Remembering Nosakhare Ogbebor 1979-2018
Friday 20 July
The Nigerian community in Ottawa was in turmoil as they struggled with the news of the sudden death of one of their members, Nosa Ogbebor. Thirty-nine year old Nosa was playing soccer, a game he passionately loved, with his club, Fiorentina Viola of Ottawa, against another local team at Pinecrest Park, when he suddenly collapsed, to the shock and dismay of his fellow players. Despite the efforts of paramedics, the young man was pronounced dead at the Queensway-Carleton Hospital on Baseline Road. A vibrant, gentle and loving young man, Nosa will be remembered as a graduate of Carleton University and a past executive member of the Nigerian Canadian Association of Ottawa. He is survived by a seven year old daughter and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Ogbebor. Mr. Ogbebor is a retired diplomat and had held diplomatic posts in various countries, including the position of Head of Chancery with the Nigeria High Commission in Ottawa.
Late Nosa Ogbebor was buried on Friday 27 July at the Hope cemetery on Bank Street, following a funeral service at the Bank Street Kelly funeral Home. The funeral mass, attended by some 200 family and friends from across the country and the US, was officiated by Rev. Fr. Paul Nwaeze, with scripture readings by family members Omo Ekhase, Ofosa Ogbebor and Obos Ekhase. In attendance were diplomats from the Nigeria High Commission in Ottawa, Nosa’s colleagues from his soccer team and his workplace, as well as Executive Committee members of the Nigerian Canadian Association of Ottawa with its President, Chuks Imaghiagbe, Vice President Faith Eluwa and Secretary Chinedu Mba. Also present were Yomi Pratt, President, Global Community Alliance of Ottawa, and John Adeyefa, President, African Canadian Associations of Ottawa.
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