REMEMBERING AN ICONIC PHILANTROPIST, OJIMADU NWAEZE 18 YEARS AFTER


 29th October, 2006 was, surely, not a day to be forgotten in a hurry, in the annals of Nigeria history. It was a day, an ADC Airliner crashed moments after take off from Abuja. 105 people  were on board the flight to Sokoto when it crashed into a field about 2km from the runaway. 100 people, including our beloved Sir Ojimadu Nwaeze  died.

In Ubakala,  it was a rude shock as people wept openly and business activities came to a stand still.

The death of Sir Ojimadu Nwaeze was a big blow  to Ubakala people. Never in history of Ubakala had a man imparted so much positive visible contributions that completely turned around the fortune of many in the clan.

His name was synonymous with charity and hope to  the hopeless in Ubakala and surrounding communities. His humanitarian activities knew no bound. He touched so many lives  spiritually, physically, morally and financially. The clan has his footprints because he contributed generously in matters affecting them. He provided to his people what many  state governments have not been able to provide. He was a rare personality who had left indelible footprints positively on the sand of time.


A native of Umukaraka, Laguru Ubakala in Umuahia South Local Government.  He was born on 19th  April, 1958 to late Mr. Andrew Olelero Nwaeze and  Dame Beatrice Martha Nwaeze. Although, he recieved his early education at the Ubakala Central School, Apumiri. His quest for further studies was puntuated by the loss of his father and bread winner at a tender age. Consequently, he had no option but to embrace technical training on electrical works in which he eventually carve a niche for himself.

As a result of his technical know how and the attendant huge patronage by clients, Sir Ojimadu Nwaeze established his first company, Nwaeze Electrical Works and Supplies ( NEWS) which later metamorphosised to the NEWS  Engineering Nig Ltd, a wholly indigenous  Electrical Engineering Construction Company, that has made her mark in the Nigerian Electrical Pioneer Sector. Founded in 1983 as a domestic electrical company, NEWS Engineering Nigeria Ltd has grown into a full fledged Electrical Engineering Construction Company

He was a gifted giver, his passion for the less priviledged, the indigent students, the youth, women in trade, the widow, the needy and the physically challenged was unequalled

 He gave scholarships to indigent students  and empowered many on small and medium scale enterprises.

He made it  a point of duty that  the widow did not suffer  untold hardship by providing for their resources

His compassion for the less privileged as well as his generiosity, kindness and love for the needy were exceptional.

Churches were equally beneficiary of his benevolence. His contributions to the churches in and around Ubakala had in no small way supported their upgrading. He single handedly built the main auditorium for the Holy Trinity Church, Apumiri.

 He had also at the community level supported a number of projects. He financed and built  a transmission substation in ipupe Ubakala to boost electricity supply in Ubakala and environs. He didn't stop at that, as he sunk bore hole with a standby generator for each of the six communities in Alaocha Ubakala

No wonder he was given so many awards in recognition of his open handedness and desire to make anyone he came in contact with a better person.



He was a devoted Christian with the fear of God in his dealings with people. He was an Anglican faithful and a knight. He was married to Mrs Josephine Nwaeze and were blessed with seven Children.

A Man's worth can not be measured by the level of his wealth acumulated but by the legacy he left behind.

Sir Ojimadu Nwaeze had boldly written his name with an indelible golden ink that shall forever be remembered for his passion for his people and the less priviledged members of the society.

Eighteen years have gone since he left this world, yet it was still like yesterday. People still remember his face, his doggedness, philanthropy, Charisma, kindness, generosity, love for the needy, sacrifice and selfless service to humanity. He is simply unforgettable. In the words of Wistom Churchill, "our love and respect for him is like an iron peg hammered into frozen ground immovable.
 Sir Ojimadu Nwaeze continue to sleep in the bosom of your creator till we meet to part no more.

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