Okonjo-Iweala: The King Is Dead; Long Live The King

By Uche Mbah

There was a change of guard in Ogwashiukwu kingdom where the traditional ruler of the ancient kingdom, Professor Chukwuka Okonjo, transited to the beyond just as his son, Ifechukwude Chukwuka stepped into his thrown as the next Igwe.

He is to be addressed as Igwe Chukwuka Okonjo II.

Recall that the former Minster of Finance under President Goodluck Jonathan announced the passing on of her father, who she said passed away as simply as she lived.

“He died in Lagos soon after he arrived from a trip to the United States of America and Ghana. We are immensely grateful that his last moments were peaceful and that he died the same way he lived his life – with quiet dignity”, Okonjo-Iweala said.

“Daddy was an accomplished man on so many levels – a highly respected academic, international public servant, university administrator, intellectual and traditional ruler. My father touched so many lives personally and professionally,” she said.

The former World Bank Chief added: “It is a tribute to the kind of life that Daddy lived that on his 90th birthday last year, a delegation of old students of Ibadan Boys High School presented him with a letter of commendation written in 1953 in which a colonial education administrator praised him highly for the all-round improvements he achieved in the school within a short period of time. He was only 25 then.

“Daddy was a passionate intellectual and prolific writer whose last book was published at the age of 90. He touched so many lives personally and professionally and was an unrelenting believer and practitioner in the power of education to transform lives.

“In pursuit of this commitment, Daddy sponsored the education of at least 19 students up to university level in addition to his own seven children. He inspired and motivated so many more.

“Having witnessed the ravages of war, he was committed to unity and peaceful coexistence of all. From his marriage of 66 years to our mother, Prof. Kamene Okonjo to his dedication to duty, he was exceptional”, she concluded.

On On the crown prince that became the king, she said through her spokesperson, Paul Nwabuikwu, she said her brother, an erudite scholar, is still pursuing his Doctorate in Business administration from a University in Paris.

“Please join me in gratitude as we rejoice in the installation of my brother as the Obi of Ogwashiuku, His Royal Majesty Obi Ifechukwude Chukuka Okonjo II”, she said.
“A Financial Management Expert and the CEO of Chevy Chase Consulting he attended Federal Government College Enugu and obtained his A levels as an external student of the University of London
“HRM has two Bachelors Degrees in Economics and History from the University of Maryland at College Park and an MBA from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland
“He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration from The University of Paris in France
“A transformational minded leader with s deep abiding love for his people, HRM focus is to be a forward looking and inclusive traditional ruler who will elevate his people serving as a champion of translating progressive and practical ideas into action”, she said. 

Quoting M.D. Arnold, she said: “A good leader leads the people from above them. A great leader leads the people from within them”.
“To God be The Glory”, she concluded.