GOD Almighty alone knows when to create an illustrious son for His people in dire need of financial, moral, patriotic and social upliftments. It was in this wise He gave Abomimi, Enugwu Ukwu, Anambra State and Nigeria a great son named Chief Joel Okoye Ifemelunma Onowu Enugwu Ukwu.

Although Onowu was born of very humble parentage, through divine gifts of natural intelligence, wisdom and hardwork, he achieved greatness that impacted favourably on his family and others who were fortunate to interact with him.

After acquiring basic education at Immanuel Anglican Primary School Enugwu Ukwu, Ifemelunma extramurally and informally advanced the skill, will and zeal to excel in sociology and business management.

He registered many successful limited liability companies. Some of the departments of the Ifemelunma & Company Enterprises Nig. Ltd. Group of Companies included building, civil and mechanical engineering constructions, block making, estate department, metal tank construction, house and auto electric wiring and of course general trading.

With his heavy construction plant, Onowu would seasonally embark on the village earth roads rehabilitation in all the nooks and crannies, even to the extent of linking Adagbe to Enu Abomimi through Ofia Samsom and Ezi Nwagu.

A computerized secretariat with comprehensive departmental organogram enhanced staff management and productivity.

His combination of business and charity success emanated from his tireless energy for hardwork and excellent record of book-keeping for all the departments of the group of companies in which all the information are at the tip of his fingers.

As an acclaimed patron of the Enugwu Ukwu Community Development Union, ECDU, Onowu gave his best in finance, social, moral and leadership support to the ECD central executives, branch unions and total commitment to Enugwu Ukwu agenda.

His innate spirit of self-sacrifice and community development manifested in the construction of Obi Anatogu in 1980 for Umuezenta family meetings and also included his inspiration and financial support for the yet-unfinished Ekwueme Hall of Enu Abomimi, and financial and moral support for the construction of the gigantic Enugwu Ukwu Civic Centre Complex.

Ifemelunma cleared the site and constructed the first five classroom block of the Enugwu Ukwu Boys Secondary School regardless of intrigues and insinuations by enemies of progress that he was building his business factory at Akiyi village. His charities to the churches and social organisations had no bounds most of which he did under strict anonymity.

The staff of his Group of Companies could never complain because he laid out adequate conditions of service in salaries, over time and bonus schemes and other personal incentives which enabled them to do business within the group. They owned their own cars, lorries, houses, stocks and shares.

His scholarship scheme for all levels of academic education spanned all strata and profession. Benefactors of his philanthropic passion for education are too numerous to mention. Widows and the destitute will mourn the death of Onowu for his regular Christmas cash and food items donation which we pray should not dry up.

Our prayer therefore as his remains are laid to rest in Enugwu Ukwu today, is that the good Lord in His infinite mercy may give us in Anambra State, Enugwu Ukwu and Abomimi in particular, another and many more like him and grant the kind soul of Chief Joel Chiama Ifemelunma Okoye the Onowu Enugwu Ukwu na Umunri eternal rest, Amen.

Mr. CHIKELUE OMESUH, a commentator on national issues,  wrote from Awka, Anambra State.