Author: chicagoinquirer

Fears of who would be indicted among minority contractors during the federal prosecution of the Duffy family over the $100 million minority scam is palpable in Black neighborhoods. “There are fears in the faces of minority contracts when I went round our communities. They talked in hushed tones about who among them would be indicted. There are fears who would go to jail for peanuts they receive as fronts for big contractors,” activist Ed Reed told The Chicago Inquirer on Friday. Reed who spearheaded the campaign for minority inclusion and hiring in the early 90s, explained that the community is…

Call it a season of royal visit. Just as Oba Akiolu of Lagoshad recently graced Chicago with his royal presence, the Lamodi of Isiwo in the Ijebu-Ode Local Government area of Ogun State, Nigeria, Oba (Engineer) Adedoyin Sikiru Salisu Fibigbade the First, paid a visit to the Windy City penultimate Monday. He spoke to the editor, Joseph Omoremi and Associate Editor, Bola Jaiyesinmi. Excerpts: Inquirer: Why are you in Chicago? Oba Adedoyin: I’m here to see my people in Chicago. They are well-organized and they see me as their father and I’m duty bound to come and see them anytime…

Anthony Cole is known in Chicagoland as a real estate broker. His other aspects of life as an educationist and accountant are not known to many until recently when he emerged as District 144 school’s board president. He spoke to our editor, Joseph Omoremi on his vision for the troubled district and how he has restored financial discipline into the schools as well as lift the district from financial and academic watch lists. Excerpts: Inquirer: Congratulations on your election as the board president. How has the school district being faring since your election? Cole: Well, thank you. I won the…

by Biola Jaiyesimi CHICAGO -The Isiwo Descendants Incorporation, Chicago (IDI) is in need of $2 million to build a community center in Chicago and assist their hometown of Ijebu-Isiwo with facilities for the take-off of a 20-bed health community center and maternity wards, IDI spokesman Gani Bisiriyu told The Chicago Inquirer recently. “We have so many projects which we planning to execute. This includes a health center in Ijebu-Isiwo courtesy of the Nigerian federal government. We are planning a community center here in Chicago. Our goal initially is to raise $2 million to execute those projects. We are raising funds…

Just last week, the Feds alleged that minorities and women were scammed out of city contracts worth $100 million. The allegation is not new to followers of city contracts in Chicago. It is the drumbeat since Mayor Richard Daley?s ascension to the role almost 15 years back. As the business editor of the Chicago Defender, I followed most of the city contracts in the past four years and continue to blame minorities, especially African Americans as well as first generation African immigrants for their problems, especially the high rate of joblessness in their communities. Blacks served and are still serving…

The Chicago Bears are headed for victory if their level of preparation and determination  at Olivet Nazarine University (ONU) in Bourbonnais, a far Southwest Chicago suburb is to be considered. “We are ready. Things have changed from last year when we struggled a little bit.  We are coming out with a clean slate. We are working hard towards achieving a common goal,” said Bears Cornerback Jerry Azumah enthusiastically. The five-year veteran, born of Ghanaian parents continued after a vigorous morning training session at ONU, “The common goal is to win every game possible and move forward. We’ve been preparing…