Death be not proud. Though some have called thee mighty and dreadful.
But thou arth not so, for those whom thou thinkst thou dost destroy,
Die not, poor death. Nor yest can thou kill (Dr. Charles Ikedikwa Soeze).
One short sleep past, he shall wake up and death shall be no more.
Death, thou shall die. (John Donne)
Dr. Charles Ikedikwa Soeze was a quintessential statesman, Patriot, Avatar, Lebenstraum Nationalist, paragon of altruism, Catholic communicant, Administrative guru and the millennial Satyagraha. A suaviter in modo, Fortiter in re (gentle in manner, resolute in action), an impeccable exemplification of contentment and like August Caeser, he met Rome (The World) of bricks, but left it of marble. O whenst cometh such another.
He was a phenomenal and peerless pioneer, icon, institution, oracle, legend, phoenix ,leviathan and an educational colossus. Indeed, life levels all men, death reveals the eminent. But Dr. Charles Ikedikwa Soeze was all-embracingly pre-eminent. Here he is “THE SEA OF CIVILIZATION. THE SEA OF ALL HISTORY”
Dr. Charles Ikedikwa Soeze was born on the 12th day of August 1957 into the family of late Mr. Dennis Onwuaduegbo Soeze (Alias D. O. wonder of all wonders) and late Mrs. Felicia obi Soeze both from Ubulu –uku, Aniocha south local government area, Delta State.
His father retired as the acting yard superintendent of the then public work department (ministry of works) in the defunct mid west state immediately after the civil war.
His mother was a successful business woman whose father (chief Ezeana) was the first chief in Ubulu Uku kingdom.
Dr C.I Soeze was educated at Roman Catholic mission school 111, Warri, now known as Agbassa primary school, St Michaels primary school, Ubulu uku, now called Abuedo primary school Ofulue commercial school and Nwajei commercial school both in Ubulu-uku Following his success at professional external examination of royal society of Arts ( RSA) and pitman, examination institute both in London, Uk after two years in the commercial school, the proprietor of the institute . Mr. Nwajei made him an instructor in the institute because of the brilliance he saw in him. Dr C.I Soeze started teaching his classmates.
He was letter employed by the Nigeria Customs and Excise. As a copy typist in 1976, Grade 04
While working with the Nigeria customs and excise, he passed the stages 2 and 3 of the Pitmen’s and RSA examination bodies. He also obtained his GCE O level with the help of lectures notes he received from career correspondence college, Lagos. Despite his successes in the examination he was not promoted.
Following the stagnation at the customs and excise he joined petroleum Training institute (PTI) as a stenographer grade level 05, he rose to the confidential secretary grade level 07 and brought his first car with government approve loan at the age of 21. Dr C.I Soeze earned many promotions within the secretarial cadre in the PTI, and then reached the apogee of his career as the professional chief secretarial assistance to the principal chief enactive PTI.
In quest for academic prowess, Dr C.I. Soeze enrolled with the career correspondences college ones again and obtained three principal passes in HSC/GCE advanced level examinations at one sitting. He gained admission to Delta state University, Abraka by direct entrance to study mass communication and later to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, for his masters and Doctoral degrees respectively in mass communication. He was a highly versatile, reliable, dedicated professional and prolific writer. Dr CI Soeze served as guest speaker, lecturer or resource person to several organizational and bodies. The featured prominently on radio and television where matters of urgent importance were usually deliberated upon. He was a member fellow of several professional bodies both local and international. They include:
Member, Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), Member, Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM), Member, Nigeria Institute of Public Relation (NIPR), Member, Africa Council for Communication Education (ACCE),Member, Federation of Africa Public Relation Association (FAPRA), Member, Trans Africa Council for Communication Education (TRACCE), Fellow, Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria (IPAN), Fellow, Institute of Human and National Resources (IHNR), Fellow, the Civilian Institute of Democratic Administration (CIDA), Fellow, West Africa Society for Communication and Administration (WASCAM), Fellow, Institute of Corporate Administration (ICA).
As part his effort in displaying professionalism, he contributed several articles in local, national and international dailies as well as professional and academic Journals.
He received several awards from the patriotic contributions towards the development of his country, Nigeria, Africa and entire world as well as originality of materials, unique of style, experience, delivery, technique, image reputation, professionalism and excellence. He had the integrity, ability and agility to relate with audience. Dr C.I Soeze retired as Assistant Director (Administration)/Head and Physical planning (ASPT) of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Effurun, Delta State. Academic
Until his death, he was the President of Ubulu Uku Development Union (UDU), Warri Branch that is, hisCommunity in Warri and his immediate environs. Adviser, Delta State University Alumni Association (Warri Chapter). He was past President of the University of Nigeria Alumni Association (UNAA). Warri Branch. “ The lives of great men all remind us we can make our lives sublime. And departing leave behind us foot prints on the sands of time” [ANONYMOUS]
Fare Thee Well O’ Good One.
Chief Bobson Gbinije & Dr. Peter Soeze
