wo weeks ago, we completed the final burial rites of our patriarch, Chief Sir John Obide Akukwe, Onowu Eziowelle and 3rd National President, Peoples Club of Nigeria. The Isa Cha Ozo Ceremony two weeks ago symbolized the completion of the burial ceremonies of our father who was laid to rest three months ago.

At the end of the Isa Cha Ozo ceremony, I felt an incredible sense of sadness and loneliness that the most powerful and influential person in my life had gone on a life of no return to this sinful world. I felt sad and lonely though he died at a ripe age of 93 years and the Family had at least two years to contemplate an inevitable exit.

Yet I felt robbed that a powerful, steady presence in the Family had gone. I also felt extreme sadness for my mother, Odibeze Eziowelle, Regina Akukwe who had lost a companion of more than 60 years.

I have had the opportunity to review the life of my late father from the narrow lens of a parent. I now realize that it was an extraordinary privilege to have a father and a mother that had total, complete love for the welfare of their children, especially during our early formative years of life.

Our father and mother sacrificed everything to raise their children to the best of their abilities.

They made decisions as I look back in our formative years based on what they considered the best interest of their children despite obvious uncertainties of future roads less travelled. I give an example.

In January 1970 at the end of the Nigeria Civil War, I remember my Father having hushed discussions with his friends and relatives on whether he should relocate to Enugu or Onitsha with his then three small children. Onitsha seemed an obvious choice since he had been a thriving, successful businessman before the onset of the Civil War.

My father chose Enugu in conjunction with my mother as he told me decades later because they focused heavily on the best possible education for their small children. During the first year of relocating to Enugu after the Civil War, I and my junior brother, Chuka lived alone with our father. He shopped for us, cooked for us, washed our clothes, managed school runs and school activities, supervised homework, accompanied us to the barber shop for the obligatory “Sahara hair cuts” and to the tailor for Easter and Christmas “no bongo” trousers. He personally knew all our friends and their families, many of whom he maintained lifelong friendships.

He enrolled us in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Enugu Mass Severs under the careful watch of Francis Ezumezu and his deputy, Francis Obiorah Ike, both of whom are now well known priests of Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese and Enugu Catholic Dioceses, respectively. We got to know many dynamic priests during this period, including, then Rev Fr Albert Obiefuna (later, Archbishop of Onitsha), Fr Peter Damian Akpunonu (later long reigning Rector of Bigard Seminary Enugu and Head of the West Africa Catholic Institute), Fr Titus Okere (later Monsignor and long running rector of a major seminary), Monsignor Michael Eneje (later third Catholic Bishop of Enugu) and Monsignor Ogbonna (Rector Bigard Seminary Enugu).

When the whole family reunited in Enugu, my father and mother emphasized the extraordinary opportunities of first class education and the catalytic impact it could have on family dynamics, reputation and success. No expenses were spared on additional lessons, hands on homework, group learning activities, social events and recreational activities.

My Father and Mother successfully raised a medical doctor, an engineer, a lawyer with a doctorate degree, an accountant and policy expert, a master degree radiography expert and a health safety expert with a doctorate degree.

On looking back, we lived a privileged life but never knew it at the time. We always had cousins and extended relatives living with us and either going to school or working. All children had dedicated home chores despite having live-in house helps. When it was time for food, the children ate the same thing that every occupant of the household did. Many influential members of the society were our family friends and social acquaintances. We attended prestigious primary and secondary schools.

Our parents made sure that we never forgot our family roots in Eziowelle. We were at Eziowelle few days after each elementary school closing, participating in all family, kindred, neighborhood, village and town activities. We went through each age appropriate traditional rites such as fetching water from distant streams, sweeping family compounds, masquerade initiation rites and age grade initiation ceremonies. Our parents linked their children with all relatives, their families and extended kith and kin.

Our relationship with our parents were not and could not have been rosy at all times. Our parents raised strong children with strong personalities and strong views on life. We disagreed early in life and often. However, as I grew older I realized in my heart that our parents were only human, doing their best for their children and preparing us for vicissitudes of life.

I personally wish that I had paid closer attention to life lessons our parents had tried to pass on.

I briefly review some of these life lessons.

First, our father always stated that You Cannot Give What You Do Not Have. Onowu Eziowelle throughout his life maintained that to give you must have. If you do not love yourself, you cannot give love. If you are not financially secure, you cannot give out the little you have. You cannot defer your life dream so that another person can achieve his/ her dream.

Second, Give to God What is His Due and to Man His Own Due and Should Never Misunderstand the Difference. You must live an impactful life on this earth while preparing for eternal life in heaven.

Third, Pay Close Attention to What Any One Does, not What he/she Says. My father shunned a life of flattery, sycophancy, praise singing, flamboyance and group think, remarkable for a man that held more than 60 top leadership positions in his lifetime.

Fourth, the Youth of Today are the Leaders of Tomorrow. My father and mother invested heavily on young men and women. Our parents greatest joy in life from their recollection were when each child successfully completed university education and began living independently.

My father until his passing revered opportunities to reunite with young men and women he had assisted in the past that had become successful entrepreneurs, academics, religious, policymakers, civic and community leaders. My mother continues to enjoy visits from powerful men and women of today that she mentored during their formative years in life.

Fifth, Practice Kindness in Life and Never Link any Act of Kindness to any Earthly Reward or Recognition. Onowu Eziowelle was well known for hospitality throughout his life. He was an epitome of kindness to all, especially the downtrodden and oppressed. He never expected anything in return.

Until his last days, Onowu Eziowelle often expressed surprise if anyone showed any appreciation or thanked him for his past kindness. My mother is well known today for her kindness to the poor, disabled and dispossessed.

Finally, our parents believe that with God Everything is Possible. Our parents are well known prayer warriors that raised their children in a strict Catholic home. I remember that one of my earliest quarrel with my parents was why one of the Catholic pictures adorning the walls of our family home had the Devil portrayed as a Blackman. Was the Catholic Church suggesting that the Devil is black skinned?

Our parents believe in the Supremacy of God in all human activities. They also have deep faith in Total Surrender to the Supreme Will of God. Additionally, they believe that God can make the Impossible, Possible.

It is important for me as we completed the burial ceremonies of my father, Onowu Eziowelle, to remember other parents that served as extended ears and eyes of our parents throughout our childhood. These individuals watched over us and were ever ready to fulfill parental roles as and when due.

These parents include Cyril and Rose Okosi, Innocent and Maria Offor, David and Grace Onochie, Felix and Maria Onochie, Charles and Grace Amobi, Epiphanus and Theresa Ilobi, Emmanuel and Theresa Nwude, Cornelius and Kate Jibuaku, Lady Grace Mbanefo, Louis and Caro Onyekwelu, and, Sir Joe and Regina Nwankwu.

I also extend my deepest gratitude to then young men and women who looked after Onowu and Odibeze children as younger siblings. These individuals include Emma Agwunobi (later General Manager, Chevron Oil Nigeria), Anthony Okose (later IDE Eziowelle), IK Amobi (later Managing Director, May and Becker Pharmaceuticals Nigeria), Michael Okonkwo Etusi (now His Royal Highness, Owelle of Eziowelle), Jerry ATO Anyaegbu (now Cabinet Secretary, Eziowelle), Okwui Mbanefo ( later, Deputy Rector, Oko Federal Polytechnic, Anambra State), John Osakwe (later a renowned corporate accountant), Uzochukwu Udeogu (later a renowned business man), Victor Agwunobi, Victoria Ifeorah (later Special Adviser to Anambra State Governor), Gertrude (Jet) Ofojebe (later, General Manager, Anambra State Water Corporation), Ogenna Uchendu, Caro Agwunobi Ezeude, Virginia Okose Amobi (later corporate Chief Nursing Officer), Josephat Anizoba (renowned teacher and choirmaster), Charles Anene (now Catholic Priest), Michael Chukwurah (Boliki), Michael Anaekwe (Okpatu), Sunday Valentine Nwoye, Noel Udeh Ubaka, Jude Osuji, Okey Onochie, Tony Orji (Iron Gate, later Super Eagles Midfielder), Victor Ogakwu (later a successful businessman and prince of the ancient Udi Kingdom), Mike and Joseph Ogbodo (senior brothers to one of my closest childhood friends, Christian Ogbodo

of Super Eagles fame), Peter and Paul Udenze and others too numerous to be mentioned.

Our father, John Obide Akukwe believed in total supplication to God until his passing. He left a legacy of undiluted commitment to the truth, the poor and dispossessed. He lived a fulfilled life of gratitude and selfless service. He witnessed blessings in his lifetime. We believe that God Almighty has welcomed him to eternal rest in paradise.

Farewell Onowu Eziowelle, John Obide Akukwe until We Meet Again. Amen.