The Biography of Mrs Benedeth OkwaraOjiaku.
4 min read
Our Mom, the late Mrs. Benedeth lkwuoma Okwara-Ojiaku, was born into the family of Mr. and Mrs. Okoro Ebitenwa of Umuchoko, Ezisu Umundugba in Isu LGA of Imo State in the year 1939. She was the last child of her late parents. She became the second wife of late Chief Timothy Onaniba Okwara Ojiaku, who himself was the second last son of his parents. Timothy was the 11th of 12 sons of Okwara-Ojiaku of Umuonyiregbe Kindred in Uba Umuaka, Njaba LGA.
Mom and Dad were married in 1961 and their union was blessed with four children: Goddy; Theresa; Okechukwu (Mayor); and Anna. Our mother, as most of you know, lived a good life worthy of emulation. To us, (her children), she was such a good mom that, if reincarnation is real, and we had the choice to make, we would always choose her to be our mother. For her great motherly attributes and her generosity. I named my first daughter Ezigbo Nne Amaka, after my mom.
Mama, as you go back to your creator we will miss you but our consolation is that we know that He will grant you eternal rest till we meet to part no more. It is very painful to say Goodbye Adieu! The four of us along with your 11 Grandchildren and seven Great Grandchildren wish you a smooth passage into God’s Heavenly Paradise. Amen!!
A Tribute to My Lovely Mother.
I want to start by thanking God for giving me this opportunity today to write a tribute to my mom. Yes, it was by the grace of God that my mother lived up to the age of 82 years. We came to this world through my beloved mother. Unfortunately, life wasn’t easy but my mother started caring for her children as most mothers should do. After the retirement of my father from civil services, we relocated from Lagos to the East. My mother engaged herself in a small-scale business to make sure we have food on our table. Our mother went through tremendous difficulties for us to survive. Our mother went to borrow money with her wrappers from her fellow women to ensure that we acquired education like our mates. She did it again with her palm trees because we needed money to pay for our school fees. At that point I asked myself: “Why is it that my mother is going through all these difficulties every time?
After my Secondary School education in the year 1990, I tried to further my education but to no avail. In 1992 I went back to Lagos to pursue my educational career. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. My mother was nicknamed “Ahia ya Di Iri” (She sells 10 different things), which suggests jack of all trades or simply a diversified business. She did it all to prevent us from lacking anything.
A day my mother would never forget was that day she was seriously accused of what she did not do. At this point, I decided to stay with her in the village to support her and take care of her while living in a mud house for years. The hardship was so much that I had to beg God or pray to God to come to our rescue.
In 2006 God answered my prayers. I got admission to study in UK. I called my brothers living in U.S.A. and they all supported me to travel and study in UK. In 2007, January 9th, I travelled to UK. From that moment, my mother’s life began to turn around. By the grace of God, I finally became a graduate.
In 2008 I demolished my mother’s mud house and built a comfortable story house for her. In 2015 my mother came to London to see her grandchildren. After staying with us in London for 8 months, she went back to Nigeria. Since then, I have visited home to see my mother every 3 to 4 months until her death. I saw my mother two weeks before she left us. I was devastated when she fell ill. In a matter of days, I became motherless. The most painful thing on earth is the loss of a mother. There is nothing that a mother will not do for her children. We often don’t realize just how much they love us; we never really appreciate how much they’ve done for us until they are no more. No words can describe the feeling when I realize that she is no more. They said “From whom much is given, much is expected”. I so believe!
Mama: You gave us everything. Thank you so much mama. Not a day goes by that you are not missed. I thought it might get easier as time went by, but it doesn’t seem so. I don’t know how to come to terms with the reality but I know for sure that you are the best mother a son could ask for in so many ways.
Mama. You and I know what you went through but glory be to Almighty Father for the opportunity he gave us. If we did not give you enough before you died, please forgive us; more especially forgive me. You know how much I love you. I don’t joke with or hesitate about anything that will make you happy. I wish you are still alive to see more from me. Anyway, we will meet again to part no more.
I love you mama. Thanks so much. Rest in peace.
From your son, Okechukwu Opara. (Mayor)
