Exit Of A Consummate Teacher, Jonathan Ekechukwu (1934 – 2015)

WHEN Elder Jonathan Enyinnaya Ekechukwu bade bye to this world on January 21, 2015, it was obvious that the society has lost a man of sterling qualities, consummate teacher and community leader. For he impacted positively the life of people that came across his way, including the numerous young people that passed under his tutelage as a teacher in many primary and secondary schools. He will be buried in his home on Saturday, February 28, 2015.

   Ekechukwu was born in 1934 to the family of the late Mazi Ekechukwu Awazie and Esther Awazie of Uhuenwere, Umuezerola, Umuawa Alaocha, in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State.

   The first son of his father, Joe, as he was fondly called, exhibited promising qualities as a young boy, and his father did all he could to send him to school, in spite of his limited resources, as his wife Esther, had died earlier in life. He was sent to Methodist Group School, Umuawa Alaocha, where he read up to Standarad Two and continued at Methodist Central School, Afugiri, where he finished Standard Six, and passed with flying colours.

  He started as a teacher (pupils’ teacher) through the help of the late Rev. Professor Nwagbara and his wife, Dr. Mrs. C. C. Nwagbara and taught for a while before he gained admission into the prestigious Methodist College Uzuakoli, where he had his Grade Two and Grade Three teachers’ courses and came out successfully.

  To acquire more education, he gained admission into University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he majored in Education – Igbo Language and Culture.

  As a teacher, he taught in many schools in Umuahia, including Methodist School Amaeke Ibeku, Methodist School Amafor Isingwu, Methodist Central School Umuawa Alaocha, Okaiuga Nkwoegwu Secondary School and Ofeme Technical Secondary School.

  It was during his posting at Methodist Central School Amafor Isingwu that he met an energetic, beautiful young lady, Nkechinyere Kanu Ukpabi, of Umuda Isingwu, now a retired teacher, who he married after a short courtship.

  He exhibited the virtues of love, kindness and dedication to service. He even used one of his rooms to teach the children, especially, during holiday periods without charging them. According to him, “anytime wasted, will never be regained.”

  He served the larger Uhuenwere as the Financial Secretary for years.

  He lived an exemplary Christian life of fear of God, hard work, perseverance, honesty, sacrifice, love and peace in the affairs of men. 

  As a young man, he was a chorister at the Methodist Church, Umuawa Alaocha. The church, in appreciation of his dedication and commitment to service, elected him Treasurer for several years. In fact, he was a private banker to many people.

In community service, he served Umuawa Alaocha Development Union (UDU) for many years as the Secretary General. 

  Among his children is Mrs. Ijeoma John Nwanaju.