WRITTEN BY BARR EMEKA EZEBILO
Chief Sir Lawrence Chidube Ezebilo, SAN, KSJI, was born on August 28, 1942 at Umunnechi kindred, Agbadani village, Nri in Anaocha Local Government to the family of late Chief Ezebilo Ejide and late Madam Grace Udeaku Ezebilo, nee Ezenwa at Umanaga village, Awka. His father died when he was young and his elder brother, late Chief Reuben Ezebilo, a civil servant, brought him up academically.
They moved from town to town in the then Eastern Region of Nigeria on transfers, notably Owerri, Awka, Ogoja, Eket, Enugu etcetera. He was partly brought up at his home town and partly outside his home town. Chief Lawrence Ezebilo obtained his First School Leaving Certificate at Saint Mary’s Catholic School, Nri in 1957 after which he gained admission into the prestigious College of Immaculate Conception, Enugu, where he obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC).
In 1963, he got employment in the Ministry of Agriculture in the then Eastern Government and was posted to Abakaliki, now Ebonyi State. He worked briefly in the Ministry of Agriculture, Abakaliki and gained admission to study Law at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, where he read Law. After his graduation in 1966, the Nigerian-Biafran Civil war broke out. After the war, Chief Ezebilo went to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos and was called to Bar in 1971. He set up his private Legal Practice at Onitsha from 1971 till February 2018 when he passed on. Late Chief Sir Lawrence Chidube Ezebilo was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria on September 20, 1999.
Ide-ju-ogwugwu, as he was fondly called, was an astute politician. He was one of the founding members of the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) and the Social Democratic Party, (SDP). Chief Lawrence Ezebilo was appointed the Sole Administrator of Njikoka Local Government of the then Old Anambra State in 1980. From 1980 to 1983, he was appointed the Special Adviser on Political Matters to the Governor of the then Old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo. It was during this period that he attracted enormous democracy dividends to Nri, including electricity, which the people are enjoying today. In 1979, he was appointed the Chairman of Board of the defunct NCFC, Enugu in the Old Anambra State. In 1982, he was a member of the Ministerial Committee on restructuring of Old Anambra State Development Co-operation. Idejuogwugwu was also the Chairman, Scholarship and Bursary Committee; Chairman, National Directorate of Employment; member, Ministerial Advisory Council of NDE. In 1999, he withdrew from active politics and faced his Legal practice squarely.
Omelukokwulu one of Nri was a former Secretary of Onitsha Recreation Club; former President, Rotary International, Onitsha; former Vice President, Nri Progress Union and member, Eze Nri in Council. Late Chief Sir Lawrence Chibude Ezebilo was a practicing Catholic. He participated actively in the Church, both at Onitsha and in his home town, Nri. He was a member of Shannahan Society and a member of the Noble Order of Knight of Saint John International, Awka Commandery.
Chief Lawrence Chidube Ezebilo, SAN, was married to Lady Ifenyinwa Ezebilo (nee Ofor) from Enugwu-Ukwu in 1975. Idejuogwuogwu died at the age of 76. Left to mourn him are: Lady Ifenyinwa Ezebilo-wife; His worship, Obiamaka Nneedu–daughter; Barrister Emeka Ezebilo–son; Chief Christopher Ezebilo–brother; Mrs Patricia Abana and Mrs. Nwabuakannia Theresa Obidigbo-Sisters as well as other numerous relations.
Vigil mass holds today in his country home, Agbadani village, Nri, while there will be funeral mass tomorrow at Saint Mark’s Eucharistic Catholic Church, Nri, followed by interment. Thereafter, condolence visits till Saturday, April 14, 2015. Outing mass will hold at Saint Mark’s Eucharistic Catholic Church, Nri on Sunday, April 15, 2018. Adieu, Idejuogwuogwu, good night Omelukokwulu one of Nri, till we meet to part no more.
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