MAZI CELESTINE ALARIBE

July 08, 1948 to April 23, 2025

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Life of Service, Sacrifice, and Unshakable Faith Celestine Agbakwuruibe Alaribe was born on July 8, 1948, in Oboama Enyiogugu, a serene town nestled in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria. He was the fifth of six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Alaribe, a family rooted in deep moral values, communal responsibility, and an unwavering devotion to education and faith. Among his siblings-five boys and one girl-Celestine stood out early for his discipline, sharp intellect, and profound sense of duty.

Early Education and Civil War Experience Celestine began his formal education at Enyiogugu Primary School, where he earned his Standard Six Certificate, a commendable achievement during a time when education was a rare privilege in rural Nigeria. Driven by a hunger for knowledge and personal growth, he moved north to Jos, Plateau State, where he pursued his secondary education. However, the trajectory of his academic journey was abruptly interrupted by the outbreak of the Nigerian Civil War in 1967.
Returning home to the Southeast, Celestine was conscripted into the Biafran Army, where he served with valor as a young soldier. In the line of duty, he sustained serious injuries while leading from the front-an embodiment of courage and sacrifice. After recovering, he did not retreat into bitterness or rest. Instead, he committed himself to assisting wounded comrades, offering both care and morale to those around him during those dark and trying times.

Post-War Resilience and Academic Pursuits
After the war, Celestine redirected his life toward education once more, enrolling at the Teachers' Training College in Owerri, where he earned his Teacher's Certificate. Armed with resilience and determination, he moved to Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital, where he taught in a private school. It was here that he diligently saved his earnings with one goal in mind: to further his education abroad.

His dream became reality when he gained admission into Texas A&M University in Alabama, United States, where he pursued a degree in Business Administration. Celestine not only completed his Bachelor's degree with distinction, but went on to earn a Master's degree from the same institution. Ever hungry for academic excellence, he relocated to Houston, Texas, where he began a Ph.D. program at Texas Southern University. Unfortunately, he had to pause his doctoral studies to focus on pressing family responsibilities-a sacrifice he bore with grace and dedication.

Family Life: A Foundation Built on Love and Responsibility In 1985, Celestine married Ngozi Alaribe, a union grounded in love, mutual respect, and spiritual harmony. Their marriage was blessed with a beloved son, Ugoo Alaribe, who would go on to pursue a career in medicine-a path Celestine wholeheartedly supported. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family, embracing his role as a husband and father with unwavering devotion. Though he passed away shortly before witnessing his son's graduation from medical school, his legacy lives on in the success and character of the son he raised.

Community Leadership and Igbo Advocacy
Celestine Alaribe was not only a man of intellect and family, but also a passionate community leader. he was a founding member of the World Igbo Congress, an organization dedicated to unifying the igbo people in the diaspora and promoting the development of Alaigbo-the ancestral igbo homeland. He used his voice and influence to rally igbos around the globe, urging them to contribute to the rebuilding and reawakening of their cultural heritage.
He also played a pivotal role in the formation of several notable community associations, including the Mbaise Family Association, the Enyiogugu Development Union (Houston Branch), and the Enyimba Social Club of Houston. Through these platforms, he fostered unity, cultural pride, and social support for countless immigrant families adjusting to life in the United States.

A Faithful Servant of God
Celestine's spiritual life was deeply rooted in his Catholic faith. He solemnized his marriage at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in 1985 and remained a faithful member of the parish until his death. Over the years, he became an active participant in the church community, volunteering in numerous events, most notably the annual Octoberfest. Alongside his devoted wife, he was instrumental in establishing one of the first Catholic Women Organizations (CWO) in the United States-a legacy that continues to empower Catholic women today.
Additionally, Celestine supported the establishment of the SpringFling Organization at Jesuit High School, creating a platform through which many African families found connection, purpose, and identity in their adopted homeland.

Final Chapter: A Life Courageously Concluded
In August of the previous year, Celestine was diagnosed with cancer. True to his lifelong character, he faced this final battle with quiet strength, deep faith, and enduring dignity. He never complained-he remained a source of comfort to others even in his suffering. He was a gentleman, a patriot, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a man of God.
Though he is no longer with us, the legacy of Mr. Celestine Agbakwuruibe Alaribe lives on through the lives he touched, the family he cherished, the faith he nurtured, and the communities he helped build