A Giver helps others without any expectation of returns. Givers help other people pursue their rightful purpose in life – personal as well as professional – material and emotional – psychological and spiritual.
Chuks Okeke was a giver. I am overwhelmed with emotion using past tense to describe him. In all the years I have known him as a brother, cousin, and friend, I cannot recall him asking me for favors except maybe for another person. In his hour of greatest need, some of us who have taken from him were helpless to give him what he needed desperately: medical treatment from a moribund Nigerian healthcare system.
Chuks was a “Gisto”. He knew how to tell a good story and hold his own in any "njakili" situation. I recall the gatherings at Carosa haven, Room H300, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, and several joints at Onitsha and Lagos. Chuks, thanks for the memories.
He was a devoted husband and father. Ekene, Chioma, and Chuks Jr. are his legacy.
As I reflect on his sudden call to meet his maker, I ask myself why him and why now? God knows best, and I will leave it at that.
Perhaps we can all strive to become givers and not takers as we reflect on his life and legacy.
May his great soul rest in peace.
Tagbo Ekwonu, MD