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By Henry Umahi
It was because of people like Mrs. Margaret Umezurike that Shakespeare wrote: “When beggars die, there are no comets seen; the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.”
The impact of her death sent waves of sadness through every heart and heartwarming tributes have flooded in for Mrs. Nome Margaret Augustine Umezurike (Ada Ugbo) na Ikenegwu Kingdom, who recently joined the saints at the age of 74. Her glorious life would be celebrated between January 5 and 7, 2023, at the late Chief Umezurike’s compound in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Ada Ugbo’s life was like a song worth singing. She came, saw and conquered. Show me a good woman and I will show you Ada Ugbo na Ikenegwu Kingdom.
Her amazing story commenced on May 20, 1947. That day, an angel literarily came from heaven and visited late Osuji Okoro Nwaobasi and late Mrs. Una Nweñasi Okoro Obasi of Umu-Ogbuna Amenu Uburu in today’s Ohaozara LGA, Ebonyi State.
Although she was born on the day of total solar eclipse when the sun hid for some hours, she shone brightly through out her life time.
She was one woman with a brave but beautiful heart, from a very humble background. Though she was not born into riches, yet always found ways to offer a lot to others.
From her, one could learn that you do not have to be affluent to be kind, compassionate and helpful to people around you. She had a faithful Christian heart with boldness to stand tall among equals.
She was an able assistant to her mother until she got married. Her earnest desire in life was to acquire western education and a trade (sewing) but it was not realised due to certain domestic encumbrances around 1960.
Mama was a good singer, she had a sweet voice that stood her out any time she sang. She was also a great dancer.
To prove how good a dancer she was, she was enlisted as a member of the all-time Noble Dance Troupe of Amenu who entertained the public during Christmas, New Year Easter and Aju festivals.
According to her son, Engr. Njoku Umezurike (Obataobie), “the angels must be dancing because of her presence in their midst. There is no doubt that heaven has welcomed a saint.”
Madam Margaret’s resilience to life’s challenges was extraordinary. When life failed to release the opportunity for her to attain her desired goals, her inner strength and doggedness manifested. She managed to partly follow her passion for western education and intellectual emancipation when she single handedly sent her younger brother, Ogbonnaya Okoro Obasi, to primary school in 1965. She said: “If I cannot go to school, then my brother must.”
However, in her quest to acquire some form of education, she joined The Presbyterian Church Choir where her choir master, from Cross River State, taught her elementary studies like writing and identification of alphabets, musical signs and symbolism. Thereafter, she was able to pick up what later translated into unique skills in native nursing and midwifery as well as hand- tailoring. And today, all her children laurelled in education.
Young Margaret got married to Chief Umezurike Augustine Chukwu, a man of strong character, who regarded truth as the only option even at his own peril, a man of nobility and great repute, an astute believer in equity and justice, whose quotes and ideological position are still featured till date, in different fora to settle and reconcile disputes. They got married and were blessed with seven children.
As a young and energetic woman, she worked hard to support home front. She was an embodiment of talents, always enthusiastic to confront any challenge head on with courage. Her self reliance distinguished her from others and made her a contributor in every human sphere within her locality.
She never lacked ideas about any life’s situations. Her super abilities made her a backbone of support to her husband’s efforts in raising their children. Mama’s elegance and taste were evident in her classy attires and stuffs for her children. She was indeed an epitome of the biblical Proverbs 31 woman.
Madam Margaret was resourceful and creative even in the kitchen. She literally produced with her own hands everything her children and others around her ate. She formulated new recipes to accommodate all the classes of food for her children to have nutrient dense meals at all times. She fed many people and gave her roof to those who were destitute, put a cloth on the back of many who did not have.
Those born and bred in that area know what June and July hunger meant for farmers. But not with mama, because when other farmers might have retired their earnings (both money and crops) to the farm land, mama in her intelligence and wisdom, never allowed her children and others around her to experience hunger. Her enthusiastic and optimistic nature made her consider her backyard as a fertile ground where she cultivated foods so as to assuage the wrath of “unwu July.”
The chairman of Uburu Peoples Assembly, Lagos, Mazi Francis Ekwe, said: “Mama was special in so many ways. She had a Midas touch; anything she touched turned to gold. She had the heart of an angel. Nothing was too much for her to give to her fellow human being. She was our own Mother Theresa. “Interestingly, her children inherited her good nature. For instance, her son, Engr. Njoku, is known for going about doing good. He is a master in making people happy, like his mother.
“Mama’s death is a big blow to everyone. Those who didn’t have the opportunity of meeting her may not understand what I am saying. The only consolation is that she has gone to a better place where there is no pain and gnashing of teeth. But on that day when the beautiful blue sky shall burst open to reveal heaven, we shall reunite, to part no more.”
Evangelist Chimezie Obasi said a big vacuum has been created with her passing. He said: “Nobody can take her place. She was a Mother in Israel. She regarded and treated all children as hers. She scolds when necessary and encourages all the time. She served God will all her heart.”
Mr. David Uka acknowledged that she was a fearless lioness, yet humble to a fault. He said: “She had the uncommon ability of solving problems no matter how gargantuan. I think a book should be written on her for younger women and men to study and add value to society.
She was a jewel of inestimable value to her husband, family and community. Her dear husband used to praise her high heavens.”
For Engr. Njoku, his mother lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation. Take this from Njoku: “She was full of strength, confidence and determination to be great.
A multi- talented woman, a brilliant mother with such a strong sense of duty in service to humanity. To many, mama was a midwife who helped locals within her sphere of contact to deliver their babies.
“She was also a native surgeon of sorts who confronted any size of furuncle and carbuncle that plagued people, irrespective of its magnitude or position. She also helped a lot of people dress their injuries. Little wonder, people in reference to her always made this remark, ‘ust go to Ogbo-Nome or Mama Njoku Ago (as she was fondly called) and your sicknesses would be addressed’.
Mama was a woman with diverse talents, she was a self taught tailor, the men of our dear family can attest to her profound skill.
“Mama was her husband’s accountant, so was she to many in Agugwu and elsewhere. She kept money for everyone, especially people who came back to the village during festivities.
“Many of them lodged their money with her so as to keep them from squandering all their funds in the spirit of festivities. Her attention to details was mind-blowing as mama did not just keep money for these people, she actually documented all necessary details and kept inventory with each account holder. In paying them back, she would give the exact note that was paid to her. This meant that her integrity was beyond question. She did all these at no cost or fee.
“She had an an extraordinary retentive memory. She remembered events and dates in an amazing manner. She had a captivating nature and a good sense of humour. Mama was also a great leader. She led and belonged to many organisations. Her optimism till her last breath is an encouragement to those who thread this path called life.”
Henry’s Umahi, popularly known as Arch Pope, said: “We need to honour her spirit of duty and sincerity. We should turn grief into a legacy. She had an undying devotion to making her environment a more beautiful place. She was a remarkable person.”
