By Izunna Okafor, Nnewi


In the word of Amin Kalantri, Birthday is a reminder to celebrate life as well as to update the life.

It is in line with this age-long dictum that the MD/CEO of Urunwa Computers, Mr. Chidiebere Austin Ojiego excelled unto his 30th rung in the ladder of years.

Because William Barclay said "There are two great days in a person's life — the day he is born and the day he discovers why”, it therefore became necessary to x-ray and take a tour on the Journey So Far of today's celebrant Urunwa.

Urunwa (as he's popularly called) was born on a special day as this, July 29, 30 years ago in Ebenator, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria.
He is a product of the prestigious Central School, Ebenator, from where he furthered to the Federal Poly, Oko, to study Library and Information Science.

He grew to become a multi-diverse and multi-talented hardworking young man —which are the unique traits that distinguish him from other youths out there. This uniqueness are apparently seen in the educational, social, entrepreneurial, political, religious, craft and leadership facets of his life, as he has been cynosural and made indelible marks in each.

As a quintessential helmsman, Urunwa has held many leadership positions, both in the religious, political, educational and literary terrains.

In his home church, St. Matthew's Catholic Church, Ebenator, he has held leadership positions in various groups, including C.B.O. and C.Y.O.N. for years, both at the parish and the diocesan levels.

During his study years in the Oko Poly, he ruled as the Igwe Nnewi South —the Traditional Ruler of the entire students from Nnewi South Local Government Area studying in the Federal Polytechnic, Oko at the period. He is a member of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) where he has also held leadership positions at various levels.

In the literary field, as a writer, Urunwa published his first book "Amaka the Humble Girl and the Speaking Pot" in 2011, during his secondary school era, and published the second one, "The Fruit of the Wicked" sometime a year after, before advancing to Oko Poly to pursue his higher studies
He is currently the PRO/Media Director of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (Anambra State Chapter), a position he has held since 2016.

Entrepreneurially, Urunwa has actively participated in numerous entrepreneurship, agro, ICT, literary, and human capital development seminars, workshops, trainings and programs, both within and outside the state, and has consequently acquired numerous prestigious certificates in that regard, in addition to his academic qualifications.

Furthermore, it happens that history will not forget Urunwa in Ebenator, as he was the first person (and still the only person as at today) to open a Computer Centre/Institute in the community, which he called the "Austin Urunwa Computers", located at the ever-busy Ama Ezeokafor Junction, and which he still mans today as the MD/CEO. This indeed was done in the spirit of 'Akụ Ruo Ụlọ'. Aside profit motive, the opening the computer centre was also aimed at saving his people the stress of traveling to other neighbouring communities for computer-related services.

In addition to his computer institute, Urunwa is also the major distributor of the award-winning Naira Rice in Nnewi South, as well as noodles and other commodities

Chidiebere Austin Urunwa is a philanthropist and a proponent of impactful living who believes that one must not count in millions before he starts helping the needy and the less privileged around him.

In the spirit of the aforementioned that he has recurrently held great and memorable events for students, youths and the pupils of Ebenator community, where, with team of medical expert from Nnewi, he organized medical talks on the dangers and effects of drug abuse for the youths and secondary school students; as well as hosted quiz and football competitions for the pupils of all the primary schools in the community.

Through his initiative called 'Catch Them Young for a Better Tomorrow', Urunwa has repeatedly facilitated the payment of the school fees of pupils of Central School, Ebenator, and Community Primary School, Ebenator. He has also recently extended the benevolent gesture to the students of Community Secondary School, Ebenator.

Through the 'Catch Them Young for a Better Tomorrow', initiative, he has also repeatedly facilitated the distribution of exercise books, novels, textbooks, pens, pencils, erasers, stockings, new school uniforms, among other items, to many pupils and students in the community and beyond. He also organizes intellectual and sports competitions periodically for pupils.

The outcome of these has been echoing in the community and the entire Local Government till today, as so many lives have been touched, while many pupils have through him, received many prizes, gift items, scholarships and even free computer trainings, both from his hands, other individuals, and the community's apex body — Ebenator Development Union (E.D.U.).

Aren't all these worth celebrating, ladies and gentlemen?

Urunwa is a recipient of many awards and honours, both from the leadership, religious, educational and literary circles. However, in all these, he remains one the most humble personalities to work with, being the reason he is the prayer point of many single ladies out there.

Indeed Urunwa is a youth to count on, a philanthropist, a leader, a counselor, a teacher, a motivator, a goal getter, an icon, and in fact a role model to many...

And on that tone, nature and creatures of the earth, today, smile for his fecund, salubrious and impactful existence and lifestyle.

It is on that note I say, 'Happy Birthday Urunwa Austin Chidiebere Ojiego'.

May the Lord bless and grant all your heart desires, and give you the grace to impact more lives in your new age, as you turned a year older today.

Remember, Today is the oldest you have been, and the youngest you will ever be; make the most of it.

You are already a blessing to your generation. Congratulations, and have a blissful celebration ahead.

Ya gaziere gị.