Christian C. Momah

Chief Christian Chukwunweike Momah, Nnabuenyi Nnewi, passed to greater glory on Sunday, October 9, 2022, in his Arlington, Texas home. He was 91 years old.

Christian was born on October 20, 1930, to Sidney and Grace Momah of Obiuno, Otolo, Nnewi and was educated at St Michaels (CMS) School Aba and the prestigious Government College, Umuahia where he was a member of the famed Class of 1944. CC (as he was best known) graduated from University College Ibadan (now the University of Ibadan) in 1953 with a Bachelor’s degree in History, English and Religious Studies.

He was the first Nigerian graduate Land Officer in the Eastern Nigeria Government Public Service from 1954 to 1956. He then returned to the University College Ibadan in 1956 where he obtained the Associateship of the Library Association from the University College London in 1959 and worked as a university librarian until 1962 when he moved to the University of Lagos.

Chief Momah left the University of Lagos in 1965 and joined the United Nations where he worked in the UN European office in Geneva Switzerland from 1966 until transferring to the United Nations HQ in New York, USA in 1978. He retired from international public service in 1990, but, rather than sit around, became a published author and a philanthropist. He and his wife, Ethel “Arunne” (nee Obi) moved from Somerset NJ to Arlington TX in 2006.

Chief Momah was deeply involved in the Nigerian Community both in NJ and TX and was a leading member of many Igbo associations. In 2003, Chief Momah was honored by HRH Kenneth Orizu III, Igwe Nnewi, with the traditional chieftaincy title of Nnabuenyi Nnewi, for his services and contributions to Nnewi at home and in the diaspora.

Christian was also a man of faith, serving as a dedicated member of first St. Paul’s in South Bound Brook, NJ, and then as a choir member of St. Alban’s Church in Arlington TX.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Godwin and Reginald.

In addition to Ethel, his wife of 63 years, he is survived by his children, Chidi (Ifeyinwa), Ada, and Azuka; his grandchildren, Brittany, Odion, Akhere, Abieyuwa, Osekhahu, Amalachi, and Kyana; his brother Chikezie (Obiageli); and his sister, Edna, plus nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Friday, October 28, 4 pm – 7 pm, at the Wade Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Pkwy, Arlington TX 76013. Funeral service will be on Saturday, October 29, 1 pm, at St Alban’s Anglican Church, 911 S. Davis, Arlington TX 76013. This service will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/StAlbanMartyr/live/