Good works of people when they were alive is what they will be remembered for when are no more. So were the testimonies of Mrs Mabel Nwabume Ayinofu.
Mrs Mabel Nwabume Ayinofu (Alodiya) was born in 1941 to the family of Mr. Igbonaekwu and Mrs Gladys Udechukwu, in Uruagu Umuogali village Oba in Idemili South L.G.A. Her father was a prosperous farmer and her mother a trader. She was the fourth child and second daughter of eight children (4 boys and 4 girls). Mabel loved farming; hence, she spent most of her time farming with her parents.
In 1950, she went to Aba where she lived with her Aunt. The young Nwabume attended National Army School where she did standard 1 to 4 and completed her standard 5 at Saint Peter’s School, Oba. In 1960, she proceeded to Oba Girls’ Secondary School.
Mrs Mabel Nwabume married her heartthrob, Chief Onyeilo Wilson Ayinofu in 1960, at the age of 25 and God blessed their marriage with 11 children (6 boys and 5 girls. Unfortunately, 5 died. Mama was a good and responsible wife, a loving and caring mother and sister.
Mabel was a very strong and hardworking woman, full of strength. She always supported her husband to make sure the family moved on. Unfortunately, on first January, 1991, her husband passed on. Consequently, Alodiya became a single parent. She worked hard to train and care for her children, both in school and other things that would better their life. She worked hard to provide for all her children’s need.
After the death of her husband, she went into tipper business, supplying sand to builders. She was the leader of Uruokokwu Women Co-operative Union, known at that time for palm oil making (known as Isu Akwu Igweh).
Mrs Mabel Ayinofu later stopped the tipper business and started cooking cassava (akpu) business during the time of Oba – Onitsha airport project. She was also into fried potatoes, yam, plantain and fish business. She even produced and sold black soap and did a lot of farming. Even when God blessed her children, she never stopped farming and her firewood business. All these businesses she did were to ensure that her children never lacked anything good, including their education.
Above all, Mrs Mabel Ayinofu loved things of God. Even in her sick bed, she still had the desire of building a place of worship for God. Mama was a cheerful giver; she loved giving food items and other things to the poor and the needy. She disliked seeing people intimidated. Mama was always on the side of truth, no matter who was involved. She loved and cared for all her relatives, she had a loving and caring family. A motivator of integrity, a role model, she fought till her last breath.
Alodiya, Ogo Lawyer died on June 22, 2021. She is survived by six children (four sons and two daughters), four daughters-in-law and two sons-in-law, twenty-three grandchildren, siblings, cousins, nephews and nieces.
On Friday, January 7, 2022, there will be Christian wake at her compound, Uruokokwu Umuogali Oba. Saturday 8th January, body leaves Saint Joseph’s hospital, Adazi-Nnukwu for a brief stopover at her father’s compound, Uruagu Umuogali Oba, 9am lying in state at her compound, 10am burial service followed by interment at her compound Uruokokwu Umuogali Oba, thereafter condolences.
Alodiya, a virtuous and industrious woman, we love and miss you so much. May your gentle soul find everlasting rest in the kingdom of God, Amen Adieu mama. Adieu Nne mulu omumu, Nwanyi oma.
WRITTEN BY IFEDIORA AYINOFU
Comments are closed for this post.