I encountered Dr Obii Obioha sometimes in the year 2000.... in Lagos. I was working as PA to his generous brother in-law, who is married to his amiable sister. He was an easy going man with so much regard for family. Family, not just his charming wife and children but extended ones (ndi ezi na ndi uno). He welcomed everyone who had one thing or the other to do with his relation as family.

Dr allowed me unrestricted access to his home and would always ask me to come by should I need any assistance. He would sought to know how I was faring with my life ambition. Dr saw me, not only I but everyone who came around him (by extension drivers, wards, etc. of associates and relations) as an endowment of God's love and talent. He treated us equal and would provide advice/counselling on matters of life. He was a perfect gentleman. At first sight and upon interaction, one need not be told that he was a true child of God. 

It is regreful that you would be missed by the people you touched their lives but when we consider the fact that you've gone back to the one and only God whom you believed in and served so well on earth, we will rather be glad and pray that no obstacle should prevent you from making it to paradise. 

May your soul rest in the Lord. Amen 

I am deeply saddened by the news of your loss. I pray that God will grant the Obiorah family the strength to go through this moment. May his gentle soul rest in peace. My most sincere condolences.

Nnawuenyi,

Obii nwannem, is this the end? I saw you for the last time in Abuja in April 2015, last year, when we had a meeting that was scheduled at your instance. How was I to know it was the last time I would set my eyes on you?

You made that trip to Abuja specifically to appeal to me to step forward to take up the responsibility of rescuing our late father's legacy. According to you, things had gone so bad that the Bank had commenced foreclosure on the company. You said you held a meeting with the relevant bank officer who had informed you that certain drastic steps needed to be taken to rescue MOSCOL, one of which was immediate change of top management, otherwise Moscol was doomed. Your view was that mistakes had been made in the past which had brought Moscol to the brink of collapse and that you were sorry for however you contributed to that, and that you were now ready to do whatever it will take to see that Moscol did not go down. For that reason, you came to Abuja to appeal to me to step forward to take over top management of Moscol to head a rescue mission to save Moscol from imminent bank fore-closure.

The rest is now history. Today, I am the Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Moscol. The rest of our siblings in total agreement and with no dissenting voice, rallied round to support the initiative, executed all the necessary paperwork and effected the change of management of Moscol through due process. God, through that effort, helped us to build the needed consensus in Ozuomee's family for the first time since his demise and thereby averted the bank foreclosure. A lot still remains to be done to get the company back on its feet, but we're well on the way. Clearly, God used you to initiate the process of the New Moscol as we have it today and you will forever be remembered as such.

Our last discussion on the phone was also very instructive. I had called you on your Birthday which was March 9th 2016, to wish you happy birthday. When you didn't pick, I sent you a birthday message by SMS. You subsequently called to acknowledge both the missed call and the SMS and also to acknowledge receipt of the status report of Moscol Operations which I had earlier circulated to all stakeholders. But you made it very clear to me that you didn't call to discuss the issues raised in the report which you said you would do subsequently, but rather to thank me for the birthday message and to appreciate me for taking up the Moscol assignment, which served to avert the bank fore-closure and for the strides accomplished far. I was indeed quite surprised that you did not want to discuss the report. I used the same opportunity to appreciate you for the timely intervention you took when it mattered the most to save Moscol. I told you quite clearly that it was the beginning of the Moscol success story as we have it today. With hindsight, I can't help wondering if that telephone call was a sort of restitution and farewell? Did you know it would be our last conversation?

Whatever it was Obii my brother, your death is so painful. Didn't hear you were sick, then suddenly the news came!!! Exactly the same way our brother Shawcross died, headache, slumped, died!!! God forbid. I reject any more premature and sudden death in OZUOMEE's family in Jesus Name! The devil will never cheat us again in this horrible manner in Jesus Name! AMEN!!!

Obii, rest in peace in the bosom of the Lord. I shall do my best to live the dream and passion you expressed concerning Moscol, "that everything that needs to be done should be done to see to it that Ozuomee's legacy does not go down."

It's so hard to say bye-bye. I know that Grant and his siblings will keep the flag flying and the light shining. Goodbye my dear brother, until we meet again to part no more!

Your Sister,

KATE GINIKANWA OKPAREKE 

“The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better” (Robert F. Kennedy). In his lifetime, Dr. Obioha affected the world for the better. He was the perfect role model who has shown the rest of us that we can make a difference in this life, one person at a time. His devotion to God and his family cannot be overemphasized. He was successful in every facet of the word, be it spiritually, academically, emotionally, financially and business wise. But he also taught his family how to be successful – that is work hard and pray hard. Today, these principles are indelible in the hearts of his children and the family that he left behind. This is to say that although he is no longer physically with us, we (each of us) carry a little bit of him, which he has deposited in us.  

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). The light that Dr. Obioha brought into this world shined so bright that it illuminated not just the path of his family, but also that of many whom he came in contact with. I was privileged to be one of those many, and that light shines even brighter on my path today.

Growing up as a young boy in primary school, I was a brilliant student; but my parents did not have enough money to send me to the secondary school. At this time we were members of Assemblies of God Church, Nigeria, and so my family decided to ask the local churches for help. It was in 1996, and on one of those occasions, we visited the local church at Umungasi Aba where Dr. Obioha and his family worshipped. The pastor introduced my case and asked the church members to give an offering to help alleviate my financial need. Many gave offerings on that day – but Dr. Obioha saw that as a unique opportunity to help a person in need. Instead of giving an offering, he gave me his business card, which had the words ‘visit my office tomorrow’ written at the back of it.

From that day forward, Dr. Obioha treated me as though I was one of his children. He paid my school fees throughout my secondary school years. He did not stop there. When I got admitted into the University, he paid all my tuition fees throughout the five years of my university education. What a heart full of compassion and love he had. He introduced me and my family to his lovely wife and his family too. He created a great relationship between the two families and an atmosphere of love, generosity and kindness. After my university education in Nigeria, He encouraged me to not give up on my dreams. God willing, I gained a scholarship to study my MSc in the United Kingdom. This year (2016), I completed my Ph.D program in a University in Canada, and still looking on to greater things. The fact is that, I would not have been able to reach this height had Dr. Obioha not come to my help. He was my destiny helper! He helped make me who I am today.

“It's the action, not the fruit of the action, that's important. You have to do the right thing. It may not be in your power, may not be in your time, that there'll be any fruit. But that doesn't mean you stop doing the right thing. You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result” (Mahatma Gandhi). Dr. Obioha may not have lived long enough to see the fruit of his good works, at least in full. As much as that makes our hearts bleed, we also know that he did the right things during his life and made a difference in this world. As long as the fruits of his labour are here with us, we will never forget him. The story of Dr. Obioha’s good works will be told to the coming generations and shown as an example of a life well lived. With God’s help, I will continue the legacy that Dr. Obioha left behind by helping at least one person who is in a similar condition as I was in 1996. I will transfer the little bit of Dr Obioha in me to the coming generation.

“The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me' (Matt 25:40). Dr. Obioha lived a Godly life full of effectiveness, and his works will not only be remembered by us men, but also by God. Today, we can take solace in the fact Dr. Obioha has received the inheritance prepared for him in God’s kingdom. He was one of the few who did more than needed to make this world better of us all. More than caring for people’s needs, he helped. More than believing in God’s love, he practised it. More than being fair to people, he showed kindness. More than dreaming about what to do, he worked. In short, Dr. Obioha did not just come to this world to do well, but he also did good.

Although the news of your departure came as a shock to us, we know that you are now in a better place. We will never forget you and all that you have been to us all. After this life, we also know that we will be able to spend a much longer time with you on the day of our Lord’s coming.

Live on Dr. Obioha Mackena Obioha.

Growing up in Braeswood, I played in the orchestra.  Playing in the orchestra was a unique experience  because you could always see the congregation as a whole. There were things you always saw and people you got used to seeing every Sunday. Every Sunday, come rain or shine, I always saw Uncle Obioha sitting in the second pew next to his family. He was steady, solid, caring, kind, loving, faithful, and the rock of his family. But I always  admired the glint in his eye, that showed he also loved life and loved living fully.

I used to admire the way he was Aunty Obioha's constant, steady and fun companion. Her ageless beauty is a testament to the love they shared. 

He was such a powerful role model...all you had to do was just watch him. His actions and the way Christ shone through him inspired many.

What a wonderful man. We will miss you  dearly.

To the Obioha family: May God comfort you and carry you through this time of transition. May the light of the memory of Uncle Obioha's life well-lived continue to give you strength. It is well.

I missed Obi.  I miss knowing that he was always sitting behind me during service.  I miss his hugs during welcome.  I miss his huge smile.  I miss him but know we will see one another soon in heaven.  We continue to pray for the Family.  The Holy Spirit will comfort you daily.  We Love You

My condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with you all 

Grant, I saw your dad a few times when he came to pick you up from school which showed care towards family. 

For all he was may his legacy continue through you.

Stay strong my brother.

Rest in peace Sir Obioha.

Grant, I may not have known your dad, but please accept my sympathy/condolence. May the Lord give you and your family strenght in this trying times. May his soul rest in perfect peace.

Vivian, so sorry, may the God of peace comfort you and your family thru this time. May your dad's legacy of greatness continue to live on thru this world from his beautiful seeds of faith and love, in Jesus name, amen. 

Keep resting in the bossom of our Lord Sir...

Your light will always shine through your sons and daughters. Though you will be missed but you will surely not be forgotten. 

I pray that God will give your family the fortitude to bear this huge loss.

My sincere condolence to you Grant and your family.

I don't have a story to share but I am grieving with you all. I am also praying for you. May His soul rest in peace. 

A father who was always there for his children.

I clearly remember you bringing them to school in your Mercedes G wagon daily.

You played your role and now you have gone to be with the LORD.

Grant I condole with you my Bro, you had a great father!....

It's well with you and the rest of your family.

Only God has a reason to give and Take. I am certain how good an uncle you were to me and the rest of us. Today you are no more. Dr May your soul rest in perfect peace. RIP.  Uncle 

I heard once that it is by remebrance that we keep a loved one alive. May you and your family remember the moments shared of love, joy and laughter.

Its hard to deal with a loss but I pray that God will give you and your family the strength and grace to keep going.

You are in my prayers.

Miriaku.

 Sleep on in God's bosom. Though deeply mourned, You are always remembered.. Adieu Sir.