The family of the late Imo State elder, Nze Sylvanus Onyeberechiya Ogueri and Lolo Bridgette Ahuruchianya Ogueri, joined dignitaries, friends, and well-wishers from across the globe to celebrate the 80th birthday of Chief (Sir) Casmir Uzoanya Okeke.
The grand celebration, held on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at the iconic Gran Centurions Hall on Madison Hill Road, Clark, New Jersey, was a remarkable testament to the life and legacy of the respected Imo-born elder statesman.
The event, which drew guests from New Jersey, various states across the United States, Nigeria, and other parts of the world, was described as a gathering of the “who-is-who,” united in honoring a man whose life has been marked by selfless service, leadership, and enduring impact.
In a joint statement, Rev. Emeka Onyeberechi, Chief of Staff to the Chairman of Obowo Local Government Area in Imo State and first son of the late Nze Ogueri, alongside his sister, Mrs. Angela Madumere (née Ogueri), congratulated Chief Okeke on reaching the milestone age.
They described him as a shining example of fatherhood, leadership, and moral uprightness.
The atmosphere inside the packed hall was one of celebration and deep gratitude to God, as Chief Okeke’s children and grandchildren led the gathering in songs of thanksgiving and praise, acknowledging the pivotal roles he and his wife, Lady Dorothy Okeke, have played in their lives.
Extended members of the Ogueri family also paid glowing tributes to Chief Okeke, hailing him as a remarkable father figure and source of inspiration to many.
Speaker after speaker, from both sides of the Atlantic and beyond, took turns to extol Chief Okeke’s virtues; his generosity, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to community development and family values.
Many offered prayers for his continued health, strength, and prosperity as he joins the prestigious league of octogenarians.
In a touching conclusion to the celebration, Chief (Sir) Okeke moved from table to table, personally blessing and thanking his guests for their presence and goodwill, a gesture that further reflected the humility and grace that have defined his remarkable life.
The event will surely go down in history as a befitting celebration of a life well-lived and an elder deeply loved.
