Magic Lens Exellence Award Nominee: Sir Engr. Anayo Befford Onwuegbu

SIR ENGR. ANAYO BEFFORD ONWUEGBU

Omeiheukwu Akpugoeze

Ebube Enugu State

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Anbeez Services Ltd

Born April 16, 1961, to the Onwuegbu family of Umudim, Akpugoeze, Oji-River Local Government Area of Enugu State. Sir Engr. Anayo Befford Onwuegbu attended his primary and secondary education in Akpugoeze and Aguata High School, Aguata respectively. With excellent performance at the basic education level, the young Anayo gained admission into the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he obtained his bachelor degree in Civil Engineering.

Immediately after his National Service, his penchant for greatness inspired him to establish Anbeez Services Limited, a civil engineering company. Right there, he discovered his area of calling and expertise in erosion control, construction of dams and irrigations among other core civil engineering services. Today Anbeez Services Limited is rated one of the most sophisticated and successful indigenous civil engineering firm in Nigeria.

A fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineer, Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu also ventured into politics and has aspired to be the governor of Enugu State three consecutive times. His performance in politics is so inspiring that today Omeiheukwu Akpugoeze is a household name in Enugu State. This charisma has fetched him numerous honours and titles among traditional institutions and religious bodies alike. Notable among these titles is Ebube Enugu State, an honour bestowed on him on behalf of the Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers by the then Chairman of the Council, HRH Igwe Kingsley Chime.

A member ofthe Knighthood of Saint Paul, Anglican Diocese of Aguata. Founder B.A. Onwuegbu Education Trust Fund with over 100 university scholarships across south east, 250 secondary school scholarships across the nation.

His patriotic and philanthropic ventures attracted the attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria which led to his recent appointment as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Federal University Ndufu-AIike Ikwo in Ebonyi State.

He is happily married to a very supportive wife, Barr. Mrs. Stella Obiageli Onwuegbu, and the marriage blessed with five children, 3 boys: Nkennia, Chidera and Okezie, two beautiful daughters: Chisom and Amarachi

His motto is service to God through humanity.

Magic Lens Exellence Award Nominee: Henry Coco-Bassey

Mr. Henry Henry Coco-Bassey who is an indigene of Duke Town in Calabar South Local Government of Cross River State was born in Eyo Abasi, Oron Local Government now in Akwa Ibom State on 2nd of February, 1961.
The 8th Child of ten children, Henry Attended several Primary Schools due to his father?s frequent transfers as a teacher. However, he attended only one secondary school in Abak, Akwa Ibom State where he completed in 1979 with an excellent grade.

After a brief stint working in Audit Department, which later became Office of the Auditor General, Calabar, Cross River State Henry got admission into the then Polytechnic, Calabar to study accountancy. He obtained National Diploma and Higher National Diploma from the same school in 1983 and 1986 respectively.

Henry completed the National Youth Service Program in 1987 which he served in Kwara State. He then went back to resume work in Office of Auditor General, Calabar, Cross River state where he left on study leave to pursue his career in Accountancy. By March 1991, he had risen to the position of a Senior Auditor.

In July 1991 Henry hungry for more professional challenges, left the services of Cross River State Government to join Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited (NAOC) as an Assistant General Accountant. Today Henry is Manager, Treasury Accounts (Corporate) in NAOC.

Henry also holds MBA, Management from River State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt. He is a Chartered Accountant, Chartered Tax Practisioner and a Chartered Management Consultant.

Henry is married to his beautiful and amiable wife, Mrs. Mary Henry Ekiyobi Coco-Bassey. The marriage is blessed with three handsome boys.

Henry is a sociable person and a Philanthropist. He is a member of many social and sports clubs including the prestigious IBB Golf Club, Abuja.

Magic Lens Exellence Award Nominee: Mr. Oziegbe Steve Joseph

Mr. Oziegbe Steve Joseph
(Chairman/CEO, Josto Integrated Investment Limited, Abuja)

Chief Oziegbe Steve Joseph was born in the town of Ewu in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State in 1957.

At a young age, he proceeded to the United States of America in search of greener pasture; this led him to a sojourn of over 40 year in God?s own country.

He is a seasoned businessman with business interest spanning from Auto Leasing, Medicine, Construction & Real Estate and Mining with over 30 years of experience in business start-ups and operations in the United States of America.

Like a true Nigerian that he is, he has been returning to his fatherland to invest in different sectors of the economy which include; Construction & Real Estate and Mining.

At the moment, the lure of Nigerians vast investment possibilities has finally brought him back to his land of birth to fully launch his business acumen and help a lot of his countrymen and women by giving them employment opportunities and making life better for them.
He recently ventured into the Hospitality business in Nigeria with Josto Integrated Investment Limited, a hospitality management company. This management company manages HQ NAF CONFERENCE CENTRE & SUITES and ZUES PARADISE EVENT CENTRE & HOTELS at the moment with others in the pipeline to take over.

He is married with children to Mrs. Emily Joseph Oziegbe who is the Medical Director/Administrator of Indeplus Group of Companies Inc. in the U.S.A.

Magic Lens Exellence Award Nominee: Ngozi Ekeoma

Barrister (Mrs) Ngozi Ekeoma, business icon and entrepreneurial Amazon of our time, hails from Ibina-Ukwu Igbere, Abia State of Nigerai. She was born on 29th day of April 1972 to the Family of of Late Pa Anyaso Chukwu and Chief (Mrs.) Ahuoma Anyaso and is blessed with brothers and sisters.

EDUCATION

NGOZI had her primary and secondary education in Aba, Abia State of Nigeria Where she grew up. She later obtained a Diploma in Law in University of Lagos Akoka. She bagged a Bachelor of Law Degree from the same university in 2003. She obtained a Barrister at Law Degree (B.L) from the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Nigerian Bar as Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2004. Ngozi currently holds a Masters Degree in Law. She belongs to a number of professional bodies both locally and internationally, including the reputable Nigerian Bar Association.

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE

Immediately after her secondary education, Ngozi got married to Elder Ekeoma Eme Ekeoma, a Lagos based banker (now a business magnet) and they are blessed with four children; Ezinne, Alex, Ifeoma and Daniel.

CAREER AND BUSINESS LIFE 

Ngozi started off as a supportive wife, learning business dynamics and ethics from her darling husband and later set up a business outfit known as Emlime (Nigerian)Limited with her husband Elder E.E. Ekeoma. Ngozi has sat in the Board of several companies as Director since her early 20s with incredible successes and remarkable contributions wherever found. Well read and well travelled Ngozi has incredible knowledge of both global and local industries/businesses. 

Owing to her resourcefulness and ingenuity in the business world, she has mounted several platforms and podia as guest lecturer/speaker at various business seminars, workshops, conferences and business summits globally.

She presently is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Oil and Gas Services Limited. She is also a director of Southglobe Limited- a financial outfit in Lagos, as well as a director of Genesis Electricity Limited- an Independent Power Project Company, Quest Shipping Limited, First Fenders Limited, Sorties Logistics Emline Nigeria Ltd and lots more.

Ngozi has won several awards, especially in the downstream oil and gas sector in the last 7 years, considering the huge turn around she has pulled in that sector, driving her own company (Nepal Oil and Gas Services Limited) as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. On 18th May 2013, Ngozi led her Management team to Oghara, Delta state as His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel E. Uduaghan, the Executive Governor of Delta State Nigeria and His entourage, together with representatives from DPR PPMC, PPPRA, NPA and other Federal and state parastatals witnessed the commissioning of Nepal Oil's Multi-billion Naira tank farm and jetty in Oghara, Delta State.

This giant stride has made her and company a household name in Nigeria and has placed Nepal Oil under her visionary leadership on a high pedestal, as one of the biggest names in the down and midstream oil & gas sectors in Africa.

SOCIAL AND CIVIC LIFE

Ngozi is not all about business; she is a philanthropist, and human rights activist, a wife and a mother. Recently, she has almost concluded her plans to float an NGO that caters for women and children?s rights. She has just completed her Pa, Anyaso Skill Acquisition Centre in Igbere; a community development project, aimed at women and youth empowerment. She has also built and donated a church and a manse to her hometown church; the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Amaiyi, Igbere. She is a state patron of the Boys? Brigade of Nigeria. She, apart from these, has empowered a lot of young people in their various endeavours. She has given a lot of smiles and succour to countless number of widows and indigent persons across the country.

RELAXATION & STYLE

When she is not at work, Ngozi loves to take her vacation, hang out with her family in some exotic places within or abroad. She loves the company of her siblings and her friends. She loves singing and dancing to good music especially of the gospel genre.

HER INSPIRATION

Ngozi has Four (4) major inspirations: 

a. God who has been the major source of her inspiration and source of her strength and grace to accomplish.

b. Her husband Elder E.E.Ekeoma who taught her business and empowered her and has been a strong support all the way.

c. Her uncle who thought she was going to be a ?drop-out? and a ?nobody? as a result of her early marriage- a statement which inspired her to pursue her education and career after marriage

d. Her wonderful children who have grown to become her friends as well.

HER FAITH IN GOD

No story of Ngozi would ever be complete without mentioning her devotedness and undying faith in God- what she would love to be remembered for, even long after she has left this world. U may not find Ngozi preaching and praying loud on the street of Lagos but her close pals know she is a prayer warrior in her own right. Her faith in God can move mountains. She is an active member of the Women?s Guild of the Lagos 

Presbyterian Church, Yaba and has made huge contribution to the growth of the church.

A woman with a heart of gold, she is very warm-hearted, charitable and down to earth.

Very generous and compassionate, Ngozi has won the admiration of several men and women who have come across her. No wonder she is popularly called ?Nne oha? (Mother of all) by the Youth of Lagos Presbyterian church of Nigeria and many others.