The African Possibility Podcast

Born in Nigeria in 1944, Mummy Cordelia has lived through war, migration, racism, motherhood, and more than five decades of service.

In this powerful conversation, she recounts training as a nurse and midwife under Catholic missionaries, caring for wounded soldiers, pregnant women, and children during the Nigerian Civil War, and losing her father amid the conflict.

After the war, she moved to Britain in 1971 to continue her nursing career. Despite arriving as a qualified professional, she faced racial discrimination and was initially employed below her level of training. Her competence, discipline, and persistence eventually forced people to recognise what she could do.

At 82, Mummy Cordelia shares frank lessons about faith, marriage, independence, and resilience. She explains why she refused to marry without first obtaining a professional qualification and why she believes every young woman should prepare herself for life rather than depend entirely on a husband.

She also reflects on African leadership, corruption, and the responsibility of citizens to demand better while refusing to participate in the very behavior they condemn.

This is a remarkable story of survival, service, and the determination to remain grounded in faith, culture, and purpose.

Subscribe to The African Possibility Podcast for thoughtful conversations exploring African lives, ideas, and possibilities across the world.

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The African Possibility Podcast

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:23 Meet Mummy Cordelia Okwusogu

02:37 Growing Up in a Large Nigerian Family

05:35 The Values Her Parents Instilled in Her

07:55 Why She Chose Nursing

10:02 Training Under Catholic Missionaries

11:30 Becoming a Nurse and Midwife

14:55 Her Traditional Chieftaincy Title

17:10 Working During the Biafran War

17:54 Caring for Wounded Soldiers and Pregnant Women

18:09 Losing Her Father During the War

18:38 Why War Should Never Be Romanticised

19:29 Leaving Nigeria for Britain in 1971

21:30 Starting Again as a Nigerian Nurse in Britain

23:00 The Gory Experience of the War

28:58 Started Nursing in 1962 And Qualified In 1966

30:15 Traditions From Yesteryears She Still Holds Dear

32:33 There Was Never A Time She Thought of Giving Up Everything

35:12 Meeting Her Husband in Britain

37:22 “Don’t Enter Marriage Empty-Handed”

39:00 Lessons for Young Women

40:30 Legacy For Her Grandchildren

42:30 Her First Experience of British Winter

47:37 Why She Left London for Newport

48:32 Experiencing Racism in British Healthcare

49:50 Being Employed Below Her Qualification

50:40 How Her Competence Was Finally Recognised

51:46 Her Approach to Racism and Discrimination

53:10 Navigating The Challenges Of Life

56:50 The Role of Faith in Her Life

59:27 Building a Spiritual and Social Life After Retirement

01:00:47 Her Secret to Staying Strong at 82

01:03:03 Her Message to African Leaders and Citizens

01:07:40 Closing

In this inspiring episode of The African Possibility Podcast, Emmanuel Ogbaki sits down with Teejay Olakojo for a deeply honest conversation about creativity, faith, identity, resilience, entrepreneurship, and the courage to start again.

Teejay’s story speaks to the strength of a woman who has lived through difficult seasons yet continues to build, create, and serve through her gifts. As an actor, writer, producer, director, dancer, model, entrepreneur, mentor, minister, and counselor, she brings together creativity, faith, and enterprise in a way that reflects the deeper meaning of African possibility.

In this conversation, we explore her journey as a creative, her refugee experience in the UK, the vision behind Edissa Studios and Edissa’s Network, and how storytelling, film, mentoring, and entrepreneurship can become tools for healing, advocacy, and impact.

This episode is for anyone who has ever had to begin again, rebuild their confidence, find their voice, or turn pain into purpose.

If this episode speaks to you, please like, comment, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs hope today.

#TheAfricanPossibilityPodcast #TeejayOlakojo #AfricanCreatives #AfricanDiaspora #FaithAndPurpose
The African Possibility Podcast

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Tok: /@the.african.possibilityFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576369316103

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033ziScjhKY2NAq0pOmoXZ?si=c4000474e19d4379

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-african-possibility-podcast/id6789337377

Where to find Teejay Olakojo Instagram: /teejayolakojo/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559511964158

LinkedIn: /tijesunimiolakojo/

Chapters

00:00 A Story of Rejection and Resilience

01:28 Meet Teejay Olakojo

02:43 The Gap Filler at the Intersection of Creativity, Faith, and Entrepreneurship

04:00 The Emotional Cost of Visibility, Creativity, and Identity

07:50 The Motivation Behind Her Bio: “Inspired By Pain, Birth By Divinity”

12:02 The Story of Her Rejection By Her Father

14:46 The Motivation Behind Her Storytelling and Short Films

22:00 She Was Lost For Long, But Have Found Herself

23:23 Nailing MA Drama & MSc Digital Marketing Management with Distinction

30:00 Her State of Mind While She Was Schooling That Enabled Her To Graduate With Distinction

32:30 Her Struggles with the Feeling of Being Misunderstood and Unseen

35:14 Facing Resistance in the Path of Her Career

39:23 The Story of Edissa Studio

41:05 The Stories She Is Most Passionate About Telling.

46:15 Stories She is Afraid To Tell

47:37 Coming Out To Say She’s An Asylum Seeker

53:00 How Faith Sustained Her During Moments of Rejection and Downtimes

57:40 The Conversations About Identity And Belonging Africa And The Diaspora Need To Have.

01:04:15 Getting Mentored Through Books and Videos

01:08:05 The Awards And The Unseen Sacrifices, Disappointments, And Difficult Seasons Behind The Scenes

01:14:50 The Pain Or Struggle That Has Shaped The Way She Guides Others

01:18:15 Changes She Wants To See For Young African Creatives Over The Next Decade

01:22:45 What Success Genuinely Means To Her Now Compared To Years Ago

01:25:45 Moments When She Questioned Her Path And Thought Of Giving Up

01:27:50 Truths About Africans, Immigrants, or Black Experiences That Have Not Been Fully Told.

01:31:58 Personal Transformation She Is Most Grateful For

01:34:32 The Legacy She Wants People To Remember

01:35:45 Signature Question: The One Possibility For Africa And Africans Across The World That Gives Her The Most Hope.

01:37:45 Previous Guest Question, Final Reflections, and Closing.

In this profound episode of The African Possibility Podcast, I sit down with Sonsare “Sonny” Zabadi for a deeply moving conversation about survival, faith, purpose, resilience, and the extraordinary strength of the human spirit.

At the heart of Sonny’s story is his life-changing experience of undergoing a double lung transplant, a journey that brought him face-to-face with fear, uncertainty, vulnerability, and the fragile gift of breath itself.

But this conversation is not only about illness. It is about what happens when life takes you through one of its darkest valleys, and you still find the courage to choose hope, healing, and purpose. Sonny reflects on suffering, recovery, identity, leadership, faith, and the lessons that come from surviving something that could have ended everything.

This is a conversation about breath, life, courage, and African possibility.

If this episode speaks to you, please like, comment, subscribe and share it with someone who needs hope today.

#TheAfricanPossibilityPodcast #SonsareZabadi #DoubleLungTransplant #SurvivalStory #faithandresilience The

African Possibility Podcast

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Tik Tok: /@the.african.possibility

Facebook: The African Possibility

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Where to find Sonsare Zabadi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonsareliveson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonsare

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonsare-zabadi-mcipr-37bb036a/

Chapters

00:00 A Story About Breath, Faith and Survival

01:17 Meet Sonsare “Sonny” Zabadi

02:22 The Sharp Pain and Breathlessness at Pen Y Fan

04:13 Facing a Life-Changing Diagnosis

05:26 The Reality of Grieving Gradually

08:03 The Moments of Questioning God

10:47 Facing Palliative Care/End of Life at Age 33

12:00 Expecting a Son When Breathing Became a Battle

14:00 Choosing Death Over Surgery, Then Choosing Life

17:08 Getting the Call Just 7 Hours After Joining theTransplant List

19:35 Gratitude to the Donor Who Gave Him a SecondChance

21:52 How His Transplant Deepened His Empathy

22:56 African Men on Pain, Grief and Vulnerability

26:26 The Double Lung Transplant Journey

29:29 Learning to Live Again

31:45 The One Thing He Is Most Grateful For

33:09 Honouring His Parents, Giving Back, andReflecting on Diaspora Responsibility

36:32 The Legacy He Hopes to Leave Behind

39:11 His 2012 Decision to Become an Organ Donor inthe UK and Why Organ Donation Matters

43:09 Sonny on African Possibility

51:25 Sonny’s Leadership Style

56:43 The Unique Role of Africans in the Diaspora

59:09 Challenges that Africa Should be Paying More Attention to

1:05:01 Lessons His Journey in Life has Taught Him

01:09:18 The African Possibility Signature Question

01:10:57 Final Reflections and Closing Message

In this episode of The African Possibility Podcast, I sit down with Osamagbe Izevbigie, popularly known as Osama, a cultural innovator, entrepreneur, community advocate, and founder of AfroWales.Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Osama began his journey behind the scenes of Africa’s entertainment industry, working in sound, lighting, and live event production. From starting in church as a young sound technician to working around major names like Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, Simi, and others, his story is one of early exposure, curiosity, service, and courage.But this conversation goes far beyond entertainment.Osama opens up about dropping out of university in Nigeria, disappointing his father, moving to Wales, graduating from the University of South Wales, struggling with identity, refusing to settle for less, and building platforms that celebrate African and Caribbean culture abroad. He speaks honestly about the hidden cost of the events industry, the reality behind sold-out shows, losing money, homelessness, faith, mentorship, shame, delayed gratification, and the long journey of building something meaningful.This episode explores entrepreneurship, African identity, diaspora life, cultural visibility, leadership, legacy, community, faith, and what it really takes to turn struggle into purpose.It is a conversation for young Africans, creatives, entrepreneurs, dreamers, immigrants, and anyone trying to build a life that goes beyond survival.Welcome to The African Possibility Podcast, where African stories are told with depth, honesty, and hope.Subscribe, like, comment, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear this story. #TheAfricanPossibilityPodcast#OsamagbeIzevbigie#AfroWales#AfricanDiaspora#AfricanPossibilityThe African Possibility PodcastInstagram: the_africanpossibilitypodcast/Tik Tok: /@the.african.possibilityFacebook: The African PossibilitySpotify: The African Possibility PodcastApple Podcast: The African Possibility PodcastWhere to find Osamagbe IzevbigieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/osama_otid/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/osamagbe.izevbigie.92LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/osamagbe/Chapters0:00 Introduction and opening highlights1:52 Meet Osamagbe Izevbigie3:18 Started from the Church4:26 Dropped out of Covenant University5:10 Working around Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, and Simi6:03 His first paid job and discovering there was hope in sound6:42 How the church shaped his understanding of production and service10:05 Moving from Nigeria to Wales15:25 When and Why AfroWales Started19:00 What "real impact" means22:45 Feeling unseen and searching for identity23:38 Becoming comfortable with being Nigerian and Welsh24:45 The mindset behind AfroWales and OTID26:23 What really drives success in the event industry32:05 The importance of mentorship and working to learn41:20 Where Afrobeats will be in the next 5 to 10 Years.45:07 The Mindset that made Him turn challenges into Success 49:46 Why sold-out shows can still lose money50:41 Homelessness, sacrifice, and delayed gratification01:07:20 Legacy, purpose, and doing hard things01:13:55 What African possibility looks like in practice01:14:55 Nigeria, governance, and the diaspora perspective01:29:28 Advice to anyone who feels unseen01:31:45 AI, education, and the future of African possibility01:33:45 Advice to Future Generations and What to be Remembered For01:38:00 Closing reflections

In this powerful episode of The AfricanPossibility Podcast, we sit down with Councillor Patience Bentu for a deeplymoving conversation about life, resilience, racism, leadership, faith, service,and the African experience in the diaspora.

Councillor Patience shares her journey withhonesty and courage, reflecting on the challenges that shaped her, the valuesthat sustained her, and the deeper sense of purpose that continues to guide herwork and public service. Her story speaks to the strength of African women, thereality of migration, the cost of leadership, and the importance of using one’svoice to serve others.

This conversation is more than an interview.It is a reminder that behind every public figure is a personal journey filledwith struggle, growth, courage, and possibility.

If you care about African stories, diasporaexperiences, leadership, faith, identity, and the future of African communitiesacross the world, this episode is for you.

Subscribe, like, comment and share thisepisode with someone who needs to hear this story.

Follow The African Possibility Podcast formore inspiring conversations with Africans at home and across the diaspora.

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Where to find Councillor Patience Bentu

Instagram:   / pay_bentu

Facebook: Patience Bentu

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/patience-bentu-1552866a

The African Possibility Podcast

Instagram: the_africanpossibilitypodcast/

Tik Tok: /@the.african.possibility

Facebook: The African Possibility

Spotify: The African Possibility Podcast

Apple Podcast: The African Possibility Podcast

Chapters

00:00 AConversation Rooted in Courage
01:40 Meet Patience Bentu
03:13 The Story Behind the Woman
06:25 Finding Her Voice Early in Life

08:10 TheJourney Into Public Leadership
13:19 The Seasons That Built Her Strength

24:30 HerWorldview of Possibility

26:50Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
28:01 Racism, Exclusion and the Fight to Keep Going

40:58Direct Experience of Institutional Racism

48:31 Faith,Courage and Inner Resilience

52:55 QuestioningHer Path, Family, and the Weight of Responsibility

54:03 GetUp, Dress Up, Show Up

54:59 What FailureHas Taught Her about Life
56:44 Gender equality and Women in Politics
01:01:51 What Her Journey Has Taught Her

01:04:15The Role of Her Christian Faith

01:06:05 AMessage to Young Africans Finding Their Way

01:08:25 PatienceBentu on African Possibility
01:15:23 Final Words, Gratitude and Closing Reflections

Welcome to The African Possibility Podcast. This introductory episode shares the heart behind The African Possibility Podcast: a space for deeper, slower, and more reflective conversations about African stories, African journeys, and African futures. Across the world, Africans are building, leading, teaching, creating, writing, serving, and shaping ideas in powerful ways. Yet many of these stories are not always captured with the depth, dignity, and thoughtfulness they deserve. The African Possibility Podcast is about listening to Africans across the continent and the diaspora as they share their struggles, ideas, lessons, hopes, and the possibilities they see for the future. This platform is not simply about celebrating success. It is about understanding people, what shaped them, what they have learned, and what their journeys can teach the rest of us. Please subscribe, like, comment, and share.

#TheAfricanPossibilityPodcast #AfricanPossibility #AfricanStories #AfricanDiaspora #AfricanVoices#AfricanExcellence #TellOurStories