I don’t even know how to begin. Your passing was a massive blow to us and something that still doesn’t feel real. It’s very difficult to talk about you in the past tense knowing that we will never see you again. I remember the first day I met you. You welcomed me like a son and made me feel at home. You welcomed me with warmth and without hesitation, turning something that could have felt awkward into something that made me feel at ease. Losing you hurts a lot. There is no easy way around that. We will miss your voice, your presence, the phone calls, the advice, even the simple moments that we once took for granted. Yet we are also deeply grateful. Grateful that we got to call you father, father in law, grandpa, papa, Eze, friend. We are grateful for every memory that now feels like a gift. It hurts that we won’t hear your voice again. We miss you a lot. Ugonna and Chinazom miss you. I wish you would have been able to see Ebube. A moment doesn’t go by when Akunna isn’t thinking about you. I wish we could go back in time so that we could see you again. Going home doesn’t feel the same knowing that you aren’t there. Though our hearts are heavy, we hold on to the comfort that love does not end where life does. You will live on in our stories, in our laughter, and in the quiet moments when we think about you. Rest in peace, Dad knowing that you will always be loved by all of us and never forgotten.

Tribute to my Father Eze Ositadinma B Nwokocha (Umara 111 of Amumara) A great father figure, mentor, and my inspirator. Your guidance,love, and support have made a lasting impact on my life. I am grateful for the sacrifices you’ve made and the wisdom you’ve shared. You will always be remembered and cherished. Thank you for being a shining example of what a true father and leader should be. I love and appreciate you more than words can express. But I know that God loves you more. Adieu my daddy.

A Tribute to our Big daddy Onye Eze. To I and my siblings, your passing to glory was a big shock. Big Daddy we will miss your presence and love. You were a big daddy to all of us, and showed us your fatherly kindness and genuine love at all times. Your words of wisdom, encouragement and inspiration will always remain indelible in our hearts. We will forever miss your physical presence but you will live forever in our hearts our big Daddy. Be rest assured that we will keep your legacy. We love you but God loves you more, he called you for good, you have done your part. Big Daddy, you ran a good race you finished well and your crown of glory is on your head now. Our king, our big daddy may your soul rest in peace. From ,Prosper and siblings.

A TRIBUTE TO MY BELOVED BIG DADDY (BEST BROTHER IN-LAW AND MY KING) Big Daddy! It’s difficult to believe I’m writing this tribute. I can’t still wrap my head around your departure. The pain is still excruciating, even after several months of your transition; it all feels like a dream. How am I supposed to cope without seeing you again? You were quite genuine and always made us feel your fatherly love. Big daddy the most handsome Nwokoma eji aga mba Brother in-law like no other The best among the kings Nwoke udo! Nwoke obioma Your humility was second to none. You were a definition of true love, an embodiment of kindness, patience and freedom from envy. When one talks about contentment, my Big Daddy perfectly fits that description. In Matthew 5:8, the Bible talks about being “pure in heart”. Big Daddy’s purity of heart was top notch and am convinced that he has seen God. I usually say and still saying that “if we can have just two persons with his kind of heart” the family, kindred and community will be heavens on earth. A brother in-law turned to big Daddy and father in-law. Please I ask again, how do I cope with the absence of this irreplaceable special being? I remember recently when he called “Lily my daughter” open my wallet and pay the DJ man during the last orji festival; he jokingly instructed me not to touch the hard currency part of his wallet. I laughed and replied that the instruction was my command. My big Daddy came to Ibadan in 2021 for his routine medical check with Professor Dele Falase, and when I informed him that I was registering for my doctoral degree programme, he was so elated that I had such an ambition. His fatherly blessings was instrumental to the early completion of my doctorate. Each time I remembered his admonition, I put in extra efforts. I remain eternally grateful Sir. Big Daddy “Lily your daughter” is now Dr. Mrs. and you are nowhere to be found. You did not attend my graduation ceremony in Ibadan with your royal entourage. I was hoping that you would have joined notable traditional rulers in Nigeria, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Oni of Ife, Alaafin of Oyo among others that graced the occasion. At that moment, my pain increased and my heart was processing scenarios that eventually turned to a mirage. In all, I am consoled that you led a life of sacrifice and that God in His infinite mercies has received your noble soul. My Big Daddy! Odogwu Nwokeoma eji aga mba. Ka ndi mozi Chineke dulaagi na eligwe; Ga nke oma! Dr. Mrs. Lilian NWOKOCHA (Sister in-law)

Tributes to my beloved brother and my king, HRH EZE OSITADNMA B NWOKOCHA, UMARA 111 of Amumara Mbaise and the Chairman of Ezinihitte Mbaise Council of Ndi Eze. Your death was unimaginable, how can I live with out you. It is indeed shocking. Onyeze Nwannem , you fought death, but God was silent, that means that he wanted you home, and I believe he called you. To him only be all the glory. The world has cried, but crying will not bring you back,all I know, is that your good works will forever speak for you. Your God, who knows your heart will surely receive you in his bosom. You were not a man that extends kindness to be praised, you do it for your God to take glory. I learnt a lot from your humble lifestyle, your all inclusive way of life. At a point, you did tell me that the most less privileged are the lunatics in our society, that most people don’t attend to them, no one knows when they are in pains, that is why you give them attention when ever they come to the palace. Thanks for that lesson. My king, you were easily access-able When I asked you why, you did tell me it was the life of Christ, that you may not be the best man on earth, but you learnt that from some of his ways you read from the Bible. We will miss you a lot, surely, but we are so consoled that you are with the Lord who called you back at 69. In our eyes early, but for God your works has finished. You are like king David the friend of God but who died at the age of 70. Nwannem, My King, My beloved brother it hurts so much, I will miss you I know, but God will be happy to have you back home. My brother, my king, have a good journey.

HRH Eze Ositadinma Nwokocha With a heavy and burdened heart, I honour the life and legacy of His Royal Highness, Eze Ositadinma Nwokocha. You were more than a traditional rule,you were a true brother-in-law to me, a guardian, an elder whose presence brought wisdom, peace, and dignity into our family. When your younger brother, Barrister Mark Ugochukwu Nwokocha, came to marry me, my father-in-law handed me over to you, as the eldest brother, the Eze of the family, the one who carried the mantle of leadership and protection. He entrusted me into your care so that I would be welcomed, guided, and established properly and honourably into this family. And “Big daddy “as we usually called you , fulfilled that duty with love, humility, and deep respect. Big daddy, onye obiọma, your goodness was something everyone could feel. You were gentle yet firm, humble yet powerful, quiet yet full of wisdom. Your words brought comfort, your leadership brought unity, and your heart carried compassion for all. To me, you were a dependable elder brother-in- law nwanne m nwoke, A man I could look up to, trust, and rely on. You supported me, encouraged me, and treated me with the honour my father-in-law prayed I would receive. Your absence leaves a deep void, but your legacy remains strong. We miss you. I miss you. My husband, your brother, misses you every day and feels the heat of your absence. My daughter, IHUAKU misses her big daddy. Your wife misses you, and your absence hurts her deeply. Your daughter, your siblings, your nieces and nephews, your friends, and all the families and lives you have touched with your kindness and love miss you so much. The values you stood for—ịhụnanya, udo, ọnụna-eziokwu—will continue to guide this family and everyone who loved you. La n’udo, Eze m. La nke ọma, onye ezi omume. Your memory will live with me forever. Adieu Big Daddy 🕊️ Till we meet to part no more.

TRIBUTE TO HRH EZE O. B. NWOKOCHA Death is a reality of life, and I believe your call was of the Lord, for we cannot question Him. While we grieve your loss, we also celebrate a life well lived—full of love, empathy, kindness, and genuine accommodation. Your absence will be deeply missed, for your milk of kindness, your support in our times of need, and even while on a sickbed, you still stood in the gap for us. You offered financial assistance to me and to many others. Our prayer is that God grants your soul mercy and peaceful rest, till we meet to part no more.

I find it so hard to write this tribute about my most precious in-law. A man of the people a legend with a pure heart of gold. How can I write about a man that was so selfless, a huge Iroko but still very humble and approachable to all. HRH my namesake as he always calls me. The man that visits my family every summer to see his lovely sister, the kids and I. The man the lightens your burden yet very calm and unassuming. I weep for myself, I weep for my beautiful wife and kids, I weep for my in-laws especially his beautiful Ugoeze that visits with him all the time, and I weep for his Adorable precious daughter Dr. Akunna who he was so fond of, I weep for his entire family, Amumara and Mbaise in general. Umara 3rd was a huge umbrella that shielded a lot of people. He reigned for 22 years on the throne and each governor that came could not pass without noticing him, that was why he was the Eze ndi Eze in Ezinihitte Mbaise for 5 times. Most Eze’s cannot even get close to that exalted position once in their life. When he gave me the title of Ezi Ogo Mbaise I was shocked and asked him why and he explained to me that I have been hosting and taking care of him ever since I married the sister and is only a good in-law that can join the wife in celebrating his people. Oh death why did you not wait! Oh death why did you have to inflict such a pain on my family. We take solace in the fact that it is not how long but how far. My king, my in-law, royalty personified, once a Prince from birth and transited as a king, a Royal Majesty, Chairman of Ezinihitte Mbaise Traditional rulers, sleep well Ogom till we meet to part no more. You ran a good race you finished strong, your crown with stars are waiting for you. Nwoke Asa, Nwoke Ike, La nke Oma.

TRIBUTE TO OUR ROYAL HIGHNESS EZE O.B NWOKOCHA