Uncle Ray you didn't see me becoming a Director in the ministry as I am today, through your prayers and goodwill God has lifted me.
Your memory will always be fresh
Happy birthday Uncle Ray

Keep resting in peace Uncle Ray, we shall never forget you, Bobo Kazy as you fondly call me , God bless the family you left behind and your big Estate in Apapa, you were a great Man , May your soul continue to rest in peace.

Oh my goodness! This is so sad. May his memory be blessed. May God comfort the Okpu family.

As we mark the one-year anniversary of the passing of our beloved friend and brother, Papi Ray Nduka Jolomi Okpu, I ask God to bless his soul eternally

Papi Ray!!!
We begin to remember
Not just that you died,
But that you lived...
...And that your life gave us
Memories too beautiful to forget...

"You will never Walk Alone"
Continue to R.I.P Brother...
Tim Mudia...

Eyaaa, It’s June 1st, 2023. I just came out of the pool and for some reason the Okpo family struck my mind. I called my brother in the USA and we talked about the good old days with Richard wahala .

For some reason, I told my brother I needed Google Richard, Ray, Rex and Rita. My first search was Ray and I found this.
So so sad, my condolences to the family and can someone tell me where Rex or Richard are?
My last contact or communication was over 32 yrs ago.

Continue to RIP Big Bro Ray, God rest your soul and comfort your family.

Remembering you bro.

Stories

I feel Sad! Chairman Ray is no more!
Today
by Olayiwola Ajileye
Chairman, as I fondly called you, it was shocking for me today while I was talking about you to a friend and I decided to check and I found out that you had passed away since the 9th of June 2022! My heart was broken, I was sad and shocked! I didn’t know. You lived life to the fullest and everyone that had the good luck to meet you, you impacted them positively.
Our path crossed when I was a young medical doctor in Lagos. I was introduced to you by Mary Walker, the American friend I met while I was working as a junior house officer in a hospital. You took me as a friend even though you were much older and already a man of great means and wealth.
You will look for me, come to my office, invited me to your home in Apapa, I ate food with you, drove around town with you, some places I would not have been ordinarily, we went out together, I met your family, brothers and parents and your older children Ryan and Rukky. Even in London, you will call me whenever you came into town, you invited me to your home in London.
We will share good times together. You talk to inspire me and encouraged me that life will be better and I should stay the course. You met my mum and my wife, you were very kind to me when I didn’t have anything, you did not say I was too young or not rich, you took me as a brother and trusted me. How I am sad that you are not there for me to call Chairman again! I will miss that voice, when you call and say, Ajileye bawo ni o! That’s always the first line, then we will talk and chats on all kinds of matter including business, politics and healthcare. I was looking forward to seeing you again to arrange health screening for you as we discussed the last time we spoke and you said you will let me know when next you were in town! I expected and little did I know that you were I’ll in the UK where you breath your last! I pray that God will comfort all the Okpu family and your numerous friends dotted across the globe!
Adieu Chairman, Oga Ray! May the Lord grant you eternal rest. You left a legacy of love and kindness!

Chairman !!! Jolly good man whose disposition brings light to the dimmed heart. Too many words to describe him … he was such a great man. Rest In Peace

In my older live because of my brother Volker I did find a very good relationship with Ray
He called me his big brother and I was proud of knowing him as a friend. He was like his friend Oskar in my office earlier as a patient. Ray did told me proudly about his father and great family. As a doctor I could feel his warm and deep feeling in religion behavior. I could trust him and he of course me. Even now and in future sailing in the Aegean seas I feel him behind me as
my friend now and forever. He wanted to visit me on our sailing yard and I am very unhappy that he could not realize. But he will be with me all the time
Remembering you Ray means that you are still there
and not gone. Fiducid my friend

Papa Ray...!!! Words cannot express how I feel learning about your untimely passing. My chairman, my mentor, my brain box right from our childhood days in Ikoyi has gone to be with the Lord. Nature rather than nuture defined you. You were light years ahead of your peers. A moving encyclopedia. A great man full of wisdom. Thank you for all the knowledge you taught me about life and love you showed me as a brother from another mother. You will be greatly missed. But I will take solace in the beautiful life you lived, the legacy and awesome memories you left with us. May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace in our Lord's bosom, Amen. My thoughts and prayers are with Iniesta, all your children Ryan, Rikkie, Reena and the rest and your siblings Roy, Rex, Rita and Richard. Good night great man..!! But no be so we been plan am o, but God knows best...!!

Ressssppeeccttt!!!

Thank You All For A Painful To Watch But Delightful Send Off For My Big Brother Ohhhhh - All Captured In Hours Of You Tube Memories


Covfefing With Man Henry, Cousin B And Nasssss (Who Dr Inessa And Reena Had To Console When He Paid A Visit To Templewood At His Hearing The News) It Is Evident That The Bewilderment Upon Us Is Shared That *How Did This Come To Pass Unbeknownst To Us* - Even #Secretary Lady Chi²...All Oblivious???


There Are No Errors, Shikenna


All Is Or Simply Has To Be As Ordained - *Na We Nor Get The Playbook* - As Ray Would Have Chimed, Bless His Soul


Ray Imparted/Shared An Immeasurable Amount Of Wisdom In His Dealings And Undertakings From Way Back In The Day And Up Until Our Last Euphoric Phone Calls - That His Urhobo Sense Nor Get Second, Walahi

He Would Often Say "...AJ Your Mama Na Professor, Your Papa Na Professor - You Cannot Plant Kokoyam And Harvest PawPaw..."


As A Last Tribute To Him At This Time, I Shall Humbly Post Professor Fostered Life Wisdom As Below Trusting That For All Of Us With Whom This Will Resonate, It Shall Meet Welcome Attention


"....You’re a student in a Stanford class on entrepreneurship

Your Professor walks into the room, breaks the class into different teams, and gives each team fifty dollars in funding

Your goal is to make as much money as possible within two hours and then give a three-minute presentation to the class about what you achieved

If you’re a student in the class, what would you do? 

Typical answers range from using the fifty dollars to buy start-up materials for a makeshift car wash or lemonade stand, to buying lottery tickets or putting the fifty dollars on red at the roulette table

But the teams that follow these typical paths tend to bring up the rear in the class

The teams that make the most money don’t use the fifty dollars at all

They realize the fifty dollars is a distracting and essentially worthless resource

So they ignore it

Instead, they go back to first principles and start from scratch

They reframe the problem more broadly as “ *What can we do to make money if we start with absolutely nothing*?”


Every Problem Begets Opportunity By The Minds Of Mans Strategic Thinking Processes Tapping Into The SupraConscious Realm Of All Creation For Answers (They *The Answers* Always Already EXIST And Just Remain To Be Retrieved As Eureka Moments) Thereafter Follows Provision Of (A) Solution(s)


One particularly successful team ended up making reservations at popular local restaurants and then selling the reservation times to those who wanted to skip the wait.

These students generated an impressive few hundred dollars in just two hours. 

But the team that made the most money approached the problem differently

They realized that both the $50 funding and the 2-hour period weren’t the most valuable assets at their disposal

Rather, the most valuable resource was the three-minute presentation time they had in front of a captivated Stanford class

They sold their three-minute slot to a company interested in recruiting Stanford students and walked away with $6500

The fifty-dollar challenge illustrates the difference between tactics and strategy

Although the terms are often used interchangeably, they refer to different concepts

A strategy is a plan for achieving an objective

Tactics, in contrast, are the actions you undertake to implement the strategy

The Stanford students who bombed the $50 challenge fixated on a tactic—how to use the fifty dollars

And they lost sight of the strategy

If we focus too closely on the tactic, we become dependent on it

“Tactics without strategy,” as Sun Tzu wrote in the Art of War, “are the noise before defeat.” 

Just because a $50 bill is sitting in front of you doesn’t mean it’s the right tool for the job

Tools, as Neil Gaiman reminds us, “can be the subtlest of traps.”

When we’re blinded by tools, we stop seeing other possibilities in the peripheries 

It’s only when you zoom out and determine the broader strategy that you can walk away from a flawed tactic

What is the $50 tactic in your own life? 

How can you ignore it and find the 2-hour window? 

Or even better, how/to which purpose do you find/direct the most valuable three minutes in your arsenal? 

Once you move from the “what” to the “why”—once you frame the problem broadly in terms of what you’re trying to do instead of your favored solution—you’ll discover other possibilities lurking in plain sight...."




 It Is This Way Of Thinking Outside Of The Box In Which I Would Without Recourse Have Existed (Had I Remained In The Lagos-London-Dusseldorf-Ankara-Monaco-Australia Axis That Ray And His Posse Did Soooo Well In) But I Felt They All Were As Mighty Big BongaFish In A Pond That Could Decidedly Have Been Bigger - And Has Post Stroke And Recovery Brought Me To This Day With Much Mastery And An Understanding Of And Access To Matters Currently At Hand That Will Bring Honor To Rays Global Economic Minded Musings As We Look Forward To Continuing Putting Together The Tapestry Of The Quilt That Vertically Integrates Our Collective Interests And - Again - Brings Integrity Bound Upliftment To The Relationships Spawned With Ray As Our Foundation

I Pray That The Above Is Appreciated By All And Value Is Seen In Opportunity It Presents In Each Person's Sphere(s)

Thank You Muchly For Creating This Medium To Honor A God Fearing And Loving, Great, Generous, Compassionate Ogbologbo Of A Man And For My Being Able To Concurrently Share Matters Of Presumed Value Wherever They Land Today And For The Next Billion Breaths We Are Gifted In This Time Space Continuum - Ever In Great Health


As Each Person Elects To Mourn Rays Passing In Their Own Way We Know That Our Dear Much Loved Raymond Nduka Jolomi Okpu's Soul Shall Enjoy An Eternity Of Peace Filled Rest Ascending Straight To The Highest, Uppermostest Realms Of Paradise

"...Kill Them All - The Good, The Bad.............."


To A Man Woman And Child, May God Continue To Grant Us All Mercy, Peace, Great Health And Infinite Blessings






AJ Johnson

"Papi Ray"!!! My big Bros, my childhood friend from way back in the 70's, Ikoyi where we all grew as children Ray, Rex, Rita, Richard.. Obi!!! Nati!!! as you fondly would hail me and you were always prepared and ready with a 'vintage Ray joke', delivered with an impeccable timing, your sense of humor was simply one of your greatest attributes.. "You worked hard and played hard". I remember how we reunited in lagos after 40-plus years and in your large heart ways you invited me to your estate in Apapa GRA and the rest was history as they say, cause you engaged me in some business ventures. We all used to come together and had great moments with Roy, Rex, your kids etc, also you were one of our regular BBQ spare ribs customer's as you loved our flavours, untill you left for the UK in 2020. And so our exciting childhood days at Ikoyi club snooker , Ikoyi hotel suya, etc, came to full circle as adults, I'll forever cherish all those memories bro.. 
Speechless and numbness Was my immediate feeling of your demise, gone to soon! "Kill them all and come back alone", as you would jokingly say, so I was hoping to hang with you once again. But Almighty God needs you more bro. Rest in perfect peace of the bosom of the Lord "papi Ray". God grant the children and family the fortitude to bear this untimely loss.

I met Ray at the beginning of 1990 when he was introduced to me by Chief Oskar Ibru. My employer was looking for a local consultant being a specialist for foreign exchange transfers related to dividends, loan repayments and interests. During the following years we became with my supervision the leading team in Nigeria handling those transfers with customers, banks, Ministry of Finance and Central Bank. Working together so closely we developed a close friendship and became brothers. Before Ray could finalize his wish to find peace between him and me regarding views on success sharing, he passed away.

Ray,your big smiles will always remain
in our minds.Keep the smile on and Rest
in Perfect Peace untill we meet again.

Dear uncle Ray,

I am blessed that I got to experience your existence. Our bond is strong, and I will always feel your precious and unique energy you showed towards caring for family. I am lucky to call you my uncle for all you did for the family regardless of the situation. Although physically, you’re not here, you’re forever in my heart.

Thank you for all the lessons and memories; as it will continue to live in our hearts.

Dearest Uncle Ray, you were a ray of light and to know you was to love you. Thank you for bringing joy to me at a critical point in my life. I will hold on to fond memories of you always. Your legacy lives on through your children and grandchildren. May your soul rest in peace. Amen.❤

Dear Uncle Ray,
It’s been almost a month now, but it still feels surreal. I don’t know how to handle or process this loss. Your commitment and passion for your family are unparalleled, and I can only dream of giving as much as you have.

You are gone too soon, but you’ll continue to live through our hearts.

ManRay,

I am still in shock of your passing, my highly esteemed friend and brother as we fondly say to each other.
I will miss you so dearly.
Rest in peace my friend and brother.

ManHenry.

‘O ye men of little faith’. This was how we hailed ourselves since that interesting experience we had on our business trip to Sydney, Australia in 2001 to sign an MOU. I would save all from the long story, but as the years rolled by, until his demise, I observed that beneath all the toughness he was a kind and compassionate gentleman greatly misunderstood by all around him. He loved life, family & friends passionately and as such he expected unconditional love in return. Though he may have had his own peculiar way of showing it, his wish was to be loved for who he was and not for his earthly material acquisitions. There’s no doubt about it, Ray was a kindred spirit , family meant the world to him. He lived and deserved a life well spent. Adieu, my brother, friend and partner!

Dear Uncle Ray, with you there was never a dull moment in the room, you always found a way to spice up the mood . You were "a Big Man " yet very unassuming .

Rest in Peace .

“A father is neither an anchor to hold us back, nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way.”

Daddy, thank you for equipping us with everything we need for this journey called life. Your love and memories will forever remain with us.

Love,

Ryan, Rukky, Anire, Dede & Reena

Oga Ray,

So painful a demise, you are an
un-replaceable gentleman.

A true gentleman in deed.

Good night Oga Ray and good rest in peace.

Bareto my broda,

God Searches into TheINNERMOST RECESSES Of OurHEARTS, Yes U Had A GoodHEART, DoNOT PlanEVIL Against AnyONE., That's BARETO.

Remember Like 20yrs+ Ago, U Came To My Office in Lekki Phase One Lagos, with a Ruled FullScape Paper, UrVINTAGE CHEQUEBOOK n Wrote Millions ForME bcos U Heard I Was BROKE n Needed Money.

I Thanked U n said It Was a VeryBIG RUMOUR., I DECLINED TheMONEY, and U Said U Always Knew I Was Different. That Memory Of Ur GENEROSITY Many NeverKNEW., I WILL CHERISH Forever.

YESHUA HAVE CALLED U ToHIMSELF, I PRAY HE GRANTS U ETERNITY IN HEAVEN ... Hallelujah.

My ARAGBA - ABRAKA - OKERE Broda,

RestON BARETO

It was with the greatest shock imaginable that I received the news of your passing.You were such an integral part of my life so much so that I took your very existence for granted.It is incomprehensible for me to come to terms with the realization that I will not see you nor hear you scream Sister Joycey,Sister Joycey again!!!!
Rest in Peace Cuz Ray.

FROM FLEMING ESENEMEE

Ray why we spoke together when you told me you were in Portugal in late April promised to be back end of May... You left me with memories of when we constructed & install the Oso platform & build BRT for ExxonMobil in Bonny 1996 to 1998 & our last work was the construction, installation & insulation of the Heniekien plant at Ama,s Greenfield Enugu for the Heniekien GMB & Nigeria Breweries... Farewell my 11 Generation Cousin Prince Ray Okpu of Aragba Orogun of Igun - Agbon - Delta state... Am in pains over this News of your departure... Enehoma Prince Fleming Host Iyorodine Esenemee - Eseigbe 2 Uwaifokun X1

My dear brother RAY , I cannot say I will not miss you , I remember all the good times we shared , most recently when you celebrated your late father and we arrived a day late but you decided that you must start all over just for us ... all the suya and booze by the swimming pool at your magnificent Apapa complex.
And only a few months ago when Russia invaded Ukraine and I suggested we try do a deal with some Russian crude oil you shouted ..." HAAA BOOZY DEM GO CATCH US " now you are gone to your maker , untill we meet again stay blessed and REST IN PEACE !

On behalf of the Pratt Family we deeply sympathise with the Okpu Family and our dear sister and brother Dr Roy and Oluyemi Okpu on the passing of Ray Okpu a very warm and jolly gentleman. May his soul rest in perfect peace and may God comfort and strengthen the Family at this time. Amen

TRIBUTE TO MY BELOVED COUSIN,
MR. RAY NDUKA OKPU
By Olorogun Bernard Okumagba

I will never forget the call. How could this be? How could he be gone? I stared at the phone for a long time after the call ended in disbelief. My beloved cousin was gone. To be writing a tribute to the memory of my beloved cousin is very harrowing for me. His departure has left me distraught and feeling hollow. Every now and then, images of his jovial and effervescent self flash before me.

Ray was my cousin and my friend. Over the years, we stayed close, meeting regularly and speaking for long periods on the phone regularly.

Ray was a man of razor-sharp intellect with a lot of vigour and zeal. Ray was exceptionally bright and charismatic. He was also very jovial and boisterous, with no illusions. He was always cheerful. Ray was a man of impact and substance which reflected in his business and network of friends. He was a simple man, unpretentious, with no airs, however exhibiting immense knowledge, creativity, energy and drive. Ray could visualise things straight-off that would take others a long time to see. He was always willing to share his very valuable experiences in various business endeavours garnered over the years.

Ray's sense of humour was infectious. His broad and charming smile was his signature. He was exceptionally humble and humane.

Ray was a man of ideas and resolute in his pursuits. I remember our serial brainstorming sessions. Every new idea triggered his adrenaline the more. And he will go to great lengths to articulate a pathway towards achieving it.

I miss my beloved cousin Ray dearly. I miss his brotherly love, his intelligence, his cheerful nature, his optimism, his humility and his humanity.

May the Almighty God guide and provide comfort to his immediate family as well as all of us in his extended family.

May the gentle soul of my dearly beloved cousin Ray Nduka Okpu continue to rest in peace in the bosom of the Lord God Almighty. Amen.

Olorogun Bernard Okumagba (Cousin)

Baba Ray as I always hailed you.
You were one in a million.
The fountain pen Don rest.
Words can not express the sadness in my heart that you bowed out so soon.
It breaks my heart to know that I will not see you again to worry you.
"Whadt does it profit a man to loose his soul and gain the whole world,"
this was one of your famous Bible verses.
You remain in my heart forever.
Rest in perfect peace Baba Ray.

Daddy,

Like the rushing of the winds at the brink of dawn,
the news of your departure left me numb as I froze like one forgotten in a cold room.

I recall memories we shared and the bond we held dear. Memories of your humorous self, your jovial nature and the friendship that spanned so many years that could make petals glow grey in green envy.

Many hours unend but like split-seconds we spend on phone simply because you could relate with me effortlessly and pour out your heart without thinking twice. 

I called you “daddy” because that was the crucial and delicate role you played in my life.

Your memory and great legacy will always remain with us. I am grateful I had the opportunity of experiencing you first hand. You will be greatly missed!

May your family be comforted in this tough times and may your soul find divine rest in perfect peace,Sir.
Amen
Dele Olaiya

Dear Ray,
You were a year ahead of me in school and we never met again since leaving school. You were quite joyful, jovial and bubbling with life while in school.
We thank God for the life you lived.
May the good Lord be merciful to you, comfort your family, friends, Mariners and grant your soul peaceful rest in heaven amen.
Odjoji Peter

It is from god that we come. And it is to him we shall return. Ray .you were a friend unforgettable. May God grant you eternal rest, in peace. And may god grant your family the strength to bear the loss.

Such wonderful memories I have of you. Having worked in your company for 19years. All the words of wisdom that comes from you bothering on business and life, the warm smile and thorough ways of handling issues, the good spirit and so many moments you bring laughter to my mouth, the trust you had in me and many more.

Just about 90days back, you asked me to arrange you ticket to come home and see your turf (like you always call it) not knowing you are trying to bid us good night.

Memories of you remains with us. Sleep well.

You know, Ray was such a perfect name for you, so appropriate, for you were truly a Ray of light, a Ray of sunshine, a Ray of hope, a shining twinkling star lighting up the sky, where your love shines down to let us know you are happy.

And you know Ray, I have been casting my mind back to my most impressive memory of you and this took place during The Papal Inauguration Mass for the Ecclesiastical Investiture of the Pope Benedict XVI of the Catholic Church, when he celebrated his Inauguration on 24 April 2005 as the Head of the Church and the Sovereign of the Vatican City State.

The Pope and the Cardinals went in Procession to Saint Peter's Square for the Inauguration Mass, while the "Laudes Regiae” hymn (Royal Praises or Royal Acclamations) iwas chanted, asking help for the new Pope.

The Procession was watched on TV and as the melody was being sang in Latin, “Christus vincit! Christus regnat! Christus imperat!” (Christ conquers, Christ reigns, Christ commands), you joined in with the choir singing every word and every note concisely, perfectly in Latin, as if you had been an integral part of the Pope’s very own dress rehearsal in Rome. So impressive.

It was upon amazed questioning of your accomplishments, during and after the Ceremony, that you calmly and politely revealed that you had once served as a Alter Boy singing in the Holy Church Choir.

You never failed to impress with your diversity of talents and broad range of skills sets.

A true gentleman with talents that not only span the boardroom with your business acumen, but also accredited to life’s humanities.

We know you would be with us here today if heaven wasn’t so far away.

Rest in Peace and God Bless.

Chinyere Chichi Ozemelah

Wonderful, funny, kind Ray.

So so sad you’ve gone.
I had not seen you in ages, but you still remained a brother.

May God grant you eternal rest in Jesus’ name.
You will forever be fondly remembered.

The ever effervescent Ray! 'Ray Hammer' was our nickname for you. You were only a year my junior in GCU but even back then you hob-nobbed easily with your seniors. You had charm and flair in spades. Even back then, it was clear that you were destined for greatness. 

Boy, did we have some good times back in the days on the plains of Lagos! There was never a dull moment with you. The stories, jokes and laughter were endless.

Sadly, we lost touch in recent years due to the hustle and bustle of life and the unending quest of making a living.

When I heard the news of your passing, it was met with a combination of shock and a rush of fond memories. We will surely miss you bro!

I pray the sweet repose of your soul in heaven and that the Lord will give your loved ones the grace and fortitude they need to bear your loss.

Adieu my brother!

To Our Dearly Beloved Friend Ray,

Your Life was too short, but you managed to achieve so much and enrich the lives of those around you in your limited time here on God’s Earth .

You touched the lives of those who knew you with love, generosity, kindness, thoughtfulness and understanding. Your humble good natured exuberant and welcoming Personality was a characteristic which made you stand out from the crowd and you will be forever remembered and greatly missed.

You served God in your youth as an Altar Boy singing in the Church Choir Service, and kept God’s faith throughout your life, now you remain in God’s good keeping with all the Angels in Heaven.‍♂️


“Revelation 2:7

7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”

Your life was a blessing,
your memory a treasure,
You are loved beyond words,
and missed beyond measure.

In Loving Memory,
Always in our hearts,
May your Soul Rest in Peace

Chinyere Chichi Ozemelah


Gospel Song; Spirit In The Sky Norman Greenbaum
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AZQxH_8raCI

TO RAY NDUKA JOLOMI OKPU.
Posted by ALEX.O. ENEBELI.     
Adieu Ray, May your easy and Gentle Soul Rest in Peace. You came, saw & conquered. You have run your race with a big heart. May God give the family that you left behind the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. Till we meet again.

It is with heavy heart I am writing a tribute about you. You lived a short but worthy life. You were a fighter and I am convinced you must have fought to the end. I know you are in a better place. You will always be in our hearts. I will forever hold the fondest memories each time you saw me always telling me Bidemi you are the only one that knows me too well. For the past months each time you called your brother Rex you would speak for over two hours almost every day telling him everything was going to be okay. May the good Lord send his spirit to comfort us all as a family at this time especially your children. We find solace in knowing that you are at peace and have been released from the ills of this world. Adiieu Uncle Ray

TRIBUTE FROM OGHENERHONOR OKPU

Mr Ray Okpu. You were a great man, you were kind and had a big heart. I did not see you often, but whenever I did you were kind to me.

I was happy to play with my cousins Reena, Rookie and Ryan when I came around.

We were proud of you and know you will be missed by the whole family

Ogenerhonor Okpu
Richards Son

FROM BIMPE ALAMUTU

The great Ray, Richard couldn't stop talking about you, as he was so proud of you.

You were a shining light and you made all the Okpus proud.

You achieved so much in such a little time, as God knew you had a short time to finish your race.

You were always smiling and it will be sad never to see you again, but God knows best.

You were a good uncle to my son and I am glad you always made us feel welcome.

May your soul rest in peace in the bosom of the Lord

Adebimpe Alamutu

TRIBUTE FROM JAMIL TAHIR
You had a good heart bro.
Rest in everlasting peace.Jamil.

My dear brother, for he was more than just a friend, Ray Okpu! (Matacosta from Uraguay!) I nick named him in later years, after a trip to Uraguay.
Ray & i met at Federal School of Arts & Science, Sokoto 1976 - 77, 46 years ago! Since then we've been friends for life! He's a kind hearted jovial guy, we've lived in each others house on & off all these years in different parts of the world. Done business together, we've had our differences, but never fought. He's touched so many peoples hearts. He's the kind of person one can never forget. May God in his in infinite mercy, bless his his soul, may his gentle soul rest in perfect peace! Amen!
You'll be greatly missed Ray! May his family have the fortitude to bear this great loss.

Pareto,
News of your passing came to me as a rude shock! Sad as it is, one takes solace in the fact that you always were positive and vital. You won’t expect us to mourn you too much, but would rather we remember you as the ever lively and ever upbeat Pareto who could never be put down.
Go well pally, we’d miss you for your strengths, your positive outlook to life and your immense achievements while here.
My condolences to your family with prayer that merciful God would take away the sting of the pain of your death from them, giving them fortitude and peace instead.
Rest In Peace, bro
Charles Uwensuyi-Edosomwan,SAN & Family

Even the courage to write a tribute to our dearest friend "Papi Ray", who was only but a phone call away yesterday, has failed me.

I met "Ray Nduka Jolomi Okpu" during the summer of 1995, in London. A mutual friend, Peter Oriakhi, of blessed memory, had interfaced us on phone prior to my visitation. Peter had asked Ray, who was already a guru in O&G to be Chairman of the board of my Oil & Gas Company, which was just beginning to crystallise into foreseeable engagements in the industry.

But we quickly bonded beyond the officialdom of business and he became, as we say in local parlance, "a brother from another mother". By the time we were back to Lagos, it was a reinforcement of the interconnectedness of family, friends and events, as Apapa became a regular rendezvous. Ray was probably the most unassuming person that I ever met, who was typically self-effacing about his stupendous achievements.

"Papi Ray, we spoke a minimum of twice a week in the last one year before your passing; mostly from London and sometimes Istanbul, and not once you demonstrated any feeling other than your characteristic and boisterous self", but little did we know that the furtive death lurked around.

May the good Lord grant your family (that has become mine as well) - a nucleus and extended, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

I have no doubt that you are somewhere in the verdant hills of heaven and in the bosom of the Lord. You have fought the good fight and run your race beyond the finishing line. Rest In Peace brother!!!

Adieu Papi Ray!!
Tim Mudia Osayimwen

Dear Big bros Ray,

May your soul rest in peace my big brother, life is short, I remembered talking to you and Bros Tim on phone a few months back in Nigeria, you did promise to call when you are back in London. It's unfortunate that death doesn't keep records of our promises and dealings. Till we meet again and part no more.
Adieu, brother.....RIP

Oga Ray as we used to fondly call you at Intercontinental Bank is gone. This is not good news but we console ourselves that you were a good and jovial man. You respected us your much younger friends and treated us as equals. I pray that the family and friends who are many have the fortitude to bear your passing into glory. We celebrate you cos you ought to be celebrated . Till we meet to part no more.

Though gone too soon but he will be remembered for long for his cheerful heart and deed.
May the Lord grant his soul a perfect rest in His bosom. May Christ heal the wound in the hearts of all family members and friends keep and uphold them through this trying period
Rest in peace Ray till we meet again at the resurrection
Dr and Mrs S O Onabanjo

Even though it’s tragic to think of Ray leaving us so soon, he left behind a lifetime of warm memories to celebrate. May you rest in peace dear Ray, and may Gods peace be with you.

"What moves through us is a silence, a quiet sadness, a longing for one more day, one more word, one more touch. We may not understand why you left this earth so soon, or why you left before we were ready to say good-bye, but little by little, we begin to remember not just that you died, but that you lived. And that your life gave us memories too beautiful to forget"

Our prayers are for the Okpu's must especially our Mummy.

In Ray's words..." The Show must continue"

My sincere condolences

Chf. Omoruyi (OmorodeAgbon Irikefe)