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Honorees

The people the Naija Day Gala honors for excellence, service and generosity.

On October 1, 2026, the Naija Day Gala honored members of the Nigerian community whose work has advanced learning, health, enterprise, justice and generosity.

October One Philanthropy Award

Ugo Akpua

Steward, Benefactor, Connector, Patriot

Ugo Akpua is a Nigerian American entrepreneur, executive, and investor. Born in Nigeria, he came to the United States in his youth, where he completed his education and earned his MBA. As President and CEO of Jeducare Services, he has spent many years expanding healthcare and human service programs across Maryland, creating jobs and strengthening community services. In April 2026, together with his family, he opened St. Ann’s Hospital and Maternity in Abba Town, Anambra State, expanding healthcare access and maternal services in that community. Ugo shows how the diaspora’s success abroad can return home as lasting hope for the next generation.

The October One Philanthropy Award honors the extraordinary generosity and legacy-building among the Nigerian diaspora and her people at home.

Pillar of Excellence in Education

Dr. Sola Olopade

Educator, Mentor, Scientist, Visionary

Dr. Sola Olopade is Professor of Medicine and Family Medicine and recent past Associate Dean for Academic Advancement in the Biological Sciences division at the University of Chicago, where he directed the appointment, promotion, and tenure of over 1000 faculty. He also provided leadership in the development of a university-wide Global Health program. As the inaugural President of the MacArthur Foundation-supported Nigeria Higher Education Foundation, his leadership strengthened the universities that educate the next generation of Nigerian leaders. For more than a decade, he has directed an NIH-funded program to diversify the biomedical science workforce. By design, he has conducted most of his environmental science research in Nigeria, addressing health challenges facing Nigerians and communities like them.

The Pillar of Excellence in Education award honors a person of Nigerian heritage whose life’s work has advanced learning, mentorship, and the building of institutions that lift others.

Pillar of Excellence in Healthcare

Dr. Ngozi O. Ezike

Healer, Trailblazer, Champion, Guardian

Dr. Ngozi Ezike is the President and CEO of Sinai Chicago, Illinois’ largest private safety-net health system, where she has advanced health equity through innovation, expanding community health worker programs, and investing in state-of-the-art care. Many across Illinois know her best as ‘the COVID doctor,’ when, as the Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health and the first Black woman to lead the agency, she became a steady, trusted voice for millions during the pandemic. A board-certified internist and pediatrician, Dr. Ezike earned her degrees from Harvard University and the UC San Diego School of Medicine.

The Pillar of Excellence in Healthcare honors a person of Nigerian heritage whose work has advanced health, healing, and equity for the communities who need it most.

Pillar of Excellence in Industry

Dr. Billy Okoye, GRI

Entrepreneur, Builder, Innovator, Leader

Dr. Billy Okoye is Founder and Principal Broker of Sold 100 Real Estate, a firm of more than fifty agents with over $250 million in transactions across Maryland, D.C., and Virginia, and Founder and CEO of Autograph Solar. He serves as Vice Chairman of the Prince George’s County Planning Board and Chairman of the United Africa Advisory Board, representing communities from 35 African nations. In 2026 he was also honored as an Honorary Commander of the U.S. Air Force 11th Civil Engineer Squadron at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, and is a recipient of the U.S. President’s Gold Medal for Community Service. His journey reflects the very best of what the Nigerian diaspora builds and contributes to America.

The Pillar of Excellence in Industry award honors a person of Nigerian heritage whose enterprise has built lasting value, created opportunity, and strengthened the communities it touches.

Pillar of Excellence in Community

Hauwa Ibrahim, Esq.

Defender, Peacemaker, Laureate, Humanitarian

Hauwa Ibrahim is an internationally known human rights lawyer, author, and President of The Peace Institute. She defended more than 150 cases involving women sentenced to death by stoning and children sentenced to amputation, and in 2005 received the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, the same prize awarded to Nelson Mandela. She has taught at Harvard, Yale, Oxford, and universities around the world, served on the presidential committee supporting the rescue of the Chibok schoolgirls, and founded Mothers Without Borders to divert young people from extremism.

The Pillar of Excellence in Community award honors a person of Nigerian heritage who has defended the vulnerable, uplifted women and children, and built community across the distance between Nigeria and her diaspora.

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Person	Role	Last sign-in	Actions

Honorees

Ugo Akpua

Dr. Sola Olopade

Dr. Ngozi O. Ezike

Dr. Billy Okoye, GRI

Hauwa Ibrahim, Esq.

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