Very few people on earth are endowed with the grace of longevity. Chief Felix Oramadike (Ichie Nnabuenyi) is one of such persons. In a society where life expectancy has drastically fallen, at 104, the likes of Chief Oramadike are rare icons worthy of celebration which is what this piece represents!
Ichie Nnabuenyi was born to the royal family of His Roya Highness, Eze Oramadike Ezeokalia and Lolo Uduka Oramadike, about 1920. He was among the youngest princes in the large wealthy royal family. As a prince, brought up in the royal family and in the traditional and cultural ways of his people, and the royal family being the seat of knowledge and civilization, he had limited formal education, having also started life early.
As was prevalent in those days, hunting and farming were common vocations and professions and they came handy for young men of that era, it wasn’t therefore a surprise that Ichie Nnabuenyi was a hunter and like his father (Ofulu-ji Afughi-ana) a successful farmer and a businessman.
He successfully served his master, Chief Lazarus Chukwujama and then later ventured into different businesses- spanning textile Hand-Held-Tools, transportation and haulage (Show The Light Motors). These businesses took him to Onitsha Olorna, Obiaruku, Okene and other places.
After the Civil War, Chief Oramadike ventured into Footwears in Onitsha and had a good and successful business outing.He later retired into Petroleum products marketing in his country home.
A kind hearted, easy-going man; a humanitarian and philanthropist, Chief Oramadike is blessed with a number of biological and non-biological children. He gave everyone around him equal opportunities to harness their potentials, achieve their dreams and attain desired heights in different areas of human endeavour.
Ichie Nnabuenyi is an ardent Christian, being amongst the early converts into the Christan fold even before the first church was erected in Ichi, his hometown. As a new convert, he had the burning zeal and interest to serve God as a dedicated Christian.
Chief Oramadike has meritoriously served in all the different departments and committees in the Church of Christ. For example, he served severally ,for many years in the yearly Harvest and Bazaar Committee, Building Committee, Education Management Committee, and many others. He was instrumental in the acquisition of most church properties, especially landed properties which has facilitated the seamless expansion of the Archdeaconry.
As the oldest serving Cabinet member for the Igwe-in- Council of Ichi, he has been a dedicated community leader.
A community development enthusiast and peace advocate, Chief Oramadike has been involved in the development of Ichi at all levels, for many decades and still counting. He is also directly involved in the maintenance of peace and unity in the community.
Ichie Nnabuenyi, is a dedicated Christian, honest and God-fearing and generous giver, a lover of peace and a strong supporter of the education of children. Though lacking formal western education himself, Ichie Nnabuenyi believes that education is the greatest emancipator of man and the best and greatest legacy one can give to a child .This, he has practiced almost all his life.
He is happy and full of gratitude to God for a good and healthy life at above 100years and still counting.
For one who enjoys a rare longevity, Chief Oramadike’s fervent prayer is that God grants all of us the grace for peaceful co-existence, long life in good health and love of God and of our neighbors.