Follow Us on Google
By Pat Onukwuli
Profound anticipation lingers in the quiet embrace of Nkwelle Ezunaka as this suburban haven huddled between rolling hills steeped in the serenity of devoutness prepares to open its heart to thousands that will be converging for the final journey of its daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother, Ezinne Grace Udefi Obimma (Ochiora). The beloved mother of the esteemed Reverend Father Emmanuel Obimma, popularly known as Ebube Muonso, transcended into eternal peace on this year’s All Saints Day, leaving a legacy that will forever be etched in the hearts of those touched by her kindness.
Ochiora was not just a matriarch, she was the heartbeat of a close-knit Obimma family and a beacon of light in the community. Her life was a testament to her devotion to her family, her faith, and the countless lives she touched through her acts of charity and unwavering love. Born in 1935, she embarked on a journey of selfless service that would become the cornerstone of her remarkable legacy.
In her formative years, she was blessed with an affluent childhood, surrounded by the comforts and privileges that prosperity could offer as her father, Chief David Omenazu Onyenze, was the wealthiest person in Ifite Village, Nkwelle Ezunaka in the 1940s and 50s. However, choosing a path less defined by luxury and more by the genuine simplicity of life, she embarked on a strict journey with her husband, Bartholomew Obiechina Obimma of Uruebo Village Nkwelle Ezunaka, a sartorial tailor highly skilled in creating bespoke clothing items.
With Obiechina, a man whose heart resonated with the same values of humility and hard work as hers, they built the foundation of their life on the bedrock of shared dreams, commitment, and a mutual understanding that exceeded material wealth. Thus, her days were no longer defined by material possessions but by the richness of shared experiences and the immeasurable value of a united family.
Hence, for Ochiora, the transition from early years of luxury to an average life was not a relinquishment of comfort but a conscious choice to embrace the beauty of life’s everyday moments. Her father’s sprawling estate, with its grandeur, gave way to a cosy home filled with the laughter of seven boys, each heartbeat echoing the rhythm of familial love. The reward is that those seven boys, now men, have distinguished themselves in their chosen careers.
As a devoted wife and mother, she found fulfilment in the simplicity of daily routines; she epitomised Saint Monica in her steadfast faith, patience, and prayers. Like Saint Monica, whose son Saint Augustine is one of Christian history’s most influential theologians and philosophers, Ochiora’s youngest son Ebube Muonso is an iconic priest, a revered figure whose spiritual resonance echoes globally. Equally, Ochiora followed in the footsteps of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla of Italy, another notable and more recent saint. She was also a wife with many children and was acclaimed for her deep faith, selflessness, and dedication to her family.
Ochiora, in her humble profession of petty trading, embodied the virtues of motherhood that encompass a range of perspectives, including but not limited to nurturing and caregiving: educator and teacher, emotional support, role model, manager of the household, advocate, provider and protector, facilitator of independence, community builder, and lifelong supporter. She demonstrated that the love of the mother is the closest example of God’s everlasting love. She spoke the language of motherhood that transcends cultural and linguistic boundaries and is universally understood and appreciated. Her core values and mission are captured by mater semper certa est, or mother always sure and guaranteed.
Like the anchor of a ship, Ochiora was dependable. She was steadfast in the family’s turbulent times, providing stability and confidence. She kept the family’s boat afloat and prevented it from aimless drifting. She was a responsible mother and offered her family a sense of rootedness and assurance. Through storms and calm waters alike, her committed presence was a reliable point of reference, guiding and grounding her children as they navigated the unpredictable journeys of life.
Out of the ordinary, she was the mother of faith. Her scion, Ebube Muonso, a Catholic Priest and the Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry founder, does not need an introduction. This charismatic and energetic preacher draws large numbers of worshipers to his ministry and has gained international prominence for evangelical activities, healing services, and prayer gatherings. His Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry has become a significant pilgrimage site for Catholics and other Christians seeking spiritual solace and miracles. Ebube Muonso is admired by congregants and respected by peers. He stands as a spiritual beacon, casting a warm glow of guidance and inspiration over the lives he touches.
All this would not have been possible without Ochiora’s efforts and prayers. She planted the seeds of faith in the Lord’s vineyard and nurtured these seeds of spirituality and devotion in the fertile soil of her children’s hearts. As the seed planter, she was a co-cultivator with God in her children’s spiritual growth, especially Ebube Muonso. She played this significant role that resulted in the ultimate flourishing of faith, a partnership between her efforts and the divine grace. Her guidance underscores the insightful impact on her children’s spiritual journey, emphasising her role as a nurturer, guide, and facilitator of a solid and enduring faith.
Therefore, in the narrative of her life, history will be kind to her because of the results her efforts have yielded in her children. She came in faith, saw, and conquered in faith. Therefore, in the tapestry of her life, there should be no sombre dirges, no melancholic notes; instead, a celebration should reverberate through the corridors of memory. She, the architect of joy and the curator of vibrant moments, will be remembered in a symphony of jubilation rather than mournful strains.
Ebube Muonso, known to many as a guiding light in matters of faith, finds himself at the intersection of personal grief and public homage as his beloved mother, a matriarch whose life echoed the virtues she instilled, prepares for her eternal rest. Therefore, in the quiet moments of his reflections and prayers, it should be thankfulness and thanksgiving because her life embodied the teachings he imparts. As a shepherd, scholar, and compassionate leader, he would be eternally grateful that her story would leave an indelible mark on the hearts of those who look to him for spiritual guidance and that she was a living example of a life well lived in service to a higher calling.
Accordingly, in the days leading up to this momentous occasion, the quaint town of Nkwelle Ezunaka becomes a canvas and focal point for the convergence of faith, remembrance, and celebration of the life of one of its finest. This is rightly so, as Ochiora’s influence extended far beyond the walls of her home and left an enduring legacy in the hearts of those she encountered. Therefore, a poignant tribute to a well-lived life, a woman whose unwavering faith, boundless love, and selfless service touched the lives of all fortunate enough to know her, would be a celebration, not a mourning.
Therefore, as Ochiora finds eternal rest, tears will flow. However, they will not be tears of sadness but gratitude, remembrance, and deep appreciation. Her legacy will not be mourned but exalted in a joyous symphony of commemoration. She will continue to be honoured as a luminous soul. She would always continue glowing radiantly on the lives she touched.
• Onukwuli, PhD, writes from Bolton, UK, via [email protected]
