The Biography of Mama Susan Ebere Unanma.
4 min read
To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven. A time to be born, (a time to live) and a time to die (Eccl. 3:1- 2a).
Mama Susan Ebere Unanma was born on the 14th of April, in the year 1941, to Pa Canice Ahamefule Okwaraegwi and Mama Juliana Ada Okwaraegwi of Umuokparaukwuoma Kindred, Umuasharam village of Ibeakpu Community in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State. She was the second child and also the second daughter among nine siblings. She was so much loved by the father and that earned her the pet name “Dede Ukwu” meaning Big Sister.
In those days, education was only a man’s thing but her father sent her to school to study. She did her primary education at All Saints now Community School Umuaka. At the end of her primary education and higher elementary, she started teaching at African Gospel Mission (AGM) Group of Schools, Amandugba in Isu L.G.A., Imo State. Because of her excellent performance in the teaching career, the proprietor of AGM Schools, Rev. Emmanuel Inyama encouraged her to further her education. She later proceeded to Bishop Lasbrey Teacher Training College, Irete in Owerri West L.G.A where she did a four year course. When she left T.T.C., she came into the teaching profession proper and taught in a number of schools within Umuaka including State Primary School, Umuele Amazano where she spent her longest service time and finally retired from there in 2007. All the pupils who passed through State Primary School, between 1987 and 2007 went through her class at one time or the other.
Madam Unanma, as she was known and called by everyone made giant strides in the teaching profession. She also attended National Teachers Institute and obtained N.C.E. She retired as Assistant Chief Supervisor of Schools.
Madam Unanma got married to her husband Rev. Dr. Godwin Unanma, a fellow teacher and a church leader. Their marriage was blessed with male and female children. They both worked in African Gospel Mission Churches and Schools at Amandugba until they returned home by God’s leading and direction to start Christian Fellowship Centre, Umuele Amazano which later metamorphosed into The Saints Gospel Church Intl.
She labored tirelessly with her husband to build this ministry. It is actually so herculean a task to establish church in one’s community, among one’s kinsmen but they were not deterred. In the midst of the discouragements, insults and lean resources, they trudged along and today, The Saints Gospel Church International, is a frontline church in the community and has branches within and outside Nigeria.
Madam Unanma was a disciplinarian to the core. All who know her know this truth. She abhorred indecency, laziness, sluggishness and unseriousness. She was on top of her game in training all the children that came her way. This includes her biological children, her siblings, her nephews and nieces, her brothers and sisters in-law, children in the church, her pupils in the school and all other children around her. She never spared the rod to spoil anyone of them. Madam Unanma was very hardworking. A teacher quite alright but also a successful, tireless farmer. She traversed the length and breadth of Ozara Umudim and beyond, farming in all the family spaces. She sold and gave out farm produce as gifts to people. Her teaching career did not affect her industrious attitude in other areas of life.
Mama was caring to a fault. When it comes to care giving, she is ready to displease herself to please others. She gave her all in making sure that her family, the church and everyone around her got the best of everything she could afford. Most times, she went extra miles to provide for people around her within and without. Her evangelical efforts at soul winning yielded so much fruits because she combined the gospel message with a lavish display of generosity. She will give out clothes, money, food and in most cases bring such people in to live with her. She will give, give and give again and again. The totality of her life was sold out to care giving. No hungry person left her house still hungry. She accommodated everyone and did her best to solve problems for people.
Mama’s love for God and his work is second to none. She gave herself into the ministry as a back man for her husband. She was a wife and a worthy assistant in church ministry work. Most times, the husband left the family in her care to travel for ministry engagements. She was equal to this task, leading prayer campaigns both in the family and church. She was the General Supervisor of The Saints Women Ministry and also the leader of the prayer warriors.
Towards her last days, she couldn’t do much again, but was still addicted to “Abu iji ekpere Chineke”. There is hardly any song in that book that she couldn’t sing without looking at the book.
When she couldn’t sing her songs again, we knew it was her time to go and be with her Lord and Saviour who she served with all her life. And on one glorious Sunday, 19th June 2022, she took her leave.
We miss you mother, but God knows best. Goodbye our Mummy General Goodbye Nwunye Reverend. Goodbye Nwanyi uwa mgbede. Goodbye Madam Unanma of the whole universe. Goodbye Nma Nyenye. May your lovely soul rest in the bosom of the Lord.
