By Chigozie Uzosike
As the family of late Agnes Obianamma Mogbogu mourns the demise of their mother whose one week burial arrangement took place last week, the family and community members have continued to be comforted by the legacies and virtues of the matriarch.
Speaking to newsmen during the week-long burial ceremony held at umuogbu village, Awka, Anambra state that lasted for one week, the eldest daughter, Mrs. Ojiefi Amechi Chibuogwu (Odibeze) noted that her mother also known as ‘mother of faith’ lived a life worthy of emulation, adding that her death on the 23 January this year came as shock to her and family. She hinted that her mother represented good, decent, fulfilled and exhibited life of giving and sharing to all even with the little she had.
The soft spoken Chibuogwu said that mama Agnes who was aged 80, inculcated to the children spirit of patience, perseverance, charity, stressing that mama was a very generous person that shared her clothes, food stuffs, money, even her drugs to those in need. “She was a lover of peace, justice advocate and defender of the oppressed. She always spoke against injustice. She was testimony of the awesomeness and faithfulness of God”, Chibuogwu noted.
Mama Agnes who was survived by seven children had her funeral which started on the 6th April with service of songs through the burial proper, ending with thanksgiving outing service at the Cathedral Church of St. Faith, Awka, celebrated in grand style as the members of the community, captains of industries, clergy, traditional rulers, politicians, youths, women, various groups where mama Agnes belonged all gathered to pay her last respect, adding that she was an effigy of humanity.
Chibuogwu hinted that she was happy that her siblings and relatives came together to give their mother befitting burial, adding that late Mrs. Mogbogu was a member of women’s guild, St. Peter’s zone, ‘otu obioma’, ‘otu ifunanya’ where she played active roles before she travelled to America. “She was a member of International Women Prayer Network and the chairlady of ‘okwubudo na uzuakpundu ime uno’. She was one of the highly respected matriarchs of the Mogbogus”, Chibuogwu revealed.
Chibuogwu said that the loving memories and legacies of mother Agnes would be missed by not only the family but by the entire community members especially the less privileged whom she supported while she was alive, adding that her emulative virtues which speak volumes has the capacity and potentialities to comfort both the children and people of Umuogbu who have not ceased talking about her good-natured, humane, down-to-earth disposition and sense of charity, no wonder according to her, she (late Agnes) has been described as Dorcas of their time given the height of humanitarian attitude she was known for. Chibuogwu appreciated all and sundry who attended the funeral, especially those whose moral, spiritual, financial support came handy.