Geoffrey Anyanwu, Awka
Encomiums poured in torrents on the late mother of Hon. Uche Ekwunife, a member of the House of Representatives, Lucy Chinyere Okoli-Ogudebe, whose remains were laid to rest last Friday in her country home, Ngo village, Igbokwu in Aguata local government of Anambra State.
The funeral was, indeed, a roll call of who is who in Nigeria. It was a tribute galore. Among the crème de la crème of the Nigerian society who graced the occasion were President Goodluck Jonathan who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan also represented by Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Maina.
Others were Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu; Speaker House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; Deputy Speaker, Chief Emeka Ihedioha; former Vice President of Nigeria, Dr. Alex Ekwueme; Governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Chris Ngige and Sen. Gilbert Nnaji.
Also present were Governor Peter Obi who was represented by his wife, Mrs. Margaret Peter-Obi, Deputy Governors of Anambra, Mr. Emeka Sibeudu; Enugu, Chief Sunday Onyebuchi; Akwa Ibom, Valarie M. Ebe; Abia State and the wife of Adamawa state Governor, Dr. Halima Murtal Nyako.
Delivering the sermon, Archbishop Emeritus of Niger Province, Most Rev. Maxwell Anikwenwa who led other clergymen at the funeral service held at St Barnabas Anglican Church, Igbo-Ukwu, reminded the people that death must come one day; hence the need to prepare themselves for account giving.
In his letter of condolence read by the SGF, President Jonathan said, "My heart goes out to you and all the members of your family in your moment of grief. It is evident that, by her passing, you have not only lost a devoted mother, you have also lost a friend, a matriarch and an enduring source of inspiration."
The Speaker, Tambuwal in his tribute thanked God for the good life Mother Lucy lived which, he said, was exemplified in her daughter, Hon. Ekwunife, who according to him, is one of the best among the 360 legislators in the lower chamber of the National Assembly.
In her own tribute, Dame Patience Jonathan described the deceased as an epitome of humility and hard work, stressing that her great sense of enterprise was remarkable, just as she lived an exemplary live that should be emulated.
She further said, "Her spirit of community service and exceptional leadership will be sorely missed by the many individuals whose life she transformed as a renowned teacher, motivator and mentor."
The Senate President in his tribute said, "She was an epitome of honour and Christian values; a truly loving and supportive mother, and a woman of compassion, who rendered selfless service to her community. She will be greatly missed."
Welcoming the guests at the funeral service, Mrs. Margaret Peter-Obi thanked them for coming to be with the family at the service to bid their mother farewell.
She descried Mother Lucy as a hard worker who by training all her female children to become responsible personalities has shown that women are in deed great asset, adding, "Your mother stood for a lot of things, she was a pillar of strength."
Hon. Ekwunife, while responding on behalf of the family, said her late mother was a kind and loving mother who would always be remembered.
She said, "My mother is a wonderful woman, very resourceful. She had 10 of us and trained all of us as graduates alone. She loved us so much and we loved her and will continue to love her."
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