Bede Oritsematosan Uku was born in Sapele on 13th January 1957 to Late Chief Bede James Alaba and Dorothy Temietan Uku. He was the first of six siblings and hailed from Okere, Warri in Delta State of Nigeria.
Upon his parents departing to study in England, he lived with his grandparents in Sapele until his parents returned back to Nigeria in 1964. There, his grandmother gave him the nick name ‘Pepe’ a name he was fondly called by his siblings and extended family.
He reunited with his parents and three sisters in Benin upon their return.
He attended Emotan Preparatory School from 1964-1968.
In January 1968, he began his secondary school life at the renowned Government College, Ughelli and completed his studies there in 1972. He remained, until his demise, an active and bonafide member of the class of 1968 of his alumni by attending school reunions in the United States and most recently their zoom meetings a couple of months ago.
Bede proceeded to the United States for his undergraduate studies in 1975 where he obtained a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from the Southern A&M University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA in 1979.
From 1979 - 1981 he went further to acquire a Post graduate degree - M. Eng. Engineering from the Tennessee State University, Nashville.
Thereafter, he returned to Nigeria where he did the mandatory NYSC in Port Harcourt between 1981 and 1982.
A year later, Bede relocated to Warri where he worked with Waratem Engineering Ltd. He was also the Managing Director of Waratem Transport before going into private engineering practice.
In April 1987 he got married to his beloved wife, Onogho and the marriage is blessed with three sons: Bede “JJ’ Uku, Leonard Oritseweyinmi Uku, and Mark Eyinmisan Uku.
In 2002, Bede relocated with his family to Toronto, Canada. Whilst in Canada, he saw all three sons through university. Bede went on to have a fulfilling career with the Mechanical department of the Estee Lauder Group of Companies.
Bede enjoyed watching sports, particularly football and basketball. He also enjoyed completing DIY projects around the house. He took pride in doing things himself and constantly upgrading his house. He was also ever willing to help family and friends with their home renovations.
Bede was a loving, intelligent, humble, generous, and selfless man, who always had a cheerful and positive outlook in life. He was always easy going with a great trademark smile and infectious laugh. He had positive energy which he always brought with him.
Bede was a gentleman to the core and a dependable friend. He was an ardent Catholic who practiced the faith to the end. A proud Itsekiri man blessed with a rich cultural knowledge of his roots. He was without question a reference point for relating and tracing historical family lineage.
A great family man, Bede will be sorely missed by his immediate family, siblings, cousins, friends and colleagues.
The curtain fell on February 10th 2021 but we thank God for the lovely memories shared in his lifetime. He will be deeply missed!
He left behind his wife, three children, a grandson and five siblings.
May God have mercy on him and grant him peaceful rest in the arms of the Lord.
Amen!
