The Late Maurice Emediobi Nemakolam (MEN) Ashimole. Popularly referred to as Nda Moore, started off his life in the Southeast of Nigeria, now the current Owerri.
Born in 1955, he was the sixth son, last son and last born of the twelve children of the Late Mr. Joseph Ashimole Nwagbara and Late Princess Susanna Ahunna Ashimole.
He grew up unpampered under the direct care and strict discipline of his mother. Known to be a funny and friendly fellow he got himself a name “Enyi oha,” meaning friend of the people.
The Late Mr. Maurice Ashimole had always had a great affinity for knowledge and education and acquired his elementary education from the then-prestigious Emekuku primary school under the tutelage of the Britons.
He went on to get his tertiary education from Alvan Ikoku College of Education, where he studied Physical and Health Education. Because of his love and prowess in sports. He won various laurels in sports for Alvan.
Popularly called ‘Abumalaye’ back in the day, he was a strong striker and also a skilled goalkeeper. He had a record of so many saves in his time as a footballer that he could save the economy of Africa.
He went on to further his studies in the Institute for Management and Technology (IMT) Polytechnic where he studied Banking and Finance. Suffice it to say that he was passionate about getting educated and sponsored most of his educational journey himself.
During his educational journey he was able to attend several courses and bag several degrees that made transiting careers later in life seamless.
Earning a diploma from the Institute for Management and Technology (IMT) Polytechnic helped him start off a career in the Banking industry as a junior staff and speedily rose to managerial offices in the then-ACB and Progress Bank of Nigeria, where he got a ‘Certificate of Long Service’ for serving for over 10 years.
Interestingly, the banking industry not only got him money but also got him a wife. It was in his days as a manager in Progress Bank of Nigeria that he went from overseeing the affairs of his branch to overseeing the affairs of Chinyere Ohaji, now Chinyere Ashimole.
How interesting can love be? The same love that was meant to bring them together brought about his transfer from one branch to another. They went ahead to have four amazing children afterward.
After the folding of these banks, he took a different career path and started off in the construction industry working and finally lived his last days in the hospitality industry.
The Late Mr. Maurice Ashimole was a man who challenged the norm. In his village, he was known to start off different communities by partnering with like-minded individuals, that have grown to become thriving communities that support their own across the globe, like the Amachara in diaspora.
A man of the people not just by title, but at heart, he was the Co-founder of AFCORE: An NGO formed as Azaraegbelu Friends and Close Relations Consultative Forum where they fund scholarships and diverse humanitarian helps to orphans, fatherless and widows in an explosive event held every end of year in Azaraegbelu. He made relationships that are still beneficial to his family.
Of the many attributes he had, he was known to stand for what was right even if it meant putting himself on the line.
This attribute won him friends as well as foes. Having great interest in music and the creative he was part of the musical team in his hometown and was a talented xylophone player.
His spirituality was not left behind. Over the course of his life, he found God and God found him by giving children who have hearts burning for God. He would be seen from time to time silently studying his bible and was a man of few words in the place of prayer.
He was born a Catholic and stayed that way for the most part of his life before he encountered God and joined the protestant movement. His last days as a God lover and worshipper at HOTR Word House Enugu, showered him with so much love from the brethren that triggered him promising to host a crusade for God in his village.
In all, he did not just exist, he lived a life that affected many who have not spoken up yet, and most importantly, had a working relationship with his Maker.
My Dad is hosting that Crusade he promised God today. Albeit postmortem.
My Dad left a Stone of Help for us.
Family, Friends and folks, here lies a great man of humble disposition. My Mom’s lover, Loving Dad! Enyioha! Rib cracking joker!
Father figure to many.
Ah! Rest on till we meet to part no more.
Your son Enyinnaya Rex MOORE-ASHIMOLE for the MOORE-ASHIMOLE family.
Ashimole Maurice: Biography/Funeral Oration
