Col. Ufodike Goes Home

C𝙤𝙡. 𝙇𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙂𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙠𝙖𝙚𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙪 𝙐𝙛𝙤𝙙𝙞𝙠𝙚 (𝙧e𝙩𝙙), 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙙𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙪𝙢 𝙞𝙣 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙣, 𝙐𝙢𝙪𝙙𝙞𝙢, 𝙉𝙣𝙚𝙬i 𝙞𝙣 𝙉𝙣𝙚𝙬𝙞 N𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝 L𝙤𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙂𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝘼𝙧𝙚𝙖 𝙤𝙛 𝘼𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙗𝙧𝙖 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙚.

The military officer died at the age of 82 years and was buried recently in Ufodike’s family of Okpuno-Egbu in Nnewi.

In his sermon, Archbishop Emeritus of Diocese of Nnewi, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev’d Godwin Okpala, urged christians to emulate the Ufodike’s legacy, adding that the late military officer, lived a live that is worthy of emulation.

In her tribute, his wife Ebere, said that her husband lived an exemplary life.

“You are a darling husband, and a friend to everyone, irrespective of the tribe or nationality. You cracked jokes and helped people no matter how large theirs were.

“You were a role model to our children, grandchildren and those around you. “You lived an exemplary life. I never failed to remind our grandchildren how industrious you were.

“During winter, you cleared the snow from the walkway and didn’t have to wait for any one to assist you with the task. Our safety and provision were your priority. I will miss you, my darling, and I pray that the Almighty God will grant your soul an eternal peace” she said.

In his own tribute, his immediate younger brother, Prof. E.B.C. Ufodike, said when he was phoned around midday of June 9 , 2024 to break the news of Leo’s (as they fondly called him) passing, that there was was total eclipse in his eyes, for a couple of minutes.

“Being my immediate elder brother sibling, giving me four years and four months I was a copy cat of his. I joined him in the same secondary school, Boys High school, Oron, joined him in the same university, University Of Nigeria Nsukka and in the same Zoology department.

“My not joining the Nigeria Army is probably because he kept his plans to join, a secret from me” he further stated.

Col. Ufodike, who was accorded full military respect at the burial is survived by is wife, children and many grandchildren among whom are professionals in diversi areas of human endeavours.

The late Ufodike who was giving the title, Onuo-Onaa in his community because of his gallantry in the Army, received his funeral rites at St Stephen’ Anglican Church, Okpuno-Egbu, Umudim Nnewi.

The burial attracted the ranks and files in the military personnel, people from all walks of life to bid him farewell.

Highlights from the event was soldiers demonstration of their tradition to accord their colleague their last respect.

Col. Ufodike retired honourably from the Nigerian Army as one of the highest ranking Igbo officers at the date of his retirement on July 17, 1996.