Daddy, so hard to believe that we your children have spent a hole two years without you on this earth papa. We your children are saying farewell papa, you will forever be in our mind daddy, my God that sees in secret is the only one that sees this tears that is dropping from my eyes right now, honestly papa you're indefatigable dad indeed. Nnam nwoke oma larueee na udo and grant love to your family you left behind, we miss you papa. May your soul continue to rest in perfect peace.

Daddy,I cannot believe it has already been two years. Two years that have created groundbreaking changes in my life since you passed away. The second year everything is done without seeing you again on this earth. You left me completely alone and honestly speaking it is in your absence that I now have the thought that I am on my own. I never had this thought before, this is because you were an anchor that held me back and was always there for me. I have seen the impact on our family that we lost you. Your death created a big vacuum and a huge loneliness in me, on a much serious note I must confess. Your death is like a wound, it hurts me so bad that everything seems too heavy, and the problems more complex for me to carry. Daddy, I am telling you the truth how it is, my heart aches, I am stuck with an incommunicable feeling of what is going on since you left. It is hard to create reality and illusion that at the point of your death I was not born alone. I draw solace running away from my loneliness because I want to be at my best for something better in my family circle. Daddy, I don’t want to fall in the sound auditorium of ‘OMG’. I am relearning to proclaim to my own psychology of finding strength from God who is my maker and who is always there to support me. I try to keep my happy hormone more reinvigorated, restful and peaceful to be able to carry the burdens. Please guide me to care as much as I can for I know that caring is in our DNA Lol. I pray to God almighty to give me the joy, enthusiasm, understanding and help me to carry the baton you gave me to perfection. Daddy, going to the village will not be the same, if I go there, I will not see you either will I see my beloved aunts, but all is well.

 Echemical, Echemicable, honestly speaking it has not been easy to see that you are gone forever, I will never forget you all for the rest of my life. I miss you so much, my indefatigable dad. No one can imagine how much I love you. Farewell to my mom, my stepmom, uncles, aunties, cousins, my father-in-laws, my mother-in-laws and my brothers-Emmanuel, Ugwu and Monday, who are there with you. May your gentle soul and their souls continue to rest in perfect peace. Your most expected daughter, Beatricx Ngozi Alu Eni, Oke Ada,Nee Echemicable. In His Love and promise 

My cousin, Iheanachor Oyim’s tribute to my dad...

It was a wreak to behold, as our eyes sunk, we kept guessing around, our thoughts were deep. No fault of ours but it was clear that something have left us, something that seen epic, we kept guessing, asking questions? who may have fetched firewood infected with ants... We called home to know how far lo and behold it was you they said your dad just passed away.. I exclamatory eeeh woooh!!! the iroko has fallen... things has fallen apart, my heart stood still ...immediately I started fading happiness knowing fully well my Anty will be in full pains to lust a dear dad Nwokeoma Echem’s man as popularly called by his aged brackets ...today's precious moment was tears of yesterday.. The memory of your life and your legacies shall remain fresh in our hearts...Rest on the father that begun The woman that's is stronger than man (nwanyi ka nwoke) the quintessential dad as she loved to called you, onikara Ehugbo abs grace permitted to reached may your soul continuously rest in peace till we meet to part no more...✝

My confidential antennae is 88 years today. Daddy, you will not be missed forever. Since you left, your blessings have been sustaining us. I am still the 'nwachinemere' you said I am and I have acquired so many names- Oke Ada, Omecheri nnia, Nwanyi ka Nwoke. On a much serious note, these names lift up to the reams of the angels and the website itself gives me joy to celebrate you. Each year it makes a difference in my heart to remember you, my late uncles and late aunts- Patrick Ugwu, Gabriel Ugwu, Johnson Oyim Ugwu, Augustine Uwa Okokpa, Esther Igu Okokpa, Comfort Eze Agboti, Onya O. Onya, Bridget Ijeoma Okoroafor and Rose Osinachi Egwu. May their perfect souls Rest In Peace as I celebrate all of you in tears. I wish I knew the existence of this beautiful website before their departures. 

Daddy, I inundate you with love and care. No disloyalty to my lovely husband, no resentment, bitterness, betrayal lounge or misunderstanding will come between my siblings and I. I am doing my best to carry everyone along. I wish you happy 88th posthumous birthday. If your spirit lives, continue to open doors of blessings for us. My regards to my mom and my stepmom.

Your ever expected daughter,

Beatricx Ngozi Alu Eni,

(Nee Echem).

Daddy, today marks one year you left the Mother Earth. It is sad to remember that you are gone forever. May your gentle soul Rest In Peace. I console myself with your memories, legacies and having made your burial a history- (Ihenribanma) in Afikpo Autonomous community. I love you my quintessential dad.

Your ever expected daughter,

Beatricx Ngozi Alu Eni,

Nee Echem.

My daddy's fitrst cousin, Mrs Roseline Osinachi Egwu. May her perfect soul rest in peace.

Oke Ogom 

Dear Eni Family and family/friends of Pa Echem Onuu,
Blessings!   First off, I want to wish you all condolences on Pa Echem's passing.  Though language was a little barrier it was great to worship with Pa Echem while he was here in the USA.  I enjoyed his company.

I truly enjoyed the wake keep service that we were able to host in August.  I loved the way that your entire family was able to honor Pa Echem through the various readings, scriptures, and stories that you told.  I especially liked the way Sis. Beatricx was able to share about her father with such detail, enthusiasm, and love.  

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;     his faithfulness continues through all generations.  Psalm 100:5 

In Christ,

Pas. Dale Aguas        
 

   

Pa Onuu, we love love you. I always remember taking my clothes to your shop at the Eke Market for mending. I remember the many stories you told us as you sewed our clothes. You were fun loving and at the same time hard working. We love you but God loves you more

from Rosemary Ogbonnie Oti-Wilberforce 

Dear Mrs Beatricx,

My husband and children, and the staff of Beacon Christian Academy, join me to commiserate with you and the members of your family on the death of your very dear father. It is sad to note that papa who stood as an encouragement to good living has now gone home to our maker.

The last time I visited, Papa was cheerful and full of life. I recall how we were all relaxed in his country home the last time you were in the country. Even though we wished Papa lived forever, each one of us must go at God’s appointed time.

Dear Mrs Eni, please accept my heart-felt condolence. And may God grant you the fortitude to bear this great loss.

Yours sincerely,

 Pastor Mrs Theresa Ifeanyi-Okogwu

Principal, Beacon Christian Academy

A Letter of Condolence to Pa Echem Onuu's Family
I, Dan Egwu and my children, Nnenna, Chinyere, Ikenna, Anozie and Akachi
heartily commiserate with your family over the demise of your patriarch, Pa Echem
Onuu. Your dad was an easy going gentleman who commanded a lot of respect by
all. He lived a good Christian life. Although you will have the sense of loss, be
consoled that he left behind people like yourselves for continuity of that dynasty
and remember that death is not the end of life but the beginning of another life.
Death is frustration and destruction for those who do not have faith but for those
who trust in the Lord and do His will, it is an entrance into a modern city filled with
everlasting happiness which cannot be compared to anything in life.
We join you in wishing him farewell and may his soul rest in the bossom of the
Lord.
Adieu!

 This picture is my favorite picture of my Dad. I created it because it symbolizes three things to me. I. It looks like my dad is waving goodbye to us. 2. It shows his family tree. 3. It shows the Ehugbo cultural colors of hats and handbag title recognition. In Ehugbo, there are six well known recognized age groups- Isi ali, Ekpuke eto, Ekpuke esaa, Onikara, Horie, and Rikweri. Each of these groups plays different socio-political roles in Ehugbo community except the Hories and the Rekweries who are retired entities.  Epuke eto, Members wear a hand made hat weaved in black and white color. They act as messengers in the village and helps to maintain peace and settles disputes. Issues the Ekpuke Etos cannot handle goes to the Ekpuke essas, who are ahead of them. Members of Epuke Esaa wears a hat weaved with black, white and red  color. The Onikara wears a red hat with handbags on his shoulder; Horie members wear the yellow hat also with bags on their shoulders. These symbols show that they have aged. The onikaras, Hories and Rikweris are the first to be recognized in occasions and ceremonies. People do not put money in their hands rather it is placed in their handbags when they site them. The reason is that some of them suffer tremor or Parkinson's disease and the money may fall off from their hands.Money flows back out as income to the elderly Ehugbobians. Onikaras and the Hories as retirees now depend on their wealth, families, friends and well-wishers.  The more people they know, the more money they get.  I call this social security because they earn it at the elderly.  The little incentives keep them out of poverty and give them little means of survival. Pa Echem Onuu was an Onikara, supposed to be crowned as Horie on April 7th, 2016 which was the big day of Horie title celebration. He saw what was greater than the yam and ate the barn. Transition to Glory to be with the Lord his Maker was more important to him than the Horie title. This cultural title so far is the best title I love so dearly in my hometown Afikpo. It portrays dignity to the elders to the best of my Knowledge. "Dignity" and its exceptional bump are essential to every ear that hears it. The dignity of the elders in Ehugbo culture has played a substantial role in resolving conflicts in our lives and relationships in Ehugbo community.  Dignity is our intrinsic value as much as human beings. Dignity to the elders and humankind is inborn in Ehugbo community. Long live Ehugbo culture, Long live Ali nnam!  Long live Afikpo.   

This is a symbol of my daddy's seven children lightning  up a candle for him. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

It is imperative to share my experience during my daddy's service of songs, prayers, and wake keep. I never had one before, but it was a great experience. It was very stressful for me at the beginning. It later became a well organized, joyful and beneficial ceremony, I must confess. I blew my final whistle. My greatest Lesson on the day of the ceremony was Humility from my Pastor Julie, she went to church at 3 pm decorated the hall, and set up the tables, chairs, and buffet for the occasion with no complaint. She never allowed me to touch anything other than to rest before the ceremony begins.  Everything was ready at 7 pm. "Oh, what it takes to be humble." My second Lesson was keeping to time. I am learning, and I improved.   I boarded American flight and not Nigerian flight LOL. I landed at 6 pm before 7 pm the appointed time for the ceremony.

Eni Family and Pastor Dale Aguas, the general overseer of Family Faith Center, Assemblies of God Church, Montebello California USA.

Beatricx Ngozi Alu Eni Presenting her Daddy's biography. Closeness to my father was a real blessing in giving his life history.

Women of Ebonyi State Union Organization of Southern California branch USA.   

Ebonyi, "Salt of the Nation" Food without salt has no taste. The men and women of Ebonyi state union organization of Southern Califonia USA added taste and beauty to my ceremony. They supported graciously on my daddy's wake keep. It was pretty amazing. I am grateful.

Mr. John Eni Presenting a tribute to his father-in-law in Family Faith Center, Assemblies of God Church, Montebello, California, USA.

Hug and kisses from Beatricx Ngozi Alu Eni to her husband, John Eni whom she cannot trade for anything. There is joy in having a man who knows when you are weak and when you are strong, understanding that you are not perfect, but only God, knowing that the teeth and the tongue do ruction, yet forgive each other. Ever since I lived with my husband, he always reminds me to read my bible and pray to God knowing that prayer is always the master key. Honestly speaking, his words of encouragement went a long way to help me cope and accommodate my daddy's death. He always finds the exact books and chapters for me to read when I am down.  I cannot get it all in life but I am happy with my husband, not only that I love him, I am truly in love with him. Thanks to my children- The 3Ds and my church members for all their good works and supports to my life.  Thanks to my organizers- Chief Engineer Patrick Ulunna Utom, Dr. Pastor Obiora, Pastor Dale Aguas.  Thanks, to Dearebo BrownWest "Esiri gini mini abaghia" - She opened my favorite website for me, Sister Mercy Johnson, Brother Nicolas Okoye My publicity secretary, Mr. Kingsley Ezeibe and her sister Dr. Mrs. Victoria Omuson and last but not the least my baby daughter's  Godmother Mrs. Chita Oje.  Thanks to my emcee Pastor Chiedu and my Dj Uche Orogwu. My dearest Friend Uju Osagie whose mind was there, but her legs did not make it on the ground finally. She and Chief Patrick Utom brought the idea on how I should plan for the wake keep. Their ideas were magnificent, but I embellished it in my way-"My Passion".  Thanks, Uju, she was the first person that raised funds for me from my old job, I am gratefully indebted. Thanks to my committee of friends and Ebonyi State Union Organization of Southern California USA. Thanks to Mrs. Susan Ogunnaike, Mrs. Jokee Fadiya, Dr. Mrs. Joyce Eseigbe, Lolo Monica Uzoma Utom, Julia Neal and Sarah Nwosu. Friends forever are hard to find and besides, You do not make friends in order to loose them. Thanks to everyone that made the whole ceremony a success.

Deziree Chizubem Ogeri Eni, Pa Echem Onuu's granddaughter reading What is this life:

A man is born today,
Tomorrow he is dead
A man lives in a mansion today,
Tomorrow he lives underground.
A man drives a car today,
Tomorrow an ambulance drives him.
A man reads biology today,
Tomorrow a biography is been read of him.
A man eats whatever he wants today,
Tomorrow he becomes food for insects
A man is resting in his house today,
Tomorrow he is resting in a coffin, and they say "Rest in Peace"!
A man eats all kinds of fruits in his house toady,
Tomorrow he becomes a manure to the trees.
A man is known today as the richest man ever,
Tomorrow he doesn't even know where or what will happen to his riches.
What is life after all? Act right and live Godly.
Always be a helping hand to others,
Remember, A successful man without a successor is a failure. 
  

  

Eni Family and some of the Family Faith Center, Assemblies of God, Church members in Montebello, California USA.

John Eni, Presenting a vote of thanks to to the invitees in the family faith center, Assemblies of God Church, Montebello California, USA during his father in- law's wake keep.

Daniel Chibuike Ogbonnia Eni, Pa Echem's grandson reading Live a Life that Matters by Michael Josephson-

Live a life that matters  
Ready or not, someday it will all come to an end.
There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days.
 All the things you collected, or treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else. Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance.
It will not matter what you owned or what you were owned.
Your grudges, resentments, frustrations, and jealouses will finally disapear.
So, too your hopes, ambitions, plan, and to-do lists will expire.
The wins and lossess that once seemed so important will fade away.
It won't matter where you came from, or on what side of the tracks you lived, at the end.
it won't matter whether you were beautiful and briliant.
Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant. So what will matter?
How will the value of your days be measured?
What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built; not what you got, but what you gave?
What will matter is not your success, but your significance.
What will matter is not what you learned. but what you taught.
What will matter is every act of intergrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example.
What will matter is not your competence, but character.
What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how man will feel a lasting loss when you're gone.
What will matter is not your memories,but the memories that live in those who loved you.
What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what. Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident.
It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice.  Choose to live a life that matters.   -Author Michael Josephson

Destiny Ijeoma Elum Eni Pa Echem Onuu's granddaughter reading 1 Corinthians 15 vs 45-58 New King James Version (NKJV) on Pa Echem Onuu's celebration of life in Montebello,California USA.

45 So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being” the last Adam, a life-giving spirit.46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly.49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christn58 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.

<p> </p> <p>Families are like branches on a tree; we grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one" -Unknown.<br/> Mr. Echem Onuu as a polygamous family married two wives. Regina Orioma Echem as his first wife and Joyce Ogeri Echem as his second wife. He had twelve children, but five died. Seven children are alive. The children alive are three boys- Benjamin, Ifeanyichukwu, and Daniel. Four girls- Ngozi, Chimezie, Nkeiruka, and Nwabueze. He also had twelve grandchildren- Daniel, Destiny, Desiree, Precious, Obinna, Chidera, Prosper, Regina, Odima, Ngozi, Chimamanda and Osinachi. Daddy, as you've transitioned to glory,  Your children will ever live to remember whose children we are and where we came. We cannot misconstrue your advice. Tokwa Uhu Nwoke Oma. The  Echemicables.

In the words of George R R Martins, "When the sun sets, no candle can replace it." That is exactly what has happened with the demise of Papa. Birth is a gift to enjoy life on earth but for Papa, death is a privileged to be free from suffering and reunion with the Father and our Maker.

The news of your demise came to us as a dude shock. We were still hoping to reap from your wealth of knowledge, magnanimity and experience in life. But these dreams were suddenly shattered on Wednesday 24th February 2016 as the cold hands of death snatched you away from us.

Papa you lived for others. What you lacked in wealth and affluence, you compensated with character, love and care. We truly miss you and no one can replace you no matter what happens. You are our hero and inspiration.

While submitting ourselves to the will of the Almighty God, we are consoled by the fact that you left an enduring legacy from which your children, friends, relations and admirers will continue to tap.

Papa we long to see you!

Your family desires to hug you!

Ezi Idam Ugo in particular and by extension Ngodo awaits your return!

Ehugbo is grief stricken!!!

But we are consoled by the fact that"To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven. A time to be born and a time to die" Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

PAPA WE LOVE YOU BUT CHRIST LOVES YOU MORE!!!

Agatha & Family

My dear grand father, I cannot believe that you are longer with us, your demise came as a shock to me and has left me with the difficulty of pain of writing this with past tense.

When I remember the last time I saw you alive that I even touched and fed you your meal last year Christmas. I still find it hard to believe that you are gone. I take solace in the fact that you left a great legacy which will be remembered for a long time after your death.

Grand pa, I will really miss you because the vacuum you left in our heart can never be filled by anybody.

I miss you so much Grandpa.

May your gentle soul rest in peace till we meet to part no more.

Adieu Papa

Adieu great man of honour

Yours grand daughter,

Ugochi Jennifer Ekuma

Its extremely difficult to capture in a few words the wonderful life and times I had with you my grand Pa when I was a kid.

Why death? I see people die, everyday but I still can’t understand it all, death is a mystery that I can not understand.

I will never forget the advice you always gave to me and my younger siblings, even your prayer of success to us.

Giving me food when am hungry, you also gave me whatever I asked from you, pa you always even without delay.

Papa I will forever remember you in my life, I love you and I will never stop loving you. But the mystery behind life and death is what cannot be revealed except that we have been permitted by daily reckoning to know that in the midst of life we have death. I know that sometimes we will live to die someday but I never knew it will come so soon and this way. I never knew that death could knock on your door.

Tears stream down my eyes as I recall how courageous you walked towards death.

Grandpa you live a wonderful, happy and fulfilled life, but you lived to see me achieve one thing in life.

I will always live to remember you.

I love you

Adieu papa

Adieu grandpa

Adieu Echemeikable

Yours grand daughter

Henrietta Olamma Ekuma

My dear elder brother it’s been a great loose loosing you my brother in our humble family, but I believe that God knows the best of it all.

Late Mr. Echem Onuu of Ezidamugo in Ngodo Village Afikpo married two wives then and got two issues which are all female in 1966 at Calabar in Cross-River State. He was a trader who traded on fishes in 1966 and later changed to crayfish trading in 1967 – 1968 and that was in ORON. I was with him learning as an apprentice.

In 1968 Calabar fell down for Nigeria and Biafran War which brought us back home then he started tailoring in Ahia Ekeukwu in Ehugbo up till date.

He is now a HORIE in age before he died, brother was very humble and generous, he is a type that helps people achieve their goals in life even at his old age he was still a great man of honour. He was a member of INE meeting in Ahia Ekeukwu. Brother was a very good Christian who worshipped at Assemblies of God church and also believed fully in the word and steps of God’s word. He also brought up his children in a Godly manner and also in the fear of God in them as they grow.

Brother, you have really taught us well and we promise to live by your foot steps and your teachings as we grow old.

Adieu brother

Adieu man of peace

Adieu Nwoke Oma Di Mma (Jokwa laa n’ udo)

Yours brother,

JONATHAN IBE EKUMA

For the family.

Papa we love you so much that the thought of not having you around is very painful. But we know you're now resting in the everlasting Arms never to be sick nor in pain anymore. We thank God for the life you lived. You will be forever missed.