The Biography of the late HRH Eze Samuel Iheukwumere Anyanwoke.
7 min read
The Isiala 1 of Nsukwe Ubakala: In the words of late Nelson Mandela: “the 1st thing is to be honest with yourself. You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself. Great peacemakers are people of integrity, of honesty but humility”
Birth: HRH Eze Samuel Iheukwumere Anyanwoko (Isiala 1 of Nsukwe, Ubakala) was born on September 13, 1922 at Umuojibe Nsukwe, Ubakala in Umuahia South LGA of Abia State, Nigeria, into the family of late George Agbara Anyanwoko & late Madam Ngwanma Odoegbu Onugha.
He was born great as his name “Iheukwumere” depicts. It was said that on the day he was born, a branch of the big “Apu” tree in Umuojibe – his hamlet fell down as soon as the women released the “owomwoo” jubilation song which is the traditional way of announcing that a woman has put to bed. This was very symbolic as it was a rare occurrence for the “Apu ” branch to fall just like that!
Although he was the 2nd son of the family, he assumed the position of a 1st son very early in life as his older brother, Abel died before the age of 10. His father, a very brave man, died very young so he literally became the man of the house assisting his young mother who was widowed at a young age. He assumed the position of a man of the house as he helped his mother in raising his 2 younger siblings. Since his father had no brothers but an only sister – Adanne Ojiugo, who was already married, life was tough for his mother. Thankfully, his maternal uncles & his aunt – Adanne Ojiugo helped them survive the untold hardship that the death of their young father brought upon them.
Education: Because he had no father figure and his poor mother couldn’t afford to send him to school, his formal classroom education was sporadic. However, he went to “Ugbama” where he obtained a standard 2 education and later on one of his maternal uncle took him to live with him in “Igweocha” – now Portharcourt where he continued his classroom education up to standard 4 but did not to the highest level standard 6 for lack of funds. However, it is worthy of mention that he was a self-educated man as he could debate intelligently with professors in the field of politics, world events and general knowledge. He was a very brilliant man!
Early Life: Since his father died very young leaving him & his younger siblings at the mercy of mother, he wanted to overcome poverty early in life so he went to learn a trade – plumbing under the late Marcus Okezie ( a man he served so well that he took him as one of his sons). His knowledge in this field helped him later in life when he took to building contractor and supplier with the then PWD.
HRH was very curious as a young vibrant man who wanted to overcome the poverty in his background, he went to learn the produce trade. This trade exposed him to different villages, towns and neighboring states as he had to explore the produce markets. This is how he mastered the different cultures and could speak the three major languages in the country including different dialects. He has vastly traveled around Nigeria up to Cameroon, Ghana, Lome, Togo & its environs in search of greener pastures!
Occupation: He wasn’t a jack of trade, but he sure did different trades/work in his lifetime! HRH engaged in diverse trades and work. Apart from being an accomplished Produce trader which made him travel extensively all around the country, he also was a Dispenser and sold medicine and gave people injections (he had learned this skill when he lived in PH with one of his maternal uncles).
HRH also worked as a chef with the NAF in Maiduguri under the European. It was at this time in this role that he was exposed to the “Bekee/Oyibo” lifestyle and work ethic that set him apart in all he did in his life. He was well liked and preferred to all his colleagues because of his dedication and commitment to his duties and he rose to a high position (he was a charmer and a people’s man)!
When HRH left the northern part of Nigeria back to the east, he went into the “Produce” trade. He became very popular with the diverse communities and towns where this trade took him to as far as Ikom, Arochukwu, Ohafia, Abakaliki, Akwette and all over Abia state. As a people’s man, everywhere he went, he got himself integrated into the people and their culture. No wonder he could speak almost the three major languages in Nigeria and also the countless dialects!
Another business HRH did was selling building materials. He had a store in the Umuahia main market for several years and had 2 youngmen – his relatives – that sold for him. This trading he combined with his building contractor business.
As a building contractor, he contracted the reconstruction of the Modern Ceramics among other landmark construction sites in Umuahia and in Bende. It would be worthy of mention at this point that HRH’s career as a contractor was stalled cos he was marginalized by the powers that awarded contracts at that time because of his integrity forbade him from accepting bribes and falsifying figures. HRH was a man of integrity and did not accept any shady deals in order to be in the powers that be good books which would have guaranteed him contracts jobs as much as needed because he was good at what he did but unfortunately that’s not a requirement!
Misfortune hit HRH’s building material store as the Umuahia main market was gutted by fire around the same time he was experiencing a down time with his building contractor business (a terrible time indeed) but his strong faith in God kept him afloat! As providence would have it, HRH started to slowly disengage and relocate back to the village to enable him spend quality time with his dear mother who was getting on in age. Also, to be more involved with the affairs of his people “Ndi Ubakala ” and mostly to represent his Nsukwe people maximally.
HRH became very involved and active in the representation of his clan and worked very tirelessly to unite them in order for meaningful progress to be attained. This was a big feat but because of peaceful and charismatic nature he was able to accomplish that.
In 1987, his people unanimously elected him to be their leader. So on the 2th of December 1987, he was crowned as the Nsui Ukwu 1 of Nsukwe. A role that he played selflessly and honorably. Ensuring the Nsukwe was in the limelight in every way possible. As the Nsui Ukwu 1, he fought tirelessly with other meaningful members of his community/council for Nsukwe to be granted an autonomous status. Thank God, his dream for autonomy was granted.
Amidst pomp and pageantry, HRH Eze S.I Anyanwoko was crowned the Isiala 1 of Nsukwe on December 27th 2005. This great man led his people with humility, integrity, absolute honesty and unifying love in the capacity of the Isiala 1 for 18 years until his glorious home-calling on the 20th, October 2023!
During his reign he ensured that his people Nsukwe was maximally represented at every level as he was one of the respected, trusted and loved Eze in Umuahia South and up to the council of Ndi Eze in Abia state>
Time will fail me to highlight his accomplishments as the HRH Eze Isiala 1 of Nsukwe (we leave that for history to do justice to)!
Social: HRH was a man of the people, kind and generous. He modeled humility with elegance and integrity. He was the life of any occasion, his charismatic and eloquence of speech, he commanded the respect of many and brightened even the darkest of gatherings! With his infectious smile and hearty laugh, he made the sick want to get up and sing/dance as well as turn someone’s bad day into a good day….Yes, he was that great!!
He was a sacrificial giver and would give away his potion of meal to any one he thought needed it, he was that giving!
His humility endeared him to the young and the old as his friendships cut across all age groups and social class – a man of the people indeed! HRH, you will be terribly missed by all!
He and her Ugoeze, Blessing, were blessed with 8 children – two beautiful daughters and 6 handsome sons. He remained grateful to God for the gift of his children and he often referred to them as his pride and joy!
However, as providence would have it, the cold and unfriendly hands of death snatched his 3 eldest sons one after another and in his old age. But his strong faith in God and in his sovereignty kept him going as he consoled himself and his Ugoeze with the word of God in Job 2:10 and also he said “I didn’t bribe God nor did anything special when He blessed me with these children so if He feels He need them back, I cannot fight Him afterall He is God and I am not”
This strong faith in God was the anchor for his life and the reason behind his longevity. He was a rare gem indeed!!
HRH Eze Samuel Iheukwumere, will be terribly missed by everyone who was privileged to know him!
He is survived by his widow, 5 children, 5 daughter in laws, 1 son inlaw, 18 grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, many cousins, plenty of in-laws and his community at large!
May his generous,gentle, loving & peaceful soul continue to rest in perfect peace in the bosom of his maker and Lord. Amen!
Ojiugo (Congo)
2nd daughter,
For the family
