Captain Romeo Itima was the youngest of six siblings, born and raised in Kunukunuma, a village in Nigeria’s Delta region. Though he grew up in financial hardship, he was rich in experience, determination, and the will to succeed. His journey from poverty to becoming a U.S. Merchant Marine Captain is a story of resilience and sacrifice.
Romeo married Helen Itima, who would become not just his wife, but a steadfast partner in every sense.
Together, they raised six children:
Despite facing U.S. immigration challenges, Romeo worked tirelessly to bring Zion to America. When those efforts proved difficult, he continued to support his eldest son financially and emotionally from afar. Helen, though not Zion’s birth mother, embraced him as her own. Their united support speaks to the strong family bonds that anchored Romeo’s life.
Romeo immigrated to the United States in 1987, urging Helen to join him—a brave leap for someone who had never left Warri before. Once settled, Romeo’s career as a seaman meant he spent months at sea, leaving Helen to balance full-time work while caring for their children.
Helen eventually became a certified nursing assistant. Though the pay was modest, the position provided crucial family health insurance—no small feat in a country where medical costs are high. Her role kept the family stable and supported Romeo’s ambitious pursuits at sea.
Like many immigrants, Romeo and Helen felt a strong financial responsibility to their extended family in Nigeria. This often meant helping with living expenses, medical bills, school fees, weddings, and other urgent needs. Research shows that Nigerians in the U.S. send an average of $22,000 per person each year back home—a testament to the sacrifices many Nigerian immigrants make to uplift their families. Romeo and Helen were no exception, contributing a substantial portion of their earnings to loved ones in need.
Although Winfred and William contributed to Romeo’s life in meaningful ways, their actions after his passing did not always reflect the same unity they once shared. Still, their influence on Romeo’s life story remains an important part of his legacy.
When I think of my father, Captain Romeo Itima, I remember his incredible generosity. Yet, our family story involves complex emotions of compassion, sacrifice, and difficult truths, especially regarding my father and his brother, Winfred Itima.
My uncle Winfred was my father’s elder half-brother, sharing a father but having different mothers. Winfred was a complex man—sometimes kind, sometimes stern. He was incredibly skilled, able to build computers from scratch.
My father, Romeo, was the visionary—always dreaming big and willing to take risks. After moving from Nigeria to America, he quickly encouraged Uncle Winfred to join him, hoping to share new opportunities.
When an amnesty program in America offered green cards, my father had to make a hard decision. He only had enough money for himself and one other. Instead of choosing my mother, Helen, he chose Winfred, knowing my uncle had family responsibilities in Nigeria. My mother accepted this decision with quiet strength and dignity.
Yet, this sacrifice affected us deeply. I saw my mother endure great hardships just to secure her own green card later. Still, she never showed resentment towards my uncle.
Uncle Winfred had a contradictory nature. In Houston, when my father was away at sea, Winfred turned off our gas to save money. My mother silently endured, heating water on a stove for us kids. Despite this harshness, Winfred showed genuine kindness by teaching my mother to drive—a life-changing act that empowered her greatly.
Throughout my childhood, my father kept welcoming Winfred into our home to help him save money. In 1997, we moved into a larger house, a humble but spacious home where we all lived together peacefully until my father’s tragic death in 2012.
After my father’s passing, Winfred moved out, leaving me to reflect deeply. My father taught me powerful lessons about generosity—giving without expecting anything in return. Even when generosity wasn’t returned, my father never let that change him.
As a teenager, I struggled with my Nigerian heritage. My father wisely sent my brother Adrian and me to Nigeria, reconnecting us with our roots. There, my relationship with Winfred improved, and I grew to see him as a father figure.
My mother stood behind all these family dynamics, quietly resilient and deeply compassionate. She always supported my father’s decisions, showing loyalty and grace even during challenging times.
When financial disputes arose after my father’s death, my mother initially resisted legal action against Winfred. She only acted out of her sense of duty to protect what my father built for us. I admire her strength greatly, understanding now that true generosity must have boundaries.
Our family’s journey has shown me the importance of compassion, forgiveness, and balance. May our story inspire you to overcome your struggles, set healthy boundaries, and never lose faith.
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Captain Romeo Itima was a pioneering U.S. Merchant Marine Captain and visionary leader who revolutionized Nigeria’s maritime industry. His legacy of courage, sacrifice, and empowerment endures as a beacon of justice and resilience.
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