THE LIFE AND TIMES OF WILLIAM IBENEME OJIAKO 1916-2006 ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1  Overview

The place of individuals in historical reconstruction cannot be neglected. This is because a historical study of a given country, state and community cannot be complete without the study of certain individuals and actors who piloted and or contributed to the growth and development of the society they lived in. It is based on this premise that we identify with the popular notion that events of history cannot be studied in isolation, but in relation to the people involved. The activities of heroes, leaders, philanthropists, teachers, community leaders and other people who distinguished themselves in their chosen careers abound in the African communities. These people have in one way or another contributed immensely to making their communities what they are today.

With the advent of colonialism and the consequent western form of education, African heroes seemed to have been eroded from the memory of Africans. This was because the Europeans taught African about European and other foreign heroes like Napoleon Bonaparte, Adolf Hitler, Tsar Alexander the Great, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill to mention a few. The studies of these foreign heroes suffice till date in the departments of History all over Africa. Also, with the growth of African nationalism at the dawn of colonialism, attention widened and the study of African politicians and Nationalists began gradually to creep into historical literatures.

In recent times, the biographical searchlight beamed on community leaders and philanthropists who have encouraged hard work and selfless community service. The Igbo of Nigeria are known for community self-help efforts in the building of infrastructure and overall development of their communities. The reward for this is that those who have made a mark in their communities are entrusted with more responsibilities for the growth and development of their communities. These people most time are also honoured with chieftaincy titles.

Studying the biographies of these distinguished personalities who are either dead or alive, brings out their lives and Endeavours in such a way that the younger generation and the generation to come will appreciate their contributions. This is in line with the position of Nicolson Harold; that “biography is written with no other purpose than that of conveying to the reader an authentic portrait of the individual whose life is being studied”1. In studying biography, the researcher should as well ensure that the work be like the close of a drama which leaves behind its feeling of serenity and in which we will collect a small bunch of those sweetness of life2. By this, hard work, firmness and community service will be encouraged.

Chief William I. Ojiako is a personality that cannot be shoved aside in the study of the history of Umuchu community. W. I. Ojiako, in his 90-years sojourn on earth, lived for his immediate community in particular and the Igbo and Nigeria in general. As a teacher, trader, community leader, employer of labour, church leader, and traditional prime minister of Umuchu, he distinguished himself in selfless service to humanity. The current study anchors on the above to present the life and time of this great son of Ala Nso for posterity in order to study and appreciate this worthy Igbo son

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Umuchu is a town blessed with great academics and historians like Prof. Ngozi Ojiako, Prof. Ifeyinwa Emejulu, Dr. Leo Nnoli, to mention a few and non-historians alike who have produced works on Umuchu like the late S. A. Nnolim. These scholars have in one way or another produced works on the socio-economic, political and cultural aspects of Umuchu town, but none of these works focused fully on the life and contributions of Chief W. I. Ojiako to the development of Umuchu. An exception is that some of these works made mention of Chief W. I.  Ojiako in passing in line with his roles in the community.

Suffice  it  to  state  that  there  is  no  work  that comprehensively studied the life and achievements of this great icon of Umuchu. Studies of this nature tend to encourage students to embark on the endeavour to reconstruct the life strides of great men in their communities. It is based on the above that this topic was chosen.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY.

This work is intended to study the life and times of Chief William I. Ojiako, the Okosisi and traditional prime minister of Umuchu: his life endeavours from birth, childhood up to his death. This will expose his giant strides, his road to greatness and his immense contributions to the development of Umuchu. The study is also intended to encourage Umuchu youths to pursue economic ventures that will create employment opportunities for the people and as well promote self-sufficiency and improved living condition for the people. W. I Ojiako was a hardworking man with a total commitment to the good of his people, and thus engaged on numerous ventures that attracted development to Umuchu. In the course of this study, the researcher will look at the successes and challenges faced by Chief W. I. Ojiako in the course of his struggles to great heights.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The work will serve as an inspiration to upcoming historians to toe the line of this researcher by studying and documenting the biography of great men in their communities. It will also inspire the youths who have the dream of becoming entrepreneurs, industrialists, politicians, public servants and who intend pursuing a career in all spheres of live to emulate Chief W. I. Ojiako’s life of commitment, humility, hard work, perseverance and faith in God. By reading works of this nature, the youths will be better equipped to face the challenges of greatness. This work will also de-mystify the “get rich quick all cost” syndrome in our contemporary society, because “hard work attracts good fortune”. It will encourage wealthy people in our society to channel their resources towards the upliftment and development of their immediate societies. The work will add to already existing literature on biography and will serve as reference to students and scholars conducting studies on biographies and in the reconstruction of Umuchu history. The work will add to general knowledge.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This work focuses on the life and achievements of Chief William Ibeneme Ojiako (Okosisi Umuchu). The scope of this study spans from 1916 to 2006. The take-off date of 1916 was the year he was born, while the 2006 terminal date was the year he passed on to the great beyond.

METHODOLOGY AND SOURCES

The thematic method of presentation was used in this study. The chronological method was employed in the presentation of available information, while the analytical and descriptive methods were also used in the course of this study.

This study derives its sources from both primary and secondary sources. Primary sources came from oral interviews conducted by the researcher with adults who knew the subject matter which include family members and close acquaintances of the late Okosisi, Chief W. I. Ojiako. The secondary sources were got from books, monographs, directories and personal diaries of Chief Ojiako as well as from internet, students’ projects and theses. These data gathered were obtained and sieved with firm objectivity.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Literatures exist on the history of Umuchu, but none of these is entirely devoted to study of the life and times of Chief Williams Ibeneme Ojiako. It is based on this premise that the current research is undertaken to fill the existing gap. The study of the history of Umuchu cannot be complete without a comprehensive study of this great man who contributed immensely to the development of his community.