By Don Peter Okoro
It was a roll call of Who is Who in Nnewi and Anambra State last week, when popular and highly respected Businessman and renowned Philanthropist, Mr. Osita Nwokedike a.k.a. Ossy, and his siblings gave their mother a most befitting and glorious burial ceremony.
It is said that the best thing a man can do for a loving mother when she passes on is to honour her with a remarkable farewell ceremony that should be properly documented for records purpose.
The late mother, Mrs. Grace Egodinanwa Nwokedike a.k.a. Dibumma, (Nee Onyekwelu) was born in 1938 and lived to a good old ripe age of 84 years. The funeral ceremony started on Monday 2nd January 2023 with a Vigil Mass at her compound, No.2 Nwokedike Lane Off Regent Rd. Nnewichi and on Tuesday 3rd January 2023, the body left Akwudo Diocesan Mortuary for a brief Stop Over at her father’s compound.
Lying in State was at 8:00am and by 10:00am there was a Requeim Mass for her at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Cathedral Church Okwuana Nnewi and followed by Interment at her compound.
Condolence visit continued on Wednesday 4th and Outing Mass at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Cathedral Okwuana Nnew on Sunday 8th January 2023.
Speaking briefly with the bellnews.com the only son of the deceased, Mr. Osita Nwokedike, expressed great joy and happiness over the huge turnout and success of the funeral ceremony and gave God all the glory.
Asked to mention the lessons he learnt from his mother, he replied that he learnt a lot from his mother including, but not limited to the need to train up a child in the proper way. To correct an erring child and appreciate the obedient ones.
He also said that he learnt the virtues of good character and to live a life of integrity and love for the people. Asked how he was able to pull out such a massive burial ceremony, Mr. Osita Nwokedike replied that it is God’s doing and that God is the one who supplied everything.
He however mentioned that his sisters tried a lot as they all stood by him and made sure that nothing was lacking in the course of the burial. He equally thanked each and everyone that contributed in one way or the other towards the success of the funeral ceremony.
He revealed that years ago, his father used to narrate the stories of their past, but since his passage, only the mother has been there for him and now that she has also left, he will learn on how to cope. Also speaking, a member of the family Mr. Patrick Nwokedike, thanked God that everything worked out very well without any hitch or problem.
He thanked all the people that came from far and near. He said he saw a lot of Old Boys and Old Friends of theirs including those of Ossy which is a testament of the good legacy of the family.
He acknowledged the fact that Mama was a woman with a large heart who accommodated all and made sure everyone around her was happy. He praised God that she lived up to a good old ripe age. In all, it was a very successful and befitting funeral ceremony which people within and around Nnewi will talk about happily for a long time to come.
Bellnewsonline.com commiserate with the entire family especially, Mr Osita Nwokedike and ask God to give them the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.