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
Former Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Otunba Segun Runsewe, has bagged the award of Pillar of Nigerian Culture and Tourism.
The award was conferred on him by the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET), the umbrella body for Nigerian travel press, on Thursday, October 23 at a colourful ceremony held at the prestigious Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Towers.
He was among some distinguished Nigerians from public and private sectors, including the former Nigerian Minister of Tourism and Culture, Ambassador Frank Ogbuewu, who were honoured for their contributions to the growth and development of Nigerian tourism.
Other distinguished Nigerians conferred with awards were: Otunba Wanle Akinboboye (Foremost National Tourism Builder and Creative Mind), Mr. Jemi Alade (National Trailblazer in Inbound Tour Operation) Engineer Tarzan Ganiyu Shekoni Balogun (National Icon in Tourist Boat Operations and Water Transportation), Mr. Nkereuwem Onung (Icon of Consistency and Resilience in National Tourism Leadership), and Chief Abimbola Bode-Thomas (Hospitality and Tourism Management Amazon).
Speaking on the award conferred on Runsewe and the other awardees, the President of ANJET Mr. Okorie Uguru said the awards aim to promote the culture of service to the people, and also showing appreciation to those who have served the nation with distinction while holding public office.
He said: “It is not about celebrating those who are serving the country now, but showing appreciation to those who have served in the past, to challenge current political office holders to put in their best.
“The individuals and distinguished Nigerians we are honouring are among the people that built the visibility and growth the tourism industry is enjoying today… They have contributed, and are still contributing to the sector.
“As holders of institutional memories and archivists of this industry, we know the roles they have played and are still playing in the development of the Nigerian tourism industry. That is why years after some of our awardees have left public offices, we still call them to bestow this honours.”
While receiving the award, Runsewe lamented the inability of Nigeria to take tourism seriously. He said: “I stopped talking for some time because there are too many talks in tourism, there is no action. We come; we speak big English and go back. Today, I am going to reveal two or three things. The last time I came out was to speak to the new executives of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN). For me, I am almost tired of talking, because there is no action.
“Let me first of all thank Ambassador Ogbuewu today. He said he does not want to come, so I urged him to come. It is only the living that can be celebrated. Let us thank God that during our lifetime, we are being celebrated. It is not everybody that has that opportunity.
“I can stand anywhere and talk about this industry. I do not need a book.
“Ambassador Ogbuewu you would recollect that President Obasanjo took your very good self, led a delegation to Trinidad and Tobago. That was the day Obasanjo made a statement, he said ‘I going to stand on the existing protocol’. That was the first time they heard that English. The then president of Trinidad asked, ‘what is he talking about.’ That is a tourism brand.
“People do not understand tourism yet. People think it is only about moving from one place to the other. No. Let me reveal a few things: how many of us know the late Pastor T.B. Joshua. T.B. Joshua was selling religious tourism and nobody keyed into it? When T. B. Joshua was having his conference in Nigeria, there were over 20 private jets parked at the airport. I, maybe you did not know before today, I normally go to the airport to list how many countries they come from. I have my data. There is religious tourism in Nigeria. We have not tapped into it. We see them as pastors. Yes, pastors doing their job, but there is tourism content in what they are doing.
“If this country manages tourism well, we should not have a single child looking for a job. After agriculture, tourism is the biggest employer of labour, but we are still playing games, we are still telling ourselves stories.”
He thanked ANJET for the award and encouraged them to continue with the good work in the industry.
Personality in Focus
NAOSNP Security Week: Gaidam Reiterates Govt’s Commitment to Data-Driven Policing
The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to repositioning the Nigeria Police Force through data-driven strategies, inter-agency synergy, and international cooperation towards building a safer, stronger Nigeria.
He stated this during the 2025 National Security Conference and Awards organised by the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), with the theme, Securing and Safeguarding Nigeria’s Economic Resources: A Call to Serve, held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
In his keynote address presented by the Deputy Director (Information and Public Relations Unit), Mr. Bolaji Oladimeji Kazeem, the Minister stated that the Federal Government, through the Ministry, has started realizing key initiatives such as the National Criminal Data Fusion Centre (NCDFC), Nigeria Police Crime and Incident Database, Community Policing, transparent recruitment of an additional 30,000 Police Officers, and technological advancements to enhance the operational efficiency of the Nigeria Police Force for bolstering national security.
The Minister said as a major milestone in intelligence-led policing, the National Criminal Data Fusion Centre (NCDFC), provides a centralized platform for law enforcement agencies to pool, analyse, and disseminate criminal data, thereby enhancing internal operations and collaboration with international partners.
He noted that the upgraded Nigeria Police Crime and Incident Database Centre (NPCIDB) has enabled the Police to document criminals’ data through biometrics from Divisional Police Stations across the country, and digitally forwarded to the NPCIDB located in the National Criminal Data Fusion Centre.
He reiterated the good working relationship among security agencies to curb illegal mining, through collaboration of the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces, and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)’s Mining Marshals.
“Security is the foundation upon which all human endeavours are built. It requires inclusiveness, people-centric approaches, and collective efforts to ensure peace, safety, and prosperity. These vital institutional allies are in the national effort to combat illegal mining and restore order in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, and curb the activities of bandits, criminals, kidnappers, and terrorists,” the Minister hinted.
Gaidam urged all citizens, stakeholders, and media to join hands in supporting the Nigeria Police Force. “We require collective investment in technology, logistics, welfare, and equipment to enhance security. I propose that we procure High-Resolution Drone Surveillance for police commands across the country”. He stressed.
Earlier, the Chief of Defence, General Christopher Musa, represented by the Commandant, Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Air Vice Marshal Bashir Rimi Maman, posited that security is the foundation for economic success. When people feel safe, businesses grow, farmers plant with confidence, and investors take bold steps.
He said Nigeria recently increased its crude oil production to over 1.5 million barrels per day, but vandalism and illegal activities still threaten this progress.
“We must therefore protect what we have built so that our natural wealth becomes prosperity for every Nigerian, not just a few,” the CDS cautioned.
According to him, “beyond military action, we must focus more on the non-kinetic side of national security, which accounts for nearly 70 percent of the work. This includes good governance, infrastructure, power, communication, and social development.”
Senator Ibrahim Gaidam was afterwards honoured with the award of Excellence as the National Association of Online News Publishers (NAOSNP) Iconic Man of the Year.
TMnews, at its 2025 Summit and Awards, has honoured the Chairman and Group Managing Director of Adron Group, Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing, with a prestigious Award of Recognition for his exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to empowering Nigerians through affordable housing and community development.
The event, themed “Securing the Future: A Collaborative Approach to Community Safety,” brought together top government officials, security chiefs, corporate leaders, and humanitarian advocates to engage in constructive dialogue on national security, community partnership, and sustainable development.
In his message of appreciation, Aare EmmanuelKing expressed heartfelt gratitude to TMnews Magazine for the recognition, describing it as a humbling honour that reinforces his commitment to nation-building through affordable housing, community empowerment, and corporate social responsibility.
“I am deeply honoured by this recognition from TMnews. It is a testament to the collective effort of the Adron Group family, whose passion and dedication continue to drive our mission of making quality housing accessible to all Nigerians. This award is not just for me, it is for every hardworking Nigerian who believes in the dream of a better, safer, and more prosperous nation,” Aare EmmanuelKing stated.
He further commended the organisers of the summit for their consistency in promoting dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders in governance, business, and community development, adding that such platforms are essential to building a secure and progressive society.
The Publisher and CEO of TMnews Magazine, Temidayo Babalola, lauded Aare EmmanuelKing for his visionary leadership and transformative role in Nigeria’s real estate sector, describing him as a beacon of innovation and a passionate advocate for sustainable community growth.
The summit also featured the TMnews Humanitarian Awards, where 24 distinguished individuals and organisations were celebrated for their exceptional service to humanity, corporate responsibility, and community impact.
