BORN in Adagbe Avomimi village Enugwu-Ukwu, Anambra State in October 1929, Okeichie Robinson Amazuilo Okonkwo, the Obaludikegwu Enugwu-Ukwu na Umunri, was the only son and youngest of the three children of his parents, Nwokonkwo Okeke Oraekwe and Mgbafo Igili Nwogo, who unfortunately died during child birth.

Nwokonkwo was a very hard working farmer/smoked fish dealer of average means who raised, nurtured and inculcated the culture of hard work in his children.

Okonkwo attended Emmanuel Church Missionary Society (C.M.S.) Schools, Enugwu-Ukwu, for the acquisition of Pre-school One and Two (1941 – 1942). He subsequently acquired Standards One at St. Peter’s School, Amawbia and Standards Two-Six at St. Peter’s Abagana (1943 – 1949). When his father couldn’t pay his school fees in Standard Five, a benevolent Mr. Christian Beluchi Adaba intervened and sponsored him and at his demise in 1948, Pa Benedict Adaba sponsored him through Standard Six. Okonkwo passed his Standard Six Certificate Examination with Distinction, a feat he remained proud of throughout his lifetime.

Life out of school was quite challenging, but being very energetic and industrious, Okonkwo engaged in farm work, menial jobs and traded on local crops and domestic birds to keep body and soul together. A simple job recommendation to cover a compound wall with raffia for an old lady marked a turning point in his life from a village boy to a city dweller. His client, Mrs. Bekee Nnatu was so impressed by his diligence that when her son, Michael visited home from Ibadan, she recommended Okonkwo to him to serve as his houseboy. Michael took him to Ibadan in 1952 and both established a lifetime relationship.

At Ibadan, he ventured into various businesses. He traded on selected groceries – dried meat, “kwundu”, groundnut, groundnut oil, rice and onions at the famous Dugbe market. From the huge success made from his trade, he invested in real estate both at Ibadan, Enugu and Enugwu-Ukwu.

Okonkwo was born of pagan parents but through the inspiration of Mr. Christian Adaba, he became a Christian and was baptised with the Christian name, Robinson. He served selflessly in various capacities in churches in all the cities and regions he traversed, committing time, energy and personal finances to advance the course of God’s work. He also encouraged his children to give generously to the church.

The late Okonkwo married and wedded an affable soul, and a paragon of beauty, Victoria Nwanneka Chinweoke Okonkwo (nee Okeke-Ifeagwu) from Nawfia in 1957 and they were blessed with two girls and three boys. Together, they built a very hospitable home for their children, relatives, friends and visitors that has stood the test of time. They nurtured their children in love and instilled discipline and good virtues in them. He was a very dutiful and responsible family man.

Okonkwo was also a sociable man. He loved people from the depth of his heart. He mingled with the rich and poor alike. He served Enugu-Ukwu in various capacities for which he would be well remembered.

He died in the early hours of Saturday, October 24, 2015, at 5.15am in the midst of all his five children.

His body will be received by ECDU Onitsha branch on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 while his remains will be laid to rest on Thursday, February 11, 2016, after a funeral service at Immanuel Anglican Church, Enugwu-Ukwu.

He is survived by five children, Lady Adaeze Okonkwo, Mr. Anenechianya Okonkwo, Mrs. Mukaosolu Onubogu, Mr. Chikaodili Okonkwo, Mr. Ifennamnacho Okonkwo and many relations.

Adieu Obaludikegwu.