Today October 31 makes it exactly four years since Diokpa Christopher Odinigwe Osakwe departed this world in a dramatic way. How times change! Like every mortal, this truthful and disciplined soul now dwells beyond this earthly realm. Often referred to as a man of unimpeachable integrity and character; his philosophy of life – hard work, discipline, family values, brotherhood, love for community and above all, truth at all times were his guiding principles, regardless of whose ox was gored.
Diokpa Christopher Odinigwe Osakwe, fondly called Odi was a patriarch of many parts. This extraordinary Diopka of Ogbe-Obi was well known for sacrificing his own comfort and freedom for the weak and vulnerable. He was also a rare gem who stood for truth, justice, inclusion and fairness; rare qualities that are in short supply in today’s world.
He became the Diokpa of Ogbe-Obi, Akwukwu-Igbo, Oshimili North LGA, Delta State on November 10th, 2012 by the goodwill of age divinely bestowed on him by God Almighty. Diokpa Osakwe was a traditional family man to the core; and he did not have time for niceties or patience for irresponsible conduct. In fact, he never suffered fools gladly. He was very strict, serious-minded and sometimes regarded as difficult and hard. But everything he did was for the good of his family and the betterment of all.
He contributed immensely to the upbringing and education of his children and many others who are today contributing substantially to the good of society in their different ways. And for the 90 years that he lived, he touched lives in different ways. He also, positively impacted the world in such a way that he will remain indelible in the hearts of many who came in contact with him.
As the Diokpa of Ogbe-Obi, his tenure ushered in a new level of sanity in the governance of Ogbe-Obi village. As a matter of fact, his kinsmen witnessed remarkable progress in the socio-economic development of Ogbe-Obi Village; and by extension, Akwukwu Igbo. Although, Pa Osakwe faced enormous challenges from some elements with questionable characters who were disinclined to his orderliness and accountability that punctuated his exemplary corporate life. For these characters, Pa Osakwe must lower the standards and if possible, bend the wheel of progress for their selfish interests.
But, Diokpa Osakwe knew where he was headed, so he was always in the habit of saying “Don’t worry yourself! Posterity will Judge everyone according to his or her Work”. Today, it is obvious that history is fair to this man based on the testimonies of people who remember him for his actions and good deeds.
Though four years is just like yesterday, his footprints remain engraved in our minds. For the people he left behind, the important lesson he thought us, particularly his children and those who crossed his path is to always trust God and leave everything in His hands.
We miss you dad, more than ever. There isn’t a day that goes by without your fond memories lifting up our spirit.
We thank God for the positive life he lived and pray God to continue to rest his jovial soul and also, to guide us, his children and all his loved ones along the straight path of life, to meet again on the resurrection day.
Biography of Diokpa Christopher Odinigwe Osakwe
July 14, 1929 – October 31, 2019
Born on 14 July, 1929 in Akwukwu-Igbo, Headquarters of Oshimili North Local Government Area in Delta State, to Abiagam Osakwe and Maria Okwuojumonu Osakwe (Nee Iwegbu), Diokpa Christopher was the second of fourteen children from his mother.
He was very energetic and adventurous; he never shied away from domestic chores. Apart from his reputation as a conscientious young man, always ready to help out in farm work, Christopher was also committed to community development services.
He had his early education at St. John’s Anglican Primary School, Akwukwu-Igbo and later proceeded to a secondary school for his Secondary School Certificate. He was a hardworking, promising and very brilliant student, but the death of his father on the 9th of October 1953 brought his academic pursuit to an abrupt end. Thereafter, he went to live with his elder brother Marzua Osakwe, before his uncle John Okonkwo Osakwe took him to Zaria, Kaduna State. Shortly after arriving Zaria, he proceeded to Kano, where he later joined A.G. Leventis and Company Nigeria Limited (Kano branch) in 1954 as a Stock Control Clerk and later, Senior Clerical officer before the crisis in Nigeria which later snowballed into a full scale Civil War.
As a man with discernment, he read the signs of Nigeria’s political developments in good time. As a result of the heightening tension in Northern Nigeria of that era, he requested and was transferred to Onitsha branch of A.G. Leventis Nigeria Limited. While in Onitsha, he sent his family back to his community for shelter. With the escalation of the crisis leading to total breakdown of law and order in Nigeria, he was forced to seek refuge in his hometown of Akwukwu Igbo to keep an eye on his young family while the Nigerian Civil War lasted.
Not one to be found wanting in providing for his family, he quickly took to farming in the heat of the civil war. With the support of his wife, a seamstress and petty trader, they joined hands and provided for their family and people around them.
Earlier on 14th November 1959, he had wedded his wife; former Miss Comfort Oluchukwu Igboh at CMS Anglican Church, Akwukwu Igbo in the former Western Region of Nigeria, and a new chapter began in his life. Through the grace and mercy of God, the union produced eight children, but unfortunately, they lost two at infancy and later on in 1989, they also lost their first daughter, Miss Charity Ogechukwu Osakwe, a promising young lady who was just 29, leaving behind five children with many grand and great grandchildren to carry on his legacy.
At the end of the Nigerian Civil War, Pa Osakwe decided to go back to the city to seek greener pastures, but this time around, he headed West to Lagos, having witnessed the pogrom of non-indigenes in the Northern part of Nigeria during the crisis. While in Lagos and with a good record from A.G. Leventis, his previous employers, he applied and was re-engaged at the Iddo Head Office of the group. Again, he excelled in every assignment in the company and on the 20th of May 1970, he received a certificate of 15 years’ meritorious service award from 1954 – 1969.
However, in 1982 he was presented with a gold wristwatch in appreciation for his dedication and selfless service to the conglomerate. In a rare show of gratitude, his employers held an elaborate reception for him and other awardees who excelled at their various duty posts at the prestigious Mainland Hotel, Ebute Metta, Lagos.
While at A.G. Leventis in Lagos, he attended series of trainings and workshops ranging from Advanced Accounting and Management to Leadership and Customer Relations Management. Again, he was specially recognized with a certificate of commendation having excelled in all the course modules covering: The Functions of Accounting and the Pattern of Business Accounts, The Use of Trial Balance in the Preparation of Final Accounts, Preparation of final Accounts, Bank Reconciliation Statement and Petty Cash Book, Classification of Assets and Liabilities, Interpretation of Balance Sheet, Debtors and Creditors Control Account, Information Systems in Accounting, Adjustment of Final Accounts.
It is important to note that as an employee, he was a dependable team player, hardworking, honest and loyal. These virtues led to his annual incremental rise both in salary and promotion. To appreciate Pa Osakwe’s dedication to quality service, in 1975 A. G. Leventis Group Scholarship Committee awarded full scholarship to his daughter Charity Ogechukwu Osakwe (now of Blessed memory) for her secondary education at Ede Grammar School, Umunede, in the defunct Bendel State.
However, in 1982, he was re-assigned to the A.G. Leventis Home Appliances Marina Store, on Marina, Lagos to a supervisory managerial position before in 1983 after 28 years of meritorious service with the conglomerate.
Pa Osakwe who was well-known for his energy and love for work even at 54, refused to retire. So, after leaving A.G. Leventis Group, he dusted his CV, applied and was engaged at Matbeny Holdings Nigeria Limited in 1983 as an Assistant Operations Manager of Matbeny Plaza, which includes Matbeny Supermarket and Matbeny Hotel Complex under the leadership of his cousin, Chief Edwin Egwuenu, the renowned banker and philanthropist. However, he worked briefly with Matbeny Holdings, and thereafter, went into private business with interest in tyre and dealership of other products from A.G. Leventis Group.
Diokpa Odinigwe will always be remembered for his giant strides and for leaving his mark on planet earth. A devoted Christian and strong member of Anglican Church, he never wavered, right from his early days in Akwukwu – Igbo through to Kano, Lagos and back to Akwukwu –Igbo, he remained a strong believer in God the Father of creation and a member of the Anglican family. In Lagos for instance, he was a committed member of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Oweh Street, Fadeyi – Igbobi. In fact, it was on his way to an evening church service, during the perennial fuel scarcity in Lagos that a “hit and run” commercial bus driver, driving against traffic knocked him down. But by divine providence, he survived the accident after several operations at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, and at different private hospitals both in Lagos and Kano.
Fortunately, by God’s intervention he got well and was thrusted with the leadership of Ogbe-Obi in 2012.
No doubt, his unwavering faith in God and uncompromising stand for truth at all times, saw him through the years in service and leadership of his community. And in appreciation of his commitment and contributions to the growth of the church, he was given a special sendoff service by St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Oweh, Igbobi-Fadeyi when he returned to Akwukwu –Igbo his hometown. At the special service, represented by two of his children, the church prayed for his wellbeing and donated the church offering as support for his upkeep.
Pa Osakwe who was a godfather to many children, was also a proud recipient of many laurels and awards.
