BORN 24 NOVEMBER 1935
DIED 15 DECEMBER 2022.
BURIED FEBRUARY 9 2023
SUNRISE
Ernest Nwafor Okolo was born humbly in the tiny village of Umuinem Ufuma to the family of Okolo nwa Mgborie, the son of Ekeshiokoro, as the first child of Onemefolu and Omutarazuo (nee Ikpo), on 24"h November 1935.
Having lost his dad early in his life, the burden of taking care of his siblings was quite heavy on dad and his mother who worked very hard to live up to her name of omutara zuo (If you must have children, train them).
Special
mention should be made of dad's uncle (his mother's brother), Late Wilfred Ikpo who very helpful in dad's early upbringing. Dad spent most of his early special holidays (Christmas, Ogiri anyasi, Otute, etc) with Mr. Wilfred Was Ikpo at Umuonyiba Ufuma.
EDUCATION
Chinenyeze was very intelligent ánd this was demonstrated in everything he did. For his early education, he attended St Clement's Catholic School,
Umuogem Ufuma (1946 to 1947) and St Matthew's
Catholic School, Akpu (1948 to 1953).
For his teaching career, he attended Preliminary Teacher's Training College, PTC Nimo (1954); St Peters
Teachers Training College - ETC Achina (1957 to 1958)
St Charles' Teachers Training College Onitsha (1962 to
1963); and the Insitute of Moral & Religious Education
(Project Time), Akoka, Yaba Lagos, Affiliate of University
of Ibadan (1974 to 1976) for his Associate Diploma and
B.Ed; among other short trainings.
WORKING CAREER
Dad started off as a teacher in 1955. He taught in
schools across Orumba from Umueji, Umuogem,
Umuonyiba, Umunebo in his native Ufuma to Nawfija,
Akpu and Umunze. He retired in 1990 as a Supervisor of
schools in the Anambra State Local Government
Education Authority.
At all these locations, dad remained a household name till date. He is widely known as ONYE NKUZI.
Though retired, dad wasn't tired, thus began his banking
career, working with and for the current Ufuma
monarch, Chief Chika Uchime FCNA (Diji II of Ufuma) to set up Ufuma Community Bank Ltd where he was the General Service Manager, Treasury Manager and Secretary to the Board of Directors at different times.
Agile daddy was pressured to retire once again in 2004.
Igwe Chika Uchime had this to say about daddy in his
tribute: "Chinenyeze, You were good, hardworking, intelligent, wise, honest,trustworthy, rich and humble, peaceful, and most of all faithful." Despite his white-collar nature, dad never left farming. At all his locations, he boasted of large yam barns.
SPORTS
Dad was a celebrated athlete, both in the field and track events. He was an award winning long distance
runner, courting many glory in the 880 yard event. Due
to his feats in sports, his associates nicknamed him,
AAA-Amateur Athletic Association.
As a sports teacher and coach, He mentored many
footballers in the old Akpu (Ufesiodo) region. Chief Dr.
Emeka Ire-Okoli (FNIVS) had this to say about him;"..Sir Ernest Okolo (Chinenyeze) taught me how to play football at the rudimentary and primary school level in the early sixties, which I carried onto my Secondary School level to become the School football captain
He was a great disciplinarian and he mentored very many young ones in Old Akpu Parish (Catholic Diocese) to greatness..."
Some of his football coaching subjects that come to mind include his younger brother, Dennis and Chief
Patrick Iloekwe of Akpu.
COMMUNITY, HUMANITARIAN & SOCIAL LIFE
Dad was a respected Community leader. He wasa
Community Councillor representing his village at the
Ufuma Community Council, and a member of the Ufuma Chieftaincy selection Committee, pre-19778
coronation of Diji II of Ufuma. He played major part in
the rural electrification of his community, serving as
the Secretary of the rural electrification project.
Dad was no less a socialite. He was never found wanting in social circles.
During the planning for his funeral, his younger brother, Agbawodikeizu remarked
that if every event dad attended was to be reciprocated at his funeral, that the entire village
Would not contain guests. Dad belonged to and played
notable parts in many social associations.
He was the
"life' Treasurer of Umuehi Welfare Social Club.
Chinenyeze was very playful and made friends easily.
There is no record of him ever engaging on a fight with
anybody. He always preached and ensured peaceful coexistence, He played and joked with the low and mighty.
Dad played his part in active politics He was Secretary of National Republican Conventión (NRC) in Ufuma Ward while his bosom friend, Late Chief Festus Nwankwo (Agwagu) was a Ward Chairman.
He continued as a non partisan political statesman after the botched elections of 1993, playing hosts to many election candidates.
Dad was very selfless and gave out to the needy
effortlessly.
He loved education so much that he
paid school fees for some of his students who could
not afford it, especially the brilliant ones
RELIGION
Chinenyeze was a devout Catholic. He was a 4th Degree Knight of the Catholic Order of St. Mulumba,
Nigeria and served the Akpu Sub Council as the Worthy Auditor meritoriously from 2010 to 2016.
He was Secretary of the Parish Council of St Mary
mother of God Parish, Ufuma from 1984 to 1986 as well as the Vice Chairman of St Clement's Parish Council, Ufuma from 2011 to 2016. He was honored as an Active Apostolate of the St Mary mother of God Parish and also bestowed an Ide of St Clements Parish.
Dad was a part time Catechist at his local church
from 1978 to 2008. He had to leave his locations every weekend to travel to his home church for Sunday services most of those years.
Most importantly, dad donated a princely part of the
land on which the current St John Bosco's Catholic
Church stands
FAMILY LIFE
Chinenyeze wedded the pretty Miss Victoria Nwafor,
from Umuogem Ufuma on 2 April, 1967. A marriage that can best be described as worthy of emulation. This is exemplified by the long list of
intending couples who besieged them for marriage sponsorship, which they willingly bliaed
Dad's marriage was blessed with nine children but
painfully, Vitus Chukwuma and Eucharia Chinenye
preceded dad on the journey to heaven. May their souls continue to rest in peace, Amen.
Dad was a disciplinarian, yet very warm. He ensured that his children got the best of education. No doubt, his children love him so much. The pain of his exit would be difficult to erase.
SUNSET
Dad spent memorable time in Sydney Australia in the
company of his wife, with his last daughter in 2017. He
then celebrated the Golden Jubilee of marriage to his
heartthrob on 7th January 2018.
He was later inducted
into the Otochara ogbo Uvume age grade (the oldest
age grade in Ufuma) in August 2018.
In February 2019, Chinenyeze sustained haemorrhage after a domestic accident. It is on record that dad, at 83
was the oldest patient to survive a brain (borehole)
surgery at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching
Hospital, Nnewi.
Thanks to the then CMAC and current
CMD of the hospital, Prof. Joe Ugboaja and his team of
Neurosurgeons led by Dr. Nkwerem who took good care of him. One of the doctors explained that his quick recovery was due to his very high intelligence level.
Dad returned to his cheerful best after the medical journey though his movement was now restricted. In September 2022, after spending time with his personal Physician, Dr. Atuka at Good Shepherd Hospital Nise, dad proceeded in residence with his daughter at Awka.
On the afternoon of 15" December 2022, Chinenyeze
quietly joined the Church Triumphant surrounded by his lovely wife and children, after celebrating Holy Mass
with Rev Fr. Constantine Okoli earlier that morning. May his soul continue to rest in peace, Amen.
SURVIVORS
Dad is survived by his wife, seven children, numerous
grand children, brothers, sister, daughter in-law, sons
in-law, cousins, in-laws and a host of other relations,
some of whom are:
Lady Victoria U, Okolo (LSM) Wife
Sir. 'Dozie Donat Okolo (FCA, KSM) - Son.
Very Rev. Fr. Benedict Chukwudiomimi Okolo (CM) - Son.
Mrs. Jacinta Nkiru Innocent-Okoli - Daughter
Mrs. Ogonna Osita-Okoli (CNA) - Daughter.
Ms. Chibugo Annette Okolo - Daughter.
Mrs. Ijeoma Okolo-Jeff Ezechukwu (CIFON) - Daughter.
Mrs. Ifeyinwa Okolo - Joachim Okongwu- Daughter
Lady Vivian Okolo (LSM) - Daughter in law
Hon.
Nze Ray Osita-Okoli (Akusinachi) - Son in law
Chief Jeff Ezechukwu (Okemmiri) - Son in law
Engr. Joachim Okongwu- Son in law
Chief Christopher Okolo (Agbawodikeizu) - Brother
Mr. Dennis Okolo - Brother
Mrs Victoria Nwabuike(nee Okolo) - Sister
Mr. Marcel Okolo - Cousin
Mrs. Okwu (nee Okolo) - Cousin
Mrs. Lucy Nwankwo- Cousin
Lady Theresa Orakwe- Cousin
Mr. Evaristus Ikpo - Cousin
Mr. Okechukwu Ikpo - Cousin
Mr. Emeka Ikpo - Cousin
Mr. Chinedu Ikpo - Cousin
Mrs. Lucy Nwankwo (nee Ikpo) - Cousin
Mrs. Ebere Nwafor (nee Ikpo) - Cousin
Mrs. Anurika Ude (nee Ikpo) - Cousin
Mrs. Chigozie Udensi (nee Ikpo) - Cousin)
Mr. Ben Ikpo - Cousin
Mrs. Louisa Nwafor (Nee Ikpo) -Cousin
Mrs. Ezinwanne Kene (Nee Ikpo) - Cousin
Mr. Cletus Onyeaka - Brother in law
Mrs. Cecilia Okolo- Sister in law
Mrs. Cordelia Okolo-Sister in law
Mrs. Eucharia Okolo- Sister in law
Sir. Gibson Nwafor (KSM) - Brother in law
Mrs. Veronica Igbojekwe- Sister in law
Mrs. Grace Ndiokwere- Sister in law
GRAND CHILDREN
Emmanuela Dozie -Okolo
Valerie Dozie - Okolo
Nicole Dozie - Okolo
Gabriella Dozie-Okolo
Michael Dozie - Okolo
Ogbuehi Chikamso Innocent-Okoli
Chukwunweike Innocent-Okoli
Adaugo Innocent-Okoli
Chisom Innocent-Okoli
Mmesoma Osita-Okoli
Chinaza Osita-Okoli
Kamsiyo Osita-Okoli
Chikaima Jeff-Ezechukwu
Chikasinma Jeff Ezechukwu
Jimeto Joachim - Okongwu
Zina Joachim - Okongwu
Chinaza Marachukwu
Chikodi Okonkwo
Geoffrey Vincent
NEPHEWS AND NIECES
Hon. Fidelis Okolo
Mrs. Anulika Okoli (nee Okolo)
Mrs. Obianuju (nee Okolo)
Mr. Okechukwu Okolo
Mr. Uchechukwu Okolo
Mr. Echezona Okolo
Mr. Ikechukwu Onyeaka
Mr. Okwudili Onyeaka
Mrs Theresa Christopher Onyeguiri
Mr. Ejike Onyeaka
Mrs Ifebube (Nee Okolo)
Mr. Emeka Okolo
Mr. Chibuike Okolo
Mr. Tochukwu Okolo
Miss Chioma Okolo
Miss Chisom Okolo
Mr. Dubem Okolo
Miss. Chikodi Okolo
Mr. Onyeka Nwabuike
Mrs Ogonna (nee Nwabuike)
Mrs Nzubechukwu (nee Nwabuike)
Miss Chinasa Nwabuike
Mr. Okechukwu Nwabuike
We are convinced that dad is happily seated with God in
heaven. As Catholics however, we enjoin all friends and
well-wishers to please continue to pray and book
Masses for his repose.
Signed:
Sir. 'Dozie Donat Okolo (KSM)
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