By Maurice Okafor, Enugu.
In commemoration of his fatherly care and numerous services to humanity, the Adibe family of Isikwe Achi in Oji River local government area of Enugu state will today celebrate the 93rd posthumous birthday of their departed hero, Late
Engr. Humphrey Chukwuemerie Nwora Adibe, who departed this earth on the 6th day of October 2013.
The memories of the living legend and the quality upbringing he impacted on the entire family are still very fresh on their minds. Thus, the reason for his posthumous birthday twelve years after.
In a press statement signed by Hon. Chuks Adibe on behalf of the family, he said the posthumous birthday will be marked with sober reflections among the entire late Humphrey Adibe family in their respective places.
His words: “We remember our dad with love and gratitude for his loving nature.We honour his legacy and the joy he brought into our lives.
Happy posthumous birthday dad”.
The late Engr.Humphrey Chukwuemerie Nwora Adibe was born on the 15th of April 1932 and died on 6th October 2013 at a ripe age of 81.
The late Engr.Humphrey Chukwuemerie Nwora Adibe was a man of many feats. He was the first West African London Trained Chemical Engineer and was also the first Students’ Union President of African descent at the University of London (West Ham College of Technology – University of London, now University of East London, 1959/1960 session).
He was born In Uzuakoli in the current Abia state, He attended the CMS Central School Isikwe-Achi after which he studied at the prestigious Dennis Memorial Grammar School (D.M.G.S.) Onitsha (1950 set).
The late Adibe later proceeded to the United Kingdom to study Chemical Engineering. While in the U.K., he attended two colleges of the then University of London namely West Ham College of Technology (now University of East London) and Battersea College of Technology (now University of Surrey).
While Studying in London, he was a member of University of London Students’ Union Presidents Council (1960) and the President of Nigerian Students Union East London (1958-1960).
After a brief career upon his return to Nigeria from London, he proceeded to the United States for his MBA in Industrial Management and industrial Development Administration.
The program was directed by Arthur D. Little Inc. under the sponsorship of The United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This special MBA module was conducted at Syracuse University, New York and the Arthur D. Little School of Management (now Hult International Business School) headquarters at Acorn Park. Cambridge, Massachusetts, from August 1964 to July 1965. Instructors for the program were drawn from Arthur D. Little’s professional staff, the staff of Syracuse University and supplemented by members of the faculties of Havard Graduate School of Business Administration, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy – Tufts University, Boston University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
In 1978, he got a Diploma in Quality Control from Sweden. While at Syracuse University in 1964, Engr. Adibe gave a powerful speech at the Syracuse Chapter 13 of the American Institute of Industrial Engineers (now Institute of Industrial and System Engineers) that left the highly Impressed Institute with no option than to write a letter to the Nigerian embassy the next day to describe Engr. Adibe as a credit to Nigeria.
Engr. Adibe later settled in Nigeria and had a career that spanned many years and which saw him hold positions as Principal Production Manager – Eastern Nigeria Development Corporation, General Manager – Modern Ceramics Umuahia, Deputy Director – Federal Ministry of Industries, Chief Engineer – Nigeria Standards Organization (now SON), General Manager – Nigeria Cement Company Nkalagu, Associate Professor (Reader) of Chemical Engineering – IMT Enugu, among others.
During his active career days. he was a member of the following professional bodies, the British Institution of Chemical Engineers, American institute of Chemical Engineers, America Institute of Industrial Engineers, Nigerian Society of Engineers and Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers.
He also sat on the boards of several companies as National Electric Power Authority (now PHCN), Niger Steel – Emene Enugu. Niger Gas Emene Enugu, Hotel Presidential- Enugu and Port Harcourt and Nigeria cement company Nkalagu.
He was a devoted Christian of the Anglican faith. Engr. Adibe was a Knight of the Good Shepherd and served for many years as synod Treasurer for the old Anglican Diocese of Enugu. He served in the Music and Education Committees of the Diocese.
He was a member of the Laity Council and Provincial Synod of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion. He also served as organist and choir master in many churches especially in the old Anglican Diocese of Enugu.
He was the Vice Chairman of the inauguration committee of his home Anglican Diocese of Oji River and personally designed the logo with the motto: VIA VERITAS VITA (The Way, The Truth and The Life).
He was actively involved in many development projects at his community such as Christ Church Achi church building, Girls’ Secondary School Isikwe Achi (now Model Secondary School), Braithwaite Tank Water Project in Isikwe, various human developments efforts, etc.
He was married to Lady Carol C. Adibe (nee Egwuonwu) and the union is blessed with four children.
His three surviving children namely Hon. Chuks, Mrs. Adaeze, and Engr. Azunna are married with children. Unfortunately, he lost a son, Late Mr. John B-Boy in 2009.
A great philanthropist, servant leader and community developer in his time on earth, Engr. Adibe was buried in his lsikwe Achi country home on 13th December, 2013.
Although gone, his legacies have continued to be a great source of inspiration to his kith and kin.
