Uche Pedro
Born
Uchenna Jennifer Eze

(1984-07-26) 26 July 1984
* Maiduguri, Nigeria
Nationality
Other namesUche Pedro
Education
Alma mater
OccupationMedia Tech Entrepreneur
Years active2006–present
OrganizationBellaNaija
Known forBellaNaija
SpouseBode Pedro
Children3

Uche Pedro (born by Uche Eze; 26 July 1984) is a Nigerian entrepreneur. She is the founder and CEO of BellaNaija, a media tech brand known for entertainment and lifestyle content. Under her leadership, BellaNaija's social footprint has grown through its collective brands - BellaNaija.com, BellaNaija Weddings and BellaNaija Style - to be the largest on the African continent with more than 200 million impressions each month.[1]

Early life and education

Uche was born and raised in Nigeria, where she finished her primary and secondary school education. Uche holds a Honors Business Administration degree from the Ivey Business School,[2] where she graduated with distinction in 2006. In 2020, she graduated from the Harvard Kennedy School with a master's in public administration.[3]

Career

Uche worked for Shell Canada, Cadbury Middle East & Africa Unit in the UK, and Cadbury in Nigeria. In July 2006, she founded BellaNaija.[4]

She claimed the idea for establishing BellaNaija came while she was studying at a university in Canada, where she had a two-week holiday and soon got bored. inspired to start something that represented this exciting young vibe in the country when she came to Nigeria and observe the growing improvements in fashion, entertainment, and business.[5]

Uche is a Fellow of TEDGlobal and a Nigeria Leadership Initiative associate.[6]

Uche realized the potential of what she was building, and she went ahead to organize the business. Taking a step in organizing the business by registering a parent company, BainStone Limited. BainStone Limited is focused on developing and managing innovative and exciting online media content for Africans. The company was among the 50 high potential SMEs chosen and awarded a British Airways, Opportunity Grant.[7]

In 2013, Uche was honored as the British Council International Young Media Entrepreneur of the Year for Nigeria. In 2014 and 2015, Forbes Magazine Online listed Uche among the 30 Most Promising Young Entrepreneurs in Africa. In December 2015, she was listed amongst the Most Influential CEOs of 2015 by Ventures Africa[8] as well as New African Woman's Women of the Year for 2015 and made the QUARTZ’S List of 30 African Innovators.[9]

In 2016, she won the African Blogger of the Year award at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards. In 2017, Uche was invited as a civic leader making a difference around the world for the first-ever Obama Foundation Summit[10] and participated in the Stanford Seed Transformation Programme. In February 2018, Uche featured in the annual OkayAfrica100 Women campaign,[11] celebrating extraordinary women from Africa and the diaspora making waves across a wide array of industries, while driving positive impact in their communities and the world at large. Uche was selected to participate in the 2018 campaign for Bill and Melinda Gates.[12]

Uche Pedro received an invite to The Obama Foundation Summit; a 2-day gathering of about 500 civic leaders from around the world. The BellaNaija team completed the Stanford Seed Transformation Program in 2017, a 12- month program where high potential leaders are challenged to assess their companies’ vision and redefine strategies.[13]

Uche is passionate about impacting her community and nurturing the next generation. She is the founder of #BNDoGood[14] - an impact -driven initiative which consistently supports a wide variety of non-profits and social impact organizations including LEAP Africa, Slum2School, Django Girls, Junior Achievement Nigeria and a long list of others. In 2018, Uche co-founded PVCitizen, an initiative to encourage millennials and Generation Z to register to vote and become active citizens. In November 2018, Uche received an ELOY Award for Innovation/Invention, reserved for a woman who has used her skills to create innovative ways to solve problems and also invented solutions to different challenges. In addition, she was honored with a Frown Awards by UNFPA/UNICEF for her efforts to protect the right of every girl child and contribution to the Abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria. Uche served as a host for the TEDxLagos Spotlight event in August 2018.[15]

Personal life

On 16 June 2012, Uche married Bode Pedro, a son of former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Femi Pedro.[16] She gave birth to a set of twins in 2015.[17]

Recognition

  • 2023: World Economic Forum's Young Global Leaders Class of 2023[18]
  • 2020 Forbes: "Africa's 50 Most Powerful Women"[19]
  • 2019 Speaker BBC "Countering Fake News" Event.[20]
  • Speaker 2018 "Bloomberg Africa Business Media Innovators" Forum.[21]
  • Keynote Speaker #ADICOMDAYS2018[22]
  • OkayAfrica100 Women campaign.
  • Gates Foundation/Gates Africa #GatesLetter Campaign.[23]
  • 2017 Obama Summit - "Civic Leader Making a Difference around the World"[24]
  • Stanford Seed Transformation Programme.[25]
  • SME 100 List of 100 most innovative female-owned businesses in Nigeria.
  • Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards - African Blogger of the Year.
  • Nigeria's 100 Most Inspiring Women – #YWomen100 #LLA100Women 2016[26]
  • Forbes 30 Most Promising Young Entrepreneurs in Africa- 2015[27]
  • QUARTZ’S List of 30 African Innovators.[28]
  • Ventures Africa - Most Influential CEOs of 2015[29]
  • Tiffany Amber Women of Vision Honoree - 2014[22]
  • Forbes 30 Most Promising Young Entrepreneurs in Africa - 2014.[30]
  • New African Magazine's "50 Trailblazers under 50 Made in Africa" List.[31]
  • Forty-Forty: A Compendium of Young African Legends by Ventures Africa.[32]
  • New African Woman Magazine - 10 Young Nigerian Women to Watch.
  • Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI) Future Leaders Seminar.
  • TEDGlobal Fellow. [33]

Awards

Year Award Prize Result Ref
2010 The Future Awards Young Person of the Year Nominated [34]
The Best Use of Technology Nominated
African Fashion Week Outstanding Contribution to Fashion Communication Award Won
2012 FAB Awards Online Publication of the Year Won
2013 The Future Awards Young Media Entrepreneur of the Year Won [35]
TW Magazine Phoenix Gala Awards Business Protege Award Won [36]
The British Council Young Media Entrepreneur Award Won [37]
2014 WIE Africa Conference WIE Next Generation Leader Award Won [38]
2015 Creative Industries Awards Creative Industries Awards for Bloggers Won [39]
2016 Kids' Choice Awards Best African Blogger Won [40]
La Mode Awards BellaNaija Style - Outstanding Recognition for contribution to the Fashion and Entertainment Industry Won
Nigerian Fashion and Style Awards BellaNaija Style - Fashion Support Nominated [41]
African Entertainment Award BellaNaija - Most Popular Site Won [42]
Beatz Awards BellaNaija -Best Blog Won [43]
2017 APPOEMN's TEIC BellaNaija Weddings - Wedding/Event blog of the Year Award Won [44]
Corporate Communications Award BellaNaija - Special Media Recognition Won [45]
Beatz Awards BellaNaija - Best Blog Won [46]
Glitz Style Award BellaNaija Style - Fashion Blog of the Year (Africa) Won [47]
2018 Beatz Awards BellaNaija - Best Blog Won
ELOY Awards Innovation/Invention Award Won [48]
The Frown Awards 2018 by UNFPA/UNICEF For efforts to protect the right of every girl child and contribution to the Abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria Won [49]
Spice Lifestyle Honours Social and Digital Media Person of the Year Won [49]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "The Story of Uche Eze Founder of BellaNaija". Daily Mail Nigeria. 29 September 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  2. ↑ Oyedotun, Ayoade (19 July 2011). "30 Most Promising Young Entrepreneurs in Africa 2014". Woculus. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  3. ↑ "A New Story for Nigeria". Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  4. ↑ "Biography of Uche Eze; Blogger". www.nigerianbiography.com. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  5. ↑ Damidez (10 June 2020). "Uche Pedro Biography (BellaNaija Ceo, Net Worth) | Naija Biography". NaijaBiography. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  6. ↑ "Uche Pedro". TED Conferences. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  7. ↑ Damidez (10 June 2020). "Uche Pedro Biography (BellaNaija Ceo, Net Worth) | Naija Biography". NaijaBiography. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  8. ↑ "Most influential Nigerian CEOs of 2015 - Ventures Africa". Ventures Africa. 13 December 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  9. ↑ "Quartz's list of 30 African innovators". Quartz. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  10. ↑ "Uche Pedro: In Chicago for the #ObamaSummit because #GirlsCount". BellaNaija. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  11. ↑ "Uche Pedro". OKAYAFRICA's 100 WOMEN. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  12. ↑ "Gates Africa on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  13. ↑ Damidez (10 June 2020). "Uche Pedro Biography (BellaNaija Ceo, Net Worth) | Naija Biography". NaijaBiography. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  14. ↑ "#BNDoGood". 20 December 2017.
  15. ↑ "12 Powerful Speeches, Networking, Entertainment! TEDxLagos 2018 was focused on Spotlighting Africa & its People". BellaNaija. 23 August 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  16. ↑ Eta, Phillip (21 June 2012). "2face, Wizkid thrill guests as Uche Eze of Bella Naija weds Bode Pedro [Pictures]". DailyPost Nigeria. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  17. ↑ "Biography of Uche Eze; Blogger". Nigerian Biography. 11 May 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  18. ↑ "Peace Hyde, Uche Pedro shortlisted as Young Global Leaders". Vanguard. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  19. ↑ Africa, Forbes (6 March 2020). "Africa's 50 Most Powerful Women". Forbes Africa. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  20. ↑ "Uche Pedro, Wole Soyinka, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu speaking at BBC's "Countering Fake News" Event". BellaNaija. 9 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  21. ↑ "More than 90 Media Leaders Discuss Africa's Future Media Landscape at Fourth "Bloomberg Africa Business Media Innovators" Forum". Bloomberg.com. 19 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  22. 1 2 "Uche Pedro to deliver Keynote Address on 'BellaNaija: The Testimony of an African Success Story' at #ADICOMDAYS2018| 1–2 March 2018". BellaNaija. 28 February 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  23. ↑ "Gates Africa on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  24. ↑ "Uche Pedro: In Chicago for the #ObamaSummit because #GirlsCount". BellaNaija. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  25. ↑ "Thank you, BellaNaijarians! Let's Look Back Together as we Celebrate our Blessings and Achievements in 2017". BellaNaija. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  26. ↑ "'Arunma Oteh, Tara Fela-Durotoye, Yasmine Belo-Osagie & more | These are Nigeria's 100 Most Inspiring Women – #YWomen100 #LLA100Women » YNaija". ynaija.com. 8 March 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  27. ↑ Nsehe, Mfonobong. "30 Most Promising Young Entrepreneurs In Africa 2015". Forbes. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  28. ↑ Kuo, Lily. "Meet 30 innovators finding African solutions for African problems". Quartz.
  29. ↑ Ochelle, Felicia Omari (13 December 2015). "Most influential Nigerian CEOs of 2015".
  30. ↑ Nsehe, Mfonobong. "30 Most Promising Young Entrepreneurs In Africa 2014". Forbes. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  31. ↑ "Uche Pedro, Alex Okosi, Chimamanda Adichie, D'Banj, Barack Obama, Asa & more make New African Magazine's "50 Trailblazers under 50 Made in Africa" List". BellaNaija. 12 June 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  32. ↑ "Forty-Forty: A Compendium of Young African Legends - Ventures Africa". Ventures Africa. 17 May 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  33. ↑ "Uche Pedro". www.ted.com. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  34. ↑ "THE BIGGEST PRIZE: Here are Nominees for The Future Awards 2010 – Young Person of the Year!". BellaNaija. 29 November 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  35. ↑ Ada Arinze (22 October 2013). "TFA: Bella Naija's Uche Pedro Wins Young Media Entrepreneur Award". ConnectNigeria. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  36. ↑ "Notes from TW Magazine's "The Phoenix Gala: Celebrating Matriarchs & Protégés" Brunch". BellaNaija. 7 October 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  37. ↑ "Creative Entrepreneurship". British Council | Creative Economy. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  38. ↑ "Inspiring Career Women at Temple Muse's WIE 2014 Cocktail Event in Lagos". BellaNaija. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  39. ↑ Chinedu Adiele (26 January 2015). "Don Jazzy, Ayo Makun, Tony Elumelu, Bank of Industry, others win big". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  40. ↑ "Uche Pedro of Bella Naija wins Best Blogger Africa". Women of Rubies. 13 March 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  41. ↑ "Yemi Alade, Timaya, Toke Makinwa, DJ Cuppy, BellaNaija.com nominated for the 2016 Nigeria Fashion and Style Awards". BellaNaija. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  42. ↑ "Yay! BellaNaija nominated for "Most Popular Blog Site" for the 2016 African Entertainment Legend Awards | See Full List of Nominees". BellaNaija. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  43. ↑ Arbitration Awards, Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2005, pp. 175–184, doi:10.1002/9780470759608.ch8, ISBN 9780470759608
  44. ↑ "Yay! BellaNaija Weddings bags "Wedding/Event Blogger of the Year" Award at APPOEMN's TEIC 2017". BellaNaija. 17 September 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  45. ↑ "Tampiri Irimagha-Akemu, Adesuwa Onyenokwe, Dr. Ikechukwu Obiaya, Communication Professionals & Outstanding Brands Shine at the Maiden Edition of Corporate Communications Awards". BellaNaija. 6 April 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  46. ↑ "Thank You BellaNaijarians, We Won at the Beatz Awards 3! Tekno, DJ Spinall, Cobhams Asuquo also Emerge Winners | See Full List". BellaNaija. 19 December 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  47. ↑ "BellaNaija Style wins Fashion Blog of the Year (Africa) at Glitz Style Awards 2017". BellaNaija. 20 August 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  48. ↑ "Uche Pedro, Cee-C, Mercy Johnson win at the 2018 ELOY Awards | See Full List of Winners". BellaNaija. 26 November 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  49. 1 2 "OC Ukeje, Zapphaire Events, Uche Pedro, ART X Lagos win at #SPICEHonors 2018 | See Full List". BellaNaija. 6 December 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
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