TRIBUTE TO A DEAR SISTER AND FRIEND
Abadagu as I fondly called you, the news of your passing into glory came to me as a big shock on Friday, 19th March 2021. When Dr. Ada called me about 8:43am, I never by any stretch of imagination guessed why she called, only to hear a very devastating news that I could not contain.
For days I thought it was a dream and I began to share the unpleasant news with PRODA connection. I kept referring to my call records to be sure it was Dr. Ada that talked with me, just to confirm I was was not spreading falsehood. On Wednesday 24th March, I picked up courage to call Dr. Ada to ask how it happened. Alas,it is true that a mother, sister, friend, confidant and prayer partner had gone home.
I recall our last conversation in first week of March 2021 when you told me you will be going for "Ito Ogbo" ceremony at Obosi and thereafter, you would be going to court for an on going litigation. I hold earlier offered to pick you to my country home at Uke for that weekend. The following week was mothering Sunday preparation that made me unable to call you. I planned to spend the weekend of 20th March 2021 with you not knowing that cold hands of death had struck - because the all knowing God allowed it.
Our friendship began in 2001, when after the death of your husband, who was my boss at PRODA, you moved into PRODA staff quarters to live with your son Engr. Emeka. God opened my eyes to see an agonising widow, always clad in white apparel whose emotional state was not hidden. Just as God directed Philip to go near the Ethiopian Eunoch and explained the scriptures to him, God directed me to you to be a source of encouragement and fellowship which I did. That association yielded a brand new woman of God. I picture your excitement at my first gift of "Our Daily Manner" devotional that revolutionised your prayer fire - before I knew it, she became an intercessor, standing in the gap for her family. We shared and prayed over very daunting challenges.
You stood with me when I lost my dad, husband and challenges in my family. When it pleased the Lord to uplift me, you were there cheering as my daughters got married.
When my daughter came to Enugu with my grandson, she said "mummy I must take my son to mummy Iwenofu." Truly we came and spend time with you. I visited you most often because you were alone in the house and we spend long hours sharing our pains and joy. I can never forget those memories in a hurry.
How can I exhaust the qualities of this loving, caring mother and teacher per excellence. Pupils that passed through your tutelage will mourn you. Though you speak slowly but you were firm and had good focus and expectation. We cannot question God. You have gone to your place of rest where there is no more tears, pains, heartbreaks. My Joy is that you loved and believed the Lord to the end. "You have fought a good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith. There is laid up for you the crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge will give to you on that day, and not to you only but also to all who have loved His appearing " 2 Timothy 4:7-8.
Uju, Emeka, Obiajulu, Ada, Nnamdi and Nonye accept my condolences.
Abadagu jeep nke Oma
Mama Uju Adieu
Nwunye "Oga Iwe" rest in peace.
Your affectionate friend and sister
Engr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Odilinye