Remembering you always Chinedum. Rest in peace.

Isabella

Chide baby! Chide baby! Chide baby!
Na waaooo!!!

Its another year of remembrance of you.  Since you left us our country Nigeria and the world in general are in disarray. Things we never imagined are happening politically, natural disasters and killings. I know you were passionate about these things. We miss you but I know you are in a better place.
Rest on my selfless friend and cousin.

Thank you so much dear friends for your words of comfort which I really appreciate.
Chinedum lives on in her son, daughter in law and granddaughter.
We delight in them as we see Chinedum always
Our God is good.
We thank God for Chinedum’s 64 years with us here.
She was Nigeria’s Independence icon
(seen her presenting flowers to Princess Alexandra 1st October 1960) and she was very passionate about Nigeria’s welfare. With God’s help, we will all make Nigeria well

CHIJINDU IKEJI

May her lovely soul continue to rest in peace. 
The old girls in Lagos were there in our numbers to say farewell.

Life here on earth is a journey.
We are all in that train.
When each reaches his/her destination, they will disembark to continue in another realm.
My prayer is that everyone will end up in that eternal glory with our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Paul the apostle said it's a place where he would rather be.

We miss you dearest Senior Chinedu but I know you are in a better place. Rest on till we meet in that glorious kingdom to part no more.❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️

CHINWE OHIAERI OBAJI

Dum Dum.
God bless your soul.

LAETITIA AKINLAMI

Nedu my dear continue rest in the bosom of our Lord until we meet to part no more in the paradise of our God and His Christ.

FLORENCE ABADOM OSOKA

Senior Chinedum was friendly and unassuming. She was nice and respectful even to us her juniors.
May her beautiful soul continue to rest in the bosom of our Lord. Nwabs nwannem take heart inugo.

LIZZIE JIBUNOH

Nwabueze.
You know it’s so difficult for me to talk about your sister. We were close enough years back but when I changed church and joined her at St Johns Falomo, we became even closer. She was a bold parishioner who never balked on calling out any indiscretions in the church. Because we also belonged to the Lagos branch of our Alma mater we bonded even more and about a year before she passed she asked me to help her advertise her latest interest which was her attempt to commercialize her culinary skills in the area of our local cuisine. She was very passionate about it and I was extremely excited for her as those dishes were finally finding their way into mainstream wedding cuisine and that was big business. Senior Chinedum was not ready to return to the Lord. She was putting all her challenges behind her and looking onto the future positively.
It was a personal loss to me Nwabueze which I actually never shared with you because at the time I noticed you were quite devastated. Nwabueze. Hold strong. You are a strong woman and have showed me via the spiritual content you constantly share on this platform that God is your major source of strength. We should therefore not mourn like a group of people without hope. We loved your sister and she actually had a special place in the hearts of many.
May her soul continue to rest in the bosom of the almighty. Ndo. Ogadimma. I remember her with a lot of love. May she be continually remembered for good.
@elizabethjibunohtributetochinedum

DUPE BANJO AKINYEDE

It’s hard to believe that Auntie Chinedum is no longer with us. As old as I am she never stopped calling me little Dups, and I appreciated it so much as she acknowledged and spoke to the child in me that I myself had always felt forced to suppress from childhood to survive this world that we live in. In her latter years we had developed a robust and deep relationship thanks to Facebook. She was a mentor, an encourager, a coach, an advocate for me even whilst still navigating the challenges of her own life. I honor her memory and her legacy today with this write up. She is sitting in heaven with the angels singing songs of glory and praise to the father, all pain and sorrow is stripped away. She is resting in the bosom of her father. God be praised.

Ada UgoNgwa
8th of April was her 70th (post humous) birthday 
We lost Chinedum in September 2016.
She is survived by
Chukwuma
Nsikan and
Amanda
We thank God for Chinedum’s life and give God ALL THE GLORY.
Amen

Dear Chinedum

Happy Heavenly Birthday to you. I know you are celebrating in heaven with the Angels to whom you now belong. You would have been 3 scores and ten. I can imagine how wonderful it would be but then Heaven is ageless. Only we mortals have this perspective of life.

I miss you very much Chinedum. Distance robbed me of being close to you the few years before your demise.  Rest on.

Dear Chinedum
This is the time of the year that the memory of you is harrowing…..a time we remember your untimely death, burial and thanksgiving service for the gift of your life.
You would have been in your 69th year waiting to reach three score and ten.
We thank God for the sixty four years we had with you here in this realm.
2021 is drawing to a close now as we are well into the last quarter of the year.
And what a year it has been for the whole world .
The dreaded COVID19 virus still dominates everything we do and the world appears more chaotic than ever.
You would have had so much to say about Nigeria at sixty one.
You were Nigeria’s poster girl at our Independence in 1960 hence every October 1 is a day not just dedicated to Nigeria but to you too.
I continue to hope that Nigeria will make it to inclusive nationhood as expressed in our national anthem.
We are all doing the best we can and remember you everyday with gratitude for the time we had with you.
Rest in perfect peace.
Much love
Nwambeze

Ada Pam Jaja, Nwanne Oma ! You are forever in our hearts! I never knew this platform was still on, hence my late write up. Sleep on Darling Cousin!

Darling Chinedum, always in my heart despite the passage of time.

Just like yesterday 5 years is gone already since you left us. Continue to rest in peace dearest Chinedum.  We miss you.

Dearest Chinedum it is your heavenly birthday again. Your demise still hurts. Rest on peacefully Chinedu till we meet to part no more.

Continue to rest eternally my beloved cousin Chinedum! Always on my heart!!! ❤️

Happy birthday, dear Chinedum. The Lord, with whom you are, would have me do this today. In remembrance of The GREAT GIFT you have been to our world, and His Kingdom.
I do miss the call that would have been made at this hour. But I hear you.
As you celebrate with your Father in Heaven, we remember your love.
Rest. Happy Birthday.

Ezigbo Ada Ugo Ngwa
Ada Eji aje mba
Continue resting on the bosom of our most high God.
Your amazing hospitality approach is an evergreen memories for us all
You are highly missed and loved.
Shalom

Chinedum remembering you always. Rest in Peace my big sis. Isabella

Darling Chinedum

Its been four years you left us in this sinful world. Just this morning I was going through Photos and I found one where we were all singing during Emeka my son's wedding. I felt a stab in my heart. 

Chinedu you are sorely missed but I believe you are in a better place where there is no more pains or sorrows. Continue to rest in peace.

Darling Chinedum continue to rest eternally!
Never to be forgotten.

Dearest Chinedum How time flies. Its your birthday today but you are not here to celebrate it with us. Remembering you still hurts. Our world is falling apart. A Worldwide pandemic is ravaging this universe. It is a scorched earth. 

Its a realization that death awaits all of us. Rich or Poor. Nevertheless as long as we have breath in us we will always remember you. 
Continue to rest in peace. Amen

Chinedu

You left us 3 years ago. Over a month ago I was tidying up my photo collections and I came across your photo at my grandson's dedication. You were carrying him to the altar. It hit me so hard and I cried. I was far away and you played that role. That's always who you are . You always place others before yourself despite your own issues. A selfless human being who loved to be relevant in other people's lives.

Continue to rest in perfect peace till we meet on that resurrection day to part no more. You are sorely missed.

It’s three years since you have been gone. How time flies. Everyone is getting on as best they can Chinedum. The world is quite interesting; you would have had a lot to say about the state of affairs world over.
We all remember you whenever we read a book, watch sports or participate, have a conversation in contemporary issues, take a photograph or write. Your influence on us we carry with us always hence you live on in so many.
Continue to rest in perfect peace

Dearest Chinedum continue to rest in peace. I miss you a lot!

Hey Chide baby, is it 2 or 3 years now since your very last birthday? Na waaoo!
I thought by now I should be able to say something to you . . . Na waaoo!

Dear Chinedum
Today would have been your 67th birthday.
We miss you but know that you are happy and content where you are.
How time has flown past. Your memory is made permanent by all of us who carry you in our hearts.
Chukwuma, Nsikan and Mandy are thriving and when we see them, we see you.
Nigeria had a most interesting of elections this year.....you would have had so much to say about it.
The whole world seems to be having a decidedly turbulent time.
We live in the hope and believe that we will all get better at being human.
Rest on Chinedum.
All is well

Rest In Peace, Chinedu...

Dearest Chinedu:
It is already two years you left us. I miss you terribly and regret I was not living in Nigeria at the time you passed on. I remember the good times we spent together in Lagos and the camaraderie you ever exhibited in my affairs. Emeka's wedding, Amaka my niece's wedding and so many good times. Sometimes I remember you and my heart sinks but I am lifted by 1 Thessalonians "But I do not want you to be ignorant, Brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope."
Chinedu I take comfort in these words darling Chinedu. Continue to rest in perfect peace. Amen

Chinedum

Remembering you with love today. You would be so proud of Chukwuma. Married to a lovely wife, prospering in his business and above all happy. He is your best legacy. Continue to rest in peace my sister. Isabella

It’s your second birthday since you left us Chinedum. Your prayers for all of us and most especially for your only child, have all been answered. We give thanks to God for your life.
The times we live in continue to be most interesting and it is across the length and breadth of the entire world.
As the Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates Easter, we march on with confidence, hope and faith, comforted by the miracle of Christ’s resurrection, redemption and grace.
Rest on dear sister, rest on in perfect peace. You are in our hearts forever.

Remembering my sister Chinedum by
Idu Jaja-Wachuku

Dear Chinedum,
One year ago, God took you out if the madness of a world in turmoil.
Nigeria is almost up in arms, but the LORD is holding us up, and together.
You are resting in peace, because in God there is perfect PEACE, and therein you now dwell.
Your passing delivered quite a deep and painful feeling of grief and sorrow but brought us together in love as all those who cared about you did so much to honour you.
We will emulate the practice of love which is what you want us to do in remembering you now and everyday for the rest of our own lives.
It is well with Nigeria.
It is well with all of us.
It is well with your son who is marrying on the 10th/11th November, in answer to the prayer you wrote to The Father, for him to find a good wife, and for his business to grow in leaps and bounds.
You are one of The cloud of witnesses, so I know you see.
Truly, it is well.
After all, you are just in the next room.
"Nothing is past; nothing is lost.
One brief moment and all will be as it was before only better, infinitely happier and forever we will all be one together with Christ."
That is the reality of the hope we have.
God bless you.

Idu Jaja-Wachuku

It’s been a year since you passed on to that place beyond the great divide between the living and the dead. Time marches relentlessly on and we the living have come to terms with what is.
The world remains as restless as it was last year what with the threat of nuclear war and all the talk of secession, restructuring, proscription, terrorism and dances.
You would have had an opinion for every item on this list.
You never quite appreciated how much you meant to so many.
You are at rest now so slumber in perfect peace Chinedum
Rest in perfect peace.
We will always remember you as you are carved into our hearts forever.

In Loving Memory
Of my mother
By Chukwuma Nwachukwu

It has been a year since you passed on. In hindsight, I wish we spent more of the short time we had together. Things look different when time has elapsed, the regrets and smiles at memories shared. The ups and downs of a life shared as a family.
I know you are at peace and famly and friends left behind will learn to live with the pain and sadness of losing you. Even as you are gone, you left behind a legacy in the way you touched people’s lives; in the way you shouldered the burden of others and fearlessly fought on the behalf of many. you were selfless in that way.
I still hold many dear memories of you especially your love for gardening, horticulture was a big part of you and we were always surrounded by plants and flowers. I have memories of a younger me always plotting escape strategies from working in your gardens; the intolerable heat, foul smelling manure and what I felt was back breaking work always lead to admiring with pride, months later the beauty and colours from that tiresome period.
You left in me your love for books and reading in general, where you could lose yourself to ideas, emotions and civilizations in your imagination. You opened up thoughts and cultures beyond my geographical environment. Mom, I met someone dear; I know you got to speak to her once but a part of me aches knowing won’t be there as we take our vows. I will always remember you for the impact you had in my life and the lives of many and I will always hold the memories of a life shared together as mother and son.
Continue to rest peacefully, Mom.
Chukwuma Nwachukwu

It’s been a year since you passed on to that place beyond the great divide between the living and the dead. Time marches relentlessly on and we the living have come to terms with what is.
The world remains as restless as it was last year what with the threat of nuclear war and all the talk of secession, restructuring, proscription, terrorism and dances.
You would have had an opinion for every item on this list.
You never quite appreciated how much you meant to so many.
You are at rest now so slumber in perfect peace Chinedum
Rest in perfect peace.
We will always remember you as you are carved into our hearts forever.

Dear Chinedum
How are you?
Today is your 65th birthday.
We all remembered you today, your brothers and sisters.
Chukwuma spoke at length with us.
He is doing well and working on his business and family plans.
He reminds us of you over here so in truth, you are still with us.
The world goes on in its somewhat chaotic manner and quite frankly, this chaos is through the length and breath of the entire world.
I wonder what you would have made of where we are in Nigeria, the U.K and the U.S.A and the Middle East....
All your friends miss your intellectual interjections to discussions on current affairs and all other contemporary issues.
They also miss your concrete contribution of practical service and kindness that was your trademark in this realm.
You are at peace now.
Glory be to God.

Continue with your peaceful repose. Nwabs may God wipe your tears. Ndo

Dear Nwabueze I have composed a short poem in memory to your sister. Please feel free to add it.
For Chinedum by Bernadette Lam

Farewell my sister, for though we never met,
I have shared your passing and mourned you yet.
A beautiful soul, selfless, generous and kind
Intelligent and strong with an independent mind.
A mother, sister, aunt, a woman to be proud of,
And admired by many for the qualities above.
You leave a void, a dark and empty space
For all your family and many friends to face.
Photographs, stories and everlasting memories
Are the lasting legacies you leave behind...
So farewell my sister and let us ponder and smile
For the joy and love and a life...worthwhile!

BY NORAH DELANNOY
My tribute to Inem Chinedu Ntiyanu Jaja Nwachukwu. Our meeting was very brief but I can never forget the smile on your face when you realised who I was then. Your cousin's wife. It is sad to know that you are no longer with us. Adieu inem Ntiyanu. Daughter of a great man , Ada Ogaranya you are at a place where there are no more worries. Rest In Peace. From Norah Delannoy

Tribute to Chinedum Ntianu by Auntie Sarah Ibe Wachuku

Though your precious life has faded away and though your loved ones look for you and cannot find you, you are missed and will be remembered. My memories of a quiet, lovely lady of few words remain.
Ntianu, your late sweet mother called you. Ntianu Rest In Peace.
You will forever live in the hearts of those who loved you.
Adieu Ada ukwu mara nma.

Memories of Chinedum

Where do I begin? I prefer to remember Chinedum back when we were all young and she was Nwabueze's glamorous big sister. She was in university when we were in Queen's School and I remember Nwabs and I sneaking out of school to attend her 21st birthday at Nsukka campus.  Boy did we get into trouble but boy was it worth it!

She was working in Lagos and had her own car when we were in university - again the epitome of glamour in our eyes. I turned up at her door unannounced after my Youth Service at a very difficult time in my life and Chinedum opened her home and her heart to me, took charge of events and provided me with a safe haven - I will never forget all that she did for me.

Many more years of shared love, laughter and experiences both happy and difficult followed. For a while she was my big sister, best friend, mentor and confidante combined.

Life does not always go as planned and sometimes the disappointment of unfulfilled dreams and the travails of life turn people inwards. Chinedum towards the end of her life was more withdrawn and less gregarious. I believe that she has now found the peace of heart in the bosom of the Lord that sometimes eluded her in life.

Gone too soon but now at rest. I for one owe her a debt of gratitude for all the memories and will forever remember her with love in my heart.

Isabella Okagbue

Above all else, we thank God that Chinedum remains with us in Chukwuma. All we can do for our sister now is to be there for Chukwuma today and always, guarding and protecting and cherishing him as when we see him, we see our sister Chinedum.

Chide Baby! I keep imagining your last days and that this "This
world Is not my home, I'm just a passing through . . ." song by Jim Reeves, must have been how you felt. Until we see each other again; while for now as have always been, we are never parted. Amazing is His Grace that takes your ever humble heart to His Bosom! Our Almighty Father never forsakes!

Tribute to Chinedum Ntianu Jaja-Wachuku
By Nkem Nzeribe

My friend Chinedum is dead. Today is Saturday, the 15th of October 2016: I started to write this tribute three days ago, but found myself at such a loss that it has been difficult proceeding with the piece. For the past 72 hours, I’ve been struggling to find the right words to describe my friend – to tell you about her, to explain why this death, this loss is so tragic and weighs more than most. I know; any untimely death is a tremendous loss to the ones left behind. Still I struggle with words to describe Chinedum and what she meant to me and all who loved her.

Chinedum was special. Dare I say extraordinary... But she is no longer and that realization unearths a deep physical pain. I am transposed to a corner of the world where the fire burns and is all-consuming. Breathing is difficult.

I can no longer just push a button on my phone and be connected, chat with her, tease her or laugh as she warns me of all the dangers that now lurk in Today’s Nigeria and the ‘weird’ people that appear to have overrun the good old country. Having her as one of my focal points on my sporadic trips to Lagos and her lovingly berating me is no longer an option. I will no longer hear and laugh at: “Abeg komot sha. U no understand. Oyibo no work here-o”.

Chinedum had been diabetic for a while. She uncomplainingly managed her illness. Through all the other challenges that life threw down her pathway this late in life, she remained a force of nature with kindness running through her interactions with her friends, adopted family, old school community and family. And then – death steals her away from everyone who loved her.

How do you write a tribute to Chinedum? How do I describe one of the most selfless person I know? Someone who often will neglect her own self-interest for the good of others so blessed with her attention? How do I explain the multitude of ways she made me better, or how she never missed an opportunity to encourage me, tell me she loved me and was praying for me? How do I begin to recount the dozens of people who were direct beneficiaries of her time, pool of encouragement and generosity? This is not the time and place to call out the scores of voices, people that she helped, souls that she inspired and the lives she touched. In her own quiet, dedicated way, she went about all these deeds, donating her time, talents, experience because she felt called to do so. No questions. No discussion. She just did it!

Just in case, some of you may be staring into the void and searching for the other shoe. There are not only angels here. I am not interested in painting some cartoonish figures of Chinedum. In life, Chinedum was a multi-dimensional individual who inhabited and exhibited, sometimes simultaneously, all the registers of human emotions, attributes and actions. Yes, she was very kind, understanding, quick to champion the under-dog, people in need, a voice for the voice-less, and generous to a fault. But she was also stubborn, seemingly unforgiving, sometimes inscrutable, annoying, opinionated and difficult. She always was a fully formed human being imbued with all the complexity of life. In remembering her today, I believe that her selflessness, inside-and-outside beauty, strength of character and generosity of spirit rightly overwhelm all other challenging attributes. She was a lady: a woman of very good lineage and impeccable tradition.
Ntianu, your candle burned out before there was any indication that the wax had run down. I can honestly say that you contributed to making the world a better place. For those of us that have known and loved you, our hearts will go on - as in the song immortalized by Celine Dion (http://bit.ly/2dYQKNA). “Near, far, wherever you are”: because you have opened the door to appreciate and love you, Chinedum you remain forever in our hearts.

I hope that Chukwuma, the Jaja-Wachuku family, other relatives and the multitude of friends who mourn her now can draw strength from the outpouring of positive emotion on display since her death.

From
UCHE AMAJOR JNR
Accept my family's heartfelt Condolences and Sympathies for the passing on of our dear Chinedu. It's one of the BIGGEST Shocks of the moment, because she showed NO signs of illness when we met at late Ambassador Chibundu's Service of Songs, from where I dropped her off to pick a cab. May Chinedu's beautiful and kind soul find Perfect Peace in Eternity, as we pray that God grants you and your siblings the courage and fortitude to bear this great loss in the Wachuku Dynasty.

Tribute to A Precious Auntie
Hmm Auntie Chinedum, my precious big cousin. I struggled with this tribute as every time I think of the fact that your gone it brings tears to my eyes. A precious soul gone to glory but so precious to me that I selfishly weep for my loss. I spoke to you just in April when I was in Lagos for my mother in laws going home event and we talked about all your siblings and our heritage and laughed about old times. You always made fun of me every time I made a joke talking about how old I was getting. 'Dupe if your old what should I call myself" some of your last words to me. In your eyes I was still always little Dupe no matter how old I was.. and I guess I kind of liked that. It reminded me of my mom. Now who will I be little Dupe for again. Everyone else sees me as this mature adult, but in your presence I could so easily become little Dupe again without judgement.

I will miss your support Auntie Chinedum, the only relative on my mom’s side who always committed time, our most precious commodity to attend and support the children of Uloma Wachuku at every life changing event you could. You were there for us when my mother died, supporting us when we decided to bury her in Lagos, you represented for our Igbo side when Ayo got married after she died, you were the only Wachuku that showed up even when my father died you came to Ijebu the backwater of Yoruba land, when I myself was not sure I would attend. You always made sure we the outsiders the ndi Yoruba children of your Auntie Uloma felt like we belonged to the Wachuku family.

For many years after my mom died you tended to her grave monthly in ikoyi cemetery and when I found out quite by chance and wanted to give something towards even just the flowers or plants you brought you refused. Always giving never asking for anything in return.

The threads of our lives so woven together you lived with us , we lived with you... You were there during my formative years and were part of numerous life changing and character defining phases of my life. I feel like another piece of the puzzle that makes up my life has just fallen away. Who will share all my postings on Facebook instead of just liking them :-). Who will remind me weekly of how special my mom was and encourage me to always try to live up to the expectations she had for us even when I feel I fall far short. Who will give me all the gist about Biafra that I always so love to hear. Who will tell me about all the things I used to do when I was little that I can no longer remember. Who will defend me to the end on Facebook when my Igbo heritage is questioned because of my Yoruba name. Who will be my partner in crime as we look on in disdain at others as we see fit :-)

I regret I could not have done more for you. Yes I have regrets and if there is one positive outcome of this, it is that I am committed to not having any regrets in the future.

I know you are in better place and thank God for that. You will be missed.

Little Dupe

CHINEDU
BY CHUKA NWOKOLO

I have tried to peer at the world through Chinedu’s eyes. Like her I am the first born of a large sib ship consisting of strong individuals. Our parents were strong and raised us in the traditional Igbo way never sparing “the rod” for fear the child may be spoiled. Being the first born many responsibilities fell on her both overt and covert. The long shadow cast by her successful parents reached over and beyond her. At times she must have felt stifled and craved the freedom enjoyed by those who were not so fortunately born.
After the war she found her way to St Anne’s Ibadan and from there to study journalism at the Jackson School of journalism at the University of Nigeria. I believe this was the beginning of her quest for independence. I met her in the University of Nigeria for the first time. Even then she lived a simple life and it was impossible to know that she came from such an eminent parentage. She had a small group of friends most she had met in secondary school. I believe that one of the conditions of being friends with her was that you treated her like a normal person. Ostentation was never part of her personality. Rather she was generous to a fault and at times gave away her possessions to the less fortunate. I wonder if her parents would have been dismayed on finding that she returned home at the end of every term with none of items she went with having given them away.
Throughout her life she fought to delineate an independent persona one separate from her antecedents. In Nigeria this would have been impossible as she was always known as the “ada” of her family and rarely as Chinedu.
After University she went straight back to Lagos where she worked for many years in the re-insurance industry still trying her best to create her own space. She worried about her brothers and sisters and often took on the mantle of leadership which had been bequeathed to her. Her son Chukwuma would have been the happiest product of her life.
The death of her parents had an unexpected impact on her where she suddenly found the space she sought in abundance and I think she may have had difficulty coming to terms with this. In later years she encountered ill health which she battled with taciturn fortitude not wanting to cause distress to her loved ones.
She is at peace now.
Chuka Nwokolo
October 2016

Chinedum I still find it hard to believe your demise.we were always there for me and encouraged me even when it was not convenient. Your benevolent and generosity was second to none.still seeems like yesterday when you came visiting. I am constantly reminded that you are in a better place were you will feel no pain nor loneliness. Rest on Agwu nwanyi. my daughters are yet to get over the shock. Rest on beautiful giver.From Mrs Rose Chinyere Nwabuisi