By Aloysius Attah
The Great William Shakespeare was very right when he said many centuries ago that “When beggars die, no comets are seen but even heavens blaze forth the death of a princess”.
Alor community in Idemili South LGA, Anambra state was agog last weekend during the burial of late Ezinne Christiana Nwanneka Obiudo. It was like a carnival, all roads led to the Obiudo family while the community erupted in a frenzy as exotic cars , men of timbre and calibre gathered in their numbers to pay their last respect to a golden woman popularly known as Ene Jesus and the Dorcas of our generation.
Ene Jesus was married to Chief Sir Levi Obiudo- Anaekume and they were blessed with eight wonderful children- Obumneme –Chief Solex Ononenyi, Oguejiofor Dave Obiudo –Akunetigbuokwu 1, Chief Ifeakandu Obiudo- Ofuonye Chiyanagbara Izu , Akuchuwu-Akajiaku , Ubakamma Obiudo (Ubby), Elochukwu –Ezemmilinaliugwu , Adaku and Obianujunwa.
In her lifetime, she was honoured with the prestigious title of Ezinne and also recognised as an Ambassador of Christ owing to her zeal and commitment in worshipping God and assisting humanity in many positive ways.
In her funeral church service presided by the Bishop on the Niger, Rt. Rev. Owen Nwokolo held at St. Luke Anglican Church, Alor, the entire magnificent church was filled to the brim with over 100 clergymen , lay readers, choir and other attendees.
Bishop Nwokolo in a homily taken from biblical scriptures Eccl 3: 1-18 and John 11: 7-27, noted that in life there is time for everything while everything has its own time and season. He said there is a time to be born and a time to die but the good thing there is that those know their Lord and personal saviour Jesus Christ who is the resurrection and life have nothing to fear because whether they are alive or dead , they belong to Christ.
He thanked God for the life of Ezinne Christiana Obiudo whom he described as a shining example of true Christian and urged her children to continue in her footsteps.
Chief Solex Obiudo (Ononenyi) in a moving tribute to his late mother described her as a “woman like no other”.
“Someone with a heart of gold. No one ever left empty –handed when they came to you with their needs. I tell my friends that your other name is EBERE. Your absence in our lives is irreplaceable. Your motherly advice was always the best, like when I started my own business and you told me that starting a cry is difficult but when it comes out, it flows. You were the peacemaker in the family. You were good to a fault. Some of the acts of kindness and charity you did, we didn’t even know, people are testifying about them” he said.
Mama’s second son, Chief Oguejiofor Obiudo (Akunetigbuokwu 1 of Alor) described the late mother as a woman of extraordinary strength, kindness and grace whose legacy will forever live in their hearts.
He said that beyond her role as a mother, she was a pillar of strength in the community Alor and Owerri where they grew up noting that his mother left behind a legacy of selflessness and compassion that would continue to inspire all.
Various groups, individuals and eminent personalities across all walks of life also came to identify with the family and paid their last respect to the departed mother too. Members of Diamond Fitness Club, Imperial Club among others were also in their numbers.
Elder Chukwuma Augustine, Public Relations Officer, Hazie Masters Club in a chat with our reporter described Solex Obiudo as a bonafide member of their club who is a nice jolly good fellow.
He said the entire members of the club came all the way from Lagos to identify with him because he has been consistent in doing good too.
In a condolence message, he noted that it is the child that buries the mother and not the other way round. He expressed gratitude that the departed matriarch who trained the children well to the extent that she has left an enduring legacy to be emulated. He advised Solex and his siblings to rejoice and thank God that they had such a wonderful mother and not the other way round.
“Yesterday, at the night vigil, several testimonies were shared about the mother just like the Dorcas in the bible. This is soul stirring. The late mother gave willingly all she had to the less privileged and this is something to be emulated. Whatever God blesses you with, use it as source of blessing to others too. That is the greatest lesson about Mama’s life” he said.
Chief Sixtus Adizue (Citimoore Investment) Akudimfe while reflecting on the burial ceremony also remarked that they came to Alor because of Solex who was burying the mother. Akudimfe described the atmosphere during the burial as so surprising. While reflecting on the massive crowd that graced the burial ceremony, he noted that insecurity in the southeast is overhyped unlike the news they hear from Lagos.
“With what I’m seeing here, I can say that normalcy has returned both in Imo and Anambra state and Southeast in general. I call this burial a celebration of life because the bible gave the death age bracket at 70 but the woman we are burying lived past the age of 70. But that notwithstanding, the death of a mother pains seriously no matter at what age it happens but I use this medium to tell them to bear the loss with candour and the grace of God. They should mourn like those who have hope” he said.
Chief Uzoma Francis Madufor, Eze Omeogo na Orlu in his own comments quipped so : “Ononenyi is our own person , we knew he will do it and we have seen it . He proved to be a goal getter and a result oriented person and everyone can see it. The burial is a success in all ramifications. Igbo land will be great again . What we are seeing here is also a testament to the fact that Igbo can survive in every situation. We shall remain choppers” he signed out.
Chief Charles Odunukwe Chairman /Chief Executive Charldon Group of Companies , Okemiri na ebu Ogwe na Oraukwu who also came with his entourage described the deceased as a blessed woman.
Chief Odunukwe said that God blessed Mrs Obiudo with a nice husband and great children and she lived a good life too. He also prayed that God will accept her soul in His bosom and also be with her children and descendants.
“They are doing well so far. You can see that they are living together in peace and harmony. Their father is still alive and guiding them. We pray for longevity on the father of the house because long life is a cherished gift. We also pray for journey mercies on all that came for this burial “ he prayed.
Chief Uche Azodo , Nkwa Chukwukwelu na Nnewi while reflecting on the burial ceremony also reminded Ononenyi and co that it is the children that buries the parents. He said Mama has gone to rest peacefully while others will also join her after fulfilling all their earthly duties.
Prince Charles Ezeagwu, Ichie Enyi na Nnokwa said they gathered to commiserate with the Obiudo family over the demise of their mother. He told them to take heart noting that mothers are always too precious.
“We share in their grief but they should take heart and be strong. It is our prayer that things will go well and we can say that the celebration is already a success. We say congratulations to them” he said.
Various artistes like Sis Chineyere Udoma, Sis Precious and others gave scintillating performances during the burial while there was money rain in various currencies while the occasion lasted.
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