It was a day of both grief and gratitude as family members, dignitaries, and well-wishers gathered on Friday, October 31, 2025, to pay their final respects to the late Chief David Urama Eze (Nnanyelugo)—a revered community leader, philanthropist, and businessman whose life stood as a shining example of integrity and service.

The solemn yet inspiring ceremony took place at his ancestral home in Agu Ego Umuopu, Enugu Ezike, within the Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State, marking the end of a remarkable earthly journey that began in 1942.

Born to the family of the late Mr. Urama Eze Nwaitodo, Chief Eze was widely known not only for his entrepreneurial accomplishments but also for his unwavering dedication to humanity and community development. Over the decades, he built a reputation as a man of character—humble, generous, and deeply rooted in moral uprightness.

His life of purpose began to take shape early on, culminating in 1971 when he married his beloved wife, Mrs. Helen Eze. Together, they built a home filled with love, discipline, and faith, nurturing eight children who today embody the values he lived by.

The day’s events began with a Requiem Mass at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Umuopu, where priests and parishioners celebrated the Eucharist in thanksgiving for a life that reflected godly virtues. Thereafter, the cortege moved to his family compound for the final committal, where emotions overflowed as friends, family, and associates recounted the many ways Chief Eze touched their lives.

In a heartfelt tribute, his first son, Mr. Urama Eze Nnaemeka Simon, described his father as “a man of integrity whose life was a moral compass for all around him.” He urged family members to preserve his legacy by upholding the values of honesty, compassion, and unity that defined his life.

Also speaking, his nephew, Hon. Festus Anyaogu, remembered Chief Eze as “a rare gem whose generosity and calm spirit made him a beacon of hope within and beyond the family.”

For Mr. Eze Chikwudi Franklin, another son of the deceased, the loss was “irreparable,” yet he found solace in the belief that his father’s soul had found eternal rest in the bosom of the Lord.

Tributes flowed in from far and near, with dignitaries, community leaders, and associates recalling the late patriarch’s remarkable legacy of selfless leadership and enterprise. Many described him as a man who lived not for wealth or recognition, but for the joy of service and the betterment of his people.

Chief David Urama Eze’s passing marks the end of an era for the Umuopu community and the larger Enugu Ezike region. Yet, even in death, his spirit continues to inspire — a legacy built on integrity, compassion, and resilience.

Friday’s ceremony was not merely a farewell, but a celebration of a life well-lived — a journey defined by faith, family, and the enduring pursuit of goodness. As the community reflects on his memory, they do so with pride, gratitude, and the resolve to emulate the virtues of a man whose light will never dim in the hearts he touched.