BIOGRAPHY OF MRS REBECCA OBIAGELI EWELUKWA
Mrs Rebecca (Becky) Obiageli Ewelukwa was born into the family of Late George and Bessie Eze of Irunebo kindred, Amaeze Village, Oraukwu in Onitsha, Anambra State on 28 July 1935. She was the second daughter and the third child in the family of five children. Rebecca was an extraordinary loving and devoted wife, mother, grand-mother and great-grandmother, sister and aunt to many. She triumphantly passed from this life on 23 January 2024 and has now started her new, everlasting life promised by our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Rebecca’s early years were spent in Onitsha as well as Oraukwu where she received her primary school education. She enjoyed her early years with her parents and often spoke of the love she had for her mother, father, siblings and members of her extended family. She also had a love for children and education which ultimately led to her spending 35 years as an educator, culminating as a Senior Education Officer with the Enugu Local Government Education Authority in 1990.
Rebecca’s journey as an educator started with training at the Rural Training Centre, Asaba (1953-54). She often spoke fondly of her journey to the school with her uncle, late Mr. Joseph Ezeh, and the time she spent in the school which was founded and run by foreign church missionaries. She received a certificate training in home economics, domestic sciences and farming. The skills that she acquired at the school proved invaluable throughout her life and most especially during the Nigerian civil war as it enhanced her resourcefulness in ensuring adequate nutrition for the family at a time of great lack. She sustained the practice of creating gardens for fresh produce close to home, throughout her life.
Upon completion of her certificate course in Asaba, Rebecca spent the next several years obtaining her teaching credentials by attending Elementary Teachers’ Training College, Ezeoke, Imo State (1958-59) where she obtained her Teachers Grade III Certificate and St Mark’s Teachers’ Training College, Awka, Anambra State (1964-65), where she obtained her Teachers’ Grade II Certificate.
Rebecca’s taught at numerous schools of the Church Missionary Society (CMS) (Anglican Communion) and subsequently, the Government. Prior to 1970, she taught at the following schools: CMS Central School Awka Etiti, Anambra State, CMS Central School Nnobi, Anambra State and St. Bartholomew’s School, Asata, Enugu, Enugu State. She subsequently taught at the following schools in Enugu up to 1989: Udi Road Primary School, Asata; Uwani River Primary School; Ogbete Primary School; Zik Avenue Primary School; University Primary School, Enugu Campus; Women’s Training College (WTC) Primary School; and Ogui Nike Primary School.
Her thirst for knowledge and love for education was quite evident as she pursued and obtained a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Education at 51 years old, which was quite a feat as many people of that age would have been contemplating retirement.
Regarding her personal life, Rebecca was briefly married to the late Mr. Obadiah Anochie in 1960 with whom she had one child, a daughter named Anuli Anyachebelu (nee Anochie). The union ended in 1962 due to the death of her husband. Rebecca displayed unmatched courage and resilience as a young widow of 27 years old with a young child, as she continued her dogged quest to advance her professional teaching career. In 1967, God gave Rebecca a second chance at happiness when she met and married her late husband, Professor Dennis Ikwueme Ewelukwa. They had a wonderful love story which lasted for the next 50 years. This union was blessed with four children, a daughter named Uchechukwu Ofodile (nee Ewelukwa) and three sons, Chinedum (died: 2003), Nnaemeka and Oforbuike.
Rebecca showed unwavering commitment to her family in her lifetime. Her home was always a welcoming place for her family and friends. She also showed amazing love to her extended family members many of whom lived with her and her family for many years despite the family’s modest means. Her kitchen was the heart of her home, where meals were not just food, but an expression of love. It brought her great joy to celebrate her children's birthdays and holidays by preparing special delicacies. Rebecca was also instrumental in passing on her love of education to her children. She always conducted after school lessons for her children, assisted with homework, and encouraged each child to do their very best in their academics, thus laying a good foundation for their subsequent academic and professional excellence.
Without a doubt, her greatest gift to her family was her faith in, and love for God. She was a born again Christian and ensured that the family spent time each morning doing praise and worship, bible study and family prayers. This tradition was also passed on to her grandchildren and great grand-children whenever she spent time with them. Rebecca believed in service to others, and she lived this belief through her actions. Whether through her involvement in charitable activities, community development, or service to her church family both at St. Thomas Anglican Church, Oraukwu and Chapel of Redemption, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu. Rebecca was also a member of Mother’s Union in the Anglican Communion and was an active participant in all church-related activities including evangelism.
Rebecca faced some challenges in the course of her long life, from the loss of loved ones to health issues in her later years. She displayed unparalleled grace and courage, facing these challenges with inner strength, and never departing from her faith in God. She was a beacon of hope in her family, reminding them that with God, all things are possible.
As her family bids farewell to this extraordinary, God-fearing woman, let us carry forward the torch of her legacy. Let her life remind us of the power of kindness, strength of character, and profound impact of living a life dedicated to the welfare of family and others. Her journey on this earth has come to an end, but her spirit and love endures in what she leaves behind; a legacy of love, resilience and unshakable faith in God. As we her loved ones gather to pay homage to our extraordinary mother, let us remember her not with tears, but with smiles of love and gratitude. Mama, rest in peace knowing that your legacy will flourish, your love will endure, and your memory will live in each of us forever and always. We your children, brother, grandchildren, great grandchildren, in laws and friends will miss you dearly, but we rest in the assurance that we will meet again in heaven where we will dwell together never to be separated again. Rest in perfect peace.
Mourning her departure, yet cherishing her love and devotion are:
Anuli Anyachebelu Daughter
Uchechukwu Ofodile Daughter
Nnaemeka Ewelukwa Son
Oforbuike Ewelukwa Son
Chike Anyachebelu Son in Law
Anthony Ofodile Son in Law
Isioma Ewelukwa Daughter in Law
Miranda Ewelukwa Daughter in Law
Kristina Ijeoma Orido Granddaughter
Simone Chinwe Anyachebelu Granddaughter
Michael Ofodile Grandson
Joshua Ofodile Grandson
Elizabeth Ofodile Granddaughter
Daniel Ewelukwa Grandson
Sharon Ewelukwa Granddaughter
Stephanie Ewelukwa Granddaughter
Kenechukwu Ewelukwa Grandson
Adaobi Ewelukwa Granddaughter
Tochi Ewelukwa Granddaughter
Khloe Orido Great-grand daughter
Nathaniel Orido Great-grand son
Gabriel Orido Grandson in Law
Rebecca is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.