By Wilfred Eya

On Wednesday, October 5, 2022, an Amazon and matriarch of the Igwesi royal family of Obuoffia Ancient Kingdom in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, Her Highness, Chief Ezinne Christiana Ego Igwesi (JP), left this world after a brief illness. Though the queen departed at the ripe age of 76 but the reality of her demise is yet to dawn on many, especially her family and numerous admirers. Lolo Igwesi breathed her last at Raymond Anikwe Memorial Hospital, Independence Layout, Enugu.

Those familiar with her antecedents would agree that the philanthropist par excellence is going home in a blaze of glory. She came, saw and conquered.

Shakespeare literally had people like her in mind when he clearly stated in his novel, Julius Caesar, that: “When beggars die, there are no comets seen; the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.”

Her life was one of passion and dedication to public service, even as her preoccupation was always to touch the lives of the vulnerable and the needy.

While active, she held different positions of trust and leadership, which included: member, Enugu State Rent Tribunal, Enugu South LGA; member, Transition Committee, Nkanu West LGA; and supervisory councillor for health, Nkanu West LGA. Also, she held positions in Umuada Igbo, National Council of Women Societies, and the Methodist Church Nigeria at various levels.

But the ‘mother of all mothers’ has gone the way of all mortals and her funeral rites would commence on December 15 with interment to be done on Friday, December 16, as announced by the revered Igwesi Royal Family of Obuoffia Ancient Kingdom.

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This announcement was contained in a message by Chief U.S.A. Igwesi, the queen’s second son, as directed by His Royal Majesty, Eze Igwesi Obiora Igwesi, Eze-Chinawaeze III of Obuoffia Kingdom, traditional head of Obuoffia Awkunanaw and traditional ruler of Omuoha Awkunanaw, who is the first son.

Since the sad passage of the matriarch, the royal compound of the Igwesi family has been a Mecca of some sort following condolence visits from high-profile personalities, politicians and top businessmen.

Former member of the House of Representatives and former leader of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Chief U.S.A. Igwesi, the second son of the queen, revealed that the queen, who was a wife of the late Royal Majesty, Eze John Egbo Igwesi, Ezechinawaeze II of Obuoffia, was also the mother of the present traditional head of Obuoffia and traditional ruler of Omuoha, His Royal Majesty, Eze (Barr.) Igwesi O. Igwesi, among other surviving children and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

U.S.A. Igwesi thanked personalities, leaders, friends and well-wishers from all walks of life who visited and/or sent messages of condolence and sympathy during the trying period for the family.

He said Lolo Nwakaego Igwesi was a great and hardworking woman, a virtuous wife to his late father and a dear mother who left no stone unturned in ensuring quality upkeep of her family.

U.S.A. Igwesi noted that she served in various capacities, including as SPA and supervisor in Nkanu West LGA, among other important roles in the local government and beyond.

Recalling his last encounter with his mum, he said: “On that fateful day, I came to see her at about 7am with her breakfast only to meet her stone dead and my siblings surrounding her and weeping. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was most devastating. A number of doctors had to confirm her dead before I was convinced. After looking at her lying lifeless with all the efforts to save her life and all the capable hands that surrounded her, I concluded that life is indeed vanity.”