Legends don’t die; we take them with us. I will always take you with me. Mmaa m o!! Our love was a conspicuous one. Not only was I told you loved my father, Felix Offor, to pieces, and you confirmed it with every ounce of your heart, words and actions. ‘Ada Fenix,’ UcheCHUKWU!.. you called all our names with emphasis on the ‘Chukwu’ or whatever the suffix is. If there is no suffix, you added one, e.g., Ngozichukwu, Ogechukwu, Onyinyechukwu....So we also conned your name Mmaa. A mother so unique because you had a way to make each one feel special and loved.
Even though I dreaded your exit, I received the news with peace and respect. I remember smiling first, then disintegrating into tears. It was a day after my birthday, and it was an instant sign that you remained mindful of me until the end.
As a child, you showed me what it takes to be a virtuous woman. You had a Midas touch for material and immaterial things; your palm oil, farm produce and the people that worked for you were premia. Who else buys bunches of plantain from the owner when there still are budding in anticipation that her children ( biological and non-biological) were coming home for vacation? Orders loaves of bread straight from the bakery or reroute the ‘nwanyi agwa-iko’ (moimoi lady)from going to igwe akwu because her stockpile for that day can barely satisfy her children? If there was any woman in Ihioma fit for chieftaincy title, it was our Mmaa Augustina Oyiridiya Offor. With all due respect, you achieved far greater than some men. As the Bible says, “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” Proverbs 31:29 NLT. The chief warrior herself, you fearlessly stood on the shoulders of our past direct family members, and you raised an entire generation of warriors. We thank God for the time He gave us with you. I learned loyalty, love, kindness (ata biri enye nwanne- take a bite and pass on to your brother/sister), unity, forgiveness and tracking together even when there are thorns.
I am forever grateful for your unwavering loyalty and support for my mom. Thanks for walking with her through thick and thin. Committing to keeping her in the family, representing her in proxy in all the duly associations. Thank you for ensuring I held my head high, fully aware of whose child I am and keeping it together. I will miss hearing your voice and your passive yet authoritative way of instruction. Yeah, you knew you had power, and you used it wisely and in love.
I will continue to celebrate you and all the legends you joined. By God’s grace, I will do my best to share our relationship and history with my children and their future generations, God helping me.
Mmaa m o, ka odi
Ije Awele
So long!
Uchechukwu Okeoma(Nee Offor)