It was painful scenery at the weekend when a 43-year-old staff of the Abia State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ABSAA), Chiemeka Onyike Kalu Dike was lowered to mother earth 24-hours to his planned wedding to his heartthrob in Okagwe, Ohafia of Abia State on Thursday, April 7, 2022.
Family, friends and well wishers of the deceased wept uncontrollably as the deceased who was described as amiable young man and committed to whatever he embarked upon by friends and colleagues, began his eternal rest to the world beyond at his Ndi Olugu Ete compound at Okagwe.
Late Chiemeka, a Masters Degree holder, had his traditional wedding on February 17, 2022 and proposed to do the church wedding on April 8, 2022, but died suddenly few weeks before his wedding. Reports have it tha
t the deceased, a popular Chelsea FC fan, died after watching his darling club play another club side.
“After the match, he went to the bedroom to have a rest and the next thing we heard was my heart, my heart; ‘I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe!’ he then collapsed and died”, said a family source who lamented the untimely demise of the Baptist Church founding member in Umuahia, seen as sociable and friendly.
A Baptist Church reverend gentleman, Rev Elisha Alabi of Good News Baptist Church, Umuahia who delivered a sermon described Chiemeka as a compassionate child of God and that he dedicated his life to God and to the things he embarked upon. He therefore tasked the living to live a worthy life so that whenever their creator calls them, they will be given a pride of place in His kingdom.
His emotionally disturbed boss, Dr Uchenna Onyeizu, said he was his confidant and a special breed, a friend and brother, adding “You’re a special breed; your good services to me will stand the test of time”.
In his funeral oration, a former Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Barr Obinna Mba, described Chiemeka as a man with an abundant goodwill, pointing out that Chiemeka served humanity with godly disposition.
Uche Nwosu is a two time Shell Petroleum PLC award winner in the year 2000;
He won the Shell Award on Investigative Journalism and Environmental Cleanliness.
