COLUMNISTS
On June 12 We Stand, by Reuben Abati
It is ironic that it had to take a member of the military establishment now turned democrat, that is General, now President Muhammadu Buhari for June 12 to be accorded its pride of place in the socio-political calendar of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Before now, the recognition/celebration of June 12 as a watershed in Nigerian history had been observed majorly by the states of the South West of Nigeria, thus making its symbolism and significance a restricted and ethnic referent. But that has changed, thanks to President Buhari. His decision to declare June 12 a national holiday, his award of a post-humous honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic to Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and the subsequent amendment of the Public Holidays Act to accommodate June 12 as a Federal holiday is a welcome development. President Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007) had pointedly ignored all entreaties for his administration to take the same step.
President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (2007 – 2010) did not address the June 12 issue. President Goodluck Jonathan (2010 – 2015) had taken steps to immortalize MKO Abiola when he decided to name the University of Lagos after the late icon of democracy, but the staff, students and the alumni of the University rejected this, as they insisted that the name University of Lagos must not be changed. The Jonathan administration would later recognize Chief MKO Abiola as one of the major Nigerians of the 20thcentury. That administration also considered giving Chief MKO Abiola a post-humous national award, but the then President was advised against doing so on the grounds that national honours in Nigeria are never given post-humously. Obviously, the controversy over the re-naming of the University of Lagos was so overwhelming, President Jonathan chose to listen to the Justice Alfa Belgore-led committee on national honours.
Whereas all other Presidents before him failed to make a statement with June 12, President Muhammadu Buhari has now chosen to do so. Tomorrow, all Nigerians will observe June 12 as a national holiday. It will be the first time that this will happen. This should lay to rest all the conspiracies and the revisionism involved in the attempt to reduce June 12 to a narrow, ethnic event, which it is not. The recognition of June 12 as a special national event would be one of those developments for which President Buhari will be positively remembered. It is again ironic that 26 years after, it took another member of the military elite to correct the problem caused by the military. It has taken President Buhari to correct the error committed by General Ibrahim Babangida and his group on June 23, 1993 when they chose to annul the Presidential election held in Nigeria on June 12, 1993. That unwise decision became General Babangida’s Achillee’s heel, and the ugly thing around his neck.
General Babangida or IBB as he is fondly known, could have ended up as one of Nigeria’s greats, given the performance of his government, but what is now remembered as his legacy, despite the best efforts of his biographers and PR managers, is that singular negative act, his violation of the people’s sovereignty. President Buhari is now being lauded for the courageous manner in which he has taken Nigeria beyond the denial and conspiracy foisted on the people by both the military and a segment of the professional political class. We look forward to what President Muhammadu Buhari would say to Nigerians and the international community, tomorrow, June 12. His speech writers have a good opportunity to put words in his mouth that can reverberate like the claps of thunder. They must not waste that opportunity with their sleepy prose. President Buhari should have a word for those who have kept this country down by perpetually denying the truth and turning back the hands of the country’s clock. He should take credit appropriately for the wise decision that he has taken on the matter of June 12.
I remember June 12, 1993, as clearly as if it happened only yesterday. On that day, Nigerians trooped out en masse to make a choice between the Presidential candidates of two political parties, Bashorun MKO Abiola of the Social Democratic Party and Alhaji Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention. General Ibrahim Babangida was military President, ruling the country with his Armed Forces Revolutionary Council and finally getting to the final stage of a slow-moving democratic transition programme. By 1993, Nigerians were already tired of military rule and particularly of the Babangida government which seemed to have mastered the art of deception.
The people wanted the military out of the way, to allow a return to civilian rule, which had been truncated by the military at regular intervals since independence in 1960. On that day, Nigerians voted massively for the Social Democratic Party and its candidate, Bashorun MKO Abiola (8, 341, 309 million votes – 58.36%). The NRC candidate, Bashir Tofa came second (5, 952, 087 million votes – 41.64%). This was an election in which neither religion nor ethnicity – two major dividing factors in Nigeria was an issue. MKO Abiola, a Southerner got as much support in the North as he did in the South, even beating his rival, Bashir Tofa in his home state of Kano. The National Electoral Commission (NEC) was headed by political science Professor, Humphrey Nwosu. As the results were collated, it was clear that MKO Abiola (SDP) was leading in 19 states, with Bashir Tofa (NRC) winning in 11 states. On June 16 however, NEC announced that it would no longer announce the results “until further notice”. Civil society and pro-democracy protesters objected to this. It had been a free and fair election, the most peaceful that Nigeria had ever known. On June 23, 1993, the Babangida government annulled the election and suspended the Electoral Commission. The NEC Chairman, Humphrey Nwosu went underground and became incommunicado. Bashorun MKO Abiola claimed victory. The people demanded that their will as expressed on June 12, 1993 should be respected and that the results of the election should be declared.
The refusal of the military establishment brought it into direct collision with the people and the international community. June 12 became a catalyst for much that would happen to Nigeria. The crisis escalated so quickly, General Ibrahim Babangida known then as the “evil genius” had to “step aside” as President of Nigeria. He put in place as he left, an Interim National Government led by UAC chief, Ernest Shonekan with General Sani Abacha as Defence Chief. That ING survived for only 83 days. General Sani Abacha, a veteran of military coups in Nigeria, pushed aside the ING and its Head and proclaimed himself Head of State. To put it as it was, hell broke loose. Civil society became tempestuous.
Concerned Professionals, Concerned Democrats, Progressives, voices of reason in Nigeria across all divides, the church, market women, every one with a voice, took to the streets to say: “Never Again to military rule.” The general consensus was that the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election was after all a subterfuge by the military to remain in power and that IBB had played a “Maradona” game against Nigerians. “On June 12 we stand”, the people proclaimed and they took to the barricades. The diplomatic community even joined the protests, with the likes of US Ambassador Walter Carrington, leading the charge on the diplomatic front. The Abacha government was bound to fail. It died a-borning. It descended on Nigeria’s civil society and the progressive camp, and as Nigeria began to witness the worst form of dictatorship since 1960, the people fought back. And Abacha fought back. Not even newly born babies were spared. Journalists were special targets: those who were not hauled into prison, were made to flee abroad, or go underground. Those were the days of guerilla journalism in Nigeria. The people at home fought, those abroad set up a short wave radio, Radio Kudirat which reported Abacha to the world. In due course, Nigeria became a pariah nation.
Three major events made this happen: the first is the declaration by Chief MKO Abiola of his due right to the mandate that Nigerians gave him on June 12, 1993. On June 11, 1994, Chief MKO Abiola in the Epetedo area of Lagos declared himself the democratically elected President of Nigeria. That speech is now known as the Epetedo Declaration. It should be widely circulated tomorrow, June 12 and on every June 12 henceforth, for it has become one of the landmark speeches in the mapping of Nigerian history, and the trajectory of our country’s democratic evolution. I am tempted to quote from that eminently quotable speech but I recall that it was in that speech that the phrase “Enough is Enough” was first pronounced as a revolutionary call to action. Abiola said: “Today, I join you all in saying Enough is Enough! We have endured 24 years of military rule in our 34 years of independence.…Enough of military rule…” And he went on and on.…
The Epetedo Declaration became another catalyst for the Nigerian Spring! It was a call to action. The people responded. Abiola was arrested by the Abacha junta but the genie had left the bottle. The people of Nigeria heard Abiola: “Enough is Enough” and they too responded: “Never Again to military rule”. Second event: On November 10, 1995, Ken Saro-Wiwa, a writer and internationally renowned environmental rights activist was hanged by the Abacha administration. Third event: On June 9, 1996, Abiola’s wife, Kudirat was assassinated by Abacha’s killer squad. There were attempts on the lives of key pro-democracy activists as well including Chief Alfred Rewane who was murdered, and Chief Abraham Adesanya who survived. Journalists were murdered. It was as if at the Epetedo Declaration, Abiola had placed a curse on General Abacha. Nigeria suffered but the people wanted an end to it all. On June 8, 1998, General Sani Abacha died. There was dancing in the streets. But as it happened, Chief Abiola also died, in very suspicious circumstances, while still in detention, on July 7, 1998. By then, General Abdusalami Abubakar had succeeded General Abacha as military Head of State. Nigerians still didn’t give up. They wanted democracy. They wanted to be liberated from the shackles of military autocracy. On May 29, 1999, their will prevailed. General Olusegun Obasanjo who had also been framed and jailed by the Abacha government became Nigeria’s civilian president after all the turmoil.
It is sad that those who have benefitted most from the June 12 debacle have been the most desperate in denying the value and symbolism of that date and what happened therein. June 12 was a turning point for Nigeria as the foregoing narrative indicates, and it became, in its trajectory, the catalyst for Nigeria’s second liberation, that is liberation from internal colonialists, but as things stand 26 years later, we may still need to construct a strategy for a third liberation: liberation from the rent collectors who seem to have resolved that Nigeria’s progress is a threat to their own interests. By declaring June 12 a national public holiday, President Buhari has given us all an opportunity to reflect, to think and to remember. In a country where memory is short, people don’t like to think, and state institutions are constructed to erase memory, the teaching of history was even at a point “outlawed”, now it is taught as an optional subject, it is a good thing that President Buhari in making June 12 a national holiday has given us all an opportunity to do what we do not like to do in this country: to think, reflect and remember. June 12 is an idea that cannot be ignored. It is about national unity. On that day in 1993, we saw that it is possible for Nigerians, “though tongue and tribe may differ” to unite around an idea. June 12 is a philosophy, a way of thinking by a people who resolved at a critical moment in their lives to move forward. The evil agents in the military tried to block that and suppress the people’s sovereignty, but tomorrow, the point shall be made that the truth is indestructible! We hope that there will be celebration in every state of the Federation.
The story of June 12 has inspired a bibliography that should be promoted. Indeed, apart from the civil war, it is probably the most dramatic and telling incident in post-colonial Nigeria. I have been privileged to read many of the books, which I recommend to the reading public. They include, not necessarily in any order of importance, Abraham Oshoko,June12: The Struggle for Power in Nigeria, Abraham Oshoko, June 12: The Annulment; Frank Kokori,The Struggle for June 12,Omo Omoruyi,The Tale of June 12: The Betrayal of the Democratic Rights of Nigerians;Humphrey Nwosu, Laying the Foundations for Nigeria’s Democracy: My Account of June 12, 1993 Presidential election and its annulment; Wale Oshun,Clapping With One Hand; Wale Oshun,Open Grave; and Wale Oshun, Kiss of Death; Kayode Fayemi,Out of the Shadows: Exile and the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy in Nigeria;Joe Igbokwe, Heroes of Democracy; and Wole Soyinka,The Open Sore of a Continent. These works represent in varying degrees, the literature of resistance against military rule in Nigeria.
The revisionists led by General Ibrahim Babangida have tried to rewrite and revise the same story (there would have been a coup if the result was allowed (!), a cabal within the military didn’t want Abiola, it was an unfortunate incident… story…); see: their narrative is not selling. On June 12 we stand! I have also heard some people express the view that the Buhari government should go a step further and formally announce the results of the June 12, 1993 election and thereafter declare Chief Abiola the rightful winner of that election. I disagree. The June 12, 1993 process having been inchoate and the beneficiary dead, such a declaration will have no probative value. For me, what has been done serves the purpose. It would all have been better though, if June 12 had been declared MKO Abiola’s Day. He was the symbol, the rallying point, the icon of Nigeria’s second liberation in whom is fully embodied the essence of the struggle from June 12,1993 to May 29, 1999. But have we learnt any lessons from June 12? Sadly, I don’t think so.
COLUMNISTS
Lekki Shootings: Resign now, you are an embarrassment to Nigeria, Jumu’ah tells AGF Malami
COLUMNISTS
SIR P.N. NWAORGU: A Tribute to an Epitome of Humility, Uncommon And Exceptional Father-In-Law
By Eze Chukwuemeka Eze
PREAMBLE
March 3rd, 2020 will forever remain indelible and sad moment in my life. This is because it was the very day when the news of the death of my father inlaw, Pa Paulinus Nkemjika Nwaorgu, hit me like a thunderbolt. For some days thereafter, sleep and appetite to eat departed from me because I had dreamt of organising a befitting birthday celebration to honour his 95th birthday on 25th November, 2020, only for me to hear that he has left me without celebrating this man who raised me out of poverty by allowing me to marry her golden daughter who has done everything a true Angel could do for us to raise a decent and comfortable family.
Instead of celebrating his birthday as he envisaged, we his immediate family resolved instead to celebrate on the epochal day of his birthday his legacies and the great impact he made in our lives individually and collectively as a great family.
Apart from having the rare privilege of marrying his first daughter, I had a special bond with him as he considers me his true son. By this, he accorded me all the respects and privileges on any issue pertaining to his family.
No serious issue facing him or his family that he did not request that my view be sought accordingly to the extent that he referred most of the suitors to his other daughters to me for confirmation.
The role this man whom I consider as my hero, mentor and teacher need not be overemphasized that I attributed almost 75 per cent of whatever I am today to him because if not for his foresight and acceptance when I had nothing, I may not be whatever it is that I am by today.
My First Encounter with the Man Who Gave His First Daughter to a Poor University Undergraduate to Marry
My father In-law was a man whose inputs in my life can’t be overemphasized. I can vividly remember my first encounter with him on the fateful day of 3rd September, 1987, by 4pm at Umuaku in Ngor Okpala in Imo State as a 300 level student, when I approached him to introduce myself and express my interest to marry his daughter, then Miss. Henrietta Chioma Ada Nwaorgu, a final year student in University of Calabar.
I always vividly recall that very day as if it was yesterday. He had just returned from Owerri, where he went for the ordination of the first Rev. Sister from Uvuru-Ntu; and not minding how tired or exhausted he was still gave me attention. In the course of my interaction with him on that fateful day, he realised that I was an ordinary poor student who had no means of completing his university education without any strong financial background, yet he consented to my request, not minding that they were many creditable and contending suitors that had already approached his daughter for marriage.
Through God’s special intervention, I was able to graduate from University of Calabar, not minding all the challenges.
How this man agreed to my proposal after inquiring and knowing that I had no means of livelihood or stable future still remains a mystery to me.
My shortcomings notwithstanding, he picked much interest in me after finding out that we both had our Secondary School education from the famous Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha, now in Anambra State, where he graduated and got his Cambridge Certificate in 1952.
My good friend, Victor Devlin, with my father in law in his mind stated, “Listen, there is no way any true man is going to let children live around him in his home and not discipline and teach, fight and mold them until they know all he knew. His goal is to make them better than he is. Being their friend is a distant second to this”. My father In-law was a born Teacher and a Disciplinarian of note. Most of his students who are today captains of Industries and high ranking government officials can attest to this.
My meeting with my wife while we were students at UNICAL was divine and with the permission of this great man and her siblings, I set my mind to justify his confidence in me and I thank God that I have, for the past 28 years I got married into this great family, done my best to prove that.
My beloved father In-law, though he left this world at the ripe age of 94 plus and been the oldest man in his community, I will still miss him passionately. With his demise, I have lost a Hero, a rare gem, a special friend and a Mentor.
If there is anything like reincarnation, I will still like to marry Ada Chioma Nwaorgu again and again! With her, God has blessed us with six most wonderful children anybody can wish for.
Who Is Pa Paulinus Nkenjika Nwaorgu?
Pa Paulinus Nkemjika Nwaorgu was born on the 25th day of November, 1925, to the family of Mr. & Mrs. Nwaorgu Ogbuokiri of Umuaku – Ntu, Ngor Okpala, of Imo State. He was the sixth child and the last in the family of six. His brothers and sisters of blessed memory include: Mr. Joseph Nwaorgu popularly known as Papa J., Ekeogbede, Mbekeogbede, Nwaobiara, and his little male brother that died at birth.
His mother’s name was Martha Mgberenwenu, a native of Umuawuka Umuowa in Ngor – Okpala, Imo State.
Pa Paulinus Nkemjika Nwaorgu attended Saint Patrick’s Central School, Ntu, where he had his Standard 1 to 4. He then proceeded to Saint Filnbars, Okpala in 1945 where he did his Standard 5to 6.
At the completion of his Standard Six, he proceeded to St. Patrick’s Umuekwune where he was employed as a probationary teacher from 1946 – 1947.
He got admission into the popular CKC Onitsha in 1948 where he got his Cambridge School Certificate in 1952.
He attended Bishop Shonahan Teachers’ Training College, Orlu, in the then Eastern Region (now in Imo State) from 1952 – 1954.
After the completion of his teachers training, he was given appointment as a Pivotal Teacher in the same Bishop Shonahan TTC Orlu. He later taught at Kirigani, Rivers State, for a month from where he was transferred to Holy Family Umuokanne as an assistant headmaster. He left Umuokanne and went to Umuagwo as a headmaster from 1958 – 1959. He also taught at Holy Trinity Obuozor Umuokpara in Aba.
His zeal and love to impact knowledge in children and all that came around him in the course of his teaching career was fiery and led to his taking up a teaching appointment with Owerri Grammar School, Imerienwe, in 1959 under the able Proprietor and Principal, Dr. Basil Nnanna Ukaegbu. His mastership of Latin Language endeared him to his students earning him the name “Agricola” amongst others! He also taught and imparted knowledge to students in Amala/Ntu Sec. School 1977 – 1985, and Eziobodo Technical Sec. School 1985 – 1986.
He officially retired in 1986; but still very active, decided to take up a teaching post with Baptist High School, Umuohie, Ngor – Okpala, where he also served as the Dean of Students. He finally retired in 2006.
He got married in 1958 to Miss Celine Adanma Nwauzoma Ekenwachukwu of Umuohie Ngor and their Union was blessed with nine children – five boys and four girls, all alive today to the Glory of God.
On the 18th of February, 1982, The Amazon of a woman, wife, mother and sister of many, Mrs. Celine Adanmma Nwaorgu, passed on to glory leaving her husband and tender children in the careful and non-failing hands of the Almighty God.
Pa Paulinus Nkemjika entered into one of his darkest moments with the sudden exit of his beloved wife. It was a period of tears, isolation and deep thought, and burden. He was lost in his thoughts but God was there to comfort, console and direct him. And God really did. To you be all the Glory, our God.
He mourned his beloved wife for seven sorrowful, agonizing, and lonely years; and later got remarried to Ms. Philomena Nwaehujie Nwake from Umuaturu Etche, Rivers State, in 1989.
On his retirement, Pa Paulinus Nkemjika Nwaorgu, a good Christian, held several posts in Umuodagu Ntu Catholic Church Parish. He lived a simple and modest life. He on several occasions rejected honorary titles until the occasion of the 2008 CMO Day when he was honoured with the title of “Special Father of the Parish” (St Paul’s Catholic Parish, Umuodagu Ntu). A peaceful and generous man, great disciplinarian, in appreciation & recognition of his outstanding role and contributions to the advent & Growth of the Catholic Church in Umuodagu Ntu; services to God & Humanity was given a Centenary Award of Excellence by the Parish on July 8, 2012.
Pa Paulinus Nkemjika Nwaorgu was very active in sports in his youth/adult years and left excellent footprints on the sands of his time. He was a track blazer in the 440, 880 and mile races during his school days. He competed in the popular and glorious “Fishers Shield” Competition and won a gold medal and gold pen for emerging the overall best.
Tributes
1.
Tribute From His First Son, Prof O.G.B. Nwaorgu
According to Prof Nwaorgu (Professor of ORL,HNS) in his tribute to his father he stated, “I remember and continue to remember and cherish all. He came, he saw and left indelible marks.
The call came! It was about 07.23am, March 3, 2020. Papa has gone to be with his maker, aged 94years 3 months 6days. The patriarch of Nwaorgu’s family Pa Paulinus Nkemjika is no more, leaving a vacuum too big to be filled!
Papa, the vacuum which your exit has created would be greatly felt. Words cannot express how much we will miss your fatherly presence that made you so endearing to everyone you came across.
You raised us with good values instilling in us the qualities of humility, integrity, hardwork and honesty. We thank you for ensuring that we had good education; teaching us the virtues of patience, respect and tolerance. You thought me that I should NEVER sell my conscience for earthly goods/pleasure; be forthright and principled, and be a man of my words. Indeed a great man you were; with great foresight.
You will surely be missed by us all: you were a great influence in the society you left; your children, family, in-laws, the church and all who ever came in contact with you. You were a kind-hearted and gentle disciplinarian with great sense of humour and soothing smile! You radiated love and care to all. We are indeed grateful to God for your impactful life here on earth. The condolence messages, eulogies, words of mouth and disposition of people since your exit attest to the legacy you left behind. We love you papa but God loves you more.
Papa, we your children feel privileged and honoured to have had you as our father and will by the special grace of God, continue to uphold your worthy legacies. I, on my own part, assure you that I will continue to keep shining your light of Christian faith as a true Catholic in my life.
May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace until we meet to part no more! Adieu Papa” By Dr OGB Nwaorgu, (rofessor of ORL,HNS).
2.
Tribute By His First Daughter, Mrs. Evang. Ada Chioma Eze
According to this Amazon of a woman in her tribute which she titled, “Tribute to my father, extraordinary friend and Confidant ” she highlighted, “Papa, it is with mixed feelings that I write down the following in your honour. When I spoke with you on the Tuesday 3/03/2020, I knew something had gone wrong and about to happen because your unique “Golden Voice ” was grossly absent and you were weak to continue my discussion with you. On the fateful day of your exit, my hand was placed on the key to call you when a call announcing your departure came.
Papa, you lived a fulfilled life with a good name. Your end was indeed far much better than your beginning. Congrats Dad! Ecclesiastes 7v1 - A good name is better than a good ointment .And the days of one’s death better than the day of one’s birth.
Papa, you lived an upright and peaceful life. Accountability, transparency, decency, punctuality, diligence, commitment were your attributes. Things of God were given special space in your days of strength and vigour. You imparted lasting and monumental moral values to all that came around you. Your act of discipline shaped the lives of most people that had the opportunity of coming your way.
ISAIAH 57V2: those who walk uprightly enter into peace, they find rest as they lie in death.
My Father enjoyed extraordinary favour from the Almighty God and therefore was never forsaken by God throughout his earthly sojourn. He aged graciously and passed the Biblical prescribed age. The age he ascended when before his exit amazed those around him but it was the benefit of righteousness. It was the Lord’s doing that was really marvellous in the sight of men. PSALM71V18: So even to old age and grey hairs O’God do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.
PSALM90V10: The years of our life is seventy (70), or even by the reason of strength eighty (80), yet their span is but toil and trouble, they are soon gone and we fly away..
Nmpa, despite your age, you were full of strength and humour . Any one that visited you unhappy left your presence with laughter. Prayer before and after eating was your daily routine.
Papa, you are a good father. In your later years, I never saw you angry not minding the unpleasant factors that surrounded you. You choose not to be angry but wore the garment of happiness all the time because you knew that whoever succeeded in making you angry had definitely DEFEATED YOU. REV14V13: And I heard a voice from Heaven saying “write this -Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord now on…. “Blessed indeed ” says the Spirit that they may rest from their labours .
Nmpa, Thank you for blessing me most of the times I visited you. I accept, claim and believe in your pronouncements. You did honor your promise to our mother to do all within your enablement to empower us your children academically .
Thank you Papa! If it was in your power, you would have loved to live on but God’s will was sacrosanct and perfect for your return to your Maker. Job14v5: Since his days are determined, the number of his months is with you. And his limits you have set so that he cannot pass .
PSALM 89v48: What man can live and not see Death, or save himself from the power of Grave?
Papa, I know you will be wondering where you are for the past weeks now that you have not heard my voice again. Nmpa, you have gone to rest .You have been separated by death from me, from your other children, from my daily calls, greetings and jokes.
I sincerely miss you Papa. Rest in peace in the bosom of the Lord Jesus Christ. Adieu.” - CHUKWUEMEKA-EZE HENRIETTA ADA CHIOMA.
3.
Farewell to My Amiable Father In-law By Engr. Maduforo His Son In-Law
“The oldest institution instituted by God Himself brought us together in the month of December, 1991.
Daddy since then till your death, you accepted and treated me not only as your son in-law, but also like your biological son.
As a young man that had just lost his father seven years back then, meeting you quickly brought the memories of my lost father into a closed gap. All the fatherly roles I lost and also needed were immediately regained and provided for.
Since the time we met until your heavenly home call, you lived and remained principled, honest, kindhearted, love and above all, peace loving and peace-maker. The legacy you left behind will be difficult to be beclouded. I am eternally grateful for being your son in-law.
Daddy as you sleep in the bosom of our good God, we hope to be reunited again at the second coming of Lord Jesus Christ.” - Elder (Engr.) Agharanya, Maduforo.C
- Tribute by Prof I.E. Agu His Son-In-Law
According to this seasoned academician who married the third daughter of this great man, Dr. Mrs. Chimebere Evangelista Agu with two of his children also lecturing in a Federal University, in a tribute he titled, ‘Tribute to a father in a million’ stated and I quote, “When my biological father died in December 1969, I thought I would never call any other man NNA M. But God had other plans. He took me to Gongola State in 1989 for the mandatory NYSC programme. There I met a wonderful brother and friend, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze who in turn introduced me to his father-in-law, Papa P.N.Nwaorgu. Papa in his characteristic manner adopted me as a son not just a son-in-law. For the past twenty and three years, you gave me good reasons to address you as NNA M. You lived a fulfilled life. So, on behalf of your adorable daughter, Chimebere my Achala Ugo and the six wonderful and intelligent children, I say Jee nke oma NNA M” -Professor Innocent Ejimofor Agu
- Tribute by the Grand Children Of Sir. P. N. Nwaorgu through His First Grand Child, Lady Monica Chidinma Ada Eze
In her tribute, Lady Monica Ada Eze, a Media Chieftain and the TA on Media to Indefatigable Governor David Nweze Umahi of Ebonyi State on behalf of the grand children of this great man stated, “The news of the demise of our Grandfather came to us as a surprise in the sense that we were hoping and trusting God that he was to see more years in order to bless his great grand children but what can we say or do as we cannot question God who decided that this is the right time to call him home.
Most of us that saw him last Christmas would admit he was full of life.
Grandpa was a great grammarian, disciplinarian and a man full of humour.
He was a man of peace. He was kind and hospitable. He had an unprecedented forgiving spirit.
He forgave all who borrowed lump sum amount of money from him and even as he was battling with his health they swore not to pay him back because they lacked conscience. Because of this extraordinary character, God granted him extra favour of adding more years and strength to him.
Our Grandpa severally cheated death and made mockery of it. For a long time people expected to hear what they are hearing now but through God’s abundant Grace, he continued to live while tolls of deaths were being recorded in other quarters.
Grandpa remained sportive until his death -getting up from the bed by himself and refusing to use walking stick as a support when walking. He never suffered from the common aged people’s Parkinson’s disease. He had no vision impairment for he could read and pronounce words correctly, sign his signature without much problem, count money correctly and tell you the amount.
Our Grandpa was an astute finance manager and recorder. He believed in accountability and stressed without reservation the ‘need of saving for the rainy day’.
Beloved Grandpa, thank you for the lasting virtues you have inculcated in us directly and indirectly. You still live because you have us.
We pledge to keep the fire aflame. We will not only build on the existing foundation and enviable legacy you left behind but we will sustain, improve on them and immortalize you by being pacesetters as the Almighty grants us the enablement because with Him all things are possible.
We will deeply and passionately miss you. Good night Grandpa and may our Good Lord grant your gentle and compassionate soul eternal rest” - Lady Monica Chidinma Ada Eze.
PA P. N. NWAORGU IS FONDLY REMEMBERED BY his wife, Mrs. Philomena Nwaorgu, his children: Prof. OGB Nwaorgu, Sir Rommy Nwaorgu, Mrs. Ada Chioma Henrietta Eze, Mr. Martins Nwaorgu, Mrs. Ulu Mary Madufuro, Lady Ndidi MaryCollect Nwaorgu, Mrs. Chimebere Agu, Mr. Henry Nwaorgu and Mr. Chilee Faustinus Nwaorgu.
His Grand Children:
A: Chief & Evang. Mrs Eze C. Eze (In-law)
- Monica Ada Chidinma Eze
- Alfred Kelechi Eze
- Pysch. Celine Chinyere Eze
- Pharm. Eunice Nnenna Eze
- Henrietta Chioma Eze (Jnr)
- Grace Chinweatu Eze
B: Through Mr. & Mrs. Collins Madufuro (In-law)
- Stanley Chisom Maduforo.
- Rita Adaoma Maduforo
C: Through Prof. & Mrs. Innocent Agu (In-law)
- Onyinyechi Innocent-Agu
- Onyekachi Innocent-Agu
- Ekenedirichukwu Innocent-Agu
- Chinemeremma Innocent-Agu
- Nneamaka Innocent-Agu
- Chinazaekpere Innocent-Agu
D: Through Prof & Matron OGB. Nwaorgu (Son)
- Uchenna Ayomide Nwaorgu,
- Olufemi Chigozirim Victoria Nwaorgu
- Chimdinma Adedoja Emmanuella Nwaorgu
E: Through Mr. & Mrs. Martins Nwaorgu (Son)
- Ikechukwu George Nwaorgu.
- Chukwuemaka David Nwaorgu.
- Chiamaka Henrietta Nwaorgu.
F: Through Mr. & Mrs Henry Nwaorgu (Son)
- Victor Chukwudumebi Nwaorgu
- Christabel Chimemetam
- Nwaorgu Fesochukwu Mirabel
Conclusion
My father inlaw is an Administrator/Educationist Par Excellence, an astute Community Leader, an inspirational human, a wonderful mentor, and a man of substance and moral rectitude whose impact in the spreading of Christ’s Teaching wherever he found himself need not be overemphasized. He was a pacesetter, a reference point in terms of humility, selflessness and integrity whose intellectual prowess and commitment to the betterment of our society remain unparalleled.
We thank you our God because you have turned not only our father’s mourning to laughter and joy but our dark and hungry days, you have turned to laughter and merriment.
As we celebrate this wonderful and inspirational father whose life impacted on us positively, let me conclude this tribute by thanking all those who have assisted us through prayers and support to make the burial of this man whose impact in our lives will ever remain indelible.
Adieu papa, and may our Almighty Father whom you trusted so much grant your gentle soul eternal rest and perfect peace. Amen!
Eze Chukwuemeka Eze is a Media Consultant based in Port Harcourt and can be reached thru ezemediaconcept2020@gmail
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