First, I want to thank the Ugorji family for giving my late father a strong, charming, kind and loving woman as a wife. My mom was the best mom any young child would wish to have, what an honor it was to call her “MAMA”. December 21st 2014 has come and gone but will never be forgotten when I received that unexpected phone call from my beloved cousin Engr. Tony Okeahialam informing me of my mother’s transition. I remember briefly asking “why” but quickly gathered myself after hearing the process of her transition “what a way to go back to her maker” on the same day of her thanksgiving ceremony. Thank you my Lord for giving my mother to the world and welcoming her back home to her rightful place, HEAVEN!

I had many fun memories of my mother including when I passed my common entrance to attend secondary school, “Mama cried uncontrollably and I asked her why she was crying instead of being happy for me, she replied “who will take care of you at the dormitory” she realized that I would be leaving the house without her constant guidance. My mother touched and influenced so many lives throughout her blessed year on this earth. Many of her ex students from Ekwerazu Girls Secondary School in Ahiazu L.G.A and Onicha Secondary School (isi iyi) where she was popularly referred as “NWANYI LAB” are mourning her sudden transition today. I remember during my mother’s visit to United States of America in 1998, she became  an immediate active member of Igbo Anglican Church mothers Union in Washington DC. She introduced a song “Aga m e’buru Aliloya bugara Chineke” which became instant sensation during our church mother’s day fellowship and is still one of the most popular songs in our Igbo Anglican Church in DC today. My mother left her mark in a positive way on this earth including at St. Pauls Anglican Church Onicha Combined in Mbaise Diocese where she was blessed with a title “NNEOMA” for her exemplary contribution to the church as a mother to ALL.

“Mama” my wife Ezinwayi Adannem Clara Ahaghotu (Ezinwayi and Nwanne) as you proudly called her, my children Obinna, Nnaemeka, Ozioma, and Ngozi, my inlaws, all are mourning and asking “why”. My beloved cousins, Dr. Amara Alinonu ( Eby Nntam) as you fondly called her ,her husband, and her kids, Engr, Tony (Engr. Toto) as you fondly called him, his wife Chommy who welcomed and accepted you into her home in Lagos as her mother-in-law and the their kids are all confused and mourning. We cannot question the Almighty why he called you home but we thank him for how you touched our lives. My special regards to my wife for being the best daughter in-law to my mother and for her tireless support throughout this period, Daa Bena Osuagwu, Mr and Mrs  Samuel Okeafor (Bro Sam), Mr and Mrs Emma Oha (my house manager), Emma Ahaghotu and the rest of the young men that rushed my mother to the hospital in effort to save her life, I say thank you.

This is not the kind of gathering that I would wish anyone of you. However, the bible tells us that in everything we should give thanks to God. It is an irony of faith that we will commit the body of our beloved sister, mother, aunt, and grandmother to mother earth. December 21st 2014, was like every other day of that hamattan season at Umuaghara Onicha in Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA to the Ahaghotu family, and to us here in Washington DC USA, it was another cold winter day.

Death had a tryst with the beloved daughter of late James Maduakolam and Mrs. Virginia Ugorji of Umuchima Eziala Obizi. On that fateful day, before we could attend our regular Igbo Sunday service here in Washington DC in the afternoon, death struck and squeezed breath and life out of my sister, Nneoma Christiana Chinenyenwa Ahaghotu (nee) Ugorji. It was as if time stood still and with reference to Professor Chinua Achebe in one of his books, (Things Fall Apart) and the center could not hold. This is the story and the last day of Nneoma Christiana Chinenyenwa Ahaghotu.

December 21st 2014 has come and gone and it is now history. But it is a day that remains memorable in our hearts. Devastation is an understatement in describing how I felt that fateful Sunday afternoon at about 2:50pm when I received that call from my nephew, Chidi Ahaghotu informing me that his mother (my sister) had passed. It is very hard to believe that after a joyous thanksgiving service in the church, praising God with friends and relatives ended sorrowfully. 

Yes we are celebrating the life of my sister Nneoma Christiana. However for the Ahaghotus and Ugorjis, it is joy mingled with sorrow. “Joy” because of a life well lived, “Sorrow” that we don’t have my sister who always answered my phone called with “owu nnaa?, (Is it  nnaa?) With that infectious laughter followed by Jehovah wu Eze, (God is King).

Christiana Chinenyenwa was born into the world through the late James Maduakolam and Virginia Ugorji of Umuchima Eziala Obizi town in Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA, Imo state Nigeria on July 1935. She was the 4th child of 6 children of my parents. Our father James Ugorji was considered a wealthy produce buyer during his time and he later became the second licensed produce buying agent in the whole of Mbaise. Growing up in the village was a lot of fun and we had a lot to eat, and since my dad was also a farmer, we had a lot of food.

The Ugorji family was considered big and it is still big today. Growing in the village meant we were all brought up to do farm work, learn to do all kinds of domestic housework regardless of your gender.  When our eldest sister, late Dora Okeahialam (nee) Ugorji was given a teaching appointment after passing her standard six at the then Udo group school at Ubonukam, a prestigious school those years. It became apparent that Christiana was to move to live with my eldest sister at the school compound as it was the case during those years. Udo group school was an Anglican school and was run the Anglican way. After some years of teaching at Udo group school, she was transferred to Akabo Ahiara Central School; again my sister Christiana followed her to her new station. I remember my late father sending us on several occasions to deliver food stuff to my sisters during their stay at Akabo. When my sister Dora was transferred to Obazu Mbieri Central School, 1952 – 1953, Christiana also accompanied her. Their stay at Obazu Mbieri was cut short due to events that took place there due to no fault of hers. Nneoma Christiana moved back to the village to continue her schooling. Her education was cut short due in part to her early marriage. She was married to late Henry Ahaghotu who was a prominent Taylor in Port Harcourt at that time. After several years of marriage, they were blessed with one child by name Chidi Ahaghotu. Chidi has grown and now lives in U.S. with his lovely and supportive wife, Clara Ahaghotu and they are blessed with four children. I am sure that my sister and her husband are very happy with their only child at his achievements as they both now are resting in the bosom of the Lord.

My sister’s marriage into the Ahaghotu family brought blessing to both the Ugorji and Ahaghotu families; time does not permit me to elaborate. My sister and her husband moved to the village from Port Harcourt and both lived in the village until in 1996 her husband left her to be with the Lord. My sister while in the village later took appointment with Imo State Education Ministry, worked in the school laboratory until her retirement. Throughout the time she stayed in the village, she was very active in the church activities, and community work. She belonged to many organizations at St Paul’s Anglican Church Umuaghara Onicha; among them were SU, EFAC, and Mother’s Union. She was later bestowed a title of Nneoma. My sister devoted her time serving God and humanity. Jehovah wu Eze (God Is King) was her favorite way of greeting people.

The people of Umuaghara and Obizi have lost a church leader, and a community leader. She lives a legacy that remained engraved in our hearts and souls.

Christiana Was a Mother to Many People

These days people call themselves (Ochiri Ozuo) Care givers. Nneoma Christiana was all. When our late brother, John Ugorji (aka) Young J.J. was diagnosed with diabetes, Christiana became a caregiver to him in many ways. She would travel from Umuaghara Onicha to Eziala Obizi to give him the support he needed. She cooked whatever favorite food he liked and brought it to him. Again from time to time she took food products like plantain to our brother. After my brother’s demise in 1995, my sister Christiana and my brother’s wife, Margaret Ugorji became good friends and they were like sisters. She would visit her and spent days with her. When our eldest sister, Dora Okeahialam (nee) Ugorji had stroke, Christiana took her in to care for her. My other sister, Catherine Ukaeje (nee) Ugorji was no exception; she also gave her the support and care till her demise in 1998. This care and support applied to our other relatives, to name a few; our aunt Danne Imuka (nee) Uchegbulem, our cousin in the name of Comfort Adiuku whom she also cared for.

After the death of our sister Dora Okeahialam, Christiana played an important role in the lives of her two young children namely (Dr Ebere Alilonu (nee) Okeahialam and her sibling Engr.Tony Okeahialam. She became a foster mother to them. She was always thanking and praying for them for all the support they gave her over the years. There are many more cases when Christiana took in people and provided them with food and shelter, again time does not permit me to name numerous individuals she cared for. But I will not forget one individual by name Monday. Monday was a bit physically and medically challenged. Against all advice not to take Monday, my sister with the support of her only child Chidi and his wife Clara Ahaghotu, took care of Monday till his adult age and was returned to his people in Mbutu Aboh LGA.

Endless Love

When Chidi got married to Clara Ahaghotu (nee) Ako from Obokwu Obizi, It’s like my sister has a second child. Clara became an apple of her eyes. There was nothing my sister would say without mentioning her daughter-in-law. Each time I spoke with her, she always said “Biko Kelerem Nwunye nwa m” (Please thank my daughter in-law for me). This is for all the care, love and support that Clara had given her over the years.

The love my sister had for my wife, Nnenna Ugorji was immeasurable. Though separated by the Atlantic Ocean, my wife Nnenna and my sister bonded very well from the time she was married to me. She communicated with her over the phone regularly.

Clara, Ebere, Tony and my wife Nnenna, from the bottom of my heart, thank you very much for all you did for my sister. Your endless love and support was phenomenon.

Nneoma Christiana Ahaghotu, we will miss you greatly.

Finally, let me borrow a verse in the Holy Bible 2nd Timothy 4:7-8 and it reads:  “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” Nneoma Christiana fought a good fight; she finished her race and course and kept the faith. She has gone to her Creator.

May the Good Lord grant her and the souls of the faithfully departed a place in His heavenly kingdom. Amen!

I remember even though I was much younger then, when I lost my loving mother. I was in the junior class then and my sis was in the university. I remember vividly on my mom's burial day when the body was lowered into the grave...Danne shouted with a loud voice "Onye mere m ihe a eee!!!"  The priest in attendance replied her in these words " o wu onwu mere gi" From that moment, Danne took the roll of my mother. Back then in the seminary during our visiting days, someone will come to my corner to call me that my mum is in the visitng room. Only me knew she was not my biological mum- every other person feels she was my mum. I grew up having her full support in every progress I made. The confidence I had to go ahead with my marriage ( I didn't date my wife) was because she shouted "alleluyiah" when I told her who I wanted to marry. She personally took care of my three kids from their birth...they also call her "Danne" just as I used to call her. Her house is "our village" as my kids will always call it.....she filled the gaps!

My elder sister has a little different story to tell. Unlike me who has another grandma (my mother-in-law) the only grandma her kids have ever known is Danne. To them, Danne represents everything grand parenthood could ever bring. My sister will travel long distance so confidently because her mother is at home.......she filled the gaps

Her son ( my cousin)  enjoyed all the benefits of a caring mother. He used to tell me how Danne guarded him jealously as her only child those secondary school days...she went hungry to make sure he feeds....she made sure he had the best of education even when there was nothing. Her prayers saved our childhood days and adlolesence. One day, Danne came to Obizi High school and bundled Dee Chidi out from the hostel...she couldn't afford to loose her only eye to the excesses of teenage life (hahaha). Chairman, I'm sure you thought she was mal-treating you then, Today you have seen what you have become...all because of her strict love for you....She filled the gaps.

Surely, all my uncles and cousins have ageless memoirs to add here. This site is open! please add your experince with Danne as it touches you. I know she filled gaps in many ways in our lives

Another unforgettable adventure was her mariage to her loving husband. I remember those days when the white-haired soft spoken, neat and gentle man was still alive. I met him with white hair. he was such a loving gentle man. Danne was the fighter (hahaha) but they made such a perfect pair. They accepted what the Lord gave to them and made good use of it. Danne filled the gaps everywhere...

She worked to keep the family afloat....a cook, a Lab attendant.......she did all her work diligently.
She was a dedicated christian, a stunch member of the Scripture Union, with a title of Nneoma in the anglican communion. Her only weapon was prayer and thanksgiving. She will always say "jehovah wu Eze" (Jehovah is king)

let us all pour out our hearts here as she has touched us.......she filled the gaps!!