By: Ike Philip Abiagom

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t was former South African President, the late Nelson Mandela that wrote, “Death is something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and country, he can rest in peace.”

According to Albert Einstein a scientist “Our death is not an end if we can live on in our children and the younger generation. For they are us; our bodies are only wilted on the tree of life.”
There is indeed nothing we can do to stop Death or smoothen out the scars it may cause, and this is a sad fact.
However, it is also true that our memories are enough for us to hold on to, reviving our spirits from despair when we think of Death’s doings, and this is a happy fact. For the Okeze family in Ibusa, Delta State, the happy fact continues to suppress the sad fact. And during the remembrance service of their late parents, Late Obi Joseph Nwaokocha Okeze and Obi(Mrs) Agnes Nkemdilim Okeze,the coals of happiness were once more stoked.

A sad fact is that with life comes death. It will happen to all of us. But that doesn’t make dealing with or understanding it any easier. The devastation that the death of a friend or loved ones causes is profound. And facing up to our mortality can be distressing too.

So looking for a way to cope or help with the loss of someone is natural. We seek ways to make tough times a bit easier with some understanding. For over 20 years ago dark clouds covered the blue sky for millions across the globe when the news of the demise of a global icon, an illustrious traditional leader, a father, business mogul, Farmer, philanthropist, a humanist, voice of the people, a brother and grandfather, Late Obi Joseph Nwaokocha Okeze, was snatched by the cold hands of death to join his creator.

It was indeed sad and devastating that Obi Okeze had gone to join the saints. He was everything good to those who came across him.

Expectedly, the passing of the iconic traditional mogul attracted reactions across the nation among those who knew him, and those who had encountered him cannot but be overwhelmed by his penchant to always champion and pursue peace and unity in society.

Recently, the entire Okeze family gathered to remember their late parents, Late Obi Joseph Nwaokocha Okeze and Obi(Mrs) Agnes Nkemdilim Okeze. Okeze family, on Sunday 30th December 2023, held a special prayer session to mark the remembrance of their parents which was held in Okeze’s family compound, Umueze -Ibusa, the prayer session was attended by all members of the Okeze family and was presided over by clerics.

The event was well-attended, which is not surprising considering the prestige of every person involved. Nevertheless, the late Okeze children made sure to entertain their guests, playing the role of their late parents.

Tributes that greeted their demise were clear testimony to the fact that the late Obi Okeze and his wife lived a life worthy of emulation by all men of good and clear conscience.

In their path to greatness as rightly submitted High Chief Austin Izagbo, the Ide of Ibusa, who spoke during the remembrance stated that late Obi Okeze was indeed a gift not only to his Ibusa community but to the world and those whose path crossed during his sojourn here on earth.

It was difficult for us during his demise to pen down a tribute for a man we considered, a father, benefactor, whose large heart to always put a smile on faces and give listening ears had gone.

In all our interactions with Obi Okeze, which we will cherish, is also a reminder to reflect deeply about legacies and what one would be remembered for after we must have gone.

His love for God at all times was visible aside the fact that the late Obi Okeze was a Reverend; his passion for things of God was legendary. He would say, “God has done so much for me beyond my life expectations. I will serve him forever.”

As aptly captured during the grand burial, ‘Obi Lives Forever,’ his children, led by the scion of the family, Pastor Idowu Okeze and his siblings, has continued to toe the path of their father by sustaining and keeping to his legacies which are worthy of commendation. The remembrance was attended by who is who in the society including the traditional ruler of Igbuzor, His Royal Majesty, Obi(Prof) Chilunor Nwoboshi,the Obuzor of Ibusa,Ambassador Ignatius Chukwuemeka Olisemeka,Nigeria’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Memeber Representing Aniocha/ Oshimili Federal Constituency at National Assembly, Hon. Ngozi Okolie,Chief Charles Okonkwo,the Odogwu of Igbuzor and other personalities.

In keeping faith with their father’s legacies, his children came together during their parents posthumous memorial service, built and dedicated house in memory of their late father Obi Joseph Nwaokocha Okeze which was commissioned by His Royal Majesty, Obi(Prof) Chilunor Nwoboshi, the Obuzor of Ibusa.
May their gentle souls late Obi Okeze and his lovely wife continue to rest in peace, our great voice, the iroko to many forest.

By: Ike Philip Abiagom

[dropcap]J[/dropcap]esus, the king of Kings and the Lion of Judah lived for 33 years but he accomplished his life mission in 3 years as confirmed by the Bible. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was President and leader of the free world for less than 3 years but he made an impact and left a legacy that many of his predecessors and successors could only dream of in 4 to 8 years. Murtala Mohammed was Head of State of Nigeria for only 200 days and in that short time frame, he did what Yakubu Gowon or Ibrahim Babangida and even Olusegun Obasanjo could not do with their longevity in the same office.

The litmus test for any great leader is not how long but how effective and productive his life was and how beneficial to the people he led and what mattered to him the most. If we judge the Late Obi Joseph Nwaokocha Okeze by those indices of leadership, I will agree that Obi Okeze has done pretty good and could have done more.

History is laced with events of the past, and this could be positive or negative. However, looking back at the events surrounding the life and times of Late Obi Joseph Nwaokocha Okeze and Obi(Mrs) Agnes Nkemdilim Okeze,Traditional Chief of Ibusa Clan in Oshimili North Local Government Area ,it would be safe to claim that Late Obi Joseph Nwaokocha Okeze and his beloved wife Obi(Mrs) Agnes Nkemdilim Okeze lived a fulfilled life that is worthy of emulation.

The truth is that the Late Obi Joseph Nwaokocha Okeze served his people beyound measure, an epitome of peace,traditionalist and Igbuzor Patriot who had the love, progress, and development of his people at heart at all times and this he exhibited in his words and actions till his last day on earth.
Late Obi Joseph Nwaokocha Okeze was a hard-working man. He lived his life to the fullest and fulfilled God’s will. He was a devoted traditionalist and God fearing Man who always loved the words of the Bible.

“He was a disciplinarian, caring, loving, committed, supporting and a devoted father who instilled discipline and the fear of God in his children.

“He was passionate about doing things in the right way and got annoyed if one didn’t get it right. He was compassionate and loving, always pushing, encouraging one to pursue a goal to achieve success and to stand high.

“He taught his children that the greatest commandment of God is to love one another and he led by example to all members of the family when they came around.”
In all respects, he was a titan and a brilliant traditionalist: a good man, an inspiring leader and a remarkable statesman, a nationalist whose intellect, integrity, hard work and vision impacted significantly on his personality. It is to the eternal credit of the late Obi that he strove to carve a niche for himself in several spheres.

“His zeal and resourcefulness were without deference to his noble background. He brought prodigious energy to bear in whatever he did and it was not surprising that he became a well-established traditional chief in Igbuzor and an astute farmer of note.

“Late Obi Okeze’s name will live forever in the minds and hearts of those who experienced his warmth, generosity and guidance. His underlying commitment to education and his quiet philanthropic activities which culminated in his children’s establishment of Obi Okeze Foundation cannot be over-emphasised.

“Having lived for 78 years, and only months to his septuagenarian celebration, Late Obi Okeze by any stretch of the imagination, cannot be considered to have died an untimely or premature death.

“I pray that the Almighty God will grant him sweet repose and his family members the strength to bear the heavy and irreparable loss and continue to remember him and his beloved wife Obi(Mrs) Agnes Nkemdilim Okeze forever.

We all know that when we say good bye to the earth of flesh and blood, We are welcomed in the spiritus mundi. May their gentle soul continue , rest in perfect peace, Amen.