I write this with a broken heart, probably it would help my healing process. I also truly wish I didn’t have to write this but it’s obvious I will never see you again on this earth. You have been my role model, my mentor and my buddy. The only one that calls me ‘Ngo babe’.
From childhood you have cared for me. While in Uni you ensured I never lacked. Anytime you saw my mum, you always gave her money for me. Two incidents that are etched in my mind while in Uni were; when I saw you in my school, along the road and you were just driving along and asking of me because you didn’t know my hostel; all to give me money as you knew I needed it as a student. I came out by chance and I was so elated to see you. The second time was along Enugu-Onitsha expressway, right in front of my school. I was waiting to cross the road and you saw me and turned around to give me money.
Is it when I was kicked out after a month at Total-FinaElf during my youth service because I knew nobody?(Got there by merit though). You took me in as a staff in your chambers so that I didn’t lose my allowance from the government. You still helped me to get where I finally did my youth service. After my service year, I was gallivanting around, you called me one day to ask me what I had come to Lagos to do. You said and I will never forget it, “tell him to teach you how to fish and stop giving you fish”. Those words were the turning point in my life and I focused on job hunting.
My Zenith story is you. I missed my interview in Zenith and you facilitated and ensured I was called for the interview. When I got the job and I came to say thank you, you told me and I quote; “Ngo babe, there is nothing to thank me for. You wrote the test. You did the interview. I do not have any hand in your being taken as a staff of Zenith. All I want from you is to excel”. When I moved to marketing and I wasn’t performing up to par, you told your late wife, NgChuks and I quote, “you can’t be in money and my niece will be crying for deposit. Help her.” The next day we got millions that ran into billions from her company and it continued like that. This propelled my rise in Zenith.
What can I say? You taught me to love unconditionally. You taught me to have an open door policy. You taught me to get burnt and learn from it. You taught me a life of giving without looking back. You taught me what true friendship is. You taught me what family is all about. You always fought for me. I think of your exit and I still think it shouldn’t be. I hear the good ones don’t last. But I don’t think it should be so. I still remember our last talk on December 19, 2020 on your way to the airport for the Christmas holiday,”Ngo babe, we will see in January ''. But I didn’t see you. Rather you have been committed to earth today. I am heartbroken and wish God will ask me what I want and I would say I want my Uncle Chuks back. It’s hard to say goodbye, Uncle Chuks. Truly truly hard and difficult to refer to you as late. Barrister Chuks Okeke-a household name. Chaii, onwu