He was married to the late Lady Cecilia Nnenta Umezurike (nee Ogidi) and they had eight children who are very successful and leaders in their chosen professions. Young Alphaeus began his early career at SCOA (Societe Commercial de L’ouest African) General Goods, Port Harcourt. Due to his diligence, dedication to duty and high intelligence, he rose steadily through the rungs of the corporate ladder from a Shop Clerk to Shop Master and was promoted to Branch Manager of SCOA Aba. He worked collaboratively with the expatriate staff and through dint of hard work and pursuit of excellence, he was later appointed the Area Manager SCOA, Eastern States of Nigeria. He demonstrated transformational leadership and inspired the company staff to a culture of competence, realization of their individual potentials and organizational goals.
The customers scored him highly and gave positive feedback about their interactions with him. The top echelon of the French conglomerate had implicit confidence in him and was pleased with his exceptional performance. He mentored and trained other managers. He received several awards including a 30 years meritorious long service award from the company. Even after his retirement in 1986, the SCOA overseas top management made overtures to recall and retain him on contract basis to oversee the smooth running of the company. However, he chose to pursue his private enterprise, Alumez Nig Ltd.
He was God fearing, a committed Christian and led the building committee of the St Mary’s Anglican church Ohokobe/Umuohu Ndume Ibeku. Due to his various leadership roles in the church, in 1990, he was invested with the knighthood of St. Augustine of Hippo by the Anglican Bishop, Rt Rev, Prof Augustine Iwuagwu. As a result of his friendly disposition, amiable nature, and humility, he was conferred with the chieftaincy title of Enyioma 1 of Mbaise by Eze Mbalewe. Due to his philanthropic gestures, generosity and community leadership, he was also conferred with the chieftaincy title of Enyioha1 of Ibeku by Eze Onuoha, Ogurube IV of Ibeku.
He was a peace maker, compassionate and interested in the wellbeing and progress of others. He was a father to the fatherless, provided succor to widows and had many adopted children. As a loving father, he was a regular visitor to the United States where six of his children resided. He was a role model to them, an icon who led by example.
He operated at every stratum of the social hierarchy, made everyone who interacted with him comfortable and provided wise counsel. He welcomed everyone to his home and we observed in amazement how easily he explained his relationship to most people through maternal or paternal genealogy. He was a lover of education, sponsored and supported many students who had the desire and capacity to further their education at the University.
He enjoyed listening to classical and country music. He also relished Christian songs and his favorite was ‘Site n’ihunanya Jesus’ which translates to ‘Because of the love from Jesus’. He was a member of the Peoples Club of Nigeria and patron of various social clubs, Christian associations, and Age grades. He will be greatly missed, his legacy lives on as he rests in the bosom of the Lord. Adieu, Sir AA, the Enyioha 1 of Ibeku.
• Dr Austin Umezurike is a Professor of Information Technology at The American Intercontinental University, USA
