Rt. Hon. Ozurigbo Buries Mother In-Law In Grand Style As Dignitaries Storm Ohafia 

The well organized, highly coordinated, and colourful funeral ceremony took place in a very peaceful atmosphere as the remains of Mama Margaret Nwanyibuka Ndukwe were committed to mother earth at her late husband – Mr. Paul Ume Ndukwe’s home in Amaekpu – Ohafia LGA, Abia State.

During her life time, among Ezinne Margaret Nwanyibuka Ndukwe’s sons in-law that took very good care of her was  the former Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly and  immediate past House Committee Chairman on Niger Delta Affairs;  the most outstanding Federal lawmaker in Imo State for the record time, Rt. Hon. Ozurigbo Ugonna, who represented Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Federal Constituency in the House of Represenatives between 2015 -2023 before he was unfortunately removed through the legal sledge hammer of Nigeria’s Supreme Court judgement. No thanks to the judiciary.

It was simply an epoch-making event as the burial ceremony brought together her children, grandchildren, sons-in-laws from near and wide, including serving members of the National Assembly,  former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, a range of political elite from Abuja, Abia, Imo, business class, industry experts, delegations from two of Nigeria’s giant network providers;  MTN and Airtel, politicians across party lines, different support groups, friends of OZB International, a select management and  staff of his business conglomerate as they stormed Ohafia LGA, Abia State, in total solidarity for Rt. Hon. Ozurigbo Ugonna, who buried his mother-in- law in grand style.

Until her death, Ezinne Margaret Nwanyibuka Ndukwe, a devouted  Catholic, who put her trust and hope; morning, afternoon and night on God, lived a life of industry and purpose, getting involved in selfless community service and church activities. For her love and sacrifice to family, she took up the responsibility of catering for her children’s wellbeing when she lost her beloved husband, Mr. Paul Ume Ndukwe, in 2007. Unrelenting and unwavering in her commitment to raise up her children in the way of the Lord, Mama continued to teach them the values of christianity, hard work, honesty, humility, good morals and the need to rely only on God. This is exemplified in all her children whenever you have a personal encounter with them.

During his homily, the Presiding Parish Priest of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Amaekpu Ohafia, Rev. Fr. Dr. Francis Onwunali, while extolling the christian virtues of Ezinne Margaret Ndukwe, who dedicated her life time to the service of God and humanity said; “The deceased had a hope of eternity having completed her race and kept the faith” , urging the living to live a life worthy of emulation as all are pilgrims here on earth and must answer the call of life someday.

In a glowing tribute to his late mother-  in-law, Ezinne Margaret Nwanyibuka Ndukwe, Rt. Hon. Ozurigbo Ugonna, a proactive former Federal legislator from Imo State, who is married to Mama’s last daughter, Lolo Ijeoma Ozurigbo (Nee Ndukwe), posited inter alia:

“Late Mama Margaret Nwanyibuka Ndukwe was a great woman. A lovely and caring mother. A devoted Christian. She was an extraordinary person. I came across Mama 26 years ago when she relocated to Owerri after the death of her husband.”

“Mama believed so much in my dreams and encouraged me a lot in the early years of my entrepreneurship in a number of ways. As students, she appreciated and encouraged me and my wife. A gentle and prayerful woman. In those days, I heard a lot of stories on how she worked so tirelessly hard to ensure the children had the best of life. Mama could have stayed longer to enjoy the fruits of her labour, but we cannot question God. She fought so hard to beat death. Yes, she won because she is now in a better place. Mama D Mama, as I fondly called her, has done her part on earth. She has fought a good fight of faith and await her crown of glory in heaven. Mama, you came, saw, and conquered. Adieu, Mama Jema, till the resurrection morning.”

Rt. Hon. Ozurigbo Ugonna

Former Deputy Speaker,

8th Imo State House of Assembly.

Former member,

9th and 10th National Assembly for Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Federal Constituency.

Sending his condolences to his most respected party man and former colleague, Rt. Hon. Ozurigbo Ugonna, Deputy Chairman, House Committee on FCT,  and member representing Ahiazu Mbaise/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Chinedu Emeka Chinedu, who was also present at the burial ceremony, commiserated with OZB and his family on the death of his beloved mother-in-law, late Mrs. Margaret Nwanyibuka Ndukwe, who had transited to the greater beyond.

From the two former Imo State governors: Their Excellencies: Dr. Ikedi Ohakim and Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON, down to Hon. Barr. Ikeagwwuonu Onyinye Ugochinyere (Ikenga Imo), representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency to Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa representing Arochukwu-Ohafia Federal Constituency, down to Rt. Hon. Dr. Pascal Obi, from Hon. Kingsley Uju, all powered in glowing tributes to celebrate late Ezinne Margaret Ndukwe in a show of solidarity to one of their own, Rt. Hon. Ozurigbo Ugonna.

Rt. Hon. Henry Nwawuba, Executive Secretary, National Assembly Library Trust Fund and immediate past member that represented Mbaitoli/Ikeduru Federal Constituency in the 8th and 9th National Assembly was also conspicuously present at the event.

 A frontline Abuja- based Nwangele born serial entrepreneur and respected community leader, Deputy governor, United Isu Progressives Union (UIPU),  Chief Engr. Amara Humphrey Anyiam, who flew into Abia State from Abuja was accompanied by Engr. Emma Onyejiri to grace the occasion to the surprise of Rt. Hon. Ugonna Ozurigbo. A show of genuine friendship and total solidarity.

Other prominent Nwangele leaders, who graced the burial ceremony in far way Amaekpu Ohafia, Abia State, included but not limited to; the traditional ruler of Umuozu, Nwangele LGA,  HRH Eze Okechukwu Onyejiuwa (Ohanyere lll), a former Special Adviser on Political Matters to Imo State governor, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, Dr. Batos Nwadike, a former Transition Committee Chairmen of Nwangele LGA, Hon. Chief Clifford Ojiakor, Hon. Chizobam O. Chizobam, Hon. Chief Anthony Ahaneku (Innieh Isu), Chairman of Imo State chapter of Action Alliance (AA), Barr. Jude Uzokwu, Chief Lasbery Njoku, Hon. Eugene Ohamara. Others included; Hon. Onyema Agbarakwe, Chijioke Henry Ihetu.

In what looked more like a state burial, the funeral ceremony witnessed in attendance top notch multi-national organizations like: MTN-Nigeria,  Airtel, Tecno Mobile, politicans across party lines, respected government functionaries in Imo, members of United Isu Progressives Union led by Engr. Celestine Opurum, different political structures, and members of the private sector.

Mama lived a fulfilled life, and was survived by her children;

Mr. Chima Ndukwe

Sir. Barr. Sam Paul Ndukwe

Ms. Obinna Uche Okala

Ms. Ada Edi Okekeafor

Lolo Ijeoma Ozurigbo (Nee Ndukwe)

Mr. Kalu Ndukwe, and a host of grandchildren.

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!