Patrick Ogbonnia Egwu
FounderPatrick Ogbonnia Egwu is the founder of WACN, President, CEO, and individual behind the WACN concept. Patrick was born in Birmingham United Kingdom to Nigerian parents, and is a successful businessman, owning several entities in the UK, US, and Nigeria.
He is the owner of the Patrick Egwu Group. Still only in his 40s, he has been in business since his very early 20s, starting in New York City with his now defunct entertainment company Tottally Banned Entertainment Inc.
He has an undergraduate honours degree in Tourism Management from the University of West London. His love for wildlife started from childhood when he was living in Owerri Nigeria, where on many weekends his father took them to the Nekede Zoo.
Abubakar S. Ringim
Key PersonnelAbubakar Ringim is currently pursuing a PhD at Morgan State University, US where he is researching Human Dimensions of Sika deer management on Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore. He holds a B.Sc. in Zoology and a Masters in Biodiversity Conservation.
Ringim’s toolkit spans several fields in the natural sciences, including ornithology, citizen science, conservation education, butterflies, herpetology, protected areas, and wetlands. Recent experiences are preparing him to develop a social science toolkit on the human dimensions of wildlife management to enable him to address key wildlife management questions and challenges.
Ringim has several peer-reviewed publications and received letters of merits/recognition on biodiversity conservation activities.
Ann Adedapo
Key PersonnelAnn Adedapo, a dedicated Mental Health Nurse in Manchester, UK, is deeply rooted in her Nigerian heritage, which fuels her passion for wildlife conservation. Growing up surrounded by the lush landscapes and diverse ecosystems of Nigeria, Ann developed an unbreakable bond with the country’s rich wildlife.
From the dense rainforests of Cross River State to the sweeping savannas of Yankari Game Reserve and Kainji Lake National Park, Ann’s childhood was a tapestry of encounters with elephants, chimpanzees, and a myriad of other fascinating creatures. These experiences instilled in her a profound appreciation for the natural world and a fierce determination to protect it.
Despite living thousands of miles away, Ann remains steadfast in her commitment to West African and Nigerian wildlife. She actively supports conservation initiatives aimed at preserving endangered species such as the Nigerian giraffe, the critically endangered Cross River gorilla, and the iconic West African lion.
Onyekachi Duru
Key PersonnelOnyekachi is an accomplished Nigerian lawyer with extensive multi-jurisdiction experience, and widely sought after for his acute insight.
Leveraging on over fifteen years of profound expertise in corporate & commercial law, business development, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, dispute resolution, legal drafting review and risk management gained through work experience.
Onyekachi brings on board impeccable legal proficiency in transactions of national and transnational dimensions. He is a target driven and goal oriented legal practitioner who maintains a strong industry network by establishing close relationship with key industry stakeholders, and is dedicated to helping WACN across a broad spectrum of critical business and legal issues.