REST IN PEACE:CHIEF GODFREY U. ACHI (NMKPADIGBO 1 OF NDIAGBOR).

Today the Old Awgu and Enugu state in general say farewell to one of the last of a generation; The generation of those who fought for our independence, first educationists,  post colonial community leaders, disciplinarians more especially noble gentlemen: CHIEF GODFREY U. ACHI (NMKPADIGBO 1 OF NDIAGBOR).

We thank God Almighty  for daddy’s life. A life filled with humility, dedication to humanity, sacrifice and love for all.

We shall all miss his gentleness, love and firmness in discipline.

May his soul rest in peace .

Attached below is a Special tribute  from the Chukwubikes, Family  of Nenwe

*A TRIBUTE FROM THE  CHUKWUBIKES OF NENWE TO CHIEF GODFREY U. ACHI (NMKPADIGBO 1 OF NDIAGBOR)  ON THE  DAY OF  HIS BURIAL 26TH JULY 2025*

It is with   mixed feelings of nostalgia, pride, grateful to God almighty and naturally sadness that we are here witnessing the committing to mother earth one of the great icons in our family’s (friendship) historical panorama.

The friendship between Senator M B Chukwubike  I suppose  started  when they were  young teachers more than three quarter of a century ago. We only remember  that  the stories  they told    whenever they met; and their meetings were  always often,  Right from the time Dad was  a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ,  Chief  Achis’s house  was one of the first calls (amongst a couple others in Ndiagbor) whenever  he returned  from the senate sessions in Lagos  to share his  experiences and messages from the senate. They would tell stories of their youth and enjoy them to our amazements. 

We always looked forward to visiting his family . He and his wife were very generous, kind   and entertaining though we were always able to see in him that air and command of high discipline that most Partents’ of that period and level impacted. He communicated patriotically in a pure Ndiagbor dialect.  I remember he loved  tennis and would always visit Nenwe for a tournament or play one with Dad at St Georges’ court (I suppose ) when we visited Ndiagbor

This friendship, mutual respect and alliance continued even in the dispensation of the local administration of the Division then (Awgu Division obviously) and the Igbo-etiti which later became our present Aninri .He was once described by MBC  as a very good  Peace mediator and an astute negotiator. If you asked our Dad of a sincere and trustworthy person, Godfrey Achi or GU  (as he used to call him would come up first.

When our mother died in 1999 my father was so desperate, inconsolable  and  Chief Achi promptly came to our house ,stayed and even slept in the same room with Dad giving him a great solidarity and psychological support you can only get from a loved one or someone who lived growth stories with you . Throughout the burial period  he  appeared in the pictures and video always behind Dad ,reassuring him and tapping his shoulder always like a boy .He continued to visit intermittently. His cajole and stories of girls both of them  would have married are still reminiscent in my memory. These are actions and stories of friendship that are priceless. 

Daddy  and you nurtured and assured   the friendship was passed on and  continued, thus   in 1971 when your son Emmanuel and Cousin Tobias  came to school in Awgu County Secondary school  Nenwe. He (Emmanuel) automatically became my best friend till date and was  also  adopted by my parents  for  the  5 years stay in Nenwe. I can also say the same of  your daughter Christy who has continued to be in great contact with me and  all my sisters.

As we bid  you farewell we  solemnly promise  to continue  with this solid foundation of love and friendship laid  by you people many  decades ago.

May you noble soul rest in peace.

 From;

Chief (Senator) M.B Chukwubikes'  Family