By Uche Ugboajah
One of my favourite Igbo names is Nwannedinamba. Never mind that it has, over time, become more popular as a traditional title than as a name in regular use. Literally, it means “a brother from another town.” It extols the virtue of friendship—especially the kind that has evolved into something deeper: brotherhood.
In essence, Nwannedinamba challenges the narrow biological definition of brotherhood as a bond confined to bloodlines. Technically, I cannot call someone from Edo State my brother, being from Imo State. But in the rich tradition of African humanism, that definition expands. In a time when politics, ethnicity, and bigotry are being weaponized for personal and partisan gain, such cross-cultural bonds are increasingly endangered.
It is disheartening that people who once shared meals, history, youthful struggles, and even near-death experiences now allow ethnic sentiments and political affiliations to sever those ties. That, thankfully, has not been the case between Sufuyan and me. We have remained brothers—true Nwannedinamba.
I first encountered Sufuyan Ojeifo—Oj as he’s fondly called—through his elegant and incisive journalism. I admired his professionally nuanced reports in Vanguard. But we met in person for the first time in 2005 at the residence of the late Chief Ojo Maduekwe. I had come in from Lagos, working on a book, Raising the Bar: Selected Speeches and Writings of Ojo Maduekwe, to mark Ojo’s 60th birthday in Abuja. Oj, a close friend of Ojo, was one of the few personally requested to contribute a tribute to the celebrant’s commemorative montage.
That meeting at Aso Drive did not immediately ignite a friendship, mainly because I returned to Lagos shortly afterward. But about eight years later, fate crossed our paths again—this time in front of a Zenith Bank on Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II. That chance reunion planted the seed of a relationship that has since blossomed into true brotherhood.
Since then, I have come to know Ojeifo as a quiet, reserved individual—one who often skirts the line between introversion and shyness. As a journalist, however, he is an editor’s delight. Beyond his masterful command of language, he possesses an uncanny eye for the subtle details many overlook and consistently offers sharp, informed perspectives on issues and events. These qualities aren’t acquired overnight but are the fruit of rigorous intellectual discipline and interdisciplinary curiosity.
Indeed, Ojeifo is not just a voracious reader; he is a lifelong learner. Since our friendship began, I have watched him acquire at least three academic degrees in diverse fields—from Mass Communication through Public Administration to Law—and he’s still not done. That he has the intellectual capacity to pursue these feats is not surprising. What remains baffling is how he manages them alongside a demanding media consultancy career and a dedicated daily fitness routine.
Above all, Ojeifo is a deeply loyal and reliable friend—the kind of person you want in your corner. He is compassionate, supportive, and genuinely interested in the lives of those around him. He doesn’t just maintain a surface friendship; he digs deeper, knowing your family, your battles, your story. And when he can help, he does. I’ve worked with him on several media projects and have never had cause to regret it.
One of Ojeifo’s most admirable qualities is his sense of fairness. If he recognises your skill in a particular area and a relevant opportunity comes along, you can count on him to pitch you in. That’s how I found myself working on assignments for high-profile clients, including former governors and political leaders. And best of all? Ojeifo will never cheat you.
Born in Owo, Ondo State, to Edo parents from Ewu, Ojeifo exemplifies what it means to be a detribalized Nigerian. He places competence above creed, tribe, or tongue. His journalism career has spanned the finest newsrooms in the country, and he went on to publish CongressWatch, a pioneering magazine that focused on the National Assembly. Today, he leads The Conclave, an online newspaper where his editorial touch continues to shine.
A devout Christian, Ojeifo holds tightly to values like integrity, friendship, and humility. He seems to understand the psychology of Nigerian politicians better than most—perhaps because he engages with them not with rigid assumptions but with quiet wisdom and strategic insight.
Today, August 6, my friend—and brother from another town—Sufuyan Ojeifo turns 59. One leg now steps on the staircase to the sixth floor of life. I join in celebrating a man of immense kindness, intellect, and rare loyalty.
We wish him robust health, sound mind, and that peace which surpasses all understanding.
Happy birthday, my brother, Ojay.
Uche Ugboajah, a political scientist is Editor-in-Chief of Ikengaonline.
