The Epitaph Of Late Everest Madukwem Aliri
The Epitaph Of Late Everest Madukwem Aliri
Birth And Early Life:
Mr. Everest Madukwem Aliri was born on the 30th of November, 1950 into the family of Late Mr. Augustine Eke in Ihemereze Azoronyeahu Aliri of Umuogbor Ntu and Late Mrs. Catherine Ulumma Aliri(Nee Onyeoma) of Umuaro Ngor both of Okpala LGA of Imo State.
The family was blessed with seven children, four males and three females of which Mr. Everest was the fourth son and the sixth child.
Primary Education
Mr. Everest Aliri started his primary education at Local Authority (L.A) School, Umuogbor Ntu, in 1960, he started class two (now primary two) at St. Patrick’s Central School Ntu (Now Ntu Central School). It should be noted that Mr. Everest lost his mother in 1957, and in 1961, his second elder sister Christiana got married and went to her marital home while only Mr. Everest and his father Late Mr. Augustine remained at home.
In 1963, hardship came to its peak and there was not enough money for Everest to continue with education, he was forced to withdraw from school, though the idea to withdraw was from his father. The same year, his father decided to travel to Lagos to seek for financial help from his children. Over there, in 1964, Everest had to start school again after dropping for one year. In 1966, Mr Everest had completed his primary education in flying colors. He passed his first school leaving certificate with credits. His academic brilliance, not withstanding, all hopes of going to secondary school was lost as his elder brother Opee Pius Aliri who catered for Everest’s primary education was no longer working, added to it was the advent of the Nigeria civil war. In 1967, Everest lost his father.
After the war in January 1970, Opee Pius Aliri took his younger brother, Everest to Umuaturu Etche in Rivers State to work as a store keeper in a provision store, due to his diligence, honesty and dedication to duty, he was given a free hand to run the store, the store grew from strength to strength.
Secondary Education:
In April 1972, Everest’s eldest brother, Opee Pius Aliri told him to withdraw from the store keeping job and registered him into secondary school. At this point, Everest left Umuoturu and went to Emekuku Comprehensive School. He took the entrance examination, passed and got admission.
He was known as the best essay writer in all his classes, he was a leading member of the Students Christian Crusade (SCC). He graduated and obtained his West African School Certificate in 1976.
Auxiliary Teaching
After secondary education, Mr. Everest went to traveled to Onitcha in search of greener pasture but all efforts proved abortive, he later traveled to Lagos in 1977, seeking for job but to no avail. It was on July 1st 1977 that the Imo State Government gave Everest an appointment as an auxiliary teacher in the Imo State School System.
Admission Into TTC Egbema
In 1978, in order to further his education, Everest applied to Federal Teaching Training College, Egbema while working as an auxiliary teacher. He got admission though he couldn’t resume because he wasn’t financially buoyant.
After 1977/78 academic session, Mr. Everest applied for admission Into TTC for the second time and was also posted to TTC Egbema. In 1980, he cleared all his teachers Grade II subjects with excellent grades.
In 1987, Mr Everest got admission into Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education(Federal University of Education Owerri) where he obtained his NCE Certificate in Economics/Government while on this, he was still a staff as an auxiliary teacher.
Marital Life:
In 1984, Everest got married to his beloved wife(His better half) Mrs. Florence Aliri(Nee Okereafor) who hails frome nearby village, Umuaku Ntu. The marriage was blessed with seven promising children both male and female.
Working/Career
Mr. Everest rendered his services to the Imo State Government for 35 years, he served as a teacher for 28 years and as a staff in Ngor-Okpala Local Government for 7 years.
Some of The Schools He Taught Includes:
– Central School, Elelem (1977-1979)
– Central School Omuma Orlu East(1980-1982)
– Umuocham Primary School, Ntu(1983-1988)
– Ntu Central School Umuodagu Ntu(1993-2003)
– Primary School Umuhie Ngor(2003-2006)
– Primary School Elelem(2006-2008) etc.
He was later transferred to LGEA Ngor-Okpala as a staff in the finance and payroll unit from 2008-2012 also as a procurement Officer from 2012-2015. He retired on 1st July, 2015 at the age of 60 after 35 years of civil service.
Christian Life:
Mr. Everest Aliri was a devoted and ardent Catholic, he was baptized on January 15th by Fr. J. Shepherd just after 2 months of his birth. He had his first holy Communion on June 6th 1963, on a Pentecost Sunday. He had his confirmation in 1974 at Mt. Camel Emekuku by Bishop Mark Unegbu. He was wedded by his brother Fr. Francis Ekwugha in 2005. He was a faithful and practicing Christian, he never missed morning mass, his honesty, integrity, kind gesture, compassionate, humble and simple personality can never be over emphasized, he was a man who believed in equity.
Posts Held In The Church:
Mr. Everest Aliri was appointed Secretary Umuneche Ntu Station council 2005-2008, he continued 2008-2011 as secretary for both Umuneche Ntu Station and Ubutu Okohia Pastoral Council. He also continued as the CMO Secretary and Vice President of Parish Pastoral after the community had gotten a Parish at St. Patrick’s Umuneche Ntu, he served as Zonal CMO financial secretary 2011-2017. He was the chairman of St. Peters Prayer from 2018 to death. He was Parish Finance Chairman to death.
He was the palace secretary of HRH Eze Sir Christopher Anaele, (Eze Ohanaeze III og Ntu till death.
Awards And Recommendations:
Mr. Everest Madukwem Aliri received many prestigious awards which includes; Patron M.S.A. of St. Patrick Catholic Umuneche Ntu, Nna nwere okwukweof St. Patrick’s Umuneche Ntu, Certificate of commendation and appreciation for his contributions towards the growth of the Catholic in the archdiocese of Owerri by his Grace Most Rev. Anthony J.V. Obinna.
Health/Illness And Death
In the year 2012, Everest started feeling unwell, experiencing difficulty in breathing once in a while, which was suspected to be heart related. He was taken to a specialist hospital for medication, and he got well. In 2017, the symptoms reappeared, he was taken to an “A” class hospital in Abia State, there he was treated and placed on routine medications which stabilized his health.
Early 2025, his children invited him to Lagos with his wife, to take care of his health and as well visit the hospital for checkups, he stayed for some months in Lagos before he became ill again and was taken to a five star private hospital, admitted for eight days and was discharged after responding to treatments. After a few weeks, he got ill again, this time, he was taken to a Federal Medical Center(FMC) in Lagos State, admitted and discharged after three weeks after regaining his health, he decided to go back to his home with his medication. He was under intensive care at home.
Still on his medication, the saddest day in our family occured on 1st September, 2025. At the early hours of the day, the Parish Priest of St Patricks Parish Umuneche Ntu sent for Everest to ask if he would like to receive the holy Communion. Everest being one who can never hesitate to say “yes” to the things of God, accepted and the priest came. Rev. Fr. Alphonsus Ibe had a brief prayer with him, gave the holy Communion and medal of St. Raphael which he wore till the glorious call came.
The holy Communion was the last meal Mr. Everest had, just like the last super, the last person he discussed with was the earthly representative of God, the Parish Priest.
Signed by Mr. Evaristus Ifeanyichukwu Aliri.
The Epitaph Of Late Everest Madukwem Aliri
