His childhood was full of adventure and good memories. The family lived in several cities in the Northern part of Nigeria where his father worked with the Nigerian Railway Corporation. In 1942, he lived in Kafanchan; moving to Minna in 1943 and then to Kurra in 1944, where he began his kindergarten education in nearby Jos. He had lovely memories of life as a child in Northern Nigeria, in those days. He used to tell the story with a grin.

The family moved to Nnewi from the north and in 1945 he began his primary school education at the Elementary Central School, Nkwo. He attended this school between 1945 and 1956 where he played a prominent role in the choir which sang regularly at St Stephens Anglican Church Nnewi, showing an early special interest in the things of God as a child.

In 1956 he began his secondary school education at the famous Okongwu Memorial Grammar School where he continued till 1958. In 1959, discovering a talent and skill for cars and vehicles; he opted for a technical training education and completed this in 1962.

He then set up his own automobile repair business upon completion in 1962 in the bustling city of Port Harcourt whilst managing his father’s property estate.

In 1968, the young family returned to Nnewi because of the civil war where he joined the Research and Production (RAP) unit Ozubulu; which was then stationed at Zikson Grammar School, working in the car production division.

With the war’s end in 1970, he moved to Enugu with his young family (now blessed with 2 daughters) and began a new business in the transport industry.  He had a fleet of taxis providing useful needed commuting services. He also continued business in the car workshop as a technician and employer until 1977.

1977 marked a turning point in his life, when he gave up his job and business as a motor vehicle technician on medical advice and moved into a new business environment, within the Airport Industry. He began a car hire service at the Enugu Airport, an occupation which he enjoyed till he retired. He was blessed and due to his hard work and need to help others, he grew in the business and became an employer while also involved in management within the workforce.

While at the Airport, he held several positions within the union, most notably as Chairman and Assistant Chairman for several years.

He semi-retired at the age of 70 retaining his drivers and vehicles before fully retiring a couple of years after that. He settled down in Enugu attending various community meetings to contribute to community development and enjoyed his early morning Sunday devotion at the Cathedral of Good shepherd.

Having been a very active, very busy and hardworking man juggling work, family and various community activities, he found retirement difficult to handle after a few years while remaining in the same environment and he started yearning to return to his hometown where he could be with his siblings and kindred to make further useful contributions. 

He was very happy to return to the village and he shared this with everyone who cared to listen - we know it lived up to his expectation. His desire had always been to return to the village after his 70th birthday. He used to say that 70 was a good landmark which he really wanted to celebrate, and every year afterward was extra blessing. 

It was great to have celebrated your 70th birthday.

Timothy Chukwukaelo Ejimkonye Okoye was born to Mr. Timothy Chukwukaelo Ejimkonye Okoye and Mrs Bertha Okoye (nee Azubuike) on the 9th of March 1939 at the Ikeokwu Maternity Hospital Port Harcourt. He was the 7th child, 4th son of his parents; lovingly named after his father perhaps because Papa as he was fondly called saw himself in him.

He met Miss Regina Nzom in 1966 and after a period of courtship and Regina’s training at the Domestic Centre Onitsha, they were married in April 1967 at the St Cyprians Church, Port Harcourt. 

His wife Mrs Regina Uchenna Okoye was the gentle and powerful force behind him throughout their 54 years of marriage.  She ensured that no stone was left un-turned in ensuring that their vision for their children and family was fulfilled. 

Daddy was a devoted family man who strongly believed in the education of the young child. Together with his wife, they ensured all their children were educated at least to University level, with most of them completing master’s degrees and still pursuing further education. Daddy would tell us if we did not study we would end up being petty (manual) workers struggling to make ends meet.

He is blessed with a lovely wife, six children, and many grandchildren.

His first daughter, Mrs. Ngozi Achonwa has a master’s degree with Distinction in Educational Administration from the university of Lagos. She also holds professional certificates in Childhood education and entrepreneurial studies. She is the Proprietress of one of the Leading Government Approved  Primary and Secondary school in Ibafo Ogun State.  She is also the Founder and Chief Executive officer of the very influential Facebook page for Middle aged Men and Women "Aging with Grace" with over thirty thousand Fans and Followers. She is married to Pastor Charles Achonwa who is one of the Leading Pentecostal Ministers in Nigeria and the Visitor of the Impact Institute, they are both the Founders of Doulos Ministries.

 Mrs. Chinwe Nze is the second daughter, she holds a master’s Degree and a Computer Science degree as well as IT professional qualifications. She is a Manager of IT in the financial services sector and is married to Dr. Godfrey Nze a Business and Financial Consultant/entrepreneur as well as a Pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

 Mrs. Ifeoma Iwuajoku the third daughter holds a Master’s degree in business administration and is a Chartered Banker working in one of the biggest banks in Nigeria and is married to Mr. John Iwuajoku who is the Managing director of a prominent health maintenance organization in Lagos.

 His first son Dr. Obiora Okoye is a Principal Medical Doctor and is also a Trainer of junior doctors. He is married to Barrister(Dr) Adaeze Okoye a principal (associate professor) University lecturer and also a visiting professor in Coal city University.

 His Second son Engr. Chinedu Mmutaka Okoye  is an Electrical Engineer. He is a player in the house finishing and furnishing industry in Nigeria and diaspora. He is married to Mrs Ogechi Okoye a public servant and a player in the pastry industry with the brand name Bracha's Cake n treat Nig. Ltd.

 His third son Mr. Kenechukwu Okoye holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and is a businessman, married to Barrister Gloria Okoye, a Human Resource Manager and Company Secretary in a leading company. 

The man TCE Okoye (Eziokwu Bu Ndu) - in the children’s words 

You were truly a family man, you cared for your wife and children and made sure we had what we needed to do well in life. It was always refreshing to sit together as a family when we were younger savouring our meals while having a quiet time or bantering even though sometimes we felt we could have been better with a larger table but that wad the beauty of the times shared even after a hard days work. 

We all cannot forget your commitment to ensure that we got a good start by ensuring we worked hard to gain a good education and understood the importance of sowing the right seeds. We still remember with fondness your diligence in getting us to school in both primary and secondary schools despite your busy schedule. Work came second when it came to ferrying us to and from our various secondary schools and University too. Visiting often and making the journey whenever we forgot things at home or needed urgent attention especially with Chinwe breaking her glasses a few times. 

We all have wonderful memories of long car journeys to and from school, extra lessons from primary schools, extra mural lessons at secondary schools, library sessions during the holidays and more car journeys to far away Federal Schools and University. His dedication was amazing, and he never complained preferring to drive us himself and sending his drivers in rare occasions when he could not make the journeys. 

Daddy encouraged us to participate in extra-curricular activities so long as it did not interfere with academics. 

As you grew older and your body became weaker compared to your bustling youthful strength, we thank God that your spiritual strength grew stronger. You would rise in the morning and read your bible aloud, kneeling in the living room to pray for us and so many others.  You loved to sing too – and you had a lovely soothing voice, many times whistling through your teeth.  

In 2020 you told us about a dream you had where you went to heaven but were not clothed like the people you saw there and how God sent you back to earth to complete your assignment before returning. We have heard how you went round Umuele evangelizing, asking people to repent and commit their lives to the Lord. The ministers at St. Stephens Church in Umuele have also shared stories of you testifying before the congregation. Numerous others have also testified. 

The youth around the house have told stories of how you encourage them to study, to play less, to dedicate themselves to hard work and not folly.  

You were so generous and compassionate. You gave when you had plenty, when you had little, when you had projects needing money you would rather give to others and defer yours. You sacrificed and invested in so many lives too numerous to mention.  

You also had your share of community investment and contributions like your leadership accolades of being the Chairman of the Umudim Family meeting in Enugu and your  membership in various community and social meetings  including Anaedo Social Club. 

Everyone that encountered you had good things to say about you. Your legacy lives on.

 

Buzz words and attributes of Daddy extracted from the tributes written by friends and family.

 

Charming smile, sense of humour, very simple and easy going, informative, amazing father and husband, handsome, quick wits and reprimand, effortlessly funny, selfless, generous and warm, humility, thoughtful, no extravagance, God-fearing, kind man, constant encouragement, believe in myself, frowns at deceit, peaceful man, very hardworking, peacemaker, kind hearted, very caring,  always stands for the truth, wonderful brother, never hold grudges, lovely brother, so knowledgeable, Prof, my Voltron, my hero, shining example, a disciplinarian, a problem solver, defender of the defenceless, helper of the helpless, unquestionable integrity, strong family values, ever gentle, so kind and loving, role model, genuine smiles, truthfulness, firm guidance, simple man, very industrious, sacrificial, analytical, intelligent, plain and simple opinions, quiet spirit, divine helper, the truthful gentleman, irrepressible boldness to tell the truth, never envious, never oppressive, indomitable brother, replica of our late father, strong, brave, daring, strong man of the family, super hero, honest man, charitable man, peacemaker, loving father, great Dad, awesome personality, wonderful character, honest father without discrimination, straightforward, positive assertiveness, life of sacrifice, supportive, faithful, graceful, accountable, forthrightness, happy easy going, worthy son.

 

Our dear Daddy, we all miss you so much, we all love you so much, we will continue to live our lives to make you proud in appreciation for your sacrifice and investment in us.

 

Rest in peace Daddy, Ezi Okwu Bu  Ndu. You are forever in our hearts and will be forever missed.