ADVERTISEMENT
The Sun Nigeria
  • Home
  • National
  • Columns
    • Broken Tongues
    • Capital Matters
    • Diabetes Corner
    • Duro Onabule
    • Femi Adesina
    • Frank Talk
    • Funke Egbemode
    • Insights
    • Kalu Leadership Series
    • Kunle Solaja
    • Offside Musings
    • PressClips
    • Public Sphere
    • Ralph Egbu
    • Shola Oshunkeye
    • Sideview
    • The Flipside – Eric Osagie
    • Tola Adeniyi
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • The Sun TV
  • Sporting Sun
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • National
  • Columns
    • Broken Tongues
    • Capital Matters
    • Diabetes Corner
    • Duro Onabule
    • Femi Adesina
    • Frank Talk
    • Funke Egbemode
    • Insights
    • Kalu Leadership Series
    • Kunle Solaja
    • Offside Musings
    • PressClips
    • Public Sphere
    • Ralph Egbu
    • Shola Oshunkeye
    • Sideview
    • The Flipside – Eric Osagie
    • Tola Adeniyi
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • The Sun TV
  • Sporting Sun
No Result
View All Result
The Sun Nigeria
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT
Ley Your Dreams Come Alive – With FCMB Loans
Home Opinion

Tribute to Onwudiegwu Offor

17th November 2016
in Opinion
0
Tribute to Onwudiegwu Offor
0
SHARES
149
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

By AHAM NJOKU

AS the Igbos would say, an Iroko tree has fallen. Benneth Onwudiegwu Offor who was born in 1928 died recently in 2016. In mourning, or better said celebrating the life of a man of 88 years, very few are left who remember him as a child. Nonetheless, about eighty something years ago Hezekiah Nwokoli Offor (Ezeifeneti) and Elizabeth Nwankwo-Offor of Umudalagbaim family in Nkalafia, Irefi, Oraifite lived a simple pristine existence so different from our own. Out of that union came an undoubtedly strong, hardworking, peace loving and determined young man of adventure, path-finding steadiness, industry and faith in the generosity of providence. All the qualities that we saw in Benneth Onwudiegwu Offor, the first son and child of Hezekiah and Elizabeth, were planted over 80 years ago.

Born into a relatively privileged family, Benneth promptly started his formal education at Oraifite Central School and continued his secondary education at Bethel Secondary School Onitsha and Merchant of Light School Oba where he earned his Senior Cambridge Certificate. Understandably, at that time, the norm was for the first son, to very early in life join and assist his parents in raising his siblings. With faith in providence and commitment to family, young Benneth moved on to excel in the school of life – navigating, surviving and excelling through life’s vicissitudes. He perfected an incredible talent in negotiation, interpersonal skills, efficient management of scarce resources, and a keen mind and ability to inspire. He excelled in evidencing a delicate balance between humility and self-confidence. Benneth learned very early in life the value of ambition, perseverance and hard work; and a lot about building an empire by turning challenges into opportunities. He endeavoured to plant these values in his siblings, children and those around him.

Are you a Man 40 yrs and above? Do not miss the Vital Information, it goes off in 2 days! CLICH HERE to READ .

These enviable qualities were manifested in Benneth’s life-journey that started with a two-year employment in the construction industry in Cameroon, alongside his cousin Sir Godfrey Egbuniwe Okwuosa. With an ardent desire for employment in the public sector and encouragement from Chief Jona Ibekwe he returned to Nigeria to secure what was then a very prestigious employment with the Public Works Department, the current day Ministry of Works. His comparative intellectual advantage and uncommon dedication to work earned him the notice and interest of his British Foreman who went out of his way to ensure his admission into the Nigerian Police College in Ikeja.

In 1954, upon completion of his training as a police officer and a great promise of a relatively good life, he commenced a journey that culminated in an outstanding career as a police officer. This career started as a Corporal in 1955 and ended, with his retirement, as an Inspector in 1993. As a career police officer, he served in every region of the country including Abeokuta, Lagos, Ikeja, Zaria, Minna, Kafanchan, Kaduna, Aba, Enugu, Abakiliki, Onitsha, Ihiala, Ike-Ekiti, Akure, Ado-Ekiti and Ondo. It is noteworthy that during the visit of Queen Elizabeth for Nigeria’s pre-independence celebration at Enugu in 1960, young Police Officer Benneth was designated the Parade Commander for that ceremony.

As a young Police Officer with an apparent bright future Benneth easily persuaded a young and beautiful Ms. Comfort Omonigho from Uromi, in now Edo State, to join him on a marital journey that lasted his life time. This exciting and highly eventful journey, brought lots of joy, blessings and occasional adversities; survived the threats and challenges of a civil war; and yielded wonderful children and grandchildren.

Breaking!!! Earn up to N2 - N3 million monthly GUARANTEED (all paid in US Dollars). No training or refereal required. Do business with top USA companies like Amazon, Tesla, Facebook, IBM, Netflix, Zoom, etc. Learn more .

Along Benneth’s life journey, certain convictions were formed and fixed in this hero. He was an orthodox Christian with unshakeable mindset of gratitude and service to God. His commitment to the Church enabled him to prevail on his son, Sir Emeka Offor (Chairman, Chrome Group) to single handedly build and furnish a state of the art church complex for his community and church in 2008, the All Saints Anglican Church, Irefi. This edifice where his funeral service is to be held was commissioned by the then Primate of the Anglican Communion of Nigeria, Most Reverend P. Akinola. He was also very instrumental and meaningfully involved in the services to humanity of his son (Sir Emeka Offor) under the auspices of the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation. His hobbies undoubtedly were mostly activities that impacted positively on people around him, particularly the less-privileged.

100% Natural Herbs to Finally End Premature Ejaculation, Weak Erection and Small Manhood. >>>Click Here for Details<<< .

Benneth Onwudiegwu Offor was very passionate about the sanctity of peace within, and unity of, his Umudalagbaim family in particular and the Oraifite community in general. Upon his retirement, although he had the resources and support to live in any city of his choice in Nigeria or abroad, he chose to relocate to his village, Nkalafia, Irefi Oraifite; testimony to his love for his people and community. He devoted his time and family resources to the services and welfare of his people. He remained active and accepted various leadership roles in his community and Church. He served as the Chairman of Nkalafia Community Union for eight years; Chairman of Umudalagbaim Family Meeting for eight years; Member of the Interim Management Committee of the Oraifite Improvement Union in 1997; Patron, Oraifite Improvement Union 2003 to 2010; Member Conflict Resolution Committee of Oraifite Improvement Union; Member Igwe in Council of the Oraifite Ancient Kingdom; and Chairman, District Drug Committee, Ekwusigo Local Government for over 6 years. It is worthy to mention that Benneth’s family resources contributed largely to the construction of the Oraifite Civic Centre Complex.

Premature Ejaculation & "Small Joystick" Resolved in 7Days... Click Here For Details .

He believed in being principled, serious-minded, humble and self-confident. These attributes and services and contributions to his community, at large, earned him the conferment of the Justice of Peace (JP) in 2010 by the Chief Justice of Anambra State, Hon. Justice Obidigwe (rtd).

In all, Benneth Onwudiegwu Offor lived a life of achievements and contentment; and took situations and circumstances the way he saw them evolve which at the end earned him a well-deserved long, relatively healthy and happy life. If only Hezekiah and Elizabeth could witness the setting of the sun for their son Benneth Onwudiegwu today, they would, for sure, be proud of all that he did with the life that, through them, God gave him and of the values and virtues they invested in him.

Njoku is a Lagos-based lawyer

 

sunnews

sunnews

Related Posts

Opinion

Oyo 2023: will seyi makinde triumph?

23rd May 2022
Lawan raises hope on new electoral amendment bill 
Opinion

2023 and the potential of Ahmad Lawan

23rd May 2022
Opinion

Bassey Umo Eno: Barracks boy you did not know

23rd May 2022
Next Post
Presidential

Diaspora voting rights: An urgent need

Lagos welcomes Buhari on two-day working visit

Hunger, anger and Buhari’s optimism

N179.8 million

EFCC scare: FMBN debtors paying back-Ag. MD

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ADVERTISEMENT

Highlights

Oborodudu dedicates 11th African title to Nigeria, family

Zenith Bank Swimming Gala suspended due to heavy rains

Zenith Bank Grandslam Tennis ignites Ikoyi Club

Doping control, medical services at Okpekpe 10km road race on Saturday

Bayelsa Queens Crowned 2022 NWFL Premiership Champions

Communication, stronger regulatory oversight as panacea to wonder banking menace

Trending

Group urges Ndokwa Youths to prepare for 2023
National

Group tasks Benue PDP Delegates to make the right choice 

23rd May 2022
0

Abel Leonard, Lafia A group under the auspices of Concern Benue Professionals in Nasarawa (CBPN) has urged...

Osimhen faces Ronaldo test

Napoli raises Osimhen’s worth to N48bn

23rd May 2022
I’m not under pressure to become Super Eagles’ no 1 –Okoye

Okoye pulls out of Super Eagles friendlies

23rd May 2022
Oborodudu sets sights on Commonwealth Games

Oborodudu dedicates 11th African title to Nigeria, family

23rd May 2022

Zenith Bank Swimming Gala suspended due to heavy rains

23rd May 2022

Follow us on social media:

Latest News

  • Group tasks Benue PDP Delegates to make the right choice 
  • Napoli raises Osimhen’s worth to N48bn
  • Okoye pulls out of Super Eagles friendlies
  • Oborodudu dedicates 11th African title to Nigeria, family
  • Zenith Bank Swimming Gala suspended due to heavy rains
  • Zenith Bank Grandslam Tennis ignites Ikoyi Club
  • Doping control, medical services at Okpekpe 10km road race on Saturday
  • Bayelsa Queens Crowned 2022 NWFL Premiership Champions
  • Communication, stronger regulatory oversight as panacea to wonder banking menace
  • ‘MPC meeting outcome to determine trading sentiments on NGX this week’
  • We ‘ll surely complete our acquisition of MPNU, Seplat assures shareholders
  • Berger Paints’ shareholders ratify proposed 40k dividend
  • NLC hails former Brazilian President Lula’s vindication
  • Labour warns parties against fielding candidates who oppose LG autonomy
  • U.S. Consulate promotes entrepreneurship in Niger Delta
  • NUFBTE hails Ngige’s withdrawal from presidential race
  • Q1: Access, 10 other banks raise customer deposits to N41.18trn
  • CIBN improving capacity, begins construction of Bankers’ House
  • NMDPRA to unveil regulations on gas pricing, pipeline tariff, others
  • Customs seals warehouse with banned foreign rice

Categories

  • Abuja Metro
  • Anambra Watch
  • Arts
  • Broken Tongues
  • Business
  • Business Week
  • Cartoons
  • Citizen Joe
  • Columns
  • Cover
  • Culture
  • Duro Onabule
  • Editorial
  • Education Review
  • Effect
  • Elections
  • Entertainment
  • Events
  • Features
  • Femi Adesina
  • Food & Drinks
  • Frank Talk
  • Funke Egbemode
  • Gallery
  • Global Square by Kenneth Okonkwo
  • Health
  • Insights
  • Kalu Leadership Series
  • Kunle Solaja
  • Kunle Solaja
  • Letters
  • Lifeline
  • Lifestyle
  • Literary Review
  • Marketing Matters
  • Muiz Banire
  • National
  • News
  • Offside Musings
  • Opinion
  • oriental news
  • Politics
  • Press Release
  • PressClips
  • Public Sphere
  • Ralph Egbu
  • Shola Oshunkeye
  • Sideview
  • South-west Magazine
  • Sponsored Post
  • Sporting Sun
  • Sports
  • Sun Girl
  • Tea Time
  • The Flipside – Eric Osagie
  • The Sun Awards Live
  • The Sun TV
  • Thoughts & Talks
  • Time Out
  • Today's cover
  • Tola Adeniyi
  • Travel
  • Travel & Tourism
  • Trending
  • TSWeekend
  • Turf Game
  • Uncategorized
  • Updates
  • Views from Abroad
  • Voices
  • World
  • World News
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Paper Ad Rate
  • Online Ad Rate
  • The Team
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

© 2019 The Sun Nigeria - Managed by Netsera.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • National
  • Columns
    • Broken Tongues
    • Capital Matters
    • Diabetes Corner
    • Duro Onabule
    • Femi Adesina
    • Frank Talk
    • Funke Egbemode
    • Insights
    • Kalu Leadership Series
    • Kunle Solaja
    • Offside Musings
    • PressClips
    • Public Sphere
    • Ralph Egbu
    • Shola Oshunkeye
    • Sideview
    • The Flipside – Eric Osagie
    • Tola Adeniyi
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • The Sun TV
  • Sporting Sun

© 2019 The Sun Nigeria - Managed by Netsera.

Posting....