By Emeka Amaefula
WHEN ABUJA BASED LAWYER GEORGINIA MURUAKO CELEBRATED MOTHER’S 80TH BIRTHDAY IN IKEDURU, IMO STATE
The celebrant Ezinne Evelyn Ikechi Anyagwa stands tall, elegant with radiating beauty at eight decades of a successful life of a true Matriarch of the Lewis Sunday Anyagwa family. In her lifetime she has been made proud for raising very successful hard-working children who she diligently raised up with her late husband who also was a School Teacher and administrator par excellence. On Sunday, 1st January 2023 a special church service was held in her honour at Christ church, Okpuala Community in Iho-Domeze town, Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo state. The crème de la crème of the immediate social circuit and those from far and near all gathered at the premises of the Christ Anglican Church Okpuala Iho-Dimeze where her towering glory of a true mother and community leader shone like that of Queen sheba. Ezinne Evelyn Anyagwa got exactly what many other women may not have in their lifetime. These include the array of personalities who throng the venue and others who used the social media to celebrate a woman so diligent, God fearing and well brought up by her parents of Osuji family from Amawo village in Atta Ancient Kingdom in Ikeduru Local Government Area.
Due to her dedication to her family and to the immediate community and as one of the church workers she was honoured with the EZINNE title. Her avowed loyalty to anything that has to do with relationship with God’s vineyard remains her most cherished service.
In her reflection about her sweet mother, the first daughter Barrister (Mrs.) Georginia Muruako nee Anyagwa a National Honour Merit Awardee, Member Order the Niger-MON wrote clearly “a birthday wishes to my sweet mother at 80 Nma, I wish I could wrap up the word in an envelope and give it to you today. But knowing you with your humility and simplicity, you may not accept such a gift from me. You will first ask me ‘Georgy, how or where did you get what you are giving me,’ ‘Ofokwarala gi na Di gi na umu gi?’ ‘Even when there are very obvious reasons to make some noise’ you would prefer to keep quiet in order to keep it cool and low. I admire your calmness, generosity (even when you scarcely have enough), tenacity and strength of character.
I wish I could take away the pains you and your husband, our father, went through raising us. But I can’t. All I can do is to wish and pray that God grants you strength to enjoy this day and good health to enjoy many more years ahead. May God, in His mercy, hear my prayer and favour you with long life in good health.
I love you, Nnem ! I know that you will continue to be a strong and amazing woman even as you age gracefully. I am ever grateful to God for making you my mother and for churning you out in your unique spec-an ever eternally grateful person. I pray to God that we enjoy many more years together. —happy Birthday Nnem oma !”
On his path the First son Okechukwu Melford Anyagwa in his vote of Thanks appreciated the great turn out of dignitaries who paid glorious goodwill messages to the matriarch Ezinne Evelyn Anyagwa. He used that opportunity to donate the sum of One Hundred and Fifty thousand naira (N150, 000.00) for the completion of the Church hall at Christ Anglican Church Okpuala Iho-Dimeze.
While Sir Joe and Lady Vero Anyagwa in their Goodwill message wrote “We the Anyagwa family congratulate you on your 80th Birthday celebration. We thank God for your life, His grace and blessing on you and keeping you to this age with little or no health challenges. We also thank God for blessing you with loving and smart children who deemed it necessary to put things in place for this celebration. It is indeed a celebration of Life. It is our prayer that the God who has kept you this far shall continue to keep you in good health and sound mind for the remaining years of your life. Age graciously in Jesus’ name! We appreciate all those who find time to attend this birthday celebration and hope to see you at the 90th birthday and more in good and sound mind. May the good Lord, our Almighty God grant you journey mercies, Amen.”
For the grandchildren Chimamandam, Chimdubem and Chimbuchi Anyagwa all of Okechukwu Melford Anyagwa nuclear family the trio wrote “HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR RARE GEM
A day blessed and proposed by God. To encompass our darling grandmother, damsel, diamond, crystal, an angel, Ezinne, lolo, Oyoyo nne. From the most intense and profound part of our hearts, we say a big thank you to God Almighty for raising a God-fearing woman like our grandma. We are so lucky to have someone like you in our lives. Having you as a grandma is a quench to our ennui and a rise to the sun that brightens our days.
Our rare gem, a grandma like no other, happy birthday to you, wishing you longevity and the most wonderful birthday possible, because you are worthy of it. We love you grandma, a woman of excellence.” For Chinwe Dabirinze nee Anyagwa her birthday remark is quite catchy and reflective of the semblance of her mother “Sometimes I wonder if I look like you, But I know I have some of your qualities. Your open minded heart attracts people to you both strangers and non strangers. You are kind, generous, outspoken, strong, caring and courageous. Oh, this is where I resemble you Mum.“
Sir Foster Chima conducted the ceremonial session of the birthday party as Chairman of the occasion where his immense humanitarian attributes got displayed greatly.
———————-Emeka Amaefula—-+234(0)8111813069
