Family announces burial rites for late mathematician, Johngaulbert “Tarkwa” Onumara.

The family of the late Chief O.J. Onumara of Umuezeala iheoma, Acharaji Akah in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State, has announced the burial arrangements for their son, the late Mr. Johngaulbert Okechukwu Onumara, fondly known as Tarkwa.

According to a press statement made available to Umuaka Times, the respected mathematician and educationist will be laid to rest on Friday, May 29, 2026, at the Onumara family compound in Acharaji Akah, Njaba LGA Imo State. A wake-keep in honour of the deceased will hold on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at the same venue.

Born on May 12, 1965, Tarkwa was widely celebrated for his brilliance, discipline, and lifelong dedication to education. Described by many as “a moving mathematics,” he possessed an extraordinary ability to simplify complex mathematical concepts and inspire generations of students.

He began his educational journey at Central School Atta and later attended Umuaka High School, where his exceptional talent in mathematics first became evident. His pursuit of academic excellence took him to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, where he studied Nuclear Physics. He later obtained a Master’s degree from Bayero University Kano and pursued a Doctorate in Physics.

Despite his impressive academic accomplishments, Tarkwa devoted his life to teaching. Serving under the Jigawa State Ministry of Education, he became renowned for mentoring students and transforming the way they approached mathematics and science subjects.

Former students recall his patience, clarity, and uncommon gift for making difficult equations understandable. Many credited him for shaping their academic and professional success, with several of his students now established as engineers, doctors, teachers, and other professionals across Nigeria.

Beyond the classroom, Tarkwa also contributed significantly to academic literature. His published works include Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis, First Principles for SSS Students, Secrets of Chemistry Practical, and Physics Asset: Secrets of Mechanics, books that continue to benefit students nationwide.

Back home in Umuaka and the larger Achara community, he was regarded as a symbol of excellence and inspiration. Parents pointed to him as proof that greatness could emerge from humble beginnings, while young students admired him as a role model.

His sudden death on March 5, 2026, after a brief illness in Northern Nigeria where he resided, has left a deep sense of loss among family members, former classmates, students, colleagues, and the entire community. Friends and associates describe him as humble, disciplined, and unwavering in his commitment to truth and knowledge. To his family, he was not only a scholar but also a devoted husband, father of five, protector, and pillar of strength.

As preparations continue for his final burial rites, tributes continue to pour in from those whose lives he touched. Many former students have continued to echo the same sentiment: “If not for Tarkwa, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”

Though death has taken him, many believe his legacy will continue to live on through the countless lives he impacted and the knowledge he shared across generations.

Achara mourns. Umuaka mourns. Former students and colleagues mourn. But the memory and impact of Johngaulbert Okechukwu “Tarkwa” Onumara remain indelible.