BIOGRAPHY OF LATE CHIEF (MENE GAA) CHRISTOPHER

NWINELKPEGE APRIL KOIGIM

PREAMBLE:

Since life is a pilgrimage initiated by God in the act of creation and total

transformation which Transend into the eternity. We are consoled by the

scripture that says” For everything there is a season and a time to everything

under the heaven, a time to born and a time to die, a time to weep and a time to

laugh; a time to mourn and a time to be happy (Ecclesiastes 3: 14).

There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath

he powers in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war;

(Ecclesiastes 8:8). A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of

death than that of one‟s birth. (Ecclesiastes 7:1). He came, fought the good fight

of faith, keeping an indelible footprint in the heart of those that crossed his path

in life.

BIRTH & PARENTAGE

Late chief Christopher Nwinelkpege April Koigim was born into the family of

Late Mr. Koigim Birabil & Late Mrs. Agnes Diibia Koigim Barabil of Gaa

Fere dynasty in Bodo City, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, on

the 14th April 1958. He was the last child in the family of five (5). He was the
only one left of his siblings and today before us is lying in the casket the last of

that generation.

EDUCATION

Late Chief Christopher Nwinelkpege April Koigim started his primary

education at St. Patrick‟s primary school Bodo City. After the civil war he

furthered his education at Government Trade center Tombia. There after he had

other professional training.

MARITAL LIFE

Late Chief Christopher Nwinelkpege April Koigim was married to Mrs. Monica

Kabia Koigim and the marriage is blessed with five (5) surviving children.

CHRISTIAN LIFE

Late Chief Christopher Nwinelkpege April Koigim was a devoted and a proud

confirmed Catholic, with strong Christian virtue which he held tenaciously and

practiced until the time of his demise. He was a member of CMO, the president

of St. Joseph group, a position he held until he breathed his last. He was also a

member of St. Patrick Choir and others that he belongs to in other places, that

work has taken him to in his life time.

SOCIAL LIFE

Late Chief Christopher Nwinelkpege April Koigim was a lovely and peaceful

person, an easy going one a man of few words. He strived assiduously to bond
the children in unity and was always willing to help others as situation demands.

He was a good dancer and a good footballer ( a Left footed footballer).

OCCUPATION/CAREER

Late Chief Christopher Nwinelkpege April Koigim has worked with several

companies such as James kills Patrick (NIG), George Wimpey & Co. (NIG),

Drake & Scull (NIG), Agro Contracts overseas LTD, Among others.

TRANSITION

The battle over sickness started some time last year 2021, which

metamorphosed into various dimension of ill-health.

He went on routine treatment at Bodo City general Hospital and BMH Port

Harcourt, but little did we know that it was the end of his sojourn on earth as

plans was already made to take him to a specialist on the 5 th September, 2022

but in the later hours of Sunday 4th September, 2022 he bade the world a

farewell.

His loss is irreplaceable, he was a symbol of unity, love and hope to lean on.

Your memory will forever remain fresh in our hearts daddy…ooh. And we find

consolation in (1Thessalonians 4:16) “For the Lord Himself shall descend from

heaven with a loud voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the

dead in Christ shall rise first” with these we do justifiably believe and know that

we shall meet again to part no more, until then rest on Daddy.. ooh.
He is survived by his wife, Six children, fifteen grandchildren, one great

grandchild, one daughter in-Law, Two son‟s in-Law, cousins, nephews, and

other relatives and friends too numerous to list.

Adieu!!! Daddy..ooh till we meet to part no more on the resurrection morning.

FIRST READING

A reading from the book of the Apocalypse 14:13 (Happy are who die in the

lord!).

I John heard a voice from heaven said to me,” write down: Happy are they who

die in the lord! Happy indeed, the spirit says; now they can rest for ever after

their work, since their good deeds go with them”.

This is the word of the lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM: PS 129 R V 1

R Out of the depths, I cry to you, O lord.

Or

R I want for the lord.

I count on his word.

1. Out of the depths I cry to you, O lord,

Lord, hear my voice!

O let your ears be attentive

To the voice of my pleading. R

2. If you, O lord, should mark our guilt,

Lord, who would survive?

 But with you is found forgiveness:

For this we revere you. R

3. My soul is waiting for the lord,

I count on his word.

My soul is Longing for the lord

More than watchman for day break. R

4. Because with the lord there is mercy

and fullness of redemption,

Israel indeed he will redeem

From all its iniquity. R

SECOND READING

A reading from the first letter of (St. John 3: 14-16)

We have passed out of death and into life because we have loved our

brothers.

We have passed out of death into life and of this we can be sure
Because we love our brothers.

If you refuse to love, you must remain dead;

To hate your brother is to be a murderer,

And murderers, as you know, do not have eternal life in them.

This has taught us love.

That he gave up his life for us,

And we too, ought to give up our lives for Our brothers.

This is the word of the lord.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Alleluia, Alleluia (John 6: 51-52)

I am the living bread

Which has come down from heaven,

Says the lord.

Anyone who eats this bread

Will live forever.

Alleluia!
GOSPEL READING (JOHN 6: 51-58)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Anyone who eats this

bread has eternal life, and I shall raise him up on the last day).

Jesus said to the Crowd:

„ I am the living bread which came down from heaven.

Anyone who eats this bread will live forever;

And the bread that I shall give

Is my flesh, for the life of the world”.

Then the Jews started arguing with one another; “ How can this man give

us his flesh to eat?” They said Jesus replied:

„I tell you most solemnly,

If you do not eat the flesh of the son of man

And drink his blood,

You will not have life in you.

Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood

Has eternal life,

And I shall raise him up on the last day.

For my flesh is real food

And my blood is real drink.

He who eats my flesh and drink my blood lives in me and I in him.

As I, who am sent by the living father,

Myself draw life from the father,

So, whoever eats me will draw life from me.

This is the bread which came down from heaven,

Not like the bread our ancestors ate,

They are dead,

But anyone who eats this bread will live forever,

This is the Gospel of Lord.