Late Sir Patrick Iloka Onuoha was laid to rest on the 29th of April 2022 in his home town Amiyi Imeama Mgbowo in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State. He died at the age of 85. Left to mourn him are his Wife, Son, daughters, grand children, in-laws and relatives.
The burial was a success with family, friends, relatives from all works of life were in attendance to pay their last respect to the Icon Late Sir Patrick Iloka Onuoha.
May God grant him Eternal rest.
BIOGRAPHY OF LATE SIR PATRICK ILOKA ONUOHA (KSJI)
Sir Patrick Iloka Onuoha was born on the 15th of August 1937 to the humble and God-fearing family of Onuoha-ude of Amaiyi Imeama Mgbowo in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State. He was the fifth child in a family of eight. The young Patrick developed a keen interest in education at a time when formal education was not popular amongst our people.
Thus, he began his primary school education in 1950 at St John's Primary School Mgbowo in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State and passed his First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) Examination in flying colors in 1956. As a result of his exceptional brilliance, the scholastic and ebullient Patrick was quickly employed to teach at St. Patrick's Primary School, Ogbete, Enugu.
In his quest to achieve his long-lasting childhood dream of acquiring further education and training, Patrick left his auxiliary teaching job and proceeded to the highly revered Nigerian Teachers' Training College (TTC), in the present-day Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State where he successfully obtained his TC 2 Certificate in 1964.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Soon after, Sir Patrick Onuoha armed with a higher qualification reported to the Ministry of Education in the defunct Anambra State Government and was immediately posted to teach at the Holy Ghost Primary School now Market Road Primary School, Ogbete, Enugu. This was the job he did conscientiously and patriotically till the Nigerian Civil war broke out in 1967.
As a proud Igbo man, young Patrick joined the Biafran Army and was commissioned at Williams memorial grammar school Afor-Ugiri, Ohuhu-Umuahia by the then Biafran leader Gen. Emeka Ojukwu in 1968. Sir. Patrick fought tirelessly till the end of the war in 1970 to avert the extermination of his people. During that unfortunate and regrettable war, Sir. Patrick Onuoha almost lost his life when he was shot on the thigh of his left leg by the invading Nigerian army at the Ajali/Ihialla battle ground. Due to his unquenchable love for knowledge acquisition and knowledge sharing, Patrick went back to teaching after the end of the three-year civil war. Sir. Patrick Onuoha was known as a dedicated and compassionate teacher. His students loved him intensely for benefitting from his deep well of knowledge, wisdom, and teaching methods. He loved the English Language and English Literature. Little wonder then that he was seen as a man of prose', and one who had a mastery and command of the English language. During his stint as a teacher, he taught many prominent Nigerians including the current Federal Minister for Labour and Productivity, Senator Dr. Chris Ngige.
In 1971, Sir Patrick Onuoha being a very ambitious man decided to take his education even further. To achieve this value-laden objective, he enrolled as an external candidate of the University of London, from where he bagged his Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.) degree in Economics part 1 and part 2 respectively.
Sir. Patrick Onuoha later joined Link Group of Companies, a multinational business company under the Chairmanship of His Excellency, Governor Jim Nwobodo. At the Link Group, Sir. Pat. Onuoha worked his way up to become its Administrative Manager for so many years to the delight of staff members and the Board of Directors of the flourishing company. He was so honest, trustworthy, and dutiful that he also served as Senator Nwobodo's Personal Adviser and close confidant. He traveled extensively between 1978 and 1993. On such trips, he is either on business negotiations or attending seminars, conferences, or symposia. On retirement from the Link Group, he went into private practice by setting up and managing his own company, the Calice Group of Companies, Enugu.
FAMILY/ MARRIED LIFE
Sir. Patrick Onuoha married his heartthrob, former Miss Florence Nwamaka Aziude in 1973. The union was blessed with four illustrious children, a male-child and three females. Sir. Patrick Onuoha was an adorable father who loved and care for all his children. He lived and led by example. He instilled discipline, morals, and brightness in his children. He loved to spend quality time with not just his family but with friends. He was quite accessible and loved discussing politics, news, and current affairs. In fact, at a very early age, he displayed an insatiable curiosity and interest in current affairs. He was a prolific writer as well as a voracious reader. He also had a passion for music, football, and sports generally.
RELIGIOUS/SOCIAL LIFE
Sir. Patrick Iloka Onuoha (KSJI) devoted his entire life to the service of God and humanity. He was known for his kindness, simplicity, candor, and generosity. While alive, he sacrificed his comfort to ensure that those around him were very comfortable. Daddy was a known problem solver, a rare human being who would rather deprive himself to solve the problems of others. Even while on his sick bed during the long period of his protracted illness, he shared what he had with the needy and the less privileged in society. This was in keeping with the biblical injunction that requests us "to extend a helping hand to the poor and open our arms to the needy." As a lover of the things of God, he devoted his time, energy, and resources to the service of God. At the Seat of Wisdom Catholic Parish, Housing Estate, Abakpa-Nike, Enugu he served as the pioneer Chairman of the Laity Council. While serving in that exalted position, he helped to build and develop the church.
EULOGIES
Daddy, as the Almighty God has called you home, we celebrate your outstanding accomplishments, unmatched uprightness, humility, integrity, as well as your generosity of spirit. Being mindful that your transition is inevitable and the way of all mortals, we are consoled by the open testimonies of your commitment to kindness, generosity and undying love, and loyalty to family and friends alike.
It is in recognition of his exemplary lifestyle and leadership as a father, a family man, and administrator, who made his mark on the sands of time, that the people of Mgbowo, the people of Awgu, in-laws, friends, associates, and well-wishers both home and abroad, will on this day, the 29th of April, 2022, gather to celebrate the productive and beneficial life of Sir Patrick Iloka Onuoha at his compound In Imeama, Mgbowo in Awgu LGA of Enugu State.
We profoundly cherish his blessed memory and wish him a most peaceful eternal rest.
Fare thee well till we meet to part no more, Amen.
Adieu, Papa Nnamdi!
Adieu Di Nwamaka!!
Adieu, Daddy!!!
Rest in perfect peace Daddy
ReplyDeleteMay his gentle soul Rest In Peace
ReplyDeleteMay your Soul rest in peace,Amen. Nnamdi, Accept my Condolences.
ReplyDeleteIt was a huge loss indeed. God bless his soul
ReplyDelete