The earthly journey for all mortals from birth to death is marked in phases. According to the book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 verse 2: “There is a time for everything on earth — a time to be born and a time to die”. Our Diamond mother, late Mrs Elizabeth Ekedimma Atuka, fondly known as Mummy Queen has played her part on earth and is awaiting her crown of glory in heaven.

Late Mrs Atuka, nee Okeke Nkwasa, was born in 1947 to the family of late Mr Okeke Nkwasa and Mrs Mgboye Nkwasa, from Ebenano Village, Ogba, Mbaukwu, in Awka South Local Government Area. She was the only surviving child out of her 13 siblings and was the last child in the family. She was raised by her mother, as her father died while she was still very young.

Young Lizzy was a beautiful chubby angel, loved and admired by all. She was vivacious and friendly as a child and as an adult. She attended Saint Theresa’s Primary School, Mbaukwu, where she obtained her First School Leaving Certificate but could not further her education due to the harsh economic condition of her family. Her beauty and homeliness attracted her to her prince charming, Mr Patrick Nweke Atuka (Nwa-Amurunamma), from Amaoye Village, Enugwu Quatres, Umuawulu in Awka South Local Government Area. They got married in 1967 and were blessed with eight children, five males and three females.

Sadly, Queen lost her husband early and had to go through a lot to carter for her children. She singlehandedly brought up her children: Sir Innocent Atuka (Atukason), Mrs Eucharia  Nonye Ezenwanne, Michael Atuka, Theophilos Atuka, Mrs Jacinta Uju Okafor, Benjamin Atuka, Mrs Theresa Obiageli Orji, and Wilfred Atuka, who have all had a total of twenty-one grand children. Mrs Elizabeth Atuka did her best to entrench the values of hard work, fear of God, and mutual respect among all members of her family.

As a consummate businesswoman, dealing in provisions, Queen had an unrivalled energy and strength of character. Her habit of excellence distinguished her in business. She believed in justice, equity, and fairness. .

Mama’s faith in God was unshakeable. As a devout Catholic, She never missed the Holy Mass. A full-fledged member of the Catholic Women Organization, CWO, Saint Anthony of Padua Society, a church warden; and a member of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Nigeria at Saint Michael’s Catholic Church, Fegge Onitsha. Her steadfastness in the church earned her the award of ‘Diamond Mother’.

Mummy Queen was a social crusader, a counselor to many families and was instrumental to reconciling many families in trouble.

However, Queen became ill for quite some time until she was called home by her maker in the morning of 17th February, 2022, at the age of 75. She is fondly remembered by her children, grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law and many other relations.

Consequently, tomorrow, Thursday 21st April 2022, there will be a service of songs and Christian wake at her compound, Amaoye Village, Enugwu Quarters, Umuawulu. On Friday, 22nd April, 2022, there will be a pontifical high mass in her honour at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church, Umuawulu, while interment follows immediately at mass at her husband’s compound. Condolence visits and reception of guests hold at Saint Mark’s Anglican Church Field, Umuawulu.

Mummy Queen, gaa ije gi nke oma n’ime Onyenwe anyi, Amen. Diamond Mother, adieu, till we meet again to part no more.

WRITTEN BY SIR INNOCENT ATUKA

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