The Biography of Chief Augustine Nwaokorobia Ahanotu.

Omenka 1 of Ibele Dee Augur. As our culture demands, once a child is born to any family, the child is given a name typically following the circumstances of the birth and the feature of the child. Then this given name follows and influences the person all through life. According to William Shakespeare, “What is in a name? That which we a rose by any other name would smell as sweet” (See Shakespare’s Romeo and Juliet). The same applied to our father, Nwaokorobia (a young and strong man), a name given to him by his late parents. They saw in him a strong and wise man even as a child.

This name influenced him that he was a very strong man, who suffered a lot of difficulties of life but remained unruffled, and a social justice fighter. Mr. Nwaokorobia as his name implied used everything within his power without fear or favour promoted the image and integrity of Ahanotu Duruegbuhuama family and the entire Umuduruojiobi village till death.

Chief Augustine Nwaokorobia Ahanotu was born in 1941 to the family of Ahanotu Duruegbuhuama and Ezinne Felicia Aduonyanachi Duruagbuhuama in Umuduruojiobi Ndiuhu Ibele Umuaka Imo State. He was the 3rd child in the family of 5 and today he is the 3rd to answer the eternal call.

Education a target of every child, Chief Augustine attended and completed his standard six at All Saints Primary School at Eke Ibele. He came out with flying colors in 1961. He served many times as class prefect because of his honesty and respectful manners. Then because of some financial constraints, he couldn’t further his education. Our dad, while in school and youthful age, he was a serious lover of football, handball, relay race and table tennis and more. He won trophies for the school and himself too that he was nicknamed Austin Power.

MARITAL UNION AND CHRISTIAN LIFE:

Chief Augustine Nwaokorobia, got married and wedded with his beautiful and hardworking wife, Ezinne (Lolo) Monica Nnenna Ahanotu (Nee Akaehilem) from Umudioribe Amiyi Akah in Njaba LGA of Imo state. It has been a happy marriage favoured by God and full of understanding. The marriage was blessed with 5 surviving children and 15 grandchildren, whom he loved so much. He had the privilege of sitting around his grandchildren and answered grandpa, a privilege not granted to all.

To the glory of God, he lived to see all of them and enjoyed the fruit of his labour till his glorious transition into heaven, where he remains spiritually united with his family, praying, protecting, and fighting for them. As a Catholic Christian, he maintained sound tenets that can be likened to a meditative life. He was a strong member of St. Andrew’s Parish Christian fathers Organization. He held many positions and served appointments in different levels in the church. To show his love for the church, he sold his only car to send his son to the seminary, who is now a Catholic priest. All to the glory of God.

HIS APPRENTICESHIP STORY:

Immediately after his standard six, in 1961 he served as an apprentice to one medicine dealer from Arondizuogu, Ideato who based in Aba, Abia State.

He served his master faithfully and was known for his honesty and hard work. When he was settled honorably, he opened his own store at Azikiwe Road in Aba. Dad progressed well in this business that he became famous.

At the onset of Nigerian Civil War in 1967, dad relocated to the village to settle with his people. As an energetic, compatriot and ever ready to defend his own, Chief Nwaokorobia Augustine voluntarily joined the Biafran Army.

After a rigorous and proper training as a gallant soldier, he was deployed to many sectors, such as Abagana, Enugu, Ohuba, Okigwe etc. Our father’s struggle, expertise and strength during the war was highly admired and highly lived out till death. Even on his sickbed because of his emotional stability and strength in his weak body, the doctors and nurses were calling him an old soldier.

At the end of the war in 1970, when life was not easy again caused by the war, our dad ventured into series of business to keep the soul and body together as a man. He first ventured into buying and selling of second hand materials, which was called ‘AHIA ATTACK’. Later he came down to Akwakuma Owerri to set up a building materials store. The business boomed for years and which made him popular in Owerri. This business legacy and strategy didn’t collapse; rather his first son continued with the same blood and spirit and even named his business after his father as ST. AUSTIN HOME which is a household business name in Port Harcourt, River State.

Chief Augustine after some considerations and series of facts decided to return back home where his old mother was living alone with a lot of difficulties. On returning back home, he started transportation business which sustained the family. He operated from entire Isu and Njaba to Umuagwo, Ikwerre, Otioha, and Umuapu etc. It was here that both old and young on seeing his respectful and responsible personality started calling him ‘DEE AUGUR’ He saw this job as his own way to contribute to the service of God and humanity.

Our father remained one of those driver who diligently and responsibly carried out their job that people are still talking about his meekness, understanding spirit, tolerance and love of children till date. He is always ready to sacrifice his time and comfort for the good of his passengers. Since his death, most of those saddened most were his passengers then who testified that he used to transport them without collecting money once they complain of not having money in their pockets. Dee Augur was a man of the people. In some occasions, he used to distribute water to his neighborhood without collecting money from them.

Dee Augur was a man who treated and cared for his brothers’ wives the same manner he cared for his own wife. We are proud to call him a peacemaker. Dee Augur’s good name and reputation within Umuagwo, Ohaji, Otioha, Umuakpu etc is really inspiring despite the years.

Our Legend Lives on…

Chief Omenka, we stand before your grave to testify that you were truly a good husband to his wife and a respectable father to his children. Your legacies will ever remain in us.

You valued your family so well that our success was your priority. Chief Omenka didn’t segregate in giving support to all around you. You carried the loads of the family and made sure that things were normal. We can’t forget how you forfeited all you labored for as a man for peace to reign in Ahanotu family. Dad, you were not a selfish father who doesn’t care about the well-being of your children, rather you faced difficulties with faith and hope. To concretize your fatherly roles, you did what our biblical patriarchs did by summoning their children for blessings before giving up. Thanks for your blessings, encouragement, appreciation and promises.

We thank God for giving us a father like you. You were an ideal father, a mentor to many, fearless man but humble, a protective father, a man full of initiative, an industrious man, very productive and wise. On seeing all these fatherly and community qualities in him, on December 2023, you received a chieftaincy title as OMENKA 1 OF IBELE.

Since God has decided to call you home at this point, we are very grateful to Him for the good things with which he blessed you, while on earth. As Paul would explain (2 Tim. 2:11), since you have died with the Lord, may you live with him whom you have served so well all your life. Till we meet again, to part no more in His presence on that resurrection morning. Goodbye Chief Augustine Nwaokorobia Ahanotu.

Adieu Omenka.

Requiescat in pace Christi Dee Augur.

Stanley Anyehiechukwu Ahanotu

(Son) for and on behalf of the family.