Personality in Focus
Community Honours Retired Navy Officer with Chieftaincy Title for Gallantry
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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
By Eric Elezuo
Premier commercial bank, the United Bank of Africa (UBA) has announced the retirement of its chairman, Mr. Tony Elumelu after 12 years of meritorious service. The retirement notice will take effect from August 21, 2026.
The announcement was made on Monday after a meeting of the Board of Directors, according to a statement titled NOTIFICATION OF RETIREMENT OF GROUP CHAIRMAN OF UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA AND APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR, and made available to Pointblank.ng.
Elumelu will be replaced by Non-Executive Director of the bank, Mr. Emmanuel N. Nnorom, chartered accountant with over forty years’ experience in banking, finance and audit.
Expressing his appreciation for the privilege of serving the bank for 12 years as Chairman, Elumelu noted: that “Serving United Bank for Africa has been one of the great privileges of my career. UBA has established a unique competitive position, across Africa and globally, and I leave the Board with great confidence in UBA’s future. Emmanuel Nnorom is a leader of integrity, experience and sound judgement, and I am confident that the Bank will continue to thrive under his leadership.”
In his acceptance speech, the incoming Chairman, Emmanuel Nnorom remarked that “I am honoured by the trust the Board has placed in me and deeply conscious of the legacy I inherit. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Board, Management and our staff across all our markets to sustain UBA’s momentum and continue delivering long-term value to our shareholders, customers and stakeholders.”
The statement quoted the Board as placing on record “its profound appreciation to Mr. Elumelu for his visionary leadership and exceptional contribution to the strategic vision and institutional strength of the UBA Group.”
It added that “Mr. Elumelu’s tenure has been a defining chapter in the Group’s history. Under his stewardship, UBA was transformed into a pan African institution, operating in 20 African countries and 4 global financial centres and serving over 50 million customers.”
Accomplished journalist and former Cable News Network (CNN) International anchor, Isha Sesay, will this week return to the studios of the global news network, not as an interviewer, but as the subject of its celebrated 30-minute magazine programme, African Voices, sponsored by telecommunications giant, Globacom.
The episode will shine a spotlight on the remarkable journey of the distinguished broadcaster whose career has traversed some of the most influential corridors of international journalism.
The 50-year-old British-Sierra Leonean media personality, born on January 6, 1976, rose to prominence through an illustrious career at CNN, which she joined as a news anchor in 2005 after distinguished stints with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Sky News. Over the years, Sesay became one of the most recognisable and respected faces in global television news, bringing clarity and composure to some of the world’s most consequential stories.
An alumna of Trinity College, Cambridge, United Kingdom, Sesay steadily carved a distinctive niche for herself in broadcast journalism. In 2009, she became the host of the inaugural edition of International Desk, CNN’s weekly news programme, further cementing her reputation as a journalist of substance and international standing.
Her career afforded her the opportunity to engage with numerous eminent personalities, including former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and his successor, the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, among other notable global figures.
Sesay also contributed to Anderson Cooper 360° as presenter of the 360 Bulletin, a role she assumed on January 17, 2011. Subsequently, she was reassigned as anchor of another flagship news programme, CNN NewsCenter, continuing a professional trajectory that reflected both versatility and excellence.
Beyond the newsroom, Sesay has demonstrated a deep commitment to social impact. In 2014, she launched her educational and humanitarian non-profit advocacy initiative for the African girl-child. The organisation, aptly named Women Everywhere Can Lead, has since provided educational support and empowerment opportunities aimed at nurturing a new generation of female leaders across the continent.
More recently, Sesay captured public attention with her personal journey into motherhood, welcoming her first child through In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) as a single mother. Her experience has resonated with many women around the world, adding another compelling chapter to a life story already rich in courage, resilience and inspiration.
On this edition of African Voices, Sesay will share insights into her distinguished career, her enduring advocacy for girls’ education and empowerment, as well as her new and deeply personal adventure into motherhood. The programme will air on Saturday at 7.30am.
Repeat broadcasts will follow at 11.00am on the same day, while additional screenings are scheduled for Sunday at 3.30am and 6.00pm. Further rebroadcasts will air on Monday at 3.00am and 5.45pm, and on Tuesday at 5.45 pm, with the same time belt continuing into the following week until Monday at 3.00am
Personality in Focus
Double Honours for PLWD: Opeoluwa Sotonwa Foundation Opens Applications for Scholarship
The Opeoluwa Sotonwa Foundation (OSF) has announced the opening of applications for the 2026 OSF Scholarship Programme and the Professor Konyinsola Ajayi, SAN Fellowship, reaffirming the Foundation’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities, and developing future leaders within the disability community.
Since its establishment, the Foundation has worked to remove barriers to higher education by providing financial assistance, recognizing academic excellence, and investing in students whose determination and leadership have the potential to create lasting change in their communities.
Dr. Opeoluwa Sotonwa
Founder, Sotonwa Opeoluwa Foundation
The OSF Scholarship Program is open exclusively to Deaf and hard of hearing students enrolled in accredited tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The scholarship recognizes academic merit, leadership, resilience, and a commitment to pay it forward.
The Professor Konyinsola Ajayi, SAN Fellowship is open to law students with disabilities pursuing a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree at an accredited Nigerian institution. Named in honor of one of Nigeria’s most distinguished legal practitioners, the fellowship promotes greater representation of persons with disabilities within the legal profession while supporting the next generation of advocates,
scholars, and public leaders.
Mrs Cassandra Sotonwa,
Chief Operating Officer, Sotonwa Opeoluwa Foundation
“Education has the power to transform lives, strengthen communities, and expand opportunities for generations to come,” said Dr. Opeoluwa Sotonwa, Founder of the Opeoluwa Sotonwa Foundation.
”Through these programs, we continue our commitment to investing in talented students whose perseverance, engagement, and character will help shape a more inclusive and equitable Nigeria. We encourage every eligible student to apply and take advantage of these opportunities.
Applications will be evaluated through a competitive review process based on academic achievement, leadership potential, community engagement, and the overall quality of each application. Priority consideration may be given to applicants who have not previously received an OSF Scholarship or a Konyinsola Ajayi, SAN Fellowship.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the application instructions carefully. Only fully completed applications submitted with all required supporting documents by the published deadline of July 30, 2026 will be considered. Incomplete applications or those missing required documentation will not be reviewed.
The Foundation maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward fraud. Any applicant found to have submitted forged or altered transcripts, falsified documents, plagiarized personal statements, or other fraudulent materials will be disqualified and permanently barred from future scholarship and fellowship opportunities offered by the Opeoluwa Sotonwa Foundation.
Application forms, eligibility requirements, and submission instructions are now open and available at opeoluwasotonwafoundation.org.
Interested applicants should review the eligibility requirements and application instructions before submitting their materials.
About the Opeoluwa Sotonwa Foundation
The Opeoluwa Sotonwa Foundation (OSF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing educational access, leadership development, and economic empowerment for persons with disabilities in Nigeria. Through scholarships, fellowships, mentorship, strategic partnerships, and advocacy, the Foundation empowers students to achieve academic excellence, professional success, and meaningful
leadership.
