Personality in Focus
December 3 is Made for Henry ‘the Great’ Ukazu
By Sodeeq Abdulakeem Sulyman
…when a man purges his path, honours will have a safe passage to continually locate him” – Eric Elezuo
To those who are yet to meet Henry Ukazu, today is like every other day. But to those whose paths have crossed with Henry Ukazu’s, today is that special day a unique being was born; a man of unquenchable thirst for knowledge and intellectual exploration, who lives to paint his picture in the frame that suits it, and stands tall, regardless of what life has thrown at him.
That becomes the reason Aare Dele Momodu, popularly known as “Bob Dee” in the social circles always refer to Henry Ukazu as “Henry the Great.” Truly, that title from a great icon and enigma of journalistic bravura simply justified what Ukazu has lived to exemplified. Henry Ukazu, who people may know about through a simple Google search, is a man who has lived to make a difference far and wide, proven the notion that one’s life value revolves around his name.
To show you what makes Henry Ukazu different, let me take you through the trajectory of unraveling the beauty attached to his name…
Humane: Henry Ukazu is a compassionate human being with high sense of empathy. He is an individual who shows concerns for the pain or discomfort of another. He is one of those people you could ever meet and your life would never be the same, because either by his humour or humility, you will be inspired and motivated. Making other people feel valuable is a choice Henry Ukazu has made to be one of the tenets of his life. Rau Gopal Das says, “Being a male is a matter of birth. Being a man is a matter of age. Being a gentle man is a matter of choice…”
Engaging: Henry Ukazu is one of those individuals you could ever interact with and you would be transformed. Name the topic; politics, arts, humanities, science, etc., he had ingrained himself with at least basic knowledge to make himself fit into any discussion you raised when interacting with him. He has been living like a light illuminating other people’s lives with its brightness. The words of Socrates that “True knowledge must be elicited from within, and is to be sought for in ideas, not in particulars of sense.” have shaped Henry Ukazu’s belief that every man is a pool of ideas, if given the chance to know his true self.
Networking: Henry Ukazu is a name that rings the bell in the ears of both the nook and cranny. He has done his assignments astutely when it comes to relating with people and sustaining the relationship. He has the skills of building friendship with people and carve a purpose for it, even when you least expect something to be birthed from the friendship. When someone says, “It’s not the years in your life that count; it’s the life in your years,” it sounds like the words are made for Henry Ukazu. In Henry’s life alone, you will find the traces of many lives.
Respectful: Since the time I have known Henry Ukazu, I don’t think there is anyone who can say Henry Ukazu disrespect them. Even if he does, he did such to fulfill the Golden Rule that do unto others as you want them do unto you. Henry Ukazu accords everyone with respect to show to them that their dignity is paramount to him. When Bonnie Koehn noted that “Healthy people have no need to belittle others. They feel that everyone is equal and there is room in the world for everyone to be great,” you will think he was directly refering to Henry Ukazu.
Youthful: Henry Ukazu is an exuberant individual who gets both his heart and soul illuminated and refined by committing himself to learning new things every day. Sometimes when he calls me to discuss some things, he leaves me wondering how thirsty he is to learn and unravel more secrets, principles of life. He lives to demonstrate someone’s words that “You are never too old to learn and you are never too young to teach. Always have the thirst for knowledge.”
Understandable: Henry Ukazu has the ability to comprehend issues, even by sharing a glimpse of the matter to him. As a noble man that preaches the limitless benefits of self-discovery and self-development, Henry Ukazu possesses the charisma and characters to handle issues and manages conflicts. His understandability has endeared him to many elders, dignitaries and distinguished individuals in Nigeria, Africa and the whole world.
Kind: Henry Ukazu is a jewel to those who possess the qualities he looks for in people and share the same values with him. He may not be there for everyone who has reached out to him – that’s normal. But if you possessed what he appreciates, you can never missed out the showers of the rains of his generosity. Dele Momodu affirmed, “Who says there are no good people in this world? I know there are, because I know them.” Henry Ukazu is one of those good people Bob Dee refers to.
Astute: Henry Ukazu has come a long way to carve a niche for himself, no doubt about that. That affirms it that he is a master of his craft. Unless you are calling him to do what doesn’t align with his values. But if his chemistry matches with a quest, Henry Ukazu goes beyond normal to come out in flying colours. When Amy Blaschka says, “Wisdom is the ability to think and act using knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense, and insight,” Henry Ukazu is one of those he describes.
Zestful: Studying the personal trajectory of Henry Ukazu would reveal to you that great men attain greatness by weathering the storms of their lives to distinguished themselves from ordinary men. Despite the disappointments, vicissitudes of life he had experienced, his energy towards life was neither drained nor sapped. Henry Ukazu is a warrior who has fought the battles of life by setting his sights on the greater rewards.
Unique: Henry Ukazu has lived to the title of a coach, leader, brother, friend, uncle or any titles that defines a noble soul which you think it befits his rare persona. His courage to be true to himself has earned him honour and respect that only true genius can attract. Tatalo Alamu says, “True genius is often such a formidably disruptive phenomenon that it must wear the mask of ordinariness.”
As a protégé, junior brother and grooming associate of Henry Ukazu, whose life has been touched and impacted in various aspects through Henry’s words, teachings, advice, kindness and support, I celebrate him today by compiling a list of his quotes, available here https://bit.ly/HEVs-FD-Here. May the days ahead of him be the best and glorious days of him.
SULYMAN, Sodeeq Abdulakeem is a Librarian, Author. He can be reached via +2348132226994. His new book titled: “The Path to Greatness,” foreword by Henry Ukazu, President and Founder of GLOEMI Inc., The Bronx, New York City, USA, is now available on https://bit.ly/Amzn-HS-TP2G
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.
Personality in Focus
Things Fall Apart Festival 2025: Chimamanda Adichie Calls for Igbo Unity, Honoured by ATPN
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.
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.
