By Editor, Umuahia

All arrangements have been concluded for the burial rites of Late Dame Peace Onyekwulechi Igbokwe, the beloved mother of renowned businessman and philanthropist, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe (popularly known as Don Lulu).

The Igbokwe family commenced the funeral rites marking the final journey of the late matriarch on the 5th December 2025 in Lagos and will continue on Friday, 9th January 2026, with a Service of Songs and Tribute Night, where family members, friends, associates, and well-wishers will gather to celebrate a life of impact, love, and service.

The burial proper is scheduled for Saturday, 10th January 2026, in Umuahia, Abia State, and is expected to attract dignitaries from across the country, including political leaders, captains of industry, traditional rulers, clergy, and members of the business community.

The funeral church service will take place at the Methodist Church, Wesley Cathedral, located at Number 1 Crowthier Street, Umuahia, where prayers and thanksgiving will be offered in honour of the departed Dame whose life was widely regarded as one anchored on faith, humility, and dedication to family values.

After the church service, a reception for guests will be held at the Umuawa Alaocha Primary School Field.

The Igbokwe family has warmly invited family members, friends, associates, and the public to join them in paying their last respects and standing in solidarity with the family as they bid farewell to their cherished mother.

Late Dame Peace Onyekwulechi Igbokwe will be remembered for her strength, motherly virtues, and the lasting values she instilled in her children and all who came in contact with her.

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Ph.D, CFR, is the Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of
Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, where he represents the Bende Federal
Constituency of Abia State.

He is a seasoned legislator, legal practitioner, international
businessman, peace advocate, and global thought leader in governance and development.

Kalu’s career spans over two decades of impactful service across the public and private sectors.
He began as Chairman, Bende Local Government Area of Abia state, and later served as Executive
Adviser to the Governor of Abia State on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and
International Relations before rising to national prominence in the House of Representatives. First
elected in 2019, he distinguished himself serving as the Chairman, House Committee on Media
and Public Affairs as well as the Spokesperson of the House; role he handled with clarity,
diplomacy and excellence.

As Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives and Chairman, House Committee
on the Review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) he leads one of the most consequential
national assignments, shaping constitutional reforms that deepen democracy, promote inclusion, and
national unity.

He also represents Nigeria on the global stage as Chairman of the ECOWAS Parliament
Committee on Administration, Finance and Budget; Member of the Pan-African
Parliament; Steering Committee Member of the WTO Parliamentary Conference; and Member of
the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

Academically, Kalu is deeply grounded. He holds a Ph.D. in Law from the University of Calabar and
a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Strategic Studies from the University of Abuja. He also earned an LL.M
in Terrorism and International Humanitarian Law (with Distinction) from the University of Calabar,
an MBA from Oxford Brookes University in the United Kingdom.

He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2011.
Kalu has further enriched his expertise through executive programs at prestigious institutions,
including; Leadership for the 21st Century, Harvard Kennedy School, USA, Governance &
Development Program, Miami Herbert Business School, University of Miami, USA,
Environmental Crimes, United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute
(UNICRI), Italy, Migration and Human Rights, John Cabot University, Italy, Illicit
Trade, University of Groningen, Netherlands, International Commercial Arbitration, Chartered
Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), UK.

His scholarly contributions include published works on climate adaptation policy, food security,
and security sector reforms in Africa, underscoring his role as a scholar-practitioner bridging
research and governance.

In the private sector, Kalu has held various leadership positions across Africa, Europe, and
Australia including as Director at Solcarbon SA-NV (Belgium), Ozbok Australia PTY LTD
(Sydney), and Belcarbon SA (Belgium). He also serves as Principal Arbitrator at Silk Partners LLP
(Nigeria), where he advises on commercial law, arbitration, and international business strategy.

Kalu’s passion for peace and development finds expression in the Peace in the South East Project
(PISE-P), an initiative he convened to promote dialogue, inclusivity, and non-kinetic solutions to
security challenges in Nigeria’s South East. His humanitarian footprint also extends through
the Benjamin Kalu Foundation, which for over two decades has provided interventions
in healthcare, education, and empowerment for youth, women, and persons with disabilities.
In recognition of his outstanding service to the nation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,
conferred on him the national honor of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).

Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu stands as a visionary leader for the 21st century blending law,
policy, diplomacy, and humanitarianism to shape a more inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous
Nigeria, Africa, and world.

By Editor, Umuahia

The Annual general meeting of the online media publishers association of Nigeria, Abia State will feature the investiture of patrons on some select persons who have excelled in various fields of endeavour.

One of the patrons is Hon Amobi Godwin Ogah.

Born on the 16th of June, 1980, to the family of late Wilson and Ogbonneya Ogah of Onuaku, Uturu, in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State, he acquired his early education at Udoka Primary School Awka, in Anambra State, Nnachi High School in Enugu State, and a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in economics from Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).

Driven by passion for service, socio-economic upliftment and job creation which has consistently marked his journey, he served as the executive director of seven subsidiary companies under the Pauli-Mama Group of Companies and other companies outside the group.

“Aguneche Ibe” as he is fondly called, is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Economics, a Member of the Nigeria-America Chamber of Commerce (NACC), and a member of the Global Trade Club of Spain.

In 2019, Amobi Ogah was called upon by the people of Isuikwuato and Umunneochi to represent them at the House of Representative but later withdrew his aspiration to pave way for his immediate predecessor serving for a record 4th term.

On February 25th, 2023, Amobi yielded to yet another call from the people of Isuikwuato and Umunneochi to seek election, hence, he was overwhelmingly voted into office as the Member representing Isuikwuato and Umunneochi Federal Constituency under the platform of the Labour Party.

His resounding victory ended the 16 years reign of his predecessor, a victory which is widely described as one of the greatest political upset of the 2023 election.

At the 10th Assembly, Hon Ogah is the Chairman, House Committee on Infectious Diseases. He has demonstrated impeccable character and capacity in his legislative mandate with several motions, bills, and oversight responsibilities to his credit.

Some of the Bills include: the National Institute for Organic Agriculture and Food Safety Research, Ulonna North, Isuikwuato Abia State; Creation Of Uturu-Chieze Local Government Area; Creation of Etiti State; Federal School of Nursing and Midwifery, Uturu, Abia State; Tuberculosis (anti-discrimination) Bill, Private Institutions and Health Care Services Providers (prohibition) Bill; Fifty-Year National Economic Plan Act for Nigeria; as well as the National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS Act (amendment) Bill.

Ogah is a philanthropist who is in tune with the yearnings of his constituents, having empowered many, including women and youths of his constituency with skills for self-reliance

He has enrolled several youths on full-funded educational scholarship, with infrastructural upgrade of his constituency cutting across roads, medical outreach, health facilities, constructed markets and several other facilities to improve the quality of life.

In similitude, Hon Ogah has organized series of empowerment programmes to cushion the economic hardship of his constituents. Some of these include; the 2019 empowerment outreach; 2024 empowerment programme held on the 16th of November, as well as the recently organized 1-billion-naira empowerment of his constituents held on December 6th, 2025, where cars, mini buses, tricycles, motorcycles, deep freezers, grinding machines, industrial sewing machines, and many other items of economic boost were distributed.

Hon Amobi Ogah is married to a supportive wife, Maureen and the union is blessed with children.