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By Henry Uche
Ozuitem community in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State was agog for Ezinne Blessing Okorie when on January 4, 2024, she took a bow from active community service. As required by the tradition of the people, Ezinne Okorie who has served her people in different capacities beginning with the traditional and grassroots government of her community was due for what is known in the community as traditional retirement.
•Okorie with Chief Sunday Okorie at the ceremony
With fanfare and glamour, the people gathered in their numbers. It was a day of merriment and reunion of some sort as her community people, young and old, the high and mighty gathered in a festive mood. Quite a number of them who returned from different parts of the world for the Christmas and New Year festivities joined in the celebration of a woman they cherished so much.
An epitome of selfless service to humanity, Ezinne Okorie left fond memories for which people would want her to remain active and continue to serve as a mother, selfless leader, and mentor. In her biography, she underlined hard work, loyalty, obedience, determination, perseverance and resilience as virtues she held tenaciously that brought her to limelight from nowhere.
Born 74 years ago, in Odum autonomous community in Ozuitem, Ezinne Okorie pursued her educational career up to standard three at a time the general belief was that it was not rewarding to educate a female child that would eventually get married and become more beneficial to her husband and his family. Yet, she recalls, “that little education played a vital role in shaping my path.”
From the joys of deep connections to the heartaches of loss, she recalls again how her husband, the late Okorie Okoro married her at 16; a marriage that eventually produced eight resourceful children.
She said: “Life is a series of ups and downs. I open up on the personal struggles I faced and the triumphs that emerged from them after the death of my husband in December 1990. I discuss moments of self doubt, mental health challenges, and the journey towards self acceptance and resilience. I hope to inspire others to embrace their own imperfections and find strength in the face of adversity.”
A devoted Christian of the Methodist denomination, Ezinne Okorie made her mark as a trader, a dedicated member of the women’s wing of Ozuitem Development Union; Treasurer, Isiali Women’s Meeting, Aba branch; and a strong advocate of peace and bridge builder among Amagbo women. Her struggle for survival and the up-bringing of her children took her to major cities like Aba and Umuahia in Abia State, as well as Oturkpo in Benue State.
Reflecting on her survival through the years of struggle, she gives thanks to God, for saving her from the bombardment of the Nigeria – Biafra war. She owes gratitude to her children particularly, Austria-based Chief Sunday Okorie, Aku ruo Ulo 1 of Ozuitem, who described her as “my hero and my inspiration.”
Ezinne Okorie also showered praises on HRM, Eze Ocy Onyemachi, Ama III of Isiali-Ozuitem Autonomous Community, who said, “by all measures and indices, she represents the strength and never-give-up spirit of a mother lion.”
It was indeed a celebration of a lifetime achievement – the sort that gladdens the heart of one who has given much to society.
