still in place, employees are still worried. “I’m a bit worried … if that will impact insurance coverage in the future,” one employee said via text message. Another employee highlighted how Amazon’s changes were “a bit of a backward step” from previously stated supportive actions, according to the Washington Post. Spokesperson Kelly Nantel defended the company’s moves, claiming, “We update this page from time to time to ensure that it reflects updates we’ve made to various programs and positions.”
The company feels employees shouldn’t be too taken aback by the changes, highlighting a memo from December 2024 where Vice President Candi Castleberry announced some DEI initiatives would be pushed back under the leadership of Founder Jeff Bezos.
Following the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling to overturn affirmative action in college admissions, major corporations pushed back or eliminated their diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Ford Motor Co., Harley-Davidson, Lowe’s, and Tractor Supply Co. succumbed to the conservative outcry, calling on them to pull back on support for misrepresented demographics, including Black and LGBTQ+ employees.
In early January 2025, McDonald’s, known for avidly supporting Black initiatives and HBCUs, scaled back on its diversity goals. This was followed by Facebook and Instagram’s parent company, Meta, which confirmed that its employee DEI programs were being dismantled.
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