Condolences to the Muotanya family.
You were blessed to have parents so caring and special. Their kind selfless nature made them a joy to be around. They were a great uncle and aunt, my God parent’s, and a close family friend.
My conversations while growing up with either of them were always a source of encouragement, hope and strength.
They were so dearly loved and you’re in our hearts now as you grieve. Take comfort in all the wonderful memories you have.


Obinna Obiefuna

TO THE WOMAN I LOVE!!!

I have lost a treasure!!!! I cannot believe I will be writing about you in past tense so soon. It is so hard for me to pen this down. Well, I pride myself and felt blessed that I could not relate to mother in-law horror stories. You never judged, criticized nor made me feel unworthy. I felt love and acceptance from you, you were never wronged in my sight and I love you so dearly mummy. I cannot stop thinking about you.

I will never forget the moment your heart stopped and mine kept beating fast. I watched you so closely with a tearful eyes fixed on the monitor, held your hands and prayed. It was so emotional seeing you pass through pains. Standing next to you was a living hell for me as the oxygen and heart rate count down began. You fought with your last strength even when it was weakened by the ailment, God saw how hard you were fighting, He knew you were suffering in pain. He put his arm around you and whispered "come to me". Glory be to God that you were able to receive the Anointing of the sick and Holy Eucharist before your beautiful heart stopped beating.

Mummy, you touched my heart in so many ways, I salute your strength and faith. We bonded so well! Indeed I won the mother in-law lottery, hit the mom in-law jackpot but the cold hands of death snatched you away from me so soon.
You raised a God fearing and confident children that are outstanding, you were the central figure of our family and I just don't know how we will move on from this. Your compassion for others was so deep, you treated others with kindness and many lives were blessed through your goodness.

My beautiful mother in-law deserves a garland, she had a great strength filled with wisdom, my shining example of candid loving personality.
I love you mumsy!!
Sleep the big sleep my Heroine! Words cannot express the vacuum you've left.

Adaobi Peace Muotanya

My first contact with both of you was on the traditional marriage of your daughter Oge to my younger brother Charlie. It was one of the most peaceful traditional marriages I have ever attended. We were so welcomed and loved.
You did a great job raising your children, Oge is a great testimony to that. Only God can explain why you had to go now. You will be missed so dearly by those who love you. Sleep well in the bosom of the Lord!

Tribute to Daddy

Papa Oby, it's so hard to believe that you are truly gone, I was hoping it’s a bad dream I would soon wake up from.
Who will answer me Nwanne Oby, when I say Papa Oby?

In all things, I give thanks to God.

I thank God for the opportunity to call you daddy and share my growing years with you cheering me on. I am grateful that I had the grace to provide you with some comforts and good things of life, even though I would have loved to do more. My siblings and I had so many great plans for you and your wife…. But, what can I say?

You were a man of truth and integrity, humble and compassionate to everyone around you. You were a man of peace and very few words.

Papa Oby, thank you for ensuring we all got the education you could not get despite challenging financial situations. You worked hard to send us to the best elementary schools in the community. You would enroll us to attempt all the common entrance exams, from Navy, Command, Airforce, Federal to G2 exams. You would wake up early such Saturday mornings prepare and take us to the exam venue, wait patiently until the end to bring us back home.

You had so many peers who were wealthy enough to send their daughters to the best schools and obtain the highest level of education but saw that as a waste of investment. You were wise enough not to be swayed by their opinions, you gave your girls the best education possible and we never took it for granted and have done you proud in every way. By the grace of God, I am a multiple award-winning FIRST-CLASS graduate from the prestigious University of Ibadan courtesy of your vision, spiritual and material investments.


You would ensure we all attended catechism classes promptly, received the sacraments, and become active members of a society in church. You were a father of few words who taught us by example.

You were a lover of God; you taught and trained our hands to war in the place of prayer. You demonstrated the scriptures that urge us to pray ceaselessly. You would wake up early to gather your household at the prayer altar and then proceed to morning mass daily. This formed me greatly and I can count the number of days I missed morning mass while at the university. I am grateful for your labour of love over us.

In retrospect, I now realise that it's these foundations you diligently set that caused us all to excel in our academics and professional lives.




I have so many sweet memories of you. You would fondly call me “Mama Anyi”.
I remember when you would dress up or bring out your clothes and ask for my opinion, I would then review and either approve or disapprove, you would always follow my counsel.


You led a life of service, this you demonstrated by serving in various spiritual and secular organizations. You were either a secretary of the parish pastoral council, harvest committee member, an active member/promoter of the St Jude society, Anuka progressive union, Anaedo social club, ASPMDA building team.
You served with the highest integrity in all these roles, your name was never associated with any scandal even when you held very sensitive financial-related positions.


Daddy Dearest, silver and gold you had none but the values you instilled in us are inestimable. The credit balance you accrued by righteous living is what we are enjoying today because just as scriptures say “The seeds of the righteous are blessed”.

Thank you for the good seed you sowed, we are already reaping it and will continue to reap the fruits from one generation to the next.

The places you could not go we will go,
Doors you could not open we will open,
Good works you could not do we will complete.

You have fought the good fight, you have finished your race, you made your mark.
Till we meet on the resurrection morning, Farewell Daddy

Adieu Papa Oby
Adieu Oge Daddy


Oge Nwachukwu

Tribute to a strong woman

I still struggle to grasp the reality of your passing. When I saw Ada’s call that morning, my heart skipped, and I didn’t want to take it. Eventually, I summoned courage and answered the call, and heard Ada wailing. I blanked my mind to anything that may have caused her distress and asked what the matter was. When Big sister eventually got there and said your body was still warm, I asked them to call a doctor while I got my pastor to pray with me. My heart broke when they reconfirmed you were no more.

Mummy, you promised to stay back and watch us after Daddy left abruptly, and now you too are gone. How do you expect us to carry on without you both?

Initially, I wept helplessly like a child until my eyelids ached terribly. After some days, I asked myself what you would do in this situation; I was instantly motivated by the memory of you courageously mourning and burying five (5) siblings and your parents. I pictured you wiping away your tears, making burial plans, and executing them swiftly. With that mental image in mind, I rose, wiped my tears, and began to do what needed to be done.

Yellow Grandma – as my kids would call you, you were so many things in one, you had a strong spirit, it was only the inevitable that could take you out. You lived fearlessly, courageously, and beautifully.
Your passing got me reflecting on your person, and I would love to articulate a bit of it here.
Lover of God: You loved God, waking up before dawn each day to praise and hail Him. Your morning prayers the last time you visited us was my alarm bell. You taught me to love and serve God with my time. In my teenage years, you would take me to church to help you fetch water while you washed the toilets at OLL Coker every Monday after the whole place has been messed up from the previous Sunday masses and other activities. I learned a lot from your examples of humility and service.

Strength: You had a never – give up attitude; you would carry on boldly in the face of adversities, always learning from your failures and never giving up on your vision. I grew up watching you venture into and run multiple businesses to support your family and loved ones. No problems were too much to overcome, and you would channel your energy positively to thinking up a solution rather than moan over spilled milk.

Defender of the oppressed: I watched with both wonder and fear how you go out of your way to speak up and fight for the marginalised around you. I remember you recounting the story of how you confronted your cousin’s wife-beating husband and the fact that he never raised his hand against her after that incident. Mummy, you were such a VOLTRON. You would boldly call out wickedness and stand up against any form of bullying or maltreatment in your community.

Wisdom: I saw many women, both young and old come to you with their problems and how you would help them navigate the issues by pouring courage into their hearts, give wise counsel, and where possible empower them financially or otherwise. Sometimes you would involve your children to help financially. You demonstrated the bible injunction of faith and good works.

Knowledge: You didn’t get as much education as you desired due to non-availability of resources, but you have since made it a life mission to educate your own and any other willing child around you. You ran multiple businesses to support daddy pay our school fees. You believed in the liberating power of educating the human mind. You were a lover of knowledge and would tune to TV programmes and read books to learn new stuffs, network with people doing inspiring things to learn from them, you had an open and curious mind. The knowledge and understanding you garnered were the fuels for your creativity and excellent problem-solving skills.

Ageless Beauty: You were beautiful in and out; people that knew you from a distance and didn’t like the truth thought you were too harsh. You would scold with one hand yet bless with the other. You were a giver, a legionary to the core, giving out of the little you have without announcing to the whole world you gave. 
Your self-care routine was mind-blowing. Even in your 60’s, you would ensure your fingers were properly manicured and decorated with your award-winning tomato red nail polish. Is it how you would beat your face with your “gbanjo” cosmetics, and people who spend fortunes to buy makeup would admire you and ask you to buy for them too?
I already bought the skincare products and cosmetics you requested as I prepared to come for daddy’s burial; now, who would use them?
One time, when a friend visited me after meeting you, she asked if you were my mother because you looked too beautiful compared to my ordinary looks. I guess the beauty genes were residual in me, but I see you activated it in Nmesoma. She is only three but very particular about her looks and wants to wear dresses all year round because she is a princess and princesses wear dresses. Everyone here says she looks a lot like you; coincidentally, you share the same middle name – Louisa. I’m so glad you left a part of you for me to behold each day.

Community Builder: You identified and joined key women groups, both religious and secular, and participated actively. You were not a bench warmer at all, instead, you would air your views boldly no matter how unpopular and who was on your side. You stood up boldly against any form of injustice and unfairness. Very popular for speaking the truth unapologetically. Some disliked you because of this, but you cared less. You urged us, your children, to identify with our various cultural groups and participate actively. I would reluctantly drive from Ajah to Oshodi to attend the Ipupe women’s meeting. You came visiting Halifax, Canada, for just six 6 months, and the entire African community felt your presence and frequently looked forward to your tantalizing dishes.

I could go on and on, but this brochure would not contain a complete description of all your virtues, maybe someday I will write a book about your life.
Mummy, you have done your part.
You have raised us well as Godly seeds, and so we are mighty upon the earth and inherit the land.
Thank you for praying us into our places and positions in life.
We all enjoy good marriages and have children, Oh we are blessed because we are the seed of the righteous.
YOU BORN US WELL, we will not disappoint you as we go forth without you both.
We will continue the legion work where you left off.
Adieu Mama Oby
Adieu Nwanyi Nnewi
Adieu Oge Mummy
Adieu Big Mummy
Adieu Yellow Grandma\

Oge Nwachukwu

I FELT THE WARMTH OF A MOTHER.

Can you imagine meeting someone just for the first time, in a foriegn land, but that person talks to you like they have known you forever, treats you like a son and makes you feel a great sense of belonging, meeting of less than a day but has left an indelible memory in me.

She spoke to me with few words when we met in South Africa, but in those few words, I felt the warmth of a mother, someone with a natural caring and loving spirit.

Oh some encounters do not only reside in our brains but also in the most beautiful space of our hearts. Mama, may your gentle, peaceful loving soul rest in a perfect peace.

May Daddy's soul as well rest in a perfect peace and may the creator of the heavens and the universe give all the loved ones the fortitude to carry on in his Mercy and care. Amen

EULOGY TO THE WORLD BEST FATHER IN-LAW

14th of Dec was a date!!!!   When my husband woke me and said "popsi is dead" I couldn't take it. It sounded so strange, your loving memories and smiles kept flashing, I can vividly remember our last conversation. I cried all-night, but I was consoled when I recollect the kind of life you lived. You were a devoted righteous christian( who never skipped ANGELUS even in odd situation) I respect you so much for that big daddy!! To my admirable father in-law and a father figure to me, you are indeed a SAINT in human form.

I heard his life wasn't an easy one, but to be honest he made sure that his children has what they needed to not only grow up but to be a loving, responsible, hardworking, ethical and God fearing. I admire the way he loves, listen and look at momsy, even at old age the love still overflow, such a sweet Noble man.

A million things to say about you even when I haven't spent much years with you, I am confident that you died in the Lord(Rev 14:13). I must confess that you are the best father in law ever!!! Thanks for loving and accepting me as the baby of the house.

I WILL MISS YOU POPSY, MY DEAREST FATHER IN LOVE

ADAOBI PEACE

Daddy Dearest, silver and gold you had none but the values you instilled in us are inestimable. The credit balance you accrued by righteous living is what we are enjoying because just as scriptures say “The seeds of the righteous are blessed”.

Thank you for the good seed you sowed, we are already reaping it and will continue to reap the fruits from one generation to the next.