News
Ugwuanyi: A Diplomat By Nature
By Samson Ezea
Among the prominent names in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent list of ambassadorial nominees is a man widely regarded as a diplomat by temperament and practice—the immediate past Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (CON).
It is an axiomatic fact that Ugwuanyi embodies diplomacy in character and conduct. Naturally gifted in peacemaking, dialogue, negotiation, and brinksmanship, he is known for his patience, humility, accessibility, humanity, and generosity. These qualities have defined his public life since he ventured into politics in 2003 and continued after he left office in 2023. To date, he remains unchanged—calm, dependable, and self-effacing.
These virtues endeared him to many and earned him numerous national and international honours, including the Most Peaceful Governor Award (2022) by the Global International Peace Organization, United Kingdom; Governor of the Year (2018) by The Sun, Independent, Vanguard, and Leadership Newspapers; and the affectionate monikers “Priest in Politics” and “King of Peace.”
His temperament and character were further affirmed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his presidential visit to Enugu State on January 4, 2025, to inspect projects executed by Governor Peter Mbah.
In his remarks, President Tinubu lavishly commended Ugwuanyi—popularly known as Gburugburu—for his goodness, humility, calmness, and unwavering support for both the federal and state governments.
Ugwuanyi’s nomination as an ambassador-designate is widely seen as well-deserved. His natural diplomatic instincts and proven leadership skills will undoubtedly benefit the nation as he undertakes the sensitive international assignment ahead.
Since leaving office in 2023, Ugwuanyi has retained his composure and integrity. His record of selfless service remains unblemished. He is disarmingly humble and consistently admirable—a political figure whose journey through the often turbulent waters of Nigerian politics has been impressively smooth, quiet, and divinely guided. Far from the archetypal Nigerian politician, he stands out as a leader of many admirable, even enigmatic qualities. Indeed, he remains a living school of leadership and followership.
Interactions with him at any level leave one enriched—with new insights, pleasant experiences, and practical lessons. To Ugwuanyi, political office is never a do-or-die venture; it is a communal and peaceful endeavour. His administration’s policies as governor were anchored on peace, development, and the welfare of the people. He is naturally inclined to care and cater for others—an attribute that has earned him descriptions such as compassionate leader, rare humanist, welfarist, pacifist, and humility personified.
A man at peace with God and his people, Ugwuanyi has demonstrated an unparalleled capacity for sacrifice in the pursuit of harmony. Despite his high office, he remained approachable, demystifying governance by bringing government closer to the people. He used power as a tool for unity and development, always listening, always attentive to details, and always striving for good results.
Born on March 20, 1964, during the Lenten season, Ugwuanyi hails from Ohom Orba in the present Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State. He was christened Lawrence and given the Igbo name Ifeanyichukwu, meaning “Nothing is impossible with God,” a name that has continued to manifest in his life’s endeavours.
Raised under strict Christian values, Ugwuanyi grew into a man of humility, calmness, intelligence, honesty, and diligence. These virtues have remained his greatest strengths. Throughout his education—primary, secondary, and tertiary—he distinguished himself in both academics and extracurricular activities. His leadership qualities emerged early at St. Theresa’s Secondary School, Nsukka, where he excelled in character and learning.
After his secondary education in 1980, he gained admission to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance in 1987 and later, an M.Sc. in Marketing (Public Relations) in 2001. He also obtained an MBA in Finance and Accountancy from Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) in 1995.
While many of his peers sought lucrative jobs abroad or in major cities, Ugwuanyi chose to work with his people for the greater good. He joined Premier Brokers Limited, a foremost insurance brokerage firm in the Southeast. Through exceptional performance, he rose to become Chief Executive Officer before retiring in 2002.
In 2002, he became the 16th President of the Rotary Club of Emene, Enugu, where his philanthropy and humanitarian spirit became widely visible. His community, in appreciation, conferred on him the traditional title Dunu Gburugburu I of Orba—“man of the people.” Inspired by his record of service, his people urged him to seek public office, beginning with an attempt to chair Udenu Local Government. Though unsuccessful due to political intrigue, he remained steadfast.
In 2003, his opportunity arrived. He secured the PDP ticket for the Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency and won decisively. His outstanding representation earned him re-elections in 2007 and 2011, making him one of Enugu State’s longest-serving members of the House of Representatives. There, he sponsored motions and people-oriented bills and chaired key committees, notably Marine Transport.
Given his performance and goodwill, his governorship ambition in 2015 received overwhelming support. He won the PDP primary, triumphed in the election, and was re-elected in 2019 with an overwhelming 95.7% of the vote.
Ugwuanyi has been honoured with several awards and academic recognitions, including Papal Knight Of St. Gregory The Great (2024) an honorary doctorate in Public Administration (ESUT, 2016), and honorary doctorates in Political Science from Godfrey Okoye University (2019) and Tansian University (2025). He also holds the Grand Service Star of Rivers State (GSSRS), the state’s highest honour (2022), alongside multiple traditional titles, including Dunu Gburugburu I of Enugu State, Udulekenyi I of Orba, Omeluoha Gburugburu, and many others.
Ezea, writes from Independence Layout, Enugu State
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has disclosed that there are two main reasons a former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, is being detained by the commission.
It also revealed that legal action was taken against the Enugu-born politician after he failed to honour several invitations extended to him through a letter referenced ICPC/HC/CSTF/GUN/GBT/T.1/VOLV16, and dated 15 May 2026.
John Odey, the spokesman of the commission in a statement on Wednesday explained that the commission later approached Federal High Court, Abuja Division, with the suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/2026) in order to effect Nnaji’s arrest after his failure to honour invitation.
Nnaji was arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, when he boarded a private jet to Abuja.
Corroborating the development, the ICPC spokesman said Nnaji’s arrest was effected at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, upon his arrival where he was led to the commission’s custody immediately.
According to him, Nnaji is being probed on forgery of academic credentials, specifically concerning a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and False National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Discharge Certificate, which was submitted during his ministerial screening process in 2023.
The statement read, “The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested the immediate past Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji (M), following the execution of a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court of Nigeria.
“The arrest was effected on Wednesday, 1st July 2026 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, upon Mr. Nnaji’s arrival.
“He was apprehended with the assistance of the Department of State Services (DSS) and subsequently handed over to the ICPC for further investigation.
“The Commission had earlier extended formal invitations to the former minister through a letter referenced ICPC/HC/CSTF/GUN/GBT/T.1/VOLV16, dated 15 May 2026.
“The invitation notices were duly served to his known addresses in Abuja and Enugu, as well as via his electronic mail address.
“Despite service through multiple channels, Mr. Nnaji failed to appear for investigative interviews on the scheduled dates, necessitating further legal action.
“The legal action followed a court order granted by the Federal High Court in the Abuja Judicial Division (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/2026).
“The order, issued on 11 June 2026, directed the ICPC to arrest the former minister to enable investigation into allegations bordering on:
“Forgery of academic credentials, specifically concerning a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN); and “False National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Discharge Certificate, which was submitted during his ministerial screening process in 2023.
“Following the arrest, Mr. Nnaji has been taken into custody at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja, where investigations are expected to continue. The Commission assures the public that the matter will be pursued diligently in accordance with the law.”
The immediate past Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, was arrested on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on arrival from Enugu via a chartered flight.
Authoritative sources at the airport confirmed the arrest to PREMIUM TIMES, saying Mr Nnaji would be handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for interrogation.
The reported arrest comes weeks after the Federal High Court reportedly granted the ICPC permission to arrest and investigate Nnaji over the allegations.
The court also authorised the anti-graft agency to declare him wanted through newspapers, social media platforms and other media channels after the commission alleged that he repeatedly failed to honour invitations for questioning.
According to the ICPC, its application to the court followed Nnaji’s alleged refusal to appear before investigators despite several invitations relating to the forgery allegations.
The case stems from a two-year investigation published by Premium Times in October last year, which alleged that Nnaji submitted forged University of Nigeria degree and National Youth Service Corps certificates during his ministerial screening and confirmation process in 2023.
The report alleged that the documents were presented to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian Senate, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the State Security Service.
According to the publication, Nnaji later acknowledged that the University of Nigeria did not issue him the degree certificate in question, a development the newspaper said corroborated its investigation.Newspapers
The former minister had previously denied the existence of the court order authorising his arrest, dismissing the publication as a “media trial.”
However, on June 18, he reportedly filed an appeal before the Court of Appeal, seeking to overturn the arrest order.
As of the time of filing this report, the ICPC had not issued an official statement confirming the reported arrest, while Nnaji’s legal team had yet to publicly respond to the latest development.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, restored the bail it had earlier granted to activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore.
Sowore is facing a two-count cybercrime charge filed against him by the Department of State Services (DSS) for calling President Bola Tinubu a “criminal” in a social media post.
Trial Justice Muhammed Umar, who had earlier granted the defendant bail on self-recognisance, on June 16 revoked the bail and issued a warrant for his arrest.
The order came after Sowore failed to appear before the court for the continuation of his trial, even though he wrote a letter explaining his absence and requesting a new date.
When proceedings resumed in the case on June 22, Justice Umar ordered the remand of the defendant in Kuje prison.
Dissatisfied with the actions the court took against him, Sowore—whose legal team had initially withdrawn from the case over alleged bias by the judge—secured a new lawyer, who promptly filed a motion to restore his bail and quash the arrest warrant.
When the case came up on Tuesday, Justice Umar held that he was minded to admit the defendant to bail.
However, the court listed some conditions that had to be met before he would be released from prison custody.
Aside from granting him bail to the tune of N200 million, the court held that the defendant must produce two sureties in like sum.
The court also ordered the defendant to surrender his international passport.
Related News
2027 Polls: Court orders INEC to register, grant access code to ADA wiithin 72 hours
NDC, Peter Obi, Sowore, Bolaji, Paul Ibe, PDP reject Lokoja court ruling
Sowore’s detention undermines fair trial, free speech — Gani Adams, Odumakin
Sowore, in the application he anchored on Sections 35(4), 36(1), and 66 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as Sections 169 and 352 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, insisted that the orders the court made against him were unjust and unwarranted.
The defendant had, on December 2, 2025, pleaded not guilty to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, filed against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The charges allege offences under Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(a), (b), and (c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
The offending posts, made on August 25, 2025, were in response to President Tinubu’s claim, made in Brazil, that his administration had ended corruption in Nigeria.
Angered by the posts, the DSS demanded that X Inc. (formerly Twitter) and Meta Platforms Inc. ban Sowore’s accounts and remove the posts.
The security agency also wrote to Sowore, asking him to delete the posts from all platforms.
Non-compliance with the request led to the charges.
The prosecution claims the defamatory posts were intended to cause a breakdown of law and order and to tarnish the president’s reputation.
Exhibits include printouts of the posts and the DSS letters.
X Inc. and Meta were initially co-defendants but were delisted in the amended charge.
-
News3 days agoBREAKING: Ex-Minister Uche Nnaji arrested over alleged certificate forgery probe
-
Uncategorized1 day ago
US withdraws troops deployed to Nigeria, retains intelligence partnership
-
Uncategorized2 days ago
Kenneth Okonkwo eats his words, emerges as Atiku’s spokesperson
-
News2 days ago
ICPC: Why we detained ex-minister uche Nnaji
-
Uncategorized12 hours ago
Gunmen ambush, kill ex-Benue SSG Salifu
-
Uncategorized11 hours ago
Three brothers charged with murder after beating mother’s boyfriend to death
-
Uncategorized1 day ago
Atiku reaffirms 2027 ambition after Court clears Mark-Led ADC
-
Uncategorized1 day ago
‘Every Naira stolen robs Enugu of development’ — Gov. Mbah charges Public Officers on Accountability
