The remains of Late Sir Jerome Okafor Ekwugha popularly known as Nwaodinigwe Mmadu will be laid to rest tomorrow Thursday
Twenty Nineth February, 2024 at his country home Umuikejiaku kindred, Akpurukpu clan, Aghanya Quarters, Nneogidi village, Agulu in Anaocha Council Area of Anambra State.
According to Ecclesiastes Chapter Three, Verse Two, ” there is a time to be born and a time to die.” Tomorrow the entire Ekwugha family, friends and well wishers will bid farewell to Sir Jerome.
Late Sir Jerome Okafor Ekwugha was born in 1936 into the family of late chief Anunobi Ekwugha and late Mrs. Nwaku Ekwugha of Umuikejiaku kindred, Akpurukpu clan, Aghanya Quarters, Nneogidi village, Agulu in Anaocha Council Area of Anambra State. He was the first child and first son of the family of five, three males and two females. As the first child, he exhibited boundless love, unwavering respect, unflinching loyalty and unalloyed empathy to his parents, younger siblings and his kinsmen at large. He passed through many challenges in his quest to acquire education and through self help and determination started school and got to standard six where he finished in flying colours while continuing with his bamboo bed craft.
Late Sir Jerome Ekwugha lost his parents when he was about fourteen years old and after the death of his parents, he travelled to Onitsha to learn a good skill and later came back to pick his siblings and travelled back to Onitsha where he lived with them, trained and established them in different fields as well as built another house.
He later moved down to Agulu to trade in stockfish (okporoko), and foodstuff business and finally started his provision business at Nwagu Agulu.
He served as the chairman of Nwagu Traders Association and Anaocha Market Traders Union as well as so many Market Associations. Similarly he served as Patrons to many Unions.
Late Sir Jerome Ekwugha was born into a pagan family and during his early life infant baptism was not allowed. He was among the first set of people that received adult baptism at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church Agulu during the time of catechist Anagor from Abagana. His love and zeal to serve God after his baptism was great which was testified by people of God and he was confirmed at Holy Trinity Anglican Church Igboukwu.
He was among the pioneer members of Anglican Children Ministry when it was introduced as Anglican Praying Association in March 1984 at Aghanya Nneogidi and was also a member of Anglican Youth Fellowship and served in various capacities at the church and Archdeaconry levels and was instrumental to the active work and achievements of the Fellowship in the area.
He was a Sunday school teacher, a service he rendered for many years in St. Stephen’s Anglican Church Agulu and was appointed the church and parish Treasurer and later became the Archdeaconry Treasurer during the time of old Agulu Archdeaconry. He was also licensed Church Lay Reader by the former Dean Church of Nigeria and Bishop of Awka Diocese, late Most Reverend Maxwell Anikwenwa, who also appointed him a member of Diocesan Sensitization Committee on Church Tithing.
Late Sir Jerome joined St. Stephen’s Parochial Church Committee since the time of his youth and served in various capacities for many years until 2022. His courage, diligent, humility, and commitment to God’s service positively impacted various organizations he had led, as well as the church at large. He was a synod delegate to the Awka Diocesan Synod and had participated for many years.
He was a former Vice Chairman St. Stephen’s General Meeting, former chairman St, Philip’s Anglican Church Nneogidi now renamed St. Christopher Anglican church. During his time as St. Philip’s chairman, he was also doubling as chairman of St. Jude’s Zone Aghanya. His leadership constructed the old church building at St. Christopher’s and the present St. Jude’s Church Centre which he donated part of land. His work and the infrastructures he championed at St. Jude’s Center became the basis for starting the first ever Nursery School section in Akiyi-Aghanya which accommodated both Anglican Children and Roman Catholic Children, until the second was built by the Catholic church at Amanwanu Square. He practically spearheaded many interdenominational collaborations in the community and was also a member Awka Diocesan Board and Finance among others
Due to his sincerity, honesty, uprightness and the accountability he displayed when he was the Parish Treasurer, he was recognized and honoured by late Archbishop Anikwenwa with knighthood of St. Christopher on 22nd March, 2008, a conferment of responsibility and honour well deserved as he was a promising crusader of the faith, and a dependable defender of the Church.
He was a member of St. Stephen’s Choir, and remained a chorister to the fullest until his death on 30th November, 2023.
Late Sir Jerome was involved in community services throughout his adulthood and contributed immensely to the growth and development of his people and community as well participated in peace making forums.
Late Sir Jerome Ekwugha was married to lady Cordelia Ekwugha, and they wedded at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church Agulu. The union is blessed with nine children whom he trained in the fear of God and ensured they received quality education.
Late Sir Jerome Ekwugha transited to eternal glory on November 30th, 2023 after a brief illness at the age of eighty seven years.
No doubt, Late Sir Jerome Ekwugha lived a life worthy of emulation. We the children are indeed blessed to have him as our father.
As papa will finally be interred tomorrow as an octogenarian, we humbly pray he embarks on his journey beyond seamlessly and may God accept his soul with eternal repose, till we meet again to part no more. Amen
Adieu Nwaodinigwe mmadu!
Adieu man of peace!!
Adieu good adviser!!!
Adieu onyendozi!!!!
Adieu papa anyi!!!!!
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