BY JERRY OCHEME
The Catholic Church teaches that “death is not the end of life but a transition into eternity”.
Rooted in the hope of the resurrection, Catholics believe that those who die in Christ live on with Him, and that prayers, memorials, and good works offered in their memory are acts of love and faith.
Remembering the dead is therefore not an exercise in sorrow alone, but a sacred duty that connects the living with the communion of saints.
Death, though inevitable, remains one of life’s most sobering realities. Across African cultures, the dead are deeply respected, remembered, and celebrated for the lives they lived and the values they stood for. To honour the dead is to affirm continuity—between generations, between memory and legacy. In this light, celebrating the life of Pa Christopher Amaha Ikeh was not only proper, but culturally and spiritually profound.
The plans to mark the 30th memorial death anniversary of late Pa Christopher Amaha Ikeh, a respected war veteran and father of Charles Ekwuojo Ikeh, a promising Soil Scientist, began deliberately in January 2025. Charles, conscious of the weight of history and memory, resolved that nothing would be left to chance. He wanted no stumbling block—only a well-thought-out and excellently executed memorial worthy of his father’s name was his concern.
One of the boldest decisions was fixing the memorial for December 27, a date widely regarded in Imane as prime wedding season at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. The parish is perennially busy, especially during festive periods, and securing that date without a wedding was almost unimaginable. Yet history was made, as the church calendar shifted to honour a man whose life had clearly transcended time.
Death is often most devastating when it comes early in the lives of children. The loss of a father—the breadwinner, protector, and moral compass—creates a void that words cannot adequately describe. It forces children to grow up too soon and carry responsibilities that time had not prepared them for.
For such children, life becomes a series of silent questions and unmet longings. Milestones are achieved with quiet triumphs tinged by absence, and success often comes with the ache of wishing a parent were present to witness it all.
The death of a father shapes character, resilience, and destiny in ways only those who have experienced it can fully understand.
This was the painful reality faced by the Ikeh family thirty years ago. The death of their Patrich, Christopher Amaha Ikeh left wounds that time could soften but never erase. Yet from that pain emerged strength, faith, and a resolve to honour what was lost by living purposefully. What Charles Ikeh could not do then—constrained by age and circumstance—he has now done with enablement, clarity, and gratitude.
The memorial activities formally commenced on December 26, 2025, setting the tone for two days of reflection, reunion, and celebration. From the early hours, Imane began to witness an influx of visitors, each drawn by the story of a family whose loss had matured into a testimony of honour.
The Ikeh family compound became a mosaic of humanity. People from all walks of life filled the space—clergy and laity, professionals and artisans, elders and youths—testifying silently to the reach and relevance of Pa Christopher’s life and the goodwill earned by his children.
As evening fell, the atmosphere transformed into a powerful night of praise and worship. The Shekinah Glory Gospel Band led soul-lifting sessions that turned remembrance into thanksgiving. Traditional dance groups—the Ojegobu Ki’ from Otukpo, Ogrinya dancers from Edumoga, Ibo troupes, and other entertainers—added rich cultural depth, sustaining joy from evening till morning.
Beyond the music and celebration, the memorial served as a reunion ground. Old friends and associates of Charles Ikeh reconnected after many years, rekindling bonds that time and distance had stretched but not broken.
Altar servers, choristers, schoolmates, football teammates, and classmates of Charles converged on Imane in remarkable numbers. Childhood memories were recounted with laughter, old stories revived, and new contacts exchanged—proof that remembrance also builds community.
There was no gainsaying that it was a night to eat, drink, and make merry. Food and drinks flowed generously, and in a familiar cultural expression of joy, the Nigerian naira rained freely on entertainers, affirming that this was indeed a celebration of life.
December 27, the deed day itself, dawned with solemn beauty. Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Imane, was once again nearly filled to capacity. The Holy Mass was chiefly celebrated by Very Rev. Cornelius Amen, assisted by an array of priests who left tight schedules to honour Charles Ikeh and the memory of his father.
The homily was well and prolifically delivered by Rev. Fr. Tony Okoliko, the Idah Diocesan Director of Social Communications. His message centred on sustaining legacy, emphasizing that remembrance is meaningless unless it inspires continuity of values. He challenged families to ask not just how they mourn the dead, but how they live out what the dead stood for.
Fr. Okoliko noted that remembering a man thirty years after his death is evidence that he raised children of substance—children capable of sustaining friendship, building bridges, children capable of sustaining family name, values and legscies. Children who know what sacrifice, and generosity of their parents is.
Rev Fr. Tony further stressed that legacy is preserved not in monuments alone, but in acts of love, service to the Church, and commitment to community development.
By all standards, he affirmed, Charles Ikeh and his siblings had made their father proud even in death.
By honouring what Pa Christopher loved—faith, friendship, and humanity—they had ensured that his life continued to speak.
Among the many distinguished guests in attendance at this event, one name resonated strongly: Prince Gowan Enenche, Managing Director and CEO of G-One Homes and Autos, and one of Imane’s most illustrious sons. A childhood friend of Charles for over thirty-five years, Gowan proved that true friendship is tested not by words, but by presence and sacrifice.
From remaining physically present through the long night to financially supporting every performing group, Gowan demonstrated that genuine friendship thrives in and out of season. His actions kept spirits high and underscored the value of standing by friends when it truly matters.
An infectiously generous man, Gowan Enenche donated ₦2 million to Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Imane, for its building project and further presented a complete public address system to the parish—gifts that will serve the Church for years to come.
In the same spirit, and to immortalize Pa Christopher Amaha Ikeh’s love for humanity, Gowan built and donated a motorized borehole to Charles’s family, extending its benefit to the Ebuloko-Aloga-Adoli clan.
In Catholic theology, such acts echo Christ’s teaching that giving water to the thirsty is service rendered unto God Himself.
Poems and eulogies flowed freely, celebrating Pa Christopher Amaha Ikeh and praising Charles Ikeh, whom many believe has continued the charitable legacy exemplified by his uncle, Hon. Sixtus Okeyi Sparo, who stood as a father figure to the family. The impact of Charles’s gesture will be felt across Imane for generations.
May God raise for families children who will remember and honour their parents long after death.
There is no doubt, Christopher Amaha Ikeh is being remembered, SPARO, his Nephew is praised for his vision of seeing that his uncle’s children lived and have good life while Charles is the greatest celebrity of his time for uniting his siblings to give befitting honour to his farher.
December 27, 2025, may have come and gone, but its memory endures—as the day an entire parish shifted its rhythm to honour a man of honour, affirming that Pa Christopher Amaha Ikeh did not die; he lives on through his seed, Charles Ekwuojo Ikeh.
