Rev. Prof. Christian Chimechefulam Agunwamba

THE BIOGRAPHY OF REV. PROF. CHRISTIAN CHIMECHEFULAM AGUNWAMBA.
Jan 9th,1945 - Dec 21, 2020.


Reverend Professor Christian Chimechefulam Agunwamba returned to our heavenly Father on December 21, 2020.

He was born in Mbom Ibeku, Umuahia North LGA of Abia State on January 9, 1945, the second child of Papa Benjamin and Mama Chibuzo Agunwamba. With the passing of his elder brother, he became the eldest son of eight children. Both parents are deceased and were members of the Methodist Church Nigeria Diocese of Umuahia in Mbom.

He attended St. Anna's RCM, Ahiaeke for his elementary school education, and received his FSLC with Distinction in 1958. His secondary school education was completed at Trinity High School Oguta, where he obtained the WASC and the GCE with honors in 1963. He went further to Government College Umuahia, in Umuahia North LGA for high school, and got both the HSC and GCE certificates with honors in 1965.

He proceeded to the University of Ibadan in 1966 for his First Degree. However, this was forestalled by the Nigeria Biafra War that broke out the same year. After the war, Christian matriculated to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, earning a Bachelors of Science with First Class Honors in Statistics in 1972. He proceeded to the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, where he earned a Masters in Statistics/Operations Research in 1974, and a Ph.D in Mathematical Programming in 1976.

In 1973, Christian was joined in marriage to Miss Nkeonyere Nnaalu (nee) Onwukwe, the fourth daughter of Ezenagaoha and Mabel Onwukwe, and a fellow sister in The Lord. They were married at the Alfred Place Chapel, in the University of Wales, Aberystwyth in Wales. The Lord blessed the marriage with four boys and two girls: Chukwuemeka, Akochi(Okezie), Chioma, Chukwunomnso, Chukwunwike and Blessing.

Christian accepted Christ at an early age, and his devotion to Christianity led him to the Christian Union of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he served as president in 1970. In 1989, he received the call into the Ministry under the Methodist Church of Nigeria. He was Commissioned in 1990 after becoming an ordained minister. He also served at Christ Church Chapel, Nsukka Nigeria. He remained a Rev. Minister till his passing.

He started working very early in life to help support his siblings and aging parents. One of his first jobs was teaching mathematics at Santa Crux Secondary School, Olokoro, in 1964.

Christian established firm careers in both the academic and religious spheres. In the academic sphere, his research in Operations research contributed to the agricultural and economic policies across Nigeria in the 1970s.

From 1972-1995, Christian worked at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in various capacities, including Junior Fellow and Senior Lecturer. In the same institution, he served as the Director of the Linkage Program and the Director of the Operations Research Group. Through these groups, he initiated university linkages involving Nigerian/European universities with the support of the European Economic Commission. In addition, he acted as Visiting Lecturer at the Trinity College, University of Dublin from 1978-1989.

From 1995-1997, Christian served as a Professor of Mathematics to the Federal University of Agriculture, Umuahia Nigeria, while also acting as the Director to the Center for Operations Research, Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development.

With his transition to the United States in 1997, Christian's focus shifted to making mathematical education accessible to all students who struggled with mathematics. As an instructor to several institutions of higher learnings in the Northeast (including UMass Boston, Bunker Hill Community College, Roxbury Community College, Massachusetts Bay Community College, and Lubin School of Business at Pace University), he made himself available to his students and encouraged them to bravely acquire the tools they needed. Most recently, he was a tenured professor at Bunker Hill Community College.

Along with his varied career interests and myriad leadership roles, Christian also enjoyed several personal interests. He represented UNN in table tennis while at the University of Aberystwyth. He enjoyed lawn tennis, chess, drafts, as well as a fan of cricket. He enjoyed traveling, visiting various countries in five continents. As the host of his acquaintances may attest, he enjoyed mentoring his students and others who sought him for advice. He also enjoyed teaching his immediate family four-part anthems, which they often sang at church together.

He loved The Lord, his family, his students and the Church of Christ as a whole, and was beloved by so many. He is remembered for his generosity of time, wisdom, and service to others. He was a pillar in his community.

Christian joins his parents, older brother, and younger sister in heaven. He is survived by his wife Nkeonyere, their six children: Emeka (Ngozi), Akochi (Amenah), Chioma, Chukwunomso, Chukwunwike (Ogo), and Blessing; six grandchildren: Uchechukwu, Nkechinyere, Chimeremma, Amarachi, Chimechefulam, and Tochukwu; his siblings: Ihuoma, Ndubuka, Ngozi, Emeka, Nwabure, Chinyere; and a host of cousins, nephews, and nieces.

Funeral Services will be live streamed on December 30, 2020 at 10:00am EST, 3:00pm GMT and 4:00pm Nigerian Time.