The Ukwa West Local Government Area, Abia State, is enveloped by grief as the remains of one of its prominent sons, late MacDonald Ozioma Nwachukwu is set for burial today.
The Chairman of the Committee of friends for the burial, Mr Nwuju Enyioko, said the death of MacDonald Nwachukwu was a very deep shock to him, particularly as he was at work the day before the unfortunate incident, adding that the whole community of Asa has lost an illustrious son.
In a statement, Enyioko expressed his appreciation to the friends of the late Nwachukwu, who thought it worthy to pool resources to assist the family give the deceased a befitting burial.
According to Mr Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, one of the members of the Committee of friends for the burial, ” to say that the news of the sudden demise of my brother and friend, Ozioma Nwachukwu was a rude shock to me is an understatement. It was devastatingly shocking for me to believe it, particularly when I recall that I had a very serious discussion with him a week before he died. The mystery around death lures me to agree with the school of thought which posits that death is never a problem since it has no solution”.
He extended his condolences to the family and other associates of the late Nwachukwu, who he described as an amiable person with no dull moments in his life.
In his tribute, Pastor Godson Enwereuzor, who graduated from the same school with the late Nwachukwu, described him as likeable jolly fellow who was admired by any one that came across him.
He said, ”Oh boy, you were my only twin brother from another mother; so dear to me. God has a way of doing His things. How He joined us together is what none of us can explain. From School of Basic Studies, Port Harcourt to the University of Uyo till that ‘black day’ – 1st October, 2020.
“Of a truth, you came, you saw and you conquered. After all, it is not how far but how well; not the number of years in one’s life but the life in one’s years”.
Writing on his Facebook page, another son of Asa land, Barr Sam Ogbonna said he was devastated when he heard the news of the passing of Nwachukwu, who, according to him was a childhood friend that also endeared himself to his parents.
Hear him, “when I returned from Umuahia where I grew up to Asa, you were one of the first admirable and amiable faces I met and our friendship commenced till your departure”.
Ogbonna recalled with a sense of nostalgia how the deceased stood solidly behind him when he lost his father, adding that he would sorely be missed any time his aged mother answers the heavenly call.
Late MacDonald Ozioma Nwachukwu, who is survived by a wife and four children, was an Assistant Director with the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. He attended the School of Basic Studies, Port Harcourt before proceeding to the University of Uyo, where he obtained a degree in Political Science and Public Administration
The Committee of friends which has Mr Samuel Enyioko as Chairman, comprise Mr. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, Jackson Jiteh, Henry Amadi, Chf Kelechi Nwuka, Kingsley Enyite, ThankGod Ntaku, Hon Reginald Ezenta and Barr Sam Ogbonna. Others include, Pst Darlington Uzoma Okpokori, Evans Nwosu, Dr Chibuike Kanu, Ugo Agomuo, Pst Godson Enwereuzor, Okezie Nwosu, Dr Udo Agomuonso, Chris Ebere Anaba and Sir Eugene Dike.
Also in the Committee are Hon. Stanley Eche, Engr Okezie Ule, Boniface Nwaigwe, Akobundu Nwogu, Pst Nwadike Nwankwo, Rowland Onwukwe, Samuel Enyioko, Sampson Eletuo, Chief Silas Ihenkor, Major Goodluck Nwagbara, Ibeakolam Nwagbara and Barr. Sir Samuel Nwosu.