When late Hon Ichie Chief Damian Ojiako Amadi was celebrated in New Jersey, USA

Family, friends and well-wishers of late Hon Ichie Chief Damian Ojiako Amadi of Umudorohuo, Ulo Ano Amandugba in Isu LGA, Imo state came together in New Jersey, United States of America (USA) for a Celebration of Life program organized in his honor by his daughter and son in-law Chika and Chuks Ibeku (Drs).

The legendary educationist, community leader, politician and philanthropist passed on to glory recently aged 83 and his daughter, Dr. (Mrs.) Chika Ibeku and her husband, Chuks Ibeku MD, rallied her siblings, her father’s siblings, other relatives, friends, colleagues and well-wishers from far and near to celebrate the impactful life of the departed colossus.

The five children of Dr. Chuks and Dr. Mrs. Chika Ibeku – Adanna Ibeku from Cooper Medical School, Rowan University NJ, Ezinne Ibeku from Washington University, St Louis, Missouri, Obinna Ibeku from the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Chioma Ibeku from Duke University, North Carolina and Ikenna Ibeku from South Plainfield High School NJ – were also on hand to celebrate their granddad.

Other Family members present were Lolo Ezinne Priscilla Amadi (wife), Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Nnaemeka Amadi (son & daughter-in-law), Princess ChiChi & Prince Uzo Ojinnaka (daughter & son-in-law), Mr. & Mrs. Celine Okoro (Sister & brother-in-law) and Mrs. Helen Mba (Sister).

Many friends of the family from far and near were equally there to celebrate the life and times of late Hon. Ichie Chief Damian Amadi, such as Uzo & Chichi Nwachinaemere (Drs) from Maryland, Chris & Oyoyo Nwosu (Drs) from Arizona, Chinenye & Uju Uchendu (Drs) from North Carolina and Rtd. Captain Vincent Iwuchukwu from San Antonio Tx.

Other major participants in the elaborate program, which started with a Requiem Mass at the Blessed Sacrament Church Newark, New Jersey on Friday, July 22, 2022, before the Wake Keep at the Sacred Heart Church, Grove Street, Irvington, New Jersey, were the Clergy, including Monsignor Dr Anselm Nwaorgu, Rev Fr Dr Eustace Edemobi, Rev Fr Dr. Erasmus Okere, Rev Fr Albert Nze, Rev Fr Peter Iwuala, Rev Fr Dr. Steve Aribe, Rev. Emereuwa Anyanwu and Rev Fr Austin Odimmegwa.

There were also representatives of such groups as the Old Boys Association of Government College Umuahia, such as Charles Chikezie Esq, Sab Ibezim Esq, Dr & Mrs. Ofodile, Vincent & Ngozi Nweke Esq, Mike Meribe Esq and Dr Pius Chikezie, and representatives of St Catharine’s Nkwerre Old Girls Association, including Dr Mrs. Linda Okoro, Mrs. Chinwe Egeonu and Mrs. Lilian Ukadike.

Other dignitaries present were Dr Utesia Kelly, Medical Director, Department of Health, Newark, Dr & Mrs. Chidi Eke, Dr Mrs. Prisca Anuforo, Dr Mrs. Jeliah Akombe, Chief & Dr Mrs. Emeka Agbo, Mrs. Kate Diala, Mr. & Mrs. Tony Ugoaru, Chris & Maria Ehiobuche (Drs), Hon. Ifeyinwa Uwaoma, Mr. & Mrs. Cyril Amadiegwu, Hon. Chris  Ejekwu, Hon. Uzoma Nwagwu, Dr & Mrs. Ikenna Ozims, Dr. Mrs. Abazie and Sir Law Ibe, among many others.

The organizer of the landmark event was Hon Pius Ike and the MC was Multiple Chief Kelechi Onyegbule.

Dr. Mrs. Chika Ibeku, as part of the program, read a moving eulogy, written in celebration of the life and times of their great departed Patriarch. It is reproduced below, verbatim.

EULOGY TO A GREAT MAN By Dr. Lady Chika Ibeku

My Dad, Hon. Chief Ichie Damian Ojiako Amadi (Oke Osisi 1 of Uloanu Ndugba) A.K.A Nwokemaramma is from Umudorohuo, UloAno Amandugba in Isu LGA, Imo state. He is the first of the five children of Amadioha and Oyiridiya Mbamara.

My Dad attended his Primary education at St Gregory’s School, Olori Umundugba after which he attended Holy Ghost College Umuahia for his Secondary/ High Elementary Teacher’s Certificate Education. While in school, he lost his father in his early years which made him become a father to his siblings, helping his mother to raise them. After graduation, he taught at and headed a few elementary schools including being the Headmaster of SS. Peter & Paul, Nnerim Primary School Umundugba.

After the Biafran war, my Dad married my Mom, Ezinne Lolo Priscilla Amadi, then a primary school teacher but now a retired headmistress whom he met while he was the Headmaster at Nnerim Umundugba. Their marriage is blessed with three of us: Chinyere, Chika, and Nnaemeka. His enthusiasm for education made him leave his young family to go to Alvan Ikeokwu College of Education, Owerri, where he obtained his National Certificate of Education (NCE). Upon graduation, he did his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at Port Harcourt, Rivers State. With his NCE Certificate, he taught in many Secondary Schools before proceeding to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, to get his Bachelor’s degree in Education. His Bachelor’s degree in English and Literature from UNN led him to become the position of Principal of Secondary Schools. He worked as Principal of a few secondary schools while raising three of us. Those schools include – Amurie Omanze Secondary School, Itu Mbauzo Secondary School, Agbaja Secondary School, Umuhu Okabia Secondary School, Osu Ihitteukwa Secondary School, Okwuudor Secondary School, and Isunjaba Secondary School before he retired.

My ageless Dad retired from government civil service but was not tired as he usually said. He became a popular independent education consultant, helping communities to revive under-performing Secondary or Commercial schools. He equally devoted his retirement time to community leadership service. He became a high-ranked member and stakeholder of his political party in Isu LGA. He also held many leadership positions in the community such as: President of Old Amandugba Federal Union, President of Ibewuike Social Club of Nigeria, and President of Amandugba Progressive Club.

On one of his visits to the United States in my house, his party called him to come back to be the Vice Chairman of Isu LGA. As the Local Government Vice chairman, he was trained and got his title as a Justice of Peace (JP). He used this position to serve communities in Isu LGA with an outstanding performance until the end of their tenure. He settled many land disputes and defended the poor and the widows from oppressions or suppressions. He helped to mediate in many court cases and always spoke the truth even when it was uncomfortable for many. My Dad continued to serve his community till his death, as the Secretary of Ndi Nze na Ozo of Isu LGA.

Daddym, you were an accomplished man and I want to tell you that I am proud to be your daughter. If reincarnation is real, I want to be your daughter in my next world though you will want me to be your son as you said to me and your siblings. You have run your race and you contributed your quota in human and societal enhancement diligently. You were my first lover and thank you for your unconditional love. You were my role model and my mentor. Your fatherly advice was priceless. Physically, you were an ageless paragon, a charismatic community leader, and a magnetic butterfly profoundly loved by many.

You were a trailblazer in education and an academic motivator in the whole old Amandugba. You made a great effort to eradicate illiteracy in our community Amandugba in this generation and you evidently wrote your name in the sand of educational history in Amandugba. The Ndugba youths respect and adore you for showing them the light and importance of education. You made me, my siblings, your own siblings, and anyone that came around you to know the importance of education. Your frequent phrase: “knowledge is power” still rings bell in our heads.  You were an impartial peacemaker and selfless icon with integrity and compassion in the community.

Daddy m, I believe you are in heaven now cheerful, smiling, and happy about what you accomplished on earth with the gifts that God bestowed on you and the legacy you left. I know you wanted more time to continue the positive change the society needs from people like you, but God recalls His own when He wants. Jesus told us that “He will go and prepare a place for His own so that they will be where He is.”  Daddym, enjoy your abode with our Lord Jesus. Remember to keep the Angels smiling always. Lavish them with those big literature words you learned in Nsukka. But don’t be surprised that they know more than you, just admit that they know better. Daddym, just enjoy Heaven and don’t ask why you were recalled when you still had job to do. We will be fine and will be doing well here before joining you in heaven later. What stories have you told your Mom Oyiridiya (AKA Oyirioyiri) and your brothers, Dee TO, Saint, and others? I promise to keep your legacy and not disappoint you in life. It has been a blessing being your daughter. My family and I, my siblings and their families including your siblings with their families will forever cherish all the beautiful memories we had with you, especially your special name for me: “Jolly Pepe.” I will continue to be the Jolly/happy daughter you knew and want me to be.

I wish I can roll the clock backwards to spend a little more time with you. I wish I had the opportunity to hold and see you and hear your voice and be by your bedside before your departure instead of the phone chat we had. My life would have been better today but unfortunately, distance denied me that. I will make do with the time we spent during Christmas and New Year just weeks before you transitioned. I did not have the type of farewell opportunity I would have preferred with you. It is very difficult for me to say goodbye, Daddym, but I assure you that you will forever live in my heart. Rest in peace till we meet to part no more.

Dr. Lady Chika Amadi Ibeku (KSJ).