–MABEL NWANDU

Madam Constance Mgbafor Ogige was born at Abagana in 1927 to the family of Ogige Nwanadi Ezedinma and Iyom Ofuchi (Ugomba) of Orafia Village, Abagana, both of blessed memory. Mgbafor was the third daughter of six children (four females and two males). She was her father’s pet. This earned her the name Mgbafor Ogige, which she was fondly called.

As a young girl, Constance was a paragon of beauty. She was slim, pretty, charming, intelligent and full of good character. These endearing qualities could, therefore, not escape the eyes of suitors. This made her marry at a tender age to Mazi Nwankwo Onuora (Ogboko).

As a virtuous woman, she was a complete helpmeet to Mazi Onuora, her husband. They did everything together and loved each other very much. Mama and her husband were very good dancers; during dance festivals, they led many groups with a perfect symphony of dance styles.

Madam Constance Mgbafor Ogige had her first child, Oliaku Onuorah, fondly called “Oliakum” by her father (Mama’s husband) at the very tender age of fifteen. Unfortunately, death snatched her husband very early. Then, trouble started and being her father’s favourite, Mama’s father took her back. She joined her father in his farm work for a very long time.

After the death of her father, Mama left farming and started a new trade – tobacco. She went to Onitsha from Abagana on foot to buy tobacco and returned that same day. The distance from Abagana to Onitsha is 15 miles and there were no vehicles at that time. She did it for many years and raised enough money to transit to selling food items like beans, rice and onions.

Constance Ogige later became a devout member of the Anglican Church. She was baptized in 1955 and confirmed in 1966. Mama cherished Christian life. She was so devoted that she never missed morning services (uka-ututu) or morning devotion. She never failed to attend Sunday services or Friday classes and was a member of Women’s Guild.

Madam Constance Mgbafor Ogige, popularly known as Asa Nwanyi, loved to help people and she demonstrated this through payment of school fees, financial support to widows and other forms of assistance to those in need. Mama equally appreciated family unity and loved her siblings. She was especially fond of her last sibling (Samuel) and Janet. They were very close and when she lost them, she mourned them deeply. However, she completely put her trust in the Lord. She was indeed a mother of faith.

Mama was a very strong woman and was very healthy that she never slept in the hospital throughout her lifetime. She went to be with the Lord on July 24, 2020 after 93 blissful years sojourn on earth. Oh death, you are so cruel! You snatched Mama without the opportunity to say goodbye.

Left to mourn her are Arinze Onyema (son); Mrs Mabel Nwandu and Mrs Chinelo Anyaka (daughters). Others are Chief Michael Onyemaenu (brother), Chinedu Anyaka (son in-law), Mrs Helen Udechukwu, Mrs Chinwe Ejiofor, Mr Onyeka Nwandu, Engineer Ethel Arubalueze, Pastor Godson Nwandu, Mr Chukwugozie Nwandu, Miss Chinecherem Anyaka and Mr Somkenechukwu Anyaka (grand children), 20 Great Grand Children and 4 Great Great Grand Children and many other relations.

Service of songs holds today at her compound, Adagbe Orofia Abagana, Njikoka LGA. There will be funeral service by 10am tomorrow, Friday, September 11, 2020 after lying in state at her compound, thereafter condolence visits. There will be Thanksgiving Service at Saint Peter’s Anglican Church, Abagana by 9am.

Asa Nwanyi, Ojemba Enwe Ilo, Okpata Ozue Ora, jee nke oma.

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