Born into a farming family in 1914 Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue’s early education took place at St. Steven’s Primary School in Ifite Dunu, Anambra State, Nigeria. The premature death of his father meant that he was now needed at home and his formal education could no longer continue; however through self-learning he was able to undertake and pass examinations for employment in the colonial civil service. Shortly thereafter he would be recruited into the colonial police force where he would use his evenings to study for the United Kingdom Universities’ matriculation exam, eventually earning a place to study economics at the London School of Economics and Political Science. During his time at the LSE, Zaccheus would simultaneously prepare for and pass the English Bar Exams.

Upon his return to Nigeria, as an economist and barrister, he would become the first company secretary and legal adviser to the African Continental Bank. He would remain in that position until his appointment as Executive Chairman of the Eastern Nigeria Development Corporation where he oversaw projects in a number of regions across Eastern Nigeria. His tenure came to an abrupt end at the advent of the Nigerian civil war.

Following the war he was made the first Commissioner for Finance and then Agriculture in the government of the East Central State an area that comprises of the present day Ebony, Imo, Abia, Enugu and Anambra States.

On July the 16th 1975 illness would bring Zaccheus’ life to a premature close.

 

 

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