BIOGRAPHY OF LATE BARRISTER LAWRENCE NGANAEKWE AGBALA
Birth:
Barrister Lawrence Nganaekwe Agbala’s existence in this earthly world began on December 30, 1933.He was born to the family of Late Chief Bernard Adubasim Agbala (Okutalukwe) and Late Madam Christiana Nwanyimgbo Agbala (Nee Anyaegbu) of Uruezeani/ Uruabor village, Uke in Idemili north Local government Area of Anambra State. He was the first-born and also the first son of his parents.
Early Life and Education:
Our dear father started exhibiting signs of academic excellence early in life. He came out in flying colours in all examinations he sat for. LN, as he was popularly called by friends and associates, started his elementary school education at St. Dominic primary School, Eke-Agu Abatete from 1939 to 1946 and passed his Standard Six examinations with distinction.
This was a rare achievement in those days and elicited celebrations. His father, late Chief Bernard Agbala, shot rounds of the local canon shots (Nkponana) to commemorate this feat. People came from Uke and its environs to join in the merriment. Those who were witness to this event still testify to it till date. As he grew, he left no one in doubt that the feat was no fluke. Even while in elementary school, Late Barrister Agbala assisted his father in reading, writing and interpreting letters for people in and around Uke community.
He had his secondary school education in the then African College, Onitsha , now Our Lady’s High School Onitsha , from 1947 to 1951. His brilliance went with him. This was evident in the outstanding results he had. He passed University of Cambridge examinations as a private candidate in December, 1952, obtaining distinction and credit in all subjects registered.
After his early schooling, the young and bustling Lawrence Agbala, joined the Nigerian Railway Corporation and worked in various sections in Enugu, Port-Harcourt and the Northern region of Nigeria till he left for the United Kingdom in 1961 in pursuit of higher education. At the out break of the Nigeria / Biafra civil war in 1966, he struggled to survive on his own, working and studying at the same time. The desire for success saw him through ‘A’ Level examinations. He passed in one sitting. Thereafter, he gained admission into University of London to study Law. He obtained his Bachelors degree in Law (LLB) on August 1, 1965 and further obtained a Masters degree in International Law (LLM) on November 5, 1967.
Life after School:
Daddy worked in the Department of Health and Social Security as Health Inspector. This earned him the prestigious senior citizenship status of Britain upon attaining the retirement age of 60 and made him a British pensioner. His desire to practice Law made him work tirelessly and he was admitted into the honourable society of the Inner Temple – one of the four Inns of Court – on July 17, 1970. He had his pupilage under Mr. Bebe Trevor, a fine gentleman and a distinguished lawyer in London . He worked in his chambers till he left the United Kingdom for Nigeria in September 1975.
Upon returning home to Nigeria , he attended the Nigerian Law School , Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar on June 25, 1976. He later came back to Onitsha and worked with Justice A. I Iguh’s Chambers until he established his own chambers.
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Barrister Agbala was a dedicated, honest and God-fearing Lawyer and was never involved in the sharp or fraudulent practices, which some lawyers resort to for survival. He was a Lawyer for the poor and defenceless and was always eager to take up cases for the public good without any payment or compensation. Many people were not comfortable with this pro bono practise and warned him that he would never be rich if he continued in that manner.
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But, he was not deterred. He continued to be the tower of strength and justice for the poor. He had a ready answer for his critics, “I don’t want anything to affect my family, especially my children, and the much I have and receive will be enough to take care of them”.
Family Life:
Late Barrister Lawrence Nganaekwe Agbala was married to Mrs. Ann Okwuchukwu Agbala (Nee Okafor), the first daughter of Late Chief Benedict N. Okafor (Akuchukwu) and Madam Monica Okafor (Nee Okeke) Of Ireh Village, Umuoji in Idemili local Government Area of Anambra State in November 1971. She joined him in London on April 21, 1973 and they were wedded at St. Joan of Ark Catholic Church London on May 26, 1973 and were blessed with seven children – four sons and three daughters.
He was a tower of strength, and acted like a drinking fountain from where all members of the family drank from. Daddy loved and cared for his immediate and extended family.
When his aged mother was alive, he hardly spent any weekend other than in Uke, visiting his mother and taking care of her needs. His love for education and his desire to ensure that his family is an established one prompted him to train his two brothers and sister up to university level.
He was a loving and caring father and was always interested in his children’s educational and social needs. He ensured that we, his children, went to the best schools in Onitsha . He inculcated in us the spirit of reading early in life. As soon as we were old enough to read, he enrolled us for Children’s Saturday morning programme in Anambra State Divisional Library. He even had the mobile Library bring books for us at home. This was a rare privilege in those days and. He inspired in us, his children, the desire for greater achievements by encouraging us with various gifts for those with first, second or third position in school. This spurred us on to greater heights. Today, his children have attained various enviable positions, all acquiring University education. He was a very calm and loving father, never quick to anger but a strict disciplinarian.
Social Life:
Late Barrister L.N. Agbala was an active member of the Idemili Bar Association. Daddy was a member of the Onitsha Sports Club. He takes his family to the club regularly and ensured that we attended the yearly Christmas party and end of year family get-together.
He was a member of the Uke Youth League. He was also the Legal Adviser of Uke Development Union (U.D.U) and worked tirelessly in the constitution drafting committee. He was a onetime Legal Adviser of Uke Students’ Union . He was also Legal Adviser to the Igwe-in-council during the reign of Late HRH Igwe W. I Ileka.
He was inaugurated among Uke Leaders of Thought for Umu-Obiaja Ward, Uruezeani/ Uruabor Uke on August 30, 2008.
Religious Life:
He was a fervent and honest practicing Catholic. Barrister Agbala was a true communicant and was sponsor/ God-father in Baptism for many faithful Catholics in Uke. He ensured that all his children were brought up with the fear of God. He always attended daily morning mass at our parish St. Charles Borromeo Onitsha.
He was the Chairman, Laity Council of St. Dominic Catholic Church Uke from 1988 to 1991. During his tenure, St. Dominic Catholic Church Uke hosted the laity council Dunukofia zone in 1990.
He was an active member of the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary. He was conferred with honorary award of Patron CMO, St Charles Borromeo Parish Onitsha on Sunday, May 7, 2006 due to his dedication and active participation in the activities of Catholic Men Organisation.
Daddy was always the first to come out for our daily family night prayers and will always carry on till the end of prayers even when every other person falls asleep. He had unrivalled faith in God for survival and protection all through his sick and trying moments in 1992. Little wonder that he was prayed for and blessed by our parish priest, on September 22, 2008 when he took ill. He was also seen by a visiting priest from Sacred Heart’s Parish Onitsha while in Leeds specialist hospital shortly before he died on September 23, 2008.
