All roads will lead to Uga, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State tomorrow, Sunday, 15th October 2023 for the 90th birthday anniversary celebration of Hon. Chief Sir Titus Nnanna Ezenwaka (Ichie Odigbo of Uga). The event will also feature the public presentation of the book “T.N. Ezenwaka – Chronicle of a quintessential statesman (celebrating Ichie Odigbo of Uga at 90)”.
It will begin with a pontifical holy mass at St Peter’s Catholic Church, Uga to be co-celebrated by His Eminence Peter Cardinal Ebere Okpalaeke, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia and His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Solomon Amanchukwu Amatu, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Okigwe. Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, Odenigbo Aguata, the Executive Governor of Anambra State will be the Chief Guest of Honour at the event.
The celebrant, Chief Titus Nnanna Ezenwaka was born in the early 1930s into the family of Late Chief Ezenwaka Dimori Ezeukwu and Lolo Angelina Ezenwaka of Umueze Uga. In an era when formal education was a rare spice in Igbo land, Titus was enrolled at St. Vincent’s Catholic School, Uga in 1941 and he completed his primary school education in 1952 with flying colours. In 1954, He was recruited as pupil teacher under the supervision of Rev. Fr. O’Neil and he will go on to teach at St. Patrick’s Mission School, Umuchu and St. Vincent’s Primary School, Uga.
His dedication to duty and hardwork earned him a nomination to St. Anthony’s Teachers Training College, Agulu where he graduated again in flying colours. Titus would also later pass the London GCE and its advanced level in flying colours between 1964 and 1965. After the Nigerian Civil War, he enrolled for his University education; graduating with a Political Science and History degree from University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1978. His teaching career took him across many schools in the old Aguata region, teaching in many primary and secondary schools including Uga Boys Secondary School, Uga where he taught and helped groom young boys into eminent personalities. Some of his students were Peter Cardinal
Okpalaeke and Governor Soludo. He retired as an assistant headmaster.
Chief Ezenwaka was exceptional in community and public service as he was in his career. He once chaired Uga Community Council and led as a community leader when the Uga traditional stool was yet to find its place. As the Chairman of the council, he initiated and facilitated the construction of Oye Uga Market. He was also the Chairman of Nigeria Red Cross, Uga Unit between 1970 and 1973 and First Vice President, of Uga Improvement Union. He also co-authored the book that chronicled the history of Uga town from the earliest times to the punitive expedition of 1916. In 1979, he was elected into the Old Anambra State House of Assembly representing Aguata South Central Constituency. During his time at the Assembly, he chaired the House Committee on Industry and Technology and sponsored the bill that led to the establishment of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Centre.
Ichie Odigbo, a grand Knight emeritus of St. Mulumba, currently serves on the Board of Tansian University Governing Council, Umunya, Anambra State.
Ichie Odigbo is also a philanthropist per excellence – extending a helping hand to the less privileged within his community and beyond. He donated a major chunk of the expanse of land where Uga Social Club of Nigeria constructed its headquarters at Eke Caleb, Umueze Uga. His impactful life of service saw the former traditional ruler of Uga, the late Igwe Felix Ezenwugo bestow on him the chieftaincy title of “Ichie Odigbo.”
Therefore, the family of Ezenwaka of Umueze Uga wishes that you join them to celebrate Hon. Chief Sir Titus Nnanna Ezenwaka, Ichie Odigbo, a man of peace, an epitome of excellence, a political pacesetter, a devout Christian, a beloved father, and a consummate community leader as he turns 90 and is celebrated tomorrow, Sunday, 15th October, 2023.
Written by  OKWUDILI NJELITA ESQ
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