Fifi Ejindu facts for kids

Fifi Ekanem Ejindu is a Nigerian architect, businesswoman, and philanthropist. A philanthropist is someone who helps others, often by donating money. Born in Ibadan, she is the great-granddaughter of King James Ekpo Bassey of Cobham Town in Calabar, Nigeria.

Her Royal Background

Fifi Ejindu comes from a royal family. Her great-grandfather, King James Ekpo Bassey, was an Efik traditional ruler (a king or chief) in Calabar, Nigeria. He was crowned king of Cobham Town by representatives of Queen Victoria in 1893. Because of this royal heritage, Fifi is socially known as H.H. The Obonganwan King James, which means "Princess" in her culture.

Fifi was born Offiong Ekanem Ejindu in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, Nigeria. She also grew up there.

Her father, Professor Sylvester Joseph Una, studied at Trinity College, Dublin in Dublin and Brown University in the United States. He was the first Minister of Health in the eastern region of Nigeria. He was also a member of the National Parliament before Nigeria became independent. Later, he became one of the first Nigerian lecturers at the University of Ibadan.

Princess Fifi's mother, Obonganwan Ekpa Una, also received her education in England.

Education and Career

Princess Fifi studied Architecture at the UNC Charlotte. She then went to Pratt Institute, a design college in Brooklyn, New York. In 1983, she graduated from Pratt. She was the first black African woman to earn a Bachelor of Architecture degree from that institute.

After graduating, Fifi took more courses at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She then worked at a private company in New York City. Fifi later returned to Pratt Institute to get her Master's degree in Urban Planning. After finishing her studies, she returned to Nigeria.

When she came back to Nigeria, Ejindu started the Starcrest Group of companies in 1995. This group includes Starcrest Investment Ltd., Starcrest Associates Ltd., and Starcrest Industries Ltd. These companies work in different areas like real estate, oil and gas, and building construction.

In 2013, she received the African Achievers African Arts and Fashion Lifetime Achievement award. This award recognized her long and successful career in arts and fashion.

See also

• List of Nigerian architects