MAZI (Dr.) NWAKAMMA OKORO (1927-1993)
Mazi (Dr.) Nwakamma-Okoro was the last son of Mazi Okoro Uzoigwe Agwo of Chiobeke family, Amuvi and Nnenne Ejighator Okoro. His father died early when he was aged only 14 thus inflicting on him the disadvantages that the early loss of a father can impose. By a combination of diligence and sheer doggedness, Divine Providence propelled him in his insatiable desire for an education and endowed him with high scholastic abilities. The financial constraints in his way were overcome by thrift and a wonderful and dutiful mother.
He worked as a teacher and a nurse at various stages and remained focused on his goal which was to become a lawyer. He obtained First School Leaving Certificate emerging topmost in the Methodist Circuit in 1944. He spent only 2 years ( class III and IV) at the Duke Town Secondary School School, Calabar because that was all his savings could pay for. He passed the Cambridge Senior Certificate with exemption from London Matriculation in December 1949 and achieved the External Intermediate LL.B of London University in 1953. He obtained a scholarship from the Eastern Region to go abroad choosing to pursue a Diploma in Public Administration at the University of Exeter since it was against government policy to sponsor a course in Law.
After successfully completing the Diploma course Mazi proceeded to complete his Law Degree also at the University of Exeter with financial assistance from friends and relatives and also loans he was able to raise. He completed LL.B in 1957 , added an LL.M from the University of Birmingham ( 1957-1958) and was called to the English Bar (Lincoln’s Inn) in 1958. He returned to Nigeria in 1958 , was called to the Nigeria Bar and set up a practice that was to be lucrative. He interrupted this practice to pursue a doctorate in Comparative Law (1961-63) as a William Senior Scholar at Clare College, University of Cambridge. Along the way he won many prizes. In 1976-1978 he became the first lawyer from East of the Niger to lead the Nigerian Bar as its President.
He was elevated Senior Advocate in 1978 in a star-studded batch that included Chief Obafemi Awolowo , Chief Fani-Kayode, Chief Bankole Oki, Chief Molajo, Chief Kehinde Sofola, Chief Richard Akinjide, Chief G.O.K. Ajayi, Dr Mudiaga Odje, P.O. Balonwu, Prof Ben Nwabueze and his former partner Dr Augustine Nnamani, then Federal Attorney- General and later Supreme Court Judge.
Mazi’s early elevation to SAN made him technically the most senior lawyer east of the Niger until his death. He was also the only Senior Advocate from Abia until he died.
He was an author and was involved in the publishing of books and indeed a newspaper, The Nation and was also property developer of repute. Indeed a few successful Layouts in Enugu were birthed by him.
At Exeter University he was secretary then President of the Nigerian Student’s Union (1955-57). He took over from Late Mazi P.M. Igboko as secretary of Arochukwu Union when our illustrious Mazi Alvan Ikoku was President. He was indefatigable in the cause of Aro unity. He was honoured as Patron of Nzuko Aro ( the youngest at the time) and was at his death President General of Okennachi kindred.
Mazi represented Arochukwu – Ohafia local government at the Constituent Assembly that produced the 1979 Constitution.
Following the crystallization of the various political combinations which emerged from the Constituent Assembly into political parties, he joined the National Party of Nigeria and became its first National Secretary which post he relinquished to become the flag bearer of that party in Imo State and her Governorship candidate for the 1979 General Elections.
He served the Nation as chairman Tenders Committee / Director Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) (1981-1983).
He married Eme (nee Ikpeme) in 1959 and they had 6 children.
He died in his beloved Amuvi, Arochukwu in the early morning of February 2, 1993.