The Ahonkhais came to the United States via New York in 1975 when Vincent started his residency training at the State University Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. Vincent afterwards joined the Medical School faculty and practiced pediatric medicine, later entering the pharmaceutical industry.  The family moved to Pennsylvania in 1982, where Vincent is currently a Vice-President at GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals.  Bernadine has a doctoral degree in Education from Columbia University and has worked for many years as an Early Childhood Education and Early Intervention Program Director.  She is currently an education consultant. Their four children, three of whom were born in the United States, have also taken advantage of American educational opportunities.  Their oldest, Ebiho, graduated from Georgetown School of Foreign Service and is now in her final year of Law School at Temple.  Their second daughter, Aima, graduated from Harvard University and is in her third year of medical school at Johns Hopkins Medical School.  Omua, another daughter, is a junior at the University of Pennsylvania, and their son, Imo, will start his freshman year at the University of Pittsburgh in August. 

The family resides in Lower Gwynedd Township.  Bernadine and Vincent are active in community organizations, including the Nigerian People's Forum, a pan-Nigerian association with branches throughout the United States.  The Nigerian People's Forum aims to acquaint Americans with Nigerian culture, assist Nigerian immigrants to the United States, and also help shape public policies back home in Nigeria.