Amichi, a town in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria, witnessed the celebration of the times and life of one of its own, Rev. Can. Daniel Nwankwo Akaolisa (Rtd), as his body was laid to mother earth on the 1st of May, 2024.
People came from far and wide to witness the funeral rites of a man who touched so many lives, a testament to the fact that a good name is a treasure.
As Pablo Picasso said “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away”.
The funeral service was held in St Andrew Cathedral Amichi, after which all roads led to his house in Isioma village for the final internment.
TRIBUTE TO REV. CAN. DANIEL NWANKWO AKAOLISA
Rev Can. Daniel Akaolisa was born on the 16th of November 1949 in today’s Isioma village, Amichi, Nnewi South local government area of Anambra State to Mr Umeigwebike and Mrs Mgbeke Akaolisa of blessed memory. He is the 3rd of 4 children. His parents died while he was still a toddler so he grew up not knowing any of his parents and had to move from one relative’s home to another until the beginning of the civil war.
He got married to his heartthrob, late Virginia Amuche Ezeobi in 1977, she joined him in Kaduna where he plied his trade. Together they were blessed with 7 children. As a skilled salesman, he was involved in quite a number of businesses. Starting from the scratch hawking clothing materials in Kaduna and then progressed to the electrical line. He made waves in the building materials and electronics business until his business name MODETS Enterprises became popular in the state and beyond.
One of the traits for which he was known and respected by his business partners and customers alike is his integrity even as a business man. Throughout his many decades in business he was held in high esteem, all those who passed through his training are successful business men today, a testament to his goodwill.
Bro Dan, as he was popularly known in church circle was a very committed Christian, giving his time, energy and resources to the advancement of the kingdom, embarking on a number of missionary journeys which led him to places like Buruku and Church of Pentecost, to mention a few. Bro was a committed member of the Evangelical Fellowship of the Anglican Communion (EFAC) till his passing, and held zonal and regional positions in EFAC at different times.
Continuing with his passion for souls and the work of God, he was also commissioned into the Anglican clergy as a deacon and served in a number of churches till his retirement in 2019. Our Savior’s Anglican Church, Church of Advent and Christ Church Juji, all in Kaduna were some of the places he served.
He was a man of many parts. He loved football so much that he had his own team in the 90s. He sponsored this team and others to the South East to compete in football tournaments. Though he enjoyed watching football matches irrespective of who’s playing, he was a big fan of Manchester United. He will always say “let the better side win.”
Rev. Can. Daniel Akaolisa was a prudent, diligent, outspoken, selfless and honest man. Even after retirement, he was still active in church, never missing bible studies and church programs, while counseling those who were passing through challenges. He will surely be missed by his family, relatives, friends, the church and business world.
