ADVERTISEMENT
The Sun Nigeria
  • Home
  • National
  • Columns
    • Broken Tongues
    • Capital Matters
    • Diabetes Corner
    • Duro Onabule
    • Femi Adesina
    • Frank Talk
    • Funke Egbemode
    • Insights
    • Kalu Leadership Series
    • Kunle Solaja
    • Offside Musings
    • PressClips
    • Public Sphere
    • Ralph Egbu
    • Shola Oshunkeye
    • Sideview
    • The Flipside – Eric Osagie
    • Tola Adeniyi
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • The Sun TV
  • Sporting Sun
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • National
  • Columns
    • Broken Tongues
    • Capital Matters
    • Diabetes Corner
    • Duro Onabule
    • Femi Adesina
    • Frank Talk
    • Funke Egbemode
    • Insights
    • Kalu Leadership Series
    • Kunle Solaja
    • Offside Musings
    • PressClips
    • Public Sphere
    • Ralph Egbu
    • Shola Oshunkeye
    • Sideview
    • The Flipside – Eric Osagie
    • Tola Adeniyi
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • The Sun TV
  • Sporting Sun
No Result
View All Result
The Sun Nigeria
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT
Ley Your Dreams Come Alive – With FCMB Loans
Home Features

Tribute to Lolo Celina Aniebo Obiekwe

24th February 2021
in Features
0
Tribute to Lolo Celina Aniebo Obiekwe
0
SHARES
106
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

By Dickson Okafor

November 23, 2019, will forever remain a date the families of Aniebo Obiekwe and Aniezeofor, both in Iwollo, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, can’t forget to remember. It is a day that will stick in their minds as a memorial, the day their matriarch and epitome of the very essence of motherhood, the late Lolo Celina Aniebo Obiekwe (nee Aniezeofor), whom we all drank from her milk of kindness passed on to the great beyond.
Initially, when the news of her death broke, I was short of words to describe the meaning of the world’s greatest mystery, death. But J.K. Rowling captured it this way: “To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure”. Chuck Palahniuk went further to ask, “If truly death meant just leaving the stage long enough to change costume and come back as a new character, would you slow down? Or speed up?”
Whichever way death is described, I took solace in Shakespeare’s description of death in his book Julius Caesar, where he said, “Death is a necessary end, which will come when it will come.”
Then, it finally dawned on me that what I regarded as a mere rumour ab initio was reality, which I’m yet to cope with. But as the days go by, it is disheartening to learn what the words “I miss you” were when I could no longer see Mama Celina at her sitting point, I now realize that, indeed, a necessary end awaits all. Yes, a necessary end awaits all of us because death is a debt we must pay at the appropriate time, just as Mama Celina has graciously paid hers. Meanwhile, she did not die in vain; she lived a fulfilled, impactful and inspiring life in many ways worthy of emulation.
Born on June 17, 1929, to the family of Chief and Lolo C. Aniezeofor, in Iwollo, Ezeagu LGA of Enugu State, Mama grew up in the village setting practicing peasant farming and trading. Like other girls of her time, she had to pursue only basic western education that was often truncated prematurely. These were in circumstances in which female children were not the most favoured for such upliftment even by the most loving fathers because girls’ education was not given equal attention as for the male child then. Given the circumstances she found herself in, pretty Celina accepted to marry handsome young Samuel when he proposed to her. The marriage was blessed with nine children, among whom is Chief Elvis Obiekwe, CEO, Elico Inter-Resources Ltd and national president, Dynamic Youth Organization of Nigeria (DYON).
To the young couple, there was absolutely nothing more worthy and sacrificial than the fact that God entrusted to them a bright future. But beyond that, humanity depends on mothers to bear the bitter-sweet burden of the period of neonatal and maternal formation, raising and nurturing their infants, ensuring their proper growth and preparing them for effective and productive lives. It is worthy to stress that our mothers protect all of humanity by ensuring that life is more meaningful beyond birth and help their fruit of the womb so that they are able to lead purposeful and meaningful existence in dignity. The joy of most mothers unarguably is to ensure that their offspring live more fulfilled and impactful lives than them.
However, for Mama Celina, following the demise of her husband, Chief Samuel Aniebo Obiekwe, in 2001, through sheer determination, she was able to rise above adversity and continue to soldier from where her husband stopped, which led to success story of her children. Having exemplified the hopes and aspirations of most widows who are confronted with enormous challenges, she overcame the challenges through diligence, strength, character, hard work and faith in God. Little wonder, these virtues are replicated in her son, Chief Elvis Obiekwe, whose humanitarian gestures, especially empowerment of youths in Nigeria, have gained national and international recognition. Mama Celina was truly a passionate woman who dedicated her life to family and service to God.
Apart from providing a shoulder for many to lean on, Mama, who many describe as a beacon of humility and a legend in affection, warmed any place she entered with humour. Significantly, her good gesture was reciprocated by beneficiaries of her unconditional lover, most especially her daughter-in-law, Lolo Jennifer Obiekwe Aniebo.
Just as Mitch Albom rightly observed, “Death ends life, not a relationship.” Death could not end the relationship that existed between Mama Celina and her daughter-in-law, Lolo Jennifer, because Mama had love, care and affection showered on her by Jennifer for the 15 years she had health challenges as result of old age.
It is important also to understand that it is rare to see mothers-in-law cared and catered for by their daughters-in-law not even when they are down with ill health. But Lolo Jennifer gave Mama Celina much to cheer as a stabilizing factor on the home front. No doubt, her absence has brought a combination of emotions that can never be fully defined to all of us, including her grandchildren. Yet, within the period she lived, Mama brought joy and sweetness to those of us who were close to her. Indeed, her compassion left a lasting impression on all us even though her death broke millions of hearts. However, everyone at one time or the other experienced the best love of a mother. It was this kind of love and time Mama devoted to the happiness of others thus she will forever remain a shining example of the deep bond of motherhood to many, including her children and grandchildren.
I remember being present when Mama Celina was admonishing one of her grandchildren, Chinoso, an undergraduate at Babcock University, and in her usual sense of humour, she said, “Control your anger because holding unto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.”
What an incredible mother she was, whose labour of love allows us to feel closer, hence, she will remain in our hearts even in death.
One thing that set her miles apart from her contemporaries was that she was not a woman of many words and, indeed, words are not enough to extol her virtues. Therefore, Mama, even though your death brought grief and pain, in life, we loved you dearly, and in death we love you more.
May the good Lord grant you eternal peace, amen. Adieu.

100% Natural Herbs to Finally End Premature Ejaculation, Weak Erection and Small Manhood. >>>Click Here for Details<<< .
Cyril

Cyril

Related Posts

2023:  Ex-APC, PDP stalwarts see alternative in NNPP
Features

2023: Ex-APC, PDP stalwarts see alternative in NNPP

22nd May 2022
Pornography: Outcry as sexual immorality increases among kids
Features

Pornography: Outcry as sexual immorality increases among kids

22nd May 2022
Kudos, knocks as JAMB concludes 2022 UTME
Features

Kudos, knocks as JAMB concludes 2022 UTME

22nd May 2022
Next Post
Overdue appointment of new Service Chiefs:  Legal and moral issues arising

How American strong institutions trumped Trump, a strongman (2)

How reduction in tariff on imported vehicles’ll spur transport sector

How reduction in tariff on imported vehicles’ll spur transport sector

Daudu charges NITDA to develop Nigerians  capacities  in IT sector

Emerging technologies disrupting transport models –Kashifu, DG, NITDA

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ADVERTISEMENT

Highlights

Kudos, knocks as JAMB concludes 2022 UTME

Man City, Liverpool take title chase down to the wire

Napoli rejects Arsenal’s N39BN bid for Osimhen

De Bruyne, Foden win PL player of the season awards

Flying Eagles keeper: Cech inspired me to WAFU glory

FIBA writes Nigeria to clarify withdrawal

Trending

2023 presidency: How APC, PDP candidates may emerge
Politics

2023 presidency: How APC, PDP candidates may emerge

22nd May 2022
0

By Sunday Ani Without mincing words, the two main parties whose presidential candidates will be competing for...

2023:  Ex-APC, PDP stalwarts see alternative in NNPP

2023: Ex-APC, PDP stalwarts see alternative in NNPP

22nd May 2022
Pornography: Outcry as sexual immorality increases among kids

Pornography: Outcry as sexual immorality increases among kids

22nd May 2022
Kudos, knocks as JAMB concludes 2022 UTME

Kudos, knocks as JAMB concludes 2022 UTME

22nd May 2022
Man City, Liverpool take  title chase down to the wire

Man City, Liverpool take title chase down to the wire

22nd May 2022

Follow us on social media:

Latest News

  • 2023 presidency: How APC, PDP candidates may emerge
  • 2023: Ex-APC, PDP stalwarts see alternative in NNPP
  • Pornography: Outcry as sexual immorality increases among kids
  • Kudos, knocks as JAMB concludes 2022 UTME
  • Man City, Liverpool take title chase down to the wire
  • Napoli rejects Arsenal’s N39BN bid for Osimhen
  • De Bruyne, Foden win PL player of the season awards
  • Flying Eagles keeper: Cech inspired me to WAFU glory
  • FIBA writes Nigeria to clarify withdrawal
  • Ogwudire slams FG over ban
  • Sports Minister to host Flying Eagles, Scrabble Team in Abuja
  • Ronaldo to miss Manchester United’s final-day clash
  • Is prostate enlargement associated with weak libido?
  • Red flags of gastric cancer
  • Deborah Yakubu: The evil of killing in the name of God
  • The Southeast and Nigeria’s presidential seat
  • After 2 kids, I’m open to having more –Uche Ogbodo, actress,
  • Kunle Afolayan’s KAP Academy set to graduate trainees
  • After 4 years in US, Daniel K. Daniel returns to Nollywood 
  • Rapper Razzy AG hints of ‘collabo’ with top music artiste

Categories

  • Abuja Metro
  • Anambra Watch
  • Arts
  • Broken Tongues
  • Business
  • Business Week
  • Cartoons
  • Citizen Joe
  • Columns
  • Cover
  • Culture
  • Duro Onabule
  • Editorial
  • Education Review
  • Effect
  • Elections
  • Entertainment
  • Events
  • Features
  • Femi Adesina
  • Food & Drinks
  • Frank Talk
  • Funke Egbemode
  • Gallery
  • Global Square by Kenneth Okonkwo
  • Health
  • Insights
  • Kalu Leadership Series
  • Kunle Solaja
  • Kunle Solaja
  • Letters
  • Lifeline
  • Lifestyle
  • Literary Review
  • Marketing Matters
  • Muiz Banire
  • National
  • News
  • Offside Musings
  • Opinion
  • oriental news
  • Politics
  • Press Release
  • PressClips
  • Public Sphere
  • Ralph Egbu
  • Shola Oshunkeye
  • Sideview
  • South-west Magazine
  • Sponsored Post
  • Sporting Sun
  • Sports
  • Sun Girl
  • Tea Time
  • The Flipside – Eric Osagie
  • The Sun Awards Live
  • The Sun TV
  • Thoughts & Talks
  • Time Out
  • Today's cover
  • Tola Adeniyi
  • Travel
  • Travel & Tourism
  • Trending
  • TSWeekend
  • Turf Game
  • Uncategorized
  • Updates
  • Views from Abroad
  • Voices
  • World
  • World News
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Paper Ad Rate
  • Online Ad Rate
  • The Team
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

© 2019 The Sun Nigeria - Managed by Netsera.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • National
  • Columns
    • Broken Tongues
    • Capital Matters
    • Diabetes Corner
    • Duro Onabule
    • Femi Adesina
    • Frank Talk
    • Funke Egbemode
    • Insights
    • Kalu Leadership Series
    • Kunle Solaja
    • Offside Musings
    • PressClips
    • Public Sphere
    • Ralph Egbu
    • Shola Oshunkeye
    • Sideview
    • The Flipside – Eric Osagie
    • Tola Adeniyi
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • The Sun TV
  • Sporting Sun

© 2019 The Sun Nigeria - Managed by Netsera.

Posting....