By Ingram Osigwe
“A father’s love is forever imprinted on his child’s heart.” – Jennifer Williamson
For the Oguekusi family of Umunnam Ezimba-Ogberuru, Orlu LGA of Imo State of Nigeria, the death of their late patriarch, Sir Sunday Samuel Oguekusi who departed this life at a glorious age of 86 validates the above quote. While alive he spread love and impacted positively on the lives of not only his immediate family but also on that of those who came in contact with him. In return, he was loved unconditionally by the people, especially his Ogberuru kins.
His burial which comes up on January 3rd, 2025 will be more of a celebration of a life well lived and love generously dispensed than an event of grief and mourning.
The late Sir Oguekusi was a man of many parts: An educationalists, a community leader, a worker in the Lord’s vineyard, an officer in the temple of justice, a peace advocate, philanthropist, dotting father and loving husband.
On October 21st, 2024, he succumbed to the vagaries of old age illness, triumphantly joining the saints in a blaze of glory, thus bringing to an end a golden era, a salutary, examplenary and impactful life.
Born on 16th Sept, 1944 to the family of the Late Oguekusi and Ahube Rebecca Okpechukwu of Oko Okpechukwu Ezikeoha, of the Obinwanne bigger family, Umunnam Ezimba-Ogberuru, the late sir Oguekusi had a flourishing teaching career which spanned nearly four decades, getting to the peak of his career as Principal before retiring in 1994.
Recognising his sterling performance as an educationist, his forightness, honesty, integrity and dedication, after retirement from his teaching service, Sam was recalled from retirement by the Imo state government to serve the state again as a Customary Court Judge, a call he patriotically heeded.He would serve two tenures of six years as a Customary Court Judge.
Born twins at a time twin infants were tagged taboo by primitive culture and traditionalists in Igboland, the newly born Sam and his twin sibling escaped infanticide by the whiskers as the preparation for their ritual murder was already underway when their parents spirited them away and took refuge at a near-by Anglican church mission house.
Later in life, this near- death experience would shape his world view and whetted his appetite for education and christianity.
The young Sam kicked started his formal education at All Saints Central School CMS, Amaifeke, Orlu, now Township school Amaifeke, where he obtained his standard six certificate, as it was called in those day.
He later attended Bishop Onyeabo College, Egbu Owerri, St. James College Umudi, Alvan Ikoku College of Education and the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Alvan Ikoku campus, now (Alvan Ikoku federal University of Education, Owerri)
A devout Christian of the Anglican faith, the late Sir Oguekusi contributed immensely to the growth of the church in Ogberuru and beyond, chairing strategic church committees, associations; and sponsoring many church events. In recognition of his selfless service, the church severally rewarded him with a plethora of honours and awards including investiture into the order of St. Christopher on 31st march, 1996 by Bishop S.C.N. Ebo, now late.
And in appreciation of his selfless service to the community, Sam was a few years ago conferred with the Chieftaincy title of Ihe chi nyere mba 1 of Ezimba Ogberuru.
Sir SS Oguekusi is survived by his wife, Lady Margret Oguekusi, a retired Secondary School Principal and former Vice Chairman of Orlu LGA; his children: Chikezie, an Owerri based Accountant and big Poutry farmer, Ihuoma, an accomplished educationist, Chima, a Dubai based logistics and supply chain mogul, Ekeoma, a Lagos-based maritime businessman and Eyinwa, a US -based Medical practitioner.
He also left behind grand children, great grandchildren, daughter in laws, sons in laws and a host of other relations.
Having lived an examplenary, salutary and fulfilled life, the loved ones Sir Oguekusi left behind are re-echoing the words of Jamie Cirello: “You will always be in my heart… because in there you’re still alive.”!
