Milestone

Walter Ibekwe Ofonagoro, historian and administrator, 73, June 24. Born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, he was educated at Baptist Day School, Port Harcourt, 1947-1954; Baptist High School, Port Harcourt, 1955-1959; Holy Family College, Abak, Akwa Ibom State, 1960-1961; University of Toronto, Canada, 1962-1966; Columbia University, New York, USA, 1966-1971. Ofonagoro started his career as a teacher at Baptist High School, Port Harcourt, 1962; assistant professor of History, Columbia University, New York, USA; director-general, Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, 1983; secretary, National Constitutional Conference, 1995. He was minister for information and culture, 1995-1998.

Mohammed Yahaya, retired Air Vice Marshal, 71, June 28. Born in Adoka, Otukpo local government area, Benue State, he participated in the Arizona Technical Instructors’ course in the United States Air Force, 1967-1968; Upper Iowa State University, USA; Royal Air Force, 1972; National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru, 1979-1980. He was commissioned as pilot and officer in 1967; officer commanding, Radar, Nigeria Air Force, Kano, 1969; staff officer engineer, NAF Headquarters, Lagos, 1970; defence adviser, Nigerian Embassy, Moscow, USSR, 1976-1978; Air officer commanding, Tactical Command, NAF, Makurdi, 1984-19888. Yahaya was appointed sole administrator, Federal Government Mass Transit Programme, 1988-1989; minister of industries, 1989. He is a fellow, Nigeria Institute of Management, NIM.

Kpadoo Manger Kura, philanthropist and chief nursing officer, 53, June 25. Born in Zaki Biam, Katsina Alo local government area, Benue State, she was educated at the NKST Primary School, Zaki Biam, 1966-1972; NKST Secondary School, Zaki Biam, 1973-1977; School of Midwifery, Makurdi, 1980-1982; College of Nursing, Kafanchan, Kaduna State, 1990-1991; Benue State University, Makurdi, 2000-2003. Kura began her working career with Benue State Government Hospital Management Board in 1982, as nursing officer. She was absorbed by the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Makurdi in 1995, when it was established and rose to the position of chief nursing officer.

Arthur Christopher Mbanefo, chartered accountant, diplomat and businessman, 83, June 11. Born in Onitsha, Anambra State, he was educated at St patrick’s College, Calabar and was trained as an accountant in England. He was appointed senior partner, Akintola Williams and Company, Lagos, 1965; former board member, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Lagos. He was also a member, Judicial Commission of Enquiry on NNPC Crude Oil Sales, 1980; director, This Week Limited, Publishers of The Week magazine, 1987. Mbanefo was appointed Nigeria’s permanent representative to the United Nations, New York, USA.

Sam Amuka-Pemu, journalist, publisher, 78, June 13. Born in Delta State, he was the first editor, Spear magazine, a Daily Times publication, editor, Sunday Times, Lagos, 1967; editor, Sunday Punch, 1973. Amuka later became the managing director of Punch Nigeria Limited before he established the Vanguard newspapers. He has been chairman, Vanguard Media Limited, since 1995. He is also a member of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria, NPAN.

Compiled by Anayo Ezugwu 

— Jul. 1, 2013 @ 01:00 GMT

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