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The burial arrangements for late Rev’d. Stephen Chukwunyere Amaihe (Authority), who died at the age of 85, has been announced by the Amaihe Dynasty of Umuezikeokoro-Umuezeala, Etiti Omuma in Oru East L.G.A, of Imo State.

Until his death, he was the father of Rev’d. Canon Nelson Kelechukwu Amaihe, a Canon on Mission to the Persian Gulf, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion and presently a priest in the Cathedral Church of St. Stephen’s, Umuahia Diocese, Abia State.

According to a statement signed by Mr. Ansel Ikenna Amaihe (Enyi) and confirmed by Rev’d. Canon Nelson Amaihe and Mr. Indiana Chinonso Amaihe, the deceased will be laid to rest on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at St. Thomas Church, Omuma, Oru East, Imo State. 

A service of songs will be held at St. Thomas Church, Omuma by 3pm on Wednesday 14th June, followed by a Praise Night in his Honour at his Compound, Umuezeala, Etiti, Omuma by 7pm.

On Thursday 15th June, 2023, a burial service with lying in state will be held for the deceased at St. Thomas Church, Omuma, before the remains of the deceased will be laid to rest, which will be followed by interment, reception, and entertainment. 

The burial ceremony will conclude with a thanksgiving service on Sunday, June 18 at St. Thomas Church, Omuma.

Rev’d. Amaihe (Authority) died at early hours of Thursday, 9th March 2023.

Get other details below:

THE CHRONICLES OF THE MAN STEPHEN CHUKWUNYERE AMAIHE

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with his hand:” Psalm 37:23-24 (NKJV).

It was by 5.30am on Thursday 9th March, 2023 while early morning prayer second bell was ringing that such a good man, a Devoted servant of God, an Icon, a Quintessential father, a great Healer, hero, an Educational genius, a Missionary, and an Administrator per-excellence, Rev’d. Stephen Chukwunyere Amaihe joined the saints triumphant for a devotion with God in Heaven.

HIS BIRTH: The boy Stephen as the second son of Nze Amaiheuwanambu Okolieigboebiri was born on the 25th of April, 1938, at Umuezeala Etiti Omuma.

EARLY EDUCATION: He began his early education at CMS Primary School, Omuma and Emmanuel Anglican Church Primary School, Mgbidi, where he obtained his Standard five and six certificates respectively.

EDUCATION/TEACHING LIFE: In his quest for Education and Teaching, he obtained his teaching qualifications at Teachers Training College Alor, Onitsha, St. John’s College Diobu, Portharcourt, University of London and Bishop Lasbery College, Irette, Owerri. Sir Early as fondly called taught in many mission schools in present Oru East and Oru West L.G.A’s and rose to the position of a classified Headmaster in 1971. Among other schools he attended were the prestigious Trinity College & University, Dover Delaware and Trinity Theological College, Umuahia. As a man who rose to the apex of his profession Dad was a first class Honours of Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Arts Degree holder.

MARITAL LIFE: The young, handsome and energetic Stephen got married to his heartrob, an Educationist and Socialist, Late Madam Roseline Nnenna Amaihe (Nee Okonkwo), a first class honours graduate of Oko Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, where she studied Educational Technology/Social Studies. She taught in many government schools in Orlu zone and rose to Headmistress special grade before she was called home to be with the Lord on 16th June, 2012, a vacuum that left Stephen devastated before he remarried to his caring, loving and hardworking Blessing Amaihe at his secondment to Isi-mbano Diocese, under the episcopacy of the Rt. Rev’d. Dr. Godson Udochukwu Ukanwa (Ambassador of Goodwill). She became Dad’s consoler, comforter and home maker to his children as she cared, loved and intimately took care of Dad till his last breath.

BUSINESS LIFE: The man who lies in full glare of sympathizers of all walks of life is a man who traversed nooks and crannies of the country and overseas in search of greener pasture and had unquestionable establishments. No wonder he ventured into car sales and bakery business with famous Ikenna Enterprises and Joy Bakeries Nigeria Ltd.

OVERSEA LIFE: Our Father left his fatherland to New Delhi, India for higher learning and business trip. While in India, Dad toured from India to Pakistan in clothing business and excelled in Business and Public Administration after which he returned to Nigeria in 1983.

CALL TO MINISTY/PLACES SERVED: Stephen was called into the pastoral ministry in 1990 and was firstly posted to All Saints Church Aji, All Saints Church Umuehi Mgbidi, Emmanuel Anglican Church, Mgbidi, now Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Mgbidi, after which he was posted to Holy Trinity Church Amaigbo. The man Authority as fondly called faced many ministerial battles, challenges and delays due to his healing gift until Most Rev’d. B.C.I Okoro in his fatherly and episcopal prowess intervened and the jinx of ministerial delay and battle were broken. It was at Emmanuel Church, Abaja Nwangele that our father was selected for in-service training by The Most Rev’d. Bennet Chukwuma Ikechukwu Akwaiwu Okoro (Ph.D), and he was ordained as Deacon at SS. Peter & John The Divine, Nkwerre. The Rev’d. Stephen Chukwunyere Amaihe was Priested and posted to Christ Church Awo-Idemili, and lastly St. Augustine’s Church, Umuokwe Awomamma, where he retired in 2010 under Rt. Rev’d. Geoffrey Chukwuneye (PhD), the Bishop of Oru Diocese and had a secondment to Isi-Mbano Diocese under the episcopacy of The Rt. Rev’d. Dr. Godson Udochukwu Ukanwa (Ambassador of Goodwill) and was posted to Church of the Holy Spirit, Umuobasi, Amaraku, and retired at St. Peters Church, Amaraku in April 2016.

HEALING GIFT: God gives diverse gifts for edification of the body of Christ. Our Dad was gifted in Preaching, Healing and Deliverance. Through his evangelical prowess, he battled with forces, set many captives free and won many souls for Christ. While serving at All Saints Church, Aji, many testified of his healing gift of which made him serve for seven years and became so friendly with Aji people. It was during his time that All Saints Church, Aji was completed and dedicated as well as All Saints Church, Umuehi, Mgbidi and Church of the Holy Spirit, Umuobasi, Amaraku. At Emmanuel Church, Mgbidi now Emmanuel Church Cathedral, Mgbidi, Dad’s healing ministry blossomed the more and many got healed and blessed. It was at Holy Trinity Church, Amaigbo that SOMA TEAM from America came and testified to his healing gift. At Emmanuel Church, Abaja, a little boy convulsed and breathed his last, it was through his healing gift that the child was brought back to life. Church of Holy Spirit, Umobasi, Amaraku witnessed tremendous growth through his pastoral ministry as many barren women were conceived and the lost saved. Every Church he was pastored became center for healing during early morning prayer (Ekpere Ututu) of which became moment of healing and deliverance from diverse health challenges and spiritual attacks. Numbers were given to people due to an unprecedented crowd that usually attend from far and wide.

SOCIAL LIFE: The Rev’d. Stephen was elected chairman of Udogadi Union, Omuma, an office he held for many years. Through his pragmatic and selfless leadership, he attracted massive developments in Etiti Omuma. Dad was appointed Etiti Omuma Community Liaison Officer (C.L.O) by His Excellency, Rochas Ethelbert Anayo Okorocha (Former Governor of Imo State). Vibrant, elegant and sports-loving Stephen was a football referee of international repute, during the reign of Late Eze Ukachukwu (Ezeoma 1 of Omuma), he was elected as Public Relation Officer in Old Omuma Town Union, and Master of Ceremony of matchless eloquence (MC) in the entire Orlu zone. In his love for Education and to alleviate the sufferings of the downtrodden, he opened CANS Vocational College, Omuma through which many were given scholarship.

HIS LAST DAYS: While serving at Emmanuel Church Abaja, Nwangele, his sight was severely affected of which made him stopped his PhD Studies at Ebonyi State University, Abakiliki. Sickness set in and medical attentions were given till God decided to call our father home after his secondment in Isimbano Diocese at early hours of Thursday, 9th March 2023. It was on this day that such an inspiring page ended.

DADDY, TILL THE RESURRECTION MORNING.SURVIVED BY:

WIFE: Mrs. Blessing Amaihe

CHILDREN: Mrs. Patience Alaine; Mrs. Chika Obi; Mrs. Joy Chidi Ekebor; Mr. Ikenna Amaihe; Chioma Ogochukwu Mirian; Rev’d. Canon Nelson Amaihe; and Mr. Indiana Amaihe

GRAND CHILDREN: Chidinma Obi; Oluchi Alaine; Ekene Alaine; Divinefavour Obi; Tochukwu Alaine; Chinonso Alaine; Natascha Obed; Anointed Amaihe; Bryan Obed; Ifechi Ekebor; Osinachi Ekebor; and Zikora Fountain Amaihe.

DAUGHTER IN-LAW: Nnenna Ikenna Amaihe; Cherish Nelson Amaihe; and Chioma Indiana Amaihe.

SON IN-LAW: Mr. Emeka Obi; Mr. Emeka Alaine; and Mr. Geoffrey Chidi Ekebor.