Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and his deputy, Atiku Abubakar, will headline the events celebrating the 80th birthday of renowned economist and journalist Onyema Ugochukwu.

Obasanjo and Atiku, who led the nation from 1999 to 2007, recognize Ugochukwu’s significant contributions during their administration, where he held various important roles.

Other state governors and dignitaries will join in the celebration, as this occasion promises to highlight Ugochukwu’s impactful career and the legacy he has built over the years.

Ugochukwu holds the enviable record of being the first and only editor of three top publications in the stable of the primordial Daily Times of Nigeria, namely: Business Times, the London-based West Africa magazine, and Daily Times. He turns 80 on Saturday, November 9, 2024.

In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Publicity Team of the Central Committee planning the milestone, longtime ally Prof. Tunde Olusunle outlines two events scheduled for the day.

There will be a thanksgiving service at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Cathedral of Unity, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja, beginning at 10 a.m., which will be followed by a reception at the Rainbow Marquee in Area 8, Garki, Abuja.

At the post-church service programme, two publications commemorating Ugochukwu’s ascendancy to the “octogenarian” floor will be formally presented. They are Galvanising Development in the Niger Delta: Selected Engagements by Onyema Ugochukwu, with a foreword by Obasanjo, and Testaments and Testimonials: Celebrating Onyema Ugochukwu at 80.

While the anthology of speeches, a 271-page book, was co-edited by John Araka and Olusunle, the volume of tributes is about 319 pages and edited by Olusunle. It is a collector’s item featuring snapshots of Ugochukwu’s variegated life and career by notable figures in the Nigerian media.

Contributors to the volume of tributes include media veterans like Yemi Ogunbiyi, Dan Agbese, Lade Bonuola, Felix Adenaike, Tola Adeniyi, Chidi Amuta, Dare Babarinsa, Ayo Akinkuotu, and Solomon Odemwingie. Tributes by Emma Agu, Sola Atere, Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Ohi Alegbe, Segun Ayobolu, Gbenga Ayeni, Tivlumun Nyitse, Segun Ilori, Eniola Bello, Hakeem Bello, Salisu Na’inna, Emeka Nwosu, Gboyega Okegbenro, and others also feature in the publication. Lizzy Ikem, Angela Agoawike, Lawal Ogienagbon, Dan Akpovwa, Sheddy Ozoene, and Tunde Rahman also contributed to the book of attestations.

Political leaders whose treatises grace the pages of the book include former Education Minister, Professor Tunde Adeniran, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, Senator Ben Ndi. Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe and Austin Akobundu also have entries in the book. Dean of Postgraduate Studies and University Orator at the Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Professor Gbenga Ibileye, will review both books. The ceremony will also feature a short documentary on Ugochukwu and a photo slideshow of his illustrious career, with an emphasis on his 20-year stint at the Daily Times.