Personality in Focus
President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu is Dead
The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, is dead.
His death was confirmed in a statement on Thursday by his son, Jide.
The statement read, “The Iwuanyanwu family of Umuohii Atta, in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State announces the demise of our patriarch, Engr Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu-Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu died on Thursday, July 25, 2024, after a brief illness. He was aged 82.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu before his death was President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide and President of Owerri Peoples Assembly.”
The late Iwuanyanwu leaves behind his wife, Frances Iwuanyanwu, as well as his numerous children and grandchildren.
According to the statement, the family will announce funeral arrangements in due course, after necessary consultations.
Iwuanyanwu was a renowned businessman and politician, born in September 1942 in Umuohii, Ikeduru LGA, Imo State.
He served as the 11th President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom, His Eminence Dr Eberechukwu Oji, has felicitated Professor Ngozi Osarenren on the award of excellence bestowed on her by the University of Calabar (UNICAL).
UNICAL recently honoured Prof Osarenren, an expert in Career and Counselling, with the prestigious award of ‘Face of UNICAL @ 50’.
The award was given to Professor Orarenren in recognition of the contributions she has made in her chosen career both in Nigeria and abroad.
“We write to notify you of your nomination by the Central Planning Committee and UNICAL Alumni Association for the conferment of an award as the “Face of UNICAL @ 50” in commemoration of the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of the University (1975-2025).
“In nominating you for this prestigious award, the University has considered your success in using the knowledge/skills acquired in the university in your chosen filed/professional career.
”The University also notes the worthy manner you have flown the flag of integrity for the University both in Nigeria and abroad; your past/future contributions to the development of your Alma mater (UNICAL) and your pride as an alumnus,” the institution wrote prior to the five-day ceremony, which started on March 17,2025,” the institution wrote, in notifying the award recipient.
In conveying his felicitations to Prof Osarenren, His Eminence, Eze Dr Eberechukwu Oji said:
“On behalf of my family and the good people of Arochukwu kingdom, I write to felicitate you and your family on the conferment of the prestigious award of FACE of UNICAL at 50, which was recently bestowed on you by your alma mater, the University of Calabar.
“The entire Arochukwu community rejoices with you on this well deserved award. The award is a testament of your commitment and untiring efforts in uplifting the educational standards in Nigeria, which has manifested in your sterling career at the University of Lagos where you currently hold sway in it’s Guidance and Counselling Department.
“Aro Kingdom is proud of you and we urge you to keep being a great ambassador of Arochukwu.
“Once again, congratulations Adaukwu,” His Eminence added.
Personality in Focus
Contributions of Late Basketball Star, Dikembe Mutombo, Take Centrestage on Glo-sponsored African Voices
CNN International’s magazine programme, African Voices Playmakers, this weekend highlights the contributions of Late Congolese-American National Basketball Association (NBA) Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo as a humanitarian icon and mentor of young basketball players on the continent. The programme is bankrolled by data solutions provider, Globacom.
Full name Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukaba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo, he was known simply by his moniker ‘Mount Mutombo’ because of his defensive dexterity. He was born on June 25, 1966, in the Democratic Republic of Congo and studied Medicine at Georgetown University in America. He, however, chose to follow his passion for basketball, playing for 18 remarkable seasons in the NBA.
Dikembe created the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation to improve the living condition of his folks in the DRC. Unfortunately, he lost his fierce battle with brain cancer in September, 2024 at the age of 58.
He however remains a beacon of light to youngsters of African descent on the pitch. This new generation of African basketball players who enjoyed his tutelage include his son, Ryan, his two nephews and other youngsters from the continent two of whom are rising NBA stars, Yves Missi and Josh Okogie.
Both 20-year-old Missi, a Cameroonian professional basketball player with the New Orleans Pelicans, and 26-year-old Nigerian-American shooting guard, Okojie, who plays for the Charlotte Hornets in the United States of America will talk about Dikembe’s influence and their successful careers so far in international basketball.
The 30-minute show will be on air on DSTV Channel 401 at 7.30 a.m. on Saturday with a repeat the same day at 11 a.m. On Sunday, other repeats will be broadcast at 3.30 a.m. and 6.p.m. and on Monday at 3.00 a.m. Further repeats come up at 7.30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Saturday next week; Sunday at 4.30 a.m. and 7 p.m. and on Monday at 4 a.m.
The Supreme Court has affirmed Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu as the authentic National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
The five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Musa Awani Abba-Aji, in a judgment on Friday, overturned the decision of the Court of Appeal, Enugu division, that upheld Chief Sunday Udo Okoye as PDP National Secretary.
In its decision, the Supreme Court supported Anyanwu’s assertion that both the Court of Appeal and the trial court in Enugu overstepped their jurisdiction, as the case pertained to the internal matters of the PDP.
