His Royal Highness Eze (Sir) Mitchell Egbukole
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS EZE (SIR) MITCHELL EZESOMAGA EGBUKOLE
OCHORONMA IV OF EGBU AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY 1988 – 1999.
The Memory of the Righteous will be a Blessing — Proverbs 10:7
His Royal Highness, Late Eze (Sir) Mitchell Egbukole was born into the historic Royal Dynasty of Egbu Autonomous Community on Sept. 5th, 1932.
He started his early education at the C.M.S Central School Egbu, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate (Standard Six) with distinctions. Between 1950 to 1951 and 1954 to 1955, he attended St. John’s College Diobu, Port Harcourt where he obtained the Teacher’s Grade I, II & III certificates. He also attended the Wolsey Hall Oxford (Correspondence Course) between 1956 and 1960 where he obtained the University of London General Certificate of Education both in ordinary and advanced level. He graduated from the University of Nigeria Nsukka in 1964 with a B.Sc. in Economics.
He also attended other institutions including the Economic Development Institute University of Nigeria Enugu campus from 1964 to 1965; and the Research Institute for Management Science Demi Netherlands, where he obtained a Diploma in Regional Industrial Development for Executives. Thus, distinguishing himself as a prime mover in the promotion and development of both small- and large-scale industries in Imo State and Nigeria.
In addiction to the royal blood which flowed in his veins, his comprehensive education, elevated position in the Civil service where he worked at the Imo State Ministry of Commerce & Industries retiring at Director level, his philanthropic nature and his deep Christian commitment prepared him well for the ascension of the royal throne of his forefathers which he stepped into on December 3rd, 1988.
Suffice it to quote a fellow traditional ruler, “His reign was marked with peace, development and progress in Egbu autonomous Community’.
Towing the footpath of his ancestors who received and sheltered the early Missionaries in 1904, late Eze Mitchell Egbukole lived a devoted and committed Christian life. He served in different parochial church committees and was also a people’s warden in All Saints Cathedral Church, Egbu. In recognition of his dedication and commitment to the work of God, Archbishop Emeritus, most Rev. Dr. Benjamin C. Nwankiti invested him into the Knight of Saint Christopher of the Anglican Church a week after his ascension to the throne.
As a firm testimony to late Eze Mitchell’s integrity and professional competence he held various appointments including:
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- Chairman of Aluminum Extrusion Industries Plc. Inyishi, (1985-1987)
- Board Chairman, Resin paints Industries Limited Aboh Mbaise (1985-1988)
- Board of Governors, Egbu Girls Secondary School (1985-1991)
- Board of Trustees, Family Support Programme, (F.S.P)
- Member of the Board of Directors, International Glass Industries, (I.G.I) Aba,
- Board of Directors T.I Ozoemelam Group of Companies Owerri (1993 till death)
- Member, Administrative Board of Enquiry on the Operations of Agricultural Development Cooperation (ADC) Imo State.
- Member board of Directors Imo Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) and Imo Transport Corporation (I.T.C)
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During his tenure on the board of these co-operations and Industries, the parastatals witnessed immense growth.
He equally received numerous awards, to mention a few:
- Certificate of Honour as a distinguished Alumnus by University of Nigeria Alumni Association, Owerri Chapter in 1992
- Certificate of Excellence of exemplary leadership and service awarded by the National Association of Imo State Students in 1996.
- In 1986 he was appointed Bishop’s Nominee for Egbu Diocesan Board, a position he held till death.
Late Eze Mitchell Egbukole championed and pioneered the creation of Egbu Diocese in 1996. Due to his transparency, honesty, integrity and excellent record of service, he was the only traditional ruler appointed to be a member of the panel for the classification of Traditional Rulers in Imo State in 1998. He reigned as Eze Egbu for 10 years and seven months (from December 3rd, 1988 to July 8th, 1998). His achievements within this period were quite spectacular, as the period witnessed peace, unity and development in Egbu.
Among his achievements during his reign in Egbu are:
- The completion of All Saints Cathedral Church Hall
- The completion of Oha Egbu Hall Realization of the NITEL Telephone network Egbu
- Partial Development of Afor-Egbu market square
- Declaration of traditional boundaries with Egbu and neighbours
- Creation of Diocese of Egbu and the appointment of the 1st Bishop of Egbu Diocese.
- Elevation to high ecclesiastical office/status of some Egbu indigenes to the level of Bishops, Archdeacons, Canons, Rev. fathers and Priests.
