The Bible, in the book of Ecclesiastics, states that there is time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heaven; a time to be born and a time to die. So, in 1949, Caroline Amakeme was born into the family of Ekpeha Ezike in Akabor Village, Mbaukwu.

 

Her mother, Mgbogoafor Ekpeha, died when she was still very tender, leaving the young Caro and her two younger siblings with their aged grandmother.
Left with no father and mother, Caro started at a very tender age to carry the family responsibilities, combining her elementary school with menial jobs in order to take care of her aged grandmother and her younger siblings. While other pupils were in school, Caro would follow her aunties and her elderly cousins to faraway places to excavate clay soil for molding clay pots.

She would mold the clay, take to the market and her aunties would sell for her. With the money, Caro would buy foodstuff and other things needed in the family. She continued like that until her immediate younger brother, Jonathan Ekpeha, was of age to start supporting her. However, Penury forced Caroline and her siblings out of the elementary school.

In early seventies, Caro married to her heartthrob, Mr. Kenneth Nnyagu, from Umuenu Quarters, Umuawulu. One of her most appealing qualities was her spirit of oneness. She took her mother-in-law as her own mother and forthwith, she stopped her from embarking on strenuous tasks like going to the farm and going to the stream to fetch water.

According to her, the onus was on her to take care of her aged mother-in-law. She demonstrated further the spirit of unity and oneness when she ensured that her brothers-in-law and a lone sister-in-law would be feeding from the same pot, not minding that she was the person providing the food. She worked assiduously in the farm to feed her new home. Until the demise of her mother-in-law in 2011, she had always prayed and wished to have Caro as her daughter-in-law in her next world.

Caro was very benevolent. She derived pleasure in sharing whatever she had with people. Her amiable qualities, thus, earned her different beautiful nicknames from different people. Her mother-in-law called her “Ochirinnediyaeze”. Because of her exceptional beauty, women married into the kindred gave her the name, “Opimma”, the Ejemili women dance of St Mark’s Anglican Church, Umuawulu called her “Aru-ude” and she was popular among other folks as “Stainless Umuagbala”.

Mama was a docile wife to her husband, Kenneth. As a helpful wife, Aru-ude supported in paying the school fees of her children from her petty trading. She never had any bickering with her husband. Even when provoked, Mama’s anger never prolonged. Stainless Umuagbala never bore grudges and people around her knew her for that.

Ochirinnediyaeze was a mother to all. She believed that human beings are created for one other and therefore, one’s plights gave her concern.
Albeit, nobody expected it would happen now, we would not question nature. Death is a price every mortal must pay. Thus, on the night of January 15, 2021, Mrs Caroline Nnyagu bowed to join the league of saints at the age of 72. Mama has been buried and the funeral arrangements have been slated for April 16 and 17, 2021. Mama, we love you but God loves you more.

Left to mourn her are: Mr. Kenneth Nnyagu (Husband), Dr. Uche Nnyagu, Ugochukwu Nnyagu, Peter Nnyagu, Sunday Nnyagu (Sons); Mrs. Blessing Osondu, Mrs. Ifeoma Okoboshi and Mrs. Chinelo Nzekwe (Daughters). Others are Mr. Leonard Osondu and Henry Okoboshi (Sons-in-law); Mrs. Chizoba Nnyagu (Daughter-in-law), Mrs. Ngozi Nnyagu and Mrs. Ebere Nnyagu (Daughters- in-law); Ichie Jonathan Ekpeha (Brother), Mrs. Josephine Anabulu (Sister). Other survivors are Mr. Damian Nnyagu (Brother-in-law), Mrs. Janet Enemchi (Sister-in-law), many grandchildren, and other numerous relations. May your gentle soul rest in the bosom of the Lord, Amen.
WRITTEN BY DR. UCHE NNYAGU

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