Remembering Dr Joe Nwodo

Joe left me with influential memories as a 17 year old schoolboy of St Lucian origin and beyond:

He was firstly a lover of Shakespeare, particularly Julius Ceasar and I can still hear him reciting loudly: “Ceasar was ambitious, and that was a grievous fault”, followed by a deep belly laugh.

Secondly in advising me on a dream that I had of being attacked by a lion. Joe’s reply was typical:

“Morgan, you must go back into the dream and kill the lion”.

When it came to discussions on the slave trade, he was brutally frank:

“Morgan we all had slaves”.

When I came to Nigeria as a lecturer in Linguistics and Hausa at the University of Maiduguri, he wrote me suggesting that I:

“Have the spirit of Marcus Garvey!

So I remain grateful for his advice which has helped me in moving from boy to man!

Igbo Kwenu!

Dr Morgan Dalphinis

How can one share memories? Mine go back to when Joe was a student  and lived in the spare room in my flat in North London. He was the first Nigerian I met. My ignorance was profound - but he was so patient with me! So I learned, learned. A new, very exciting world - that I visited in 1988! In my diary for 16 July, in I think his writing: 'Dr & Mrs J.N Nwodo, no.3, Anifowoshe Close, off Adebola Street, Surulere'. My first, and wonderful experience staying with an African family!  Again my diary: 5 August: 'John Nwodo 33B Imoke St, Enugu'. Next day: 'to Nsukka with Tina'. I was welcomed by the whole family! Returned in 1994 and have two wonderfully coloured drawings by Oby and one made especially for 'Aunty Marica' by Oby, Buchi and Chinenye,I shall never forget. Nor will I stop saying THANK YOU for welcoming me, for educating me - and for your patience with this ignorant Hungarian-Brit. It was at least partly all I learned from you that led me to do the historical research that has consumed my life.

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Tribute - Senator Mantu

TRIBUTE TO A GREAT MAN OF HONOUR

“THE DEMISE OF A LIVING LIBRARY”

Dr. Catherine Owelle (Agada’s younger sister) and myself were deeply touched and saddened when we received the news of Dr. Joseph Nnabuchi Nwodo’s (Agadagbachili Uzo 1 of Ukehe) graceful transition on to glory.

Agada – the man of the people was endowed with many virtues too numerous to mention. As a father you were most loving, caring, kind hearted and supportive to your nuclear and extended family. You ensured your children were raised with love and fear of God and attended choice schools in Nigeria and Abroad hence two of your children graduated with First Class honors degree in their respective universities. A testimony of your investment in their education.

As our patriarch and leader you were the web that united all your siblings and most extended relations. As an inspiring erudite professional you had unending stamina for hard work, thirst for knowledge acquisition, alongside uncommon brilliance embellished with great gift of oratory.

As a peace loving politician you delivered your manifesto on socio -economic and political agenda in a most convincing style that endeared your teaming supporters to believe in you hence their unflinching support, commitment and royalty to your political course.

Agada, in life you were a friend to all. You had exceptional compassion to liberate the poor masses from the shackles’ of poverty through educational emancipation and agricultural developmental projects hence together with your siblings you founded the Igwe John Nwodo Educational endowment fund which has since funded education of many graduates from our town. Your giant strides in attracting agricultural projects to engage and empower our unemployed youths just before the cruel hands of death struck cannot be over looked and shall be greatly remembered.

Agada your death broke our heart but you did not go alone a part of us went with you. If tears could build a stairway and the heartaches make a lane, we’ll like to make our way to heaven and bring you back again.

Adieu our benevolent in-law and brother. Adieu the great man of brevity with integrity, a talented and gifted researcher whose knowledge can be likened to an encyclopedia. Adieu great man of peace who demonstrated an all inclusive leadership style. Adieu our great patriot and bridge builder. You will be greatly missed by all including your political colleagues.

We always loved you.

We will never forget you.

We shall forever miss you but will be remembered by your legacies.

May your gentle and loving soul rest in perfect peace, Amen.

Sir Joe & Dr. Catherine Owelle

Ide Nsugbe (Inlaw)

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From Abbas Nafada

Condolence message

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Tribute - Rt Hon. Dubem Onyia

Tribute - Chief Hon. Ogbaga

Tribute - Dr. O. Itanyi (Former Deputy Governor, Enugu State)

Tribute - Dame Tallen (Honourable Minister of Women Affairs)

Tribute - Senator Saraki (Honourable Minister of State)

Tribute - Anyim Pius Anyim

Tribute - Engr. Okeke

Tribute - Senator Theodore Orji