By Chijioke Nzekwe
“The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.” — Benjamin Disraeli
As Imo State marks its golden jubilee, the moment offers more than celebration; it calls for reflection on the men and women whose vision, intellect and sacrifice shaped the state’s foundations. At 50, Imo—the Shining Star of the East—can rightly take pride in its contributions to national development, from producing sister states to nurturing professionals who have distinguished themselves across Nigeria and beyond.
It is therefore fitting that the Imo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Hope Uzodinma, chose this historic milestone to honour such figures. Among them is the late Chief Emmanuel Osigwe Nwogu, whose posthumous conferment with the Distinguished Star of Imo State (DSI) is both deserved and symbolic.
Chief Emmanuel Osigwe Nwogu occupies a unique and enduring place in Nigeria’s professional history. He was Nigeria’s first Chartered Quantity Surveyor and the founder of Osigwe Nwogu & Partners, the first indigenous Quantity Surveying firm in the country. At a time when the Nigerian construction industry was dominated by expatriate firms, his decision to leave the Eastern Region Civil Service and establish private practice helped lay the groundwork for indigenous professional participation.
That decision was encouraged by the late Vice President Dr. Alex Ekwueme, himself a pioneer in architecture. Together with other trailblazers, they went on to form Integrated Consultants Nigeria, the country’s first indigenous multidisciplinary consultancy firm. Integrated Consultants would later design and supervise some of Nigeria’s most iconic public infrastructure, including the Three Arms Zone in Abuja—the National Assembly Complex, the Presidential Villa and the Supreme Court—as well as federal airports, universities and institutions across the federation.
Beyond titles and projects, Chief Nwogu Osigwe was a man defined by service and humanity. He embodied obi nwanne—the Igbo ethic of brotherhood and empathy—and was known for opening doors for younger professionals and indigenous contractors at a time when opportunities were scarce.
Through Integrated Consultants, many Nigerian-owned construction firms found a platform to grow and compete nationally.
A passionate lover of Imo State, Chief Nwogu also left a quiet but powerful symbol of identity in the Federal Capital Territory. When Abuja was still largely undeveloped, he constructed the first private residential building in the city on allocation number IMO 001, deliberately inscribing Imo’s name into the early history of the nation’s capital. That building remains standing today.
His stature and impact were perhaps best captured by the late President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who described him as “a star whose life epitomized the Igbo determination to succeed and excel under overwhelming odds.a
As an Nkwerre man, I share deeply in the pride this honour brings. I felicitate with his son, Hon. Chidi Nwogu, and the entire Osigwe-Nwogu family on this recognition of their patriarch’s enduring legacy.
In commemorating Imo @50, the state has rightly chosen to remember those whose lives exemplified excellence, courage and service. Chief Emmanuel Osigwe Nwogu stands firmly among such men—his legacy intact, his example enduring.
– Barrister Chijioke Nzekwe
Legal Adviser to the Osigwe-Nwogu Family
Abuja