With tributes too many to count, a virtuous woman and a woman of integrity, Ezinne Cecilia Orieji Okorafor’s remains were laid to rest on August 11, 2017 at Ututu in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia state. Ezinne Okoafor was described by many as a matriarch of the century, a mother of peace as well as one who sacrifi ced all. Orieji Okorafor, Nee Okoro, was born on January 1, 1932, to the family of Okwaraand Elizabeth Mgbeke Okoro. Her father, Okwara Okoro was a farmer and quintessential merchant straddling the business space covering Arochukwu, Ihechiowa, Uturu, Ohafi a, Abiriba and Ozuakoli.
It is on record that Okwara built such a huge business empire that his caravan of apprentices, carriers and salesman was as large as 30 men and could be likened to the trans-Saharan caravans. Elizabeth was an industrious farmer, trader and house wife. Ezinne was unable to enjoy western education because of the practice at the time, when girl-child education was looked down upon.
However, she underwent even more morally grounded and decent moral and family formation that prepared her for a life of exceptional character. As a teenager, she took charge of her mother’s responsibility even more than some adults. Anytime her mother was away, Orieji took charge of her two siblings Umachi and Ola as if she was a full fl edged mother. Th is quality of a strong character and early assumption of responsibility stood her out as a potential wife. In late 1952, Mr Justine Okoafor Agwu, who just lost his wife to cholera proposed to Orieji. In those days, the process of courtship and marriage required very elaborate preparations. Justine Already a baptized and confi rmed Catholic was spared the rigorous process. Orieji, however had to undergo a three-month Catholic formation in home management, Catechism, hygiene, cookery and moral instruction at the St Paul’s Convent, Uturu.
At the end of the three-month training which was conducted by white and African Rev. Sisters, Orieji was adjudged successful and deserving of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confi rmation and Matrimony. She was subsequently baptized and confi rmed as Cecilia and on February 14, (St. Valentine’s Day), 1953, the marriage of Cecilia Orieji Okoro and Justine Okoroafor Agwu was solemnized at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Ututu, in present day Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia state. In 1999, Madam Cecila Orieji was honoured with Catholic Diocesan title of “Ezinne Umuahia Diocese,” by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Umuahia, His Lordship, Dr Lucious Iwejuru Ugorji. And in 2007,theUtutu Catholic Deanary, bestowed on her the title of “Nneoma of Ututu Catholic Deanary.” Ezinne held several leadership positions in the church and community. For instance, she held the position of Treasurer, Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) for over 12 years and was Chairperson of the CWO St. John’s Catholic Church for years on end. Th ese positions were thrust upon her in spite of her humble protestations. Ezinne is survived by her brother, Chief (Dr) Martin U. Okoro, a retired educationist based in Chicago, United States of America, her fi rst cousin, Mr Franco A. Okoro of the Prince Nico Mbarga and Sweet Mother fame. Her children-Mrs Grace Okorafor, Mrs Mary Olandu, a nurse based in Baltinore, Maryland, USA; Mr Isaac Okorafor, Acting Director, Corporate Communications , Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Cyprian Ozoemelam Okorafor, Rev. Sister Lydia Okorafor, a lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa and a member of the Catholic religious congregation of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy (DMMM), Mr Maurice Okorafor and Mrs Ejitu Nzeagwu. Others include the children she inherited at very tender ages from her late younger sister, Olanma, Mr Emmanuel Ikpe Eke, Assistant Controller of Prisons, Nigeria Prisons Headquarters, Abuja, Christopher Okwara Eke, among others. Her burial ceremony witnessed a beehive of activities including live performances from musicians like Oko De Coko, a son of the late Oliver De Coque, masquerades of diff erent sizes and colours, top government functionaries as well as the clergy. It is interesting to note that over 10 Rev. Priests celebrated the requiem mass where the atmosphere was spiritually charged indicating that Nneoma is resting peacefully in the bosom of God. Th e event was in all sense, a celebration of life.
