My son, please always remember me here at home wherever you go. You know, you are my only son." My mom's advice
I am Lawrence Okeleke Ashiedu by name. I was born on the 16th of April 1942 to the late Diokpa Ashiedu Igbo and Mama Anyimuka Igbo of Idumu-Omo Quarters, Issele-Mkpitime in the Eastern Bendel State, Nigeria. I was the first and only son of my parents. I never lived to know my father because, according to my mom, he died shortly after my conception.
I had earned a standard six certificate before the Nigeria civil war. Though I lost the diploma in Enugu while trying to leave the mayhem.
While growing up, I traveled to Sepele—a portion of Delta State, still part of the Eastern Bendel State. I stayed with an uncle on the lake Okaleziemkpe. This was before I traveled to Enugu in pursuit of a better life.
While in Enugu, I acquired training as a driver. Being a fan of formal education, I never planned to finish up as a driver. When I first started in my new trade, I had the audacious idea of continuing my education to a higher level.However, fate would not let me leave.
I was caught up in the Nigeria civil war in 1967. At that period in time, I wasn't in any way thinking about formal learning but survival. Well, such survival led me to an unplanned option of remaining in my home town, Issele-Mkpitime, as a full-time farmer.
My Life In Enugu
Ebuka was a companion I met in Enugu while struggling to live. We met at the 9th mile, as it was widely dubbed, but still designated the same to this day. Ebuka was a fantastic young boy; clever, dedicated, and entrepreneurial. I am always willing to help folks for the sake of the future. He would repeatedly declare, "Tomorrow will be better." "I do the things I believe will offer me a brighter future."
Ebuka lived with an uncle called Banabas, who managed a shop in the main market and the Abakpa-nike market. Once in a while, I will have to remain with him and his uncle, and some other time on a motorcycle. In some situations, I slept in an open field, a church complex, a school environment, and so on.
Before I flew to Enugu on March 13th, 1957, I had a contact. A remote family member, Mr. Obodo, delivered to me a written letter to his son, Azike, who lived there. Remember, there was no telephone, nor was there any competent communication enterprise for mobile communication.
However, I lost it in the process, resulting in a large displacement. Going back was never an option; I had to fulfill my aim in Enugu-simply any method.