During the First World War, his father, Ezeobidi, was drafted to fight for the British crown as a militia in the Cameron. Ezeobidi was conscripted because he had nobody to protect him. At the war front, he was unable to communicate with his fellow soldiers because he could not speak English and could neither read nor write. After the war, he received no compensation from the British government. His identity was used by those who could read and write to obtain government job. Ezeobidi was disillusioned.

The first thing he did when he returned from the war was to buy slates and lead pencils for his three brothers to use when they went to school. But his brothers died mysteriously in quick succession. He later got married and had two sons. He placed his hope of getting his family educated on his two sons. But they, too, died early deaths.

When he was born by Ezeobidi’s second wife, Jemimah Iheremeonu Ogbuagu, Ezeobidi named him, Ifeanyichukwu – with God nothing is impossible.

He was five years old when one day, Ezeobidi called him into his obi. “I am blind,” Ezeobidi said to him. “I will not be alive and see my sons and relatives go blind, too.” He did not understand the riddle.

Another day, Ezeobidi called him into the inner room again. This time he showed him a large wooden box beside his bamboo bed. Ezeobidi wanted to open the box but hesitated. On three more occasions, Ezeobidi called him into the room, went close to the box but was reluctant to open it. The content of the box became an object of fascination for him.

On the fourth time, Ezeobidi opened the box. Inside it were three large slates and some lead pencils. “One day you will go to school and learn to read and write the white man’s magic,” Ezeobidi said. The little Ifeanychukwu nodded.

In 1940, the seven-year-old Ifeanyichukwu attempted to enroll at the informal evening kindergarten but his right hand placed over his head could not touch his left ear. While the Roman Catholic Church and the Church Missionary Society were reluctant to accept children of heathens and ozo titled men, the Salvation Army was welcoming. In 1940, he was baptized at the Salvation Army and given the name, Jonathan.

He joined the Salvation Army school infant class the same year. In 1945, he failed standard two. In spite of his father’s objection, he quit school to be a houseboy of his uncle, Alexander Agu, who just returned from the Second World War and was beginning his trade in Onitsha. At Onitsha, haunted by his father’s expectations that he should not be blind and flashes of school boys whose uniform he admired, he returned to Nnobi by the end of the year. He repeated standard two in 1946 and was at the top of the class. He remained at the top for the next three classes. In 1950, he graduated with his First School Leaving Certificate.

After passing his standard six and with no money for secondary school education, he attended the famous teachers’ preliminary school, P. T.C. Obosi from January 1951 to December 1951. He began his teaching career in 1952. He taught at various towns including, Ekwulu/Unubi, Ndikelionwu, Okija and Nnewi. While training his sibling, he managed to save enough money to attend St Paul’s Teacher’s Training School, Awka. He graduated in 1961 with a Teacher’s Grade 2 certificate and continued to teach.

In 1966, he gained admission into the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he studied History and Literature. His education was interrupted by the Nigerian-Biafra civil war. He fought the war and survived. He returned to Nsukka and completed his education. He graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1972 with BA Hons.

He taught at Women’s Teachers Training College, Ogbunike from 1972- 1976. He became the Vice- Principal of Metro Grammar School, Onitsha from 1976-1977. In 1977, he returned to his home town, Nnobi. He became the Vice –principal of Nnobi High School from 1978-1984.

In 1984, he became the Principal of Girls Secondary School Umuogboagu in Nsukka. In 1986, he was transferred to Girl’s Secondary School, Oraukwu. He was the principal of the school until 1992 when he reached the 35 year of service and was retired from civil service.

Still busting with life and a desire to impart his knowledge to the young, he taught in several private schools in Nnobi and Nnewi before moving on to Christ the King Seminary, Nnobi, where he concluded his illustrious teaching career in 1997.

He was a community leader- Chairman of Umuezeme Brothers Association between 1991 and 1994; Chairman of Umudunumoo Brothers Association for about 5 years. He was the Chairman of National Republican Convention (Nnobi Ward II) during the Third Republic.

In 1998, at the onset of the Fourth Republic, he yanked off his critic hat and ran for local government councilor position. He won the election to the Idemili South Local government seat. He served as councilor from 1999 – 2002.

He retired from politics and spent his days tending to his poultry farm and attending to the needs of the community.

Jonathan Clement Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo died on Sunday, June 21, 2009 at his home in Nnobi following a brief illness.

He leaves behind his wife of 41 years, Comfort Chinwa Okonkwo, nee Agudosi; six sons, Rudolf Ogoo Okonkwo, Dr. Webster Emeka Okonkwo, Churchill Obinna Okonkwo, Davidson Anayo Okonkwo, Benjamin Chidozie Okonkwo and Christian Chibueze Okonkwo; a daughter, Vivian Uzoamaka Okeakpu, seven grandchildren, Ijeamaka Okonkwo, Ogonna Okonkwo, Kenechukwu Okeakpu, Chiamaka Okeakpu, Chidimma Okeakpu, Amala Okeakpu and Chiamaka Okonkwo; two brothers, Festus Odezue, Ichie Joel Odezue (Ichie Ogbebulu); three sisters, Odunwa Emenari, Theresa Ogbuaholu, and Catherine Ezeume; three daughters-in-law, Edna Okonkwo, Chidilim Okonkwo, and Chioma Okonkwo; a son-in-law, Chukwuma Okeakpu.

His other siblings were late Alexander Odezue and late Beatrice Ogalue.

The title of teacher does no justice to the scope of his public service. A lifetime champion for education, his personal story of struggles and hardship helped shape his love for the less privileged. He was affable, witty and tranquil.

He will be buried at his home in Nnobi on Friday, August 21, 2009.