Anambra state government has expressed regrets at the death of Chief Andrew Ozigbo, father of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the November 6 governorship election in the state, Valentine Ozigbo.
By Emma Ogbuehi
In a statement by the commissioner for information and public enlightenment, Don Adinuba, the state enthused that the late Ozigbo distinguished himself by high principle and strong commitment to the public good”.
The release recalled that when the soul of Anambra State was at stake, Ozigbo acted in accordance with the dictates of his conscience and allowed the supreme will of the people to prevail, regardless of his personal or partisan interests.
It added; “Despite his advancement in age, Chief Ozigbo always encouraged his son to play by the rules, eschewing all forms of violence and bitterness and fraud.
“He was always conscious of his role and status as a foremost educationist and a devout Christian who attended the morning mass daily for much of his life.
“Chief Ozigbo represented the typical Anambra spirit: a strong determination to excel. He was, for instance, an elementary school headmaster, which was a big position in those days, yet he was not satisfied with his status in life.
“Through determination, further studies and continuous improvement as well as drive, he ended up a secondary school principal.
“He inculcated strong values in his family of three girls and four boys, including Valentine Ozigbo, his last child.
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Ozigbo, a retired educationist and patriarch of the Ozigbo family in Amesi, Aguata LGA in Anambra State, passed on at the age of 92.
In an earlier moving tribute on Monday, January 3, Ozigbo extolled his father describing him as the “lion of the family”.
“Today, we lost a giant, a great leader, my hero, my mentor, and the lion of the Ozigbo family, Chief Andrew Nwafor Ozigbo, my dear father,” Ozigbo noted
“My father was everything to us. He was married to my mother, Christiana Ozigbo, for 66 years. He set an example on how to lead in the family and the community that is difficult to surpass.
“Our hearts are heavy. It is difficult to find the words to express our pain at my father’s passing. This is a significant blow to our family. Adieu, Papa,” Ozigbo added.
Late Chief Ozigbo was born to the family of Late Mr Marcel Ntukokwu Ozigbo and Late Mrs Angelina Ozigbo in Amuwo village of Amesi.
He attended St. Vincent School, Uga, earning his First School Leaving Certificate in 1947 before working as a teacher at St. Joseph Catholic School Ekwulobia.
In 1949, he gained admission to St Theresa’s Teacher Training College, Nsukka, obtaining a Teacher’s Grade III Certificate as one of its pioneer students. He later attended St Charles Teacher’s Training College, Onitsha, where he obtained a Grade II Teacher’s Certificate in 1954.
Chief Ozigbo spent several decades as a teacher and headmaster in the old Aguata LGA (now Aguata, Orumba North and Orumba South LGAs), working at several schools, including St. Joseph School (now Central School), Amesi; St. Matthew’s Primary School(now Central School), Umuchu; St. Joseph Primary School, Ekwulobia; St. Charles School, Achina; St. Vincent School, Uga; St. Pius, Ezinifite and St. John’s Primary School, Umuomaku.
Others are Combined School, Ibughubu-Umuchi; Community School, Achalla; Central School, Umuogem-Ufuma; Community School, Akpu; before returning to Central School, Amesi as the headmaster, where remained until his retirement in November 1984.
Chief Andrew Ozigbo married Miss Christiana Obialor of Oka-Uga on April 2, 1956, and the union produced four sons and three daughters.
Andrew Ozigbo was a devout Roman Catholic and was famous for serving as a Catechist for several decades. He gained immense recognition, respect, and admiration for his discipline, commitment to excellence, and the service of humanity as he mould the character of future leaders.
Chief Ozigbo is survived by his dear wife, Christiana, six children, many grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
