Clement Onyemelukwe, a pioneering figure in Nigeria’s electrical industry, made headlines not only for his professional achievements but also for his trailblazing personal life. As the Chief Electrical Engineer of the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria in the early 1960s, he laid the foundation for the national grid still in use today.
A Marriage That Sparked Global Interest
In 1963, Onyemelukwe met Catherine Zastrow, an American Peace Corps volunteer, while she was completing her service in Lagos. Their marriage in 1964 attracted international attention, especially because interracial unions were still illegal in Catherine’s home state of Kentucky at the time.
On December 23, 1964, The New York Times published a brief article titled “Peace Corps Worker to Wed Nigerian Engineer,” reporting on the couple’s wedding in Lagos. Following their marriage, Catherine’s parents faced backlash upon returning to Kentucky, including receiving hate calls that forced them to change their phone number. Despite some criticism, the couple also received supportive telegrams from across the world. Their wedding photo was featured in Life Magazine in January 1965, with additional coverage in Ebony Magazine.
Engineering Legacy and Entrepreneurship
Onyemelukwe began his remarkable career by becoming Nigeria’s Chief Electrical Engineer in 1962. He was instrumental in developing the country’s power infrastructure, initiating the electricity grid that remains the backbone of Nigeria’s power supply.
After more than a decade in the public sector, Onyemelukwe shifted to entrepreneurship. In 1973, he founded Freeman Engineering in Lagos, Nigeria. Three years later, he established Colechurch International Ltd, a project management and promotion firm based in the United Kingdom.
Life Abroad and Final Years
In 1993, Clement and Catherine relocated to Westport, Connecticut, balancing life between the United States and Nigeria. Though initially holding a U.S. residence card (commonly referred to as a “green card”), Onyemelukwe became a U.S. citizen in 2007. An avid reader and speaker, he was active in local intellectual circles, including the Y’s Men organization, and spent time writing and researching business ideas.
Clement Onyemelukwe passed away in March 2020 at the age of 86. He is survived by his wife Catherine, their three children—Chinakueze, Elizabeth, and Samuel—and five grandchildren: Kenechi, Nkiru, Teya, Bruche, and Ikem.
A Lasting Legacy
Onyemelukwe’s contributions to Nigeria’s energy sector and his entrepreneurial spirit continue to inspire future generations. His remarkable life, marked by professional success and personal courage, stands as a testament to breaking barriers both in the engineering world and across cultural divides.
