April 29, 2021
April 29, 2021
Precious in the sights of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15
O death! Where is thy sting? If only money could buy life, mummy you would have been alive today.
Diamond mother, you have left a great void too difficult to fill. I lack words to describe you and the kind of mother you were. My siblings and I owe a lot of whatever we’ve become to you. You were a rare gem, an epitome of motherhood, you guided us your children (biological and others) aright in the love and fear of God. Your tutelage was outstanding both as a professional teacher, mother and home maker. Growing up, you shared work (domestic chores) for us (including the many wards in your home), after which you will announce results for us every week. You were a great disciplinarian, who was an ardent believer of the saying “spare the rod and spoil the child”. Kai mummy, your cane and flogging no get part two o! Those night flogging when we had gone astray, they did wonders on us. We all learnt how to be responsible very early in life. You were accused of training your male children and wards like women - mummy we thank you for this “feminine” training you gave us and we are deeply grateful. The society is better off for that.
You thought us to be nice and kind to people. You thought us to forgive people easily, even those who are after and against us. You taught us to render no man evil for evil (Roman 12:17). You will always say “were ezi ihe merie ihe ojoo”. “Lie low and say nothing” was a quote you always used for us whenever we wanted to react like the youths we are. I do not remember any one that was your enemy. You never told us to avoid anyone or don’t go to anybody’s house because that person is/was your enemy. There will always be misunderstanding in human interactions and relationships and you always chose the path of peace and reconciliation. Mummy, you were an epitome of Christianity.
Mummy you were full of wisdom. Told us stories that molded us. Above all, your sense of humour was next to none. You led us early to the church - from Sunday school in the ACM, to Choir, to AYF and even in adulthood you continued to monitor us. One of the best birthday gifts I got in my life was from you, mum - I can’t forget the Igbo Bible you gave me on my birthday in 1979. Thank you so much. I cherish that igbo Bible. You thought me Abu 215 and Abu 279 as a kid. I love those hymns and will always remember you whenever and wherever I hear or sing them. The lyrics are so soothing and on point. Mummy you thought us many psalms including but not limited to Psalm 130, 121, 23, 91 amongst others. Again thank you.
Mummy your story is full of lessons and emulations. Despite your numerous challenges at different stages of your life, you found a way to navigate and made a success and envy of it all. From childhood, you did not allow your poliomyelitis challenge to bring you down. Despite this challenge and being a girl child, you still actualised your destiny to becoming a headmistress of repute, a teacher par excellence. Mummy, we took this “never say never” attitude of yours. You always reminded us, that we can do all things through Christ who strengthened us. Phil 4:13.
As a wife, you loved and respected your husband till death. You remained loyal and faithful despite all. For many years when your husband was away developing himself educationally (which I believe was a mutual agreement) from Alvan Ikoku, to NYSC in Gboko Benue state, to the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) and to all the other places subsequently, you held forth the home front which included many wards and relations in addition to your children. Mummy, God has blessed you.
Mummy, you loved singing. Any one who knows you and comes close to you will always pick one song or the other from you. Your voice remained sonorous even till death, how then can we not be choristers with good voices? In fact your last days were full of singing. The way and manner in which you sang towards the end of your journey confirms to us that you are resting well. One of your last songs was: “Jesus enyi nke obi m, bia noro m nso mgbe nile enyi nke obi m; o buru n’inoro m nso mgbe nile, O ga-adiri anyi mma”. You sang this to all of us your children both those with you physically and virtually. We will continue to sing as you’ve shown us. We will not let you down.
I would like to end this tribute with a favourite quote of yours - “shall we accept good things from God without receiving bad?” (Job 2:10). This was one of your quotes to us when you want to counsel us and encourage us. That moment when I saw your stiff body, I wept profusely but then I remembered this quote that you always said to us, and I got comfort. The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh, May His name forever be praised.
Mummy, rest thee well. No more pain. I know you are resting on the right hand side of your maker, singing in your sonorous voice, the type required in heaven. We will not mourn like those who don’t have hope & faith, but we are rejoicing for we know you are in heaven and pleading our course. You shall continue to be remembered by the works you have done - woman of peace, onye nchikota, home builder, gaa ije gi nke oma. Your legacies stand you out, they are just too many. The type of children you have, underscores who you were. We will all die. The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will”. Chuck Palahniuk (2003): Diary.
Rest In Peace, mum till we meet to part no more.
Dr Goodluck Chinonyerem Obi
Son
O death! Where is thy sting? If only money could buy life, mummy you would have been alive today.
Diamond mother, you have left a great void too difficult to fill. I lack words to describe you and the kind of mother you were. My siblings and I owe a lot of whatever we’ve become to you. You were a rare gem, an epitome of motherhood, you guided us your children (biological and others) aright in the love and fear of God. Your tutelage was outstanding both as a professional teacher, mother and home maker. Growing up, you shared work (domestic chores) for us (including the many wards in your home), after which you will announce results for us every week. You were a great disciplinarian, who was an ardent believer of the saying “spare the rod and spoil the child”. Kai mummy, your cane and flogging no get part two o! Those night flogging when we had gone astray, they did wonders on us. We all learnt how to be responsible very early in life. You were accused of training your male children and wards like women - mummy we thank you for this “feminine” training you gave us and we are deeply grateful. The society is better off for that.
You thought us to be nice and kind to people. You thought us to forgive people easily, even those who are after and against us. You taught us to render no man evil for evil (Roman 12:17). You will always say “were ezi ihe merie ihe ojoo”. “Lie low and say nothing” was a quote you always used for us whenever we wanted to react like the youths we are. I do not remember any one that was your enemy. You never told us to avoid anyone or don’t go to anybody’s house because that person is/was your enemy. There will always be misunderstanding in human interactions and relationships and you always chose the path of peace and reconciliation. Mummy, you were an epitome of Christianity.
Mummy you were full of wisdom. Told us stories that molded us. Above all, your sense of humour was next to none. You led us early to the church - from Sunday school in the ACM, to Choir, to AYF and even in adulthood you continued to monitor us. One of the best birthday gifts I got in my life was from you, mum - I can’t forget the Igbo Bible you gave me on my birthday in 1979. Thank you so much. I cherish that igbo Bible. You thought me Abu 215 and Abu 279 as a kid. I love those hymns and will always remember you whenever and wherever I hear or sing them. The lyrics are so soothing and on point. Mummy you thought us many psalms including but not limited to Psalm 130, 121, 23, 91 amongst others. Again thank you.
Mummy your story is full of lessons and emulations. Despite your numerous challenges at different stages of your life, you found a way to navigate and made a success and envy of it all. From childhood, you did not allow your poliomyelitis challenge to bring you down. Despite this challenge and being a girl child, you still actualised your destiny to becoming a headmistress of repute, a teacher par excellence. Mummy, we took this “never say never” attitude of yours. You always reminded us, that we can do all things through Christ who strengthened us. Phil 4:13.
As a wife, you loved and respected your husband till death. You remained loyal and faithful despite all. For many years when your husband was away developing himself educationally (which I believe was a mutual agreement) from Alvan Ikoku, to NYSC in Gboko Benue state, to the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) and to all the other places subsequently, you held forth the home front which included many wards and relations in addition to your children. Mummy, God has blessed you.
Mummy, you loved singing. Any one who knows you and comes close to you will always pick one song or the other from you. Your voice remained sonorous even till death, how then can we not be choristers with good voices? In fact your last days were full of singing. The way and manner in which you sang towards the end of your journey confirms to us that you are resting well. One of your last songs was: “Jesus enyi nke obi m, bia noro m nso mgbe nile enyi nke obi m; o buru n’inoro m nso mgbe nile, O ga-adiri anyi mma”. You sang this to all of us your children both those with you physically and virtually. We will continue to sing as you’ve shown us. We will not let you down.
I would like to end this tribute with a favourite quote of yours - “shall we accept good things from God without receiving bad?” (Job 2:10). This was one of your quotes to us when you want to counsel us and encourage us. That moment when I saw your stiff body, I wept profusely but then I remembered this quote that you always said to us, and I got comfort. The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh, May His name forever be praised.
Mummy, rest thee well. No more pain. I know you are resting on the right hand side of your maker, singing in your sonorous voice, the type required in heaven. We will not mourn like those who don’t have hope & faith, but we are rejoicing for we know you are in heaven and pleading our course. You shall continue to be remembered by the works you have done - woman of peace, onye nchikota, home builder, gaa ije gi nke oma. Your legacies stand you out, they are just too many. The type of children you have, underscores who you were. We will all die. The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will”. Chuck Palahniuk (2003): Diary.
Rest In Peace, mum till we meet to part no more.
Dr Goodluck Chinonyerem Obi
Son
