…. Appreciates Amaechi’s assurance on linking Owerri to Railway, fixing Umaku-Ntu’s road … Describes late Pa Nwaorgu as embodiment of honesty, humility and one of the pioneers of education advancement in Imo State The sleepy town of Ntu in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo state went agog, Saturday 27 November, 2020 as people from all walks of life, crème de la crème of society and the friends and associates of the erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, converged in the ancient community to bid farewell to his beloved in law, Pa Paulinus Nkemjika Nwaorgu, a father of nine, revered patriarch, retired teacher and one of the foremost students of Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha, who died on the 3rd day of March, 2020, at the ripe age of 94. The elaborate burial ceremony which held at Nwaorgu’s compound in Ntu Community came to its peak after the funeral service at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Umuodagu Ntu, where the congregation took time, as is customary, to pay their last respects to the departed, with the admonition to always live life with the consciousness that someday, the living will account to his maker on answering the inevitable call to the great beyond. Speaking at the funeral, the deceased first son, Prof. OGB Nwaorgu, appealed to the government of Imo State to give a thought to the deplorable state of the road linking Ntu to Umajaku which he described as one of the worst in the country, notwithstanding the very close proximity of the community to Owerri, the state capital. The renowned academic, a Professor of Otorhinolaryngology, also made a case for the electrification and provision of portable water for members of the community whom he said have suffered years of neglect from government at all levels. Prof. Onyekwere George Benjamin Nwaorgu went further to thank their guests for finding time to identify with the family, as they were honouring their late father as well as celebrating his 95th birthday post luminously, described his late father as a great man, a disciplinarian and an educationist, who carried everybody along while alive. He stated that his late father played well by not leaving issues hanging, as he trained all his children well and ensured that they engaged in meaningful ventures for the sake of survival. He however thanked God for his life and the way he related with people. Sympathetically reacting to the plea, former Rivers Governor and Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, assured that the Ntu/Umjaku road will be given priority by 2021. Ably represented by a party stalwart, High Chief Emeka Beke and others, the Transportation Minister said the road will be reconstructed by the new Management Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) expected to be constituted by President Mohammadu Buhari by first quarter of 2021. Also speaking, Technical Assistant (TA) to the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Lady Monica Chidinma Ada Eze (aka) Ada Ebonyi, told the community that the concerns raised will be channeled to the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma through her boss, Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State while giving an ironclad assurance that the community will soon hive a sigh of relief. Meanwhile, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, married to the deceased first daughter, Evang. Henrietta Chioma Ada Eze, presented a cow, drinks, tubbers of yam, Rice, etcetera, to the community. The APC chieftain also gifted dozens of football jersey, balls, undisclosed sum etc., to the community youth in honour of Late Pa Nwaorgu, whom he described as a lover and pillar of sports in Ntu community and Imo State in general. Other in-laws; Prof. Innocent Agu, Engr. Collins Maduforo Agharanya and Mr. R. Nkwocha and their spouses, families, friends and associates were also at hand make presentations and bid farewell to the Late Sage. According to a first-hand account presented by Chief Theophilus Amadi and Sir Nwosu, the Late Pa Nwaorgu pioneered education advancement within his community as he was the first to gain admission into a secondary school and it took another ten years thereafter to have another student to achieve that feat. He attended the Bishop Shonahan Teachers’ Training College, Orlu, in the old Eastern Region (now in Imo State), from 1952 – 1954 after which he was appointed a teacher in the same institution. Available records reveal that Pa Nwaorgu taught many of the past and present political leaders in Imo and Abia States of Nigeria. The Patriarch retired in 1986, but also taught in several other institutions including Baptist High School, Omuehie, Ngor Okpala, where he served as Dean of Students till 2006. In 1958, Pa Nwaorgu got married to his wife, Mrs. Celine Adanma Nwauzoma Ekenwachukwu of Umuohie Ngor and the union was blessed with nine children all of whom are left to mourn him. According to Chief Eze, even in death, Pa Nwaorgu lives on like a deity, a supernatural being with a swelling rank of influence who will remain a symbol of peace and good parenthood, a rallying point for lovers of discipline and sane society and a mortal threat to all negative reactionary forces. He was a custodian of sound societal ethics and norms whose legs were firmly planted in the world of peace and good neighbourliness. Appreciating his friends, associates and all those who ensured that the funeral turned out a huge success, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, specifically recognized the special contributions and presence of the Transportation Minister, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi CON., which significantly added colour and spiced up the ceremony. Similarly, the party Chief commended the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Apostle Dave Umahi; the Hon. Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu; the Chief Medical Director (CMD), University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Prof. Henry Ugboma; Ex-DG., NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside; the Prince of Niger Delta, Prince Tonye Princewill, Hon. Barr. Asita O. Asita, Chairman, NIMASA Board, Hon. Brown Onari, Prof Steve Okodudu, Mal. Muhammed Bello Koko, Ambassador Oji N. Ngofa, Dr Godstime Orlukwe, Hon. Chisom Dike member, Federal House of Reps, Hon. Gift Okere and Mr. Fortune Oguru Eze also thanked the former South-East Zonal National Vice Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Austin Umahi, family of AIG Dr Grace Okudo Retd and a host of others for their show of love, special commitments and supports during the funeral. Eze specially thanked Prof Innocent E. Agu an Orator extraordinary who anchored the event successfully and colourfully. The event was attended by Captains of industry, political and religious leaders, traditional rulers and Community leaders, various cultural groups who performed at the event, rendition presented by women of Ebony State and citations presented by Pa Nwaorgu’s grandchildren made the ceremony colourful. Some of the special dignitaries that graced the celebration includes: Elder Enoch Azunna former Cordinator, NPC and wife, Coordinator and staff of NPC Enugu Branch, in-laws and special Guests from Ebonyi, Abia and IMO States. Hon Blyden Okenze Amajirionwu, SA to this Executive Governor of IMO State and Mr. Greg Obioha. Other Special Guests that graced the occasion: 1. Captain Dada Adekunle – Worthy President, Knights of St. John International Ascension Commandery 573, Bodija Ibadan 2. Prof. Nwazuoke – Chairman Otu Umunna, University of Ibadan 3. Prof. Ken Nwalor – onu na ekwuru Otu Umunna. University of Ibadan 4. Dr. Gerald Nweya – Secretary Otu Umunna, University of Ibadan 5. Dr (Engineer) Jeff Okoroafor – Provost Otu Umunna University of Ibadan. Representatives of Owerri Grammar School Old Students Association: Prof. Akujuobi Linus E Engr. Cyprain Eke Mr. Augustine Anyanwu Mrs Stella Nwanneri Barr Arthur Nkwocha Sir Felix Nwoke Okoronta John Mrs Pauline (new Ukaegbu) Eke Elistius Representatives of Otorhinolaryngological Society of Nigeria (ORLSON): – Prof. BC Ezeanolue – Eze Ugo nmuta 1 of Akwaeze – Prof. TS Ibekwe Secretary Faculty of ORLHNS National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria – Prof Onotai Lucky – Dr. Owoicho – Dr. Gbujie Onyema – Dr Ajero, Head of Dept of ORL, FMC Owerri & his residents – Drs Iwueze & Ibekwe Representatives of the ORL Dept, UCH Ibadan: Consultants: 1. Dr. P.A. Onakoya 2. Dr. (Mrs) Mercy E. Jatto 3. Dr. Ibrahim O. Musa 4. Dr. J.O. Ijitola Residents: 1. Dr. Akande F.J 2. Dr. Ogundoyin O.A. 3. Dr. Sule S.O. 4. Dr. Babarinde J.A. ORL NURSES: 1. ADN Adeyemo Adeola O. 2. ADN Adekanye Catherine. He will be missed by his wife, Mrs. Philomena Nwaorgu; children, Prof. OGB Nwaorgu (Son), Sir Rommy Nwaorgu (Son) – President General of Ntu Community, Mrs. Ada Chioma Henrietta Eze (Daughter), Mr. Martins Nwaorgu (Son), Mrs. Ulu Mary Madufolu (Daughter), Lady Ndidi Mary Collect Nwaorgu (Daughter), Dr. Mrs. Chidiebere Agu (Daughter), Mr. Henry Nwaorgu (Son) and Mr. Chilee Faustinus Nwaorgu (Son); his four in-laws, 23 grand children, his community and a host of others.
