₦airaland Forum

Mrs. Amaka Igwe is CEO of Best of the Best Television, known as BOBTV. Popularly known before now as the CEO of Amaka Igwe Studios,

She is one of the foremost movie directors in Nigeria today.

Her films have drawn international recognition to the home video industry. She is the producer of the award winning movie “forever” and the long standing soap opera Checkmate.

Adaku Okpi is the founder of Adaku Okpi Casting, located in New York City. The company specializes in finding models for national ad campaigns, music videos and fashion shows with an emphasis in casting children. They also provide wardrobe styling services for clients in fashion, music and sports.

Adaku who was born in Queens, is a Dramatic Arts Major from NYU. She also represents Rocawear Marketing.

CHRISTIANA NGOZI ANYANWU, FOUNDER AND CHAIRLADY SPECTRUM BROADCASTING COMPANY NIGERIA LIMITED

Christiana Ngozi Anyanwu (MFR) (nee Ukah) was born in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area and is married to Dr. Casmir Anyanwu of Enyiogugu, Aboh Mbaise. The marriage is blessed with 2 lovely children.

Chris attended Owerri Girls Secondary School, University of Missouri at Columbia, and Florida State University, USA. She holds a Bachelors Degree in journalism and Masters Degree in Mass Communication.

An author, broadcaster, administrator, philanthropist and humane woman, Chris is the founder and Chief Executive of Spectrum Broadcasting Company Nigeria Limited, a young vibrant organization engaged in television programmes production and radio broadcasting. She established TSM TV, which has trained many professionals majority of whom are from Imo State. Her radio station, HOT 98.3 FM Abuja, is the hottest Radio Station in the FCT with the most far-reaching coverage spanning 8 States. HOT FM has also been licensed to set up a new station in Owerri – the first private radio in Imo State, expected to give employment to a large number of Imo citizens.

CHRIS is better known as that skilled, innocent face that adorned the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) screen some years ago. She conceptualized, produced and anchored one of the most popular news programmes on NTA - “NEWSLINE”. And for several years, she traversed the universe, covering activities of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) as a petroleum correspondent. She also covered various other national and international assignments.

Njideka Ugwuegbu-Harry is the founder of the Youth for Technology Foundation. Through cooperation with major international ICT companies the Foundation has managed to benefit over 4.000 youth since its establishment in 2000. It has also pioneered a digital village movement in and for Nigeria.

In 2000, she got support from Microsoft and the World Bank to establish the Owerri Digital Village – the first community technology centre of its kind in West Africa. She also launched a non-profit organization, Youth for Technology Foundation (YTF), to operate the Owerri centre and to coordinate other Nigeria-based activities.

Four years later, Njideka launched YTF project, SpokesYouth. A program which spills children out from the community technology centers into nearby villages, armed with audio-enabled PDAs and perhaps with digital cameras.

The SpokesYouth idea was perfected during Njideka’s time at Stanford. She credits the other fellows and her faculty advisor, electrical engineering professor Bruce Lusignan, with helping her to make steady progress toward the prototype’s launch. Stu Gannes, director of the Digital Vision Program, provided useful coaching, as well.

Njideka is a former senior product manager in the financial strategy, planning and analysis group at Microsoft. She has received several non-profit leadership awards honoring individuals who have displayed, through example, a commitment and excellence to philanthropy and service. Njideka Harry graduated Cum Laude from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where she studied Finance and International Business. She has a diploma in International Business from the Haarlem Business School, Netherlands. In 2004, she completed her graduate studies at Stanford University.

Chichi and Chichi E is a fashion house/company with Vintique – The upscale couture line and Odi - the younger hipper version and ready to wear line from the fashion house. You may have come across Chichi E on the Tyra Banks show or spotted the duo in Philadelphia style magazine. They are based in America.

Chichi and Chichi E is run by sisters Chigozilu (Chi-Chi) and Chidelu (Chi-Chi E.) Enigwe

MD/CEO STORM MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

Obi Asika is the Executive Chairman of Storm Media and Entertainment Group; one of the biggest players in music and entertainment in Nigeria

Obi started Storm Records with his cousin Olisa Adibua in 1991. The first outing with the name Storm was a club promotion called “Enter the Dragon” in the summer of 1991, and then in 1992 they developed a TV show called “Clapperboard Weekend Raps” on Nigeria’s first private TV station. From the Rap show, they made and discovered several stars including Daddy Showkey and Jimmy Jatt, but the key artists were Trybe of Troubadors, Latee and the Wazobian tribe, Nodeen, Junior and Pretty, Ikechukwu, Naeto C and Sasha.

Storm co-produced Big Brother Nigeria, The Apprentice, Ambo and Doctor’s quarters. They also produced Nigeria’s first interactive game show on Silverbird TV and are in the process of going live with several productions for clients.

Obi, who is a graduate of Warwick University, is the son of the Late Ukpabi Asika.

MD/CEO SAGEMETRICS CORPORATION, CHIEF KENNETH NWABUEZE.

For seeking scientific knowledge early and using this to attract recognition from world leaders, putting Nigeria on the world map; for his broad vision of life, sheer energy, in-dustry and passion to transform society us-ing science and being a model ambassador for Nigeria and Africa, Hon. Kenneth Eme-ka Nwabueze, MFR, is The AUTHORITY ICON.

An engineer by profession, with an emphasis in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, he is a strong leader with exceptional business, political, and diplomatic capabilities and a passion for technology and foreign affairs.

As co-author of United Nation MDG’s taskforce #8 on Science and Technology, he has an in depth knowledge of Africa’s problems and workable solutions. Meet Hon. Ken-neth Emeka Nwabueze, MFR.

He was born in Ogidi, Anambra State and traveled to the United States at the age of 17. He studied Engineering at the California State University at Northridge, School of Engineer-ing and Computer Sciences, and Pepperdine University at Malibu, School of Management and Business Administration. In 2002, he was honored at Howard University as one of the 50-most important African Americans in Technology.

He is the founder and CEO of SageMetrics Corporation, a leading outsourced business intelligence provider with offices in North Hollywood, California and European Headquarters in London.

In the year 2000, he was named a member of the National Advisory Board for Governor George W. Bush for President. On December 12, 2001, President Bush in a ceremony held at the Roosevelt Room, appointed him to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. On the board with him are high tech industry luminaries like Michael Dell of Dell Computer Corp.; Gordon Moore, Chair-man Emeritus of Intel Corp., Carol Bartz, CEO of Au-to Desk Inc., Norman Augustine, retired chairman of Lockheed Martin Corp.; and Charles Vest, President, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Members of the council are charged with the responsibilities of advising the President on issues involving science and technology and their roles in achieving national goals.

As founder and CEO of SageMetrics, a leading outsourced business intelligence provider, Nwabueze has demonstrated illustrious reputation as a developer and entre-preneur of innovative technologies across various high-tech industries.Prior to SageMetrics, Nwabueze conducted advanced research for Lawrence Berkeley Lab, created patented software technology for The Walt Disney Company and developed business-critical software systems for Buena Vista Pictures and Television. Currently, his company, Sage-Metrics, with headquarters in Los Angeles and Abuja, is providing data integration and analysis for companies including National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), MTN, Philips Electronics, L’Oreal, Cox Interactive, and BBC and Tribune.

Hon. Nwabueze returned to Nigeria in 2007 where he continued his passion for innovation and development of human capacity in Africa. Clearly, Nwabueze has demonstrated his reputation in the founding and growing of Gist Me Communications Page 2 of 6 Nigeria Limited as the premier value added service provider in Nigeria’s telecom industry. He has served in various capacities in Nigeria and currently serves as the co-chair for National Identity Management Database mandated by National Assembly Act of 2006.

In September 2014, he was conferred with the National Honour Awards as Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR by President Goodluck Jonathan. In December 2015, he was once again conferred with the Global Best Practice awards for Excellence in Science and Technology by the Association of Nigeria-American Professionals in Nigeria. He is the Chief Executive Officer of E-Kenneth Nigeria Limited and is currently serving as the Technology Consultant to State Security Service (SSS) and The Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

Christopher Ikechi Ezeh is a Nigerian businessman who was the former chief executive officer of John Holt (1986-1997) and now serves as the chairman of Lonrho Africa and Fidelity Bank plc.

Ezeh is an accountant by training and prior to joining John Holt, he worked with Chrysler U.K. and was the chief accountant of Indeni Petroleum Refinery of Zambia. Ezeh entered the workforce of John Holt at a time the firm was consolidating several interests into divisions of John Holt PLC, among the affected concerns were Allens, Holt Export and Leasing services, John Holt ventures and shipping.

In 1986, he became the managing director of the firm during the beginning of the Structural Adjustment Programme. For a large part of his tenure as CEO and chairman, the company operated in a rather harsh business climate.

Ezeh has been involved with the management of the business school of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology through the school's business council.

CHAIRMAN/CEO SUDRIVA GROUP OF COMPANIES, MARTIN AGBASO

For his bold, broad vision of life - which has translated into achievements traversing academics, politics, business, philanthropy and uncommon compassion; for impacting his society through quality leadership and exemplary personal conduct, Chief Martin Agbaso is The AUTHORITY ICON
He is a profound thinker, astute econo­mist, politician of note and entrepreneur with a broad vision. Meet Chief Martin Agbaso, former governorship candidate in Imo State, former Imo State Senator for Owerri and ex- Special Assistant on Ecology to the President. Recently, he emerged National Chairman of the All Progressives grand Alliance (APGA).
He was born on April 5, 1959 in Emekuku, Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State. The first son of Chief Nathan and Mrs. Anna Agbaso, strong adherents of the Catholic faith, who imparted Christian virtues of faith, hope and charity, early in their son’s life.
Young Martin began his early education at Our Lady’s Primary School, Emekuku (now Chief Obi Memorial Primary School), from which he grad­uated with the First School Leaving Certificate in 1971. He proceeded to Sabastine Academy, (now Emekuku High School), where he graduated in flying colours in 1976, receiving his West African School Certificate (WAEC).
He enrolled at the prestigious Pontifical Uni­versity in Rome, Italy, and in 1980, earned his Advanced Diploma in Social Sciences. This was rapidly followed by a B.Sc. and NASD Degrees in Finance, from the State University of New York, Old Westbury, USA, in 1983 and 84 respectively.
The committee of International Students at the Pontifical University of Rome found him wor­thy and elected him Secretary General in 1980, making him the first African, to be so elected. He was a recipient of the Clyde Winfield Academic Award for Excellence at the State University of New York, where he was also the First Black Aca­demic Chairperson, of the Students Union Gov­ernment in the 1982/83 academic session.
His corporate career began soon after gradu­ation when, in 1983, he joined Prudential Inc. of New York, a world-famous financial Derivative and Strategic Investment Management organiza­tion. He rose through the ranks and by 1991 he had become a Financial Analyst in Prudential Incorporated, with all the power, contacts and personality manicure that go with high corpo­rate office in the US.
He became a member of the New York Stock Exchange (1985); member, Million-Dollar Roundtable on Interest Sensitive Products at Prudential Incorporated (1985); and Member, Commodity Improviser of New York (1987). In these positions he learned the rudiments of prudence, cost control and containment, and as a natural consequence, acquired the economic mindset of a good manager of men and materi­als.
Between 1994 and 1995, he founded SudRiva Construction Company Limited and SudRiva Oil and Gas Limited. Both Companies have since evolved into major players in both construction and oil and gas sectors, with Chief Martin Ag­baso serving as their Executive Chairman.
Despite all the odds, Martin won the Imo East Senatorial seat under the platform of the Na­tional Republican Convention against the likes of Dr Roland Anyanwu, Chief Bright Nwanne. His chain of companies continues to employ over 700 Nigerians in different states of the fed­eration while his foundation for orphans, the less privileged and widows in Imo State have touched many lives.
In 1998, after it had been agreed that Ow­erri Federal Constituency should produce the next senator, he stepped forward, confronted and defeated Chief Iwuanyanwu in the election under the platform of the Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN). In 2001, Martin accepted Presi­dent Olusegun Obasanjo’s invitation to serve as his Special Assistant on Ecology, a role he played from 2001 to 2004.
Today, he is the national Chairman of APGA, already providing visionary leadership. He is married to Robin Agbaso, an American.

Engineer Ezekiel Izuogu is a scientist, a former lecturer and inventor of Nigeria’s first indigenous car, Z 600.

The Izuogu Z-600 prototype was the first indigenous Nigerian car. It is also the first automobile of indigenous all-African technology. Launched in 1997, it cause a stir in the hearts of the many Nigerians who hope for a personal car and stimulated the Nigerian media.

The prototype was equipped with a self made 1.8L four cylinder engine that got 18mpg and allowed the car to achieve a top speed of 140 km/h (86 mph).

Frank Nneji is the Managing Director, Associated Bus Company Plc (operator of ABC Transport) which is listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and Chairman Rapido Audio-visual products Limited (the leading producers and marketers of audio-visual products in West Africa.

He is a Zoology graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and hails from Ezuhu Nguru, in Mbaise, Imo State. He passed through the Lagos Business School (LBS) and Whaton Business School, Philadelphia, USA. He was the President, Owerri Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OCCIMA) from 2000 to 2003, and represented the transport sector in the maiden board of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

Nneji has been honoured with several awards for his innovations in the transport industry which includes: Award of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) by the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2005) Auto Personality of the Year 2004 by Auto World, Award of Excellence in Business (2005) for efficient transport service delivery by Aba Chamber of Commerce amongst others. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport and Logistics, United Kingdom.

Chief Joe Obijaku, Chairman Middle point nigeria limited

For his notable philanthropy and unique entrepreneurial vision which has seen him leapfrog many challenges and successfully establish his business empire; for creating employment opportunities for many and for specific game-changing interventions in his community, state and country at large, Chief Joe Obijiaku, Ugochukwutubelu Nnewi, is The AUTHORITY Icon.
He is a notable philanthropist and visionary entrepreneur and has indeed consider­ably impacted his socio-cultural en­vironment. Meet Chief Joe Obijiaku (Ugochukwutubelu Nnewi) founding Chairman/CEO Middle Point Nig. Ltd
His acute determination, self-dis­cipline, simplicity, humility and hard work drove his resounding success in the fields of education and business. He is the sole importer and distribu­tor of the popular Solite and Rocket Batteries, Polygard wide range of quality car care products, Stop car care products and Nanpao Resin.
A philanthropist, he has a clear tes­timony of goodwill and multiple con­tributions to the social and economic development of Akabor- Umudim Community Nnewi Town, Anam­bra State and the nation in general. He has constructed boreholes to supply water in his village, provided transformer to supply electricity in his village. He graded and tarred the roads within Akabor village and re­constructed the old existing bridge, On the education front, he awarded scholarships to many indigent stu­dents from primary school to univer­sity level. He has touched the lives of many people through his many acts of charity within and outside.
As a result of his innumerable con­tributions, he is a recipient of countless awards for the community services and his nation at large. He has been honored with many awards of excel­lence by the United Kingdom, Taiwan, Korea, United Stated of America and several other countries. He has been offered chieftaincy titles from different towns and states which he declined due to his simple way of life. He ac­cepted the one offered to him by Igwe Nnewi HRH Igwe K.O.N Orizu III. Hence the title “Ugochukwutubelu Nnewi” and from Umudim Nnewi Lagos Branch, He accepted the title “Onwa Umudim in Lagos”.
He belongs to many clubs and so­cieties. He also belongs to the British Chamber of Commerce, American Chamber of Commerce, et cetera - where he has also received different awards.
Joe Obijiaku is married to the Ex­ecutive Managing Director of Mid­dle Point Nigeria Limited

Anyone who follows the XML or semantic web world knows of Uche Ogbuji's work. Uche Ogbuji is a Partner at Zepheira, LLC, a solutions firm specializing in the next generation of Web technologies.

Mr. Ogbuji is the lead developer of 4Suite, an open source platform for XML, RDF, and knowledge-management applications, and the lead developer of the Versa RDF query language. He is a computer engineer and writer born in Nigeria, living and working in Boulder, Colorado.

Uche studied Electronic Engineering at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka for three years before moving on to graduate in Computer Engineering at Milwaukee School of Engineering in February, 1994. He is the co-author of Professional XML Web Services (Programmer to programmer) and Linux Database Bible.

Chief Jerry Chukwueke, MD/CEO of Germaine Group of companies and Dominion Automobile group

For the compelling sweep and courage of his entrepreneurial vision, succeeding to put his community, region and country on the continent’s business map; for his astute political and philanthropic footing which have significantly impacted society, Chief Jerry Chukwueke, Ohamadike Owerri, is The AUTHORITY Icon
No less a child of providence, he rose from a very humble take-off as a night guard at Ford Motor Com­pany, US, to an exemplary entrepreneurial game-changer, astute political strategist, and philanthropist of note and a worthy son of his community, state, region and country. Meet Chief Jerry Chukwueke, Ohamadike Owerri.
He was born on January 25, 1957, to late Uba Chukwueke and Chief Mrs Martha Chukwueke of Umukwe Ndegbelu in the ancient kingdom of Awaka, Owerri North Local Government Area. Dreamy-eyed Jerry started off an eventful, challenging educational career that ended up at Mor­gan State University, Baltimore, Maryland US where he read Political Science and In­ternational Studies.
From an unlikely take-off from the old boy of St Augustine’s College Nkwerre and St Francis College Oturkpo, Benue State, he left the shores of his fatherland quest­ing for progress. As things would unfold he rose from the position of a night guard to that of a General Sales Manager in a Ford Motor Company in the USA in re­cord period of six years.
Haunted by a vision of much higher business ground, Chukwueke quit the Ford Motor Company to establish his own automobile company known as Do­minion Automobile Group with major dealerships of Ford, Mercury, Chrysler, Plymouth and Dodge Motors, a vibrant company with over 200 staff strength and annual turnover of over $60 million. More was to come.
When the American economy went into recession in the early 90s, this preco­cious young man divested from the US to invest in Nigeria, setting up the Germaine Group of Companies with interests span­ning the areas of automobiles, logistics, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and Real Es­tate. Today, this conglomerate now boasts a respected position in the map of top class indigenous companies in Nigeria, with an annual turnover of over N10 billion with over 500 employees. The Germaine busi­ness group, has diversified into other firms, including oil and gas and hospitality Indus­tries.
He was in 1991 among the Top awardees of Dominion Ford Mercury Award of the Dominion Automobile Group. The Guard­ian Newspaper, in 2008, named him one of 20 outstanding Role Models in Corporate Nigeria, while Tell Magazine named him amongst 20 notable Leaders in Corporate Nigeria. From business he forayed into phi­lanthropy and politics and not surprisingly has made his mark.
His large, multi-faceted impact on soci­ety made grateful monarchs from Owerri Zone to consider him to be conferred with the Ohamadike Owerri Chieftaincy title which he took not long ago.
On hand to witness the honouring of a worthy son included, Dr Ikedi Ohakim, former Governor of Imo State, Hon Emeka Ihedioha, Deputy Speaker House of Reps, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Eze Cletus Ilo­muanya, Chief Agariwe, President Ohane­ze Ndigbo, Chief Leo Stan Eke, Barr. Chief Humphrey Anumudu and many others.

Kalvin C. Chinyere, M.D., fondly known as Dr. Kal, is the owner of One Step Closer Health & Fitness, a disease prevention and lifestyle change business based in Decatur, GA. He is also the creator of The Don't Go Broke Weight Loss Program. Dr. Kal has lost and kept off over 140 pounds naturally.

He is on a mission to eradicate self-imposed diseases and illnesses. While the goal may seem lofty, those who know Dr. Kal believe it’s entirely possible. His pursuit is not driven by self serving egotistical goals but from a passionate commitment to helping others transform their lives for the better.

Kal is a graduate of the University of Miami and the University of Miami School of Medicine. Dr. Kal, was recently featured on CNN’s Fit Nation with Dr. Sanjay Gupta. He is also the creator of the Don’t Go Broke Weight Loss Plan and maintains his own health blog at Dr. Kal’s Blog.

For conceptualising and driving a unique business niche in the strategic oil and gas sector that put Nigeria first in terms of environmental protection while partnering the oil majors; for providing em­ployment opportunities for a teeming populace and for his notable, impactful philanthropy, Dr. Tony Ugochukwu Eze is The AUTHORITY Icon.
A restless visionary with over 30 years of experience in the Oil and Gas sector, managing both human and material resources, it is perhaps not surprising that he is proud to be one step ahead of the Nigerian government’s efforts to encourage locals to take a bigger role in the oil and gas industry which was made law in the 2010 Nigerian Content Devel­opment Act. Meet Dr. Tony Ugochukwu Eze, President/CEO of Specialty Drilling Fluids (SDF), now one of Nigeria’s largest integrated oil and gas service companies.
Eze who hails from Amokwe, Udi, in Enugu State, holds a B.Sc. degree in Busi­ness Administration from Winthrop Col­lege, South Carolina U.S.A.He is also managing seven other companies apart from Specialty Drilling Fluids Limited. He is also a member of Board of Trustee of Women’s Right Advancement and Protec­tion Alternative (WRAPA), an NGO body. He is a PAUL HARRIS fellow of the Rotary International, District 9140.
In his words: “I had a dream, which I manifested by the incorporation of Specialty Drilling Fluids Limited (SDF) after coming back from the USA in the 90s. At that time I was one of the first to establish an oil servic­ing company in Nigeria. I hold a B.S.c degree in Business Administration from Winthrop College, South Carolina in the U.S.A and a doctorate degree from Madonna University, Nigeria. With hard work and commitment to excellence I was exposed to the dos and don’ts of the oil and gas business and can proudly state that I have almost 30 success­ful years of experience in the Oil field sector.”
From The AUTHORITY checks, SDF is a 100% indigenous Waste Management Com­pany which specialises in the provision of high quality waste management handling services to the Oil and Gas Sectors, using the latest cutting-edge technology at its op­erational base at Onne, Rivers State. Pres­ently, SDF carries out business as dealers and agents in drillings fluids, drill cuttings re-injection, drilling chemicals, mud cleaning, mud engineering analysis, chemical refiners, rental of storage tanks, trucking, provision of marine spread,solids control and filtration services amongst others. They have one of the biggest warehouses in Port Harcourt.
According to Tony, “We have expanded our facilities by the acquisition of a brand new plant, The Thermal Oil Recovery Plant (THOR) which we located at Onne, on a space expanse of 30,000sqm. The THOR system is the latest technology in drill cut­tings treatment and the first indirect thermal desorption unit designed to remove hydro­carbons from drilled cuttings and recover clean oil.”
Clearly, the petroleum industry is the larg­est sector in Nigeria and the main generator of GDP. The major players like Shell, Exx­onMobil and Chevron all have one thing in common: choosing Specialty Drilling Fluids (SDF) as a service provider to assist their activities. From modest beginnings in 1991, this company has grown to handle projects in excess of $100 million and has one of the largest turnovers of oil and gas service com­panies in the country.

Dr. Ernest Chijioke Madu believes that people in the developing world have a right to world-class health care. At his three Heart Institute of the Caribbean clinics --in Kingston and Mandeville, Jamaica, and in the Cayman Islands -- he delivers more than $1 million a year in free or reduced-care treatment, a significant contribution in an area where 56% of hospital deaths are caused by cardiovascular disease.

Now Dr. Madu is hoping to transfer HIC’s mission and achievements into other low-resource nations. His next target is Nigeria, his home country, where the Heart Institute of West Africa is scheduled to open in 2009. Though AIDS and malaria are huge factors for Africa, Dr. Madu emphasizes the importance of treating cardiovascular disease, which is the second leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa, after HIV/AIDS, and the leading cause of death for people over 30.

Dr. Madu's work on noninvasive evaluation of coronary artery disease in obese individuals has become a standard evaluating tool.

I have gone to work so I will have to wait till night to have time for it. It shouldn't be taken as a do or die affair. Its for fun majorly.

Chike Nwoffiah is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Oriki Theater, a Silicon Valley based performing arts company dedicated to the promotion of Africa’s culture and heritage through workshops and performances in dance, drama, folk stories, chants and the drum.

Mr. Nwoffiah holds a Masters degree in Business and a post bachelor’s diploma in theater. He is also a graduate of the Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business INM program and the City of Mountain View’s 1999 Leadership Class. Mr. Nwoffiah is a past president of Mountain View Community Television and a former Trustee of the Arts Council Silicon Valley.

He is currently on the Board of Directors of the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce and the Alliance for California Traditional Arts. Mr. Nwoffiah is a talented actor, stage director and choreographer who has written, directed and /or acted in over fifty major stage and screen productions.

An award winning filmmaker and director, Mr. Nwoffiah won the 1998 Cinema in Industry “Cindy” gold award and the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame awards for his children’s television program of African folk stories - Ago! Amee! In 1999, his video essay on the African Children’s choir won him another Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame award. A Killing in Choctaw won the Audience Award at the 2005 Black International Film Festival in Berlin and is in the acquisition stage with PBS.

Ngozi serves as the Chief Operating Officer at LEAP Africa. Ngozi came to LEAP with over seven years of work experience in the Nigerian Corporate Environment, specifically the oil and gas sector. Prior to LEAP, she worked with Sea Petroleum & Gas Group of Companies in various departments including Marketing, Administration and Client/Public Relations.

Ngozi serves on the Board of several youth initiatives in an advisory role, including the African Youth Unite for Change (AFYUCh), One Magazine, Youth Action Initiatives and Young and Responsible.

Ngozi is a graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. She also has a master’s degree in Public & International Affairs from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. In addition, she is a member of the second cohort of the British Council organized Interaction Leadership Programme.

BANEX PLAZA

MORE FROM BANEX HOTELS

MD/CEO BANEX GROUP OF COMPANIES - DR. VICTOR MBANISI

For his fetching humility, focused discipline and compelling entrepreneurial vision pro­pelling him to found and nurture a continen­tal conglomerate with tentacles in real estate, manufacturing, hospitality and oil - providing employment for thousands of Nigerians, Rev. Dr. Victor O. Mbanisi is The AUTHORITY Icon.
Through uncommon business vision, focus and discipline, he founded the Banex Group, a conglomerate with solid asset base and wide market experience which has established itself as an undaunted force in several key sectors of the nation’s economy - especially manufacturing, real es­tate, oil & gas and the hospitality sector.
Under his astute guidance, the Banex Group brought revolutionary innovation into the business terrain of Abuja, by build­ing the first phase of Banex Plaza, in 1993, a feat achieved at a period many doubted the possibility of realising the dream of making Abuja a world class federal capital territory. Meet Rev. Dr. Victor O. Mbanisi, Chairman/CEO, Banex Group.
He was born on July 31, 1959, to the family of late Pa Felix Nnakudolum Mbanisi and late Madam Josephine Chinwe Mbanisi of Orauk­wu in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. In his words: “My father actually married my mother, because the first wife was sick and he needed someone that would be cooking for him. He didn’t intend to marry again, but because of the wife’s sick­ness, he had to marry my mother. And before you know it, children were coming in; my mother had six children for him. I started primary school in 1965 and completed it with distinctions, in 1973.”
Life circumstances compelled his ageing fa­ther to direct that young Victor should quit schooling and take up apprenticeship to learn a trade. “Therefore I was unable to achieve my initial intention of becoming a Medical Doc­tor, despite the fact that, I had already secured admission to Oraukwu Grammar School,” he recalls. From unenthusiastic stints at learning carpentry to auto mechanic he ended up en­rolling as an apprentice with his elder brother, Dennis Mbanisi, in Onitsha, who was into au­tomobile spare parts selling. That was at No 3, Iweka street Onitsha. Here, he spent five years - between 1973 and 1978.
He was then finally settled by his boss with the sum of N4, 700, as a graduated appren­tice in auto parts selling business to start his own business. For young Victor, that was the providential take-off point on the journey to becoming a billionaire business mogul several decades later.
Today, the Banex Group comprises Banex Industries Limited, Vina Industries Limited, and Banex Real Estate. Banex Industries Lim­ited was incorporated as a limited Liability Company on 11th April 1985 and has over the years carved a niche for itself as an outstand­ing force in the production of paints. Vina Industries Limited has established itself as an outstanding force in the production of Vina table water, pet bottles as well as pre-form for water. Banex Real Estate oversees real estate and hospitality industry of Banex Group. In the area of hospitality, the group’s subsidiary, VOM SUN CITY BEACH RESORT LTD is developing a resort of international standard located at Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos. In the oil in­dustry, it has VOMOIL Limited, Oraukwu in Anambra State.
Through sheer hard work, strength of char­acter and display of high level of integrity by Rev. Dr. Victor O. Mbanisi, the Banex group has maintained close, fruitful business rela­tionship with overseas suppliers/partners and local stakeholders for over two decades.

These guys were picking each company they listed in page one and started featuring them. They also went ahead to list footballers, musicians, and other entertainment industry people. Chai.

MEET CHISCO GROUP CEO: DR CHIDI ANYAEBGU

With a paltry N120 seed money from his uncle Daniel Ofodum, he became a small spare parts dealer in Ebute Metta, Lagos. There was no look­ing back as he went on eventually to found and nurture Chisco Transport Limited into Chisco Group, which now has subsidiaries in oil and gas, finance, courier, hospitality, real estate, import and export. After almost 40 years of wheeling and dealing, Chief (Dr.) Chidi Anyaegbu, Okeiyi Amichi, Nnewi, is now giving considerably back to society. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Chisco Group, a conglomerate comprising Chisco Transport Nigeria Limited, CTN Express Ltd, Villa Angelia Guest House, Angel Park Place Hotel, Havillah Oil, Base Bureau De Change, Chisco Haulage And Keenline In­vestment Limited and more.
He hails from Amichi, Nnewi in Anambra State and captures the unique story of his life in a compelling summary: “My greatest achievement in life is the God-given oppor­tunity to me to serve humanity across the globe because I see serving humanity as the same thing with serving God. At this stage of my life, what keeps me going is the provision of over 4000 jobs to the Nigerian populace of which the youth segment is a clear majority.”
In the course of his business, he also at­tended several short Management and Entrepreneurial courses in France, USA, Brazil, Germany, and United Kingdom. He was conferred with a Doctorate Degree in Business Administration (Honoris Causa) by Penn State University, USA in 1996. He is a Fellow, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (International) London and possesses the Business Certificate Award by University of Houston USA. Nnamdi Aziki­we University, Awka, also honoured him with a doctorate degree in business studies.
In 2009, worried by the dearth of quali­fied manpower in logistics business in Ni­geria, Anyaegbu has built a N78 million business faculty building at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, for Transport Studies.
He recalls that, “All the time during my primary school days, I had the firm belief that I was going to be successful in what­ever I choose to do, because I am the kind of person that whatever I find myself do­ing, I like to do it very well. But I never knew I would get to this stage. I knew I couldn’t lack because I was ready to do any kind of work so long as it is legal and it will put food on the table.”
Today, his thoughts have turned to philanthropy and ensuring that society benefits from his bountiful blessings. According to him, “Today, I own major­ity of the shops at the spare parts market at Ebute Metta and I gave them to people. Over 5000 people that deal in spare parts in Yaba and Ebute Metta, whether Igbo or Yoruba, I trained majority of them. I am the grand pa­tron of the Spare Parts Sellers Association in Yaba and Ebute Metta. So, if I am not the one who trained you, then you must have been trained by the person I trained.”

GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR COMPUTER WAREHOUSE, AUSTIN OKERE

For being an inspirational dreamer and busi­ness pragmatist who challenged the giants in their own peculiar arena and recorded resound­ing success; for being proudly Nigerian and demonstrating to the youth that notwithstand­ing the multiple challenges of life, with vision, discipline and focus, success will follow, Austin Kwesi Okere is The AUTHORITY Icon
He navigates with a stern personal disci­pline, compelling focus and endearing humility. Not surprisingly, he remains unaffected by the great business altitude he has attained in his chosen career. Meet Austin Okere, Group Managing Director of Computer Warehouse Group, CWG, Lagos.
Born of an Imo State father and Ghanaian mother, Okere had his primary and second­ary education in Ghana. After completing his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Lagos (1986), and Agricultural Science from the University of Ghana, Legon, Austin served out his compulsory National Service (NYSC) with the Nigerian National Pe­troleum Corporation, NNPC. He had hoped to secure a permanent job with the corporation, but that was not to be. He has MBA from the prestigious Lagos Business School andanother MBA degree from the international Graduate School of Management (IESE), Navara, Spain.
Steeped in the humility of his Ghanaian mother and the aggressiveness of his Igbo fa­ther, Austin has managed to leapfrog all odds to survive and prosper in an arena largely per­ceived as the preserve of Western companies. When the extremely enterprising young man resigned his sales and marketing job with Inlaks Computers Ltd. in Lagos to found Computer Warehouse Ltd., which is into the supply and maintenance of computer hardware and ancil­lary equipment, only a seer could have predict­ed his future thereafter.
It was a masterstroke of youthful vision that he left Inlaks on a friendly note, as he soon be­came their dealer. His business philosophy is to keep the customer happy -let them speak well of you. Through that he got many references, from one corporate customer to another. In 1997, Dell Corporation, UK, invited him to accept the Dell Distribution Award for the fast­est growing business in Africa territories. His Computer Warehouse is today Dell’s sole ser­vice centre in Nigeria.
In the two decades, through sheer determi­nation, hard work, and far-sighted focus, he has grown CWG Ltd from ground zero to an enviable international status. This tremendous growth saw the birth of Digital Computer Communications Limited that specialises in wide area network, local area network and sys­tems integration. Expert Edge Software and Systems Limited is another company that was incorporated as a result of the fantastic growth of the parent company, Computer Warehouse Group Ltd. Expert Edge is involved in software development, systems analysis, design and implementation, SmartCard application and packaged training on software.
In 1997, Corporate Press Services honoured him with Men of Achievement Award. So many awards by appreciative industry analysts and close watchers followed. Okere is a member of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group where he serves in the infrastructure development com­mittee.
He is a member of several professional and leadership bodies, including ICT Advisory Board, Nigerian Competitive Council. He also serves on the Executive Committee of the Nige­rian-South African Chamber of Commerce. He has been recognized and honoured locally and internationally with many awards in recogni­tion of his contribution to the information and communications technology world

MD/CEO OF DALLAS ROOF GARDENS, OBI IBETO

Obi Ibeto is a native of Nnewi in Anambra State of Nigeria. He is the owner of Dallas Roof Gardens, a six story multi-purpose building located at the heart of downtown Dallas. The idea of owning Dallas Roof Gardens came to Obi Ibeto's mind when he was in London, England and visited the Kensington Roof Gardens and thought that Dallas would be a perfect location for a similar project. The six-story Dallas Roof Gardens property is a multi-million dollar investment project. The property houses various tenants; the most notable of them is the LUQA Restaurant. The restaurant occupies two floors. LUQA Restaurant features a prominent Beverly Hills chef, David Gilbert, who was relocated from California for the sole purpose of catering to LUQA'S clientele.

CHINWE ONYEAGORO. MD/CEO OHCP
Chinwe Onyeagoro has assisted organizations in designing and implementing hundreds of public and private sector initiatives. Over the last four years, OHcp has successfully raised a total of $115 million in grants, competitive loans, government subsidies, and real estate investments for clients throughout the country.

Prior to establishing OHcp, Chinwe worked as one of four investment analysts overseeing the Pritzker Realty Group's $3 billion in real estate assets. She has also worked as a management consultant for global firms, including McKinsey & Company and the Monitor Group, in the US, UK, Japan, Spain, and France.

Chinwe graduated with a magna cum laude degree in Economics and East Asian Studies from Harvard University. She is a member of The Aspen Institute's 2008 Class of Henry Crown Fellows. She serves on the Boards of several local and national civic organizations. Chinwe is proficient in three non-English languages, including Spanish, Japanese, and Igbo.

Pearlena Igbokwe is the Senior Vice President, 20TH CENTURY FOX TELEVISION. She oversees creative development and production for a distinctive and varied slate of scripted and non-fiction original programming for the premium cable network, Showtime.

Ms. Igbokwe developed and currently oversees creative affairs and production on a variety of projects including Dexter, a one hour drama series about an affable serial killer living in Miami starring Six Feet Under’s Michael C. Hall, The Underground, a provocative half hour sketch comedy show executive produced by and starring Damon Wayans, and Sexual Healing, a documentary series from the award winning producers of Taxicab Confessions that follows real life couples undergoing counseling for sexual dysfunction.

Most recently, Igbokwe also oversaw the development of several high profile projects including Fat Actress starring Kirstie Alley, and the TV adaptation of Barbershop starring Omar Gooding. She was also responsible for the five season run of the hit Showtime series Soul Food, which spent three seasons as Showtime’s highest rated series.

Other series she has developed and/or supervised include the popular late night reality show Family Business, the hip- hop docu drama Interscope Presents The Next Episode and Linc’s, a 1998 comedy series created by Tim Reid and starring Pam Grier.

Igbokwe has also overseen a number of original movies for Showtime Networks, Inc. In 2003, she developed and produced the highly rated Original movie Jasper, Texas, starring Academy Award winners Jon Voight and Lou Gossett, Jr. Jasper Texas was recently nominated for the Humanitas Prize. Additionally, she served as the executive on a variety of non-fiction productions ranging from the documentary specials 14 Up in America produced by Michael Apted, Dark Roots: The Unauthorized Anna Nicole directed by Eyes of Tammy Faye creators Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey.

Ms. Igbokwe was featured as an executive on the rise in the Hollywood Reporter’s Next Generation issue in 1999 and was named one of the Top 50 Show Biz Players in Black Enterprise magazine in 2002. She is a graduate of Yale University and Columbia Business School.

CHAIRMAN/FOUNDER KNIGHT FRANK AND RUTLEY: DR. SIMON NSOBUNDU

For demonstrating with his life that a truly progres­sive society can only be rooted in integrity and a truly successful people must chose hard work, focus and professionalism; for holding firm to his core beliefs in challenging times and proving that honour pays, Chief (Dr.) Simon Nsobundu Okeke, OON, OFR, Ochendo Amichi, is The AUTHORITY Icon
Although a seasoned, professional char­tered estate surveyor and valuer, many may not know his most enduring life statement lies in the core values of integrity, per­sistence and focus he stood for and still stands for. With eyes firmly fixed on excellence and higher attainments quite early, he identified the best tool - education - and sought it with a single-mindedness that has come to define the man and his dreams.
Meet Chief, Dr. Simon Nsobundu Okeke, OON, OFR, Ochendo Amichi, born on January 7, 1936, in Amichi, Nnewi South Local Gov­ernment Area of Anambra State. The young Ochendo had his first School leaving Certificate in 1950 and thereafter attended the prestigious Dennis Memorial Grammer School, DMGS, Onitsha from 1951-1955.
After DMGS, he went to St Marks’ Teach­ers Training College (1956-1957) where he obtained his Teachers Grade II Certificate and then taught for about three years in Union Sec­ondary School, Enugu. He then proceeded with a Federal Scholarship to the University of Lon­don in 1961 and became one of the early Nige­rian graduates in Estate Management and Land Economy.
Chief Okeke is both pioneer, foundation member and Fellow of the Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors & Valuers; Fellow of Royal In­stitutions of Chartered Surveyors of Great Brit­ain, Member of Commonwealth Association of Surveying and Land Economy (CASLE).
An indigenous pioneer and founder of the Multinational Firm of Knight Frank & Rutley (Nigeria) - a leader in the estate management profession, he is also a leader in private sec­tor high rise property development. A visiting university lecturer in estate management in two leading universities in the country, the Ochendo is a philanthropist, respected community leader, inters- state multiple traditional titles holder, member of several professional bodies and so­cial organisations and a political activist of note.
In obvious recognition of his vision and or­ganisational ability, he was appointed Execu­tive Chairman of Police Service Commission, a position he held from 28th November, 2001 to 27th November, 2006. The Commission is the employer of the entire Nigeria police officers, having the power to appoint, promote, dismiss, and exercise disciplinary control over all per­sons in the Nigeria Police, except the Inspector-General of Police.
Chief Okeke is a Fellow of the Nigerian In­stitution of Estate Surveyors & Valuers, FNIVS; Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Unit­ed Kingdom, FRICS and member of both the International Real Estate Federation, FIABCI and Commonwealth Association for Surveying and Land Economy, CASL.
A recipient of 14 Merit, Gold, and Platinum awards, including ECOWAS and US State De­partment of Justice awards from appreciative institutions and agencies, Chief Okeke is also a holder of seven traditional titles - the first of which is Ochendo Amichi, in October, 1980.
Currently, the Principal Partner of Simon Okeke & Associates, he is a founding member of Anambra State Council of Elders - a body advising Anambra State Government on criti­cal issues of the State. He is also the founding and current chairman of Anambra State Public Officers (Serving or Retired) and Elders Forum, ASPOF.

FOUNDER OF GRANITE FILM WORKS - NEWTON ADUAKA
Born in Ogidi, Eastern Nigeria, in 1966, Newton Aduaka moved to Lagos in 1970 after the Biafran War, and then to England in 1985. Following a diploma course in video arts and post-production, he studied film history, art and technique at the London International Film School, graduating in 1990. He wrote and published short stories while working as a sound mixer on a wide range of productions.

In 1997 he set up Granite FilmWorks with Maria Elena L'Abbate to produce personal, cutting-edge and uncompromising films. As a director, his short films include Carnival of Silence (1994), Voices Behind the Wall (1990) and On The Edge (1997), which won him three prestigious awards and numerous special mentions.

His debut feature Rage (2000) was released to huge critical acclaim, becoming the first independent film by a black film-maker to gain a national release in Britain. It was also very successful in international film festivals, winning many prizes including Best Director at the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles.