The Irresistible and Pioneering Mbadinuju Goes Home Joyfully (Life Lessons)

High Chief Tony Amechi, an elder statesman and the Special Adviser to the Governor of Delta State on Investments was at the Government House, Awka, Anambra State, earlier today, (November 22, 2023), for the lying-in-state of Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju.

He was given a rousing welcome by Prof. Charles Soludo, the governor of the state and former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

Prof. Soludo who was elated to see Chief Amechi, was flanked by his aides and some members of the late Dr. Mbadinuju’s family.

Chief Amechi joined other dignitaries at the occasion to pay their last respect to late Dr. Mbadinuju, who incidentally is a distant uncle of Chief Amechi.

While commiserating with the bereaved, Chief Tony Amechi prayed for God to grant Dr. Mbadinuju, aka, ‘Oderaaaaa, Odegoooo!’ a peaceful and eternal rest.

Chief Amechi also prays that God would grant the governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, and the entire people of Anambra State and Nigeria at large the fortitude to bear the death of the astute politician, especially at a time like this when his wealth of experience is needed.

Chief-Tony-Amechi-and-some-family-members-of-Dr.-Chinwoke-Mbadinuju

High Chief Tony Amechi (in black pair of trousers and a T-shirt) and some members of Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju‘s family

Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju former governor of Anambra State

Who’s Chinwoke Mbadinuju?

Chinwoke Mbadinuju, whose photograph is before you, here, and whose full name was Dr. Clement Chinwoke Mbadinuju, was a native of Uli in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, and a former governor of Anambra State, between May 29, 1999, and May 29, 2003, on the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP.

He sought re-election, after his first four-year tenure, under the same party, PDP, but lost the ticket to Dr. Chris Ngige, who eventually became the governor of the state after him.

The charismatic gentleman who was born on June 14, 1945, passed on to glory, peacefully, last April, precisely on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at the National Hospital, Abuja, at the age of 78, after a brief illness.

The new about his death was made public by his lawyer-son, Chetachi, an Igbo translation which means ‘remember God.’

He was married to Mrs. Nnebuogor Mbadinuju, and both of them had five children, together: Ada, Chetachi, Nwachukwu, Uche, and Chima.

Dr. Mbadinuku’s Academic and Political Exploits

All that needed to be said about Dr. Mbadinuju’s love for education and politics have already been said by Sir Paul Nwosu, Anambra State Commissioner for Information.

What Will Dr. Mbadinuju Will Be Remembered For?

Dr. Mbadinuju will be remembered for may things, including the following:

As a young man who had his primary education, like most other children (at Mgbidi Central School, Oru, in Imo State in 1955), but did not have a formal secondary education, yet he self-taught himself and passed his General Certificate of Education, both Ordinary and Advanced Levels, in flying colours.

As the first executive Governor of Anambra State in the fourth republic, and for establishing Anambra State University, now Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.

For being security-conscious and signing into law the bill that created Anambra Vigilante Services, leading to several awards in his kitty, even although his adoption of the unorthodox Bakassi Boys in that process eventually became controversial.
As a keen and remarkable athlete, who excelled in both track and field events, especially at Bishop Lasbery Teachers’ College, Irete in Imo State, and as a fine soccer player in his undergraduate days in the United States, where represented his college in various competitions.
For his popular nickname, “Odera”, and his popular slogan, “It Shall Be Well With Anambra State!”
Above all, as a lover of God, a devout Christian, and a talented organist who wrote ten books on Christian spirituality.

Why Dr. Mbadinuju Went Home Joyfully

In the days of yore, the days of our parents and grandparents, the last day in a term in primary schools used to be a day of mixed fillings for pupils.

“Why?” you might ask.

That used to be the day when ‘Report Cards’ were distributed or given out to pupils.

While those who excelled or passed in their examinations went home dancing and celebrating their victory, those who didn’t do well went home with long faces and bleary eyes for fear of being scolded or beaten by their parents or guardians.

Dr. Clement Chinwoke Mbadinuju was like those happy and successful pupils who went home celebrating their success at school.

He came to the school called earth, seventy-eight years ago, and now he has gone home joyfully.

How?

Because he came, he saw, and he conquered.

Corroborating Dr. Mbadinuju’s happy home-going was Sir Paul Nwosu.