*AS IT HAPPENED IN AZIGBO:*
*Hon Izuchukwu Okeke Buries Mother in Grand Style.*

Nobody makes lovely corpse. But Late Madam Anurika Juliana Okeke, the mother of Hon Izuchukwu Okeke, the APC Zonal Chairman, Anambra South Senatorial seat did. Even in death, she cuts a perfect portrait of loveliness and humanity at its finest. Few people get to transit from being utterly indispensable to “eternally unforgettable.” A good mother does. Like the brightest daffodil amid a bouquet of flowers, she exudes enviable humaneness even in her wake.

Like a renaissance artist intoxicated by the muse, Poltical son, Hon Izuchukwu okeke, chose to paint beautiful and everlasting pictures in memory of his mother. Like tiny droplets that precede the hammering rain, the guests meandered into the rustic ambiance of Azigbo in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State. But unlike the proverbial rain droplet, each guest loomed large in reputation and acclaim thus making the assemblage a gathering of nobles, political and industry titans.

They had all travelled from Aba, Onitsha, Awka, Lagos, Abuja, sagamu and Owerri to the east in honour of the Okekes. Thus on October 2nd, 2020, Azigbo literally stood still as the crème of Nigeria’s high society thronged its rustic neighbourhoods to attend the grand ascension of Izuchukwu Okeke’s mother to the afterlife. Expectedly, it was a star-studded event.

The people of Azigbo woke up to witness the grand procession of Madam Comfort’s funeral. Madam Comfort did not. There is no gainsaying she was the Queen of the Okeke clan and a doting mother to her children, a title no monarch could claim. Mama loved her children very deeply and was prepared to sacrifice her happiness for theirs.

Her final ceremonial progression through the streets of Azigbo raised treasurable memories of her life among family, friends and even close neighbours. The recollections bespeak the misery of a watching world that fell in love with the beautiful daughter, wife, mother and grandmother.

Despite the pain of remembering, no one wished to let go the brilliant memories of Madam Juliana Anurika Okeke, particularly Hon Izuchukwu okekr, her loving son. Hovering by her side as she was borne toward an enchanted future, Hon Izuchukwu Okeke rued the final departure of his mother, struggling in his grief to deal with the humbling reality that his sweet, chaste mother had finally set out alone into eternity.

In one sense, though, Madam Juliana Okeke was not gone. At the Church service, before she was blessed and buried, her son made a rare, profoundly wrought surmise after days of puzzling grief, that no one who knew his mother will ever forget her. He averred that many others who never met her, but felt they knew her, will remember her. Even her coffin captured this mixture of the traditional and the personal. It was draped with the royal standard; on top of that rested a spray of white lilies, Mama’s favorite flower. And there was something else: a bouquet of white tulips from and a wreath of white roses.

Madam Juliana's cortege was joined along the way by the most important people in her life. They walked behind her coffin, and then so did representatives from each of the families and communities whose lives she had touched like no other human had. The deceased would definitely turn in her grave for the honour and unrivalled show of love that her beloved son attracted for her sake.

Among the Dignitaries that attended the Burial Ceremony are His Excellency Dr Tony Nwoye, His Excellency Rev Ibeabuchi Madubuchi,(Federal Character Commissioner Anambra State), His Excellency Chief Engr Johnbosco Onunkwo (Onwa Umuchu), Senator Uche Ekwunife (Iyiom), His Excellency Ambassador Elijah Onyeagba (Igbakigba), Hon Paul Orajiaka (APC Gubernatorial Aspirant), Chief Ben Etiaba(SAN, APC Gubernatorial Aspirant), Hon Engr Chris Azubuogu (Member Representing Nnewi North/Nnewi South & Ekwusigo Federal Constituency), Hon Jk Onyeka (APC Candidate,Nnewi North/Nnewi South & Ekwusigo Federal Constituency), Hon Afam Ezenwafor (Afamation) Hon Ikem Uzoezie (Former Speaker Anambra State House of Assembly), Hon Okonkwo Okom (Former House of Assembly Member), Hon Humphrey Nsofor (Former House of Assembly Member), Chief Sir Innocent Obi, Chairman APC Anambra Elders Forum, two House of Assembly Members for Nnewi South 1& 2 Constituencies, Nnewi South PDP Chairman, Chief Bengass.

Others are Members of APC Anambra State Working Committee led by the State Chairman, Chief Basil Ejidike, Chief Mrs Calista Nwachukwu, Zonal Chairmen of Anambra Central and Anambra North, All the Local Government Chairmen of the Party, Anambra South Zonal Officers led by Chief Nestor Okoro, APC Media Community led by Chief Iyke Oliobi, Hon Emeka Okeke (Ide), Chief Hon Ifeanyi Osegbo, Hon Joseph Okeoma, Hon Mike Okeoma (Vibration), Hon Chris Udeze, Hon Kenechukwu Udechukwu, Hon Austin Muomaife (State Youth Leader),Hon Tochukwu Onyedibe, Hon Fabian Onwughalu, Chief Agbalanze Umuchu, Hon Mrs Constance Iloh, Hon Chizoba Nwana (Onyeocha Enugwu-ukwu), Obi Ndigwe, Hon Henry Obi Okpala, Chief Mrs Christy Ikedife and many others who are too numerous to mention.

In a special appreciation message to friends, family and colleagues who all made the trip to Azigbo for the burial, Hon Izuu Okeke said “we, the entire Chief Okeke Patrick, want to say a big thank you to all our families, friends and well wishers for making out time to be with us during our mum’s funeral’.
“We want to thank you all for your support, physical presence, financial support, prayers and encouragement. May the good Lord replenish your pockets and reach you all at the points of your needs.

Long essay without pictures

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