Uncle Paul as he was fondly called before he became the Isama Akwe of Aboh kingdom took me under his wings after he came back from the UK with his wife. My own father had died at the end of the Nigerian civil war in 1970. Uncle Paul became my father, mentor, and guardian. I lived with him for a long time and he was kind to me. He paid my school fees while I was in the university.
After he retired from UBTH, Benin, He travelled to Saudi Arabia on contract, he later took up another appointment at Muscat in sultanate of Oman to educate their students in the field of Medical Laboratory Science.
After I finished my University Education, I travelled to London for greener pastures. He invited me on holidays to Oman, where we spent time together and he took time to show me round the city. When I returned to London, I inturn invited him and the wife to London. We visited the War Museum, Victoria Museum, London eye, Nothinghill carnival. Uncle Paul was a high achiever who lived life to the fullest and still kept up his Christian life. He set out a day in December every year for family prayers. As a double chief (Igbu and Olinzele) he helped to advice, adjudicate and deliberate on matters concerning Aboh kingdom.
He was an agent for positive change. He was held at high esteem (by his equals) so much that at the news of his death, the Onowu (Iyasele) and his top chiefs came all the way from Aboh to pay their condolences to Obi Chukwumah’s family in Benin city.
Obi Chukwumah’s family is poorer with his passing. We will miss his counsel, efforts at wanting to bring a lasting peace to our family, and mostly his jokes and stories.
Adieu Daddy, I miss you so much.
Mr. Larry Chukwumah.