Sir Anthony Ukachukwu popularly known as VIO was a good friend of my dad ( chief Johnson Onwuharonye). Growing up, my dad barely finish a story of his early life without mentioning VIO. Sir VIO was a good man, always with a smile. I met him on few occasions when I visited home and each time he sees me he tries to say one or two words in hausa language to me.He was a father .Rest on Sir for we know you are in a better place.
Nnenna Onwuharonye Nwaiwu.

TRIBUTE TO MY HERO, MY ROLE MODEL, THE BEST DAD EVER!

On January 5th,1995, I bid you and mom farewell as I left to join my husband in the USA. The occasion enormously tasked my emotions as I did not realize that would be my final goodbye to you dad.
By 1998, I had by the grace of God given you two beautiful and adorable grandchildren. I hoped to visit home so the children would meet all of you, their grandparents.
On November 20th, 2000, I received the shocking and traumatic news of your death. The ill-health that lasted less than a day. Nothing prepared me for this sudden death dad! No, not you, I wasn’t ready, but I now believe that our God almighty was ready to take you home. I was in school, hadn’t even obtained the degree that I promised you, and hadn’t attempted to repay you for all your tremendous hard work. My distress and grief were unstoppable. To imagine that I would not see you again and my children would never meet you was so brutal for me to handle. 
Dad, you were the most gentle, generous, kind, loving, disciplined, peaceful, caring, understanding, and most accommodating person I’ve ever known. You personified love and simplicity. Like Bishop Ochiagha fondly referred you as, “The gentleman from Omuma”. That’s who you were.
Notwithstanding the everlasting pain and sorrow of your death, I feel comforted by the memories we shared. They are a blessing to me and my family.
Recalling some of my solo visits home from boarding school, you would position yourself on the first-floor balcony of our residence, radiating pride, joy, happiness and beaming with smiles while hailing me “here comes Chioma, my daughter, nwa oma (good child) walking majestically, with her head held up high”. That was one way you expressed unquantifiable love to your young children. The way you respected, admired, pampered, and cherished mom, you showed us, all 12 of your children how a woman ought to be treated.

You did your best amidst great sacrifice to ensure that all twelve of your children received quality education with a minimum of first degree in the best schools regardless of gender. You gave us limitless opportunities to distinguish ourselves.
I would always look forward to your visits to my boarding school with many provisions and food on our visiting days. Your generosity was matchless. Whenever you were dropping or picking any of us from school, you insisted that other children from our community of Omuma in the same school should join us until your car was full. You were a dad not only to your children but to the entire community, your siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends’ kids including my husband. You were called daddy by all.
My husband is so fond of you and because of his admiration for the kind of man you were, he named our first daughter, Ugochinyere, after your chieftaincy title.
Your parenting skills and style were among the greatest legacies you bequeathed to us. They influenced the upbringing of your two grandchildren. The result was phenomenal. 
Dad, I love you. I still miss you. I admire you and I thank you. You were indeed the best dad.
Please, remain the Angel you have been over these past 20 years, watching over all of us, and may you continue to rest in heavenly peace.

Love you dad, Your daughter,
Chioma

TRIBUTE TO DAD

One score years ago I was only a senior secondary school student with no idea whatsoever that a man whose family I’d belong eternally with was bravely taking his last breath on the 19th of November. If I was to choose, I’d definitely love to see my father in-law alive, and more so one like you!

I may have not met you physically but I have met you in all whom you left behind. I have had the joy of listening to all the wonderful stories about your time here on earth. I have no doubt that they’re all true—they are the truth, they’re not the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

You were a man of valour and honour, of courage and compassion, of integrity and humility, of peace and purpose, and a man of God and godliness. You were a man of generational, multi-dimensional positive impact.

I know all this because it’s lavishly frescoed on all your children, and mystically also emblazoned on all your children in-law.

You raised your family primly, guarded your Christianity jealously and protected your Royal heritage bravely—all to the end. We have continued to walk on the path you trailed and in the light you lit.

A man like you is certainly in heaven. Continue to pray for us!

Your son in-law
Noble Michael Nwachukwu

TRIBUTE TO AN HONOURABLE GENTLEMAN

The first time I heard about Chief Anthony Ukachukwu was in September 1986. He was among those who came to commiserate with my dad on the death of my dear mum, who died on 27 September 1986. From his endorsement in the condolence register, his visit was on 30 September 1986. Though I was not at home, I later got to know about his visit. He and my dad were police officers in Onitsha up until 1970.

My first meeting with him was about July 1992. I went on a mission to informally see my future father in law. I had earlier met with my future mother in law. When I introduced myself, he asked if I had any relationship with Linus Uzoukwu. I answered in the affirmative and added that he was my dad. He asked me to send his personal regards to him.

He was so relaxed, friendly, welcoming, humorous, affectionate, affable, and cosmopolitan that I could not imagine that I was meeting him for the first time. I spent quality time with him. That was the beginning of an excellent and rewarding relationship with him.

In due time, proximity offered me the opportunity of close interaction and relationship with him. This informed my understanding his personality very well.

I found out he was a firm, refined, polished, cultured, stylish, knowledgeable and a positively sophisticated person. His overall humanity, which was enchanting and disarming, included simplicity, humility, generosity, and honesty. He was also a jolly good fellow.

I looked forward to his visits or my visits to him. There was something typical and extraordinary about him. In parking his car in the garage in his house or when he was visiting any person, he must park the vehicle to face the exit! Why? Just in case it became necessary to drive off in an emergency! He was such a careful and thoughtful person.

He belonged to the special class of those who would tell the people what they needed to hear and not what they wanted to hear. The result was that after telling them what they needed to hear, they would want to hear more.
He was kind but a blunt person. He would never downplay an issue or misrepresent a fact just to avoid hurting anybody. As far as he was concerned, there cannot be any alternative to truth. He was devoutly religious.

He set out to make a name and leave an enduring legacy. He not only attained that goal, but he equally achieved fame.

He had a way of genuinely making everyone who encountered him to look special no matter the person’s station in life. This so much endeared him to the people.

May his soul continue to rest in the bosom of the Lord.


Dr Livy Uzoukwu, OON, SAN
Son in Law

TRIBUTE TO AN AMAZING DADDY

19th November, 2000 would ever remain one of the darkest days of my life. That was the day our loving Daddy, Sir A.N. Ukachukwu, Ugochinyere 1 of Omuma, Eze elect, departed to eternal glory.

It was like a dream, I initially did not believe it because you were not ill. You left me when I needed you most, but I thank God for our amazing super Mummy, Ezinne Lady Grace Eberechukwu Ukachukwu and my beloved siblings who took over us immediately without letting any of us to be drop outs. May the Almighty God reward you all abundantly. I believe heaven needed a Hero, God picked you, Daddy like no other one.

In all the years I lived with my parents, I cannot recall a single moment where he raised his voice on my mother. He was so caring, sweet and a man who leads by example. He was also gentle, cheerful, elegant, humble, a disciplinarian, and a man who loved God unconditionally .

Daddy, you did everything you could to ensure that I became successful and I am eternally grateful to for that. Where do I start from, is it taking us back to school once the schools resumed? Of course, we are always the first to report to school. He would leave us with Miss Chidi who was in charge of our dormitory but now a Rev. Sr. He was always present at every visiting day.

My Daddy was so organized, that all receipts and results for school, lessons and shares were properly kept in our files. I hope I will be half the parent you were to me to my children and husband. Daddy, I know you are with God. Thank you Daddy for your unsurpassed legacy. Thank you, thank you very much. I will never forget you.

It was hard for me to write this tribute. It is not that I do not know what to say, but any deep thought about you brings me to tears. I can’t look at a picture of you without crying. I am glad I had the privilege to be one of your daughters.

Daddy, you were a great man. My husband and your grand children, Kaodichimma, Kamsiyochukwu and Kachimdi Uba will surely miss you. You were a great blessing to us all. Night Night, Rest well till we meet to part no more.

Marachi Barbara Kemdi Uba
Daughter

      Tribute To My Daddy

Daddy, memories of you live forever in our hearts,you were an amazing father to all your children and people who came around you, you were a disciplinarian, a devoted and dedicated Catholic. Your life still reflects amongst us your children,the values and morals you instilled in us are now being transferred to our children. I'm proud to call you my daddy,my mentor,my role model. Mummy is still the best mother anyone can wish to have. Keep resting till we meet again. Love you endlessly dad.

Your daughter,
Uchechi.

TRIBUTE TO A DAD LIKE NO OTHER

Daddy,
Time, they say flies and I cant but agree any less.
It has been twenty long years without you.
Let me first thank God for the singular art of creating you in your form and the exceptional privilege of being your son.
I recall growing up in your care. The sacrifices you made in ensuring that the 12 of us had minimum of university education. Then I took it for granted that we had right to education. Little did I know that that effort made you drive your old 504 Peugeot car-ECL 4949 for years without change. Even when I made jokes out of the car ,you smiled. Forgive me Dad
I also recall the high and low moments my behaviors made you feel. The times you roared and shouted Jude, and the other times you whispered Obiora, now I am a father and understand the difference. How about the demands for school fees? You gave what you had at the time and gave the rest when you could. Sold your shares and house and yet kept smiling and made us smile. I remembered your prayer always which I also pray for my children-never to disappoint them. All for me.
How about the disappointment? You asked me to get married but I didn’t understand. I took it for granted that you would always be there until that phone call that said you had stroke and was admitted and the funny movements around me on the 20th of November 2000.I flew from Lagos to Port harcourt crying but yet didn’t have the courage to find it if it was true. On getting to Omuma, it was clear, the worst had happened. My own Daddy was already in the morgue without saying goodbye.
You only wanted me to marry and continue from where you stopped. Again, I didn’t understand. Instead i sought a good job and good life taking your presence for granted.
You left when I had just done 2 weeks into my first career employment. I had no opportunity to either buy you the small stout you liked nor thank you for all your efforts. I hope you still smile at me for I honestly, didn’t understand.
20 years have gone. The bible in Ecclesiastes teaches us that there “is appointed time for every event under heaven-A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot the planted. A time to kill, a time to heal. A time to tear down, and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time laugh”. We have cried for years and are strong now.
The family is still very united and will always be. Mummy is good.
I am married to a very supportive wife now . Her name is Chigoziem. We have three wonderful children, Chukwunomso named after you as Anthony, Tobechukwu as Michael and Ugonna as Joan. I have told them so many thigs about you and they are grateful for all your sacrifices.
While you lived, you were our shepherd. In heaven you remain our angel.
Daddy, I wish………………………
Thank you and goodbye

It was just the other day, I was thinking about my beloved Dad and then our family started making preparations for his memorial that I realized that it has been 20 years since the great VIO passed on. How time truly does fly.

The on-going family discussions that ensured and the various draft tributes towards the memorial made me realize that there were huge and rich history and stories of my Dad, Mum and the families (Ukachukwus' and Okoros' family) that I didn’t know. Well this was due to me not living with my parents from a young age (was the only child who didn’t grow under my parents), as I lived and grew under the guardian of my Sisters Frances and Chinyere. Reflecting on this, I wished he had lived for much longer even to present day, so that I could spend time with him in the sense of making up for the missing / lost interaction and further bonding. I also wish that he was alive to see the adorable grandson (Kenechukwu Ukachukwu) I bore him and my future husband/son in-law. I just wish…...

Dad was well known within our community and state, as he was well respected for being a man of fair-play and justice. He was regarded as a kind-hearted, generous, humble and deeply religious in the Catholic Christian faith. This is also how we (children) regarded him.

From my lens as his child, I adored my Dad for so many reasons amongst which are that he was a family-oriented man, who loved his family both immediate and external and treated and loved all his children equally. Dad was a stickler for discipline, very meticulous/organized and had a great attention to detail and it was this trait I adored the most till today…

I could go on and on but time and space will not permit.

I am forever grateful to God for being a part of your family and would continue to pray God rest your Soul.
Love you forever.
Your daughter...Adamaka


 

FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS

Daddy 20years is gone yet it still seems like yesterday.  Your spirit lives on. Your memories and thoughts have remained with us. You have constantly appeared to me in my dreams, only to wake up and realized it was indeed a dream.

Though you are no more physically with us, but your countless legacies speak for you at every given time - Generosity to mankind, perfection in all endeavors,  dedication to the things of God, core disciplinarian , Daddy for all,  Peace maker etc. Your cherished values have remained a reference point.

We have been trying in our little way to keep faith to the principles, values and beliefs you thought us and know you smile from haven each time you watch us live up to expectations.
I can never thank God enough for having a Father like you. In my next world, I will most willingly want to remain your daughter.

My prayer is that you will continue to watch over us as God's Angel  which you are .

Rest on Daddy.
Njide

TRIBUTE TO MY DADDY AND HERO

Daddy, it is 20 years since your transition. I still sorely miss you. You were such a wonderful and exemplary person. I will continue to treasure the time and moments I shared with you. For my baptism, you named me Anthonia which is the feminine version of your name, Anthony. I cherish that honour and privilege.

You were a good listener, lively, gentle, and versatile person. Your charismatic and charming personality made you a man of the people. You had an incredible capacity for hard work. Daddy, I can still remember how you nurtured us and raised a wonderful family. You were so unique, very fond of your children that you treated us equally. You celebrated every birth in the family not minding the gender.

Daddy, you were a man of principle and great courage. You valued quality education and ensured we all got one. You taught us to serve God with all our strength. You conducted our family morning and night prayers, encouraged some of us to join St. Anthony’s guild.

You taught us to be humble, kind, generous, humane, respectful, and respectable. Thank you for instilling those virtues in us. We are doing our best to pass same on to the next generation.

Given your fondness for making peace, the epithet Prince of Peace summarizes your character.
You were a splendid gift to humanity .

Continue to rest in peace, daddy.
Love from your daughter ,
Anthonia

Dearest Dad
There is no better time to express my love and gratitude to you than now, 20yrs since your passing. You lived an exemplary life, filled with many happy memories. You were kind, loving, God fearing, a devoted husband and father who put the comfort and happiness of your family and others before yours. You were highly principled and instilled long lasting values in your children. You worked hard to provide for your family and always present in anything that mattered to your family. Dad, although you are gone, your legacy will remain with us and for many generations to come. May the almighty in his infinite mercy continue to look after you as you rest in his bosom until we meet to part no more.
Adieu Daddy!
Love from your daughter, Angela

Daddy, you were simply the best. You were so unique that my memories of you remain evergreen. You gave so much love and kindness. Your generosity made it seem like it was a normal way of life. You were highly principled, yet very loving. Your love for God was undiluted. You were and still are my hero. Continue to rest in perfect peace. I will always love you Daddy.