The family of Chief Albert Nnamani (Ike Ikem) of Ikem in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State has released his final burial program, starting in Abuja on Thursday, April 23, 2026, with a Requiem Mass at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja.
A statement from the family and the National Burial Committee showed that there will be a Night of Tributes on Tuesday April 28, 2026, at the Amadeus Events Centre, Enugu, service of songs on Friday, 1, 2026 at his family Compound in Ikem, IsiUzo Local Government Area of Enugu state.
Final burial will be in his Compound on Saturday May, 2, 2026 after the funeral mass at Saint Theresa’s Catholic Church, Ikem and the family thanksgiving mass will be in the same Church on Sunday May, 3, 2026
*A legacy of excellence
Until his death on March, 7, 2026 in Abuja at age 81 years, Chief Albert Nnamani was a towering figure in the legal profession, public service sports, and philanthropy. Known for his unwavering commitment to development, he leaves behind a legacy that has fundamentally shaped his community and other areas he came across.
Chief Nnamani was a man of many parts, former Secretary of Sports and Enugu Rangers International, former Secretary of the Oil Mineral Producing Area Development Commission (OMPADec), and former Clerk of the Enugu State House of Assembly. Former Director in two Federal Ministries, Transport and Steel from where he retired
He completed his infant education, A.B.C., and primary schooling (Primary 1–3) at St. Andrew’s Anglican School in Ogor Ikem in 1954. He then continued at St. Phillip’s Anglican School, Eha Amufu, where he finished his primary education in 1957. While at Eha Amufu, he lived with Alhaji Musa, a business associate of our father.
In 1958, he gained admission to Metropolitan Secondary School, Onitsha, where he graduated in 1962. In 1963, he joined the Nigerian Army alongside contemporaries like Generals Moma and Chris Ali. His army number was SERPAR 63/NA/4241. Following the 1966 coup, he fought on the Biafran side.
During the war, he met his sweetheart, then Miss Maureen Comfort Ina from Ediba in Cross River State. Their marriage was blessed with seven children: Ngozi, Chioma, Ifeyinwa, Chinenye, Chika, Oge, and Ikenna.
By 1970, the war had ended, and he returned to his hometown of Ikem, where he began his career as the Secretary of Sports for Isi Uzo Division, starting a new chapter in his life. In 1974, he was transferred to Njikoka Division, serving for two years, before moving to Enugu, where he resumed as the Secretary of Sports for the then Old Anambra State. He was also the Secretary of the administrative team that led Rangers International to Egypt in 1977, with Chief Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo as the chairman.
In 1979, he gained admission to study Business Administration at the University of Lagos. However, after his second year, he decided to pursue Law and began a law program at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, completing his studies at the law school in 1986. Immediately after law school, he joined Akpamgbo Chambers for his tutelage.
While studying, he also pursued entrepreneurship and established ACNO Nig Enterprise with German partners, leading to multiple trips to Germany from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s. In 1987, he ventured into politics by contesting for the chairmanship of Isi Uzo Local Government under Ibrahim Babangida’s Zero Party system.
By 1988, he had established a successful law firm on Ogui Road in Enugu State. During his law practice, the first Executive Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency Dr Okwesileze Nwodo, appointed him as the Clerk of the Enugu State House of Assembly.
While serving in this role, a notable incident occurred: the House members requested him to approve a sum of ₦3 million. He explained that he could not do so without the governor’s consent, and since the governor was unavailable at the time, they attempted to suspend him—something they were not legally permitted to do. When the governor returned, he ordered Eze to resume his duties, but he chose to return to his law practice.
Soon after, he was appointed the Director General of the Technical Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation in Enugu State. Subsequently, he was named the Administrative Secretary of the Oil Mineral Producing Area Development Commission (OMPADec), replacing labour activist Frank Kokori. He served in OMPADec until the coup led by Abacha, which resulted in the replacement of the chairman, A.K. Horsfall, with Prof. Eric Opiah, creating an unfavourable environment for him.
Following Abacha’s death, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, with the support of the then Minister for Information, Chief Nnia Nwodo, seconded him to the Head of Service, where he was subsequently appointed as Director of Statistics. He later received a posting to the Ministry of Transport and finally to the Ministry of Power and Steel, where he retired in 2007. After his retirement, the Enugu State Government appointed him as the Chairman of the Enugu State Civil Service Commission, a position he held for one term before stepping down.
Known as “A.I.” by his friends, he was sociable and had a likeable character. There was never a dull moment in his life. He belonged to several organisations and was a devout Catholic, a member of the Knights of St. John International, and a member of the Enugu Sports Club, among others. He held the second-highest title in Ikem, “IKE IKEM II.”
