EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION:

Engr. (Sir) Humphrey Chukwuemerie Nwora Adibe was born on 15^th April 1932 at Uzuakoli (present day Abia State), to the family of Mazi John Ucheagwuike Adibe of Obinetiti, Isikwe Achi and Madam Grace Udejiaku Adibe (nee Ahanonu) of Abor-Umuori, Enuguagu Achi both of Oji River L.G.A. of Enugu State. He was the first child of his late parents who were on their own a part of the early Christians in Achi.

He attended CMS Central School Isikwe Achi and got his First School Leaving Certificate (First Position) in 1946. He proceeded to the prestigious Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS) Onitsha from where he got his Cambridge School Certificate (Grade One) in 1950. He got his Exemption from London Matriculation in 1951 and proceeded to London in 1953 for further studies. He obtained GCE London (1954), Inter Science London (1955) and M.I.E. Tech (Diploma in Engineering Science ) in 1959. Ultimately, he graduated with a B.Sc. (Eng) London Honours in Chemical Engineering in 1961 making him the first London trained Chemical Engineer from the whole of West Africa.

While in London, he attended two colleges of the then University of London namely West Ham College of Technology (now University of East London) and Battersea College of Technology (now University of Surrey). At West Ham College of Technology, he was the first Students` Union President of African origin (1959-1960 session) and was the first President to produce a Students’ Union Handbook at the college. He was also a member of University of London Students’ Unions Presidents` Council (1960) and the President of Nigerian Students` Union East London (1958-1960). In 2012, the council of his alma mater, University of Surrey, chose him among the alumni members that were awarded the Bachelor of the University (Honoris Causa) as they marked the 120^th anniversary of this great institution of learning.

After a brief career upon his return to Nigeria from London, he proceeded to the United States for his Master of Business Administration in Industrial Management and Industrial Development Administration. The program was directed by Arthur D. Little Inc. under the sponsorship of The United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This special MBA module was conducted at Syracuse University, New York and the Arthur D. Little School of Management (now Hult International Business School) headquarters at Acorn Park, Cambridge, Massachusetts, from August 1964 to July 1965. Instructors for the program were drawn from Arthur D. Little’s professional staff, the staff of Syracuse University and supplemented by members of the faculties of Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy – Tufts University, Boston University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 1978, he got a Diploma in Quality Control from Sweden.

While at Syracuse University in 1964, he gave a powerful speech at the Syracuse Chapter 13 of the American Institute of Industrial Engineers (now Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers) that left the highly impressed Institute with no option than to write a letter to the Nigerian embassy the next day to describe him as a credit to Nigeria.

CAREER YEARS:

Upon finishing his studies at DMGS Onitsha, Engr. Humphrey Adibe joined the Eastern Nigeria Civil Service as Inspector of Lands and Survey in 1952 but resigned the following year to pursue his graduate studies abroad.  After his graduation from the University, his career went thus: Chemical Engineer, Nigercem Nkalagu (1962-1963); Research Officer, Ministry of Commerce Enugu (1963-1964); Management Officer, Ministry of Commerce Enugu (1964-1965); General Manager, Modern Ceramics Ltd. Umuahia (1965-1966); Head of Industries Division, Ministry of Commerce Enugu (1966-1967) and Principal Production Manager , Eastern Nigeria Development Corporation (1967), a position he was holding when the civil war broke out.

After the war, his career continued thus: Food Technologist, ADC Enugu (1971-1973); Principal Industrial Inspector/Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Industries Lagos (1974-1976); Chief Engineer, Nigeria Standards Organisation (now SON, 1977-1980); Director/General Manager, Nigeria Cement Company Ltd (Nigercem) Nkalagu (1980-1981); Reader (Associate Professor) in Chemical Engineering, IMT Enugu (1992-1995) and Private Consultancy, Chemical Engineering (1982-2013).

During his active career years, Engr. Adibe was a member of the following professional bodies: British Institution of Chemical Engineers (1962), American Institute of Chemical Engineers (1965), American Institute of Industrial Engineers (1965, now Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers), Nigerian Society of Engineers (1964, Eastern Executive Member) and Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers (1978). As an engineering student in London, he participated in the formation of the Nigerian Society of Engineers in London in 1958 which happened at the time he was the President of the Nigeria Students’ Union East London.

He also sat as a Director on the board of the following companies: Niger Steel Company Ltd, Enugu (1964-1967); Nigergas Ltd, Enugu (1964-1966); Hotel Presidential, Enugu and Port Harcourt (1965); Eastern Nigeria Development Corporation, Enugu (1966-1967); National Electric Power Authority, Lagos (now Power Holding Corporation of Nigeria, 1974-1975) and Nigeria Cement Company Ltd, Nkalagu (1979-1981).

Engr. Adibe also attended vital United Nations international seminars such as United Nations Seminar on Cement Industry in Developing Countries in Denmark (1964, where he presented a paper) and The 6^th United Nations International Development Organization (UNIDO) In-Plant Group Training Program in Quality Control in Sweden (1978).

Suffice it to say that during his career years, he carried out some specialized assignments for the regional and federal governments, some of which were: Member, Government Research Committee on Engineering and Geology, Eastern Nigeria (1965-1967); Valuation of Sokoto Cement Factory (1975); Valuation of Kano State Oil and Allied Products Ltd (1975); Member, Kano State Owned Organizations and Companies Commission of Inquiry (1975); Inquiry into Management Problems at the Nigerian Alcohol and Yeast Manufacturing Company, Bacita (1976); Investigation and Report on the Incidence of Asbestosis in Asbestos Cement Industries in the Country for the Chief of Staff Supreme Headquarters (1976); Federal Government Delegate to Blantyre, Malawi to interview an expatriate Engineer for the post of Factory Manager for Savannah Sugar Company Ltd, Numan (1976); Statutory National Control Tests on Warri and Kaduna Refineries (1977-1978); Chairman, Government  Audit Inquiry on the Management of Nigercem, Nkalagu (1979) and Resource Person, Enugu State Workshop on the Draft Constitution of Nigeria (1995).

CHURCH SERVICES:

Engr. Humphrey Adibe was a devout Christian of the Anglican faith. He served for many years as Diocesan Treasurer for the Old Angican Diocese of Enugu. In this Enugu Diocese, he was a member of Diocesan Board and Synod; Member of the Joint Council (Eastern Dioceses); Member, Diocesan Music committee and Member, Diocesan Education Committee (the set that nurtured the Good Shepherd Secondary School Enugu, now Seminary). He used his position in this Diocese to champion the creation of the Achi Archdeaconry with headquarters at Christ Church Isikwe Achi. For his meritorious services to the Diocese, the Bishop Emeritus of Enugu, Rt Rev. G.N. Otubelu, OFR (now late) nominated and invested him as one of the pioneer Knights of the Order of the Knighthood of the Good Shepherd (KGS) in 1996 while the incumbent Bishop of Enugu, Most Rev. E.O. Chukwuma, awarded him a Certificate of Honour and Recognition at a Diocesan ceremony in 1999.

Engr. Adibe later served as the Vice Chairman of the Inauguration Committee of his home Diocese of Oji River, a position that saw him tour round the country in company of the Chairman (Chief E.N.D. Ezenwukwa) to deliver and defend proposals for the creation of this Diocese before the House of Bishops anywhere their Lordships met. When there was a kind of “tension” as to what name this new Diocese will bear between the two pioneer Udi and Achi Archdeaconries, he suggested a somewhat neutral name, “Oji River Diocese” which calmed down nerves. He personally designed the logo of Oji River Diocese and chose the motto: VIA VERITAS VITA (The Way, The Truth and The Life). He was a staunch pioneer member of the management committee of the Savory Memorial Seminary Isikwe Achi.

For his home Christ Church Achi (at Isikwe), he used his friendship with renowned Architect, Dr. Alex Ekwueme (who later became Nigeria`s Vice President) to secure the church building plan free of charge soon after the war. As Chairman of Christ Church Planning Committee saddled with the responsibility of building this church, he worked tirelessly to champion the completion of this edifice that has stood the test of time and oversaw the movement from the ancient building of 1919 into the new church building.

An ardent lover of Church Music, Engr. Adibe served voluntarily (nota bene) as Organist and Choirmaster at the Anglican churches he attended namely St. Peters Church Ogbete Enugu, St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral Asata Enugu (as it then was); Christ Church Uwani Enugu; St. Stephen’s Church Umuahia (now Cathedral); Bishop Tugwell Memorial (BTM) Church Lagos Island; St. Stephen`s Anglican church, Igbobi Lagos; Christ Church Isikwe Achi and occasionally at Christ Church Nigercem Nkalagu, to mention but a few.  He trained many church organists and choristers and always rendered powerful songs, hymns and anthems to the admiration of the congregation.

Ultimately, in 1991, Engr. Adibe became born again and accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour. This was after he was led to Christ by then Vicar/Superintendent of Christ Church Isikwe Achi, Late Ven. C.N. Ozoko (then Rev. Canon). For the rest of his life, he devoted himself to evangelism and service to the Lord in the real sense of it using platforms as Evangelical Fellowship in Anglican Communion (EFAC), Scripture Union, Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International and Achi Christian Brethren Association.

COMMUNITY SERVICE:

Engr.Humphrey Adibe always stood up to be counted on issues that related to community development and human empowerment. In his immediate Isikwe Community, he played leading roles in novel projects like the establishment of then Girls` Secondary School Isikwe Achi in 1980 (as Isikwe became the only community in Achi that owned a college) and the Isikwe Water Scheme at Ugwueke. His homes in cities he lived served as dormitories of sorts for visiting Achi indigenes. In most places he worked, you would always find traces of Achi indigenes he employed. The hallmark was when as the Chief Executive of Nigercem Nkalagu, he employed lots and lots of Achi and Oji River indigenes within a short period, a record that is yet to be broken. He paid school fees, provided shelter, gave out upkeep money and secured employment for many. Indeed he ran an open door policy and always had a listening ear with a view to proffering solutions.

As a front runner, he never shied away from guiding the upcoming generation after him to choose good careers and vocation lines. He was a character and personality builder who taught people in all levels of education at certain periods in between his career. He taught at CMS Central School Isikwe Achi (immediately after finishing from DMGS Onitsha), College of the Immaculate Conception, C.I.C., Enugu (immediately after the war) and Institute of Management and Technology Enugu (towards the end of his active career). In fact, anyone who wanted to learn was welcome for free tutorials at his home.

Engr. Adibe was a legend and colossus by all standards. He did not have a knack for chieftaincy titles and never went for one but admirers always hailed him by the nickname “Oku Daa Ibube”. He became reluctant to be so acknowledged after he got born again but the people did not yield either.

FAMILY LIFE:

Engr. Humphrey Adibe wedded his better half and sweetheart, Lady Caroline Chinenye Adibe (nee Egwuonwu) from Abor, Isikwe Achi in 1965. His wife is a long retired Special Class Headmistress (the first in their extended community), a Lioness and a sheer example of the saying that behind every successful man is a good woman. Their union is blessed with four children namely Chuks, late John (B-Boy), Adaeze and Azunna. They also have grandchildren.

Engr. Adibe was a caring husband, father, father in-law and grandfather who radiated love and maintained a close knit family. He was a disciplinarian who together with the wife raised his children with the fear of God, strong morals and sound academic backgrounds. As the patriarch of the Adibe family, he cared for everyone, most times stretching his limits.

FINAL MOMENTS:

On Sunday, 6^th October 2013, he slept peacefully in the Lord and moved to eternal glory. He was buried on Friday, 13th December 2013 at his Isikwe Achi country home. He is still greatly missed by kits and kin.

Members of his immediate family are:

Lady Carol Chinenye Adibe (Wife)

Hon. Chuks Humphrey Jnr Adibe (Son)

Mrs. Adaeze Gracy Adibe (Daughter)

Engr. Azunna Michael Adibe (Son)

Mrs. Uche Sandra Adibe (nee Ibeh, Daughter In-law)

Dr. (Mrs.) Onyinye Esther Adibe (nee Ibeziako, Daughter In-law)

Miss Onyinyechi Nwosu (Grand Daughter)

Mr. Emeka Nwosu (Grand Son)

Miss Tochi Nwosu (Grand Daughter)

Master Chimdalu Adibe (Grand Son)

Master Chidozie Adibe (Grand Son)

Master Chimgosiora Adibe (Grand Son)

Master Tochukwu Adibe (Grand Son)

Miss Kamsiyochukwu Adibe (Grand Daughter)