Achebe Is Africa's Most Powerful Celebrity - Forbes

Vanguard

14 October 2011

Achebe Is Africa's Most Powerful Celebrity - Forbes

Abuja — American publishing and media company Forbes has named Nigerian novelist, Chinua Achebe better known as Chinua Achebe as the most influential celebrity in Africa.

Achebe ranks number one out of a list of 40 most influential celebrities which also includes actors, cerebral authors, musicians, movie producers, supermodels, TV personalities and athletes selected from all across the continent of Africa. The second position is occupied by Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour, while the third position by Ivorian footballer and Chelsea FC centre forward Didier Drogba.

The 40-man list selection involved picking out individuals with the highest number of votes from a vast nominations entry of 7,500 people. And then their media visibility (which includes exposure in print, television, radio and online), references on Google, TV/radio mentions and other mentions across continent.

A total of 11 Nigerians including Achebe are featured on the list. They include Noble laureate Wole Soyinka (6), Afrobeat maestro Femi Kuti (10), Nollywood star actress Genevieve Nnaji (19), Nigerian writer Chimamanda Adichie (32), hit producer Don Jazzy (36) and musicians 2face Idibia (34), Psquare (35), D'banj (37), Nneka (38) and Asa (39).