TITLE: PROVIDENCE AND GRACE: THE JOURNEY OF MY LIFE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF CHIEF SIR EMMANUEL OBIORAH NWOFOR (KSP)
REVIEWER: PROF. NKEMDILI Au. NNONYELU
It is with profound delight that I stand out here today to do a review of a true life story personally authored by one of the most pleasant personalities I have ever met, a thoroughbred, well behaved and extraordinary gentleman of the finest hue, a world class administrator, a peacemaker, bridge builder, devout Christian of the Anglican Communion, a humanist par excellence, Chief Sir Rtn. Emmanuel Obiorah Nwofor, Knight of St. Paul, Ezeudo Awka. I therefore consider it a privilege and an honour to be asked to review this book, written by Emmanuel Nwofor, World Ambassador, appropriately titled PROVIDENCE AND GRACE: THE JOURNEY OF MY LIFE. The book is quite exhilarating, fascinating and educative. Infact, it is a collectors delight, for I was literally consumed, could not do anything else, once I picked up the book to read, until I went through, with smiles, the entire 258 page book. It captures tellingly, reminiscences of ones peregrinations, life journey, a truthful expose of his entire life history. This book is divided into 12 storied chapters with preliminary pages including Dedication, Acknowledgement, Foreword uniquely delivered by two different individuals. One, from Mrs. Theresa Ngozi Chaney (nee Nwofor) all the way from Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, and the second Foreword from the erudite Chief Dr. Bisi Ogunjobi, Pro-Chancellor, Samuel Adegboyega University, and a Preface. In their different submissions, both Theresa Ngozi Chaney and Bisi Ogunjobi gave eloquent testimonies about the lucidity of the book, a fresh rehearsal of Emma Nwofor’s life trajectory. On the one hand, the book is presented as a treasurable insight into the larger extended family in traditional Igbo society, colossal family challenges that propelled a young man through dexterity and selfdiscipline to turn the bend for the upliftment of his family and immediate community. On the other 2 hand, the book depicts how a “trenchant intellect and a worklore persona” inspired Emma Nwofor throughout his professional career and entire life. The book is dedicated to his parents, that he remembers with nostalgia. Of course there is a section on Acknowledgements, but I will leave the author himself, to do justice to that later today. Chapter One of the book was an excursion into his genealogy, and rightly too, his roots, where he traced with anthropological expertise, the family tree of Umuenwedo clan, Umubele Village, Awka, Anambra State. Emmanuel Obiorah Nwofor was born into a polygamous family of Pastor & Mrs. John Nwakputakpu Nwofor on March 11, 1946. In pre-colonial and colonial eras, Awka was an ancient community renowned for its technological ingenuity, but it has since transformed into a provincial headquarters, and later the capital and seat of government, of present Anambra State. His father, born in 1910, was a successful blacksmith, a trailblazer in the fabrication of iron gates, who later became an Evangelist in Saviour Apostolic Church. His father had a thriving blacksmithing industry in Achala, Awka North local Government, before moving over to Onitsha. His Onitsha residence, given his infectious hospitality, turned out to be a meeting point of all Awka travellers in those days. His father married Ekedunma, of Nkwelle Village who gave birth to two ladies, and obviously for reasons of son preference, I would gather, he opted to marry Janet Nwabuogo Nwobu (nee Dibor) of Umuonaga village in 1945. A year after, Emmanuel Obiorah Nwofor was born, followed by five other siblings. Ambassador Emma Nwofor’s maternal grandfather was the wealthy Ozo Nwakwo Dibor, who was one of the first Awka indigenes to own a motor vehicle. Knowing these facts, will it be safe to agree with the depositions in the book, about the very poor background of Emma Nwofor? It seems to me a bit more favoured by destiny in terms of family history, than some of his peers. However, an abiding feature of the Nwofor familial environment is the sense of camaraderie, love and pervasive social bonds and solidarity. In Chapter Two, titled QUEST FOR EDUCATION, the author traced very lucidly his burning desire to acquire education to the highest level. His outstanding intellect was noticed early in his primary school days at St. Faith’s Primary School, Awka (1953 – 1959) and New Bethel Primary School, Onitsha (1960 – 61) where he obtained the First School Leaving Certificate with DISTINCTION. 3 Ambassador Emma Nwofor has not forgotten the standard of discipline in those days where every pupil was expected to live up to the set rules and regulations, or face severe, even corporal punishment. His membership of the Boys Scout also helped to put him in good stead to face with a dose of equanimity, the arduous challenges that posed as roadblocks in his growing up years, and later adult life. In primary school, while his brilliance shone like a thousand stars, he was also very good in athletics, particularly high jump. Emmanuel Nwofor’s secondary school education was no less spectacular, as he came out in flying colours, posting the only GRADE ONE CERTIFICATE at Etukokwu Secondary School of Commerce, Onitsha. His decision to attend the school was in response to an advert by the School inviting applicants to KILL TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE, meaning that the students would have the double advantage of having two well sought certificates at the end of their training namely WAEC and Royal Society of Arts, London. Needless to say, and with the wisdom of hindsight, this clarity of vision proved pivotal in Emma Nwofor’s career trajectory. He was not even a book worm, but was better known for his other admirable social qualities that earned him the Senior Prefect and President of the School Dramatic Society. He was a role model of sorts, a Master Compere with panache and eloquence, that his name was sought to be included in posters to attract audience. A celebrity in those days, he did not allow that to get into his head as he remained as focused as ever, even amidst furtive glances from the female folk. His desire to attend university early in his life could not be achieved, as he didn’t have the immediate financial wherewithal to proceed, having been assisted by his elder cousin Chief Lawrence Nwajiobu to complete his secondary education. While on the job, pursuing his career, he got enrolled into California State University, Santa Ana, where he bagged a BSc degree in Business Administration. His undergraduate thesis “The Rural Banking Scheme – A Descriptive Story of the Nigerian Experience” earned him commendation from the President of the University, Dr. Thomas M. Neal. Furthermore, he had to his kitty several Certificates of Post Graduate Diploma programs among which was the program at Arthur D. Little Management Education Institute Cambridge, USA. His attendance to Workshops and Conferences in elite institutions across the globe was quite remarkable. 4 In Chapter Three, the author traces the nexus between culture and development, highlighting the rich tapestry and repository of the socio-cultural activities that helped his formation. Respect for elders, love for family, benefits of hard work and sacrifice were all internalized while growing up. Although he professes strong Christian values, it didn’t make him to demystify Igbo masquerades and what they stood for in the context of Igbo socio-cultural milieu. He identified some of the cultural festivals among which were the EGWU IMOKA, OSULU, EDE MMUO and OTITE. The Egwu Imoka festival continues to attract attention and interest amongst Awka people, while Osulu has since become extinct. The author also observes that title taking and going by title names is second nature of Awka people. People are identified more by their title names than by their real names. Red Cap, among the Awka people is valued, for there are many ceremonies, before one is qualified to wear the red cap, unlike other Igbo communities. These include; Amanwulu, Chi, Aghajioku, Ajaghilija, and finally Ozo. One can also be conferred with chieftaincy title by a recognized traditional ruler. The author was conferred in 2004 with Ezeudo Awka, with yours truly here as Okaa Awka, on the same day that then Governors of Lagos and Abia States, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, now President, and Orji Uzo Kalu, now Senator, were conferred with titles by His Royal Majesty, Obi Dr Gibson Nwosu, Ezeuzu II, Awka. Socio- culturally, there have been remarkable changes in Awka given cultural dynamics, but also due to the force of climate change that has adversely affected the town’s topography and banished all of the flowing streams in those days. These include Ogba, Ogbavolivoli, Udide, Obibia and Imoka river. These streams, in the past, were sources of water, relaxation and fun. The agonies, pains of the Nigerian Civil War, were very well documented in Chapter Four. The events leading to that war, the January 1966 Coup, that was falsely and mischievously tagged Igbo Coup, the July reprisal counter coup, the pogrom, and mass slaughter of Igbo in the north, the recess of the Eastern Nigeria and declaration of Biafra, the genocidal attacks of the federal forces and the gallant, heroic resistance of the Easterners in the face of death, received adequate attention. The author saw battle, although belatedly, not out of cowardice, but in keeping with his strategic evaluation of options available, and the weight of the family pressure upon him. He was a member of the Biafran Air Force that helped in safeguarding Uga Airport. The aftermath of that war is still fresh in the minds of many Easterners. Many families lost loved ones. That war also saw the death of Mr. John Nwakputakpu Nwofor, who refused to vacate Awka when it fell to federal forces in 1968. 5 Chapter Five is a happy recollection of marriage and family life. At the young age of 29, with everything going for him, good job, handsome, and having acquired all the perquisites that will put him in good stead for marriage, Emma Nwofor decided to settle down with a wife. He knew what he wanted for a wife when he went searching for his missing rib. He prayed over this for divine guidance in this potentially life changing move. He thereafter, as usual in those days, sent words across to experienced matchmakers, but with clear qualities about what he wanted in a wife “good family background, beautiful, fair in complexion, preferably in the teaching profession, and above all, have a good character”. Coincidentally, two of the people on this mission arrived at the same destination looking for the same person. Ambassador Emma Nwofor, being a man of action, did not waste time in tying the nuptial knots with the pretty Florence Chisolu Nwobu from Umudioka Village, Awka, on 2nd October, 1976 at Christ Anglican Church, Kaduna. In Florence, as Ambassador has confessed publicly, he found a wife, companion, soulmate, friend and a veritable pillar of support. This marriage is blessed with five children, two lovely ladies married with children, and 3 boys also married, namely; Theresa Christina, Chinyere, Emmanuel, Charles and Ekene, all doing exceptionally very well to the joy of their parents and eternal glory of God. This marriage is waiting to celebrate its golden jubilee anniversary in two years’ time. The children’s success in large part is attributed to painstaking, deliberate efforts, made by their parents to properly guide them in the right paths, and of course, the unseen hands of God Almighty. The children have leveraged on the liberal mindedness of parents, multicultural and global worldview to marry from across the globe, New Zealand, United States, and Yoruba, Nigeria. In Chapter Six, titled Career Development, the author recounted how his nickname ‘Showboy Ambassador’ influenced somewhat his choice of career. Although he did not seek employment in the Foreign Service, but in international organizations that will provide similar air and ambience as foreign missions. In 1972, he got employment in United Nations Development Program (UNDP) where he rose to become the Head of the Unit. In that role, he had a fantastic working relationship with various UN experts (ICAO, FAO, WHO, UNESCO and UNICEF) that were in Northern Nigeria. He was a very effective and efficient administrator. However, his perception that he was not as well rewarded as the expatriate staff before him, led him into searching for greener pastures elsewhere, outside the country. He finally settled with the African Development Bank (ADB), where he got employment in July, 1979, after high performance in a well conducted rigorous interview process. Given his credentials, verifiable 6 work ethics and performance, it couldn’t have been otherwise. With his on-the-job performance, even without a university degree, his position was reclassified into the professional category. He was a key player in the Human Resources Management Department of the bank, with specialization in compensation and benefits. He was deeply involved in bank-wide classification of all positions in the bank, which entailed evaluation of positions to determine their relative importance, complexity, responsibilities and assigning appropriate grades. All through his 26 years of service in the bank, Ambassador Emma Nwofor received excellent commendations. Given his strategic position in the bank, and the level of top management trust in his ability, expertise and passion for service delivery, the management of ADB included Emma Nwofor as part of the crack technical team that was sent to Tunis to prepare the bank’s relocation from Abidjan, following the political turmoil in Cote d’Ivoire. This select team maintained full bank operations, while other employees were sent home pending when the office would be fully ready. On 24th March, 2003, the President of the Bank wrote him another personal letter of commendation for exemplary services provided in the challenging period of transition. Chapter Seven was devoted almost exclusively to eulogizing Abidjan, capital of Cote d’Ivoire. The author was enamoured of the city’s infrastructure, cleanliness, beauty, and culture. This is not surprising, given that the author and his family spent more than 20 years in that city. No doubt, the perfect blend of the city with the taste and lifestyle of the author struck a chord of attachment. We also remember that the city played host to Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu for 9 years, during his years of exile after the collapse of Biafra. The city is well planned, one of its elite, highbrow areas, Deux Plateau, is where Ambassador Emma Nwofor’s palatial home is located, now rented to one of the Embassies as Chancery. Abidjan was known as mini-Paris with similar lifestyle against the background of the Policy of Assimilation. These attributes which, resonated with Nwofor and family helped to provide the serenity of mind, body and soul that they needed to get through the demands of work and family. Ambassador Emma Nwofor’s spouse, Florence also acquitted herself creditably in the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan where she worked until retirement. Tunis, capital of Tunisia, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara Desert, was the next port of call for Emma Nwofor in this journey of life, as he puts it. It was another beautiful city, with a lot of European tourists, given its proximity to Europe and it’s liberal culture in spite of its Islamic religion. Night life was active, with night clubs that Showboy Ambassador visited with his friend, Prof. 7 Sam Nnama, even if infrequently. I didn’t say regularly please. It also has some historical sites like that of Ancient Carthage. All said, the work and social life experience in Tunis was scintillating, to use Ambassador’s exact word. In Chapter Nine, the author tried to strike a balance between work, family and social life. His attachment to his job, did not alienate or insulate him from performing several other roles in different spheres. He played active roles in the church, being a man of deep faith. Together with his wife, they served in different capacities in the men’s and women’s fellowships, harvest and others. He was later invested with the knighthood of the Anglican Communion by His Grace, Most Rev. Alexander Ibezim, Archbishop, Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Awka. In this chapter also, I saw a full disclosure of the family medical history, which I consider unprecedented. Never have I seen such a recording of one’s active medical condition, including hospital visits, therapies. This demonstrates a very high level of emotional intelligence and mental balance. The great family bond, or what I rather describe as intense familiness is amply shown in the enduring love Emma showered on his parents until their death, and siblings who all visited, and stayed with him, in his house in Abidjan. This love is extended to the larger Umuenwedo family, men and women who annually are treated to Christmas feasts and handed different gifts including cash. Chapter Ten was a rendition of some notable roles outside the strict confines of the work environment. Active member of the Igbo Union in Ivory Coast, where he served as President, and settled the lingering dispute and faction in the group, justifying his title EZEUDO. He organized the Igbo Cultural Day in Abidjan that had eminent dignitaries attending from Nigeria, including Dr. Alex Ekwueme, General Ike Nwachukwu and Distinguished Senator Ben Ndi Obi (Ojeligbo, Oku-Uzunagbazeigwe), who is the chairman of today’s event. In other spheres, the author showed his other qualities, as a member of the Rotary Club of Awka, in District 9142, a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, waiting to be decorated as a Major Donor. He is also a member of IBB Golf Club and Country Club, Abuja. In Awka, he plays active roles in the affairs of his community as a member of the cabinet of His Royal Majesty, Obi Dr. Gibson Nwosu. In Abuja, in his estate, Suncity, he also served on the Management Committee. 8 An avalanche of correspondences is seen in Chapter Eleven, in the responses of his colleagues, to his letter informing them of his retirement. The outpouring of love in the most elegant language, shown by his former colleagues, at the twilight of his career is a testament to the sterling qualities of Ezeudo. In Chapter 12, Ezeudo sermonizes on how best to prepare for retirement. I hope those of us still in service are listening? To Ambassador Emma Nwofor, retirement was planned for. It did not just happen or appear suddenly. Before his disengagement from service, all his children had graduated from university, and some very gainfully employed. He also had some modest investments that ensured that wherever he chose to live, whether in Abidjan, Abuja or Awka, he would not be subjected to the constant harassments of shylock landlords. Fortunately, his health, together with that of his spouse and children is in perfect shape. He warns that ONE SHOULD THEREFORE PREPARE FOR HIS RETIREMENT IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN A REASONABLE STANDARD OF LIVING DURING RETIREMENT. I am not sure that this admonition is for everyone, or applies to people like us who work in the Nigerian University System, with our take home pay which cannot take us to our various homes. After retirement, on arriving Nigeria, three options were on the table for Ambassador Emma Nwofor namely; a) Join politics, the only industry that seems to be thriving in Nigeria, b) Set up a consultancy outfit, c) Serve his Awka Community in whatever advisory capacity. Learning of how rugged Nigerian politics is, he settled for b) and c), consultancy and working in close liaison with the Awka Traditional Institution. Mr. Chairman, distinguished guests, dear friends, I say on my honour, that this is a well written book, a true life story of a man whose integrity is unimpeachable, whose life is an open book, a man with an unparalleled love for humanity, an embodiment of peace and goodwill, a quintessential gentleman, an exemplary votary of what public service means, Chief Emmanuel Obiorah Nwofor KSP PHF*6, Ezeudo Awka, Omeudo, Amaraku. 9 This anecdotal recollection is both insightful and educative. It is a must read for everyone. I urge all of us to take as many copies as possible for our homes and school libraries, while we wait for a second edition during his centennial celebration. Thanks very much for your magnificent attention.
Prof. Nkemdili Au. Nnonyelu is the
Director, Emeka Anyaoku Institute for International Studies and Diplomacy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State. He is also the Pro-Chancellor & Chairman, Governing Council, Peter University, Achina/Onne in Anambra State.
