Personality in Focus
Community Honours Retired Navy Officer with Chieftaincy Title for Gallantry
When he was posted to Naval Outpost, Onitsha, few years ago, the last thing that crept into his mind was to become a respected traditional title holder in Ogwu-Ikpele Community in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.
However, with crumbling internal security within the area, especially relentless attacks on an oil facility owned by Sterling Global Oil Exploration, Navy Lieutenant Godwin Oscar Sampson was deployed with his men, not only to restore order and ensure lives and properties of the community were safe.
Expectedly, they met a hostile atmosphere but resorted to other instrumentality in peace building operation to penetrate and win the hearts of the warring groups and restore modicum of security.
However, some recalcitrant elements who were bent on instigating more conflicts sustained the attack with illegal weapons, aiming at the community elders in particular.
Therefore, the officer and his men had to bring the criminals to subjection within the ambits of the law.
Lt Sampson (retd) told our correspondent at Ogbaru that shortly after they were deployed to the community, they provided protection as the community were vulnerable to constant threat and harassment.
“Due to enormous insecurities they were faced with and our ability to repel the miscreants, they became friendly with the understanding that one way to win the battle is to win the minds and hearts of people.”
Encountering the miscreants
Becoming the Eze-Udo 1, King of Peace in Ogwu-Ikpele community wasn’t a fluke. The honour was borne out of hard work and inert ability to bring enduring peace, and clear every undesirable element from the community.
No sooner than they were deployed, intelligence gathering revealed that the enemy were among the community dwellers.
It was learnt that the community was tormented by a former Councillor and Vice Chairman in Ogbaru LGA, who recently was appointed as the President General of the Community.
According to reports obtained, Mr. Sunday Madupue, in cahoots with his two sons, unleashed a reign of terror on the community simply because he wanted to control the soul of the community.
“He later turned his gun against the community and used moneys met for security of lives and property to purchase two AK 47 rifles, some pistols and ammunition as well as a cache of charms,” Lt Sampson remarked.
Investigation revealed that Madupue with the assistance of the two children brutalized three elders of the community, whose ages were between 75 to 90 years old over a little altercation involving the handing over of OFFOR title to the most eldest in the community until a king is selected.
As a result of the beating, Navy Lt Sampson (retd) explained, the villagers became infuriated and wanted to stone them (Madupue and two children) to death in their house.
“Swiftly, we had to take him into custody to forestall extrajudicial killing that could have escalated the fragile peace.
“After the arrest, we discovered that one of his sons had a necklace with a pendant made from an empty shell of an expended ammunition. That got us curious and began to profile them, which led us to carry out a search in their house that night,” he explained.
“To there chagrin, we recovered two empty magazines of AK 47 rifle, one pistol and 17 rounds of 7.6m live ammunition.”
Not satisfied, the following morning, the naval personnel began the search and made additional recovery of a locally made pistol with three cartridges.
However, since they hadn’t the prosecutorial powers, they handed them to other security agencies after Mr. Sunday Madupue had confessed he bought two AK 47 rifles in order to fight war against the community.
Emphasizing some modest achievements which culminated in granting him the title, Retired Navy Lt Sampson disclosed that they also settled several skirmishes that could have pitted one community against another. With express authorization from the naval headquarters, the officer and his men were able to settle those squabbles.
Besides, one particular case, he alluded to that cannot be forgotten was the arrest of some thieves that vandalized three transformers and other government facilities. “We got two of the vandals arrested and handed them over to the police including Sunday Madupue and the two sons for prosecution.”
However, while in detention Mr. Sunday was said to have mobilized advance party to attack the community, our reporter was hinted. Luckily, the suspects were picked up and handed over for prosecution. It was learnt that singular efforts brought about the restoration of peace to the community while the naval personnel were still there.
“As a result of these successes, the community in their wisdom bestowed on me the title of Eze-Udo 1 of the community – King of peace. I have been issued a certificate to help me function in that role effectively,” he said.
Community Reacts
Some residents of Ogwu-Ikpele who bared their minds expressed joy and satisfaction to the Nigerian Navy for their support at degrading the capabilities of organised criminal gangs that held the community hostage.
They also appreciated the upscaling of the quality of lives and security in the community.
According to the Deputy Youth President, Mr Ben Bulus, who spoke with our correspondent said “the granting of the title to Navy Lt Godwin Oscar Sampson (retd) was a collective agreement of Uduoaku and his Chiefs in Council. Until today, we are still loving him because he has relieved the community of pains they have gone through for some several years in the hands of Mr Sunday Madupue and his children.
The title is to show our appreciation to Navy Lt Sampson, for playing a neutral role to broker peace. He helped where necessary and God used him to clean our tears, sanitize the community and ushered peace.
Elaborating on how Sunday Madupue and his family members terrorised the community, he explained that before he was eventually arrested, the notorious Mr Sunday and his two children burst oil company’s pipe with relentless ease, beats up elders. He used his position to intimidate and torment people and became untouchable even by the police.
“It is a miracle that God used Navy Lt Sampson and the Nigerian Navy to liberate the community from the grips of criminal gangs. We are happy about it and the title of Eze-Udo 1, is a mark of our appreciation. He was here for three to four months and achieved what Napoleon Bonaparte could not do,” he reiterated.
Navy Lieutenant Godwin Oscar Samson (retired), enlisted into the Nigerian Navy 25 years ago as a Rating and rose to the rank of a Navy Lieutenant before he retired from the service on the 26th May, 2025 after meritorious service.
During his years in service, he was in the Information unit and had worked at the Western Naval Command, Apapa as well as other Commands across the country.
This piece is contributed by Okosun Dennis
Personality in Focus
Spiritual Fervour, Leadership Attribute on Display As Olori Emmanualking, Valiant Prayer Squad Celebrate Anniversaries
The atmosphere was charged with spiritual fervor and heartfelt celebration as the Valiant Special Prayer Squad, an intercessory arm of Adron Group’s spiritual framework, commemorated its third anniversary in an all-day prophetic gathering that also marked the 48th birthday of its founder, Olori Aderonke Omotola EmmanuelKing.
More than just a ceremonial event, the gathering was a fusion of spiritual depth and leadership tribute, highlighting the synergy between faith, corporate responsibility, and personal devotion. Olori Aderonke, who also serves as the Vice Chairman and Group Executive Director of Adron Group, has over the years exemplified a model of prayer-driven leadership and values-based stewardship.
Since its inception three years ago, the Valiant Special Prayer Squad has evolved into a spiritual backbone for Adron Group, mobilizing staff members, directors, and stakeholders into consistent intercession, prophetic declarations, and communal worship. The third anniversary, therefore, marked not just a chronological milestone, but a testament to divine guidance, unity, and spiritual growth within the organization.
The day-long celebration was rich with vibrant praise, worship sessions, moving testimonies of answered prayers, and exhortations from ministers of the gospel. Spiritual leaders and squad members led fervent sessions of intercession for the celebrant, the company, its leadership, and the nation at large, reinforcing the squad’s identity as a watchtower over corporate and national concerns.
One of the most touching moments was the outpouring of love and tributes directed at Olori Aderonke, whose commitment to spiritual discipline, staff welfare, and personal mentorship was lauded by all in attendance. Colleagues, friends, and mentees shared stories of transformation and growth under her leadership, painting a picture of a woman whose quiet strength has built bridges between the boardroom and the altar.
Adding to the beauty of the moment was the presence and participation of her husband, Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing, Chairman and CEO of Adron Group. His visible support, actively engaging in the entire day’s spiritual sessions was a reflection of their personal bond and a strong endorsement of the spiritual structure his wife has built within the company.
In her address, a visibly moved Olori Aderonke gave thanks to God for the grace to lead and impact lives. She expressed deep appreciation to the squad members, her family, and the entire Adron community for their loyalty and spiritual alignment. She also stressed the need for sustained prayer altars within institutions and homes, declaring that every lasting legacy must first be rooted in divine alignment.
The event concluded with a solemn benediction and communion service that left many in renewal and spiritual empowerment.
As the Valiant Special Prayer Squad marches into its fourth year, it does so with renewed strength, carrying a mandate to not only intercede for Adron Group but to be a beacon of spiritual order in corporate Nigeria.
Only the passenger in seat 11A on Air India Flight 171 lived to tell the tale, a survival nothing short of a miracle.
When the Air India plane with 242 people onboard crashed into a building moments after taking off from the international airport in Ahmedabad, it burst into flames. The impact, heat and smoke was so intense, officials said, that escape was impossible.
Except for Viswash Kumar Ramesh, 38.
In the hours after the crash, grainy footage of a man with wounds on his face and blood on his shirt went viral on social media. He walked himself to an ambulance with a slight limp, and told a crowd around him that he had come “from inside” the plane.
Mr. Ramesh’s story initially appeared too good to be true; the crash was so severe that the bodies of most victims were charred beyond recognition, officials said. But by late evening, Air India confirmed that there had been one survivor, who was getting treatment at the hospital. Amit Shah, India’s home minister, said he had visited the survivor, and Indian media ran photos of Mr. Shah standing at Mr. Ramesh’s bedside.
“I still can’t believe how I got out alive,” Mr. Ramesh said on Friday in an interview from his hospital bed with India’s state broadcaster, Doordarshan. “I thought I was also about to die.”
Mr. Ramesh said the plane had felt “stuck five or 10 seconds after takeoff,” and it seemed to be trying to accelerate when it crashed.
The front of the plane, after hitting buildings, crashed into an open area, he said, while the tail was stuck in a building, which was later identified as the dining facility of a medical college.
Mr. Ramesh said he unbuckled his seatbelt after the crash when he saw a chance for escape. He did not make clear whether he had to open the emergency exit he was sitting next to, or if the impact had caused it to open.
“When my door broke, I saw there was some space — that I could try to get out,” he said in the interview. “The other side, people couldn’t get out, as it was crushed against a wall.”
Mr. Ramesh, who is a British citizen, was returning to England after vacationing in India along with his brother Ajay, their younger brother Nayan said. Ajay, who the passenger list showed was seated in 11J on the right side of the plane, did not survive.
Shortly after the crash, Mr. Ramesh made a video call from near the wreckage to his family in Leicester to confirm he was safe, the younger brother said. The family home there was a scene of both mourning for Ajay and stunned amazement that Viswash had somehow walked away.
Source: New York Times
Madam Malinda Mgbafor Okereke, the last surviving female twin to be rescued by Mary Slessor, a Scottish Missionary in Arochukwu Ancient Kingdom of Abia, over a century ago, is dead. She was otherwise called Mama Nsu Bekee.
A statement issued on behalf of the family by the only surviving son of the deceased, Bishop Okechukwu Okereke, and made available to NAN in Umuahia on Thursday, disclosed that she died at the age of 115.
According to the statement, the centenarian and her twin sister, Mgbokwo, were born during the harmful traditional practice of the killing of twins in the community.
This happened around the year 1800, when the bearing of twins was considered a taboo in Arochukwu and other communities of the Lower Cross River region.
Such newborns were killed and cast into the evil forest, shortly before Slessor’s arrival in the area for missionary work. It was reported that Slessor enforced a ban on twin murder in the area in 1876.
“The birth of Mgbeafor and her twin sister, Mgbokwo, who passed on almost two decades ago, was not only attended to by Slessor and her team at their maternity at Obinagu, Amasu Village, Arochukwu, but the twins were subsequently adopted and fostered by Slessor herself,” the statement added.
It further stated that the deceased and her twin sister received formal education at Mary Slessor Primary School, Arochukwu (now Mary Slessor Secondary Technical School), under the direct care of the Scots.
“This resulted in the twins’ sound command of the English Language, hence the nickname of Madam Mgbeafor, ‘Mama Nsu Bekee’ (Mama that speaks English language).
“She was strong, always neatly dressed, and full of joy until her last moments before her demise on March 5, following a brief illness,” Okereke stated.
He further disclosed that she would be laid to rest on Saturday, August 30, in her family compound at Amasu, Arochukwu after a funeral service at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria.
The statement added that the deceased had three children, a daughter and two boys, but was survived by a son, grand and great grandchildren and many relatives.
