Enugwu Ukwu in Njikoka LGA lost one of its illustrious sons, an encyclopedia, a political colossus and a patriot par excellence, Chief Charles Chukwudum Amilo, Udobodo Enugwu Ukwu na Umunri and Chairman, Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Imo State.

Udobodo, Political Charlie, was one of a kind, exceptionally brilliant and knowledgeable about virtually any and everything of human interest. He could not be missed in any assembly as he was outstanding in his boisterousness, ebullience and deep passion with which he put his views across. No wonder every society or group, community or political party he was involved in, acknowledged him and utilized his deep intellect.

Young Charles was born on June 6, 1945, to the family of Chief Matthew and Patricia Amilo, now late, of Umuezu Awovu Village in Enugwu Ukwu. He had his primary education at St. Joseph’s Primary School Oraukwu and secondary school at Washington Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha and Holy Ghost College, Owerri.

For his brilliance, he was awarded Eastern Nigeria Government Scholarship to study Veterinary Medicine at the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1964. Already awarded Diploma in Veterinary Medicine in 1967, the outbreak of the Nigerian Civil War interrupted his studies.

At the end of the war in 1970, he resumed his studies at UNN but changed his course of study to Microbiology, and graduated with BSc. Honours in 1973. He went further in his education at Rutgers University, New Jersey U.S.A where he studied Applied Microbiology, obtaining a MSc. Degree in Microbiology in 1976 with special commendation and recommendation.

While he was in the United States, his academic brilliance earned him employment with Pabst Breweries Co. Inc. East Orange where he served as line technician for some time and later as Marketing Assistant at Squibb Pharmaceuticals New Jersey. He returned to Nigeria in 1977 and was offered employment at the Federal Ministry of Health as Principal Research Officer. He went on Secondment to the Federal School of Medical Laboratory Science in Jos Plateau State where he worked until 1983 when he left the Public Service for the private sector.

Although Charlie was a brilliant Scientist, his natural calling was Politics, Community Service and Leadership. In these areas he proved his mettle and displayed his exceptional skills. He was the Publicity Secretary of the Students Wing of the defunct NCNC between 1964 and 1966. He joined the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), contested and won the Enugwu Ukwu State Constituency Seat. He was elected Deputy Minority Leader in the Old Anambra State House of Assembly but the Military coup of December 31, 1983 truncated his rising political profile.

When partisan politics resumed in 1991, he became the Anambra State Assistant Secretary of the Social Democratic Party. In 1998, he joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and became the Chairman Publicity Subcommittee in Anambra State. Following the emergence of Dr. Chris Ngige as the State Governor in 2003, Chief Charles Amilo was appointed as Commissioner for Information and Culture. He was initially appointed Member of the National Film and Video Censors Board and very recently Chairman of Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, a position he held until his death on December 31, 2021.

Udobodo was married to Prof. Grace Amilo (nee Ibik), Professor of Haematology at the College of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi. The marriage produced three surviving children. These and many grandchildren, brothers, sisters, cousins, inlaws and other relations survive him.

A Christian Wake holds today in his honour at his residence – 14 M.K.O Amilo Avenue, Umuezu Awovu Enugwu Ukwu, while his remains will be laid to rest on Friday March 4, 2022 after Burial Mass at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Enugwu Ukwu. Rest in peace, our bosom friend and brother, a man of peace.

WRITTEN BY SAM EKPE

No related posts.