A tribute to Maduka
ACHO ORABUCHI
Dallas, Texas
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Ndi-Igbo
in Dallas gathered on Saturday, March 19, 2005 to raise money for a proposed
Igbo Center and to recognize some individuals for their contributions. The
highlight of the night was when Atty. Charles Uzoma Maduka stepped up to the
podium to receive an award for his service and significant contributions to the
Igbo. Unremittingly, accolade rained on Charles Uzoma Maduka, a practicing
attorney, a former prosecutor, and the current legal adviser of Pan Ndi-Igbo
Foundation USA, Inc. as he received a coveted award from Igbo Community
Association of Nigeria DFW, Inc.
In an opening prayer and referring to the attitude of the Igbo, Princeton Abaraoha invoked, “We’ve forgotten you [God] in our way of life and the way we treat each other.” Reminding the audience about the Igbo disunity that characterized our mind-set, some people nodded in agreement.
Admirably, in receiving his award, Charles Maduka magnanimously said, “On behalf of my family I thank Ndi-Igbo for this honor. I accept this award on behalf of Ndi-Igbo.” Also, Rev. Theodore Nwanne, Hon. Emeka Nwajuba, and Mr. Raymond Ibe were honored for various contributions to the Igbo nation.
Charles worked diligently and selflessly for Igbo cause and deserved to be recognized by his community. His moment received a rave review. According to Atty. Edwin Nwokocha, “The award has been well overdue. I’m glad he finally received it and I appreciate that. They’re recognizing a man who did a lot for Ndi-Igbo in the Diaspora.”
Indirectly referring to the 2007 project in his brief remark, the former Senate President, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim advised, “The journey has been tedious, the journey has been hazardous,’ but we must plough on. “The 2007 is a year of deliverance and we must claim it,” he continued.
In delivering the keynote speech entitled, “Philip Effiong: The Man, His Motive & Mission,” Dr. Philip Effiong, Jr. extolled the virtues of his late father, General Philip Effiong, who was honored posthumously. Talking about his father’s preparation for a national role, he said of his father carrying “the free-spirited ideals inculcated by his parents into the army.” “However, the army was the fertile ground on which he was nurtured for a national and historic role,” he continued. On the late General Effiong’s principles, young Effiong said, “Although he had served in peacekeeping operations in Cameroon and Congo, the true test of his professionalism was manifest after the first coup of January 15, 1966. As first Principal Staff Officer to the late Major General J.T.U. Aguiyi-Ironsi, he served diligently and was absolute loyal to his boss.” “He warned Ironsi about a coup being planned against his regime (this made him a marked man and attempts were made on his life in Kaduna and Lagos),” he revealed.
Speaking about his father’s role after the countercoup and during Biafra, Effiong, Jr. said, “When officers were ordered to return to their regions of origin, he did so dutifully and submitted to the Governor of the then Eastern Region, Colonel, later General Odumegwu-Ojukwu (event though had been initially senior to him in the army). Subsequently, he served proudly in Biafra in various capacities as Chief of Logistics, Chief of Staff, Commandant of the Militia, and Chief of General Staff.”
“Let me state what is already known, many of these people were and continued to be victimized”, citing the degenerated condition the Easterners have found themselves due to the civil war Effiong continued, “for them the war never ended and the “no victor no vanquished” declaration remains nothing but self-aggrandizing and self-righteous façade.”
Some of the people in the audience were the Staff Sergeant Benedict Iheanacho of 172 Corp Support Group (US Army), who was on temporary leave from Iraq, Dr. Theodore Okechukwu, Dr. Josephat Okereke, Atty. Edwin Nwokocha, Dr. Ike Osuji, Chief Morgan S. Iroha, Dr. Ike Ofomata, Dr. Ignatius Ezenagu, Mr. Philip Odoemena, and Mrs. Ngozi Orabuchi.
Charles U. Maduka, a legal luminary in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas, was a former Assistant District Attorney, the first known and only Nigerian to do so in the state of Texas. He has an MBA and has a passion for public service. While he was the president of the Igbo Community in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas, he initiated restructuring the umbrella organization, giving parochial organizations complete control of the Igbo group. He is an advocate for women. He empowered women to run and win elections in the once male-dominated organization. He instituted the first Business Award Banquet that is held annually and championed the 2000 World Igbo Congress Convention as the most successful WIC convention. As a member of the Board of World Igbo Congress, Charles consistently advocated for meaningful changes in the organization. Charles made a political foray in Nigeria when he campaigned and ran for the House seat for the Nnewi North & South Federal Constituency. His experiences are the subject of a book he intends to write. He is married to Gloria Oby (Atuchukwu) Maduka with 5 children. Charles is currently the President of Ochi LGA Association of D/FW. An eminent legal practitioner in the state and a true firebrand, Charles serves as the legal adviser of many organizations including PNF USA and is the Chairman of the 2005 Pan Igbo Conference Panning Committee.
Well, legacy is assured when one is driven by the common good and committed selflessly to contribute to enhance humanity in his/her own way whether little, but consistently and continually ongoing.