WRITTEN BY EUGENIA OKPALA
God and a good wife are the two best things a man can have. This is because a Godly wife/mother is a gift from God,

right from the day she was born. Ezinne Eunice Olejurulo was not just a God-sent mother and wife but an epitome of God’s blessings and benevolence to a family, village, town, state and nation. Born in 1932 to the family of late Chief Ifemeludike and Mrs. Alice Akah of Arochukwu in Abia State, Eunice was a shining star and light from birth
When education was a no-go area for boys, let alone female children, Little Eunice enrolled for early education at All Saints’ School, Umukurushi, Portharcourt, Rivrs State and later, Slessor Memorial School, Arochukwu where she obtain her standard six and Domestic Science Certificates. In 1951, Olejurulo was sent to Ohafia Girls’ Secondary School for teacher’s training and domestic Science courses.
Due to Mama’s brilliant performance, she was offered appointment to teach in Slessor Memorial School, Arochukwu. A strong woman can do it all by herself, but a good man will be right by her so she won’t have to. Thus, it was while Eunice was at Arochukwu that she got betrothed to her heartthrob, Mr. Benjamin Eziuzo. She assiduously worked with her husband as missionaries in teaching from 1951 to 1965, covering Saint Peter’s school, Agulu; Central School, Nkpor Agu; Nkwo Nnewi (DDC) from Saint Andrews T.T.C Nkwo Nnewi. When her husband left to further his education at the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka, mama took excellent care of the family and children.
Goodness is about character – Integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage and the like. More than anything else, it is about how we treat other people. During the War, Ezinne Eunice, being a hardworking woman, was able to sustain her family, single handedly, for men were not moving about freely. She actively got involved in “Ahia attacks”. She traveled to distant places like Nkwerre Inyi, Nkwo Umunze, Afor Ufuma etcetera on foot and at times on bicycle to trade in order to have both ends meet. Ezinne’s consciousness and unequaled exploits in trading and farming saw to her not losing any of her children to Kwashiokor or death that ravaged the region that time.
After the war and the completion of her husband’s degree course at Nsukka, she left with the husband to Saint Rose’s Grammar School, Ogwashi-Ukwu, where the husband taught till his demise in 1975. She then took an appointment with the State Government as a school matron. She worked at Community Secondary School, Abagana and community school Adazi from where she bowed out from civil service.
Olejurulo was a strong and active member of Anglican Church, her belief and Christian discipleship endeared her into becoming a member of Women’s Guild and Mother’s Union. She was among the batch of women that received honorific award of Ezinne from Immanuel Anglican Church, Adazi-enu.
Her joy knew no bounds seeing her ten children doing well in diverse fields of endeavour. The latest and greatest of her blessings was the elevation of her son-in-law, Most Reverend Professor G.I.N Okpala (JP, OON) and her fourth child Mrs. Eugenia Nwnabugo Okpala (JP) Nnebuife, (Mama Niger Province) to the status of Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger.   
Ezinne Eunice Olejurulo Eziuzo passed on to glory on Saturday, February tenth, 2018 at the age of 86. She is fondly remembered by Mrs. Faith Okoli- Daughter, Engineer Nnaemeka Eziuzo- son, Sir Charles Eziuzo –son, Mrs. Eugenia N. Okpala (JP) (Nnebuife)- Daughter, Lady Nonyelum Ojukwu – Daughter, Mrs. Ngozi Okoli- Daughter, Pharmacist Chidi Ikeagu- Daughter, Engr. Ik Eziuzo- son, Mrs. Obiageli Nwabachili- Daughter and Ekene Eziuzo – son as well as many grand children and great grand children.
Mama, our heart goes out to you in this time of sorrow, but we are consoled by your fruitful life. You have fought the good fight, kept the faith; what remains is the crown of glory which your maker will crown you with.
Service of songs holds today at her compound, Okonobi kindred, Umuabu village, Adazi-Enu. Ezinne Olejurulo will be laid to rest tomorrow April 18, 2018 at her compound, after burial service at Parish Church of Immanuel, Adazi-Enu at ten o’clock in the morning. The service will be officiated by the Primate of all Nigeria, Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, his son-in-law, Most Reverend Professor Godwin Izundu Nmezinwa Okpala, other Archbishops, Bishops, and Clergy, amidst Crème de Crème in the society. There will be outing service on Sunday, April twenty-second, 2018 at Parish Church of Immanuel, Adazi-Enu at ten o’clock in the morning.
Adieu Ezinne, Adieu Afo muru Mama Niger Province, Adieu Egoigwe.

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