By Anthony Iwuoma
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Senator Clement Annie Okonkwo was an uncommon man during his lifetime. He was a colossus who bestrode the world of business with great effect, employing about 7000 in his conglomerate. His later entry to the political turf left many enviable and indelible footprints in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly where he represented Anambra Central Senatorial District between 2007 and 2011. His constituents still talk about the man with awe and wonder what he would have done if he had served for more than one tenure in the Senate.
However, like a meteor, he bowed out of the Senate while the ovation was still loud. Maybe, it was Annie’s destiny not to stay too long in a place to avoid corruptive influence, because just as he left the senate, he hurriedly exited this life barely one year ago at a mere 63 years.
Annie lived for others. He was a philanthropist extraordinaire and hundreds of individuals owe him gratitude for their education. He sponsored very many and supported some other individuals and communities with his philanthropic activities through his Agunaechemba Foundation, named after his chieftaincy title, meaning he was a guardian of his people.
However, Annie changed the name of the Foundation to The Annie Okonkwo Foundation and made ample provision for its continuation in his will.
Thankfully, Annie left behind a loving family led by his astute and capable widow, Lady Chinyere Okonkwo, who gathered the crème de la crème at the launch of the Foundation in Victoria Island, Lagos on December 16, 2024.
The mammoth crowd that graced the occasion, which was preceded by a memorial Mass at the Church of Assumption, Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos testified to the personality of the late senator and the confidence people have in his amiable wife to carry the dream through, with the active support of his son, Hon. Uche Okonkwo, a member of the House of Representatives.
A roll call of the dignitaries included the former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party in last year’s general election, Mr. Peter Obi, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, who was represented by one of his Senior Special Assistants; Prof Pat Utomi, former Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka, representative of the Speaker of House of Representatives, Abass, Hon. Afam Ogene, Alhaji Imam Kasshim, among several topnotch guests from across business and political spectrum.
Lady Chinyere Okonkwo, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of The Annie Okonkwo Foundation, recounted some interesting and spiritual experiences during her husband’s last days.
“It’s just like yesterday. Honestly, that’s just the way I feel, just yesterday. I appreciate you all, friends, Anne’s friends are my friends because anyone that is my friend Annie adopted. Beautiful families, distinguished guests, you are all welcome; I appreciate the love,” she said.
“It hasn’t been easy for me. One night, I had a dream where Annie was singing “Yeshua Amasiya”. That was in his last days and he was in the hospital. I was in the hospital to see him. He had never spoken in tongues but when I came in, he spoke in tongues. He blasted in tongues and as he blasted in tongues and started singing “Yeshua Amasiya, Lion of Judah…” I did not know this particular Christian song. So, when I woke up, I called people and asked about the song. All I could remember was “Agụnaechemba, Lion of Judah”. I called people and my spirit told me these people were wasting time. So, I decided to Google it and immediately I did, Nathaniel Bassey popped up. That was why I looked for Nathaniel Bassey, if he could come because I did not know why my husband should be singing that song. I went to the hospital to see him. When I got to the hospital and started singing that song, he turned and looked at me. He raised his hand and I was shouting out of excitement and then calling people but by the time everyone, including the nurses, came, he went quiet again. That was very dear to me; “Yeshua Amasiya”, Jesus our Saviour.
“Today, as we gather in remembrance to celebrate a man who walked in wisdom and helped us in diverse ways; a man whose memory can never be forgotten; this is not only a day to honour him and remember his legacy, but also just to carry his vision forward in Annie Okonkwo Foundation.”
Lady Okoronkwo believes that her husband had a calling by compassion to help others.
“He was driven by a calling to uplift others, to extend a helping hand, and to make this world a better place; one person, one community at a time. Even as he fought his own battles with health, he was always with others, with those struggling and those in need of support. Annie taught us that true strength comes from the love, compassion, and courage we give to others. Today, I stand here deeply moved and honoured to be the one to continue his work; The Annie Okonkwo Foundation, which is borne from Annie’s dreams and the love for people.”
“This is built on three pillars each representing the values that guided his life, which we, as a family now strive to uphold.
“The first pillar of this Foundation is cardiovascular and cancer care. These are the things that were being fought randomly in his last days or his last years. Annie knew too well the toll that illness could take not only on the sick but also on their loved ones; families and communities. He believed that no one should be left alone to face such challenges. He envisioned that everyone, regardless of their background has access to early screenings, life-saving resources, and the support needed to fight with dignity.
“Through this Foundation, we are committed to offering education, preventive care, and ongoing support to families affected by cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Early detection saves lives, as we all know. We want to be there for those in need, to offer them care and hope, and to help them find the strength to fight by God’s grace and to heal.
“The second pillar is education. Annie profoundly believed that education is the foundation of opportunities. Annie would always say, if you want to change the world, start with a book; start with a classroom, start with one class, that believes. Education opens doors, empowers minds, and transforms lives. This pillar was borne out of the Agunaechemba Foundation which trained more than 100 students in different tertiary institutions, now metamorphosed into The Annie Okonkwo Foundation. This is an instruction in his testament, not the “Agunaechemba” as I mentioned. I don’t know why he specifically said, The Annie Okonkwo Foundation.”
She recalled some beautiful experiences and joy they derived from helping others.
“He gave young people the opportunity they needed to build their dreams and overcome obstacles. I cannot tell you how many times people, many of them strangers, would walk to me and say, “Your husband sent me to school”. People I have never met whose lives he impacted without a second thought; this happened so many times and I often wondered how he was able to reach out to so many people one after another, touching lives where we went.
“I can remember one of the days we were travelling and at the Los Angeles Airport. Somebody rushed us and tried to hug him: it was surprising. Annie tried to wedge him and then he knelt and held his legs and said, “I’m sorry, I just saw you and I had to stop my car and I had to rush; you are the one that made me be in this place…you never knew me from Adam.” He said thank you so very much. People come up regularly and say oh, you have done this, you have done that. Annie touched lives in so many ways through scholarships, which he gave to many people, mentorship, and then school programmes.
“This Foundation is dedicated to helping young people across Nigeria achieve their full potential. This is not just about supporting individual students but also about breaking the cycle of poverty and building futures for families, communities, and generations to come. We want every young person to know that someone is caring for them; someone who believes in their future and someone ready to help them unlock their full potential.
“The third and final pillar is support to the communities and this is what the Foundation would engage in doing. Our faith has been a source of strength and purpose in our lives. Annie and I turned to God in our moments of greatest joy and deepest sorrow. Our faith guided us, reminded us to be grateful, and of service to others.”
She disclosed that Annie never missed an opportunity to express his gratitude to God.
“Annie was a very grateful person. In our prayers, he would always sing”, praising the Lord always”. The children would ask, “Dad, is this the only song you know?” Annie would say, “I have to praise the Lord; we have to praise the Lord”. Annie was extremely grateful to God; he believed deeply in the power of community. He recognised the church as a vital force for good, an anchor of hope, and a source of anchor and guidance.
“Through a partnership with the Catholic Church, he was committed to addressing the unique needs of our communities, whether it is assisting in terms of prices, supporting community programmes, or fostering a sense of unity and purpose.We will work to uplift our people and bring hope to those who feel alone or lost. Annie’s legacy reminds us that we are stronger together and through this Foundation, we will continue to nurture that spirit.
“Today, as we officially launch The Annie Okonkwo Foundation, we remember a man whose life touched all of us.
“Annie once told me that what matters is how we fill the time given to us, not how long we live. He filled his life with love, purpose, and service to others. He believed in people, in their capacity for kindness, resilience, and goodness. He left us with a lot of compassion and a mission to make the world a better place for those who need it most; my dearest, as I always called him, someone with the voice of a lion and the heart of a lamb.
“This Foundation is built on a collective love and shared belief in Annie’s dreams. To those who would join us on this journey, walk with us, and support us in carrying this vision up, know that you are part of something bigger.
“Together we honour a life; we uphold a legacy and make a commitment to bring hope, opportunity, and love to the impoverished and that is why our logo is empowering communities and saving lives,” Lady Okonkwo promised.
Annie’s younger brother and business partner, Tony Okonkwo, said his brother’s thoughtful instruction about the Foundation surprised him, especially because of the health condition of the Senator.
He said: “In the instruction, he marked out a major part of his assets and said that should go to the Foundation. Even I, his younger brother and business partner was shocked. I was wowed; how could this man even in his pain decide to take this money and give it out for the service of humanity?”
Prof Utomi posited that he always had a peculiar feeling about Anne Okonkwo; how a person would be so gentle, but yet move so much force. “When you meet him, he’s the most soft-spoken person in the world and then he radiates so much energy and it is with that same deal that we come to today because his essence was impact, touching lives. That his energy was about how he helped other people and so, we have gathered to chase immortality because the work that the Foundation is doing and will continue to do is about the pursuit of immortality.”
Charismatic Peter Obi likened Annie to King Hussein of Jordan, who equally died at the same age of 63. Cancer-stricken Hussein had left his hospital in pain to go and ensure that the peace process continued in the Middle East; just like Annie ignored his challenges to be bothering about the welfare of others.
“We are here talking about an ultimate giving. There is a difference between charity and philanthropy. Charity is the one you give today on the spur of the moment. In charitable courses, they might even receive benefits. Still, when you are not there when you are dying and you are thinking about humanity that is the ultimate love that is ultimate giving and that is what we are celebrating today,” Obi said.
“I can only say, may God through what he’s trying to do continue to bless his family. So, we are here today to kick start and commence this ultimate giving, ultimate love for humanity. Giving when you are not there, talking about how people can be educated, talking about how people can have good health and visit any axis; he wants this philanthropic Foundation to continue.”
The Annie Okonkwo Foundation has kicked off with much promise. Already, it has penciled down hundreds of indigent students whose registration fees for the next West African School Certificate Examination it would pay. Vulnerable women, especially widows would equally smile during this Yuletide.
According to the pledge of the late Senator’s son, Hon. Uche Okonkwo, the family would continue to uphold what Annie stood for in his honour and continue to celebrate Annie’s remarkable life.
