Kelechi Umelo was a dear cousin and brother to me. Though we never talked much. He was cool and calm. Caring and loving. He was one who inspired and motivated me. He was indeed a great personality. Still seems very shocking but I believe he is in a better person. God indeed knows best. Rest in peace till we meet to part no more.  

Lots of love

Precious Imo

A Friend and Brother.

It is exactly a week since you relocated and as I drove by Ikoyi bridge this morning........I just said to myself if only I could turn the hand of time.......

You were truly an amazing chap! My mind went down memory lane on how our paths crossed. It was your sister (Ihuoma) I first knew from our days in secondary school before joining TREM in 1994 where I met the UMELO clan.

My years of working in the Youths & Crusaders fellowship (teens) brought us together. I remembered asking your brother Obinna who is this "Yellow man" and he responded my younger brother (in that his authoritative voice). I simply told him ~ this correct guy with amazing looks. We both laughed.

Over the years, I found out you were not about looks alone but you had solid substance. It was with excitement we celebrated you graduating from Law School and asking what next? We discussed opportunities available and the career path. I was not surprised when you landed the job in PWC. My surprise however was when you came over to share your thoughts on taking the ACCA and having the "double honors" ~ Lawyer who was also a Chartered Accountant. To some it sounded crazy but I remember looking at those eyes while we talked, I knew you had your mind made up.

You referred to me as "Egbon" (big brother) but like I always told you it is no shame that "Egbon" is also learning from the "aburo" (younger brother). I remember you sharing your plans about leaving PWC and moving to Cardinal Stones. We looked at the pros and cons and why it was the next step career wise.

You always wanted to give back and I was not surprised when you joined us in the Teens Church to help mold and mentor the next generation. You were always attentive, ready to learn and give wise counsel. We laughed at some of the idiosyncrasies of the young ones and shared how we wished we had the same opportunity while growing up.

Among other things I will miss our football banter. Your jibes about my love for Arsenal (you could not understand my love and support of a "trophyless" club). You offered severally that you will gladly welcome me to Chelsea. How can I forget the 6-0 thumping at Stamford bridge. You were in your elements after the game. Interestingly, Arsenal will be playing Chelsea this evening.......hmmmmm and just thinking of it.......our usual banter will not hold.

There are so many questions I have which may not be answered but our Faith and Trust in God still remains. I know this is a difficult time for your wife, siblings, family and friends. I pray that God will grant us all the fortitude to bear this loss. It is painful!

Death is a debt we all owe. Like the Psalmist said; Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom (Psalm 90:12).

Adieu my Brother and Friend Kelechi.

'Bimbo Adekoya 

Kelechi Umelo its so hard to accept that you have gone. Known you for more than half my life, you and your family. You were a brother, a dear friend, a leader n our counter as we would usually tease. I remember teasing you the week you died how come you had time to chat during work hours that i would tell your employers that you were not gainfully employed and you laffed and said this is recession time no one is bugging you for target. you were always fun to talk to, always kind, caring and playfull. you made a good impact both in church and outside, and you always had my back when nutty Sarah tries to scold me lol. You will always be missed terribly. Its hard to say goodbye but the comfort we have is that you achieved in this world, both for God and in life.. we know you are with God. May God help Lohire, Muna and the whole Umelo clan as they go through this trying time. Adieu Kelechi............

My dear brother, you were a star. Even though you were younger, your success in life was an inspiration and will continue to be...words fail me at this time but know this: your death provokes me to a more purposeful life.

You have gone to be my senior in heaven. Rest well and keep smiling down on us till we meet to part no more.

Lots of love 

Your big brother.

Words fail me Kelechi.. Kelechi Umelo.. this is all i have been able to express since saturday afternoon.. my heart is broken Kelechi.. 

It is true what they say, Heaven does takes the best of us first.. you were an AMAZING soul...  

I remember when we met.. it was in 2007, CBA, Surulere; studying for ACCA. I remember seeing you and thinking - oh way out of my friend league - I was a newbie, fresh out of school and there you were good looking, charming, a PWC employee and super smart... Oh how wrong I was, you turned out to be the most down to earth person ever.. like all the way down, your laughter though..lol could be heard from miles away.

You were such an inspiration to me and I was motivated to study hard just so i could also join a Big 4 too and hopefully be half as smart as you. Thank you Kelechi.

Kelz, you really are a special one, 9 years of friendship.. I will miss how you buzz me to yap me about Arsenal, how you always had a joke and ever ready to unleash the laughter, and how you'ld regularly harass me of invading your privacy..lol whenever i put up a picture of a really nice house; I could tell you looked forward to owning a beautiful home someday.. Now God has made one even more beautiful than you imagined.  Thank for being so accessible and ever so ready to help.. 

I could go on and on.. so many good memories, but i'll just say - Thank you so much for lighting up the world with your ever so great attitude and personality..

I pray God grants your family the strength to go through this

Rest in Peace dear Friend. You will be sorely missed on earth.

Biola.

Kelechi Umelo was a dear friend and friend of my whole family. An inspiration to me. Someone I looked up to and inspired me in so many ways. Still seems like a dream but God knows best. I know you are in a better place. May the Lord comfort your wife, guide your daughter and help your parents, siblings and everyone close to you.

MR onyinye