on the 19th October 2020, Imo State Oil Mogul and Sole agent of then British Petroleum(BP) Ezinna Chief Emmanuel Chikwem Iwuoha answered it and transcended into a deserved rest. He Came, he saw and he overcame.
Family & Educational Background:
Our father was born into the family of Nze Duruojinkeyema Innocent Iwuoha Onuoha and Lolo Abigail Oyiridiya Iwuoha Onuoha of Umuokpu
Abajah in Nwangele Local Government Area of Imo State on 28th November 1933. He was brought up in love and great affection, he started his educational career at St. Anthony's Catholic Elementary School Umunkwo now Community School Umunkwo in the early '40s and obtained his first school leaving certificate in 1950.
His Business Activities:
On conclusion of schooling, Young Emanuel Chikwem obeyed his father and joined the family business at Amaraku where he exhibited so much business wizardry and found his destiny as a business man. He opened his own business at Amaraku and grew so quickly. He became representative/agent of P.Z. a foreign commercial firm that traded in Groceries.
Subsequently in the year 1954, "E.C as he was popularly known and called moved to Owerri and became a Dealer in petroleum products. He was a Sole agent of British petroleum (BP) in Owerri were he ran B.P filling stations. He was also major supplier of petroleum products to Government agencies during Governor Sam Mbakwe Administration.
In quest to satisfy his natural business acumen, he delved into agriculture, transportation, real estate and politics in the course of his long walk in life. Chief Jonas Obialor called him the General Officer Commanding (GOC) in business world.
Life in Politics:
It should be noted here, that during his short sojourn in politics, he worked with political juggernauts the likes of Chief Emmanuel C Iwuanyanwu (MFR) in the actualization of Imo State. He financially supported many political aspirants and candidates from his community Abajah to enable the contest and win elections. He was one of those that spearheaded MOVEMENT FOR NWANGELE SOUTH L.G.A which later became a socio-political forum in Abajah for technical and special assistance to politicians.
In 1981, "E.C was elected councilor in the former Nkwerre/lsu L.G.A during governor S.O. Mbakwe administration of Imo State. His close relationship with the government was such that the Late Chief Honourable J.O Agbarakwe, the member representing Nwangele State constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly praised him publicly as the PRIDE OF ABAJAH.
His friends called him BRITISH due to his straight forwardness and truthfulness.
Social And Philanthropic Activities:
Ezinna E.C. Iwuoha was perhaps best known for his community service: he served as Chairman of the building committee that built community Secondary School Abajah where he used his own money to complete some of the school blocks to enable the school take off. He also saw to the prompt processing of the approval of the school by the State Educational Authority.
He was a leading founder of the OGBUEHI SOCIETY of ABAJAH and, also the first chairman of the society.
Beyond Abajah and Imo State our father had wide connections. He was a prominent member of the famous PEOPLE CLUB OF NIGERIA and indeed brought the club members to Abajah during the burial of his own father Nze Iwuoha Onuoha in 1980.
He was a patron of Abajah Town Union (ATU) and fought relentlessly to ensure that neither the A.T.U nor the Abajah Community erupted into factions nor divisions till today.
He took very good care of his workers to the extent of sponsoring their children in their eductional career. Some of the workers have been with him for over 30 years.
Religious Activities:
His activities in God's service and the churches in Abajah were quite remarkable. Though he was an Anglican, he played significant roles in the activities of the Catholic Church in Abajah in the areas of financial support and settlement of very delicate crises. It is remembered that he bought the first box microphone for St. Aloysius Catholic Church Abajah. For the Anglican Church, he single handedly built the Emmanuel Anglican Church in Abajah along with the priest's residence. At Owerri he stoutly supported his Church St. Marks Anglican Church Amakohia Owerri.
His Life as A Family Man:
As a family man, Chief E.C. married his wife Lolo Lydia C. Iwuoha (Nee Iloh) of Arondizeogu-ldeato L.G.A Imo State, whom he wedded in the Anglican Church in 1956. This marriage was blessed with a son-Kingsley Okechukwu As a result of the fact that the marriage did not yield another child after so many years; daddy married his second wife Lolo Dorothy Iwuoha (Nee Achinihu of Umudim Ikeduru) a nurse by profession in 1965. The second marriage yielded two boys and two girls namely Emeka (now late), Obiageri, Uche and Kelechi. Some of them currently live abroad. He had many grand children and two great grand children Ngozi and chukwuemeka Leo.
It is noteworthy that our father survived a fatal accident in 1987, a challenge that took him to the USA for proper treatment. His survival was clearly a case of God's divine intervention.
Chieftaincy Titles:
Among his many chieftaincy titles were the very reputable ones from HRH late Eze francis Akano as "Udomba 1 of Isu Ancient kingdom" and from the famous Eshi of Nkwerre Eze J.O. Ugochukwu as "Onwa 1 of Nkwerre. He also held the title of Chairman of Ezinna Orlu Anglican Diocese.
Notable Attributes Of Chief E.C Iwuoha
• He was a shrewd businessman and exceedingly industrious.
• He was a philanthropist of great repute
• He was a man given with foresightedness
• His charismatic tendencies is beyond description
• He loved children exceedingly.
• He was a conscientious and diligent man.
• He was an embodiment of peace and a great achiever and Disciplinarian.
Udomba, we will really miss you greatly. Daddy you were a great father to us all and we pray that we your children will leave our own legacies as good children to you; and that God Almighty would find you worthy of a peaceful repose in his bosom.
Adieu Udomba 1
Adieu Onwa I
You will always be fondly remembered.
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