Official Author Website of Ichie (Engr.) Godwin Ubanyionwu, P.E. 

From Igboland to Texas — A Journey of Struggle, Hope, and Belonging.

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Homepage for The Boy Who Dreamed of America 

From Igboland dreams to Texas highways — a memoir bridging two worlds with resilience, tradition, and hope.

The Boy Who Dreamed of America: A Memoir of Struggle, Hope, and Belonging from the Heart of Igboland to the Soul of Texas 

Memoir Home 

“From the red earth of Amesi to the highways of El Paso, this memoir testifies to what is possible when hope travels across borders.”

Every journey leaves its footprints — not only in words, but in the images, documents, and symbols that preserve memory. This memoir gathers the tangible echoes of a life lived across continents: the red earth of Amesi, the desert highways of El Paso, the halls of honor where titles were bestowed, and the quiet strength of family through generations. These photos, maps, and certificates are more than records; they are enduring witnesses of hope, labor, and legacy — the story of a boy who dreamed of America and found belonging on both sides of the Atlantic.

Preface

There comes a time in a man’s life when memory becomes more than recollection—it becomes a duty. This memoir is my humble attempt to fulfill that duty: to preserve the remarkable journey of a village boy from Amesi, a quiet town nestled in the heart of Anambra State, Nigeria, who dared to dream beyond the dust-laden footpaths of home and chart a course to America in the late 1970s—with little more than faith in God and fire in his spirit.

I was neither backed by financial privilege nor buoyed by powerful connections. I crossed oceans armed only with determination, a hunger for education, and an unyielding belief in divine providence. What followed was a pilgrimage through hardship, hope, rejection, renewal, and ultimately, fulfillment. That journey—though intensely personal—is, I believe, also universal. For within it lie lessons of grit, grace, and the stubborn refusal to surrender to circumstance.

This book is, in part, a response to the many who have asked, “How did you do it? How did you secure a visa to the United States without help, and survive the crucible of daily struggles with no external support?” It is especially written for my children—whose questions stirred memories I had tucked away for decades, and whose curiosity inspired me to excavate this path of becoming. They deserve to know the truth of my origin, not as folklore, but as testimony.

Above all, this memoir is an ode to the indomitable human spirit. It is a reaffirmation that destiny is not dictated by one’s beginnings, but shaped by persistence, resilience, and clarity of purpose. Yes, life will erect obstacles—some towering and relentless—but no mountain is unconquerable when met with courage, preparation, and a humble heart that seeks wisdom from the right sources.

To the reader—whether young or old, immigrant or native-born, dreamer or doubter—I offer these pages not as a blueprint, but as a beacon. May you draw strength from my trials, insight from my detours, and above all, hope from my endurance.

Hold fast to your convictions. Dare to believe in the improbable. And when the road narrows, press on still. For sometimes, the smallest beginnings birth the grandest legacies.

— Ichie (Engr.) Godwin Ubanyionwu, P.E. (Ugochinyere I of Amesi)

Memoir Overview

This memoir chronicles the extraordinary journey of Ichie (Engr.) Godwin Ubanyionwu, P.E., from a small village in Amesi, Nigeria, to the wide deserts of El Paso, Texas. It is a story of resilience, perseverance, and purpose—one boy’s dream transformed into a life of impact through engineering leadership, cultural advocacy, and unwavering devotion to family and community.

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About the Book

Why This Story Matters:

• Inspires resilience and perseverance
• Preserves Igbo cultural heritage
• Celebrates bridges between communities
• Offers insight into leadership, family, and belonging

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The Americas Interchange, a testament not only to engineering excellence but also to the aesthetics that uplift a community’s spirit. 

The family that grew under a roof of perseverance and faith. Front row: Lolo Francisca Chinazor Ubanyionwu and Ichie Godwin Ubanyionwu. Standing (from left): Dr. Helen Chinyere, Dr. Victoria Ngozi, Nze Dr. Professor Samuel Uchenna, and Dr. Jessica Ijeoma.

His Royal Majesty Igwe Raphael Chinwike Okpaleke — A revered traditional leader whose steady wisdom and unifying spirit continue to inspire peace and kinship in Amesi. Under his distinguished leadership, Ichie (Engr.) Godwin Ubanyionwu, P.E., was conferred the title of Ichie on January 1, 2022 — a day that remains deeply meaningful, marking a renewed bond with the enduring traditions and cultural heart of Amesi. 

The Honorable Chief F. U. Mbakogu – The Catalyst of My Journey
In the late 1970s, when obtaining a Nigerian passport required an arduous trip to Lagos; an impossible feat for a village boy with limited means; Chief F. U. Mbakogu intervened with a heart of gold. Through his generosity and influence, he secured my very first passport and, with it, opened the door to my American dream. His profound gesture became the guiding hand that transformed hope into destiny.

About the Author

Ichie (Engr.) Godwin Ubanyionwu, P.E. (Ugochinyere I of Amesi) is a Nigerian-born engineer, cultural advocate, and memoirist. Over three decades, he played a leadership role in designing and managing landmark highway projects in El Paso, Texas, while remaining deeply connected to his Igbo heritage. Through his memoir, he shares a life that bridges two worlds—engineering hope in Texas and preserving tradition in Nigeria.

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Ichie (Engr.) Godwin Ubanyionwu, P.E. - Author, Cultural Advocate, and Engineer who built bridges of hope from rural Igboland to modern Texas.

Memoir Excerpt

From childhood struggles in rural Nigeria to professional triumphs in America, this memoir blends personal storytelling with cultural and professional milestones. It highlights the pursuit of education, the challenges of immigration, and the triumphs of building roads, bridges, and communities across continents.

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