Mom, Dad, July is always a special time for me because it's your birth month. I have been thinking of you both. Well, I do think of you all the time. Of recent, I'm grateful for all the values you lived by and imparted to us (Ikenna, Erinma and myself) as well as other family, friends and colleagues in your sphere of influence. If you were to return to our 21st century, I bet you would be so surprised by the things happening in Nigeria, the USA and around the world. But those values you lived by are helping me navigate seemingly new challenges. Yes they are my anchor in the shifting sands of time. Love you more and more, for all that you were. And are, still.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand:
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.

Dad,
Its just another day. I talked about you and Mum with a family member today. On Mum's birthday, I put up another photo; of you and Mum and me. We were very happy. I know our joy will be even greater when we see again. All of you; Mum, Kika, Mama, Grandma, my baby brother. There's a celebration of Grandpa this month. Even COVID-19 couldn't stop that! Love you all ... more everyday.

A light of truth and righteous was dimmed in our nation the day you passed, rather untimely, from this world. May God continue to heal the mind and comfort the heart of all of those you left behind

Daddy, I'm so glad we had that last summer together! What a glorious summer, when you scored 3 over 3!!! And I praise God that though they shot at your body, they have no power to harm your soul!!! (Matthew 10:28) Rest, in the bosom of the LORD, of the Resurrection and the Life. Love you every day!!!

 Fulfilment of the WORD; on October 12th & 13th 2016

Daddy, your family and friends and students and colleagues have started to gather; to honor you at the 1st Professor Chimere Ikoku Memorial Lecture and the joyous Homecoming of the Chemistry Department!!! I know you are smiling down on us all. And my heart is bursting with joy! No more tears on October 13th!!!
 “This is what the LORD says and decrees: I will restore/rebuild/reconstruct/regenerate … I will have compassion/mercy/pity … From them will come joyful songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing/merrymaking/celebrating … I will bring them honor/glory and they will not be despised/disdained. (Jeremiah 30:18-19)

Daddy, this second flower is for my brother and sister and other family and friends who have called, texted and emailed because they cannot YET visit this site. The pain has not subsided after 13 years! We are all still filled with tears and agony!! We love you, so much!!!

Daddy,
It is thirteen years
Yet the pain has not subsided
I still cannot fathom why you had to leave
Without hint or warning
At the hands of two hoodlums
Not you
The man of peace, the diplomatic gentleman
The personification of our family name: Ike okwu adighim
Opuru iche, Unique one
Ezigbo madu. Good one

I thank God ALWAYS for ALL of your 74 years
I wish it had been 80 or 90 or even 100 and something!
Your place remains in my heart; Unoccupied, ‘cos you’re Unforgettable.
And in our family, and on the Nigerian stage; Irreplaceable, ‘cos you’re Uncloneable

Wise one, more than first class, ahead of the pack
Ugwu Aro! Mazi o!!!
My Daddy
From your No 1 Baby Girl

Daddy,
We wish you were here with us on your birthday. But alas you are not! Two hoodlums (and those who sent them) denied me, my siblings, our spouses and your grand-children that joy, thirteen years ago. Yet we chose to forgive, those many years ago.
Today, as chief crooner of the family, in the absence of the soprano voice of your beloved Ejighiato Chi, I serenade you; as Natalie Cole serenaded her father, Nat King Cole:
Unforgettable
That’s what you are
Unforgettable
In every way
And forevermore
That’s how you will stay
OPURUICHE
MAZI
The Prof Himself!
Ndewoooooo!
Your No 1 Baby Girl

To my Father - Prof Chimere Ikoku

In my estimation, one of the most brilliant minds that ever lived; whose commitment to academic pursuit in particular, and the enlightenment of people's minds generally (Ikoku, 1991; Ikoku 1977), has been my inspiration all my life and kept me at this task to the end.

Opuruiche, Mazi, Ndewo!

[DEDICATION of University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne PhD Thesis]