Iheanyi
Augustine Izuka was born in 1944, the last of six children of Nze Izuka Egwim
Asuzu of Duru-Okala, Durumba, Umukor Nkwerre Imo state, and his second wife,
Madam Veronica Nnenna Enyidie Izuka. His father died when he was a baby,
so for most of his life, he was brought up by his mother. He attended St Thomas
Catholic primary school Nkwerre for his primary education and was admitted to Bishop
Shanahan college Orlu for his secondary education. Finances were very
challenging for his family, and the chances of completing his education
were uncertain. His late senior brother De Robinson Izuka promised to help and
paid for his first term fees. Unfortunately, he lost his job before he could
pay the second term fees and Augustine was at a risk of being withdrawn from
school. He was advised to at least complete the first year so that when he is
able to return back to school, he could go directly to JSS 2. His sister, Da
Racheal Egbom then stepped in, and sold her gold earrings as well as foodstuffs
to be able to fund the fees for the second term, but he had to become a day
student. Completing the rest of his secondary education was made possible
through the assistance of his primary school headmaster, Late Pa Francis
Mbama and wife, Late Hon (Mrs) Helen Mbama. She persuaded her sister Late Mrs.
Pauline Onyejiaka to speak with the husband late Dr Willie Onyejiaka, who
agreed to be his benefactor and sponsored the rest of his secondary education
as well as his A levels. He always remembered all those who were instrumental
to him completing his education against all odds, for which he remained ever
grateful and constantly spoke about to his children.
The
Biafran war broke out shortly after he finished his A levels, and he enlisted
like all other patriotic Igbo men and women. A very visible bullet scar across
his chest was his constant reminder of that period in Igbo history and the
frailty of human life, but also a ready opener for the stories he told his
children about the war. His mother sadly passed away during the war as
well as his benefactor. Thus, after the war, his chances of going to University
were pretty slim, so despite submitting an application form, he took up a
teaching position in a school, as his immediate thoughts was to support his
family. Providence however smiled on him in an act of serendipity. While
waiting to use a public toilet, he picked up an old newspaper publication
and decided to skim through it. Unbeknown to him, he had been awarded
a government scholarship to study Geology at the University of
Nigeria Nsukka. To his greatest surprise, that paper had the published list of
the award recipients, and his name was right there as one of them. Despite
the late start, he was able to complete his registration. His dream of going to
university was finally going to be realized.
Shortly
after graduation in 1975, he was offered a job at the then
Federal Ministry of Petroleum and Energy resources which included
a sponsored postgraduate diploma training in Petroleum Engineering at the University
of Ibadan. Accepting that job meant he had to forfeit another offer of a
fully paid PhD scholarship abroad. He reasoned that the sooner he started
working, the sooner he could provide for his extended family. Thus, began
his successful career as an Engineer at NNPC, spanning over 25 years,
until his retirement in 2003 as the Manager of planning, NPDC
division.
He
got married to his very lovely wife, Mrs Mabel Nkechi Izuka in 1978 and
their love story, which spanned 7 years of courtship and 42 years of marriage
is blessed with 6 beautiful children and 12 grandchildren. Together, they
modelled their love and support for each other against all
odds, their very strong faith and trust in God and their readiness to help
as many people as God brought their way, evidenced by their numerous works
of charity both to the community and the church. He was all too aware of
how God made him a success story despite his humble background and because of
it, was always willing to help others. He also instilled in his children
the importance of knowledge and education. Alongside his busy career in
the oil industry, he still found time to write and is an author of four
published books, as well as a contributory author of a faith based book, with a
number of unpublished manuscripts.
He
lived a very fulfilling life indeed and leaves behind a legacy that everyone
who knew him would be very proud of, which include a foundation he was
instrumental in setting up that would ensure the charitable works for which he
was well known, would continue long after his death. Adieu daddy!!! You came,
you played your part all so well and left behind your footprints in the sand
for us to emulate. We love you and will miss you very much but are consoled by
the knowledge that you're at peace, resting in God's bosom.
