The Nwagbo family will on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 celebrate the life and time of their matriarch, Mrs Margaret Chizubelu Nwaogbo as she turns 80.
The venue is Ochendo International Conference Centre, Ogurube Government Layout, Umuahia, the Abia state capital.
She was born on the 9th of December 1942 to the family of late Rev. Canon Theophilus and Margaret Okonkwo of Ojoto, in Idemili South LGA of Anambra State.
Mrs Nwaogbo is a proud mother of highly successful children including Dr Elekwachi Nwaogbo, Dr Chizubelu Nwaogbo, Mrs Ezinne Ononeze, Dr Amuche Nwaogbo and Mrs Chidinma Ofoma.
The matriarch of the Nwaogbo family was married to the former Secretary to Abia state Government, the late Dr Elekwachi James Nwaogbo. Both had met at the University of Ibadan and got married in January 1968 in the heat of the Nigerian Civil war.
The young Margaret started her formal education at Abaiye Umuachem Primary School in Aba.
She later proceeded to Saint Catherine’s Secondary School Nkwere and Saint Crowder Memorial Girls Elelenwo, Port Harcourt in 1962.
She completed her undergraduate studies in 1965 at the prestigious University of Ibadan and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in History.
An astute education administrator, Margaret’s professional career started as a teacher at Ovom Girls’ Secondary School in Aba.
She was the pioneer principal at the Anglican Girls Secondary School in Nsirimo, Abia State, a position she held until the outbreak of the Nigerian Civil War.
In 1972, Mrs Nwaogbo moved with her family to Enugu where she continued with her teaching career, teaching in several schools in Coal city before relocating to the United Kingdom.
In the UK, she tutored at the Langbaurgh Comprehensive School, Cleveland Middlesbrough before obtaining a Postgraduate Certificate in Administrative Management from The Institute of Administrative Management United Kingdom and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of London in 1976.
Upon return to Nigeria, Mrs Nwaogbo was appointed the Vice Principal of Evangel High School, Old Umuahia.
In 1979, she became the Principal of Girls Secondary School Umuahia, popularly known as ‘Holy Rosary’.
She held the position till 1985 when she was transferred to Ibeku High School also as Principal.
Margaret was the Vice President of the Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools in the old Imo State from 1988 to I991.
Upon the creation of Abia State, she became the Pioneer President of the Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools, Abia state chapter.
Her wealth of knowledge, experience and excellence in the administration did not go unnoticed in the state hence she was appointed a Director-General in the State Judicial Commission and Abia State Women Commission in 1992. She also served as Director of the Abia State Family Support Programme (FSP), Director, Abia State Family and Economic Advancement Programme (FEAP).
Mrs Nwaogbo equally served as the Sole Administrator/Chairman, of Umuahia North LGA.
As a result of her dedication and excellence in service, she was appointed a Permanent Secretary in the Abia State Ministry of Education and later the Ministry of Agriculture, a position she occupied until her well-deserved retirement in 2001.
As a shrewd education administrator, a visionary and self-motivated woman, Margaret established her dream project upon retirement-Margaret Schools is one of the leading Private schools in Umuahia.
Margaret Schools, since its establishment, has excelled in various external examinations and competitions.
The Schools have produced outstanding ambassadors who are excelling in their various fields of endeavour.
Mrs Nwaogbo served as Pioneer President of the Association of Proprietors of Approved Private Schools, (APAPS) in Abia State and successfully infused the association into the National body-The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS).
Till date the octogenarian is still serving the Association as an Ex- Officio, Patron, and Adviser.
Margaret served as a member of the Abia State Advisory Committee for the Disabled, she also served as the State Chairman of the Girls Guide Association and Charter President – of the Inner Wheel Club of Umuahia.
A Paul Harris Fellow and recipient of many awards, Margaret Nwaogbo is a worthy Principal Emeritus of Nigeria (PEN) – A national award of the All Nigeria-Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPS).
She is a devoted Christian, known for her humanitarian services in the Assemblies of God Church, various churches and communities, and for her exemplary leadership and mentoring skills.
