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Echiemeze Chizekene Ofili Elected CISA President
The Council of Igbo States in Americas (CISA) has elected Echiemeze Chizekene Ofili as its new President.
Ofili, a consummate audit, compliance and financial crime management professional, well-grounded in community activism takes over from Iru-Ugegbu Dr. Mrs. Josephine Uzoamaka Aguoji of Anambra State whose tenure expired December 31, 2025. CISA Byelaws stipulates a 2-year rotational presidency among Igbo Speaking states in alphabetical order. Abia and Anambra have had their leadership turns and now it is (Anioma) Delta’s turn. Ofili election has already been ratified by CISA Council of Presidents in line with the organization’s byelaws.
CISA’s new President, hails from Obomkpa Kingdom in Aniocha Local Government Area, Delta State, and will pilot the affairs of this North American apex Igbo organization for the next two years. Echiemeze Ofili who previously held key positions in CISA comes highly and widely recommended.
He brings a wealth of professional and community service experience vital for CISA’s continuing growth and advancement to the post. Ofili holds a Master of Science in Economic Crime Management from Utica University, Utica, New York, and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Echiemeze is a seasoned audit and risk manager with professional certifications ranging from internal auditing, fraud examiner and risk management assurance grounded in extensive and real-world experience of over two decades spanning government, financial services, and regulatory environments. Ofili currently serves as Assistant Vice President of Audit at MUFG Bank Ltd., a global corporate and investment bank, with branch offices in Tampa, Florida, United States. In this role, he supports enterprise risk management, regulatory compliance, and internal audit initiatives within a highly regulated financial environment.
He also serves as Treasurer of the Igbo World Assembly (IWA), Secretary General of the Anioma World Assembly (AWA), and Secretary General of the Obomkpa Progressive Union (OPU) America Inc., where he continues to provide leadership in administration, financial stewardship, and strategic planning in support of cultural preservation, community development, and global engagement. Prior to his election as President, Ofili had previously served as Secretary General of the Council of Igbo States in the Americas (CISA) from 2010 to 2013, where he played a key role in organizational governance and coordination across member states. He later served as Financial Secretary of CISA from 2020 to 2025, overseeing financial records and strengthening accountability practices. He is married and is the proud father of three daughters.
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In accepting the honor of his election as CISA’s new President, Echiemeze Chizekene Ofili acknowledged CISA position as a top Igbo Diaspora Organization in continental Americas and pledged to lift CISA higher. He thanked CISA membership for the confidence reposed in him and expressed his gratitude to all his predecessors for setting the bar high, pledging to make CISA proud by expanding and strengthening its relations with African Americans and beyond.
Earlier, the Chairman of CISA Board of Presidents and Abagana Regent, Onowu Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze congratulated and welcomed the new CISA President and lauded CISA for continuing its long-standing practice of smooth transitions! He also extended CISA heartfelt gratitude to the immediate past President Dr. Mrs. Josephine Aguoji for her accomplishments especially in strengthening CISA global festival in the historic Igbo landing site in St. Simons Island and consolidating the connection between ndi-Igbo America of today and their ancestors whose active resistance against enslavement holds a pride of place in slave resistance history.
CISA is thrilled with Ofili as new President and is confident he will continue to keep CISA’s flag flying profoundly to make Ndiigbo proud of his tenure.
Former Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has reportedly died, according to sources said to be close to his family.
The sources confirmed the development on Monday, October 19, 2026, although details surrounding the circumstances of his death remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.
“Uduaghan is no more; he is dead,” one of the sources reportedly said.
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The reported death comes months after claims that the former governor had died circulated on social media before being dismissed by his media aide, Henry Unini.
In June, reports of Uduaghan’s alleged death spread across Facebook and WhatsApp, prompting Unini to publicly debunk the claims and assure the public that the former governor was alive.
“I can tell you for a fact that Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan is alive,” Unini said at the time.
“Frankly, I don’t know where the writer got his information from. The death of someone is not something you take and write about casually,” he added.
Unini acknowledged at the time that Uduaghan had been experiencing health challenges but maintained that he was receiving medical attention.
“It is now common knowledge that Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has been sick, but he is receiving proper medical care,” the media aide said.
He also stated that the former governor was recuperating, assuring the public that there was no immediate cause for concern.
“There is no cause for alarm whatsoever,” Unini said.
The media aide thanked friends, well-wishers and residents of Delta State who contacted the family to verify the former governor’s condition. He also urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information.
“The rumour was uncalled for,” he said while addressing the earlier reports.
As of the time of filing this report, further details about the circumstances surrounding Uduaghan’s reported death had yet to emerge.
The Delta State Government has commenced a ₦5 billion grassroots empowerment programme targeting 100,000 small-scale business owners and other beneficiaries across the state’s 500 wards.
The initiative, announced on Monday, will see each beneficiary receive ₦50,000 to support small businesses, strengthen household finances and stimulate economic activities across the state.
SEE ALSO: Two Arrested as Delta Police Uncover Cache of Illegal Weapons
The Executive Assistant to the Governor on Public Enlightenment (Projects and Policies), Mr Olisa Ifeajika, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Asaba.
Ifeajika explained that the programme was designed to complement the state government’s investments in critical infrastructure with direct financial assistance to residents.
According to him, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori directed local government councillors to facilitate the distribution of the funds, with each of the 500 wards expected to reach at least 200 beneficiaries.
He added that the initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to improving livelihoods and expanding economic opportunities for Deltans, in line with the people-centred objectives of the MORE Agenda.
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has commended Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the Aliko Dangote Foundation for plans to acquire Initial Public Offering (IPO) shares of Dangote Refinery on behalf of eligible Nigerian tertiary institution students.
Alausa described the initiative as an innovative approach to promoting financial literacy, youth empowerment and wealth creation among young Nigerians.
According to a press release issued by the Federal Ministry of Education on Monday, October 19, 2026, the initiative is expected to benefit up to four million students aged 18 and above, with each eligible student expected to receive 10 IPO shares without requiring prior investment or share purchase.
The minister said the programme would expose students to capital markets, responsible investing and long-term financial planning, preparing them for greater economic participation and financial independence.
He noted that the initiative aligns with the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by connecting education with enterprise, human capital development and inclusive economic growth.
According to Alausa, the initiative reflects the importance of partnerships between the education sector and private organisations in equipping young Nigerians with the knowledge and skills needed to participate in the economy.
He said the Federal Ministry of Education remained committed to strengthening private-sector partnerships to improve educational quality, relevance, equity and efficiency while preparing learners for a changing economy.
While appreciating the foundation’s contribution to youth development, the minister clarified that the ministry’s commendation was based on the initiative’s educational and developmental value.
He stressed that the ministry’s position “does not constitute an endorsement of any particular investment decision.”
Alausa also encouraged other corporate organisations to support similar initiatives that promote financial awareness, economic productivity and entrepreneurship among young Nigerians.
He urged businesses to support NESRI and the Renewed Hope Agenda in building a financially informed and economically productive generation.
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