With a heavy heart, fortified with faith, we are announcing the passing on of Sir, Dr. Chief Joseph Ozoemena Nwankwu (the Onwanetilora of Abagana, a decorated Papal Knight, & numerous National/International Titles, Awards, and Achievements of great magnitude, too many to list). Born on June 16^th 1924, he joined our great ancestors on October 11^th, 2004 (80+ awesome years). Remember how the Bible says it, “THE SPAN OF OUR LIFE IS 70, or 80 FOR THOSE WHO ARE STRONG (Psalm 89/90:10). Definitely Sir Joe (as fondly called), was a very strong man, a SUPER-HERO indeed, who built an immense business empire from a very humble scratch. He is going to be dearly missed by many in different parts of globe, being also a globetrotter of unrivaled magnitude. Sir Joe’s exit is especially a big blow to Abagana, Anambra State, Igboland, Eastern Nigeria and Nigeria as a whole.

Our ancestors say that when a giant tree falls, the birds get scattered all over the forest/jungle (oke-osisi daa, umu nnunu e ju ohia). This is exactly what the death of Sir Joe means to our great land. There is no gainsaying that his death is the end of an era, the abrupt freezing of an empire, or the closure of “a dynasty.” My brethren, “uwa a di egwu,” this world is unfathomable indeed. Only our faith offers a clue in such situations as this, “for those who believe in God, death is not an end of life but only a transition” (Catholic Eucharistic Prayer for Funeral Masses).

The burial and funeral have been fixed for December 10^th, 2004 with the main funeral/burial Mass in St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Abagana. Let us join his heartbroken family, “umunna,” friends and business empire to pray sincerely for the repose of his soul. Bring on and send your individual and collective condolence messages, “okwu-agbamume” and “ife uno-onwu.”  You can also post your condolence messages on the cyberspace by signing the Guestbook: Sign Guestbook View Guestbook Also visit this SPECIAL MEMORIAL WEBSITE: www.SirJoeNwankwu.com often since it is still under construction and updates will be posted intermittently. And sign the Sign Guestbook, as often as you like before you log out. Feel free to leave your comments bearing in mind that "brevity is the soul of wit" (according to Plato). However, Note very well that the webmaster reserves the inalienable right to retain or remove any message(s) as he deems fit.

May the soul of Sir Joseph Ozoemena Nwankwu and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace – Amen!!!

Signed:  Fr. Patrick Nsionu (for, and on behalf of myself and his American family)