The executive board of ODA-USA has received information regarding the passing of Chief Athanasius Awuja.
Let's simply say that Chief Athan Awuja was one of the greatest men Okpofe
community has ever produced.
He was a pioneer Educationist and the proprietor of one of the first
Commercial schools in Mbaise. Rather than drop out of school, he granted
free education to indigenous students of low means. Many of those who
benefited from his benevolence are today, senior employees of Government
institutions, banks and other financial and commercial institutions in
Nigeria and around the world.
Chief Athan Awuja was also a pioneer healthcare provider and the proprietor
of one of the first maternity/health centers in Mbaise. If you were born in
the 70s and 80s, chances are, you were born at Ulo Ogwu Athani.
In line with his humanitarian nature, he extended free treatment to Okpofe
people who could not afford to pay their medical bills.
If for some strange reason you are still wondering, maybe it would help to
mention that he owned one of the first Peugeot 404 cars that traversed
Okpofe roads. Who would easily forget the Lagos license plate number of his
car popularly known as LAGOS JEWE?
People like these (not too many of them) are the icons of our community, and
should be immortalized.
Please find time to say a prayer for the repose of his kind, gentle and
generous soul.
I read with great shock the passing on of one of the illustrious sons of Okpofe Late Chief Athanetius Nwaogazi Awuja.
Indeed Okpofe has lost one of its foremost educationalists who had contributed immensely to the progress and development of Okpofe in all aspects of life.
Late Chief A.N. Awuja shall ever be remembered for his useful contributions both morally and financially to the well being of Okpofe people. He was father to the fatherless, husband to widows. He brought hope to hopeless and helps to the helpless orphans.
Late Chief Nwaogazi Awuja, spent all his life working and fighting for Okpofe. He lived a life worthy of emulation by all and sundry.
Death has robed us of onye anyi-ji-agamba, a one time President General of O.I.U, Politician and former Secretary of Ezinihitte LGA, a philanthropist, a role model, a peace maker, an astute teacher, a devoted Christian and son of the soil. Manager, as he fondly called shall ever be mist by Okpofe people, his students, (old and new) including those who love and cherished him.
To immortalize this worthy Son of ours, I suggest that Okpofe should name one of the schools after him.
The news of the death of Dee Athani as we fondly called him came to us at the early hours of Saturday 8th September as a rude shock. He lived an accomplished life though, but to hear that somebody your were with a few days ago and who was full of life has suddenly passed on is often devastating.
Okpofe and Mbaise in general will always remember this illustrious son for his pioneering role as a foremost educationist. Certainly, his Commercial school afforded many who otherwise would have remained illiterate the opportunity to acquire secondary (commercial) education. Many illustrious sons of our great community today are alumni of his School
Dee Athani’s death is the end of an era and has certainly created a vacuum in our great community that will be hard to fill. We will all miss him for his forthrightness and bluntness in addressing issues – without fear or favour.
Our Community shall immortalize this illustrious son for his patriotism, philanthropy and his exemplary life.
As his interment comes up on Saturday, 29th September 2007, May his Souls rest in the Lord. Amen.
Indeed Okpofe have lost a great son.May his humble soul rest in 'PERFECT PEACE".He believed completely in unity and stability including the development of Okpofe.
We must not let his legacies die.