LIFE OF A NOBLE LADY: AGNES NWUGO MUONEKE NÉE NWABUEZE (1926 – 2021)
February 26, 2021
Agnes Nwugo Muoneke, born in the summer of
1926, was the second child of Mazi Nwabueze Ofoma and Martha Ofoma of
Obinekiti, Umunwarahu, Obodoukwu in Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State.
Her siblings were Rosaline, Benedict, Cephas, Florence, Dorothy, Aguguo and
Eriama.
Mama received most of her education in the Catholic Church and grew prominently amongst her agemates. She had a strong background and early assimilation into the Christian doctrine and was a lifelong active member in the church.
As a young adult, Mama married military veteran Anselm Esiobu Muoneke and together, they raised nine children, Beatrice, Mary Rose, Felicia, Theophilus, Anthony, John, Esther, Edith and Uju. As a young mother, she assisted in her husband’s trading outfit in Abakaliki, later going into her own business of dressmaking and fashion. She used her resources and position to offer apprenticeships to other young women in business as well as home economics.
Mama was a pioneer member of the Catholic Women’s Organization of Abakaliki and participated in the early Christian evangelism of the area. She and Papa were admitted into the noble order of the Knights of St John International in the 1970s, with Mama taking part in the Ladies’ Auxiliary group. It was in this group she later gained the title Noble Lady of the Order.
Noble Lady Agnes Muoneke was a resolute, yet unassuming, woman of character. She was a matron of countless charitable organizations. A strong proponent of her hometown, she was a member of the Obodoukwu Town Women’s Wing, and the Old Orlu Women’s Wing. As a member of the Mbanasa Women’s Organization before the civil war, she formed the cultural dance group, Ijaghaja, which was well known both at home and abroad. She did all this while working toward the development of Abakaliki and the creation of Ebonyi State.
After God called Papa home, Mama remained in Abakaliki, maintaining her clothing business across from the Abakpa main market. She served as chairman of A. E. Muoneke & Sons, Ltd. Ever faithful, Mama never started a day without celebrating morning mass. As she now has gone to her rest, we too are now faithful that she lies in the bosom of our Lord, enjoying His favour for all ages.
Mama received most of her education in the Catholic Church and grew prominently amongst her agemates. She had a strong background and early assimilation into the Christian doctrine and was a lifelong active member in the church.
As a young adult, Mama married military veteran Anselm Esiobu Muoneke and together, they raised nine children, Beatrice, Mary Rose, Felicia, Theophilus, Anthony, John, Esther, Edith and Uju. As a young mother, she assisted in her husband’s trading outfit in Abakaliki, later going into her own business of dressmaking and fashion. She used her resources and position to offer apprenticeships to other young women in business as well as home economics.
Mama was a pioneer member of the Catholic Women’s Organization of Abakaliki and participated in the early Christian evangelism of the area. She and Papa were admitted into the noble order of the Knights of St John International in the 1970s, with Mama taking part in the Ladies’ Auxiliary group. It was in this group she later gained the title Noble Lady of the Order.
Noble Lady Agnes Muoneke was a resolute, yet unassuming, woman of character. She was a matron of countless charitable organizations. A strong proponent of her hometown, she was a member of the Obodoukwu Town Women’s Wing, and the Old Orlu Women’s Wing. As a member of the Mbanasa Women’s Organization before the civil war, she formed the cultural dance group, Ijaghaja, which was well known both at home and abroad. She did all this while working toward the development of Abakaliki and the creation of Ebonyi State.
After God called Papa home, Mama remained in Abakaliki, maintaining her clothing business across from the Abakpa main market. She served as chairman of A. E. Muoneke & Sons, Ltd. Ever faithful, Mama never started a day without celebrating morning mass. As she now has gone to her rest, we too are now faithful that she lies in the bosom of our Lord, enjoying His favour for all ages.