WRITTEN BY PROF. ECHEZONA IFEJIRIKA

The death of Chief Mrs. Martina Adakwere Orji from Ugwuakwu village, Umuchu on March 30, 2019 was a sad event to members of the Igwe-in-Council of Umuchu community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State. Chief Mrs. Martina Orji, nee Ohazurume, was a vibrant female cabinet chief of Umuchu. In fact, her death is a confirmation that mortals have but a limited time to spend on earth and only by the good deeds one accomplished on earth would he or she be remembered.

Born on April 5, 1948 to the family of late Mazi Alaebo and Agatha Ohazurume of Umubilo village, Amanasaa Umuchu, Martina Adakwere had her primary education at C.M.S. Central School, Umuchu where she obtained her standard six certificate in flying colours. She gained entrance to the famous Queen of the Rosary College, QRC, Onitsha in 1964. She was in class 2 when the uprising that culminated in the Nigerian civil war began, which truncated her dreams of advancing her education.

She later got married during the war to Mr. Emmanuel Orji (also known as Abaliagwu) of Ugwuakwu village, Umuchu in 1969 and their marriage is blessed with six children: 2 males and 4 females. Mrs. Martina Orji was a dutiful wife to her husband until his untimely death in 1990, when she had to raise her young children single handedly.

As a young widow, Mrs. Martina Orji busied herself with farm work and tobacco business which made her very popular in Umuchu and beyond. She was very enterprising, industrious, a dogged fighter and an advocate of justice. She was a devout Christian and a staunch member of Saint
Thomas’ Anglican Church, Umuchu and Saint Paul’s Ugwuakwu Umuchu.

Her sonorous voice remains unbeatable, especially during mothering Sunday celebrations and burial ceremonies, which earned her the nickname: ‘Otimkpu Jesus’. Mrs. Martina Orji served God in various capacities in Umuchu, Uga Archdeaconry and Aguata Diocese. She was a former Secretary, Saint Thomas’ women, Umuchu; Financial Secretary, Saint Thomas’ Women General meeting, home branch; Patroness to Saint Thomas’ choir, Saint Thomas’ Boys and Girls Brigade, Boys scout, Saint Thomas’ Band and Saint Thomas’ Youth Fellowship.

At the community level where Mrs. Martina Orji distinguished herself as a fearless mobilizer, peace maker, committed woman leader with an unshakeable integrity whose leadership of Umuchu Improvement Union Women’s Wing spanned many years. She was honored as ‘Ada di ogo’ by the former traditional ruler of Umuchu, Igwe Ignatius, O. Oforbuike for her service to Umuchu community.

She continued her meritorious service to Umuchu in the reign of the incumbent traditional ruler, Igwe Godson, O. Ezechukwu (OON) by spearheading the roasting of the new yams and preparing the ukpaka delicacy for the annual new yam festival of Umuchu community.

Her commitment to the progress of Umuchu earned her prestigious chieftaincy title of Adaokwesilieze one of Umuchu by Igwe Godson Ezechukwu (Okwuluoha 1 of Umuchu) in recognition of her outstanding service to Umuchu community. Indeed, Chief Mrs. Martina Orji can be compared to such heroines in history like Joan of Arc, Golda Meir of Israel and Fumilayo Ransom – Kuti of Nigeria.

As her family mourns her demise, the entire people of Umuchu will miss this Icon of a woman. The Igwe-in-Council of Umuchu will also feel the vacuum her death will create in the cabinet because a fearless and dogged Amazon has gone to her maker.

The burial ceremonies of Chief Mrs. Martina Orji commence today with a wake at her husband’s compound, Ugwuakwu Village, Umuchu. Tomorrow, Friday May 17, her body will leave Visitation Hospital Mortuary to Umuchu Town Hall for a community reception at 8:00am. Lying in state and burial service will hold at her husband’s compound at 10:00am, followed by interment.

As we mourn the loss of Chief Mrs. Martina Adakwere Orji, we are consoled that, as a Christian, she will rise again on resurrection morning, having fought a good fight. Adieu, Chief Mrs. Martina Orji. Laa nke oma, Ka emesia.

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