The remains of the patriarch of the Anaba family, Elder Chijioke Enyinnaya Albert Anaba, will be laid to rest on August 19, 2026, at his family compound in Umuohia, Akpa-Osokwa, Osisioma Local Council of Abia State.
A statement signed by his first son, Anthony Okechukwu Anaba, described the late patriarch, who was born on June 6, 1949, as a devoted Christian, loving husband, father and community leader who positively influenced many lives.
According to the family, Pa Anaba was married to Chief (Mrs) Sarah Nwanjuobi, with whom he had children.
The statement said he was a devout Christian and a committed member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church who devoted himself to spreading the gospel and teachings of Jesus Christ.
His educational journey began at St. Martin’s Primary School, Akpa 1, where he studied from 1956 to 1963.
He later attended the Royal Institute of Stenography, Aba, and Exam Success Correspondence College, Lagos.
He subsequently obtained a B.Sc. in Education/Political Science from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he studied from 1991 to 1996.
He also obtained a Diploma in Public Administration, specialising in Personnel Management.
Pa Anaba built a long career in public and professional service. He began work as a Confidential Secretary at the Nigerian Cement Company Limited, Nkalagu, where he served from 1973 to 1980.
He later joined the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, rising to the position of Principal Assistant Registrar, a position he held from 1982 to 2009.
In his later years, he served as Executive Director of Consultancy, Training and Development at Homeland Consult and Training Institute Limited.
He also served as South-East Zonal Chairman and a member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) between 2013 and 2015.
Described by his family as a lifelong learner and leader, Pa Anaba was an accredited management trainer with the Centre for Management Development and held certifications in Advanced Human Resources Management.
He also served on several committees of the Nigerian Institute of Management and was Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) from 1989 to 2005.
He served as National President of Osokwa Town Union from 2005 to 2011.
The family described his death as the end of a life marked by service to his family, profession, church and community.
He is survived by his widow, Anaba Sarah Nwanjuobi; his children, Okechukwu Anthony Anaba, Mrs Ihuoma Onwuchekwa, Mrs Oluchi Nwangwu Michael, Uloaku Okechukwu Philip and Dr Udochisom Anaba; as well as numerous in-laws and grandchildren.
