By Uzo Ugwunze
It was a gathering of personalities from different walks of life as the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN)led by renown Gospel Artist Gozie Okeke, the Anambra State Waste Management Authority and Soludo Volunteer Force(SVF) led by DG/CEO ASWAMA Hon. Mike Ozoemena, , Traditional Wrestling Championship& Entertainment (TWC) Champion, Maazi Okwuchukwu Okeke a.k.a.Okamgba Ijele with other wrestlers, Senior Clergymen from the Sabbath Association of Nigeria (SAN) among other dignitaries stormed Oba community in Idemili South LGA for the burial of Late Ezinne/Shepherd-Mother Anthonia Ogonna Onwusika.
The dignitaries were present to commiserate with Priest Noble Chibueze of HLCM Yahweh Synagogue popularly called ‘Mmuonapuapu one of the Prelates in the Sabbath Group of Churches and a member of PMAN, the National Secretary SVF Comrade Solomon Onwusika and thier siblings who lost their mother praying that God would give the berieved the fortitude to bear the loss of their late Mum.
According to Priest Noble Chibueze Mmuonapuapu,I and my six siblings will miss my Late Mum Ezinne Anthosco de Capable. She was so caring, She pampers me a lot, and most of all was her hospitality. You can never come around her without eating her food. We have taken after her legacies.
“So, We decided to give her a befitting burial that is why my friends, musicians from different places are here today. Moreover, as a lover of culture and traditional wrestling and sports, the TWC wrestlers and entertainment are here to entertain my people and showcase strength. If you say you are strong you can contend with the champion and go home with a prize”, said Priest Chimezie.
Also, Nwada Ebelechukwu Chibueze the daughter in law described mama as her confidant, counselor and guide who took and treated her as one of her biological daughters when she married into the family.”Shepherd-Mother was my sister from Nnewi too my hometown who gave me the courage to accept to get married to someone from Oba community”.
The first daughter, Adachukwu Sandra said: “Mama was a virtuous woman, God fearing, peaceful, never interested in quarrelling or dragging anything with anyone. She wished that we her children know God more than her and that we are willing to do”.
Moreover, the Head Teacher of Community Model Primary School Akabo Ojoto, Mrs Precious Edoziobi described the late Matriarch as an industrious, efficient and effective administrator when she was the Pioneer Head Teacher of their saying that was why the Parents Teachers Association of the school decided to come for condolence despite the fact that Late Anthonia Onwusika retired over 4 years ago.
The trio of DG/CEO ASWAMA and National Convener SVF, Hon Mike Ozoemena, Founder SVF, Nze Yahweh Onyebuchi Okoye, Woman Leader SVF, Mrs Bekee Udeoogalanya empathized with the second son of the deceased and SVF National Secretary, Comrade Solomon Onwusika for his loss urging him to take heart.
“We the members of SVF a strong support group that is creating awareness on Prof Chukwuma Soludo’s Achievements and mobilizing voters to ensure that he returns for a second term as Governor are here to encourage our Secretary praying God to fill the vacuum created by their mother’s death,” they said.
Moreover, Chairman Sunny Star Hotel, Nze Sunday Agina (Okpataozuora) a relative to the berieved family said in condolence message that the reason why people have children is take of them and bury them not the other way round praying God to replenish the burial expenses. “I saw the performance of the traditional wrestlers and I hope that we Igbos will embrace, invest and promote our culture including traditional wrestling instead of only watching American WrestleMania”.
Others dignitaries who commiserated with the Onwusika family include Prof. Arthur Anyabolu of Chidozie Memorial hospital, Senior All Stars club, Mrs Chibugwu Ofor of Sharon Kitchen Asaba who was in charge of cooking every kind of dish during the event.
The TWC Champion, Okamgba Ijele who also commiserated with the mourners advised youths to exploit the benefits traditional wrestling and sports which if we’ll package can be a source of tourism, personal income and even a source of revenue generation for the state government.
However, the Husband of the deceased, Bishop Duke Onwusika, Priest Noble Chibueze and Solomon Onwusika prayed God to bless all the friends, relatives and well wishers who came from far and near to commiserate with them in their period of mourning and grant them safe journey back to their various destinations.
Highlights of the occasion was when the famous Gospel Artist, Gozie Okeke took over the stage to charge the occasion with his sonorous voice to the fascination of the audience and the traditional wrestling bouts slated for a day before the burial.
