Birthdays

Maryam Babangida, former first lady and wife of Ibrahim Babangida, former military president, 60, November 1. Born in Asaba, Delta State, Maryam studied at the Lasalle University, Illinois, Chicago, USA. She was the president, Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association, NAOWA, from 1984 to 1985. She initiated the Better Life Programme for Rural Women during her husband’s tenure as president.

Francis Arinze, cardinal and president, Secretariat for Inter-religious Dialogue, the Vatican, Rome, 76, November 1. Arinze was educated in Nigeria and England. He became the second Nigerian Cardinal in 1985. He was president, Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria.

Chuka Momah, microbiologist, sports analyst, businessman, 58, October 28. Born in Onitsha, Anambra State, he was educated at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 1976. He later joined Merck Sharp and Dohme Nigeria Limited as senior medical representative between 1978 and 1980. Momah was the chief executive of Sports Spectacular Limited before he joined the National Concord where he worked as a journalist from 1982 to 1985. He was also a columnist with The Guardian Newspaper, 1985; contributing editor and columnist, Newswatch magazine, from 1985 to date. Momah was the chairman, Lawn Tennis Association, 1995-97 and was re-elected president, Nigeria Tennis Federation, 1997-2001; vice-chairman, African Tennis Federation, 1991-1994.

Fola Adediran, geologist, administrator, 66, October 29. Born in Ibadan, Oyo State, he was educated at the University of Ibadan, 1965-69; Watford College of Technology 1971-72 and University of Aston, Birmingham, 1972-73. He began his career as a geologist at the Geological Survey, Kaduna in 1971. He became general manager, Nigerian Shoe Company Limited, 1974-76; advertising manager, Daily Times of Nigeria, 1976-80. He was head, department of management studies, Ibadan Polytechnic, Ibadan, 1983-84, and head, department of business administration, Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, 1987. He is also a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management.

Emily Okheren Aig-Imoukhuede, historian, 67, October 27. Born in Sabongida-Ora, Owan, Edo State, she was educated at the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology, Ibadan, 1959-61; University of Ibadan 1961-64. She was a history teacher at St. Anne’s School, Ibadan in 1966. She had served as a member of the healthcare financial committee, federal ministry of health; member of the board, National Universities Commission, 1986; director, Nigerian Cargo Handling Company, 1987 and president, National Council of Women’s Societies of Nigeria, NCWS, 1988. She is the publisher of The Seven Maidens and Other Stories.

Modupe Fadina, lawyer and consultant, 60, October 28. He was born into the Ijemo Royal family of Ota, Ogun State. He attended St. Paul’s Primary School, Igbore, Abeokuta; Iganmode Grammar School, Ota; CMS Grammar School, Bariga; University of Ife, and University of Lagos. He worked with UAC Nigeria PLC and CAP PLC before retiring into private practice. He is a member of Ikoyi Club, 1938; Island Club, Lagos, and is a chorister at St. Paul’s Church Breadfruit, Lagos.

Valerian Maduka Okeke, clergyman, educationist, and currently the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha in Anambra State, 55, October 20. He attended St. Joseph’s Major Seminary, Ikot Ekpene and Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu, where he earned a degree in philosophy and another in Theology. He also holds a Ph.D in moral theology from Lateran University, Rome. He was ordained bishop in February 2002 and became an Archbishop in September 2003. He has written many books. He is an expert in peace studies and conflict resolution.

Julius Odum, lawyer and politician, 48, October 19. Born in Okwu Ikeduru, Imo State, he has been a three-time commissioner in Imo and Abia states. Currently, he is the minister of state for environment, housing and urban development as well as chairman of All Conference of Ministers of Housing and Urban Development.

Honoured

Jude Amaefule, with the 2008 Distinguished Member Award of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, SPE, at the SPE’s Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition in Denver, Colorado, USA. He is the chairman/CEO, Emerald Energy Resources Limited. He is the third Nigerian and the youngest to be so honoured. The distinguished membership is limited to one percent of SPE professional members. It acknowledges members who have attained eminence in the petroleum industry or the academic community. It is also given to those who have made unusual significant contributions to SPE. SPE serves more than 79,000 members worldwide, sharing technical knowledge for the benefit of the industry.

Died

Moses Chibuzo, a businessman and community leader in Umuabu, Adazi-Enu, Anambra State. Aged 67, Chibuzo was a devout christian and philanthropist. Due to his contributions to the growth of the church and his community, he was made a knight in the Anglican Communion and was also conferred with the chieftaincy title of Okpalanze Abata 1 of Adazi-Enu.  He is survived by Elizabeth, his widow, Roseline (Amaraugo,) his aged mother, many children, grand children, relations and in-laws among whom are James Chibuzo, Chinedu, Chika Okpalaume, Chinwe Ikeji, David Okpalaume and Chris Ikeji alias Otioda. He would be buried on October 30 after a funeral service at Emmanuel Anglican Church, Adazi-Enu.