*HONOURING A MAN THAT DESERVES HONOUR  ~ CHIEF GABRIEL EGBULE, Snr*

By

_Pastor Dr. Sunday Azuka O. Nkwor_

Most times, in our clime, it becomes easy to honour people post humously.  Certainly, honoring people while they are no longer alive makes life meaningless and unrewarding.  We, at the Umunede Agenda *[TUA]* have decided to continuously ensure that there is a paradigm shift from this unhealthy development hence today, we are picking on our father, mentor, business mogul and humanitarian par excellence, Chief Gabriel Onyebuka Egbule Snr.

The word of God says that God looks for a man to stand in the gap.  No doubt, Chief Gabriel Egbule has proven to be a man found to be in the gap always for Umunede by his giant strides over these years. From his name, Onyebuka, one can easily understand why he has remained an epitom of Humility despite all his achievements in life.

This Umunede born intelligent elderstatesman has given and is still giving to society locally, nationally and internationally, even when people of his age are retired and tired.  There is never a time, you will encounter him without certainly going away with a gift from his wealth of wisdom and also physical gifts,  tangible and measurable.

Chief Gabriel Egbule Snr, was born on the 17th of September 1946, at Zaria in Northern Nigeria, into the great family of Egbule of Idumu Ile quarters of Umunede in Ika land of Delta State.  His father's name was William Okwaoyenri Egbule, (a former Soldier of the Nigerian Army) and his Mother, Veronica Ututun Egbule.  He is well schooled and well travelled, thus making him very rich in experience and wisdom.

It is on record that our King, His Royal Majesty, Obi Agadagidi of Umunede worked under his tutelage at International Uniforms Ltd where he rose to the position of Production Manager before coming home to ascend the throne of his fathers. Little wonder, why our king is full of wisdom and knowledge having tapped from the fountain of wisdom of our great Chief Egbule.

His first daughter is reputed to be the first female Chartered Accountant and an International Diplomat, for emphasis, from Umunede. One of his sons in-law is presently a serving Commissioner of Police.

Chief Egbule is a Community developer *par* excellence.  He still remains one of the very first persons to build a magnificent storey building in Umunede in those early days, when storey buildings were indeed very rare in our side generally, thus bringing the beauty of Lagos to the ancient town of Umunede, in Delta State.

A one time President General of the Umunede Progressive Union, Chief Gabriel Egbule is credited till date for reforming the UPU to an enviable position.  Year after year, he leaves an indelible strides in the area of community development in Umunede. He is one of the founding fathers of one of the foremost Social and Devopmental Clubs in Umunede, the Ede Club of Umunede. Aside other areas, he has continued to equipping our security men and women in Umunede, to make sure we have a secure and free town to call our own.  The uniforms and the security gadgets, to mention but a few, are most times credited to Chief Gabriel Egbule's benevolence.  There is hardly any good innovation in Umunede that Chief Egbule did not initiate or contribute to or have his hands in, in one way or another.

In business, Chief Egbule has distinguished himself, so much so that the International Uniforms outfit has become a household name in  Nigeria, meeting the Uniform needs of Hotels, Corporate Offices, Churches and Security Outfits nationwide. Through consistency and integrity, Chief Egbule has carved a very positive cutting edge for himself in business, over his competitors.

By divine providence, Chief Egbule is endowed with supernatural wisdom from God Himself.  This makes it easy for him to mix and mingle with people of all ages and professions.  This makes him fearless and bold to speak truth to authority, in the face of wrongs, even when other persons keep quiet.  An honest and truthful man to the core Chief Egbule is.

A well articulate and coordinated  family man, married with progressive children, he is a devout Christian and Elder of the Redeemed Christian church of God.

He is blessed with eight children and many grandchildren who are all doing well in their respective endeavors.

Ndi Umuede, let's rise and say thank you, Chief Gabriel Egbule Snr. God bless you more sir,  in Jesus name.


_Ambassador Nkwor writes from Abuja Nigeria for TUA._

21 August, 2024