The Biography of Late Sir Dominic Chineme Nganwuchu.
3 min readLate Chief(Sir)Dominic Chineme Nganwuchu was born on the 31st of July, 1945 to Late Mr Nganwuchu and Nwokiri of Ezeala Ubani Village, Obinwanne, Umuaka Autonomous Community, Njaba L.G.A., Imo State. He was the first son of his late parents.
After his schooling days before the Nigerian Civil War, he was taken to Port- Harcourt, Rivers State by Late Prof. Barr. J.O.L Ezeala (Egbendu 1 of Umuaka) to stay with him. Not long after his arrival to Port Harcourt, he got a job with the Food Specialties now Nestle through the help of a relation one Mr Augustine Durugbor who intimated him of the job vacancy in the Company. Though very tender in age, he went for the job interview and being the youngest that came for the interview he still came out tops which surprised the Swiss Man Mr Darwin who was the Managing Director of the company making him to commend the young lad with this phrase. “He is a small boy with big brains”. That was how intelligent he was. He later went for advanced study passing his GCE from home and also majored in Shorthand. He was very brainy and his intelligence always shone like a million stars anywhere he found himself. He showed absolute devotion, truthfulness, hard work, diligence and commitment to duty and consequently he was honoured with Nestle Special 10 Years Service Meritorious Award by the Management of the Company.
After the Civil War which affected many, he was reinstated into the company and posted to Lagos, after sometime he was later transferred from Lagos to Onitsha when he met his beloved wife Late Lolo Onyenachiya Florence Nganwachu and they wedded. Late Loll Florence Nganwuchu was also a hardworking, loving and devoted wife who also proved her mettle in the area of their business. She came from the linage of famous Ohin family from Ogbaku, Mbaitoli LGA of Imo State renowned for their intelligence and dexterity to work. Their marriage was blessed with 7 lovely Children.
On transfer to Onitsha, he later retired meritoriously from the company and went into private business with his beloved wife. He first started as a Distributor with Nestle Products PLC and New Nigerian Salt from Ethiope Sapele, Delta State with his Company D.C Nganwuchu & Sons Trading Company Ltd and later branched out to Chineme Super Market, No 3 Ozalla Road, Onitsha, Anambra State.
In 1970,he took up the Chieftaincy title of Eze Nwa Chinemere” which he later changed to ‘Ozuomee lof Umuaka’ which he was addressed as till his demise. He was thereafter appointed as a the member of H.R.H Eze C.A.C Ojinnaka’s Cabinet. Due to his sterling performances in handling the affairs of the community and his contributions towards the growth of Umuaka community, He was awarded a Special Merit Award Certificate in 1992 by the late Eze Ojinnaka.
He was a life patron and trustee of Akah Ebe Iri People’s Assembly, Onitsha Branch. When all the Umuaka communities got their autonomies, he brought them together and advised that the 10 communities should form Aka Ebeiri Assembly Onitsha Branch and that was what gave birth to the Association till date. Formerly it was Umuaku Development Union, Onitsha Branch which he was also one of the founding members.
Humility was written all over him. Chief Sir Dominic Nganwuchu was hardly absent in the activities of the church and this endeared him to many. He was a frontliner as far as church activities were concerned. It is on record that he was the first Parishioner that donated the first blocks molded for the building of St Patrick’s Church Obinwanne, Umuaka. He was also the Patron of St Mary’s Catholic Community. Umuaka, Onitsha Branch. He was also an Executive Member of St Peter’s Ward, Ogbe America of the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity Church, Onitsha.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the growth of the church and the society in year 2000, he was initiated into the Noble Order of Knight Of St John International. Later in 2012, he was also honoured with the conferment of NNAOMADI EBUBE a prestigious honour in the church by His Grace Arch Bishop AT Ukoma, Arch Bishop of Orlu Diocese through the recommendation of Rev Father Damian Okpara.
He was a philanthropist and a Community leader who is zealous in supporting the work of God, the improvement and development of the community at large.