Anthony Obiagboso Enukeme

Anthony Obiagboso Enukeme // ⓘ (21 January 1944 - 9 June 2020) was a Nigerian businessman from Anambra State, south-eastern Nigeria. He was the founder, Chairman and Managing Director of Tonimas Nigeria Limited, a local manufacturing and trading company.[1] He was a Papal Knights of St. Gregory recipient,[2] and member of the Knights of St. John International (KSJI).[3] He was also a member of the Board of Trustees of the APGA political party in Nigeria.[4]

Early life and education

Anthony Obiagboso Enukeme was born on 21 January 1944 to the Enukeme Family of Obiuno Umudioka Neni in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, along the Akwaeze roadside from Nkwo Market at Igbo Ukwu township.[5][6] He was an only son, and had one sister. After his Primary school education, he underwent the Igbo Apprentice Scheme training for 15 years as a Petrol station attendant at Oturkpo, Benue State, and at Aba Ngwa market in Abia State. In 1975, he embarked on a further education drive that saw him complete both secondary and tertiary education in Public Administration by 1985. He then acquired a Masters Degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy, both from Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Business Administration from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.

Business career

Chief Enukeme founded Tonimas Nigeria Limited in 1981 and incorporated it as a limited liability company in 1982. The company markets and distributes refined petroleum products, manufactures aluminum roofing sheets and nails. He later diversified to hospitality, plastic manufacturing, tank farms,[7] haulage, and shipping businesses.[8]

Personal life

Marriage and children

Chief Enukeme is happily married to Iyom Mary Uzoaku Enukeme (Iyom Mmiliaku) and the marriage is blessed with six children.

Death and afterwards

He died on 9 June 2020 after a brief illness which was due to his inability to travel for routine medical checks caused by the COVID19 related lock-down in Nigeria.[9][10]

Honours, decorations, awards and titles

  • Member of the National Board of Trustees of All Progressive Grand Alliance political party.
  • President , Knights of Saint John's International (KSJI), Commandery 445, Aba, Abia State
  • Grand President of the Owerri Grand Commandery
  • Member of the Papal Knight, Order of Saint Gregory the Great(KSG)
  • Vice Chairman of Awka Catholic Diocesan Pastoral Council of the Catholic Church
  • President, Anambra State Council of Traditional Prime Ministers (Ndi Onowu)
  • Former President, Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ACCIMA)
  • President of Lubricant Producers Association of Nigeria (LUPAN)
  • Recipient - Merit Award on Business Excellence by the National Affairs Society of Nigeria
  • Recipient - Merit Award on Business Productivity by the Institute of Corporate Chairmen of Nigeria
  • Recipient - Golden Award from Saint Peter's Christian Fathers Association, Christ the King Church Cathedral Parish, Aba
  • Recipient - Community Service Award by the Rotary Club International
  • Recipient - Eminent Patriotic Merit Award by Pan-African and Philanthropic Organization
  • Recipient - Distinguished Persons and Community Service Award by the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), Awka[11]

Community titles

  • Community honors of Aku-Uvom
  • Community honors of Onowu Neni
  • Community honors of Enyi Abia title by the Abia State Government
  • Community honors of Ogbata Onuo Akwaeze
  • Community honors of Anya-Anaocha from the traditional rulers' council of Anaocha local government area[6]

Events

Chief Enukeme built Saint James’ Catholic Church at Neni including a rectory, chapel, church hall, grotto of the Blessed Virgin Mary[11] and handed it over to the Awka Diocese of the Catholic Church for a worship place.[12] A requiem mass was held in his honor at the church after his death.[13] He also built the St. Agatha Catholic Church, Umuarakpa, Aba.[14]

References

  1. ^ Adaobi (9 June 2020). "Tonimas Passes On". Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  2. ^ "Pope Honours Dan Okekenta". Vanguard News. 11 November 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  3. ^ admin (12 November 2017). "The Knighthood of Dan Okekenta". THISDAYLIVE. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  4. ^ "APGA appoints Ojukwu's son, wife, Obiano, Soludo, Umeh others as BoT members". Punch Newspapers. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  5. ^ "Enukeme Family Of Neni Announces Death Of Dr. Anthony Enukeme (Tonimas)". Heartbeat Of The East. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Tributes continue to pour in for late Tonimas CEO, Anthony Enukeme". The Sun Nigeria. 9 June 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  7. ^ npa2016. "Jetties, Tank Farms, & other Leases". Nigerian Ports Authority. Retrieved 28 June 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ "Enukeme blends enterprise with charity, culture promotion". National Light. 12 December 2019. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  9. ^ "Tonimas: Oke mmadụ efulahụla ndị Anambra - Obiano". BBC News Ìgbò (in Igbo). 9 June 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  10. ^ "Abia mourns passage of Tonimas Group chairman, Anthony Enukeme". Businessday NG. 26 June 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  11. ^ a b "Commentary: Chief Doctor Anthony Enukeme At Seventy Six". Heartbeat Of The East. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  12. ^ Kingdomboiz (30 October 2016). "See The Beautiful Air-Conditioned Church Built By Tonimas In Anambra". Kingdomboiz. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  13. ^ "St.James Catholic Church Neni Holds Requiem Mass For Late Enukeme, Extols His Philanthropy". Heartbeat Of The East. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  14. ^ "Gov Obiano Mourns Chief Enukeme, Chairman Of Tonimas Group". P.M.EXPRESS. 10 June 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.