Commentary: Life And Times Of Ezinne Bessie Afulenu Ezenwaji

^{WRITTEN BY EMMA EZENWAJI}
Ezinne Bessie Ezenwaji was born on April 21, 1921 to the family of Late Pa Andrew Uchefuna of Urualor Village, Enugwu-Ukwu.

She was the first daughter of her parents. Her mother died when she was an infant. Bessie had her primary education, first at Immanuel Church Primary School Enugwu-Ukwu and at Central School, Abagana after which she was betrothed to late Chief Gaius Nwachukwu Ezenwaji.
After her marriage, it was the church custom in those days to send newly married women for domestic training. Hence, Ezinne was sent to Amanwanyi, Awka, that is: Anglican Training Convent, where she was thought good Christian living and home management. Mama wedded in January, 1942. She had her first marriage challenge when she learnt on the wedding night that her husband had been sick for a long time. She braced for the tough challenge.
The union produced four males and four females. Ezinne was an itinerant trader, who helped her husband, a school teacher, in providing resources for the upkeep of the large family. She had small business enterprises which included tailoring, buying and selling of various goods, preservation and selling of kolanuts. She was a focused mother, and was never distracted in spite of her numerous church and community engagements.
Mama began her community service in 1958 when she served as a Special Adviser to the Community’s Women Executive Body, Otu Inyom Ebenato Umuawulu. She had rich experience by reason of her contacts and exposure to many women groups where she had sojourned with her husband. In 1969, she became the Secretary-General of Umuawulu Women Association and later the Chairlady of the group for twelve years, from 1973 to 1985.
Mama was a committed Anglican and liked to worship God by singing spiritual songs. She worked closely with her husband in God’s vineyard. In 1962, when Papa was transferred to head Saint Mark’s School, Umuawulu, she had opportunity to impact the church women in particular and women of the community in general with her wealth of knowledge and experience.
She was the chairlady of Saint Mark’s Home and Abroad Women from 1969 to 1978. She also served in the building committee of the church as well as member of PCC of the church. Mama was admitted into the Women Guild in the early fifties and into Mothers Union in 1961. It is therefore, not surprising that, in 1999, when the church decided to honour a woman of starling character and proven faith, and who had made outstanding contribution to the church, she was the first and preferred choice of Saint Mark’s women, and was decorated and celebrated as the first EZINNE of the church.
Mama was blessed with children who have attained heights in their different callings and were all committed to the church and to the kingdom of God.  Her first daughter, Augusta Chibuogwu, married to Edmund Okeke from Umuenu village Umuawulu, took closely after her as she was elected the President Saint Mark’s Women General Meeting. Mama’s second daughter, Fanny Ebele, married to late Okonkwo Nkala, from Enugwu village, Umuawulu, also was elected the President Saint Mark’s Church Women Wing after which she (Ebele) was elected President-General of Ebenato Women.
Mama’s first son, late Professor Godfrey Maduka, in his love for God and the Church, purchased a land and willed it to building of the Anglican Church in Agbana village. That prophetic move was fulfilled on January 21, 2018 when Bishop of Awka diocese, Right Reverend Alexander Ibezim PhD, JP, performed the turning of the Sod for the construction of Saint Barnabas Anglican Church building at Agbana village. Sir Dr. Emma Ezenwaji, Mama’s fourth son has served Awka Diocese (Anglican Communion) in many capacities. All her children had University Education and obtained first degrees in the 1980s. Today, five of her children have doctorate degrees in varied disciplines while all others have handled top government responsibilities at the state and national levels. Ezinne Mama had a special blessing of longevity from God as she lived an eventful 96 years before she was called home on December 23, 2017. Adieu Mama!