The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: Nwabueze Nnamani

  • [VIDEO] Chief Nwabueze Nnamani Hosts Methodist Church Prelate During Apostolic Visit to Diocese

    [VIDEO] Chief Nwabueze Nnamani Hosts Methodist Church Prelate During Apostolic Visit to Diocese

    Doris Ewoh, Enugu

    In a display of love for the church and God, a former Chairman of Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, Chief Nwabueze Nnamani (Ikeoha), has hosted the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Dr. Oliver Ali Aba, to a civic reception at his country home, during the Prelate’s Apostolic visit.

    The visit, which took place on Thursday, September 4, 2025, was part of an apostolic tour of the Akegbe-Ugwu, Awgu, and Aninri Diocese (AAA Diocese). Chief Nnamani hosted the Prelate at his residence in Umuetugbu Oma, Akegbe-Ugwu.

    Expressing his gratitude and joy, Chief Nnamani likened the moment to a biblical encounter, saying, “I feel like Zacchaeus who climbed the sycamore tree just to see Jesus.”

    He described the visit as significant and spiritually uplifting, adding that it would inspire many unbelievers in the community to turn to Christ.

    The Archbishop of Enugu Diocese, His Grace, Most Reverend Barr. Christopher Edeh, commended Chief Nnamani for his hospitality and steadfast support for the Church.

    “Ikeoha means the people’s strength. He is the strength of this Diocese; he is the strength of this community. For someone of his caliber, he’s not ashamed to identify with us, and he’s not ashamed to identify with the Methodist Church Nigeria. To have Ikeoha is to have strength. We thank him for what he’s doing, and we appreciate him,” said Archbishop Edeh.

    As part of the visit, the Prelate was also conferred with a chieftaincy title, Enyioha I of Enugu State, by the Chairman of the Akegbe-Ugwu Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Igwe Greg Ugwu.

    In an interview with PACESETTER, His Royal Highness Igwe Greg Ugwu expressed delight over the Prelate’s visit, describing it as a historic moment for the community during his reign.

    “Titles are given to exceptional people, and today he is being conferred a chieftaincy title due to his outstanding qualities. He is a great man. We see the good works he is doing to ensure that people serve God in spirit and in truth,” the traditional ruler said.

    In response, the Prelate, His Eminence Dr. Oliver Ali Aba, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the honor. He noted that the chieftaincy title made him feel truly embraced as a “son of the soil” and assured both the community and the palace of his continued prayers.

    Archbishop Edeh further noted that the Prelate rightly deserves the title Enyioha of Igbo Land, highlighting that he is the first Prelate in the 183-year history of the Methodist Church Nigeria to initiate the construction of a Methodist university in Igbo Land.

  • [WATCH] Southeast Retired Customs Officers Hold Annual General Meeting in Enugu

    [WATCH] Southeast Retired Customs Officers Hold Annual General Meeting in Enugu

    …Welfare of retired officers top agenda

    The South East Retired Customs Officers Association convened in Enugu for its Annual General Meeting, bringing together retired officers from across the region to focus on welfare initiatives, shared experiences, and the celebration of life after service.

    The meeting, hosted by Chief Nwabueze Nnamani, a retired customs officer and former Council Chairman of Nkanu West took place on Saturday, 30th August, at his country home in Umuetugbu Oma, Akegbe Ugwu, Enugu.

    While speaking with PACESETTER, the President of the Association, Hon. Uzochukwu Eminent, said the gathering, held once every year, serves as a forum for all retired customs officers from the five Eastern states to come together and address the welfare of their members.

    According to him, the hosting of the AGM rotates among the states, and it was now Enugu’s turn. He acknowledged the positive changes in Enugu made by the current Governor since his early days in the city during his customs service. He said:

    “Coming to Enugu is an eye-opener. Enugu is something else. I started my work here in Enugu in 1979; it wasn’t like this. This Governor came here and made it innovative.

    Other governors should come to Enugu and be briefed on how to govern states. What is seen here is out of this world. It’s a landmark, it’s a masterpiece something you wouldn’t imagine happening in Nigeria. The few days I have spent here make one long to return.”

    Hon. Uzochukwu noted that one of the key problems customs officers face is inadequate funding. He urged the National Assembly to pass legislation ensuring that anyone who serves the country is well taken care of, including access to housing and other basic amenities that support a good quality of life. This, he said, would allow officers to focus fully on their duties without external distractions.

    Chief Sir Nwabueze Nnamani, the chief host, stated that the main purpose of the meeting was to discuss the challenges faced by retirees and explore possible solutions among themselves, while also seeking assistance from external sources.

    Recalling his days in Customs before retiring 15 years ago, he said: “It was interesting, sometimes challenging. I enjoyed my stay in Customs.”

    Barr. C.O.C. Chukwuma, a legal practitioner and retired customs officer, acknowledged that one of the common problems faced by retired officers is poor health. He said that in the course of serving the country, many endured harsh conditions frequent relocations, poor feeding, and inadequate rest.

    “All of these have a big impact on our lives at this old age we are presently in. Most of us who wanted to be here are not here because of health issues,” said Barr. Chukwuma.

    He appealed to the government to heed the cries of South East Retired Customs Officers whenever they speak out, adding that they would be deeply grateful.

    He also advised younger officers still in active service to prioritize their health, noting that health is the foundation for life after service. “The future lies in their health,” he said.

    Emphasizing the health challenges facing many retired officers, Mrs. Okpara Obiageli, wife of a retired customs officer, stated that many retirees are unwell, and a significant number are not yet aware of the Association. She expressed hope that as the AGM continues to rotate across states, more retirees will be encouraged to join.

    The Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, also addressed attendees at the event.

    Following the meeting, members of the Association paid a courtesy visit to Senator Okey Ezea, who is also a retired customs officer. They later toured the city, acknowledging the developmental efforts of the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah. Sites visited included the International Conference Center, Presidential Hotel Enugu, Holy Ghost Bus Terminal, and Gariki Bus Terminal.

    Also in attendance were traditional rulers, members of the Association, and other distinguished guests.

  • Edebor Foundation Donates Educational Materials to School Children

    Edebor Foundation Donates Educational Materials to School Children

    …charges others to imbibe the act of giving back to the society

    “At the end, it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished. It’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.” Denzel Washington

    Driven by the above quote to leave indelible prints in the annals of history, with a view to leaving the mother earth much better than he met it before the inevitable call from the Great adventure could connect, Egnr. Daniel Okwudiri Ohaa, a recalcitrant-self-sacrificing Civil Servant of Nkanu West descent, thought it wise to co-find the EDEBOR FOUNDATION, a pet project saddled with the responsibility of giving a sense of belonging especially in education, to indigent children, and possibly activate a level play ground for all; such that there could be little or no limitations to the distance the children of the poor can travel in achieving their potentials when compared to their counterparts from a richer background.

    Whereas conceptualising this lofty but worthwhile dream was made easy by the rather rough and tough personal experiences Okwudiri had while growing up, notably, during his school days, actualising the Idea became much easier by his unprecedented willingness to give, backed up by yet an uncommon zeal to Search for the most appropriate recipients of his generous gestures. For it is one thing to be willing to give, but yet another thing, which of course is the most important, to search for the most vulnerable members of the society – the downtrodden; for while many are poor, more are wretched. It’s said that he who stepped into the river first, knows where it is deeper, and warns those still ashore of impending danger areas. This young Engineer and by the grace of God, the Enugu State Chief fire Officer, does not stop at signalling the red areas, he goes further to bridge the gap between the threats and the threatened. This, he has shown  again today by alleviating to some reasonable extent, the suffering of some parents in paying the Education bills of their children.

    On 10th December, 2020, the EDEBOR FOUNDATION, in her maiden outing in Okwudiri’s home town – Umueze Awkunanaw in Nkanu West LGC, hosted over 500 Primary School students from Community Primary School Umueze, Obuoffia Primary School 1 and Obuoffia Primary School 2. Over Six Thousand copies of exercise books, Six Hundred pieces of ruler, One Thousand pieces of pen and Five Hundred pieces of Mathematical sets, were donated to Three Primary Schools in Nkanu-West LGC, in the first tranche of EDEBOR Foundation’s outreach, sponsored singlehandedly by Egnr. Daniel Okkwudiri Ohaa.

    In his welcome address, Engr. Ohaa maintained that though the donation was from his personal savings, not as a politician, but a civil servant with a definite income; he went further to explain that the writing Materials were packaged by his foundation to be a source of succour to the parents of the benefitting students for at least one accademic session. He surprisingly insisted that his foundation was even ready to augment any shortfalls that may surface from any benefitting students as a result of the materials being exhausted within the accademic session in view. He finally gave all credence to the Enugu State Governor, His Excellency Lawrence Ifeanyichukwu Ugwuanyi, HELIU, for finding him worthy to serve.

    The Nkanu West Local Council Chairman, Chief Nwabueze Nnamani, in his separate speech, emphasized on the irreplaceable importance of quality Education to every child, irrespective  of background. He described Education as an inalienable right to every Nigerian Child. He extolled the daring approach of Egnr. Ohaa in always giving back to the society.

    The Enugu State Commissioner for Education, Professor Uche Eze, described Okwudiri’s gesture as an ‘enhanced opportunity for Education’. According to him, Education is everybody’s business, as not even the Government can do it all alone. He enjoined other stakeholders to emulate  EDEBOR FOUNDATION’S stance on mass Education, as a means of relieving the Government of some burdens.

    The Chairman, Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board, Chief Ikeje Asogwa, represented in the occasion by the director Quality Assurance Department of the board, Mrs Oby Igwe, could not hold back his happiness for what a Civil Servant could do in promoting Education in Enugu State. He said that Egnr. Ohaa and his EDEBOR FOUNDATION will go down in history as two of the most selfless bodies in Nkanu West in particular and Enugu in general. He encouraged the donor to keep moving and not relent, as they will be remembered positively by posterity..

    Other dignitaries in the event include:  Rev. Chris Nwadike – Priest incharge, Methodist Church Nigeria, Umueze;  Onyema Okoani – Creative Director Black Jaguar Book Club; Rt Honourable Uchenna Ejim – Legislative Aide to Nkanu West LGC Chairman; Prince Onochie Igwesi – Chairman/Publisher, Pacesetter Frontier Magazine; Nnamani Samuel Freeman – Co Convener, Nkanu Concerned Citizens; Hon. Bartholomew Ebuka Okoh – Director, Barth Special Agro; and so many others.