Wilson Obiora Emenike

Chief Engr

WILSON OBIORA EMENIKE

JP FNSE

Ichie Oku, Nnayeaku

1949 – 2024

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.”

Proverbs 11:30

EARLY LIFE

He sought further education and pursued a Higher School Certicate Course at Merchants of Light Secondary School, Oba.In 1973, Wilson moved to Plateau to join his eldest brother, the late Mr. Nelson M. Emenike (Daddy Jos), embarking on a teaching stint in Bauchi to nance his university education.

Wilson’s academic aspirations led him to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he enrolled in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. Despite nancial uncertainties, encouragement from an advisor—an ‘angel’—motivated him to persevere. With the aid of the Federal Government’s scholarship, vacation jobs, and support from Daddy Jos, Wilson not only completed his education but also helped his siblings, Ifeoma and Amaechi, return to school.

Wilson served his National Youth Service at the Nigerian Army Maintenance Engineering Department in Kano (1977/78 session) upon graduating. He then began a career with the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), starting as a pupil engineer in 1978.

CAREER

His apprenticeship took him to Kaduna, Benin, and Markurdi. In Markurdi, he met his beautiful wife, Mrs. Juliet Ngozi Emenike (nee Anwaegbu), in 1980, leading to their marriage on May 9th, 1981, at St Paul’s Church, Jos. Their union is blessed with ve trailblazing children: Ikenna, Chibueze, Chigozie, Chinwendu, and Ogochukwu, and he later adopted Nwamala. The children are doing wonderfully well in their elds and have found success in life; they are all married and have given Engineer Emenike sixteen exceptional grandchildren.

Throughout his career in the Power Engineering Industry, he attended numerous trainings oversees and held various managerial positions, including Electrical Engineer at NEPA (Rural Electrification Department), Senior Electrical Engineer at NEPA (Rural Electrification Department), and Principal Electrical Engineer (Projects) supervising Rural Electrification Projects Contractors. He rose to the rank of Assistant General Manager (Projects) at the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) a position he began in June 1999.

His dedication and work ethic were truly outstanding. He played a key role in advancing Nigeria’s power sector, e a r n i n g n u m e r o u s a w a r d s a n d recognition for his achievements. His contributions extended beyond the technical aspects.

He was instrumental in bringing electricity to multiple towns across the country, literally and guratively illuminating lives