Tributes

I do not know where to begin to talk about Obidinma or where to end. Amiable, intelligent, highly educated, resourceful, honest, loving man. I knew you would die someday but little did I dream that you would die suddenly in the hands of wicked heartless people so soon. May God Almighty reward them adequately. You were a highly educated professor of long standing, a former Permanent secretary of Education, Finance, State Education Commission, and Cabinet Office. Above all you lectured for 15 years at Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Ebonyi State University reaching the professorial cadre in Ebonyi State Uniiversity. You wrote several books.

You brought up your children including Prof. Cheluchi Onyemelukwe-Onuobia, a Professor of Law at Babcock University Ogun State, Nigeria. You also brought up Soke Onyemelukwe, an Engineer in Canada, Akaoma in Abuja and Blessing. You also brought up your sisters, Prof. Jane Onyemelukwe and Bessie Onyemelukwe Obinwa.
While we mourn Obidinma, we also count God’s blessings. As the song goes, we shall count your blessings one by one and it will surprise us what God has done in his life. As an orphan, he lost father as a small boy and his mother died when he was in Class 2 in DMGS. On his return from holidays he was shown his mum’s grave. From there he went back to school. He lived and he triumphed over challenges and successes. To God be glory for his successful life and career.

Obi, you and I loved each other very much. We lived so happily together that others often asked us our secret. Not long ago we were even given a medal as a loving family in St. Matthews Church, Enugu Nanka in 2020. Indeed, we were an exemplary family. We ate together, discussed everything together, did everything together, shared our joys and sorrows and travelled together, hence our being together when they shot you to death.
Obi I miss you very much. I cannot stop crying for whom you have been to me. I love you dearly. God knows. Goodbye. My consolation is that you have gone to meet the Lord who knows everything.

May your gentle soul rest in peace in the arms of Jesus Christ. Amen

Daddy, it has been a period of deep grief to me. I have dreaded this, almost all my life, it seems. And in the past few years, I have been intentional in caring for you, knowing that we probably had fewer years together than we had had before. To say then that I am devastated at this abrupt end is, for all who know me, quite the understatement. My heart is broken, completely so. And I suspect it will be for the rest of my life.

But today, in this tribute, I will dwell instead of gratitude. Gratitude that you were and are my father. As I said in my Tribute on your 80th birthday celebration – Who am I that God should be so mindful of me? For indeed, giving you to me, to father me in this world was and remains a gift that I will cherish all my life.
I am thankful that I got to write you a tribute that you were here to read, that all of us, your closest family, got to share with you. I remember how you told me how there were tears in your eyes as you read what others only get to hear in the death. I am thankful that you told me na anyi kwa gi na ndu.

I am thankful for the opportunity, for the privilege that we had to celebrate you in life. Grateful that as it happened, many members of our family were around, including those who have now gone from us from this dimension, including Uncle Clem. Grateful for all the other smaller celebrations, like your 82nd birthday in Lagos which I saw a recording of on my phone just recently.

As I put together the tributes that have come in I am thankful for what others have said about you. You were brilliant and successful in your careers, chairing different organisations at different levels, always an active participant, never just an onlooker. But you were so much more than that. Some have called you an Iroko, irrepressible, exuberant, jolly, an embodiment of wisdom, impactful, unique, an embodiment of beauty in speech and in character, generous, kind, empathetic, dignified, yet approachable, humble, a mentor, a teacher, a man of peace, a friend, incurably patriotic to your country, but especially to Nanka. It is amazing to see how the tributes mirror each other in trying to describe the towering human you were. All of that, without doubt, without question, is true – you were all of that and more. You were a great man, in every sense of the word. And you are my father. I will write personally today, therefore, not of all your achievements captured eloquently by others and in your profile, but mostly of you as my father.

Let me begin by thanking you for loving Mummy. You valued and respected my mother and taught us what marriage should be like, what a husband should be. You loved her, and there was no doubt about it. You respected her, valued her, supported her, stood by her, and made sure she knew that you were her home. We knew if we told you anything, Mummy would hear, and vice versa. It could be annoying, and yet today I miss this so much. That said, I am so very glad today that Mummy knows all of your stories and that these remain here with us today.

As children we knew that our home was solid, we never had any fears. I remember you telling me only a few years ago, “Your mother and I have been married for over forty years, but it feels like we just started today.” I remember you telling me with deep sorrow when she was ill in 2013 how you had always planned to go first. Well, Daddy that has now happened. The two of you went everywhere together, even at your death. I promise that we will take good care of her, as much as lies in our power.

I am thankful that you valued me. Anyone who saw us together knew that you valued me. You respected my opinions, even as a child. You sought my opinions, you listened to me. You appreciated me. You thanked me for things little and big. You admired me, my work, my wins. I walk into the world, head held high, able to cope with life because you raised me and you valued me, and left me in no doubt about that. I am grateful for all the times you came through for me, stood by me, supported me, challenged me.
I am thankful that my siblings and I had a father who loved us unashamedly, boldly, who provided for us in every way that he could, not only in the basic necessities of life, food, shelter, clothing, education. As a child, I remember you taking us to Air Force Primary School, almost always late, hahaha, to getting down on the floor with us and singing nya nya n’ugbo, telling us all sort of stories, to more recent times, talking with me about tricky issues of career building and relationships and a myriad other things. I am thankful for the love, the bond, the emotional security, the discipline, the friendship, the ever-present support. We learnt from your own life, not only what you said, but what you did every day, how to live life. Thank you for the separate and wonderful relationship you had with each of us your children, unique, meeting each person where they were. Remember when the doctor wondered if I was your favourite child? Hehehehe. We both smiled. You made sure it was never like that in our home. As each child’s tribute shows, your love for each of us was unique, meeting us where we were, different for each one, yet special. You made sure we made efforts to get along and to care for each other.
You cared for my children, always wanting to know how they were doing. You were exceedingly proud of Kelechi when he became Head Boy. Only last Christmas, you were telling me how he is truly a human being. I will remind of him of this through the years. You were amused and encouraged by Udochi’s liveliness and warmth, waiting for his hug on his return home from school, awed by Oluchi’s height, and told me that her artistry probably comes from you, to my surprise.

You respected my husband, Fred. You appreciated his steadiness and diligence. You rooted for our marriage to succeed and you were always happy to meet harmony in our home. And not so long ago, you were telling how moved you were by something he did. So very much to miss.
Thank you for your diligence. You were a hard worker. You never slacked, not even in old age. You were conscientious, always trying to figure out what to do about thorny situations. You taught me to value work, to not look down on my challenges and setbacks but to use them as fuel, as stepping stones. Unlike other parents of your time who always came first in class, you told me about the times you struggled and didn’t do so well, and what and how you learnt from them. Intelligent and insightful, you always had perspective, you taught me not to arrogate undue powers to myself, but to have confidence, be self-aware and rely on God’s grace, knowing that these were just as important as natural brilliance and talent. These continue to be valuable lessons for me.

I am thankful for your gift of kindness and generosity. I saw you care for others, pay school fees for others, help get jobs, shelter them, support them in getting married, pray for them, give life-changing and insightful advice, admire their work, encourage them, intercede for them with others. I think back on your income as a civil servant and an academic who kept within their salary and I am awed at how generous you and Mummy were. Not so long ago I sent you a young man my organization was trying to support through some life challenges. With no questions asked, you took him in and sheltered and cared for him for the period I asked. In the time after, you reminded me of him and told me of the conversations you had had and how you hoped I could support him. This is only of course a recent example. You were generous with advice and ideas. You gave that gift to many who came close to you, never pushing your ideas on them, but sharing your razor-sharp intellect, insight, wisdom, and tremendous gift of analysis so generously with them. I will miss being able to call you and run things by you. I will miss you calling me at odd times to say, “I was thinking of that speech you are about to give and this is what I think you could say” Or “I was thinking of this and here is what I think you could do.”

I thank you for your basic decency and integrity which pervaded all that you did. You were a truth-teller, honest sometimes to a fault. Yet you were gracious, extending grace to others. You lived a disciplined life, only last December Akaoma and I were talking about this. How we took this for granted, until we went out into the world.
I am thankful for the courage and grit that we learnt from you, from the way you lived your own life, how you fought setbacks and disappointments, continuing to chug on. You faced down life’s challenges not with the absence of fear, but instead with courage in the face of fear, vulnerable yet strong. I learnt from you that one could be a man and yet be vulnerable, that one could be strong and yet have feelings. I saw you in times of need, in times when you lost the support of those you desired it from, in times when you made mistakes. I saw you rise, keep going, able to survive, to triumph, to not give up. I am praying that I got some of that courage from you. In the aftermath of this terrible loss, I will need it.

I remain in awe of your resilience, even when you lost almost all your sight, a disaster for anyone but especially for a reader, an intellectual like yourself. Yet you made for yourself a way in the world, and moved about and did more things than people who retained their full sight do and can. You did not leave room for bitterness, nor for self-pity. You went on, acknowledging the challenges, but going on with good cheer nonetheless.
I am thankful for your humility, your approachability, your modesty in spite of all your accomplishments. You entertained big and small, you saw everyone as human and by your example you taught us to be ourselves, and to truly see others. Whether it was those who served you in different capacities, children in Nanka, my friends, handymen, your students, we saw you value everyone, without airs, always. When people tell me about my seeming modesty today, I think to myself, that they haven’t met you. But today I think that I must have learnt from you. As I said in my 80th, you were not without fault, human that you were. But you owned your faults, you learned from them, and in so doing taught us to do the same. You were brilliant, an Iroko in the Onyemelukwe family and in Nanka, which you loved very much. I am grateful to have learnt from your example what it means to love family, to love community, to be rooted, to give to the causes you care about, regardless of the cost, and to make the most of one’s life. You loved DMGS, Rotary, Gideon’s, all the places you belonged in. You loved them and you got us to love them too and even in our adult lives find ourselves in some of them.
I am thankful for your laughter, ringing, vibrant, irrepressible. I think of you now, perhaps I-na abakana with Uncle Ezeofor, your laughter ringing across heaven, your eyes bright shining at the marvelous things in heaven. Remember how you taught us how Jesus’ father was a carpenter and taught him to build furniture, how we send up wood and nails to help with our own stools with our good deeds? I smile now, praying that your stool is beautiful, that the freely given gift of grace in Christ Jesus has sent you up to sit beside him in heaven.

Thank you for your faith. From your example, I know what it is to believe in God, to believe that all is well despite the circumstances, to live decently and work out our righteousness. I am struggling at the moment. But you have taught me too well. I never struggled with the idea of a gracious, heavenly father, because He gave me an amazing one on earth. And even in this dark period, I am grateful to Him for the gift of you.

Thank you for being an inspiration, for being my mentor. I am thankful that God made it possible for me to make you proud, that you saw me do things – graduate, get married, have children, get my doctorate, win awards, in Nigeria and outside Nigeria. I always wanted to make you proud. My first inspiration, you are the reason I hold a doctorate and became a Professor of Law (oh how I remember how you kept urging me to hang in there and not give up as I childishly ranted). By introducing me to books, and telling us folklores, you and Mummy are also the reason I am a writer and storyteller. I applied for something that I had spoken to you about recently and I wept afterwards because I could not call and tell you about it. You celebrated my every win and my biggest prize was to be able to call you after any win and tell you about it. Being able to share it with you was usually an even better feeling than the prize, whatever it was. You challenged, you encouraged, you reminded me, us, of what we could do and be. And yet, you did not push, did not compel. You loved us where we were, while leaving room for improvement.

How proud have I been to hear from your students, even in our collective sadness and sorrow? To hear of your open-door, going above and beyond policy, of your capacity for helping students, for breaking abstract concepts into simple language, and using storytelling to bring things home. We experienced all of that at home and you took them outside and blessed your students with these too. I could write a book about you and, as we discussed, I will.
Thank you for being my father, and yet also my friend. I thank God for the opportunity to have you in my home every year since my return to Nigeria, the privilege of caring for you in your final years, of sitting with you at your doctor’s appointments, being able to share your medical history with doctors at your nudging, of discussing treatment options, the blessing of getting work advice, child rearing and marriage advice, advice on every aspect of life, of discussing myriad things really.
There is a part of me, that wants to believe this to be only a bad dream, but I hear you telling me unsentimentally to get on, and asking as my tears pour out uncontrollably, “Ogindi ka I na-eme ifea?”

I know that you are rooting for us, rooting for us to succeed, to triumph, to live a full life like you have done. And that has given me courage to go on. Even the day after you died, I spoke to an international conference, remembering how you sat beside me as I facilitated sessions for the African Union Commission just in December last year, knowing how proud you would be of me.

I will miss so many things, you introducing me to people: “Oo Ada m nwanyi,” sometimes adding “O bi Umuahia.” I will miss sitting with you in companionable silence, even arguing with you, your laughter, your voice raised in excitement, your gait as you walk into the sitting room, your wrapper round your waist, watching you eat with enjoyment, taking your blood pressure, your insisting that you need to go back home for one funeral, one function or the other, acting as though being away from your home was prison. I will miss your mentoring, being able to ask you anything. I will miss these and so many more besides. But I am truly, deeply, grateful that I did have all these, that I had you. I am thankful that you lived, you truly lived every single moment of a joyful, impactful life. I think back on God bringing you to spend a whole month with me last December, for the beautiful Christmas we had together, with Akii, those last family pictures we took together on Akii’s insistence, for my last visit to Enugu, and those three German mangoes you brought back from Nanka specially for me, that I had you for 43 years, longer than you had your own parents, and I cannot but be grateful to God, and say,’ It is well.’

God bless you, Daddy. I love you, Daddy. Always.

Daddy, writing this piece is the toughest thing to do. I recalled the joy and excitement I had writing you a tribute when you turned 80 and we were celebrating you in 2017. Your sudden death has been the rudest shock I have experienced in recent times leaving me so speechless, broken, sad, crying, waking up daily expecting that it is a bad dream. My tears keep flowing daily with endless questions and reflection on your love, kindness, depth of wisdom, brilliance and intelligence, care, peace and sacrifice. But every day I have many reasons to thank God for who you were and are to me and many people who crossed your path in life. For the many victories you had in your lifetime in which we are one of the many. I thank God that you are my father, my friend and confidant. Thank you, daddy, for the very special relationship we shared even when we are both silent so much is shared and said.

Daddy growing up with you was such an opportunity for me and my siblings. I remember you taking us to school, answering lots of questions with explanations, insight and never getting tired. I remember your coming to pick us in Ekulu primary school at the end of term, it was a feast. We played many games including drinking water. We had evening of play where we mimicked you, in your good nature you laughed about it. Growing up, your examples were daunting, examples of love for our people and your people – Nanka.

We had many interactions sharing about the values, peoples, the events, sharing the depth of love and progress our people have made and are making, even your personality and resolve to stand for the truth always and be the light. We visited Nanka so often almost every weekend supporting the growth of our community and people. These visits you did for many years even with the event of your demise. We watched as you ensured Nanka consistently benefited from every position, talent, skills, knowledge and opportunities God gave you. I love you daddy. Daddy, I had in your lifetime told you how much I love you, the place you occupy and what you represent. You expressed the same every time even in the little things.

I remember many childhood events – your teaching us mathematics (we called it lesson) at home in the dinner room, your reviewing essays and discussing my work just like the genius you are. I thank you for the mentoring me on many aspects of my work even when you began to see differently you will listen as I read a loud and discuss it clearly with references and examples. This left me with many options and helped me come out each time a success. You were a great teacher, listener, friend but very firm. You are one person you taught me how to see the righteousness in a matter. Your feedbacks are life changing. Our opinion on matters are important and even when we see things from a different perspective, you understand. You instilled the virtue of loving people and help others not minding that they may never be able to pay back for the kindness. I watched you as you made decisions to help through everyday actions including your purchase of your eyeglasses and medication in the India hospitals for instance

I remember when I graduated from University and was very keen on my NYSC, you told clearly that God will bring the solution that will work and when were yet thinking it, help surfaced. The advice you gave me as I left home for the first time has stayed with me. You advised me on the key things in life with love and deep care without judgment. Over the years, our interaction has remained with increasing quality and understanding of our uniqueness. Oh, how I enjoyed our trip to India in 2014 and the many times you visited my house, we shared lots of memories and talked about many things. It was exciting spending the time with you, caring and nursing you, attending Rotary installation ceremonies where I anchor the event or just serving as one of the board of directors So many special times, sharing breakfast or sharing the weekend when I am in Enugu for work. I recall having you attend a meeting with me where I was providing technical assistance to the 52 federal Medical Center Directors in Nigeria, I saw how proud many of those events over the years made you.

We had a quality time during Christmas in Nanka always, the last Christmas in Lagos was amazing. I never that will be last Christmas with you. We shared a lot of time together discussing world events, books, business, Nanka happenings which is the major specials and my many strides. You asked a lot of questions to understand and provide me some superior insight and feedback with no judgment. Those questions opened new perspectives for me. You related with me and my siblings uniquely, understanding each person’s nuances and managing it all well.

With you, our home was peaceful and our mum was protected, loved, cared for and truly preserved. Daddy I admired how you supported our mum to become all God intended for her and the apex of respect you ensured she commanded both in our home and externally. Your demise has left a big vacuum in her life. You are one husband and father everyone would wish to have. With you, we are encouraged to push through the ceilings and make the Onyemelukwe name so proud. I watched you as you respected and loved all the members of Onyemelukwe family, ensured you provided support where necessary as occasion served you. You reminded us to always know who we are.

With you, we learnt to love God and owned a Bible once we turned 7, worshipping and serving Our Lord Jesus with our lives like you did and following our passion for the gospel in our unique ways. I miss your early morning calls especially on Sundays. I miss your laughter and stammering even we get on your other side. I miss your sharing of updates from various events with the intelligence of your analysis and historical perspectives. As we lay your body on the earth today, I am consoled by the scriptures – the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I am convinced you live on and present with us as we connect with the spirit. I must say you are one-man, God marvelously helped. Adieu Daddy, Adieu Daddy till we meet at the rapture of the church.

It was a Black Thursday for me getting the news of my daddy’s death as my phone rang. Thought it was the usual family time not knowing what was at stake, the news of my dad s demise was disclosed to me. I was still very much in shock, weeping and crying when my mum said “Blessing, Daddy died.” I couldn’t hold back my tears. I cried out and wept all through soaking my bed with tears that kept coming uncontrollably.

Dad had such an exuberant and strong spirit deep and committed to service of God and humanity. He would stand for truth and ensure justice prevails against all odds. Everywhere he was found and privileged to work he continually made impact touching lives and making sacrifices .He was a kind hearted man, very humorous, hardworking, strong, caring and played a very perfect role as a father to my siblings and I and also to others we witnessed.

Daddy you are like man in Psalm 1 who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the company of mockers. You are blessed because you delight in the law of the Lord and you meditate on his word night and day (Psalm 1:1-3)
You are a godly man who loves his children and grandchildren deeply. You have a special name for each one and pray daily for us. You remember our birthdays and never fail to call and wish us a happy birthday.

You raised us to love God and love our neighbor, the greatest commandment of God and for this are forever thankful to you.
We are living witnesses of the godly life you lived which set you apart from your peers. You are role model through your faith, humility and dedication to serve.
Now that IDE JI NDU anyi ( the God that owns our lives) has called you home, we shall be still and know that He is God.
Sleep well my darling handsome Daddy till we meet to part no more.

Adieu Ochimba Nanka, Adieu my daddy.

This is both a heart wrenching, sorrowful and sad time as well as a celebration of a fulfilled life, fully lived, a testament of God’s grace, a quintessential example of a good father, a bastion of wisdom, a humanitarian, a lover of fairness and equity, and an overall specimen of what a great man is.

I can proudly and without hesitation profess that I have been deeply blessed by God and privileged to call the finest man I have ever known “Dad”. It is with no fear of contradiction that I say that whatever I am or may yet become, by way of a worthwhile human being, I owe first and foremost to my parents, and to my Dad first as the leader of our family and perfect example of what it means to be a man.

He is an inspiration to all and a testimony that dreams do come true. As an orphan at a tender age, he never gave up or gave in to his reality then, but with determination, hard work and a strong trust in God, he kept plugging away to achieve living his dreams and making those dreams our reality.

I grew up inspired as I marveled at his unwavering commitment to standing for truth, fairness and doing what is right even at the cost of losing friendships and family relations, when it might seem easier to look the other way and keep mute. From watching and learning from him, I learnt that courage is not the absence of fear but rather the ability to recognize that there is something more important.

He stood for the downtrodden and went out of his way to influence lives positively. All through my adult life so far, I have been pleasantly impacted by encounters with strangers professing how Dad positively influenced their lives in one capacity or the other. Still very vivid on mind, was my chance encounter with a stranger when I was a boarding student at Dennis Memorial Grammar School. From chatting and he getting to know that I am Obidinma’s son, he went out of his way to assist me to the fullest extent possible. He shared how my Dad (then Dr. Onyemelukwe) as a Director General of the Ministry of Education, went out of his way to help him, giving him the most influential advice in his career and making sure he was able to secure the scholarship that enabled him get to where he is.

Dad was a bastion of knowledge and wisdom, always having the perfect advice. I enjoyed the debates we had when we have differing views. Even though Dad was an embodiment of excellence, he never quit learning and always strove to improve himself daily (he learnt and taught himself how to play the piano at 65yrs).

In everything I did, I remember my Dad pushing me to be better…..at times resulting in our mutual stubborn resolve locking horns◆=”^.
Dad both purposely and inadvertently taught me that family is the most important thing with his love and by always been there for us. I remember fondly the times after NEPA strikes (power outage), instead of having the Generator turned on, he will instead assemble all of us under the moonlight, regaling us with Igbo folklores and songs.

O.I.O was a man who time and again put the needs of others ahead of his, a man who believed in integrity, a man who lead by example, whose life was exemplary, whose words were his bond, whose diligence was painstaking, whose commitment to doing what is right was unwavering, whose humility was disarming, whose courage was unshaken, whose love for all around him even when not reciprocated was unmistakable and stemmed from his love for our creator, and saviour Jesus Christ.

Thank you for being an awesome, inspiring, loving and caring Dad. You encouraged us to strive to be the best we can. You provided for our needs and taught us in many ways the difference between a need and a want (not as the Professor of Economics you are, but much more). You taught us to stand for what is right and be a truth- teller no matter the circumstance. You stood by me when I stumbled giving me a blend of tender and tough love.

You were not just a Dad to us – your family, but to the community at large – with troves of those you helped, and elevated still all around us, of different demographics and walks of life. A testament to the blessed and exemplary life you lived.

I am forever grateful and may the light you have shone and lit continue to serve as a beacon as you go on forth to our heavenly father in heaven. And like one of your favorite hymns from DMGS (Thou Whose almighty Word), you brought the phrase “Let there be light” to fruition wherever you went and in the different lives you encountered. May our merciful God shine his grace on you as you join him and reward you abundantly for doing great justice to your job as an earthly father, a beacon of light and a stalwart of society at large.
Je nke oma Ochimba! May the good Lord keep you in his bosom. Ka odi Nna m!

It remains surreal to me that my father-in-law is no more and that I would not get to see him, feel his physical presence or converse with him again.
My wife and her siblings fondly called him “Daddy”. I would hail him by his chieftaincy title, Ochimba! Everytime I did, his face would light up, acknowledging my salute with a smile that would reveal his gap tooth.

Ochimba was a father in every sense of the world to my wife and her siblings. His closeness to his children was out of this world. He was also a mentor, a source of inspiration and a counsellor to my wife and her siblings, and me. I enjoyed a loving relationship with Ochimba. He related with me like a father would to a son. From my interaction with him, Ochimba’s attitude to life ingrained in me the full realization that life’s vicissitudes were ephemeral and better taken in their stride and that love for God, one’s spouse, family and fellow man were the ultimate purpose of life.

Ochimba believed (and demonstrated through his lifestyle) that everyone should be treated equally and fairly.
My children will miss their grandpa! On his several visits to our home, Ochimba would engage with my children and inquire about their progress in school, amongst others, intermittently using anecdotes of his youthful days to either drive home a point or give an advice. He would remember every birthday and would ensure that he calls to felicitate with either myself, my wife or a grandchild.Even though death is certain for every human, it did not cross my mind for a moment that Ochimba’s time would come so soon and in the manner in which it unfolded. But that is why we are human! No one can with any degree of certainty predict what the next second or minute will bring.

Ochimba’s life was one of joyful living and love for his fellow man. Ochimba’s life was also one that was full of accomplishments and celebrations. There were numerous occasions to celebrate not just in his life but also in the life and accomplishments of his children and relatives. His 80th birthday celebrations was full of joy and laughter. I remember with nostalgia when he called me to congratulate me on hearing of the award to me of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (“SAN”). The joy in his voice left me wondering whether it was he (Ochimba) that had been bestowed with the SAN rank. That was classic Ochimba – rejoicing with those who had reasons to rejoice! There were other joyous moments: my wife’s elevation to the rank of a Professor, the award to my wife of the NLNG Nigeria Prize for Literature and the election of my son as the Head Boy of his school, to mention a few. Ochimba basked in joy during these moments.

Ochimba also mourned with those who grieved. Ochimba, the Iroko, was cut down on his way to attend a classmate’s wake. He had attended several similar events and neither old age, failing health nor distance would dissuade him from attending. He lived life to the fullest!
It has been both a joyful ride and a learning experience being his son-in-law. I am grateful to God that our paths crossed. I, my wife and our children will sorely miss him.

Ochimba la n’ udo! May Almighty God grant you eternal rest. Amen.

I remember asking my Mom what people would say after she posted the photos taken over the Christmas holidays. She said that they would say, ‘Oh, she has beautiful children, her parents are still alive…”
That has stuck out in my memory on more than one occasion since your death.
I am grateful to have had a grandfather that lived as long as Professor Obidinma Isaiah Onyemelukwe.

It can be easy for one to take for granted having a loved one in their lives for a seemingly unending period of time, but I am especially thankful that you and Grandma came to Lagos for the Christmas holidays in 2021. Having had just an amazing experience with you so recent to now is quite a treasure.

It was nice to get to greet you in person and hug you every morning that holiday, always in that same black chair at our dining table, to ask you how you were feeling, how your night was.

I will always remember you as a very jolly person. I enjoyed talking to you about anything – which football team you supported, I remember asking one evening that holiday – and I would always be met with most beautiful smile that lit up your face and genial voice.
I am grateful to have witnessed the incredibly close relationship you and my mother had every day as well. How she was able to confide in you, discuss at length upcoming opportunities in her career, recent work experiences with international clients – your friendship was truly special and something I admire, perhaps even more now in reminiscence.

I feel gratitude, admittedly much more now than when it was happening, that Auntie Akaoma arranged for us to take pictures that holiday that well. In more ways than one, I feel that God has prepared me to say goodbye to you with happy memories.
That my grandfather, despite being orphaned at an incredibly young age, was given the chance to attain a full education and did so such that he was able to travel abroad, meet royalty, and achieved excellence at the highest level at multiple stages, including his career as an economist, is a tale I am blessed to have been regaled with over the years and one I am proud to be able to tell myself.

We all miss you. I will never forget the pain I saw in my mom’s face on February 24th when she heard over the phone that you had been shot; the sadness pervading our household long thereafter. But we all know you would want us to take on life and excel, come home each day with news after news of success. I have remembered since you left that I want to try my hardest for you as well, as I know you want us all to do, and I pray that you will rest in peace, and be proud of all of us from where you stay in heaven.

The last evening during your stay in our house – what would be your last visit to our house – as you hugged me in farewell, as by the time I woke up the next day you would be on your way back to Enugu, you told me, “I am so proud of you.” For being elected Head Boy at school; for being a good person – mmadu.
That I got to hear that from my grandfather before he left, the house, this earth and us, I am truly grateful for.

My grandfather was the most caring, fun and sweet grandfather a girl could ever ask for. Even now I can remember that crinkles beside his eyes when he smiled, and his familiar chuckle that rang around the house whenever he was near.

And I know this sounds like every tribute you’ve heard before, something clichéd and melodramatic, but it’s true. Every day, I miss him. It felt surreal when I found out he was gone; it was as if people were just talking about him all of a sudden, bringing him up in the past tense, but I didn’t want to think of the worst case scenario, until I had to realize… and eventually accept it.

Losing someone is among one of the worst pains in the world, especially since I know he’s never coming back, no matter how much I wish he would. However, he does live on in my heart – through grainy photos and memories of singing, laughing, discussing mathematics, and my now never-ending obsession with the taste of bananas and groundnuts. So simple, but so precious.

I love you Grandpa.

Grandpa was a wise man but he never boasted. I saw him as a father figure and he saw me as a son. He always liked watching, CNN, sometimes I thought it was annoying, but I also admired it.

He was a happy man and you could easily get stuck in a conversation with him. He was also very forgiving and loving.

He was fearless. Even at the old age of 84, he would still do the things he would do when he was younger despite his poor eyesight.

He had a magnificent career, even studying and working in the US and was one of the most important people in his village.

It is hard that I had to say goodbye so quickly. But at least he how rests in peace.

I love you, Grandpa.

With heavy heart, I write this tribute. My heart bleeds with grief not because I do not acknowledge that death is a necessary end of man that comes when it wills. My heart is heavily bleeding because of circumstances surrounding your sudden exit, Brother. Ndo!. We take solace in the word of God in Thessalonians 4:13 which instructs us not to mourn like unbelievers without hope. God knows all. We are handing everything over to Him. 

Brother, I thank God for the successful life you lived on Earth.

We, your sisters thank God for giving us you as our Brother. We are proud of you even in death. You were our brother, our Father, our Mother, our all in all. You filled the vacant role the early exit of our parents created in our early childhood. 

You were an embodiment of wisdom, Solomon of our time. With this wisdom you successfully piloted the affairs of life. We, your sisters benefited greatly from your intelligence. The stories you were telling us in our infant years form my story bank in my later life. I easily fall back on any of them whenever I am writing a creative output. ‘A Peep in the Land of the Spirit : Achikwu as an  example of Traditional Drama ‘ is my PhD dissertation. Thank you great Brother. 

Throughout your career as a civil servant and when, (after retirement) you joined the university community as a lecturer, you displayed a unique character, a unique personality in handling issues brought to you in your office. These qualities earned you a unique title “Ochimba”. You had a successful working career. You set great records in your places of work. You were intelligent, humble, outspoken and God-fearing. These qualities marked you out as a man with outstanding personality both in our family, office and in the society at large.

Brother the vacuum your death created cannot be filled. We cannot find another ‘You’. Our prayer is that God will console us and give us fortitude to bear this loss. May God grant your soul eternal rest in his bossom. Amen. 

 Ka e mesia ezigbo m! 

What do I write about brother and where do I begin? He is everything to me; a parent, a brother, a sister and a friend. He is a man of foresight. He sacrificed his pleasure for his two sisters’ well being. Our early success in life can be traced to him. He gave us a footing in life. He lived his life for us, his two sisters. Our biological parents had us three, a boy and two girls and passed away. He took over our care and education when he became of age.

He has a peculiar way of disciplining children. He did not always beat or flog us. He made adequate arrangement for our upkeep and well being whenever he travelled abroad for further studies. He is an embodiment of beauty in speech and in character.There is no dull moment when you are with him. He keeps you laughing until you leave. He is a man of truth and transparency.

A man of positivity and success through hard work, we were encouraged by his brilliant display of intelligence which drew people, including youths to him. He counseled many and gave many jobs. He finished his primary and secondary education with very high grades, hence he became a pupil teacher at a very young age. He won scholarships for university and doctorate studies. He is a rare gem. He stands on what is seen to be right and truth. He does not follow the crowd. He is outspoken, generous and kind to all.

Behind every successful man there is a woman. I thank his wife for taking good care of him. She was with you when you were gunned down.

The mighty has fallen. I wail for you my only brother. Who will I call my brother again? I have lost a father. All who know you wept bitterly at your unbeatable and unbearable demise. The news spread like wildfire and kept us mourning and hoping it would not be true. You fell into the hands of those who thrive in negative acts. They put you out of this world which they did not create. Their aim was to terminate the lives of prominent people in the society of which you were one. You were relevant in all the societies you belonged. God will fight for you. Our consolation was that you lived a gentle, quiet and Godly life, having much faith in God. Your life was gentle and the elements were so mixed in you that nature might stand up and say to the world this was a man. Sleep in the bosom of the Lord till we meet again. Farewell Brother.

Isaiah was so proud of his heritage. He would nearly always include a reference to his lineage when paying attention to his background.
Isaiah would listen to everyone who explained his own genealogy, or that of others to him.

I remember fondly the time he drove me to Onitsha, Nanka, and back again from Enugu. This was very early in 1964. After about 2 hours on the road, we reached Onitsha. He took me to see the parents of Clement, my dearly departed husband.

Papa, Clem’s father, introduced me to “breaking kola,” the time-honored custom of taking nuts, breaking them into parts, and then sharing them with others. Papa told me how it was done and demonstrated. Over time, I learnt both the Igbo language and about the rich culture.

When we reached Nanka about an hour later, Isaiah took me to see Ejike. Ejike also made his introductions lively, sharing his talk with laughter. I also met Obele, Ejike’s wife, and Obi and his wife. That was the beginning of a long relationship with Clem and his extended family that extended throughout my lifetime. I have since spent a lot of time in Nanka over the years, including during the war, and then on frequent visits with Clem and our children.

I later also met Isaiah’s wife, Rebecca. We shared many pleasant times together. Becca and Isaiah had a loving and strong marriage, which also produced wonderful children. I know Cheluchi, Soke and Akaoma well and have always been very fond of them.

I have many lovely memories of Isaiah and will always remember him with deep affection.

Irrepressible is one of the many words that come to mind when describing my Uncle, Professor (Chief) Obidinma Isaiah Onyemelukwe. Energetic and enthusiastic. Always active. Determined, purposeful. An overcomer of adversity and lifter of spirits.  Brilliant. Not only academically, but in all aspects. Highly observant, he noticed everything, very little got past him. 
 
He was always happy to share his experiences, his knowledge and his wisdom. A natural teacher who was ever ready to explain, educate, advise. He was also a great listener. Whether it was someone seeking his views or telling him about a problem or sharing a story; whether he was attending or chairing a meeting, small or large: he would always listen patiently and carefully, asking questions if he needed to, he always wanted to be sure he fully heard and understood. He also was also very open to alternative points of view, curious, inquisitive:- as evidenced by his lifelong love of learning.
 
Ichie Ochimba loved our hometown, Nanka, was always fully involved in affairs at home, and indeed was always at home as much as possible. He was an exemplar of what traditionally our people have expected of a titled man. Dignified yet approachable by all. Aware that he was setting an example for others in his comportment and words and actions, but not constricted or restricted by that in any way, staying true to himself, devoid of pretension of any kind. He took any responsibility seriously and was highly conscientious. He invariably gave thoughtful and well-considered opinions; although it never would take him long, as his mind and thought processes were exceedingly quick. 
 
And he always had a playful twinkle in his eye for those who could see it, was always ready to spare time for anyone who needed it. Extremely witty with a wonderful sense of humour. 
 
He was the epitome of a family man. The bond between him and his wife, my Aunt, Dr. Rebecca Onyemelukwe, was a pleasure to observe. A true love of a lifetime. They shared everything, no secrets between them. They knew each other so well, so intimately and deeply; always aware of what the other was thinking. She could complete his sentences for him and vice versa. They were a ‘team’ so to speak: a couple in the purest sense of the word. 
 
His children are a testament to him. He was always present for them, fully involved in their lives in all ways, superbly supportive, endlessly loving and attentive. For instance, his daughter Cheluchi’s many achievements so far are well known. It is not a coincidence that she was very close to her father and could talk to him about anything and everything. His son Soke is considerate and accepting, while also being intelligent, observant and astute; in the same unassuming way of their father. All his children could constantly count on him being there for them. 
 
Most definitely, despite the circumstances of his departure from this world: his time on earth was truly well-lived to the full, in all of its facets. I profoundly grieve his passing, but simultaneously celebrate his life. 

Ochimba, I always saw you as a bright beacon, unafraid and willing to take on any battle… and I loved it. Behind that image, you were also warm and gentle, inquiring about me, mine and others.

The beautiful and long relationship you gave to my father by default and by choice but also specially to my mother taught me about love and family.

Rest well, good Sir!

When the Turkish miscreant Mehmet Ali Agca shot Pope John Paul 11 on may 13 1981,His Holiness, holding his bullet ripped stomach asked, “why did they do it”? This same flabbergasting question were on the lips of everybody that heard the news of the unnecessary assassination of my senior brother, Chief (Prof)I.O.O Onyemelukwe (Ochimba Nanka). The Pope later forgave the terrorist, but the unknown gunmen/bandits didn’t allow Ochimba to live to forgive them. So they remain unforgiven, except they meet Jesus one day. Today, I mourn deeply and for God’s sake, in surrender to this barbaric act with great sense of foreboding -a bad omen signifying the impending doom to the core Igbo traditional values of respect for the elderly, Nka na nzere and sanctity of human life.

The entire Onyemelukwe family mourn one of their own, a strong pillar in the Onyemelukwe superstructure, an accomplished, authentic African educated Nanka man who in his life time brilliantly scaled through to academic pinnacle without the slightest tendency to alienate himself from his indigenous people of Nanka. His patriotism for Nanka was incurable.

Pre-primary, primary and secondary education.
You started your vernacular school at Nanka when your hand didn’t yet touch your ear, as insisted by your father, Ezenwaka; glided to central school Ekwulobia from where you sat for and gained admission to famous DMGS Onitsha (courtesy of our great uncle Pa Sammy Onyemelukwe)

Teacher Training.
Your one year stint at Marks teacher training college Nibo-Nise was noteworthy. To your fellow trainees, it was a clear case of square peg in a round hole-having come with dazzling brilliance from DMGS. About 35 years later, I met your classmate at Owerri who told me, he would never forget your academic record at Marks. It was during that year in St Marks that you sat for and obtained your advanced level papers, qualified as BSc (Inter) in those days.

University Education.

Your education at baccalaureate degree level is also significant. By the special grace of God and reward for hard work, you got admission, with Emperor Haile Selassie scholarship to study economics at the University of Addis Ababa. You graduated with distinction or first class and also the valedictorian for the graduating year.

Snippets from valedictory speech.
Dressed in Nigerian attire, you mounted the rostrum and extolled the virtues of Emperor Haile Selassie and referred to him as “The Lion of Judah”. You stunned the university audience by reminding them of the status of Ethiopia as non-colonized African independent country; took them down memory lane to the Battle at Adowa in 19th century (1896) when they had earlier defeated Italian forces and how Benita Musolini later felt that “out of Africa, Italy got nothing” and decided to invade Abyssinia (Ethiopia) in 1935.This aggression met stiff resistance and they were eventually repelled. Nwata Nanka ma akwukwô.

Early influences.
In times like this, it behooves me to reflect on those valued early influence on me as the village home boy. Firstly, I had the privilege of washing your Volkswagen car. Pleasure cars were few in those days and children would always gather around parked cars and invariably look at the person washing it with admiration. As I wound up the side glasses, clean the dashboard and if in
the process my hand touched the horn or trafficator, it would add up that I knew how to blow horn or put trafficator (ôku tinkôm, tinkôm) I rode with you to our main St James church then and would proudly peep out to wave in return to people/children’s greetings/felicitations. There was a general tendency to wave at approaching cars which may belong to white Rev Father or someone from a notable family like ours,ndi n’agu akwukwô.

You took me on my first long journey from village to Trinity College Umuahia in 1964 to visit the
late Archbishop J.A. Onyemelukwe who was then an instructor in that theological college. I saw rail lines, train and herds of Nama in procession.

You were a great storyteller, with an exciting presentation. I cannot forget that of CMS anniversary celebration in 1957 where you boys listened attentively to Zik’s speech at DMGS field, the venue of the ceremony. I still remember the title “Fellowship of the Brave who live by Faith.” You made me form the habit of listening to radio (BBC,VOA) and reading Time magazine early in life.

Empathy
During the civil war, I suffered from “Go Slow”, a pandemic viral disease that weakened all joints and caused loss of appetite. There was no known cure except that people apply Uri body dye round the joints and across the eyes.(extract from fruit of the plant I later identified as Rothmannia whitfieldii). At convalescence, all I wanted was soursop. You came back from the war zone and drove me to look for soursop which we eventually found at Isuofia street market.
You bought it and I consumed it right there. I can never forget it.

Trust, confidence and respect
I enjoyed your trust and confidence. You sent me on special errands you think I should be the
one to go .For example, when you wanted to marry your wife Becca, you pulled me from UNN to
go for Palm wine Nkwu enu, a teetotaler ? l wondered. At Udi wine market I carefully watched the local connoisseur and went for the lot that got his nod. Again when Cheluchi was to get married, you asked me again to go for ôsô mmayi (as we say it in Nanka) because you said you wanted history to repeat itself. I did a good selection because by this time Amagolum nkwu Di mma. I am ending on a lighter mood because as a Rotarian,you are a jolly good fellow, humourous
and laughed loud.
Adieu Ochimba!

Ochimba was an academician, a leader and a socialite. Ochimba loved children.  He was never aloof, he played and discussed with children, even as permanent secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning, old Anambra state. This formed the bond between him and Onyemelukwe children, and I as a child and a cousin. We looked forward to his weekly home coming. “Umu bayi anokwa ebea?” he would chorus whenever he met unusual calmness. My childhood was fun with Ochimba.  He developed the minds of children by storytelling, about  the  society  and about himself. 

I still remember how he would show us how to draw a child sitting down, the puzzle, how to cross tubers of yam, goat, etc across river with one boat, the missionary trip to  “Uka uhuana” ( Awa, Okpeze  etc). How difficult it was to stop their favorite songs.  He capped each story with loud laughter koi! koi!.  He laughed with all his heart. My teenage years with  Ochimba were mind blowing. He lured me into his library.  As you dusted and rearranged the books, he would explain each book: The Biography  of Emperor  Haile Selassie, the volumes of classic novels including Oliver Twist, Quotations and Selected Works of Mao Tse-tung (Zedong) a.k.a Chairman Mao, The  Scholastic Model  etc.  He explained  “You know  Emperor is my Oga , I heard about  his scholarship  for African students  over  BBC radio  programmes , I applied  and won the scholarship.”  He further explained, the contributions of Emperor Haile Saelassie and Chairman Mao in economic development of Ethiopia/Africa and modern China respectively. He summarised their journeys as “Agwa ogbenye ife eji aba ogaranya osi ka ha otu oha” if you tell the poor what it takes to be rich, he will opt for the status quo. “Oh!” what do you have in your hand? My diary?  Is that where it was?  That was my diary when I was in the University of Michigan, or that was my diary when I was in the Netherlands”.    “I took language course in French/Dutch and decided to be writing my daily activities in French as practice,” he would explain.  “Let me read for you. He would read and explain each activity with his usual laughter.  Sometimes, he would say, “Oh I won’t explain this one.” Mu agbaa ama muo” (in case I reveal the things of the spirits), “Nke a bu ife dina nwayi” (this is about women). His openness and simplicity were astounding. 

Ochimba was a pragmatic teacher. His counselling was always with self-experience: “Ejim onwem mala.”  He told  me “I  return every week  with  one  loaf of bread,  But you people  value  the  people that  return  once  in year with  5 loaves of bread. “ He laughed loud and added. “Do you know how many bread you will  gain  if return  only yearly?  This is the law of cumulative and accumulative effects. Nwoke, you won’t understand this one now.  One can never finish whatever he/she did not do over time perfectly one day. This is bane of Nigeria government, they don’t follow a plan and do routine maintenance. The citizens seem elated on the award of contract on neglected infrastructure or payment of 3 months pension arrears, with a bag of rice out of 5 months debt. We have not learnt to hold our government accountable. “

Ochimba used every opportunity to teach and express himself. 

 Ochimba was an ardent believer in Peter Drucker’s management theory.  I would often hear him muttered, “how can one succeed without knowledge?”Preparation (knowledge) + Opportunity = Success. Drucker” 

 Cheluchi, the daughter, was reading the day he was to be installed as Chief Ochimba. He dramatically snatched the book off her hand and exclaimed ”  Mboshi mna echi ozo ka ina agulum akwukwo “. Few days later, I reminded him of that joke.  He laughed as usual and told me, “In life you have to plan your life in such a way that you can multi task and socialise.”  He added “What is your plan? Drucker’s fundermental question.”

Adieu, International Professor of Economics, Ichie Ochimba  

Sun indeed set at dawn on the 24th of February 2022, at Nanka. One could feel the atmosphere of grief; the hushed voices of people with very sober expressions conversing. “Diayi nnukwu ife melu ayi”, someone uttered from across the road. Soon, the news was everywhere. Something very evil has happened!

An Iroko has fallen. Our family has lost one of the surviving pillars that hold its greatness. Alu melu!

Prof, you were an accomplished man by all standard yet very humble. Your love and respect was for all— the rich, the poor, the old and the young. You never looked down on anyone despite your heavy accomplishments. Who among us the younger Onyemelukwes would ever forget how you and Aunty Rebecca would throw your door open for children to come play during festive seasons? It was never a surprising sight to anyone who knew you, to see you chatting and laughing with kids. Such was the towering height of your humility and accommodation.

Uncle, your wise counsel was exceptional and always available to all who needed it. On one significant occasion, our late father—your cousin, Nze Emmanuel Onyemelukwe benefitted from such wise counsel. That advice later resulted in him having a house of his own. It was a story he told always!

It gives a gutting feeling you had to depart this world this way but we take solace in the knowledge that you lived a fulfilled life, and to the ripe age of 84! Glory be to God.

May your soul rest in the Lord’s bosom. Goodnight Uncle Isiah. Goodnight Ichie Ochimba Nanka! Till we meet at the feet of our Lord, on the glorious resurrection morning.

TRIBUTE TO AN INSPIRATION

So hard, so difficult to find appropriate words at a time like this. Honestly I lack the right words. But it is expedient of me to bid farewell to my mentor as he bows to eternal glory.

I was completely devastated on hearing the news of your demise. I was even more devastated on hearing the circumstances surrounding your demise because I couldn’t come to terms on what a complete harmless gentleman could have done to warrant such action from those cowards.

Ochimba, I never knew you could depart so early because I knew you kept to the rules of God, earth and man. You were free and close to all who was ever connected to you.
You were an iroko, yet very jovial and meek. You were my inspiration in my journey to the world of academics from my study in DMGS to my study of Economics at the university level.

I remember how we sit an entire day, analyzing the global economic outlook and its effects on our day-to-day activities. And in spite of your excellent educational achievements, you never forgot home – a home you christened “the Brick Lodge” because of your attachment to your almamater.
As you journey to the great beyond, I know deep inside of me that you are not leaving disappointed because there are many whose lives have been affected by your positive living.

Good bye, Ochimba.

Tribute to Late Prof (Chief) Isaiah O. Onyemelukwe, Ochimba Nanka
Uncle, it is with deep sorrow and sadness that I write this tribute. The news of your passing was difficult for me to come to terms with, for you were a man so full of life that is still impossible to accept that you have passed to the great beyond, as it was not so long ago that we celebrated your 80th birthday. I still remember the full-on personality, strength, vigour and cheerful spirit that is your hallmark and very evident during the celebration. Because of your larger than life persona and the number of activities you partook in at your age, I believed that you would live well into your 90s, unaware, that the cruel, cold hands of death would cut your life short in such an untimely and undeserving manner. However, like an early morning mist that appears before slowly vanishing having watered the vegetation, I know that you have ascended gloriously and triumphantly having accomplished something deserving of a full and splendid life.

For years, our Mom delighted us with tales of your accomplishments, and of beating the odds; your rise from modest beginnings to becoming a first-class graduate of Economics, educated in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and the University of Michigan, United States. Your achievement as the first Director General (Permanent Secretary) in the Ministry of Education of Old Anambra State was a testament to your hard work, tenacity and determination in the face of great odds. She always held you up as a role model and my first encounter with you was while watching the video of the burial of my late paternal grandmother. I watched you arrive in your full chieftaincy regalia, danced the one-legged olinzele traditional Igbo dance while the attendees cheered. It was the first time that I saw that dance and I fell in love with it. That first impression has always remained indelible in my mind and endeared you to me.

What makes your death even more painful was that three (3) days prior to this terrible event, my Mom called to inform me that you told her of my pending employment at CHELD, one of a number of times when you had gone out of your way to assist me at a critical junction in my life. In 2020, when I was going through perhaps, the biggest challenge of my life, I remember you inviting me to Brick Lodge, your country home, sat with you at the dining table and counselled, encouraged and offered a healthy dose of fatherly advice that kept me together and helped me overcome the overwhelming distress I was going through at the time. One more thing I am sure to miss about you is your infectious laughter and good-natured humour that made every conversation with you a delight. I am very grateful for the role you played in helping me become who I am today and I am even more determined to make you proud.

So as we mourn your untimely death, we take solace in the fact that while you lived, you lived a life that was dedicated to the glory of God and the service of man. You continue to remain a source of inspiration to me even as you were to my Mom who to endeared to you and to whom you were always a strong pillar of comfort and encouragement. Your enduring image would live in my heart and I will cherish every moment we spent together.

May Our Lord comfort and sustain your family, your wife, children and your sisters now and always. May God Almighty keep you safe resting in perfect peace till resurrection day, Amen!!! ADIEU MY LOVING UNCLE

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE THE FAMILY OF PROF. OIO ONYEMELUKWE ALL SAINTS LAYREADERS UNIT PRESIDENT

I received with shock the sad news of the death of your father and our daddy in the Lord our unit president of All Saints Church G.R.A. Prof. O.I.O. Onyemelukwe. Truly it was really painful for the death of such a quiet gentle man.

However, accept our deepest sympathy as we cannot question God who is the giver and the taker at any time. We pray to our God, the creator will give us the fortitude to bear the loss as we continue to pray for the repose of his gentle soul.

TRIBUTE TO A MAN OF WISDOM: CHIEF PROFESSOR ISAIAH OBIDINMA ONYEMELUKWE.

The news of your demise in the hands of unknown gunmen shocked us to the marrow because nobody was expecting anything like that. Now I understand the meaning of the proverb “Ebulu ozu onye ozo odi ka ebu ukwu nku”. now I understand the pain those whose loved ones suffered the same fate as you did. When we were growing up we simply knew you as Isaiah, you were our hero because we were looking up to you as one who has made it in life. 

Your openness and interaction with virtually everyone in spite of your level of education was quite enviable. We watched you grow up into a prominent Nanka Chief in spite of your status as an orphan. You were very involved in the development of Nanka. I know that Nanka will miss you very dearly, but beyond that those of us your close relations and neighbors will miss you even more.

Anambra State, Igbo Tribe and Nigeria will miss you. Dear Isaiah Obidinma Oyemelukwe alias Ochimba Nanka may your gentle soul rest in perfect peace. We leave the judgement to the most high God to judge those who murdered you in cold blood.

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE THE FAMILY OF PROF. OIO ONYEMELUKWE ALL SAINTS LAYREADERS UNIT PRESIDENT

I received with shock the sad news of the death of your father and our daddy in the Lord our unit president of All Saints Church G.R.A. Prof. O.I.O. Onyemelukwe. Truly it was really painful for the death of such a quiet gentle man.
However, accept our deepest sympathy as we cannot question God who is the giver and the taker at any time. We pray to our God, the creator will give us the fortitude to bear the loss as we continue to pray for the repose of his gentle soul.

Quite very shocked, confused, and heart filled with grief was the mood we were on hearing of your sudden death in the hands of the very wicked and heartless robbers at Oko. Really very, very unfortunate!!!

We are, however, consoled by the fact that our relationship with you, as an in-law, has been very faithful, loving, cordial and lively. You lived an iconic life and positively touched many lives in academic world as a professor and as an astute career civil servant rising to the rank of Permanent Secretary. As a Christian you were quite very committed, belonging to such groups as Gideon’s International and a devoted lay leader. A no-mean achievement.

Well, it has happened, our prayers now are that our LORD God Almighty, in His infinite mercy and love, grant all of us, particularly your very dear wife and children the fortitude and grace to bear the grief of your demise.

We will definitely miss the jovial and highly intelligent discussions with you.

May your soul be granted perfect peace and rest in our Lord’s bossom
.
Adieu O. I. O! Adieu Ochimba 1 of Nanka!! Adieu our big in-law!!!

My in law (forever) and Prof. 1,000. A great man, a man who will stand for truth without fear or favour, a man who will always make you happy. A man who does not discriminate whether you are poor or rich, everybody is human in his sight. For instance, if he goes out with his driver, he will tell them to give his driver anything they are sharing i.e food before his own. Jokingly, he will you that his life is in the hand of his driver. If you don’t treat him well he might push him to trailer to crush him.
He was an advocate, adviser, friend, mentor and father in every sense.

Your demise was a shock to me when my niece Ijendu Onyemelukwe phoned me though I was charging my phone then, when I entered the parlor from the kitchen, I noticed that she called me and I saw a message too and I read it. Aunty I lost my Dad last night. He was shot dead at Okoh by unknown gunmen being 24th February, 2022. I wasn’t myself, again I called my sister too (their mother).

Where will I start to talk about him. In 1980, when I finished secondary school, two weeks after, my sister gave birth, she left for London for a course and she stayed for some months before she came back and I was with the husband and the kids. He told me that he must find a job I was doing in his house was greater than office work. Immediately, my sister came back, same year he got a job for me which I was doing until retirement.

I thank God for the life well lived no matter that the evil ones took his life untimely. God knows everything. Death is an inevitable end, those that kill must die one day. You can never eat it. The one thing is that the person has gone before you.
Again, words alone cannot express my grief but knew that death is a necessary end that will come when it will.
Please bear the loss with fortitude. My sister Dr. Becca, Prof. Cheluchi, Akaoma, Ijendu and Soke.
Adieu Prof.
Adieu Great Man.
Adieu O.I.O Onyemelukwe
Adieu 1,000

Tribute to a teacher, lecturer and above all a mentor.

You were a patient teacher, soft spoken and always encouraged your students. As a young student, you always welcomed us into your office. Had an open door policy and provided advice and support anytime of the day. 

I remember you provided me free books because I could not afford one.  Thank Dr. Onyemelukwe as I always knew you and later Professor.

As you journey into the next phase of life, may you find joy in the fond memories of a life well spent. Your memory will always live on and Rest In Peace.

TRIBUTE TO AN ACADEMIC HERO AND A MAN OF PROVEN INTEGRITY-
PROFESOR ISAIAH OKOLI OBIDIMMA ONYEMELUKWE (OCHIMBA)

The news of the death of Prof. I. O.O. Onyemelukwe sent a chilling fever down my spine. It was so shocking and devastating that it took me hours to recover from the shock. It is, however, certain that every mortal must one day die, but, when and how, we may not always know.
I really found it very difficult to start the writing of this tribute. Isaiah Okoli Ezenwaka, as we fondly called him during our primary school days, was an exceptionally brilliant pupil, loved both by his teachers and fellow pupils. In any class test or examination, he was almost always on top of his class. Evidently, Isaiah was a diligent student; in all the institutions he attended, he proved his mettle as an erudite scholar. For instance, at Dennis Memorial Grammar School (D.M.G.S), Onitsha, where he had his secondary school education, his performance was excellent.

He was recognized as a responsible Dengramite. In the University College of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Isaiah studied and came out with Distinction (First class honours in Economics). What is more, in the U.S.A. where he did his doctoral studies, he obtained Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) world class. What a wonderful academic feat! To God be the glory.

Professor I.O.O.O. was a great patriot. During the celebration of Nigeria’s Independence in October 1st, 1960, Isaiah was among the entourage of Emperor Halie Selaise of Ethiopia, as an honorable guest to Nigeria to witness the celebration. In Nanka community, Prof. Isaiah was a member of Igwe’s Cabinet till death. Despite the fact that he had a stammer, he could neither be intimidated nor silenced; he must always try to argue his points to the fullest, toeing the path of truth, righteousness and peace. Hence, the community recognized him with the title Ochimba 1 of Nanka. In the family circle, he was exemplary; he worked and prayed for love, unity and peace in the family. He was a planner and a philanthropist; a spokesman for the poor and downtrodden. He was an achiever and educationally friendly. He worked assiduously to see that all his children and siblings attained enviable heights in the academic ladder.
In the ecclesiastical circle, Prof. Isaiah was never wanting. He allowed nothing to limit his involvement and activities in the church. He was made a Lay Reader in the Anglican Church, a position he held tenaciously till death.

Ochimba, you were a man of integrity. You have played your part well in the world stage and you have gone to present your report to your Maker. Your death in the hands of evil men caused us a lot of sorrow and pain. Apparently, I would say, it is a blessing in disguise to you, because they have saved you from pain and suffering in this perilous world. However, the psalmist prayed “O God… don’t let liars prosper here in our land. Cause disaster to fall with great force on the violent.” – Psalm 140:11.
Prof. I. O. O. O., we miss you, we mourn you. But we are consoled by the fact that you have successfully played your part. Now, go back to your creator triumphantly and receive the crown of glory designed for the righteous.
Rest in peace in the bosom of the Lord, Amen.
Adieu, an erudite scholar;
Adieu, a humble man of peace;
Adieu, Ochimba 1 of Nanka.

Rev. Canon Steve and Mrs. Meg. Ibeanuka

A renowned English poet, John Donne was quoted as saying: “any man’s death diminishes me because am involved in humanity. It is against the above that we the members of Nanka Patriotic union, Enugu Branch come to terms with the reality of the demise of one of our fathers, Prof. Isaiah O. I. Onyemelukwe (Ochimba Nanka).

To us at NPU Enugu Branch, Prof. Isaiah Onyemelukwe was not just a member of the branch but a long standing stakeholder having served as the Assistant Secretary of the branch decades ago as well as an elite whose opinions and contributions to the branch is unprecedented.Ochimba Nanka, as we prefer to call him was a man no Nanka indigene can ever forget in a hurry. He was fearless though courteous, vocal though tactical. He was a man endowed with a combination of intelligence, wisdom, insight and foresight laced with a good sense of humour and judgment. To say the least, we all learnt a lot from him.

His commitment to things pertaining to Nanka’s unity and development serves as a motivating factor to the younger members of Nanka Patriotic Union, Enugu Branch.Ochimba Nanka was neither late nor absent without excuse at our meetings and other events. This may well explain why he was the one that moved for the award of prizes to the first ten members to be present at our meetings; a prize he would have been among the winners had death not taken him.

As we mourn his demise, we are consoled by the fact that we all celebrated him with an award during his 80th year birthday few years back. As he joins his forebears today, I make bold to say that indeed a rare breed who has left his footprints on the sand of time is gone but his legacies and good works continue to linger in our minds as we wish him farewell.

Adieu Prof.!

Adieu Wise One!!

Adieu Ochimba Nanka!!! Til we meet to part no more.