What Will You Be Remembered for When You Are No More?

Since the news of the passing of Fr. John Martins Chikani of the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, the long-time principal of St. Theresa College, Nsukka, tributes have been pouring in from those whose lives he touched, especially his former students.

Many spoke of how he shaped their character and instilled discipline. Some admitted they did not appreciate his strictness at the time, but looking back, they now value the impact he made.

Reading these heartfelt testimonies raises a sobering question: What will I be remembered for when I am no more? What legacy am I leaving behind?

Life is more than the years we live; it is about the lives we touch and the difference we make. Titles, possessions, and achievements will fade, but the way we made people feel, the values we instilled, and the kindness we showed will endure in memory.

We do not get to decide when our time on earth will end, but we can decide how we will use the time we have now. Every day is an opportunity to leave footprints in the hearts of others through compassion, encouragement, integrity, and service.

When we are gone, people may forget our words, but they will remember how we made them feel. That memory will be our true legacy. So, live now in such a way that when you leave and your name is mentioned, it will be with gratitude, respect, and inspiration.

May the soul of Fr John Martins Chikani rest in peace.

Fr. John Martins , my Principal , Rest in Peace. Eternal rest be Granted unto him O ' Lord and Let Perpetual Light shine on him .

What a painful loss! Rev. Fr. Dr. John Martins will be forever remembered for his zeal and commitment to evangelism of the church during the civil war when he courageously led six of us in Apostolic work in parts of Nsukka diocese 1968 to 1970. He was disciplined and inspiring. Rest in peace Fr.

Rest in perfect peace Padre, although I wasn't a student of STC, but those days,my friends who were students of STC Nsukka always talked about this Displinarian Fr. John Martin when ever they come back home for holidays, they always tell us how tough and principled there principal(Fada John Martins) is, that he is so dedicated and highly committed to his duty as a formator and educator.
My heartfelt Condolences goes to the STC Community, the diocese of Nsukka and to his immediate family.

Rest in peace, Rev. Fr. Dr. Chikani — Nwa Orbaudulekenyi, Orba’s first indigenous Catholic priest. Farewell to the great man whose visionary leadership and dedication transformed St. Theresa’s College, Nsukka, into a center of academic excellence and discipline, and who also greatly advanced the development of St. Patrick’s, Obollo-Eke.

A great pillar of discipline, faith, and excellence takes his final rest. Rev. Fr. Dr. Johnmartins Chukwuemeka Chikani (Okoman), you left an indelible mark on generations of students. Through your leadership, STC rose again in academics, morals, and character.
Your years of service were marked by discipline, faith, and a tireless commitment to excellence in education. Your legacy will continue to inspire generations.
As we join the Church and the academic community in bidding you farewell. May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace.
Good Night Okoman.

Today, I give thanks for the life of Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Johnmartins Chukwuemeka Chikani, a father, mentor, and true legend. Born in 1947 and ordained in 1979, he gave himself wholly to God’s work, humanity and to education. As Principal of St. Teresa’s College, Nsukka, he shaped lives with discipline, fairness, and an unshakable belief in excellence.
His words, “Either you are or you are not,” remain a guiding light for me, when I was a student of STC and now. I am grateful to have been formed under his leadership.

Rest well, Okoman!
You remain forever in my heart.

Yours son,
Okoro Anayo Christian (2008 set)

ETERNAL VALOR

Sleep well Okoman
You were the fiercest
In tales of war for God
In valor for a better day

Sleep well Okoman
'Tis not the end
You live on forever
Though it hurts much

Sleep well Okoman
May Our Lady take you
To Her Son in joyful love
For fighting till the end

Sleep well Okoman
May your smiles be eternal
And your legacy unending
For a better tomorrow

Sleep well Fr John Martins
As our candles send you forth
May the Saints welcome you
Peace perfect peace Okoman

No Two Ways About It

He was more than a principal.
He was a wall of justice.
A tower of fairness.
A man who feared nothing but God.

Strict? Yes.
Harsh? At times.
But always—
always fair.

To him, rich or poor made no difference.
Every student stood the same.
Every rule was one rule.
Every consequence, earned.

He was not just our principal—
he was Nsukka’s disciplinarian.
If he saw wrong, he spoke.
If he saw disorder, he corrected.

Uniforms straightened.
Loiterers scattered.
All schools knew him.
All schools feared him.
And yet—
we all respected him.

I felt his hand three times.
Three lessons burned into me.
Sharp. Unforgettable.
But never unfair.
He shaped me with that fire,
and I carry the marks as blessings.

I longed to thank him—
to stand before him,
to say what he meant to my life.
But death came first.
And it hurts.
It hurts!

Yet still I hear his voice—
clear, unshakable:

“Either you’re or you’re not,
no two ways about it. Q.E.D.”

That was him.
That is him.
And that will always be him.

A principal of principles.
A man of justice.
A legacy that will never fade.

Rest well, OKOMAN.
Ladooo!
Ya dịba.
Till we cross paths again—
to part no more.

Kelechukwu Ezugwu.

Learning the hard and Realistic way was the only thing in your dictionary, as it molded and shaped us all the way reality made it to be so.... Receiving my first sanction from you made me feel it was all about wickedness but I grew to realise it was all part of training... hearing your demise was a shock to me as we already planned on paying a courtesy visit by December as usual, Only for us to find out that our next visit would be to say the last goodbye...Your popular quote "Either you are or you're not..No two ways about it'your two fingers shown on the air..
You left a very big legacy which would never be wiped as long as Discipline is concern in the Educational system...I will really miss you OKOMAN....
CBNATION