A tribute to Chief/Elder/Barrister E.E. Ukaegbu of lgbere in Abia State of Nigeria. A pioneer, a leader, politician, and a quiet philanthropist, Chief Ejie Eke Ukaegbu was born in October of 1929 in a sleepy village of T’ Amaofufe to Chief Eke Ukaegbu and Nnennaya Ukaegbu. As a young child, he was brilliant and was loved by his parents.  As one source during this write up confirmed he even tutored his classmates prior to entering elementary and secondary schools. Ukaegbu pioneered the building of schools in rural areas like Oso Edda in then Umuahia province. He taught in places like Akaeze in now Afikpo L.G.A. Ukaegbu continued in his quest for philanthropy, advising, helping young sons and daught ers of Igbere to get into different fields in education. During the first Republic of Nigeria, Ukaegbu was elected as a Parliamentarian to the Eastern House of Assembly then in Enugu.  As a young energetic politician, he helped for the first time to put the word Bende in the Nigerian vocabulary. Igbere became synonymous with “Vote for E.E!” Ukaegbu also helped in the revitalization of the Elu Elu County Council in the old Bende. An ardent advocate for democracy, he rubbed shoulders with people like late Chief K.O. Mbadiwe, Aihaji Shehu Shagari, ex-Ppresident of Nigeria in the defunct N.P.N.
Ukaegbu in the 1982 elections cont ested for the Aba senatorial seat. And des pite the democratic problems in Nigeria, he participated as a gubernatorial candid ate for the Abia State governorship in
1991.
Today Ukaegbu is totally dedicated to his law practice, but his low key political advice to young aspiring politicians has made him a force to recon with.
It will be unfair not to mention his pion eering spirit in the advancement of Christ ianity in Igbere. He was among the youngest elders in the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria. As an ardent Christian, he is very prudent in his law practice.
For the many contributions Ukaegbu has made to the progress of the lgbos and Nigeria as a whole, “Chineke nonyere gi na oge Igboto Nma” (God bless you duri ng your retirement).
As a graduate of law from University of Nigeria Nsuka, he is well known all over Nigeria as a brilliant orator. To his friends, he is affectionately called “teacher Ejie.” To me, he is my father. Congratulations, Dad, Papa, “1 di ike di ka Agu.” No word can describe the joy and exhilaration I feel on this your jolly retirement. Kudos to you. God bless. Enjoy your retirement.
“Oburu na esu-o ikoro, oputara na ihe ukwu mere na obodo, ihe di ka na dike nwuru ma obu na eze na akpo ndi obodo mberede, ma obukwa n’agha na aga ida.”