Chika Nwanna

April 24, 1955 - February 25, 2021

Chika was born April 24, 1955 at Awka, Anambra State Nigeria to Frederick Nweke Nwanna and Joy Nwije Nwanna. He was the third out of nine children. He did his Elementary school education in Awka, Secondary school at Nnofia and High school at FederalGovernment College Maiduguri. His father died when he was 23 years old. After high school he went to University of Nigeria, Nsukka and graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He got a job at FCDA Federal capital Territory Development Agency as one of the engineers that built the new Nigerian capital from scratch. He received a post-graduate Diploma in hydraulic engineering from the Delft Institute of Hydrology in The Netherlands in 1989. Chika was man of peace. He lived life on his own terms. He was always happy and lived a life of joy and contentment. Nothing ever bothered him. Stress was not a word in his dictionary. He was the same happy person with a dollar in his pocket or a million dollars. Chika first crossed paths with his wife at University of Nigeria Nsukka. He was in the civil engineering program and she was in microbiology. They took a basic physics together, where he noticed her, but did not connect until years later when they were both working in Abuja. They got married January 12, 1991 at Nicon Noga Hilton in Abuja. Chika was a loving husband. He was incredibly supportive of his wife. She had the opportunity to come to the US in 1991 after only eight months of marriage to further her career and he encouraged her to do so. He later joined her in 1992, when he was accepted at Florida A&M University. He graduated from FAMU in 1994 with a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering. He moved to Tampa in 1996 when he got a job with BUN construction company in Tampa. The children Arinze and Chigozie were born in Gainesville while his wife attended the University of Florida. Chika was a wonderful father. He loved the kids and took care of them. People that knew them in Gainesville always remember him running after Arinze at events. He loved to cook and would always make sure that everyone ate what they wanted even if he had to make different dishes. He took the children to all their sports events and was always the one that helped them with their homework. Nothing ever bothered him. His strength was in caring and service to others. He loved his family unconditionally. Chika loved God and loved the church. He lived a Christian life. He was a Deacon at Countryside Christian Church and was a greeter in the church until his illness. Chika loved history, politics, justice and Igbo traditions. He loved the Igbo community in Tampa. He always enjoyed getting together with the Igbo community. He always looked forward to meetings and events where he would gather with friends and tell stories. Chika stayed positive till the end. He never showed distress through his illness. The disease may have taken his memory but did not take away his spirit, his smiles and laughter and his peaceful attitude. The day before he passed, he was sitting in a wheelchair at the home looking relaxed and peaceful. His family is comforted by the fact that his wife and children had a chance to show him how much they loved him, and he knew it. He is survived by his wife and 2 children: and his mother, 4 brothers and 3 sisters Chika, you have run your race and we are grateful that we were a part of your race. We know you are in heaven. We miss you.