CHIEF (DR) ALEXANDER EGEMASI EMEZIEM, KSM; DEATH OF A COMMUNITY'S GIANT!

CHIEF (DR) ALEXANDER EGEMASI EMEZIEM, KSM

The  family of Chief (Dr.) Alexander Egemasi Emeziem of Obibii-Nguru, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria, announces with a heart-filled with sorrow but joy for a meritorious life well spent, the passing away of their dearly beloved father, husband, grand-father, father in-law, brother, uncle and patriarch of the Emeziem family, Chief (Dr.) Alexander Emeziem, Knight of Saint Mulumba. Chief Emeziem died in the United States of America of old age related infirmities, complicated by diabetes; he was 81 years old.

A noted second republic politician/businessman, Chief Emeziem was a commissioner under the late Governor Samuel Onunaka Mbakwe NPP government of then Imo State from 1979 to 1983; and variously held different portfolios as Commissioner in charge of Ministry of Public Utilities; Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Lands, Survey and Urban Development as well as Ministry of Establishment respectively. 

During his early days before venturing into politics, Chief Emeziem variously worked as a teacher, a banker, an oil industry executive and rose to become regional Manager for British Petroleum (BP) in Northern Nigeria region. He left BP and went into private business from where he joined politics. To his credit as a politician and commissioner were series of infrastructural developments including several regional water projects, rural electrification and the establishment of three independent power stations, including Izombe and Amaraku Power Stations in Imo State. He also facilitated the formation of Progress Bank of Nigeria PLC. When the military junta led by Muhammadu Buhari interrupted Nigeria's democracy in 1983, Chief Emeziem was one of the many politicians that were clamped down in detention by the junta which lasted for 22 months before he was released without any charges, having being found  clean as a wind driven snow by various military investigative tribunals which looked into various politicians stewardship. Thereafter he went back to business spreading into real estate acquisition and development, haulage and manufacturing.  Chief Emeziem was a respected community leader in Nguru and environs, a benefactor, a philanthropist, a visionary, a church patron and above all a very meek and humble man; who in 2004 set up the 'Chief Alexander Emeziem Foundation' which gives educational grants and scholarships to indigent peoples of his area. Chief Alexander Emeziem will be sorely missed by his wife Chief (Mrs) Maria Emeziem and surviving children Charles, Kenneth, Vincent, Alexander, Anthony, Augustina and Florence; as well as his Nguru community, friends, beneficiaries and people who were lucky to have been touched by his most benevolent large heart. His life is a definition of a fruitful fulfilled life well lived; and he left an indelible footprint on the sand of time while his sojourn on this mother earth lasted.  His long drawn burial proceedings commences in the United States of America on December 29, 2010 with a requiem high mass/viewing by 4.00pm at Cathedral of Christ the Light, Grand Lake Merit, 2121 Harrison Street Oakland, California 94612. It will be followed by the  celebration of his life/wake-keeping by the Nigerian community in Northern California and their friends by 6.00pm at Bayshore Pavilion, 2203 Mariner Square Loop, Alameda, California 94501. His remains will be flown back to Nigeria thereafter to continue the process of his transition to his ancestors; which will climax with his interment in the new year at his country home, on January 7, 2011.  One mourner who described his loss as irreparable said that the late Chief Emeziem "was very religious and always one of the most trusted, enterprising and generous individuals around. His people of Nguru as well as their local community's Holy Trinity Catholic Church will greatly miss him". Icheoku says if to die is to continue to live in the hearts of those people who love you, then Chief Alexander Egemasi Emeziem is not dead but have merely transited to a higher plain, from where he will continue to overshadow his family, his people and countless number of well-wishers, mourners and beneficiaries with abundance good love and protection from On-High. Icheoku says, Adieu Chief! RSVP Charles Emeziem - 510.385.5912 Kenneth Emeziem - 510.772.2822.