By Moses Okorie
It will remain, for a very long time to come, an indelible experience in both Obeagwe Umuezeigala and the 14 other communities that make up Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State; the clamour, the glitz and display of brotherliness that characterized the day, as seen in the unprecedented influx of people of different walks of life to bid an amazing woman, late Ezinne Theresa Nkoyem Ogene, farewell to the great beyond.
Late Mrs. Theresa Nkoyem Ogene was the mother of 365Daily Publisher and former representative of Ogbaru Federal Constituency of Anambra State in the 7th Assembly of the House of Representatives, who is her second son.
Her first son is Chief Comrade Emeka Ogene, former president, Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI). She had five other children.
The burial event began with a Vigil Mass held on Thursday, March 3, 2022 at her compound, which kept everyone awake all through the night as guests turned what could have been a mourning period into a merry experience. The high point was an intriguing performance by a famous highlife music singer, Ezegwu Chijioke Mbanefo.
Very early the next morning, Friday, March 4, her family members, as well as other well-wishers, embarked on a trip from Obeagwe to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, capital of Delta State, to bring back the remains of Ezinne Ogene to her home. The corpse arrived at about 9:30am and was given a heroic reception by the villagers, with different dance troupes heralding her last visit before it was taken the church for a Requiem Mass.
At the Mass held at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Obeagwe, the officiating priest, Rev. Fr. Collins Ojene who led 18 other Priests, admonished the congregation to either prepare for heaven or hell, because death, he said, remains inevitable. But while on earth, he advised that everyone should try his or her best to do well, so that God will have mercy and receive them into the kingdom of Heaven.
Prefacing the solemn event with a declaration that “Mama’s second son, Hon. Afam Ogene, remains the finest gentleman in Ogbaru politics,” Rev. Fr. Ojene further encouraged the deceased’s family to be more united than ever so that their mother’s soul will rejoice wherever she is.
Delivering the Homily, Rev. Fr. Reginald Egbu traced the genial disposition of most members of the Ogene family, which he said he has been associated with for over 30 years, to Mama’s role as a rallying point and stabilizing factor in the upbringing of all her children.
The Mass attracted many persons – the high and mighty, average fellows and ordinary folks – especially friends who came from different parts of the country in solidarity with their own, Comrade Emeka Ogene, Hon. Afam Ogene, their siblings and Reverend Father Paul Nonso Ogene, who is a grandson of Madam Ogene.
In his vote of thanks at the Requiem Mass, Hon. Ogene, who spoke on behalf of the bereaved family, said his mother was never a liability to her children, but rather was always concerned about their wellbeing.
He stated that out of Mama’s five sons, three took their spouses from outside Igboland, yet Mama made no fuss, but instead loved them affectionately. Hon. Ogene revealed that a day before Mama died (December 23, 2021), while he was organizing the annual Christmas party for Widows and children in Obeagwe on 22nd December, she directed him to take some money she had kept since December 2020, which was the balance left with her after hosting that year’s Christmas party.
He, therefore, promised to sustain the annual event in memory of his departed mother. The family proceeded to pledge the construction of a befitting Altar in the local church.
On his part, the host Parish Priest, Reverend Father Chris Ogugua of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Obeagwe, describee late Mrs. Theresa Nkoyem Ogene as a great asset to the church. He described the Ogene family as one that has been supportive to the success and growth of not just Holy Trinity, but the Parish at large.
Some of those who graced the occasion were former Governor of Anambra State and 2019 Vice Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Mr. Peter Obi, who was represented by a retinue of his aides led by Fidel Okafor, a former Political Adviser.
Also in attendance were former Secretary to Anambra State Government, SSG and PDP Governorship candidate in 2017, Oseloka Henry Obaze, past and present lawmakers, including Honourables Ofor Chukwuegbo, Ralph Okeke, Emeke Nwogbo and Chizor Obidigwe, who all came to sympathize with one of their own. Also on hand were Senator Stella Oduah, represented by her Chief of Staff, Princess Nwaka Ononuju, Hon. Chukwuka Onyema, Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze and the Mayor of Ogbaru LGA, Comrade Arinze Awogu.
The All Progressives Congress, APC Anambra family was led by the State Chairman, Chief Basil Ejidike, who led his entire State Working Committee, as well members of the APC Patriots, Anambra, led by Ikenga Dozie Ikedife.
Meanwhile, before the burial of the late Madam Ezinne, whose body was committed to mother earth at about 1:45pm, many Nigerians, including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, had sent in tributes and condolence messages to the family, all eulogizing the astonishing qualities of Ezinne Theresa Nkoyem Ogene.
Others who paid tribute to the Ogene matriarch included former Speaker of the House of Representatives and current Governor of Sokoto State, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; former Imo Governor, Emeka Ihedioha and former Anambra Governor, Andy Uba.
Others are Sir Dr. Patrick Nduka Ugboma, Oseloka Henry Obaze, Senator Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, Captain Junaid Abdullahi of Border Communities Development Agency, where Hon. Ogene is a Board member.
Monarchs who sympathised with the family included HRH Igwe Fidelis Odebe, the traditional ruler of Mputu; HRH Igwe PCU Afuberoh of Ogbakuba, Igwe Dr. Patrick Nwasike of Obeagwe, Okakwu Ossomala, Victor Awogu and HRH Igwe Lawrence Ogugua Oduah of Akili Ozizor, all in Ogbaru Local Government area of Anambra.
Others were Ifeakachi Dubem Obaze, an Ogbaru political leader, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, Mustapha Isah, former NIMASA boss, Hon. Dakuku Peterside, Oyinkan Olasanoye, Tony Nwoye, Hon. Chris Emeka Azubogu, Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi, Rt. Hon. Jones Chukwudi Onyereri, Hon. Ralph Okeke, Hon. Vincent Ekene Ofumelu, Hon. HC Nsofor, Rt. Hon. Ben Nwosu, Rt. Hon. Lanre Odubote, Engr. Ibrahim Shehu-Gusau, Chief Celestine Udemadu, Chinedum Uwolloh, Ogbaru Peoples’ Assembly, former NOA DG, Mike Omeri, Hon. Elvis Oglafa, Prince Godfrey Ejim of Treasures Suites, 365Daily staff, Hon. Arinzechukwu Awogu and Ikenga Dozie Ikedife, who signed for APC Patriots Anambra where Hon. Afam Ogene is a valuable member.
A letter signed by the family showed that during the course of Mama’s life, she lived in Ozigono, in present-day Edo State; Port Harcourt, Rivers State and Lagos, where she supported her husband in the upbringing of their children through various petty trading.
Upon relocation to her native home in December 1996, and losing her husband six months afterwards in May 1997, Mama devoted the remaining part of her life to the development and growth of the Catholic church in the community, including encouraging one of her children to join the Priesthood and playing the role of Mother(Ezinne) of the local church.