Akalites mourn Okpoka.1948 to 2020.
3 min read
The name Hon Chief Stephen Nnanna Ugwoegbu may not ring any form bell in the ears of most Akalites for some certain reasons. On face value, one may assume it is just the name of one Mr. Nobody but on a closer look, one will find out that it is the original name of a famous and highly influential Akalite from Ibele popularly known as Okpoka.Okpoka died recently after a brief illness.
A couple of days ago, Chief Ugwoegbu had complained of not feeling very well. He was not really getting the vibes he was known for and he decided to see his doctor at Ogechi Hospital in Obeakpu for checkup. After a through medical examination of his body by the doctor, the hospital recommended a few days bed rest for him at the hospital. After the bed rest, the hospital discharged him because he had been responding positively to treatment.
While preparing to go home, he again complained of pains around his chest region. The hospital then revoked the discharge order and decided to pay more attention to his case. Chief Ugwoegbu was becoming very weak as the pain continued. The medical staff tried the best to give him the most adequate treatment but unfortunately, he died the following day being Sunday 5th July 2020. He was 72 years old.
Hon Chief Stephen Nnanna Ugwoegbu meant different things to different people who knew him during his lifetime. He was a businessman, community leader, sports lover, footballer and many more. He had also mentored many Umuaka youths to what they are today.
Born in August 1948, Okpoka died just a month away to his birthday when he could have marked his 72 years on earth. After his birth, he was growing like any other child born in Umuaka at his age until he got to the age whereby he enrolled to have his primary school education at Union School Ibele after which, he went into private business. In 1976, he got married and God blessed his marriage with some children. He was into palm kernel and timber business. As he was doing his private business, Okpoka still had time to tag along with his love for sports, especially football. From playing in the Ibele team in the 70s, he became the coach of the Ibele football team and later rose to become the team manager and finally, the financier of the football team. His love for football never ended in Ibele as he severally officiated the primary school football matches in the 80s played at the Central school Umuaka.
As a community builder and a mentor to many youths in Umuaka, Hon Chief Stephen Nnanna Ugwoegbu was honored by his Ibele people with the chieftaincy title known as Ezi Okwu Bu Ndu 1of Ibele. This chieftaincy position came with a lot of tasks and challenges, Okpoka became more involved in community services and farming where he had so far groomed many people to emulate his footsteps. As a man of many parts and activities, Okpoka was a member of Eminent Persons Forum Imo State, member, Oganiru Social Club Umuaka, former chairman, Ndihu Zone Ibele and former president-general of Ibele autonomous community. By the time of his death, Okpoka has held many positions including being the chairman, Enwereaku Village Ibele. Chairman, APC Umuaka Ward 4 Ibele. He was a councilor as well. A position he occupied till his death.
His death had been described as shocking by many who knew him during his lifetime and many organizations he belonged to as well, including, Umuaka Timber Dealers Association and Umuaka Ebe Iri Sports Council. Two organizations he served as their patron respectively.
According to Chief Chukwudi Eguka, who told Umuaka Times that he was very close to the late Okpoka, many people in Ibele community have been thrown into a painful mood over the death of Hon Chief Stephen Nnanna Ugwoegbu.
Umuaka Times sympathizes with the Okpoka family and the entire Ibele people over this tragic loss.
