The week commencing
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The
Late Elder Eke Akaji Eke
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on the 18th of July will mark
the end of an era as the entire Akaji family, friends and well-wishers gather in the historic town of Amaekpu ?haf?a
for the funeral of my late father, Elder Eke Akaji Eke.
I had set myself the task of sharing a worm's eye view of the life and times of my father. As you read along you
will notice clear and chronological dates and references to the life of and acts of my late father. They are the
fingerprints of Papa. He had prepared his brief biography for the time when we the children will need it. That
was Papa for you, ever meticulous, and like a proud scout his motto remained "Be prepared" even to the
very end.
White man's war?:
On May 13, 1942, Papa
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The
Late Elder Eke Akaji Eke as a Young Soldier
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enlisted in the West African Frontier Force of Nigerian Regiment. There again, Papa proved his dynamism and rare
talent while in training. His self-discipline, punctuality and adaptability coupled with his athleticism greatly
endeared him to the trainers and he was promoted to a lance corporal even before he fired a rifle at the war front.
Papa was commissioned with Army Number NA89385 and posted to India/Burma Command. On arriving at the war area on
December 1, 1944, Papa's war diary recorded his observation thus -
I'll be glad to die fighting
here what with the shocking sight of Indian children deprived of their mothers as well as men of their wives and
fathers of their daughters by some people who believe they were born superior.
On the night of January 30 1945 when he was wounded by an enemy gun shot on the left knee. Papa walked three miles
with his injury still carrying and operating the bulky signalling equipment. In recognition of his selfless service
to mankind, the American Under-Secretary of State for war, presented his compliments and by the Command of the
Army Council honoured Papa - with three medals - as a shining star in the Battles of British, Pacific and War Medal
of 1939 - 1945.
Over and above all of these, on May 6th, 1945, Papa was awarded the highest Military Medal (MM) by the then Lt.
General in charge of 15 India corps- for act of bravery in the battlefield. His citation recalled the moment when
he was badly wounded in combat but continued to walk and relay useful signal for twelve painful hours leading to
the successful evacuation of his colleagues from harms way. Even as a civilian working for the Eastern Regional
Government in pre-independence Nigeria, Papa was exempted from paying tax (Finance law E.R Gaz No. 28 Vol 5 of
3rd May, 1956). On 30th Nov. 1946, Papa got his discharge from the army and he was determined not to rejoin the
regular army or even the police force. He had paid his dues.
Home, Work et al.
Following his discharge from the army, Papa got his first appointment as a civilian with the Eastern Regional Government
on October 1st, 1948. Papa finally retired from public service in Jan. 1st, 1984 after 35 years and two months
of meritorious service. Before retirement, Papa served in various capacities and also in various places including
Ogoja, Afikpo, Abakaliki, and between 1967-70, he served as a member of the Civil Defence Corps (CDC) in the then
Federal Republic of Biafra. He also worked in Enugwu, Etiti, Owere, and finally retired at Zonal Education Board
Aba now Zonal Sec. Education Management Board Aba. Papa engaged in farm work in addition to his day job in the
civil service in every area he worked in.
Papa, lerua anya(Fare thee well Papa)!
Papa was loved and cherished
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The
Late Elder Eke Akaji Eke
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by many. Some equally hated him for being too
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The
Late Elder Eke Akaji Eke
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independent self-effacing and humble. Papa was as humble as he was generous.
