HIS EDUCATION

Eze/Elder U. I. Mba is widely recognized as one of the pioneer products of formal education in Nkporo.

His academic journey began between 1940 and 1947 at Nkporo Church of Scotland Mission School, now known as Presbyterian School. From there, his thirst for knowledge led him to Hope Waddell Training Institute, Calabar, and later MacGregor College, Afikpo, between 1951 and 1955.

Between 1961 and 1962, he attended the Nigerian College of Arts and Technology, Zaria, Kaduna State. He further pursued higher education at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, between 1963 and 1966.

His academic achievements were remarkable for his time:

First School Leaving Certificate – 1947

Grade III Teacher’s Certificate – 1952

Grade II Certificate – 1956

Grade I Certificate – 1961

GCE Ordinary Level – 1957

GCE Advanced Level – 1959

Diploma in Education – 1962

B.A. Combined Honours (English & History) – 1966

Certificate in Education – 1966

Indeed, in an era when education was a rare privilege, he stood as a shining light of excellence and determination.

HIS SERVICE TO THE NATION: Eze/Elder U. I. Mba devoted his life to education and nation-building. He served faithfully as a teacher and rose to become Vice Principal in several schools across Imo and Abia States for over fifteen years. He was a strict disciplinarian, a mentor, and a builder of destinies. Many of his students rose to prominence, a living testimony to his impact. Schools often experienced renewed excellence under his leadership, only to feel his absence deeply after his departure. In recognition of his integrity and academic excellence, he served as a WAEC and NTI Chief Examiner for 13 years. After 35 years of selfless service, he retired from the civil service on 1st August 1984. However, retirement did not end his service. In 1987, he was unanimously appointed Councillor to represent Ndi Elu Nkporo Ward in Arochukwu/Ohafia Local Government Area. He was later appointed Supervisory Councillor for Finance and Economic Planning, through which he facilitated the installation of Nkporo’s first transformer under the Rural Electrification Project. He later became the first Deputy Chairman of Ohafia Local Government Area after its creation. In 1994, he served as Principal of Presbyterian Seminary School, Ohafia, where he once again demonstrated exceptional leadership. Under his administration, the school achieved outstanding academic excellence, consistently recording 100% WAEC success and remarkable infrastructural development.

His legacy there remains a benchmark that successors still strive to uphold.

HIS SERVICE TO HIS COMMUNITY

To Etitiama and Nkporo at large, Eze/Elder U. I. Mba was more than a leader—he was a pillar.

During the Nigerian Civil War, his honesty and integrity earned him the trust of Red Cross officials, who appointed him Camp Director for all Nkporo relief camps. In this role, he oversaw the fair distribution of food and relief materials, saving countless lives from starvation and kwashiorkor.

He served as the voice of Nkporo among neighboring communities through the Ikwu-Iso Organization, representing Nkporo with dignity and wisdom.

In 1985, he became President General of the Etitiama Nkporo Development Board (ENDB), serving for 13 years, and simultaneously served as National President of the Nkporo Development Union (NDU). During his tenure, Nkporo witnessed unprecedented unity and progress.

He introduced inter-village contributions that led to the construction of the Oso-Eda Road and the establishment of the General Post Office. He also championed rural electrification, bringing the first transformer to Nkporo.

Perhaps most significantly, he played a key role in the creation of the Etitiama Nkporo Autonomous Community.

A man of integrity, he stood firmly against corruption and injustice, even when it came at personal cost. Though often pressured to resign, his love for his people kept him standing.

Truly, he was the architect of modern Etitiama—laying the foundation upon which generations continue to build.

SERVICE TO GOD

Trained in the Christian faith, Eze/Elder U. I. Mba lived a life of deep devotion to God. He served faithfully in the Presbyterian Church and was ordained an Elder in 1974 by Ihechiowa Parish.

As a lay preacher, he delivered life-transforming sermons that touched many souls. His humility, peace, and wisdom reflected a man who walked closely with God.

LEGACY

Eze/Elder U. I. Mba was a humble, peaceful achiever, an educationist, a pioneer graduate, and a traditional ruler who brought dignity to kingship in Nkporo.

He was an enigma—firm yet compassionate, strict yet loving, visionary yet humble.

His life can be summed up in one enduring truth:

He came, he served, he transformed, and he conquered.

His legacy will continue to echo through generations yet unborn

"Mba, His Royal Highness, Eze Ufere Ilum (Etitiama) - The first Okwo of the Etitiama Autonomous Community, retired principal, educationist, humane personality, and apostle of justice, truth and fair play. Nkporo was extremely lucky that it was a man of Chief Mba's education, humane spirit and patriotism that headed the Etitiama Development Board in the carly 80s, in which capacity he mobilized the village to draw electricity into Nkporo. For the first time in many years, Etitiama saw value for the millions of Naira generated in the village from sundry levies. Not permitting the community money to be embezzled, and committing the additional "sin" of publicly condemning the Ufie-Ufie for its atrocities, in the context of his other "evils" of insisting on truth, justice, accountability, and strict abidance with tradition in the conduct of traditional affairs, Chief Mba attracted many enemies to himself, especially from within the Ufie-Ufie, who mischievously presented him as a renegade. A graduate of the A.B.U., Zaria, without U.I. Mba, Nkporo would still be in darkness in the 21" century, and darkness presents an additional fertilizer for the sorts of things that the Ufie-Ufie delights in doing. So, the light that the great leader brought helped to clear away the darkness, and reduce the level of evils that go with it. Death snatched the great man way, April 12, 2002". Prof Obasi Arua Igwe