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HON. ONYIBA AJA NWACHUKU CFR

NIGERIA’S FIRST FEDERAL MINISTER OF EDUCATION 1918-2001

Honourable Onyiba Aja Nwachuku was Nigeria’s First Federal Minister of Education from 1957-1965 after having served as Acting Minister of Social Services from March to December, 1956 was a renowned educationist, administrator, politician, farmer and businessman.

As the first Federal Minister of Education he was faced with the challenging responsibility of laying a solid and enduring foundation for our country’s educational system – a duty he carried out with utmost diligence, dedication, seriousness and honesty, ensuring he put sound policies and programmes in place. The products of the system he built, the giant strides and the educational edifices put in place under his leadership very much attest to the legacies of that glorious era, characterized by dignity, accountability, honesty, hard work and finesse which were the order of the day during his administration in office.

He established the first Federal Government Colleges at Okposi Okwu, Warri and Sokoto whose products are doing excellently well in all fields of endeavour all over Nigeria and the world in general. Under his administration, the Federal Ministry of Education offered scholarships to countless number of Nigerians.

Hon. Aja Nwachuku CFR spearheaded the establishment of the University of Nigeria Nsukka and the University of Lagos.

His contributions in the education sector and national development are indeed stupendous for which a number of national and international honours were bestowed on him. For instance, President Tubman of Liberia honoured him in 1962 with the Knighthood of the Grand Band of Liberation of Human Order of African Redemption.

In 1983, he was awarded the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) by the first Executive President of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari.

Also, in 1992, the National Universities Commission building situated at Maitama District, Abuja was named after him by President Ibrahim Gbadamosi Babangida. A primary school was in his home town of Okposi Okwu, a street in South-West Ikoyi Lagos, a hall of residence at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, an auditorium at Federal Government College Okposi, to mention, but a few were named after him.Still in appreciation of his contributions in education and the socio-political landscape of Nigeria he was honoured by Abia State University, and Abia State Government as “Enyi Abia State” in 1995 by Temi Ejoor, the Military Governor.

Hon. Aja Nwachuku, was fondly called “son of God” by his contemporaries when he rose to address the parliament which he often eloquently did as a member of the Eastern House of Assembly, and later as a member of the Federal House of Assembly representing Afikpo from 1954-1965. He was a man of broad mindedness and innate intelligence and was seen by his peers and admirers as God fearing, loving, kind, humble, very accommodating and generous.

His generosity earned him the name “Omerbia” which connotes hospitality and actually also answered by his father Aja Nwachuku Ogo Ekpa who was also very generous.

As a philanthropist, he gave scholarships to numerous indigent persons who were brilliant to ensure our country does not lose such talents. In his home town Okposi Okwu, he contributed immensely to the people’s culture in their manner of dressing, worship of the true God and the importance of the pursuit of Western Education.

His admirers such as Late Prof. Ikenna Nzirimo, a renowned Professor of Sociology from Oguta, F.C. Ogbalu, the Igbo Literary giant, Mgbazuluike Amechi (the boy is good), K.O. Mgbadiwe, Okotie Eboh and a host of others attested to his impeccable character and profound intelligence as he was often described as a “moving encyclopaedia”. The various descriptions and views of him as stated above rightly capture his life and time. It should also be noted that Onyiba Aja Nwachuku voluntarily visited Congo during the 1960-1961 crisis to convey the Federal Government support and encouragement to the Nigerian UN Peace Keeping Contingent – a courageous act that endeared him to the Nigerian Military in the First Republic.

Hon. Aja Nwachuku CFR was born on 1st November, 1918 at Okposi Okwu. He attended Church Missionary Society (CMS) School at Okposi, CMS at Uburu, Wolsey Hall Oxford, England and London School of Commerce, where he obtained Diploma in Accountancy, Book Keeping and Company Secretarial Practice due to his innate brilliance.

His work experience spans from 1936-1965. He worked as a Headmaster in CMS School, Oshiri in then Afikpo Division, 1936-1938; Court Scribe in Afikpo, 1939-1946; Correspondence Clerk, Northern Assembly, 1947; Assistant Divisional Treasurer, 1948-1950; Treasurer and Federation Court Scribe, Northern Assembly, elected member for Afikpo, Federal House of Assembly, 1954-1965; Member, Eastern Development Loans Board, Member Public Accounts Committee, Federal House of Representatives, 1955-1959; Federal Minister of Social Services, 1955-1957; First Federal Minister of Education, 1957-1965; Minister of State, Finance, 1965-1966; Chairman, Agricultural Programme tagged Green Revolution by the first Executive President of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, 1979-1983 etc.

Hon. Onyiba Aja Nwachuku was in the fore front of the struggle for Nigeria’s independence, agitation for the creation of Wawa State and later Ebonyi State. He was the leader of the presentation of case for the creation of Ebonyi State to the Arthur Mbanefo Panel at Umuahia in May, 1996 – an act that facilitated the creation of Ebonyi State on 1st October, 1996.

As a respected and in fact renowned community leader, he was happily married with many children, all of whom are graduates and doing well in their various chosen professions.

He also had many grandchildren and great grandchildren before his death on the 27th day of February, 2001.

His hobbies were gardening, swimming, reading and public relations.