VENERABLE MR. S.O.A. ENYIDI (AKA) MR S.O AMADI (1920- 2007)
A Memorabilia of a pace setter popularly known by his Nigerian Railway mates as MR S.O AMADI
by his business mates as "EJIGHI UTUTU AMA NJO AHIA".
I feel very little this day and highly honored, to write on the life history of such a truly great man as my dad, venerable Sylvester Okonkwo Amadi ENYIDIGWE. Dad was best known as Mr S.O Amadi by his contemporaries in the Nigerian Railway Corporation. He is fondly called “Papa Baby” at home and “Ejighi ututu ama Njo ahaia” by his business mates. Unequivocally S.O. Amadi was a great institution. Plethora of sibling con-specific events pervading this aristocrats life, is such that even the greatest literary icon will find it hard to tease out .The paradoxical configurations of his makeup is such that, one wonders how a figure of his type could emanated from his humble and pagan family background. In his life time he was founder of different groups and was Chairman of development union, youth organizations, trade union and member of Igwe's council in Okpatu. As popularly said, some are born great, others achieve greatness, but some have greatness interred in their bone. Dad was neither born great nor did he achieve greatness, but he had greatness inherent in him. Comparably like Abraham Lincoln, he rose from a very humble background to become precursor and primacy of civilization in Okpatu as a town. He lived a life that affected many men and women across Nigerian tribes. This could be traced from his bosom friend Alhaji Kachallah and his family in Bornu state (father of former governor of Bornu state) in Northern Nigeria, to the Yoruba’s in the west of Nigeria. From Ibos in eastern Nigeria to the restive indigenes of Rivers state Southern Nigeria. He was born sometime in 1920 to the family of Enyidigwe of Okpatu Ibite in present day Udi local government of Enugu state. He was the third child of a family of five. I will not fail to state that events in his infant life shaped his future life. One of the major incidences occured while he was a baby under the care of his sister Nne Nwa Enyidigwe. The story went as follows: Nnenwa Enyidigwe, had dad tied loosely to her back and went to collect something from the shelf made above a fire place in their kitchen. As she was searching for items above the fireplace young and baby S.O. Amadi (hereafter Sylvester) slipped off her back and fell into the fire. Frightened and fidgeting and confused, young Nnenwa Enyidigwe ran to call people to help her, meanwhile leaving dad inside the fire. However before neighbors came to his rescue dad had sustained second degree burnt. It took the grace of God for him to use his eyes again in seeing as a little child. This made dad always refer to himself in his usual colloquial language, as rustic. He always says that he is like a dry tree that never falls and was roasted in fire from childhood. At an early age he lost both of his parents and was left at the mercy of his uncles and cousins. Here begins the maze of perils, bizarre experiences and life of this great aristocrat. Little Sylvester loved going to church. He refused to join his uncles his kin’s men in worshiping idols. He also refused to stop visiting his sister Nnenwa Enyidigwe as recommended by his kin’s men. His refusals to join the idol worship and to stop going to his late sister’s house drew serious anger and retributions from his uncles. They irate uncles went berserk and tied the young Sylvester hands and feet. They dragged him on the ground from his late sister’s house to his father’s compound a distance of over (1km) one kilometer amidst serious beatings. After been untied he got up from the savagery, bleeding and bruised and ran naked straight to the church. The catechist of the parish Mr Offiah saw him in church; quickly identified and gave him succor. He later went back to his sister’s house. At this his uncles forsook him and he was left at the mercy of his grandfather late Amadi Enyinya. Grand dad was a very tolerant man and he loved young Sylvester as his own son. Events in the formative years of this aristocrat were precursor and foundational basis of his resilience, pragmatism, and visionary leadership style. Moreso these events were pivotal in evoking his educational, religious and socio-economic reforms he midwife in the community. Amadi Enyinya had cattle (Cow, horses, sheep and goat), so young Sylvester was vested with caring for the cattle and in return had his academics taken care of. Dad and grand dad developed such symbiotic relationship till dad took up grand father’s name (AMADI) as his surname. He continued answering the name Mr S.O Amadi, till he retired from the Railways. Though dad had little time for studies he was most brilliant of students in his time. My uncle late Mr Ochu Uchuri often told how young Sylvester wasn’t always in school but when ever exams were taken he always comes first. It was also on record that he was the first to pass standard six exams in Okpatu in the year 1936. He was also among the first set of students to gain admission into the College of Immaculate Conception (C. I. C) Enugu. However the death of his guardian led to his early dropping out of school. This formed the bedrock of his unalloyed help to as many as had academic problem in his lifetime. He never wanted any student to experience the shock of dropping out of school. Dad paid the school fees for many students. He helped so many to get admission into different schools. He was a selfless philanthropist. Chief Enyidi was exceptional because he executed most of his philanthropic acts in secrete. The rigors of cattle rearing, no doubt taught dad to be tolerant to rightist opponents, the wise, the foolish and the ignorant. He was a LEFTIST LEADER. He was given to making sure the masses were satisfied and benefited, not just leaders. The death of his mentor made him to go and live with the Catholic priests. From there he went to live with a relation and eventually ended up living at Lagos prior to Nigeria’s independence. There at Lagos he joined the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC). After attending several trainings at NRC he was eventually posted to Zaria northern Nigeria as a Railway staff. The posting of S.O Amadi to Zaria marked a turning point in his life. It was while working at Zaria that he met his wife former Miss Roseline Nkeji Ebuo. The marriage initially met with certain oppositions from some relatives on dada side.they wanted him to marry from Okpatu and no where else. Meanwhile Roseline is from AguobuOwa in Ezeagu Local Gov. It was formerly under Udi Division then. The marriage went through but not with stiff opposition from Okpatu uncles some of which has persisted till date. The marriage was a turning point in S.O Amadi’s life. His wife kept on demanding that they leave the north entirely and go down to the East, which he latter did. The momentous decision to go down east was the beginning of his exploits in developments of Okpatu and in the collaboration in affairs of people. Though Venerable S.O.Amadi was not earning so much, he spent much of his money in helping others. He was a strong believer in education; he did not relent in sending his children to school. In the late 70s he was promoted to senior service position in the NRC. This made him to even expand his philanthropy to people outside Nigeria. It is strange, paradoxical but true. Mr. S.O Amadi was a linguist. He spoke the three major Nigerian languages with perfect fluency. He spoke Hausa like the Hausa men, Yoruba like the Yoruba men and so many Ibo dialects. His exposure in the Railways no doubt must have contributed to his linguistic tendencies and ability to mix with people of all cultures. MAJOR PROJECTS INITIATED AND MIDWIFE BY Mr. ENYIDI On Sunday 15th November 1992, dad wrote the following in his life events diary down. I was opportune to copy these write from this particular write up. He titled it “My achievements for Okpatu” under the following subheadings: IBITE YOUTH ASSOCIATION On the 15th of October 1961, dad formed the Ibite Okpatu youths association in conjunction with selected youths from Ibite Okpatu.This union was in other for Ibite Okpatu to have arrow head in execution of forth coming developmental projects. It was also meant to be a vanguard in decision takings. OKPATU POSTAL AGENCY Mr. S.O .Enyidi was the pioneer of the Okpatu postal agency. Dad achieved this feat by liaising with citizen’s teachers union in Okpatu. They met appropriate Government agencies and Okpatu was granted the postal agency. The agency was first cited in late Mr (Chief) James Obutes compound at Amani village Okpatu. After some years an age grade undertook the construction of the present post office. It is noteworthy to remember that Okpatu had just postal agency previously. WATER BORE HOLE AT OKPOMOBODO On the Sept.13th 1962 Mr. Enyidi then popularly known as Mr. S.O Amadi of Nigerian Railways, went to Port Harcourt as a Railway guard. On reaching Port, he went to the house of one Mr Onyejiaka who was residing at Port Harcourt. On this blessed day, Okpatu indigenes resident at Port Harcourt were meeting in Mr Onyejiaka’s house with late Mr Eluka as chairman. As the meeting proceeded, Mr. S.O. Amadi opened his folder and read for Okpatu citizen his proposal for Okpatu to have borehole water supply. This proposal was welcomed by all present with joy. The chairman Late Mr Eluka then requested Mr. Enyidi to advertise this proposal in the name of the union. On reaching Enugu, dad consulted with the Okpatu youths and read his proposal for them. He also intimated them on the decision of the Port Harcourt group. The bid was advertised same time in the Outlook Newspaper. In response to this bid, a civil engineering company called Messrs Balkani Water Engineers applied. Balkani had its office opposite First Bank Okpara avenue Enugu. Balkani sent for dad and he defended the feasibility of the water project at Okpatu. The Company accepted to take up the job and supply water to Okpatu. On the 7thOctober 1962 Mr. S. O. Amadi (Enyidigwe) in company of late Mr. Charles Offiahdiegwu and Mr. Francis Egbe led the white man from the company to Okpatu. Water prospecting at Okpatu began immediately. Prospecting for the water started at Iyi Nwa Enyima to the compound of Chief Ochu Nwaebeke near the road a distance of 12 km. Burrow pit depth was 720 ft from stream. At Obiagu Okpatu it was 620ft at late Chief Ikeyi’s hospital it was 620ft.The white man warned the head water at a spot in Obiagu was too much that drilling could be dangerous. Okpomobodo was latter chosen. After the survey series of meetings were held with Okpatu local councilors. Then decision was reached to hand over the job to the mission. This was on the premise that the mission was also vested with the responsibility of educating the masses on water supply issues. It took some time before water vision was realized for Okpatu. Bishop Anyiogwu invited Mr. S.O Amadi for a meeting at Holy Ghost Cathedral Enugu. At the meeting Bishop told daddy that he heard Okpatu wanted water. Dad said he was the one that advertised it. The Bishop now told dad to hand over the documents to Rev Fr.Gilade. Bishop told dad that Rev Fr. Gilade will supply Okpatu water, as he did at Enugu Ezike. Dad handed over the project materials to Rev Fr. Gilade. FR Gilade now joined Umulumgbe, Ukana and Awhum to the project and twin borehole was sunk at Okaptu. Mr. Enyidi recommended Summor diesel engine for the water supply. HEALTH CENTER AT OKPATU The health center in Okpatu was initiated by Chief Enyidi in conjunction with Chief Charles Offiahdiegwu in 1963. Between 1963 and 1964 dad applied to the health management board for a 16 bedded hospital for Okpatu. Advert for this project was made in the Sentinel newspaper. The then government approved the project for Okpatu and Messrs Nwachukwu Agbonos Construction Company, took up the construction of the hospital. Onuekwu Obiagu Okpatu was chosen for the site and seven foundations were excavated for the hospital to take off. At this point some rightist leaders in Okpatu started claiming that Mr. S.O. Amadi (Enyidigwe) and Chief C. Offiahdiegwu have sold the site and land at Onuekwu. The duo of Mr. S.O. Amadi (Enyidigwe) and C. Offiahdiegwu replied by making public their proposals. The entire masses saw in plain view that they meant no harm, but were only developing the site for entire Okpatu citizenry. This project was truncated by the Nigerian –Biafran civil war. Following the civil war there was no money to continue with the project. Due to lack of money to fund the project, Messrs Nwachukwu Agbono took Okpatu to court. He won the case on ground of breach of contract and got some people locked up in cell. Mr. s.o. Amadi (Enyidigwe) with the help of late Matha Ajoiyi and Offiahdiegwu secured release of Okpatu people. Mata Ajoiyi then single handedly paid for the bills and built the hospital. SECONDARY SCHOOL AT IBITE OKPATU The establishment of secondary school at Ibite Okpatu was midwife by Mr. S.O. Amadi (Enyidigwe) almost single handedly. He made due consultations with the appropriate authorities in the state ministry of education at Enugu leading to Okpatu Ibite being granted the secondary school. It must be stressed that our people the Ibite Okpatu youths made great financial contribution together with the whole community to erect the edifices which today are used for the secondary school. Nevertheless this was after the community has been granted the right to have the school by the then state government Anambra state government. OKPATU CATHOLIC PARISH As at 1961 there was no Catholic church parish at Okpatu. Between 1961 and 1962 Okpatu was under the Eke parish. A white man Rev. Fr. Odoharthy was in charge of the whole area. In 1962 report came to Mr. S.O. Amadi (Enyidigwe) from Okpatu youths concerning the untold behavior of Rev. Fr. Odoharthy against Okpatu people. It was on record that Fr.Odoharthy became offended with Okpatu elders who did not come to church. His offence was based on the fact that the elders of Okpatu were praying outside the place designated for central church service. This Catholic priest went as far as using cane to flog those elders and lacerated them for saying prayer. In swift reaction, dad consulted with the youth movement at Enugu branch. He told them that he will see to it that Rev Fr. Odoharthy be removed and not just that, that Okpatu will have a parish and their own parish priest. Dad Solicited support from Okpatu people as he pursues their case. Okpatu youths gave dad their unalloyed support; this led to implementation of Odoharthys removal strategies. On the 12th of September 1962 Mr. Enyidi selected six Okpatu youths and they followed him to meet Bishop Anyiogwu at Holy Ghost cathedral. Dad told Bishop Anyiogwu that Okpatu doesn’t want Rev. Fr. Odoharthy anymore. He said that Rev Fr. Odoharthy should be removed from the parish at Eke and requested that Okpatu should have its own parish thenceforth. Dad said that as Bishop Anyiogwu heard this complaint he was alerted and springing up from his seat, the Bisjhop came to dad S.O. Aamdi (Enyidigwe), tapped him severally on the chest and made this proverbial statement, “TEKWURUTE TE GIDERE EGWU, TEKWUTE UGWO NNA YA JI”… .Dad replied Bishop ….”ANYI BU TEKWURUTE KWUA A”…. Bishop then said he will come to Okpatu to see if Okpatu is UNITED and really wants a parish. Dad went round and consolidated Okpatu. An injunction was given to the youths to make sure nobody talks of Ibite or Ikeghe when the Bishop comes. On the appointed day Bishop came and met with Okpatu. He narrated how dad as he said, one Mr. S.O Amadi stormed his office demanding for removal of Fr.Odoharthy and for a new parish. He asked if Okpatu wanted a parish. In response, everybody replied yes. The Bishop now said that he will give Okpatu a parish. He said the priest at Enugu Ezike was on leave and will resume at Okpatu. After Bishop Anyiogwu called Mr. S.O Amadi gave him a hand shake and said he saw Okpatu wanted water. Dad said yes that he was the one who advertised it. Bishop now said dad should hand over the particulars for the water project to Rev Fr.Gilade. He said Fr.Gilade will supply Okpatu water with water as he did at Enugu Ezike.This dad did and Fr.Gilade joined Umulumgbe, Ukana and Awhum to the scheme. Okpatu then had the parish in 1964.The building of the pro Cathedral started in 1964-65. Mr S.O. Amadi’s (Enyidigwe) life history was a maze of ideas, intuition, visions and selfless service to humanity. His love for Okpatu community was blazing. He was a great lover of Catholic Church. Dad was sold out to the betterment, social -economic and political emancipation of Okpatu citizenry in general. POLITICS The political life of Mr Enyidi is another wonderful maze of events. In 1963-1964, dad was front line political activist in the then Eastern region. He championed the wawa-Ijekebe tussle for house of representative candidate. He was a front line vanguard of Barrister Nnaemeka Agu who was to represent the wawa people in the house of rep. This was in opposition to ijekebes candidate of C.O.Chiedozie. The political tussle between Nnaemeka Agu and Chief C.O.C Chiedozie was led by dad. The political strategies used C.O C were all hatched in the home of Mr. S.O. Amadi (Enyidigwe). This led to the winning of the then Bar. NnaEmeka Agu. However in the early eighties dads first son Obi Sylvester Enyidi got admission to Nike grammar school. C.O.C Chiedozie was the principal of the Nike Grammar School. Dad could not go because of his previous role against C.O. C. political career. He had to send late Mr. Utondu from Okpatu to stand as Obi’s dad. This was how Oby was not disqualified from Nike grammar school. Mr. Enyidi was a front line politician. He was a member of the defunct SDP. He was an elected delegate to the SDP convention at Udi local government area. His delegate certificate was duly signed at Abuja by SDP national secretary Chief Eyoma Ita Eyoma. MASSOB Leadership The latter part of Mr. Enyidi life was spent in regional politics. He was a foundation member of Biafra MASSOB. He was a leader in Massob at Okpatu and Enugu. He attended high powered meeting with notable and Prominent Ibos men in charge of the Biafra struggle. Dad always lived ahead of his days. He was visionary and believes strongly that the Biafra struggle will be a success. Classified information he gave were authenticated in the national dallies and the world news in the internet. His role as MASSOB leader was heralded by all. Massob men also came and paid their due respect to him when he passed on Passing by his grave side and taking Salutes. Long Live Biafra!
Nevertheless the coming years has a lot to proof in the mercurial, foresight and primacy
ideologies of this illustrious son of Okpatu. The memoirs and memorabilia of this icon are
too vast to be exhausted in this write up. The Lord alone knows all he has achieved for
Okpatu in particular and humanity as a whole. At this stage I challenge the teeming number of men and women whose life has been touched by this aristocrat to give him honor and recognitions and imitate his selfless services. He was selfless and always loved to give. He gave when it was most inconvenient for him to give. Sequel to this, what honor and dignity is enough or at least SHOULD BE ACCORDED this ICON by the Okpatu community and Okpatu Ibite in general? His dossier testifies of his echelon in the town’s history. History holds us responsible for engraving and immortalizing these landmarks on the marble of progressives in Okpatu as a whole. The future generation ought to know the genesis of progress and emancipations of civilization in the community. However with tears, loving memories and hope, I SAY, A PACE SETTER IS GONE. This day a democrat, a leftist leader, a servant leader, a philanthropist is GONE. Dad may your soul rest in perfect peace in Jesus name amen. Adieu Pa Baby, Ejighi ututu ama njo afiah. GOODBYE. SLEEP ON till the resurrection morning. By Enyidigwe Uche
User:Risingsun008|Risingsun008]] (talk) 12:51, 26 March 2008 (UTC)