417-255-1717 • PO Box 1028 • Maryland Heights, MO 63043 • e-mail Peace in this World through Friendship

Ekeke Rotary Speaker
The Daily Dunklin Democrat, Sunday, February 13, 2000

Dr. Emeka Ekeke is a man with a mission – literally. This mission takes him back to his home country of Nigeria each year. Every year he leads a medical mission to the nation to provide needed medical care to the indigent. Between those visits he has another mission – promoting his country, seeking medical and other help for it and, making friends. He is assisted in that endeavor by individuals, organizations and health care providers in this country under the auspices of the Africa – American Friendship Society, of which he is chairman.

Kennett Hosts Officials From Sister City: Akwete Nigeria
By Jeannie Mitchell, Staff Writer - The Daily Dunklin Democrat, Tuesday, October 5, 1999

The Nigerian Senate President Adolf N. Wabara and his wife Felicia, took time from their busy schedules on Saturday to visit Kennett, Mo.

Kennett is the Sister City of Akwete, Nigeria, a town close to Wabara’s home.

In an unexpected surprise, Mayor Charles B. Brown presented the Nigerian Senate President Adolf Wabara with a key to the city of Kennett.

"We wish you the best," Brown said, "as your people stand on the threshold of democracy, in a struggle we can’t begin to comprehend," he said. "A Struggle not unlike one fought by our grandfathers. I only hope that, just as we talk of our wonderful forefathers, your grandchildren will talk with pride of the struggle you face and conquer today. I hope they say ‘Our forefathers did one heck of a job’."

Brown also presented Wabara with a Proclamation making Friday, Oct. 1, Akwete, Nigeria Day.

Banquet/Conference Held To Discuss Akwete-Kennett
By Jeannie Mitchell, Staff Writer - The Daily Dunklin Democrat, Tuesday, July 6, 1999

Dr. Emeka Ekeke, left, and Jacqueline Lester display a proclamation signed by the mayor of St. Louis making September 18, 1998, Nigeria Day in St. Louis. The Daily Dunklin Democrat/Jeannie Mitchell

Kennett people help establish pilot medical program
Jeannie Marie Mitchell, Staff Writer - The Daily Dunklin Democrat,
Sunday-Monday June 4-5, 2000

After more than 32 hours of travel, a medical team that included people from Kennett, Hayti, Cardwell, Rector, Ark., St. Louis, and Texas arrived at 6:30 p.m. April 24, on the African Continent in Lagos, Nigeria. While the main goal of the journey was to provide free medical care to people in the country of Nigeria, the team also met with influential Nigerian decision makers to explain ways to improve health care in Nigeria.

Jeannie Marie Mitchell, reporter and photographer

Nurse Janet Dowdy measuring medication

The team also planned to establish a pilot healthcare program in the Village of Akwete. The pilot program included establishing a medical clinic/hospital and training local healthcare workers on how to use modern medical equipment donated for the new medical facility.

Besides Akwete, the team also conducted free medical clinics in three Nigerian states that included Abia, Rivers, and Imo. The clinics were sponsored in part by the government of Rivers state, Shell Petroleum Company of Nigeria, and the Africa-American Friendship Society-USA. The team spent its first night in Lagos and traveled by plane early Tuesday to Port Hartcourt in the state of Rivers where they were met by His Excellency Deputy Governor of Abia State, Chief Enyi Abaribe. The Shell Petroleum Company-East of Nigeria arranged for the group to stay at the hotel between clinics, and also provided transportation throughout the entire trip.

Nurse Hazel Whitson w/ young patient

AAFS - team 2001 (left to right) Gideon, Rollinson, Bridgette, Segun, Ben-Jack, (far back) Sonny, Ekeke, Sharon, Melanie, Carolyn, Joseph, Emeka and (in front) Chukwuma.

Summary of Activities sponsored and organized by AAFS

1990 - "Jam Africana" KDHX 88.1 FM - music, show and raised funds for Ethiopia, Rwanda, Sierre Leone and Haiti
1991 - Incorporation of AAFS
1992 - Inauguration Banquet & Ball (April in St. Louis, MO)
1992 - This Is Africa - WGNU Radio Show
1992 - World Beat Jamboree - WGNU - Music and information about Africa
1993 - This is Africa - Symposium at Washington University. History, Cultural, and informational Forum all about Africa.
1994 - Africa In The Park:Tower Grove Park was the site of a one-day cultural exchange. Africans from Ethiopia, Nigeria, Sierre Leone, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire), and Jamaica - shared food, traditional attire, and dance.
1994 - Fundraising for victims of war and refugees from Haiti, Liberia, Somalia, Sierre Leone, Bosnia, Rwanda, and Burundi. Proceeds presented to the American Red Cross in St. Louis, MO.
1995 - Kokomos (Nigerian music group) entertains St. Louisians.
1996 - Brought in "Zulu Spear", a musical group, from South Africa to entertain St. Louisians.
1997 - Chief Kollington - a Fuji musician from Nigeria, sponsored for a musical presentation in St. Louis.
1997 - Chief Osita Osadebe - High life music legend from Nigeria to entertain St. Louisians.
1998 - Established Sister City relationship between Kennett, MO and Akwete, Nigeria.
1998 - Lecture about Africa and Nigeria to elementary school pupils on St. Louis, MO by Dr. Ekeke.
1998 - 2 medical trips to Nigeria to develop free clinic organized and sponsored by AAFS.
1999 - St. Louis Science Center - "Africa" displayed clothing and artifacts from Nigeria - brought in the Kokomos as musical entertainment. group of honor.
1999 - Promotion of the courtesy visit by the Nigerian Senate President Adolf Wabara and wife Felicia to Kennett, MO.
1999 - Medical trip to Nigeria to deliver free medical care.
2000 - Sponsored the return trip to Nigeria of another humanitarian medical team on behalf of Kennett to her Sister City Akwete, to deliver free medical care.
2000 - Dedication of a Christian Church (built through private donation from the USA) in Akwete, Nigeria.
2001 - Medical trip to Nigeria to deliver free medical care.
2001 - "Beautify Akwete" project started -- scraping, painting, and landscaping of Gateway Monument of City of Akwete.
2001 - October, Memorial Service at Akwete for victims of 911
2002 - Medical Trip to Nigeria to deliver free medical care.
2002 - Met with Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo in appreciation of his assistance to the many projects of AAFS.
2002 - Initiation of Health Education Program including CPR demonstration in Akwete, Aba, Abuja.
2002 - Roofing and Flooring of the new clinic.
2002 - Transfer of Medical Equipment to Akwete from U.S.A.
2002 - Pilot Program for Free Nutrictional Lunch Program for Elementary Students.
2002 - Erection of Safety Speed Bumps on the highway running through crowded business area of Akwete.
2003 - Lecture series on HIV/AIDS and breast cancer started in Nigeria
2004 - Free medical clinic program in south-east, south-central, and south-south Nigeria
2004 - Lecture series on HIV/AIDS and breast cancer in south-east, south-central, and south-south Nigeria

Dr. Ekeke taking part in lecture series during This Is Africa program in St. Louis, Mo. 1999