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Details Of The Classy Burial In IMO State
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Flies In From Abroad With Her Friends
Spain based celebrity lady, Amaka Rea (nee Nwokocha), who is married to a Brition, has been one of the A-List Port Harcourt socialites who dominated social circuits in those good old days, in terms of having good female friends, especially in the expatriate wives association. She ran Arena Couture, her entrepreneurial outfit, which was then a meeting point for Port Harcourt celebrities, including the 3 pretty daughters of former Rivers Governor, Dr. Peter Odili. They are now very successful career ladies. Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh is now the Commissioner for Health in Rivers State, while Justice Njideka Iheme-Nwosu (nee Odili), is a sitting Judge at Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja Judicial Division, while beautiful Justice Chinelo Nnam Obi (nee Odili), is a sitting judge working with Rivers State Judiciary.
A few days back, Amaka Rea had the burial of her mother, with finesse, making sure that all her A- List friends, some of who live abroad, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Enugu including Old Students’ Association of Federal Government Girls College FGGC Calabar Cross River State were in attendance, to pay their last respect to the mother of one of their own, elegant and slim built beautiful Lady AmakaVeronica Rea.
It was an opportunity for age mates and friends to reunite at the burial ceremony proper, from the Holy Ghost Catholic Abueke Eluama Parish where a requiem mass was conducted by the highest ranking Clergymen in Catholic Church, in Imo State, and environs. Sumptuous delicacies and beverages were surplus for all guests, as it was a celebration of life well lived at 98 years of age, by her mother.
This Spain based lady of substance and poise, stole the show when she had her friends and special guests specially entertained in a corner of the venue.
The burial ceremony of late Madam Charity Onugo Nwokocha (nee Osigwe), was held at the bustling town of Umudike Abueke, in Ihitte/Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State. Thursday,11th January 2024, was EkeIkpa market day which has commercial trappings of both local community people and external traders and their patrons from Abia and Rivers State all trooped in, to purchase wares and produces brought by the people of Ihitte/Uboma. Such trading activities did not deter the community dwellers from coming out to pay their last respect to a woman who gave her all, in the service to the community and the Catholic Church of Holy Ghost Parish, Ekeoha Umudike Abueke in Ihitte/Uboma LGA of Imo State.
Lets tell you more about her mum. She was born in 1925 and passed on to eternal glory on 3rd October, 2023, at the age of 98 years. So, her burial ceremony was more of a celebration of a life well lived.
In the funeral oration as read by the family “she birthed 10 children: 7 boys and 3 girls, but presently survived by 5 men and 3 women, after she lost two of her male children at early stage and later stage respectively. Mama spent most of her years living in some cities like Enugu, Aba, Calabar, Afikpo, Abakaliki, all because her husband was a Senior Executive Officer in the government parastatal and was being transferred at different times. So she followed him to wherever he was transferred. Later, she equally visited her children in London for Omugwo, a couple of times. She lived in the United States of America USA for about two years when she visited her first son.
“Mama was a dynamic leader who held leadership positions wherever she went. She held leadership position in churches, she attended especially, the Christian Women Organization, (CWO), and CBU where she served as Chairpersons respectively.
You had very open arms, and you were known for your kind heartedness, with a soft spot for the underprivileged. You always welcomed them to your home each time and made them have a sense of belonging. To the ones that struggled with accommodation, you accommodated them. To those ones who needed clothing, you clothed them. You fed the hungry from your pot always and you never complained at any time because you did them with love and compassion. You were such an amazing Angel in human skin, with such kind-heartedness to everyone that came around you and even beyond. Just like your name Charity, you were very charitable indeed.”
Her remains got interred at her husband’s palatial country home within the family Mausoleum, while the Catholic Clergymen ministered at Holy Ghost Parish, Ekeoha, Umudike Abueke starting the Funeral Mass in her honour from 11am till 2pm.
In the tributes written by her surviving children and well-wishers, Lady Kate Ada Obani, her first daughter wrote “Death it is said will come when it will come. And will always be determined by God who gives and takes life. The Lord has given and He has taken. The Lord has been our refuge from generation unto generation. It is hard to say goodbye to a mother who sat and watched my infant’s heads. Our Lord made us know the shortness of life, so that we may gain wisdom of heart. May you rest well Mam, till we meet to part no more.”
One of her sons, Frank Nwokocha, a senior staff of National Communications Commission NCC, Port Harcourt Office, wrote “Mama worked very hard in the service of God in Holy Ghost Parish. She served as an Executive Officer in the Catholic Women Organization (CWO), during her time and in her family life she struggled to carry her children along even during and after the Civil War. Mama was indeed a strong woman with great support from our late father High Chief H.O Nwokocha.”
The third born, Steve Ike Nwokocha, in his tribute wrote “You were a strong resilient woman whose wisdom and compassion touched the lives of all who knew you. You were our tax master, our power house and our protector. The virtues of faithfulness, endurance, and hard work characterized your life. You were always there for us till death snatched you away. The curtain has fallen, life is like a drama no matter how it ends. Today we are gathered here with family and friends to bid you farewell. You have always wanted us to be together, and that we will do. Rest in the bosom of the Lord. Mother General.”
And for the second child Ngozi D. Chukwu (nee Nwokocha) “Everyone that knew you looked at you as royal. Mama you were incredibly beautiful, elegant, well dressed, you knew what to wear for each occasion, you were highly respected and graciously admired by many who knew you. Your heart beat for the things of God, and many thanks to you and Papa for raising us in Godly manners. You took a dynamic stand to make sure that our local church was propelled beautifully in your years of leadership and service, you cared for the priests and seminarians as though they were your own children and encouraged other women to do the same.” And for the 6th born child, Honourable Ifeanyichukwu D. Nwokocha, President General PG as he is called wrote.
“Mama you lived a fulfilled life, truly worthy enough for emulation. Your swift and unwavering attention to the needy, often amazed me. Your love and attention towards humanity was second to none, cutting across race, colours and gender even in the face of all odds.” As Ogechi B. Nwokocha wrote “A woman whose grace and kindness knew no bounds. I am filled with gratitude for the years we shared and the love that bounds us together. Beyond being a Mother-In-Law, you were a cherished friend, offering comfort in times of need and celebrating joy genuinely.”
One of Mama sons High Chief Nwabueze Nwokocha, in his tribute wrote: The last one amongst the squad is gone. Death is a task that must be fulfilled by every mortal if not Mama should not have died. You stood strong as a true picture of a mother, a core disciplinarian, and a hardworking Christian.”
Give it to Mama’s last-born girl Lady Amaka Veronica Rea, (nee Nwokocha), as she wrote “In memory of my Mama, the one who taught me to be strong and resilient. We celebrate your life Mama, a life so beautifully lived and a heart so deeply loved. Mama, I miss our talks, I want to hear your voice again. I want to see you smile again. I want to hear you call my name. Death has taken my Mama away and left me with a heartache no one can heal. Mama’s life was a precious gift to all who were close to her. She asked for so little, yet gave so much of herself to her nearest and dearest. Mama was patient, she was kind, she fought the good fight and she finished the race well. She was a great soul, a mother to many. There were no boundaries between her children and her relatives, as all were equal in her eyes and were all loved equally. You may be gone from my sight but you will always be in my heart because no one can steal the loving memory you left in my heart. Adieu Mama, till we meet to part no more.”
And for Miss Chelsea Amaka Rea, Mama’s British born grand-daughter, she wrote “Grandma was an amazing and strong woman. Raising 9 children is an accomplishment by itself, something many could not do. The stories my Mum told me about grandma would always put smiles on my face, she sounded like such a happy and wise woman. I didn’t get to see her much throughout her life but the love for her was always present.”
Mama’s last born son, Stan Nwokocha, in his tribute said “It is very difficult to say goodbye especially with the kind of bonding we had. Mama ‘ga nke oma’. May the Angels of God receive you and may you find perfect peace in heaven. Continue to pray for us. To all our friends and well-wishers who gathered here today to celebrate the life of a remarkable woman, thank you and God bless you all.” The array of dignitaries who all came to celebrate the passage of a great woman attested to the fact that she lived a good life and served her community Well, was a testimony of the many lives she touched in her life time and her dedication to God and humanity. She was well adored in her life time and upon her death.
– Emeka Amaefula
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