Captain "Atu Na Nri" Obi Ephraim, Okeke

BIOGRAPHY OF CAPTAIN EPHRAIM OBI OKEKE

Ecclesiastes 8:8, Habakuk 2:3 Lamentations 3:37 and John 4:21-24 were your favourite verses in the scriptures, and you lived your life reflecting it till the end. To everything, there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven.Captain Ephraim Oramobi Okeke was a man of great wisdom and understanding. He was a good father, husband, brother, counsellor, Inlaw, and an amazing friend. He was very courageous, honest, and sincere. He was a godly man. Obi, as fondly called by his friends, colleagues, and well wishers, or “Atu Na Nri” was a very welcoming, loving, caring person who believes in telling the truth always.

BackgroundHe was born on the 17th day of July 1954 at Awka in Anambra state. He was the 7th in a family of 13.

Early lifeHe grew up in his village Obeagu Agukwu Nri in Anambra State, Nigeria. He was well loved by his village for his hard work, intelligence, and quiet nature.

EducationHe later left the village after completing his primary school education for Ubulu- ukwu grammar school in Aniocha local government area of Delta state, where he completed his secondary education and sat for Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Geography and Economics. He came out with distinction in all his subjects. He later went to University of  Lagos (UNILAG) where he started Pharmacy course, but at the end of the academic year, he got a scholarship with Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) to study Navigation in Marine in the UK.

CareerWith his outstanding excellent performance and achievements, he rose to the rank of a: 

• Captain in 1987
• Navigating Officer, 1973 - 1980
• Captain, 1980 - 1989
• Compass Adjuster with Seawills Marine,1989 - 1990

• Merseyside Police,1991-2022During his service with Merseyside police, he was given a distinctive award in 2012 for good conduct and 24 years of never late to work, good behaviour, and never took any sick leave.

   

Social LifeEphraim enjoyed taking his family out for entertainment, games, fun, and places of interest. He will go the extra mile to keep his family happy. He also loved meeting with people and organisations. He was a very unique man, with a good heart, always stood up for what he believes is right, and condemns what he believes is wrong, he goes out of his way to help people in need, believes in Exodus 23:2, always said” if you can’t win them; leave them to avoid bearing grudges because his heart is not big enough to store grudges. A man with strong views, highly principled and disciplined.By his nature, very jovial, always cheerful and not easily deceived, he was a man of his word. He never succumbed to the negative concepts of life. Moments spent with him were full of laughter, words of wisdom, and encouragement.

INTERESTS AND VALUESHis main interest was his family, but he also had love for electronics, reading, listening to Hymns, gardening, cooking, and he enjoyed family meeting on weekends when  both of us are on weekend off. He valued love, forgiveness, dignity, and integrity.

FAMILY LIFE/SUCCESSORSEphraim Oramobi Okeke was happily married to Mrs Obiageliaku Okeke, who loved him, appreciated him, cared for him, and supported him through it all to the last breath. He is survived byWife, children, grand- son, brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, friends, many god-sons and daughters, and well wishers.

CONCLUSIONOur beloved friend and a man of virtue and valour is gone, and that is why we are here to celebrate his glorious transition.Even in his last few days on earth, he constantly affirmed "I am not afraid of death"; I have seen the light, the blessedness and the tranquility of the other side, so I am ready to answer when he calls: He cannot be forgotten because he has impacted on every one of us. He has left us a unique legacy, though physically not present, but we are comforted by the good virtues he impacted on us and the good memories we shared. We will forever miss the safety of his presence. He was an amazing husband, dad, and friend!!! Rest in peace until the resurrection morning.

Chukwudubem OkekeOn behalf of the entire family.