By Daphne Uduneje
Apostle Samuel Nwaire, The General Overseer of Christian Life Gospel Assembly, Oke-Afa, Lagos, and Eng. Joe Igbokwe, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have extolled the virtues of late Madam Ezinne Theresa Anekwe, who died recently at the age 86.
Describing the late Anekwe as a devoted woman of God, Mr Igbokwe advised the bereaved family not to mourn, emphasizing that 86 years is a great number.
Speaking at the Service of Songs in honour of late Anekwe held at Bucknor area of Lagos State on Thursday, the APC stalwart advised all Ndigbo in APC members to continue to build bridges across the country, so that they could make more friends.
Also speaking at the Service of Songs, Apostle Nwaire, who was accompanied by his wife, Pastor (Mrs) Cecilia Nwaire, Pastor Sunday Itor, both of Christian Life, described late Anekwe as a good woman who lived for others.
Nwaire, a Commissioner for Power in Imo State, led a delegation of church members from the Christian Life Gospel Assembly to the occasion, including Pastor Abel, Pastor (Mrs) Stella Ugboaja; Elder (Mrs) Nwana, and Pastor (Mrs) Chimeziri Cletus.
In his speech, the chief host of the event and son-in-law to the deceased, Mr Moses Akaigwe, said the occasion was a solemn way of paying tribute to late Anekwe and to also celebrate the kind of life she lived while on earth.
Akaigwe, a multiple award-winning auto journalist who described her mother-in-law as a great woman said “I went to Enugu to look for wife from this woman and I ended up having a mother instead of a mother-in-law. I went to her as a son-in-law but ended up as her son. Everything about her is an embodiment of the virtuous women described in the Bible (in Proverbs 31)
Akaigwe also expressed joy that late Anekwe’s noble lifestyle has rubbed of on his marriage, being that his wife, Amb Stella Nkoli Akaigwe, took to her mother’s strong characters which have helped to stabilize their marriage for decades.
He, therefore, stated that her marriage has kept going on smoothly without any interference, due to a foundation the late woman had laid by training her daughter very well.
One of the highlights of the event was the sermon delivered by Pastor Chima Wisdom, who emphasized on the need for everyone to live a good life.
Pastor Chima advised the audience to always do something good they can be remembered for, when one departs the world.
Affirming that late Anekwe lived a good life, Pastor Chima advised, saying “What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole of this life and lose his soul. We are all passengers in this life. So my advice is that, when you live, let there be something you can be remembered for”.
The first bible reading taken from Job 19: 23-27 was by Master Chidera Akaigwe while the second reading from Thessalonians 4:13-18 was read by Chioma Akaigwe. Chidubem Akaigwe’s bible reading was from Revelation 22:1-6.
Late Ma Theresa Anekwe’s “favourite” grand daughter, Ijeoma Akaigwe, rendered a moving tribute to her late grandmother. saying she embraced God’s love with open arms from her earliest days.
Her faith was not just a part of her life, according to Ijeoma, but was the foundation upon which she built everything else.
Part of Ijeoma Akaigwe’s tribute to her grandma read, “Our late grandmother was our spiritual guide. She taught us to pray, to seek God’s wisdom in all things, and to trust in His love.
“Today, as we say goodbye to her, we take comfort in knowing that she is now in the arms of her Savior. As it says in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness.”
Tributes also came from Chief Chris Ekwilo, a chieftain of Ndi Igbo in APC; the Women’s Leader, Barr. Oby Onu; and an Igbo leader in Oshodi-Isolo Local Govt. Area, Chief (Mrs.) Kate Emereuwa.
Mrs. Ada Iwuoha, the widow of the late Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) National President, Bonny Iwuoha, testified that late Madam Anekwe prayed for her at a time she had been married for years without a child, assuring her that she she would soon have children.
Shedding tears of joy, Mrs Iwuoha presented her four children – three boys and a girl – as evidence that God later answered Madam Anekwe’s prayers for her.
The Service of Songs was well attended by friends and well wishers, including APC Party faithfuls, community leaders and guests from both Abagana and other communities in Anambra State, including the Chairman of Abagana Welfare Union (AWU), Lagos branch, Barr. Peter Ozobialu, and Chief Emmanuel Asiegbu.
Before the service ended, Apostle Nwaire prayed for the Akaigwes for a successful funeral in Eziowelle, Anambra State.
