LIFE AND TIMES OF LATE CHIEF LIVINUS OGBUNWOCHU NNAMANI (OGWUAZU)
Early life
Chief Livinus Ogbunwochu Nnamani (Ogwuazu) was born in the first quarter in the year 1948, the year his Father (Ojiabo Nnamani) and his brothers got their Ekwa Okpo Ozor Titleship.
This was revealed to him by the first educated man in the village, Mr. Michael Evu who recorded the Ekwa Okpo proceedings. He was born into the family of Ojiabo Nnamani of the enlarge Umunnamani Nwevu family.
He was named after his maternal grand-father, Ogbunwochu of Umuogbuokom in Obunegu Village. Papa was the last male Child of Ojiabo Nnamani. His father married two wives Nodo Nnamani and Nechi Nnamani. His mother Nodo Nnamani gave birth to 5 children of two male and three female children viz: Amushi, Nori, Nwankwo, Livinus and Neze.
Nechi being the co-wife gave birth to 5 Children made up of a male and 4 female children viz: Adani, Josephat, Nwocho, Nani and Nwachi. Papa grew up under the tutelage of Nori Nnamani, his eldest Sister because his mother was separated from his father in marriage then. Papa grew up, made some money, settled his father and brought back his mother Nodo home.
Papa never had opportunity of best of food but was lively and heady that he could not feel those pains. He made friends with Cyprain Agboko, Ngene Agbo and Anthony Nnaji where he usually finds refuge at the next compounds.
Education
Papa had a rough time going to school because his father did not accept his going to school at that time. He father preferred female children education rather than male children.
Papa could not accept that and struggled his way into school utilizing realization from fowl rearing being advanced to him by Nennaji Mbanwukoro of blessed memory. He did standard 1 to 3 at Eziama Community School and when he was to finish the remaining part of the school at Uzam Community school, things had become tough financially as he could not cope with the demand and no help was coming.
He ended up at standard 4. Papa was extremely intelligent, till death, Papa could write beautifully and kept record of virtually all proceedings in the town from his early days.
Marriage Life
Papa got married to Mrs Roseline Nworie Evunwede of Uhuaba Kindred in 1980. He was supported by his Brother Late Josephat Nnamani and he named his first son after Josephat.
The marriage is blessed with 8 children of 4 boys and 4 girls. The children are Ekene, Abel, Ndubuisi, Oluchukwu, Ngozi, Chinagorom, Chinasa and Chinenye. The children got the best of education. Papa can boldly attest to have produce a Chartered Accountant, an Engineer, A Medical Practitioner, Banker etc. Papa’s wife, Roseline is still very strong and still provide hope for the village women.
Work experience
Papa started struggling to make money when his friend Linus Nwankwo trained him in Bicycle repairs. After the apprenticeship, he started his own Bicycle repairs using the Umuonovo building at Orie Nvu.
He later learnt Tinker apprenticeship from same Linus Nwankwo and did it for some times. He could not last long in those businesses because he later traveled to Aba to meet his Cousins Joseph Amushi, Eke Nwogbodo and Ngenewnede Sons.
He started another apprenticeship as a mason. Masonry became his saving grace as he mastered the process and was hired by the rich to building houses, churches, culvert etc. Papa spent most of his Masonry career at Awka Etiti and Neni constructing churches and big houses for the rich.
He later got hired by a construction company who took him to Ondo state. He was in Ondo for years without returning home. When he wrote his first letter about his whereabout, his Cousin David Nnaji traveled to Ondo to bring him home on the instruction of his father.
He returned and settled at Emene to be closer home working for Royal Construction Company (RCC). He rose to become a Foreman at RCC and was instrumental to some of our people gaining employment in RCC then.
Papa was the hand behind all the culvert along Orie market to Eke Oruku during Jim Nwobodo administration. Because Papa was making money from his Masonry work, he provided our village youth shelter and support to enable them acquire education at Commercial Schools and St Patrick Secondary School at Emene in those days.
Papa had instinct in trading at both Emene and Orie Nvu. He was motivated by his bosom friends Late Cosmas Mbanwukoro and Lawrence Mbanwukede who were into businesses bigtime.
On his return to the village in 1990 after the demise of his elder brother Amushi Nnamani, he started off with Yam farming, Rice farming, Palm Plantation and then Palm Wine tapping and businesses.
He was a farmer to be reckoned with in the entire village. He maintained his palm plantation very jealously and did make bountiful harvest every season. At his late age, he re-established his provision store at Onokoro Nduvu to provide development and closer market to his people.
Today, Onokoro has become a business activity area as other shops are springing up gradually. Papa has registered so many farmers cooperative in our community all in a bid to give our people access to funding for their farming.
Community development
Papa was a beacon of hope for the hopeless in the village, he was a fearless advocate of truth. Because he was very heady, he feared nobody when it comes to saying the truth.
He was the mouthpiece of his Umunna and the village. Papa was part of the first set that established the Amechi Idodo Development Union and Eziama Amechi Idodo Development Union. He was Secretary to Eziama Community Primary School PTA for years in late 80s and 90s.
He was part of Ogbo Ise that protected the village from any aggression and thieves. Papa took leadership of Nduvu when it seamed vacuum was created. He held Nduvu together ensuring that they remain united in all fronts and even supported their application for autonomy last year.
When the entire Eziama Amechi Idodo was in big crisis during Igweship Tussle, Papa refused staying back in the city for protection. He returned home in the midst of crisis and gathered some elders to establish leadership.
His leadership held the village together even in the midst massively spread hatred among brothers due to Igweship tussle.
Interest in Cultural Music: In the 70s, Papa took interesting dancing role in Ode Music due to his passion for music. As the leader of the dance, Papa played a significant role in organizing performances, coordinating rehearsals, and ensuring that the group’s musical presentations were engaging and well-executed.
He also took a second dancing lead role in Odabara cultural music. In addition to his dancing leads within the Ode and Odabara music groups, Papa involvement in music may have also served as a source of joy and community connection, allowing him to express his creativity and share his love for music with others.
His dedication to music and the arts likely left a lasting impact on those who had the pleasure of witnessing the performances of the popular Ode and Odabara Musical performances during that era. Papa was a massive force to contend with in Omaba Nduvu cultural heritage.
Palm wine Association leadership. Papa was Secretary to Palm wine Association under his Father In-Law, Evu Nwede and later became the Chairman and Patron. He treated the association as if his life was dependent on it.
He ensured that bad wines were not allowed to sell at the market and ensured that division of the market could not stand. He went to Court to challenge the division of the palm wine market at Ukwu akpu. He ensured that every palm wine tapper is allowed to sell at Ukwu akpu.
Umugigbo/Umuonovo leadership. Papa became the Chairman of Umugigbo and Vice Chairman of Umuonovo and held these positions till death. His leadership ensured Umuonovo has bank account and started reconstruction of their building at Orie Nvu after survey and plan was registered. He stood firm in defense of his Umunna at every level. He would stop at nothing in defending his Umunna and ensuring that their assets are protected. He also ensur8es that every dispute was settled amicably without escalation.
Ozor Umuinyinya Title Holder: Papa remained the Secretary of Ozor Umuinyinya title holders for decades. He was named “Ozor Ochinanwata”. He has the recordings of umuinyinya and provided processes for everyone who want to be initiated into the Ozorship. He has great sense of history of the ozor title from days of the old.
Political Life
Papa also ventured into politics. At the inception of this democratic rule, Papa was the Chairman of Amechi Idodo/Oruku ward under APP.
He worn all elections under his leadership. His doggedness in pollical campaign ensured that APP worn the Chairman of Nkanu East LG by Late Hon. Lazarus Nnaji and Fred Ajaegbu as the succeeding Councilor of Amechi Idodo/Oruku ward in 1999.
Papa was a Stakeholder in Nkanu East Local Government for many years due to this role.
His Philosophy
Papa believed in Education and exposure. He believed in thinking big and making money. He was an advocate of truth irrespective who is hurt after the truth. He did not give chance to prayers but believed in hard work and strategic plans.
Papa will be dearly missed by those who love him and those who hate him. His advocacy for unity and prepared co-existence is unequaled.