"To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die."

Mazi, thank you for being a great father-in-law. Thank you for welcoming me with open arms and allowing me to continue your legacy through the children I have made with your beloved daughter, Vivian. You are truly a hero. The world has lost a friend, a father, a grandfather, and much more but you will forever be in our hearts.

You were the only grandfather I had a pleasure of knowing, loving, and learning from. You always had kind words to say and you were always smiling. When we visited Nigeria, you would always spoil us with Tom Tom even my mommy said not to. I will never forget your laugh that echoed through the house when you last came to visit. Rest in peace grandpa, you will forever be in my heart. Grandma has been waiting for you, be with her. Everything I do, I will have you in my heart.

Ezekiel :47:8-12
"This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down.......on both sides of the river, there will all kinds of trees for food.... Their fruits will be food, and their leaves for healing"
Vivian your beloved father is the river and his live is this water that flows into your life, your families, friends, own, state ,Nigeria and all over the world., whoever, wherever this water touched have food and his words are healing to all. take heart , He is gone preparing a better place for you all. God Bless.
                  Stella Nonye Okwuosa.(Ojoto).

We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love... and then we return home.”

The passing of my grandfather is not a goodbye, it's a see you later. I am going to do everything in my power to honor my grandfather by doing my very best at everything he told me and encouraged me to strive for, achieving and prospering. I will make him proud so that the next time we meet, I have amazing stories to tell him.

Mazi will be missed but I am truly blessed to have met such an amazing person! Rest is perfect paradise.

Tribute by:
Vivian (Uju) Nwigwe (second daughter of Chi Chi)
Age: 16
Date: Thursday February 5, 2015

Romans 8:16-17

“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”

I remember the days when breakfast was ready and I would run up the stairs and say “Grandpa come and eat! Grandpa come and eat eat! ” those days are over but I know he is watching over me, and we both still cherish those moments that we shared. He is reunited with his wife right next to the Holy Father and next to me every second.

Tribute by:
Angelo Nwigwe (Youngest child of Chi Chi)
Age: 10
Date: Thursday February 5, 2015

Mazi Vincent Nwankwo. Gallant, ebullient, jolly-good-natured. Noble Knight of the revered order of St. John. Aka-ji-oghwo Izuogu. Oke nna tozuru etozu. Ezi nna Chigozie -- enyi m, ma wuru kwa nwanne mmadu. A na m etu gi aha, Mazi!
Chineke nara mkpuru obi gi na ndukwa; ma gbaa ezi n'uno gi ume. Amen.

Naa n'udo, Oke-Mazi!

Tribute by:
Mrs. Lilian Ngozi Imo
(Ada Mazi na ngwuru be enyi gi -- Okee-oburu-uzo, Sir Martin Okpaleke)

It is sad to hear this unfortunate news at this period of time. However, I have come to rearlise that I will never hear those words of wisdom, knowledge, encouragement, motivation and father & son discussion anymore from you Okpa Madu. We know that all the metals and irons will go to black smith eventualy but not this suden. Anyway, you may have gone to be with the lord, but your spirit still lives on. I know you will continue to do the good job you are known for no matter where you are. Please continue to pray for us untill we meet again when we can depart any more. Nnanyi Bi Na Ama Udo, rest in perfect peace in Jesus name we pray Amem.

My heart goes out to the entire family of late Mazi Vincent Nwankwo on the loss of a great and honourable father, grandfather, uncle and brother. We should encourage each other daily while it is still today, so that none of us is hardened by sin's deception. Mazi Okpammadu lived a peaceful and long life and so I urge you all to memorize his legacy.

Mazi Okpammadu rest in Peace with the Lord!

We have lost a great man, an icon and a good father.
Mazi, as you were fondly called has a remarkable personality and will always be remembered for his forthrightness, legacy and incisive contributions to his kinsmen and arondizuogu as a whole.
mazi was a funny man, yet his humour was never mean spirited nor designed to hurt or humiliates anyone. His faith fullness to the important people in his life could be seen in the way he steadfastly maintained ties to his relatives.
 We really miss you mazi.... Not everyone is going to stay forever and we still have to keep on going and thank them for what they've given us. you've run your race and May God welcome you in his bosom.
  Rest in peace, Nna anyi bi n' ama udo.
    Gaa nke OMA......

A Eulogy of a Brother and Patriot.
         Mazi Sir Vin. Nwankwo.

The news of your death came so sudden to those that would have loved to have one last laugh with you. It is a necessary end and you journey here was well spent.
 Mazi words cannot describe your personality and awesome attributes. I met you as a child in the 70s through my late sister Mrs Martha Ezeani and family in their blessed memories. From then I've always admire your peculiarities. Your ways, approach to things of life has been so inspirational as a brother,father and a professional colleague
  You lived a life full of fun, inspiring and worth emulating. You believed that your reward in "Teaching is here on earth and not in heaven" as then greedy and capitalist school proprietors perpetuated. You never allowed the least acknowledge profession, but the NO1 most prestigious profession in the whole world, to peg a limit in your life style. Mazi, that's not for you indeed.
  Mazi, your warm, thoughtful and humorous characteristics makes you unique in your ways. No negativity in your life. The young are encourage by you never to give up in good and positive things of life You relate to young and old alike. These attributes of yours, many will not forget.
  Is sad to say Adieu Mazi, but THE ALMIGHTY GOD loves you more. We pray you rest in the bosom of the LORD.
  Adieu to eternity.

I wish that I could tell you, we are not ready to let you go… But you've already departed leaving our hearts feeling so low…

It is really sad we did not get a chance to meet you, but we will greatly miss that comfort knowing that you are there, even thousand miles away.
We miss the sound of your voice, your laughter and jolly ‘Thank you’ when Gabriella and Heida is calling you to wish a Happy Farter’s day.

Just wish to thank you for a little part of yourself, that you kindly shared with me and my kids – a wonderful and loving husband, caring and inspiring farther. You should be very proud for raising son as such.

Our hearts are filled with sadness and grief and we do not want to say goodbye… But we give thanks to God for your life well lived and we wish you eternal peace. Your memory will live on in all of us forever.

Papa, may your soul rest in peace. Amen.

Chi,

This piece of work that you took the time to create, did not only show how intelligent you are, it also showed your positive thoughtfulness to what is befitting to your dad. This is why we love you. You have demonstrated sincere loyalty to papa and commitment to show your last respect and honor.

In 2008, we had the opportunity to see your mom (my aunt) at the hospital in New Jersey where we saw your dad (Nna anyi bi na ama udo) by the side of his beloved wife. It was a trip that my family never regretted to make even though it was under a difficult/harsh condition. It is sad that he departed, we believe that he is a better place. Your dad lived a testimonial life that we all have shared, we will continue to live as he taught us. May his soul rest in peace. Adieu papa.

Linda & Jones Obiezu (Omenwa na Zuzugbo Izuogu)

Chi,

This piece of work that you took the time to create, did not only show how intelligent you are, it also showed your positive thoughtfulness to what is befitting to your dad. This is why we love you. You have demonstrated sincere loyalty to papa and commitment to show your last respect and honor.

In 2008, we had the opportunity to see your mom (my aunt) at the hospital in New Jersey where we saw your dad (Nna anyi bi na ama udo) by the side of his beloved wife. It was a trip that my family never regretted to make even though it was under a difficult/harsh condition. It is sad that he departed, we believe that he is a better place. Your dad lived a testimonial life that we all have shared, we will continue to live as he taught us. May his soul rest in peace. Adieu papa.

Linda & Jones Obiezu (Omenwa na Zuzugbo Izuogu)

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present

nor the future, nor any powers,

neither height nor depth, nor anything

else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8

Eternal rest, grant unto him O Lord

  and let perpetual light shine upon him

  May he rest in peace. Amen.

It is time to honor Chief Vincent Nwankwo who lived his life, helping other people succeed in their lives.

With gratitude for the exemplary life that he lived, I will always have a fond memory of the times shared with him, especially the last time that I saw him. He was going through a difficult time of the illness of a spouse, but was courageous and showed great forbearance.

Adieu Mazi Okpammadu.

May his Soul Rest in Peace.

It is time to honor Chief Vincent Nwankwo who lived his life, helping other people succeed in their lives.

With gratitude for the exemplary life that he lived, I will always have a fond memory of the times shared with him, especially the last time that I saw him. He was going through a difficult time of the illness of a spouse, but was courageous and showed great forbearance.

Adieu Mazi Okpammadu.

May his Soul Rest in Peace.

Dear Vivian

A master piece documentary you did for your beloved daddy. As he rests peacefully in the Lord, may his anointing be tripled on you and your siblings who have so loved him to honor him this way.

My continued prayer is that the God of all comforts will continue to comfort you in your loss and remind you that your dad only transited and on the last day you together with all the saints triumphal will join again with him.

May God provide all you need to give him a befitted burial and may He shield you all from every harm as you plan and execute the burial activities

God be with you my darling

Sister IFY Ana

Sir Vincent Nwankwo who died at the age of 87 years on 12/22/14 represents one of those I honor as my heros. St Philip's Catholic School Akeme Uno is synonymous with Mr. Nwankwo, the legendary headmaster of the school. He derived the name "Nna anyi bi n'amudo" because of his long service to the school. I don't think there is any family member in Ndiakeme Uno that did not attend the school during the period he was the headmaster. Besides being a teacher, Mazi Vin Nwankwo served Ndiakeme and Arondizuogu in other various capacities. As a politician, he represented Arondizuogu as a councilor in Ideato Local Government North. He was a devoted christian, philanthropist and a respected church committee member at St. Philip's Catholic Church Akeme Uno. As an upright religious figure in Catholic denomination, he became a Night of Saint John, a gratifying status of accomplishment.

Mr. Nwankwo was my master. I lived with him in 1965 when I was in elementary three at St. Philips School Akeme Uno.
Chief Nwankwo "Okpa Madu" by title, was well configured. He was slim, tall, clean and elegant in dressing. No wonder why so many cheeks went after him before he got married. He lived a very decent life. He was survived by six children: Ngozi Okoroafor,Chigozie Nwigwe (Daughters), Obinna, John, Ugochukwu and Ogueri (sons) We regret that we will miss him forever but ask God to grant his soul eternal peace.

Mazi Okpammadu you will forever be missed by your loved ones. May you receive the light of the Lord Jesus Christ as you rest in his kingdom. Amen

When I think of you Papa, I think of an honourable man, a loving father, a caring grandfather and a gentle and humble great grandfather. I think of all the good times you gave each and every one of us. I think of your wit and humour. I think of your guiding hand on my shoulder, which will remain with me forever!

You were my hero, you were my greatest teacher, and your philosophy in life was hard work and raising men. You succeeded in life not just by building mansions and material things, but you built lives. No matter what role you played during your life time, you played it exceptionally well!

We have been extremely fortunate and grateful to God, to have had you as our Dad, and to have looked up to you during our growing up days and to have shared our lives with you all those years. You lived through your everyday life inspiring us and everyone around you. You will for eternity remain in our hearts!

Words can never be enough to express our pain, our loss, the emptiness we feel, and the void that can never be filled, which is left by your absence. It is dreamlike to be so real that you are no more in the flesh, but our only consolation is that we know that you have gone to a better place!
Dearest father, you will always be remembered and missed by everyone who has ever known you!

I could go on and on without an end, so I’ll just end this tribute with thanks to you Dad for all of the years of love, comfort and strength that you gave us. I hope that the real tribute to you will be the actions of our lives and that we will be a testament to the love and lessons that you instilled in us all!

Rest in Peace Daddy!!!

May his soul rest in peace and may the Lord comfort every member of his extended family and the loved ones. Amen.

The Book of Ecclesiastes says :
Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses:
-a time to be born (1927, April)
-a time for death (2014, December);
-a time for sorrow & mourninig (for the bereaved family, relatives & friends);
-a time for joy & dancing (when we shall all reunite to part no more);

Okpammadu lived life fully to the testimony of anyone who got in contact with him, directly or indirectly.
He was a great, loving and inspirational Uncle to me.
We, myself and my family, will miss you so dearly, Mazi Okpammadu!
Thank you, Sir, for everything! Rest In Perfect Peace.

Always on my mind; Forever in my heart.

I have known mazi V.Nwankwo as respectable inlaw and higly dedicated family man.
I will highly miss his vision of the world as an equal level playing field and his notion of live and let live.
My special condolences go to Ada-mazi Vivian and sister Ngozi OPA respectably.

To my beloved Dad “Papa” Mazi Okpammadu

How can I say a few words that do justice to all of the years of love and strength that Papa gave us? I hope that the real tribute to Dad will be the actions of our lives -- that we are a testament to the love and lessons that he instilled in us all!

Papa has lived an exemplary life style and he has always shown me the truth about life.

Thank you, Papa, for showing that most things in life are possible. I remember once we were working in the garden and I lifted a massive stone and you swiftly praised me and said “Impossibility is only found in the dictionary of fools” this quote has always stuck in my head. I have told it to my own kids to encourage them do things.

Thank you, Papa, for showing me the right from wrong. Though you may have being loud about it, I am grateful that you did everything possible to put on us the best behaviour and show us how to respect others.

Thank you for showing me what is means to be a good man, a great teacher, an extraordinary husband, an outstanding father. 

Papa, it is because of your example, that I carefully consider the choices I make as a parent, knowing I can dramatically affect the lives of my children through my choices and characteristics.

The list will not end if I keep writing… words cannot describe your life… but you will be greatly missed my beloved Dad, “Papa”. You are my hero and a hero to all who met you in life.

Forever loving son John..

Mazi is a true Hero. What is a Hero you may ask? “A Hero is a person, typically a man, who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities” Mazi Okpa-Mmadu fits all the above definition.

See more at his personal page https://www.facebook.com/okpammadu

Philippians 1:21
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Corinthians 15:50-58

50 I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—
52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.
54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”[a]
55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
  Where, O death, is your sting?”[b]
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

John 14:1-3

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.