Papa your legacy is everlasting and to live in the hearts of those who love you is to live forever.
Remain blessed in the bosom of the Lord.Amen
Ngozi

Papa your legacy lives on, and your Spirit continues to lead and to guide us. Continue to rest in the bosom of the Lord. Great man born in February.

Happy birthday Papa...

Forever missed indeed.

Hey Papa! It’s a whole year since I last posted here. But I know you know that you have been greatly thought of all the while. I just couldn’t find the right words last Sep as we marked your passing and then it seemed not appropriate to post later…:)

Dearest Papa, today you’d have been 95yrs old and oh! my! .what a party we’d have had! Mama is planning a mini get together this evening to thank God for giving you to humanity and to us your family those many years ago.
Papa, you are truly loved and continuously cherished and you grow more relevant each passing day. Sleep on until we all meet again at a Heaven’s door. For now do have yourself a blessed heavenly birthday! Love always. Obioma

Dear Papa.
7 years may have flown by but your memory lives on as strong as ever.
Continue to rest in perfect peace.

Dearest Papa! You are missed every day and we will forever cherish your memories! We would have cut a cake for your 94th today but we also know you are even more celebrated right now where you are taking your well deserved rest. Sleep on peacefully Papa until the Trumpet sounds. We will always love and cherish you and hold dear our very fond memories of you. Love always. Obioma

Papa,

Continue to rest in perfect peace. You are missed every day.

Below is from Mama:

Thanks be to God Almighty for establishing this Obu family on this date in the Month of February 1929 at Umuasua Isuikwuato.

Happy Birthday my Beloved Husband !  ''The Treasure of my Life''

The trumpet sounded in the house of Obu Ejunwa heralding your arrival and by the power and love of God your trumpet and that of your children will always be heard.

Your Wife
Regina Nlemuwa Obu

''You suffered Nothing''
''By God we shall not be Helpless''

Papa on your 94th year anniversary we all continue to praise God for your wonderful life and fantastic legacy that lives on to the Glory of God almighty.
We love you and miss you tremendously as you continue to rest in the bossum of the Lord. Your daughter Ngozi .

Dearest Papa! So it’s been a whole six years since that morning you left us so gracefully!! Unbelievable really!!
Your memories are still so strong. You continue to impact our lives so much and are remembered ever so often. Each time we succeed at something, each time we are challenged by something, each time we wonder and are confused at something is an opportunity to recall all you stood for. Papa you are never far from our thoughts.
For the first time, the anniversary of your passing yesterday was so less sorrowful for me. I am sure you know we are well and pushing ahead in every way. Papa, events keep showing us that you timed your exit to perfection and left us at a point when we all could send you off as you deserved. Papa you were and always have been the very best Dad anyone could wish for. Rest on in perfect peace until resurrection morning. Love always. Obioma

It is six years exactly today since you passed on to glory Papa. Your spirit looks down smiling on us from heaven. You are now Angel Gabriel the second, and we appreciate you for your legacies that live on in all of us. Continue to rest in peace in Jesus' name. Amen!

Ah well! Papa! You would have turned 93 years yesterday and of course we all remembered you as we always do. Sadly, we lost your dear sister Okwuchi Ezuma (Mama Emma) on Friday 25th..just two days to your birthday! but we pray and believe that she is resting very peacefully in the very bosom of the Lord with you. We can only thank God for the principled and disciplined life you, Papa and all your dear sisters lived and the wonderful legacy you have all left behind. Papa, we all feel blessed and continually thank God for the rare privilege of being your children and knowing you. Continue to rest Papa. We are keeping the flag flying and staying focused on truth. We are.

Papa,
We continue to thank God for your prodigious life,amazing legacy and all the cherished memories we have.
Continue to rest peacefully with the Lord.
Amen and Amen
Ngozi

Forever missed.
RIP.

Dearest Grandfather,
May the peace of God be with you always, May your soul rest in peace and the bosom of the Lord Jesus Christ. I love you so much grandfather even if I never meet you I can tell how a good grandfather can be. Thank you for being the image of the OBU family.

Love from your Granddaughter Elish'ama

Papa, it has been 5 years since your passing but I know you are still watching over us, you are our Guardian angel and your presence is always felt.

You give us the strength to carry on maintaining your legacy and holding up the torch you lighted for all of us.

We love and remember you today as always, continue to rest in the bosom of the Lord

Wow! Already five years since that glorious morning when you returned to your maker in flying colours after a wonderful and fruitful life of service to humanity!! Five years since you received your heavenly crown!! Five years since you joined the saints triumphant!!! I miss you so much still and constantly remember your love and selfless care for us all. We’re keeping the flag flying by God’s special Grace. Indeed God has remained merciful to us. Keeping resting in the bosom of our Lord Papa until the resurrection morning.

5yrs!

Feels as raw as ever.

RIP

Papa we remain eternally grateful for your wonderful life and legacies and we give God all the Glory.We know that you continue to intercede for us in heaven as you reside with the saints triumphant.
Your daughter
Ngozi

Dearest Papa,

It is now five years since your glorious passing. We know you are in a better place and we are consoled by your legacies. You live on in the hearts of those who loved you, while you continue to rest in perfect peace in heaven.

Dearest Papa

You would have been 92 today and we would have had a family get together for you as usual. Here’s a toast to your loving memory. The memory of the most amazing father anyone could have wished for. We all remember you today as always Papa. Keep resting until that glorious resurrection morning! We love you more and more!!

Dear Grandpa,

It was the anniversary of your passing a couple days ago and that's always a difficult day for me - so many emotions and feelings to process.

The following poem really resonated with me recently:
"Those we love don't go away,
They walk beside us everyday,
Unseen, unheard, but always near,
Still loved, still missed and very dear."

I'll forever be grateful to God for having blessed me to be your granddaughter and whilst I'll always miss you...I know your watching over us all.

Rest in Peace,
Your Granddaughter
Chika

Tribute to my Beloved Husband

African oyibo, bekee mu
Achiever, bookworm, overcomer...,
The unforgettable, handsome, Gabriel Onyemachi Iheonunaekwu Obu my beloved husband!!!
You are a wonder man. You are my special angel sent from heaven above. Your life remains a mystery to me. Your brain is unmatchable.....Christ like in Christianity. The song by Frank Sinatra; 'I did it my way' fits your ways and actions. No wonder you appreciated General Charles De Gaulle of France. I am holding your lovely tender hand that touches my heart with my left hand as I write these few words of tribute. I am reminding you of the song 'Hold my hand' by Nat King Cole that you chose to be played on our wedding day as we walked into African Club Calabar in May 1962. For me, I will forever be holding your hand as that is the secret of the love and bliss of our union.
Physically, I miss you in every way!!

Dearest Papa!

I can’t believe it’s been four years already. It’s still just like yesterday really. I have so many causes to remember you and your sound counsel. Papa, there is no greater Father we could have wished for as there is none like you. I still cry at the pain of your passing and yet I am still so joyful you were spared the events of this year 2020. You left when we all could celebrate your life and passing to higher glory In the manner you deserved. No wonder Mama received that message just after your death that ‘It was the right time’. We’re staying strong, keeping safe and remembering you dearly and all you stood for. Rest on peacefully in the bosom of the Lord. Amen.

Papa 4 years have flown by.

We all miss you as much as ever.

That has not changed and never will.

Rest in peace.

Dear Papa,
4 years ago you went to heaven and on earth you continue to inspire us.
Your legacies are indeed so memorable and amazing.
Just recently I was telling some of my children how your advice was instrumental in my miraculous healing from stress induced asthma when you advised me to reject it and 'Don't let it take root'
We love you forever and we know you are making an impact in the heavenly realms.
Love from your daughter
Ngozi Obu-Emelle and your grand kids

Dearest Papa. I know you know we remember you today on your birthday as always. Keep resting in peace in the bosom of our Lord. You're missed more each passing day....We're okay..

Still missed as much as on day one.

Dearest Papa! I have been tearful since Saturday...in my hurt, I had cause to remember you and your selfless love. The sad feeling persisted through Sunday... then I was reminded that it was the 3rd anniversary of your passing!!! It hit me! I realised why I was so doubly sad. Why I couldn’t just come out of it....It’s Monday now and well.....I’m still mostly down there to be honest.
Three year ago, they said these feelings will get better... I’m still waiting.... Your passing just still hurts so much. Rest on dear Papa! You’ll be glad to know we’re good... all of us. The flag you left behind is flying high....

27th February,Its supposed to be a bleak and cold winter day over here ,and yet its been glorious sunshine and warm weather...Even the elements are celebrating too...

Wow Papa! You would have been 90 and we would have been so celebrating you.....!!! Cake and all.....!! Well, we're still celebrating you today (as always)....celebrating your achievements and the amazing Dad you were. We're all fine and miss you so very much as always....keep resting peacefully in the bosom of the Lord.
I'm sure you know Ijeoma is in court today getting the verdict......Errrrr...Did you 'fix' that to mark your birthday?.....'I'm winking '.......Much love as always, Papa, Your daughter Obioma.

Two years on and it still seems like yesterday . Continue to rest in His bosom. We miss you now and always.

2 years and it still feels like yesterday.
Hearing your voice again fills me with happiness, sadness and pride all at once.
Rest in peace Dad.

Dearest Papa,
We are so blessed and so lucky to have you as our earthly dad.You were and remain truly one of a kind.Its simply amazing.
Unsurprisingly you are still working from heaven above praying for us all and looking out for us in every respect,
Exactly on your birthday 27th February 2018 I have had a breakthrough with an offer accepted for a building to launch my proposed business from.
We are grateful for everything you did and continue to do for us.One things for sure..We will love you into eternity.Continue to rest in the bossom of the Lord Almighty.Love always. Ngozi Obu -Emelle

Dear Grandpa,
Today you would have been 89! Whilst I can no longer wish you happy birthday, I know your celebrating in heaven with the Angels. I hold dear the special memories I have of you that continue to bring a smile to my face and guide my life choices. I feel blessed to have had a Grandpa as special as you.

Dear Papa
Time passes but our memories of you remain ever green. I know you are with the Angels and continue to watch over us. We will be ever grateful for the time we had with you and the foundations you laid for us.
Today as always we thank God for your life and legacy.

One year on since being called home to higher glory, your impeccable legacy continues to live on. Both in works and in spirit. You remain an inspiration for us all.

Thank you Papa.

Papa it still feels unreal and hard to believe that you are not present in the flesh with us but that's because you are really still very much here with us and we continue to feel your love and your presence every day.
We love you always and we thank God almighty for granting you his everlasting peace and joy in his very own presence.

It's been a year and still I tear up when I think that grandpa is with the angels. He was my biggest inspiration and role model in so many ways. I'll always hold dear the many memories I have of him. So whilst I tear up, my heart rejoices in knowing he is with the Lord, watching over all his loved ones.

So on this anniversary of papa's passing I thank God for blessing me with such a wonderful grandpa.

It has been a year since you passed on to glory ,it still seems like yesterday that I heard your voice. Your advice,your principles continue to guide me. You are evergreen in our collective memory.Continue to rest in the bosom of the Lord.

Dear Papa,

I remember the story you told about your principal at Government College Ibadan,whom some soon to graduate students went to thank with gifts for all his help and guidance.

Rejecting the gifts he said to students,"deserve to succeed and you will over pay me"

May we who were privileged to know you well ,continue to deserve to succeed.

Papa we have recently marked your earthly birthday this past 27th February 2017 and your memory and legacy burns forever brighter each passing day even as you are missed constantly..
The seeds for the beginnings of your scholarship fund have been sown and a football tournament has been held in your honor.

Continue to blossom with the heavenly hosts.
Love always
Ngozi Obu - Emelle

Dearest Papa,

I just can’t find it in me to address you as late. I know that your eternal spirit lives on with God in heaven, so I will not call you ‘late’. You came to this earth, you saw and you conquered all. You have run your own race and finished your own course….and what a race you ran! ‘Excellence’ is your middle name. You did everything ‘par excellence’. You were to all of us the best human father ever. And what a privilege it is to be your first child and first daughter. By God’s special grace that birth position gave me the privilege of spending the longest number of years with you as my father. I remember with nostalgia growing up as your child. You instilled us with your beliefs in God, in Christianity, in hard work, in academic excellence, in character, in learning, in art, in literature, in family, in medicine, in life.

I remember the traditions you started for us as children. You made us read the classics so that we could learn from sages no longer with us. We all had to memorize “If” by Rudyard Kipling. At ten years of age you asked each of us the secret question “what happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object?” And when you told us the answer you then you swore us to secrecy so that our younger siblings could still have that special honour of pondering that weighty question. At 13 years of age you gave us the book “On becoming a man” or “On becoming a woman” depending on whether it was a son or a daughter, and we had to read it, digest it, take care of it and pass it on to the next sibling that turned 13 years of age. You disciplined us with love by exhortation and by encouragement from the Bible which was your favourite book. You gave us strong moral values and proper self-esteem. Your words edified they never belittled. You knew the power of the spoken word and you spoke words of growth encouragement and excellence into our lives. You were always equitable, just and fair.

And though I miss you immensely, I am consoled that God confirms that this is the right time for you to come home to Him, your heavenly father. Rest in peace Papa, in the bosom of our Lord, till we meet in the fullness of time, to part no more.

Your daughter
Ijeoma Rita (Ada)

The reality of your move to higher glory is before us. However, your ideals will continue to live with us - your children, grandchildren, in-laws, relations, and indeed everyone who had been in contact with you.

Papa, every moment I spent with you in a discussion was a new lesson and renewed insight into strength of character, forthrightness, truthfulness, boldness, and courage to stand as the sole advocate of truth, even when the innumerable majority hold alternative views. These ideals, we shall continue to propagate even as we miss your wise counsel and depths of experience.

You were a perfect gentlemen.

Until the trumpet sounds for our eternal reunion in heaven, continue to rest in the bosom of the ALMIGHTY.

Dearest Papa

I know I should be strong now but I cannot help crying as I write this tribute to you. I miss you. How can I summarise your relationship with me and all of us your children in just a few lines? Words fail me...

Papa, you were so loved and valued, you imparted in us all (and indeed upon every person you came across) the principles with which you lived your life. You were a downright upright God fearing man! You built our character with your many many teachings and words of wisdom. You were bold, strong, courageous, committed and forthright! Who can forget your many words of wisdom written in marble on our hearts with which you challenged us daily?.....'Ambition is made of sterner stuff', 'The continual doing of the wrong thing does not make it right', 'Be yourself', 'Always do the best of which you are capable', 'Go down on your knees and speak to God and thereafter have the courage to take decisions that you need to take', 'Be able to look a situation in the face and tell yourself the truth about that situation..'..etc etc.
You always excelled academically... Your teacher once said of you that you cannot fail any exam set by a human being! You read your medical books almost daily until the end. Indeed you said, and we all believe, that nobody knew anatomy as much as you!! Such was your love of medicine to which God called you in faithful service to humanity. Papa, you encouraged each of us to study hard by sitting with us and reading your old medical books as we burnt the midnight oil and prepared for our school exams. Such was your dedication as a father! When you thought we had erred as children, you didn't beat us physically, rather you would wake us up in the middle of the night to read relevant portions of the Holy Bible and other timeless educational classics which you had opened and marked in preparation for your counseling ... .

Papa, you were simply a father like no other. You were an epitome of humility and dedication to duty and service at home and at work. You worked long hours and achieved impossible medical feats in many many surgeries by the special Grace of God upon your hands.

As your last child to survive infancy, your 'Ezenwanyi' as you fondly called me, I count myself exceedingly blessed to have had you as my earthly father. No one could have wished for, or had a better father.

I miss you dearly Papa. We all do but I know someday we will all meet again in heaven when our own time here is spent. I pray that I can impact lives in some way just by sharing some of your messages and living according to your principles. Papa, do enjoy your well deserved rest in the Lord knowing that we will all look after Mama, your dearest wife, our mother whom you loved so dearly and cherished so much and of whom you publicly acknowledged did her very best for you always.

Adieu till we meet to part no more.

Adieu Papa

A true portrait of Papa can only be “painted” or written by his immediate family.

Whilst not attempting to do that, this tribute is simply my family’s expression of our solemn gratitude, thankfulness, well-wishes and our farewell message to Papa. 

Papa was an epitome of a true and loving dad, not just to his kids, but to many. This would explain why it was so natural and easy for me to follow in the footsteps of his children, to address him as “Papa”, rather than “Doc”, or “Ogom” or “Father-in-law”, as is common with most in-laws.

Papa’s numerous and immeasurable qualities will take quite a while to enumerate. So, we will note just a few: -

- He was not only a distinguished gentleman; he was a truthful gentleman;

- He was not only a man of excellence with very high intellectual capacity, achievements and attainment, he was also a more compassionate man, with a great ability and patience to listen to, and genuinely proffer solutions, advice and care to anyone who needed it:

- He was not only a selfless and kind-hearted personality, whose horizon of outreach was limited to his family and friends, but indeed extended to all mankind in the entire human race;

- Papa belongs to this stock of irreplaceable great beings who are fast disappearing from not just our dear country Nigeria, but from the entire world of human race – these are great men and women of high integrity, whose reputation and integrity could never be compromised; great beings of absolute discipline, total commitment to honesty and decency in service towards mankind; and not least, these are Godly beings of very high moral and biblical standing.

Homeward and Heavenly Bound

Papa, like all accomplished great beings, come to this earthly world with a mission; and once their mission is accomplished, have their gaze focused firmly home-ward and heavenly bound back to our Creator.

I recall my discussion with Sister Ijeoma (Papa’s eldest daughter) during one of her visits to the UK. I said: “Wow Ijay, Papa is now almost 90 years…”. And she replied, “Oh Richard, even 90 is still quite young…”.
The relevance and insight from this discourse is that whilst we, his children, family members and well-wishers would naturally want him to still be here with us, these great accomplished beings truly know when to be home-ward and heavenly bound…

Thus Papa reminded me of Rev. Billy Graham, an accomplished Evangelist, whose sermons and writings in his later years, and at just about the same age as Papa, was mostly about his prospect of a heavenly home and a homeward journey back to Our Lord Almighty.

From thence came this tribute-song (below) by one of his young friends…

“Take Me Home”
- – A Tribute Song by Michael W Smith.

Hello, old friend; how long has it been?
You've walked beside me all these miles, these years that came and went,
And I have held You close but You have held me closer,
All my life, this beautiful life
But Jesus I am sure You know how deep it runs in me
The yearning that I have to feel my feet on Heaven's streets.
And how I long to roam where sorrow cannot go
My Lord, come soon I long to be with You

Oh, won't You take me home?
Oh, won't You take me home?

My dear and faithful friend when does it all begin?
When will I see Your face and touch the scars upon Your skin?
Somewhere down the road or is it getting closer?
Please come soon, I long to be with You.

Oh, won't You take me home?
Oh, won't You take me home?
This is not where I belong
Oh, won't You take me home?

I wanna be forever, with You forever
Oh, won't You take me home?
I wanna be forever, with You forever
Oh, won't You take me home?
I wanna be forever, with You forever
Oh, won't You take me home?
I wanna be forever, with You forever
Oh, won't You take me home?

Oh, won't You take me home?
(I wanna be forever, with You forever)
Oh, won't You take me home?


Papa is now home with our Lord Almighty. Glory be to God Almighty for his Grace and Mercy…AMEN.

From Richard Chiadighikobi Emelle and Family

[Michael W. Smith - Take Me Home (Lyric Video)]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jsv1y1ugoug

Dear Papa.

If I get to be half the father, husband or doctor you were,I'd consider my life to be well lived.
You are the greatest man I have ever known bar none.
May you rest in perfect peace.

Dearest Papa, you were the very best human father ever! We will always love you and remember you and cherish your legacy. Rest in the bossom of our Lord who has called you home for your reward.

Dearest Papa ,truly we have been so blessed and highly favored to have you as our earthly father.You have left indelible footprints in the sands of time with your extraordinary intelligence and medical genius which you used to manifest christian humanity in the love and service of mankind.You taught us in truth and by example and we will always cherish ,protect, uphold and celebrate your legacy.We love you forever and we know that our God in heaven loves you more and in obedience you have answered his call to join his heavenly hosts,eternally resting in the bossom of the Lord.

I count myself blessed to have had Papa as my father, guiding light and shining example. Papa was a man of strong character and principles and I will always aspire to live up to his high ideals and humanity.

Papa although you are gone to heaven, you have left a lasting legacy in the good works you did and the family you left behind. Rest in Perfect peace.