The Biography of the late Francisca Okeziri.
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Sons and daughters of Acharaji, the family of Ukajim the family of Clement Emenawibe Okeziri, relatives, in-laws, friends and well-wishers, we are gathered here today being 5 August 6, 2023 not to mourn the passage of a dearest mother but to celebrate the life of a fulfilled mother, daughter, grandmother and great grandmother.
Mama’s time on earth:
BIRTH: Late NNEE FRANCISCA NWAIJURU CLEMENT EMENAWIBE OKEZIRI (mother of all) was born on 20th January 1926 into the family of late chief UKAJIMYIRIUKA and late Lolo MBAJIALU and she was the second daughter of her parents.
EDUCATION: As a vibrant Young growing child who loved education, she missed the privilege like other younger children who were opportune to be educated. Mama regretted that she was not educated due to the fact that the education of a female child was not considered a priority, she didn’t get the opportunity and support she needed to attain education and her mother sent her out to relatives home in Achara Umuaka , now known as Achara ji to become a nanny to families. With care, love and tenderness, Mama baby-sitted and took care of a lot of children as a nanny , including fathers , mother, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces during her years of service, after a long time she traveled back home and settled at home with her mother.
MARRIAGE LIFE: Late NNEE FRANCISCA NWIJURU OKEZIRI got married to late CLEMENT EMENAWIBE OKEZIRI. Mr. Clement Emenanwibe Okeziri of blessed memory and a native of Umulolo Umuezeala Uba Umuaka, met our beloved mother after she finished her nanny service, he fell in love with her and got married to her in the traditional way.
Mama and Papa both started their lives together as husband and wife here in the village and later relocated to “Echie” in Rivers State.
Mama gave birth to her first son (Afams Anthony Okeziri) in the year … 1950 … in ” Echie ” of the present day town in Rivers State.
Mama’s marriage was blessed with eight ( 8 ) children , ( 45 ) grandchildren , and (35) great – grandchildren , to the glory of God who are here today to witness the demise of our mother NNEE FRANCISCA NWAIJUR; Mama your grandchildren and great grandchildren and numerous relatives and acquaintance have different glorious memories of you for which we dearly miss .
In 1958 Mama Nwaijuru got wedded in the church by her husband, and was named Francisca Clement Emenawibe Okeziri. Mama Francisca Nwaijuru Clement Emenawibe Okeziri was a resilient woman who never relented in her duties as a mother and a wife , mama engaged in a lot of production and did a lot of businesses to sustain the family even when her husband was away for business at IJEBUODE , she sold puff puff , soda, agidi and a lot of other petty businesses to support her husband and family. Mama was a devoted Catholic Christian Mother who sacrificed her time to serve God. As a God fearing Mother, Mama welcomed and loved everybody both her family, extended family, friends and well-wishers and this could be seen in her lifestyle in every day dealings.
When papa return from ljebuode , he relocated mama and her children to Elele and there the family started farming, until the outbreak of the civil war and they had to return back home. During those war years, mama still continued to be supportive to her beloved husband and maintained her motherly duties. She continued her farming activities, productions and petty trade.Mama went into local soap processing called ( soda ) after the war , this soap is still being sold in the present day market today , after the war , papa took mama and her children to Egberu in Afam , this was mamas last settlement in the city until her first son journeyed her back home to settle at the village .
Everything a mother should have done for her children and family, mama did and never relented. One thing was so remarkable about mama which is “her commitment to worship God” her struggles to survive never ceased when she returned to settle back home, rather she continued to explore other trades and productions.
DEATH: As we all know is inevitable and is an expected end of every human and we cannot question GOD why it happens. On 21st January 2023, Late NNEE FRANCISCA NWIJURU joined our ancestors.
We your children, grandchildren, great – grandchildren, families, friends and well-wishers , we pray that God will give you internal rest in his paradise Amen .
We love you Mama but God loves you most bye – bye till we meet to path no more
We your Children, grand children, great – grand children, friends and well wishers are gladly gathered here today for this celebration of life of yours , Nnee Francisca Nwiluru Clement Emenawibe Okeziri .
Adieu Nnee Francisca Nwijuru Clement Emenawibe Okeziri
Adieu Nneoma .
Adieu Nnee ora.
