Hon. Justice Benjamin Ahanonu Njemanze earned his Law degree from the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus in 1974, and was called to the Bar the following year. He was appointed a Judge of Imo State High Court in 1993, and served in that capacity till his appointment as Imo State Chief Judge in 2010. He had a track record of judicial excellence. He retired in 2014.
Hon. Justice B. A. Njemanze is a member of many notable associations of the legal profession. He is the Chancellor of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Diocese of Egbu. He is a deep thinker and a prolific writer, who has authored many books on legal and contemporary issues. He has an in-depth knowledge of Owere history, culture and tradition. He is a strong proponent of a united and progressive Owere.
Chief Chidi Nkwopara, the Ugosinachi of Owerri, spent decades in the Mass Communication world. He is currently a Media Consultant. He is the Chairman, Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria, CAMPAN, Owerri Archdiocese. He is a Past Assistant Governor of Rotary International, District 9142. He is a member of Imo State Elders Council.
He is also the South East Zonal Coordinator, University of Jos Alumni Association.
Chief Nkwopara is the Chairman, Parents Management Forum, Federal University of Technology, Owerri.He remains fully committed to serving humanity, and will do everything that will uplift Owere and Nde Owere.
Prof. Onyewuchi Oguoma was born in Umuodu, Owerri where he attended Uzii Primary School, Township School and Emmanuel College. He later graduated from Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu in 1976 with Licentiate/Diploma; Iowa State University, USA in 1978 and 1980 respectively with B.S. and M.S. both in Mechanical Engineering; and from Loughborough University, England in 1985 with a Ph.D. in Manufacturing Systems Engineering. Onyewuchi joined the services of Federal University of Technology, Owerri in 1987 where he rose to the rank of Professor in 2000. He was one time Dean, Student Affairs, Head of Department of Mechanical Engineering, Admissions Officer, Dean, School of Engineering and Engineering Technology and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic).
Prof. Ogwuoma worships at All Saints’ Chapel, Federal University of Technology, Owerri where he was on several occasions elected Chairman, Chapel Council, and served as Adviser and Patron to several campus Fellowships. He is happily married to Nnenna Oguoma and they have four adult children – Chioma,Tomachi, Ijeoma and Jachimma.
Engr. (Chief) Charles Iheanyichukwu Ngoka, MNSE, FIPS, Onwa Mba Owere, is an Oil and Gas Petroleum Professional, and Electrical Engineer who retired in 2015 as the Deputy Managing Director of TOTAL ENERGIES, an Upstream Exploration & Production Company. An Alumnus of ENSPM/ IFP, Paris, University of Nigeria Nsukka, and a proud OGSSIAN of Goverment Secondary School Owerri.
Trilingual in Owere language, English and French, Charles is a happy family man, a very proud and confident typical Owere Son, has love for his home and a great believer in the emergence of Owere as a place to be in Imo State and Nigeria.
Engr. Ngoka's hope is that the younger generation will come together and help rewrite the narrative and make Owerri Municipality a place that welcomes visitors and strangers with open arms, and should get full respect from all peaceful people in return. He believes that UGWU EKWEMA represents our unity and sits well in our history and culture as a people. Charles is well versed in Strategic thinking, Project Management and Contingency planning.
Steve Onyeagocha is a Professor of Agricultural Economics in Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO). He specialized in Finance and Projects in his Doctorate obtained from the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) in 2009. Currently, he is a Professor in Agribusiness, a newly created Department in FUTO, with effect from 2023/2024 Session. In addition to teaching the undergraduates and PGs in both academic and professional courses, he is also extensively involved in external examinations (Doctorate and M.Sc.) as well as the assessment of Professorial Cadre Promotions in Nigerian Universities.
Prof. Onyeagocha is currently a Director of FUTO Microfinance Bank and has held several positions in the University including: Deputy Director, University Computer Centre (2007); Served as Coordinator, Entrepreneurial Studies (ES), and Centre for Continued Education (CCE) for SAAT, as well as being FUTO Sustainable Development Desk Officer.
He belongs to several professional organizations. He is a consultant to various UNDP projects and initiatives.
Steve is a member of Owere Nozie Age Grade and a Catholic by faith. He is married and blessed with four children.
Mr. Emma F. Amadi holds a BSc degree in Economics (1977) and BA degree in Political Science (1977) from the University of Massachusetts, Boston (USA), and MPA (1979) from Suffolk University, Boston (USA). He did his National Youth Service from March 1979 - March 1980.He worked as Investment Assistant with Nigerian Bank for Commerce and Industry (NBCI) Port Harcourt, River State, ascertaining and evaluating viability of client projects. Employed as Senior Administrative Officer in material management of pipeline and Product Marketing Department in NNPC (1980 - 1991).
Mr. Amadi disengaged through voluntary retirement. Gained in-depth knowledge through many years of services in Lagos, Shagamu, Warri, Enugu and Port Harcourt, particularly in the area of inventory control and pipelines maintenance.Presently in private business as Chairman Bonbolini Group, Sand Dredging, Heavy
Equipment Leasing and Hospitality.
Barr. Corley Acholonu, is a Private Legal Practitioner based in Lagos. His working experience started with Barclays Bank of Nigeria. After graduation he served as the Administrative Manager of Mutunci Nigeria Ltd, Kaduna and later became the Legal Adviser/Company Secretary of Genesis Finance Company Ltd, Lagos. He briefly served as the Personal Assistant/Private Secretary to the Military Administrator of Katsina State. He was the Managing Solicitor/Partner of THE FIRM (Advocates & Solicitors) in Lagos, and to date he is the Principal Partner of Corley Acholonu & Co, Legal Practitioners with its Head Office in Lagos. He is extensively involved in General Law Practice, Corporate and Business Litigation.
Barr. Acholonu holds BA (Hons) in Public Administration from the Punjab University, Chandigarh, India, LLB (Hons) from the University of Calabar, and BL (Hons) from the Nigerian Law School, Lagos. He is Past Vice President, Rotary Club of Tin Can Island, District 9110, Lagos, Nigeria. He is a pioneer member of Owerri Solidarity Club and the Azuwuike Age Grade of Owerri.
Hon. Amanze Williams lives in Hamden CT. USA. Political science degree from University of Nigeria and postgraduate degree from University of New Haven, USA. Passionate, driven and result oriented marketing and advertising executive with over 30 years experience in corporate America.
First with Prudential Financial Services and later with AT&T Communications.
Served the Borough of Naugatuck as Land Use and Zoning Commissioner (2016-2018). Now runs AMZ Global Outreach Inc., an Education and Cultural exchange nonprofit organization. Wealth of experience that is an added value to the success of Ekwema Cultural Heritage Foundation and the implementation of Ugwu Ekwema Cultural Heritage Civic Center.
Donald Ihenacho Osuigwe is a Professor of Aquaculture in the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri ( FUTO). He served in various teaching and administrative positions at Imo/ Abia State University, Uturu, and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike prior to joining FUTO. He is also a consultant in Development of Fish Production Facilities; Natural Aquatic Resources Assessment; Fisheries Statistics; and Aquatic Environment Impact Assessment. He served in these capacities for Niger Delta Development Commission, Federal Department of Fisheries, Anambra-Imo River Basin Authority etc. He has attended many national and international conferences and workshops and supervised many postgraduate students.
Prof Osuigwe is a member of American Fisheries Society ( AFS ) and a member and Fellow of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria. He is an alumnus of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, FAO/African Regional Aquaculture Centre , Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. He is a member of Oganihu Age Grade, Owerri Solidarity Club and former patron of Udo Diri Ndom Owerri.
Prof Osuigwe is committed to the development of Owerri Municipality.
Engr. Eric Emereuwaonu is a Civil Engineer by profession, with HND (Distinction) and B. Eng. (Second Class Honours). He is a member of Nigerian Society of Engineers and a member of Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers
R.Eng ( COREN). He worked briefly with
Nigerian Airports Authority ( Now FAAN ), as Principal Civil Engineer in1993.
Engr. Emereuwaonu worked with Emenite Limited from 1993 - 2013, and retired as Senior Manager, National Technical Sales. He is happily married with children and grandchildren. A very committed
Owere Indigene and strong supporter of the Ekwema Cultural Heritage Civic Centre project.
Barrister Egeonu Mere was born on 3rd September, 1955 to Chief J.O. Mere MFR and Lolo Fanny J.O. Mere of Umuonyeche Owerri. Had his primary education at Waterside Primary School and Township school Owerri. He followed suit with secondary school education at Government Secondary School Owerri (1971 – 1976), and later did his Higher School at Federal School of Arts and Science, Aba (1977-1978).
Barr. Mere was appointed Assistant Executive Officer, at the Headquarters of Nigerian Ports Authority, Lagos (1980 - 1981). Graduated in Law (LLB Hons.) from Imo State University in 1985. Called to the Bar in 1986, with honours. Have been in active law practice since 1986, after National Youth Service. He is a Christian by faith, and has served the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) in various capacities.
Dr. Peter Okwudiri A. Njemanze is a seasoned Civil Servant who served the Imo State Government in various capacities prior to his retirement from service in 2012. He was the Acting Imo State Government Liaison Officer, Imo State office, Lagos, Nigeria, prior to his appointment as the Director of Administration and General Services Ideato South Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria.
Dr. Njemanze's areas of academic interests are History, International Relations, Economic Diplomacy and Nigerian Government and Politics. He is an alumnus of University of Jos, Jos Nigeria and University of Lagos, Lagos Nigeria. He is currently the Director of Administration and Planning in an indigenous Gas, (Oxygen) Producing Company, a subsidiary of Aruebles Ventures Ltd. He is a committed member of Ekwema Cultural Heritage Foundation. He is married with children.
Dr. (Barr.) Sam Ozurumba Ejiogu is a legal Practitioner licensed to practice in the United States of America and Nigeria.
UNIVERSITIES:
Alvan Ikokwu Federal University of Education, ( English & History); Texas Southern University, (B.A. Political Science); University of Houston, Texas (Msc International Economic law/Petroleum & other Energy Transactions);
Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Texas (Doctor of Jurisprudence)
LICENCES:
Attorney & Counselor at Law; District Court of Southern Texas; Barrister at Law, supreme Court of Nigeria.
WORK:
Law firm of Jefferson, Mims, Plummer & Rice Houston, Texas; Law firm of Jenkins & Ejiogu Houston Texas; Law offices of Dr Sam Ozurumba Ejiogu, Owerri , Imo State, et al.
MEMBERSHIP:
Greater Owerri Club Houston;
Owerri Solidarity Club, Owerri; Imo State Elders Council, a statutory advisory organ to Imo State Government; Udokanma Age Grade; et al.
Benjamin Anozie Onyeagocha is the CEO of Benzon Ltd, an Oil and Gas company in procurement and engineering services for over 30 years. He is former National Secretary of Dozie-Mezie Central Council, and former Secretary, Dozie Owerri Association, Port Harcourt.
Benjamin Onyeagocha is a graduate of Political Science (B.Sc), University of Calabar (Ex.'85), Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Business Administration, University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt (UST) - in view. A Pan Owerri activist, passionately committed to the successful completion of the Ugwu Ekwema Cultural Heritage Civic Centre, Owerri in particular, and the development of Owerri Municipality in general.
Dr. Lawrence Chidi Anukam, FICCON, FNES, FABS, is an Environmental Scientist and a
technocrat at national and international levels, who served the Federal Government of Nigeria and
the United Nations. He was the former Director-General of the National Environmental Standards
and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), and prior to that, he was the pioneer Director,
Planning and Policy Analysis of the Agency. Dr. Anukam served in various United Nations Inter-
Governmental Processes and Initiatives. He was a Research Fellow and Associate Adviser to the
Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED).
He was a core member of the UNCED Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland that organized the foremost United Nations Earth Summit in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in 1992.
Dr. Anukam is an alumnus of University of Lagos, Nigeria; University of Leeds, England; Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada; and
Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, USA. He is currently the CEO of Rogab Nigeria Limited and the Chief Knowledge Officer of Ecoweal Environmental Sustainability
Initiative (EESI). He is a strong believer in the empowerment of Umu Owere and sustainable development of Owerri Municipality, including our beloved Ugwu Ekwema Cultural Heritage Civic Centre.
Chief Boyce Emeharole (Ugomba Owere) retired from the City of Houston after 30 years of service as a Human Resources Division Manager. He became an HR consultant after his retirement. He currently serves as a board member in quite a few profit and non-profit organizations here in the United States. He is currently the Managing Director of Access Chiropractic and Rehabilitation Center. He has a master's degree in human resources management.
Chief Emeharole is the immediate past president of Owerri Nshi-Ise USA (ONUSA), an umbrella Organization of all Owerri Nshi-Ise indigenes in the United States of America. He was the president of The Greater Owerri Club for eight years and the vice president of Umu-Owerri Houston Texas for four years. He joined Ekwema Cultural Heritage Foundation (ECHF) to lend his skills, knowledge, and capacity to the success of the Ugwu Ekwema project. His goal is to join other intelligent minds to enhance the integrity of Owerri Nshi-Ise and her People.
