Late I Wabang Changkiri
Mokokchung, January 25 (MExN): A pioneering educationist among the Ao Naga, I Wabang Changkiri had passed away after a brief illness at his residence on Monday early morning January 25. He was 95.
Late Wabang, who hails from Changki village, was one of the pioneering teachers in Mokokchung district. He dedicated his whole life to the field of education and served as a teacher and headmaster in different government high schools, stated a press release. He also served in different private schools as headmaster and administrator after his retirement in 1984.
He was also a devout Baptist Christian who served the Lord in different capacities in the Ao Baptist Church Council (ABAM), the Mokokchung Town Baptist Arogo, Gideons International and other church fellowships.
He was born on September 26, 1925, and started his schooling at Impur Mission Training School in 1940 and passed out his matriculation from Government High School, Mokokchung in 1950. He was also one of the first batch I.A (pre-university) students at the newly established Fazl Ali College in 1958.
He started his teaching profession as an assistant teacher at Lower Primary School, Changki in 1955 and thereafter served in different schools until his retirement as a headmaster of erstwhile Government High School, Ongpangkong in 1984 after serving for 29 years.
Thereafter, he continued with his passion for teaching and served as Headmaster of Children School Mokokchung and also as administrator cum headmaster of Jubilee Memorial School, Mokokchung Town.
Moreover, as a devout Christian, Wabang took active part in different church activities and served as a deacon of Mokokchung Town Baptist Church (MTBA) for seventeen years. He also served as an executive member of the apex Ao Baptist church organisation ABAM, fellowship in-charge Aongza Fellowship Church, Treasurer of MTBA and Hope Centre, Impur and also as a member of Gideons International, Mokokchung Branch.
The funeral service was held at 1:30 p.m. where friends, relatives, neighbours, villagers and a host of well-wishers attended the programme and paid rich tribute to the departed soul.
Late Wabang is survived by four children, thirteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
