Engr. Clement Onyemelukwe Biography, Career, Controversies, And Death
Engr. Clement Chukwukadibia Onyemelukwe, born on April 1, 1933, in Nanka, Anambra State, played a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s power sector. As Chief Electrical Engineer in 1962, he laid the foundation for the national electricity grid still in use today. He is fondly regarded as the “Father of Nigerian Electricity.” Onyemelukwe was also the first Nigerian to marry a Peace Corps volunteer, marking a notable chapter in Nigeria’s history.
Engr. Clement Profile
| Name | Engr. Clement Onyemelukwe |
| Real Name | Engr. Clement Chukwukadibia Onyemelukwe |
| Date of Birth | 1 April 1933 |
| Date of Death | 18 January 2020 (87 years) |
| State of Origin | Anambra State |
| Tribe | Igbo |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Occupation | Chief Electrical Engineer |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Net Worth | $750 Million |
| Copied from | contents101.com |
Educational Background
Onyemelukwe began his education at Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS) in Onitsha, a leading boys’ secondary school during the colonial period. After spending two years at the University College Ibadan, he was selected by the British colonial government to complete his studies at the University of Leeds. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering in 1956 and later pursued a second degree in Economics from the University of London.
Career
Following his engineering studies, Onyemelukwe worked in the United Kingdom’s power sector before returning to Nigeria after its independence in 1960. Recruited by the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN), he initially served as Deputy Chief Engineer in 1961 and rose to the position of Chief Electrical Engineer in 1962, succeeding his British predecessor. It was under his leadership that the blueprint for Nigeria’s national electricity grid now managed by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) was developed.
During the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), Onyemelukwe joined Biafra’s Coal Corporation and electricity utility. He also served as the executive chairman of the Biafra Airports Board, ensuring the safe landing and departure of aircraft during the conflict. Toward the end of the war, he chaired the Panel on Post-War Reconstruction. After the war, he returned to Lagos and resumed his work with the ECN.
In 1973, he left the public sector to establish Freeman Engineering in Lagos. Later, in 1976, he founded Colechurch International Ltd, a project management company based in the United Kingdom, which expanded to operate in 32 countries.
Controversies
Onyemelukwe made headlines when he married Catherine Zastrow, a Peace Corps volunteer, in 1964. Their interracial marriage, which took place at a time when such unions were illegal in Catherine’s home state of Kentucky, generated both support and criticism. The couple’s wedding attracted international attention, and Catherine’s parents faced backlash, including hate calls, upon their return to the United States.
Personal Life
Onyemelukwe and Catherine settled in Lagos before eventually relocating to Westport, Connecticut, in 1993. The couple raised three children: Chinakueze, Elizabeth, and Samuel. Onyemelukwe became a U.S. citizen in 2007, while continuing his business activities in both Nigeria and the United States. A passionate speaker and community member, he frequently lectured on topics such as power infrastructure and economic development and was an active member of the Unitarian Church in Westport.
He is survived by his wife Catherine, their three children, and five grandchildren: Kenechi, Nkiru, Teya, Bruche, and Ikem. His brother, Prof. Geoffrey Chukwubuike Onyemelukwe, a renowned physician and professor of immunology, and three sisters also survive him. He was predeceased by his cousin, the Most Rev. Dr. Jonathan Arinzechukwu Onyemelukwe, former Anglican Bishop on the Niger, and one sister.
Engr. Clement Net Worth
At the peak of its operations, Colechurch International Ltd, founded by Onyemelukwe, had an asset base of approximately $750 million. With offices in London and the U.S., the company employed about 2,500 staff members worldwide.
Death
Engr. Clement Chukwukadibia Onyemelukwe passed away on January 18, 2020, at the age of 86, in his Westport home. He died of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, despite having never been a smoker.
His final book, The Decline of the American Economy, was scheduled for release in the spring of 2020. He was laid to rest in his family’s ancestral compound in Nanka, Anambra State, in April 2020, alongside his parents.
