By Tony Okafor, Igboukwu
The curtain has fallen on a century-long life of integrity, scholarship and service with the passing of Ide Justus Nkachukwudebelu Ezeife, the first university graduate from Igbo-Ukwu community and the second degree holder from old Aguata, who died peacefully at the ripe age of 102.
The ancient town of Igbo-Ukwu was awash with grief, reverence and celebration of legacy as dignitaries, community leaders, former students, professionals and well-wishers from across the South-East and beyond thronged his country home at Ihuakaba, Ezihu Village, to pay their last respects to a man widely described as a moral compass, a scholar of rare depth and a disciplinarian without malice.
Speaking at the funeral rites, his son, Mr. Uche Ezeife, painted a moving portrait of a father whose life was anchored on truth and principle.
“My father was a man of his word. He could not be bought or bent. He taught us discipline, honesty and courage, yet he was jovial and warm. I learnt my most important life lessons from him,” he said.
His eldest daughter, Dr. Obiageli Nwobi, described the late educationist as a man whose integrity was non-negotiable. She recalled how, at a time when university education was rare and intimidating, her father blazed the trail and inspired an entire generation.
“As the first graduate of Igbo-Ukwu, he encouraged his peers and younger ones to go to school. He believed education was the greatest inheritance. Many of us, including myself, attained university education because he insisted and sacrificed,” she noted.
Another daughter, Mrs. Nkiruka Nnamdi, summed him up as God-fearing, disciplined, family-oriented and passionately committed to education.
“Even at 102, his presence filled the room. His passing leaves a vacuum that cannot be filled,” she said tearfully.
Condolence visitors spoke glowingly of a man whose influence outlived his classroom walls.
Engineer Emeka Okafor, a community member, described him as an enigma with uncommon knowledge of history, while Chief Christian Okoli, one of his former students, said the late Ide Ezeife was a teacher whose lessons went far beyond textbooks.
“He taught us character, truth and leadership. He lived what he taught,” Okoli said.
Born in an era when colonial Nigeria was still finding its footing, Ide Ezeife graduated from University College, Ibadan, in 1953, earning a Bachelor’s degree in English, Latin and History—a rare academic feat at the time.
He went on to teach in several schools across the South-East, shaping minds and moulding leaders, before retiring meritoriously as a school principal.
A widower of over two decades, the late patriarch left behind children, grandchildren, former students and an entire community inspired by his life of discipline, scholarship and selfless service.
As the final prayers were said and the drums of farewell rolled across Igbo-Ukwu, one message rang clear: a legend has gone, but his legacy will continue to teach generations yet unborn.
