Obituary

Honorable Dr. Kalu Ndukwe Nchege

For 87 years the Honorable Dr. Kalu Ndukwe Nchege lived his life with a deep sense of purpose, and a commitment to family and community. He was joyously devoted to the love of his life, his wife Obi, and his four children. He was determined, yet patient; distinguished, yet humble; resolute, yet warm and welcoming. He enjoyed gardening and golfing. He was our Gentle Giant.

A proud Nigerian, Kalu was born in Ndi Okara compound, in Amangwu Ohaifia, Nigeria on Friday, August 2, 1935, to the late Ugo Ibisi and Chief Joel Ndukwe Kalu Nchege who was known as “Chicha”.

Kalu attended Government College Umuahi in Abia State, Nigeria for his secondary education. After graduating in 1957, he became a school teacher until 1961 when he traveled to America to attend the College of Veterinary Medicine at Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University). He was highly active in the international student union.

It was at Tuskegee where he met Obi. They married in 1966 and both graduated in 1967 and went on to raise their family in the US until 1972 when Kalu decided to take his family to Nigeria to meet his father, “Chicha” and family.

Upon graduation, Kalu joined the USDA as an inspector inthe meat packing factories which enabled him to work in different parts of the country. He moved to Nigeria where he worked for the government of the old Eastern Nigeria, in the veterinary division of the Ministry of Agriculture.

In 1975, Kalu and his family procured Amanchege Farms from the elders of the village. The land was to grow livestock and crops. Kalu’s vision of using what he had learned abroad and at home came to fruition. To complete his vision, in 1981 he established Cheggs Food Company. The company produced and sold sausage, cuts of meats, and eggs from the livestock raised on the Farm.

Kalu Nchege left civil service in 1983 to run for a seat in the Imo State House of Assembly as a member of the National Party of Nigeria. He won and represented the Isiama Ohafia constituency. Two of the things he believed in strongly – family and service to his community. He committed his time in office to making sure that his constituency received all the amenities and government assistance available.

In 1990, he returned to the US and started working for the USDA. Upon his retirement, Kalu and Obi settled in Douglasville, Georgia. In his free time, the avid reader and writer, found time to author three books – “Love Can Die”, “The Chief’s Daughter” and “Believe in the Supreme Creator”.

Honorable Dr. Kalu Ndukwe Nchege departed this life on Thursday, February 23, 2023, surrounded by his family. Despite his fight with Parkinson’s, his will to live and nurture, his family remained strong. During Kalu’s full life he swallowed many seeds as evidenced by the copious number of branches that grew from his strong root.

With cherished memories and love, he is survived by his “Obidiya” (heart of her husband) - Odester Brown Nchege, his sisters - Nnennaya Theresa Orieji Ndukwe Nchege (Nigeria), Veronica Ekiti (George)(Cameroon); his children - Nnena Ugo Nchege, Chinyere Atiba (Greg), Onyeka Ndukwe Nchege (Yulanda) and Emege Kalu Nchege (Stephanie); Grandchildren – Charisse Adanna Nchege (Adanna), Christopher Ikenna Weeks, Kalu Ndukwe Nchege, Nnenna Odester Nchege (Angel) Aderounke Abolade Atiba (Joy), Adewumni Tinuke Atiba (Sunshine), Adesewa Eyitayo Atiba (Precious), Chetachi Ndukwe Nchege and Onyeka Connolly Nchege; great grandchildren Noel Marie Fielteau and Nikolas Conrad Fielteau; Goddaughter – Arisa Ashley (Melvin) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and loving friends.