A Tribute To My Beloved Mother, Beatrice Njoku Ugorji

MAMA, your death was not in our agenda until that black Saturday of February 28, 2015, when you were certified dead at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.

The day before her eventual death, my mother Beatrice Nwanyisunday Njoku Ugorji had shown no sign of
illness. In her usual manner, she had gone to her farm, returned and cooked her meals, which she later
ate with the rest of the family, took her bath and was getting ready for the weekly Orie market when the unexpected happened.

It was exactly 9.35pm. I was glued to the television in my sitting room with my wife, Chinwe listening to the NTA’s network news when my younger brother, Chizaram called my mobile phone line.

“Mama is vomiting”, came his voice as he dropped almost immediately. I returned the call and he repeated to me that our mother had vomited twice within intervals that night. There was anxiety in his voice. I quickly made up my mind that Mama was in trouble.
My wife who sat beside me agreed that Mama was in trouble as according to her, “ Chizaram will be the last person that could be moved by such situation.” But having decided to call, then the situation was beyond what he could handle.

My wife immediately grabbed the phone from me and queried my brother; “What did she eat? Give her the phone.” But my Mama muttered what we could not comprehend. I quickly grabbed the phone and called my
elder brother, Obinna. We agreed she must be rushed to the hospital. My village, Umumba, Nsirimo has no functional health centre or general hospital. The only alternative where effective medicare could be obtained especially for her became the FMC, Umuahia, which would take at least 45 minutes from my village to access.

It was here that my younger brother defiled the fear and all the danger associated with night travel to rush our mother. The intervention could not however save her, as she was pronounced dead in the early hours of February 28.

Mama, your death came to me as a surprise. This is because it was exactly two weeks you left my residence in Enugu, very sound and kicking to prepare for this year’s annual mothering Sunday of the Anglican Church. Unfortunately, you did not live to witness it.

Born in 1954 to the family of Nzeadibe of Obingwa in Isiala Ngwa North, Beatrice was a beautiful damsel. She attended her primary education at the St. Patrick’s Primary School in Enugu. Her education was interrupted by the civil war that broke out after her primary education.

Perhaps, moved by fear of being traded to the north by Nigerian soldiers, her parents decided to marry her off to a man who could protect and provide security for her. That was how she got married to the late Pa Israel Njoku Ugorji of Umumba, Nsirimo, Umuahia South Local Council Area, Abia State, who then was a Councillor and Conscripting Officer in the Biafran army.

Beatrice was great company for young and old, men and women. She abhorred injustice and arrogance. She used unconventional and powerful ways to teach her children life lessons.

A committed Christian of the Anglican Church and community leader, she would be remembered for the genuine love she showered on her fellow humans while on earth.

To her aged mother, sisters, brothers and nine children, she will remain a super star. May her gentle and loving soul continue to rest in the bosom of her Creator, till we meet to part no more.  Adieu
great woman! Adieu Nwunye Papa!!