BIOGRAPHYOF CHIEF GREGORY KASIMU ENEGWEA (1943 – 2025)
BY JOHN EDEMHO ENEGWEA
Introduction
No mortal man lives forever. Death is a necessary end of man. It is an inevitable appointment that must be kept. Hence the word of God has aptly put it that “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die” (Ecclesiastes 3:1,2). However, death is never a cessation of being, but a transition to a life of eternity. But whether to end up in eternal life and bliss through Christ Jesus, or in eternal damnation, is a question for us as individuals to answer.
His Birth and Parental Heritage
In the words of William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616), who was an English playwright, dramatist and poet, “All the world’s a stage, and all men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts”. (As You Like It, Act 2, Scene 7.)
In God’s own appointed time,Chief Gregory Kasimu Enegwea, herein refer to as G.K. Enegwea, as he was popularly known, came on the world stage when he was born in 1943. He lived to play his many parts. His parents (who are both late) were Pa. Enegwea Aika, and Madam Mary Titi Oghọghọ Enegwea (nee Enaberue) both of Ogbona in Avianwu Clan in the present day Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State.
The story of G.K. Enegwea begins not with the man, but with the rich parental heritage that shaped his life. His father was no ordinary person. He was the village butcher who was very hardworking and skillful in his trade. The aroma of roasted or barbecued meat that perpetually permeated their compound made it a magnet for village children who often came around to have a taste of the meat for free. On his mother’s part, she was equally hardworking and industrious. She busied herself, always weaving the traditional Calico attires of ‘Ọdabọ’, ‘Igbọganẹ’ and ‘Ẹchiẹgbovhioghie’. Also, as a consummate singer, arranger and vocalist, she was a great traditional music star in the sixties and seventies. She released music records and cassettes to her credit. In addition, she was a successful fish trader. She bought fish from Agenebode Waterside which she sold to buyers in her community and other places. One is not therefore surprised that G.k. Enegwea imbibed the culture of hard work and industry from his parents, which guided him into attaining greatness in life.
Growing Up In Ogbona
Growing up in Ogbona in those days entailed collecting water from the one reliable Okokotoko stream situated some few kilometres away from the village centre. Like other children, G.K. Enegwea participated actively in the chores, as well as fetching firewoods for domestic use. Young men also hunted with bows and arrows and with catapults for small games. Though he took great interest in the hunting activities, G.K. Enegwea’s involvement was primarily for the thrill and excitement. He did not need the meat from the hunt, because his father, Pa. Enegwea Aika, was the village butcher who would always give him and his friends barbecued intestines and kidneys to savour.
G.K. Enegwea grew up in a loving and caring community of Ogbona where everyone was their brothers’ keeper. Thus, the long lasting brotherhood between him and his many childhood friends was forged and nurtured in the culture of meaningful engagement. There is the deep and sincere belief that this humanity guided him throughout his lifetime.
His Primary School Education
For his primary school education, G.K. Enegwea attended Saint John’s Catholic Primary School (now Obọarẹkpẹ Primary School), Ogbona in the present day Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State. He acquired the Primary School Leaving Certificate in 1956. Late Chief M.C.K. Orbih was the Headmaster at the early stage of school in Ogbona.
In 1956, G.K. Enegwea was among the pupils selected from the then all-encompassing Kukuruku (later Afemai) Division to travel to Benin City to line the royal route and wave the British Union Jack flag for Queen Elizabeth II of England during her state visit to Nigeria.
With his strong voice, G.K. Enegwea was a notable member of the school choir at Saint John’s Catholic Primary School where the pupils who could barely speak English were taught to sing Christian hymns in Latin, which they performed every Sunday in church.
His Secondary School Education
After his primary school education, G.K. Enegwea attended Blessed Martin’s Secondary Modern School, Jattu, Uzairue in the present day Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State from 1957 to 1959. Chief M.C.K. Orbih was the Principal, with Mr. Bruno Oshiokpekhai, Mr. Jacob Idalu and Mr. Pius Asumu among the teachers. His classmates included John Besiru Idode, Ikhenemho Sam Okomilo, Augustine Akhigbe, and Francis Omogbai, the immediate past Ogienẹni of Uzairue Kingdom.
The rigour of his academic journey were marked by endurance. While a student in Uzairue, G.K. Enegwea lived at Afowa in the household of Mr. Jacob Idalu. From there, he and his Ogbona co-students, John Besiru Idode and Ikhenemho Sam Okomilo, would travel home at weekends to collect foodstuffs. They braced the treacherous terrain and the long sandy path between Jattu and Ogbona, which now forms much of the Auchi-Agenebode Express Road. Shoeless, they would walk under intense blistering sun, tiptoeing over the hot sand and sheltering occasionally in tree shades. The greatest comfort was the River Ogio at Ugbenor where these Ogbona kids would have their break to drink garri with banana or groundnuts, play in the cool water and wash their school uniforms that were then placed on top of their loads to dry on their journeys. They were aware of the inherent danger in those regular precarious journeys, but their determination and eagerness to learn and to acquire knowledge became the overriding motivation propelling them on. Soon, they quickly learned ways to overcome the challenges which they then saw not only as an essential adventure, but also as an essential part of their education.
G.K. Enegwea was a member of the Class of 1959 at the Blessed Martin’s Secondary Modern School which set a record in Western Nigeria, being one of the schools in the Region that made a 100 percent pass mark. All the final year students passed, with some of them that included G.K. Enegwea, John Besiru Idode and Ikhenemho Sam Okomilo passing with distinction. Chief M.C.K. Orbih was very proud of them.
From 1960 to 1961, G.K. Enegwea attended Saint John Bosco College, Ubiaja where he obtained the Teacher’s Grade III Certificate. After teaching briefly at Fugar, he proceeded to the Assumption College, Uzairue from 1964 to 1965 and obtained the Teacher’s Grade II Certificate.
His University Education
For his university education, G.K. Enegwea attended the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), lle–Ife, Nigeria where he obtained a B.A. (Hons.) degree in English, in June, 1973.
During his undergraduate studies at the University, G.K. Enegwea got his first international exposure when he was invited to the United Kingdom by his friend, Ikhenemo Sam Okomilo, who had earlier relocated to settle and work there. They had a very happy holiday together in London.
His Participation in NYSC Programme
Upon his graduation from the University, G.K. Enegwea was deployed to the then North Central State for participation in the newly introduced National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme as one of the pioneer corps members from 1973 to 1974. He did his primary assignment at Queen Amina College, Kaduna where he met, and later got married to, his beautiful wife, Chief (Mrs.) Marie Enegwea (nee Ẹmuẹkpẹre).
On account of his outstanding performance and contributions, G.K. Enegwea won the Chairman’s NYSC National Award (now President’s NYSC National Honours Award)at the end of the service year.
Distinguished Career in Public Service
a)He was a teacher at various times at Saint Theresa’s Catholic School (now Usagbe Primary School), Fugar; Saint John’s Catholic Primary School, Ogbona; and Sacred Heart’s Primary School (now Ogbaki Primary School), Agenebode. His teaching experience commenced after completion of his secondary school education in 1959.
b)He was also a teacher at Queen Amina’s College, Kaduna. That was during his NYSC year from 1973 to 1974.
c)A teacher at Government College, Kaduna from 1975 to 1976.
d)He joined the staff of NYSC in 1976 as Inspector I, and rose to the status of Director in 1986. His job at the NYSC took him to several places in Nigeria where he impacted the various formations and staff, as well as the host communities and made them better than he had met them. He retired from active service in 2002.
e)While G.K. Enegwea was still a member of staff of the NYSC, he got an international posting and assignment to the Gambia during the administration of General Sani Abacha as Nigeria’s Military President. Under the Technical Aid Corps arrangement, he headed and led a team from Nigeria to pioneer the Gambia’s National Youth Service Scheme (NYSS), similar to the NYSC scheme in Nigeria. The NYSS programme in the Gambia was officially launched on 26th January, 1996 by the then President of the Gambia, Captain Yahya Jammeh, as a commitment to youth development in that nation. G.K. Enegwea became the first National Adviser to the President on National Youth Service Scheme(NYSS). The position is similar to the Director-General of NYSC in Nigeria. He came back to Nigeria at the end of his Gambia’s youth work tenure in 1998.
Custodian of Culture and Tradition
G.K. Enegwea was immersed in the traditions and culture of Avianwu people, Ogbona being one of the communities making up Avianwu Clan. He spoke the Etsako language with ease and eloquence of a native son. His participation and enrolment into the age-grade system was in 1961, with Eghiekhakumhẹ as the name of his age-group. He also performed the initiation into the Okhe Class system in 1992, which gives special recognition and privileges to its members in Ogbona and other communities in Avianwu Clan. Like many other kids of his time, G.K. Enegwea took lessons in drumming and dancing. He could perform different folk dance arrangements and was able to play various drums of diverse traditional musical concepts. For example, he drummed incredibly well to wide applause during the burial ceremony of the father of his friend, Ikhenemho Sam Okomilo, in 1983.
His Faith and Spiritual Devotion
G.K. Enegwea was a member of the Roman Catholic Church during his lifetime. He lived out his faith through humility, compassion and service in his lifetime. His marriage to Chief(Mrs.) Marie Enegwea (nee Emuekpere) was solemnized at Saint John’s the Baptist Catholic Church, Ogbona on 16th August, 1975. They dedicated and baptized all their four children at infancy in the branches of the Roman Catholic Church in the cities of their dwelling at the time of the children’s birth.
His Legacies, Contributions and Achievements
G.K. Enegwea did live to play his many parts, recorded so many outstanding contributions and achieved so much to positively touch and impact so many lives. He wore so many caps as husband, grandfather, father, uncle, brother, friend, teacher, life coach and mentor to so many people. He did not disappoint in coping with the roles and demands associated with such positions. Making information about him available is to inform, inspire, challenge and encourage those of us who are still living to be the best we can be in service to God and humanity. He made some very colossal impacts on humanity. Wherever he had traveled, schooled and worked in Edo State, Oyo State, Plateau State, Bauchi State, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other places in Nigeria, as well as outside Nigeria in the Gambia, he positively affected lives and made their lots and statuses better than he had met them. He will surely be remembered for his good deeds. He made some very remarkable impacts and impressions on his people and community. Persons and communities other than his also benefited from his good gestures. In recognition of his extraordinary and selfless service to his people, the Avianwu Traditional Council under His Royal Highness Alhaji Patrick Ajayi Oboarekpe, the Ogieavianwu of Avianwu Clan, conferred the chieftaincy title of ‘Ọlugbhekhai’ of Avianwu Clan on him. Ọlugbhekhai means “he who exceeds expectations in what he does”. At the same time, his wife, Chief (Mrs.) Marie Enegwea was conferred with the title of Ọlẹre of Avianmu Clan, since it is believed that ‘behind every successful man is a woman’. Ọlẹre translates to “the one who arrives at the right time”. The conferment of both titles was on 22nd December,1994.
G.K. Enegwea will be remembered for his acts and deeds of kindness, few of which are highlighted below:
i.He believed so much in education, and his view was that no child should be denied such opportunity. Therefore, he provided financial assistance for the education of many indigent children of Ogbona community and beyond.
ii.He was always ready in giving of diverse financial and material assistance to the poor and the needy within and outside his community.
iii.Through his diverse connections and contacts, he assisted so many youth in getting employment in federal, state and private organizations. The communities and states of origin of such employees did not matter to him, and hence he did not discriminate against any in facilitating their employment.
iv.His Abuja residence served as a haven for new arrivals to the City who were assisted with free accommodation and feeding pending when they were able to stabilize and secure places of their own.
v.He was a foster father to some people, who have remained committed to the family till date.
vi.He constructed and donated a fully furnished ultramodern block of classrooms with Head Master’s office to the present day Obọarẹkpẹ Primary School, Ogbona. It was commissioned on 13th April, 1999 by the then Military
Administrator of Edo State, Navy Captain Anthony Ibe Onyearugbulem. He also donated a lot of stationery items to the school.
vii.Renovations of the Palace of Ogieavianwu of Avianmu Clan during the reign of His Royal Highness Alhaji Patrick Ajayi Obọarẹkpẹ.
viii.As a member of the Roman Catholic Church, he championed fundraising activities and development efforts, and often coordinated nationwide networks to fund his Ogbona community church projects.
ix.During his tenure as the National President of Ogbona Imhakhena Development Union (OIDU) from 2015 to 2024, a lot of achievements were recorded by him and under his watch. Such included, but not limited to, the following: (a) He made some personal contributions towards meeting the financial requirements of the Union. He offsetted all bills arising from all chairs and tables rented for conferences since 2016 as OIDU president; settled all bills arising from entertainment during OIDU meetings since 2016; and settled the bills of furniture items, including chairs and tables, which became permanent assets of the Union. (b) Registration of the Union (OIDU) with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The registration took effect from 17th October, 2019. (c) OIDU donated the sum of One Million Naira (NGN1,000,000) only towards the construction of the Divisional Police Station at Ogbona. The amount was paid to Ogbona Development Project Account on 27th March, 2020. (d) In a bid to provide adequate classrooms in schools at Ogbona, the OIDU constructed a three-classroom block at Asama Primary School, Ogbona in 2020. A total sum of One Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Two Thousand Naira (NGN 1,852,000) only was spent on the project at the time.
His Hobbies
Late G.K. Enegwea’s hobbies included drama, music, reading, public speaking, speech writing, short story writing and television programmes presentation.Added to the above list, he was a great Biographer and Chronicler who did so much works on his people and community.
I should equally mention that G.K. Enegwea was an eloquent and skillful wordsmith in the use of English and Etsako languages. He had a great ability of engaging and holding his audience spellbound in his presentations. It was never a dull moment listening to him or reading his writings.
His Final Transition
Late G.K. Enegwea lived for a total number of 82 years, from 1943 to 2025. He died on Wednesday, 25th June, 2025 after a brief illness. He is survived by one wife, Chief (Mrs.) Marie Enegwea, four children (two men and two women) and many grandchildren. The prayer is that God should comfort all of us as family members, friends and well wishers and grant us the fortitude to bear the loss. We will surely miss him.
