People come and go all the time in this world, but late chief (Dr) Benson Udealo Chizoba Aghazu (Kpakpando Nnewi) who hailed from Akaboezem Village, Uruagu was one of those who lived an impactful life and whose demise didn’t signify the end of him. Aghazu passed away on March 6th, 2021. Tonight, April 22nd 2021, many gathered to relive his life, beginning an exercise in respect of a legacy of honour and grace that will continue to be celebrated forever.
The evening of memories which was held at the Nnewi Hotel and Event Center had in attendance dignitaries and personalities from Nnewi and beyond who came out in their large numbers in honour of a man who many described as a leader, mentor, coach and an impeachable character who had unforgatable impact
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It was a night of tributes and prayers from his immediate family, relatives, friends, associates, and well-wishers.
Late Aghazu’s children in their separate tributes described their father as a man of faith, who lived a selfless life. They narrated their personal experiences with their dad and how his life remained a yardstick of fulfilled living.
The news of the death of Chief Dr. Benson Udealo Chizobam Aghazu (Kpakpando Nnewi) one of the finest and outstanding intellectual ever produced by Nnewi came as a thunderbolt as a big blow to Nnewi considering his enormous contributions to peace building and community development.
The contemporary history of Nnewi cannot be recounted without mentioning his immense contributions towards ensuring peace, especially the key role he played towards the resolution of Nnewi Crisis of 1986-1996, which almost tore the town apart.
Dr. Benson Aghazu who was regarded as one out of two or three popular billionaires in Nnewi who are well-read was an amazing personality.
Ben Aghazu was born to Joseph and Udu Aghazu of blessed memory on February 13, 1946 in Akaboezem Uruagu, Nnewi.
He received his formal education in St. Andrew’s Primary School and St. Mary’s Primary School both in Uruagu Nnewi, Holy Trinity Primary School, Calabar, Okongwu Memorial Grammar School, Nnewi, and Government Secondary School, Owerri;
After leaving secondary school, he won a Shell PB Scholarship to study abroad, at the University of Leicester, England, where he graduated with a first-class honours degree in Engineering. He did his Master’s degree and a doctorate in chemical engineering at the same University. He later moved to America, precisely to Northeastern University, Boston Massachusetts, for an additional Master’s in Business Administration.
He was a pioneer staff of the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu where he served as Senior Lecturer and Head of Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering and later as the Head of Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Technology.
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While in IMT Enugu, he was in a position to receive kickbacks from contractors but he resisted the temptation. His integrity was said to have attracted the attention of the then Administrator of the defunct East Central State, Chief Ukpabi Asika who appointed him a Director in the then Nigeria Shipping Company (NSC). He was later made the pioneer Board Member of Central Investment Company.
Chief Ben. U. C Aghazu is believed to have made some part of his money when he was Chairman of Niger Farms (Nigeria) Limited and of several other successful companies in Nigeria, engaged in integrated poultry farming, management consulting, vegetable oil processing, civil and building engineering construction, water resources engineering and information technology.
The biggest hospitality center in Nnewi, The Nnewi Hotel and Event Center, was built by Chief Ben Aghazu.
Chief Aghazu’s title, “Kpakpando Nnewi” (Star of Nnewi) was given to him by Chief Daniel Udefuna Obi, Umezuligbo of Uruagu Nnewi.
It is believed that Dr. Benson had never attended any event without being in a white outfit.
Ben Aghazu was a very active Rotarian, he served as President of the Rotary Club Enugu and later as District Governor of Rotary International District 9140 covering eleven states of Nigeria. He brought Rotary to Nnewi. He had received The Distinguished Service Award from The Rotary Foundation, the organization’s highest award for any Rotarian.
Chief Ben got married to Chief Chinemerem Aghazu (nee Nduka), Ada Di Ora Mma Okija, and their union is blessed with children.
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