Rest In Peace

CHARLES IGWE

Late Ezinna Chief

Burial Announcement

To The American Embassy

30 Plus Years of Service

My father was a strong, saved, sensible, sensitive, and a very smart man. Papa was well known as a man of great morals, man of integrity who loves to payback what he “owes” and most importantly, “pay it forward”. He was kind, really kind. He was a Christian, he was cool, he was capable and he had great capacity to love and he loved his family like no other. Without a doubt, he was my best friend and that kind anyone would love to have around. Papa was that father who made every pain go away and made you laugh; and he allowed you to live your life the way you wanted, but would not hesitate to counsel and help you when it was appropriate. He always counseled and helped with the appropriate measure which only a sensitive father knows about. He is a father who used the right words of encouragement, showed right dose of empathy and yes, the right level of emotions in dealing with us. Each time I read this tribute I begin to cry because I miss papa already, I miss him a lot. I know that all my siblings miss him and I suspect anyone who had contact with him misses him too. My father was that kind of guy who is admired, loved, and beloved by many. He is and he always will be present in our lives. His spirit lives on. Each time I think of my father and mother I think of the song, “Rock of Ages” and the bible passage, “Psalm 23” ! Both are so befitting my parents and so reverent.

Papa was our Rock, an exceptional Shepard and a very loyal person. Papa took the word “service” seriously and he made that word sacred. He was exceptional when he served. He served God with distinction, he served his wife, my mother with distinction, he served our family with distinction, he served the United Stated Embassy with distinction as he did Nigeria and Biafra. For my father serving my mother and his family was his top priority. I heard him tell many of his friends that he counts having children as his greatest accomplishment. I feel and know that having a dad like my dad is the bomb and the coolest thing in the world! Check this out, papa told me on many occasions that he hit the jackpot when he married my mother, mama, Mrs. Regina Igwe, Esq, the Queen; our first iron Lady, isn’t that so cool! Isn’t that grand! Yes, that is my dad. And yes, he was right. Mama was the best, she was simply the best.

So, the Saddest day in my life is when I learned that my father, my best friend, my confidant, my rock, my inspiration….. is no longer here but had gone to heaven. When I got the news, I was hurt, my heart ached badly. As I said, I was very, very, very sad but then I quickly realized that Papa left for his next important mission for which he needed Mama’s help. And since I know papa, I am assured that he has gone to prepare a place for us in heaven. He has gone so that he and mama can again join forces to make Heaven better for us. Papa and Mama were a great team, an awesome force for success, peace, love, compassion which they gave to us and many others in abundance. Yes, Papa and Mama believed that even good things can be made better. They modeled, spoke about, no, I mean that they also “preached” much and long about working hard and smart; transforming things from “good” to “great”. They stressed that we must take the “extra” steps to become “extra-ordinary”.

A little story:
Papa and Mama were visiting the USA shortly after I had my first son, my miracle baby Invictus. We met them at the gate and walked with them to baggage claim. While we walked, I agonized about how to tell papa that the doctor told us to keep smokers away from our premature, miracle baby Invictus. So, I planned, and wrestled, I strategized about how, when and what to say to papa about not smoking around Invictus. You know what, before I could get to that point, papa said, “Chidi, I quit smoking before embarking on this trip. He said that he stopped because he suspected that smoking around Invictus would not be good. WOW! I exclaimed!! That is papa. Papa gave up smoking for Invictus and he knew what I was about to say even before I did so. Papa is a man of great sensibility, first-rate intuition, amazing foresight, unparalleled discernment and Godly grace. He always puts others first. Papa is that kind of a father and that kind of a grandfather! My father frequently sacrificed to make sure that we were safe and secure. He is the amazing, honorable, loving and a lovely man I know, he is the caring and concerned father. He is my hero, my super hero and much more!

The story of my father’s life is one of a life well lived - calm, cool, calculating. He is sharp and meticulous. He liked music of all genres - some Sunny Ade, some Osadebe, Oriental Brothers, Michael Jackson; he loved Jim Reeves and Elvis Presley too. You see that Papa did not discriminate. He liked Lipton tea, Golden Guinea while Mama liked Guinness Stout. Papa enjoyed cigarettes too and gave it up at the right time. Papa enjoyed life, he liked high life but NEVER, NEVER, NEVER abused anything. My dad was a real man, he was a very funny man with a great sense of humor always telling us many good clean jokes. And Ouch, ouch, ouch! he was a good and effective disciplinarian, oh yes, he was when we needed a dose or two. And for me it was two doses or three, maybe four….you get the gist, I hope.

We had many happy days. So the happiest day is my life was when daddy said that it was okay that I could travel to the USA to study when no one thought this would happen. Papa likes to make people happy. He makes the impossible possible. This is mainly because he is a man of faith. And because Papa is the MAN, a man of great vision, mission, and with very strong conviction; Papa made it possible for sister Rose to became the first Nunn in our area, Papa made it possible for all his children to travel to all parts of the world, to travel to all the continents of the world crossing all oceans of the world, travelling past many mountains and reaching beyond! With his spirit, strength and support, he and mama made a Nunn - the sister Rosemary, Providentia of USA and Nigeria, papa and mama made an amazing mother and business executive, Augustina Chukwu; they made Chief Engineer- Chidi, yours truly, they made a computer specialist-master Ikechukwu, Ike or Iyke; they made Dr. Ignatius Emeka Igwe, yes, they made Obiageri Stella Igwe, a first class restaurateur and Caterer (May her soul also rest in perfect peace) ; and they also made a world-renowned soccer player and business pioneer Uche.

You know my friends and family, I could go for ever about this wonderful man. But now, I just want to close with a simple request which is when you think of my Dad, think of all the good times he gave you. And continue to tell your own stories of how your interactions with him affected your life. If you do this, I’m sure that would be the best tribute to my Dad and that would be what he would want.

Papa, THANK YOU FROM ALL OF US!

Mama, THANK YOU FROM ALL OF US too.

Mama THANK YOU FROM ALL OF US

for having such a great taste in men.

You chose Papa Charles K Igwe a man who loved, honored and respected you immensely for over several dozen years.

A man whose love, honor and respect you returned in kind.

Papa THANK YOU FROM ALL OF US for teaching us the great lessons in life – insisting that we get along and help each other;

for teaching us to stand tall always; that we should reach but not over-reach, to bend but not break the rules,

to always be the last person standing, to stick our neck out like the turtle if we want to go anywhere,

to understand that grass can't grow on a busy street,

that an idle man is the devil's workshop; that that we must keep it moving only in the right direction!

And ultimately, Papa and Mama THANK YOU FROM ALL OF US

for spending a lifetime steering us in the right direction;

you are an amazing pilot and co-pilot; the best teammates ever!

Finally, my sincere gratitude; the Igwe family’s collective gratitude to all of you for your sincere outpouring support in our time of great loss. We appreciate your sincere messages of condolences, for your prayers and most importantly for your part in daddy’s and mother’s lives; and of course, our lives too. Yes, it takes a village and you all are important pillars of our village.

THANK YOU ALL, and GOD BLESS!

Papa, I will, we will, and I am sure that the world will treasure and miss your sweet heart of gold,

your contributions, your gifts, your sacrifices and service forever!

Papa, rest in perfect peace until I join you and mama in heaven.

And to you Mama and Papa, peace and I await our reunion in due time.

We all love you and we always will!

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