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It was Haruki Murakami, who said that “death is not the opposite of life, but a part of it.” Similarly, Thomas Campbell said that “to live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.” But the Bible, in Hebrews 9:27, proclaimed that death is the price every mortal must pay.
Nze Gabriel Umeokonkwo Ndukwe (Ume Nkennaka of Ukpor, alias Akwudegwu) came, saw and conquered. On December 21, 2024, at 94 years, he waved goodbye to the world having finished his race and in a good manner.
Since Nze Ndukwe joined the saints triumphant, tributes have been pouring from family members, friends and associates. The central theme of the tributes is that he was a good man: God-fearing and positive-thinking.
It is not a coincidence that he bowed out during the festive period of Christmas and he is going home during the holy period of Easter. As Henry Wadsworth Longfellow puts it, “when a great man dies, for years the light he leaves behind him, lies on the paths of men.”
Nze Ndukwe will be committed to mother earth on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at his compound, Odoekwe Uboma Ukpor, Anambra State.
In his tribute to his father, Chief Boniface Ndukwe, aka Alhaji Canter, said his father’s life was a blessing, his memory a treasure.
He said: “My father was a very industrious man. In his youthful years, he engaged in wine tapping, palm oil processing and timber trade. He was a socialite in his prime and was involved in youth and age-grade activities, which culminated in his being initiated into the highly revered Nze na Ozor group.
“Being a pious man until his death, he was like an encyclopaedia of truth and history within his Uboma village despite not being the eldest in the community. People were coming to him to learn the truth and issues and often took him to distant places to assist in settling difficult issues.
“My father lived a life of legacy that we pray his children and those he impacted would strive to emulate. He a unique man; few men are like him.”
Mazi Cyril Okemuo, chairman of G-Friends Thrift Society, said: “Pa Gabriel Ume-Okonkwo Ndukwe, a revered patriarch, passed peacefully at the remarkable age of 94, leaving behind a legacy woven with love, wisdom, and unwavering strength. Born in 1930, Pa Ndukwe was a beacon of resilience, a man whose life was a testament to faith, family, and community.
“A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, his heart was a sanctuary for those he loved. His gentle yet firm guidance shaped generations, instilling values of integrity, hard work, and compassion.
“His stories, rich with lessons from a life well-lived, were treasures shared around family gatherings, each word carrying the weight of experience and the warmth of his spirit.
“In his community, Pa Ndukwe was a pillar of unity. His generosity knew no bounds, and his door was always open to those in need. “Whether through his counsel, his laughter, or his quiet acts of kindness, he touched countless lives, leaving an indelible mark on all who knew him. His faith was his compass, guiding him through life’s triumphs and trials, and inspiring others to walk with courage and grace.
” Pa Ndukwe lived a life full of purpose and meaning. Though he has left this earthly realm, his spirit endures in the hearts of his children, grandchildren, and the many lives he enriched.
“As we bid farewell, we celebrate a man who embodied love, dignity, and resilience—a true icon whose legacy will shine for generations.
His light will never fade.”
Bishop Chibueze Okonkwo described Pa Ndukwe as a man in whom many were well pleased. He said: “He was a great man, he was truth personified. Such men don’t die because his rich legacy and sense of community will endure till eternity.”
