By Ngwuoke Ngwuoke

It was accolades and tributes galore Wednesday as relatives, colleagues, children, and mentees of Engr Agha Ogbonnia Aghachi gathered in his Enugu residence in a surprise party to mark his 83rd birthday.

They came from far and wide to honour a man many described as a trail blazer, unassuming child of God and one of the worthiest sons of his community, Amasiri in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

One speaker after the other shared with the audience how coming in contact with the celebrant, Apollos as he was fondly called, impacted on their lives.

Prof Felicia Oka- Moh of Coal City University, Enugu, went down a touching memory lane.

“Daddy, you saw a little girl who was struggling with her Primary 2 Reader and decided that such potentials must be nurtured. That was how I became your daughter till now.

“I’m grateful to you for the financial sacrifices which saw me through from Primary school till I graduated from the university. I’m grateful that through your exemplary life, I got to know this great Gospel of the Son of God that changed my life and gave me purpose in the past and hope for the future.

“I thank you for being a caring father to my other siblings.
I appreciate the wonderful brother that you are to my early -widowed mother and aunt Uche.”

Reading the celebrant’s biography, Mr Anthony Eze, a retired banker summarised Engr Aghachi’s community service.

“Engr Aghachi contributed actively to the growth and development of Amasiri community which he loves so well. While in office, he influenced the inclusion of Amasiri and Afikpo in the first phase of the then NEPA rural electrification scheme for the East in 1974.

“When the first 200KVA, 33kv/415V distribution transformer at Ahia Orie got burnt in 1992, he fought and succeeded in getting a higher one allocated right from Lagos. Later in the year 2000, as NEPA General Manager, Enugu Zonal Head Quarters, he planted many transformers in Amasiri and all over the zone.”

In his birthday tribute, the Chairman of the occasion, Elder Amb Ngwuoke Ngwuoke said:

“As a pioneer university graduate in Amasiri, you illuminated paths for younger generations, embodying hope and possibility.

“Your humility, Christian values, and service inspired countless lives. Your legacy extends beyond engineering feats to nurturing faith and character.

“Thank you for being a shining example of integrity, faith, and service.”

Responding to the encomiums, the obviously elated celebrant thanked both organizers and guests for the honour.

He gave a brief history of his working career which took him to key NEPA facilities in Nigeria and how God led him through challenges, delivering him from conspiracies and attacks and making him retire from service meritoriously without any blemish.

“In Kainji, I took over from a Canadian who left behind a lot of money in NEPA’s coffers. Because of my Christian faith, I went ahead using the money strictly for NEPA projects. But some of my colleagues were not happy that ‘you are not eating and would not let us eat’ the money”.

“They threatened me frontally and actually started a project to eliminate me. This took them to witch doctors at Ijebu Ode, Okwute and Akwa Ibom State but God protected me from all their charms.

“The last charmer promised to refund their money if I didn’t die in seven days. They went back for the refund after 14 days and the native doctor insisted on following them to see this man who had defied him and his charms.”

Aghachi said all the things were happening without his knowledge and that the conspirators actually brought the man to his office and recommended him for employment, believing that maybe by being close to their target the charms would be more potent.

“Without thinking twice I employed the man there and then, without knowing he was there for a last attempt to kill me.

“I learnt afterwards that the man backed out of the project saying how could they ask him to kill such a nice man, who gave him a job wirhout knowing him.

“That was how God delivered me from evil men. There were many such battles. I want to tell you that serving God is the greatest investment you can make in life,” Aghachi concluded.

One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of a life portrait to the celebrant.

Personalities that attended the event included Rev Emmanuel Nnamdi Moh, Board Member Apostolic Faith Church West and Central Africa as well as Area Overseer for Enugu Area, the Vice Chancellor of Coal City University, Prof Afam Icha-Ituma, Rev Victor Aghachi, retired Pastor, Assemblies of God Church Abakaliki, Ichie Donatus Okougo, retired police officer, Prof Sunday Nnamani of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Abakaliki, Dr Beatrice Eze of the same university,
Arc and Mrs David Moh, ace broadcaster, Ms Ngozi Igwilo, and Dr Sam Okparaocha , retired NYSC staff.

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