TRANSITIONS
EXIT OF A GENTLE IROKO
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Engr. Chinweike Ihuoma Jonas Ukaegbu, a gentle Iroko of extraordinary person, kindness, joviality, staunch Christian faith, a pillar par excellence in Igbo Community,d -has fallen in Owutu, Ezineihite LGA, Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria! He recent;y passed on to eternity in Long Island, New York. Chinweike is survived by his beloved wife, Rev. Dr. Mrs. Miriam (Mimi) Ukaegbu, (fond moniker, "prettie", adorable son, Chinweike Ukaegbu and a host of immediate and extended relatives.
Engr. Chinweike Ihuoma Jonas Ukaegbu's life was well lived with happiness, integrity, dignity, kindness, love, intelligence, honesty, generosity, discipline, tenacity, forthrightness, and wisdom.
Engr. Chinweike Ihuoma Jonas Ukaegbu, was born on July 26, 1948 in Northern Nigeria, one of the children of Pa Ukaegbu senior and wife. of. His father was a staff of erstwhile Nigeria Railways Corporation. From childhood, Chinweike navigated through the “Rugged and Competitive Academic Terrain of Nigeria” with a dogged determination for success. His tenacity for success propelled him into the prestigious Government Secondary School Afikpo in the 1960s when admissions to such a school was tantamount to squeezing through a needle's eye. Chinweike excelled at Afikpo; and graduated with flying colors and eased into Higher School Certificate at Federal Government College, Warri, Edo State, Nigeria. Soon after, Chinweike's steam for academic conquest catapulted him into the University of Ife, Oyo State, Nigeria where bagged his BSC degree in Industrial Engineering . Chinweike's meteoric academic excellence garned him a Federal Government Scholarship for a Masters degree in ivy league, Columbia University, New York.
Through exceptional hardwork and academic brilliance, Chinweike achieved successful feats within a short span. That included his early marriGE nd wedding to his love of life, Miram Uwaezuoke (nne) from Amaigbo Nwangele LGA, Imo State, Nigeria. They both relocated to the USA for academic pursuit and greener pastures.
Engr. Chinweike Ukaegbu's intellect, wisdom, fairness, vigor and outspokenness for justice, equity and fairness for "Okonkwo na Mgbafo" distinguished him as a go-getter fashioned to shape and upgrade the status of his entire Mbaise and Igbo Communities to a higher pedestal. Chinweike was not a faint-hearted nor a fence-sitters. He was a man of conviction, positivity, steadfastness, straight shooting stance, uprightness and hardworking tendencies. These rare attributes spring boarded him to an undisputed champion for community building, promption and cohesion. His unique cool headedness, composure, humility, love of family and community magnetized personal honor, respect, trust and admiration from many qaudrants of society.
Engr. Chinweike was a jolly-good husband, father, uncle and friend to so many and he will be greatly missed. Chinweike loved good life and he worked very hard to cater for his family, and extended relatives. He also dreamed large for the upliftment of society at large. One of his burning desires was to utilize his staunch academic and lterary skills to promote his Mbaise community and Ndigbo. He succeeded expontentially. Chinweike and wife were always open minded, accomodating and "entertainment galore" was their second nature. Personally, my family's center of gravity anchored on their finger licking delicacy called "Whoo Oso Mbaise" (peppery meat delicacy - "erichaa abia ozo). Chai, I doubt " Whoo Oso Mbaise" will taste the same without my brother and friend, Engr. Chinweike Ukaegbu.
Engr. Chinweike Ukaegbu will be an irreplaceable void in our community. He belonged to many organizations for social, athletic and spiritual bonding. Chinweike was meticulously structured and organized professionally, yet he was very accomodating to his Tennis Club, his membership in COMPO, Mbaise and Igbo Communities. He had an inexhuastible list of accomplishments and achievements to upgrade our Communities at home and abroad. He held the following postions in our communities:
- He was one of the foremost founders of current iconic Igbo Organization Inc., New York.
- First Publishing Editor for the legendary Olu Umu igbo magazine; a publication written in Igbo and English for teaching Igbo language and culture to our children.
- He recruited many members and was foremost in attracting his College mates as donors for the publication of Olu Umu Igbo magazine.
- He and wife provided their residence as the head quarters for legendary Olu Umu Igbo publication long before the acquistion of Obi-Igbo Cultural Center.
- He and wife spent over $10K and acquired a Machine for Ndigbo to call in to learn Igbo Language and culture at a time computers were mirages to many. Such an ultrustic giving spirit is yet to be matched in our society.
In Mbaise Association he held many positions as
- President, PRO, Master of Ceremonies, Board Chairman and many other roles for the uplifitment of Mbaise Community.
- He was founder and publisher of "Igbogbo magazine" for showcasing Mbaise language, Culture and heritage.
Our brother, husband, father and friend, Engr. Chinweike Ihuoma Jonas Ukaegbu, had ran his race in life vigorously and meritoriously punctuated by exemplary outcomes worthy of emulation. He was a gentle trail-blazer and a champion of excellence without pomp and braggadocio. He was a true inspiration to many including naysayers and "Ekweghi Ekwes" of society. There was never a dull moment around Chinweike. Chinweike touched many lives with his wisdom, contagious humour, jokes, laughter as suiting healing balms to many, including yours truly . In all indexes of endeavors and achievements in life, Chinweike was an exceptional rare gem of success.
We all have a huge debt hanging over us mere mortals. Engr. Chinweike has just paid his own debt. God's unquestionable WILL beyond our comprehension and control has prevailed. We have no alternative than to remain loyal, obidient and prayerful. Chinweike's victory lap and trophy are now with the Lord Almighty who is now sheltering him and with everlasting "goodies" and "Heavenly Beaverages" of life in His Celestial Palace. No where in Owutu, Ezinihite LGA, Mbaise or entire world can match what Chinweike is now enjoying with his maker. We are convinced, there are no more aches, pains and worries in the bosoom of God Almighty. "Ka anyi diwe" . "Ka Chineke nata mkpuru obi Chinweike".
Engr. Chinweike has paid his Debt and no more in a position perform one important task - "Bury himself". As we painfully mourn, let us do our best with "brotherly and sisterly love and unity" to make sure that Chinweike's body is accorded a befitting burial as an illustrious Igbo son in his ancestral home in Owutu, Ezinihite LGA, Mbaise. Our adage says "Isi Nwafọ Igbo adighi nma itọ na mba". At this trying time for the Ukaegbu's, let us kindly utilize our "Ibu anyi Ndandaism" and "Igwebuikism" to make Chinweike's interment in jhis ancestral home, a realty. The Good Lord will replenish your purses abundantly.
Please, kindly send your donations to:
Rev. Dr. Miran Ukaegbu
Zelle: +1 (646) 387-8607
Capital One Bank
Acct.#: 7010986294
Routing #:021407912
The Fneral Arrabgements are as follows:
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WAKE/TRIBUTES
Date:
Friday, August 14, 2026
Time:
6:00PM - 11:00PM
Venue:
American Legion Post
104 Nassau Rd.
Roosevelt, NY 11575
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FUNERAL MASS Date:
Saturday, August 15, 2026
Time:
11:00 AM -
Venue:
Cathedral of the Incarnation
36 Cathedral Ave.
Garden City, NY 11530
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Reception follows immediately
at same Cathederal Church.
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HOTEL RESERVATION Discounted Hotel Reserved until August 5, 2026
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For Reservation:
Contact RON (516) 678-1100
RAMADA at WYNDHAM HOTEL
1000 Sunrise Hwy,
Rockville Center NY 11570
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INTERNMENT Ukaegbu's Compound
Owutu, Ezinihitte LGA, Imo State
Further Details:
TBD
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Engr. Chinweike, though we mourn for missing you in our immediate horizon, we celebrate your life well spent with full faith in God that you're now in a promotion to Heaven for your many good deads on eartth. God who knows the best will continue to strengthen your beloved wife, son, Mbaise extended family, your in-laws, Work collagues, School mates, Tennis mates, and numerous social and spiritual friends beloved by you. May the good Lord continue to grant your family, and a host of others that you loved dearly the fortitude to bear your irreplaceable loss. You are fondly loved and we will continue to miss you until we meet to part no more.
Engr. Chinweike's immediate and external families will forever honor his Legacy of Humility, Love, Peace, Justice, Compassion, Accomodation and Generosity.
Safe Trip, my brother, CHINWEIKE IHUOMA JONAS UKAEGBU!
Safe Trip, "Di Mimi Ukaegbu na nwa ha, Chinweike Ukaegbu
Safe Trip, The illustrious Son of Owutu, Ezinihe LGA, Mbaise
Safe Trip, The Compassionate and Accomodating Son of Ndigbo
Safe Trip Founder, Editor of Olu Umu Igbo, Igbo Org. Inc., NY
Safe Trip "Erudite and Brilliant Son of Nigeria
Solemnly submitted,
Mazi Ogbonna, brother and friend of Chinweike Ukaegbu and family.
Nnenna Ogbonna (Mother of your God Sons)
Mazi Ogbonna (God Son)
Ikechukwu Ogbonna (God Son)
Uchechi Ogbonna (God Son).
MAY CHINWEIKE IHUOMA JONAS UKAEGBU's SOUL REST IN PEACE. Adieu