Today, my heart is heavy as I bid farewell to an exceptional woman, a cherished friend, a trusted mentor, and a rare gift to everyone privileged to know her. It is difficult to find the right words because some lives are so impactful that no tribute can fully capture their beauty and significance. It was very hard for me to believe that my honourable was gone when Ebuka shared the bad news. I quickly called Nnamdi to confirm the bad news, and he did and narrated your struggles to live on, but that the illness was a very bad one.
I must appreciate her God-given children at this juncture. Thank you, Tochukwu, Obum, and Nnamdi, for paying back mum in immeasurable ways while alive; for acknowledging that mum sweated for you to be what you are today. She was nicknamed ‘Bishop’ for refusing to yield to promiscuity after the loss of your father at a very tender age; for loving her husband even in death. Honourable was also nicknamed ‘Nwanyi Broken Plates’ at Awka Perm Site market where she sold ‘azu mkpo’ to augment her poor teaching salary to see you become better in life. For an explanation, ‘Broken plate’ is a name given to a local fabric, ‘abada’, which Honourable always wore, even when it was so obvious that the fabric was torn, in bad shape, and very old. Of course, she didn’t have money to replace it. It became her identity at the market. May God rest your soul, virtuous woman. May He reward your children even more in the rest of all their life endeavours, amen. Ukutaazu gi ga-aka iru gi nma oo, amen. Mum’s life was a testimony to kindness, humility, compassion, and selfless service to God and humanity. Our friendship was genuine and unconditional.
Honourable Nwafor, as we gather to celebrate your life and lay your earthly body to rest, we do so with tears, but not without hope. We thank God for a life well lived, a life that reflected grace, purpose, and love. We take comfort in the assurance that those who die in the Lord rest from their labours, and their good works follow them.
Rest peacefully, ezigbo mmadu, my dear friend and mentor. You have fought the good fight, you have finished your race, and you have kept the faith. Until we meet again in the presence of our Lord, your memory will remain a treasured blessing. Farewell, honourable. Farewell, Mama Obum. Farewell, beloved mentor. You will never be forgotten.

Dr. Ono Nneka