I met Conrad for the first time in June 1962 when, as a fresh graduate of the University College Ibadan, I went to teach at MODEBE MEMORIAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL, ONITSHA. I taught Conrad Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics; none of these was his main forte, but the language of his presentation of written answers to questions in these subjects, and his oral responses during discussions in the English Language gave early indications of his penchant for his trade as a “WORD CRAFTSMITH!” A chubby, happy lad, Conrad enjoyed his youthful years, was generally engaging and very inquisitive!! My stay at MMGS (Modebe Memorial Grammar School) Onitsha was short lived, lasting only 10months, at the end of which I moved to Igwebuike Grammar School (IGS) Awka for another 15months, before calling it quits with CLASSROOM TEACHING and getting into the EDUCATIONAL SERVICE of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC)- or Radio Nigeria- the forerunner of today’s FRCN (Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria)! While I was at IGS Awka, Conrad persistently spent part of his holidays with me. It was in my house at Awka he met and developed a spectacular friendship with my ward and younger brother Nwachinemelu Uche Okeke who later became The HIGH COMMISSIONER for Nigeria in the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Ireland, as well as the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). They were both much closer in age, and even though I became the GOD FATHER of CONRAD’s first CHILD, COLLETTE, after serving as Chairman at his wedding, his friendship with Uche blossomed to much greater heights of closeness akin to brotherhood. You must read Uche’s tribute to get some insights into the man CONRAD!! CONRAD attained the highest heights in his profession, of Journalism, becoming the Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief of the Anambra State Government newspaper NATIONAL LIGHT, after biting the bullet when, as Commissioner for Information, Culture, Youth and Sports in the Ukpabi Asika Administration of East Central State, I engaged him as a Staff of the State (East Central) Newspaper; THE RENAISSANCE on his completion of his JOURNALISM studies at the Ghana Institute of Journalism. In between these two extremes, he worked for the Vanguard Newspapers as Regional Editor, North (with base in Kaduna and Regional Editor, East (Enugu)). Conrad was a great family man, highly sensitive to and anxious for the best for his brood of brilliant kids, as well as for his adorable alter ego, Agom Clara Bosah. As we mourn Conrad, I wish his close-knit family well. MAY HIS SHADOW NEVER GROW LESS!!! Ezeaputa Osita Okeke, Ichie Obudiile June 26, 2012