The front cover of the burial programme for the event showing a picture of the late matriarch.
A picture of young Mrs. Nwabunike.
Story by Dili Utomi.
There were moments of deep catharsis, condolences, tributes and a general atmosphere of the celebration of the life and times of late Mrs. Maria Adaobi Nwabunike (Iju Wagon) nee Chukwuma, the mother of Honourable Iju Tony Nwabunike, the president of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA).
Iju Tony Nwabunike saying his appreciation at the requiem mass.
The Carnival like event started on the evening of Thursday the 26th of August 2021 with the arrival of guests from far and wide. A service of songs was held for the late Mrs. Nwabunike at the late Chief Johnny Nwabunike’s compound (Her late husband) and the hosting of guests by Honourable Iju Nwabunike followed, this went on into the late hours of the day night.
On the morning of the 27th, the requiem mass was held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ukunu-Eziora, Ozubulu with the Most Reverend Jonas Benson Okoye as the chief celebrant of the mass and Reverend Father Anselm Olua Onyebuchi as a co-celebrant. The late Mrs. Maria Adaobi Nwabunike was born on the 30th of March, 1930 into the family of Chief and Mrs. Micheal Obi Chukwuma of Umuegbuezi Quaters, Ogbe Oduah, Aboh kingdom, Ndokwa East LGA, Delta State.
The priest saying the mass.
Dignitaries who were at the requiem mass straddles the highest points of political, social and economic strata with the immediate past governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi in attendance.
Honourable Iju Tony Nwabunike was given the microphone to say a few words of appreciation at the end of the mass and he paid glowing tributes to the memory of his mother as he thanked everyone who graced the occasion with their presence. He also announced the launching of a foundation that will cater for the educational needs of indigent children from primary school to secondary school to fulfill his mother’s wishes and also to honour her memory with the sum of Ten Million naira. He also specifically asked the great classical music composer, Jude Nnam to render his version of the song Jerusalem which got everyone in the church clapping almost endlessly after its rendition.
Music composer Jude Nnam doing one of his songs, Jerusalem.
There were financial support for the foundation as Chief Henry Njoku, an ANLCA bigwig pledged the sum of One Million naira and various sums of money were pledged by attendees.
A cross section of guests at the church.
At the end of the mass, the casket was taken from the church in a two horse drawn carriage that moved to the family compound where the Reverend Father Anselm Onyebuchi said the prayers, blessed the remains of late Mrs. Nwabunike and then the casket was lowered into the grave with a self moving mechanical casket lowering device as family members performed the last rite of throwing sand into the grave while saying prayers to the soul of the dearly departed.
Former governor Peter Obi with the Nwabunikes after the requiem mass.
The family at the grave side.
The casket being lowered into the grave.
The attention then turned to the reception which took place at the very large compound behind the Church and it was an event that had the who-is-who in and around Anambra State and beyond in attendance.
The Nwabunikes welcoming guests inside the VIP canopy.
The paramount ruler of Nnewi, Igwe Kenneth Orizu was in attendance as well as notable politicians like Chuma Nzeribe, businessmen, professional colleagues of Iju Tony Nwabunike especially most of the high ranking national officers of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, the entourage which was led by his indefatigable ally and Vice president of ANLCA, Dr. Kayode Colin Farinto.
There were three sections of the reception area with the VIPs in the air-conditioned tent, there were three different stages with one meant for the chief mourner to sit and receive guests and the others meant for the various musicians to perform. The musical band that accompanied the hearse to the burial place also performed at the reception with different types of displays of classical songs.
There was a lot of written condolences and tributes to the family and these were captured in a 116 page magazine. The condolences and tributes came from people of different walks of life, from the East, West, North and South, from Governors, Senators, House of Assembly members, Businessmen, Private individuals, Religious leaders, Traditional rulers, Different political parties, A Military General, In-laws, Friends and Families.
In his tribute to his late mother, Iju Tony wrote “….Though brought up in a relatively humble family of Chukwuma from Aboh in Delta State, she worked hard in various forms to train, like becoming an artisan, sold bread, fried akara, firewood vendor, operated local buka restaurant and other ventures in entrepreneurship. My Mom dedicated her life to us, taught us how to be independent and dynamic children at an early stage”. The condolence message sent in by the deputy governor of Anambra State reads in part ” ..Your matriarch no doubt lived an accomplished life and is survived by worthy children like your good self”. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu wrote ” Your late mother lived and died being a good wife and a caring mother”. Former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi wrote “….. Certainly, her exit has created a vacuum in Nwabunike’s family. However, we take consolation in the pedigree of her children, especially you (Iju Tony)”.
The occasion also witnessed the given out of different items like electric ovens, gas cookers and standing fans as well as other items as souvenirs to those who graced the occasion.
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