A Virtuous Woman Goes Home As Children And The Nwaneri Dynasty Bury Matriarch In Grand Style Amid Tears 

It’s almost a month since the remains of late golden matriarch, Ezinne Margret Charity Nwaneri (Nee Okoroagu), was laid to rest at her late husband’s compound in Mbubu -Amiri, Oru East Local Government area of Imo State, Nigeria. While the burial has come and gone, but it will linger almost forever in the memories of the bereaved family as well as sympathizers who attended the watershed event.

The four-day burial arrangement started on Wednesday, 4th January, 2023, with preparation for the arrival of family members and sympathizers. A Night of Tribute |Service of songs was held at the Tom James Chukwunyerenwa Crescent –  residence of Chief Tony Nwaneri, as the body departed Federal Medical Centre for Requiem Mass at the Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, on Friday, 6th January, 2023. The High Mass was presided over by the Catholic Bishop of Owerri Archdiocese, His Grace, Bishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji and co-celebrated with other priests drawn from different Dioceses. After the burial mass, the deceased body departed in motorcade to her late husband – Pa Chief Hon. Nathaniel Nwokenaibeya Nwaneri (late Ese Ome-Udo l of Amiri Kingdom)’s residence in Mbubu, Oru – East LGA, Imo State, with a brief stop over at her parents house, late Chief & Lolo Felix Okoroagu.

During the burial homily, the Catholic Bishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, described late Ezinne Margaret Nwaneri as a devout christian, role model, and prayer warrior, who lived all her life serving God in truth, in words, and in action while raising God fearing children that have become source of pride and inspiration to the family and society. The cleric added that during her early days to old age, Ezinne Margaret Nwaneri did not depart from the religious tenents she held so tenaciously to until death.

A burial ceremony, which had well over 4000 mourners in attendance under different canopies outside, over 20  officiating Catholic priests, sympathizers, different socio-cultural groups and traditional rulers from the Oru – nation, a keen observer could best describe it as  burial turned carnival since Ezinne Margaret Nwaneri died at the ripe old age of 91 years.

Indeed, it was a peaceful passage of a saint of God as Ezinne Margaret Nwaneri (Nee Akaraugo) took a final bow and relocated to heaven on Angel’s wings.  A virtutous woman by all standards:  a loving and caring mother from whose heart flew the milk of human kindness.

However, after the interment, family members, religious leaders, traditional rulers, captains of industry, top government functionaries, Imo political gladiators and state actors, security chiefs, A- list diginatries, members of the diplomatic corps, friends and numerous well wishers; all converged at the Amiri close palatial Amb. Tochil White House (- luxurious mansion), Owerri, for the grand reception,  having given the deceased mother, Ezinne Margaret Charity Nwaneri, a befitting state burial.

Interestingly, practically all the leading  candidates of the respective political parties in the 2023 general elections were in attendance; Labour Party candidate for Imo West Senatorial District, Chief Charles Ugochukwu Ahize;  candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for Imo North Senatorial District, Chief Emmanuel Okewulonu, All Progressives Congress candidate for Imo East Senatorial District, Prince Alex Mbata, among others, were conspicuously captured.

However, the high point of the event and icing on the cake of attendance list was the arrival of the Executive Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Distinguished Sen. Hope Uzodimma, alongside the retinue of his colourful entourage, as his Chief Host; a Nigerian diplomat, oil magnet, financial investment expert and doyen of hospitality business, Amb. Tochil Nwaneri, warmly received his August visitor, Uzodimma, who came for the reception.

The Imo State Governor, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, who described the late Ezinne Margaret Charity Nwaneri as a  true definition of motherhood and Proverbs 31 woman, surprisingly spent approximately 7 hours at the well manicured White House of Amb. Tochil Nwaneri; as he was so relaxed to be served the most expensive choice champagne by his host, the Nwaneris.

Appearing sober and emotional during an interview session with the PR Expert, Njoku Macdonald Obinna, Chief Charles Ahize described late Ezinne Margaret Nwaneri as an epitome of a virtutous woman; a lovely mother who passionately cared for her children and all those who came in contact with her for motherly advice and biblical insights.

According to Chief Tony Nwaneri, in a glowing tribute to his late mom; “Ezinne Margaret Nwaneri, mama was a disciplinarian, who believed in hardwork and was quite industrious. Knowledge was her forte as a result of her voracious thirst for information and happenings around the world”.

According to the star boy and foreign  diplomat; Amb. Tochil Nwaneri: “Our late mom possesed exceptional analytical abilities, which included problem solving, character molding as a teacher, knowledge imparation, communication and critical thinking, among other.

Mama took delight in ensuring the joy of others as well as the development of the general community and most particularly; the church of God. As a devout Christian, she loved evangelism and most times woke up at 4 to 5am preparing the children and neighbors for church. A dedicated catholic who put her trust and hope; morning, afternoon and night on God, and implored her children to always pray the rosary”.

From her children; Sir Iky E. Nwaneri, Chief Tony Nwaneri, Prof. Uchenna R. Nwaneri, Amb. Tochil Nwaneri and Mrs. Scholar Igwe; including their wives, children, grand children and numerous relations, all paid glowing tributes on their beloved mother, affirming that she was a symbol of womanhood all cared for anyone who came in contact with her without discrimination.

The classy cars, the hype-tech trained security agents that mounted on duty post, the well trimmed flowers, the poolside, the waterfall and beautiful lighting in the well manicured compound, sent a strong message that the deceased Ezinne Margaret Charity Nwaneri did not only live a fulfilled life, but begot children that have sustained the legacies and life wishes of their parents.

While sending condolences to his long time friend, Amb. Tochil Nwaneri, Ezeigbo Ghana, His Royal Majesty, Eze Dr. Amb. Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu, registered his condolences to the Nwaneri Dynasty over the demise of their matriarch, Ezinne Margaret Charity Nwaneri, praying God to give her soul a peaceful repose. Ezeigbo Ghana, Ihenetu, however, prayed God to keep strengthening his friend Amb. Tochil Nwaneri and his family over the death of their irreplaceable mother.

The state burial witnessed in attendance top notch businessmen, political leaders, respected Imo elders, government functionaries and members of the private sector, which included but not limited to:

Chief Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie ; Chief of Staff to the Imo State Government House, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu; a former Chief of Staff to the Imo State Government House under Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha , Chief Barr. Chris Okewulonu; a former Chief Of Staff to Imo State Government House under Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Chief Ralph Nwosu , Imo Commissioner for Works, Chief Barr. Willie Amadi, Chief Technical Adviser to Imo governor on Environment, High Chief Cosmos Maduba, Rt.Hon. Ngozi S M Obiefule , member representing Isu State Constituency, Hon. Philip Ejiogu representing Owerri North State Constituency, High Chief Mike Ejiogu, Traditional Prime Minister of Anàrà, Dr. Batos Nwadike, Spokesman of Charles Ahize Campaign Organisation, Chief Engr. Celestine Opurum, Governor of UIPU, among other diginatries too numerous to mention.

The late Ezinne Margaret Charity Nwaneri loved God, her children , humanity and served the husband faithfully. She remained committed to the teachings of the church and  her faith through daily devotions, prayers, selfless community service and various unannounced charity works during her life time.

Ezinne Margaret Charity Nwaneri is so dearly loved and would be so greatly missed!

Keep resting in the bossom of He who has called you to eternal glory!

– Njoku Macdonald Obinna: