Our  Father was  born at Uzuakoli, then East central state .He was the first child of late Pa Jacob Abosi Ukoha ("Dede" as he was fondly known and called by his children and grandchildren) and Da Jenny Ukoha.His mother pre-deceased him at a tender age and left Daddy and his beloved younger brother and best friend Isaac.

From that tender age he learnt to take care of his younger ones and fend for them.He completed his secondary education at Methodist College,Uzuakoli with flying colors.A very brilliant student ,subsequently took his London cambridge exams and passed with flying colors ,earning him an opportunity to proceed to the United Kingdom to further his education.Prior to this ,he had worked briefly at the Barclay's bank of nigeria. He left for Scotland ,where he earned his degree in Civil Engineering and excelled himself doing so.While a student he distinguished himself academically , so much that he came to the notice of his teachers and earned the opportunity as a student tutor.Upon completion he returned to Nigeria and joined the Nigeria Railway corporation(NRC) , where he rose to the position of Chief Engineer and the first indigenous one too.Prior to this , he met and married Mrs. Regina Ukoha(nee Obasi) and was blessed with two daughters.Later years, Nigeria degenerated into the civil war ,during which he was taxed with being in charge of the NRC(Eastern division).Following the end of this painful period,he remained with the NRC until he was actively recruited by the Flour mills inc.He retired from the NRC , joined the Flour mills as the manager for Engineering.While in the NRC ,he had an illustrious and distinguishing career.It is fair to say that he built most of the railway tracks spanning from the north(Kafanchan,bauchi,maidugri,Minna,Kaduna), to the west(Ilorin,Ibadan....) to the East(Enugu ,Aba, Portharcourt...).I remember our early childhood was marked by Daddy spending weeks in his luxurious coach "on line" (building rail tracks) with his steward.We loved the trips.When he joined the Flour Mills , he was taxed with so many firsts e.g he built the Kano flour Mills and was the Managing Director before his expertise was called upon to construct and Manage the Maidugri Flour mills.Prior to this he met and married his  second wife Mrs. Philomena Ukoha(nee Nwosu).He remained as MD of Bornu flour mills up until his retirement.In between this he had returned to Lagos where his expertise was frequently called upon.                     

Daddy was  a loving father to seven children and grandfather to thirteen grandchildren.One grand son predeceased him.Upon retirement he moved to Aba where he lived an extremely active life up till his death.He operated a bakery and still found time to practise his beloved civil Engineering and draftsmanship.He was an extremely devoted and disciplined man , and extremely respected by both his peers and beyond.He was a mentor to so many and an inspiration to everyone who met him.He loved classical music,football(soccer),reading,loved his daily walks/exercise,watching movies and TV.He was an active member of the Nkwerre aborigine union,Amaegbu development union,People's club and a proud Old Boy of Methodist College uzuakoli, where he was the oldest surviving member of this club.Despite all his numerous accomplishments ,Daddy always shunned the limelight, always preferring that others take the "showmanship".But he could never  escape his well deserved recognition because his excellence shone right through.

He was a beloved brother and father figure for all his siblings and their families as he was known and fondly called Papa by all his siblings.They loved and adored him and knew that he cared and was always there for each and everyone of them.He was their back bone and a true patriach of the whole family.To them he was Papa while their father was Dede.

Daddy I cannot begin to tell you how much you will be missed.Words cannot express how much and  by so many.You taught us love , kindness,selflessness and humility.Your shoes are too big and may never be filled but you left us a legacy that we can only try ,through God's grace to carry on.You will always remain in our hearts and as these words are being written, the heart is so heavy but peaceful.We know that the last few months were challenging but we thank God that you are at peace with our Lord and he has welcomed you into his rest after a job well done.

Adieu Daddy as we your children-Ngozi,Chinyere,Uchenna,ijeoma,Onyekwere,Ndidi,Nkechi will never forget you.Mama and Mma-uche will never forget you.Your grandchildren, Sons and daughters-in-law ,siblings,nieces and nephews,cousins,in-laws,relations,friends and so many will never forget you.

We love you but God loves you more.