Biography



Dr. Benson Chukwuma Morah (Ezenwanne) was born on the 5th of May, 1945 in Abala Orimili, in the Ukwuani, Delta State. He was the first of seven children of Chief Isaiah Okoye Morah and Mrs. Cecilia Morah of Amikwo, Awka in Anambra State.

As a child of a school headmaster in the Church Missionary Society (CMS), he received his primary education in various towns due to his father’s frequent transfers. He attended schools in Makurdi (located in present-day Benue State), Ikem Uno, Imuke Agu, Unadu (all located in present-day Enugu State), Iheoma, Orsu (both located in present-day Imo state) and Umuchu St Paul’s Practicing School Awka (in present-day Anambra state).



After completing his primary education he attended Igwebuike Grammar School in Awka where he obtained his Cambridge School Certificate. He later proceeded to Government College Umuaha for his higher school certificate.

In 1970, he graduated from the University of Nigeria with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology. He then went on to pursue further studies abroad, obtaining a Master of Science in Population Studies from the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada and a Doctorate Degree in Population and Development from the University of Alberta.



Dr. Morah lost his father while he was an undergraduate student, and his mother while he was pursuing a doctoral degree in Canada. Rather than leave his youngest siblings (who were still in secondary school) at the mercy of relatives, he sought and received approval from the Canadian High Commission in Lagos to relocate them to Canada.

Upon his return to Nigeria, Dr. Morah was employed by the National Population Commission (NPC) as a statistician, eventually rising to the position of Assistant Director, Statistics. In 1988, he joined the International Labour Organization (ILO) and was posted to Zambia as a Country Technical Advisor to the Zambian Government on population and development.



In 1993 he was subsequently appointed as an advisor to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Support Team in Harare, Zimbabwe. In 1999, he was entrusted with the role of UNFPA Country Representative to Ethiopia, where he was well-received. He proceeded to serve as the Regional Director, UNFPA CST for English Speaking African countries and later served as the Head of Africa Division, UNFPA, New York.

Dr. Morah retired in June 2008 after 20 years of meritorious service to the United Nations. His humility, calmness, and quiet confidence was legendary amongst his colleagues during his long tenure.

Driven by his passion for education, Dr. Morah took it upon himself to sponsor any member of his extended family who was admitted to any University in Nigeria, regardless of gender. To support female family members he organized a loan program to provide funding for trading and other business activities tailored to their individual skills. To ensure the longevity of these humanitarian efforts, Dr. Morah and his siblings founded the Isaiah & Cecilia Morah Foundation to continue these humanitarian activities.



Dr. Morah was a passionate tennis fan. He spent countless sleepless nights watching matches, from the Australian Open to the U.S. Open, never missing a single game. In 2014, his children surprised him with tickets to witness the Wimbledon Finals in-person at Center Court. In 2022, they gifted him tickets to attend the U.S. Open Mens & Womens Final matches. These priceless gifts from his children undoubtedly formed some of the most joyous and unforgettable memories.

To Benson Morah, Awka was the epicenter of the universe, and within it, Amikwo was akin to the legendary city of El Dorado. He believed in the importance of valuing and preserving one's cultural history and tirelessly instilled these values in his children. He always found immense fulfillment in returning home, where he drew strength from the rich cultural heritage of his Igbo ancestors. He voraciously consumed books on Awka's history, reveling in stories of the great accomplishments of its illustrious sons and daughters and loved nothing more than sharing these tales with his children.



Benson is survived by:

Wife

  • Chinwe Clementine Morah

Children 

  • Mr. Nnamdi Ikechukwu Morah
  • Dr. (Mrs.) Nneka Ngozi Ezeibe
  • Ms. Chinyelum Obiageli Morah
  • Ms. Ifeoma Chinweoke Morah
  • Mr. Chukwuma Obiora Morah



Grand-children

  • Chukwudozie Dante Morah
  • Kenechukwu Devree Morah
  • Lotanna Naetochukwu Ezeibe
  • Dubem Onochie Ezeibe



Son-in-law

  • Mr. Obumneme Ezeibe



Siblings

  • Mrs. Frances Ngozi Ezenwa
  • Mr. Emmanuel Iwuorah Morah
  • Mr. Reuben Igwedimma Morah
  • Dr. Erasmus Uchenna Morah

Uncle

  • Mr. Ossy Nweke

Numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces.