The Awba-Ofemili Development Union (ADU) Health Committee has honoured the memories and contributions of late veteran journalist and publisher of The Eagle Online, Mr Dotun Oladipo, and late health worker, Mrs Celestina Nkwute Igwe, during the Awba-Ofemili Health Awareness Campaign 2026.
The campaign, themed “Beyond Elu-Ulee (Buruli Ulcer): Building a Healthier Awba-Ofemili,” was held on Thursday, 17 September 2026, at the Civic Centre in Awba-Ofemili, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
As part of the event, the committee observed a minute of silence in honour of the two deceased contributors to the community’s health and development efforts.
Speaking on the remembrance, Chairman of the ADU Health Committee, Ogbuefi (Sir) Chinenyeze Remmy Nweke, said the decision was a reflection of the committee’s appreciation for individuals who had supported initiatives aimed at improving the wellbeing of the community.
“We remember those who stood with us, supported our work and contributed to the well-being of our people. Their physical absence does not erase the impact of their service, kindness and commitment,” Nweke said.
Oladipo, publisher of The Eagle Online and former President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), died on 25 August 2026 at the age of 56.
He served as GOCOP President from 2017 to 2021 and was among the association’s foundational members. His death attracted tributes from across Nigeria, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who acknowledged his contributions to journalism, political reporting and the development of online publishing.
According to Nweke, Oladipo also supported the ADU Health Committee’s maiden Elu-Ulee (Buruli Ulcer) Awareness Campaign in 2025 through financial and in-kind contributions.
The committee also remembered Igwe, a registered nurse midwife and health worker who served within the Awka North health system. She died on 15 December 2025 at the age of 58 following a brief illness.
Her family funeral announcement identified her as a registered nurse midwife, with burial activities held in March 2026.
Nweke said the remembrance of both individuals was particularly significant as the 2026 campaign was designed to move beyond a one-off awareness programme towards sustained community health education and preventive healthcare.
The campaign featured health talks on Buruli ulcer and preventive healthcare, basic health screening, First Aid activities, community health insurance awareness, counselling and referral, as well as goodwill messages from health partners and community leaders.
The First Aid component followed a recent training programme conducted by the Anambra State Chapter of the Nigerian Red Cross in collaboration with the ADU Health Committee.
The training involved 60 volunteers, comprising 50 students and 10 teachers from Community Secondary School, Awba-Ofemili.
The committee said the First Aid initiative would be extended to more students and schools across Awba-Ofemili as part of its broader school-health and preventive healthcare programme.
The ADU Health Committee expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Red Cross, Primary Health Centre Awba-Ofemili, health professionals, community leaders, schools, volunteers, development partners and other supporters who contributed to the success of the 2026 campaign.
The committee reaffirmed its commitment to developing a sustained, community-led health programme focused on prevention, early detection, health education, First Aid, referral and access to basic healthcare services across Awba-Ofemili.
