HIS ROYAL MAJESTY EZE/ ELDER UFERE ILUM MBA, OKWO 1 OF ETITIAMA
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF HIS ROYAL MAJESTY EZE/ ELDER UFERE ILUM MBA, THE OKWO 1 OF ETITIAMA ANCIENT AUTONOMOUS KINGDOM, NKPORO
Eze/Elder U.I.Mba was born on the 6th of March, 1932 to a great man, Chiel llum Mba Agba and Madam Ucha llum Mba of Ndi Oji Nta Compound in Etitiiama Nikpoго
HIS EDUCATION
Eze / Elder U.I.Mba is recognized today as one of the pioneers of education in Niporo, it all started between 1940 and 1947 when he attended Nkporo Church of Scotland Mission now Presbyterian Schoool He later proceeded to Hope Waddle Training Institute Calabar and later to Macgregor College Afikpo between 1951 and 1955. Between 1961 and 1962 he attended Nigerian College of Arts and Technology, Zaria, Kaduna State .
He also had his University education in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State between 1963 and 1966.
HRH Ezel Elder U.I.Moa had his First School Leaving Certificate in 1947. He got his Teacher’s Grade III. Grade II and Grade I Certificates respectively in 1952, 1956 and 1961. He also had his GCE Ordinary Level and Advanced Level in 1957 and 1959 respectively. He got his Diploma in Teaching in 1962 and had his B.A Combined Honors in English and History in 1966: Finally, he had his Certificate in Education in 1966. This was indeed a lofty attempt in those days in Nigeria when education was for the few who had the means and the brains.
HIS SERVICE TO THE NATION
HRH Eze/Elder UI Mba worked in various capacities as a teacher. He was a Vice Principal in many schools in Imo State and Abia State for about one and half decades. He educated and trained so many people in all these years. A great disciplinarian he was, always setting up a legacy and record that no other could either maintain or sustain. Often schools had to experience a sharp decline immediately he left them for he often worked them up to the climax of glory through his selfless effort.
Mr. Ufere Ilum Mba As A Young Graduate served the nation as a teacher and as a reward of his integrity, he was a WAEC and NTI Chief Examiner for 13 years also a great number of contemporary crème of the society passed through him and he derived so much joy in that fact. Indeed the reward for his service still goes on and on. He finally retired from the Civil service on 1 August 1984 after putting in 35 years.
On retirement Eze/ Elder U.I Mba was unanimously chosen as a Councillor without elections to represent Ndi Elu Nkporo Ward in Arochukwu/ Ohatia Local Government Area Council from 1987 to 1989. In the council he was first appointed a Supervisory Councillor for Finance and Economic Planning and through this special appointment he was able to lobby and attract the first transformer to Nkporo for the Rural Electrification Project when all effort to garner and gather monies for the purchase proved abortive.
He later became the first Deputy Chairman of Ohafia Local Government Area after it was carved out of Aro.Ohafia LGA to create two separate local government entities .
IN 1994 HE took up a part time appointment as a Principal of the Presbyterian Seminary School Ohafia where he once again performed his magic as a master Administrator, Academically, the school became first in Abia State, always recording a 100% pass in WAEC. Also any developmental progress structurally or otherwise must be attributed to his hard work and selfless services. Indeed, the legacies are still there for all to see and a succession of Principals have battled to sustain those records since he left
HIS SERVICE TO HIS COMMUNITY
EZE/ elder U.I Mba served Etitiama in particular and Nkporo entire community in diverse ways. He made his debut into Nkporo as a young graduate during the civil war when the whitemen working as RED CROSS officials noticed his honesty and appointed him as Camp Director of all the camps in Nkporo. He was in charge of distributing food aids and other materials to the different camps. Through this gesture he saved so many from apparent death from kwashiorkor.
Selflessly, he discharged this assignment and never used it as a means for self- aggrandizement. In those days Etitiama matters rested solely on his shoulders. He led the Ikwu- Iso Organization (Nkporo, Abiriba, Item, Eli and Igbere) representing Nkporo before all these neighboring towns.
He became the President General of Etitiama Nkporo Development Board (ENDB) in 1985 and served for 13 years. During the same period he served as the National President of Nkporo Development Union (NDU), and within this period Nkporo experienced a level of unity that was unprecedented and unequalled. He initiated The inter- village contributions and from Unis gesture the Oso- Eda road was constructed and the General Post Office was established. Back home in Etitiama he initiated and completed the Rural Electrification bringing in the first Transformer, which served the entire Nkporo Community. He inter alia was instrumental to the creation of the first autonomous community in Nkporo- The Etitiama Nkporo Autonomous Community. It is quite pertinent to mention that during his period of service to his community (Etitiama) his high level of rectitude was tried and tested. From the words the great preacher C.H.Spurgeon, “Good pilots are tested in rough weathers and in deep seas”. Many a time he threatened to resign in the face of injustice and corruption, but because of his love for his village he always continued after much begging and persuasion. In the words of Nicollo Machievelli, “A man who wants to be virtuous in all his ways necessarily comes to grief among so may who are not virtuous” Eze U.I Mba would not beige in his impeccable uprightness and as such it was not unnatural if he made some necessary enemies.
Eze/Elder U.I Mba>s great contributions to Etitiama would last for generations and some may never be able to realize it, but those who knew his worth bow in awe. He designed the entire architectural blueprint of Etitiama Ancient Kingdom as an Autonomous Community as it is today. This created the basis upon which Etitiama Nkporo rose to an enviable height in Nkporo in general. His presence in Etitiama Ancient Kingdom meant peace and unity, he was the only voice all listened to.
His oratory prowess was one of its own kind, his talked strength, courage, suffice it to say you were an enigma.
SERVICE TO GOD
Having been trained by the church, Eze U.I. Mba became a dedicated and committed Christian. He walked before God to the best of his ability and earned a good standing in the
Presbyterian Church. The Ihechiowa Parish ordained him an Elder in the year 1974. He preached so many life transforming sermons as a lay preacher and touched so many lives.
He was a humble, peaceful, quite achiever, Educationist, and Pioneer Graduate King who brought dignity and respect to the Autonomous kingship in Nkporo.
‘’ He Came, He Saw and He Conquered”
