…Unveils new book
By Njoku Macdonald Obinna
“Death is nothing else but going home to God, the bond of love will be unbroken for all eternity. “
The above quote exemplified the show of love and massive attendance during the one year memorial outing church service of the late Ezinne Margaret Charity Nwaneri (Nee Okoroagu); on Saturday, January 13, 2024, as her children, grandchildren, relations, numerous well wishers and sympathizers of the family of late Chief Nathaniel Nwokenaibeya Nwaneri who turned up to worship with the Catholic Bishop of Orlu Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Tochukwu Ukwoma, who also presided over the thanksgiving mass marking the dedication of St. Martin Of Tours Catholic Parish Mbubu -Amiri Autonomous Community, Oru East Local Government Area, Imo State.
During the burial outing homily, the Cleric reiterated that the late Ezinne Margaret Charity Nwaneri was a devouted Catholic; a role model, and prayer warrior, who lived all her life serving God and humanity in truth , in words, and in action; while raising God fearing children that have become a beacon of hope, source of pride and inspiration to the family and entire society. Bishop T. A. Ukwuoma, however , added that; in her early days to old age, Ezinne Margaret Charity Nwaneri didn’t depart from the religious tenets she held so tenaciously to until death.
The Parish Priest of St. Martin Of Tours Catholic Parish, Mbubu-Amiri, Oru- East LGA, Imo State, Rev. Fr. Kingsley Mgbeojirikwe, in commending the brotherly love, bond, understanding, and unity of purpose among the Nwaneri’s, maintained that their late mother, Ezinne Margaret Charity Nwaneri, lived a fulfilled and exemplary life as a Christian, and left behind a legacy of prayer and total devotion to God. According to him : “ Ezinne Margaret Nwaneri was such a loving and caring mother from whose heart flew the milk of human kindness.“
The highpoint of the burial outing service was the dedication of a Church Bell Tower built by the Margaret Okoroagu Nwaneri Foundation (MONF); a non- profit organization established by her children in honour of their late matriarch, Ezinne Margaret Charity Nwaneri (Nee Okoroagu), under the chairmanship of Sir Iky Nwaneri. A foundation which has given impressive outing since inception having built a community -based health centre; built an e-library for mass literacy, built Stella- Maris Primary School; built a Microfinance Bank which serves as a financial catalyst to empowering Mbubu-Amiri community women through seed capital for their small scale businesses; and the ongoing monthly free medical mission in the community.
However, the outing memorial service ceremony of late Ezinne Margaret Charity Nwaneri was rounded off with the official unveling of a book titled: “ Angela: The Diamond Child “ written by one of the deceased children, Prof. Uchenna Nwaneri, an international scholar of repute, a polished technocrat and researcher, who chronicled the brief exemplary lifestyle of his teenage big sister whose death happened a few weeks before the overthrow of Gen. Yakubu Gown by General Murtala Muhammad.
The book which was unveiled at the Margaret Okoroagu Nwaneri Foundation|Angela Nwaneri Memorial E- library portrays positive fascinating behavior of the deceased teenager worthy of emulation by the youths in our contemporary society. A very inspiring and captivating story with alots of reformatory aesthetics that are capable of restoring the unexpurgated lost glory of our generation.
It’s quite remarkable to note that the book lunch ceremony was conducted in a very conductive learning environment with an interactive session coordinated by the trio of Prof. Uchenna Nwaneri, author of Angela: The Diamond Child alongside Mrs. Christy Ezulike, Director at the Margaret Okoroagu Nwaneri Foundation| Coordinator of the Angela Nwaneri Memorial E-Library, and Mr. Kurious Agubom, pubisher of the book.
Meanwhile, top students selected from all the primary schools and secondary schools in Mbubu- Amiri Community, Oru East LGA, Imo State, undergo intensive training every Saturday on basic subjects and are taught computer skills. Since education is crucial for a successful future as it helps children explore and utilize their potentials. No doubt, the youths are future leaders of every country, and their growth through excellent academic performance will significantly contribute to economic and social development not just in Mbubu-Amiri community and Oru East, but across Imo State by extension .
The Chief Nathaniel Nwokenaibeya Nwaneri family, a prominent family in Oru East LGA, Imo State, is known for her industry, love for education, penchant for hardwork and excellence as the family has produced illustrious sons and daughters in business, in the legal profession, in engineering and road construction; the likes of: Dr. Ngozika J. Nwaneri, the most eldest and pillar of support of the Nwaneris, who played a prominent role in paving the way for his younger siblings in America, United Kingdom, and Europe. A renowned Cardiavascular Surgeon based in Washington D.C/Maryland, USA. Mrs. Agenes Okibedi (AdaNaty), the most eldest sister in the Nwaneri family, an educationist and pioneer founder, CNN International School Amiri; married to a former Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dr. Okechukwu A. Okibedi. Sir Iyke Nwaneri, Chairman of Margaret Okoroagu Nwaneri Foundation, Chief Tony Nwaneri, Prof. Uchenna Nwaneri; an Orthopedic Surgeon, Ezinne Scholatstic Igwe, H.E. Amb. Dr. Tochil Nwaneri, a renowned Nigerian Diplomat and international business maverick, among several relatives.
With a driven passion to shape the future of Amiri students and promote mass literacy, Angela Nwaneri Memorial E-Library, the education arm of Margaret Okoroagu Nwaneri Foundation is poised towards raising a new generation of skillful and information tech- conscious young leaders that will redefine the socio-economic and cultural landscape of Mbubu-Amiri Community in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State.
Speaking at the occasion during an interview session with the Publisher of 4th Estate Reporters, Njoku Macdonald Obinna , the author of Angela: The Diamond Child, Prof. Uchenna Nwaneri, an Orthopedic Surgeon, University of Maryland, National Capital Region, expressed delight that the Margaret Okoroagu Nwaneri Foundation(MONF) , as well as the Angela Nwaneri Memorial E-library are achieving their set goals of empowering women in the community as well as promoting academic excellence.
A strong advocate of women empowernment and gender equality, Prof. Uchenna Nwaneri, maintained that part of their mission is seeing a society with much respect for women, adding that the Girl Child, her values and rightful place should be duly incorporated in the scheme of things.
Chief Tony Nwaneri who came in the company of his amazon of a wife, Hon. Barr. Oyibo Nwaneri poured glowing tributes on their late mother, while thanking God for the wisdom and direction to sustain those endearing legacies of his late mother, a life of prayer, community service and giving back to the society through the Margaret Okoroagu Nwaneri Foundation.
The member representing Oru East Constituency at the Imo State House of Assembly; who also doubles as Chief Whip of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chigozie Nwaneri, commended the intellectual efforts put together by Prof. Uchenna Nwaneri at the Angela Nwaneri Memorial E-Library, while thanking God for the success of the memorial outing service in honour of the late Ezinne Margaret Nwaneri (Nee Okoroagu).
During his speech at the Margaret Okoroagu Nwaneri Foundation, the Principal of St. Gregory’s College – Amiri, Rev. Fr. Honorius Izuchukwu Ibe commended the Nwaneri Dynasty for their unity of purpose in laudable community-orineted based projects, selfless services, peaceful coexistence and love. He however, commended Prof. Uchenna Nwaneri for putting up such great intellectual work which added some value to the memorial outing service of their matriarch, Ezinwanne Margaret Charity Nwaneri. He also thanked in no small measures the Nigerian Diplomat, Amb. Dr. Tochil Nwaneri, for being a strong pillar of support at the St. Gregory’s College – Amiri, under his education management.
Mrs. Christy Ezulike, a director at the Margaret Okoroagu Foundation and Angela Nwaneri Memorial E-Library fielding questions from Journalists, explained that the ‘Angela Nwaneri Memorial E-Library’ has a number of ways of encouraging reading and also opens on Saturdays, hence, commended the Head teachers of St. Gregory’s College, and Stella Maris Amiri, for bringing their Students/Pupils for studies in the Library.
The colorful event wished alot of dignitaries which included but not limited to; HRH Eze C.U. Uzuokwu (Mbu l of Mbubu- Amiri Autonomous Community), Chief & Lolo Uwaoma Chinaemeze, Sir & lady Donatus Chukwunenye Ukamba, High Chief Marcelinus Ifeanyichukwu Ajaere, Dr Gerald & Dr. Mrs. Angela Uba, Mr & Mrs. Justin Mbojirikwe, Mr & Mrs. Chima Orujiuba, Engr. Mrs. Uzoamaka Onumajuru (Huston Texas, USA), Hon.Sir & Dr. Mrs. Onuoha Olumba (Los Angeles California, USA), Chief & Lolo Hanson Uzuokwu.
The epoch-making event ended in an atmosphere of social convivality as invited guests as well as students were adequately served symptuous meals while the DJ entertained them with a mix of cultural and Afrobeat songs.
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