Dear daddy, at first I didn’t understand that you were really gone. I remember seeing you before going to school that morning. When I got back, I didn’t see you anymore. Eventually, They told me that you had gone to be with God. It broke my heart, I wasn’t expecting this to come so soon. 

I miss you so much daddy. I miss how you always took care of me, made sure I had everything I needed. You had such a big heart. I will never forget all you taught, including how to be kind and content. 

You were A great Man, I hear stories about you and I’m so proud. You were kind,you had a good heart and your love was  unconditional. 

Rest In Peace Daddy. 

Chukky loves you forever 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Dad it is so hard writing this because i cannot believe this till this day i wasn't expecting this day to come soon dad u have always been my source of strength u taught me to be positive and believe the best in the most difficult situations i am grateful to have had u in my life growing up all i wanted was to be like you u were a shining light to your children your wife anyone who knew you could attest to that your generosity compassion kindness was utterly remarkable i am deeply saddened that u are gone i remember our conversations when you would say you loved me it brought so much joy to my heart and soul hearing those words and knowing you really meant them makes it even the more difficult to think of i know it is well cause you taught me well even though you are not here you will always be in my heart the impact you have in my life will always remain Dad u will forever be missed words can never describe my sadness

i remember the times we used to discuss about boxing matches which you loved so much your insight and passion was so inspiring i wont forget those moments

i know what i lost in your passing i also know what i gained while you lived.  

Good bye dad 
you will never be forgotten the countless lives you touched will always remember you

Adieu Adio 
DAD FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART I LOVE YOU TOO 

Daddy, this is the most difficult thing I’ve had to do, writing this. I thought I had met with life’s struggles till you passed and I find myself still in denial, struggling with acceptance every day. 

I’ve spent each day since the 23rd of January trying to block out the reality of your passing but it smacks me in the face everyday.

I miss you so much, my pat on the back whenever I needed it, my number one cheerleader, my hype-man. My dose of validation if I ever needed it. You made me seem like a perfect being, always highlighting my highs. You would sing songs of praise for even the faintest achievement and to you it was like a milestone no matter how insignificant it was to me. You took every chance to remind me how proud you were of me even when I felt I was failing. 

It resounds in my ears exactly what you would say me. “You can slow down take your time and grieve but ALWAYS pick yourself up, pull yourself together and MOVE, KEEP GOING“ “This is a minor setback on your path”. That lesson is what I am clinging to trying to get through this.

I wondered how you always remained cheerful, positive and calm even in a storm. I’ve chosen to adopt that outlook in life. Nothing ever phased you no matter how dire the situation. To you, it will pass, much like this one. You always extended your generosity to whoever was in need and treated everyone fairly. And you never let anger sit in your heart.

Your sacrifices for us will never be forgotten Dad.

I know HQ(like we’ll fondly refer to you and mom) is down! But we will keep pushing, that is what you’d want for all of us.

Your lessons on contentment, fairness, forgiveness, peace and love will live with me till the day I leave this earth. The prayers and blessings you gave us, God in his infinite mercies will fulfill all in a thousand fold.

I know with God, this void in my heart will be filled in time.

My daddy, My first love, 

Man m, Number 1! Ga nke oma.

Rest on in the lord big guy, my love for you is forever.

Your Doctor will make you proud.

Dear Daddy, 

The absolute love my life, this is by far the hardest thing I have done in my life, i still can’t believe u are gone, it’s all like a big dream.  I never expected this day anytime soon, the shock I received on the 23RD of January has left me speechless and broken I miss u soo much and all that keeps going through in my head is Ebuka nwa or when u call me Queen Ebuka always with a huge smile on ur face, This just seems like a nightmare which I just can’t seem to wake up from

Daddy, so I won’t hear ur voice again When i remember all ur love for me then it dawns on me I will never get to hug u again or see ur smile and all I have now is the memory of your voice and you, that’s so sad and depressing. My world is shattered and my heart broken into a million little pieces. 

I know that’s not what u would have wanted for me so I will try and stand tall. U have always been a great support system making our little achievements seem soo big, or should I talk about the scarifices u made for us? I keep thinking which man will ever love me like you! Who would praise me like my daddy? With u I experienced love in its purest form, daddy if u were here today I know u would have told me to be strong and this is the will of God as nothing gets by God except He allows, you would have wanted me not to cry but it’s difficult, Because the strong hands that’s holds me has fallen and I am lost, but daddy I will try to stand tall. 

Shall I dare to remember the good times? Or the prayers u always prayed for us, always singing praises and raining prayers on us ur kids always cherished every one and always had our backs always there for us and never too busy to show up for us even with ur tight schedule u always managed to show up, never forgot a birthday, or is it times I would ask for anything how u provide with all cheerfulness always ready and willing to provide, not just to ur family but to anyone who cared to ask. Hmmm! My HQ1is gone! who would sing my praises when next I have my next little achievement, Who will call me Nwaoma! oh my dearest daddy I miss u! I will make u proud.

My forever love,

My ever cheerful daddy, 

My selfless Man,

Ever caring and loving daddy, 

My cheerful giver with a heart of gold,

Daddy that loves everyone,

full of wisdom and advice for me, 

always praying for us. U left way too early and I still can’t bring myself to believe this if tears could bring back a person my tears like a river would have done wonders long ago, but my only comfort is that u are in a better place with the Lord and all I want is too make u happy and make sure all ur sacrifices pay off. 

Dad your life was a blessing, ur memory a treasure, you are loved beyond words and missed beyond measures. Thanks for being an amazing Dad, Thank you for all ur advices, thank you for ever providing with a smile on ur face and with an open arms. I am glad I experienced having an incredible dad, I am proud to be called your daughter and I will sing ur praises to anyone that cares to listen of how u were an amazing man and a man worth emulating. I will forever remember and follow your advice. Once again I miss u dad so much I can’t stop saying this and it hurts more.

My gentle daddy,

My daddy ever so cheerful,

I love u my forever love. 

Goodbye my Daddy

Imela Nna oma

Ga n’udo De Goody

Adieu Adio baba

We will always love and cherish u,

Rest well with the lord my forever love, I will miss u forever.

January 23rd,2019.

The day my heart sank into stomach, all my strength depleted and my heart broke into a million tiny pieces. 

I wailed in anguish, the pain was unfathomable, still is. The worst pain I’ve ever had to deal with. The pain in my heart still won’t go away. Words fail me and I don’t even know how to begin. 

Writing this tribute is the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do in my entire life. I’ve been struggling to put my thoughts in words. I hate to talk about you in the past, it still feels surreal. I can’t process this.

I’m in tears as I write this. Words fail me. I miss you so much, I just want to hug you again, I want to hear your voice, I want to laugh with you. 

You were never a slave to anger, greed, unforgiveness and hatred. I am so thankful for that. I’m thankful for the wonderful life and memories you gave me. I am thankful for my childhood, I still remember having you at my school events, I still remember days I’d stop by at your office to see you before heading home from school. 

I am thankful that I was privileged to experience life with you as my father. Thank you for always putting us first. I say Thank you, you taught me how to love unconditionally and selflessly, you taught me to be kind and compassionate, you taught me the value of family and sticking together. 

Thank you for teaching me the power of humor and how to tell a joke.Your sense of humor was delectable and I’m glad I got bits of that from you. 

I am grateful for the times spent with you, times spent learning from you and living with you. Thank you for being my Father. Thank you for giving us everything, thank you for the sacrifices you made openly and privately for us. You always came through for us regardless of how the odds were.

Thank you for loving me the way you did. I am super proud to be your daughter and I wouldn’t trade that for anything, even in my next life.Thank you for loving Mom the way you did.  For being a great husband, friend, and life partner to her. Thank you for all the wisdom you shared, your words of advice will stay golden.  

What better feeling knowing that I had you in my corner looking out for me,for us,regardless of every twist and turn life took. Now, you get to watch over Me from above. 

Nothing takes God by surprise, if he let it happen, he’s got a plan. I choose to view your lifetime as a blessing to me, to Us and everyone who ever came in contact with you.  

Your optimism was highly admirable, always cheerful you made it seem like there were no bad days. Your mortal body has gone cold,but the values you believed and imbedded in us will live forever. We will keep the fire burning. You stayed undaunted in every situation, You lived a life worthy of emulation. Every hurdle life threw at you, you scaled through like a champ.You were My champ. 

You loved God, You were a firm Believer of Christ and you didn’t relent in living uprightly and doing as he bids. 

I pray that all the good works You accomplished in this remarkable life you lived will grow deeper, wider, and stronger in the days and years to come, uninhibited by a weak opponent like death, Amen. 

It’s very heartbreaking that you won’t be at my wedding, you won’t get to meet my Kids. I have so much to tell them about you. 

Last conversation we had, you told me You love me. That gives me comfort.  Your love for me will never perish. I will love you forever. 

Rest on My Daddy, My First love. 

My superhero. 

I’ll always be your baby, your special baby. 

Ng Baby will love you forever.

Ikemba 1 of Ikwuriator Ndoki!

HQ 1!

Gaa na udo!

God called and you answered, I can never fault you for that. 

Heaven has gained an Angel. 

Life hasn’t been the same since you’ve been gone.

You left a void, a very painful one. 

We miss you...

Words have failed me. 

You were my scribe, Daddy...

Writing an article, was one of the easiest things for you to do, and you taught me so, 

but now, I can hardly write how I feel. I only feel this lump in my chest, it’s heavy and it really hurts. It’s been there since the 23rd of January when I heard the most shocking news of my entire life. 

Will it ever go away? 

I miss you, we all miss you...Terribly. 

Mummy misses you more, and I’m sad you left her too soon. You were Her ultimate gist partner, HQ1! thank you for loving her right till the very end. You deserve a special place in heaven! 

Daddio! You were the Epitome of a family orientated man, and you gave us a good life...thank you! 

My childhood memories are filled with fun and laughter, because our home was balanced and well rounded, you protected all of us with your love and care, We are forever grateful to you. 

You always put us first, and made a lot of life’s sacrifices for us, even till the very end, and you never ever relented. Just take a look at all of Us, your children! Graduates and professionals in our own rights! Attaining these heights was all because you made sure of it. You never compromised our education and as you rightly said,

‘Sending you (me and my siblings) to good schools, is the best thing i will ever do for you, from there you can be whoever or whatever you aspire to be, the sky is your stepping stone...’ 

You we’re so right Dad! I never knew how much being a Barr-at- law would impact my life, and expand my horizons! It was all because I had you as my role model and sole provider!  I remember the day you and mum walked up to the Dean of Law at my school, and gave her my valid credentials, results and unarguably sound reasons why I should be accepted into the faculty to study law from another department, and Yes you made it happen, it was like a miracle because they rejected others, But You took out time and made that trip, you made that move for me, because you always knew what was right for me Thank You!!! 

Daddy You gave so freely, not just to us your children, but to everyone who you came across, that was in need of your help, the less privileged were also not exempted. 

Your generosity and kind disposition, is something I admired about you, and now your goodwill is all I hear about. It rightly reminds me of when you’d say; ‘a good name is better than money’ 

I remember, how as little kids, we’d look forward to when you’ll get back from work, and it was a ‘thing’ for us, as you’d always come home bearing gifts and goody bags to excite us

 You always treated me very special, no one else treats me that way Big Guy! You respected me so much, even though I was your daughter. When you’d call me ‘MOM’ I’ll never get over it. I was your Mom in our own way,  and I’m grateful for the fantastic relationship we shared when Lucas came and you became so attached to him, I didn’t need to be told why! The same love and bond is all I saw and I am glad I was able to fulfill that wish  and expectation.

I still remember the smell of your Cologne, how clean and fashionable you dressed, when you walked into a place, your charisma would never go unnoticed, your soft spoken voice  and kind words, your laughter, and jokes! That was you sprinkling love and kindness everywhere you went.

Dee Goddy! Was a very selfless, humble, and God fearing man who let his conscience be his guide in everything he ever did. Daddy you were so approachable and You were always willing to listen, and offer your nuggets of wisdom.

 This is a great loss for all of us, because at the time when you were to just sit back watch us blossom, you left without saying goodbye. How would I have known that fateful Tuesday would be our last conversation. 

You always came through for me at every point in my life that I needed you, I had you standing in for me. I miss our long phone calls. I could literally tell you anything, and you would listen and advice me appropriately. 

 I hate that I’ll have to tell your grandchildren   someday, that you’ve gone to rest with the saints. They were all so fond of you, and the video calls, where you’d spend quality time catching up with them and listening to them chat you up.  I’ve been unable to say why you can’t come to the phone I get that question from Lucas all the time and it pulls me right into this grief. But it is well! I know you’re in a better place! Your passing is by far the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with, May God help me.

In my wildest dreams I would never have thought this to happen now, not at this point in my life. Not now... too soon! 

 You were my biggest cheerleader, you believed in me so much, and this kept me going at every point I needed it, My little accomplishments were big victories to you, you always found a reason to celebrate me. You would shower praises on me till I got shy, so many fond names you called me that has gone to rest with you now. 

You taught me to be my true self and to never forget whose daughter I am, never. Forget where I come from and where I’m headed... Thank You! 

You taught me to put God first in all that I do, having faith in God completely, knowing that He will come through! This has always worked for me all my life... 

You taught me to be content with all that I have,and being grateful for everything. 

You taught me to be kind, compassionate, and honest in all my dealings with people. These are the strengths that you effortlessly instilled in all of us, because this was all of who you were. 

You held me with so much love it gave me the confidence to overcome life’s obstacles. 

You taught me to be strong! This was your Mantra! Be strong... 

Daddy, You lived a good life, always cheerful, enjoying every moment and loving life, and i am so proud to be your daughter. 

I thank you, for being such an wonderful Husband to my mother, an Amazing father to the 7 of Us who you loved. 

For all your achievements, I am so proud of you. Growing up you were my role model, I watched you achieve so much? which inspires  me till date. 

Being a seasoned Lawyer from the prestigious University of Nigeria, and Barr -at- Law and Solicitor of the FRN, you practiced in the profession you loved and made a name for yourself, Till the time when you ventured to make your mark in the public service. Daddy held so many strategic positions like Being the GM of Abia Palms Nig Ltd, which floods back  memories of our times in Obunku, when we’d come to spend time with Dee Goddy, which in turn exposed us to how deeply rooted you were in the affairs of your community, and how you valued the rich culture of our people, like going with you to the Nwautam dance and Egwu mission! Daddy was such a good dancer and you would dance to show us how it’s done! When you moved to Umuahia to join the civil service of the newly created Abia State , you served the Civil service Deputy director, Director, Permanent Secretary in various ministries, till when you were meritoriously  appointed as HOS and subsequently retired. 

Ikemba 1! You came... You saw... and you conquered. 

I find solace in the world of God in the book of; Isaiah 57:1-2 ; 

“Good people pass away; 

the godly often die before their time. 

But no one seems to care or wonder why. 

No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come. 

For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die”

Amen! 

Adio!!  As you were fondly called... 

You were not perfect, but you were good to a good man. You touched so many lives that you came across, and you never got tired of being a source of help to anyone at all, who needed your help. 

Stories of  your kind heartedness, is all I have heard about you ever since you passed, and I feel so blessed to have been an integral part of your life’s journey. 

 I’ll keep with me, all the good memories I have of you, they remain evergreen, all the fatherly wisdom you shared and preached to me and my siblings, everything plays back to me like it’s a movie now, and I only wish I could see you again. I wish I could turn back the hands of time, I wish I saw you one last time before you left us. 

I can still hear the sound of your laughter, I still remember the jokes you told me. I will miss you on my WhatsApp, all those prayers, and messages from you that you blessed me with. I’ll miss your sense of humor, my high-spirited and always positive Father.  

You’ve left an indelible mark in my heart and I will carry this with me for as long as I live, hoping to keep making you proud. 

All of this still feels so surreal to me, but I have hope in my prayers that you’re in a better place.

 Heaven just gained an Angel... Halellujah! 

I’ve refused to mourn you like an unbeliever, Ive found solace in the Word of God, this is all you were about, even more so during your last years with us, as you never gave up on your faith, and it’s enough for me... Child weep no more!

Till we meet again to part no more...

 Farewell Daddy-Nnenna! 

Adieu... Adio Baba! 

Ikemba 1 of Ikwuriato!  

Onyeisi Laa n’udo! 

Salut!! Dee Goddy!!! 

Thank you for all that you did for us, it wasn’t for nothing. 

My Love Forever and Always!! 

Mrs Nnenna C Onyebuchi Esq  

Ada Dee Goddy!