Odita Sunday 
NIS Boss Hails Retired DCG Ifeadi at 70, Says His Contributions Remain Valuable to Nigeria
By Odita Sunday
The Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nanna Nandap, has described a former Deputy Comptroller-General of the Service, Dr. Emmanuel Brasca Udo Ifeadi, as an outstanding professional whose contributions continue to benefit the Service and Nigeria.
Nandap stated this while congratulating Ifeadi on his 70th birthday at a ceremony held at Our Saviour’s Church, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, on Saturday.
The Comptroller-General, who was represented at the celebration by the Assistant Comptroller-General in charge of Migration at the NIS Service Headquarters, Azuka Halliday, said Ifeadi distinguished himself through his commitment, integrity and contributions to the development of the Immigration Service.
She described the retired officer as an icon and mentor who remained committed to the progress of the NIS even after retirement.
According to her, Ifeadi’s influence on the Service included his contribution to innovations such as the introduction of e-payment, noting that some of the systems currently being built upon by Nigeria had their roots in initiatives he helped establish.
Nandap said, “Nigeria is borrowing today from some of the innovations introduced by the NIS which Ifeadi helped to initiate.”
She added that his contribution to the Service had extended beyond his years in active duty, describing him as an “institution” who had continued to provide valuable guidance to the organisation.
The birthday celebration, which was held in two phases, commenced with a church service conducted by Venerable Samuel Adurofagbaje and Rev. Canon Akintunde Sam Idowu of Our Saviour’s Anglican Church. They represented the Vicar, Ven. Dr. Folorunso Oreoluwa Agbelusi, who was unavoidably absent.
Delivering a sermon titled “Don’t Be Anxious of Tomorrow,” Venerable Adurofagbaje, drawing from Matthew 6:24, thanked God for Ifeadi’s life and urged him to devote more of his later years to the service of God.
The cleric also encouraged Nigerians to place their trust in God rather than being consumed by anxiety about the future.
Chairman of the occasion, Engr. (Dr.) Emmanuel Ogo Odega, who described himself as a senior student of Ifeadi during their secondary school years, said the celebrant had demonstrated exceptional intellectual ability from his early years.
Odega described Ifeadi as a disciplined, dependable and accomplished academic, noting that his two Doctor of Philosophy degrees reflected his commitment to intellectual development.
He also commended the celebrant’s passion for martial arts, particularly Karate, saying Ifeadi had remained actively involved in promoting the sport.
According to him, Ifeadi had also distinguished himself as a responsible family man and a committed Christian.
The event featured a demonstration of Karate skills by members of Ifeadi’s Nigeria Karate Association, led by Karate Masters including Sensei Jack Mbom, Sensei Gobby Shina, Sensei Alfred Ohiman and Sensei John Ogwo.
The ceremony attracted serving and retired senior officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service, business leaders, academics, family members, friends and associates of the celebrant.
Among those present were retired Deputy Comptrollers-General Samuel Oyibo Eluwa, MA Ibrahim, Mrs. Dibie, Mrs. Stella Onwuadiegbu and Seni Lawal.
Also in attendance were the NIS Zonal Coordinator in charge of Zone A, Assistant Comptroller-General Mohammed Adamu Azare; retired Comptrollers of Immigration Catherine Uzzi and Emmanuel Gbemudu; Chairman/Chief Executive of Rainoil, Engr. (Dr.) Gabriel Ogbechie, and his wife; and former Head of Corporate Treasury at Shell Nigeria, Mr. Joseph Obiora Umejei, and his wife.
Others included the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of OOP Consultants, Arc. Okunola Odusote; Chairman/Chief Executive of Contemporary Group, Arc. Kester Ifeadi, and his wife; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Bon Voyage Hotel, Mrs. Lauretta Smith; Dr. Tony Luka Elumelu of ECOWAS; Dr. and Mrs. Phil Ofulue; and members of the Holy Trinity Grammar School, Sabongida Ora, Old Students Association led by its Global President, High Chief (Ambassador) Dennis Ifidon Ojeonu.
Members of the Anglican Grammar School, Ubulu-Uku, Old Students Association, led by Mr. Sam Ifeozo, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Piccadilly Hotels, were also present.
Ifeadi, who was born on August 24, 1956, studied Political Science at the University of Lagos, where he subsequently obtained an M.Sc. in Political Science. He later earned an M.Phil. in International Relations from the University of Benin.
He joined the Nigerian Immigration Service on August 5, 1982, as an Assistant Superintendent of Immigration and rose through the ranks before retiring on August 24, 2016, as a Deputy Comptroller-General after 34 years of service.
His career in the Service was complemented by extensive academic pursuits, culminating in two PhD degrees.
In February 2009, he obtained a PhD in Strategic Studies from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, while in April 2013, he earned another PhD in International Relations from the University of Benin.
During his career, Ifeadi served in different formations and capacities within the NIS and participated in several professional courses and training programmes. He also received letters of commendation from the Immigration Service and other agencies in recognition of his contributions.
In 2024, he received the Global Peace Ambassador and Global Leadership Awards from the International Academy for Human Excellence.
He has also received several other honours for his contributions to peace, leadership, education, conflict resolution and human rights in Nigeria and beyond.
The 70th birthday celebration ended with a reception attended by family members, professional colleagues, friends and associates who gathered to honour the retired immigration chief and celebrate his contributions to public service, scholarship and community development.
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