Team

Dr. Okey James Ezugwu is a seasoned professional with 33 years of experience in immigration and security duties, culminating in his role as Assistant Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NiS). Born in May 1962, his academic journey includes degrees in History, Law, Political Science, and International Relations from prestigious institutions such as Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Uyo, and Enugu State University of Science and Technology.

Throughout his career, Dr. Ezugwu held numerous key positions within NiS, showcasing his expertise in migration management and border control. Post-retirement in 2022, he joined Chief Mike Ozekhome’s Chambers as a Senior Counsel in October 2023. An advocate for migrant, refugee, and asylum seeker rights, he founded the Asylum and Refugee Rights Advocacy Foundation, serving as its Chairman of the Board of Trustees and the Executive Director.

In addition to his immigration work, Dr. Ezugwu is an accomplished historian, political scientist, and former journalist with The Guardian. Known for his discipline and teamwork, he continues to contribute to his fields of expertise and humanitarian causes.

Comrade James Ezema is a holder of a Bachelors of Science Degree in Political Science from University of Ibadan.

He has nearly two decades experience in journalism. He began his journalism career as a student in the University of Ibadan where he was actively engaged in campus journalism between 2003 and 2006.

While in the University of Ibadan, he served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Political Science Students Press Organisation (POSSPRESS) between 2005 and 2006. Before then, he served in the same press club as General Editor (2004), Deputy Editor (2005) and the Editor-in-Chief of POSSPRESS (2006).

He became the Public Relations Officer of the Union of Campus Journalists (UCJ), University of Ibadan, from 2005 to 2006.

In 2006, he joined Vanguard Newspaper as a reporter until 2011. He worked briefly with the Nigerian Compass Newspaper in 2011 before joining the Newswatch group, where he left in 2015 to focus on his online newspaper, StreetReporters.ng which he founded in 2009.

Later in 2019, he founded a specialised printed newspaper, Abuja Business Reports (also published online at www.AbujaBizReports.com).

He has served as Deputy Editor and Acting Editor of Unity Times Magazine based in Abuja. He had earlier served as the Editor at CityPride, a soft sale Newspaper based in Lagos.

He was recently re-elected Vice President (Investigation) of Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) (2020 – Date).

He is the President/Founder of the Association of Bloggers & Journalists Against Fake News which currently carries out campaign on the dangers of fake news to peace, security and national development. 

He is a member of the Civil Society in Nigeria and served as Director of Information (between 2011 and 2019) and currently the Director of Operations at the Citizens Rights and Empowerment Advocacy Initiative (CREMA Initiative) from 2019 to date. 

He is also the President/Executive Coordinator of the Not Too Young To Perform Leadership Development Advocacy, a national Young-people-driven leadership group and has served as Acting National Secretary of Nigeria Youth Electoral College Panel Institute, and the Secretary of National Youth Summit.

He has attend several workshops/seminars/training covering election reporting, E-journalism as well as a participant at the Roundtable on Development Reporting organized by The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, Nigeria in collaboration with The Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), Dakar, Senegal, and recently the Lux Terra Leadership Foundations Community Leaders Training Workshop in Abuja, among others.

He is a fellow of the Institute of Leadership Manpower And Management Development (FILMMD). 

Emmanuel Simon is a highly accomplished professional with a diverse skill set and a remarkable track record in the fields of technology and blockchain. He holds the prestigious title of Certified Blockchain Expert (CBE), a certification awarded by the esteemed Blockchain Council India. In addition, he is recognized as a Certified Bitcoin Professional (CBP), having received this certification from the distinguished C4 Consortium.

Emmanuel also boasts an extensive background as a Computer Network Administrator and Programmer/Webmaster, amassing numerous years of expertise in open-source technologies. His proficiency extends further as a Data Analyst and Business Intelligence Consultant, as well as an Artificial Intelligence Consultant.

Emmanuel’s contributions to the field of literature are equally impressive. He is an accomplished author who has penned three authoritative works within the blockchain domain.

Emmanuel Simon’s extensive qualifications and contributions make him a distinguished authority in the fields of technology, blockchain, and literature.