By Ikenna ONUOHA, Ph.D.
Ecclesiastics, chapter 3:1 says; “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven,”. The chapter emphasized that all of life’s events, from joy to sorrow, birth to death, growth to decay, happen in an appointed, purposeful time ordained by God.
It is a profound reflection on the cyclical nature of life, acknowledging that every human experience, both good and bad, fits into a greater divine plan and serves a specific purpose.
On Saturday, December 20, 2025, all roads lead to Ezisu Ndugba (from old Umundugba Autonomous Community) as High Chief Augustine Esogibe Onuoha who died on August 30, 2025 at the age of 95 years joins his ancestors.
Chief Augustine Onuoha, until his death was a man known for genuine philanthropy, possessed sense of development and untiring spirit of success held the popular traditional Chieftaincy title of “Omee Okwe na Isu” as well as, “Chief Nwayaya”.
His charismatic leadership, community respect, ‘I can do spirit’ and contagious native sense which evoked admirable and commandary reputation in his community, Isu LGA and beyond.
High Chief Augustine Esogibe Onuoha was born into the family of Chief Onuoha Ezelannanawu Ezealanyanwu (Omee Okwe I Na Isu) and Lolo Ugadiye Cecilia Onuoha of Umuezealaji Ezisu Ndugba in Isu Local Government Area of Imo State in August, 30th, 1930.
As a child born by devout Christians of Catholic extraction, young Esogibe Onuoha was baptized and Christened “Augustine” at Saint Greggory Catholic Church, Amaigbo, old Nkwerre-Isu, in the present Nwangele local government area of Imo state by Reverend Father Hacket.
Immediately after his birth in 1930, young Augustine Onuoha without wasting time displayed uncommon and unusual leadership skills that made his cousin sister, Mrs. Akirinonu to nick-name him “Ikuku ama n’onya”, meaning, the “wind that can’t be trapped”.
EDUCATION
Young Augustine Onuoha attended Saint Greggory Amandugba and successfully passed out the Eastern Nigeria Certificate (Standard 6).
BUSINESS
As a young man with determination to survive and contribute to the growth of the society, young Augustine Onuoha after graduating from Saint Greggory Amandugba travelled to Omoku Igweocha, in the present Rivers State. On arrival at Omoku, Augustine Onuoha engaged himself in farming business majoring in yam cultivation for 12 months (one year).
Because of his quest for survival, after working for one year, he harvested the yam and sold it at Oguta in Imo Satte and made huge money from the proceeds. Not satisfied with the profit from the yam he sold; Augustine Onuoha left Omoku in Rivers state and travelled to Abazuwa, Benin City, in the present Edo state where he started rubber processing business.
Prepared to be successful in life, Augustine Onuoha made huge profit from the rubber business at Abazuwa in Benin City; he didn’t waste time in Benin, but immediately came back to his town to settle down.
As a young man who wished to be responsible with good family, he married his wife, Lolo Regina Uwaozuruleonye Onuoha (Nee Ukeoma) from Umuaka, in the present Njaba LGA and the marriage is blessed with seven sons who are doing well in their chosen careers.
Augustine Onuoha, having the premonition of becoming very successful in life with large family later got married to his second wife, Mrs. Veronica Onuoha (Nee Ogwemenu) of Umudiojii Nnerim in Isu LGA and the marriage is blessed with four children also doing well.
Determined to succeed in life, having gotten married, Augustine Onuoha ventured into bottle buying/selling, barbing saloon, restaurant, selling of locally produced fabrics, oil and gas that led him and his brothers to set up a fuel station at Ezisu, the first of its kind in the community.
Luckily for him, through these businesses, Chief Augustine Onuoha was able to save money for further triumphs. As it is said that God blesses whomever He will bless, in the cause of trying to survive in life, Augustine Onuoha visited Orie Amaraigwe, Afor Umuaka, Nkwo Orji, Nkwo Orodo, Eke Amandugba, and Nkwo Isu markets respectively to distribute, market and sell his products.
As a judicious, resourceful, meticulous and careful person, he gathered all the proceeds he made from the businesses and used part of the money to buy a landed property at Ikpa-Nkwo Orori in Umundugba, beside the Isu LGA Headquarters. Few months after the purchase, Augustine Onuoha began construction of the storey building which he named Onuoha and Sons Plaza after completion .
Not satisfied with the rate of his achievements as at then, Augustine Onuoha started investing in properties which later blossomed, thereby making him the owner of several buildings, looked-up shops, and numerous empty landed properties within Isu LGA and beyond.
After building the plaza with large warehouse, Augustine Onuoha started selling assorted kinds of beverages, (none and alcoholic drinks) both in retail and in wholesale. His business thrived that he became the major supplier and distributor of beverages to Isu Local Government Area, corporate bodies, individuals and groups at affordable cost within and outside the council area.
From this business, Augustine Onuoha was able to train his eleven children in different Professions and careers. Some of them are Doctors, Microbiologists, Engineers, Surveyors, etc.
POLITICS
As an all-rounder, Augustine Onuoha performed creditably well in political leadership. He was the first Chairman of all Chairmen in Isu LGA under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for eight (8) years. Under his leadership as the Chairman of all Chairmen, Augustine Onuoha, in collaboration with other key like minds and political players nominated Engr. Linus Dike of Amurie Omanze to contest the then Isu local government election.
Luckily for them, their nominee won the election as the first elected Executive Chairman of Isu LGA. Having won the seat of the Isu Local Government Chairman, August Onuoha was appointed Chairman, Isu Tax Assessment Authority representing old Amandugba, old Amurie and its environs for 25 years. A position he handled with absolute dedication, commitment and sincerity of purpose which no doubt, contributed to the development of the area.
His financial, social and resource contacts became so wide and highly rated that politicians wishing to contest Local Government Chairmanship, House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, etc started coming to him for consultation and political endorsement.
Unlike the present leaders who would want to remain in power throughout their life time; Chief Augustine Onuoha willingly, personally and at his volition resigned from the position as Chairman of Isu Tax Assessment Authority after improving the wellbeing of his people.
HUMANITARIAN SERVICES
In the same spirit to assist the poor, Chief Augustine Onuoha founded the “Chimezie Joint Farmers and Multi-Purpose Corporative Society (CJFMCS), Micro Finance Bank” and became its President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for 41 years. This organization served as a last hope for the common man where people viewed as succur to borrow loan of any amount.
Those in need of takeoff funds to start up small scale/medium businesses, pay tuition fees for their children, and those in need of funds to travel overseas run to him for urgent rescue. Those that benefitted from Chief Augustine Onuoha’s humanitarian service are today, Medical Doctors, Lecturers, Traditional Rulers, Lawyers, Engineers, Successful businessmen/women, Millionaires, Billionaires and live in various parts of the globe.
RELIGION SERVICE
As a practicing Christian of African Gospel Mission (AGM) extraction, he devoted himself for the service of God and humanity. As a result of his sound character and passion for development, High Chief Onuoha was unanimously appointed the Church building Committee Chairman for five years, a position he used to renovate the entire church building, installed iron burglary protectors, doors and aluminum windows.
Shortly after achieving this feat, High Chief Onuoha was still not satisfied on the outer look of the structure, this triggered him to repaint the entire church building to bring its deserved aesthetics beauty, before fencing the church round.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
As it is said that charity begins at home, this is what distinguished Chief Austine Onuoha from others. At community level, he served as Chairman, Council of Chief of old Amandugba (Ofor Itoli) Ancient Kingdom under the reign of HRM Eze Ikejiofor (Igwe Gbajiri-Igwe I) of Amandugba who conferred on him the Traditional Chieftaincy Title of “OMEE OKWE II”. Chief Augustine Onuoha contributed to the establishment of Woman Education Center, Amandugba, and now in Umundugba, amongst others.
In his quest for development through expansion, Chief Augustine Onuoha played a major and leading role in the creation of Umundugba Autonomous Community out of old Amandugba Ancient Kingdom. At the formative stage of the proposed creation of Umundugba autonomous community, Chief Augustine Onuoha (representing Ezisu), Chief John Nwokeezike (representing Nnerim), Chief Adolphus Otuonye (representing Okwara Okwara), Chief Sir Nnadi (representing Okporo Orori) and Chief Emmanuel Anusionwu (representing Umuezeala Orori) fought for the creation of Umundugba Autonomous Community. Today, that vision was realized through their consistent and conscientious effort. Today, Umundugba autonomous community is in existence and absolutely doing well.
Moreso, due to his leadership dexterity and sagacity, Chief Augustine Onuoha also served as Chairman, Council of Chief of Ibeahia Orori in Umundugba Autonomous Community comprising, (Orori, Okwara Okwara, Ezisu, and Nnerim) for 7 years under the reign of HRM Eze Christopher Onyegbuleonweya Ugochukwu Anusionwu II.
The presence of Chief Augustine Onuoha was a morale booster to the then, HRM Eze Ugochukwu. This made the first class monarch to bestow a Chieftaincy title on some prominent Isu sons and daughters. As a man who understood achievement as a language, he led crème de la crème of dignitaries from his community to prevail on the then Military Governor of Imo State, Ndubuisi Kanu to detach Nkwerre and Isu from old arrangement to guarantee independence from the old “Nkwerre-Isu” county council.
His leadership capacity paid off when this request was granted and approved by the Military Governor, Ndubuisi Kanu hence, what exists today as; Nkwerre and Isu local government areas respectively. Coming down to Ezisu, one of the villages in Umundugba autonomous community, Chief Augustine Onuoha and Chief Hon Okechukwu Dike were among the tactical team that met with the then Governor of Imo State, Chief Achike Udenwa at the Imo State Government House through the then Secretary to the Government of Imo State (SSG), Chief Ignatius M. Umunna to discuss the need for the creation of Ezisu Ndugba Autonomous Community to fast tract development.
As usual, this request was granted and Ezisu Ndugba autonomous community was created. Today, his quest for the creation of Ezisu Ndugba autonomous community has yielded dividends through the establishment of Primary/Secondary schools, Ezisu Health Center, Ezisu Hall, building of markets, churches, installation of street lights, building of Ezisu “Ama Asaa” round about and other public utilities in the community.
Owing to the creation of Ezisu Autonomous community and his unequalled contributions including the formation of Eze’s Cabinet, High Chief Austine Esogibe Onuoha, until his demise served as the Patron of Ezisu Council of Chief. In making sure that development continues in Ezisu community, High Chief Onuoha donated plots of lands belonging to him for the building of schools, Health Center, among others.
As a community leader, High Chief Onuoha ensured that conflicts in the community at the build-up of the community creation were resolved amicably. Happily, there is genuine love, peace and unity of purpose in the community at present where sons and daughters of the community at home and in diaspora have joined hands to develop the community.
ACHIEVEMENTS
As a hardworking man with 11 surviving male children, High Chief Onuoha ensured that all of them went to school and later allocated lands to all of them for the building of their personal houses without stress of buying from land vendors. To the glory of God, all his 11 male children have got married with children.
Currently, High Chief Onuoha is one major contributor to the development of Ezisu autonomous community, Umundugba and Amandugba as a whole having constructed various storey building with locked-up stores, offices, residential houses, amongst others.
Remarkably, one of his buildings at Saint Jude Ezisu is housing a big private primary/secondary schools in the community. As an investor in human capital development, High Chief Onuoha provided free accommodations to Police, Immigration, Civil Defense and DSS officials, among others who were posted to Isu LGA for their services. Most of them are currently living in his buildings across the state.
Most of those security officials he accommodated became successful with promotions to higher levels in their outfits. One remarkable thing about his benevolence is that no security personnel ever got killed while living in his house even at the period of insecurity.
As a man who detested immorality, High Chief Onuoha in collaboration with the Traditional Ruler of Ezisu Community, HRH Eze Godwin Madumere nominated Mr. Christian Nwaogu as the Coordinator of Ezisu Vigilante Group. Today, as a result of the sincere nomination and his subsequent appointment, insecurity in the community has become a thing of the past. However, Mr. Christian Nwaogu whom he nominated later served as Commander of Isu LGA Vigilante Group.
SERVICES TO EZISU OFFOR ANO
High Chief Onuoha was and still remains the first son in the village. He used his position as the first son to solve problems by uniting everyone in love without considering any personal benefit. That record has remained indelible and unchallenged.
High Chief Onuoha was a loud voice and advocate against immoral behaviour such as; stealing, armed robbery, prostitution, cultism, drug abuse and breakdown of law and order. He was instrumental to the creation of five (5) more villages out of the old five (5) villages making it ten (10) villages in Ezisu Autonomous Community.
Out of these five (5) newly created villages, High Chief Onuoha ensured that his village Umuezealaji was divided into two villages; (Umuezealaji village and Umuezealaogoma village) in line with his vision for social development through expansion.
May his soul and other faithful departed rest in peace!!
