BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE: NZE SIMEON SOLUDO’S LIFE AND TIMES, RAISING AN ENVIABLE FAMILY! (PART 6)
By Christian ABURIME
In the rich cultivation of Nze Simeon Nwankwo Soludo’s family life, each thread wove a story of love, destiny, resilience and achievement.
Marriage, a cornerstone in his life, began at a tender age of 15 in 1946. Mgbafor, also known as Mgbafor-Iticho due to her petite stature, became his first wife.
Hailing from Ezehanu Kindred in Umueze Village, she was an orphan, brought into the Soludo household by Obele, Simeon’s step-mother.
Known for her industry, resourcefulness, and sagacity, she was deemed a fitting partner for young Simeon. This union bore six children, but the family was touched by tragedy as three – Paulina, Silas, and Emeka – succumbed to the cruel hand of fate, leaving behind Emmanuel, Chukwuma, and Ogochukwu.
During the turmoil of the Civil War in 1968, Mgbafor passed away. However, before her passing, Simeon entered into a second marriage with Veronica Ogbonneye Soludo, from Umuetu Kindred in Eziakpu (now Enuagu) Village of Ikenga.
This union brought forth six sons, yet it too faced the heartache of loss as Eugene and Ikenna departed from this world.
Across the generations, Nze Simeon’s legacy reverberates through his seven surviving sons, eight daughters-in-law, 28 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Among his sons, Emmanuel Ikechukwu Soludo, a seasoned architectural draftsman, oversees his private construction enterprise and cherishes a familial constellation of a daughter, three sons, and six grandchildren. He obtained his intermediate and final Certificates in City and Guilds from the Government Technical Colleges (GTC) at Awka and Enugu, respectively, passing both with distinction.
Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, a distinguished economist, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the current Governor of Anambra State and a Member of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, stands as a beacon of academic excellence with six children – two sons and four daughters.
Dr. Ogochukwu Soludo, a devoted missionary, is the General Mission Director of African Missionary Empowerment Network (AMEN) and also the initiator and current Chairman of ADSI Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited.
Dr. Soludo, an honorary Ambassador for World Peace under the UN-Peace and Positive Living Action Initiative (PEPOLAC), is a graduate of English and also holds Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Mass Communication and Christian Social Works, respectively. He has a daughter, two sons, and two stepsons.
Kenneth, a Lagos-based businessman, nurtures four children.
Eugene has, sadly departed, and left behind a wife and three sons.
Ifeanyi, an international businessman that formerly based in both Lagos and Mozambique, cares for four sons.
Celestine, another entrepreneur, and Dr. Chris Obumneme Soludo, a lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, enrich the family with their presence.
The life stories of all the sons of Pa Nze Soludo intertwine with the extraordinary women who became integral parts of their lives as wives, such as Paulina, Comfort Azuka, Nonye Frances, Onyinyeoma, Chinyere, Ijeoma, Amarachi, Augustina, and Ogechukwu.
Today, the family tree sprouts with the growth of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, each an authentication of a vibrant legacy that spans generations.
Their names resonate as Adaobi, Kenechi, Emeka, Chisom, Ozonna, Adaora Ifeatu, Chinua, Ekene, Ozioma Beulah, Chimzurum Obed, Chibuokem Harmony, Chukwuebuka Benedict, Ucheaku Rita, Obiajulu and a host of others who add vitality to the Soludo family legacy.
Thus, the colourful cultivation of Nze Simeon’s family is woven with the threads of love, resilience, and an enduring commitment to building a legacy that traverses time and generations.
…to be continued.
Credits: Materials and pictures support by Pastor (Dr) Ogochukwu Soludo.