Kem,

I can’t help but hear your laugh and your countless jokes about my New Orleans Accent. I met you in 2009 when I first moved to Atlanta. Those were the days. You were truly an incredible person and I wish I would have seen you. This hurts a lot. I remember the time you convinced me you beat President Obama in basketball! Your personality and laughter made me laugh and cry.  I’m praying for your family and friends. You did move back to Atlanta like you said and  it hurts that I didn’t get a chance to see you. Praying for your love ones and all of your friends❤️

Kem

 I first met Kemjika when I was working as a  tech at Kings County Hospital and the rest is history . We developed a beautiful relationship with high level of respect and and unconditional love. He was the reason I became a Physician Assistant, he always push and encourage me to do more. Throughout my studies he was always a call away to lend a helping hand. My heart feels so so so so heavy, because I felt it. I felt it deep within my soul. I even texted you on July 16, 23, awaiting some good news, but no reply, no reply at all. 😞

 You are a wonderful friend with a  heart filled of so much love, and  selfless in everything you do. ❤️ I will always keep you in my heart ❤️ 

When I think of Kemji, I remember one of his earliest visits to Nigeria as a very young boy. We older cousins were super protective of him as he had a visible scar and we were worried he might hurt himself while playing. He was such a happy little boy and  played without a care in the world!

Fast forward many years later with the advent of social media, I connected with him on Facebook and he told me he loved African music especially Fela. That’s when I knew he was alright!!

In recent years, Kemji got closer to more of his Onuoha cousins especially those in Nigeria and  everyone was easily drawn to his witty and outgoing personality. He joined our wider Onuoha family group chat on WhatsApp and quickly became one of the top contributors actively engaging in constructive discussions about health, religion, Nigerian & US politics etc

Just a few weeks before he passed, he posted a message on the chat which resonated with everyone of us when we heard the sad news.

My dear Kemji, so this is it. We’re all heartbroken at such a monumental loss, not only for our family and your friends but for your profession.  Your silence on the family group chat is deafening.

  It was just last year when we all came home to bury Uncle Patrick, we joked about the many traditional rites which the villagers insisted must be done when burying a parent. You were confident that you’ll be able to do them when it got to your turn.

I don’t know if I ever told you that I named Sean after you. His official first name on his birth certificate and passport is Kemjika, spelt with a ‘K’ just like yours. 

You made your mark in your short time in this world and touched many lives and you will rest in peace my dear cousin. 

It is unbelievable that I'm writing this tribute to Kemjika, my dynamic, gifted and handsome cousin.

I do thank God for his life and what he was able to achieve in his 36 years on earth. Not only did he go all the way in his academic career, getting a medical degree and then qualifying as a fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon, but he also proved himself to be a true Igbo man with a heart for his family both nuclear and extended. He made an effort to stay in touch with his cousins far and near and this endeared him to many. He donated generously to family when there was a need to be met. He was an inspiration to those around him. I pray the Lord to console our family as we deal with the painful void he left behind. We miss him so much .

Oyoyo Nwosu

I have so many fond memories of Kemji! Starting in childhood when our families would hang out on Friday nights. Auntie Josephine would delight us with fresh french fries and chicken! We’d play video games upstairs on the red carpet. It was always a good time hanging with the brothers (Enyioma, Uka, Kemji, “Prince”-Ugonna). Then we kept in touch as young college students. I remember calling him out on his newly discovered fashion choices like this ornate cowboy belt!

I’ll never forget the hospitality he extended to me and my friends the summer of 2013. I was in Brooklyn for the Beyoncé concert and he went out of his way to drive me and 3 of my friends around New York City. I told him at the time that we didn’t want to inconvenience him (mainly because he was in residency training) but he was adamant about helping us out. I don’t think I ever told him how much that meant to me.

I was ecstatic when I learned he took a job right outside of Atlanta. There is nothing like having a family-friend close by who you grew up with-who you adopted as your cousin/brother. I was glad that we’d have his energy around us! He never held back in expressing how proud and happy he was for us. This made me feel special.

I also wanted him to know how special he was (regardless of the Md title he carried so proudly). We’d have in-depth conversations about dating, growing up in Raleigh, and our careers; amongst many things. In his final hours my husband (Osas Ohuoba) and big sister (Adanna Oragwu) were committed to teaching him about home ownership and helping him find a home, so that he too could have another piece of the American dream!

Ultimately, Kemji wanted us to see him and be proud of him. Kemji, I want to say that I see you. I see you brother. I am so proud of the man you have become. The obstacles you have overcome. The faults you have found in your stars. Kemji your are a star. Your energy was always seen and felt. And even though you are gone your legacy will always shine bright. I love you. Rest now. Rest in perfect peace. -Ngozi Ohuoba 

Oh Kemji, it's still very difficult for me to believe that I will never see you again. It's even more difficult that I would miss being at your funeral to pay my last respect, thanks to Air France who canceled my flight. 

On the brighter side, I think I rather keep the last image I had of you while you were alive than the image of your body in a casket. I pray for God to grant you eternal rest in heaven. Rest in peace my dearest Kemji. I would greatly miss you. 

Ooh how I wish I have the power to resurrect you from this deep sleep called death...God knows best and we can't question Him.

Dearest Kemji,

Where do I begin? I have known you as long as I have known myself. The second son of Aunty Jo, about the same age as my brother Chib. Through the sibling love that our mothers have for one another, we were blessed to have always been in contact and know our cousins as we grew.  

I remember your visit to England when we were children and remember more so our visits to Raleigh. Through technological advances, we got closer during our teens and adulthood. You are such an example and model to me as the first doctor of our generation. I went on to follow in your steps. I remember our discussions of medical school, your residency, and the drama of all we needed to do. We shared medical stories, gunshot wound tails, and so much more. I always spoke about my orthopaedic cousin in the USA.

But you are more than your achievements; you are Kemji. Kemji means the one I have is greater. Your soul and your spirit are greater than whatever your body can do. You bring so much joy and fun wherever you go; you are approachable and sweet.  I remember coming out at Chib's wedding and realising you had little dancing coordination. It was a spectacle watching you 'dance' in.I watch you fight tough battles in life that would have crushed the strongest people, but you powered on and came out stronger. You never stopped being you.

We spoke about so many things in life. You were always interested in what was happening over the pond, in our lives and what we were getting up to. Our busy lives got in the way of those extra visits we could have had and those extra calls. But I know you love your job and what you do. You love to care for others and take care of people.

I'm sorry if I speak in the present. I struggle with the concept of death as we serve the God of the living. Kemji, I don't think for one second that you are no more; you have too much spirit. You are in a place where we cannot speak to you for some time, but we will all see again and be reunited. Until then, continue to shine where you are and know you are so much loved. 

I pray that eternal rest is granted you,  O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon you. May you rest in perfect peace.

Lots of Love,

Chiomaxxx

Kem,

I met you in 2005, and our first interaction consisted of you telling me that you’re best friends with Barry. Because of that, I trusted you immediately and we became quick friends. When I found out that you had met Barry the same time you met me, I couldn't even be upset because I had already started considering you a close friend. And you have been my close friend since that day.

You have been nothing short of a spectacular friend. You have been there for me through my hardships in school, heartbreaks, and my countless rants about the unnecessary things we have to do being in medicine. You checked in with me constantly when my now husband was figuring out his own life in medicine while you were going through your own hardships in fellowship. You never complained. You always gave me strength and encouragement, and you always had faith in me. Your loyalty was unwavering.

In 2007, you came to my parent’s place, and declared, “I’m going to become an Orthopedic Surgeon. Take a photo of me here to mark my words and watch it happen.” You did it. Despite everything that you’ve been through since then, you succeeded. I am so proud of you.

Getting over your loss will be incredibly difficult. I wish we could have just one more hilarious text conversation, one more deep phone call about our life, or one more get together with the crew. I will miss you so much. Rest in peace, my dear friend. 

It’s very sad & painful loss. We sympathize with the Onuoha family.

-Chib & Carol Iheagwara-