Diokpa Engr. Goode Mbanugo Omezi

We celebrate the remarkable life of Diokpa Engr. Goode Mbanugo Omize, a man whose name stands for dedication, wisdom, and excellence.

His contributions to the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) are enduring and impactful. Through his commitment, professional leadership, and passion for the growth of the geosciences and mining industry, he helped shape standards that continue to inspire generations.

His life reflected integrity, humility, and service to his community and profession. Today, we honor his legacy—a legacy built on honor, knowledge, mentorship, and selfless service.

May his memory continue to be a guiding light and a source of pride to his family, the NMGS community, and all who value his contributions.

My grandfather was a highly intelligent, good-natured soul who lived his life to an impeccable standard.

From my childhood years, right through to my adulthood, his actions always exuded the purest and most honourable principles and morals!

He had a strong, fearless spirit that enabled him to live a long beautiful life!

May God and your ancestors continue to protect and uplift your soul Grandpa.

May you forever rest in eternal peace! Iseeee!

Love you. Ego Xx

Our grandpa was a very kind hearted and gentle man. He was a very inspiring person who loved his family greatly. His caring and loving nature is what we remember most and we know His soul is resting peacefully with Our Lord in Heaven. We pray for his soul and know the impact he had on all in his life is one that will never be forgotten.❤️

TRIBUTE TO UNCLE GOODE OMEZI
BY PEARL, NWA FANNY

As a child, there were several names I heard from my mother’s lips, four of which became imprinted in my brain, because of the frequency they were mentioned. "Wood," "Young," "Good," & "Dick." It turned out these were names of some of her male relatives. While "Dick," was a name I recognized as a name and was thrilled to meet him - a jovial, loving man; I didn't quite know what to make of "Wood," "Young," and "Good." Eventually, I gathered that "Wood," was short for "Wedgewood," a middle name of her brother, my beloved Uncle Sylvanus. However, I remained mystified by "Young," and "Good." To deepen my perplexion, my father also bandied these names about, Indicating his own deep familiarity and connection with them. Then Uncle Young materialized, kindly but serious, but not particularly younger than anyone else. I had to reconcile myself to that erroneous childhood perception. Who, then was Good???? Was he a good person? Was he good goody?

I finally met him as a young teenager during my grandfather's funeral in 1964. Our connection was immediate and emotional, bonding like two lost buddies. We limed as I sat on the bonnet of his car and by now, while I was too mature to wonder if he was a goody goody, I was just swept up in his energetic charismatic niceness and ability, unlike other fond elders, to relate to me at my level. I also discovered his name was spelt with an "e" at the end.

We never lived in the same location, but over the years our paths would cross in London, the US, & various parts of Nigeria, from Lagos to Port Harcout to Maiduguri; Ibadan, Ilorin and Benin; Agbor & Asaba and of course, our mutual hometown of Idumuje-Ugboko. Each encounter was full of delight, fun and laughter, with him throwing his support behind me as I navigated what it meant to be an adult.

In between, I shared the anxiety my Mom felt when he was kidnapped by a jealous colleague; relished tales of his adventures; lamented some of his misadventures; always relieved when he would emerge a little worse for wear, but largely unscathed, triumphant, vindicated and wiser.

During my national service in Benue State, I heard of a petrol station in a "remote" part of Midwest State, that had provided relief to hundreds of drivers from as far away as Benin City during a period of fuel scarcity. Imagine my surprise and pride to discover that my Uncle Goode was the owner of this pioneering enterprise.

He loved and treasured each of my children and celebrated my husband.
He attended naming ceremonies and funerals of my Mother in-law and of my Dad. He danced. He sprayed - machine gun style. He had my back.

I shared his all encompassing love with my fellow cousins as he traveled as far as Kaduna, Sierra Leone & Canada to support their weddings, court cases and other personal endeavors. If one heard that Uncle Goode was with someone, one knew everything was alright.

As he transitioned into seniority, I was inspired by his personal discipline, knowledge of herbs and staunch faith. Ever optimistic, he validated some developments in Nigeria's health care system, responding well to treatment when some of his peers would flee abroad. In many ways, the story of his life provided insight into the story of Nigeria. An engineer, he worked in the coal & oil industries. During the age of OFN [Operation Feed the Nation] he delved into large-scale farming and was even involved in BLP [Better Life Program for Rural Women]. He became the enthusiastic Chairperson of Idumuje-Ugboko's People's Bank; and in his political iteration, he was Chairman of the Aniocha North Local Government.

Uncle Goode will be sorely missed but greatly celebrated.

He made the world a pleasant place for people in his life.
Like any human being, he encountered challenges of all sorts and made his mistakes. However, wherever he went, he spread joy, conferring peace & goodwill upon all.

His confident stride and authoritative air belied his humble demeanor and sensitivity that enabled him establish rapport with every one he met.
His enquiring mind - always willing to learn something new; his intellectual discourse that took one on journeys of the unknown; his sense of fun and mischief in his eyes, his loud rambunctious laugh that embraced and lifted one up & comforted one and assured one that everything would be alright because God was in charge and that he, Uncle Goode, had one's back - can never be forgotten.

Indeed we cannot remain mournful. He gave us too many happy memories. We must celebrate his life. Uncle Goode, Adieu!
May your large capacity loving & caring soul rest in peace in the bosom of the Lord, in Jesus' name.

On finishing my A-levels in FGC Warri in June 1983, I travelled to Lagos with my very good friend, Chukwudi Omezi.
That was where I first encountered Engr. Omezi at their residence in Ikeja, Lagos. He was a quiet, firm man, not given to many words; strict, but not loud or overbearing. In retrospect, some of our peccadillos and even escapades, met with stern but rather gentle rebukes.

Perhaps, because the prime protagonist was his first son, Emeka, who had become my very close friend, in a matter of months, and remains my closest friend till date. Maybe, 'The man', as he was sometimes referred to, would not condescend to emotive responses that were incongruent with his calm and collected outlook. You only had to look at the way he dressed to understand that his type had no room for 'roforofo'. Either way, his restraint meant that we were afforded significant privileges, gallivanting all over Lagos, and Bendel state, at his expense. The trips are some of the highlights of my university days.

Aside from the fringe benefits of his generosity though, what resonates till today was his commitment to ethics and integrity in office. To avoid a conflict of interest, he would not allow his son, my good friend, Chukwudi, to sign up as a retailer with his firm. Never mind that the young man was not asking for any more than the right to transact like the rest of Joe public. The man would have none of it.

He belonged to a generation of Nigerians who rose above tribe and clan to uphold values that sustained their Nigeria, for as long as they held the centre stage. As he joins those ahead in exiting this drama of life, we thank God for his life; we applaud him for his virtues and appreciate his contributions to our once great Nigeria.

Rest in peace, Diokpa Engineer Goode Mbanugo Omezi
May the Lord rest the souls of the departed in peace; amen.