Name: Eld. Hon. Ukpai Mbila
Relationship: -
Date: Mar 07, 2026

A TRIBUTE TO A COLOSSUS: LATE CHIEF KALU IKE KALU BY 
ELDER HON. CHIEF AMBS. UKPAI MBILA MBA
Writing a tribute in honour of Chief Kalu Ike Kalu is one of the write-ups 
I have found so difficult to write. Composure, courage, brevity, dexterity 
etc: all deserted me each time I remembered to write this tribute. But, so 
obvious, something needs to be done. So let’s do first things first.
I have come to terms that life has three triangular apertures. To some, life 
is measured with the amount of wealth one has amassed. To some, life is 
measured by the number of years one has lived on planet earth. And yet to
some, life is measured by the impartation to people around you. This third 
measurement apparatus has become the most widely accepted in the 
Christendom and in the walk of life however facile. I am in agreement with 
the song writer Charles H. Supurgeon who in S. S & S 798 summarized the 
length of life as “only remembered by what we have done”
My dear Reader, pause a little. “What will you be remembered with?”
This great solider whose body lies before us was unassuming, a counselor 
per excellence. He was an epitome of honesty, love, diligent, care,
trustworthy, hardworking, and fearless and always standing tall for the 
truth he believed in. In helping others to succeed he was, superlative. He 
was a pillar of inspiration and not a caterpillar. In the period of our 
childlessness, he used to release the little IYKE-our page boy-to us, just to 
douse the tension of childlessness on me and my amiable wife. What a 
manner of love and empathy: releasing the son, Nar, the ONLY CHILD
then.
But be that as it may, the umpire of life, (the Chief Judge of the Supreme
Court of heaven and earth in whose judgment there is no appeal) has 
called him to His nearer presence. Nna m Ike, let it be known to you and 
all who are still alive that gallant soldiers of Christ don’t die. How do I
know? Tom Stoppard a famous playwright, thinker, wittily observed that 
“those who impacted positively toward humanity don’t die. They only 
withdraw from the battle field of life to God’s nearer presence”. We shall
meet with him on the resurrection morning.
Adieu, Amadi Obu Ikpe Mbila!
Adieu, Nwoke Obi Oma ?
Adieu, Big Daddy ?!
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Rest on. Your fond memories will not be forgotten.