Chief Ralph Umeadi Eke was born on March 5, 1948 into the family of Lawrence Nwakashi Eke and Alice Eke of Umuayom, Awka. Ralph studied at the Saint Patrick’s Primary School, Ogbete, Enugu, after which he preceded to the Christ the King College, Onitsha. After the war, in which he served, he went on to study Civil Engineering at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
After graduation in 1975, during his Youth Service, he served as a Pupil Engineer with the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation, being responsible for storm water drainage for Amuwo-Odofin New Town in Lagos. Later that same year, he landed his first job, as a civil engineer with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).
Engineer Ralph Eke was the major site engineer for the Warri and Kaduna refineries’ civil works construction. This was a huge responsibility for a young engineer like him but it was based on the recommendation of his superiors who had great trust in his professional abilities. By 1978, only three years later, he was a major partner in, and the General Manager, of TNB Construction Ltd.
Two years after that, he left to become Managing Director of his own engineering firm, Gomel Engineering Ltd. The firm was involved in major engineering projects all over the country, including the NNPC Jetty in Calabar, Abuja Central Area construction and design, Langtang Dam and Water Supply, the Awe Water Project and the Obosi Main Market.
In 1978, he married the love of his life, Cordelia Eke (nee Afadi), and they welcomed their first child. They had four children in total: Uche, Kene, Ogo and Oma. Ralph and Cordy met as children at Enugu, their parents being colleagues in the prison warden system. As destiny would have it, almost as if their lives were made to rhyme with each other’s, they attended sister/brother secondary schools at the same time in Onitsha, with her schooling at Queen of the Rosary College (QRC), while he was at CKC. They reconnected as adults after being separated during their college years, and the rest is loving, beautiful history.
Ralph was a strong, principled leader by example, ever ready to shoulder whatever burden was required. He was a conscientious professional, and was highly respected by his peers. He also treasured his community and continuously sought to improve it.
Engineer Ralph Eke was the Founding President, Aka Ikenga; Secretary of Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN); Council Member of ACEN as well as Council Member and Fellow of Nigerian Society of Engineers. Ralph was also a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary International.
He served on numerous panels, private and public, both on the state and federal levels. He was a man that others felt proud to support and rally behind. But most importantly, Ralph was a loving father and a devoted husband. He was kind. He was generous, often to a fault. Anyone who knew him knew that he loved his family, and he was determined to provide for them and give them the life he felt they deserved.
Chief Engr. Ralph Eke assumed responsibility for the training of his siblings, right from his time as a youth Corper. He was the pillar of his family, nuclear and extended, and his loss is deeply felt. Ralph was predeceased by his brothers, Michael Eke, Ossai Eke, Joseph Eke and sister, Cecilia Chukwudi.
Ralph Umeadi Eke passed away on April 24, 2021 following a protracted illness. He is survived by: his wife – Cordelia Eke; children – Uchenna Okpala, Kenechukwu Eke, Ogochukwu Eke, and Unoma Adeyemi; his siblings – Bene Nwashili, Lady Kate Eke, Emeka Eke, Dr Dorothy Afunugo, Ifeoma Little, and Loretta Eke Ikpemini. Others are his grandchildren – Kaira Okpala, Muna Okpala and Kayo Adeyemi as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.
Christian wake holds today at 22, Okpandu Street, Umuayom village, Amaenyi, Awka, while funeral mass will take place tomorrow at Saint Peter’s Catholic Church, Nkwele, Awka, thereafter, interment. There will be outing mass on Sunday, July 4, 2021 at St Peter’s Catholic Church, Nkwele, Awka.
Adieu, Ozumba Awka.
WRITTEN BY KENECHUKWU EKE
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