Chief Bon Chibundu Nwakanma, SAN, KSC, OON: A Tribute To The Big Elephant

It is still a shock to me that my big Uncle, Friend, Brother, Father, and Mentor, Chief Sir Bon Nwakanma SAN is no more. I have tried to hold myself but tears have continued to drop from my eyes since the 15th of April, 2016, when the unfortunate incident took place. Chief Bon, Dee Bon (or Daddy) as I used to call him, was my personal friend which dated since 1993.

His wife, Mummy Bridget who passed on, just Seven months ago was a mother in a million. Their children: Ogechi, Obinna, Ikenna, Ngozika, Uchenna, Kelechi and Ugochukwu are my brothers and sisters. What holds us together is beyond human comprehension. It was at Chief Bon Nwakanma’s private residence at Aladinma Housing Estate, Owerri, that I first met the then Chief Rochas Okorocha in March, 1994.

He drove into the compound with his black BMW salon car. I was in my early twenties then. Like I stated earlier, I am very close to the Chief Bon Nwakanma’s family. Therefore it will be unethical for me to stand aloof and watch the departed legal colossus being committed to mother earth on Friday the 3rd day of June, 2016, without paying a proper tribute.

The question now is; who is (was) Chief Sir. Bon Nwakanma SAN? This is a very hard question for those who do not know this Mbaise – Imo born legal and political General. As an insider, I make bold to claim that I knew him enough, and therefore qualified to answer the above question. Chief Bon Nwakanma was born on the 11th of August, 1938 in Umunawiri in Ife – Ezinnihitte Local Government Area of the present day Imo State, Nigeria. He was a goal – getter who excelled in almost everything he put his mind to, vis-avis as a student, businessman, seasoned lawyer, politician, administrator, Christian leader, Community leader, or family man.

As a student, the young Bon Chibundu Nwakanma excelled academically and was subsequently awarded the commonwealth scholarship to study Education at the prestigious Stranmills College, Bellfast between 1960 and 1962. In 1965, when he was called to the Nigerian Bar, he came tops in his class. To say that as a lawyer, he served his Community, State and Nation is an Understatement.

He truly lived a life of selfless service to this country which ultimately made him to emerge as the second Imo son to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 1995. Dee Bon was launched into public service when he was elected as the Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association between 1972 and 1974. It is worthy to state that during the same period, Dee Bon was also a member of the National Executive of the Nigerian Bar Association as the Deputy National Secretary and also a member of the Nigerian Bar Council. When the old Imo State was created in 1976, Dee Bon became a member of the editorial board of Imo State of Nigeria Law reports between 1976 and 1980.

He was also chairman of the Disciplinary Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, Owerri branch. Still committed to a life of service, Dee Bon was also appointed Federal Commissioner of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) in 1980. It is on record that he designed the Asset Declaration form (FORM CCB1) for Public Officers. Also, in 1982 he produced Models “FOR TRANSPARENCY IN PUBLIC LIFE”. At this point, let me state that talking or writing about Chief Bon Nwakanma is like describing an Elephant.

One cannot vividly describe an Elephant. You only do so from the angle you are viewing the mighty animal. Dee Bon was a complete phenomenon. In 1986, he was appointed the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of the old Imo State, a position he held for two solid years. As an Honourable Commissioner, Chief Bon Nwakanma left his indelible footprints with the inauguration of the Customary court in Imo State.

In 1995, Dee Bon blazed the trail as the second Senior Advocate of Nigeria from Imo State, after ‘’Ugo-lorji’’ Chief Sir Barrister Mike Ikenna Ahamba (of IWUOHA CHAMBERS). Few years later this consummate legal icon bagged the Prestigious National Honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). In recognition of Dee Bon’s commitment to better and quality education for all Imo Indigenes, he was appointed the Acting chairman of the Imo State University Governing Council between 1996 and 1997.

In 2000, he was appointed a member of the Imo State Judicial Service commission, a position he held for ten unbroken years (2000 – 2010). Chief Sir Bon Nwakanma was the member who represented Imo State at the National Political Reform Conference in 2005 organized by then President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He was chairman and member of several other Boards, Commissions and Panels, including the Imo/Abia State Boundary Adjustment Committee that was set up in the 90’s. Despite his tight schedule, Dee Bon spared time to author a book – ELECTION PETITIONS IN NIGERIA.

As a Christian leader, Chief Sir Bon Nwakanma made his mark. He was one of the Pillars of the development of the Owerri Diocese, and was at the forefront of the building of the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, Owerri (CATOL). Dee Bon was one of the people that strategized and championed the creation of Mbaise Diocese. He planned, organized and invited home his people to come and transform the Anglican Church in Ife – Ezinnihitte Mbaise, into a magnificent Cathedral.

To set the ball rolling, this Miracle of Ingenuity personally funded and sponsored the building of the Vicarage. He did not stop there; Dee Bon served in several committees set up to ensure that the new diocese became a reality. When in 1992, the Mbaise diocese was eventually created; Chief Barrister Sir Bon Chibundu Nwakanma (SAN) became the first and only chancellor of the diocese till date.

It is therefore not a surprise that Dee Bon is (was) the longest serving chancellor of any Anglican diocese in Nigeria. He was also a member of the standing committee CHURCH OF NIGERIA, Anglican Communion (The governing body of the Church in Nigeria) from 1993 till his death.

We must not forget that this Soldier of our Lord Jesus Christ was Knighted by his Lordship Late Arch-Bishop Benjamin Nwankiti in 1988 as a Knight of the Order of Saint Christopher. Aside church activities where he excelled as a Christian GENERAL, Chief Sir Bon Nwakanma SAN, OON, KSC was also a committed, selfless community leader per excellence. The records are there for all to see.

Dee Bon contributed in no small measure to the educational development of many Mbaise indigenes. He trained, re-trained and facilitated the employment of Mbaise sons and daughters. Also, he trained and facilitated the Employment and empowerment of many Imo Sons and daughters. His untiring efforts equally saw to the empowerment of many Nigerians.

AGAM EKWU OLE HARA OLE? Dee Bon was indeed a patriotic and detribalized Nigerian per Excellence. No wonder he received many Chieftaincy titles from every part of Nigeria. But the one he treasured most was the “UGO MBAISE” title which was given to him by the traditional Rulers of Mbaise Nation.

This was a clear indication of how Dee Bon was revered and respected at home. It is equally on record that Chief Bon Nwakanma was offered the position of traditional ruler of his community; but being a man of modesty and simplicity, he graciously declined the offer.

As Ife community, Mbaise Nation, Imo State, Nigerians and the Global community stand still to bid excellent farewell to this Man Of The People, as he is committed to mother earth on the 3rd of June 2016, it is my fervent prayer that his gracious soul rests in the bosom of the Lord, in Jesus Mighty Name I Pray; AMEN. I rest my Pen.

Citizen (Dr) Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha FCAI, MKDA. Former Senior Special Assistant on Media Former Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties Imo State House of Assembly Owerri-Imo State, Nigeria. 1st June, 2016. 07032934037 Please follow me on Face book @ Citizen Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha