By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

It was a festival of some sort as over five Anglican Bishops and Governors paid their last respect to late Anglican Lay Reader, Lady Ezinne Eunice Nwabugwu who died at age 90, as she was laid to rest in her country home, Awgu in Enugu State.

The Bishops include, the pioneer Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province who also served as the pioneer Bishop of Oji River diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Amos Madu, Bishop of Afikpo Diocese, Rt Rev. Paul Udege, Bishop of Eha-Amufu Diocese, Rt. Rev Daniel Oliha, the pioneer Bishop of Awgu/Aninri Diocese, Rev. Dr Afam Ugwu, and the duo of Bishop of Oji River Diocese, Rev. Dr. Ikechukwu Egbuonu and Nike Diocese, Rev. Dr. Onyeka Onyia were both represented.

In his sermon at the burial service held at the Cathedral Church of Saint Mark's, Isu-Awaa, Agwu, Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Awgu/Aninri, Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Bishop Chukwunweike admonished Christians to live for good deeds, reminding them that every human will one day die and ultimately be remembered for their good or bad deeds on earth.

He urged the congregation not to take life for granted, noting that life itself is sustained only by the mercy of God.

The Bishop said: "No human being has control over how long they live, but everyone has control over how they live.

"Numbers 23:10, “Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!” The scripture teaches believers to focus on living righteously so that their end will be pleasing before God."

Quoting Ecclesiastes 7:8: “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit", Bishop Chukwunweike described the verse as a reminder to Christians that how a person finishes life is more important than how he started.

While noting that death is unavoidable, he stressed that judgment follows immediately afterwards, making it important for every person to live a life acceptable to God.

The Anglican Bishop further warned against seeking blessings outside God’s will, noting that any blessing not from God could place a person on the wrong path.

Citing the story of Jacob in the bible, he explained that Jacob became more blessed only after he stopped running ahead of God and submitted to divine timing.

He added: "One careless action could ruin a person’s life and reputation forever. Judas Iscariot, whose name means praise is remembered negatively because he betrayed Jesus Christ.

“When you lie where the late Mrs Eunice Nwabugwu Ibe lies today, what will heaven say about you?”

"The life and times of Lady Ezinne Eunice Nwabugwu Ibe was a life of fulfilment and accomplishments. Like a warrior, she came, she saw and she conquered."

Lady Ezinne was born in 1935 to the polygamous family of the late Chimengwu of Isu-Awaa community in the present Awgu local government area of Enugu state.

She got married to Late Chief Benson Maduabuchukwu Ibe, an indigene of Umunevo in Umuevee, Enugu Isu-Awaa Agwu, Enugu State.

Through dint of hard work and utmost faith in God, Lady Ezinne Eunice Nwabugwu worked hard extraordinarily from the cradles to rise from grass to grace

Her death was described as a glorious transition to eternity based on her Christian virtues and service to humanity.

Meanwhile, an empowerment scheme was set up by his children to kick off her final funeral rites at the Ibe Family's event arena at Isu-Awaa community

Items given out during the empowerment include, bags of rice totalling 1,050, gallons of vegetable oil and sachets of Maggi cubes to 50 of the poorest families in each of the 21 Communities that make up Awgu local government area.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Geraldine Madueke, while thanking the family reflected on the life lived by late Lady Ezinne Eunice Ibeh, saying, “She was a woman of giving. She would always call you, Sister, have you eaten?’ ‘Aunty, have you eaten?’

"Seeing her son continue her work today, it feels like her spirit is still here with us.”

Some other beneficiaries interviewed by newsmen expressed gratitude to the Ibe family for the largesse, describing the late Lady Ibe as a very kind hearted and generous woman to all who came her way.

Ifeanyi Okonta, a beneficiary from Mgbidi Awgu, said the support came at a critical moment for many families struggling with the rising cost of living.

He described the palliatives as a lifeline that enabled people to mark Christmas in a modest but dignified way.

“This means a lot to people who would otherwise have had nothing for Christms now have something to celebrate with. It shows that Emperor Baywood Ibe truly cares about the poor and understands the struggles of ordinary people.”

On her part, another beneficiary, Christiana Onwualia, expressed joy and gratitude to the Ibe family, describing the remembrance of the downtrodden as a rare and kind act that restores hope.

She said: “This gesture goes beyond food. It reminds us that we are not forgotten. I pray that God opens greater doors for him and reward him abundantly for this kindness.”

Earlier in his remark, one of the sons of the deceased, Emperor Baywood Ibe explained that the reason for sharing the largess to the very poor was because not everybody among the rural dwellers will have the privilege to join in the enlarged event.

He hailed the attendees for coming to identify with the Ibe Family in their activities to mark their late mother's transition to glorious eternity.

Ibe also poured encomium on her wife- Empress Pat Baywood Ibe, a native of Obosi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State for the bountiful love she showered his late mother, saying that she was the secret of the success of the entire funeral arrangements.

He also thanked his brothers and sisters for the unity existing in the family and urged people to come and learn unity of purpose and brotherhood from the, boasting that no third party can destroy the beautiful foundation of the Ibe family. He also thanked his sisters for standing together in solidarity to family unity, peace and love.

Dignitaries at the event include, Former Aviation Minister, Chief Osita Chidoka, Barr Olisa Metuh, Hon. Martins Chukwunweike, the immediate past Commissioner for Health in Enugu State.

Others were, High Chief Enahoro, Princess Peace Nnaji, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, Barr. Eugene Eneh, Gabriel Oladekpo, Sir Chidi Nwokeabia, Prince Austin Nwankwo, and Dr. Raph Ezeoma, among others.