The sleepy town of Abacheke, Egbema, in Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo State, yesterday felt the presence of a multitude as sympathisers from all walks of life thronged the community to be part of the burial of Ezinne Florence Nkemnaso Opiah, wife of the Minister of State for Education, Rt Hon Goodluck Nanah Opiah.
It was a gathering of who is who from near and far on Thursday when the Service of Songs heralding the burial event took place as another shape of human traffic was witnessed.
It would be recalled that the celebral Matriarch of the Opiah family died at an Abuja hospital after a protracted illness.
The funeral Church Service held at the St Michael’s Anglican Church Abacheke, Egbema on Friday saw several bishops and clergymen of the Anglican Communion in attendance. In his sermon, the Bishop of Ohaji/Egbema Diocese, Rt Revd Chidi Collins Oparaojiaku, PhD, preached on good living and the need for christians to live a good life while on earth. The Bishop who also emphasized on good governance from those in power and authority expressed that the living has chance to mend their ways while alive before meeting their creator.
Bishop Oparaojiaku who enjoined Rt Hon Opiah and members of his family to bear the loss as christians requested them to find comfort in all the joyful memories they shared with the late Ezinne during her life time.
While in deep mood of sorrow, the chief mourner, Rt Hon Opiah lacked words to speak over the untimely exit of the dear wife. The minister who managed to utter a comment said “there are simply no words to convey the full weight of my grief. Where will I start? I lack words. I never imagined life without her. Not even a second. She was an integral part of my life as our journey began since teenage age to adulthood. Affirmatively, nobody knows me better than her.
“Losing her remains the lowest point in my life. She was always available for me as a mother, sister, encourager and counselor, dear friend, my solid pillar of support all through our marriage”
Still on the enduring extreme virtues of the late wife, the minister added “her undiluted care and love inevitably made her an epitome of motherhood. As a husband, I was certainly far from being perfect, yet she loved me without questioning, accepted me without judgements. She was an amazing wife, faithful, tolerant, accommodating, simple and extraordinarily peaceful. Baby-Nanah as I fondly called her was an embodiment of beauty, a virtuous woman and above all a true Christian”
From a very humble background of modest parentage in Umudeyiezegbe village, Abacheke Egbema, Late Ezinne Florence Nkemnaso Opiah was the first and only daughter among five children, with two surviving brothers of the parents; Mr Francis and Caroline Okwunwa of blessed memory. She was born on 4th May, 1964 in Lagos State.
The first son, Engr Alexander Opiah simply stated that “Ezinne built indelible marks of beautiful memories revolving on an enduring legacy of uprightness, love-to-all, peace, mutual understanding, motherly care, affection and all embracing fellowship which will continue to oil the relief of pains in the hearts of those she left behind”
The Matriarch of the Opiah family left behind her husband, Rt Hon Opiah, four children; Ms Geraldine Opiah, Mrs Cynthia Ifeoma Opiah-Nwoko, Engr Alexander Oluebube Opiah and Barr Emmanuel Ifeanyi Opiah, three grandchildren, Munachi, Jeffrey and Zella, brothers in-law, a son-in-law, step sons and daughters, cousins, nephews, nieces and host of other relations.
After the funeral service, internment followed immediately at Rt Hon Opiah’s compound while reception followed at the Central School field, Abacheke.
On ground to show sympathy to the minister in his Abacheke country home for the funeral ceremony was the governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, who came with the members of the state exco, to show solidarity, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Idris Wase and other federal lawmakers, Minister of State for Science and Technology, Chief Heny Iko, Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly and other members of the state legislature, uncountable top government officials and other dignataries from federal to state levels, including the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, who represented the minister of education and led management and staff of the ministry to the occasion.
The list also includes several Executive Secretaries and heads of government agencies under the ministry of education, political associates from different parties, friends and well wishers.
May Her Soul Rest in Peace