By Fidel Ozugha
On Friday, 23rd May, 2025, all roads led to Uga community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State. The loss of Ms Elizabeth Samuel Nwoye, daughter of late Nze and Lolo Samuel Umenwa Nwoye of Okorobi Kindred Agbako Awarasi, Uga in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, was the magnet that pulled everybody together.
So the family, able led by the head of the head of Okorobi Kindred, Nze Boniface Nwoye (Bontus Awoma), though in a mourning mood, warmly received all that came. The whole ceremony started on Thursday, 22nd May, 2025 with a vigil Mass at No7 Duru Ochiriozua Street, Agbako Awarasi Uga in Aguata LGA of Anambra State.
Then on Friday, 23rd May, 2025, the main day, a funeral Mass was held in her honour at the same venue by 8 o’clock in the morning. Elizabeth, while alive, touched many people in different ways. So it was a gathering of those who, in one way or another, had had an encounter with her. A mini drama of her life, acted by Agbako Awarasi Daughters’ Association, gave a character sketch of her person. She loved without looking back and would hate with passion whoever that offended her or looked for trouble. She would fight without reservations. Her love for people was by merit, and she would go extra mile to express that love to whoever that earned it.
Speaking during the requiem mass held in her honour at No 7 Duru Ochiriozua Street, Agbako Uga, Anambra State, Rev. Fr. Ojirinnaka hammered on the importance of Christians accepting any condition they found themselves in as late Elizabeth Samuel Nwoye did.
”Accept your condition. Love yourself as you are instead of trying to be like somebody else. Self love is what many of us as Christians lack. Accept who you are,” the officiating priest admonished the congregation.
On behalf of the Nwoye family, Nze Ikechukwu Umenwa (Dike Udo Uga), thanked the officiating priests for celebrating the Mass with the bereaved Nwoye family and appreciated all those who joined the family in mourning the loss of their late sister, Ms Elizabeth Samuel Nwoye.
Illuminating testimonies of her life while on earth were given by close relations and friends who had had encounters with her. An impromptu and unwritten script of a drama was acted by the Agbako Awarasi Daughters’ Association before the mourners and sympathizers. It left everybody laughing as the unauditioned actresses perfectly gave a vivid picture of her life as a stammerer.
Agbako Awarasi Chairman, Chief Christopher Nnadum expressed profound gratitude to the individuals, groups, families, friends and relations that honoured their invitation, paying glowing tribute to the Agbako Awarasi Daughters’ Association especially their members who sacrificed their time, resources, energy, etc in taking care of late Elizabeth during critical times until she passed on.
Friends, relations, well-wishers, groups, etc paid condolences to the bereaved Agbako family where Duru Ochiriozua of Uga, Eze Ndigbo of Ejigbo Lagos, Bobashelu of Ejigbo Land, Sir A. M. Nwoye and members of the family were busy receiving condolences and acknowledging sympathizers majority of them came from Lagos, Onitsha, Abuja, Aba, etc.
Brothers -Nze Boniface Nwoye (Bontus Awoma) and Sir A. M. Nwoye (Duru Ochiriozua of Uga Land, Eze Ndigbo of Ejigbo Lagos, Bobaselu of Ejigbo Land) with their sister, and members of Okorobi kindred of the deceased Elizabeth stood before the officiating priests for thanksgiving and family blessings
The priests that officiating priests that celebrated the requiem Mass
A cross section of mourners and sympathizers at the occasion. R-l is an Onitsha-based captain of industry, Chief Augustine Ojirinnaka from Amesi community and a relation
One of the Royal Fathers that share the sorrow with the family, Eze Peter C. Umeh JP,Ezechimereze 1, Eze Ndigbo of Mushin Land, Lagos, Chairman, Zamganza Group, Lagos
In-laws to the Nwoye family from Amesi paying their condolences to the bereaved family
Supportive members of Catholic Women Organisation (C.W.O.) during the occasion
A cross section of the bereaved Okorobi Kindred including Eze Ndigbo of Ejigbo Land, Bobaselu of Ejigbo, Sir A. M. Nwoye, 3rd, l-r, in a mournful mood
Ist r-l, Duru Ochiriozua of Uga, Eze Ndigbo of Ejigbo Lagos, Sir A. M. Nwoye, with his kindred
The Umuada of Agbako Awarasi mourning the loss of one of them
Leader of the Agbako Awarasi Daughters’ Association explains the important role the late Elizabeth played in the group while alive
Leaders of Catholic Women Organisation (C. W. O), All Saints Zone of Immaculate Parish, Agbako, Uga, pay their condolences to the bereaved Nwoye family
Former Chief Whip of Anambra House of Assembly, two-term former member, Hon. Chief Ikechukwu Umenwa (Dike Udo Uga), center, with some members of the bereaved family
Chairman of Agbako Village, Chief Christopher Nnadum, thanks the Agbako daughters and others for their valued presence and vital role played
Members of Immaculate Heart Parish Choir that performed creditably during the Church service
A cross section of the clergy that officiated during the Church service, Rev. Fr. Ojirinnaka, middle, celebrated the mass
