Mazi Ogbonnaya Simon Okoroji (1951-2025): Goodbye to Eternity – Dr Okoro Mourns

By Mazi Dr Azubike Okoro, Ugwu Aro

Though a certainty ordained by Heaven, death always evokes emotion that is at times difficult to manage.
This is particularly the case if the deceased is connected with cherished and memorable experiences.

Again, the emotional devastation is often more pronounced if the loss involves someone with a good spirit and an outstanding relationship with people. Such is the exact situation with the instant case.

Death has indeed snatched a very calm, unassuming, diligent, God-fearing and purposeful man. Bro OGB Canada is gone for eternity.

We are sad, indeed very sad at his sudden exit; but we are certain that God allows events to occur in the fullness of their times.

The news was sudden and most startling even though I knew of his ill-health. My hope was that he was turning around for total recovery given steady progress. With the news confirmed, it dawned on me that a major calamity had occurred.

Subsequent visit to my cousins at 45 Bonny Street, Umuahia, and telephone discussion with Mazi Nnanna Okoroji brought the weight of the loss home. Obviously, we have lost an impeccable character whose identity evoked strong impressions during my childhood years.

I recalled his short visit to Aro-Achi, the colour of the clothes he wore, and our several encounters while holidaying at 43 Bonny Street, Umuahia; his usual calm composure and ever smiling face.

Further reflection about his demise brought lots of memories to my mind. As a very young person, I was opportune to be influenced by several “significant others” and Mazi OGB Okoroji was a major factor in this socialization process.

Apart from early childhood years at Aro-Achi and Aro-Mbala, coupled with the impact of immediate parents, a few uncles such as Bro OGB Canada, dominated events of my early childhood and late adolescent lives.

Amongst Aro Diaspora communities (Ulo Ubi), Aro-Achi and Aro-Mbala, Isuochi, were quite outstanding due to the presence of these uncles, the vibrancy of interactions, active host-community relationship and charismatic personalities that inhabited those abodes. I always regard them as pillars, and great pillars they were. The vivid impressions about events of those years, especially how we engaged in multiple errands joyfully, prayer sessions and hosting meeting delegates, seasonal feasts, learning basic mannerisms from the elders, such as Dede Edward Okoroji (Nwoke Ezuike), who we must stay close to while he was eating to provide needy services.
Of course, such errands always earned us goodies, especially a part of the food and meat that was served Mazi.

Again, among the second generation uncles, Bro OGB was outstanding, and his excellent academic performance earned him a model to the younger ones.
The vivid impressions about events of those years, especially visit by different groups and individuals refuse to dim as one fights back memories of Dede Edward Ezuma, Dede Edward Okoroji, Dede Denis Okoronkwo, etc.

Very nostalgic is remembering Dede Edward Okoroji sitting ‘at court’ as it were, and waiting for the arrival of Dede Dennis Okoronkwo from Aba, to dispense judgment over critical family matters.

At such occasions, I always stood close-by with my cousins – Ndy Okoroji and Cami (Stanley) Nwakamma ready for errands. Those rare moments were very educating and inspiring.
We have virtually lost all of the first generation uncles’, including Mazi Fredrick Okereke Uja, Mazi Pious Uja, Mazi Basil Sunday Okoronkwo, Dede Ignay Okoronkwo, Mazi Samuel Okereke Akuma, etc.

Then we starting losing the second generation uncles’, such as Mazi Sir Rowland Okoronkwo, and Mazi Sinclair Ogbonnia. Engr. Emma Okoronkwo and Major Zion Ogbonnia joined them in the recent past; and now, Mazi OGB Okoroji, thus making my situation poorer. I thank God, though, for their lives and the lives of the remaining ones.

Mazi OGB, your love for your maternal relatives at Aro Achi was outstanding even though you scarcely visited and your sojourn overseas did not help matters. But even that did not diminish your love and desire to speak with, and see everyone anytime opportunity called.

During my visits to my children at school in Canada, we spoke a few occasions and you encouraged them to excel in their academics. You readily called on the phone to ask after the welfare of everyone, and you assured me of your planned home-bound journey after retirement.

Your love for Arochukwu and relatives is never in doubt, hence your determination to return home and restart interaction with everyone not knowing that fate had a different agenda.

Always not clinging to a status you rightly attained, but willing to be at the same level with everyone, you graciously interacted with everyone, including your juniors. Your simplicity and broad mindedness was a lesson to be emulated. That you were molded in the image and nature of our first generation uncles, especially your Dad, whose golden heart you inherited, is an understatement.

As the burial period approaches, a release signed by Mazi Nnanna Okoroji on behalf of the family indicates that his 74- year-old senior brother, Ogbonnaya Simon Okoroji, died in Canada after an ill-health and his body arrived in Nigeria for final burial rites after similar activities were organized by relations and friends in Canada to accord him last respect and bid him farewell to eternity.

His remains shall leave Madonna Hospital mortuary, Umuahia on Thursday March 26, 2026, at 4pm for Arochukwu Kingdom. Wake keep shall hold same day at his country home, 27 Aba Road, Amuvi village, Arochukwu; while burial Mass shall hold at 11am on Friday March 27, 2026 at Saint Thomas Catholic Church, Amuvi, Arochukwu and internment thereafter in his house. There will be Thanksgiving Mass at 10am on Sunday March 29, 2026.
Mazi Ogbonnaya Okoroji is survived by his wife, sons, sisters, brother, nieces, nephews and cousins.

He had very extensive and rewarding career in multiple organizations in Toronto, Canada.
First was at Schneider’s where he started work while schooling at Laurier University and University of Waterloo.

He returned back to school in 1988 and finished a Master’s Degree in Chemistry while doing a part-time job.
In about 1989, he took a role with Agriculture Canada as a Meat Inspector and spent 33 years in the organization before retiring in 2022.

Mazi OGB, I can testify that you were forthright, forward-looking and bold. You will, therefore, be greatly missed by many people. You were always caring and willing to see people around you excel in various endeavors and remained proud of their achievements.
Your love for Arochukwu culture and tradition is never hidden. My immediate family and the Okoro Akuma extended family will miss you dearly, including the so many lives – relations, friends, in-laws, acquaintances, etc. – whom your ever beaming smiles showed that love and humility are uncommon virtues.

May your gentle soul find peace in God’s bosom.
Adieu!