INITATION:
There is another nobleman in Nigeria we should look into his biography to see if there is something to emulate. He is a businessman, philanthropist, politician, achiever, and relentless leader, his nickname was "the crying governor". Now, let's explore the history of Barr. Samuel Onunanaka Mbakwe.
BIRTH DATE:
A baby boy was born In the year 1929 at Avutu Obowo, Imo State, Nigeria. His name Samuel Onunanaka Mbakwe. The exact day and month was not discovered due lack of information. His parents' names also were not disclosed to our reporters at the time of the compilation of data for this post. The only information available to us was his birth year (1929).
EDUCATION:
Mbakwe started his education in the year 1937 at St Peter's Primary School, Umulogho.
He further schooled at the Teachers Training College, Oleh, Isoko, from 1946 to 1947, and later finished up at Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone in the year 1952.
He furthered his studies at the University of Manchester from the year 1955 to 1956, He continued at the University of Hull in the years 1956 to 1958, and finally graduated at the Inns of Court in the years 1958 to 59, where he served his house-man-ship, all in England. He came back to Nigeria to his profession as a lawyer. He based his practices in Port Harcourt.
CAREER:
Barr. Samuel Onunanaka Mbakwe PhD, was a lawyer by profession, politician in nature, though he studied political science, but that was his natural talent.
MARRIAGE/FAMILY:
Barr. Samuel Onunanaka Mbakwe was married to two wives: Victoria Ahuikpeghe Ugwoji, who is still alive even to the time of this post, and Late Florence Nwaeruru Egbuka who died during Mbakwe's leadership as the first governor of Imo State, Nigeria.
CHILDREN/RELATIONS:
- Alex Chidi Mbakwe,
- Bobby Mbakwe,
- Okwuchi Mbakwe,
- Chidiebere Mbakwe,
- Onyekwere Mbakwe
SIBLING:
- Alex Mbakwe
POLITICS:
Sam Mbakwe served as an Administrator of Okigwe Province in the Republic of Biafra, an Igbo secessionist state in southeastern Nigeria, during the 1967–1970 Civil War.
His political party was Nigeria People's party (NPP).
Mbakwe joined the Constituent Assembly in 1978 and became governor on October 1st, 1979. The main purpose and pursuit of his administration was to improve Imo State's roads.
He gave into power again through another election, but his second tenor was interrupted by a military coup led by General Muhammadu Buhari on December 31st, 1983. That coup brought the end of the Second Republic. Sam Mbakwe said that the Second Republic was "controversial," Mbakwe further said the following: "If you have not been in prison before, that will be your baptism and qualification". Mbakwe further revealing his experience in prison, "If enter the prison, You will notice that not all those in detention were criminals."
Mbakwe was nicknamed "the weeping governor" as he was crying when he was convincing the federal leadership to come to his aid and help Imo state; the first occasion of his tears was for "Ndiegoro flood in Aba", as a part of Imo State. He then invited President Shehu Shagari to witness the disaster, and it was said that he was shedding tears while he was conducting the president around the disaster areas.
ACHIEVEMENT:
Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, was launched in 1981, which is now named after him, the was also commissioned by the state administration. The project was done through individual's donations.
The same Barr. Sam Onunanaka Mbakwe PhD started the Imo State University. The location fall in a territory that was given to Abia State in 1991 when Abia State was carved out from Imo, the school was renamed "Abia State University".
However, the State University's new campus in Owerri retains the name Imo State University up to date.
AWARDS:
- Many Roads are named in the name of Sam Mbakwe.
- An Airport was named after him.
- He was awarded the best governor in his tenor.
DEATH:
He died on January 6th , 2004 at the age of 75, in his own town, Avutu Obowo, Imo State Nigeria.
LESSONS TO LEARN:
- Honesty and hard working.
- Faithfulness and truthfulness in public fund..
- Diligence in duty.
- Fearless and selflessness in administration.
CONCLUSION:
Let's end this post here. There are no much information about Sam Mbakwe, but the little information gathered are very educative.
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