JUNE WENAH-THE HERO OF MOUNT KILIMANJARO.
JUNE WENAH-THE HERO OF MOUNT KILIMANJARO.
THE FIRST NIGERIAN THAT SUCCESSFULLY CLIMBED TO THE TOP OF THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN IN AFRICA IN MAY, 1971.
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Mr June Iheanyichukwu Wenah, who by the special grace of God was the first Nigerian man to climb to the top of the highest mountain in Africa- “The Kilimanjaro Mountain” in 1971.
Mr June Iheanyichukwu Wenah is from Ogbodo-Isiokpo in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. In May of 1971, he was among the First Nigerian Youths from Rivers State to successfully climb to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in East Africa under the auspices of the Rivers State Government.
This great event occured when the late Capt. Elechi Amadi was the Permanent Secretary/Field Administrator in the Commander Diete Spiff’s Military Governor’s office.
In May 1971, Messrs Wenah June Iheanyichukwu of Boys Secondary School Borokiri and Ofonya Eto of Baptist High School all in Portharcourt were among the Eleven Nigerian Youths selected after series of interviews conducted by Mr. John Wright of the Ministry of Rural Development and Social Welfare (as at then) to represent Rivers State in East Africa in what was known as International Students Exchange Programme between the Outward Bound Mountain School Kenya and Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre Nigeria.
Also, an official invitation was made by the First Military Governor of Rivers State through Late Captain Elechi Amadi before they left Rivers State to Lagos on the first take off of their journey where they met other Youths from different States of the Federation.
Captain Elechi Amadi (late) was the Permanent Secretary, Field Administration in Military Governor’s Office as at then, went along with them to the Military Governor, Navy Commander, Alfred Diete-Spiff for words of advice and encouragement.
While in the Goverment house, the Governor shook hands with them, and in his brief address, he adviced them and said, quote and unquote “June Wenah and Ofonya Eto, you are now Ambassadors of the State, going out of the Country to represent the State in Kenya for an International Students Exchange Programme, be of good behaviour as you arrive into the East African soil of Kenya, I wish you good luck, bye and God bless”.
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In Captain Elechi Amadi’s office, on leaving the Government House, Captain Elechi Amadi directly went with them to his own office, there he as well adviced and gave them some money towards their traveling, and thereafter they finally left for Lagos, on arrival at Ikeja Airport in Lagos (now Murtala Airport) they were driven to the Rivers State Liaison Office in Lagos, there they were received by Mr Abrakassa who was probably the Liaison Officer in-charge, and from there they moved to Sea School Apapa Lagos (a Training Ground for Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre Nigeria) where they finally joined other fellow Youths from different States of the Federation.
On their arrival at the Sea School Apapa Lagos, they were received by Mr S.O. AAromolaran, the Assistant Director, Training and Operations, and Mr M. Ogandonu, the Chief Instructor who were delegates that led the Nigerian Youths to East Africa, there they also had an intensive preliminary training, had inoculations against yellow fever attack and were issued with the necessary traveling documents before they finally departed Nigeria to Kenya on the 16th day of May 1971.
During their flight, they had a stop-over at Entebe Airport in Uganda, and after about 30 minutes in transit, their flight finally left for Nairobi in Kenya, on their arrival at about 9:45pm East African time, they were warmly received by the Nigerian High Commissioner in Kenya, Mr Ignatius C. Olisemeka and his wife, together with the Officials of the Outward Bound Mountain School Loitokitok Kenya, thereafter they were lodged at the Nolfok Hotel from where they finally left in the morning to the Outward Bound Mountain School in Loitokitok Kenya, which was a training School in preparation for the Mountain Expedition as well as a tourist Centre.
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The Kilimanjaro Expedition and its experience- In the final attempt to reach the top of the 19,340 Foot High Mount Kilimanjaro, covered all over with glisten snow while panting heavily with the eagerness to definitely reach at the summit, and coupled with a growing sense of excitement, Mr June Wenah finally climbed to the top “The Kibo”, thus, mission accomplished to the Glory of God and mankind.
A successful arrival at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro- A happy event of Mr June Wenah. While standing on top of the Mountain for a brief rest before descending, He felt he was in a strange and exciting world (definitely he was) for been able to set his two feet on the Summit of the Highest Mountain in African Continent at the age of 24, a task that was not so easy, particularly the ascent which was so difficult and rough.
Although the descent was somehow very execellent since He was gliding through the snow portion of the Mountain, nevertheless the ascent took four days, while the descent however lasted for two days, though the Nigerian Youths on climbing encountered difficulty finding the routes that were specially marked by Professional Mountaineers.
It may be very deserving to note here that all these were made possible as Mr June Wenah quickly recall to mind the motto of the Outward Bound Mountain School Kenya, which says “To serve, to strive and not to yield”, and with that as his springboard, he was determined to climb to the top, and he made it, despite the feelings of fear of wild animals (The Giraffe, Elephant, Monkey) seen and the great risk involved while climbing, thus to God be all the Glory that he descended safely to the floor of the Mountain from where the ascent started, and from there they trekked down to the Mountain School at Loitokitok, a very long distance singing and jubilating along, for the only fact that a great mission had successfully been accomplished.
Annexed herewith are Photographs on how he won through to personal achievement, an experience that will continue to remain with us the children for the rest of our lives, as we now recall to our mind the value of interdependence of human beings in a challenging environment, knowing too well that the most important factor in any Nation’s Development is human Capital, hence, the motto of Citizenship and Leadership Training Center Nigeria said it all, thus-“Build the man build the Community”, while Dr. YeJames Yen, an illustrious Chinese Scholar in his theory once said, “Go to people, Live among them, Learn from them, serve them, Start with what they know and build with what they have”.
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Home return after the successful ascent of the Mount Kilimanjaro and that hopeful promise by the State Government- When they (June Wenah and Ofonya Eto) finally returned to Nigeria, their arrival received media attention with wide publicity in most National Daily Newspapers, (see the annexed copies) and based on that hopeful promise the Military Governor, (Navy Commander Alfred Diete Spiff) made before they left for Kenya in East Africa, saying, that “The Rivers State Government will never forget Messrs June Wenah and Ofonye Eto when ever they are back home from the Mountain Expedition”, He therefore applied for the Rivers State Government Scholarship Award when it was officially published, attaching all his necessary O’level School Credentials, as well as Certificates from the Outward Bound Mountain School Kenya, and that of Citizenship and Leadership Training School Nigeria, but regrettably he was never invited for an interview after written letters of reminder.
Furthermore, as desperate as he was, he tried all official/administrative procedures within his reach as to personally see the Military Governor, Navy Commander Alfred Diete-Spiff and other subsequent Civilian Governors, but to no avail, as it likely occurred that he have been totally forgetten, probably in error, hence we thought that such an outstanding achievement could have successfully shaped the course of his life.
His next reaction to follow up- When all his personal efforts to reach the past Governors, including Captain Elechi Amadi proved abortive, and recalling to mind that every man is the architect of his own fortune, and more so the Late Assassinated President of the United States of America (John F. Kennedy) once said, quote and unquote “Think what you can do for your Country and not what your Country can do for you”, He therefore temporarily gave up that hope of depending on the Rivers State Government for assistance, and then quickly thought on how to fend for himself as to further his education since he was so desperate.
In search of what next to do- As it pleased the Almighty God, He secured a job where He worked for so many years, got an admission abroad, made some monetary transfers through Society General Bank along Station Road Portharcourt, and finally left Nigeria to the United State of America in May of 1982 for further studies as a private Student, and at the long run he successfully went through with a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA), Diploma in Security/Private Investigations, and other academic qualifications.
Bone of contention as it bothers we the children- “A Child that distinguished himself very well is always given distinguished honour which will serve as an incentive to galvanize and propel that Child and others to wonderous heights in any human endeavour”
Please permit me to additionally say that it is unbelievable that June Wenah who went for such a risky expedition under the auspices of the Rivers State Government, returned home safely and at the end was not accorded any recognition for making Rivers State and Nigeria proud during the Mountain Climbing Expedition. See the annexed Newspaper publication on how Mr. June Wenah performed execellently well among the Eleven Nigerian Youths who went for the Expedition.
For record purposes as published in Nigerian Daily Newspapers- with great pride to us the children, it is worthy to note here and as on record at the Outward Bound Mountain School Loitokitok Kenya, “Course NumberL/131/1971” that Mr June I. Wenah , an indigene of Rivers State from Nigeria took the first position among the Eleven Nigerian Youths that went for the climbing and fourth among the 50 Youths from all the participating Countries of Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria and Kenya the host Country during the strenuous Nine mile endurance race on the Mountain, yet He was not even remembered for bringing such great honour to Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
I had earlier thought before now that such an outstanding performance could have singled him out from the crowd as to be recognized just like others, but behold nothing came forward until death stroke him, “though one thing still remains that Great Achievements of Pioneers can never be forgotten, more so He had been all these 41 years waited so patiently, knowing too well that it is better late than never, hence, all that is well ends well”.
Let it not go down in history, especially now that this issue has been officially brought to your attention, as I now respectfully appeal that you use your good office and personality to recognize and honour Mr June Wenah posthumously because it is very important for one to receive the recognition he had earned, and this will send a clear signal that you appreciates so much the labour of our past Hero and Heroine, thus encouraging others to follow the footsteps of those old Patriot.
Those who knew all about Mr June Wenah Mountain trip to Kenya in 1971- For reference purpose, could you please permit me to mention but a few of those respected men who knew all about Mr. June Wenah trip to the Mountain top in 1971, and who can equally attest, they are , with due respect to mention:
1.His Royal Majesty King Alfred Diete Spiff (Former Military Governor of the Old Rivers State) It was during his Administration that the trip was made.
2.Hon. Justice Iche Nwenendah Ndu, (OFR) Chief Justice of Rivers State. He was his Senior in the same Secondary School at Borokiri Portharcourt when I left for the Mountain climbing.
3.Captain Elechi Amadi, RTD (MFR) Former Permanent Secretary Field Administration Military Governor’s Office. He made all the necessary arrangements towards their journey to Kenya, in short he played a major role.
4.Chief John Wright, (OBE), A whiteman with the Rivers State Ministry of Information, Rural Development and Social Welfare as at then. He conducted interviews/test that led to the final selection of those who represented the State in East Africa for the Mountain climbing.
I have said enough, but never before have I wrtten so long a letter, I am afraid it is much too long to take your precious time, it is because I am deeply worried, but all I can assure you is that it would have been much shorter and not in this very direction if Mr June Wenah was accorded the deserved recognition as when due and as done to others, but what else can one do when this very issue is still outstanding, other than to humbly appeal and continue from where Mr June Wenah stopped. I think long thoughts and pray long prayers, with an assured hope for a better tomorrow, and now comes the expected moment to the Glory of God’s own time.
In conclusion therefore, The Wenah Household of Ogbodo Isiokpo and the entire Isiokpo Ancient Kingdom in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers appreciates your good works.
May the Blessings of the Almighty God continue to give you the special grace, inspire you with more wisdom than ever. The Bible says “I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me”-Philippians 4:13.
Thank you OIUSA for this great opportunity. I will always pledge my loyalty to this vision. Thank you once again and God bless.
Your’s Faithfully,
Wenah Handsome Chichezom(son)
08160208181,08034223738
