The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: Nkanu

  • Chimamanda Adichie Says Son’s Death Changed Her Feelings About Nigeria

    Chimamanda Adichie Says Son’s Death Changed Her Feelings About Nigeria

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Award-winning Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has revealed that the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu, has profoundly changed her feelings towards Nigeria, saying she no longer wants to return to the country.

    Adichie made the disclosure in an interview with The New York Times, where she spoke about the loss of her son and its impact on her relationship with her home country.

    Asked whether Nigeria still felt close to her heart, the author said her feelings had changed following the tragedy.

    “My feelings toward Nigeria have changed,” she said.

    “I do not want to go back to Nigeria.”

    Nkanu, one of Adichie’s twin sons, died in December 2025 following a medical emergency at Euracare, a private hospital in Nigeria.

    According to the author, her son initially developed a fever and was placed on antibiotics by her husband, Ivara Esege. However, when his condition did not improve, the couple took him to the hospital for further medical assessment.

    Adichie said Nkanu was subsequently sedated with propofol for an MRI examination, after which he suffered cardiac arrest and died the following day.

    Recounting the moments surrounding the incident, she said a doctor later approached her in a visibly distressed state and made a statement about the amount of propofol administered to her son.

    “He was very calm and he said to me, ‘Well, look, they gave him too much Propofol.’ Those were his exact words, which I will never forget until the day I die,” she recalled.

    Adichie had earlier raised allegations of medical negligence concerning the treatment her son received at the hospital.

    The circumstances surrounding Nkanu’s death have also become the subject of a coroner’s inquest, with proceedings reportedly involving disagreements and delays between the family and the hospital.

    The hospital has reportedly disputed aspects of the family’s account and accused Adichie and her husband of destroying evidence by cremating their son’s remains, a matter connected to the ongoing proceedings.

    Adichie and her husband have called for improvements in Nigeria’s healthcare system but, according to the report, have not filed a lawsuit against the hospital.

    Reflecting on the possibility of returning to Nigeria, Adichie said her children could be the only reason she might consider coming back.

    She noted that her daughter still considered Nigeria her “happy place.”

    Before Nkanu’s death, Adichie said Nigeria had remained deeply connected to her identity and literary career. She described the country as the place where she received “everything” that helped shape her into a writer.

    However, she said the loss of her son had fundamentally altered that relationship.

    “I mean, it is so surreal, all of this. I still can’t believe we’re talking about my son who died,” she said.

    “You’re going through something, but you also feel like you’re outside of it.”

  • Nkanu East 2026: APC’s Ogbuekwe Gains Momentum, Wins Support Across Seven Communities

    Nkanu East 2026: APC’s Ogbuekwe Gains Momentum, Wins Support Across Seven Communities

    The chairmanship campaign of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Nkanu East Local Government Area, Hon. Chief Engr.

    Mike Chikosolu Ogbuekwe, popularly known as Mmiri Ọma Na Nkanu, has continued to gain grassroots momentum, with communities across the council area declaring support for his candidacy and the APC ahead of the September 26 local government election.

    The latest mobilisation took Ogbuekwe and his campaign train through Nara, Mburumbu, Nomeh, Ohuani/Onicha Agu, Amechi Idodo, Orukwu and Umuode, where residents, community leaders, party stakeholders, women and youth groups turned out to receive the candidate and express support for his ambition.

    The campaign stops also became platforms for stakeholders to canvass support for Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and other APC candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, with speakers repeatedly citing the governor’s development record as a reason for their continued support for the party.

    In Nara, residents of Ward 1 and Ward 2 defied torrential rain to receive the campaign train, with community and political leaders describing the gatherings as an opportunity to acknowledge the impact of the Mbah administration and rally support for Ogbuekwe.

    At Ward 1, the APC Ward Chairman, Dr. Kenechukwu Nnamani, declared the ward’s support for the APC and its candidates.

    Other stakeholders, including Rt. Hon. John Nwankwo and Hon. Williams Chukwu, also welcomed the campaign delegation. Chukwu pledged his support for Ogbuekwe and the APC and announced a donation of ₦100,000 towards the campaign. Barr. Chief Joshua Mbah also presented a ram in support of the campaign.

    The Nkanu East APC Chairman, Hon. Abel Igwe, popularly known as Agege, urged the electorate to support Ogbuekwe and the APC councillorship candidates on September 26, while calling for continued support for Governor Mbah and other APC candidates in 2027.

    He subsequently presented the APC flag to the party’s councillorship candidate for Nara Ward 1, Hon. David Nwoye.

    Addressing the gathering, the Director-General of the Mmiri Ọma Campaign Council, Hon. Prince Chukwuemeka Nwatu, urged residents to support the APC candidates across the ballot, including Ogbuekwe, Governor Mbah, Senator Kelvin Chukwu, Rt. Hon. Nnolim Nnaji and Hon. Okey Mbah.

    Ogbuekwe, while thanking the people for turning out despite the rain, said Governor Mbah’s development initiatives had raised expectations of what political leadership should deliver.

    “We are going to copy what Peter Mbah is doing in Enugu State and paste it in Nkanu East,” he said.

    He promised to pursue greater development across the local government if elected and urged the people to support APC candidates at the state and national levels.

    At Nara Ward 2, the campaign also received a strong turnout despite the weather. Former Deputy Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency Bishop Ralph Nwoye, the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Market Liaison, Hon. Dr. Chinedu Mbah, and other political and community leaders joined the engagement.

    The Ward Chairman, Hon. Chinonso Chukwu, declared the ward’s support for the APC, while other stakeholders, including Hon. Femi Okube, Mrs. Chinelo Okafor and Hon. Chidi Edenta, praised Governor Mbah’s development initiatives and expressed support for Ogbuekwe.

    The President-General of Nara, Chief Emmanuel Edeani, also pledged support for the APC candidates.

    From Nara, the campaign moved to Mburumbu and Nomeh, where similar declarations of support greeted the APC candidate.

    At Mburumbu, the Ward Chairman, Hon. Emmanuel Eze, urged party members and stakeholders to work together for victory in the September council election and sustain mobilisation ahead of 2027.

    The Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Engr. Prince Lawrence Eze, welcomed the campaign on behalf of community stakeholders and expressed confidence in the readiness of Mburumbu residents to support Governor Mbah and the APC at the polls.

    The APC flag was presented to the Mburumbu Ward councillorship candidate, Hon. Uchechukwu Nweke, by the Nkanu East APC Chairman.

    The ALGON Chairman, Enugu State, and Executive Chairman of Nkanu East LGA, Hon. Sydney Okechukwu Edeh, described Nkanu East as “totally and 100 per cent APC” and endorsed Ogbuekwe for the chairmanship.

    He said Ogbuekwe had demonstrated competence and capacity through responsibilities handled under the Mbah administration and would, if elected, continue the development direction of the state government.

    At Nomeh, the Secretary to Nkanu East Local Government, Rev. Felix Okoye, expressed confidence in the APC’s prospects, while the ward chairman and other stakeholders reiterated their support for the party.

    Mazi Uche Anichukwu, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and External Relations, highlighted development projects and initiatives in the area, including the planned agricultural project around the Nomeh-Unateze axis.

    The APC flag was subsequently presented to the Nomeh Ward councillorship candidate, Hon. Kenneth Nwankwo.

    Community leaders and stakeholders at the gathering declared their support for the APC, with the event repeatedly echoing the declaration, “Nomeh 100 per cent APC.”

    The campaign subsequently moved to Ohuani/Onicha Agu, Amechi Idodo, Orukwu and Umuode, where Ogbuekwe again received a warm reception and further endorsements.

    At Ohuani/Onicha Agu, the former Chairman of Nkanu East Local Government Area, Chief Hon. Ikechukwu Ubagu, presented a ₦1 million donation to Ogbuekwe on behalf of stakeholders and residents.

    Ubagu also pledged the ward’s support for Ogbuekwe in the September 26 council election and assured that the community would support APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.

    The endorsement was largely linked by speakers to Governor Mbah’s development record, with stakeholders citing infrastructure and other government interventions as reasons for their support for the APC.

    At Amechi Idodo/Orukwu, the member representing Nkanu East Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Okey Mbah, commended residents for their turnout and solidarity.

    The APC Chairman in Nkanu East, Abel Nwigwe, said the campaign was also an opportunity for communities to assess and acknowledge the development direction of the state government.

    Prof. Hyginus Banko Okibe, Executive Chairman of the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB), described Ogbuekwe as an educated, tested and trusted candidate, while pledging his support for the APC candidate and Governor Mbah.

    The Director-General of the Mmiri Ọma Campaign Organisation, Prince Chukwuemeka Nwatu, also canvassed support for Ogbuekwe, citing his experience and professional background.

    Across the communities, Ogbuekwe presented a consistent development message, promising to replicate what he described as the Mbah administration’s development model at the local government level.

    He identified infrastructure, agriculture, human capital development and security as areas of priority, while also promising to support youth development, market development and other grassroots initiatives.

    Ogbuekwe said the APC’s nomination had provided an opportunity to bring the governor’s development philosophy closer to the people of Nkanu East.

    He also pledged to work with Nara indigenes in the diaspora towards the development of Nara Market and other community initiatives.

    At the different campaign stops, he repeatedly urged residents to support other APC candidates, including Hon. Okey Mbah for the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nnolim Nnaji for the House of Representatives, Senator Kelvin Chukwu for the Senate and Governor Peter Mbah.

    He also referenced a pledge by Nnolim Nnaji to facilitate one transformer for each ward in Nkanu East.

    The campaign engagements have consequently transformed into a broader mobilisation effort, combining the September 26 local government contest with efforts to strengthen the APC’s grassroots structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    For Ogbuekwe, the repeated endorsements, public declarations and the ₦1 million campaign donation represent signs of growing grassroots acceptance. For the APC, the engagements provide an opportunity to test the strength of its organisation across communities before the council poll.

    But while campaign rallies can demonstrate enthusiasm and political organisation, the ultimate test remains the ballot.

    With September 26 drawing closer, Ogbuekwe and the APC have secured public declarations of support in several Nkanu East communities. Whether those declarations translate into votes will be determined when the people head to the polls.

  • Enugu 2023 Guber Race: Profile of Likely Candidates-2

    Enugu 2023 Guber Race: Profile of Likely Candidates-2

    Enugu 2023 Guber Race: Profile of Likely Candidates-2

    As the race to the Lion Building of Enugu State come 2023 commences, The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine X-rays the profile of likely contenders from Enugu East Senatorial Zone, as already published in the 2021 Independence edition of the Magazine.

    Chief Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji – Nwakaibie

    Chief Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji (Nwakaibie) was born to very wealthy Business Parents – Late Chief Obed Nnaji & a living healthy Mother – Chief Mrs. Monica Nnaji. He is from Amugo-Agu Village, Amugo Autonomous Community, Akpugo, Nkanu West LGA, Enugu State. His Secondary education was at St. Patrick Secondary School Emene, Enugu. He later went on to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) where he read Microbiology/Biochemistry.

    Nnaji’s political life and desire to serve led him to join the Peoples Democratic Party as one of its founding members. At the time, he was prevailed upon to run for the Governorship Election in 1999 but declined for His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani as his elder brother from Nkanuland. He instead ran for Senate and won but still stepped down for His Excelllency, Sen. Dr. Jim Nwobodo who was an elder statesman and foundation leader of PDP in Nkanuland, Enugu State and Nigeria. He was later appointed Member of FCDA Board by President Olusegun Obasanjo where he became the Chairman of Finance Committee of the Board.

    Nwakibie is an International Business Man, Industrialist and Contractor. It is reported that his Rice Mill factory in his hometown Akpugo is currently at 80% completion. He has a huge verifiable record of Philanthropy, Human Development and Political Patronage both at the Ward, Local Government, various States & Federal Level.

    He is married with 4 Children (One girl & Three boys).

    Chief Uche Nnaji

    Chukwuma Ephraim Okenwa (CEO)

    Chukwuma Ephraim Okenwa, popularly known as CEO due to his initials, hails from Amorji, Akpugo in Nkanu West LGA of Enugu State. He was born on March 13, 1984. He holds a BSc. in Medical Microbiology and a Diploma in Multilateral Diplomacy from the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).

    CEO is a Social Entrepreneur and a Public Affairs Analyst. He is a School Administrator and the Convener of #YouthDecide2019. CEO is the brain behind the One Nigeria Reality Project, endorsed by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the project lead, ADA 042 Tourism and Cultural pageant.

    As an SME enthusiast, he has been involved as a Mentor in projects such as the Youth Empowered by Coca-Cola and the Boost Your Business training powered by Facebook. He is the Convener of the Annual Employability and Entrepreneurship Summit (EES) since 2015 in Enugu State and the Author of the classic THINK GLOBAL. He is the Executive Director of LEAD NETWORK, Principal Partner at H-Formance Consulting and the founder of CEO Media Agency.

    A happily married man, Okenwa has been appointed twice as a YALI Network Influencer in Nigeria. He is a Fellow of the Leadership Course in Criminal and Security Intelligence Management (Defence Intelligence College, Abuja). Okenwa is equally a member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and a Fellow of the International Security Management Course.

    Chukwuma Ephraim Okenwa

    Rt. Hon. (Prince) Ofor Chukwuegbo

    Hon. Prince Gregory Oforbuike Chukwuegbo was born on August 23, 1971 into the family of Igwe Vincent Van Chukwuegbo and Lolo Dorathy Chukwuegbo family of Umunuzi Kindred, Ndiaga, Amechi Uwani, Enugu South LGA of Enugu State. He is the seventh of nine children of his mother.

    Hon. Chukwuegbo attended St Jude’s Primary School, Amechi Uwani, the College of Immaculate Conception (CIC), Enugu and Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) where he obtained a Bachelor of Science (BSc.) degree. After his graduation, he worked as Operations Manager at Private Network Ltd, the leading analogue telephone company. He was to rise to the position of Chief Executive Officer, in merited recognition of his leadership and resourcefulness. He went on to set up many other businesses; Wireless Point Communications, Private Concept Limited and BYK Fishing Company; before he heeded the call of his people to join politics.

    In 2003, Ofor Chukwuegbo contested and won election under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) into the State House of Assembly, representing the people of Enugu South Urban Constituency where he served as Chairman, House Committee on Works, Housing and Transport.

    His political stock which was in steady ascendency rose even further in 2007 as he got elected into the Federal House of Representatives where he served creditably for an initial two terms. His transition from State to Federal Law Maker in record time, earned him the sobriquet – “Ochuko Mgbada Zogbuo Enyi”. He represented Enugu North and South Federal Constituency. In 2015, Ofor couldn’t return back to the green chambers until 2019 when he won another election to the House of Reps, to continue his representation and service to the people of Enugu North and South Federal Constituency. Prince Chukwuegbo was Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Police affairs in the 6th Assembly (2007-2011) and Chairman House Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in the 7th assembly (2011-2015). He is currently Member, Governing Council, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Abuja, Chairman House Committee on Abandoned Projects in the Ministry of Water Resources, and a member of several other committees.

    His privileged upbringing notwithstanding, Ofor has managed, by pure personal endeavor, to distinguish himself as a shrewd investor, and an astute entrepreneur. As the MD/CEO of Lit Group, he has managed to grow the hitherto little-known business, with modest investment at inception few years ago, into an international competitive brand. Lit has interests in Hospitality, Apartment Development, Leasing, and Lifestyle. Health Trust Pharmacy and Stores is the newest addition to the Group.

    Prince Chukwuegbo, a devout Catholic, is happily married to Lolo Ngozi Chukwuegbo (Nee Okechukwu), his wife of over 20 years and they are blessed with children, some of whom are already young adults.

    Rt. Hon. Prince Ofor Chukwuegbo

    Dr. Surv. Victor Chukwuemeka Nnam

    Victor Chukwuemeka Nnam was born into the family of Chief John Okwor Nnam and Mrs Florence Nnam of Amechi in Enugu South LGA of Enugu state on 23rd February 1984. He attended Robinson Primary School, Uwani, Enugu, from where he proceeded to UNEC Secondary School and later Enugu State University of Science and technology where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Surveying and Geoinformatics in 2007. Nnam holds an M.Sc in Geoinformatics and Surveying. In 2019, he obtained a PhD in the same course.

    Victor Nnam is a registered surveyor, a member of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) and was a Lecturer in the department of Surveying and Geoinformatics in the Enugu State University of Science and Technology. In 2019, he was appointed as the Enugu State Honourable Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development by the Governor, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, a position he holds till date. He has also been a member of the Enugu State Boundary Committee, Office of the Deputy Governor and has attended several international conferences and trainings, with a lot of academic research work and publications to his name.

    A recipient of several awards, Victor Nnam is a devout Christian, a champion of youth advancement and a detribalized man. He is married and has three children.

    Hon. Victor Nnam

    To be continued…. 

  • Enugu 2023 Guber Race: Profile of Likely Candidates-1

    Enugu 2023 Guber Race: Profile of Likely Candidates-1

    As the race to the Lion Building of Enugu State come 2023 commences, The Pacesetter Frontier  Magazine X-rays the profile of likely contenders from Enugu East Senatorial Zone, as already published in the 2021 Democracy edition of the Magazine.

    Mr. Peter Mbah (Esq)

    Mr. Peter Mbah was born on 17th March, 1972 and hails from Owo in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State. He started his primary education in 1978 at Army Children School, Bori Camp, Port Harcourt where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1984 and later, Senior Secondary Certificate Education (SSCE). Peter Mbah obtained a Certificate in German Foreign Language from the VolkHoch Schule, Recklinghausen, Germany in 1992. He attended the University of East London, United Kingdom and graduated as a Lawyer (LLB Honors) with a Second-Class Upper Division. While at the School, Mbah was an outstanding President of the Student Law Society (1998-1999). In the year 2000, he was Litigation Assistant at CHASE CHRISTOPHER ROBERTS SOLICITORS, LONDON.

    Mr. Mbah became the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Enugu State in 2003. He was later appointed Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development of the Enugu State Government. Mbah later obtained a Masters (LLM) in Maritime and Commercial Law from the Lagos State University in 2004. He is a Fellow of the Certified Institute of Public Administration and Management (CIPM), a Member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

    Mr. Peter Mbah is the Chairman/CEO of Pinnacle Oil & Gas Limited and several other successful companies. He is a Federal Government Licensed Shipping and Clearing Agent, and also the founder of FOCUS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL in 1996.

    Barr. Peter Mbah

    Captain Evarest Edeh Nnaji (Odengene)

    Captain Evarest Edeh Nnaji (Odengene) was born on 16th August, 1962 into the family of Chief Silas Edeh Nnaji and Chief Mrs Janet Wowo-Ogo Nnaji, of the Odengene larger family clan, Isienu Amagunze, Nkanu-East Local Government Area, Enugu State.

    He attended Isienu Community Primary School, Amagunze, Nkanu-East LGA, Enugu State (1972-1978), and later Madonna High School, Etiti, Imo State (1978-1982). Captain Evarest attended the prestigious University of Lagos (UNILAG) (1998-2002) where he obtained a degree in Political Science.

    He acquired Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) USA, Aircraft Pilot License and Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Aircraft Pilot License. Odengene attended Helicopter Services International, Spring Texas – USA (1994-1996), and also United Flight Services, Spring Texas – USA (1998-1999). He also attended Salaika Aviation, Danbury Texas – USA from 2001 to 2005. He obtained Nigeria Air Law (NCAA) Licensed to fly in the United States of America and Nigeria. He is specially trained as a Vertical Reference and Long Line Helicopter Pilot.

    Captain Evarest Nnaji is the Managing Director/CEO of many companies such as Odengene Air Shuttle Services Limited (OAS Helicopters) Nigeria, Odengene Air Shuttle, Inc. (USA), Odengene Group of Companies Ltd, Electrostatic Laser World and OAS Offshore Logistics Ltd

    Captain Evarest is an accomplished Businessman, Aviator and Politician. He is the founder of Odengene Foundation, which has over the years granted and maintained scholarship for innumerable indigent students, up to the University level. The Foundation also undertakes legal services for Awaiting Trials inmates in prisons for minor offenses.

    Capt. Evarest Edeh Nnaji

    Hon. Barr. Chijioke Jonathan Edeoga

    Hon. Barr. Chijioke Jonathan Edeoga was born on October 2nd, 1964 into the family of Late Mr. Jonathan and Mrs. Jemimah Edeoga of Omulor Mgbuji, Eha – Amufu in Isi-Uzo LGA, Enugu State. Chijioke Edeoga holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Bachelor of Law Degree from the University of Buckingham, United Kingdom and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2007. He also holds Masters of Law from the prestigious University of London also in the United Kingdom.

    His Political career began in 1992 following his appointment as the Press Secretary by the then Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo. He was also elected as the Chairman of Isi–Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State. He ran for the House of Representatives and was elected. While in the green chamber, he was the Chairman, House Committee on Information. Edeoga was also an Adviser on Legislative matters to the then Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, His Excellency, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu. From 2011–2015, he was appointed as the Special Assistant to Former President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on National Assembly Matters. He has served as the Honorable Commissioner for Local Government Matters in Enugu State (2015 -2019). In 2019, Governor Uguwanyi re-appointed him as the Honorable Commissioner for Environment, a position he holds till date.

    He is the Chairman and Publisher of Enugu LGA News magazine. As a reputable Journalist, he has piled his trade in various Newspaper houses, including Daily Star, the Outlook, the Champion and the Post Express. The Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ) awarded him for excellence in Feature Writing

    A believer in human empowerment, Chijioke Edeoga is a devout Christian, A Knight in the Church and a respected family man.

    Hon. Chijioke Edeoga

    Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa

    Born on February 4, 1962, to the Family of Late Chief Edward Ohaa Nwannaji Nwagu of Amangwu Autonomous Community of Obuoffia Awkunanaw, in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State. He began his career as a Bursar in the Enugu State Education Commission, later appointed Company Accountant of Vanguard Industries, Ltd, Enugu.

    In 1999, he was appointed the Accountant General of Enugu State and in 2006, the Commissioner for Agriculture by His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Chimaroke Nnamani.

    In 2007, he transferred his services to the Federal Civil Service, where he retired as a Permanent Secretary in January 2021 after serving in different Federal Ministries. His academic qualifications include GCE-1979, WASC-1980, Higher National Diploma in Finance-1985, PGD, Accountancy & Finance-1990, MBA, Banking & Finance-1992.

    Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa

    To be continued….