On Friday, February 28th, Ben Opara, a Lowell resident and community leader, received the Black Excellence on the Hill Award from the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus at the Massachusetts State House. He is a dedicated leader in the Lowell community whose work has enhanced Lowell’s cultural diversity. Ben Opara was nominated for the award by State Senator Ed Kennedy and attended the ceremony with his family.
Ben Opara has been a pillar of the Lowell community for nearly three decades. He has volunteered extensively within local government, including as a member of the Lowell Immigration Commission and the Lowell High School Building Committee. A highlight of his community leadership was co-founding the annual Lowell African Cultural Festival in 2000, which he still presides over today. He also serves as President of the Lowell African Cultural Association.
Ben Opara immigrated to Lowell from Nigeria in 1990 where he and his wife, Valerie, have raised three children: Adarema, Chikere, and Ukachukwu. He holds a degree in engineering from the University of Nigeria and a Master of Science in Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. In 1992, he founded Duziem Laboratories, a manufacturer specializing in skin and personal care products and other specialty chemicals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ben Opara and Duziem Laboratories distributed hand sanitizer throughout the City of Lowell.
In December 2024, Ben Opara traveled back to Nigeria to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Saint Augustine Grammar School, which he attended as a child. At the celebration, he delivered a citation from Senator Ed Kennedy, which recognized the school’s achievements in the fields of science, technology, language arts, and literature.
“Ben Opara’s decades of leadership advocating for equitable education and immigration policies are testimony to his passion and commitment to the City of Lowell.” said Senator Ed Kennedy. “His work uplifts the community’s cultural and economic fabric.”