“Mum was keen on fear of God and education.” Emma Iheme.
3 min read
The first son of Mrs Lolo Nneoma Anesthesia Iheme, Chief Emma Iheme in this interview with Umuaka Times briefly extols the virtues of his mother and thanks her for the homely training they all received from her.
Excerpts:
Can we meet you?
My name is Chief Emma Iheme, the Aku Chinyere 1. I am from Isiozi Umuaka.
Are you number what from your family?
I am the first son as well as the first child.
During the burial of your mother, many people said a lot of good things about her, can you tell us who she really was?
My mother was a devoted Christian mother. Very kind. She was a giver and she trained all her children in that way.
How did she relate with her fellow women in Isiozi and Obazi in particular?
She related with the women very well. It has been in her character to relate very well. For example, during the Nigerian Biafran War, she was in charge of relief materials for the Biafran masses especially women and children. She was a former chairlady for Umuaka women in Lagos and assistant chairlady at Suru Alaba Market.
What other attributes did she possess?
She was a good adviser to many new couples and she settled a lot of disputes among couples. She sponsored many people during their wedding.
What of her relationship with your dad?
My mother very close to her husband and she also a helping hand and a hardworking woman. She had shops where she sold Hollandaise which she imported from India. She was a successful business woman.
When you were all growing up, what was she particular about concerning her children?
She was particular about fear of God, education , honesty and she was also teaching us, her children to always give out to those we could help.
Who were her friends?
My father, my aunties and those who stood by the truth and fear of God. In fact, my father was her best friend.
Can you recall one incident during your youth days that made her very angry about any of her children?
For me, I was a radical as a student. she never believed that I was going to make it in life. Remember I am her first son and she was totally worried about my safety as a radical son of hers.
Concerning all you have said so far, does our society still have good mothers who were well brought up by their parents?
Yes we still have a lot of mothers who are good and highly responsible. In face more than nice.
What do you regret most about her death?
We miss her so much and we never expected that she would leave us by this time.
Do you have any wish?
If it is possible for us her children to have another mother in life, we would still like to have her over and over again.
In one word, describe your mother?
Exceptional.
May her soul rest in peace.
Amen.
