Ignatius Udo Adanga: Energy and a
Helping Hand
Ignatius Udo Adanga was born 62 years ago in Nigeria.
As a young man, he left home for Lagos, the capital. He
moved on to Liberia and then Germany before migrating to
New York some two decades ago.
Mr. Adanga's quest for a better life led him through a
series of city and state jobs in housing, probation,
children's services and, finally, the planning department
of the Metropolitan Transportation Council, at the World
Trade Center.
For all that, Mr. Adanga struck those who knew him as
energetic rather than restless. He always seemed to have
spare time to help family members -- his wife, Afiong,
and three daughters -- friends and co-workers. "Your
country or your nativity was immaterial," said McLord
Obiora, a friend, at a memorial service early this
month.
Judith Wilson, a co-worker for the past year, said Mr.
Adanga not only took the time to help her settle in but
also became a mentor for her son Kareem, 10, when he
learned she was a single parent. "I was always going to
him for advice," she said.
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