Tributes
Leave a tributeBros, continue to watch over Chichi and your kids and may your soul continue to "waka well" in Heaven. Till we meet again, my brother.
Nkechi.
Happy Birthday!
Keep resting in Peace with Our Lord, Jesus Christ
Paddy, Ngozi & the kids
One year on and we are still in shock that you have passed on to the greater beyond way too soon! You will always be missed but your enduring Alphatic nature lives on!
Gt Ritchie and Sylvia
Continue To Rest In Peace And Power
Alway willing to help.
May your soul rest in peace through the mercy of God.
With great sadness over the unimaginable loss of a good friend Uchenna who is so gentle, caring and very supportive when in need. He was a loving and caring husband and father to his wife and children and laid a strong foundation to see that they have a great life. He is full of values and always cheerful, never had a dull moment with him.
His beautiful spirit will live on through his children and they will know how much he loved them.
He fought to stay with all his heart for them but God called him and he had to go.
Ever since i met him. I had no regret knowing him. He was full of smiles and very jovial.
He fondly calls me "Aunty" whenever we meet and we laugh over it.
Adieu Uchenna. May your gentle and peaceful soul rest with the lord Amen
That is how I remember your name being called. And then your never fading smile will follow.......Ahhhhh. I am lost for words, you were the most loving husband and father I knew...you always went out with you handbag(your beautiful wife..Anne) and was a good example of patience. Where do we start from Sweeeey...Where. Everytime I think of you I just see your smile, your humblness, your patients, your love for your Family and friends and your achievements in life.
BROS UCHE MAY YOU SLEEP IN EVERLASTING PEACE WITH THE ANGLES WHILE YOU WATCH AND GUIDE YOUR FAMILY.
Your loss is too devastating for words....May you rest in eternal peace....AMEN
I often described him as an ideal husband material, everyone just felt easy around him. Rest on, in peace.
After hearing the news of the demise of Our beloved brother I kept singing this song:
God is still God
God is still God
God is still God
He is still God
I never knew a time will come so soon for me to write about our beloved brother Uche (aka Oga Sir)
He was so pleasant, reliable and dedicated worker in the Lord’s vineyard
He truly loved his family and God and was passionate about making a difference everywhere he stepped.
His enthusiasm will be hugely missed. Our thoughts are with the Okpala family at this desperately sad time.
Your departure from this sinful world on the 24th of December 2018 was unbelievable.
I was shocked and saddened by that news that morning.
Anyway, continue to rest at the feet of your maker.
I will miss that lovely smile!!!
Rest In Peace
You were such a gentleman, so pleasant, so genuine, so warm and radiating peace.
You knew how to make people feel at home and your friendship rare and sincere.
I thank God for knowing you and your family and I treasure the fellowship we shared. Rest on dear brother until we meet again.
Uche you are a complete gentleman and of great humility. Your passing was and is still a shock to me. On Sunday I still looked back hoping to find you behind me but it finally dawned on me that you have gone to be with the Lord you love and served whilst you are on earth.
Continue to rest in the bosom of the Lord my brother.
Dear Uche,
With heavy heart full of grief I’m in deep pain for your early exit leaving a vacuum no one can fill.
I loved you from the very day we met because of you aura of true friendship with selfless attitude to everyone that comes your way regardless of circumstance.
We played along and your intelligence and goodwill all around you benefited in one way or the other throughout our secondary school.
What you infused in all of us stayed fresh regardless of distance till we I was finally lucky to meet you again at work as a man with family yet you never changed in your charming charisma.
It is really unfortunate you have gone too soon and I pray God will be with you till we meet again. I really miss you!
Rest in perfect peace.
Regards,
Sam J
Rest In Peace Ouch
Always have been & Always will be fondly remembered as a fine gentleman and all round great guy.
Rest In Peace Bro
Anthony Uzo Oguike
How can I begin to write a tribute to my lively Cousin ( Uchenna Anutie Beaty). Your death was a big shock and had created a big vacuum in our life.
Did you remember your Mum? Did you consider how difficult it will for her to move on without you? Tears...... Oh death why so soon? Uchenna you were a peace maker. God please on the Resurrection morning Remember him . Amen. Rest on cousin we shall meet again.
Nwakaego your cousin.
Frank Osuorji
I've cherished the friendship I had with Uche and the memories that will linger on of our friendship from childhood through adolescence, and adulthood. He had made my life worthy of living because of the warmth of his friendship and the memories of him and his siblings and parents which have enriched my life. He had always been a true friend to me and never doubted his loyalty. Uche was a kind and caring person, cheerful and intelligent. In high school, he was one of few people I had a healthy competition about who gets a higher grade. That fondness and interaction only enriched my life and, I'm sure the lives of all the friends we had in common.
Uche lives behind his wife and children whom Uche never ceases to tell me good stories about every time we talk over the phone across the "pond". They will miss her more, along with his siblings and mother. I hope my family and I will continue to be a source of friendship to them as we all pass through this journey of Life.
Adieu, dear friend.
Regards,
Derek U. Obialo (Houston, Texas)
It was with utter shock and sorrow that we, the Class of ’85, and indeed the entire Old Boys Association of Government Secondary School, Owerri, received the sad and unexpected news of the death of Mr Uchenna Sidney Okpala, who was one of us.
We will sorely miss Uchenna, fondly called Uche by most of us. He was a remarkably charming gentleman with an enviable sense of camaraderie. A good and wonderful mixer, his company, as a student back in our college days, and during his adult days, was characterised by warmth, humour, vim of aura and bonhomie. Exceptionally brilliant, he will be forever remembered for the supreme confidence with which he took up the challenges before him during those trying times at any level of his academic endeavour. A lively and interesting conversationalist, there was never a dull moment with him. His comeliness reflected the benevolence of his soul, which shone ceaselessly with broad and genial smiles. He related with all and sundry through the display of suave and gracious manners.
While we do not question God, who knows best about Uche’s sudden exit, we implore Him earnestly to get this dark, ugly and deplorable GONE‐TOO‐SOON phenomenon behind us all and the youths of the world.
Our hearts are sad and heavy, but we leave everything to God, the supreme comforter and healer of broken hearts. It’s our sincere prayers that the family Uche left behind will bear his painful absence with fortitude. May God’s presence remain with them now and forever. Amen.
May the soul of Uche Okpala rest in the bosom of our Lord.
Amen.
From the Class of ’85,
Government Secondary School, Owerri, Nigeria
We have often heard the expression. “Wonders shall never cease”, but never a time has it been more appropriate than this. The mere idea that I would be writing this tribute to Uchenna at this point in time is almost overwhelming and indeed a thing of wonder. It has been a difficult fact for me to process.
It’s hard to recall any memory of Uchenna that isn’t about laughter and rib cracking jokes .Most people that knew him share this common view. We both grew up at Owerri. My earliest encounter with him dates back over four decades to a time when friendship and social interaction required more physical effort in order to be nurtured. We would walk the streets of Ikenegbu, Federal housing, Trans-Egbu and anywhere we had to in order to simply meet up, share experiences, make plans, argue and LAUGH! This guy was fun. That was truly the age of innocence. During that time, our biggest fear were three common enemies known as WAEC, GCE and JAMB. Through all the laughter and fun, we constantly remained mindful of our inescapable date with these looming enemies. Our parents enrolled us for extra classes after school in Owerri in order to prepare us to conquer the threats from these enemies and that was where the nickname “TB” first started. I remember the original meaning and idea behind this nickname was not in any way complimentary, it was actually denigrating. ..But trust typical Uchenna, rather than take the expected position of kicking against it, he immediately warmed up to the joke and joined in laughing over it! He didn’t see the point in disrupting something that created humor for people even if the joke was on him. That’s how it stuck! He was more of a people person and more outgoing than I was and he really helped unlock my social skills. I can never forget how he came up with the idea that we must convince a close friend of ours that had great dancing skills to compete in the state’s Disco dance championship competition. The year was 1984 and break-dance had taken the world by storm. Uchenna knew our common friend had the skills but he (the dancer) was shy and extremely introverted. The challenge was how to instill the confidence needed for him to compete among several other competitors at a televised event. The grand price was a color TV! That was big in those days. With no income of any sort, Uchenna employed his persuasive skills and was able to muster enough financial support and confidence for our friend to be able to join the competition. We even had a support team for him. I can still remember the palpable tension we felt that evening at each stage of the elimination process of the competition. Finally, after eliminating several competitors, the top three were announced and we won the Number one price! That was a moment of glory for us. It paid off! Our friend was celebrated by the entire State and our pride knew no bounds. The idea was entirely driven and managed by Uchenna.
For me, that was a lesson of faith - In trusting and following my gut feelings and beliefs against all odds. Though the achievement may not amount to much today, it was my earliest personal practical introduction to what we can accomplish as human beings if we believe in ourselves and strive. I experienced that and a whole lot more with Uchenna Okpala. Though we both moved on to different locations and pursued different goals as we got older, we remained good friends bound by a common history and shared experiences that helped us feel connected even when we were not able to communicate for some time. He knew me and I knew him. Uchenna was my man! Time, distance and vagaries of life cannot alter this.
It really hurts as I bid you farewell. It is extremely difficult and painful for me to do. I wish you could have hung around a lot longer. You will always remain an important and unforgettable chapter in my life.
Farewell, Uchenna. Rest In Peace!
From Chinenye C Onukwugha
I still can’t believe you are gone for am still in shock, every day I still hear your voice calling me Lulu as you fondly do.
Uche you are such a sweet person I have never seen you get mad before for you are always smiling and full of life.
My heart bleeds as I write ,I still ask the question why my Uche but I know only God knows the best.
Uche you will ever be loved and missed so much, may your soul Rest in Peace.
Your Cousin, Lilian Ofoma
So bros, no shaking, we go block for yonder. Until then, knock two Stella for me and try not to get into political arguments with Jesus.
Your sis, Nkechi.
IT'S ONLY A FOOL THAT SAYS THERE IS NO GOD. WHO AM I TO ASK GOD WHY.
UCHE,YOUR DEATH IS SO PAINFUL AND IT HURTS SO BAD,WE WILL MISS YOU SO MUCH.
I PRAY GOD GRANTS YOUR FAMILY THE FORTITUDE TO BEAR THIS IRREPLACEABLE LOSS.
MAY YOUR GENTLE SOUL REST IN PEACE.
There is no pain so great as the memory of joy in present grief. It's really sad but God knows best when someone you know becomes someone you knew, tears are the silent language of grief and the joy of consolation is that, you're FOREVER resting at the right hand side of GOD your creator. A beautiful soul will never be forgotten, a mentor have carved his name on my heart and not on tombstones which will linger on and your memories will continually fill my mind like a million beautiful stars in the night sky. Sleep well bro and may you be granted a smooth passage to eternity. The family and loved ones left behind loves you and missed you and your role dearly. Adieu bros Uchenna.
You came on stage and drew maximum applause from those who crossed your path. I will certainly not forget how much impact you had on my world.
You crammed ten decades of life experience into five. You brought colour to the picture.
Your love and dedication to your family is the envy of any husband or father. The Lord made you a gift to all who knew you.
Thank you for being there.
Good night my friend.
Christmas Eve. TB, to live in the hearts of those you love is not to die. May your gentle soul rest the Lord.
Like Everyone Else That Knew You ,I am Still Trying To Make Sense Of It All! Nna It Seems Like Yesterday That We Were All Bantering On The Aladimma Uk Forum.
TB As You Journey Peacefully Back To Kingdom Of The Comforter,Our Heavenly Father,The Lord Almighty,May You Find Peaceful Rest .
Jah Guide & Protect …..BrodaMan You Are Truly Missed
I Also Pray That Our Father Bestows His Comfort On The Entire Okpala Family,Home And Abroad Too,Whether They Journey Slowly Or Quickly Through Their Grief.
TB, has been an integral part of my life, and that of my family for as long as I can remember.
So many memories, that it would be almost impossible to write them all down.
A friend who stuck closer than a brother, (My wife calls him, 'her Chairman, and my Parents refer to him, as 'TB'!)
A confidant, and one who looked me boldly in the eye, and told me straight up, how things were; sometimes gently, and at other times, I'm sure our raised voices could be heard as far as the wind would carry.
.....and that laughter, how could you forget TB's full throated laughter?
It is amazing, how his passing could evoke so much grief across the lands, from Cape to Cairo, it has all been how much joy and laughter he brought into the lives of so many across the Globe.
Ol boy, no be small thing wey you do, all of us! I know this was not your plan, as there is no way you would have wanted to leave Chi Chi, and 'the gang' this way.
However, we bow to the Wisdom of Our Almighty God, and accept your passing into Glory, as His plan.
We ask God's comfort for your family, and friends.
Rest in Peace, dear friend.
Leave a Tribute
Bros, continue to watch over Chichi and your kids and may your soul continue to "waka well" in Heaven. Till we meet again, my brother.
Nkechi.
It Seems Like Yesterday
Rude shock!
It was a sad moment for me when I comfirmed this news from your mom. I have known you since Shell Camp Primary School, Owerri. You were such an amiable character. Often times, you came to see your sister, Sandra, who was in my class. We also found ourselves in UNN. Then we last communicated while you were here in Houston, last summer, when I invited you to visit. Little did I know it was going to be the last. My sincere thoughts and prayers are with your family, till we meet to part no more. May God wipe our tears!
Chukwuma Anyanwu
Bro Uche, you left too soon but we are assured that God loves you more. Continue to rest in the blossom of your father.