Good night uncle Graph
Uncle Graph has left us! Sad, very sad. My son, Chizitelu in his early years before he learnt to express himself eloquently used to welcome Ralph with so much excitement in my house then in Ilupeju, Lagos. You would hear him scream, uncle Graph, uncle Graph! Then, Ralph would lift him up and toss him into the air and Chizitelu would laugh excitedly. He had remained fond of his uncle to this day. When Ralph took ill, my son Chizzy would constantly ask of his uncle in our email exchanges from his school and would always pray for his total recovery. I normally update him of Ralph’s progress. Unfortunately , since Ralph died, I had tactically changed our mode of conversation in order to preclude any opportunity of enquiry about his uncle Ralph’s health status. I had to engage him with a tough academic challenge which he is struggling to meet up. So, his emails are now focussed on briefing me of his progress or challenges thereof.
Ralph was a good man, a gentle soul with a large heart. Very respectful. A good brother-in-law. When I was going through a particular business challenge, he was there giving advice, giving hope, and often consulting his good friend and brother, Prof. Ofonze Amucheazi on the legal aspects and feeding me back.
Ralph loved his wife and children a great deal and would do anything to keep them comfortable. He loved life, so he fought hard to survive this debilitating illness. He fought to the end. The Ekwenibe family fought hard too, but God in His infinite wisdom knew better.
Raphael Ifedilichukwu Ekwnibe my brother, jee nkoma.
Toenna Anyigbo
Eziokwubundu