Scholarship & Service
Dr. Onyeonoro Secundus Kamanu passed away peacefully, leaving a life distinguished by scholarship, service, and quiet leadership. Born around September 12, 1939, in Umunteke, Asa (Abia State, Nigeria), he pursued education with discipline and purpose—a commitment that shaped his life's work across academia, public service, and business.
A recipient of the African Scholarship Program of American Universities, Dr. Kamanu earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science and Economics from Bowdoin College, graduating cum laude. He completed advanced degrees, including a PhD, at Tufts University's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.
His distinguished career included faculty appointments at Rutgers University (Newark), City College of New York, and Fairleigh Dickinson University, as well as service as Director of Research at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs.
Dr. Kamanu is survived by his wife, Lillie, their four children, and extended family in Nigeria and abroad. A devoted reader and lifelong student of ideas, he valued education, public institutions, and intellectual rigor. He was a beacon of integrity whose life served as a testament to the power of the intellect and the importance of global community.
Memorial Service
Date & Time
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Eleven o'clock in the morning
Location
Washington National Cathedral
3101 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, DC 20016
RSVP for Service & Reception
Book of Memories
“A profound thinker who shaped the minds of many. His lectures were not just lessons, but invitations to understand the world more deeply.”
— A Former Colleague“His quiet strength and devotion to his family were matched only by his brilliance in the halls of academia.”
— Family FriendPlease share a memory or a word of comfort for the family.