Netflix star praises Irish development agency’s work in Africa

Uzo Abuda, who plays Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren in Netflix hit Orange is the New Black has praised an Irish development agency's work with rural poor women in Africa.

Ms Abuda said Gorta-Self Help Africa was transforming Africa by supporting the economic empowerment of women and she praised its efforts to empower hard-working and enterprising people.

“By investing particularly in African women, this organisation is investing in the families, education, health and communities of generations today and generations unborn across Africa,” she said.

The Emmy award-winner was speaking as she received the "Spirit of Africa" award at the agency's charity gala in New York this weekend. Her co-star, Danielle Brooks, who plays Tasha "Taystee" Jefferson in the US drama was among the 600 people who attended the gala. New York Giants' footballer Prince Amukamara and former Irish international rugby player Denis Hickie also attended.

The “Spirit of Africa” award recognises public figures whose work embodies the spirit of determination and resilience. The agency’s head of development in the US Martha Hourican said Ms Abuda embodied the dynamism and enterprise of African women.

“Her mother survived polio, civil war and genocide to come from Nigeria to America to make a better life for her five children,” Ms Hourican said.

"Uzo maintains strong ties with Africa. She has achieved enormous success, and has compelled viewers across the world with her performances in Orange is the New Black, winning the show's first Emmy Award this year."