My in-law,

I remember the first time I met you in 2013. I came to introduce myself to you, as the man who wanted to marry your daughter, Uju. We had a pleasant encounter and it was a very encouraging visit. I remember the goodwill that you extended to me as we went ahead with the arrangements and how you accepted me with open arms. I looked forward to a fruitful friendship with you. Who knew that our relationship would be cut short?   

Uju and I were looking forward to having you in our home, making the necessary changes that would make your stay as comfortable as possible, but God had other plans.  

Daddy, you have left a vacuum that no one can fill. I will miss you but I will say that I am happy to have known you.  

Oke-osisi Chinyelogo, naa n'udo. Continue to rest in the bosom of our Lord.  

Nnamdi Romaine
For the Romaine Family,
Ogbe-Odogwu Onitsha

Son In-law

CELEBRATION OF LIFE OF SOUND CHARACTER!

Beloved Emeka,

Today we celebrate you! We celebrate your life of integrity and selfless service. Your children and I celebrate your love, leadership and rich legacy. Today your siblings, colleagues and friends stand in attention to celebrate your glorious exit with honour, deep sense of love and appreciation.

As your friend, Dr Charles Cudjoe, would say, "Life is a biochemical chain reaction. Once it is launched like a rocket, it must reach its final destination which is death." Everyone's life begins and ends the same way. It is only the details of how they came, they lived, and how they died that distinguish one person from another. The legacy we leave behind is what matters most. Life is God's gift to us. What we make of it is our gift back to Him.

The day you were born, while the heavens wept because they had lost an Angel, Man rejoiced because a Star was born. And today, while Man weeps because he has lost a legend, the Angels joyously celebrate your home call.

You were sick for more than six long years but your life was preserved by God's bountiful grace. He could have called you home when you clinically died on the Theatre table at ABU Shika on September 4, 2012 but He did not. He revived you and restored your life. Again He could have taken you last September, 2016, but His grace prevailed till December when it pleased Him to call you home to glory.

As we mourn the irreparable gap created by your absence, we draw strength and fortitude from your profound sense of integrity and sound  godly character. We thank God especially for a life well spent, selfless service to mankind, and for positively touching more lives than you may ever know. 

The testimonies are profound and incredible, healing, developing and transforming lives. As Chief Consultant Surgeon you trained and mentored uncountable Medical Doctors of diverse disciplines who are now scattered all over the world. They honour, appreciate and celebrate your humble and noble life always.

You are a Genius and a Legend of inestimable value. Truly, precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His Saints! Sleep on, precious one, sleep on till we meet to part no more. 

Your beloved wife,

Prof. Mrs. Nancy Nwannediuto Udezue.(Nee Utaegbulam)

Once upon a time, someone asked me what it was like to be the son of a professor, someone who had touched so many people’s lives. My answer then was that to people he was Prof Udezue the talented surgeon and that’s fine, but to me he’s Dad.

I never thought I would write something like this. Or feel the loss so painfully. In the last few months I steeled myself towards your possible leaving us, and thought I was prepared for it, but the reality has shown otherwise. I cannot begin to explain how you touched and moulded my life; how many times it was said, for good or bad, that I was my father’s son. Is it life’s lessons, one of which was that respect must be earned by actions? Or is it the verse you kept for me – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding – something I sometimes deviated from and you would correct me and bring me back time and time again? Or how you taught me to fight for those I love, because you continuously did the same?

However I thank God for the extra years He allowed for you, after dragging you from the edge of death in 2012, to spend more time with all of us. I remember you telling me then “God has given me a second chance, I need to use it well!”. And you did. I will always be grateful for that.

You will continuously be remembered because you impacted on many people, but probably none as much as me. Good bye Dad. I know where you are, and we will see again. But not yet. Not yet.

Dr. Nnaemeka Udezue JR
Son

My dear, sweet father In-law, DAD as we all called him.

I remember vividly when you and I met for the first time after your Sabbatical in 2004. You had just returned from the United States of America and was hosted by my family that night. We had an exciting chat for hours due to the Jet lag you experienced on your return and that night I found in you another awesome Dad. Never did I know in this long life story, you would turn out to be my father. Hmmmm, how time flies, its almost 13years since that encounter.

You were someone I respected not just because you were my father in-law, you were an extremely intelligent man and one of the most upright and honourable men I have ever met.

I thank God for the opportunity in Abuja to care and express love to a father…something I have missed after the journey of my own Dad years ago. You were the second man I ever called “Dad”.

Seems like I have known you all my life, Dad because you always showed me love and taught me so much about family, What and How it should be….You had so much love inside of you which of course is how the real world ought to be.

You were my father first and secondly an In-law. I thank God for the opportunity of sharing few years of my life with you and I am extremely proud of you and all your accomplishments.

You were a fighter Dad and Go-getter.

Without you Prof. Emeka Udezue, there will be no Dr. Emeka Udezue who is your son and my husband. Thank you Dad, I remain loyal.

However, we cannot question God but we remain thankful you are resting peacefully and with the saints in heaven because you sure do deserve it.

LOVE YOU ALWAYS AND FOREVER IN MY HEART.

MY HUMBLE RESPECT ALWAYS.

GONE BUT WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

RIP DAD.

Love,

Mrs. Nkeiruka A. Udezue.      
Daughter In-Law   

Dearest Dad,

It seems like it was only yesterday I placed the kiss on your forehead wishing you a safe journey. Your laughter still rings in my ears and you smile is only a vision away. The way you called me your Jewel had me beaming from ear to ear.

I can still see you enjoying a game and the simplest of pleasures with contentment and joy. You taught me at your feet the joys of faith and singing. I can still hear your voice ringing out with every song you sang.  Can you tell by now how much I really miss you?

You showed me the gentle love of a father, and what to expect when guys came around. You showed me gentle care of a father. Calling you Dad has been one of my greatest joys and privileges in life.

It's selfish of me I know, but I long for just one more day with you. One more day to kiss you on the forehead and tell you how much I love you; one more day to hear you say "My Jewel" once again; one more day to see you light up just hearing me call you "Dad" or "Papa" again.

But until I can run and hug you in a tightly close embrace, I leave you to rest in the arms of our Lord, the Lord you loved so much and boldly proclaimed. I look forward to the day I get to hug you again, never to let you go!

It's going to be hard not hearing the smile in your voice when I call now, not seeing the smile on your face now, but I know I will see you again and I will get to hear you say again "My Jewel".

I love you Papa! Rest well in the bosom of our Lord until I see you again.

Your Jewel,

Uzoamaka Udezue
Daughter 

There's never enough time when it comes to people you love dearly, connect utterly, engage with passionately. My father Prof. Nnaemeka Udezue was a simple man of simple tastes. I never saw him buy an item of clothing for himself, ever. Yet I was clothed everyday, ate to my heart's content and never knew lack. My father was a man who truly worked his body into the ground providing for all six of his children. He taught me sportsmanship, and how to make victory seem easy, because he excelled so absolutely in everything he did. 

Dad, I miss you. I wish I hade more time. I am content however to  know that you leave a legacy of genuine love to the point of sacrifice, that can never be erased.


Rest in Peace, Dad.

Kenechuckwu Udezue

Son      

Hello Dad,

I have had a difficult time dealing with your departure.

It was good to know that you were there; to hope that you would recover, to dream that you would get to face life with renewed strength and enjoy the golden years of your life.

But that was not to be as I hoped.

Our Father in heaven had better plans for you and I rejoice in His wisdom because His way is not my way. He always makes better plans for us. Truly, great is His faithfulness.

I know that I haven’t lost you. It’s just hard to know that you won’t be on the other end of that phone call, that your chair in the living room is now empty, that you will not be present at the other milestones in my life.

I love you, Daddy.

You are my Hero.

You are my Friend.

I remember being able to talk to you about anything. All the ups and downs of life as I faced it. I remember being able to run to you when I was scared, even as an adult. I remember playing with you, singing with you, studying the Bible with you. The discussions we had about medical practice and how inept some doctors could be.

You weren’t really one for words, and so I won’t say too much.

But, you will not be forgotten. I see the impact that you have had in my life every day. I hear your voice in my head. But, most importantly, I know where you are. And I know that we will meet again at the feet of our Lord.

I am happy for you, though. You are now at rest, no longer bound by the harsh limitations of this mortal vessel that we call a body.

Enjoy your rest for now.

Good Night, Dada. I will see you in the morning.

It’s me,
the one and only

Obianuju Udezue
Daughter

To the man who gave me life, the man who taught me right from wrong, the man who taught me to be ambitious and to never give up, the man who was always there to listen, the man who taught me integrity and discipline, without you I would not be who I am today. Your words of wisdom and encouragement have always echoed in times of despair and confusion. They give me the will to keep going when failure lurks. Your love was always unconditional, you were always supportive, your protection was guaranteed, and now you are gone! The pain is so unbearable, but I find comfort in knowing that you are in a better place, free of pain or sickness.

Dad, you were a great man of principle, integrity and honesty. I still remember growing up around the Nigerian medical community and Government College Umuahia alumni. There would always be comments about your historical academic performance. It wasn’t until I got older that I realized what an extremely intelligent and talented Surgeon you were. You were modest, humble and never boastful, but your deeds spoke for themselves. People came from all over the country to see you, and even when people were not able to afford your services, you would proceed at no cost.

I recall my teenage years when it seemed like I was losing focus; playing video games all night long, staying out late, and etc. We would have our chats (sometimes not so friendly) about life. You taught me discipline, the value of delayed gratification, hard work, and foresight. This still comes up quite a bit in light conversation with friends, and I always tell them “I get it from my father”. I travelled to Nigeria in November last year to see how your health was fairing and made plans for you to come to the US in January. I had no idea it would be our last time to see, apparently God had a different plan. Only three weeks after I returned, I woke up to condolence messages and I could not believe it! My loving, kind-hearted father and friend had gone to eternal rest.

You are gone, but will never be forgotten. Goodbye Daddy till we meet to part no more, you are always in my heart.

With love from

Engr. Okezika ‘Kez” Udezue, Ego & Adanna
Son 

Daddy, it is a shock to know that you are no longer here with us in the physical. I recall the fateful day I was driving to work when I received the devastating news. Prof, you will be greatly missed.

I remember that day when we came to see you before the Igba Nkwu. You met us at the front door as we were driving into the compound at Kaduna. You had the biggest smile on your face, and your arms were outstretched as far as they could go, giving me the best hug and a reassuring “welcome to the family”. Your glow was radiant, I can never forget that smile. I had the opportunity to know you more when you came to stay with us in Houston, TX for the majority of 2015. Everyday when I returned home you would ask me specifics about my day. You even shared patient interaction advice with me and to not let a bad day influence any immediate decision you make.2321` Even through my dental studies, you always provided words of wisdom and encouragement. You were a giver, it is apparent to those that knew you well

I never knew our relationship would be this brief, but I thank God He spared us to allow us to meet and to know ourselves before your unexpected demise. We do not mourn as those who have no faith in God, we rejoice because we know you knew him and that you have ascended into the kingdom of Heaven. Rest well Prof, until we meet to part no more….

Dr. Ego Krystle Udezue (Nee Chidolue)  
Daughter in- law