It was termed a Celebration of Life – and so was it. It was a carnival of a sort as thousands of well wishers on Friday, August 11, 2017, bid farewell to the matriarch of the Justin Okorafor Agwu family of Umuchiakuma, Ihechiowa, Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, Ezinne Cecelia Orieji Okorafor. The funeral of the revered community leader, who died at age 85, started from the family compound before the Funeral Mass at St. Mulumba’s Catholic Church, Umuchiakuma, Ihechiowa.

The funeral started early in the morning with the guns booming in salutation of the departed matriarch. The Ezinne (Good Mother) was interred at about 1:30 p.m. beside the grave of her late husband, in the family compound. Then came an elaborate reception at Umuchiakuma Primary School for guests, who came from all walks of life.

The late Ezinne Cecelia Okorafor was renowned for her philanthropy. As a community leader, she contributed immensely to the development and growth of her community and its people, particularly after the Nigerian Civil war. She was also a successful trader whose vocation took her across several borders beyond the shores of the Eastern Nigeria. Ezinne Okorafor was more reputed for her strong belief in God, living the life of a devout Catholic, who participated actively in the Catholic Women Organisation (CWO), Umuahia Diocese, and inspired thousands of women to serve God and honour their husbands.

In her life time, Ezinne Okorafor was a peacemaker and an embodiment of tolerance, devotion, discipline and hard work – traits she passed on to her offspring. Fondly described as “Peace Builder, Ochiri Ozua, Ozuu Afia, Ezinne Gburugburu, Nne Oma Deanary, Okpe Udo” Ezinne Cecelia Orieji Okorafor was highly respected by her contemporaries and admired by other younger age grades in the community.

She is survived by many children, grand-children and great-grand-children, among whom is Mr. Isaac Okorafor, the Acting Director, Corporate Communications at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

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