Ndenyi will always be remembered by the work she did while alive & the impact she had on friends, family members, & the ACIU-NA women in particular. Ndenyi fought so hard for her life but the Will of God took place. Ndenyi would always be fondly remembered by all of us. May her soul rest in Peace.

Mrs. Helen Kalu Onuma

My dear Ngozi, I am saddened by your death. You were strong in your faith and exuded love for all. You were dark, tall and beautiful; the symbol of an African queen. We will miss you dearly. Rest in perfect peace.

Rita Odutola (nee Iyamabo)

By Florence Iyamabo

Dear Sister Ngozi, I am very saddened to learn of your passing. You were a big Sister to me and your many good qualities are what I try to emulate even in very difficult circumstances. All I have to cherish now are the memories you left behind.

Rest in perfect peace in the Lord's bosom

By Amma Ogan

The Nena Uche I knew

At The Guardian Newspaper in Lagos, Nigeria, the Nena Uche I knew in the mid 80s, was not your run of the mill reporter. No one the paper hired was. The aim was to grow a corp of journalists who would become experts on their beats, developing the contacts and building the respect and confidence and trust of their sources. Adding context, knowledge and background were the elements The Guardian sought to bring back to newspaper reporting professionals and peers with the firm grounding of a college degree. The agenda was to cover the commanding heights of the Nigerian economy and focus too on those areas that would be essential paths to the country of the future to include education, culture, health, science and technology.

Nena was the pioneer Science reporter. Being the first often means you have to define the parameters, immerse yourself in the subject and look for the news. Not easy in a country like Nigeria where the level of resources, or even expertise devoted to research and development was and is still minuscule. What did come into its own under Nena’s pen, was a renewed focus on holistic medicine and indigenous cures based on locally available sources. All that attention to the curative benefits of akara (bitter cola) the examination of the whys and wherefores of fibroids; the heartrending plight of child brides with lives derailed by fistula; the manpower lost from an inability to end malaria; and finding antidotes to basic problems at arm’s reach which simple as it sounds, is the key to self reliance and prosperity.

Nena was science reporter for the daily paper, I was editor for The Guardian on Sunday. In the open newsroom architecture of Rutam House where the newspaper was based, I could see her if I stood by my door where the Sunday Unit was based and looked out diagonally across the room. It would typically be late in the afternoon...reporters rushing in from their beats under a hot Lagos sun with no time to grab a snack. Crafting away under the harsh scrutiny of news editors seated in a bank of tables directly across the room from them...waiting anxiously for copy, Nena was always outwardly calm it seemed to me.

She had a quiet dignity as I remember and an air of maturity with a tinge of aloofness. A tall, slim, attractive young lady, she was a refreshing example of The Guardian’s female reporter corps. She was not a chip off the old block but a female reporter hewn from a different rock...whose beat was not her gender. In the patriarchy bound world of the Nigerian newsroom these were not small victories and even when won, required battles to keep.

I left The Guardian and Nigeria in 1989 and Nena and I met up again in 1991. She invited me to a conference of reporters and their editors in Boston. That now is the final picture I have of her...courteous, quietly dignified and self contained but also driven by passionate conviction and courage.

May she rest in peace…

Amma Ogan
Syracuse, NY

By Ekeoma Uche

IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY DEAREST SISTER NENA NDENYI NGOZI UCHE

I grew up in the village. In my mind, I have always accused my older siblings of eating up all the silver and living me with oshishi nkom (wooden spoon). So while Ndenyi passed through upscale St. Savious Primary School in Ikoyi, I was at Trans Ekulu Primary across the rail line in coal city, Enugu. Naturally, by exposure and training we are supposed to be miles apart. This became apparent twenty years ago, enjoying my sleep in Dolphin Estate, Ndenyi called amidst some serious sobbing. She went on and on, “they've killed her, they've killed her”. I asked who they killed, she momentarily appeared surprised at my question. She asked if I wasn't watching TV, I reminded her it was between 1am-2am Nigerian time. She then answered my question. “Princess Diana is dead!” That was news all right but certainly not the type a Trans Ekulu product will lose sleep over, not to talk of crying!

That was Ndenyi, passionate about God and people who made or were making positive impacts in human race…wherever or whoever they were. Princess Diana was her role model and she found solace following her. Its ironical her demise is just 2 days apart to Princess Diana's and exactly 20 years after her idol passed on. In her illustrious career as a journalist, she wined and dined with important personalities around the world whether it was author Alex Haley of Roots or astronaut Neil Armstrong of Apollo 2 and covered landmark events like the commissioning of the then recently acquired liquefied natural gas ships in Bonny Island. Ndenyi was full of adventure; she travelled extensively, hiked Cameroun Mountain, skied in the Alps and visited us in Sweden! That visit is unforgettable. I had just gone for trials in my football club, IFK Lidingo...that should be in 1986. I played with canvas and my coach asked that I replace it but I had no money. She came swooped in and bought me the boots and I went on to sign after 6 months of waiting for FIFA clearance. Yes, FIFA clearance. My club didn't believe I was not signed unto any club even in Nigeria and didn't want FIFA hammer. We won the junior league, I won the club highest scorer medal and just nicked the MVP award. I also went on to play competitive matches and train with the Swedish junior national team. Some of my mates played at the USA “94 World Cup. She literally made me the rookie to watch and gave me a shoulder high gait.

My big sis, laid the foundation for my spiritual rebirth and that of the entire Agwu Uche clan. She lived a fasted and giving life. I have no idea how she got converted but as much as my teenage and adult life can recollect, Ndenyi lived as much as possible a godly lifestyle. Despite being an original S.U. her identity was never lost in her fashion sense. Infact, long before the shawl became a fashion statement somehow she had elevated the scarf to fit into virtually all her outfits. And, can we forget her rich collection of gospel artists like Amy Grant and the likes? I still have a stack of those that she sent with other gifts to me at my wedding.

In my recollection, one of the happiest moments of our family was the supposed wedding to Ogb (as he is fondly called), that never was. Ironically, it was also one of the lowest moments of our family. It strained relationship between families and between mother and daughter in particular and understandably so. It took decades to resolve and thankfully too. Years down the line, Ndenyi raked up degrees from Ivy League schools of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University.

I have struggled to accept the inevitable. I hoped against hope and prayed and believed for a miracle…that the God Ndenyi served passionately from youth will ultimately show up for her. I had fantasized how I will share the testimony of God’s healing power over Ndenyi. That has not happened and as the ultimate source of life, God has the final say and it's been a pretty bitter pill to swallow. Part of what has made it so is the stark reality that all our life's worth is reduced to a piece of paper and at most few pages. 1 Cor.3:13 puts it this way; "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is".


Ekeoma Uche

Ekero

Ngozi, my friend, my sister....Good night!

Ngozi, I was in shock when I heard you had passed on. I spoke to you barely a week earlier, you were in pain and we didn't speak for long. But there was nothing unusual. Nothing to suggest I won't speak to you ever again on this side of eternity. I even told you I will call you again soon...in a few days but that was not to be. God had other plans.

Ngozi I am glad you were strong in the Lord and the power of his might (Ephesians 6:10, your favourite scripture) throughout your illness. You never gave up. Not even once. What turned out to be your last words to me was "Kero pray for me". God must be indeed proud of you!

Ngozi I do miss you, but I take solace in the fact that you have gone to rest.... away from all the pain...
Goodnight Ngozi, my dear sister, my dear friend...Ngozi...A blessing indeed to me and to so many that came her way!
Sleep tight dear sister, dear friend, till we meet to part no more.
Ekero Ajiamah (nee Umukoro)

Elizabeth Uwaifo (nee Iyamabo)
Ngozi your passing has left a void in my life and that of many others. We are comforted by the lessons we learn from your life. Your creativity, determination to overcome challenges and work ethic has inspired us tremendously. You never allowed health challenges to get in the way of what you wanted to do.

You nurtured friendships that endured over decades. You connected friends and blessed me with your friends. You enlarged the Iyamabo family to include ththe Uche family. You never stopped giving.

We are inspired by you to be courageous, to have faith and to support one another. We miss an angel of light. Thank you for your invaluable gifts. Rest in perfect peace dear friend and sister.

By Oyediya Nwanze

My beloved cousin Ndenyi, your death has touched me so much beyond words because you were a special specie and I doubt there will ever be another with your kind of heart. Your death is a symbol of a limb fallen from the family tree because you were a symbol of peace and unity in this family right from our childhood.

I remember as children whenever I was smacked and I am crying, you would join me and was not afraid to solicit on my behalf to Mma or Papa. Over the years and as grown-ups we drifted apart due to our commitments and different values but whenever we spoke you were always very reassuring and sincere. The emotional support you provided gave me a great sense of family and belonging especially during my storms. You were a cousin that would do your best to be with someone both financially and emotionally during their dark moments. Ndenyi, I was never ashamed or afraid to open my heart to you with whatever problem that was confronting me because you would never judge or look down on anyone.

The most painful goodbyes are the ones that are never said and never explained. I will miss you dearly Ndenyi. When I look back at your life and your personality/perspective, I keep hearing a voice that says “Grieve not for me. Remember the best times full of laughter and the good life I lived while I was strong. Continue my legacy. I am counting on you." Sleep on my beloved cousin.

Oyediya Nwanze

GONE TOO SOON TO BE WITH HER CREATOR
Ndenyi, the first child of our late sister and sister in-law grew up with a great future before her. She had the best academic foundation that Nigeria and the United States could give.
She practiced her chosen profession with excellence.
Ngozi, as some called her, had an unapologetic love for the Lord her God. This influenced her personal relationship with others.Her love for and faith in God never faltered even as she battled to her last breath.
She always encouraged people not to give up on the Lord, believing that not even death could make her question God's love for her. As she dealt with the torment and excruciating pains in her last days on earth, Ndenyi remained an inspiration to many. She would most often give prayer points and bible passages to those standing in the gap for her as a testament to her unwavering faith that God can do all things.
We can not question God who allowed her to come home at this time.We know she is in a better place where there is no pain or sorrow. Our Ndenyi has found real peace in the presence of the Lord her maker.
Good night. Sleep well.

Ndukwe and Uloma Eke

Dear Nena , you were dear to me. You have fought a good fight.You have made a great impact to your family , friends and our Abiriba community especially here in USA.It saddened me that your beautiful smile would be missed.Your articulations on different topics and your ability to get along with people would be missed.There is one thing that I am sure of : that you have gone back to your creator ( the Almighty) where He will give you peace. That peace the world cannot give.Sleep well my beautiful friend. We all will meet to part no more in Jesus name.Amen. ( from Princess Mercy Nnanna - Nee Azu Owoh )