By Anwuli Oseloka
In the quiet moments of reflection and the somber gatherings of remembrance, the Maduka family and the traders on Awolowo Road, Ikeja mourn the loss of someone dear.
They gathered, their hearts heavy with sorrow, yet bound together by the shared memories and love they hold for the one they had lost.
Born on 5th December 1964, an indigene of Uli, Ihiala Local Government in Anambra State. He had travelled to the village for a burial and fell ill and after all efforts to treat him at hospitals, he died at the Owerri General Hospital on 17th January 2024 at age 59. He is survived by his wife and 6 children.
Ikejabird was present at the event to honor the deceased and had a brief interview with his family.
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His younger sister Mrs. Rebecca Egwelu says of him, “My brother is a man of peace. Everyone in the family knows him as one. He is a jovial person. He avoids having any problem with anybody and always speaks the truth in any situation. We can’t question God but my prayer is that his gentle soul rests in peace.
Gilbert Maduka was one of the first people to start a boutique business on Awolowo Road in Ikeja. He had open3d shops and grown it for more than 30 years. His family recounts that as the third child of seven children, when Gilbert’s father died, he had just finished Primary 6 education so there was no one to train or support them. So Gilbert dropped out of school to learn Carpentry work in Lagos. With the money he made, he came to Awolowo road to open a boutique shop.
Rebecca reveals that he went ahead to support his family financially without any complaints and trained a lot of people in the boutique business here in Ikeja while some have travelled out. “A lot of them are here. Most are even consoling me that he is a great man and he would definitely rest in peace. He even trained some of his friends’ children from primary to university because he believed as his children are going to school so should other children too. He has set a good example for me to be living a good life.”
His elder kinsman Chief Ogbuehi Ifeanyichukwu Alagbuche paid glowing tributes to him. “This is a big loss because he is a good man, he is kind, he brought up a lot of business men here in Ikeja. He is the foundation of a lot of businesses here including me. I believe only God knows why this happened. I still can’t believe he is dead. I believe God would grant him eternal rest.
Now he is no more, I would assist take care of his children and his businesses here in Ikeja and support the family any way I can.” His sister, Rebecca Egwelu recalls him as being supportive since the loss of her husband. “My late brother has always been close to me. He gives me advise and has always been there for me and my children financially. He is a selfless man. He used to tell me when he is 60 years, he would stop working and rest, now he is gone resting in the hands of God. He has tried, not just for his immediate family, extended family, friends and strangers but he could not reap what he has sown.”
His first son, Ebuka Maduka spoke highly of his father. “My father was a good person. He tried to be human for everybody, family, friends, strangers, workers. To me he is a legend.” He revealed that the news of his death was a shock because they were together before he travelled for the burial.He also said, “My most cherished memory of my dad was the day I told him to follow me to school because I was going to play football and he didn’t complain. I know he was not a football person but I loved football and he supported me and he was so proud of me. You can’t imagine how happy I was that day as a young child. He was also particular about education and wanted education above everything for his children.
He is also a funny and jovial man. I remember another birthday; we were expecting cake and gifts then he bought enough garden eggs and said that is how we are going to celebrate the birthday and we all started laughing.We all know one day people would die but this one came too soon and as a shock because he was healthy and agile.”The beloved Gilbert Maduka (aka Ahiazuba) has departed this world, leaving behind a profound void that echoes in the silence of their home and lingers in the depths of their souls.
Mr. Gilbert would be laid to rest on the 11th and 12th of April 2024 in his home town Uli in Ubahudara in Ihiala Local government, Anambra State.
As they bid farewell to their beloved, the family and friends take solace in the belief that he has found peace, watching over them from above with a love that knows no bounds. And though the pain of his loss may never fully fade, they find comfort in the knowledge that he will always be with them.
