GILBERT Odiaka Chigbo, 82, is dead. He died after a brief illness on June 5.

According to the family announcement, Christian wake keeping would be held in his honour at 28, Umuoji Street, Independent Layout, Enugu, on August 10. Another wake is slated for August 17, at his compound at Abidi Umuoji, Anambra State.

The following day, Friday, August 18, a church service will hold at Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Catholic Church, Abidi Umoji, Anambra State. Interment follows at his compound after the church service.

Award winning Chigbo was born in 1935 in Dutsin Wai, now Jigawa State. He was educated at Kings College, Lagos; University College, lbadan, and the University of Sheffield, England. He held degrees and professional qualifications in chemistry, ceramics and material science.

Chigbo spent a large part of his working life in industrial research and development in Nigeria’s premier institutions such as the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, FIIRO, Lagos and Projects Development Agency, PRODA, Enugu, where he served as deputy director and director, respectively.

He was a commissioner in different fields – Industry, Trade and Transport, Local Government and Social Development, Education and Information, in East Central and Anambra States between 1975 and 1979.

In fairly recent years he concentrated his efforts on mineral based small and medium scale enterprises and in the translation of research into industrial enterprise.

A prolific writer, Chigbo contributed well-informed articles on various subjects which were published in some national dailies.  His bitter sweet experiences at the long pension lines caused him to write the article “Pensioners are Deadwood,” which was transformed into an award winning documentary.

In March 2014, Chigbo walked away with the Best Documentary award from the Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards, AMVCA.

He is survived by his children namely Ifeoma, Enuma and Ikenna Chigbo.

—  Jul 12, 2017 @ 16:20 GMT