It is with great pride and honor to introduce to you our board of directors.
Solomon O. Kanu Esq. Chairman
- Bachelor’s Degree in Economics
- Master’s Degree in Banking and finance
- Juris Doctorate Degree in law
- Admitted as Attorney & Counselor At Law since 2001
- Married and blessed with 3 children
- Born again Christian
- Knight of St. Christopher
- Author of the book, “The immigrants Manual to Success in America
- Currently works as the Principal Attorney and Owner of Kanu & Associates P.C.
- Served as ICAA Board Chair for last three years.
- President at Kaycee Holdings Inc.
- The Regent of Ekenobizi Autonomous Community, Umuopara, Umuahia, Abia State.
- Cathechist/Senior Warden at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Phoenix.
- Chancellor, Anglican Diocese of All Nations[ACNA]
- President of KMJ Foundation Inc., Phoenix
Emmanuel Chikelue Ekwelundu Vice Chair
- Agulu, Anaocha LGA, Anambra State, Nigeria
- Married to Mrs. Ekwelundu for 44 years. Four grown-up children.
- B. Sc. in Physics (first class honors); University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
- M. Sc. in Physics; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan Ph.D. in Physics; University of Houston, Houston, Texas.
- Certified Medical Physicist (certified by American Board of Radiology)
- Currently semi-retired
- Consulting Medical Physicist – Texas Oncology, El Paso, Texas
- Anambra Family Association, Phoenix, Arizona Ndi-Ichie Cultural Club, Houston, Texas
- Member, Board of Directors, Initiative for Agulu Development.
- Chairman, Board of Directors, University of Nigeria USA Alumni and Friends.
Dr. Uche Olekanma, MD, MBA Secretary of the Board
- Uche Olekanma, MD, MBA is Vice President, Clinical Operations at Blue Cross Blue Shield Arizona, where he provides clinical expertise and strategic guidance to leadership, community partners, providers and plan members. In this role, Dr Olekanma, oversees physicians, nurses, clinical and nonclinical staff at BCBS AZ.
- Dr Olekanma previously served as Executive Medical Director at Health Care Services Corporation, Chicago where he provided strategic direction of management of 2M members in Individual, Group and Government Programs in BCBS of IL, TX, OK, NM, and MT
- Prior to joining the healthcare insurance industry, Dr Olekanma practiced Internal Medicine in Chicago for more than 20 years.
- Dr Olekanma earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. An MBA from Lake Forest and Executive Leadership at Emory University, Atlanta
- Dr Olekanma is married to Vera Uloma Olekanma and has 2 children. In his spare time, he plays chess and golf
Prof. Tochukwu Samuel Nwafor MD FACP FAPWCA
- Prof. T. Samuel Nwafor MD FACP FAPWCA is the current Public Policy Chair of The United States National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) where he is also on the board of directors.
- He is the Medical Director of the Wound & Hyperbaric Medicine Center at Honor Health Mountain Vista Medical Center Arizona, USA as well as the Medical Director of the Wound program at Tempe St Luke’s Hospital in Tempe, Arizona , USA.
- Prof Nwafor is a certified wound physician who is also dual board certified in Internal Medicine and Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine
- He is an internationally recognized speaker in wound medicine and is currently on the International Clinical Practice Guidelines Working Group of the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel, The European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel and the Pan Pacific Wound Alliance.
- He is on the World Health Organization (WHO) Working Group on Wound & Skin Neglected Tropical Diseases and on the Editorial Board of the International Wound Journal.
- He was a consultant to the National Basketball Players Association and was a guest speaker at the 2009 NBA All star games in Phoenix Arizona.
- Prof Nwafor is active in health care advocacy and was part of a delegation to the US Capitol where he spoke to members of the United States Congress on disparities in health outcomes in pressure injuries.
- He was also a member of the National Medical Association’s Health Colloquium, a Think Tank group that advised the Congressional Black Caucus on minority health policy issues.
- He is a member of the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) where he was a guest speaker at their 30th anniversary scientific convention.
- He is a proud alumnus of The University of Nigeria (UNN).
Joe Nyangenya Maniga PhD
- Nyangenya Maniga is the Chief Executive Officer at Specialty Formulations and Manufacturing in based in Phoenix, Arizona. Previously, Nyangenya was the Executive Vice President at Life-flo and also held positions at Nutraceutical Labs
- Born and raised in Kenya, he received a Bachelor degree from University of Nairobi and a Master of Science (MS) from University of Denver.
- Maniga taught at and earned his PhD in Organic Chemistry at Arizona State University where his scientific chemical research focused on natural materials such as oil crops (sunflower, rapeseed, corn, soybeans, wheat) and was directed at discovering beneficial lipid, protein and carbohydrate components of the oil seeds, particularly the Omega components.
- After earning his doctorate, Dr Maniga started the companies Life Flo Health Care Products, Allvia Health Care and Nutraceutical Labs. These companies were acquired in late 2006 by Nutraceutical International Corporation.
- Dr Maniga subsequently joined Nutraceutical Int. Corp. as Group Vice President for Product Development and Research and eventually became Senior Director of Product Development. He retired from the company in 2017, electing to remain in Phoenix after Nutraceutical Int. Corp. was acquired by HGGC, a private equity firm which opted to move the manufacturing operation to Florida.
- Dr Maniga is now putting all his talent and energy into growing his own product lines and expanding the Phoenix manufacturing facility, SFM, which he founded in 2008.
- Dr Maniga is also, among the Who’s Who of Personal Care Products Council, – an umbrella organization for specialists, academics and product formulators.
- He is a married man with children who believes in God. A philanthropist in the community (Kenya and Arizona) who takes time to share his skills and talent to help and create a better world for others.
Celestine Asota (PhD)
- PhD (Engineering) – University of Wisconsin, Madison.
- MBA – University of Iowa.
- MS (Mechanical Engineering) – University of Wisconsin, Madison.
- MS (Ag Engineering) – University of Wisconsin, Madison.
- B.Sc. (Ag Engineering) – University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
- WASC – Bishop Shanahan College, Orlu
- Sales Engineer – HENRY STEPHENS ENGINEERING Co., ILUPEJU, LAGOS
- Senior Lecturer – AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
- Director – Central Mechanical Workshop, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
- Consultant – AEROTEK ENGINEERING SERVICES, CHICAGO, IL
- Staff Engineer – MITSUBISHI MOTOR MANUFACTURING OF AMERICA- NORMAL
- Senior Engineer – JOHN DEERE SEEDING DIV, MOLINE, IL
- Supervisor Quality Planning – JOHN DEERE CYLINDER DIV, MOLINE, IL
- Quality Manager – JOHN DEERE ENGINE WORKS, WATERLOO, IA
- Project Manager – JOHN DEERE POWER SYSTEMS, WATERLOO, IA
- Retired from John Deere in 2016.
- Runs a private business with his wife.
- Married to his best friend, Chinasa for 40 years.
- 3 children and 3 grandchildren – all living in Arizona.
- Has a track record of experience and insight to be helpful to the ICAA group
Dr. Chris Azode
- Board Chair: The National Association of Nigerian Nurse Practitioners, USA (NANNPU).
- Founder and Former President: The National Association of Nigerian Nurse Practitioners, USA, Arizona Chapter.
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO): NGC Integrated Healthcare, Inc., Medical and Mental health services provided to individuals and group homes in AZ).
- PMHNP Crisis Consultant: Worked in the In-patient and Crisis Settings for both Horizon Health and Wellness and Community Bridges Inc, Yuma, Arizona.
- Member: American Nurses Association (ANA)
- Member: Arizona State Nurses Association (AZNA)
- Member: American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA)
- Board Member: Arizona Behavioral Health Providers Association (AzBHPA)
- Dr. Azode was a former newspaper editor and university professor in Nigeria (1993) and adjunct professor at the Chandler Community College (2016). He holds a postgraduate diploma in journalism and practiced journalism in Nigeria for 10 years. He is a community leader and current president of the Igbo Community of Arizona.
- “The effects of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and what PMHNP can do to mitigate the impact” on October 08, 2021, at the inaugural educational conference of NANNPU, in Dallas.
- “The effectiveness of four antidepressants as adjuncts with mood disorders for the management of bipolar disorder” on October 5, 2023. Delivered at the 3rd NANNPU educational conference held at Duluth, GA.
- “Drug abuse & its societal impact on today’s youth” on March 30, 2024. Delivered at a youth program of the Christ Embassy East Valley Church, Chandler, AZ.
- “Perspectives on Lithium’s underutilization and renewed interest in the old drug” on October 05, 2024, at the 4th NANNPU educational conference held at Los Angeles, CA.
- Dr. Azode is married to Ngozi Azode, F-NP, and has two children. He obtained the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from the University of Arizona in 2019.
Anwuli Joy Ikeme-Arah
- Anwuli Joy Ikeme-Arah has been a resident of Arizona since 1994, after migrating from Nigeria in search of greater opportunities. Hailing from Onitsha in Anambra State, she is a devoted mother to three children and a grandmother to seven, as well as a spiritual mother to God son who has a wife and two children. Joy’s journey began in Nigeria, where she was born into a large family as one of eight children. As a teenager, she moved to England to pursue a degree in Business Administration with Secretarial Studies, later returning to Nigeria to work with the National Universities Commission for a decade before relocating to the United States with her family.
- Having arrived in the U.S., she furthered her education in Nursing, specializing as a Wound Ostomy Nurse. Joy went on to earn both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Health Administration from the University of Phoenix, Arizona, 2009 and 2012 respectively. With over eighteen years of experience in the home health care industry, Joy co-owned and operated a successful home health agency, delivering high-quality, patient-centered care to around 100 patients each month through a dedicated team of health professionals. In 2022, Joy obtained a Certification in Data Analytics Boot Camp from the University of Arizona under Continuing & Professional education, obtaining certification in Languages: Python, Java Script, SQL with applications in Github, PostgreSQL, and Tableau.
- In 2018, Joy founded the Joy Ikeme-Arah Kid Foundation, inspired by her battle with breast cancer and her commitment to giving back as a testament to her gratitude for a second chance at life. The foundation serves underprivileged children in Nigeria, distributing essential school supplies like backpacks and writing materials. Since its inception, it has expanded to bless hundreds of children each year, with a focus on those who have lost their mothers to breast cancer.
- Joy’s mission is to empower underprivileged children by providing education resources, with a vision of a world where all children have access to quality education. She reflects on her journey with deep gratitude, highlighting the importance of compassion, collaboration, and community engagement. Now retired, Joy remains committed to serving her community and hopes to be remembered as a cheerful giver. She expresses immense gratitude to the Ibo communities and supporters who have encouraged my leadership and passion for making a difference.
- Joy is now happily retired, having fun, enjoying her grandchildren, remaining humble, and still willing to serve this wonderful community.