Nze Edwin Okonkwo Nwora (NKAONADI) was born on October 20, 1935 to Nze Nwora Okeke Akpane (Nkaonadi Senior) of Umuakwu village, Enugwu-Ukwu and Mrs Chinweoke Nwora (Nee Ono, from Ara village, Nise). He had little formal education and went early to live with his paternal uncle, Gabriel Oranye at Calabar in the fifties. While in Calabar, his thirst for education led him to enroll for a correspondence course with Saint Bennett’s College, Sheffield, United Kingdom.

He was employed as a salesman at John Holt Ltd in Calabar and was later transferred to the Aba division. Nze Edwin Nwora later resigned as a Senior Sales Manager to start his own business. He set up Edwin .O. Nwora and Sons Company Ltd in Aba, trading in agriculture/poultry, building materials sales, haulage and transport, contracting and supplies. He also set up a restaurant and retail store business for his wife, Princess Gloria Ukamaka Nwora (Iruezigbo) of Avomimi village, Enugwu-Ukwu, daughter of the late Warrant Chief, Chief Eduzor Ifeagwu, whom he married in 1966.

During the Nigeria/Biafra war, Nze Nwora abandoned his business and properties at Aba and fled with his young wife to his hometown. They later found shelter at the home of the Ikes in Ndikelionwu, when the Abagana sector fell. After the war, Nze Nwora returned to Aba but his home at number 52 Ozubulu road had been damaged during the war. He started all over again.

To raise capital, he sold one of his properties at Ozubulu road, and moved to another of his properties. He set up his head office at John Holt Town Shop, 46 Asa Road, Aba in the seventies. In the 80s, Nze Nwora’s company was a major distributor to many companies. He was a major supplier to RCC Nigeria Ltd, and did building contracts for the Nigerian military at the Calabar barracks. He was one of the contractors that built Cemetery road market, Aba.

He was awarded a contract in 1983 to build Obigbo Timber Market in Rivers State on contractor – finance basis. He duly completed the multi-million naira project in record time but due to the change of government via military coup in 1984, the then military government reneged and did not pay him the contract sum. This affected his business as he had invested almost everything he had, and also borrowed from the banks to finance the project.

In his days, Nze Nwora was very influential in Aba. He followed his late father’s exploits in the catholic faith, and was a founding member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Aba. He single-handedly erected several projects in the church, including the large fence walls.

He was honoured for the meritorious services to the church with the ‘Ezinna di ebube’ title, while his wife received the ‘Ezinne’ title. Nze Nwora was also a member and patron of several pious societies, both at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Aba and Saint Theresa’s Catholic Church, Enugwu-Ukwu.

He was active in the political scene. He was Nigeria People’s Party ward chairman in Aba. His home at Number 50 Ozubulu road, Aba was venue of several political meetings and activities which helped to elect Chief Sam Mbakwe as Governor of Imo state in 1979, and his re-election in 1983. When the military lifted the ban on politics in the 90s, Nkaonadi joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and was a national delegate in the Jos Convention that threw up late Chief M.K.O Abiola as the party’s presidential candidate.

Nze Nwora believed so much in the youths and spent his resources mentoring and empowering them. He founded and funded Odiche Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society Ltd, Odiche Cultural Dance Troupe; a dance troupe of Enugwu-Ukwu Youths Association (EYA).

Nze Nwora, a community leader, was a champion of community development and served two terms as Chairman of his village, Umuakwu Community Development Union (UCDU), Enugwu-Ukwu. As a mark of respect and honour, Nze Nwora’s portrait is still hanging in the Umuakwu village hall, the only past Chairman to be given such privilege. His father, Nkaonadi Senior, was also Chairman of UCDU during his time.

Nze Nwora belonged to several clubs, including Nwanne Di Na Mba Social Club. He was a founding member and patron of Paradise Social Club, and holds the traditional Nze title of Nkaonadi Enugwu-Ukwu na Umunri.

In death, we remember this man of peace, hero to his children and many who knew him. Nze Nwora always preached peace and love throughout his lifetime. He had a miraculous healing from stroke in 2003. In an apparition, Jesus Christ appeared to him and healed him, directing him to preach love and peace to the world. He emigrated to London, United Kingdom with his wife in 2003. Both naturalized as British citizens in 2011.

Nze Nwora left behind his wife, Ezinne Mrs Gloria Ukamaka Nwora, children; George (Managing Partner, Carepath LLC, U.S.A), Uchenna (Managing Director/CEO, Anambra Broadcasting Service), Peter (Senior Business Intelligence Consultant – Data & Analytics, Volkswagen, Germany), Charles (Project Manager, United Kingdom), Chinyere (Businesswoman, United Kingdom) and Ifeyinwa (Registered Nurse, United Kingdom), several grandchildren and relatives.

Others are a brother, Wilfred and sisters, Felicia, Victoria Okonkwo (Registered Nurse, U.S.A), Angela Nweke (Healthcare practitioner, U.S.A) and Anthonia (Registered nurse, U.S.A). Service of Songs holds today in his compound, off Ring road, Umuakwueze, Enugwu-Ukwu. There will be requiem mass by 10am tomorrow at Saint Theresa’s Catholic Church, off Ring road, Umuakwu Enugwu-Ukwu, thereafter, interment and condolence visits. Thanksgiving mass holds at the same church on Sunday, September 27, 2020 by 10am. All COVID-19 protocols must be observed, please.

Nkaonadi, ‘British Man’, you will always remain in our hearts forever. Adieu.

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