By: Citizen Samuelson Iwuoha
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS EZE NGOZI ANYAEHIE, IMENYI OF NNANANO NKWERRE AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY NKWERRE-IMO STATE, TAKES THE BOW
Death is a necessary end for all mortals, and to the Glory of Almighty God, His Royal Highness Eze Ngozi Anyaehie, Imenyi Of Nnanano Nkwerre Autonomous Community in Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo State, bowed to the wish of Almighty God on Friday, March 17, 2023, after a brave battle with ill health, but after living a fulfilled life of unblemished excellence.
This tribute and biography will therefore serve as an invitation to the global community, to join Nkwerre local government and Imo State to celebrate this Man Of Peace, Man Of Excellence, Man Of Industry, Man Of Philanthropy, Man Of Royalty and indeed, Man Of History : who devoted his entire life in the Service of Almighty God and Humanity.
The Question is : who was HRH Eze Ngozi Anyaehie?
I will therefore enjoin the reading public to follow me in this journey.
HISTORY :
His Royal Highness, Eze Ngozi Anyaehie (Imenyi), of Umuchukwu Village, Nnanano Nkwerre Autonomous Community, Nkwerre L.G.A. Imo State, was born on October 12, 1947 to the Legendary Chief Nze Sir John Richard Anyaehie & Ezinne Victoria Adaoha Anyaehie in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. He was the first son of the Late Patriarch, Chief Nze Sir John Richard Anyaehie, Agbawo-dike-izu, Ahaejiagamba, the First Lord Mayor of Nkwerre and Chief Benefactor of the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint John the Divine, Nkwerre, Imo State.
EDUCATION AND CAREER :
As was customary in Nigeria of those days, it was normal to send young men and women to live with teachers. To this end therefore, his father, Chief John Anyaehie, arranged for him to live with a trusted teacher at Chokoneze, Mbaise, and that was where he started his early education. Shortly after that, young Ngozi Anyaehie attended County Grammar School Ikwerre-Etche, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, and finished up at Comprehensive Secondary School Ubulu-Ihejiofor in Oru West LGA. After secondary school, he had gained admission to study in the United States Of America, but family responsibilities called. He needed to work with his father. He was the Pillar of the Anyaehie Toyota Crown you hear of today ; As a prolific businessman, trained by his ingenious father, Ngozi Anyaehie would go to Lagos and back every week, making sure their fleet arrived safely.
Because of the trust his father had in him, Ngozi Anyaehie was introduced into many other business ventures. From METCOM CORRUGATED ROOFING SHEETS to REAL ESTATE, MATTRESS PRODUCTION, PAINT PRODUCTION (RICHARDS PAINTS) to countless other ventures locally and internationally. His legendary father, Chief John Richard Anyaehie, was among the richest in Africa in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and afterwards.
Eze Imenyi remains the youngest titled “Onye Nze” to be given chieftaincy by the late Eshi of Nkwerre, HRH Eze J. O. Ugochukwu (Eshi of Nkwerre) in the late 1980’s, and he is presently, the Chairman, “Nze na Ozo” of Nnenato in Nnanano Nkwerre; the Head of Anyaehie Nwagu’s Dynasty; Head of Umu-Nwugha’s Family Kindred, Head & President of Nnenator Nsuji Titled Men; Ceremonial Head of Nnanano Nze Titled Men; Patron of Nkwerre Ohu-ebe Titled Men; The Traditional Ruler of Nnanano Nkwerre Autonomous Community.
Further, Between 1990 to 1993, H.R.H Eze Ngozi Anyaehie was elected as the Executive Chairman, Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State, during which the Traditional Ruler of Aba, HRM Eze Isaac lkonne, gave him the Chieftaincy Title of “O Gara Mba Chia Mba” Of Aba, for his outstanding performance in uplifting the life of citizens within the Enyimba city. H.R.H Eze Ngozi Anyaehie was a Trustee of Nkwerre Country Club and Special Adviser to the Past Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha on Project Monitoring, and has been awarded with so many other Chieftaincy titles and Awards within the South Eastern States. No wonder, he was eventually crowned the lgwe of Nkwerre by the elite Nkwerre Country Club. He was very Athletic and belonged to the famous Aba Recreation Club, where he was an avid tennis player. He was also a very prominent member of Aba Sports Club, Enyimba City, as well as a Trustee and Patron of Nkwerre Country Club.
HRH Eze Ngozi Anyaehie was the Crown Head of the Anyaehie Royal Dynasty, and a Director of Anyaehie Foundation. He was also the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tower Resources Nigeria Limited and Michi Ventures and Services Limited . You cannot write about Eze Imenyi without writing about his social skills. Like his legendary father, he was a socialite to the core. He loved other people and desired to make them happy and comfortable. He was extremely lively, friendly, amiable and receptive. A great friend to both old and young. These attributes gained him the name “ENYIOHA” (Friend to all). He was the life of the party, like his father, he loved having people around and making sure they had enough to eat. On one occasion, his hospitality gained him the name, Dr. Ukaz!!! LOL!!! A name synonymous with, a host that never lacked the right refreshments, especially the famous Ukazi Soup.
FAMILY HISTORY:
Eze Ngozi Anyaehie was a man of great pedigree. “Enyioha” like his forebearers in Anyaehie Nwagu’s Dynasty, is a man of many parts, an astute businessman, community leader, politician, administrator, traditionalist, titled Chief and Nze of the ancient Nkwerre town. On the other hand, his mother, Late Ezinne Adaoha Victoria Anyaehie “Daa Adaoha”, who went to be with the Lord at a ripe old age of 93 years was the daughter of the famous traditional ruler of Nkwerre, late Paramount Eze Anyiam Emeghara Udoh of Ugwu Nwapali fame.
FAMILY LIFE :
Family was incredibly important to Eze Imenyi. In whatever he did, he chose to make his family the priority, having watched his father do same before him. HRH Eze Ngozi Anyaehie was originally married to his late wife of over 23 years, Lolo Nkechi Lilian Anyaehie – Nee Iheme and they were blessed with three lovely children : Amarachi, Nkeiru and Chimdi.
Ngozi and Nkechi were happily married until her untimely demise in 2009. Being a believer in the biblical injunction that a man must not be alone, he later married his current wife, Ugoeze Adaobi Precious Anyaehie – Nee Onumonu, an international player in one of the major multinational oil companies in the United Kingdom. Having found love again, the two were together till his last days. Sadly, he died on Friday, March 17, 2023 after a brief illness.
HRH Eze Ngozi Anyaehie was predeceased by his parents, Chief Sir J.R. & Ezinne Adaoha Victoria Anyaehie. He is survived by his wife, Ugoeze Adaobi Precious Anyaehie; two daughters, Princess Amarachi A. Anyaehie and Princess Nkeiruka U. Anyaehie; one son, Prince Chimdi Ngozi Anyaehie.He is also survived by a host of brothers and sisters in the great “Anyaehie Clan”, several in-laws, and numerous other relatives, including Hon Chief Barrister Sir Nnamdi Anyaehie, Chief Of Staff to the Imo State Government.
His death, has created a big vacuum in the Anyaehie Royal Family, Nkwerre Kingdom, Imo State and Nigeria. He will be greatly missed.
As is custom and tradition of any departed person, His Royal Highness Eze Ngozi Anyaehie will be buried on Saturday, 5th Of August 2023. To this end therefore, all Roads will lead to Nkwerre tommorow, to give His Royal Highness Eze Ngozi Anyaehie a final farewell.
May His Worthy Soul Rest In Peace, Amen.
Citizen Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha
