Basketball enthusiasts across Africa are set for an inspiring encounter with Nigerian-born basketball legend Hakeem Olajuwon as he takes the spotlight on CNN’s African Voices, in a special edition sponsored by telecommunications company Globacom (Glo).

The programme will celebrate the remarkable journey and achievements of one of the greatest basketball players in history, whose career has continued to inspire generations of aspiring athletes across Africa and beyond.During the interview with CNN anchor Larry Madowo, Olajuwon will reflect on his early life in Nigeria, his move to the United States and the journey that transformed him into an international basketball icon.

Born in Lagos on January 21, 1963, Olajuwon began playing basketball in 1978 at Muslim Teachers’ College before relocating to the United States in the early 1980s. He subsequently played for the University of Houston before being selected as the first overall pick by the Houston Rockets in the 1984 NBA Draft.Widely known by his nickname, The Dream, Olajuwon enjoyed an illustrious professional career, recording 12 NBA All-Star appearances, winning two NBA championships and earning two NBA Finals Most Valuable Player awards.

He also won the NBA Most Valuable Player award in 1994 and an Olympic gold medal with the United States basketball team at the 1996 Olympic Games. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to basketball, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008 and named among the NBA’s 75 greatest players in 2021.

The programme will provide viewers with an opportunity to hear about his remarkable achievements, personal experiences and enduring influence on basketball, particularly his role in inspiring young African talents to pursue careers in professional sports.The episode will air on CNN International on Saturday, November 14, with broadcasts scheduled for 8:30 a.m. and midnight West African Time on DStv Channel 401. Additional repeat broadcasts are scheduled for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

The feature forms part of Globacom’s continued sponsorship of CNN’s African Voices Changemakers, which highlights influential Africans making remarkable contributions across different fields.