Christopher Ozioma Obasi

February 23, 1960 - February 9, 2020

Funeral Oration for Late Attorney Christopher Ozioma Obasi Attorney Christopher Obasi was known during his lifetime as Chris to his friends and professional colleagues, but as Ozie among his extended family circle which is the short form of Ozioma which means "Gospel". He was born in Iyienu town in Onitsha in Anambra State, Nigeria, to Mazi John Obasi (now late) and Mrs. Sophia Obasi on February 23, 1960. He was the fifth of 8 children and the third son of his parents. He started his primary school at Community Primary School Umugolo in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area Imo State and finished in 1973 from Central Primary School in Nkwere in Imo State Nigeria. He did his secondary school at Madonna High School Ihitte in Imo State which was a Catholic secondary school very popular in the area then. In search of a greener pasture Attorney Christopher Obasi turned down admission offer then to the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria just to be relocated to the United States of America in 1982. In the USA he started his educational career in 1983 at Hennepin County Community College where he did his preliminary studies in nursing. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin; River Falls with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN) in 1986. His wife Chinyere Obasi, then Nee Dike joined him 10 years later after he had left Nigerian shores and they were married on October 10th, 1993. Their marriage was blessed with five children: 4 boys and one girl. Chris desired obtaining a law degree. This desire led him to attend Hamline University in St Paul Minnesota where he graduated in 1996 fulfilling his dream profession of being an attorney. He was subsequently called to both Minnesota and Federal bars. After that, he opened Obasi law offices in Brooklyn Center where he practiced Immigration, Family and Criminal laws until his demise. Christopher Obasi had a God-given ability to bring the youths together and talk sense into them about what they wanted to accomplish in life. His leadership acumen was planted in Nigerian as a teenager where he started to organize children fellowships as well as organized soccer tournaments in his town during Christmas periods between those living at home and abroad in his community. In other words, he was a lover of soccer as a teenager in his country as Nigeria is a soccer nation. The main fact that soccer had not developed in the United States when he arrived here did not hamper his enthusiasm for sports because he quickly switched to American football which is very popular here. For the past nearly 20 years he had organized watching Super bowl in his house every year for his nephews, nieces, in-laws, and friends. The only year he skipped this ritual was this year's super bowl due to his ill health and he still mentioned it on his sickbed. His absence during the Super bowl created big vacuums in the minds of his fans. Christopher Obasi took his leadership acumen to the United States with him where he was very passionate about his community. He was one of the founders of Mbano Progressive Association of Minnesota (MPAM) where he was a president for many years. He was a pioneer member of the Imo Progressive Association of Minnesota (IPAM) as well as two terms president. Similarly, he was a community leader as well as a staunch member of the Umunne Cultural Association of Minnesota (UCA). He was equally a two-term president of UCA and was once the IgboFest Chairperson. He was a staunch member of the Minnesota Institute for Nigerian Development (MIND) where he has held various positions. Furthermore, Christopher Obasi was a staunch member of the Mbano National Assembly (MNA), which is an umbrella Association in the United States that is open to all Mbano indigenes living in this country. He was also a former secretary and two-term president of this association. His selfless services to his community was manifested when despite his privileged position of having one of the best health care services at his disposal in the USA, his love for the less privileged members of his local Government Area moved him to be among the pioneer members of MNA who initiated yearly medical mission to Mbano Joint Hospital for free treatment of any Mbano indigenes or any Nigerian for that matter who braves getting to that hospital for medical care. For the continuity of treatments of the overwhelming number of patients seen at Mbano Joint Hospital during the annual medical mission Attorney Christopher Obasi during his tenure initiated the building of an ultra-modern surgical theater there which is now nearly completed and is awaiting commissioning. He will forever be remembered for his noble roles towards the accomplishment of this project in his Local Government Area for the benefit of anybody seeking medical care there. Attorney Christopher Obasi was a man of faith and was a staunch member of St. Mark Anglican Church in Umugolo, in Ehime Local Government Area in Imo State when he was at home. Here in the United States he was a member of the Presbyterian Church of the Master in Coon Rapid where he worshiped regularly. He was a man of peace and continued to preach love, peace, and reconciliation even on his death bed. He fought very gallantly for his life, participated in all decisions making patterning to his treatment. He prayed and sang songs/psalms and cited scriptures fervently during his sickness. He encouraged people around him on his sickbed to brighten up and not to be gloomy. He chose treatment and prayer options throughout his sickness despite doctors’ pronouncements. He was so loved in the Igbo community that the hospital where he spent his last moments, members were trooping in large numbers that the hospital’s family lounge could hardly contain people who were visiting him. To make sure everybody who wanted to see him had the chance, we resorted to splitting visiting members into smaller groups to see him on his sickbed. Even the nurses and doctors at the M Health Medical Center testified that they had not seen any patient that has attracted such several visitors to their bedside as he did. In the Igbo community in Minnesota, he has been described by various people as an Iroko tree and has been held in high esteem. He was very passionate about Igbo culture which he had preached ceaselessly in his family, among friends and above all in the Igbo community in Minnesota and USA in general. Chris Obasi was very kind and worked tirelessly to help others. He never lost faith and belief in doing things that benefited the greater majority of the Igbo community in Minnesota. Attorney Chris Obasi gave up the ghost on February 9, 2020, between the hours of 10 and 11 pm surrounded by his immediate family and extended family members. Citing 2 Timothy 4, Attorney Chris Obasi, during his life on earth, fought a good fight, finished the race and kept the faith to the best of his ability. We are hoping that the Crown of righteousness is laid up for him which is the Lord, the righteous Judge who will award him and all those who craved for the Lord’s appearance. Attorney Christopher Ozioma Obasi, rest in perfect peace until we meet you again and never to part from each other. Left to mourn him are: Dr. Clara Chinyere Obasi -Wife Obinna Solomon Obasi-Son Gold Ogemdi Obasi-Daughter Johnny Onyema Obasi-Son Kingsley Kelechi Obasi-Son David Chidera Obasi-Son Mazi. Cyprian Obasi-Brother Mazi. Godson Obasi-Brother Mrs. Ijeoma Ononiwu-Sister Mr. Robinson Nnanyere Obasi-Brother Mrs. Ngozi Nwaokorie-Sister Mrs. Nonyerem Otuonye-Sister Mrs. Chidinma Iwuchukwu-Niece Mrs. Sophia Amara Obasi- Aged mother Mazi Jonah Obasi-Nephew Mrs. Christy Obasi-Sister-in-law Sir Innocent Oguh-Brother-in-law Engr. Raymond Ononiwu-Brother-in-law Dr. Eugene Nwaokorie-Brother-in-law Pastor Chidi Otuonye- Brother-in-law Mazi Ifeanyi Iwuchukweu-brother-in-law Mrs. Queen Obasi-Sister-in-law Mrs. Justina Obasi-Sister-in-law Mrs. Uchenna Obasi-Sister-in-law Numerous nephews and nieces.