The medieval poet and literary icon, William Shakespeare once said: “When beggars die, there are no comets seen but heaven themselves blaze the death of princes”. In the same descriptive rendering, one could equally say that it was a cloudy atmosphere that presaged a heavy downpour in the family of the late Pa Onwuka John Mbaneme of Okpuani kindred, Odida in Ikenga Quarters, Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area on the 13th of October, 2023 when the untimely death of Mr. Emeka Mbaneme was disclosed to the family.
Emeka was born to late Pa Onwuka John Mbaneme and Mrs Beatrice Mbaneme in Enugu on 9th of February, 1960. He was the second son of his parents. His father made sure Emeka and his siblings acquired the best education there was. He attended St. Peter’s Anglican Primary School, Coal camp, Enugu; Anglican Boys Secondary School, Nsukka before proceeding to the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN where he studied History and political science. He went for the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC in the then Bendel state.
After a brief career as a teacher at Presco Secondary School, Abakaliki in the present day Ebonyi state, he secured employment with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Due to his diligence and capacity to excel in his job, the Late Mr Mbaneme maintained an immaculate record in the Federal Public Service and rose to the rank of Deputy Director, Logistics and Operations before he retired meritoriously in the year 2020.
In 1996, he married his heartthrob, former Miss Chinelo Esther Nneka Okafor of Aku village, Ezinifite, Aguata local government area and the marriage was blessed with six children, namely: Tochukwu, Kenechukwu, Onyedikachukwu, King David, Chisom and Chidimma. To the glory of God, they are all progressing in their different chosen endeavors.
Until his demise, Emeka was the Chairman of Ogidi Town Development Union, Awka branch and the Chairman of “The Parliament Circle”, Amawbia.
His trajectory in life was built on Christian principles. He maintained the Christian lifestyle as a redeemed of the Lord, washed in the blood, and Heaven bound pilgrim. He devoted a reasonable chunk of his income to advance the work in the Lord’s vineyard and evangelism such as religious crusades in his community, Ogidi and purchasing gospel music equipment for different churches of the pentecostal denomination.
Jocularly called “Mma yie Ọgalanya ọmụlụ akọ”, Emeka always demonstrated his love for Igbo proverbs, wisdom and value system. He was also a philanthropist who funded the academic pursuit of his siblings’ children and that of other less privileged in his community, Ogidi.
The funeral rites for the late Mr Emeka Mbaneme will hold tomorrow, Saturday, 9th December, 2023, beginning with a service by St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Ogidi at his compound located near Idemili North local government bus stop beside BIUCAIN Hospital, Ikemba road, Ogidi. On Sunday, 10th December, 2023, there will be outing service at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Ogidi
The family of the late Mr Emeka Mbaneme have taken consolation that he led a good life and left the legacy of the fear and trust in God’s word for his children.
Adieu “Mma yie Ogalanya omulu ako”! You were our beacon of light and we look forward to reunite with you on the resurrection morning.
Jee nke ọma
Written by POLYCARP ONWUBUIKO
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