Ide [Sir] Justus Nkachukwudebelu Chinwike Ezeife, JP, was born to the family of the Late Ozo Ezeife Ezeagwuncha of Ezihu Igbo-Ukwu and Nono Nwamgbafo Nwakaife Ezeodumegwu of Ifite Nanka. He attended Holy Trinity Central School, Igbo-Ukwu and Central School, Ekwuluobia. He took first place during the entrance examination into Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha in December of 1941 and was awarded boarding and tuition scholarships. He completed his study at DMGS and passed Senior Cambridge School Certificate Examination in Grade One – becoming the first person In Igbo-ukwu to do so with an exemption from London University Matriculation.
He later passed the Higher College, Yaba, Lagos and studied at Yaba Higher College from January 1947 to December 1948. He taught at Central School, Ekwuluobia from 2nd February 1949 to December 31, 1949, and while there, he sat and passed Bachelor of Arts (B. A) London University examination in English Language, Latin, and Geography. In December of 1949, he was transferred to Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha where he was till October of 1950 when he was admitted into the University College, Ibadan to complete his degree studies. In June 1953, he obtained his B. A degree in English, Latin, and Geography. He, thus, became the first person in Igbo-Ukwu and the second person in the old Aguata Local Government, to obtain a B.A. Degree from University of London.
In December 1953, he founded the Igbo-Ukwu Youth Association. There, he motivated members to pass the General Certificate Examination at the Advanced level or the Higher School Certificate in three subjects. Through his influence and tutorship, most of them passed the exam. Some of them include Paul Anozie from Umunwadim Ngo village who got admission into the Fouray Bay University College in Sierra Leone and Samuel Ezenwugo and JNP Okonkwo who got
admission into University College, Ibadan in 1958. He was, in fact, the inspiration for University Education in Igbo-Ukwu.
He organized young teachers to build the first road in Ihuakaba, Igbo-Ukwu in December 1953. In 1956, Igbo-Ukwu Youths Association, under his leadership built a Postal Agency at Nkwo Igbo-Ukwu. The association also secured the land on which the Ultra-Modern Post Office presently stands.
He married the late Jessie Akuchukwu Onyekwelu, in November 1953. They wedded at All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha in May 1954. The marriage was blessed with eight children. All his surviving seven children obtained University Degrees in various disciplines.
In October 1958, he was admitted for a postgraduate diploma in Education and obtained the postgraduate certificate in Education from the University of London. He served as Vice Principal at Saint Augustine Grammar School, Nkwere, Imo State, and DMGS Onitsha. He served as Principal at Community Secondary School, Ubulu-Ihejiofo, Imo state; All Saints Grammar school, Umunze, Anambra State; Achi High School [formerly Corpus Christi College] Achi, Enugu State; Saint Joseph Secondary School, Awka-Etiti, Anambra State; and Igbo-Ukwu Boys Secondary, Igbo-Ukwu, Anambra State.
On December 26, 1977, he was elected Ide of ward 28, Igbo-Ukwu.
Also, He founded the Igbo-Ukwu Teachers Welfare Association and served as President for several years. When he retired as its President, he was made the Patron. In August 1982, he made his pilgrimage to Rome, Jerusalem, and Canterbury and retired from teaching on November 1, 1984Â after 35 years of meritorious service
In 1989, he was appointed the President of Agu Udo Customary Court, Agu Udo, Nanka and he served from 1989 to 1992. In May, 1996, he was made a Knight o
Saint Christopher at Saint Faith Cathedral Awka. He formed and founded the Council of Knights of the Holy Trinity Church, Igbo-Ukwu. On Sunday 28th August, 2022, he offered thanksgiving at the Holy Trinity Church, Igbo-Ukwu, to celebrate his 40th year as a Jerusalem Pilgrim [JP] and on December 26, 2022, he celebrated his 45th year as Ide of Ward 28, Igbo-Ukwu. He is currently the longest surviving member of the Idu Cabinet from the set sworn in on December 26, 1977.
He has five surviving children, twenty-six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Ide JNC Ezeife, JP is a recipient of numerous awards and commendations. He turned 100 years last Thursday, April 20, 2023
To God be the Glory
Written by DR DOZIE EZEIFE
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