Africa
By Paul Nwosu
NZE Simeon Nwankwo Soludo, Akukananwa 1, a selfless man who left indelible footprints in the sands of time, passed on Tuesday, November 6, 2023, at the age of 92.
Although he didn’t have formal education, he was versatile and good at everything he set his hands on. From the tender age of 7 in 1939, he left home as an apprentice trader and joined the Boys Scout Movement at the age of 12 at Holy Ghost Catholic Parish, Onitsha. He returned to the village in 1946. He later worked for Shell Petroleum and journeyed to Siroko, Ondo State as a Sawyer and also embarked in restaurant business to his days. He excelled in Nigercem Nkalagu and in community vigilante services, among others. Pa Soludo was many things to many people. This leaves one grappling with where exactly to place him.
One trait remained constant in Akukananwa. He’s a man that was determined to succeed in spite of the acute paucity of resources.
He stood tall as an unwavering cornerstone of leadership within his community and the Catholic Church within Awka and Ekwulobia Dioceses.
It is worthy of note that Pa Simeon, on December 30, 1992, at the age of 61, shared his inheritance among his nine children, while prophesying that he was not planning to die before age 90, but would live to see them get married and settle down – a wish God graciously granted him.
This particular action says it all about him, portraying a wonderful Dad and an epitome of a true family man. It equally shows his love for peace and equity.
His love for children was made manifest in the name ‘Akukananwa’, with which he was inducted into the Nze na Ọzọ Society in Isuofia.
As a selfless man who left indelible footprints in the sands of time, he will not only be missed by his seven
surviving children – Emmanuel, Chukwuma, Ogochukwu, Kenneth, Ifeanyi, Celestine and Obumne, including numerous relations and friends, but the entire Ndị Anambra, who are today reaping the fruits of his good legacies as seen in the calibre and character of his children, particularly his second son, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, who is currently the Governor of Anambra State.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen!
***PAUL NWOSU is the commissioner of Information, Anambra State.
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Tags: Chukwuma Charles Soludo Nze Simeon Nwankwo Soludo Paul Nwosu
