In life there are not many friends you regard as your brother and call your family their family. Chuks was one of them, his passing was devastating to me emotionally. I met my close friend Chuks Okeke for the first time in 1985 (36years ago). I was a young house officer at Iyi-Enu hospital, Chuks was in law school at the time and came to visit his childhood friend Mike Obiefune who introduced us to each other. I immediately noticed something special about him, we bonded right away and became close friends. He was very unassuming and full of life; he was confident and yet humble. There was nothing pretentious about him, he had a great sense of humor and a larger than life persona.
After my housemanship, I started my youth service in Onitsha, Chuks moved down to Onitsha after law school and we all became flat mates. He joined the Umeadi law firm as a young lawyer. He was like a brother to me; we were young and full of life. We did everything together and our friendship blossomed. He had dreams and aspirations, he was a natural achiever. I remember when he told me he was quitting his job and moving to Lagos for bigger career prospects, he sounded so sure of himself and surely he was right. Chuks was a kind and generous person, you cannot help but notice how people were drawn to him. He always bent over backwards to help others.
Over the years he remained a friend you could trust and count on. My leaving Nigeria in 1990 never diminished our friendship, he visited me in Florida multiple times and those memories I will cherish forever. His lovely wife, Ngozi (of blessed memory) and his children are like family. Chuks was the kind of friend that would always call to check on you. I can still hear his voice saying ‘Radus ino zi kwa ya’. We always had so much to talk about. In life, they say you should always cherish true friendship. This is one friend I will forever cherish. Ekene, Chioma and Chuboy, take heart in knowing that your father was a great man. His spirit lives in you and God will guide you.
-Dr.Chris Oraedu