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Personality in Focus

Cheers, Henry Ukazu Waxes Stronger

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By Abdulakeem Sodeeq Sulyman 

Life’s essence is not in the thing that can be counted, but the things you make count through your time-bound journey of life” – Abdulakeem Sodeeq SULYMAN 

Considering the schedules ahead of me during this twilight of one of my academic pursuits, I am so sure people in my fold won’t believe I am involving in this task of writing about someone else. But because of the bond between Henry Ukazu and I and the respect we accorded one another, penning this piece is highly unavoidable for me, especially based on the feedback I received on my celebratory messages to him exactly this time last year.
With all humility and deep sense of appreciation, I think am duly qualified to write about the personality of Henry Ukazu, based on the mutuality we shared. I am his brother, acquaintance, a protégé and based on the mystery that surrounds how we connected, I have no doubt that joining the fold of Henry Ukazu is divinely ordained! Assuming I knew Henry Ukazu through anyone, that person might have cut the link by envying the north-ward spiral of the trust and confidence he reposed in me.
I had known Henry Ukazu since around 2017 through his weekly article – Adding Values – in The Boss Newspaper, which I am a devoted reader of. However, as nature has designed it to happen, Exactly 33 days after the sudden and tragic demise of my dear elder brother and friend, Sulyman Luqman. I had the opportunity of speaking with Henry Ukazu on the 18th of April, 2020, when his United States’ phone number was mistakenly copied below his article.
Ingenuity compelled me to message him on WhatsApp which he swiftly replied, asking me what he could do for me. As at that time, the manuscript of my second book was at an advanced stage and I fired my shot by informing him of my request to write the foreword of the book. He granted my request as a welcome gift and also ensured that the book was an outstanding success. The lesson that resonates with me all the time through my connection with him is this: “Anytime we are meeting people for the first time, the purpose of that meeting must be defined because its outcomes will influence the life span of our engagement with such people.”
In one of John C. Maxwell’s books, he uses Five “S” – Surface, Structured, Secured, Solid and Significant – to depict Levels of Relationships. Leveraging these levels was my joker that day! As our relationship progresses, I learned that Henry Ukazu is a rare persona that is very easy to relate and mingle with once you have values to share. His primary principle of life revolves around values. Other things that endear him in people are sound characters, conviction to live an impactful life and high sense of gratitude.
The four qualities I pinpointed will be used to describe how mine and other people’s mats of roses were laid with him. Henry Ukazu sees values as a sum total of your skills and competences to identify problems, understand every element that constitutes the problems and be able to proffer solutions to the problems identified. He admires analytical and detailed-oriented people, since he himself as a trained lawyer knows that nothing earns him triumph more than the weight of the punches he can throw during cross examinations.
Many times, Henry Ukazu has sacrificed his comfortability in order to be of value to other people’s lives. One of those times I can vividly remember was January this year when he came to Nigeria and had a speaking engagement in Enugu State. The convener of the event, a UN envoy, mother and professor of English Literature in a reputable university in the United States suggested his speech be delivered via Zoom, but Henry Ukazu insisted on speaking with the audience physically so that they would be inspired and motivated by the carriage he radiates and the passion he exudes.
He delivered the speech and earned a standing ovation from every member of the audience. How else can one be valuable? Henry Ukazu believes that values become a potent asset when it is refined with sound characters. Characters to him are sets of consistent principles guiding how one lives. No matter your material possessions, you are perceived wretched and poverty-stricken when you are character flawed! He connects with people as a believer of “golden rule,” and also relates with people as a practitioner of “platinum rule.”
A short interaction with Henry Ukazu will affirm to anyone that he is passionate about his conviction to impact lives. Spending some seconds or minutes with Henry Ukazu will tempt you to probe your existence and ignite and fuel in you the inspiration and intrinsic refinement you need to champion a life that best reflects your values and characters. With no iota of doubt, Henry Ukazu’s personality radiates influence. Despite being a resident of the United States, his patriotism and commitment to civic duty are top-notch!
The other time I walked by Henry Ukazu’s side in his village, “Nnwane” was a familiar ring tone from the people greeting him. Although, “Nnwane” means “my mother’s child” in Igbo, but the question is, is it every native people that were given to by the same parents? I was fully left in awe when the majority of those who greeted him were acknowledging his impacts on them through his articles and Instagram Live shows. Henry Ukazu is their hero and beacon of hope.
Someone says, “The essence of your life is not the numbers in it, but the number of lives in it.” The impacts of Henry Ukazu on other people’s lives are not limited to his community, village or State of Imo. His impacts transcended ethnicity, color, race or religion. I have been instrumental in his kind gesture to students in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions across Nigeria. I am coordinating a group of secondary school students that receives his scholarships every term. How else can life be meaningful and impactful?
The ability to practice what one preaches is the highest positive example anyone can lay for others to emulate. This quality is present in Henry Ukazu to the core. Despite his class and status, he doesn’t care to deploy every resource at his disposal to express gratitude to anyone that does good to him. Statuses and posts on his personal social media handles are always filled with deep, sincere and profound appreciations of individuals who played valuable roles in his life. If you want to confirm this, kindly read the “Acknowledgement Page” of his first book – “Design Your Destiny: Actualizing Your Birthright to Success.”
Henry Ukazu’s story has helped reinvent thousands of lives because of the defining moments he used to shine the torches on his path’s personal transformation, distinction and spiritual illumination. As you have laced your life with meaning and purpose, may respect, honour, success and greatness be channeled towards you. You have sewn seeds whose flowers are sparkling the lives of millions. May you keep elevating and always have reasons to be celebrated as the days of your life blazes forth.
Happy birthday, Dear Mentor.
Abdulakeem Sodeeq SULYMAN is a Librarian and Information Scientist in view, resolute in academics and personal leadership. He is the prolific author of two books – Responsible Living: Live to Uncover Your Potential and The Path to Greatness.
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Personality in Focus

Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Olakulehin, Dies at 90

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The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, has died. He was aged 90.

Oba Olakulehin, who ascended the throne in July 2024, died in the early hours of Monday, July 7, 2025, after spending a year on the throne, and two days after his 90th birthday

Oba Olakulehin received the staff of office from Oyo State Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde, on July 12, 2024, as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

Oba Olakulehin ascended the throne from the chieftancy rung of Balogun Olubadan, following the demise of Oba (Dr.) Moshood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, who died at the age of 81 years on March 14, 2024.

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Personality in Focus

Things Fall Apart Festival 2025: Chimamanda Adichie Calls for Igbo Unity, Honoured by ATPN

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Global literary icon, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has been inducted as an Honorary Fellow of theAssociation of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), in recognition of her remarkable contributions to promoting Nigeria’s cultural identity through literature. Her works, which have earned worldwide acclaim, continue to project Nigerian—and particularly Igbo—culture on the global stage.

The honorary induction took place during the Things Fall Apart Festival (TFA) 2025, held in Enugu and organized by the Centre for Memories – Ncheta Ndigbo, with endorsement from the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the ATPN, and in partnership with iTour Africa. The festival is a celebration of the legacy of Chinua Achebe’s timeless novel, Things Fall Apart.

Adichie, who chaired the festival, delivered a stirring address that emphasized the urgent need for unity and cultural pride among the Igbo people. Also present at the event were several dignitaries including Sir Ike Chioke, Managing Director of Afrinvest; Sir Emeka Mba, former DG of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission and founder of Afia TV; and celebrated actor Chief Nkem Owoh (Osuofia).

Speaking on behalf of ATPN National President Omo-Oba Adetunji Femi Fadina, the association’s Deputy President II, Wilson Uche Ugwu, emphasized the vital role of cultural identity in tourism development. He urged Nigerians—especially the Igbo—to take pride in their heritage and support initiatives that preserve and promote indigenous culture. Ugwu also reaffirmed ATPN’s commitment to professionalism among tourism practitioners and the need to avoid distorting Nigeria’s rich history and traditions.

In her keynote speech, Chimamanda Adichie made a powerful call for internal reflection and unity within the Igbo community:

“Ndigbo k’anyi tetalu n’ura. Let us wake up. Ife emebigo n’ala Igbo. Things have fallen apart in Igbo land,” she said. “We often speak of political marginalisation, and indeed any honest assessment of post-war Nigerian history acknowledges that. But before we can truly challenge external forces, we must first ‘clean house.’ We are giving those who want to marginalise us even more reasons to justify their actions.”

She stressed that unity does not mean uniformity but a conscious choice to collaborate for a greater goal despite differences.

“If all governors and senators from the Igbo-speaking states come together and set aside party affiliations, it would bestow a significant bargaining power to influence policies beneficial to the region.”

Adichie also delved into the erosion of Igbo language and identity, lamenting the decline of Igbo literature and the increasing pride in raising children who do not speak their native tongue.

“Languages are beautiful, and the more languages a child can speak, the better. But what’s happening in Igbo land is not about the ability to learn languages—it is about the lack of value for what is ours. Even our naming culture is eroding. We now give names not for their meaning, but for how ‘Western’ they sound.”

She drew parallels with the Germanic tribes, who despite having multiple dialects, united to form a modern German state. In contrast, she warned that internal divisions within Igbo society, often rooted in political rather than cultural identities, are weakening the community.

“Igbo is Igbo. Nobody is more Igbo than another. The distinctions we make today—‘Anambra Igbo,’ ‘Delta Igbo’—are political, not cultural. Our strength lies in our unity.”

The Things Fall Apart Festival 2025 served not only as a celebration of Achebe’s literary genius but also as a rallying point for cultural rebirth and communal introspection. It was a fitting occasion to honour Chimamanda Adichie, a torchbearer of African storytelling and cultural preservation.

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Personality in Focus

Popular Televangelist, Jimmy Swaggart Dies at 90

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Famous American televangelist, Jimmy Swaggart, has died at the age of 90.

Jimmy Swaggart’s death was announced on his Facebook page on Tuesday.

He reportedly died two weeks after suffering a cardiac arrest at his Louisiana home on June 15 2025.

The once most recognized Pentecostal preacher in the United States, was brought down in the late 1980s by sex scandals.

The pastor of the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, was reportedly caught on camera in 1988 with a prostitute in New Orleans.

Jimmy Swaggart was embroiled in a prostitution controversy in 1988 after he accused Marvin Gorman, his fellow preacher, of infidelity.

In retaliation, Gorman hired a private investigator who caught Swaggart with a prostitute.

The development triggered a national scandal, prompting him to temporarily step down from preaching.

Addressing the incident during a tearful sermon in 1988, Jimmy Swaggart apologized to his parishioners.

“I have sinned against you. I beg you to forgive me”, he said.

After the scandal, he, however, continued preaching for decades, but with a reduced audience.

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