TRIBUTE TO OUR DEAR ABLE LEADER

We do not really know where and how to begin but we take comfort in the ageless maxim of William Shakespeare. Death is an inevitable end which will come when it will. Howbeit at each person’s death, there comes with it some feeling of surprise, shock and bewilderment.

Words cannot really articulate nor can my feeble scribbling holistically articulate my feelings at the demise of Osuofia 1 of Oko. An erstwhile member and founder of Odenigbo forum, Oko chapter. A political frontier, philanthropist, great achiever and well known Christian to the core. In fact many a times I have been with you, I always wish I could replicate the exemplary life you have attributed to humanity.

There is indeed no doubt to the fact that the fatherly and humorous spirit of Osuofia will be missed by all, especially all who in one way or the other came across him or who had direct contact with him.
Standing on the promises of God, we ask the grieving family he left behind - his wife, children, grand children, immediate family and the entire Okeke family - to take heart and have hope in the meeting where our bodies shall know no corruption again in the kingdom of the blessed.

-For: Odenigbo Forum (Oko Chapter)
Remmy Uchem
Okeke Tochukwu

TRIBUTE TO A GREAT BOSS

What a mysterious quietism! My boss! You departed this sinful world two days after you had a fruitful discussion with me while I was in Benin on official matters.

If I had known death would snatch you away from me, I would have journeyed down to Lagos even if only to receive words of wisdom which I would file away intuitively as residual knowledge.

I know that this world is only a bird of pan age and our hoe lies in the great world beyond but your death was so sudden. All the same, who are we to query God? As a prayer warrior while you were on earth, I have faith that you are resting in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Rest in peace my boss, the Osuofia 1 of Oko -Chief Martin Okeke-. My relationship with you and your entire family since 1982 till the day you departed will forever remain in my memory.

-Samuel Azike Utuke (Manager - Allied Corporate Services Limited Group)

TRIBUTE TO MY FATHER -IN-LAW

We received the sudden news of your death with great shock and deep sorrow in our hearts. Though I had looked forward to more years of better interaction with you as a father, I cannot question God since it has pleased him to call you unto eternal rest at this time.

In the days ahead without you, we will remember your teachings, and recall the gifts you gave to each of us — gifts of life, love, friendship, wisdom, and happiness. As we mourn your transition to higher glory, we are consoled that you have overcome all the pains, trials, troubles and struggles of this world.

Dad, until we meet again, by the grace of God, May the good Lord grant you eternal rest in his bosom and may he truly console your wife, children and all of us who mourn you. Amen.

-Mr. Ebele Enunwa (Son-In-Law)

TRIBUTE TO MY BELOVED BROTHER

Brother! Your demise came to us like a thunder bolt, everyone's eyes turned red with heavy hearts and everything came to a standstill.
I was told of your sickness in the night of March 18 and I thought it was some ordinary sickness, hardly did I know that it would lead to your death. I called your phone the next morning to confirm if you were feeling better but to no avail.

Death, you have taken a man who is irreplaceable. Brother, you were a true brother, you always stood by us in times of difficulty and problems. Now death has taken you away from us, who shall we run to again, who will I call “BROTHER” again.

I pray the Angels of God will lead you to heavenly paradise and all the saints of God will meet you. Adieu beloved brother!
Adieu Father! Father! Adieu Osuofia 1 of Oko. Till we meet to part no more

-Mrs. Juliana Okoli (Sister)

TRIBUTE TO MY DEAREST BROTHER

It is with deepest sorrow in my heart that I have picked up my pen to write this tribute. I called you in the evening of the 18th of March, and you told me that you were sick. The following morning being the 19th of march, I called you again to confirm if you were feeling any better. Lo and behold, I was informed of your death.
While we were discussing the previous evening, I had no inclination that it would be our last conversation. Well my brother, I will not grieve like those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13).
When I think through the vacuum your death has created, it is irreplaceable: Your love and care to all of your siblings, your love and kind spirit to all of mankind -regardless of their status- I cannot control my tears. When any of us were faced with the daily challenges of life, you stood by us. Even in difficult times you always gave us your full support.
I am consoled by the scripture in the book of Ecclesiastes 2- "All that we have labored to acquire in this life: riches, wealth, silver, gold e.t.c all is vanity upon vanity". According to the same Ecclesiastes chapter 3- There is a time for every activity under heaven, a time to be born and a time to die. Therefore this is your time to die as the creator decided and we have no objection.
Sleep on the bosom of the Lord and await the day of resurrection when we shall meet to part no more.

-Mrs. Okafor Anthonia (Sister)

TRIBUTE TO MY BELOVED -IN-LAW

I was devastated when I heard the news of your death. Death is an inevitable end. The scripture says in Ecclesiastes (Chapter 3): To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven. A time to born and a time to die, that is to say death awaits everyone and when it comes no one knows and we cannot question God on why it happened.

Your honor and wisdom, I will forever miss. never a dull moment with you. Your kind and polite approach to every issue and personal discussion which we usually had together, all is gone. Even as I shed tears, I take solace in the fact that you are resting in the bosom of the Lord.

Rest in peace my in-law till we meet to part no more.

-Geoffrey Ezeokonkwo (In-law)

TRIBUTE TO A GREAT BROTHER

Daddy, I am deeply hurt and have been in pain since your death occurred. I refused to pick up my phone, take calls from people who wanted to speak with me concerning your death or even to discuss it with anybody because it is hard to believe you are gone.
Tears have not allowed me to say anything here. Thanks for your care and love. Thank you for everything.

I will really miss you.

-Mrs. Ijeoma Boniface Ejike (Sister)

TRIBUTE TO MY LATE ELDER BROTHER

My Brother, your death came to me as a shock. It was after speaking
with you on the phone a day before your departure that you gave me hope that we will talk the next day. You said you were already receiving
treatment and would be okay, only for you not to live to see the next
day.

All the plans and discussions I had with our brother Eddy on how to
help you stand again were dashed because before Eddy set his foot in
Lagos, this untimely faith called death had taken place. Whatever led to your death is best known to God but the lessons your death has taught me will not be forgotten in a hurry.

Good bye and May the almighty God grant you eternal rest. Amen.

-Mr. Marcel Okeke (Brother)

I mourn your death even as I miss those endearing qualities of generosity, kindness and sincere uncompromising love. I think back and remember the great times we had together and even the not so great times, and I know your love for me will always remain in my heart.
I wish you had stayed in this world a little longer to enjoy the fruit of your labor but Gods' ways are not our ways and even I still struggle to understand "why now".

I know in my heart that you are at peace resting with the Lord and smiling down on us knowing that one day we will meet again and there will be no more sorrow, no more tears but only 'Pure Joy Forever'.
Bearing this cross is not easy but I am proud to have had a husband like you. I will hold your memory dearly in my heart knowing nothing and no one can take that away from me. My consolation is that God called you early because you were indeed a blessed, virtuous and honest man, and he wanted you closer.

I love you daddy (because that is what I always called you) and I always will. The most handsome and intelligent man in the whole world. No one can fill this void that you left but I trust that Gods' comfort will in time make it easier to bear.

Rest on my sweetheart, you have not labored in vain. Your legacy lives on through me, your children and grandchildren.
I know this is not how we hoped things would turn out but I also know that Gods plan is always perfect.
You will be sorely missed but I believe you are in the arms of the one who loves you the most. Till we meet again, keep smiling sweetly knowing that you have left your mark on this world and not even death can take it away.

Your Loving Wife,
Ebere Ifeatu Okeke

YOUR LAST TWO MESSAGES TO ME-
''Chiamaka, my prayer for you is to be blessed with a man that would love you as much as I have loved you and to be himself a blessed and wealthy enough man to make the family proud. Indeed, God will give you a rich, loving and generous man to take care of you, IJN(daddy).

YOUR LAST MESSAGE TO ME-
''With gladness and joy, I command your heaven open, receive exceeding grace now. I command unmerited promotion, success, favour, and announcement to come upon you and overtake you. pain, sorrow, affliction, shame and disappointment will be far from your tent. you are blessed IJN.

DADDY DADDY DADDY I still cant believe you are gone. Your departure builds an awful wreckage of my heart, it feeds on loneliness and creates gray shawdows that haunt, torment and torture. My world, my walls of defence stricken and are destroyed, there's no sound of laughter or happiness here, confusion feeds like a savage inside of me.

When I got the call at work that you had left me, I just wanted to wake up from that horrible dream, I couldn't believe what my ears heard, I thought I was going to pass out. If I say you were a great man(that would be an understatement). You were kind, gentle, loving, caring, God fearing, ambitious, honest, and so much more. You were ready to give out your last to help others, you were always there for your family. Daddy, we had our differences and i'm so glad we resolved everything and got closer, you always encouraged and supported me. Mummy always said you pampered me too much and i'm sorta spoilt, well what can I say? I love and miss u so much, God knows best.

Goodbye daddy, may your soul rest in peace(AMEN)

Uncle,I thank God for your life.you were indeed a0good christian,father and an uncle 2 me. I remember the devotions you had with my family which still remains in my memory. All of us your children hold you in high esteem and will always remember you for good. I am sure you are happier where you are now. Adieu uncle. Rest in perfect peace.

It was like a dream on that fateful morning when the demise of our beloved Uncle and Father got to us.
'Osuofia 1 of Oko land' just as our late father would call him was a loving and amiable man, which he demonstrated to us during his early visit in Abuja.
One thing the Orjis' Family will never forget was his commitment and outstanding contributions during the morning and night devotions for he was a devouted christian.
Daddy just as we call you, you will be greatly missed by all of us, though you might be dead physically but spiritually we know you are alive in heaven. You will forever be remembered because of the legacies you left behind. Rest in the bossom of our Lord Jesus.
Bye-bye Osuofia, Daddy, Uncle and Great In-Law.

Orji Onyinye
(for the Orjis' Family)

TRIBUTE TO A NICE BROTHER

Chief Martin Okeke, the Osufia 1 of Oko and the Okpata okee ora of Eziaboruchi. I love you, but God loves you most. The news of your death come to me when I needed you helps most. I was confused and wanted to die of high B.P. I am writing this tribute with a confused mind. You are too good and respectable to me. I remembered how I called you for my daughter’s case, a day before your death, I called you and you told me that you are in the hospital because of Malaria & typhoid fever; I told you sorry and be sure take care of yourself. You said no problem. I totally collapsed when I wanted to call you the nest day only to hear that you are no more from Marcel Okeke. It is a pity, this world is nothing. Well, Osuofia, it was not your wish to die now but the wish of God who created you. He who giveth has taketh, we cannot question him. My prayer is let He grant you eternal life in heaven. We will meet you their on the appointed day.
Goodnight my lovely brother.

    From Mr. Hyacianth Okafor
    HOAPEC

Although, you were, a brother-in-law, I have always considered you a brother and confinedant. So, when the news came to me that death had struck and you were taken away from us, I thought it was a bad dream and tried to go back to sleep. When I received a second call, it became apparent that I Would never get to say jokes with you again. It dawned on me that the illuminating power of your presence would be gone also. We cannot ask God why now or why soon? He knows why he allowed you to achieve all that needs to be achieved before calling you home. Just know that you are highly missed. We would do our best to keep the candle of hope and aspiration that you have lit burning. Adieu my brother and friend. Rest well in the bosom of the Lord till we meet to part nomore.

My co in-law, your death came to me as a rude shock. As a man of God, I am loaded with words of consolation to people who are bereaved, but I have come to realize that it is not the same when one is directly involved. I could not see words of consolation in my own case. The possibility of mourning you at this time could not have entered my wildest imagination. Life is unfair but I take solace in Isaiah 57 vs 1 that merciful men often die before their time... Your indelible prints over this short time will forever be memorials that we will cherish and let it live on. It is my prayer that God will reward your labour of love to the less privileged, the down trodden and the talakawas.
Adieu Ogo ngokom!!!

REV ERNEST TOCHUKWU OKAFOR

TRIBUTE TO THE MAN OSUOFIA
How are the mighty fallen!!! O death! Where is thy sting? Many healthy persons have been cut down in the prime of life by cancer, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, or some other debilitating disease. The pangs of death are overwhelming and heart breaking. That was my state on that fateful morning of 19th March, 2014 when my husband lamented “again” while answering to a phone call from my first sister. I asked him what happened and he said Osuofia died. My immediate question was “who is Osuofia” because I could not believe you were capable of dying just like that.
My great in-law, you left in a sudden twist and staccato indescribable. Recall how few days before your demise, we interceded in a midnight prayer for Ifeoma to put to bed, and the way you confidently assured me that God is in control; and true to your word, she delivered supernaturally. It is true that you were diabetic, but you had managed it very well by eating right, taking your routine drugs and exercise. I had always prepared your unripe plantain and beans whenever you were in Abuja. So why will the diabetic coma happen unexpectedly in spite of the insulin you took? There are things we don’t want to know but have to learn; things we don’t want to happen but have to accept; and people we can’t live without but have to let go. Osuofia, you are one of such people.
How can I forget your goodness to me especially the period I was at the Nigerian law school Lagos? All that I needed your hands provided. I can’t forget easily the day I fearfully requested for Kelly Draftsman and the wiliness with which you provided it despite the cost. I recall your usual “nwanyi, ome an~aa whenever you sensed that I was in need of one thing or the other. You perfectly fitted into the adage that “ogo onye bu chi ya” and if there is a next world, I would wish for a brother in-law like you – totally unassuming, compassionate, understanding, easy going, not given to anger, a first class brain, good-looking, a man of peace, human-capital developer, amiable personality and an ebullient fellow.
There is no amount of consolation that would make me feel better; however in a time like this, I can only pray that the good Lord will grant us the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
Ogo oma!!! I am aware of the truth that you were so close to God before your demise that I know assuredly you are resting in God’s bosom now. May your gentle soul continue to rest in peace till we meet in His kingdom.
Adieu Odenigbo! Adieu Osuofia!! Adieu Father-Father!!! Adieu Ezigbo ogoo!!!! Adieu Papa Chy-Chy!!!!!

Ochiorabuja.

TRIBUTE TO MY AMIABLE BROTHER-IN-LAW

For my brother-in-law, Late Chief Martin Okeke, there couldn’t have been a better tribute as the scriptures made us understand in Romans 14 vs. 7 – 9. “For none of us liveth to himself and that no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord, and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: Whether we live therefore or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ both died and rose, and revived that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.”

On Wednesday, 19th March, 2014, I set out for a normal working day. My elder sister called, I was excited when I saw her call as I was hoping for a good discussion to start my day. I picked the call and tried to crack some jokes but her mood was cold, she told me she had bad news for me, I was wondering what that could be. Alas, the unexpected has happened, Osuofia is dead!

I had the privilege of being closer to Osuofia and his family and in many cases I can attest to the fact that he was a man with milk of human kindness. That is why in many places he was addressed as ‘Father’, pointing to his famed generosity. I had also the privilege of witnessing his generosity and hospitality. In his family, he was the best husband and father to his wife and children respectively. It was clear that he had a home that was peaceful, loving, caring and full of accommodation and compassion.
It is hard to believe that my amiable brother-in-law, very unassuming, a visionary Odenigbo leader, a man of uncommon intellect and compassion is no more.

I find it difficult referring to Osuofia in the past tense. He was a legend in his short but eventful life on earth. In Lagos where he lived, he endeared himself to all, that is why many hearts are still bleeding today on account of his demise.

I take solace in the fact that in his last days he was in a state of grace and made peace with his maker. That is why am so sure he is resting in the bosom of our Lord Jesus. If the outpouring of eulogies and tears are potent enough to rouse a dead person, Osuofia would have spent more days on earth. Good night my great brother-in-law. Adieu Osuofia!

Your Sister-in-law Chio

It came as rude shock when i heard of your demise. I am bereft of words and till this very moment it seems unreal and somehow I just believe you are alive. Before 2007 I always saw you from a distance and i did not have any impression. But serving as a Youth corper in Ogun State gave me the ample opportunity to visit Lagos as often as I could mostly during weekends.You were nice to everyone regardless of their station in life; you were very generous and hospitable. Most importantly, I remember the night prayers you conducted and the sermons you preached and at the time the sermons were quite helpful. Thanks for your kindness, till we meet to part no more.Adieu

Chei! I still find it difficult to believe that you have gone. The news of your demise was a shock to me till now. It pains me to remember that a caring and benevolent person like you is no more. My consolation is that one day, we shall meet to part no more. Adieu Daddy, Good Night.
MRS UKAMAKA CHUKWUEMEKA

Tribute to my brother – in – law.
Your sudden demise brought such rude shock to us on 19th of March 2014. How do we accept that you forgot all of us around you and checked out like that. What a loss! Minus is never good when it comes to death, but God is the God of Salvation. And unto God the Lord belongs the issues from death. Since God called you back Martins the blood of Jesus will speak for you at the gate knowing your confessions and having accepted Him as you Lord and personal Saviour. Good night Martins Adieu Osuofia, Bye Bye Ogomu Nwoke.
Engr and Mrs. V.C Azubike and Family

Daddy was a very generous person . He gave out till he didn't have any for himself. Lived a positive life and always made me believe that wisdom was the key and the Only way to get that was through God. A true fighter and hard worker he was , never believed in comfort for "what you wait for might never come to you and the things that will come to you is what you won't need to wait for. Rest on papa, till we meet again. Loved forever .

Its been exactly two weeks since you left me daddy. I still find it hard to believe that you are gone forever. Words cant begin to describe the pain i feel, the news of your death broke my heart into a thousand pieces. In everything i do i think of you, everything i see reminds me of you. Its not in our place to question God, for the good lord that knows best. I take solace in the fact that you are resting in the bossom of our lord Jesus christ. I love you so much daddy. Goodbye My beloved father, Goodbye my hero until we meet again .

Chief martin okeke! Sad news! Generous, kind father and uncle! He will surely be missed! Rest in peace Great One! #martinsforever!

You slept off, no farewell words spoken, no time to say good Bye, you had gone before I knew it, only God knows why. I was visibly shaken by the loss of a valuable Father like you; you were indeed a Father in a Million. You were a role model loved by all. Words are not adequate to describe the enviable roles you played in our upbringing from the cradle until you left us. You taught us humility; we are however consoled by your good works and the fact we have an opportunity to meet again on the resurrection morning. May the Almighty God grant your soul eternal rest. Amen.

Adieu big Daddy
Adieu nnam ochi
Adieu Father Father
Adieu Osuofia 1 of Oko
Gudnyt Sir we al luv u bt God luvs u most

This tribute was added by Nancy Enunwa on 24th March 2014

"My heart is broken in so many pieces and every fiber of my being is in pain. My tears have been my food for days as I still do not understand why this had to happen to you. I hate that I didn't get a chance to say goodbye but I believe God knows best.

Who do I call Daddy now? Who will stand by and support me wholeheartedly now? Daddy, you were my number one supporter and even when I upset you, you never turned your back on me. True, in my younger days, you were extremely strict with me ...but looking back now I see that you were really trying to set me on the right path and ensure I displayed the responsibility that came with being the first born. Daddy, I am extremely grateful for everything and I will continue to make you proud.

I will miss your words of wisdom, your prayers, your large heart... Daddy.. I will miss you dearly. May your soul rest in perfect peace...Amen!

Grandpa, I did not get to spend as much time with you as I would have loved to. But from the little I know, you were gentle, kind and always full of life.

We are all very sad but the one thing that I know and believe with all my heart is that you are in Heaven with Jesus and we will all meet again one day.

I love you and will miss you very much.