Elder Lawrence Nwonyibo Nwozor (Ifeafulunagha, Mr White) was born on Friday, Orie, sixteenth October, 1936 as the second child and first son of Nwozor Edochie and his wife Oyidi.
While traditional religious worship was the norm at that time, he strangely courted the early missionaries and showed passion for modern education, found peace in Christianity and gave himself to the CMS missionaries, who baptised him and christened him Lawrence.
The little Lawrence in 1947, started with few other children to trek from Ifite Awka to CMS Amaenyi Awka (now All Saints Amudo), where he had his Infant classes in 1948 and started the Standard Classes in 1949 at St Faith’s Iyiokpu Awka.
In 1951, he completed Standard Four, the highest-level class in Iyiokpu in flying colours.
In 1953, he was taken to Uwani CMS Enugu where he resumed studies and passed Standard six in December, 1954, finishing among the top best ten pupils.
He was later employed as a Probationary Teacher and posted to St. Barth’s School, Enugu and from St. Barth’s, he went for his Grade Three Teachers’ Certificate Course at Anglican Elementary Teacher College, Nsukka and completed same course in December, 1960. With his Teachers’ Grade Three certificate he was employed for the first time as a certified teacher and posted to St. John’s School, Nise and later posted to St. Lawrence’s School Mbaukwu and to St. Cyprian’s College, Nsukka for his Teachers’ Grade Two course and completed same in December 1966 and was among the most decorated sportsmen and athletes at St. Cyprians Nsukka as well as won numerous trophies as the college marathoner.
He was posted to St. Mark’s School, Amankpunato Achi where he taught from first January, 1967, till the outbreak of the civil war and after the civil war, he returned to duties at St. Mark’s School, Amankpunato Achi.
With the takeover of schools by government, his services were transferred from the Anglican Church to the government of East-Central State and he was posted to Central School, Isikwe, Achi and later taught at schools in Nibo, Nise and finally Anambra State College of Education Awka as a pioneer teacher in the College Demonstration School.
With the creation of Anambra and Enugu states, he was in the employ of Nwafor Orizu College of Education Nsugbe till his retirement in 199 and the College retained him on contract for several years until he personally decided to disengage from paid jobs.
He was a regular volunteer church worker and used his holidays and free seasons to organise free adult education classes in Ifite Awka and won converts for the Anglican church and empowered many Ifite Awka people with basic literacy.
During the civil war, he took refuge at Abogidi forest land with his kinsmen and teamed up with other refugees to set up a church in the camp and served as a lay Catechist.
As a lay preacher, he visited many Anglican churches in and around Awka to share the gospel. On one of such missions to All Saint’s Church, Amudo, Awka; he met a chorister Miss Mabel Muogbogu, of Amudo village, Awka and they eventually got married and were blessed with three sons and three daughters with so many grandchildren. His children are not just graduates, they are distinguished professionals and practitioners of noble vocations.
He served as the Secretary of his age grade, the Ekwueme Age Grade, Ifite Awka and was an active member of Ebube Awka age grade.
In August 2019, the CDPS 1989 Graduating Class honoured him as an Outstanding Teacher .
On twenty-sixth December, 2019 his children presented him a Toyota Four Runner SUV as a gift to appreciate him and his wife for their sacrifices.
On Saturday, Orie, fifth July, 2025 he took his last breath in the loving arms of his wife, surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
Until his peaceful passing, he was the Otochali (oldest man) in Umuedochie Family, Otochal Eziakpaka, Otochal Ogonogoezi and second oldest man in Enu-Ifite and Ifite-Awka respectively. Forever, he will be fondly remembered as White and White, or Mr White, devout Soldier of Christ, quintessential family man, veteran teacher, venerated disciplinarian, accurate time-keeper, community leader and a man of transgenerational impact.
The legacies of Elder Lawrence Nwonyibo Nwozor will surely be eternal. To God be the glory.
Adieu! Cheerio!!
