Elder (Dr.) Emmanuel Onyemaxobi Adaelu (MFR)
It’ll take 2 centuries for another Adaelu to emerge – Prof. Ogbonna
*As Ukwa Ngwa nation holds colloquium in Honour of their Hero
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
As the remains of the foremost Ukwa la Ngwa nation leader, Elder (Dr.) Emmanuel Onyemaobi Adaelu, would be interred on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, Prof. Ogbonna Onuoha has declared that it would take about two centuries for another leader in the mould of the departed sage to emerge in the nation.
Prof. Onuoha, the newly appointed Executive Director of Aba-based National Institute for Nigeria Languages (NINLAN), made the declaration while unveiling the book: “Elder (Dr.) Emmanuel Onyemaobi Adaelu (MFR): A Consummate Leader” during a Colloquium organized in honour of the Ukwa Nation hero.
With an atmosphere filled with emotions and reminiscences, the well-attended Friday, December 12, 2024 event held at the Auditorium of Clifford University, Ihie in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of Abia State, saw the cream of Ukwa Ngwa leaders extolling the sacrificial, humble but humane life style, as well as the unrivalled commitment of Adaelu to the advancement of their nation.
Unveiling the book, a product of the 20-member Colloquium Committee which distilled into the 160-page book, papers presented by many people who knew Adaelu closely, including tributes pouring in from people across the globe, Prof. Onuoha said that Adaelu was a rare breed.
According to him, the late Osisioma-born teacher-turned-industrialist belonged to the class of people God sends to the world to serve humanity with untrammeled leadership every 200 years, as revealed by history.
He maintained that it was uncertain when another selfless leader like Adaelu would emerge again in Ukwa Ngwa nation but advised the people to remain united to be able to achieve the goals and aspirations for which the elder statesman lived and sacrificed his life for.
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, agreed with Onuoha that the void created by the passing of Adaelu would be difficult to fill.
“Without a shadow of doubt, his death is a huge loss to the family, Chemlap Nigeria Limited, and everyone inspired and impacted by his visionary lifestyle. The great vacuum this has created is not one that can be easily filled,” Governor Otti wrote in his tribute.
The Governor described Adaelu as a foremost industrialist, business guru, philanthropist, elder statesman and the inspirational leader of his people.
“As the founder and CEO of Chemlap Nigeria Ltd., a prominent resin and paint manufacturing company with headquarters in Aba, and several branches across the country, he raised the bar in business, employed many people and contributed to the economy of Abia State and Nigeria in General.
“The memories of his heroic deeds, philanthropic activities, patriotism, and selfless commitment to the welfare of others will continually inspire all who knew him personally,” the Governor added, noting that Adaelu lived a fulfilled life and transformed the lives of many in society.
Governor Otti urged the family to strive to live out the legacies and values of the departed great Patriarch.
Similarly, in his tribute, Otti’s predecessor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, said the void left by Adaelu’s passing is “unfillable,” as he belonged to a special class of leaders, adding that he “etched his name permanently and prominently in the history book of the Ukwa Ngwa nation” through his selfless leadership.
“In each generation, there are a few individuals who are endowed with the acumen, gravitas and vision which enable them to direct positively the course of event, Nna anyi Adaelu belonged to that category.”
Ikpeazu who revealed that Adaelu played a significant role in his emergence as the first Abia State Governor of Ukwa Ngwa extraction in 2015, said the elder statesman “was a tireless advocate of Ukwa Ngwa people, a voice for the voiceless, a shoulder for the weak and father figure for all.”
He lamented that with the death of Adaelu, who “conscientiously pursued common good without seeking personal glory, a strong pillar and a great giant of who illuminated the path of of renewal and rebirth, not only of Ukwa/Ngwa people but also for the entire Abia State has fallen.”
“Indeed, Osisoma Ngwa, Abia State, Ndigbo and Nigeria, no doubt has lost an exceptional icon, quintessential leader of leaders, illustrious patriot whose voice of reason would no longer be heard. His departure has left us with an unfillable void. Who will provide guidance, stabilizing influence, unity, vitality, vision, resources and nwavering commitment to the cause of Ukwa /Ngwa people?,” he asked rhetorically.
Pro-chancellor of CLU and President of Eastern Nigeria Union Conference of Seventh Day Adventist (SDA), Prof. Pastor Bassey Udoh, said Adaelu made remarkable contributions to the church and revealed how he donated vast lands to SDA and was very instrumental to establishing CLU. “We thank God for his life and times,” Udoh said.
Pioneer Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abia State, Chief Theo Nkire, who is also the Chairman of Adaelu’s Central Burial Committee, said that legacies their patriotic leader left behind were enough to immortalize him. “There is something that gives us hope – the good life he lived,” Nkire said, adding that the departed sage was everything to the Ukwa-Ngwa nation. “He is our leader, brother and friend. No one speaks of him in the past,” he said.
He recalled that in the last two decades, Adaelu has been a central figure in the politics of Ukwa Ngwa nation, adding that he emerged in 2006 when the people were in dire need of a leader, having lost their two foremost leaders – Dr George Wigwe and Dr. Jaja Wachuku.
“We remember Emma Adaelu today as the man who brought Ukwa Ngwa people together after almost a decade in the political wilderness.
“Apart from his role in the emergence of Okezie Ikpeazu as Governor of Abia State and Adolphus Wabara as Senate President, Emma Adaelu’s greatest badge of honour is the letter by which Ohanaeze Ndigbo recommended ABA to the nation as the 6thstate for the South East,” Chief Nkire said.
In his paper titled: “Faith Leanings in the Leadership Profile of Elder (Dr.) Emmanuel Adaelu (MFR),” Justice Teddy Eruba, noted that Adaelu loved God with all his heart, which accounted for his impactful life.
“The life and times of Elder Emmanuel Onyemobi Adaelu appear to me to have been governed by his deep commitment to God,” he said, adding that the sage equally carved a niche for himself “in a characteristic masterstroke of weaving forthright faith into even partisan political maneuovres,” and prayed God to preserve his heritage.
A former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Abia State, Sir Don Ubani, described Adaelu as a man of excellence who had vision and fought injustice with all his might, without mindingwho was involved.
“When he realized that he needed to fight for the economic and political emancipation of his people, he resigned from his teaching job and went into business where he made stupendous wealth. He was a leader that meant well for his people,” Sir Ubani said.
In his own tribute, Sir Ambrose Nwachukwu, observed that “nature benevolently threw up Nna-anyi Adaelu to humanity with his taproot in the Ukwa/Ngwa soil.
He described the philanthropist as a leader embedded in strength of character, adding that he “treasured and pleasured in serving humanity with sincerity of purpose and spiritual profundity.”
According to the veteran journalist, Adaelu would remain a generational identity. “ Even in a frozen form of glacier, Nna-anyi Adaelu moved in meticulousness, candour and indomitability as his times were defining moments for the cause of his people,” he said.
Welcoming guests to the special gathering, Vice Chancellor of Clifford University, Prof. Chimezie Omeonu, told his audience of the inspiring, untiring roles Adaelu played to ensure the establishment of the university.
“One of the reasons God gave us Elder (Dr.) Adaelu, was so that he will be a blessing to his family, the Community, the Church, the Ukwa la Ngwa Nation, and help to make the Clifford University Project a huge success,” Prof. Omeonu said.
According to the Vice Chancellor, there was no activity of Clifford University, from foundation, that Adaelu was not involved. “From the initial dream of having an Adventisit university in the South East, to the arrangements for the purchase of land for the permanent site at Umuogbu-Umuikaa, he led out and galvanized for funds,” Pof. Omeonu disclosed.
Describing the departed leader as a man of many parts, the Vice Chancellor said: “We admire Elder Dr. Adaelu’s human relations, honour his intellectual make-up, his counsels and words, extol his patience, advocate his non-violence, we acclaim his decisiveness, we praise his selflessness, we stand speechless on his being a text-book definition of Accounting, we wonder at how he gave us his shoulders for the poor and indigent to cry on.”
Stand-in Chairman of the occasion, Deputy Vice Chancellor/ Director of Academic Planning, Clifford University, Prof. Kanaelechi Nwangwa, said “when we talk about Emmanuel Onyemaobi Adaelu, we talk about so many things at the same time. God blessed Adaelu in a special way. We are happy to be here to hear things that will be said about him.”
Chairman of the Colloquium Sub-Committee, Elder John Nwamgbarogwu, said the event was put together “to celebrate a man who recorded achievements in every facet of life but remained very humble.”
According to Nwamgbarogwu, Adaelu was ready to sacrifice his family for the good of Ukwa Ngwa people. “His name and Character will live with us forever. He had a generous heart. Ukwa-Ngwa nation will continue to reap the fruits of Adaelu’s labour,” he said.
One of the Founding Fathers of Abia State, Adaelu passed on at the age of 92. He was a teacher, a politician and a successful businessman who bagged the national honour of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) of Nigeria.
