It's hard to believe that you're gone. An iroko has fallen in Ugona family. The only one person that represents the entire family. We love you but God loves you more and we can't question His decision to call you home by this time. Papa Ifunanya it's hard to say good night but you will forever remain in our hearts till we meet to part no more. Rest on!

ON BEHALF OF UWADIEGWU UGONA CHILDREN

Words cant describe how much of an inspiration he was to me. Growing up I always saw how much he sacrificed for us so we would have a better life. He always found time in his very busy work schedule to be with his family.
    The older I got, the stronger the relationship with my father grew. He started teaching me how to be a man, made sure I stayed on the right path. I would call him about any situation I needed advice on, he always seemed to have the right answers. Having a person like him looking out for you removed so much burden that would have been there otherwise. I always knew that if things didn't work out the way I wanted them too he was always there to have my back.
    Although you have passed I know myself and my family will be alright because of the sacrifices in your life that you made. I vow to carry on your legacy to always take care of those that need it.

Daddy, so this is really true! You weren’t my biological dad but I always called you ‘Daddy’ because that’s what you represented. I wake up every morning now and my first thought is daddy is really dead? I still remember when I first met you through your daughter Ifunanya. I automatically felt welcome to your family. You were a very jovial and good hearted man. Always full of life, welcoming all and sundry. I should know as I spent my first day of meeting you and mummy at your home in Obosi with your family and that was the beginning of our family relationship. I literally spent my NYSC year living in your house in Portharcourt with Ifunanya. We would always lament on our travails at work and you would listen and advice. You were always willing to help!
I remember even when my father died and I was devastated and travelling back for his burial, you called me and asked for our flight itinerary, sent your personal car with driver to the airport to pick up me and my elder sister. Car waited even though our flight arrival times were different! You and mummy arranged next day for us to be taken back to Nnewi.
You would often call me ‘Chika, how now?’,always sending very useful Nigeria updates. I still shiver at our last conversation 2 days before I heard the horrible news. I didn’t know that was the last time I was speaking to you. You told me that everything was fine and you were ok. I chatted with you the next day and you told me you were improving. I was shocked when I got the news of your demise very early the next morning, I said you were still sleeping and you would wake up. It’s still a dream!
You always had positive energy around you, never blowing your own trumpet or wanting to be in the limelight. Last visited me in UK with mummy, 2 years ago on Obi’s birthday while you were enroute to France. My kids still don’t understand where you’ve gone to. They called you Grandpa the last time we visited Nigeria as you and mummy made them feel safe like their grandparents.
This life is not fair at all! Good people are gone too soon while evil people are roaming everywhere!
Daddy, If crying could wake the dead, I’m definitely sure that I will not be writing this as you left too many loved ones behind. May God console your family. Your shoes are definitely too big for anyone to fill. May God provide divine helpers for your family and look after your family in the same way you looked after other people. I cannot imagine how your family are feeling now as your death was premature!
Adieu Daddy, May your soul rest in peace! We love you but God loves you more. You will surely be missed!
Till we meet again!
Chika and Emeka Ikejiuba and Family.

Omoooooo x 1000000.
Where to start from biko? I’ve been staring at this link since last night wondering how to put in words what I feel in my heart.
I never envisaged we would write all these to you so soon!
You know this saying, “there are uncles, and there are ‘UNCLES’, that’s just how to describe you.

Your infectious laughter and presence could light up a room, you were that outstanding and such a beacon.
I would NEVER forget the role you played when my dad, your brother, had an accident years back, you were there from day 1, you were instrumental to all his treatments both in and out of Nigeria.

You were always there for us, for your family. Distance was NEVER a barrier to you!
You would travel for monumental occasions in each of our lives. Did I even thank you for coming all the way down when I was inducted into medical practice? Maybe I was used to expecting you to show. But thank you for coming.

Watching you and your siblings reach out to each other every day or every other day, is such an inspiration of how “family” ought to act. You were like the glue holding everyone together, a real “Diokpa”.
Looking at the way you guys are reminded I and Amaka that we ought to be closer than we are, she says, “this should bring us all closer again as we once were”.

❤️❤️My heart is with you Aunty Chinwe, Nanya, Bobo, Kenny and Chin. Also to grandma, my dad, auntie Nky and Uncle Chudy.

You’ve left a hole so great in the whole Ugona family, we are all in pains, but we know you are in a better place, where there’s no suffering anymore.
Your father Engr. SPC Ugona must be sooooo proud of you.
We will always remember you and you will forever be an inspiration to us!❤️

THE MAN EMEKA
Growing up I understood Emeka was my cousin. As we grew to be men I saw him as a man of repository of knowledge. A man of integrity and capacity who loose himself for the service of others. When I was offered a job in Port Harcourt, his house was my first point of call and he sheltered me until I was able to secure my own apartment. My stay with him gave me an insight in life. He was not only intelligent, he was imbued with wisdom. His exit from this earthly world can never be imagined. It’s a bad dream.
During the days of my peril he gave me a hand of fellowship because he was one of the men who believe that there is dignity in brotherhood. He showed me the kindred spirit which was imbued in him. I resolved to always stay close to him. We lived in the same street in Port Harcourt till his demise. My children were all born under the watchful eyes of his amiable wife, whom they call BIG MUMMY and Emeka, BIG DADDY. His house has been their second home whenever they are around, enjoying all the amenities and all the goodies from his wife, (his jewel of inestimable value).
Emeka’s absence is palpable. Life is indeed ephemeral. Now it’s in full bloom, then it’s suddenly gone. Men and women of Elijiji Road, Port Harcourt are in pains. The youths are befuddled. The children are saddened that a man with a golden heart is gone. They are asking:
• Who will give water to the families who don’t have boreholes in Elijiji Road on daily basis?
• Who will pay-off the outstanding bills accumulated by some houses in the street?
• Who will inform the electricity authority when the transformer is in bad condition?
• Who will pay the outstanding salaries for the street security men?
• Who will be the people’s judge and also co-ordinate others to put things right.
Is it at the Maryland Estate Obosi where we are also neighbors? He single handedly paid for the electric poles, installed them and gave us street light. Is it the road which he constantly maintains? He was one of the very best, ever was, ever will. Quote me! I want to wake up and be told that the demise of the most articulate, astute and cerebral man is a dream.
We will comfort ourselves with James: 3 Vs; 13, 17 & 18.
Those who have true relationship with their God have been given wisdom which is characterized by purity, mercy, humility, sincerity and impartiality. Emeka’s work of benevolence cannot be estimated in this earthly world. It was self-evidence that he was humble even in his success. Obosi Kingdom has lost a great man. He left the foot print on the sand of time.
Rest in Peace Emeka. Rest in Peace Burden Bearer. The man with admirable encyclopedic knowledge. The CROSS is the route to the CROWN that is why the HOLY GHOST is asking us NEVER TO QUIT NOW.
ADIEU ENGR. EMEKA UGONA. (PILLAR)
By: Engr. Chris Onyeka.

My co-in-law, I'm still struggling to come to terms with your demise. I cannot believe that we will not see your friendly face nor hear your hearty laughter anymore. All we are left with are fond memories of you. It's surreal.

I remember with nostalgia your raucous laughter to my not so funny stories and your warmth. You always welcomed my children and I with joy into your home. I remember with smiles the jolly good time we had with you in Paris. You touched our lives with your kindness. We will cherish the memorable moments you shared with us forever.

I take solace in the knowledge that you lived a great life worthy of emulation. You were a source of joy to your family and friends. You were a quintessential son, husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. You will always be in our hearts.

Though we grieve, we have hope and we trust that our Lord who knows the end from the beginning will grant us the strength and courage to carry on, especially your precious wife and children.

You effortlessly gave your best to all. Continue to rest in peace in the bosom of our Lord.

Felicia Ozo Okafor

Dad it's really a sad day and a great loss for all of us in this great family. You were a great gentleman who moved with such swag, panache, sophistication and other graceful attributes yet combined with pure simplicity. You took me as your son and would always smile to lift my spirits when it's low. You were my mentor, my rock, my confidant and above all my father. You always found solutions and would always support me morally and otherwise. Your personality was infectious and carried great charisma with aura that surrounded everywhere you have ever walked upon as can be seen with us having to console the people who came to console us. Your death was untimely yet we can't question Gods will for he knows best. Your shoes are so enormous to be filled but we will try our best to reflect the good life you lived which illuminated goodness, kindness, cheerfulness, generosity, independence, the love of God and riches. You are truly missed daddy and we will maintain your good deeds. Rest in perfect peace in God's great kingdom daddy until we meet again.

I have struggled to find the words to express how I feel or how much my father meant to me. How do you compress the greatest love of your life into one page? All the pages in all the books in all the world would not be enough for me to write in to express the immense love I had for my father.

Anyone who has ever met me know that I'm an unrepentant daddy's girl. Perhaps because we are so similar. We had the same interests, loved the same books, believed in arguing logically but loudly. He introduced to me to Jeffrey Archer and I introduced him to Sudoku. I loved the way he tried to keep up with social media and whatever was trending and how last Christmas when I wore any new wig you would ask 'Is this the bone straight?'

My whole life, there was not a thing that I wanted that was worth anything that he denied me. He was my best friend, my lion, my protector, my everything. No matter how hard life got, I knew my dad had my back and no one could mess with me and so I held my head high because he treated me like a queen and I would not allow anyone treat me differently.

My relationship with my dad shaped my relationship with God because I understood what it meant that God was a good father because I had been raised by a great father.

Daddy this was not what we discussed. I was supposed to close Obosi down for your Ito Ogbo. I was supposed to buy you a Mercedes. I don't know how you think I could ever be fine without you.

Thank you for being not just my dad but dad to all my friends. Thank you for making sure I had a voice and making sure it was heard. Thank you for giving me the confidence that I have to face life today. Thank you for taking care of my girls and loving them even more than you loved me. Thank you for always being dependable, available and reliable. Thank you for filling our lives with so much laughter and love and culture and warmth and for taking the time out of your busy schedules to take us on all those trips. You wanted us to experience life to the fullest and spared no expense to make sure this happened.

I'm so grateful to God I got to be raised by you and got to know you. You were so kind, so generous, so selfless. I wish we had more time Daddy. I wish I could just talk to you one more time. I just want to say how much I love you and how much I miss you and how you took a part of me with you and I will never be quite whole again.

So much still to say but I will tell you all about it when I see you again.

Love you with every breath in my body

Nanya

My wonderful uncle, an uncle like no other, kind is is too small a word to describe how generous he was, great is too small a word to describe how important he was to his community and family, our ‘Pilla’ . He was a man simply larger than life, always smiling, always happy and very very funny. It’s said that the candle that burns twice as bright lasts half as long. It is a tragedy that we have lost you so young, may your soul rest in perfect peace and may God give us the ability to celebrate a life like yours befitting of a great man like you. You will be missed and never forgotten.

Oh “This is your Uncle Emeka!!!” I’m never going to hear that awesome phrase again and it hurts... you were the kindest soul with the largest heart Uncle... I never needed to figure out what it meant to have a big uncle because you were just it ... the example, the blueprint, no matter the family Occassion you were just there. I am going to miss you and I know how much your family and siblings are going to miss you dearly... I hope you and Grandpa are reunited and he has been telling you all this time how he is so proud of you and what you did these past 20 years... we will grieve for now but celebrate you forever....

Hurt and hope watch as we carry both not exactly as planned I know... but it’s still good, God is still good and wonderful and so was your time on earth. Thank you.

Emeka is so painful to know that when we saw you on that Sunday ,that it was the final outing.You were such a soul that knew that every one was human and you treated every one in the most humane manner.Emeka was a beautiful soul and a gentleman.
We will miss you dearly and we will live with the beautiful memories you left in our hearts till we meet on the resurrection morning.
Emeka ji ije gi nke oma.Goodnight Ezigbo di Chinwe.

You will always be forever in our hearts Uncle Emeka.

Rest on in eternal peace

It was a heart-breaking news on Saturday, 6th March, and still is - the cold hands of death on Emeka, who was so full of life and energy.

You engraved in our hearts, your character of simplicity and candour.
We already miss your good-self, your warmth and resonating laughter.

Our hearts are with your dear wife Chinwe, your children, aged mother, siblings, and all friends & associates, who grieve over your painful demise.
May the Gracious Lord God comfort us all.

Rest In Peace, Sir!

Adieu Emeka!
I never imagined I will be writing this for you! You always had such a reassuring and pleasant presence that made one imagine you would always be there.

My friend of over 30 years, you were my go-to -person when I wanted a dispassionate and candid opinion on many issues , including politics in Nigeria, sports and other mundane issues in life. You were always down-to-earth, positive and insightful and your generous and common sense ideas were always delivered in a matter of fact fashion. I will forever miss our conversations.

You were also a perfect friend, devoted to the many people you call your friends. I always marvel at how you managed to keep in touch with such a wide range of people, from all walks of life. You were also an exceptionally detribalized person.

I remember your visits to me in Vienna , Austria and when I moved to New York, USA you never failed to check on me whenever you visited. It was always a joy to see you. I could always take your hospitality for granted when I visited Port Harcourt. I remember how you once changed your travel plans at a very short notice just to see me. I know from our interactions that you have also impacted a lot of other lives with your kind and generous disposition .

Emeka, my friend, your loss is very personal to me! There are very few people with your many good attributes and qualities, your honesty and goodness of heart and it is very sad to see you go in this circumstance.

I console with your aged mother, your wonderful wife and partner all these years, Chinwe and also your immediate and extended family. I pray that God will give us the fortitude to bear this loss.

I was privileged and blessed to share you during your beautiful and productive sojourn on this earth. You can only be in heaven now.

May your beautiful and kind soul Rest In Peace.

A TRIBUTE TO MY LATE BROTHER-IN-LAW ENGR. EMEKA HERBERT UGONA:
SOMETIMES, BROTHER'S-IN-LAW COME IN THE FORM OF "BROTHERS FROM ANOTHER MOTHER".
THEY GIVE YOU ALL SUPPORT YOU NEED AND CARE FOR YOU JUST LIKE THEIR OWN BROTHER.
WE LOVED HIM,
HE LOVED US.
REMEMBER HIM BY THE WAY HE LIVED,
HE WAS A GOOD GUY,
HONEST AND TRUE,
NOW HE'S GONE FROM THIS EARTH,
THOUGH WE WILL NEVER FORGET,
THE GOOD THINGS HE HAS DONE,
AND THE HAPPINESS HE HAS BROUGHT TO EVERYONE.
A CARING MAN,
A SON,
A BROTHER-IN-LAW,
AND A GREAT FRIEND.
MAY YOUR GENTLE SOUL CONTINUE TO REST IN THE BOSSOM OF THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY AMEN.

Sending you all my deepest heartfelt condolences. I pray that God will comfort your family. I can’t even imagine how you are feeling. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

I’m still trying to wrap my head around this news. All I can say is that you are God’s favorite. Hence allowing this to happen.  May your gentle soul Rest In Peace and May God give your family the fortitude to deal with your change of address. 
Nnenne.

Emmy m, this is how i know ur wife, My darling aunt Chinwe calls u n since then i n my sisters called him Uncle Emmy. U r such nice gentleman, good natured, always happy n cheerful... always smiling. I remember visiting ur house in Porthacourt as a young adult, i was well welcomed & even appreciated me for visiting. Both of them Emeka n Chinwe gave me an assurance they got my back which made my 2wks turned to 1month. Both of u gave my late sister Dr Chinwe Abiade a good accommodation in ur beautiful BQ for 1yr youth service course. I did not for 1 day see uncle Emmy frown or unhappy at all. There is no Emeka without Chinwe both tagged along. Ezigbo ogom! Alumelu! Okosisi adaaa.. it was 1 of d biggest shock for me, it was sudden, a painful exit but God knows best. I pray every day for God’s grace & love to be with u aunty m n ur beautiful loving family, my condolences, u will be missed so much uncle Emmy. Sleep on n rest in d bosom of our lord Jesus Christ Amen