Godwin Adindu Njoku

LATE CAPTAIN GODWIN ADINDU NJOKU.

Grandfather, Father, Husband, Brother, Uncle, Airline Captain, and War Veteran.

Capt. Godwin Adindu Njoku was the fifth of eight children of Late Anglican Church "Lay Reader" Felix Onyekwere and Matilda Ihuoma Njoku.

At baptism his father named him "GODWIN" meaning GOD's FRIEND while both his father and mother jointly named him ADINDU in the belief of God's bestowment of longevity so that all his dreams and aspiration will be fulfilled.

He started his primary school at St. Peter's CMS Primary School Ubonukam Onicha Mbaise and completed Standard Six with "Distinction" in 1955 at CMS Central School Mbieri.

He was academically savvy and as such completed Standards 1 to 6 in three years. He was able to finish two academic sessions per year.

In 1956, he gained admission into St. Augustine's Grammar School (SAGS) Nkwere Imo State Nigeria and graduated (Grade One) in his Cambridge School Certificate Exam.

He was an astute sports man, he loved track and played football. He also played the Electric Guitar.

His secondary school education was only possible financially through. “Mbaise County Council" Scholarship which he won.

Capt. Godwin Adindu Njoku obtained his Higher School Certificate (HSC) with Distinction "A" level Passes in Pure and Applied Mathematics and Physics from the Federal Emergency Science School, Lagos and a Diploma in Law and Executive Leadership from the La Salle University United States.

In 1961 he taught briefly at Ika Grammar School Agbor-Delta State, Nigeria and later joined Nigeria Airways Lagos and subsequently the Nigerian Airforce.

In the Nigerian Air Force, he completed his Basic and Advanced military training at the NAF BASE KADUNA before leaving for then West Germany for his initial Pilot and basic flight training at UETERSEN-BUNDES WEIR FLIGGER HOST. He also spoke Deutsch fluently.

By mid-1966, with other NAF personnel, Capt. Godwin Adindu Njoku returned to Nigeria to face the uncertainties created by the political upheaval that followed the 1966 military coup.

Capt. Godwin Adindu Njoku operated military aircraft during the Biafran conflict as an Officer and Fighter Pilot. He survived his aircraft being shot down during the last stages of the conflict, and when it was over Godwin decided to move on with his private life.

He married his wife Late Joe Nwalie Okonkwo-an erudite Nurse in 1970, and together they lived together until her passing on the 12th of January 2022.

Capt. Godwin Adindu Njoku left Nigeria to Texas, United States where he trained to convert his Military License to an Airline Transport Pilot license. He subsequently moved to the Virgin Islands. (St. Croix)

He became an Examiner and the Chief flight Instructor of the Virgin Islands flight school, now known today as Bohlke International Aviation and was the Director of Flight Operations for East Caribbean Airways.

During the period he earned the National Pilots Association of America 4 Star Safety Award, and Gold Seal Award for Outstanding Flight instructor.

He returned to Nigeria in 1977 with his young family to the employ of Nigerian Airways as a Fleet and Training Captain, Examiner and a Director for IFALPA (Nigerian Chapter) and subsequently the Chief Pilot of Okada Airlines, the largest privately owned airline in Nigeria at the time.

He later retired from active flying with over 21,000 hrs flight time, continued his private business with ALMOG Engineering and then subsequently left Nigeria to settle in Atlanta Georgia with his wife late Josephine and children in 2002.

He was a God-fearing man with sterling integrity and amiable pedigree in philanthropy, generosity and a zero tolerance for injustice.

During the period from 1971 till his passing he had five children, Lemuel (Uche), Linda (Z-Z), Lebechi (Cheli), Chijioke (Chiji) and Chinasa (Nana) and Seven wonderful grand kids.

He was a kind, modest, forthright but firm individual that respected and was respected by all he met. Loved by immediate and extended Family, In-laws, Friends, Military and Civil Aviation Colleagues and Acquaintances alike.

He will surely be missed.

“Let it be known that Godwin belonged to the class of GREAT MASTERS”

May his Blessed Soul rest in Eternal Peace.

Capt. Lemuel Adindu Njoku (JR)