A TRIBUTE TO OUR GREAT MUM, OGBUESHI. B.L.U. ONWUAMAEGBU
by Chigbo Ibeagha, Ph.D and Mrs. Hope Ibeagha
When the Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Ijem Onwuamaegbu, phoned me as regarding the demise of our mother, I was so shocked to the extent that the situation that I found myself was better imagined than described. In fact, I was dumb-founded, overwhelmed, confused, mesmerized, hypnotized, warped, tattooed and flabbergasted. I was so shocked to the extent that I suffered a temporary eclipse of the brain. This ugly situation was engineered, sponsored and catalyzed by the fact that few weeks ago, during her 90th year anniversary, she briskly walked to the lectern and read one of the lessons without glasses. After reading, she walked and sat on her seat without any help. She was involved in every aspect of the celebration. Now, to hear that she died after a very brief illness is unimaginable!
She proved to be my Mum way back in 1970 and 1971. During this period, she treated me as one the oldest child, the oldest son, of the family. We used to discuss freely with one another. She would travel with me in her car (vuxhall) to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, for supplies. We used to go to large business outfits like K.C Chellarams, John Holts, P.Z, A.J. Leventis to buy different types of goods to stock our stores.
Occasionally, Daddy would travel with me to different places like Lagos with his Mercedes Benz 190. Daddy encouraged me to study hard to the extent that two years later I was able to pass my G.C.E. “A” level examinations of the University of London and the H.S.C examinations through private studies. Thereafter, I was admitted through direct entry, to the University of Ibadan and with a Federal Government Scholarship.
Mum, you were really an institution, an icon, an enigma. You were an embodiment of simplicity, humidity, kind to a fault, good natured, magnanimous and unassuming; you were always ready to forgo personal gains to satisfy others around you. Mum was of transparent honesty: such was the character of our dear Mum. Mum, we are celebrating your fruitful life of hard work, discipline, ingenuity, courage and reverence for God. Mum, you had always shunned slothfulness, laziness, idleness, dishonesty and hypocrisy. In short, Mum was a convinced, committed and an uncompromising Christian. Thus, I can boldly say that a gem is lost to us on earth but she had already been admitted as a member of the heavenly academy. In fact, an “Iroko” tree has fallen. Mum, who will fill the vacuum you have created? In fact, who can replace you? Who has the courage, kindness, discipline, uprightness, daring and commitment that you had? Your departure came when we needed you most. Mum, we grieve your death because we love you. We will surely miss your company.
Mum, did you really think of your grand and great-grand children before you decided to leave them orphaned. So, no more free biscuits and bobo for them. Mum, you can see that they are still crying because they did not have the chance to say the final good-bye. They are here just to see whether you would change your mind to return to them alive! They are still wondering whether you would agree to carry them on your laps just one more time. They are still gazing and also wondering whether it is true that you have temporarily gone away from them. As you passed on, we still have not lost hope, for we hope to unite at the resurrection of the righteous, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Thus, as we go through the valley of weeping, through the valley of sorrowing and pain, we take succor in knowing that you know the Lord and that our loss will be your gain. We shall surely look beyond the night of sorrow to welcome that blessed day, a glad tomorrow, when the dark night would have passed away, and the God of all comfort will uphold and sustain us till we meet at the golden place of rest and perfect peace, “for I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor power, nor things present, no things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans Chapter 8: 38-39)”.
Adieu, Mum
Mrs. Hope Ibeagha (Daughter)
Chigbo Ibeagha, Ph.D (Son).