On the 19th of April 1976, he married Rose Chinwe Mbanefo (nee Bellu) at St Dominic’s Catholic Church, Yaba, Lagos. The marriage was blessed with two children, John Chukwunnaemeka and Magdalene Ifeanyi.  Fortunately, he witnessed the birth of his first grandchild and relished playing the role of granddad to Chimamanda. He conducted her naming ceremony and was present at her baptism, dedication mass and her very first birthday anniversary.

He loved his family immensely and took great pride in their achievements. He beamed proudly and expressed his joy when he first saw his first son Lt Col John Mbanefo in uniform with the enviable rank of lieutenant colonel following his promotion late in 2014. He was the sort of father who was a confidant, career advisor, intercessor and above all, a wonderful friend.

Our husband and father was one of a kind –a colossus who was larger than life. His handsome, imposing stature and the way he carried himself was striking. Even in illness, he was stoic and dignified.  He loved to read, travel and dance. He was also an accomplished cook.  An avid lover of music, he was particularly enamored of classical, gospel and pop genres. Although he was without doubt a workaholic, it was not unusual for him to spend time mediating with his favourite piece of classical music, Bach’s Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring playing in the background.  

Dad was kind, often generous to a fault and was quick to help people in need. The sheer testimony from people in life and now in death overwhelmingly point to the fact that he spent his time on earth doing what was most important – impacting on people in a positive way.

In his illness, he fought courageously and maintained a very positive attitude. He never lost his sense of humour and he refused to admit defeat. However, on the morning of the 9th of February 2015 in a German hospital, he shocked us all when he very peacefully left this world in his sleep with his daughter, Ifeanyi at his side.

Following his retirement in 2001, he took up the position of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Patmor Group, Lagos, which he held till his demise.

His retirement also gave him the opportunity to become more involved in various religious activities which he took great pleasure in. He was fondly addressed as “God’s Own General” as he increasingly began to take a lead role as he preached and prayed for people. He was very committed to encouraging people through prayer and biblical exhortations.

As an orator he could hold gatherings spell bound with the chapters and verses from the Holy Bible. He was peace loving and always ready to tackle issues himself without being a burden to anyone.

Brigadier General Johnny Mbanefo’s gallant military career started when he joined the Biafran Army during the civil war and rose to be a company commander. Memories and his experience during the civil war were always fresh in his mind especially when in the company of cotemporaries and veterans. After the civil war, he joined the then Nigerian Army Corps of Pay and Records in January of 1974 and was commissioned Lieutenant with seniority in the rank back dated to January 1973. He attended the Nigerian Army Pay Corps in 1974 and came out the best all round in the course.  During his career he attended all courses commensurate to his rank and was promoted as at when due before he voluntarily retired in June 2001.

He held various appointments in and out of the Nigerian Army. These include Paymaster 3 Marine Commando Garrison and 4 Base Workshop in 1974 and 1977 as a lieutenant and captain respectively. In 1979 he was appointed Deputy Controller of Army Budget (AHQ) and went on to attend the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1981 as a member of the Direct Short Service Commission Course 8 where he commanded the passing out parade of the course. Consequently he was posted to the prestigious Command and Staff College Jaji Kaduna as the Staff Officer Grade 1 Finance in 1982 after being promoted to the rank of major. As College staff he completed his senior staff course and was awarded pass staff course (psc).

In 1985, he moved over to 4 Bde Benin as the brigade finance and accounts officer. In the same year due to his stellar qualities the then Bendel State requested and got the consent for Johnny, (as he was fondly called by colleagues), to be appointed Chairman Board of Directors Bendel Cement Company Okpella where he left an indelible mark. Dad was also appointed Military Administrator Bauchi State Meat Factory and Galambi Ranch under the then Governor, Colonel Chris Abutu Garuba. On promotion to Lieutenant Colonel he was subsequently posted as the Assistant Director of Finance and Accounts, 82 Division Enugu in 1992. He got promoted Colonel while in 82 Division and thereafter he moved from Enugu to Lagos in 1995 and was appointed Director, Directorate of Military Pensions (DMP), Ikoyi, Lagos where he performed creditably well and worn a citation from the then Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ishaya Bamaiyi for computerizing the directorate thus, easing the malignant problems faced by military pensioners. He was promoted after a four year stay at the helm of affairs at the DMP he was appointed Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Finance and Accounts (NASFA), Apapa in 1999. He was nominated to attend the Senior Executive Course 22 at the National institute of Policy and Strategic Studies Kuru in 2000 after which he was conferred a Member of the National institute (mni). On completion of the Senior Executive Course 22, he was appointed Commander, Command Finance Office Apapa in 2001. He held this appointment till he voluntarily retired from service, thus marking the end of an outstanding military career spanning nearly three decades of meritorious service to the nation and mankind.

In the course of his military service he was decorated and awarded the Forces Service Star (FSS) medal in 1986, the Meritorious Service Star (MSS) medal in 1992 and the Distinguished Service Star (DSS) medal in 1999. He was also awarded a National Honour when he was named a Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in 1999.

He began his educational pursuit at St John’s Primary School, Odoakpu Onitsha where his father taught and was the headmaster. In 1960, he gained admission into Our Lady’s Secondary School, Nnobi where he was one of the founding students of the school and a member of St Thomas’ House. He always looked back on the four years he spent at Nnobi with a lot of nostalgia and he continued to play an active role as a member of the school’s Old Students’ Association.

After his stint at Nnobi which culminated with the WASC exam in 1964, he then proceeded to gain a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Nigeria Nsukka in 1971. Following that, he gained a number of certificates in Computer Programming and System Design in 1981. In 1984, he gained a Masters degree in Banking and Finance from Enugu State University.

In 2000, he was nominated to attend the 22nd Senior Executive Course of the National institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State.

Brigadier General Johnny Ifeanyichukwu Mbanefo (rtd) was born in Onitsha, Anambra State on the 22nd of September 1947 to the family of Mr. Patrick Obi and Mrs. Magdalene Azuka Mbanefo both of blessed memory. 

His father was from Odoje village in Onitsha and was a very well known teacher and disciplinarian. His mother was the daughter of Odigwe Nnaife Morah of Ogbeozoma village also of Onitsha. He was the fourth son of his parents, however, his  immediate elder brothers Anthony and Francis both died in their infancy and his very eldest brother, Mr Patrick Chike Mbanefo did not survive the Biafran war.