Uche Urum-Eke
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
Edwin Baiye
Caroline Ademiluyi
Your life was truly exemplary. I remember you always came around when Liz was in town especially on Sundays, when you will breeze in, singing some nice tune-- an indication that you must have been coming straight from Church.
You were always full of life: I remember when you were working with the GUARDIAN Newspaper, you were very passionate about your job, so much so, that one could easily identify with your writings. You loved Naturopathy - or was it Homeopathy? You talked a lot about Homeopathy and you benefited a lot from it,s services in those years( late 80,s and early 90,s ).
God knows why He allowed this to happen --why he allowed your passage back to Him to have been through the illness which you gallantry bore.
I think God wanted the world to learn from your COURAGE, RESILIENCE, GENEROSITY and the host of other virtues which you practiced in the course of your battle against cancer.
In the words of St.Paul, You have fought the good fight, ---you have won the race --- now, you will be forever with Our Lord and the Heavenly host in ever-increasing joy and fulfilment.
We shall continue to miss you, but filled with hope that one day, by the grace of God, we shall be reunited with you in Christ forever. I like to reiterate this Prayer---(PREFACE 1 FOR THE DEAD).----"----INDEED FOR YOUR FAITHFUL LORD, LIFE IS CHANGED, NOT ENDED:AND WHEN THIS EARTHLY DWELLING TURNS TO DUST, AN ETERNAL DWELLING IS MADE READY FOR THEM IN HEAVEN ".
Caroline Ademiluyi.
Felicia Otisi Omoji
Mrs. Helen John Eleanya
NY Branch ACIU Women Leader
Uche Urum-Eke
A Tribute to Ndenyi Ngozi Uche: A Time for Everything
When I received the sad news through a posting on face book (31st August 2017), the first thoughts that came to mind was the scripture passage: ‘FOR EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON, AND A TIME FOR EVERY PURPOSE UNDER HEAVEN: A TIME TO BE BORN, AND A TIME TO DIE….’; Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 A season implying a certain time appointed by God for its being and continuance, which no human wit or providence can alter. And by virtue of this appointment of God, all vicissitudes which happen in the world, whether comforts or calamities, come to pass. Man has his appointed cycle of seasons and vicissitudes, as the sun, wind, and water (Ecclesiastes 1:5-7). A man can no more reverse the times and order of "planting," and of "digging up," and transplanting, than he can alter the times fixed for his "birth" and "death." (Psalms 31:15, Hebrews 9:27). According to Susan Claire Potts, (Burning Faith) “... we all die, and the length of our life has been set before the earth was formed…..”
Ndenyi ‘my sister’, The Lord called and you answered!
If we had a choice we would have said ‘No, not yet!’ because while on your sick bed, many prayed and longed for your recovery, and to be set free from the pains of sickness, but God had different plans and thoughts for you. According to the Holy Bible ‘My thoughts are not your thoughts nor your ways my ways says the Lord ‘ Isaiah 55 :8
As I cast my mind back to our childhood days, years back (growing up in the same neighborhood in Ikoyi Lagos), I remember with a mixed feeling of nostalgia and grief, how we had always related more like siblings, hence I always called you my “sister”. I also recall your days with the Nigerian Guardian Newspapers as a young journalist and I dare say you were a career professional, and a brilliant writer. You have lived a decent life and will be remembered for your kindness, compassion, fairness, character, benevolence, and a force for good that had much respect for life, in general. You will be remembered for how you lived, not how you died.
Ndy my sister, I am saddened by your death no doubt, but from this sadness a feeling of gratitude emerges. I am grateful to have known you and I know that your passing serves as a reminder to me and many others that our times on this earth is limited and that one should seize the opportunity that we have to forgive, share, explore, and love. We can think of no greater way of honoring you.
There’s a saying that ‘what is lovely never really dies but passes into loveliness’. I believe it Ndenyi; you were lovely and will never die but pass unto loveliness. May Almighty God through His Son Jesus Christ our Saviour and Redeemer grant you perfect peaceful rest.
Amen
Uche Urum-Eke
The Guardian - Saturday Magazine
Article: Ndenyi Ngozi Nena Uche (1960-2017) journalist per excellence
Date: September 9, 2017
Excerpt: "Outside my immediate family, she was probably my longest and most consistent cheerleader, with an unwavering belief in what I could achieve. I heard she was ill a while back and I asked for her number but never rang until a couple of months ago. Even then, I was struck by her unwavering Christian faith which imbued her with a resilience and brightness even in very challenging circumstances."
You may read at:
https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/.../st-per-excellence/