Reflections of the life of Dr. (Chief) Victor Chukwudi Ukponu, JP (1927-2001)

On the 13^th July 1927, Hilary Ukponu Okdiukpo and Rosa Nwanonye Ukponu (nee Obodoagwu) welcomed their first born child with the given names Victor Chukwudi. His was a humble but noble heritage: a lineage, Umueze-Issei, directly traceable to Obi Jebomaese; an extended family, Umu-Issoh of Ogbeidibo Village, which is the custodian of the ancestral and ceremonial Imaba drums of the Ezechima people; a birthplace, Issele-Uku (Issele-Oligbo), which is the head of the sprawling Ezechima Clan that stretches as far as (and includes) Onitsha. However, nothing in these antecedents would suggest that this child was destined to raise his heritage to unprecedented levels of brilliance and visibility. His life and times will become a kaleidoscope of experiences that could literarily fill several lifetimes and books.

VC10, as he was fondly called by friends on account of his alacrity, was a man of many parts; in many ways he seemed the very embodiment of diametrically opposite qualities. He was at once a conservative and revolutionary; serious minded and humorous; conservationist and iconoclast; pragmatist and idealist; peacemaker and fighter; temporal and spiritual. He pursued individual goals and community projects with equal fervor; his life was simple but he loved pomp and pageantry; he was a family man and also a world citizen; he was humble-almost meek, but he did not suffer fools lightly. Common threads that ran through his actions were courage, passion, commitment, truthfulness and clarity. He was not one to prevaricate or pretend. What you saw, was what you got. He spat you out if you were lukewarm: you were either hot or cold.

Any worthwhile reflection on the life of Dr. (Chief) V.C. Ukponu must necessarily begin with his passion for education. He was the consummate scholar. You invariably realized you were before a rare genius if you saw him at work. The speed, scope, energy and copiousness of his writing were spectacles to behold. His giftedness was recognized quite early as a young boy in primary school. By the time he finished his primary examination, he had passed entrance examinations to prestigious and elitist schools. This prompted Obi Okafor-in-Council to offer him sponsorship by the town, a gesture that was politely turned down by his far-sighted father.

Between 1946 and 1949 he attended St. Thomas College, Ibusa. As an external correspondence (Wesley Hall) candidate he sat for several examinations including the Higher Elementary, GCE ordinary and advanced levels. Indeed after he passed the Higher Elementary, he became one of the youngest headmasters of his time.

In 1958, he won a Federal Government Scholarship to the University College, Ibadan (then a college of the University of London). He graduated B.A. (Honors) Geography in 1962. This made him the first graduate of an indigenous university of Issele descent. In 1967, he obtained the Postgraduate Diploma in Education of the University London. Between 1979 and 1990, Dr. Ukponu obtained several degrees from the University of Benin. Benin-City: a Master in Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum Studies. 1981: a Postgraduate Diploma in public Administration, 1984; and a doctorate in Public Administration. 1990, he was appointed part-time lecturer in Public Administration by the same University. The way and manner he pursued this degrees, even as he raised a family, speak eloquently for his time management skills, incredible focus, ability to take on multiple tasks effectively and resilience under great pressure. At the unlikely age of 60, after retiring from the Civil Service, he took a doctoral degree contemporaneously with the of his sons-the first such occurrence in Nigerian University history and adding thereby, to his already long list of firsts. Dr. Ukponu was the author of several scholarly works and publications.

Chief Ukponu was a committed and tireless family builder. Love and marriage came early for him in 1951. The story of his courtship and subsequent marriage to Sabina Blnyelum Nwabuzor (one of the first western trained midwives in Aniocha) is a classic love story that has been told and retold in the family: time, space and occasion would not permit me to tell the juicy details. Sabina also came into the marriage with impeccable and noble antecedents: the first daughter of the late Pa Joseph Nwabuzor (first indigenous catechist and teacher in the Issele-Uku Catholic diocese) and Mrs. Beata Nwabuzor (nee Albogast Onwuemene Elue, Isagba of Issele-Uku): granddaughter of Ohene Nwabuzor, the famous prophet and healer from Onicha-Ugbo. The young teacher was saddled with three onerous responsibilities. First, he had to resettle his parents in their ancestral village Ogbeidibo. Second, he had to look after his parents and train all five siblings born after him-his one passionate mission being to build a highly educated dynasty. Third, he needed to raise his own family. With his 20-year old wife by his side, he set to work on all three tasks, making all the necessary sacrifices. His commitment to the education of his siblings as well as his own children was done with maniacal passion. There never was a son, brother and father like him. Peerless Devoted Today to the Glory of God and bearing witness to his tireless efforts is the prominence in the educated elite of his siblings (and their children) and all mine children of his-He broke…with generation by his commitment to female education; he encouraged his daughters to go into traditionally male professions and attain to the highest education possible in those field. The 50-year marriage and struggle of this couple has led to the building of one of the most educated families in Aniocha. That was his dream; the realization of this dream was his joy. As patriarch of this large family, he made the rounds in seeing every member. Whether he came to you or you came to him, he would rouse you up in wee hours of the morning to discuss and give you the benefit of his enlightened counsel.

Ukponu the Teacher inspired a generation of students. His teaching traversed the whole spectrum of our education system. He taught in primary schools in Ika and Aniocha LGAs and became a headmaster; he also taught in teacher-training colleges. Between 1963 and 1968, he was Education Officer (as teachers were then called) in charge of Geography, teaching up to the Higher School Certificate at: Comprehensive High School Aiyetoro, 1963; Edo College, Benin-City, 1964; and Government College, Ughelli, 1965-1968. Dr. Ukponu then moved up to become a lecturer and subsequently, Head of Geography at the College of Education, Abraka in 1969. Fondly called Onyenkuzi (Teacher) by even his wife, Dr. Ukponu was the personification of the teaching profession.

His ex-students include Governors, legislators, and professionals in every walk of life. The human capital he has amassed in terms of his students of his students cannot be quantified. At the news of his passing, ex-students of his, scattered all over the globe are here to honor the memory of a teacher that cared. Ukponu was a model public servant. He started his public service career as a cartographer in the defunct Western Nigeria. He was subsequently appointed Principal Education Officer (Planning) in the defunct Bendel State Ministry of Education, Benin-City. Between 1974 and 1977 he was Director of Studies, Headmaster Institute, Benin-City. His Civil Service career as Chief Inspector of Education in charge of field administration in Okpebho LGA enfolded between 1977 and 1980. From 1980-1983, Chief Ukpong had the responsibility of curriculum planning, certificate evaluation, publications and library Studies-as Director of Education in the ministry. He branched out into the academic world once again as Rector, Ozor Polytechnic and briefly served as pioneer principal of Igbinedion Education Centre, Benin City, until he became the Chairman, Bendel State Post Primary Education Board in 1991. In October 1991, Dr. Ukponu had to midwife the same board in the newly created Delta State. He held this position until June 1992. Within this period he was also a member of the Delta State Advisory Council on Education, 1991. He also served as Chairman, Caretaker Committee, Aniocha North LGA. 1994-1996. Highlights of his accomplishments in service include: the production of enumeration area for the 1963 census. 1961-1962; Member of three-man panel for the production of a social studies syllabus for schools, 1971-1972; Government Member, Joint Consultative Committee on Education, and The Nigeria Educational Research Council, 1980-1984; Member, Governing Board of CESAC, 1982-1984; and Government Representative on the Library Board, 1982-1984.

Ukponu poured his energy and prodigious talent into community building. As far back as I can remember, my father used every available opportunity to foster the advancement of Issele-Uku and its people. Issele-Uku was always in the front burner. By sheer initiative and ingenuity, he was instrumental to the location of several institutions at Issele-Uku: The Nigeria Police Post (1968) later converted and upgraded to Nigeria Police Station 1971; The New Nigeria Bank 1978; The Issele-Uku State Library Branch 1982: The resuscitation of Issele-Uku Technical College, 1983; The General Certificate in Education Center, 1983; The Magistrate Court, 1987; The High Court of Justice; The Government Health Center now converted to the Local Government Health Center; The Treasury Cash Office, 1994; The Motor Licensing and Tax Office, 1995; The National Youth Service Corps, Permanent Orientation Camp, 1995. He worked relentlessly for the creation of Aniocha North Local Government with headquarters at Issele-Uku from 1982-1993. As Local Government Chairman, he saw to the resuscitation of the electricity and water supply. One of the times I saw the fighter in my father was when he fought powerful forces in government for Otulu. Dr. Ukponu trained many people from diverse backgrounds and tribes in institutions of higher learning in Nigeria. Chief Ukponu was the chairman of the Issele-Uku Development Committee for a period of twelve years. Until his death, two perennial problems continued to claim his private attention: the full integration of our community; and the erosion problem. My father was a strong monarchist. He spared no effort in showing his support and loyalty to the Issele-Uku monarchy, and that is an understatement.

Ukponu was the quintessential peacemaker and broker. Endowed with an uncanny ability to build coalitions and consensus, he was able to bring together people with disparate viewpoints and mutual animosities. This skill was displayed when spouses called on him to mediate in their differences and in community-wide situations. A few high profile examples will suffice. He brokered the settlement of the quarrel between the late Obi of Issele-Uku, R. Osemene III and Chief Nwaso also of blessed memory. Dr. Ukponu, together with Mr. Nuel Ojei, also brokered the settlement, of the long-standing dispute between Ogboli and Umueze-Issei Quarters of Issele-Uku. As Chief Inspector of Education in charge of Okpebho LGA of Edo State, he waded into a communal dispute between seven warring Opoji villages and brokered peace. In recognition of his meritorious service to the people, he was given a traditional title, the Eribo (Alibo) of Eguare, Ekpoma with the salutation “Daudu”- by the Onogie of Ekpoma. His Royal Highness Zaiki Akhimien II at Ekpoma, on 11^th February, 1980 at a ceremony witnessed by the late Obi of Issele-Uku, R. Osemene III and his retinue. This has fostered a lasting friendship between Ekpoma and Issele-Uku. Everywhere his work took him, he forged lasting links with the people (Ika, Urhobo, Isoko, Ukwuani, Ishan, Yoruba)-making him an ambassador at large for Issele-Uku. This sense of brotherhood with all peoples explains why he encouraged the inter-tribal marriages of his children and was fiercely protective and found of his daughters-in-law.

Ukponu was an active member of the church. More importantly, he practiced Christianity in the simple, practical but sure way that Christ himself taught: he tried to be brother’s keeper and to love his neighbor as himself. Since he understood the central themes of many religions, he made close friends across religious lines. He was a humanist in its purest sense. No matter what you did to offend him, a simple apology made it vanish as if never happened. He made no distinction between the poor and rich in friendship and association. No accommodation, food, apparel and station of life were too lowly, once he met a stranger. Likewise he received everyone as royalty. He was truly simple and natural, enjoying such simple pleasures as peeling oranges from his orchard for his household and guests. He enjoyed family life and was thoroughly happy to have had a large family. A week before his passing, he told me in a telephone conversation how thankful he was to the Almighty for his countless blessings.

Your presence here to honor the memory and to celebrate the life of our husband, grandfather, father, brother, in-law, kinsman, illustrious Nigerian and noble human being, is a deep source of consolation and inner joy for us. No doubt, the rarest of rare birds has flown from us. He will be missed most affectionately. We call on you to continue to pray for his soul with one purpose that he may wake up in joyful activity at the eternal gardens of light and bliss of our Creator Adion Papa! Adieu!! Adieu!!!

Dr. Felix Afumuzo Ukponu, For the Family