A Great Umuojian - Dr Michael Sunny Agina (Agbalanze)

Dr. Agina’s role with Umuoji Improvement Union, USA

Dr. Michael Agina who held from Umuoji in Idemili Local Government area of Anambra State became the founding president of UIU Houston and the first president of UIU USA (All Umuojians across the United States of America) All these positions he held for two consecutive terms each. A member of peace mission set up by the Igwe of Umuoji (HRH Igwe Enweze) to look into and address the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut issues. Chairman of building committee of Umuoji boys’ secondary school project.


Comment: Dr Michael Sunny Agina was a legendary statesman within our Umuoji Community..
His death has left a big void in our heart, soul and spirit that time may not be able to mend nor fill.........
Chief Godwin Oguchi(Ichie Ezedinobi) - Chairman, UIU Houston.

.....A gentleman, a brother and a friend to all, Dr Michael Sunny Agina lived a fulfilling life accentuated with class and style. As founding President of UIU-USA, he set the stage for the success of our organization. He served our organization in other capacities including chairmanship of Houston branch, historic peace and unification delegate to New York/New Jersey/Connecticut, and most recently, Umuoji Boys High School project implementation committee, to mention but a few. Though our hearts are heavy laden, we can find consolation by faith in the Almighty God, the Prince of Peace. ........Dr Fidelis Onyimba(President UIU-USA)



Dr. Agina’s role with Idemili Community Union, Houston, Texas, USA

Dr. Michael has served as a two term president of the 19 Unions that make Idemili Local Government area and one of the largest organizations in the Houston area, the Idemili Community Union. He also served in the capacity of the patron of the same organization and humbly (Currently) the vice president, the position he was serving until his death.
He served in various committees which includes; Chairman of Youth committee, Chairman of Educational Committee, Chairman of 2005 & 2007 end of year event committee, Chairman of communication technology that oversees idemili internet project.


Comment: Agbalanze, as he was fondly called, is one icon that will be very hard to replace. He will be missed by all Idemilians, not just for what he did for this great union, but also for who he was; humble, caring, smiling and always ready to help – Great loss!. We pray for his peaceful eternal rest – Goodbye Nwanne ozu...........
Chief Sylvester Arubaleze- President, Idemili Community Union, Houston, Texas, USA


Dr. Agina’s role with Texas Southern University(TSU)

Dr. Agina was a faculty in the Department of Engineering & Technology at Texas Southern University. I happen to be the Chair of this department. Hence, he did work closely and directly with me. Out of a faculty of 12, coming from different parts of the world, Dr. Agina clearly stood out to be most highly respected mainly because of his sound teaching and research capabilities; and his ability to counsel younger professors on effective teaching methods. Until his passing, he was the Chair of the department accreditation committee. It was his unique effort that had largely contributed to the continued accreditation of the electronics engineering technology program at TSU. He had been instrumental in establishing a relationship between TSU and NASA. Until his death, he has been actively working on NASA Safety and Mission Assurance program jointly with the multinational engineering firm of SAIC Corporation. Prior to then, he has represented TSU on different NASA-related projects, and he has distinguished himself as a brilliant scientist and an erudite engineering scholar. His Ph.D dissertation was focused on the application of some electronics principle to solving the transportation problems of urban Nigeria.

Comment: TSU will miss Dr. Agina. My department will miss him. To me, this is simply a great loss and we awe all pray for his blissful rest. –Dr. D. Olowokere (Chairman, Department of Engineering & Technology –TSU)

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Dr. Michael Agina (Chief Agbalanze) was loved by fellow Umuojians and by those who knew him well. As the Founding National President of UIU, USA, he was a great asset to our organization, and all of us old-timers will miss his company and steadfastness. His pleasant vitality was a continuous inspiration.......
Dr. Francis Onukwuli(Atlanta Georgia)

TRANSITION OF A GREAT UMUOJIAN - DR (CHIEF)MICHAEL SUNNY AGINA(AGBALANZE)

A fallen Hero
.....A gentleman, a brother and a friend to all, Dr Michael Sunny Agina lived a fulfilling life accentuated with class and style. As founding President of UIU-USA, he set the stage for the success of our organization. He served our organization in other capacities including chairmanship of Houston branch, historic peace and unification delegate to New York/New Jersey/Connecticut, and most recently, Umuoji Boys High School project implementation committee, to mention but a few. Though our hearts are heavy laden, we can find consolation by faith in the Almighty God, the Prince of Peace. .............Fidelis Onyimba

..........No words can capture the personality of this great man, we can only hope that the fame of Ichie Agbalanze will do justice to his exemplary life. In UIU Houston Agablanze was a staunch and devoted member. Always staunchly true to his belief that “anyi ncha bu umunne”. After every discussion, he was the first to embrace everyone in the meeting. His contributions to the success of out convention spoke volumes about the strength of his character. Chief Agbalaze was also the founding president of UIU-National a successful effort to bring all Umuojians in the USA together. Recently he was also among a delegation that visited the New York/New jersey branch of UIU. Chief Agbanaze is also a strong factor in the social/cultural equation of Houston. He was the Vice President of Idemili association. A devoted member of his church, and barely missed Igbo activities in Houston and environ........... Okey Okonkwo(Diji)

......On behalf of the entire Wash-Baltimore branch of UIU, I wish to extend our profound and deep sense of loss for the death of a great son of Umuoji. Sunny Agina personifies the true meaning of the word gentleman. He was peaceful, gentle and very kind to all. He was instrumental to the formation of Umuoji Improvement Union USA and became its founding President. His immense contributions cannot be over emphasized.............. Okey Ilochonwu (Ezeugonna)


.........Dr. Agina always the voice of reason, peace and justice will often call on all to remember that we are all brothers. In his words "nwanne ozu na awo ozu aru" ........ Obi Enweze

.......Agbalanze was a thunderbolt in the hearts of many. A great man of honor, no one, not a single one of us saw it coming, extrapolating the Greatness of the Almighty and the naivety of we humans. We would have fought like wounded lions to save this icon whom we loved so much and who loved us with a passion. He considered all of us Nwanne Ozu (absolute brotherhood and love even for the dead). He has certainly joined the ranks of great men who left indelible footprints in the sands of time. He has indeed left a permanent mark in the minds of many Nigerians, both at home and in the diaspora...... Chuma Mbonu

......Say it not in Umuoji
Say it not in UIU USA
A calamity befalls the land
A peace-loving man
Mike-Sunny-Agina is gone!!

A Life cut short
In the prime of life
I stare speechless
As I try to weep
But the heart’s too heavy........ Okey Mbonu

.........Dr. Agina left us with a remarkable leadership style that was bounded by calmness and tolerance; even under immerse pressures, difficult decisions, and intolerable circumstances. Dr. Agina supported Umuoji affairs until his death; a gesture of true patriot that remains unchallenged to this day. Being a great public servant, he gave his wit and might to Umuoji and its people to enable them emerge with pride and integrity; something that makes Dr. Agina a remarkable leader...........Anthony Nnaife Enweze

.......Dr. Agina's death no doubt sent a shock wave across Umuoji community, especially to those of us who met him recently. His passing reminds us that death is inevitable, and that death does not operate on a time frame. Death puts an end to all human activity as we know it. However, good legacy lives on years after one departs this earth life. Dr. Agina in life symbolizes love, friendship, peace, and selfless sacrifice. All who have worked with him will attest to his commitment and hardwork to whatever task he is called upon to undertake.........Austin I. Obiaku _