TRANSITIONS

EXIT OF A GENTLE IROKO

Engr. Chinweike Ihuoma Jonas Ukaegbu, a gentle man of extraordinary persona, kindness,  joviality, staunch Christian faith, Timber and Caliber par excellence in entire Igbo Community, home and abroad -a RARE BREED,  and a Humble Iroko has fallen in Owutu, Ezineihite LGA, Mbaise,  Imo State, Nigeria! He passed on to eternity on in Long Island, New York. Chinweike is survived by his beloved wife, Rev. Dr. Mrs. Miriam (Mimi) Ukaegbu, (husband's fond moniker, "prettie", adorable son, Chinweike Ukaegbu and a host of extended relatives.

Engr. Chinweike Ihuoma Jonas Ukaegbu's life albeit brief on earth  was  well lived with happiness, integrity, dignity, kindness, love, intelligence, honesty, generosity, discipline, tenacity, forthrightness, and wisdom. He touched numerous lives deviod of bravado or attention seeking.  His amiabliliy and humily are worthy is worthy of emulation by us all. 

Engr. Chinweike Ihuoma Jonas Ukaegbu, was born onJuly 26, 1948 in Northern Nigeria as of the sons of  Nigeria Railway Corporation staff.  It is not a hyperbole that 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, in present 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 Indusrrial Engineering . Chinweike's meteroic  excellece was an impetus for a Federal Government Scholarship for a Masters degee at  yet another elite  ivy league instution, Columbia University, New York. 

Through exceptional hardwork and academic brilliannce, Chinweike was able to achieve success within  a short  span. That explains his early  relocation to the USA  with his married  love of life, Miram Uwaezuke (fondly nick-named "Prettie" by Cinweike).    

 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 Community 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 as an undisputed champion for  community building, promption and cohesion. His unique cool headedness, composure, humility love of  family  and  community magnetized  personal 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 and he succeeded. Chinweike and wife were always accomodating and "entertainiment galore" was their second nature. Personally,  my family's center of gravity acnchored  on their finger licking delicacy called  "Woo Oso" (yummy peppery meat dish delicasy). Chai, I doubt Woo Oso" will taste the same with my brother's absence.

Engr. Chinweike Ukaegbu  will be an irreplacable void in our community  because his inexhuastible list of accomplishments and achievements for to upgrade our  Community at home and abroad. He held following postions in our community at large:

- One of the foremost founders of the iconic Igbo Organization    Inc., New York.

- First Assistant Publishing Editor for the  legendary Oluumuigbo magazine published in Igbo and English for teaching our children Igbo language and culture. His residence with his lovely wife was the head qaurters of Oluumuigbo publication owned by Igbo Organization Inc. He and wife spent  over $10K and acquired a Machine for Ndigbo to call in to learn Igbo Language and culture. Such an ultrustic spirit has been unmatched

In Mbaise Association he held many positions as President, PRO and many other roles for the upgrade of the organization. His hallmark is unasuming and cool headedness.

Our brother, husband, father and friend, Mr. Chinweike Ihuoma Jonas Ukaegbu, had ran his  race in life vigorously and meritoriously  punctuated by  exemplary outcomes  worthy of emulation by us all. He  was a gentle trail-blazer and a champion of excellemce without pomp and braggadocio. He was a true inspiration to many including naysayers . Also, in all indexes of endeavors and achievements in life Chinweike dusted many including those  given a lot of opportunities he  never had. Despite many setbacks beyond the control of humans, Chinweike became a true Chamion until his crator called him to Glory. 

Ladies and gentlemen, we all owe all owe debt to pay to Almighty Creator. Chinweike  has just paid his  as a testament that God who knows the BEST for each of is in total CONTROL. God's WILL is beyond human comprehension. We have no alternative than to remain loyal, obidient and prayerful. Chinweike's  victory lap and trophy are now with  Lord Almighty  who has crowned him and honnyed him with everlasting "goodies" and "heavenly tonic" of life in His Celestial Palace. Nowhere in Owutu, Ezinihite. Mbaise  or entire world can match the "Heavenly Bonnvita" Chinweike is  now enjoying with his maker. Be convinced, no more aches, pains and worries in the bosoom of God Almighty. 

Until Chinweike's passing, he was able to work hard  to fend for himself, family and community. Now he has paid his Debt,  he is no more in a position do the needful which is to "Bury himself". That's  where we all come in as "brotherly and sisterly Supporters" to make sure that Chinweike's body is accorded a befitting burial of an illustrious Igbo man. We know "Isi Nwafọ Igbo adighi nma itọ na Mba". At this crucial trying time for the Ukaegbu's, let us kindly utilize our "Ibu anyi Ndandaism" and "Igwebuikism" to augument our thoughts and wishes with our widow's might financial foundation so that our dear brother, Chinweike Ukaegu's remain is buried in his ancestral home in Owutu, Mbaise. May the Good Lord we all praise replenish your purses benovently.

The Fneral Arrabgements are as follows:

Please Send Your Support Donations to Rev. Dr. Mrs. Mariam Ukaegbu at her Bank through Zelle:

NUMBER MMMMM

Though we mourn for missing you in our immediate horizon, we celebrate your life well lived with full faith in God  that you're now in  a promotion to Heaven for your many good deads on eartgh.  God who knows the best will continue to strengthen your beloved  wife, son, Mbaise extended family, your in-laws, work collagues, School mates and numerous social and spiritual friends beloved you loved so much. May the good Lord continue to grant your family, and a host of others that you loved dearly the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss. You are fondly loved and we will continue to miss you until we meet to part no more.

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, The illustrious Son of Owutu, Ezinihe 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 for Chinweike Ukaegbu's 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