By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, just back from Nnewi
It was sad moments for family members, friends and well-wishers of late Simon Nnadozie of, Umudike clan, Agbogwugwu village, Unubi, in Nnewi-South Local Government Area (LGA), Anambra state as they gathered from far and near to pay last respect to their brother, Mr. Chukwuemeka David Nnadozie.
Chukwuemeka died at a private health facility in Lagos on 12th December, 2025. Agony, and pains associated with losing a loved one took better part of all that were present throughout the duration of the service, up to the point of lowering the remains of the deceased to mother earth at his personal house.
While many who saw him few days to the time of his death find it difficult to believe as they battled to hold back tears, others who recalled their last moments spent with late Chukwuemeka David Nnaedozie in Lagos and in the village few weeks back, never stopped asking, God, why his passage?
If tears were all that was needed to bring him back to life, tears were more than enough if that was all that death needed to let go of David Chukwuemeka who was looking his best in his usual jovial mien few days back.
In their respective words of exhortation/consolation to family members during the interdenominational church service which took place at Nnadozie's family compound, Pastor Steven Ogodo and Rev. Dan Uche Edward reminded the living today on the need to be prepared as they do not know the time or hour of their deaths.
Steven and Edward led other pastors and members of the Christian Pentecostal Mission (CPM) in Unubi where the deceased worshipped whenever he travelled to the village and their zonal headquarters in Ukpor to conduct befitting funeral for one of their own. The clerics urged the mourners to invest in heavenly treasure while on earth and still strong so that they will be sure to be in paradise with their creator.
The two Clergy men, reading from different portions of the Bible, gave good account of David while he was alive as a member of the church in Unubi, and prayed to God that his services to the kingdom while alive will not go unrewarded.
They cited the case of God's servant, Lazarus and the sinful wealthy man who had everything working for him except for his failure to remember that a day of reckoning would come and therefore encouraged the living not to forget that judgment or a day to give account of one's sojourn on earth to God their creator will surely come.
David Chukwuemeka before his death had been a member of Christ Embassy church Lagos, and they did play significant role during the wake keep which took place earlier at his residence in Lagos. As a sign of last respect to departed member, the church was adequately represented at late David's funerals by a delegation from Lagos who joined their Nnewi and Ukpor zonal church leaders led by; Pastor Solomon Irabor, Judith Leonard and Joyce Christopher, Abigail Ude, Chibuzor Okonkwo, Agozie Eze and Nonso Uzoukwu to lead church members in the zone to participate in the burials.
There were long list of Clergy men who were on hand in Unubi to pay their last respect to late David who was later committed to mother earth in his personal house. In their respective condolence messages, a delegation from the Unubi Born Again Christians (UBAC), Lagos branch led by Samuel Obika, Ifeanyi Anumba (ex-officio) and Amaobi Joseph, payed glowing tribute to their late member.
Others who shared good memories with the deceased included Pastors Ikechukwu Onyeanusi of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles church, Lagos, Evangelist Celestine Agu of Christian Pentecostal Church, Lagos, brother Chris Uba, describing late David as a committed Christian who not only played active role to the growth and development of the Christian body but stated that his memory will remain long in their hearts. They prayed that God grant those he left behind, including two children and the entire Nnadozie family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
In his vote of thanks after the funeral service, the head of the family, Sir Solomon Ogechukwu Nnadozie (KSC) appreciated everyone who visited to mourn with the family from far and near in their grieving moments.
While appreciating relatives, friends and well-wishers from within and outside Anambra state who supported the family in various ways to bid David goodbye, Solomon prayed that God Almighty grants each and everyone of them journey mercies to their respective destinations.
Late David Chukwuemeka Nnadozie left behind many family members to mourn him, including two children, Chinweotuto and Chimdi. Others are, brothers, sisters, cousins, nephews and nieces, including Chinwendu Nnadozie, Daily Independent newspaper, Niger state Correspondent. NNL.