Last Farewell for Mother of Nigeria’s Ambassador to U.S.

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

It was such a difficult and dreaded moment for Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States of America (USA), Dr Uzoma Ikechi Emenike and her family as they bid good bye to their loving mother, Lady Felicia Olaocha Ohadiugha.

It was the last farewell to the matriarch of the Ohadiugha family in her journey to eternity, a voyage which every mortal is bound to undertake at the appointed time, day and year. The remains of the virtuous and prayerful lady, who passed on to eternity at the age 92, was laid to rest on Saturday, June 26, 2021. She flew home in a blaze of glory.

The funeral ceremony was graced by an array of dignitaries from far and near. The funeral mass was held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church Umule Ohuhu in Umuahia North local government of Abia State.

Though the local church was stretched well beyond its capacity, it could still not accommodate the throng of sympathisers, friends and well wishers.

The Catholic Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Most Rev Lucius Ugorji, officiated at the funeral mass concelebrated with 18 priests. The deceased was a Lady of St. Mulumba Order of Knighthood in the Catholic Church. She was inducted with her late husband, Sir Martin Ohadiugha in 1991.

The funeral mass was a fitting opportunity to deliver a message of peace for the beleaguered Nigerian nation, which has been traumatised by insecurity with its attendant bloodletting.

In the homily delivered by Rev Fr Sylvester Anyanwu, Nigeria’s political leaders were charged to put aside their political differences and work very hard to restore peace in the country.

He reminded leaders that the business of peace making has its rewards because it yields dividends of divine blessings. “If you’re a peace maker, God will bless you,” he said, adding, “let’s give peace a chance”.

The cleric said every well meaning Nigerian should be concerned at the spate of bloodletting in the land, adding that people have become refugees in their own land.

Rev Fr. Anyanwu, who is the parish priest of St Ambrose Catholic Parish, Eziama Ubakala, Umuahia South Local Government, said time has come for the ‘live and let live principle’ to find true meaning in Nigeria. “Whenever you are, wherever you come from, let’s embrace peace, ” he said.

The burial ceremony of Nne Ambassador (ambassador’s mother) as the deceased was fondly called, had the trappings of religious, social and political dimensions.

The political aspect had to do with the ambassador’s spouse, Chief Ikechi Emenike, who is the secretary of the Contact and Strategy Committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC).

It was just as well that the members of the APC family from the 184 wards in Abia State came to sympathise with their most respected leader over the loss of his mother in-law.

The national leadership of APC was equally on hand to identify with the top notcher of the party. Leading the entourage was the National Caretaker Committee Chairman of APC, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State.

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo, and Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State were also part of the entourage.

Other political bigwigs at the event include Senator Abubakar Gada, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Rep Nkiru Onyejeocha, Minister of state for Solid Mineral and Steel Development, Mr. Uche Ogah and Minister of state for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Silva.

In their testimonies, the children of Lady Felicia Olaocha Ohadiugha and all that came in contact with her were in unison that her life was worth celebrating not because of the longevity but how she lived her life.

“You had such grace and peace around you. Ever so patient, compassionate and self-effacing,” Ambassador Emeniken said of her late mother. “When you corrected and disciplined you did so with love”.

Chief Emenike in his tribute, lauded his late mother-in-law for her motherly dedication in raising her children, who have all recorded successes in their personal and career endeavours.

“At home and in her workday activities in the public sphere she evinced such cultured calmness and poise that could only be a manifestation of divine grace,” he said.

Lady Felicia Olaocha Ohadiugha, who was a real beauty outwardly and inwardly, was career teacher and retired as a headmistress, special class in 1984.

She was variously described as a teacher per excellence, mentor, disciplinarian, virtuous woman and prayer warrior, who served God and humanity without holding anything back.