From Princely Onyenwe
Owerri- Imo State Nigeria was agog by the massive turn-out of dignitaries, political appiontees, friends, family members, well wishers and the good people of Ohaji Egbema/Oguta/Oru west constituency at the first ever public memorial lecture and the thirty first memorial celebration of RBK Okafor.
At a memorial lecture of late Chief Dr. R.B.K Okafor, four students from various states and different tertiaries
baged grades of scholarship awards presented to them at the event over the weekend in Owerri.
The scholarship came through the RBK Okafor family foundation with its core aim targetted on Education.
9News Nigeria reports that RBK Okafor family foundation’s target areas are Civic responsibility, Nation building, Education and Empowerment.
The Foundation is piloted by the RBK Okafor’s family under a Director General DG Hon. Mrs Ngozi RBK Okafor who recently contested for the position of the Federal House of Representatives position for Oguta/Oru West constituency.
The Foundation helps in encouraging the youths to establish good educational feat, viable handworks and the continous taking care of indigent people at the grassroots.
The 2022 RBK Okafor’s memorial scholarship fund showcased the winners, Anyanwu Daniel Chinemeuche, Umon Favour Condolent, Ogbua Chinedu David and Ejiogu Chinemerem Abigel accordingly to the guests.
The RBK scholar of the year, Anyanwu Daniel Chinemeuche bagged a 3years scholarship fund while Favour Condolent, Ogbua Chinedu David and Ejiogu Chinemerem Abigal were awarded accordingly as reported by 9News Nigeria.
The Director Dir of the foundation, Hon. Dr. Ikegwuruka John Donald told 9News Nigeria (Owerri) that the RBK Okafor foundation revolve within its focal point, which are promotion of education, Nation building and civic responsibility across the states of the federation.
Meanwhile, Ngozi RBK Okafor has expressed happiness for the successful memorial of her late father. She said that the memorial lecture was the first (1st) of it’s kind and the thirty first (31st) memorial celebration organized by the family.
Recall that Ngozi RBK Okafor contested for House of Representatives at the just concluded primary election under the rulling All Progressives Congress APC party for Oguta, Ohaji Egbema and Oru West Federal constituency.
The RBK Okafor memorial lecture was held saturday November 19th 2022 at “The Royal Event Center, Chilis, located opposite NTA Owerri by Concord road.
While presenting the Life and Times of Chief Dr. RBK Okafor, the guest lecturer, Dr Benjamin Nwokedi stated that the celebrant was a patriotic Nigerian, who in his days loved Nation building, Unity, Simplicity and Education. He added that RBK Okafor was a sage who endeared so much in the service of Nigeria and applied reasonable efforts to improving his family and the people within his accessibility
Born on the 15th of March 1927 to the family of Joseph and Margaret Okafor, Late “R.B.K ” was the seventeenth of the thirty-seven children. Mother Mercy RBK Okafor is the only surviving wife of late RBK Okafor.
Our correspodent authoritatively reports that RBK Okafor hailed from Nkwesi Oguta local government area of Imo and married three wives and many children and grand children. Note that RBK Okafor passed unto glory February first 1992.
The lecture was a top-notch memorial presentation to the first Nigeria republic Politician, Nation builder and Educationist. He was a one time National Deputy Chairman,and Imo state chairman of the Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP) in the old good days when Politics was played without shedding of blood, thuggery, snatching of boxes and election materials.
Our correspodent gathered that at his earlier age of thirty three 33 in 1960, when the Nigerian nationalist struggle resulted in independence from colonial rule, RBK Okafor had lived a rich, accomplished life.
RBK was among those forebears of NIGERIA who Floated the first republic and fueled organizations such as the NIGERIAN Students Union, the Zikist movement-a radical revolutionary youth body founded in 1946, and the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons NCC.
In addition, RBK Okafor championed the creation of Imo state in 1976. His extension of generosity was second to none. The most important was that he provided scholarships and opportunities to every relative who was ready for school, training many to the highest levels of education often in the United States and United Kingdom.
On interview with 9News Nigeria, some dignitaries that came for the event testified the greatness and excellent that beclouded RBK Okafor and family but regretted why the Imo APC could deny RBK Okafor’s daughter, the Federal House of Reps ticket.
Highlights of the 31st memorial celebration was the renditions presented by the choir groups, NFCJ Chior Alvan chaplaincy and St. Luke’s Akwakuma. The lecture from the guest lecturer, Dr Benjamin Nwokedi was a true exposition of what RBK Okafor represents.
Dignitaries too numerous to mention, academias, political appiontees, Community leaders, Women and youth groups, clergymen, traditional rulers, friends and family members from home and diaspora graced the event of the sage, late RBK Okafor.
Note that later chief RBK Okafor married three (3) wives and have twenty one (21) children. Ms Mercy Okafor, Florence Okafor (late) and Agnes Okafor (late). Mrs Mercy Okafor is the only surviving wife.
9News Nigeria (Owerri) For inquiries on this news contact 9News Nigeria Imo State @08036856526
