By Linus Okorie MFR
It is with a heart weighed down by grief that I pay this tribute to a man whose life left a permanent imprint on my journey—Chief Chris Asoluka.
I first met Chief Asoluka as a wide-eyed schoolboy, serving as School Captain at Government Secondary School, Owerri. He had returned as an old boy, alongside the Governor of the State, Navy Captain J.N.J Aneke, to mark the school’s anniversary in his capacity then as the Honourable Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development in Imo State. Little did I know that this brief encounter would blossom into a life-altering relationship, one that would shape the man I would become.
In what can only be described as divine orchestration, I had visited him in Lagos on his invitation. He received me in his very big library, I was in awe and immediately I was inspired to someday have mine. We sat there for hours. I came with a bag that I had kept at the entrance of the library. His wife, will later pick it up and keep in the guest house. From that day on, that became my house and I was integrated as a member of the house. Mind you, I was a total stranger. But that was the kind of man Uncle Chris was; a rare soul whose heart was expansive and deeply nurturing. He didn’t need a formal request to extend his hand; he led with generosity, with grace, and with love. With no blood relationship, he stood in for me as a father figure in my most formative years as a boy who had lost his father in class three and left with a mother who had nine children. I recall how we could spend hours most nights in his very large library reading and sharing ideas on various subject matters. I regularly will bring my ideas to him, share my failures and wins. He was always there to listen and advise me. His huge influence made me a lover of books and today, I have a library in my office and home. I will truly miss him.
Uncle Chris became a tireless supporter of my vision. He did not only encourage my dreams from the sidelines, he walked alongside me. As a respected faculty member at the GOTNI Leadership Centre, and later as a dedicated member of the Advisory Board for the proposed GOTNI Leadership University, he contributed his wealth of wisdom, his networks, and his unshakable belief in Africa’s leadership potential. His passion for youth development, governance, and nation-building was not just admirable, it was contagious. He travelled on many instances to speak at my conferences and training sessions over the years. On this note, we will honour his memory at the aisles of fame of the GOTNI Leadership Centre.
Chief Asoluka was a man of intellect, principle, and deep conviction. He was a man with a huge appetite for learning. Even after acquiring a PhD., he continued to pursue knowledge. In fact, we both went recently to spend some time with Brian Tracy for a full week. It was a learning system. A quiet giant whose impact resonated far beyond the titles he bore.
He served Imo state and Nigeria with distinction, but even more profoundly, he served people, one life at a time.
As I reflect on his life, I am reminded of the scripture that says, “The memory of the righteous is blessed.” Uncle Chris leaves behind a legacy of love, leadership, and true greatness. I am who I am today, in part, because he chose to believe in a young boy from Imo.
On behalf of my immediate and entire GOTNI family, I honor his memory and extend our deepest condolences to his immediate family. His wife, I call my super aunty, Somachi, Jamachi and Lemachi.
May the seeds he planted in so many of us continue to flourish. And may his soul rest in eternal peace.
Adieu, my mentor. Adieu, Uncle,
Rest well, Chief Chris Asoluka.
