ABRIDGED BIOGRAPHY OF MR LOUIS AMAECHI AMAZU (Ezenwa)

Mr. Louis Amaechi Amazu was a native of Uruegbe village, in the town of Umuoji, Idemmili North local government area of Anambra state, Nigeria. He was born in Jos, Plateau state on April 20th, 1943, to Mr. Emmanuel Nwokeafor Amazu (Akajideaku) and Mrs. Felicia Amazu (Nee Ugonwenyi). He was the oldest of nine siblings (four males and five females): Nonye, Emeka, Roseline, Patricia, and Ebele (God rest their souls); Maria, Hyacinth, and Linus.

Amaechi attended St. Georges Primary School in Zaria from about 1950 to 1956 for his early elementary education. Subsequently, he embarked on a professional course in stenography, during which he participated in the famous Pitmans College London examinations and achieved success in all levels of stenography certification examinations available at the time (60wpm, 80wpm, 120wpm). His outstanding stenography skills, extraordinary attention to detail and eloquent command of the English Language opened sundry employment avenues for this young, energetic man in the 1960s. He began his professional life working as a secretary for Chris Kappa and Ryder, as well as the defunct Electricity Cooperation of Nigeria (ECN). During this time, he interacted with and developed long-term relationships with expatriate employees, which would later prove to be beneficial to him in his life when he eventually established his own business. 

Mr. Louis was one who was proud of his heritage and was willing to participate in anything “Igbo.” At the young age of 23, he served the Umuoji Improvement Union (UIU) as secretary for the UIU Kano chapter (pre-war), a position that resulted in his temporary incarceration in the days leading up to the commencement of the Nigerian-Biafra war in 1966. When the war broke out, Amaechi found his way back home and volunteered in the war working at the Biafran Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) under the stewardship of one Professor Okoye and under the supervision of the then Biafran leader Gen. Odumegwu Ojukwu in the fight for Biafrans.

Post the war, Amaechi resumed his professional journey working for reputable firms including Sterling Products in Lagos, Chikwe and Associates in Enugu, Allied Electronics and Telecommunications Nigeria Limited in Kaduna. His commitment and dedication to hard work enabled him to rise through the ranks of leadership, culminating in his appointment as Regional Manager (North) for Allied Electronics. After a few years, Amaechi left paid employment to establish his own company specializing in building and construction projects. His sojourn as an entrepreneur was an exciting time in Amaechi’s life, his business exploits transversed the length and breadth of Nigeria including the states of Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, Sokoto, Borno, Enugu, Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), among many others. Amaechi worked with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, forging strong lifelong relationships throughout his working career. His construction projects spanned both private and public sectors. Each project was executed and delivered to the highest standard showcasing his impeccable business ethics and unwavering integrity. These qualities opened new doors of business opportunities and sustained his business for over three decades, particularly during the challenging periods of entrepreneurship.  
It was also during this post-war period that Amaechi courted and married the love of his life Miss Christiana Nwadiogwa Mgbemena. They had their Church wedding on January 9th, 1971, at Holy Ghost Cathedral Ogui, Enugu and welcomed their first Child Olisaemeka in 1972 (God rest his baby soul). They were also blessed with four other children: Chinwendu, Obiageli, Nkemdilim and Obinna who are happily married with Ezenwa’s grandchildren: Chukwuemeka, Chisomaga, Obiajulu, Chisimdi and Chimuanya. Ezenwa was a present father and grandfather, up until his demise, every action he took was for the benefit of his family.

Mr. Louis Amaechi Amazu’s life was hugely impactful not only on his parents, siblings, his nuclear family but also on friends and persons who were fortunate to interact with him. He was as passionate about any undertaking he was involved in as he was compassionate with persons he came in contact with who needed his help. He was kind, generous and did not count the costs when giving, infact, he was one to declare that it cost him nothing in giving because what he gave belonged to God not him.
Ezenwa’s attention to detail was non-paralleled, he was brilliant, sociable, articulate with an impressive command of the English language, an eloquent testament of his secretarial background and long term interaction with expatriate personnel of some of the reputable companies he worked for. He was focused, enterprising, honest and straightforward and he left no one in doubt as to his stance on any major issue. His life’s philosophy was anchored on the belief that a life not led for others is a wasted life! Against this backdrop he invested in persons totally unrelated to him filially or otherwise. His humanity was blind to ethnicity, religion, tribe or social stratification! He did not suffer fools gladly though. Ezenwa will be sorely missed.

Ezenwa was an extrovert, he enjoyed a robust social life and valued strong connections and camaraderie. He was a member of the UIU and led the organization multiple times. Ezenwa was also a prominent member of the popular Kaduna Club and an enthusiastic dart player. He was an ardent soccer lover, a game he played at the amateur level. Amaechi loved God and always said “O mmadu ebe gi bu Chukwu Ifuanya” and whatever you did for another, you did for God. He was a member of the Catholic Men's Organization (CMO) of the Sacred Heart Catholic Parish in Enugu, where his compassionate nature was also evident. 

A kind heart goes home! An action man returns to his creator!!
Eternal rest grant him all Lord and may light perpetual shine upon him. 
May the soul of Mr. Louis Amaechi Amazu and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace. 
Our patriarch rest in peace, we will meet again to part no more.
Adieu L.A.E. Amazu (Nsi Egbe)