Elioenai Nkemakolam Ibeneme

Unforgettable, that is what you are! Wow, what can l say, nobody wants to experience the death of a loved one. It hurts. It’s inevitable that we live through the death of someone we truly love. Nkem, words cannot express how heartbroken l am that you are gone. You were kind, hardworking and always willing to help others. l can attest, the three stages of dying because of you and l can only hold on to the hope that you are in a better place where all your pain has come to an end. You are a fighter and in the end you reigned victorious. In the same light, l will fight, l will fight for the things in this life that my heart desires. I will fight for your hard work and your achievements and what you believe in. I want to make you proud, even if it is the last thing l do. I will always remember your last words to me, it still echoes in my ears “Chioma thank you”.

Our love story began in Lagos Nigeria, I met Nkem, when he came to visit my late sister Victoria. Then he was employed with Bank of America and was planning on moving to the U.S. A to further his studies. We met again in London, on transit to Nigeria. From then on, he made it a point of duty to stop by in London on his way to and from Nigeria. Wait a minute! l still remembered when he mailed seasoned dried goat meat from the U.S. to London – that was awesome! During all these visits the decision was made on my moving to the U.S. Which eventually led to our getting married. Our wedding was one of a kind - the first time the legendary Arochukwu War Dance was performed at a wedding, organized, and led by Mazi Benson Okoronkwo. You can imagine the outpouring of love from both families and the Nigerian community in Houston and outside Texas. Above all, God gave us a beautiful son Daryl, whom we will always cherish. Oh! we did have our ups and downs, but GOOD surpassed them all.

They say life is likened to a journey on a train, with its stations, change of routes, and accidents. Many will step down and leave a permanent vacuum, while others will go unnoticed, and we do not even notice they vacated their seats. Success consists of having a relationship with all passengers by giving the best of us - Nkem was not short of that!

The name “Ben” as he was commonly known came from his last name “Ibeneme” due to people having a hard time pronouncing his English name “Elioenai”. Ben was a smart handsome guy, attended Tuskegee University in Alabama then transferred to Texas Southern University, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Finance, and received the “Who Is Who Amongst American Students” Award. Proceeded to the University of Houston Clear Lake, where he completed his MBA. He was a people’s person, likeable by all, thus the name “My People”. First President of Orodo Progressive Union in Houston Texas. Vice President to the Mens Group in the Anglican Church of Pentecost Stafford Texas. Known for his love of music, perfumes, and choice of clothing by his peers. To sum it all up, Ben enjoyed life to the fullest.

Ben is using this forum to say thank you to those who played a very vital role at the time he needed them most:

World Austin! (Austin Edeogu) My right-hand man, always there when needed, no excuses – what a DEAR friend you are, always ready to serve. Oh! l meant what a brother! We say thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Oh! Otu nne (Sir Uche Okorocha) like we call each other, we appreciate your Sunday visits, talking about the good old days. I appreciate the walker, the shower chair and the ted hose given to me to help me feel better – We say thank you so much.

Nwannem Nwanyi (Chief Chioma Eze) – What an amazing woman inside and out – for all your monetary support, l remembered. You even kept your promise to sleep that Wednesday night on April 19th, 2023, to make sure that Chioma will not be alone and was by her side that faithful day on April 20th, 2023, when l left to be with my LORD. You keep amazing us. We say thank you so much.

Sir Emma and Lady Ngozi Ezeji made it their responsibility to provide Soursop as long as it was needed to make me feel better. What a friend, we say thank you!

DN – My Dear Sister, like l always call you, who came right after my discharge from the hospital in February so Chioma can go back to work. Kept me company, reminiscing about old times, cooked for me, stayed with us for a month. We say thank you so much!

Nneoche (Barrister Chizubere Nwaozuzu / ChiChi) What can l say about you, you played your role very well, l remembered when Chioma travelled to Nigeria for her mother’s funeral, you are the one who volunteered to stay with me, took care of me until she came back. We say thank you!

The Hill ( Hillary Adiele - My brother and My In-law) you and your family took it upon yourselves to make sure that l am comfortable, both monetary support, interpretation of medical terminology by your daughter Laura and otherwise. Then willing to sit with me at that critical time in April, so your sister can go back to work but was short by one day. I cannot forget that “Well Done My In-Law, My Brother, and My friend!!!

Ngwa High School Old Boys, Committee of Friends, My Family, Friends, My Beloved Orodians, and My Beloved ASA (Ndi Ogom) for all your hard work to organize this funeral. We say THANK YOU SO MUCH

Lastly, the mystery to everyone is: Who will be the next person to step down on this train of life. For this reason, we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who will continue the journey on this train. Nkem, you have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith. “O death, where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory?” The angels are clapping their hands for one more soul gained.

Daryl and l thank you very much for being one of the passengers on our train of life and we believe you are watching over us. We will miss you dearly.

Adieu my love, Sleep tight! God loves you more until we meet again!

Love of Your Life,

Mrs. Chioma Sophia Ibeneme (wife)

Electric Orodo